My Tribute to Betty

My dear friend and prayer partner, Betty Parker, died this week at the age of 75. Tonight there will be a visitation with her family, paying our respects, and tomorrow her funeral will be held. I am feeling a profound sense of loss as my mind grasps the reality that she is no longer an e-mail message away.

I've known Betty since 1973, when Steve and I moved to Hartselle, AL. We were members of First Baptist Church together, and Betty became a loyal client at Steve's veterinary hospital. She was short in stature but tall in opinions, humor, and impact. Betty was a single mother to 3 sons, a caregiver for her mother, and a well-respected city clerk when we met. Between Betty and myself, I would describe our relationship in those years as just good, pleasant acquaintances. She gave me an encouraging word on Sunday mornings as she passed the piano bench, and I watched with admiration while her youngest son Lee received many honors through the Royal Ambassador program.

That all changed when Steve and I were appointed as missionaries to Ecuador. We were not even at the same church by that time, but God prompted Betty to adopt us as her special project from that point on. She was one of the earliest additions to our list of prayer supporters, and she faithfully responded to every newsletter we sent out. Just a few months after we arrived on the field, she wrote asking what items we would like to have that couldn't be found in Ecuador. I mentioned some things, and she promptly started collecting them. The box she sent took 51 weeks to finally get to us!!!!! For some reason, the people in customs decided to keep it for MONTHS. Fortunately, the goodies were non-perishables and got to us almost 95% intact. I especially remember how much we loved seeing that cornmeal and those instant mixes emerge from the box. We were so excited! As was true of all the goodies we received from the States, this box, too, was God-timed to provide encouragement and blessing when we needed it the most.

Betty went out of her way to do other things for us, as well. She got the addresses of our children and parents and sent them cards and notes of encouragement. She made phone calls on our behalf, for both business and personal purposes. The remarkable aspect was the fact that most of this time her health issues made it very difficult to get out of her house, but she was performing a valuable ministry using her computer, her telephone and the postal service. There were many days that we logged on to the internet, and there was an e-mail from Betty just saying that God had put us in her heart and on her mind, that she was praying for us, and asking if there was anything she could do. She was a large part of our efforts in South America. Even today, when I am speaking to a missions group about our time in Ecuador, I tell the listeners that if they are unable to go on a short-term or a long-term mission project, then they can "be someone's Betty," and I describe all of the ways that she lifted us up during those years.

Steve did a little long-distance veterinary consulting when Betty had a concern about her dog, but mostly he just reassured her and suggested that she see Dr. Gault and Dr. Crouch, who were well-acquainted with her pet and were just right down the street from her house.

Betty's ministry of prayer and affirmation continued when we moved back to Alabama. Because she was so prompt with her e-mail responses, I found myself often pouring out my heart to her about the children, the grandchildren, my work, issues involving church, or our future, and asking her to pray. I KNOW that she interceded on my behalf. I could feel it. I trusted Betty, and she always gave me great advice and counsel. She was direct and very honest. She never tried to sugarcoat anything. She just gave it to me straight and vowed to pray with me. She had gone from being just an acquaintance. Now she was a dear precious friend.

Betty had a habit of passing on funny or helpful e-mails. The last one I got from her came on January 1, 2011, and was a REAL JUKEBOX, where you could just click on a year and hit songs from that year would pop up and start playing.

The last time I saw Betty was on January 27, 2011, the 25th anniversary of my mother's death. Betty was in Huntsville Hospital, having gone there because of heart problems and difficulty breathing. I knew that a visit would need to be very short because talking would wear her out, and it was very difficult for Betty NOT to talk if there was someone in the room. I took a little plant, a cupcake and pictures of my grandchildren. Just as a dear friend does, she smiled and admired each one. I told her in person that I loved her, and I truly hope she knew I meant it from the bottom of my heart.

Just last week, Frank called me and had me on speakerphone so his Mom could hear me and we could communicate. Again, I told her I loved her and I bragged on what a great job she had done in raising her boys because I had been so impressed with their devotion and loyalty to her in these months. She returned my love and told me to tell Steve hello.

The next call I received from her home number was the message that she had taken a turn for the worst and only had a few hours. Then, Tuesday night was the call I had been expecting but dreading, oh so much, that she had died.

Her son Lee says that she is now in the arms of Jesus, and I have no doubt that is true. While I am looking out my window at the bright sunshine, Betty is seeing for the first time the brightness of God's glory. She's laying crowns at the feet of Jesus, and she's moving into the mansion He prepared just for her. While I am selfishly mourning the loss of Betty in my life, I acknowledge that heaven just became sweeter and more eagerly-anticipated.

Thank you, God, for Betty Parker and for allowing me to know her, to experience her, and to love her.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones." Psalm 116:15