Sympathy Saturday

    Sympathy Saturday will be where I share the obituaries and my condolences for members of my family tree who passed recently.  When you get to be a certain age, you begin to read the obituaries every day.  As the days go by, you read about more and more of your friends and family members who have died.  You compare their age to your own and get a jolt. "That could have been me." 

    For genealogists, checking obituaries and visiting cemeteries is as normal as breathing. I learn so much from an obituary, i.e., maiden names, parents' names; children's' and grandchildren's' names, funeral and burial locations, sometimes even a cause of death.  I want to learn these things not for any purpose but to put it on the family tree for future generations to see and learn about the family that went before them. I admit, most of these relatives I have never met, but I think it is important to share that they were here on this Earth, and they were important.

    So I am signed up with at least three funerals homes from Swainsboro, Vidalia, and Wrightsville to get daily notices of obituaries sent to my email.  Every day, I peruse them and with the help of the family tree, figure out who is related to me and add any new information to the tree. Some weeks there are several, and some weeks there are none. This week there is someone who actually passed away a few months ago as I got behind on email for while. So I may be doubling up for a few weeks.

Please join me in offering condolences to their families and holding them in the light.

Irene Kniphfer Parrish

Sep 9, 1935 — Mar 19, 2026

North Augusta, SC

Mrs. Irene Kniphfer Parrish, age 90, entered into rest on Thursday March 19, 2026. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, Bobby L. Parrish.

She is survived by her loving children, Russ (Myra) Parrish and Becky Parrish Cole; grandchildren, Kevin (Lara) Brown, Claye (Catherine) Mack, Amanda Booth, Ray (Julie) Parrish, Jeff (Lene) Cole, Madison Parrish Holley, Hayley Cole (Cody) Webb, and Collin Parrish; twenty great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; and brothers, James (Kelly) Kniphfer and Otis (Mary Ann) Kniphfer.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Parrish was preceded in death by her parents, John E. and Mozelle L. Kniphfer; daughter, Terrie Parrish; infant son, James Cleon Parrish; great granddaughter, Nora Mary Parrish her brother, Fred Kniphfer; her sisters, Sally Kniphfer Portwood, June Kniphfer Ramsey, and Maggie Kniphfer Marsh; and her sister-in-law, Joan Parrish Rhoades.

Mrs. Parrish was a longtime member of Warrenville First Baptist Church. She dedicated her life to caring for others through her career as a nurse, a profession she took great pride in. Prior to nursing, she worked as a seamstress, demonstrating her strong work ethic and attention to detail.

She found great joy in traveling, camping, and fishing alongside her beloved husband. She also enjoyed trips to the beach, gardening, shopping, cooking, and spending time reading her cherished recipe books. Above all, she was a loving and compassionate woman who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

A funeral service honoring her life will be held at 11:30 AM on Monday, March 23, 2026, in the chapel of Jackson Memorial Funeral Home, with Rev. Arthur Zawislak, Rev. Dwayne Anderson, and Dr. Walter Pym officiating. The interment will be private.

Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Mrs. Parrish's caregivers; Sha Hall and Tarina Englrum. Also, Dr. Bleakley Chandler for his excellent care through the years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Samaritans Purse or The Shriners Hospital.

Jackson Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with these arrangements.

In a cruel twist of fate, Irene's brother passed away less than two weeks later:

James Howard Kniphfer

Aug 21, 1944 — Mar 31, 2026

Hephzibah, GA

James Howard Kniphfer, a man of enduring strength and steadfast faith, passed peacefully Tuesday evening, March 31, 2026, at Wellstar MCG Hospital in Augusta, transitioning into his eternity. Born on August 21, 1944, James lived a rich and full life marked by devotion to family, dedication to his craft, and a deep love for the outdoors.

James began life in Kite before his family moved to Brunswick and later to Graniteville, South Carolina, where he completed his high school education. Soon after, he married and started a family, embarking on a successful career in construction. Known for his adeptness and exceptional talent in his trade, James worked on numerous projects in the area, including the notable Plant Vogtle. His commitment and skill earned him the role of Construction Supervisor, a position he held with pride until his well-earned retirement.

