1. Mother was the epitome of a Christian. She read her Bible, she prayed before every meal that she every ate, and she did not miss church until her health declined. She went three times a week or as we used to say - every time the door was opened, she was there. She did not ever drink, smoke or cuss. Her ministry was to send words of encouragement through the mail. Proverbs 31 was written with her in mind - "Her family will rise and call her blessed" (paraphrased as usual).
It is said that when you are squeezed or down -what is inside comes out. Well good things came out of Mother. The last time that she was in the hospital for a lengthy stay, we were with her almost around the clock. One of the nights that I stayed with her and she was a little disillusioned, she literally said her good night prayers all night long. Every time that I encouraged her to let's go to sleep, her response was that we had to say our prayers. She would say her prayer, and would pray for everyone by name and what she wished for them or for blessings for them. Thirty minutes later the whole process started over.
2. Mother was a great cook, and she did cook a lot of food in her life. Some of the sweets that she was known for are: pecan pie, coconut pie, chocolate chip cookies, a chocolate scotch cake, seven-minute frostings, and banana pudding. We always had a homemade birthday cake with the seven-minute frosting on it with the candy sugar decorations. Anything she cooked it was good. We always had a dessert with every meal. When we were in school, she made our lunch for us. The other kids were envious because we had such good lunches. Also when we got in from school, we knew that there would be a home-cooked meat waiting on us. You never left the table of Bennie Scoggins hungry.
3. Mother took great pride in the way that she always dressed. She would get up early and get her makeup and clothes on. She loved clothes and like to dress up, even if no one was going to see her or not. She went to the beauty shop on either Saturday morning or Friday. She took care of her hair so that when she went into the beauty shop that her hair was still in place. No one every saw her hair messed up. Her old clothes were better and looked nicer that most people's good clothes. When she was outside working, her clothes still looked like she was headed somewhere important. In the 50's she had hats and high heels to match all her dresses.
4. I have told this story many times, but it is worth repeating. One day after school when we were probably in the 4th and 5th grade, Diana and I came in from school to find the china and crystal out. The table was set. Of course our first thought was who is coming to dinner. No! Mother decided it was time to teach and practice our table manners.
This is just one of the many things that she did to make sure that we knew right from wrong - down to our table manners.
5. Bennie Scoggins believed that cleanliness was next to godliness. I can assure you that our house was never dirty or messy. Dishes were never left in the sink. Clothes were never left in the dryer. The bathtub nor commode never had a ring around them. You could eat off the kitchen floor. Beds were always made. I am sure that you get the picture. This ended up being a blessing for us in the end. When Mother was at the Howard Apartments, she would get up and go outside and dust her car before everyone else got up and about. She did not need to be driving, so instead of us having to take the car away from her; she was ready to give it up so that she would not have to dust it everyday.
Bennie Scoggins, this child does rise up and called her blessed. Thanks for everything you did for me.
Bennie Scoggins, this child does rise up and called her blessed. Thanks for everything you did for me.
