Miriam's Story

Although words can pay tribute to such an extraordinary woman, the special memories we carry in our hearts express the blessings we received by sharing a part of her life.

Miriam Rhoden Hook, daughter of the late Dewey and Ethel Rhoden and sister to her “little brother”, Dr. D.C. Rhoden, was brought into this world on the 23^rd of July, 1920 in Batesburg, SC by the legendary Dr. W. W. King.  Miriam spent the majority of her life living in Batesburg, where she met her one true love, George Andrew Hook, who most of you knew by ‘Hook’.  It didn’t take long for their romance to flourish, nor for Hook to realize he wanted her to be his wife.  Late one night they decided to get married and went around to the preacher’s house, woke him up, and did just that. 

The young love birds moved to Union, SC to start keeping house in 1939, but shortly thereafter returned to Batesburg to settle.  During WWII, while her beloved sailor boy was serving in the Navy, Miriam worked at the bus station and also became a soda jerk at Fair Drug Co.  During this time, the two exchanged letters almost every day...a true Notebook story...and soon after Hook returned home from the war, Judith Ann was born on October 11, 1948. 

Miriam enjoyed being a homemaker and mother, and when Judy started school, Miriam began working for J.B. Ballentine as a bookkeeper, and then became a permanent fixture at Batesburg Insurance Agency working for Leon Watson, and later Butch Durst.  Little did Butch know the value of the ‘package deal’ when he purchased the company, but Miriam quickly proved to be one of the company’s most valuable assets.  Butch liked to think it was the rates they offered combined with his winning smile that brought people in the door, but the rest of us know Miriam was the secret to a successful business.  After many years of dutiful service, and about the same time the agency switched over to computers, Miriam retired at the age of 62 to become a full-time caretaker to her mother, Ethel, aunt, Mary, and soon thereafter her beloved husband.

The Hook house was a haven for all empty stomachs for miles around, whether you had four legs or two, it was an open door and a well stocked kitchen.  Everyone knew that Miriam was a gracious hostess and frequently dropped in to say hello and have a bite to eat.  She loved cooking and taking treats to shut-ins, the girls at the bank, and friends who were feeling under the weather.  Quite often, she would combine her standing Friday hair appointment at Vogue Beauty Salon with a good meal and provide lunch for the ladies.

Some thought this may have gotten her some extra perks, but it was the matchmaking that got her the 2 for 1 special – a fine husband for Marcia, and a second daughter for Miriam.

Miriam had a strong faith and was active for many years in First Baptist Church, Batesburg.  She enjoyed helping with the Christmas Pageant, working in the kitchen, and worshipping with her Sunday School class.

In her younger years, the Hook’s, Grandy’s, and Senterfeit’s enjoyed vacationing together and took many trips to Myrtle Beach and the Smoky Mountains.  Many wonderful stories were born from these trips…

In her later years, Miriam and her friends became known as the ‘Golden Girls’, a group of sassy women who enjoyed an evening out for good food, fun and friendship.  She always looked forward to these outings and reveled in the fellowship of her dear friends.

Miriam always took pride in her appearance, never to be seen leaving the house without having her hair fixed and makeup on…or at least a bit of lipstick.  Even if she was only going down the road to the grocery store, she made sure to put on something decent.  She coined the phrase ‘house pants’, which meant that she had certain pants she never wore anywhere else but inside the house.  She was a sharp dresser with a wardrobe that would make Alfred Dunner and Koret proud.

Miriam was as ‘sharp as a tack’ and rarely did anything get by her without notice.  She was engaged with the world, and took interest in current events, people, and all of her surroundings.  She expressed genuine interest in the lives of others and learned something from each person she met.

Miriam adored her granddaughter, Lindsey and spent 33 wonderful years spoiling her rotten.  Miriam taught her how to approach life and take from each experience the most important aspects, as they would guide her along life’s path.

A month before her 89^th birthday, one of her dreams came true when she flew across the Pond to spend a week in England.  From Stratford-upon-Avon to Windsor, Guildford, and London, Miriam enjoyed touring the sites, admiring the architecture and rolling green hills, and most of all appreciated the opportunity for some good people-watching. 

