Memories of Betty Haynes

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A friend here with a tiny house had a party for all the kids last week. When told her how much I appreciated it she said that what she'd recently heard about Miss Betty (maybe it was when Jimmy talked about mother after the funeral and described how mom had always had people in, how she fed and nurtured so many from her tiny kitchen) inspired her. It made her realize her house was not too small; that no house is too small . . . and that she too should open up what she has and use it to serve others.
Mom's influence and inspiration lives on! --REBECCA--September 4, 2007

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“No matter what direction life takes us, a mother's love and guidance are a tremendous blessing that help us to grow up as stable, responsible, and caring individuals. As nurturers, teachers, and protectors, mothers' unconditional affection helps their children to blossom into mature adults. In partnership with fathers, mothers play a critical role in building healthy families…Mothers who teach us right from wrong and to love our neighbors merit our deepest gratitude and appreciation.” --George W. Bush -- Amen.

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Granmommy was very fun. She told Emma Grace and me all about God, and how the woodpecker made a perfect hole in the piece of wood she found. When I was little she would take me for walks and we would find always the shady spots. When she came to visit she would always say, Come'on Ben. Let's go find our shady spot. Sometimes we'd have a snack underneath the trees. Sometimes we would rest. She and Grandave took me home when Emma Grace was born and they took me to the hospital to see her. When I caught a fish the weekend after Emma Grace was born, Granmommy cooked it and we had a fish party and wore fish hats. Then she took me to Mississippi. She knew how to make snow cream and she knew how to make brownies. --BENJAMIN R. HAYNES MOTT-- May 11, 2007

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I've recently written a little children's poetry for Standard Publishing Company program books. Here's one about Mother's Day -- if they use it it will run next year (2008) . . . so don't do anything with it in the meantime :) Writing it made me think of Momma today, and how I wish I could share it with her. Thinking of her up there with God now, cheering us on until as we work to fulfill his purposes in us, as she did, helps me face this weekend, and makes me smile. Thought I'd share it with you...... When you were little, did you have a doll that you held and kissed each day? Did you clean your room and make your bed before you went to play? When your mother washed your hair did it tangle and pull like mine? When the dishes all were dirty, did you help her make them shine? When you were a little girl did you ever imagine me? Did you hope that God would send me here? Did you dream of who I'd be? Through all your play and all your work He saw who you'd become. He breathed life in me and made me yours, He picked you as the one. You are the one to teach me, to point me to above. You're the one who'll always know my worth and help me know God's love. And even though sometimes I whine, Too often I complain, I'd be lost without your special love, I need it like like the rain. My heart belongs to you dear mother, My love stretches past the stars, God knew what he was doing when he sent me to you, And He'll guide us from afar. --REBECCA-- May 11, 2007

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while working on my online feature for this week ( on memorials!) i came across this prayer . . . it really captured what i've been feeling the past few weeks with the dawning of spring . . . At the rising sun and at its going down we remember them. At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter we remember them. At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring we remember them. At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer we remember them. At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of the autumn we remember them. At the beginning of the year and when it ends we remember them. As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us. As we remember them. When we are weary and in need of strength we remember them. When we are lost and sick at heart we remember them. When we have decisions that are difficult to make we remember them. When we have joy we crave to share we remember them. When we have achievements that are based on theirs we remember them. For as long as we live, they too will live, For they are now a part of us, as we remember them. Gates of Prayer - Reform Judaism Prayer Book As long as we live, she too will live; For she is a part of us: As we remember her . . . --REBECCA-- April 10, 2007

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Recently, I was preparing material to teach a children's Bible class and I "Googled" my topic to find some material. I followed the link that seemed to be the right fit and on the site I found a wealth of info...compiled by Betty Belue Haynes. I smiled when her name popped up as I thought about how she is still teaching me. There are so many scriptures which represent Miss Betty's work on earth, but one which resonates with me is Hebrews 11:4 "...by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead." Sadly, Miss Betty is no longer here to miniser to us personally, but look at all she touched in her lifetime! We can not doubt that her spirituality still teaches all of us. We all have a void, but finally she is reaping her reward for a godly life. --JENNIFER (McCRARY) CAVENDER-- March 26, 2007

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Kinda hard to believe we won't hear "hey doll" again isn’t it? Each time I hold a newborn baby in my arms I can hear Granmommy singing "Tura Lura..." The glue that held our family together, that’s what I think of Betty. She brought us all together on many many occasions; always had plans for the kids, to swim, or to the petting zoo, or water slide, easter egg hunts, make a band on the car port, special books ready to be read. An awesome example to me of a Godly Prov 31 Woman. Funny thing is, I didn’t even care for that lullaby and now I’ve started humming it myself! Love goes on forever…. 1 Cor 13:8. --ELLEN HAYNES-- March 1, 2007

