Dear Friends,
Barbara, the wife of our beloved pastor Walt Roberts, came to our church and community about four years ago. Although she is NOT a product of the South, coming heaven forbid from the state of New York, she did not let a little thing like deep (and I do mean deep) East Texas protocol intimidate her. No sirreee! She grabbed hold and found her way into our East Texas hearts.
The old saying that it takes at least 50 years to become a bonafide East Texan certainly did not deter Barbara from jumping right into the middle of the ladies group, the bridge club, the heritage society, the teachers sorority, the Lions Club, and public school activities. This energetic, enthusiastic, generous, lovable extrovert swept into our sleepy little town of Garrison, Texas and literally rattled our Methodist souls to the bare bone.
Her personality exudes friendship. She is the first to give a compliment complete with details of how and why she finds this or that becoming. Her genuine interest in YOU as an individual is evident, because she remembers events such as birthdays and little things like a favorite color or a special dessert. On the dreariest day Barbara beams a smile to all she meets. No wonder her favorite flower is the sunflower.
Yes, to say the least, she is exuberant, but exuberance certainly is NOT her only personality trait. She has a big, tender heart and is always ready to help the helpless and give to the needy. Many of us tend to give lip service to going the extra mile, but not Barbara. She has befriended one lady in particular who is plagued with financial problems. Barbara did not merely make a monetary contribution and wish the lady well. Barbara found the lady a job and went the extra mile by seeing that the lady has transportation and the materials and supplies to do her job.
We Garrison Methodists woke up one day and found that our congregation was old and had nothing to offer young folks. Our church, like many small-town Methodist Churches of today, has a dwindling number of children and youth in attendance. At that point, Barbara, not a spring chicken herself, took matters into her own hands. She rallied a group of five or six young strays and organized a youth group. The group had a spectacular first year. Not only do they attend church services and their own youth meetings, they hold church-wide fund-raisers. That first year, they made enough money to take a week-long skiing trip to Washington state.
Youth meetings, bible study, and many special events are often held at the Parsonage or at the Roberts' home in Chireno, Texas. Barbara loves to entertain and loves to have guests in her home, where she is truly in her element and has proven herself to be the hostess with the mostess. She is an excellent homemaker and cook and takes pride in serving her friends.
I've already mentioned that she is generous, and generosity may well be Barbara most outstanding character trait. She is generous with herself, her belongings, her time and her talents. She always has time to talk. We've discussed everything from the beauty of the day and the glory of nature to the intricate plot and character development of some new movie. Most often her concern is about our church and our membership and how we can be of greater service. Yes, she is very generous. If you need something and if Barbara has it, you can use it. She will offer what she has and if you cannot come to get it, she will take it to you, and if necessary, come after it when you are finished.
Barbara Roberts is my friend and I know for a fact that I am a better person because of our friendship. She is all of the things I have described her to be and more. She is a New York state transplant who has truly worked her way into our red-necked East Texas hearts.
Sincerely yours,
Emily Adams,
Garrison First United Methodist Church
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