Who was Willie Mae Weaver
A while after the death of my father, my Mother took a correspondence
course in writing. In going through her files I found some of the lessons
which she submitted. One of the lessons contained the following phase:
course in writing. In going through her files I found some of the lessons
which she submitted. One of the lessons contained the following phase:
“Who am I? What am I? Where am I? Surely, somewhere
deep inside, there is an individual with its own identity.”
deep inside, there is an individual with its own identity.”
It seems that up until the time of my father’s death she had only seen
herself as Mama and Papa Hallman’s daughter and then as Dewey’s
wife. Now, at age 51, she faced the world on her own and was not quite
sure if she knew how to relate to the world on her own. Those who
knew her, know that she managed life very well on her own.
herself as Mama and Papa Hallman’s daughter and then as Dewey’s
wife. Now, at age 51, she faced the world on her own and was not quite
sure if she knew how to relate to the world on her own. Those who
knew her, know that she managed life very well on her own.
But I will try give at least a partial answer to her questions.
“WHO and What AM I ?”
“WHO and What AM I ?”
She was Mama Hallman’s helper with the kitchen and household chores.
When Grandma and Grandpa Avery came to live with them, she
became their nurse maid even though it would mean that she would
miss the last two years of high school.
became their nurse maid even though it would mean that she would
miss the last two years of high school.
However, she remained a life-long student who loved to learn and
aspired to become a doctor or nurse following in the footsteps of
Grandma Avery and Great-grandfather, Dr. Wooley.
aspired to become a doctor or nurse following in the footsteps of
Grandma Avery and Great-grandfather, Dr. Wooley.
She was an avid reader and she consumed many volumes of print,
especially anything that explained the how and why of what was
happening in the world and around her.
especially anything that explained the how and why of what was
happening in the world and around her.
She loved Gospel Music and added her alto voice to the harmonies
of various small groups, quartets and congregations.
of various small groups, quartets and congregations.
She was chief clerk and assistant manager of a series of Dewey’s
grocery stores.
grocery stores.
She was the bookkeeper of Dewey’s wholesale fishing pole and
tackle business.
tackle business.
She was Mother Confessor and Psychiatrist to many friends,
neighbors and kinfolks. At times she would issue some sage advice,
but mostly she would provide a listening ear and some kind words.
neighbors and kinfolks. At times she would issue some sage advice,
but mostly she would provide a listening ear and some kind words.
She was the kindhearted Justice-of-the-Peace who seldom levied a
fine but would deliver a stern lecture when needed.
fine but would deliver a stern lecture when needed.
She was one of those independent Southern women who thought
for herself and would tell it like it was with a smile.
for herself and would tell it like it was with a smile.
She was a child of God through the blood of Jesus.
She was a Sunday school teacher and bible scholar .
She was the mother and life long care-giver to my sister, Nancy.
She was a visiting angel at Heritage Nursing home.
She was the smiling face that brought daily cheer to her fellow
residents at Presbyterian Apartments in Tuscaloosa and Mayfair
Towers in Huntsville.
residents at Presbyterian Apartments in Tuscaloosa and Mayfair
Towers in Huntsville.
She was a loving sister and sister-in-law.
She was the mother and inspiration for Billy
And a loving mother-in-law to Anne.
She was a grandmother, great grandmother and
great-great grandmother.
Mama and Papa Hallman named her “Willie Mae”.
Her siblings called her “Bill”.
Dewey called her “Miss Mae”.
Nancy and Billy called her “Mother”.
The grandchildren called her “Granny”
Many called her “Friend”.
In two-thousand-ten, Jesus called her home.
