Altar Call – Opelika-Auburn News

Walter Albritton

July 30, 2017

A daughter’s memories of her daddy

How will you be remembered by your children? Your grandchildren? Other family members?

Most of us can only guess at what memories our family members will have of us. But if we seriously ponder the reality that we will be remembered, it could affect the way we live out the rest of our days.

With that in mind, I decided to collect memories of my parents. Six years ago I secured and printed a book of memories of my mother, Caroline Johnson Albritton. This summer I have collected about 20 memories of my father. The book, Memories of Papa, will be available at our Albritton Family Reunion in August.

My sister Neva, 82, was married to B. Gene Williams, a fine United Methodist pastor who was my friend before his marriage to Neva. Neva’s unwavering faith through the tragic deaths of her two sons, and later the loss of Gene to cancer, has inspired me and our family.

During Gene’s final illness, he and Neva made frequent trips to the Cancer Center for treatments. Since his death, 18 years ago, Neva has served as a volunteer hostess at the Cancer Center. She has moved through her own grief by relentlessly, and graciously, serving others who were struggling with cancer. That is a remarkable way to cope with sorrow.

I believe you will enjoy reading her memories of our daddy:

To some people the word Daddy means kind, protective, caring and wise! My Daddy was all of these and so much more. Daddy was always “Larger than Life” to me. He was a tall, handsome man and a stern disciplinarian! Even so, I loved him, admired him, and always respected him. He was a man of his word, trustworthy, hardworking, and above all, a Christian man! He and Mama always took us to Sunday School and Church. He always wanted the best for his children! Daddy was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, farmer, cattleman, gardener and Church and community leader.

These are some of my memories of Daddy:

Eating in “the breakfast room” around a large table that Daddy had built. Often most of the food on the table was grown by Daddy. We always had a blessing before each meal and Daddy always prayed: “Bless, heavenly Father, this food to our use, ourselves to Thy service. For Christ’s sake, Amen.”

When I was 11 years old, I was burned in a kitchen accident and was in the hospital for 30 days. I remember Daddy sitting by my bed and holding my hand. I don’t remember anything he said, just that he was there to comfort me and help ease my pain.

When I went to Auburn University and received a Secretarial Training education. Some of the best years; living in a dorm, making life- long friends, just experiencing Auburn! I am forever grateful for Daddy and Mama making this possible for me!

When I married Gene Williams in 1965, my Daddy was there and walked me down the aisle of the Oglethorpe United Methodist Church in Atlanta. I remember being so emotional as we stood inside the door ready to go down the aisle. Again, I don’t remember the words, but somehow Daddy calmed me down before we walked into the sanctuary.

I remember Daddy always being there for me to discuss any problem or questions I had from the local elections to advice on financial matters. Although Daddy had no formal education, he was a man of great wisdom and understanding.

I always knew that Daddy loved me and wanted the best for me! Daddy and Mama loved each other and provided a loving, Christian home for their children! + + +