Miriam was a 70 year old, who just happened to be in a 90 year old’s body.  Her family loved to ask people to guess how old she was, because no-one ever came close.  Had they given this a little more thought, they could have made a small fortune.  She was a very strong and independent woman who always wanted to do things for herself, but learned to appreciate the comforts of her chariot, which was affectionately called her rolling chair…especially when it meant going to the front of the line or parking closest to the door.

Almost two years ago, she moved to Duluth, GA to live with her daughter Judy and husband, Ray, who Miriam referred to as her son.  She had her very own wing built, a.k.a. the Taj Mahal and the McMansion, complete with a screened porch where she enjoyed sitting outside and reading her bible daily.  Even though Batesburg always held a special place in her heart, she easily settled in Duluth as she was surrounded by friendship and love from Judy & Ray’s friends and the most wonderful neighbors in the world. 

She loved watching the Atlanta Braves every chance she had, and for her 90^th birthday, she got to watch her favorite player, Brian, from the boxed seats – she had the time of her life!  And at times she felt like a celebrity because she had a private chauffer, her son, Ray, who escorted her to the hair salon, doctor’s appointments, and wherever else Miss Miriam wanted to go.

She’s known for her many sayings and tongue twisters, some of which cannot be repeated here today, that certainly put a smile on everyone’s face.  Even in her last days, her sense of humor shone through.  One of her precious feline companions, Bitsy, stayed constantly by her side to keep a close watch, and when asked why the cat never moved, she simply replied with a tiny smile, “She’s my bodyguard.”

Miriam believed in living life to the fullest and doing ‘whatever floated her boat’.  She enjoyed being a sister, friend, mother, and grandmother to all.

On a personal note, some of my best memories were spent here in Batesburg at Nan & Pa’s: learning how to cook with Nan, helping Pa in his upholstery shop, and going fishing with Pa and coming home to a favorite meal that Nan had prepared while we were out.  Nan also taught me how to shop …a quality that I later learned would come in handy when mom dragged me to the mall for a one day sale at Macy’s.  Whether we hit Main St. in Batesburg for Belk’s and B.C. Moore’s, or drove to Lexington to shop at Hamrick’s, we were ready to drop by the time we got home.  And our infamous excursion to the Peach Festival in Gilbert…where we got lost trying to find our way back to Batesburg.  Pa was right – he said he could put her outside the city limits of Batesburg, and she wouldn’t be able to find her way home.   And of course the many Friday afternoons spent at Vogue Beauty Salon listening to all the conversation and learning what life was really about.  That was our time together – just the two of us, and I will cherish these memories forever!

As I grew older, a tradition began of spending Mother’s Day together – me, mom, and Nan – 3 feisty peas in a teen tiny pod!  We looked for the lost shaker of salt in Key West, dined with Paula Dean in Savannah, admired Manhattan from atop the Empire State Building, and island hopped around the Caribbean.  The memories from these trips are far too many to count, but what else would you expect from three headstrong women on a mission to have some fun!

In the most recent years, I began to understand why my grandmother meant so much to so many people.  She made a positive impact on our lives.  She touched our hearts in a unique way that made us better people.  Just a few months ago as we sat in her room talking one afternoon, she said, “I pray every day that God will make me a witness for people to see how good He is, how He works and what He can do.”  God answered her prayer.  I believe she was an angel sent by God to show others what His love can do.  Every day she lived her life for Him and He chose her to spread His love and to be an example for others.  She took every day in stride, one day at a time, and faced it with faith, courage, and love.

Ever since I can remember, she told me that I was the light of her life.  But over the years I realized, she has been and always will be the light in mine.  You are here today to remember and pay tribute to an amazing woman who touched your heart and brought light to your life as well.  Her gift was such a special blessing to each of us, and I know that you’ll not only join me in carrying her light with you for as long as you live, but you’ll pass a part of it on to your family, friends, and loved ones so that she may live forever in each of us.