THE GREAT WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE ONCE POSED THE QUESTION,
“WHAT’S IN A NAME?” There have been countless legendary names
throughout history, with stories behind them that are just as legendary.
Sometimes someone comes along with such a powerful impact that just the
mere mention of their name brings up a variety of emotions. For Avis Wainright, she will always associate unconditional love and everlasting friendship
with the lady many know as Aunt Lou.
Avis was only 18 years old when she met Lou Davis and decided to rent
one of Lou’s properties located behind her home. Young and impressionable,
Avis was intrigued by this lady as she witnessed Lou’s love and devotion to
God and to her husband. Lou was likewise charmed by Avis, and she recalls
Avis as being sweet and innocent. Lou took notice of how Avis loved helping
others, never expecting a thing in return. While Lou describes Avis as having
“the most loving and forgiving heart,” Lou does not realize that this attribute
in Avis came from years of Avis watching Lou. Avis declares, “Seeing how she
has always lived her life to serve others has made me a better person.”
Avis knew there was something truly special about the woman na med Lou and not just because she would send a home-cooked meal and a Mason jar of
iced tea over to Avis any time she would get sick. “When you meet someone
that has the love of God in their heart, and you can see Him through them…It
was not hard to realize that she would be in my life forever.” Lou saw a similar
light in Avis as well. “She has a child-like spirit, and that is a great quality to
have. Avis was living her life for Jesus. She worked hard, and she would get
knocked down over and over again, but she would always pull herself back
up and keep going. She had a quality about her that takes a lifetime to get,
and she already had it at 18.”
Avis bonded with Lou throughout her five years of renting property from
her. It didn’t take that long, however, for Lou to “adopt” Avis as a member of
her family, suggesting she refer to her as “Aunt Lou.” “We spent so much time
going everywhere together, and she would always call me “Mrs. Davis.” We
were so close that I thought it was time for a change because I felt that was
too formal for our relationship.” Avis admits, “I was honored and blessed to
know that she loved me this way. I was so happy to be able to call her Aunt
Lou! When she tells people I am her niece, it makes me feel even closer to
her.” Lou was not only Avis’ friend but also her mentor. Avis continues, “She
had a confidence about her that I wanted to have for myself. She treated people with respect and compassion… I wanted to be just like her when I grew
up. I wanted to make a difference in others’ lives like she had done in mine.”
What started out as admiration for one another has developed into one
of the deepest, greatest friendships either lady has ever known. “Aunt Lou
is one of the most gracious and loving persons you will ever meet. She has
always walked the talk. One thing about her is that when you go to her and
talk about anything, whether confidential or not, she never repeats a word
to anyone. The conversation is always between you and her. She is definitely
someone that you can be proud to call a true friend. Trust me, this lady is
very special and one-of-a-kind.” To Avis, Aunt Lou represents integrity, compassion, unconditional love, fairness, honesty, and confidentiality, while also
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being a shining example of what it is to have a servant’s heart. “She has inspired me to live my life like hers.”
Lou admits that the friendship between her and Avis has become deeper
as they’ve aged. “We are always there for each other in each other’s time
of need.” The qualities Avis admires in Lou are also qualities Lou admires
in Avis, such as loving others, being honest, and putting others’ needs first.
“She is always there for me, showing me unconditional love and devotion.
No matter what I need her to do for me, she is always there. I do not know
what I would do without her.” When Lou’s daughter was recently diagnosed
with cancer, Avis stepped in to help with no hesitation, accompanying Lou’s
daughter to doctor visits. Lou adds, “Words will never be able to express
how much that means to me. She has always loved my family and has always been there for us.”
There have been many laughs and smiles over the past 41 years, as Avis and
Lou have been on many trips together. Lou shares, “No matter what we do, we
always have a reason to laugh and to enjoy ourselves!” The most memorable
trip for Avis, however, was her first time at Kiawah Island. “I was like country
come to town! The first thing we did was get something to eat at a fine dining
restaurant. I kept asking the waiter if a salad came with the meal or if I would
have to order it separately, and he kept repeating that everything was ‘a la
carte.’ Finally, I was so frustrated that I asked him to give us a few minutes.
I then whispered across the table to Aunt Lou and asked her what this ‘a la
carte’ thing was that he kept saying to me. She started smiling and said that it
meant that you order everything separately. Then we both had a good laugh!
She has groomed me in a lot of things.” Aunt Lou has passed down much more
advice over the years, all of which Avis will never forget. This includes treating
others with respect and love, praying and walking closely with the Lord, and
maintaining honesty, because as Lou says, “You only get one name - Protect
it.” Avis adds, “She has inspired me to be the best I can be and to never give
up because God will always get me through anything that comes my way. I
am the woman I am today because of her advice and because of her sharing
her life with me and sharing Jesus. Her wisdom would be worth millions if we
could just bottle it!” CONTINUED...
“
WHEN YOU MEET SOMEONE THAT HAS
the love of god in their heart,
AND YOU CAN SEE HIM THROUGH THEM...
IT WAS NOT HARD TO REALIZE THAT SHE
WOULD BE IN MY LIFE FOREVER
“
??? (left) and ???
JULY 2016
71