Remembering Mary Beth Bledsoe Morgan

        Almost eight years ago, I wrote about the Bledsoe family's ties to Oklahoma State University. Embedded in the blog post, is a wonderful family photo. Of the four in this family, only Ron is living, but he and I have fun visiting. Today on Mary Beth's 74th birthday, I recall the joy she brought to our family. (Here is the link to the blog posting about the aforementioned ties to OSU:    https://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2013/12/69-years-ago-orange-and-black-forever.html )

Beth at 3 1/2 months of age.

           Mary Beth Bledsoe born June 27, 1947, to Ella Edith Gates Bledsoe and Harry Bledsoe had an older brother, Ron, ready to welcome her. Beth was an older cousin who always had time for me. As we grew up, we shared several things. Both alums from Oklahoma State University, we loved wearing the “Brightest Orange.” Each of us chose the teaching profession.

Beth earned her degree in speech pathology. Aunt Ella told Mother how sympathetic Beth was with her underprivileged students who desperately needed new shoes.

           Even as a first grader, Mother recalled aunt Ella related how first graders teased Beth because her dad was named “Harry.” Typical Beth said laughingly to them, “I am hairy!” and quickly took the fun out of their attempt at hurtful teasing.

Beth at age 12

          Another memory from Mother centered around the extended Gates family attending church at the Big Bend Baptist Church in the 1950s. Brother Ray Hart pastored the church at that time. He would loudly exhort the congregation to hear and obey the Word of the Lord. Someone mentioned after the service how loudly he delivered the message. Astute young Beth had listened intently. She quoted the phrase “Lift up thy voice like a trumpet” and said in a bold little voice, “He said to lift up your voice like a trumpet.” The verse Brother Hart quoted was taken from Isaiah 58:1: Cry aloud, spare not, lift up they voice like a trumpet, and shew My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. With Beth’s courageous response, she silenced the negative discussion about Brother Hart.

Beth during her time at OSU

            Some of my favorite visits were after she left education and moved to Washington, D.C. She worked initially for Wisconsin's Senator Les Aspin. Then she found herself in a position that suited perfectly her talents and giftedness with Oklahoma’s Carl Albert, United States Speaker of the House, until his retirement. She completed her time in the nation's capital with Jim Wright from Texas when he served in the third most powerful position in the federal government.

             

           One evening at Grandma’s house, I can recall listening with rapt attention to Beth’s recounting of preparation for an event for Queen Elizabeth II. She researched and assigned the seating for the elaborate event, being careful to seat people in the correct positions based on their status and avoid seating those with obvious conflicts next to each other. Mother and I have often laughed at Beth’s greatest concern. She worked so late into the night that she missed her options for transport to her apartment. As she trudged wearily home, she never worried about harm to herself if she faced mugging or assault as she walked the streets of the nation's capital late at night. What was her only concern? No one would know where the Queen should sit!

Mary Beth met and married James Morgan, relocating to De Leon, Texas, with just a little bit larger population than Pawnee, Oklahoma. How delighted she was to show off each of her sons, first, Robby and then Clint, on their inaugural appearances at the annual Gates reunion!

Her husband, James, served as a tri-county judge in their locale. Beth organized and promoted many local events that drew the community together. Her congenial, genuine personality fitted her perfectly for pulling off successful happenings like the yearly Peach and Melon Festival in De Leon.

Then the horrible diagnosis of lymphoma came. She valiantly fought and even experienced remission. Always a trooper, she agreed to a stem cell transplant. A complication resulted in the need for a tracheostomy. Our last in-person visit occurred after her procedure. In typical-Beth-fashion, she navigated perfectly almost causing me to forget the challenge she faced daily.

We kept in touch some with letters in which she emphasized the importance of her faith as she navigated being a wife and mother. Then the call from her brother, Ron, of her contracting MRSA. Almost before we could process her serious condition, she was gone in November of 2007.

As I reread her obituary this week, ironically, I was struck by one sentence. She loved the Breath of Life praise service there and was always in attendance when health did not prevent it. With so many changes in my life since Beth’s death, I reread that sentence with a different mindset. (Click on link to read Mary Beth's obituary: https://obits.oklahoman.com/us/obituaries/oklahoman/name/mary-morgan-obituary?pid=98488797 )

Revelation, the last book in the Bible, has been described as a book full of praise by Dr. David Jeremiah, noted pastor and Bible teacher. The Apostle John’s final book, Revelation, is filled with praise. John initiates the praise in chapter 1, the four living creatures offer praise in chapter 4, and the elders, angels, a multitude, and every creature in heaven praise God and the Lamb, our Lord Jesus. 

Peter wrote of the way we are made fit for heaven in his first epistle, chapter 2, verses 9-10:

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;* who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 

            After we read those powerful words, can we do anything except praise God for His mercy to us? May we embrace Beth’s love of praising God and follow her example of praise. Each day and throughout the day may we praise Him for the great and marvelous things He has done for us.

*Jesus Himself identified as the Light. In John 8:12, He said, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." Without Jesus, we cannot enter heaven. Without Jesus, we remain in our sin and darkness. Neither sin or darkness will be in heaven.