Submitted by: Susan Griggs 

2016 Valentine King and Queen - Collinsville Healthcare and Rehab

Mr. and Mrs. Billy and Mary Kate Kidd

There is a special couple who sits among our crowd,

their presence is felt strongly even though they’re never loud.

He is known for his tea cakes in which we all delight,

and how about his special wood work, it’s really out-of-sight.

She requests songs and dishes out compliments on every hand,

and her compassion comforts you knowing she understands.

Well, there is more to these two than meets the simple eye,

so may I share with you their story which money cannot buy.

We start with Mary Kate Howell a young sweet lass,

who joined other girls as part of the mill working class.

They’d walk to town during their lunch hour for a little recreation,

passing by Billy “Smutt” Kidd working at a certain service station.

She often commented that she wouldn’t go out with him,

but God had another idea for the two of them.

Ray and Geneva brought Billy to Kate’s house for a little joyride,

just to Chattanooga, but she didn’t want to go, they were quickly notified.

But something must have happened on that day in 1946,

because love hit them both like a ton of bricks.

For six weeks later they were as married as can be,

moved in with his sister for a about a month you see.

She had not even met his parents, when they tied the knot,

most people wouldn’t think this gave them much of a shot.

But God began blessing quickly with a Christmas baby boy,

and then two years later a daughter added to their joy.

They loved and raised their two children Donna and DeWayne,

they both worked hard to provide, and never seemed to complain.

they attended church together and the four of them began to sing,

and Billy loved riding horses and showing them in the ring.

Billy was going to teach Kate to drive, that was the deal,

but when she met a car coming she let go of the wheel.

The stories could go on but it’s time to cut to the chase,

their love is the kind that we all admire and desire to embrace.