Norristown Belle

Being called a legend is a high honor given to someone whose story is popularly accepted but cannot be checked. The Norristown Belle is far more than a legend.  She is verified by all who know her, and she continues to give grace, love and care to all that she meets.  Love your neighbor as yourself is the greatest commandment, (Mark 12:31) but to Melvie Stephens, this is not as hard as it might seem. Melvie has always known that this greatest commandment simply means respecting others and regarding their needs and desires as highly as her own.  She has done this every day of her life for over ninety years.  A shoulder to cry on; a listening ear when you are troubled; a hair trim when needed; a welcome home to someone who has paid their debt to society; a pat on the back when you feel down; pot of chicken and dumplings or Brunswick stew at a death, illness or church social; and sometimes just a cup of cold water when you are tired and hot are always there for you when needed. 
I cannot remember a time when the lady I call “Tootsie” was not a part of my life. I continued to use the childhood nickname given by her family. She was the sister of Curtis Wilson who married my Aunt Iris, and I always felt like family.
Melvie was next to the last child in Leo and Sallie Durden Wilson’s family of seven children. The Wilson familes were early settlers, large land owners and productive farmers in the Norristown area. Heartbreak came early for Melvie. Her beloved young mother died when Melvie was five years old and her little brother was three.  At that young age, she stepped up to take care of her little brother and do her part to keep the home together. She looks back on her childhood not as hardship but with love and joy. She said, “I knew I had the best daddy in the world.” She has shared many memories of her blessed childhood such as she and brother, Howard, riding a mule to start grade school at Norristown Junction and watching US 80 being paved with heavy machinery pulled by mules.
At age sixteen she married the love or her life, George Stephens. In a brief time, World War II broke out, and George was on the first list of draftees from Emanuel County. After a short basic training, the young husband was sent to the South Pacific, and she did not see him again for three years. He was on the battlefields and wounded twice. Their daughter, Delores was three years old when she finally met her father.  George’s medals, war records and picture are displayed in the WW II room of Emanuel County Library.
Melvie always expected to live near her beloved Norristown, but George had other ambitions. He took advantage of the GI Bill, became an electrician, and they moved to the Augusta area to start his career. He worked hard, was very successful and realized his dream of owning his own business. A second daughter, Sallie, was born, and Melvie worked many years with a textile company.

After the death of George, she needed to come home.  Most of her family and many friends were still a part of Norristown. She built a cozy home on Highway 221, between the Junction and the city and across the road from her brother, Howard.  Her life was fulfilled with Loving her Neighbor, being a cornerstone of Norristown Baptist Church, chairman of the Mount Zion Cemetery committee, and considered the “Honorary Mayor of Norristown.” She earned this title because she knew the answer to the ‘WHAT, WHEN, HOW, WHERE AND WHY’ of anything pertaining to Norristown. The pond behind her house welcomed anyone who enjoyed fishing. Her pear trees provided abundantly to make the countless jars of preserves to put up and give to others.  I always got my share.
She greeted newcomer to the community and became forever friends. When nephew, the Reverend Hal Wilson, became pastor of her church, she was proudly sitting on the first pew to hear him say, “I have an aunt praying for me every day.”
Time takes its toll. Aging and a stroke confined her to a wheelchair, but she still lived at home for several years. This was possible from the care and assistance of many who were “paying back.” 
Health issues became more frequent, but her love for the community made moving to a care facility a painful decision. As with all periods of our lives, this time did become necessary.
If your life has been blessed with time spent with this delightful lady, you have enjoyed these memories and stories.  I have had the joy of sharing the Norristown Belle with you.

Write to Shirley at sptwiss@gmail.com