Last week, I was informed that
Hattie Lee Ellerbe had died at age 83 on Wednesday March 8th, 2017.
Death is not something you expect to fall upon a writing group. But when
working with older writers, it is something the writers and volunteers
must keep in the back of their minds. When a member disappears from the
group unannounced for months at a time, it's easy to assume the worst.
So I appreciate when one of their friends or family members tell me of a
writer's death.
It breaks my heart, but it
means that Hattie loved us. It means that Best Day was enough of a
fixture in her life that she knew everyone there would want to know. And
right now, it means that I can honor her in this post, and introduce
new readers to her works. Even after Hattie has drawn her last breath,
she still speaks and we still listen.
Hattie
was one of the first members of The Best Day of My Life So Far, back
when it was originally just a six-week workshop. So she was one of the
people who convinced Benita to make it an 8+ year workshop. Every time
she came to class she wore a big bright smile; one that both she and
everyone else in Best Day was proud of. She always glowed with a
youthful enthusiasm, and many people here have described her as
beautiful inside and out. She loved her family and community so much
that she gained the nickname "The Queen of Patton Street Village."
And
this love of community bled into all sorts of unexpected places. When
it came to Best Day, she'd always have something to contribute; a little
enhancement after everyone's story. More than once, Benita
had recorded and transcribed a story someone else was telling, only for
Hattie to pop up with a marvelous story of her own. Hattie's son Keith
loved her stories so much that he shared her blog posts with everyone he
could. Shortly before Keith's death, his secretary told Hattie that he
would show off his mother's stories every time they were posted on this
blog.
Below is just one of Hattie's many stories. Long live the Queen.
Hattie Lee Ellerbe
6.11.2015
Still Celebrating my 82nd Birthday
I guess I am still in shock over my surprise party. Although I really agree with my friend who said, “When you reach age 80, there should be no surprise party.” I am still shaking from the event which was the 9th of May (smile). I am still reading the lovely cards and looking at the beautiful gifts. Most of them have a butterfly theme. How did so many people know of my love for butterflies? If any of my dear friends have access to this website, please know that I love you much. I thank you and appreciate all you did. To my daughter Karen who has been a blessing to me . . . I love you. You really pulled one over on me!
Read more stories by Hattie Lee Ellerbe: