YoYuWILL BE MISSED  YOU ALWAYS SAIS GOD WILLIN SO HE TOOK YPU HOME TO BE WITH CURT AND FAmILI  MISS YOU ALREADY  SEE YOU  'God willin   someday your sis   harriett

Mae and curt were aunt and uncle to our siblings and sister and brother to our family. they became like family to the toons. In maes last days at home I was able to share special memories with her. she had herself a hundred per cent in work and play and loving our Lord. Mae always said the Lord Willin.   well, you will be missed but "the Lord was willin to take you home amd be with curt and others. Mae got our son in law to help  she madehim her pot of beans. -hed have done the digging dahliahs etc anyway and stacey and greg kept the dahliahs going. mae showed you every tree and where it came from and curt liked his garden too how many people get to have friends for 60 years. see you in heaven   "GOd Willin" thanks for the memories    from harriett toon

To my dearest Auntie Mae, your optimism and big heart and even bigger smile always, always made me happy.  We laughed, cooked, and cried over just the mere fact that we were so blessed.  You always made me feel like I was the sweetest angel God had ever made.  Well I know one thing he made you first so you could help guide my journey.  I know to all the family you had they all know you were special, a gift we were all blessed to share.  I have spent a week at your house going through pictures for your family in North Carolina, Tennessee and California.  I can not find one picture of you that does not have that a beautiful smile and the twinkle in your eyes.  You were truly someone unique and I am so thankful my kids have yours and Uncle Curt's  amazing legacy of love. Your love of God and of life will never die, you will be carried in hearts throughout the generations.  Love you and I am so glad you are with Uncle Curt!  Oh one more thing my new garden is dedicated to you and you would love it. I will Can a bunch of stuff and when I do I will remember everything you taught me.  Love you  Little Terry and little Lonnie. Crystal, Hannah,Dezi and all of our grandchildren.

Many years ago when I first met Mae and Curt, they were happy to take me on a tour of their property.  

On the far side of the old barn was an open space.  Mae drew my attention to the imprint that still existed outlining what she said was the perimeter of the garden that they used to plant in their younger days.  She commented on how wonderful their soil was and how luscious the garden did indeed grow.

Upon entering the old barn itself, the first thing I noticed was the full complement of garden tools – all cleaned up and looking practically brand new.  Close by was what had to be the very first garden cultivator Honda ever manufactured.  Rather small and crude by today's standards.  Curt had maintained it well over the years and he commented that it worked as good now as it did when it was first purchased.  All of the tools seeming to me standing at attention waiting for the right person to come along.

“How about the three of us planting a garden this spring?”  Mae just about went into orbit.  “My goodness, fresh vegetables from our own garden again”.  Mae then made us all commit that if we were going to do this we absolutely had to plant in sufficient quantities that would allow her to share the produce with the neighbors.

The Honda cultivator fired right up on the first try.  Its relatively small blades meant that it took almost the whole afternoon to turn over the soil.  In the years to follow, Kim had her husband Brett trailer over their industrial size farm tractor.  The hardest most time consuming part of this effort was unloading and then loading the tractor back up. 

After each planting, Mae and Curt would sit well into the evening in lawn chairs next to the edge of the garden.  Curt would drag over the hose. He would make sure the soil was well watered.  Sitting so close to the garden also meant that the crows and blue jays did not have the opportunity to dig up the newly planted seeds for their dining pleasure. Both Mae and Curt looked forward to each night patiently await for the seeds to first pop out of the ground and to also note the progress of the potted plants as they began to take hold and mature.  How they enjoyed watching the progress of the pole bean vines climbing up the lattice put in place.  Mae would get so totally excited as the garden began to come alive.  “Won't be long now” she would consistently declare.

As the various vegetables became available, Mae's strict orders was that before they were to be picked the pot of water that they were to cooked in had to first be at a full boil.   And, once the vegetables are picked – “Don't  dilly-dally around getting back to the house either”!

I will carry forever in my mind the picture of Mae and Curt sitting together in absolute total bliss at the edge of the garden they so loved.  Holding hands.  Watching the sun go down.

Oh, Mae rest in peace sweet lady!  You were a sweet and kind and generous lady, indeed.  I am happy that you and Curt are together now, once again complete.  You will be missed and remembered fondly as a great person with a tremendous heart and an animal lover through and through.  I loved your potato salad!  I adored your garden and the wonderful transparent apples that you used to send back to the house with me. I enjoyed playing the piano keyboard for you. 
I loved you!

I met you in 1956,when I was five years old. I thought you were so beautiful and kind. My dad always said you remind me of your Aunt Bessie. I will always appreciate his compliment. I love you and know I will meet you and my hansome uncle Curt again in heaven. You were a wonderful loving couple and the world could see that. My heart has an empty place for you both. Love always and forever. Your niece Brindia and family Leo, Sybil, Damion Sr., Damion Jr., Samarra, and Savannah.

Aunt Bessie, I will cherish my early memories of your visits and the time we spent together when I was a kid and your last visit to TN. I know that you are at peace with Uncle Kurt and you will continue to look after us as a beautiful angel. God Bless you. Love Brindia and Leo

I will always remember my cousin Bessie - I will remember her devotion to her mother who was my grandfathers sister - Minnie W. Rice Arrington - 
Bessie my heart has noted your passing with ....reverence for your life , remembrance of and recognition of your place in our family in Tennessee...and with much sadness.... Sandy Rice-Metcalf (daughter of Gladys) .

To my wonderful Aunt Bessie. I will always remember the time we spent together during you visit. I will always have the wonderful memory of you and Uncle Curt eating fellowship dinner at my church with my wife and son. I think God that he gave us this time together. May you both find peace and may we all rejoice in a family reunion someday in the Kingdom of God. Until then, we love you both.

Richard, Kristin, Zach and Joseph Arrington

I loved my Aunt Bessie and she will be missed. I will always cherish the fond memories of her visits to Tennessee with Uncle Curt. I pray that she finds everlasting peace and comfort in Heaven with, Curt and our loved ones who have gone on before her.
Linda Arrington

OBITUARY

Bessie Mae Salkeld

August 11, 1925 – April 9, 2014

Weller Funeral Home

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