By Michael R. Moser / mmoser@crossville-chronicle.com
When dawn broke across the Plateau Tuesday morning, Tennessee was learning that Cumberland County had lost one of its best friends. Retired state Sen. Anna Belle Clement O'Brien died Monday night at the age of 86.
She never met a stranger and I was no different when I was introduced to Miss Anna Belle in February of 1984. She asked about my family, about where I had come from and seemed genuinely interested in all I might have to say about myself.
And she asked me if I had registered to vote.
Miss Anna Belle was, indeed, an amazing woman whose love of service to her fellow man was ultimate in her life, just under the love of her family, close and extended.
Anyone who heard an Anna Belle speech can quote some of the key phrases by heart.
"Politics is a beautiful word to me."
"Be for someone. Vote for someone, not against someone."
"Plan your work and work your plan."
"One person can make a difference."
"All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men (and women) to do nothing."
These were more than mere words to Miss Anna Belle. I came to learn that she lived those words. We will never know how many lives she touched, how many things she did for people outside the public eye.
When my father died, one of the first notes I received was from Miss Anna Belle. Such a busy person taking time out to send a card of condolence to me was touching. That's just the way she was.
I find it sad that this generation of politicians do not have the passion and love of service that Miss Anna Belle carried. Party and personal gain means more.
The best tribute we can pay to Miss Anna Belle's memory is to carry on her love of service. It is a noble cause to look out for and reach out to each generation's children. It is Biblical to show compassion and care for the least of us, and to give a voice to the voiceless.
I suspect if we all try to do that, Miss Anna Belle will be smiling her approval from above.
