Ledes from the Land of Enchantment

Chit Chat Corner: Familiar faces makes it home | lifestyle

A familiar face always puts one at ease whether it is in a crowd or standing alone at a crosswalk. She is one whose genuine smile and greetings of acknowledgment warms the heart and adds comfort to those who may be needing a little touch of home-style caring atmosphere. Once you become her friend, you are friend for life whether you see her frequently or not.

Many still associate her with the Kilgore Public Library, but these days Joyce Riddles stays active at the Kilgore Senior Citizens Club.

Upon realizing her photo had been sent in by the Merlean Thompson, secretary of the club, Joyce said, “Oh, I just love them! And what better place is there to be?”

It was a mere 44 years ago that Joyce and her husband DT, son Gary and daughter Lisa moved to Kilgore.

She said, “I met DT in the town where I was born, which was Brownfield, Texas. He was working for Mid-Continent Supply Company and was transferred to Farmington, New Mexico. A year later he proposed, and I readily accepted.

“In 1963, the company transferred us to Madill, Oklahoma.”

Joyce went to work for the State of Oklahoma at Texoma Lodge and later for Oklahoma General Electric, where she retired after 12 years.

Mid-Continent sent the family back to Farmington for a short while and again to Madill before transferring them to Kilgore.

“Oh my gosh! Kilgore! I thought,” said Joyce. “So, here we came. I remember driving in ice and snow and the roads were slippery getting here. Once here, we couldn’t find downtown Kilgore and ended up almost in Overton!

“I didn’t think I would ever get to meet people so, I helped at the Chamber of Commerce a little bit before going to work at the GTE phone office located off Stone Road. I loved it and began to meet more and more people. We attended church every Sunday, and Bobbie and Homer Schultz sat behind us every time. Bobbie was the director at the library, and every so often she would lean forward and say, “Why don’t you come to work at the library?” “I would tell her, I don’t know a thing about the Dewey Decimal system, in which she would always reply, “I will teach you.”

Bobbie gave her a tour of the inside of the library, and Joyce was hooked.

“She was such a sweetheart to work with,” said Joyce. “And when she died in an airplane crash, the city manager offered me the job. I did for about a year, but the state requires all directors to have a degree in library science and I had none. I always had to learn the hard way by working my way from the ground floor to the top.

“The library hired Linda Johnson as director, and I worked with her until one day, the Lord instructed me to go home and be with DT I went in and told Linda that day it was time I went home, and I’m glad I did as I had DT about two years before he died.

“Oh, how I missed people more than anything! That’s where Senior Citizens came in. We have a lot of good people in the club, and we all work together well. I love puzzles, and we have a puzzle and book exchange in the club. Don’t ever sit at home alone and get old. Come down to the Senior Citizens and we will grow old together,” she said.

Yes, she still gets asked if she works at the library, and recently from one who recognized her from his childhood days. Now, 88 years young, her son has moved in with her and she has a grandchild that has moved to the Longview area, which brings her comfort of not being alone. Her daughter and other grandkids and one great grandchild still live in Madill.

Hers and other familiar faces and a touch of home can be found at the Kilgore Senior Citizens Club. Membership ages range from 55 to 95, and the next meeting will be April 27 at 11:15 am in the Kilgore Lions Club Building located at 371 N. Rusk St.

BUYERS BEWARE of making online purchases, cautions Jacque Henly, owner of Everything That Blings in Kilgore. Her store specializes in prom dresses, formals and evening attire. This time of year is her happiest and busiest as she outfits young ladies (and men) for an evening they won’t forget.

She said, “I have had several families in lately that have purchased prom dresses from online and Facebook accounts that have not received their purchases with prom a few days away and cannot get a refund. Further searches lead them to find those particular companies are bogus. Please, if you buy from online companies and you are not sure of the company, check them out first. Easily recognizable companies are usually safe; if you have problems call me and i will help you with your search. You do not have to buy from me; I understand if you want a particular design. Just call and ask me about the company.” Jacques has been in business six years in Kilgore and can be reached at (903) 218-4944.

The old adage anything that sounds too good to be true may apply here, and before this article was completed a phone call and an e-mail has been received regarding scams from electric companies and phone companies. Please don’t give out any information, delete all messages and block the number from your phone.

Jann Smith, Director of Overton’s McMillan Library, sends out the following invitation. “Please join us as Teresa Richenberger speaks about her book Sold to the Highest Bidder.” This event will be Tuesday, May 10, 2022, from noon to 1 pm at McMillan Memorial Library, 401 S. Commerce St. in Overton. Box lunches (at no charge) will be available. You must reserve your lunch by 3 pm, Friday May 6 by calling (903) 834-6318.

“Teresa is the Founder/Director of Rahab’s Retreat and Ranch,” Smith said. “Being trapped for almost 12 years herself, she knows from personal experience the trials and tribulations. April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.”

May His love and laughter fill your hearts and your homes throughout the week. In the meantime, we may be reached at [email protected] or (903) 984-2593.

May His love and laughter fill your hearts and your homes throughout the week. In the meantime, we may be reached at [email protected] or (903) 984-2593.

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