In 1973, James moved his family to the Hephzibah-Blythe-Matthews area, settling on a 14-acre tract that became a haven for his beloved animals—horses, pigs, cows, and goats. An avid outdoorsman, he relished riding horses and trail rides, often participating in The Sheriff's Posse. Fishing and camping were among his pleasures, revealing a man who found joy and peace in nature’s embrace. James also appreciated the simple pleasures of a good meal and warm fellowship with his family and friends, embodying the spirit of hospitality.

Sports, particularly football, held a special place in his heart, as did watching Westerns on television, echoing the values of resilience and honor he esteemed. He was also a past member of the Wrens Optimist Club, contributing his time and heart to his community.

A man of profound faith, James was a former member of Warrenville Baptist Church and faithfully attended Hephzibah Baptist Church until his health declined. His spiritual life was a cornerstone that gave him strength and solace throughout his journey.

James was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Mozelle Lampt Kniphfer and John Edgar Kniphfer, and siblings Sally Portwood, Maggie Marsh, Irene Parrish, June Ramsey, and Fred Kniphfer.

He leaves behind a devoted wife, Kelly Wilson Kniphfer, whose partnership was a source of enduring support and love. Together, they nurtured a cherished family: children Robin Dalton (Derek), Toby Kniphfer, Missy Lamb, Marc Kniphfer (Rolanda), and Cindy Bowen. His legacy extends through thirteen grandchildren—Chris Miller (Jennifer), Laura Gaines (Jeff), Jacob Miller, Kraig Kniphfer (Sarah), Chad Kniphfer (Sky), Alvie Lamb Jr., Georgia Dawn Stephenson, Shekinah Lamb, Marc Kniphfer Jr., Anthony Bowen, Miranda Bowen, Michael Dobson Jr., and Eddie Dobson—and is further enriched by twenty-one great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Otis Kniphfer, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends whose lives he touched deeply.

Visitation will be held on April 6, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at James Funeral Home, immediately followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM officiated by Rev. Tom Kalliokoski. Interment will take place at after the service at Woodland Baptist Church Cemetery. Honored to serve as his pallbearers are his grandsons—Kraig Kniphfer, Chad Kniphfer, Marc Kniphfer Jr, Alvie Lamb Jr, Michael Dobson Jr, and Eddie Dobson.

James Howard Kniphfer’s life was a testament to strength, faith, and love. He will be remembered fondly by all who knew him and deeply missed by those who loved him most. His enduring spirit will remain in the hearts of his family and community.

Friday's Faces from the Past

 

Isaac B Bush

1777-1836

Edgefield, Edgefield, South Carolina, USA

Friday Faces from the Past

 Lincelia E "Celia" Claxton Schwalls

b. 10 Apr 1839 in Edgefield County, South Carolina, USA

d. 18 Jan 1882 in Johnson County, Georgia,  USA

    Celia married George W Schwalls Sr. in 1866 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.  He moved her to Kite, Johnson, Georgia, USA. They had seven children together before Celia's early passing at age 42.

    Celia was one of the 10 children of Zachariah William Claxton (1806-1895) and Lincelia 'Lincely' Bush Claxton (1806-1872).  They are the reason I am related to Claxtons everywhere, it seems.  I have found several folks I went to high school with who, unbeknownst to me, are my cousins... through the Claxton line.  I do believe I am related to more Claxtons than Tapleys!

    Celia Claxton Schwalls was my 2nd great-grandmother:

Wedding Wednesday - Houck & Blackwell

 

I tried to use Transkribus for this transcription, but it did a terrible job.  I then switched to Claude, and it transcribed the Certificate of Marriage almost perfectly:

"CERTIFICATE

THIS IS TO CERTIFY That I, Roy L. Crewes did this day perform the marriage ceremony for the within named persons at {Savannah A.C. Church in Lee County of} South Carolina, this twenty-sixth day of June, A.D. 1937

Roy S. Owens, Pastor 

Savannah A.C. Church

Signatures of Contracting Parties: 

Frances Blackwell 

Calvin K. Hook

When used return to Judge of Probate, Bishopville, S. C., promptly."

