We Remember...

By Roy Page, Church Pastor

The outstanding feature about Herbert and Loma’s relationship was their obvious sense of being a “companionship team.” HWA had the highest regard toward Loma’s intelligence, wisdom and determination. He was not at all threatened by it but utilized and sought it constantly. This was reflected in her being the only person that he was willing to be interrupted by when he was in a serious business meeting.

He, humorously, would say often that his wife was capable of “wearing the pants” around his house but he wouldn’t let her! But not by suppressing her but by making sure that he prompted himself to keep in the lead. “She keeps me on my toes!” as he would say.

Even in their old age I heard him say that, to him, Loma was the most beautiful woman in the world. Her death had a profound effect upon him and there is no question that losing her counsel and wisdom left him somewhat at a loss. Their relationship was not without difficulties, but their commitment to God and each other guaranteed their willingness to forbear with one another and work things through not only for their marriage sake but for the sake of the all important “Work” (of God).

HWA deeply appreciated the sacrifices he knew his wife had made in the early years of “the Work,” and recognized that he had neglected her and the family during that period. He had a standing rule that ministers should not be apart from their wives for more than three weeks at a time, and if that was not possible the wife should travel with the minister. He was determined that, as an employer, he was not responsible for wives being neglected. He never criticized her in public, but always praised sometimes even to the point of her own embarrassment. They were a tremendous example of what “teamwork” in a marriage was intended to be, what marriage was supposed to be.

August 15, 2001