Ode to Arreta

By Elsie Whitmore and Virginia Wingo
July, 1970

From out of the West, came Arreta and Tom
In the Early 30’s, before the bomb.
To Jesse Lee Home, a place of reknown,
Becoming in the process, the busiest gal in town.

A pillar of the church, a Sunday School teacher,
A cooker of dinners, a friend of the preacher.

She sewed for Bazaars, she painted the Church,
She broke her leg, when she fell from her perch.

She swished her skirts to a Western beat,
And even I this was excessively neat.

As was her house, ’twas a star in her crown,
It was homey and right for the busiest in town.

A weather taker, come rain or come shine,
No matter the meeting, was always on time.

An Eastern Star, a Homemaker too,
With the Library Board she had much to do.

She baby sat without a frown,
And Rainbow made her the busiest gal in town.

She made a good chief, and an Indian Grand,
A positive woman, never bland.

She has kept the same old husband from the very first,
Always implied he was best not worst.

She has two sons of which she is proud,
And Grandsons praises she sings aloud.

Now she’s retiring and with her things,
In a sliver trailer will spread her wings.

She’ll travel and visit all over the land,
Many a journey she has planned.

Now Arreta, my dear, we’d like you to know,
How much we’ll miss you, wherever you go.

No one can ever fill your gown,
Or take the place of the busiest gal in town.

Tom and Arreta Howell have traveled the country enough for a while now, and have settled near their son Harold. If you’d like their winter address it is: 16 Triplet Way, Marysville, California, 95901.