SUNDAY MEMORIES
Judy Wills
In my post of January 8, 2023, I mentioned my time in Dallas, Texas, my birthplace. In thinking about the First Baptist Church of Dallas, I also mentioned Ms. Bertha Mills, the nursery worker who would take me on her lap and read a story. I have vague memories of that. My brother Bill says he really doesn’t remember that.
She wrote down some of her stories and published them in book form. It was published by The Story Book Press out of Dallas, Texas, and copyrighted in 1948.
I contacted First Baptist Church of Dallas, and asked about any more information on Ms. Bertha they could give me. Ruth Turner, the Director of the Truett Memorial Library for the church replied to my request. She gave her permission to use any/all of the information she sent about Ms. Bertha.
Ms. Bertha died January 12, 1964. The following article was in FBC’s weekly “Reminder” by the pastor, Dr. Criswell.
Last week we laid to rest in the arms of Jesus our sweet Miss Bertha Mills. The record of her ministry among little children in this First Baptist Church of Dallas is nothing less than phenomenal. It covers a full half century….will be preparing a beautiful memorial for this worthy and noble teacher….write a tribute in verse that would say better than we could in prose our tenderest thanksgiving for Bertha Mills. It is so true to the spirit of this noble Nursery Leader.“
As I’ve said before, she was a much-loved lady in the church. If I can figure out the copyright laws concerning her stories, and it is okay, then I will share her stories with my readers. They are short, but very entertaining – to both children and adults.
For now, this is all about Ms. Bertha.
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.
Philippians 1:3
Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .
Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.
After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.
This morning I was idly thinking about my reading habits. I consider myself a “fluff’ reader. I didn’t enjoy what my teachers called the classics. Steinbeck and Hemingway bored me to tears and I really wanted that old man in the sea to just cut-the-line. And what was the point in the Iliad and the Odyssey and sirens luring men to their death? Hello, who didn’t know that men will fall for a pretty face and enticing body. Reading the book was not going to change that. Give me a good mystery or romance novel. I also enjoy a rousing action story.
About a year ago, I started taking a family consisting of Mother, Laura, two-year-old Sunny, teen-aged cousin, Rita, and fifth grader, Clarisse, to the library every three weeks. I did it because Rita is an avid reader, but lost a book from the high school library and couldn’t check out any more until it was found or paid for (which eventually happened). I understood what it might be like not to have anything to read because I too am an incurable reader, though until recently I’ve only been able to read LP books.
Old Things R New 