My Aunt Betty Jo- where does a person start? How do you express how much impact one person can have on the lives of so many? I don't know either, but I can tell you what impact she had on mine.
The first words that come to mind when I think of her are: Honest, Smart, Creative, Savvy, Kind, Compassionate, Grace giving, loving and a great cook.
Some of my earliest memories of her were when would have a Christmas party at her house. I remember one year she gave (and still have) this doll she made for me. It was larger than life to me! One reason it really was a big doll, she made it long and skinny and it had elastic bands on the hands and feet so you could attach it to your hands and feet and dance and play. The second reason, is because I got a gift that all the big girls got! (my older cousins) BUT the main reason is I was so amazed that someone could create something so great with their hands.
She is my Dads sister, 1 of 5. All of my growing up years she lived just a few miles away from me, so I got to see her and visit her alot! She always had a dog or some animal running around, and she always had a garden. Not like a garden you see now days, a little four row thing with a few veggies. Her gardens were massive! (well they seemed massive to me at the time) To me just the walk from her house to the "big" garden seem like quite a trek!
Once when I was a bit older I remember I was ridin' the tractor with my Daddy in a field that wasn't to far from her house, so I decided being at her house would be much better than this hot dusty old tractor. So I asked my Dad to take me to her house..he denied that request. (for you non farmin' folks..once the tractor is in the field it doesn't leave, quit, or stop until the work is done-so me asking for a ride down the road was almost like asking someone in the middle of cutting your hair to stop..go get in their car and get you lunch) However he quickly said you can walk down there if you want. This was a big deal, like a coming of age, like my dad was saying I was big enough to do something on my own! I took the opportunity! Plus I knew Aunt Betty Jo would have cold Mountain Dew! An extra incentive. So I left out walking. It took me about an hour to get there!! I was so hot and thirsty I thought I might not make it! But once I saw her driveway..I knew I was ok. I knocked on her door told her how I got there she opened it wide and welcomed me in with pure happiness to see me. However she was out of Mountain dew..but that was ok she fixed me right up with some sweet tea!
I remember her tutoring me in math after school. I was/am terrible at math! I was probably about to flunk and I assume my Mother had probably given a valiant effort, but I can guess we butted heads. So, lucky for me I got to go to Aunt Betty Jo's house everyday after school. I loved getting to go down there for any reason...Even if it was math. She taught me in a way I could understand. I listened to her, not only in math but in all things especially how important family is.
I learned to drive on her road. I remember getting to drive my parents car at 14 or 15 (probably more like 15) all by myself from my house to her house. So you can imagine how much I went to visit her!
Once I went off to college I didn't come home often and when I did I didn't get a chance to visit to many people, but before I left school I would call Aunt Betty Jo and let her know I was coming home and ask her to PLEASE make me some of her homemade rolls! No one could make rolls like that woman.
After I was married I called home requested some of her pickled beats I love so much, but my Dad was out. he quickly suggested I go down there and learn how to make them. So I went down and she taught me how to make them myself. I haven't made any ALL by myself yet..I've since then either went and picked her up to have her walk me through it or called her on the phone. Sadly I wont have that luxury this coming year, and I'll be on my own.
To me Aunt Betty Jo was like E.F. Hutton when she talked YOU listened! Because she didn't talk alot. She wasn't one of these people who are a Chatty Cathy, and all up in every ones business, but if you crossed her or spoke ill of her family you had best be prepared because she was going to let you know how she felt on the matter, or at least say something to make you check yourself! I remember once in a conversation we were having about religion (I was married & grown btw) I crossed the line of questioning how one of her siblings could believe a certain way. She REAL quick let me know that people had a right to believe the way they wanted and it wasn't my business to worry about it. Yes Ma'am I said humbly. If you didn't know her..one thing she would set straight in a heart beat was family fighting with each other. Often times if there was family strife..you tried to keep her from hearing about it. Because you knew she wouldn't approve and she would set things right. (or make you set it right)
She was a strong hard working woman. She could and did just as much work as any man could that's for sure. She was a woman who stood for what was right, gave it all she had, and gave grace to all, and never put herself above anyone..ANYONE. As long as I have been on this earth I never once heard her talk or gossip about anyone not ONCE did I ever hear that from her. I can't speak for anyone else but she never allowed me to talk bad about anyone either..especially in her presence.
Everyone in town seemed to call her, Aunt Betty Jo, Granny Jo, Nanny, Mamaw, Momma Jo...I think that speaks volumes of a person character alone. If any character on TV represents Aunt Betty Jo the best.. I think it's Momma Odie (minus the voodoo lol) From "Princess & The Frog". --The accent is almost spot on ;) watch this clip and for those of you who know her..when Momma Odie says "yo daddy" and "chill-ren" you can almost hear Aunt Betty Jo :) http://youtu.be/XJT0uhfcCkw
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