In Memory 2001

In Memory......2001

Sarah Margaret Watson
April 8, 1916.................................November 24, 2001
From a Methodist Parsonage in Upper Lake, California, April 8, 1916 to Brooks-Howell Home, October 11, 1986 was a journey of seventy years. Nurtured in parsonages, she had contacts with many people. Her parents’ examples prepared her for loving and accepting them all.

Education included B.A., Columbia College, Columbia, SC. 1937 and M.A. in art education, University of Mississippi 1972. Her work included teaching English in South Carolina and Georgia, 1937-40; X-ray technician in Roanoke, Virginia, 1942-44; acting as infirmary hostess at Scarritt College 1944-1966; teaching art at Martin College, Pulaski, Tennessee and Wood Jr. College, Mathiston, Mississippi, 1966-75.

Teaching art for teachers touched her with the importance of early childhood. Her mother had cared for the little ones in the small churches of South Carolina. To show God’s love and encouragement to children she took writing courses and continued to learn. She wanted to pass on the best of our culture and faith to the young. Those educational theories and her mother’s feelings that Christ’s words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" are the prize all children deserve. Joy and laughter of our Lord are the best incentives to loving life. She attended Asheville Friends Meeting. Friends are asked to do something for someone else in her memory.

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Reva I. McNabb

June 17, 1908.......................November 27, 2001
Reva McNabb grew up in rural Iowa where most of her interest centered around school and Methodist Church activities. After high school, she attended Iowa State Teacher’s College for two years, then taught in Iowa public schools for eight years. A desire to be in Christian service led her to National Training School for Christian Workers and she was consecrated a Deaconess. Her first appointment was to Frances DePauw School for Mexican Girls in Los Angeles. During the first ten years the school changed and her duties as a teacher changed to management.

Study at Scarritt College helped prepare her for an executive position. In January 1952 she finished work for a Master’s Degree in Social Group Work and returned to Frances DePauw as director. In September 1961 she was appointed administrator of Brooks-Howell Home. She moved into the old house on the property with eight residents until the new building was completed. During her administration several pieces of land and two buildings were purchased. One house was renovated to become the McNabb House that is used for staff. Two apartment buildings were constructed, the Chandler-Burris and the Jones-Cadwallader. After seventeen years at Frances DePauw and twelve years at Brooks-Howell, she retired in June 1973. She went to Willamette View Manor in Portland, Oregon as a part time worker, receiving a room in lieu of pay. Two years later she moved to Iowa City, lived with her sister and volunteered at the Veteran’s Hospital.

As a resident of Brooks-Howell in 1991, she lived first in a suite on second floor then moved back into the room that she had lived in during her employed years. She was a member of Abernethy United Methodist Church. Surviving her are several nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the Rose Garden at Brooks-Howell Home, 266 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801-1218.

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Mary V. Gordon

February 20, 1906.......................December 14, 2001
Born into a Christian family with five sisters, Mary grew up in Montana. She took nurses’ training at Montana Deaconess Hospital in Great Falls, graduating in 1926. After working four years in nursing she went to Chicago Missionary Training School and graduated in 1933. As a missionary her first assignment in 1934 was to Creighton Freeman Hospital, Vrindaban, in north India. She served there two and half years. During her first furlough she attended Scarritt College .

Clara Swain Hospital was her next assignment, which lasted for 28 years. The hospital grew from 60 beds for women and children to a 300-bed general hospital. The hospital honored her by naming the school of nursing the Mary V. Gordon School of Nursing and Midwifery. In 1965 she left India and became a member of the staff in Thoburn Hall at Robincroft in Pasadena, California in 1966. She served there until her retirement in 1972.

After retirement Mary lived with her sister in Montana for three years, then returned to Robincroft as a resident. She moved with the Robincrofters to Mt. Miguel Covenant Village in 1979 and subsequently to Brooks-Howell in March 1993. Mary loved music, enjoyed making bamboo flutes and singing in choirs. She was a member of Oakley United Methodist Church. Surviving is a sister, Mrs. Leona Baldwin of Laurel, Montana. Of her life’s work she said, "I’m thankful for the heritage of a Christian home and the opportunities for service I have had through the Methodist Church." Memorial gifts may be made to Clara Swain Hospital in India. Checks may be made payable to Oakley United Methodist Church, designated for Clara Swain Hospital, and sent to Frances Major at Brooks-Howell, 266 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville 28801.

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