Saying we’ve lost a long-time columnist with the passing of New Home News’ Betty Wilson is not enough.

We’ve not only lost a dedicated columnist, but a wonderful Christian woman, a friend to all, and a genuinely good-hearted person. Personally, my life will never be the same, as she was also my aunt.

I know our readers are saddened by the news, as so many looked forward to her column each week, waiting to see who visited who, and what memory she would share in each issue. Though we all know this life is but a vapor, we are never truly prepared to lose someone.

Betty Mae, as I call her, began writing her weekly piece, as she called it, over 50 years ago. As a child I remember thinking how she loved to talk on the phone – all of the time. But little did I know she was gathering news to include in her column.

She enjoyed writing so much. Logging down information little by little each day after talking with neighbors and friends, until that week’s information was ready to submit. Reading it week after week, followers felt they had come to know everyone she mentioned on a regular basis. Her neighbors and friends became your neighbors and friends.

The New Home community will not be the same without her.

I can hear her say, "Now Bucky (a nick-name she’s called me since a I was a child because she said I was wild as a buck) you keep my piece going in the paper." And that we plan to do.

Barbara Ann Ervin, Betty Mae’s nephew’s wife, will keep New Home News on the pages of the Review. It will remain in the format of who visited who, get-well wishes and family get-togethers. Though no one can take her place, nor dare to try, New Home News will go on.

As I mentioned, Betty Mae was my aunt, and not being partial, only honest, she was the kindest person I have ever known.

I am gliding towards the 50-year mark, and I can honestly say I never heard her say one bad comment about anyone – in my entire life. I realize that sounds like an exaggeration, but it is not. She truly was that kind; that loving; that non-judgmental.

A soft-spoken woman, she saw the good in everyone. She worried about everyone before herself, and was sincerely appreciative of every kind word or deed anyone offered.

As you have read in her previous columns, she, like many, lived a hard life. Growing up in the great depression, losing her father at the age of 10, almost losing her mother to illness a short time later, marrying and losing a baby to illness, living by being a sharecropper and farmer, and losing two husbands, if she were here she would tell you, "I have been blessed."

She never felt sorry for herself like most of us would, she was thankful for what she had, and who she had – her family.

Son Ralph was the joy of her life. She was so proud of him and his many accomplishments. Here three true loves? Her Lord and Savior, her family and her church. Those things were what was most important not fineries or worldly things.

Over the last several weeks, she had been very sick and in pain. Though I miss her beyond any way of explanation, I know she is no longer in pain; no longer sick; no longer plagued by disappointments of this earthy life. I will miss her and think of her daily. And as much as I and the rest of our family miss her, I would not call her back for anything. I know I will see her again; she is waiting for us in Heaven.

Since we never know when our earthly departure will be, she of course did not leave us with final words. If she had known she would never write nor you read her column again, I believe she would leave you with these words: "God loves you. He died for you. Please accept Jesus as your Savior before it’s too late and make Heaven your final home."