Berneice E. Hull
is honored with a Brick from Friends of Charlotte Howard
My grandmother, Berneice Hull, passed away in 1999 just shy of her 91st birthday. I always felt her strength and courage were like that of the pioneer women who crossed the prairie by covered wagon, as had her mother. Mostly alone she clothed, fed and insisted on an education for her five children during the hard times of the depression and World War II. In addition to providing for her own family, she offered help to anyone in need.
To me, it seemed as if my grandmother could do everything. She was an artist who could cook anything, grow anything, lay a wood floor, plumb, plaster or paper a wall, make drapes and clothing, upholster furniture and create beautiful flower arrangements. In addition to all of this and much more, she found time to teach me, her eldest grandchild, how to ride a bicycle, roller skate and later drive a stick shift car. Together, we listened to music. I learned to love her classical records and she claimed to enjoy my Beatles records. The first time I saw a forest, a mountain, a desert, an ocean, I was with my grandmother.
She was a person of great personal courage who stood firm in her beliefs and for the protection of others regardless of the risk or danger to herself. While she imparted her wisdom on several generations, my grandmother had a few basic rules to impart: don't waste money; how you handle your money is the difference between a comfortable life, tough sledding, or being down and out, and of course she had definitions for all three categories. Also, your word is everything; meet trouble and fear head on; treat old people with respect; you can do anything if you try. Of course, she had many other rules but the ones just mentioned covered her basic philosophy for living. My grandmother was the most powerful influence in my life and I am blessed to be her granddaughter.
Charlotte F. Howard
