After my retirement from the US Air Force and settling in Habersham County, Georgia, I made a lifelong friend one morning on the main street of Clarkesville. Having gone turkey hunting at dawn, I parked to go get breakfast and cup of hot coffee. As I got out of my pickup I saw a short lady limping up the street with two small girls in tow.
I spoke to the lady and found she was friendly and forthright. Her name was Josephine LaVeta Turney, and she hailed from Denver, Colorado. Since I was stationed there for about three years we had something in common to discuss. Jo, as friends called her, was visiting a daughter whose husband, Rick Schneider, was in the insurance business that led him to be in Georgia for a short time. Jo said she loved our “kinder mountains” in Georgia when I shared about hunting and fishing among the great mountains of Colorado.
While Rita was in Georgia for only a brief stay, I remained in touch by letters and cards with Jo and still do with Rita. I also touch base with her and others of the family on Facebook. Jo’s husband, Carl, who is deceased, had been a cowboy, operator of a rodeo, and outfitter, and served in the Navy in WW II. Today I have a large binder full of correspondence from Jo and Rita. After Jo returned to Colorado we corresponded until one of Jo’s last letters came written with a wavering hand. I felt something was wrong and called Rita to find out Jo had just died Sept. 14, 2006). I was saddened because of Jo’s friendship and because we shared a mutual love for the outdoors, Colorado and Georgia. Today on Facebook I am often in touch with Rita or LaVita, another daughter.
Jo was a loving, caring person with a strong faith in God. Carla, in one letter after Jo died, wrote, “The passing of my mother has been very, very hard but through it all, it has been beautiful. Mother didn’t say long prayers with fancy words…she might repeat the same prayer but if so had a tear in her eye. Anyone she came in contact was invited to church. Mother never drove but always walked even in her old age down town with her walker meeting new people. If she had favorites it was for the lost and hurting. The homeless and winos my mom and dad would pick up and clean them. My mom didn’t leave behind silver or gold, but letters and cards and gifts her friends gave her; she held so dear and tight to them.” Jo, you are with the Lord now and the mountains there must indeed be beautiful. Until we meet again, on a street of gold!
