Back in 2014, we made a last minute decision to stop by The Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, North Carolina on our way home from Myrtle Beach. We had been to the museum several years before, but we had a surprise in store for us this time! Upon arrival, we were taking pictures of the TV Land statue of Andy and Opie from the opening credits, when we heard a small crowd congregate around a lady in a wheelchair. We didn’t know what to expect, but then we heard someone shout “Thelma Lou”, and we hurriedly rushed over to find that the lady in the wheelchair was, in fact, the real Betty Lynn! She had a family member in town, and brought her to the museum unannounced. As celebrities go, she was against all stereotypes, and was friendly and kind to the handful of people who had bought regular everyday tickets to the museum. She normally only did scheduled appearances before a much larger audience. It was an honor to meet and have an opportunity for my Dad, Mom, sister and I to talk to her first hand. She was incredible, and very personable. It was particularly sad to hear of her passing on Saturday after a brief illness, as I almost feel like I knew her personally from this one moment in time. I’m glad to be able to share these never-before-released clips of our family’s discussion with her. May she rest in peace.
7 сен 2024