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

Calvin Kenneth Houck
b. 16 Apr 1916 in Lee County, South Carolina, USA
d. 18 Oct 1883 in Hartsville, Darlington, South Carolina, USA

and

Frances Marion Blackwell
b. 20 Jun 1920 in McBee, Chesterfield, South Carolina, USA
d. 12 Jul 1990

Calvin and Frances were married 46 years and had one son.

Calvin is my 3rd cousin, 2x removed. Our common ancestors are John Beasley and Mary Anna Pipkin. 

Family Surname: Schwall or Schwalls

The surname Schwall is German in origin.  Germans began to use surnames in the 1400s.  Occupational names were the most common, but nicknames and location names were also used.

Every village had similar trades (or occupations) from which people took their surnames, so people from different German villages who had the same trade and therefore the same surname are not necessarily related.

Today, German surnames have undergone many spelling changes, especially as Germans have immigrated to the United States.  In my own family's instance, my ancestor added an "S" to Schwall in order to differentiate himself from his cousin living in the next county over. 

The word "schwall" means "flood" in German.  Does this give me a hint as to where the name came from?  Maybe.  In the course of my research, I came across the origin of the name.  It was based on location, perhaps a swamp or swamp-like land.  Unfortunately, I did not copy the information I found, nor did I record the source, and now have no way of knowing exactly what it said.  A lesson learned. 

In my online research, I find this origin and meaning multiple times:

"South German:  habitational name from places so named in Nassau and the Rhineland."

So what the heck does THAT mean?  Well, it does provide clues...

Habitation is a place of residence or a colony or settlement.  So the adjective habitational would describe the surname as a name from a place of residence or colony or settlement.  

Nassau is a town located in the German State of Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz in German). It is about 60 miles southwest of Bonn.

Rhineland-Palatinate is one of the 16 states of the Federal Republic of Germany. 

The Rhineland lies in West Germany along both banks of the middle Rhine River.  It borders on the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. 

So this gives me a possible area that my Schwalls ancestor was from.  However, that is a lot of ground to cover which would be oh so much easier if I had any idea what village or town or city where George Schwalls was born.  I do believe it might be in the correct vicinity considering this:  The state of Rhineland-Palantinate was established in 1946.  It was formed from the northern part of the French Occupation Zone, which included parts of Bavaria... (italics added).  This is significant because on one single document I have managed to locate during my research, George indicated he was from Bavaria.  So even though this German state was formed almost 100 years after he left the country, it still gives me a clue as to the general location he may hail from.  

Another clue is that Rhineland-Palantinate has supplied immigrants to many parts of the world.  The Pennsylvania Dutch spoken by the Amish in the United States is derived from the German dialect spoken in the Rhineland-Palatinate, which many Palatine refugees brought to the colony in the early decades of the 18th century.  Family lore insists that our Schwalls were "Dutch." 

I have information about only 4 generations of my maternal Schwalls line:

- George W. Schwalls Sr.

My 2nd great-grandfather.  He was born 01 Jan 1837 somewhere in Germany and died 21 Jan 1908 in Johnson County, Georgia.  He married (1) in 1866 in Edgefield County, South Carolina, Lincelia E. Claxton, born 10 Apr 1839 in Edgefield County.  She died 18 Jan 1882.  They had seven children: 

 Susan M. Schwalls
Linnie Schwalls
Charlie Milton Schwalls
William Louis Schwalls
Mattie Schwalls
M. M. Schwalls
George W. Schwalls Jr

George married (2) 16 Jul 1883 in Johnson County, Georgia, Mary J. Williams, born 15 Mar 1851 Georgia.  She died 14 Mar 1922.  They had six children:

Hattie Barbara Schwalls
Dillie Schwalls
Samuel Thomas Schwalls
Rosa Schwalls
Rufus E. Lester Schwalls 
Lizzie Lee Schwalls  

- Mattie Schwalls

 
My great-grandmother.  She was born 25 May 1877, presumably in Johnson County, Georgia.  She married 18 Nov 1903 in Johnson County, Lusion Keman Tapley, born 31 Mar 1870 in Johnson County and died 3 Jul 1935 in Wadley, Jefferson County, Georgia.  They had the following children: 

James Tillman Tapley  
Charles Morgan Tapley
Champ Lusion Tapley
Woodrow Tapley (died shortly after birth)

Mattie passed away 26 Apr 1912 after giving birth to Woodrow.

