She was born in West Virginia when times were really tough, folks didn't have much money, and barely food enough In all the nation, it was one of the poorest states we survived tough times though cause Mama had strong faith.

She taught us how to pray She prayed when things were good She prayed when things were bad She prayed and prayed and prayed Through all the times we had It was her faith in God That helped to pull us through With little money or food to eat who else could we turn too? "I look unto the hills from whence cometh my help, My help cometh from the Lord," was the favorite prayer,
Mama would often send as she looked up at the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding our shack down in that West Virginia Glen. Many times, I saw her down on bended knee praying or singing, "Precious Lord Take My Hand," or "Just A Closer Walk With Thee."

Whenever trouble came, it didn't stay too long, with Mama's mighty prayers and songs, the darkness soon was gone.

One summer day, when I was young, I'd wandered off to play along the mountain side I decided to climb the cliff where danger seemed to hide Up, up I went Climbing high to reach a mighty height But then the mountain became sheer cliff and I fell into a fright

With nothing to hold on to I began to scream and cry if no one came to help me soon I was going to fall and die

I was too high up for the firemen below when who should appear but my brother, Joe! It seems Mama had come out on the back porch that day and told him, Go look for your sister Do it now Don't delay!

How did she know the trouble I was in? or that the only ones who could save me Was my brother, Joe and "Junie," his friend?

"I look unto the hills from whence cometh my help, My help cometh from the Lord, "was the favorite prayer, Mama would often send as she looked up at the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding our shack down in that West Virginia Glen..

When I was a young married woman, who was pregnant with child Living a long way from home almost thousands of miles I had taken ill and was going into shock when someone came to my door and started to knock.

Soon I heard the door open and in my misery looked up to see

a green eyed stranger staring down at me

She was a long-lost relative

living just around the bend

and My cousin, A Nurse Oh, what a God Send

Rushing me to the hospital In just the nick of time after six blood transfusions soon I was fine.

Once again, Mama's prayers and faith had turned things around Who would have thought that she could have found a cousin living one block away who just happened to be home at that time, on that day?

"I look unto the hills from whence cometh my help, My help cometh from the Lord, "was the favorite prayer, Mama would often send as she looked up at the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding our shack down in that West Virginia Glen.

Even now as my hair has turned grey,

in times of trouble I think "What would Mama Say?"

And I start to sing sing and pray Then I ask the Lord To show me the way.

So many times
Mama saved our family
from disaster
with a wisdom
from beyond
that will live ever after
She's gone now
departed this world
but the banner she left
is forever unfurled We must teach our children always to pray, Keep their faith in God, come what may and they will be safe in the darkness of today.

In this time of peril,

with danger around

Strengthening their faith

will keep them aground.

What a great legacy to be carried on

One that can weather

the most raging Storm . Thank you Mama and all good mothers every where who teach their children faith in God and how to pray. I look unto the hills from whence cometh my help...my help cometh from the Lord.