By Garland O. Goodwin

 

Ann Richardson used to come into Mary and Fran’s Yarn Shop in Columbus about the time Ann Richards was making a name for herself as Governor of Texas. I naturally started calling her “Governor,” with her not-quite-same last name. And she naturally played along, laughing with me as we exchanged our witty repartee (well, hers anyway). We always enjoyed her visits, as we did those by so many others. Ann was always a happy person, and her winning smile carried the day.

 

We shared her sorrow when Bob died. Their Blue Ridge Weavers sold tickets for our Polk County Historical Association tours of the county, so I always had pleasant visits with my schoolmate Mary Evelyn Brock at the counter and with Bob in his office in back, with its window overlooking the depot parking lot and the mountains beyond.

 

The late Mary Evelyn endeared herself to me forever when she called me right after the first book of these columns, “A Boy in the Amen Corner,” came out. She asked if I had taken out insurance for my readers “who laughed so hard they fell off the john?” Well, no; you read at your own risk . . .

 

Frances Webb was our neighbor on Hayes Road just outside “The Woods” subdivision. She attended all of our neighborhood gatherings as long as she was able. When I had to have some of the many oak trees on our lot removed (some fell over, others died, a beautiful White Oak was struck by lightning and died within three days!), I sent the wood over to Frances. She had a younger relative to split it for her.

 

When Max Jolley came to take down two trees, he asked what length to buck the trunks. I called Frances, who answered immediately “23 inches” (I think), so that is what she got. Max measured!

 

She was a stalwart visitor at the ladies’ table— on the other side of McDonald’s from the men. I visited her at Autumn Care after she fell at McDonald’s, and like everyone I have visited in such places, she wanted to “go home.” I could not tell her that she was at home, because we both knew better! She treasured her independence and did not willingly give it up. I am truly sorry that she is gone . . . we have missed her already.

 

Gary Greene was a Lion’s Lion in every way, and an Eagle Scout to boot. Fran and I first met him when he attended our information meeting about the SPOT camera that the Columbus Lions were later able to purchase for vision screening. Gary was the District Governor of the South Carolina Lions, and came with Lion Donna Henson to demonstrate the camera for us and the local eye doctors.

 

Some weeks later, Fran and I were having breakfast at the Landrum Bojangles’ when Gary spotted our Lions vanity plate and came in looking for us. We had a nice reunion and visit there. Gary was definitely a people person, and has no doubt left a multitude of people wondering how they will get along without him. Yes, I realize that could be said of countless others, but I just want to emphasize that it surely applies to Gary.

 

It is tough to have to say goodbye to so many wonderful friends, but that fact of life comes home to all of us when we reach a certain age. I remember some of the French I learned in high school. They have two words for goodbye: adieu is goodbye forever and au revoir is ‘til we meet again. I take some comfort in knowing that for most of us it is “au revoir, my friend.”