- Charles Morgan Tapley

 

 My grandfather was born 27 Jun 1907 in Johnson County, Georgia and died 12 Nov 1973 in Swainsboro, Emanuel County, Georgia.  He married (1) 27 Jun 1928 in California, Gladys Ruth Van Cleave, born 31 Jul 1909 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and died 01 Dec 1987 in Glendale, Los Angeles County, California.  They had two children.  Charles married (2) 03 Dec 1939 in Redlands, San Bernardino County, California, Ethel Irene Ranney, born 06 Jul 1913 in Elsie, Clinton County, Michigan and died 12 Nov 1973 in Dublin, Laurens County, Georgia.  They had the following child:

- Linda Irene Tapley

My mother was born in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.  She and my father had the following children:

  Michael Edward Tapley
 
- And ME. 

Sources:

Ancestor Search, Free Dictionary of Surname Origins & Last Name Meanings, German Surname Origins & Genealogy Resources, http://www.searchforancestors.com/surnames/origin/germansurnames.html

British Surnames and Surname Profiles, Schwall, Classification and Origin of Schwall,  http://www.britishsurnames.co.uk/surnames/SCHWALL/origin

Family Education, NameLab, Schwall, http://genealogy.familyeducation.com/surname-origin/schwall

Dictionary.com, http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/habitational

Rhineland-Palatinate. (2013, May 13). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 9, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rhineland-Palatinate&oldid=554882307

Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rhineland.jpg

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: 2021 (Week 14): Great

 Amy Johnson Crow from Generations Cafe is again hosting the blog writing prompt this year called 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: 2021.  I'm going to try to participate more fully this year.  I like that she gives us "permission" to interpret the prompt however we wish and share it however we wish.  It doesn't have to be a blog post; it could be a family video, a letter to a child or grandchild, an e-mail, etc.  

The Theme for Week 14 (Apr 5 - Apr 11) is Great.

My GREAT grandmother, Emma Vermell Harrell Drake (1867-1935), was my paternal grandmother's, Nealie Drake Tapley (1895-1970), mother.  I know almost nothing about Emma.  If I could meet her, I would have so many questions.  

Emma was born September 4, 1867 in Emanuel County, Georgia to William Robert Harrell (1838-1908) and Catherine M Odom Harrell (1841-1875).  Robert was born in South Carolina, as was his father before him.  Catherine's family, on both of her parents' sides, had been residents of Emanuel County since at least the late 1700s.  

Emma was one of three children born to Robert and Catherine.  She was the oldest.  Her sister, Nancy Jane (1869-1901), was 2 years younger, and her brother, John Milledge (1872-1951) was 5 years younger. 

Emma also had an older "half" brother.  Roan Perry Riner (1860-1941) was Catherine's child from her first marriage to Lawson Riner (1837-1863).  Lawson died in the Civil War.    

In 1875, tragedy struck the family.  Emma's mother passed away just 13 days after Emma's 8th birthday.  Catherine was only 34 years old.  Her obituary states that in her last moments, she turned "her attention to her four small children, [and] said many things to them." I cannot imagine how heartbreaking and confusing this would have been for the children.  

So Robert was left with three small children to raise.  In those days, the men had to go out and work to make a living to support their family.  So usually, in the case of a baby, another relative would take that child and raise it or the the man would remarry quickly.  Just a little over two years after Catherine's death, Robert remarried.  On January 1, 1878 in Emanuel County, he married Winford "Mimie" Barwick (1853-1939). Turns out that Catherine and Winford were 1st cousins.  Again, it wasn't that unusual for a widower to marry a member of his late wife's family, even her sister!

Robert and Winford had a baby boy in 1881, Robert Lanier Harrell (1881-1947).  Emma would have been 13 years old when this new baby brother was born.  As the oldest (and a girl), I am sure she had to help take care of all the other children.  In 1885, another brother was born named Grover Cleveland Harrell (1885-1928).  

