Tribute to Mrs. Tipton

In the third grade I met a boy who became my closest friend for all those years growing up and he continues to be a friend even now, 60 years after we first met.

During our childhood I visited his homes, for he moved at least three times in those years, and his mother always made me feel welcome.

She was a wonderful woman, whose greatest feature was this marvelous smile. There are these rare people in this world who can light up everything around them when they smile.

She was one of those people.

She died yesterday at the age of 86 and this world has been made a little dimmer by the absent of her smile.

Thank you, Betty Tipton for having graced us for so long. Rest in peace.