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We all loved Betty so much and she'll be missed terribly. She set such a great example for us. Let's not say "Goodbye"- just "See you later." Some things I learned from Betty -"Listen, we may not understand it, but God is in control." "Listen, God is awesome . . . we can't even imagine . . ." She taught me to be content with what you have, to live beneath your means, "choosing to live at a certain level." Her deep reverence for the Lord and her enthusiasm for his work were contagious. Ever since I learned that she was a cheerleader in school, I've thought of her as a cheerleader for God. It's a humbling experience to have known a real-life "Proverbs 31" godly woman. She was our Dorcas. --JAN GILLAM-- February 23, 2007

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I sat at Betty's feet each time I visited Columbus after Ken and I met and tried to learn more from her about teaching God's word to children. I have all her Bible Talk Times laminated to preserve them for my family, my future grandkids, teaching bible classes etc. I was so lucky to have known her and been able to learn from her example. We know you will miss her, but she will always be close to your heart and your memories of her and her example will help strengthen you thru the sad times. Know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers! We hope and pray that we can live like she did so we can be with her in heaven some day! God Bless You! --GLORIA LAND-- February 21, 2007

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Aunt Betty brings me nothing but admiration and warm thoughts. Although we were told that she and my mother were sisters, it was hard to see. They were so different. A visit to Aunt Betty's was "controlled chaos" and that is where I first learned that it was OK to have donuts and coffee for breakfast. As I have gotten older, I can only imagine how she must have "looked forward" to my family (4 boys and a girl) dropping in for a few weeks. How she put up with us I'll never know. I have come to appreciate her love for the good and proper things in life. She provided a good example of what it means to be a worker for the Lord. I will miss her....--CURT ROBERTS--February 14, 2007

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From the time I was a child, I saw my Aunt Betty about once a year. Early on, I formed an opinion of her that remained unchanged until the day she passed away—Aunt Betty was the personification of Eccl 12:13-14 (NIV): Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. Aunt Betty was driven to know the Lord’s will and to please Him. She fed upon God’s word continuously, exploring its doctrine and looking for applications in her life. She was focused on higher things. She enjoyed the blessings in Christ and wanted everyone else to have the same experience, especially the hope of heaven. She was a strong force in my life, and I will not forget her. --CRAIG ROBERTS-- February 14, 2007

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I had been away from God and His community of believers for over 8 years when I felt a need and desire to return to God and find a church. I also felt weak and insecure as I re-committed my life to Jesus. I believe it was providential that I started attending the East Columbus Church of Christ because God knew I would need someone committed to walk alongside me. Betty quickly took me under her care, mentoring me and encouraging me to continue seeking God. She displayed a radical obedience of faith that still impacts me today. She reached out to those who had been hurt, rejected and neglected by most. She lavished them with grace, mercy and love like they had not known before. She taught me how to be a strong Christian woman, full of conviction and still be a submissive wife. I am grateful for the time I had with Betty and how her life still impacts me today. --DIANA HOAGLAN-- February 12, 2007

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Granmommy was my very favorite grandmother. She was the best in the world. She helped us make birdfeeders out of pine cones. It is fun to watch the birds. She showed us where the woodpecker pecked holes in the log and told us that God made everything. He made the woodpecker. When I look at the birds I remember that God made them. She was my only grandmother, and now I don't have any grandmothers on earth. Only two in heaven. She was too too good to me. When I was little I called her NANA, and I loved her then even when she was sick.

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Thanksgiving this past year, Grandmommy was watching my son Noah play around her living room and said {referring to his being adopted from Russia last year}, "I can't believe it. It's not that we're partial to him or anything. I just can't believe it." I just found out last week that one reason she may have been so fascinated was that she and my grandfather had tried to adopt a little boy from a Home in Columbus years ago. My grandfather told me he looked "just like Noah, but a foot taller." I have sometimes wondered where on earth I got the idea to go to an orphanage in Russia and adopt a child; I guess I may have inherited the spirit of adoption from Betty. How much my life AND Noah's life are changed because of her legacy! One of the sayings I love most to hear people say to summarize her life is, "she always looked out for the underdog." --TERRY WILLIAMS--February 10, 2007

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I took this picture at sunrise on February 2, 2007, the last morning that my grandmother spent on this earth. What a beautiful morning. When I look at this picture I think of the passage in Lamentations 3, so fitting as we all lament our loss: "this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'" lamentations 3:21-25 --melissa

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I graduated from the "W" in 1975. Betty was my instructor. I worked at the kindergarten for my practical experiences. I also considered her a friend. She was an inspiration to those of us who learned from her. When I first started teaching, I used to think "How would Mrs. Haynes handle this?" She could be so funny telling stories about some of the students (never calling any names of course.) I don't believe anyone ever doubted that she was a Christian. I only hope that one day my children will be able to speak so lovingly and respectfully about me. Sincerely--JUDY SMITH--February 8, 2007 .....PS My husband says that Betty is a distant relative of his. His uncle is J.W. Dodson who was related to the Wheelers.

