The Pinecone
|
July 2014
• 7 •
Lou Bethay
S O C I A L B U T T E R F L Y
This lovely lady wanted to be sure that my article would
let her Kirby Pines colleagues know of her fun-loving
nature and desire to be of service. After visiting with her for
an hour, her request is easily met.
In 1925, Lou was born in Fulton, MS to Bonnie Gray
Roberts and William Benson Roberts. She had two brothers
and one sister; she was the baby in that family. Her Mom
was a homemaker and her Dad operated an appliance store
and sold bales of cotton as well. One customer bought a
stove from her Dad for $25.00 down payment. When a year
had gone by with no further payments made, Mr. Roberts
took the stove back from the buyer and returned their $25.00
payment. Her childhood is remembered as a happy time,
centered on the Church of Christ with the 3-times per week
services. All of the children were musical; and her brothers
talented in string instruments and violin. A large circle
of family relatives
living nearby assured
frequent get togethers.
Lou met her
husband-to-be, John
Douglas Bethay, when
she was a 13-year old
freshman in high school
and he was a 15-year
old sophomore in high
school. John was a football player
and Lou was a cheer leader, so
their friendship blossomed. One
time, all of the relatives gathered
at Grandma Gray’s house for
games of croquet, kick the can,
and wading in the nearby pond.
Lou invited John Douglas to join
them; John Douglas drove her
home, along with another couple,
in his pick-up truck. Lou got a
stern lecture from her Dad about
how inappropriate it was for his
daughter to be one of four persons crammed into the front
seat of the truck – and it was never to happen again!
Lou was 16 and John Douglas was 18 when they started
dating; and they married in 1943. In 1940, John Douglas
joined the Marines
and was assigned to
Mojave, CA. Lou
moved to Memphis
to work for the war
effort making yellow
life boats; after a time,
she was promoted to
record keeping. She
then moved to Mojave,
CA and worked as a
waitress in a motel
dining room. Over
the years, they had 2
girls and 1 boy. John Douglas passed away in 2000 and
Lou moved to Kirby Pines in 2001. Their family grew to 7
grandchildren and 16 great grands with a 17th great grand
due any day now.
Lou has settled in a
house on Moss Rose
Cove, with no plans to
move. She’s a member
of the Green Lawn
Garden Club, is a very
competitive
bridge
player; and a volunteer
in the Kirby Pines
RehabWing, preparing
fresh popcorn every
Saturday
for
the
C Wing residents.
Moreover, she is
looking for other opportunities to volunteer, as well.
Bright, verbal, kind, and eager to be useful – just the
person who fits well in the Kirby Pine residents’ community
and a perfect example of Social Wellness. She is always
planning ahead and looking forward to find what she can do
next! Get to know Lou Bethay. You’ll find her to be good
company and a friend in the years ahead.
–
Jacqueline Besteman, Resident
Attending the Black Tie Ball
Taking in a Redbirds game with Jim White
With Ruth Thurmond at the
Estates Christmas Party
Lighting Her Torch at The Lighting of the Lake
