Dear Myers & Atkins Families,
Betty and I were the Area 5 Secretaries together for 11 years; we were better known as "Thelma (me) & Louise (Betty). We loved our sweet iced teas and our Starbucks Venti Chai Teas. We had a great working relationship as we respected each other, looked out for each other and we ran the Area 5 Office when supervision was out of the office and we were great at that! The Supervisors knew if we were there we had it under control. My favorite time with Betty was ten yrs ago when we went to VA. Beach to a Trooper's wedding and her freaking out going through the tunnel and we laughed so hard we were crying. Our worst day in the office was the time one of own got shot on a traffic stop and we were an emotional wreck and trying to keep it together to be professionals dealing with the customers in the lobby. We leaned on each other for support days after that as it had really upset us. We got teased a lot in the office for talking so much, but we got our work done and Fridays were our days to order out and shut the office down for thirty minutes so we could eat together and gab some more. Monday mornings she would tell me about her visit in Rappahannock to see her sisters and she loved to tell me a "Claire" story which would crack us up. Betty was there when I met my husband at the office, she was there for my wedding and to see me become a momma. She encouraged me and provided me great advice with stepmom issues. We both were Dallas Cowboy fans and had teased that one Sunday night Thelma & Louise was going to be sitting by Jerry Jones in his private suite on TV and Jerry would hold up a sign that would read, "Thelma and Louise will NOT be at work tomorrow!" Lol.... Betty was Area 5 and I'm lucky to have had the privilege to work with her and most importantly to call her my friend! I thank God everyday that I was able to talk to her two weeks ago. We cried, we laughed and I had made her day by calling. One of Betty's favorite songs was "You Make Me Smile" by Uncle Kracker. She would sing that song at the office every time it came on the radio. I ask you to listen to that song and I hope it brings you comfort and a smile on your face remembering Betty. Thank you Betty for making our lives better for having known you!
Love Always,
Marlene Windsor-Haegele
