In Memoriam Gracie Freeman September 27, 1938 - December 25, 1997

How do we begin to describe

This woman of love and might

Who took her job so seriously

Working from day to night

She became a member of this board

With youth and fire and drive

From assistant to secretary, she held the job

To do her best she always would strive

She never took a back stand to a challenge

And knew her views from the start

It may not have come out like you wanted it to

But you knew it came from her heart

She lived and breathed this association

And made friends far and near

Because she made you feel I'm here to serve you

In the position she held so dear

When her illness began to wear her down

And her presence was to little avail

She answered questions from her bedside

Until you had the right detail

We never knew when she was in pain

She never complained or wanted sympathy

Her courage gave us the will to endure

She even shared in our empathy

She came in the office right up to the end

To assure things were going okay

And even if her day was short

She did the "important" for the day

It's been a privilege for us to know her

A woman of her strength and faith

Because when we were getting doubtful

She'd bounce back and defy fate

Gracie may have been working on a proposal when she left

For the City Tournament, awards, or such

So God, if you could just let her have her say

She wouldn't need to worry so much

Sam, how can we say such nice things about Gracie

Without thanking you, too?

Because you brought her and picked her up

Whenever her day was through

Have no doubt her soul is in heaven

Her deeds are counted with worth

We tribute you, Gracie, and place our vote

To one of the greatest secretaries on earth.

From the WDCAWBA Board of Directors
Poem written by Doris Shepherd