We’ve had more of the same weather this week. Not even the ragweed can grow in these conditions.
The big news I want to report on in this edition is what happened at church today. To do this right I must tell this from the beginning.
Mom began work as the secretary at our church in August 1982. Her career started with her first job at Nashville Sash & Door Company in Nashville. She worked there for a number of years, quitting sometime after she and Dad married. After I came along she was a stay at home mom. When I started school she went back to work on the tobacco market at Hancock’s Loose Floor which was perfect because she would have the summers off. When I was in high school the opportunity at church came along and she worked full time until early 2005 when she decided it was time to cut back her hours. Her knee replacement surgery later that year really kept her home from church more than she wanted but she still managed to get up there and work some. Knowing how much Mom still enjoys popping in to work in the office and realizing this is happening with less frequency Bro. Bill called me back in May and told me they were planning to recognize her for 25 years of service. I said, “I guess I don’t have to tell you just how uncomfortable she is going to be with any kind of public recognition like this.” All these efforts culminated at church this morning.
To start with, this was all kept secret from Mom so it would be a surprise. Today was promoted for weeks as “bring a friend” day but a letter was mailed out to the entire church membership last week explaining exactly what was going to happen. A fake letter was sent to Mom and Aunt Mar. The amazing thing is that with several hundred people in on the secret, it held until yesterday. The leak came from Indiana where Shelley Harvey, a former church secretary who worked with Mom, sent Mom a card Friday, not dreaming the postal service would deliver it the next day! When Mom called me and Vicki to ask if we knew anything about any special recognition we flat out lied.
The funny thing was that Mom went to work Monday when they were trying to fold and stuff the letter to be mailed out to the church regarding today’s events. Roni, the other church secretary, wound up having to come back to church after supper to get the letter and envelopes and take it home. She and her kids spent the evening getting the letter ready to to be mailed Tuesday. Mom also wanted to hear Brent’s last practice with the choir Wednesday. Fortunately, Brent knew she was in the hall listening but it kept him from giving the choir any instructions about today.
I guess it was a good thing Mom had a bit of a heads up so she could be somewhat prepared for what happened today. Because all this was on Mom’s mind she and Aunt Mar were running late for Sunday school. Kenny had to go to their house and insist they leave with him immediately. He dropped Mom off at the front door of the church where she walked in to a reception set up in the main hall for her complete with pastries and chocolate. She spent the entire Sunday school hour visiting with folks. She got several gifts and a large stack of cards. A few of the children’s classes made cards for her and brought them to her as well. Mom was also given a portrait of herself painted by David Head. David, the art teacher at White House Heritage High School, has been busy painting lately and recently gave us portraits of Jenna and Ben. He has promised to paint Nate.
If Mom thought the whole affair was over when the second service started she was wrong. After a baptism and a couple of songs Bro. Bill called Mom to the stage. He presented her with a locket and spoke about working with her for the last quarter century (we called Bro. Bill to be our pastor a few months before Mom became church secretary). He also announced that the church would be starting the Anne Swann Scholarship to benefit high school seniors from our church who plan to further their education. Mom was totally blown away by this point.
This was followed by Tennessee State Representative Robert Bibb who presented her with a framed copy of House Resolution 204 recognizing her retirement (see below). Mom had also been active in the Tennessee Baptist Church Secretaries Association (TBCSA) and two good friends, Lana Rose who heads up the TBCSA and Kay Woods, the secretary of the Robertson County Baptist Association, spoke briefly. It was really a good thing Mom was sitting in a chair for all this.
When Bro. Bill handed Mom the mic she told everyone how overwhelmed she was. She went on to say what a blessing it has been to work in the Lord’s House all this time and see all the ways people minister to others. So much of this has blessed her life as it has been done behind the scenes and her job has made her privy to all this secret good will. She also talked about how nice it has been to work with each of those on staff as well as get to know their spouses and see their kids grow up.
After church we went to Pauline’s house for lunch. She and Vicki had been fixing a few dishes for the last few days and while the main course was sandwiches they had several of Mom’s favorites: chicken salad, pimiento cheese, potato salad, deviled eggs. Dessert is the most important part of course and they served peanut butter balls and coconut cake. Derek, Amanda and the girls came for the occasion and stayed for lunch and we sure enjoyed visiting with them. Judy also came for church but her job required her to return to Ashland City so she missed out on lunch with us.
This evening Mom went to the choir pool party and had a great time visiting with everyone.
So Mom has had a very big day and I suppose thank you notes will keep her busy for a while. I was very proud to stand beside her and share the day with her.
By the way, for those of you who had Mom’s email address at church, you can remove it from your address books. I deleted it at her request. If you want to contact her you either have to call or send a note by snail mail (which isn’t all that slow as it turns out).
Joe
STATE OF TENNESSEE
HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES
HOUSE RESOLUTION 204
By Representative Bibb
A RESOLUTION to recognize Anne Swann on the occasion of her retirement.
WHEREAS, it is appropriate that the members of this legislative body should honor those citizens who have performed with uncommon devotion and enthusiasm throughout their years of industry; and
WHEREAS, Anne Swann is one such estimable person who has served with distinction for twenty-five years as an employee of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist for more than sixty years, Ms. Swann has rendered sterling service in many positions within the church, including those of Secretary, Church Clerk, GA Missions Leader, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School volunteer, and Choir Member; and
WHEREAS, prior to her employment with Mt. Carmel Baptist, Anne Swann, a 1949 graduate of the Nashville Women’s Business College, dedicated her time and energies as an employee of Nashville Sash and Door and Hancock Loose Floor and as a stay-at-home mother; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Swann will be taking a much deserved retirement on August 26, 2007; and
WHEREAS, Anne Swann is an active and important part of her community and her profession, participating in numerous worthy organizations, including the Robertson County Home Demonstration Club; and
WHEREAS, the widow of the late Joe Caner Swann, to whom she was married in 1958, Ms. Swann is the proud and loving mother of Joe Swann and his wife, Vicki, and the doting grandmother of Jenna, Benton, and Nate Swann; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Swann exemplifies the spirit and allegiance to family and community that are characteristic of a true Tennessean; and
WHEREAS, throughout her estimable career, she has demonstrated the utmost professionalism, ability, and integrity, winning the unbridled respect and admiration of her colleagues and the membership of Mt. Carmel Baptist; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, that we extend to Anne Swann our heartfelt wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement and every continued success in her future endeavors.
ADOPTED: June 7, 2007
SIGNED:
Jimmy Naifeh, Speaker of the House of Representatives
Robert T. Bibb, Representative
