Darlene Pitcher

Mom in my eyes has always been like and angel. She was always so nice. Yes she did swat us on the butt occasionally when we needed it, but to others and to us she is always nice. When I was probably about 10 or so I heard her swear. She did not do that and to this day I think it is the only time I have heard her. I was pretending to be somebody and acting like them, and was making her guess who I was. She finally gave up and I said "I am John Hayes" (some of you might remember him) and she said "If you are John Hayes then get the hell of here."

Most of my memories also is of when I have been sick. I would wake up in the middle of the night with my first cancer and she would be sitting by the side of my bed. She spent hours rubbing my feet and legs and helping me both mentally and physically. When I was sick the last time (notice I said "last" I am not getting it again. She surprised me by staying in the hospital with me for a week. She wasn't planning on it but knew she needed to. She had no extra clothes and she would wash and then get dressed again. I loved the time that we spent together in the hospital. I don't remember alot in the hospital but I do remember the time that we had together.

Mom always liked her yard and house to be nice. She always had a project going in the yard and her and dad would always find time to make it look nice. I remember a favorite time of year for me was Easter. She would always take us to town and buy material for a dress and she would always make us a new Easter dress. We also got to buy a new pair of shoes to go with our dress. Then on Easter Sunday we always got our pictures taken. She was aways canning and sewing along with her always helping dad on the farm.

I always thought Mom was so pretty. When I would look at her pictures of when she was younger I just thought she was beautiful.

Another thing that I always remember about Mom is her big hats that she would wear in the yard and in the fields with Dad. We used to tease her about them but now I love remembering her in them. This is one of my favorite pictures of Mom in her hat at Elba.

She also loves all of us kids and has always let us know.

She is a strong hard working lady and I have always admired her for her example and for her love of the gospel. She had always had a strong testimony and she always lives it.