A Strong Foundation of the Bend

A 46-Year-Old Get-Well Card

                Mother treasures cards, letters, and notes. She views them as extensions of the writer or sender. This week she discovered a get-well card dating back to December 10, 1972, addressed to my grandmother, Gladys Rainey Smith.

                Upon seeing the signatures, remembrances flooded my memory. The sender was not an individual or a family but the Big Bend Women’s Bible Study. I realized only one of the card signers still lives in the Bend – Ruth Ann Hightower.

                Only Ruth Ann still lives in the Bend. Those who have moved retain ties to the Bend. Most of the women who signed the card to cheer Grandma but are deceased have progeny with ties to the Bend or their descendants are 21^st century Bend residents.

                The cherished friend of my paternal grandma, Mamie Tripp Gates, was Fern Anson. Grandma and Fern visited on the phone every day. Usually on Friday, Fern picked up Grandma for a trip into town for buying groceries, going to the doctor, paying bills, or anything else that needed to be done. They ended the trip with a burger for lunch. Her son, Travis, and his wife, Barbara, live on the Anson home place.

                Lucille Rice Goad and Ann Christenson Goad, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, both have descendants living in the Bend. Ann’s two sons, Carl and Greg Goad have raised their families in the peninsula of the Arkansas River, known as the Bend. We worship each week with as many as a dozen of Lucille’s descendants. Soon fifteen from this family will be calling the Bend their home.

                Julia Myers came to the Bend in the 1920s as a school marm, married Harve Myers, and raised a houseful of children. She loved to study her Bible. Many of her descendants embrace her strong faith, making her faith their own, and serve as pastors, Bible teachers, and musicians in their churches. Her daughter-in-law, Pat Chance Myers, attends church with Mother and me each week.

                Mildred Holman Brock moved to the Bend in the 1970s. Her son, Lou continues to keep touch with Benders and serves as organist playing the historic organ at the Osage Baptist Church in Fairfax, Oklahoma.

                Karen Gardner Myers moved to the Bend as a newlywed. She and her grandmother-in-law, Julia Myers shared a love of the study of God’s Word. Karen continues her service in God’s kingdom at the Burbank Baptist Church with her music and teaching.

                Carol Welker Evatt settled in the Bend when newly married. Her five children were impacted by her faith. Her older son, Ward and his wife, Gretchen have moved back to the Bend. Every time I see Carol in Ponca City, where she now lives, we end up sharing precious memories from the Bend.

                Vera Goad and her husband retired to the Bend. As a seeker, she began studying with the ladies on a weekly basis primarily for getting to know women in the community. Her attendance was fueled by how comfortable the others made her feel. As a result of her study, she saw Jesus as the only way of salvation from her sins. She became assured of her home in heaven because of her trust in Him.

                Ruth Ann Hightower, the only Big Bend Bible study member who still lives in the Bend, serves the Lord as one of its older residents. One of the more memorable times this year was this summer. Ruth Ann pulled up to Vacation Bible School with about a half-dozen of her great grandkids several evenings! Her faith in the Lord still propels and provides strength for daily living.

Ruth Ann Hightower and Debbie Ballinger, her
daughter, at my parents' 60th wedding anniversary
photograph by Catherine Marie Photography

                Biblical principles lived out daily and the thoughtful treatment of neighbors remain strong in the Bend. In many homes, the truths of God’s Word and study of the Bible endure as the foundation. The continuance of this philosophy of life guarantees the area in the extreme southwestern part of Osage County will remain a sought-after place to live, raise a family, and build long-lasting friendships.

In the Old Testament as the Lord led the Israeli people in developing a thriving community, He gave guidelines for successful living, repeatedly saying, “I am the Lord” clearly saying as your Creator I know what is best for you. If His one command printed below would be enacted in all communities of our nation, the fear, the uncertainty, the grief and heartache prevalent in so many parts of our country would immediately lessen.

Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:18

The Big Bend Women’s Bible Study knew how to keep their community a desirable place to live. We pray daily for the community to retain the standard of the Big Bend Women’s Bible Study of yesteryear.