Emma married William John Drake (1857-1927) on July 30, 1883.  She was 15 years old.  John had been married before (his wife had passed) and had a baby girl, Samantha Augusta Drake (1881-1966), who was only 2 1/2 years old at the time of their marriage.  Fifteen months after marrying, Emma gave birth to the first of their nine children:

Hattie Lay (1884-1912)

Kenneth Catherine (1886-1973)

William Lovick (1892-1912)

Nealie Vermell (1895-1970)

William Robert (1897-1927)

James Weldon (1900-1977)

Keland Lawton (1903-1972)

Nancy Mary Ann (1906-1931)

Martha Lou (1908-1986)

In my opinion, Emma had more than her share of tragedy during her life.  In addition to losing her mother so young, she lost two of her children, Hattie Lay and William Lovick, to typhoid fever within a few months of each other in 1912.  She experienced double tragedy again in 1927 when her son, William Robert, was murdered in June and her husband was accidentally shot and killed by their son, James Weldon, in August.  Then 4 1/2 years later, in 1931, her daughter, Nancy Mary Ann died at only 25 years of age.  (I do not know her cause of death.)  

In addition, her daughter, Kenneth Catherine, moved away to South Carolina, and I don't know how often Emma got to see her.

My grandmother, Nealie Vermell, "ran off" with a man twice her age with three children, and from what I can tell, Emma may have never seen her again.

Nealie's husband, Lusion K Tapley (1870-1935), passed away in July 1935.  Emma passed in October of that same year.  My father was shocked when I told him that because he said he had absolutely no memory of his mother attending Emma's funeral.  Of course, he was only age 7 at the time, so he may have just not remembered.  He also didn't remember ever meeting his grandmother.

However, I am led to believe that perhaps some of Daddy's older brothers may have met their grandmother because my first cousin, Gary, who is the son of Daddy's brother, Hugh "Dorsey" Tapley, told me that Emma was a little "off."  I am theorizing Gary got that from his father, but I don't know if Uncle Hugh witnessed it for himself or was just repeating what he had heard.  Either way, who could blame her if she was?  

I do not know that I have any pictures of Emma or her husband.  I do have  this picture that belonged to Grandma Nealie and is unidentified.  Could this be the Drake family?  

The little girl on the left looks very much like my Aunt Irene, who was Nealie's only daughter.  That makes me think the little girl in the photo was Nealie and this is a picture of her family.  If that's the case, the woman in the middle, dressed in black and holding the baby, would be Emma Vermell Harrell Drake, my great grandmother.  

 

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: 2021 (Week 7): Unusual Source

 Amy Johnson Crow from Generations Cafe is again hosting the blog writing prompt this year called 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: 2021.  I'm going to try to participate more fully this year.  I like that she gives us "permission" to interpret the prompt however we wish and share it however we wish.  It doesn't have to be a blog post; it could be a family video, a letter to a child or grandchild, an e-mail, etc.  

The Theme for Week 7 (Feb 15-21) is Unusual Source.

The topic for this week really threw me for a loop!  I had wracked my brain all week and couldn't come up with a thing to write about!  I mean, I have all the usual sources:  census, birth and death records, marriage records, books, cemeteries, cousins, etc.  None of that is unusual.  So last night, I went through others' posts about this topics, my past posts, and even my source citations in FTM to try to find something to jog my brain.  Finally, I came across something I had forgotten about.  It's not a big thing, but it is definitely unusual.  

My brother, Harry, is 20 years older than me.  My father and his mother divorced when he was very young, so he and my dad were not always very close.  Harry came in and out of our lives infrequently, usually only when he wanted or needed something from my dad.  

However, his first wife, Diane, the mother of Harry Jr and Missi, did a better job of staying in touch.  She loved my dad very much and tried as best she could to allow him to see the grandchildren as much as possible.  As a matter of face, the kids usually spent their summer vacations and Christmas breaks with us, rather than their father.  Because of those visits and the kids and I being so close in age, we were always close.  They were more like my brother and sister than nephew and niece.  

