Grace Sidebotham RIP
Alan Fine
Many years ago, Grace Sidebotham stitched a needlepoint “sampler” that read “Jehovah Jireh” in calligraphic letters. Hebrew for “The Lord will Provide,” it was one of the axioms she lived by. Mrs. Sidebotham operated fearlessly from a spirit of abundance. Ever grateful, she lived by the verse, “unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” On February 3, Mrs. Sidebotham “transitioned to glory.”
Born Grace Mildred Nelson, she married Jack Sidebotham in 1948 and moved to Yonkers and then Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. They had four children, Joy, John (Jay), Jan, and George and lived in Hastings-on-Hudson. Mr. and Mrs. Sidebotham were active members of Bethany Chapel in Yonkers. Guided by Christian principles of hospitality, their home became the site of youth groups (“Young People’s”), Bible clubs (“Good News Club”), missionary visits, and a safe and happy meeting place for their children’s friends. After a divorce she didn’t want, Mrs. Sidebotham turned to another Christian fellowship, Community Bible Church in Yorktown Heights, where she worshipped for 26 years.
For over 40 years, Mrs. Sidebotham worked for Neighborhood Bible Studies
(NBS), an organization that published study guides for small groups. She criss-crossed Westchester County, and led Bible studies not only in the homes of wealthy matrons, but also in Phoenix House (a rehabilitation center for addicts), prisons, and nursing homes. She felt comfortable with anyone, anywhere and could relate to anyone regardless of age, class, religion, race, or economic status. Mentor to many, she charmed toddlers, teenagers, and senior citizens.
Mrs. Sidebotham moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 1997, continued to work for NBS, and was a founding member of Hope Presbyterian Church.
Her work and her leisure were filled with study and teaching of the Bible, and she was an impressive multi-tasker. While she counseled someone on the phone, she might well be ironing shirts, and preparing supper, after she had taken one of her children to a doctor’s appointment, where she had been working on a sweater she was knitting. A model 60s mother, she never encountered a convenience food or TV dinner she didn’t like. Fish sticks, tuna casseroles, and jello were staples. She had an impressive intellect which was manifest in her consummate “Scrabble” and “Boggle” skills, the many Biblical verses and passages she memorized, and her knowledge of the Bible and Biblical scholarly works. Her creativity was expressed in her piano playing, her knitting, her needlepoint, and her teaching. Her hospitality was extended to young, old, wealthy and not-so-wealthy, believers and skeptics.
For nearly 50 years, Mrs. Sidebotham spent her summers in a modest house on Oak Island, in New York state. Accessible only by boat, lacking modern conveniences like running water and electricity, it was likely her favorite place in the world. She would regale her adult children with tales of hauling laundry (including diapers) to the mainland or preparing meals without electricity when they were little. The yellow house with a big orange sun painted on its front became a landmark of sorts and a symbol of generosity to the many guests who enjoyed a meal on its porch. One of her favorite activities was swimming in the bay and digging clams, with which she would produce her signature Manhattan clam chowder.
Grace Sidebotham will be missed by many friends and relatives and especially by her seven grandchildren (John, Kate, Tim, John Reid, Susannah, Helen, and Henry), their partners (Abby, Michael, Chrissy, Greyson, Benjamin, and Conor), her five great grandchildren (Owen, Tate, Jack, Ruthie Grace, and Reid), and Linda and Michael Edwards, her loving caregivers. One of her favorite Bible verses is from Psalm 23 and speaks to her hope and faith: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
The visitation will be from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 15 at Salem Funeral Home, 2951 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106.
A memorial service is planned for several months hence at Hope Presbyterian Church on a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to an organization that facilitates Bible study.
Online condolences may be made through www.salemfh.com.