with Patsy Nobles Jones
“The darker the night, the brighter the stars, the deeper the grief — the closer is God” – Fyodor Dostoevsky
Karen Faye Glover Davis (3-8-43 to 4-6-21) – Memorial April 3; Kenneth Richard “Bubba” Mills (12-26-63 to 3-31-21) Chester County High School Class of 1982 and TNNG; Nell Tucker Climer (6-24-33 to 3-30-21) widow of Brother Lewis Climer (3-2-31/3-17-07) and best friend to Louise Clenney (5-8-34/9-5-20). They went to town for ice cream, made yard sales, enjoyed and shared family stories and loved their telephones when no longer able to drive – Shiloh; Lisa Marcelle Peddy (1-30-60 to 4-2-21) from CCHS Class of 1978 – Holly Springs; 50s television show starring Jay North as Dennis the Menace lost the good mother, Gloria Henry (4-2-23 to 4-3-21). Jay North is my age of 70. Sunday nights with popcorn shared with the entire family at my house. Good memories for many; and Samuel Justus Pearl (1-4-1999 to 3-27- 2021) from Munford – Morrison Memorial Cemetery in Brighton.
To help you understand who Samuel is I can help. Loyce Ann Cothren Brown is the grandmother of Samuel. In my early 1950s childhood, the former Jacks Creek Grocery and post office were located in the corner of the curve next to the gin. John Harvey Tignor was the owner and postmaster, and the rural carrier while Mary Nell Tignor ran the store. The Tignors sold the store to Raymond and Mildred Cothren. They added an addition to accommodate their family of four children – Jerry (my brother’s age); Loyce Ann (my age), Mike and baby Lisa. Years later Mildred and Loyce Ann moved to Bolivar. Mike started a successful worm ranch, and Jerry married Judy Bell. The building is gone, but memories linger. God bless our Jacks Creek friend. Sadly, Loyce Ann has lost a son, Christopher Brown and a grandson, Samuel Pearl. He has a nice obit from Covington Funeral Home site.
Prayer requested for optimistic Janice Patterson; Mike Tignor; Ruby Sue Malone; Andy and Doris Maness and Shane Martin. Teressa Plunk starts PT to help her right-side bones cooperate with her other side. She is a tough cookie.
Two Easter bunnies brought surprises – heart-shaped pendant necklace inscribed with I love You More in memory of Murdell Barker (8-26-20); and a beautiful red floral painted hummingbird feeder and edible yummies baskets for D and P. Thank you “Lamb” and “Ressa.” Easter cards were fun to read from Mary and Perky. We have thoughtful “Peep” friends.
Wedding event – April 24 at 3 p.m. at Union Hill Baptist Church. Cheyenne Williams and Cody Rushing do not want April showers but would adore beautiful flowers. Sue Wright would make a darling “flower girl” with her round smiling face! Also, Jim Ruth is celebrating his 1938 birthday on April 11 in style – being served three meals in bed like a king. He is special! Call 901-288-3358 and sing a song to him.
Three war dates to remember and respect – April 6, 1917 – the United States enters World War I in Europe; April 10, 1942 – the tragic unbelievable horror Bataan Death March of 60 miles without water, food or shade. Out of 12,000 Americans there were 5,000 tortured or killed for sport. I have a book on Bataan Death March if you want to borrow it for two weeks. In Henderson, Larry Kent’s uncle survived the march. Japanese Lieutenant General in charge, Masaharu Homma was taken to a prison camp and guarded by a soldier from Jacks Creek, Harry Brown. Homma was hanged April 3, 1946 and left a letter for Harry, but sadly, another soldier kept the prized letter for himself; April 12, 1861 to April 9, 1865 are the Civil War dates. Don and I went to Fort Sumter in South Carolina. Fort Sumter was the beginning of the Civil War; to later end with Robert Lee surrendering. Also, we went to see the Battleground of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. Sad to think brother against brother, daddy against son and neighbor against neighbor became foes.
War tidbits: James Hard (1843 to 1953) was the last surviving Union Civil War soldier to see combat. Results – 750,000 deaths; Albert Henry Woolson (1850 to 1956) was the last living confederate Civil War volunteer in 1864-1865; he was a drummer boy; Albert Henry Woolson’s daddy, Willard P. Woolson (1811-1862) was wounded at Battle of Shiloh and died later. Albert Henry Woolson and fellow drummer boy, Frank Mayer marched together at age 99, in the Memorial Day Parade in May 1949. They placed a wreath at the tomb of General Grant in New York City. Life magazine ran a seven-page article upon the death of Albert Henry Woolson; in 1956 a monument of Albert Henry Woolson was erected at Gettysburg and a twin statue is displayed in St. Louis County Depot in Minnesota. President Dwight Eisenhower said about Albert Henry Woolson, “The American people have lost the last personal link with the Union Army…his passing brings sorrow to the hearts of all of us who cherished the memory of the brave men on both sidesof the War Between the States (Civil War).
Tidbits with four April historical dates: April 14, 1865 – President Abraham Lincoln shot and died the following morning; April 12, 1945 – President Franklin Roosevelt died in Georgia. He was a four term US President who guided Americans out of the depression and through World War II. (Cousin Andy Maness’s sister was named “Frankie” in Franklin’s honor); April 4, 1968 – Civil Rights leader, Rev. Dr. Martin L. King was killed in Memphis. He is best remembered for his speech, “I Have a Dream”; and April 11, 1970 – Apollo 12 launched. Fifty-six hours later an oxygen tank exploded. Astronaut John Swigert said, “Houston, we have a problem here.” Using a “lifeboat” the three astronauts splashed safely April 17.
SOMEONE CARES: In 1993 Mary Randolph Curtis moved back to Nashville following her daddy, Claude Randolph’s, death. Someone cared about Mary by putting together a surprise tool box with necessary tools she would need. She would no longer be able to call on Billy for help. Billy Dickson was a caring person. Mary still has the tool box and has used all the tools he shared. “Tool Time” means a sweet remembrance to dear Billy Boy! We were blessed to have him as a charming friend until Dec. 25, 2020. Billy is loved and missed. Pass it on….
