Lenora Elizabeth "Beth" Salmon

On May 26, 1931, Lenora Elizabeth Fuller was born to Ralph and Flora Fuller in Abilene, Texas. She was named after her two grandmothers: Lenora Adams and Elizabeth Fuller. Throughout her school years, she was known as Nora Beth, but to her family and friends, she has always been "Beth". Beth had an older brother, Jerrell (Bub), an older sister, Margaret, and a younger sister, Nelle.

Beth was preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, Rodney Louis Salmon, and her parents, Ralph and Flora Adams Fuller; her brother, Jerrell G. Fuller of France, her two sisters, Margaret Fuller Green and Nelle Fuller Swindell of Cushing, Oklahoma; daughter-in-law, Cyndi Taylor Salmon, and grand-daughter, Katie Salmon. Beth is survived by son, Michael Salmon, of Longview; daughter, Deborah Johnson and husband David of Odessa; granddaughter Christy Vines and husband, Chaney of Midland; grandson, David A. Johnson of Seattle; grandson, Clint Salmon and wife Ashley of Riesel; seven great-grandchildren, Katelynn, Julia, Michael and Tyler Vines, Elia, Eisley and Ellesyn Salmon; and several nephews and nieces and their spouses, including Pierre Fuller, Gary and Anita Green, Janis and Paul Thomas, and Mac and Taylora Swindell.

When she was young, Beth experienced both farm life and city life in the Abilene area. At Hardin Simmons University, she earned her BA and Master of Education graduating with honors. While at Hardin Simmons, Beth worked in the campus post office and became Post Mistress. All through her life, music was very important to her, and Beth happily added her gorgeous alto voice to the HSU Acapella Choir.

After graduation, Beth moved to Fort Worth and taught school. 10 years later, at church she met her future husband and the love of her life, Rodney Salmon. She often reminisced that she thought he was so handsome and hoped he would ask her out. When he did ask her to go on a date with him, she already had plans to travel to visit her parents. When she told him this, she added "but please ask me again". Rod told her if she hadn't added that, he would have thought she wasn't interested. It impressed him that love of her parents and family were so important to her. Having gotten to know her at church, Rod had already observed that her love and relationship with Jesus was supreme. With their hearts and values aligned and growing in love, Beth and Rod were soon married and moved to Midland, Texas where their children, Michael and Deborah, were later born. When the children were young, they moved to Monroe, Louisiana where they lived for almost 40 years. They were active members of Emmanuel Baptist and North Monroe Baptist Church. There they led full lives during which Beth enjoyed singing in the church choirs, and teaching adult Sunday School classes. Beth and Rod sought out people who weren't active in church and their class grew to over 60 adults, all of whom found a warm, welcoming

family together. They named their group The Agape Class, from the Greek word meaning "God's unconditional love."

After Michael and Deborah were both in elementary school, Beth returned to teaching. For the majority of her years, she taught kindergarteners, saying she enjoyed this age group the most, because she could start them off with the right habits, loving to learn, and on the road to being successful in life.

In 2005, Beth and Rod moved to Longview, Texas where she was very active in First Baptist Church. There she continued using her beautiful, God-given voice by singing in the 55+ choir, and also in her beloved senior adult ladies' ensemble, Tapestry. At FBC Beth started another adult Sunday School class (again named Agape Class), and once again those in the class became like family to one another. Currently she was a cherished member of the Prayer Warrior class, which she loved being able to faithfully attend and did so until she was physically unable to travel for the past couple of months. During the last thirteen years of Beth's life, she was fortunate to make deep, enduring friendships with her beloved caregivers and countless residents and staff at Buckner Westminster Place.

Beth was very loyal. Her family, friends, favorite sports teams, church and Buckner were simply "the best". Beth led by example. She taught her Sunday School class members and her friends and family that people are priceless and loved unconditionally by God. She endeavored to follow His example. She showed us by remembering birthdays and by following up with visits, calls, and conversations when she learned you or a loved one had a need, was ill or had died. Through her last days of life, she continued to be the prayer warrior she'd been her entire life. When Beth got to know you, you became family, and when she told you she would pray for you, she did. She then put hands and feet to her prayers to care for you and help you in any way possible. Even as her memory was declining, Beth prioritized remembering the birthdays of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She repeatedly asked us if any of them had upcoming birthdays and made sure we had cards for her to sign by hand and then to arrange a call to wish and sing them a happy birthday. We will miss those songs, prayers, smiles, and love that Beth freely gave to everyone she knew. She has left such a God-honoring legacy to those who call her Mom, Memaw, Aunt Beth, Miss Beth, Mrs. Salmon and friend.

Jesus said, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." (John 15:12)

A Celebration of her Life for Beth will be at 10:00 AM, November 11 in the Friendship Room of Buckner Westminster Place in Longview.

Memorials may be made to the Senior Adult Ministry at Longview First Baptist Church or to Buckner Westminster Place.