Beverly Longino
I moved in next door to Mildred and Kathy in 1989. Let me tell you it was the best move I ever made. For many years Mildred cooked the most wonderful meals, and you better believe I was there to eat. Even though I was very skinny when I moved there and not so skinny when I left it was worth every pound I put on. I believe she was the smartest person I know. She knew so much about everything. I learned how to make gravy from her. I was so proud of myself. She taught me how to make the most delicious soup . . . it's all in the soup bones you use. Even though I must have watched her make it a thousand times I still have not perfected the Bate's Poor Man's Cornbread that we always had with the soup. I hope Kathy will have the patience to work with me on that one. Mildred taught me so much about gardening and planting flowers. She knew things I never would have thought to do when you are planting. It really didn't matter what the subject was, she was always my first point of reference. We are all so sad she is gone, but glad she is not suffering and is in a better place. She is now with her beloved Billy and we know she was ready to meet him again. I am so proud and so blessed to have known her and I know she will be with me always because I will think of her every time I do something she taught me to do . . . which is just about everything I know how to do. We will miss her terribly but I hope that as I do, you will find comfort in the fact that she lived a long and good life and we are all better for knowing her and sharing her life. To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die. It was a life well lived and she will live in our hearts forever. Mildred, I hope you have a pot of soup waiting on me when I get there! Your Most Grateful Friend, Beverly