Sunday morning worship with Rev. Bob Piephoff was, as always, very touching and informative. Rev. Piephoff talked about the “behind the scenes” people who are essential to a plan or program but do not get the recognition as the main players.
He referenced his example to a football team. You have the quarterback calling the signals, but you have the offensive linemen who are basically the “behind the scene” players, but are very much needed to make the play or call successful.
This is very true in many aspects of the work force and often times the little guy, the much-needed one, is overlooked.
As I was listening to the preacher, for whatever reason, a special lady came to mind.
This lady was the hostess and cook at the First Presbyterian Church for many years. Her name was Mrs. Claude Madden (Jesse) and she was a wonderful cook and a pleasure to be around.
I do not remember if Miss Jesse provided a meal at the church each Wednesday, but I think she did. Anyway, at lunchtime on Wednesdays, the church parking lot would be filled.
Anyone who ever ate lunch (dinner) at the church with Miss Jesse cooking never had a reason to complain.
Several Wednesdays, on her way home, she would stop by the post office to give us a piece of cake or pie.
She did not do this for just my sake, for her son-in-law, Roy Benjamin, was the postmaster at that time and she did not want to leave him something without some of us others getting something. For whatever her actions were, the treats were always welcomed.
I also thought about the old Industrial Supply Company owned by the Ferguson Brothers, but Mr. Harold Powers and his sweet wife, Betty, were, in my opinion, the behind the scene players who helped make that business what it was.
There were a few other old workhorses there who were a big part of the program for many years and they were Lonnie “Killer” Miller, Roy Gilliam, E.T. Brown, and Dave Workman.
There were others through the years who helped the business prosper, but the ones mentioned were the ones I remember the most.
So you see, as Rev. Piephoff’s messaged stated, it takes more than just the main ones you see to make a program or business a success.
Still remembering,
(Tommy Kitchens lives in Clinton.)
