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Life Story posted a condolence
Reflections of Mother - October 21, 2011
Posted: October 21, 2011 | Last Revised: October 21, 2011
Betty Veach
October 20, 2011
Dear Friends,
As I reflect about about my mother's life, I continually think of her resilience, perseverance, and determined spirit. She loved so much: her family, the mountains, side trips, reading, writing poetry, shopping & so much more. One of our last conversations was about a big sale at Hamrick's.
We learned about quiet resolve in the face of challenges and were so encouraged to be independent thinkers! It never mattered what anyone else was doing, saying, wearing, or thinking. It was stressed that we be our own decision-makers.....hmmm, one can easily see her children often do not follow the herd.
Perhaps her tough beginnings shaped her worldview. Life as a small child could not have been more challenging. Betty was the fourth child born to the union of Nancy & Dolphus Lyon. Nancy & Dolphus had a small farm in Wilkes County, near Ronda, NC. Both Betty's parents had previously married; her mother's first husband was killed in a train accident. Her first husband was Calvin Smith and was a brakeman. Their two boys died from scarlet fever or something like that. One of them was named Stuart, can't remember the other. Dolphus Lyon was a musician and led choirs at churches in Wilkes county. Her father's first wife also died after their two sons were born; they became part of Betty's new family.
Young Betty was soon to celebrate the birth of her two twin sisters, Ruth & Ruby; her mother, Nancy Lyon was then 42 years old. Her father soon thereafter contracted pneumonia and did not survive. With the death then of her father when she was just five years old, her mother tried to keep the farm & family of 8 children together. In 1924 it became clear her mother was ill and could not keep her family together. It was decided that the 3 oldest, 1 brother, Floyd, and two stepbrothers, Hugh and Charlie, would stay on the farm. All the girls, 12 year-old Emily, 10 year-old Margaret, 7 year-old Betty, and the 18 month-old twins would go to the NC Baptist orphanage, Mills Home, in Thomasville, NC - a long way from Ronda. One of her classmates would comment so many years later how hard it was for him to see Betty and her sisters leave school that day to board the bus that would take them to the orphanage.
Her life in the Mills Home orphanage was often talked about with respect and devotion. What an incredible life-changing event for her family. Ted Chandler, MD, wrote so clearly about the orphanage there in his book, Tough Mercy. (Her notes about her experience there are also in the other documents). According to cousin Lestine, her step-brother Charlie was very good to them and visited them and took them on rides from the orphanage. He wrote grandma letters about visiting them.
Betty Lyon loved basketball and I heard about fierce battles with other teams from various NC Baptist Orphanages. She lived there at Mills Home until her graduation from high school, she was valedictorian of her class.
She then went on to study at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC. It was there she met Marvin Veach, an engineering student at NC State, also born and raised in Thomasville. They fell in love, he wrote her post cards full of love and care from all over the U.S. when he traveled cross country sight-seeing in the late 1930s. They married at the First Baptist Church in Thomasville in a small ceremony on Christmas Eve in 1939. They honeymooned in Atlanta, GA and told us often of all the magic and glitz they experienced with the grand premiere of the movie, Gone With the Wind. Atlanta was all awhirl.
Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Veach were busy from the beginning. Travel & moving happened with my father's employment as a Liberty Ship welder in Baltimore, MD & later, Wilmington, NC. Mother gave birth to two children while they lived in Wilmington, Charles Daniel and Robert Stuart. They were the light of her life. After the war ended, they moved back to Thomasville. Soon after, a happy occasion was celebrated with the birth of Nancy Elizabeth. Marvin was employed as the 53rd Western Electric employee in NC. Later, Laura Jane was born in Winston-Salem. They joyfully attended Southside Baptist Church and raised their children in the Christian faith. They were active in the live Nativity for years. Mother always loved to go there every year to see the celebration - in. Our family it just wasn't Christmas without one visit there to Southside.
Mother began work at Wake Forest College around 1965 in the Department of Education. Her first Chair was Professor Jasper "Bull" Memory, quite an amazing scholar and tennis aficionado. She loved her work as the department secretary, was cherished by many as the best listener, and reluctantly retired in 1990 as she was past the mandatory retirement age. Dr. Joe Milner was the Chair and one of her biggest fans, he continued to visit her throughout all the years of her life.
For leisure, she and our father were fixtures at the Pollirosa in Tobaccoville, NC. That wonderful gathering place known for grandma's cooking, the amazing variety of music, and wonderful new friends enriched their lives immensely. Mother was so connected there, she took it upon herself to make all new curtains for the restaurant. The last time we were there, New Year's Eve 2009, the curtains still looked new.
