In last month’s issue of The Paper, we printed a story about the work done by Rev. and Mrs. Lee Hall, Mrs. Shirley Deavens, and others for the inmates of the State Correctional Center for Women at Tipton, Mo. The Paper received a letter recently which described the inmates’ response to the efforts of the group, which calls itself the Alpha Omega Prison Ministry. Below are some excerpts from that letter.
Arethia Fultz: “The ministry is in the earliest stage but already they have done tremendous things in building the morale of the women as well as giving us articles that are badly needed such as soap, lotion, tooth paste and brushes, shampoo, towels, coffee and sugar, etc. This is especially good for women who have few visits or receive little or no mail.”
Reanell Watson: “Mrs. Hall and the ministry have done a great deal for me by giving me material to make clothes. When I first came here I had no clothing and I am from out of state and I have no visits and very little mail. It’s nice to visit with the Halls and the people that come with them. I really do appreciate what they have done for me.
Barbara Bailey: “I thank God for someone like Mrs. Hall. They brought my children and family up to see me and I have not seen them since I was incarcerated because my mother has no form of transportation to come up here.”
Antonia Rice: “The Halls have brought my son to see me whom I haven’t seen in two years since my day of confinement.”
Josephine Davis: “As far as Rev. and Mrs. Hall are concerned, I feel as though they are wonderful people to devote their time to individuals who are less fortunate. It means a lot to have someone you can converse with. I hope and pray that in the future they will continue to come and give the women here at Tipton inspiring moments.”
Mrs. Earlene Hicks is grateful to the group and especially Mrs. Hall, who has made arrangements for communication with her son. Mrs. Hall has taken total responsibility for the custody care of the child on visits to see Mrs. Hicks. She says, “I think this is more than enough, and I thank God for her services and all who have helped her for what she has done in every respect.”
Mrs. Fultz, writer of the letter, adds, “I can only say that we, the women here at the SCCW need just about all you can donate. We do not need recreational equipment, as we do not have proper staff to assist any type of recreation and we do not have proper facilities. We would like very much if your ministry could bring an up to date movie up here for us to see. Your ministry could offer counseling as far as drugs are concerned because we have no form of drug rehabilitation here and more than 60% of the women here have drug related crimes in some form or the other.”
“And if possible would some of your ministry adopt women individually so that they may have something to look forward to. Someone that they know cares for them. This can do a great deal for the human mind and soul.”
At the end of her letter Mrs. Fultz inserted a poem.
## It Does Not Once Say Me
You cannot pray the Lord’s Prayer
and even once say I.
You cannot pray the Lord’s Prayer
and even once say my.
Nor can you pray the Lord’s Prayer
and not pray for another;
For when you ask for daily bread,
you must include your brother.
For others are included in each and
every plea;
From the beginning to the end of it,
it does not once say “Me.”
Persons interested in helping with the work of the Alpha Omega Ministry should contact, Rev. and Mrs. Lee Hall, 725-2741 or Mrs. Shirley Deavens, 863-7266.
Originally published in The Paper, March 1975.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1975_03.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.
