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This is the second of a two-part series about Cleo Hicks Williams.
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Cleo Hicks worked for a while longer at the Rodda-VanGorder Hospital, but she had enrolled at the Latta Nurse’s Home in Asheville to further her education with the help of Dr. VanGorder. She said goodbye to her family and got on the Greyhound bus in Andrews to travel to Asheville to fulfill her dream.
She bravely took the journey by herself, not knowing what the future would bring, but she was thrilled she had her own room in the nursing school and it had a view of the hospital.
Cleo married Van Williams, the love of her life, on Jan. 27,1956, while she was still living at the nurses boarding school. She completed her nursing degree and the couple moved back to Andrews just about the time the town opened the new hospital. Registered nurses were far and few between, so Cleo was in
demand and began working after Christmas in 1956. Cleo and Van had two children, a son named David, and a daughter named Donna.
I worked at District Memorial Hospital for 11 years, and like everyone there, I loved Cleo Williams. She was so kind to everyone and could light up the room like a ray of sunshine with her smile. And until I read her book, I never knew the abuse
and heartaches she lived through as a child, until the Lord placed Van Williams in her path, and he filled her life with love.
All I knew was she was an awesome nurse.
At the town celebration in 2005, the poem I wrote for her was read:
“From the banks of Junaluska Creek, Cleo made her mark, and rose from the ills of destiny to the fate she would embark. Her trials and tribulations were just part of life’s own game, but the little girl could not know, the extent of her own fame. She only knew that others had nicer things, you see, it is hard for a child to understand the depths of poverty. But her will to get ahead in life broke the barrier through, for education was the only key to start her life anew. She excelled all through high school and swallowed back the pain, of her family’s negative banter of what she would attain.
“Her new life was beginning, she graduated, you know, moved in with Ruth and Sweetie, and soon began to grow. Her self-esteem took on new life when she landed her first job. She stood and trembled, and took a breath, then turned that old door knob. The dim lit stairs were a passage of what was yet to be for the path that she had chosen would one day set her free. She asked the Lord for guidance, and He took her by the hand, on up that creaky stairwell, to begin his well laid plan. The Rodda-VanGorder Clinic hired the country girl that day, ‘Lord, help me learn and be a good nurse, just for this I pray.’
“So, through the years God helped her be all that she could be, and with the help of Dr. Van, she soared to victory. She wanted to be a registered nurse, but tuition was too high, but then that country doctor, gave her the wings to fly. From emergencies to surgery, and everything in between, Cleo was an awesome nurse,
the best they’d ever seen. She attained her goal in nursing and accepted her title well, when she was named director, the tears began to swell. For the little girl who had no shoes and walked upon the frost, she stands proudly now in starched white clothes with no fear of cost.
“Yes, the little girl from Junaluska Creek reached her starry goal, no more threats for dreaming or receiving lumps of coal. Her hardships and her ‘raisin’ was not for her to choose, but God gave her proficiency and ‘gratitude for shoes’ .”
Kandy Barnard is a columnist for the Cherokee Scout. To talk about the Andrews Valley, call her at 828-361-3268 or email kandybarnard@gmail.com.