Sue Myrick: “Another part of the genteel soul of America died last Saturday night in the small North Carolina town of Weldon, just…”

“Another part of the genteel soul of America died last Saturday night in the small North Carolina town of Weldon, just off I-95, a town where everyone knows everyone else, where just a short time ago evening strolls ended with neighbors chatting on spacious front porches, where everyone was responsible for everyone else. That is the way it was. Hazel Sechler was virtually blind, 88 years old, and she lived alone and had for over half a century since her only husband met an untimely death. She threw herself into her church work and into her townspeople's needs, including those of my husband Ed, totally into his life for all of his life. She was truly one of the family. Hazel Sechler was a genteel woman, no cross words for anyone, and she possessed an awesome positive attitude. Hats and gloves did not separate her from the town wino or other misfortunate. She was truly a lady. Saturday night, someone cut her telephone line while she was talking on the phone to a neighbor. He forced himself inside her house, raped her, and slashed her throat. A genteel part of America died Saturday night; and in a national sense, virtually no one noticed. Yet, Hazel Sechler, the infirm, blind old lady of Weldon, NC, left perhaps enough in those she touched to rekindle the love of God in other places.”