Fielder's Choice

A former member of The South Reporter family passed away recently, and it sort of went unnoticed.

That’s probably the way she would have wanted it. But I’m taking a different route, because she deserves recognition.

Annie Bell Clark Reid, 78, died November 29 at Methodist Hospital of Olive Branch. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and a registered nurse with Home Choice Health Care.

Ms. Annie (as we called her) also once wrote a very popular weekly column for your community newspaper. It was titled “Angel’s Corner.”

When she decided several years back to stop writing the column, we were disappointed, and so were our readers.

Not to offend any of our other columnists, past and present (including myself), but I received more good comments about “Angel’s Corner” than any other.

Our staff members certainly looked forward to her weekly visit to the office, delivering her hand-written words on a piece of notebook paper.

Last week, I decided to comb through some of Ms. Annie’s old columns. I selected a few from 2014. Her writings, most of all, were encouraging and uplifting.

Here are a few excerpts.

One was headlined, “God’s special children change bitterness to joy.”

It was about an encounter she had with a young man who had Down syndrome. He brightened her day — lifted her spirits.

“When you feel bitterness come upon you, allow God to dissolve it. Read the Psalms, and pray for others, because when you pray for others and your concern is not so much for yourself, your whole countenance will be radiant, even if you’re in pain. Remember God puts the pain there for a reason; we just have to bear it and life goes on.”

Another was titled, “God — our rock, our solid foundation.”

“On what will we build our lives?” Ms. Annie asked. “Education, family, common sense, healthy living, wise investments — all of them are good to have in the overall plans for our lives. But none of these are strong enough to be the foundation on which the rest is built.

“Only the word of God and a relationship with Jesus have the capacity and strength to provide a foundation that will never falter, a solid rock footing that will never crumble.”

One gave a brief but powerful lesson on love. It was written the week before Christmas.

“Love is a very important word in a family, in your neighborhood, at your workplace and at your school. If we become thoughtful to everyone, there will be less hate for our neighbors. Because we care about each other, put more love in your hearts.

“Little ones, be good. Santa is coming. Love you all.”

She liked to end nearly all her columns with similar instructions — words worth repeating over and over.

“Hug and kiss your spouse and children each night before bed. Children, respect your elders, especially our parents, leaders and neighbors. Parents, go to the church of your choice as a family. Eat at least one meal as a family. Sit at the table. Pray together and life will be good to you all.”