Burke County

On Monday, May 25, we will celebrate Memorial Day. Although it is a day for remembering those who lost their lives defending our nation’s freedom, it is a day that always reminds me of my grandmother.

She passed away on the Friday before Memorial Day, and her funeral was on Memorial Day Monday in 2003.

Living beside my grandmother for the first 14 years of my life was a blessing I was too young to truly appreciate.

My grandfather passed away suddenly in 1972, leaving my grandmother a widow at the young age of 57. Although this was a difficult time for her, she was no stranger to the troubles and trials that often come in this life.

When she was only two years old, her father died of typhoid fever, leaving behind five children and a pregnant wife. There was no Social Security in those days, and most women had no ability to support themselves, much less a family.

My grandmother told me many stories of the resourcefulness of her mother. The family lived on a working farm, and the children collected eggs to sell to neighbors, while my great-grandmother made butter and washed and ironed for others. One of the oldest sons went to work and provided some money for the family.

At the age of six years old, my grandmother carried eggs and butter to people in the area, walking as many as 3 to 4 miles alone. I could never imagine someone that young delivering goods and collecting money!

Resilience obviously ran in the family.

The determination and strength I observed in my grandmother obviously began at a very young age.

As time passed, she fell in love with reading and studying, looking forward to someday graduating high school, even though no one in her family had ever done so. She also desired to earn enough money to purchase a class ring.

The high school principal was seeking someone to cook breakfast and dinner for his family, so my grandmother applied for the job and was accepted.

Every weekday morning, she made her way to his house, cooked breakfast, washed the dishes, and then walked to school. After school was over for the day, she returned to the principal’s home, cooked dinner, cleaned up, and walked home.

This was the routine for her entire senior year, graduating second in her class and possessing enough money to purchase the much-desired class ring.

Sadly, although my grandmother wanted to pursue a career in nursing, there was no financial aid available.

She found employment with Shuford Mills, where she also found the man who would become her husband. Two years later, they married, and five years after that, my mother was born, completing their family.

Many years later, in her early 60s, she attended community college and became a CNA 2. From that time until she was approximately 78 years old, my grandmother served many people in that capacity, where she was greatly loved and admired.

It was a tremendous blessing for her to finally be able to serve those who were elderly and unable to care for themselves.

Mary Williams was a unique individual who never allowed difficulties and trials to limit her, but pushed forward with determination and spunk.

I am thankful to call a woman of such strong character my grandmother!

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Caron is a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Morganton, NC. She loves to teach the word of God.

Her desire is to see every believer grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.

You can read more Christian News in Western North Carolina here.

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