Essa

Essa Matthews Sims

March 6, 1873-March 12, 1964

Everybody always said that Essa and I were two peas in pod. She lived in Westview, KY with her sister Cova Smith. Essa's husband, Bro. Sims, also lived there. But Essa and Cova were the heart of the house. For some unknown reason, they liked me a lot. Since before I can remember I stayed with them, sometimes for days at a time. I always felt loved and wanted when I was there and was always sad to leave them. I missed them when I was away from their house and was always anxious to go back. Cova was nice to everybody but Essa was often less than glad to see company coming. If Cova wasn't in the house she would say, "Let's hurry and hide upstairs before they get to the door." So up the stairs we would go where we would stifle our giggles as we listened to the knocking on the door and the hollering, "Miss Essa, Miss Cova." We would peep out the window until we saw our visitors heading back home. Essa and I rarely liked to share our time with others. We just liked each other and Cova. We tolerated Bro. Sims when he came home from preaching revivals. Essa called him "Hon" until she was aggravated with him and then she would yell, "Sims!!"Bro. Sims read and owned many books. Essa and Cova were both readers. Cova had a thirst for knowledge. Essa was the musician. The things I learned from them could fill volumes. Even after all these years I miss them everyday. My mother just said today that she wished we could drop in on them for a little visit. So do I.