Looking back, she cared for so many and always had a hug and smile for a floundering Wake student. She typed many a master's thesis on old typewriters and mastered antiquated mimeograph machines to reproduce tests. She urged us all to learn to type and have practical skills.
Finally, we continued to understand the importance of family time to her. Maybe due to the clarity she uniquely possessed after such abrupt changes early in her family, she always stressed that family to her was primary. I do not think she ever took that for granted. We just thought everyone had extended family gatherings multiple times each year, especially around my mother's sisters & their families. Later, as adults, we saw that was extraordinary. Her dedication and dreams to keep family connected speak to her kind acceptance of all of her childrens' various choices. She had an uncanny ability to be nonjudgmental; I often marveled at her love and tolerance of us.
Today it is an honor to share these few reflections of her amazing and full life. As always, there is more to share....maybe another day.
Laura Veach Harrelson
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Anonymous posted a condolence
Guestbook
10/26/2011 - Donna Kazemi
Dear Mrs. Veach's Family,
I was so touched by the narrative history of the beloved Mrs. Veach's life. Few have been so inspiring. My thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Veach and her family.
Sincerly,
Donna
10/22/2011 - Laura Boggs
Stuart and Family, I was so very sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. Take care.
10/21/2011 - Royce Vehslage & family
We're so sorry to hear about Aunt Betty. That red hair was always a reminder of how full of life she was. I have very found memories of visits and always feeling so welcome. That was true of time spent with all the sisters. I know the memory of Betty will stay with my mom and provide her comfort in remembering all that they shared. Our thoughts are with you.
10/21/2011 - Greer Holloway Begbie
Dear family,
Just wanted to send my sympathies...thinking of you all..whenever I think of Aunt Betty I think Whitman's Chocolate boxes at Christmas! I didn't get to see her often but when I did it was always fun, she was a character...just like all of her sisters! Love to you all, Greer and family
10/21/2011 - doris powell thompson
to the wonderful daughters of betty.u were great.and u took care of ur mother.thanks the both of u 4 beind so kind to me during the time i stayed with betty .hope to see u again sometime.take care u 2
10/21/2011 - doris powell thompson
I know u r with the angles.and i miss the time we had together,glad i got to know u ,just a short time
but it was great .
10/21/2011 - Vermell & Gray Salmons
One of Betty's Pollirosa friends. We spent so many hours at the Pollirosa for so many years and had some of the very best days (and nights) of our entire lives. We missed Betty even before the Pollirosa closed, and now of course we so miss all of our friends who had so much fun together. Please accept our sincere sympathy in the death of our dear friend, Betty.
Vermell & Gray Salmons
10/21/2011 - Rita Clark Rettinger
Nancy, I am sorry for the loss all of you feel. I have wonderful memories of her with with the four of you siblings- and also with the four of us friends- Marie, Linda, you and me. The last time we visited w/ you and your mom she was still the sweet person she always was!
10/21/2011 - Janee' R. Avent
Laura & Family,
Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this time and the days ahead.
10/21/2011 - Larry Burton
Dan, Sorry to hear the news of your mother's passing. Thoughts and Prayers to you and your family and friends.
Larry Burton
10/21/2011 - Mike & Marty Abercrombie
Dan, sorry to hear about the death of your Mom. We will remember you and your family in our prayers. If there are anything we can do please let us know.
10/21/2011 - Mike Willard
A friend for over 40 years. Many wonderful memories of you and your family. I am enjoying the wonderful stories about your life.
10/21/2011 - Di Di
Dear Laura,
My condolence to you all!
Mrs. Veach had a wonderful life and shared her love, compassion, and kindness with all who she met. I will always remember her and you are always my family. Do come and visit me in Hawaii when you have time.
W/ Infinite Love & Light,
Di Di
10/21/2011 - Dana Veach Poleman
I am truly going to miss talking to my Memaw. I know she had the kindest spirit. Nancy and Laurie were angels over the last little while. Also, the ladies that watched and took care of Memaw are certainly appreciated.
10/20/2011 - Sue & David King
Dan , we're so sorry to hear bout the passing of your Mom ... our thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of the family .
10/20/2011 - David & Judy Holbrooks
Dan, Sorry to hear about your Mom. You and your family are in our prayers.
10/20/2011 - sherrie mcjunkin
Dan & all the family, Mark & I are sad to hear of the passing of Mrs. Veach. You are in our thoughts & prayers. We are aquainted with Dan through our classic car family.
Sherrie McJunkin
10/20/2011 - Morgan Zito
My thoughts and prayers go out to all family members on their loss.
10/19/2011 - Kitty Stafford
Laura......I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved mom. What a wonderful long life she had with such a devoted daughter. You are in my thoughts and prayers....Love, Kitty, Bill and Sam
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