Two Powerful Mother and Daughter Matriarchs

A Special Dimension In Our Cherished Relationship, “SPICE!”

Words of any language of this earth are hollow in trying to describe Helen Schenck. She would take each moment of life and mold it into a bouquet of poetry and grace.

Born at the beginning of the century, there was no one who drank in life with more gusto–a fresh, vibrant spirit radiating brilliant warmth, sunshine, and vitality. She wallowed in being alive. Every moment of her life, she cherished as though it was the first time she was seeing or experiencing it. Every flower, every sunrise and sunset, every wave lapping on the shore was a revelation, a celebration of life.

On a family automobile trip, I commented, “Nana, you add Spice to our Life!” And henceforth, she was known to all as “Spice”. She charmed herself into the life of anyone she encountered, making you feel good about yourself, about your family, about being alive. Spice transcended age, children adored her, and everyone related to her. She never judged…. she was just always there for you.

Although she embodied an 88-pound petite fashionista package, Spice carried a persona as great as the horizon. When she departed the earth, she was 94 (going on 19), a perennial young-at-heart with a free spirit.

Who else could begin a career as an artist at 60, conveying on canvas her vision of nature, so beautifully expressed in the color and concept of her flowers and seascapes? Her signature evolved from “Helen Schenck” simply to “Spice” on paintings after her special nickname became her true identity!

On a treasured trip when I “kidnapped” Spice on one of my jaunts to Italy, I was privileged to see the masterpieces of Rome and Florence through her eyes. Yet, she remained the eternal coquette, and each pinch from an Italian man added 10 years to her life! When I met my “love” in Italy and announced our engagement, Spice welcomed him with open arms. Who better to stand by me at the happy moment of our marriage as Matron of Honor than my beloved Spice!

Spice ONLY saw the silver lining. Even though there were many painful hardships in her life and the toll they took on her, she was never bitter, she always took the high road, she always saw beyond the moment.

For Spice, her family was her ultimate joy…. her dear husband Mack, her son Henry, her oldest son Robert (Air Force Captain who flew countless sorties in WWII but tragically killed in the Korean War), her beloved daughter Nikki (my Mom) who was her friend, confidante, caregiver and strength, and devoted sonin-law Al who became even more than a son to her. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren added to the jewels in her life. And, for me, attending ballet and concerts with Spice throughout my youth added a special dimension in our cherished relationship. Spice, you have always been a great inspiration to me and others. You define the perfect poem: compact, ever constant, and a work of the greatest truth and beauty. I could never hope to encounter in my life anyone of more strength or understanding. Spice, we toast your goodness, zest, and ever-enduring spirit in our hearts. And we miss your precious Swedish cookies! Which to us were more precious than diamonds! Thank you for your gift in demonstrating how God meant us to live our lives.

From your adoring granddaughter, Deborah Faith Lexye Levin Aversa

Shero,The Unsung

My Work is Not Completed, Yet!

BY MARILYN GREGORY

The Matriarch and Unsung Shero of our family was and still is my mother, Beatrice Ragland Kidd. Always known for her servitude and leadership. She always had a heart of gold, which was driven by her desire to help others. She was affectionately thought of as a pillar in the community through her tireless advocacy for encouraging, supporting, and serving others; she was not one to sit idle. Even when battling a major illness and having been placed in the hospital, upon her return home she would go to work checking her email to find out what went on while she was away and what she needed to do. She would begin drafting a list and making phone calls to check on others. She always said, “My work is not completed, yet! God had more for me to do,” and He certainly did.

Her ‘work’ included volunteering in the planning, preparing, and contributing to the Thanksgiving “Feed the Hungry” Program in Rome, Ga. for over 20 years, and she also prepared meals for the William Davis Homeless Shelter for over 12 years. Even in the midst of all her cooking for others, she always remembered to send the family her famous sweet potato pies to remind us of her love for us.

Heavily involved in the betterment of her fellow brothers and sisters, she participated in the voter’s registration drive for over 10 years, and an active member of the local NAACP for 30-plus years, serving on the Rome, GA. MLK Committee. She was also an active member of the North Georgia General Missionary Baptist Association and the 7th District Baptist Association for over 25 years. What’s really astonishing is that she did all of this while developing her acting talents by participating through the AACP.

She served as an usher for countless events in the community, to include the Gospel Fest Anniversary, and served as Deaconess/Missionary-visiting the sick and shut-in. She was always there to lend a helping hand wherever needed. These are only a few of the great works, however she is most worthy of being our family’s Matriarch not because of the works she did, but because of the lessons she taught the next generation of what it means to be a leader with a servant’s heart. She instilled these lessons in not just her family, but in every family she ever touched. She is the genuine gift of public service because she did not just perform these acts; she lived them.

She is gone from this earth, but she will never be forgotten. Her spirit lives on in me, my sisters, my nieces, nephews, and my daughters. I am who I am and my sisters, nieces, nephews, and my girls are who they are because of the example she set before us every day of her life. My work in the ministry and my desire to give back all stem from watching my mother over the years and seeing how much happiness and fulfillment it gave her. For her it was always about what she could do for others, rarely ever asking for help for herself. Even when battling cancer, I remember only seeing her strength and never her pain. My mother will always be my Shero!