SHELTERED IN HIS ARMS
A MOTHER'S FAITH SUSTAINS CHUCK, WIELAND AND AARON NORRIS
SHELTERED IN HIS ARMS is the inspirational story of Wilma Lee Scarberry. Born into the hardships of rural life in southern Oklahoma during the early 1920s, you will share her joys and sorrows, failures and successes.
Told as only a resident of Wilson, Oklahoma and long-time family friend could tell, CORRENA WILSON PICKENS shares how she taught young Carlos Ray and Wieland to crawdad on Buffalo Creek. She is the person Ms. Wilma called when diagnosed with breast cancer. She is the one who ran for help when standing vigilant beside Ms. Wilma as she lay helpless, recovering from a colonoscopy, and a punctured bowel causes a Code Blue.
Many of the photos contained within this beautifully-engraved, illustrated, large-print book were taken by the author at family functions and events. Carlos Ray even used one of the author's photos taken with his mother and stepfather in one of his books.
This intimate biography of Wilma Lee Scarberry is a seamless blend of personal observations and experiences, years of direct conversations with Ms. Wilma, and personal interviews of family and friends. Admittedly--in the Foreword--lacking more detail, the authors took artistic license to enhance the telling of actual childhood events as learned from the above-mentioned sources.
However, there are no intentional material misrepresentations of the circumstances surrounding her life. And certainly, the second half of the book was entirely written from first-hand knowledge as a guest in their homes, accompanying on trips, hosting them, or through direct telephone conversations.
Spanning almost a century, SHELTERED IN HIS ARMS entails hardships during the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression; humorous youthful escapades and a tempestuous first-love romance; the bitter tragedy of an unsolved murder and the very real triumph over human frailties achieved through Wilma Scarberry Norris Knight's devout, single-minded dedication to God's Word.
Above all, SHELTERED IN HIS ARMS is a wonderful American success story of ordinary people with extraordinary faith in God and themselves. Their deep love for each other, their nation, and the Lord proves triumphant as life strives to rip them apart.
Despite the many historic, seismic upheavals in Ms. Wilma's ninety years, she has steadfastly clung to her Christian faith. After nine decades of living, she is still an inspiration to all those who know and love her.
With 13 pages of 140 family photos, SHELTERED IN HIS ARMS provides front-row seats throughout this remarkable woman's lifetime.
CORRENA WILSON PICKENS spent 20 years as a newspaper reporter and six years as a local TV talkshow host, of which, Ms. Wilma and her sister, Gladys, were twice guests. A mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Ms. PICKENS served five terms as an Oklahoma Silver-Haired Legislator, and was appointed by Governor David Walters to serve on the Commission on the Status of Women and the Long Term Care Facility Advisory Board. She is a recipient of two Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition by Oklahoma Congressmen Wes Watkins and Bill Brewster, and was bestowed the title of Contributor to the State of Excellence by Oklahoma Governor Henry Bellmon.
BOOK REVIEWS
"Times during the Depression and Dust Bowl were hard, and her family survived by picking cotton... are well described by the authors."--Russ Long, The Oklahoman
"It is the story of movie star Chuck Norris' mother, Wilma Norris Knight. Most of you probably know that they were originally from Wilson. It is an interesting book... no doubt it is in the bookstores by now."--Kenneth Eck, Healdton Herald (OK)
WHAT OUR READERS SAY:
"Beautiful book... I will treasure it."--Matthew T. Draelos, M.D., Edmond, OK
"...couldn't put it down last night until 2 a.m. when I made myself put it down. It almost reads like a movie..."--Mindy Wood, freelance writer, Shawnee, OK
"The book gives me a great look at an American family living the American dream and that dream coming true even though hard times were had. This family, through the guidance of Ms. Wilma, shows today that with faith and lots of love and family, you can achieve anything. Would recommend this book to the young or old. It also explains why Carlos Norris is such a positive person and why he has such strong family values and a great faith in God. My mother is now reading this book."--Jodie Croswell, Melbourne Australia
"I love reading historical books, especially about the early people who settled in Oklahoma, and I was surprised to find so many interesting historical facts in this
book. I read it through in six evenings. I could hardly put it down.
The story line was moving. It was about very poor times that a Christian family
lived through with love, respect, praying together, and having faith in God. All
those who could work, went to the fields to earn enough to help buy food.
Wilma Norris had many obstacles to overcome in her life, but her faith and hope
in God, and dedicated family and friends helped her to overcome to victories."--Nancy Ollie, Shawnee, OK
Autographed LARGE-PRINT Limited First Edition Hardcover Exclusive!
Softcover LARGE-PRINT Edition (8"x11") Shipped Direct (Unsigned)
Jacket Design by Correna Wilson Pickens
Jacket Illustration by Kay Meadows
Photos: Correna F. Wilson Pickens; Courtesy of Wilma Knight
A GRANNY'S BOOK
Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers.--Charles W. Eliot