Back in the late 1990's, my parents moved to Augusta and thereafter sold the house in Swainsboro that I grew up in.  I went down to help them clean the house out.  They had basically been living in two houses for years, so the Swainsboro house was still FULL.  That house had belonged to my maternal grandparents, so there were still many items there that had belonged to them, mixed in with items that belonged to my parents.  It was a huge undertaking, and I believe my father only gave us 3 days to clean it out.  And I say he gave my mom and me that amount of time to sort through a houseful of belongings because he didn't do anything.  Nada.  Zilch.  He did not help us at all, except to issue an order here and there.  

Behind my dad's recliner in the living room was his corner desk that I can remember being with us as far back as the Jacksonville years.  It was not used except to collect miscellaneous items in its drawers that had no home anyplace else.  As I was cleaning out that desk, I came across a box of items that had belonged to Harry.  Now I have no idea why they were there and not with him.  Perhaps he gave the box to my dad for safe keeping and had forgotten about it.  It must have been one of those occasions where my father and Harry were not speaking to each other because when I asked my dad about it, he told me I could have the box.  

Being the family self-appointed genealogist, this was a gift from heaven!  There were pictures of Harry's children that I had never seen before, some Marine emblems, and more that I don't even remember.  There was also this scrap of paper:

It actually looks like a torn index card.  I recognize my brother's handwriting so he is definitely the one who wrote it.  I have no idea why he would have felt the need to write this down so properly.  Was he afraid he would forget?  Did he mean to send it to someone in the family and never got around to it?  Or did someone ask for the information and again, he never gave it to them?  It must have been important for him to have held onto it for all those years, even after he and Diane divorced. I will never know the answers, I am sure, but it was definitely unusual.  

I had never known the date they got married.  None of us knew they had gotten married in South Carolina.  They were both from the Jacksonville, Florida area and that's where most of their families were.  They must have eloped.  He was probably stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, because I do know that Harry Jr, who was born just 9 months later, was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina.  Neither Harry Sr nor Diane were underage.  So perhaps they just drove down one weekend to get married.  Maybe it was kind of a halfway place for them to meet to get married.  Again, I don't know. 

Harry, circa 1963

Diane, circa 1966

So even an unusual source like a torn index card can give you a couple of answers and a whole lot of questions.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks (Week 34): Chosen Family

 Amy Johnson Crow from Generations Cafe is hosting a blog writing prompt this year called 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.  Since I need a swift kick in the you-know-what to get me blogging more regularly again, I thought I'd jump in.  I like that she gives us "permission" to interpret the prompt however we wish and share it however we wish.  It doesn't have to be a blog post; it could be a family video, a letter to a child or grandchild, an e-mail, etc.  I'm probably going to be always behind on this exercise so don't go by the date and week I'm writing about and take it as accurate.  Like I am jumping back MONTHS for this post.  I knew I would never keep up.  LOL.

When I saw this particular theme, I immediately thought of our closest family friends, Colene and Robert and their kids.  I have known them since I was a baby.  Literally.  We have eaten with them too many meals to count.  We have vacationed with them.  I have slept in their house.  Exchanged countless letters with Colene after I grew up and moved out.  Still go to visit them when I'm in town.  We never run out of memories to talk about.  My picture is on display in their house.  Our lives have been entwined for as long as I can remember.  

The story is that my father was sitting in the Krystal, a fast food restaurant in Augusta, and drinking coffee, as was his custom.  (He sat at the Krispy Kreme and drank coffee while I was being born.  It was the 1960's.  Fathers weren't in the delivery room back then.)  It turns out that back in the day, Krystal had a counter where you could eat or drink coffee, as my dad was doing.  Colene was a waitress there.  She fainted or passed out, and my father caught her before she hit the floor and hurt herself.  The families were friends from that moment on.  

Colene has always been a character.  She's probably not even 5' tall, but her spunk more than made up for her size.  She was the only person I ever knew that stood up to my father.  I can remember her making sandwiches at a picnic and her telling my father that he could "eat it or do without."  I was in awe of her.  She's been known to do wild things to prove a point to her teenage children.  I don't think I should describe them here, but trust me, they were wild.  Robert was the rock.  Easy going and kind.  The typical good father staying in the background.  

