ply the mortar -- despite the cramped chimney opening. She had a lightweight, electric chain saw and wouldn’t hesitate to use it to top trees all around her home. I went to her house once to find her on the roof cleaning gutters. She always kept a large garden and bought a roto-tiller, which she used like a midwestern farmer. But most defining of all, she was a committed Christian who believed you should go to your church every time the doors were open. And you’d better not think you could ever have a meal in her presence without asking a blessing, no matter where you were! As such, she was president of Women’s Society of Christian Service/United Methodist Women, president of Church Women United and chairman of Circle 16/WSCS at First United Methodist Church. At First Church, she was a 5th grade Sunday School teacher for generations of children, was largely responsible for us Cosby’s being honored as First Family of the Year, a member of the Fifty Year Club (an honor for members of 50 years duration or longer) and a longtime member of the Administrative Board. She played an active role in many First Church projects, from the Mother-Daughter luncheon to assisting the First Church Library to playing a pivotal role in having First Church’s After School Care program established. But if you asked her what her pride and joy was, she would always talk of us kids. She put all her faith and trust and effort into the four of us, and nothing made her prouder than seeing us step into our roles as adults. She was a fierce stickler about her children’s use of good grammar and would not allow any verbal shortcuts or inaccuracies. She demanded good grades and attention to studies. She read to all of us from the time we were born. She intuitively understood each of us and always knew how and when to give us comfort. She could discern our
Mary Lesta Cosby, lifelong hiker, backpacker and wildflower enthusiast. 26