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Mrs. Haynes left her children with so many good things to remember to say about her while they were growing up in Columbus. I just wanted you to know I have lived in Columbus all my life and I have heard about Betty but I never met her. I had a day care center in Columbus and I still have children stopping by and telling me what a wonderful time they remember while under my care. It makes it all worth while when you try to leave something great for the children to remember. You have so much to hold on to. I think you have been blessed! --BLANCHE GREGGS--Columbus, MS. February 8, 2007

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My daughter, now age 43, had Miss Betty in kindergarten. I used to see her around town. I am a retired school teacher and I used to do the same thing she did about getting all kinds of stuff that I could find that cost nothing. I am now doing the same thing for my grandchildren's teachers. Our loved ones in heaven will live on in our hearts. There will always be something that will remind of us how they were in our lives. Your family is in my thoughts. --KATHERINE DANGERFIELD-- February 8, 2007

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Mrs. Betty Haynes, a customer not even a year~~~ Wanda took care of her hair after Mrs. Evelyn truly retired. When Mrs. Betty would leave I would tell Wanda how I wish I had known her in her prime! Her gentle voice and her upbeat spirit was so amazing and encouraging! Her love for the Braves was surely evident and don't forget the love of her family! I am so grateful to get the chance to know her the small bit that I did! After reading the paper with more details of her amazing life~~~ WOW how her life just beamed without her saying a word! Words can not express all one life can do to touch our corner of the world (her corner was around the world)! How inspiring! Let us follow her steps as she followed HIS STEPS & Pass it ON for God's Honor and Glory! May the friends and family be comforted in all the GREAT MEMORIES! She will for sure be MISSED! --CHRISTINA FONDREN-- February 8, 2007

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“The orthodox Christian has paid a very heavy price, both in the defense and communication of the gospel, for his failure to think and act as an educated person, understanding and at war with the uniformity of our modern culture.”(Francis A. Schaeffer, The God Who Is There, Ch. 1) Thank you for your visionary work in acknowledging and aggressively tackling the challenges we face in a post-Christian and postmodern world. Bless you and thank you for being an educated witness in the world – you are an example we should all strive to follow. I wish that my children and I could have been students of yours longer and that we could have learned from you earlier in your life. Thank you for the amazing example you are to me, my wife and my kids. Thank you for The Bible Talk Times & 'Its Later Than We Think' – we will use them well. --MATT PERRY-- February 7, 2007

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I want to thank the family for allowing me to be included in remembering and honoring Betty and to be over at the house Saturday where I once spent so much time. It was like my second home for so many years. So many good memories. Even though much time has passed since those good 'youthful' days and I have been gone from Columbus for along time, I had never lost my love and care for her and David. There are few people in our life's journey that make a major impact on us and that we think so highly of. Betty and David were at that level for me as well as Mamaw and Paboo. Their influence and impact has reached far and wide. --RIGG FERGUSON--February 7, 2007

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In 1980, we moved to Chattanooga with our two little girls and left close friends and family behind in Columbus. I cried all the way through town. Knowing I was homesick, Betty and Mamaw came to visit within the month and treated us to Rock City and a fun weekend. A month later, I got pregnant and was not planning it nor was I happy about it. I was sick and Betty kept calling Rebecca who lived near us asking what was wrong with me. Rebecca tried to cover for me, but when I wasn't better, the news finally had to be shared. Betty called me and said it would be fine, and when I held that baby and touched its soft head, it would all be worth it. Of course she was right. Betty had the gift of compassion and optimism. I will miss her. The last thing I said to her last week was " You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, now go get your crown!" I have peace thinking of her wearing that crown. See you later, Betty. Love--KEITHA HAYNES--February 7, 2007

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While I have a lifetime of memories to cherish about Grandmommy, one of my favorites is her teaching me how to make brownies when I was 5. Instead of putting the dry ingredients in with the wet ones, I put the dry ingredients in the greased baking dish. She laughed and laughed as "we" cleaned up the mess. Now I know what a special spirit it took to not only clean up my mess without complaining, but to also laugh and enjoy being together as we did it. It was a lesson in God's forgiveness--right there in her kitchen. As a new mother, I often think back to those moments Grandmommy did not waste in my life by constantly pointing to my heavenly Father. I am thankful she raised a son who raised me to do the same with my son. I will always think of her when I read Exodus 20:6 and it tells me that our God is "...showing love to a thousand generations of those who love [Him] and keep [His] commandments." I am very thankful she loved Him. --TERRY WILLIAMS-- February 6, 2007 5:11 PM

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When Granmommy went home to be with the Lord, she left a hole in this world and in all of our lives. I remember at my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary celebration, feeling overwhelmed as I looked around the room and realized that every person was the person they were, because of her & GranDave--their marriage, their example and their teaching. What an inspiration! In this family are some of the most amazing people I know. And only now, as my children are getting a little older and I am able to sit down and do Bible Talk Times with Morgan, do I really begin to understand the significance of what she did for me, my siblings and cousins, and every child she came in contact with. I am honored to be her granddaughter, I am proud to be the daughter of her son, and I am inspired by the special bond that all of us share just from having known her. --MELISSA (HAYNES)PERRY--February 6, 2007