Loyalty — true loyalty — to God, to your family, to your spouse, to the Church is what I’ve learned the importance of in my life,” Nita Hebson said.
And she and her husband, Clarence Bishop “C.B.” Hebson, have made it a point to share that knowledge, spending the better part of their 62 years of marriage in dedicated service to the Lord.
Both born and raised in Sylacauga, the Hebsons were introduced by a mutual friend and married in 1947. But when they began their life together, neither of them had a relationship with their Creator.
Like many young couples, the Hebsons didn’t see a need to go to church since they both upheld moral values, but after their first child was born, they deemed it important for him to be in Sunday School.
After continual weekly exposure and one auspicious night at a revival at Marble City Baptist Church, Sylacauga, “it dawned on us that it had to be personal — a relationship. From that time on, we were grounded,” Nita Hebson said. “We became very involved and quickly found out how much fun it is learning and teaching and serving others.”
For 17 years, the couple did their learning, teaching and serving at First Baptist Church, Sylacauga.
“You’d never doubt where they stood,” said Bill Dean, retired pastor of First, Sylacauga. “They are so admirable, taking initiative and getting involved in every aspect of church life.”
With C.B. Hebson serving as a deacon, Nita Hebson as the singles class teacher and both as members of the visitation program and budget planning committee, they were a driving force in the church, Dean said. The two also attended prayer meetings and served at family night suppers.
It might seem like a lot, but all that service came naturally for the Hebsons.
“The more we studied the Bible, the more we realized that living it out should be our goal; plus we love people. It wasn’t hard,” she said.
Tim Hebson, the youngest of the Hebsons’ four children, affirmed that the lyrical phrase “the longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows” is evident in his parents’ lives.
They were also role models in terms of family image, he said.
“My mom never worked — they sacrificed for us to go to school. Now all four of their children work in ministry in some form.”
Dean said upon meeting the Hebsons, “you know right off that they have a strong family base. You can tell this from their children and their deep respect and admiration for their parents.”
The couple, however, would never sing their own praises. In fact, Nita Hebson confessed she did not feel qualified to teach until reminded by Dean that all she needed to know was that she sat at the Master’s feet.
“I ended up teaching the singles class for about 20 years. And goodness, they taught me, too,” she said with a laugh.
Now having moved to the Birmingham area to be closer to their children, the Hebsons are members of Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Vestavia Hills.
“They live out their faith,” said Danny Wood, pastor of Shades Mountain Baptist. “They have great hearts and love to be involved in ministry and helping other people.”
The Hebsons still have their daily Bible reading together every night.
“That’s what has kept us together for 62 years — it’s hard to ever be mad when you read the Bible together every day,” Nita Hebson said.
Quiet and straightforward, C.B. Hebson said he and his wife always have practiced and will continue to practice their mission statement of life: “to live at the foot of the cross.”
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