With this feature series, The Cullman Tribune is highlighting everyday individuals all around Cullman County who make our community a great place. #IAmCullman
Spreading love and joy to those around her has always been Rehna Cobbs Boesswetter’s way. When Calera McHenry saw the #IAmCullman series in The Tribune, she knew Rehna was more than deserving of recognition.
The residents of Westminster Assisted Living lovingly refer to her as “the flower lady” and they are surely missing Rehna during the COVID-19 pandemic. The residents of Westminster are just some of the many throughout the Cullman community who have had their day brightened by one of Rehna’s little flower bouquets.
For Rehna, “family and friends are God’s richest blessings.”
Rehna was born in Cullman but at the age of 3, her father took a transfer with his job at Monsanto that took the family to Pensacola. After marrying, she and her husband Otto moved back to Alabama. First, they moved to Tuscaloosa. She worked at Partlow State School and Hospital as a teacher’s aide while Otto worked as a retail manager at T.G.& Y. stores. Otto’s job led the couple to Birmingham where Rehna attended The University of Alabama at Birmingham and she received a degree in health information technology.
She began working at Brookwood Medical Center in Birmingham, but she and Otto both knew they wanted to be back in Cullman. In 1980, the Boesswetters got that chance when T.G.&Y. opened a Cullman store. For Rehna, they were home.
“Cullman has always been my home and almost all my family is here,” she said.
Once in Cullman, Otto and Rehna started a family; their first daughter Stacy was born in 1980 and Sara in 1984.
Rehna said, “I feel blessed that I was able to stay at home with our daughters.”
Once the girls were in high school, Rehna went back to work as a medical transcriptionist. She spent three years at Woodland Hospital, three years with Dr. Anthony Benchina and 28 years at Surgical Arts, P.C.
She said, “I always loved the paperwork side of health care. I loved typing and felt like I was doing my part to help the patients. I could never be a nurse. I think I’d faint if I had to do that.”
Four years ago, Rehna retired which allowed her to focus on the many things she enjoys- family, church and her many hobbies including sewing, cooking, photography and gardening.
Rehna also spent a great deal of time taking care of elderly relatives.
“My aunt Clara Cobbs lived with us for 12 years and suffered from Alzheimer’s the last two of those years,” she said. “Likewise, I helped with my father’s care after a heart attack and stroke. I have always had a great love for the elderly. During those times when it seems older ones are needing us is when we are really needing them, too. We can gain so much wisdom from them if we take the time to listen, and learn about patience and strength, love and joy. I think my life experiences helped to found a deep love for the elderly and I am grateful for any small way I can help anyone in this stage of their life.”
The Boesswetters live close to Westminster Assisted Living and one day Rehna’s love for the elderly and proximity to the facility led to an extraordinary friendship.
Rehna explained, “In the summer of 2018, I saw a resident of Westminster, Mr. Jimmie Davis, in amazingly good health for his age, 100 years old (102 now), walking down the street. I ran out to meet him and took him one of my zinnias. It has been a lasting friendship since then.”
Rehna and Mr. Davis can often be seen out for walks to the pond on their street.
“This coronavirus situation hasn’t been easy for Mr. Davis though,’ Rehna said. “We have only been able to talk on the phone some and he is anxious to resume his walks again, come visit me and Otto again and to see the other neighbors. We have such good neighbors and Mr. Davis knows and recognizes each by name.”
Rehna visits Mr. Davis regularly as well as the other residents at Westminster. She has become like a daughter for so many of them.
She said, “I try to give back some of the love I have been blessed with throughout my life.”
As for being known as “the flower lady,” she laughed, “They are just little zinnias mostly, along with a few other garden flowers- they have to be something that will grow on their own. If I can bless others by spreading a little joy and encouragement and make others smile, then I feel like my day has been a success.”
Flowers aren’t the only way Rehna spreads beauty and joy around Cullman. One of her passions is photographing flowers, birds, butterflies and nature. She enjoys giving away her handmade photo cards, and visitors to the Cullman County library have likely seen her work. You will see some of Rehna’s photos displayed on a rolling screen above the main desk, an idea her friend McHenry suggested to library director Sharon Townson.
McHenry said, “I have enjoyed Rehna’s photography and just thought it needed to be shared so others could enjoy it, too.”
Anyone who has met Rehna knows that family is one of the most important treasures in her life. She and Otto now enjoy five beautiful granddaughters.
She said, “Unfortunately, the daughters and families do not live that close, but they do get to visit often. Stacy and her husband Darren live in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands and Sara and husband Brian and five daughters live near Joplin, Missouri. I am indeed thankful to live in the age of technology where I can talk with and see them on Facetime often.”
Rehna and Otto attend Gum Pond Primitive Baptist. Her grandparents were founding members when the church was constituted in 1922.
Rehna and Otto have been married now for almost 46 years and she describes them as a “devoted couple.”
She added, “Everyone faces up and downs, and we have had our hard times, too.”
Otto has had several medical scares throughout the years, including quadruple bypass surgery just over a year ago, but is doing well now.
Rehna said, “When you marry, make a commitment that it will be for a lifetime! Have faith and trust in God that He will help you through any difficulties in life, even when you can’t see the end. Let go of the past and don’t worry about the future for all you have right now is the present moment. Take time to smell the roses, to really see the beautiful flowers and birds, the sunsets and sunrises, and thank God for the gift of each day.”
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