Next up on my list of wonderful women is Mattie Burks. Mattie and I have worked together for over 12 years. She is like my family – I call her my “spiritual sister” because we are like kindred spirits. When I said earlier that I would want Dr. O’Neal to speak at my funeral, well, I would want Mattie to pray at my funeral. She is a strong, and sometimes stubborn, woman who has remained faithful to God and her family over the years. She’s raised and educated three strong women and continues to help raise many more nieces and nephews. She’s from a family of 16 kids! Can you imagine?! I love Mattie for many reasons, and one is because she loves me too. She’s been very good to me since we met many years ago, and I appreciate the warm welcome she gave me when I came to Decatur and Calhoun. Thank you Mattie for being such a beautiful woman inside and out, and for being such a great friend! I love you!