Rosann Barbara Lenhart Lawhead

By Rosann Lenhart Lawhead

Writing one’s own obituary may seem morbid and sad to many. But I am writing this with thankfulness and love for the many years I was allowed to reside on this Earth which God created.

I was born in Sidney, Ohio on May 26, 1915 – the middle child of 11. We didn’t have much in worldly goods, but we always had a houseful of love and caring. None of us realized we were poor, because we were happy and satisfied with what we had.

We grew up in church and Sunday school – which we faithfully attended.

There are so many wonderful memories of growing up – but there was also sadness. We lost our brother, Paul, at the age of three -- and our wonderful father, Oscar, died at just 47. We had great joy, though, in the fact that our mother was a wonderful, hard-working Saint who loved us very much and worked so hard for us all.

The years rolled on and with our big family came marriages, children and moves to other cities. In fact, my husband Hubert, with our own kids Ron and Sharma, moved 2,000 miles away to Mesa, Arizona. The rest of my family thought we had moved to the very end of the earth and were sure they would never see any of us again.

I did not like Arizona when we arrived. But then my husband and I started a Sherwin-Williams paint store on Main Street in Mesa called “Lenhart Paint and Supply” – so we had little choice but to stay for a while. And boy am I glad that we did. I learned to love this state and would never have considered moving East again.

This was home.

It seems that Hubert and I were destined to become charter members of so many things. Hubert was one of the organizers of the Mesa Kiwanis Club and I belonged to the Kiwaniannes. We were part and parcel of starting the First Lutheran Church and were always so proud of that. I have always said that God had a plan in mind when he sent us to Mesa.

I was also a Charter Member of the Mesa Lutheran Hospital Auxiliary. I loved my volunteer work and felt it was a privilege to have served in so many capacities with so many wonderful and caring people.

As I say, Hubert and I were blessed with two children, Ron and Sharma. Both of them have always been loving and caring – and I have always been proud and blessed to be their mother. Ron’s widow, Carol, and Sharma’s late husband, Earl have been like my own kids – and not like in-laws at all. And I want to especially thank Shirley, the mother of three of my grandchildren, for always being a good mother and remaining a good friend to me.

Hubert and I were blessed with five grandchildren, Sheri Lenhart Emard, Stephanie Lenhart Fischer, Steven Lenhart, Debbie Hightower Krull and David Hightower. The love I had for all my family cannot be measured. It’s simply too big to measure. But that immeasurable love was always returned to me a hundredfold. I was so blessed with so loving a family.

And then in 1970, Hubert died. I lost my first love when he was just 60 – and it seemed the hole in my heart would just be too big for me to cope with. I imagine every wife feels as though half of her life is missing.

I was a widow for three years, when a long-ago friend called. Huitt Lawhead and I were married in 1973.

Huitt was a traveling auditor and we not only traveled within the United States, but overseas as well. It was an exciting time for me and we enjoyed our travels until Huitt suffered a heart attack in 1975 causing us to return to Mesa and our home on 1st Street. He died in 1993.

In my “Later” years (you will note that I avoided the “Little Old Lady” title) I had various interests. I Iiked to do some writing, arts and crafts, crocheting afghans and baby blankets – and I made wheelchair bags. I loved making decorations for the various functions at church. I tried to keep my hands and mind busy. It is fun to always learn from each day that you are allowed to walk the Earth – no matter what age you just might be.

And I just might be 102.

So I thank you family and friends for making my life one of caring, loving, giving and receiving.

My wish for all of you, is to enjoy each and every day that God gives you. Use your time, talents and treasures to further His work. Remember that you are all God’s children – whether you want to be or not. And He loves you. His grace is upon you. It is free. It is literally, a gift from God. Accept it wholeheartedly and with open arms.

I loved all of you – and I thank you for loving me in return.