On May 8, 1946, I became the second child born to Charlie W. Wideman and Joyce Jardon Wideman. There were three other siblings, brothers Charlie Ray, Ronald Wayne and Stevy Don. I recalled their closeness, like glue, and through thick and thin. I missed not having a sister, but I was blessed to have shared a sisterly bond with several relatives and friends. I had the privilege to bond and interact lovingly with only one of my four grandparents. My paternal grandfather and grandmother, Oliver Wideman and Beulah Lacy Lee Wideman went home to glory long before I learned my ABCs. My maternal grandfather, Freeman Jardan made the transition from this life even before my mother reached her teenage years and long before I was even a passing thought. But I cherished my maternal grandmother, Bell Mae Jones Jardon until she entered eternal rest in 1997 at age 89.

I was committed to educational excellence even as I travelled on school buses to attend Dixie Colored School and Carver Elementary. I was passionate about written words after learning how to pronounce letters strung together to make words. Reading was what I loved to do. I fondly recall on one occasion my dad coming into my bedroom and announcing: I want you to put those books down, get up, and go outside and play. Being unable to recall my response, I assume I closed the books and went outside and played. I attended Emmett Scott High School in Tyler, Texas and graduated with honors. Following high school I developed many corns and calluses while walking to and from university classes at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee, where I earned a Bachelor of Science degree. I also earned a Masters of Management degree from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

My professional career included employment with the Beecher School District in Flint, Michigan; State of Michigan Department of Social Services and the Michigan Public Utilities Commission in Lansing, Michigan; Tyler Independent School District in Tyler, Texas and the District of Columbia Public Utilities Commission in Washington, DC. Well known and respected for displaying a high degree of competency, excellent skill sets and optimum job performance contributed to the receipt numerous recognitions, citations, and awards. Throughout my life I attempted to contribute to my community by serving with organizations including the NAACP, Big Brothers and Big Sisters Organization, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

I accepted Jesus Christ in 1953 and became a member of the Dale Chapel Baptist Church, Tyler. Later, I joined Hopewell Valley Baptist Church in Tyler. While living in other states, I united with the Canaan Baptist Church in Flint, Michigan and served as an assistant with the Youth Ministry, the Union Missionary Baptist Church in Lansing, Michigan where among other things I served as the Director of Women Ministries. Upon my return to Tyler in 2003 I united with the St. Louis Baptist Church. As with all of us, we move through the chain of life. If I must say so, I made it "ok." And now I have entered my eternal rest. My parents, Charlie Wideman and Joyce Jardon Wideman, brothers Charlie Ray, Stevy Don and Ronald Wayne, and maternal and paternal grandparents predeceased me.

To my survivors, including family, friends, and acquaintances, I say goodbye, God's speed, and I love you nieces – Chantele Boyd (Chad), Shanita Wideman, and Nicole Williams. Nephew Chad Wideman, great nieces and nephews Ashley Harris, Reginald Harris, Keith (KJ) Harrell, Jr., Llewellyn Wickware, Adrienne McGee, Jardon Wideman, Landon Wilkerson, Chalyse Perry, Jaelon Wickware, Kenedi Griffin, sister- in- law, Marilyn Wideman, goddaughters Ashley Flakes, Washington, DC, Alexis Flakes, New York, NY; and other loving cousins including Jacqueline Johnson, DeSoto, TX; John Leslie Caldwell (Crystal), Cedar Hill, TX, Wayne Ward, Jacksonville, TX; Carlos Ward, Jacksonville, TX; Anthony Widemon, Reno, Nevada; Sandra, Wideman, Pamela Wideman and a wealth of other relatives and dear friends.