Readers living in the Akron, Barberton, and Wadsworth
areas of Ohio may recognize this couple. He worked at Firestone
and she at Ohio Edison. If you are a reader living as far away
as El Paso, Texas, you may know them, too. They are the late Dale
and Helen Pryor. What Jesus said in Revelation 2:10, "...
be thou faithful into death, and I will give thee a crown of life,"
tells their story: faithful servants who loved the Lord and
worked daily in His Kingdom.
Dale obeyed the gospel during WWII while stationed
in India but left the church for many, many years. He realized
his lost condition and was restored while attending the Lord's
church in Wadsworth. They later moved to Texas and lived out their
retirement years there. Helen was added to the Lord's church in
El Paso, and the lady who helped her with her clothing said, "She
came up out of the baptistry water and never looked back."
So many folks at the congregation they attended
remembered them with pleasant, loving memories. Dale and Helen
attended any and all classes, worship, work days, and projects.
You name it; they were both there to help. Dale was remembered
as one who visited new-comers, delinquent church members, the
sick and shut in, and he was ready and willing when there was
door knocking in the community. Helen was active with ladies'
classes and is fondly remembered as having supplies on hand when
members of the church needed meals during times of sickness or
funerals. She would order baby flatware to have ready for all
the baby showers. Even after her death, Dale sent her last baby
flatware gift to a young mother's shower and, because of love
for Helen, many tears were shed that day. That young mother will
not only treasure the gift but her memories as well.
Dale and Helen had been married for 46 years when
she died suddenly from a heart attack in 1991. The Lord never
blessed their union with children, but nieces and nephews were
always welcome in their home. It was said of Dale, following his
wife's death, "He really tried to hold up and go on without
Helen, but I truly believe he eventually failed to thrive without
his help mate." Genesis 2:18, 23, 24. He, too, departed
this life three years later. Two wonderful people now await their
"Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Matthew
25:14-30.
You are no doubt wondering why I wrote about this
couple. I knew and loved them during my childhood and early adult
years. However, after they moved to Texas, I did not keep in touch.
They were my Uncle Dale and Aunt Helen. He was my mother's brother,
and I had been told of his restoration and Aunt Helen's baptism.
This past winter I located the congregation they
had attended in El Paso. I had often wondered how my aunt and
uncle spent their years as servants for the Lord. From relatives
I had heard bits and pieces of their life in Texas, but I wanted
to know them as Christians. Where else could I find this information
but from their church family?
Most of what I have written about their spiritual
life in El Paso came from those who loved and missed them - folks
who were very happy to take a walk with me down memory lane. Their
memories brought me joy but sadness, too. A sadness that we did
not stay in touch, that I never knew them as Christians. However,
that sadness is fleeting when I realize that, by their example,
they have left footsteps for me to follow.
How can I be sad when their journey from this
earth took them to that home prepared for those who love the Lord?
-Rt. 2 Box 177, Belington, WV 26250.