- Preceeded in death by first husband Howard Hays, second husband Carl L. Brustol. Parents Ola Hays McPherson and Walter McPherson; sister Geraldine Cecil Barnett; brother Randall McPherson.
Survivors: Son, Shane Hays and wife, Shirley; grandchildren, Matt, Brian, and Emily Hays; five great-grandchildren;brothers, Wayne, Vern, Bill, Ronnie, and Rick McPherson; and sisters, Bonnie Withem, Winona Darre, and Pat Heaugather.
I met Imogene when I moved across the street from her.
Feeling like a stranger in a new neighborhood, adjusting to the new place. I went out to walk my dogs and was greeted by this elderly lady as I proceeded across the street.
She introduced herself and I could tell I would like her at once. Her kind eyes and sweet personality. Then she told me she had recently lost her husband and couldn't hold back the tears. Neither could I. After a few comforting words I went on my way.
Loving to be out in the yard as she did we grew close doing dirty old yard work, planting flowers, raking leaves, and cooking. Did she ever LOVE to cook. Most of all I loved her stories.
What I can tell you about her..
She lost a baby toe when she was a little girl. She was jumping on the porch and the wood must have been loose and came up and caught her toe in between when she came down. Her father standing near by helped her and she said she didn't cry. Tough little cookie.
She had gotten sick sometime in her teens or early 20's with Typhoid Fever and had a blood transfusion. She almost died and if I remember right she believed that going through that is the cause of her having a hard time conceiving a child.
She made the past come alive about places she'd been, people she knew, and her family. She loved her family dearly.
Leaving home early to work as a nanny and help her parents she would send as much money home as she could. She sent home a pair bib overalls for her youngest brother and as story goes by the time they arrived Ricky had grown so much they didn't quite fit. They had to leave some buttons open.
When she and Howard married they lived in Modesto California. She described her home then as a new community so near the beach you could walk out your front door a few steps and your feet would meet the ocean.
She had went through a few painful heartbreaking miscarriages. Then when Shane came she was just ecstatic. There was a movie out about that time called Shane and she thought that was a lovely name for her boy.
Along with Shane she was also a foster mom. Knowing her anyone could see she would be a great mom. Being around her she had a mothering, warm, protective feel. One foster child she spoke of often Georgette Updegraph (spelling probably all wrong) Georgette had leukemia. Despite her condition this little girl had an uplifting spirit and bright smile. Imogene put her heart in this dear child and this child put her heart in Imogene. For as many years had past when Imogene would speak of her it was like yesterday.
She had a book dedicated to her "Foster Child, Now What"
Imogene's home was filled with keepsakes and personal items that held memories. She held onto a pair of her mother's booties that was tatered and worn. A painting she brought with her from that home in Modesto that a dear friend had painted for her. Her son's baby spoon. Ok and tons of stuff! She didn't like to part with anything. She would say how growing up it was hard to find something to read as I tried to get her to toss the junk mail.
Imogene adored children. She had many toys and books she was saving to give to a child...it often made me sad because I would think to myself you are collecting this stuff for a child that will never come to the door.
Imogene wasn't just a old lady with stories she had such a fun personality. We could go anywhere and she'd bring the people to life.
After Howard passed she met Carl and married him April, 26,1974. Her, Carl, and Jeanette(her adopted daughter)later moved to Grapevine.
Sadly Imogene's stories started repeating more and more often and her forgetting things were becoming more and more common.
Nevertheless she was still a great friend well I didn't really refer to her as a friend just My Imogene.
She was a VIP in my life and I am so very thankful I was able to know her.
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1919 - 2006 (86 år)
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