Many of you will recognize the name “Weezer” from the 1989 movie Steel Magnolias, a film about the special bond shared among a group of small-town Southern women and how they cope with the death of one of their own. Many will also remember that Shirley MacLaine turned in a performance of a lifetime in her depiction of the endearing curmudgeon, Weezer Boudreaux.
What many people don’t know is that the movie was inspired by a true story. Playwriter Robert Harling wrote Steel Magnolias after the untimely death of his own sister Susan. Like the movie, Susan had a group of women who were a part of her life and who were dear to her. One of those friends was a woman she met in her Bible-study by the name of Weiser Duvall. Weiser was such a dear friend to Susan that Harling named a character in her honor in his play.
I grew up in Louisiana, and I first met the real Weiser about 25 years ago because she was the mother of my wife’s best friend. Miss Weiser was well-known back home because she would often talk to women’s groups about her late friend Susan, the real Steel Magnolias, and their very real Christian faith. Sadly, we received news late last week that Miss Weiser had passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Her memorial was held yesterday in Shreveport, Louisiana.
I am writing this note because we love my wife’s best friend and her dear family, and we really missed being with them yesterday. I’m also writing to bear witness that the real Weiser was a real Christian. She had a joyful, infectious faith in Christ that everyone who knew her bore witness to. She loved the Lord, she loved her family, and she loved big hats. She was also the quintessential Southern woman if there ever was one.
Rest in peace, Miss Weiser. We will see you soon.
