It was a different time, when newspapers had larger staffs and could afford a full-time proofreader. And we had one of the best.

Already well past the age when many retire, Lettie Wheedleton started working for The Easley Progress after a career that had taken her from being a pastor’s secretary to the assistant director of the Maryland/Delaware Women’s Missionary Union. Far from a soft-spoken lady, Lettie knew the English language and AP Style well, and whoever crossed the line would fall victim to her red ink pen she kept handy at all times.

Being correct was not good enough for Lettie; she wanted our stories to be the best they could be. For example, we learned to never use a phrase such as “over three years.”

“The word ‘over’ implies action, such as in ‘The dog jumped over the fence,’” she would say. “It is better to say, ‘more than three years.’”

So that’s the way we would do it.

Lettie passed away Jan. 22 at age 89. A memorial service was planned for Saturday, but like many other events scheduled for last week, it had to be postponed due to weather. No problem there — we’re in no hurry to say good-bye to Lettie.

The service is now planned for 3 p.m., with the family receiving friends beginning at 2 p.m. It will be held at Rock Springs Baptist Church, where Lettie was so proud to be a member.

Lettie expected everyone to give their best to life, and therefore, she gave her best in everything she did. We hope to carry some of her wisdom with us as we go through life.