Sisters

In this space, I usually attempt to provide subscribers and other readers with perspectives around specific Christian principles based on biblical precepts. With this post, I am sharing a tribute to one of my aunts and Adams-Brown family elders, Ms. Willie Mae Hunter. This message originally was written for and given to my cousins, Aunt Willie Mae's adult children. I felt compelled to share this with a broader audience in an effort to also share what my aunt and her relationship to my mother means to our family. Aunt Willie Mae transitioned from her earthly life on July 28, 2021, which was almost ten years to the day of my mother’s passing. Mama, Ms. Mildred Hall, passed on July 30, 2011. Family is one of the most important relationships in the Bible and in life. As Christians, we are all part of the family of God, his chosen children in the body of Christ. This post speaks to one of those relationships, the indisputable bond and unconditional love between these two sisters. I pray that this post warms your heart and brings to mind those relationships, especially within families, that have special meaning for you as well.

---

Words fall short of adequately describing the totality of a life. This is especially true when the life is that of a mother. We know that none of us is here to stay. We are just passing through this thing called life on the way to our eternal rest with our heavenly Father. Still, if we could, there are those we would hold close to us in perpetuity. That is how most of us feel about our mothers. Just ten years ago, and almost to the day, we – the Hall clan – had a very similar experience in that Mama also passed on to her eternal rest, but no two experiences are the same. There are shades of differences for both the dearly departed as well as those who struggle to transition to a new order of life in every homegoing.

In this message, I wanted to just touch on one aspect of Aunt Willie Mae’s life as it relates to my mother and her sister, Ms. Mildred Hall. I will always cherish my memories of Mama – her loving, nurturing spirit; her love of life and family; her dancing (both inside and outside of any and all houses of worship, stilettos included); her gifts in the areas of caring for the sick, styling hair, cooking, etc.; her compassion for the downtrodden; her sense of humor; and most of all her love for God and His word, just to name a few. I still and always will miss her quiet, though overwhelming presence. There were many people that she loved and none more than her sister, Willie Mae Hunter. They were thicker than thieves, two peas in a pod. Mama really and truly loved Willie Mae and her feelings were reciprocated. They clearly loved each other. They could say things to each other that no one else could say. They shared an intimacy about their “hoods” – childhood, motherhood, adulthood – that was off limits to everyone else and that no one else could fully understand or appreciate. Their connection was so deep that Mama felt a special kinship with Willie Mae’s children and grandchildren that was similar to the relationship Mama had with her own children and grandchildren.

It was a blessing just to witness the ease and sincerity of their sistership. Was it easy to form this kind of bond having been born during a difficult time in our family’s history? It did not seem to matter. If anything, their shared history solidified the bond, making it stronger. They were joined at the hip, perhaps in spite of the challenges they faced throughout two lifetimes. While they parted ways decades ago geographically, they were always connected on a spiritual level. I believe that Mama would have moved back to Arkansas in her later years if her health had prevailed and allowed her to do so. She would have been right at home in Pine Bluff with her bestie/fav/BFF, Willie Mae. From the outside of any relationship and looking in, who really knows what the glue is made out of that binds it all together. From my vantage point, I think that Willie Mae represented many of the things that Mama treasured in her heart and always missed about that little girl who grew up in Pine Bluff. These sisters had much in common and were unique individuals in their own right. Willie Mae was consistent, humble, hilarious, dependable, and down-to-earth. These were just some of the attributes that they shared with everyone around them. Their connection gave them a safe place to feel completely at home no matter where they were. When they got together, there was no doubt what was going to happen. There was going to be reminiscing. There was going to be lots of fun and laughter. There was going to be all kinds of delicious food cooked (especially fried chicken, biscuits and 7-Up cake). There was going to be an unspeakable love that only comes from a close bond of sisterhood. There also could be some tears, but even those would be drenched in sisterly love. This was a special relationship. Aunt Willie Mae will always be special to me not only because her spirit, but how she held a very special space in Mama’s heart and her life. What a blessing!

I can only imagine what Aunt Willie Mae’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren especially are feeling at this time. I pray that you can reconcile Aunt Willie Mae’s passing with the hand of the Father having his way. He knows what is best for us especially when we can’t see it ourselves. Let us thank God for His blessings of these sisters and their example of faith, strength, humility and love. Let us thank our Lord and Savior that His servant has transitioned on to her eternal rest. Let us pray that Aunt Willie Mae has reunited with those who have navigated this path before her, especially her sister, Mildred.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Love, life, and many blessings to you all.

Respectfully,

Sandra Hall-Brewster