What is one of your favorite memories of your mother?
Mom had many special qualities. She showed leadership and was an excellent cook. Her good looks were admired by many. She was a caring wife and mother. Additionally, she volunteered and was a devoted sister. Being a faithful Christian was important to her. My number one memory of mom would be her wonderful singing voice. Her high school teacher back in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, helped mom perfect her voice. Mrs. Hearne was a graduate of Julliard School of Music in New York City. Mrs. Hearne drove out to the country. She picked up Mom so Mom could join her trio. They sang each Saturday morning on the local radio station. Mom was a soprano. Her voice was a natural gift to the people around her. One time, I took mom to decorate her family’s graves in her hometown. There, she said, “I want you to take me to see my music teacher, Mrs. Hearne.” We arrived at this beautiful historic home, and Mom said to pull in the drive. Mrs. Hearne spent her childhood and adult life in the Kinser Street house her parents owned. The door opened, and seventy years just seemed like yesterday. Mom and her teacher visited, then went to the music room, where Mom sang while Mrs. Hearne played the piano. During a conversation in her eighties, Mrs. Hearne reminisced that she had been briefly disappointed with the gift she received for her 16th birthday. She wanted a sports car. Her parents gave her a grand piano. During Mom’s graduation, she was named the best musician at Poplar Bluff High School.
After marrying my dad, my mom became well-known in Springfield for her singing abilities. She sang for countless church services, funerals, weddings, and music club meetings. When in Florida, she enjoyed singing the Hallelujah Chorus at the Christmas Eve Service. My favorite song she sang was His Eye Is on the Sparrow,” which is a gospel hymn written in 1905. 1. Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely
And long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
I decided to become an elementary music teacher. I often think about how supportive my mom’s music teacher was in her love of music. I would try to give a kid a ride so they could practice in the after-school choir. Mrs. Hearne paid it forward to me to make children learn to love music.
Pauline Hearne and Fern Christian Nevatt
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