Robert and Colene lived over just over the state line in South Carolina, in an area called "The Valley." It's an area between Augusta and Aiken full of small towns such as Clearwater, Bath,  Burnettown, Gloverville, and Warrenville.  We lived in Augusta, about 20 miles away.  They have four children, one boy and three girls, and all of them older than me.  Becky, the youngest, is nine years older than me.  They spoiled me.  

One of my earliest memories of them was when they picked me up to take me to Six Flags with them.  I was probably about 3, and I remember screaming and crying about going with them and leaving my parents.  That's all I remember of that trip.  Colene said that I didn't say a word for a long time, and then they passed a burned out car along the highway, and I piped up and said, "That car boke."  I was fine after that and had a great time apparently.  That was 50 years ago.

The next memory I have is visiting their house and standing on the front porch eating a cookie.  Again, I must have been about 3 years old.  My father was just on the other side of the screen door, talking to Robert.  They had a pony named Blackie.  Blackie was a mess.  He would eat clothes off the clothesline, follow them around like a dog, and while they had him tied to a salt block so he wouldn't wander off, he would just drag that block around the yard like it was nothing.  So this particular day, Blackie wandered over to see what I was doing, and my cookie looked appetizing.  He just came on up the steps onto the porch to try to get my cookie.  I freaked out and was screaming my head off.  I have never seen my father move so fast.  When he saw what had happened, everyone got a good laugh out of it, and we still talk about it today.  

The next memory I have is when their house burned to the ground.  I remember going through the ashes with the girls looking for items to salvage.  There wasn't much.  Then I remember visiting their new house, and it's the house they still live in today.

We moved to Jacksonville, Florida.  I don't remember how much we saw them during those four years, but I'm sure we did.  

When I was 8, we moved to Swainsboro, an hour and a half away from them.  Some Sundays, we would drive up to Colene and Robert's house and have lunch with them.  If Daddy was in the right mood, we would also get to stop at Sears in Augusta and go shopping.  Lots of times, Mom, Colene and I would go shopping at the pharmacies on Sunday afternoon.  South Carolina had blue laws for many years, so the only things open on Sundays were pharmacies such as Eckerd's.  Those were good days.

We've been to Florida with them.  I don't remember that trip, but there are pictures. We've been camping with them.  I don't remember that trip either, but there are home movies of it.  We have been to North Carolina with them.  Colene's dad used to live in Lenoir, and we visited him.  We also went to Grandfather Mountain, Chimney Rock, and Lake Lure.  We spent birthdays with them.  Thanksgivings.  Christmases.  No matter where we moved, we still visited them.  Colene's niece, Angela, would stay with us.  My niece and nephew, Missi and Harry, would go along with us on trips with Colene and Robert.  

I cannot imagine my lifetime without Colene and Robert being in it.  She never missed my birthday or a holiday until she has gone into her 80's.  My father, being who he was, would have falling outs with them, but we always made our way back together.  I visit them when I can, but it's usually only once a year now.  I should call and visit more.  Colene has a lot of health problems and doesn't leave the house much anymore.  Robert is still the rock, keeping things going.  

I don't know that we chose them as family.  The choice, I think, was made by a higher power that knew these two families should be together.  However, they are family.  Always will be.

Colene in the 1960's with her catch

Colene in the 1980's at her kitchen table.  Many, many meals and 

desserts eaten there over the years.

Robert and Colene's girls on our Florida trip.

Faye, Becky, and Vickie

The girls and ME (the little one on the right) in Florida.

Me on the left (about age 13), Robert and Colene's

granddaughter, Dana, and Colene's niece, 

Angela on the right at Lake Lure, North Carolina, 1980

Front Row:

My niece, Missi, and Robert & Colene's grandson, Kenny

Back Row:

Anglea, Mom, me, and my nephew, Harry Jr

Grandfather Mountain, NC, early 1980's

Celebrating my 10th birthday at 

Robert & Colene's house, 1977

Colene & Robert

mid 2000's