Lula Sue Simmons

My Mother,
Lula Sue Simmons

My Mother, Lula Sue Simmons, the daughter of Woodrow Wilson Simmons and Susie Johnson, was born 13 February 1941 in Baxterville, Lamar County, Mississippi. Baxterville was then just a small village in the rural outskirts of Columbia, surrounded by acre after acre of pine trees. She was the second child born from the union of her parents. The family would later settle in the Pinebur area, not too many miles from Baxterville, and it was there that Mom spent much of her youth. As she aged, Mom often talked about her memories of her childhood in Pinebur and of the relatives she grew up around and loved. Her mother was the light of her life, a strong-willed woman who worked hard to provide necessities for her four children. The family was very poor and depended on their farm land and each other for survival. Many of Mom's memories can be read in her memoirs, see "Memoirs of Lula Sue Simmons".

Lula Sue Simmons Birth Certificate

At the age of 17, Mom married Charles Laverne Stogner, the son of Lewis Edward Stogner and Iva Louetta Peak.  Their marriage rites were solemnized in Marion County, Mississippi on 17 May 1958 and performed by a the Justice of Peace.  They had one daughter- Susan Gail Stogner (me).  Their marriage was brief, however, and eventually Mom and I moved in with her mother, Susie Johnson.

Marriage Record- Charles Laverne Stogner
& Lula Sue Simmons

Mom later met and began dating Frank Dalton Powell.  He was stationed overseas while serving a term with the United States Navy.  Their relationship began when they became pen pals, writing back and forth to each other while he was away, see Oceans Apart.  Upon his discharge from the Navy, their relationship developed further and they married on 08 December 1960 in Columbia, Mississippi. Their marriage was kept a secret for a couple of weeks because their families disagreed with their relationship.  I wrote about this in some of my Sharing Memories posts, see Coming Home, Dilemmas, Secret Vows, and Their Secret Revealed.  Mom and Frank (whom I call "Dad") had three children together- Frank Dalton Jr, Sandra Rennae and Tony Duane.  They eventually moved to Jefferson Parish, Louisiana and remained there until 1976, when they moved back to their native home in Columbia, Mississippi.

Marriage Certificate- Frank D. Powell
& Lula Sue (Simmons) Stogner

While in Louisiana, Mom worked at the A&P Meat Processing Plant in New Orleans for several years while Dad was a meat cutter with A&P Food Stores.  They were active parents and maintained a busy schedule between working and raising their children.  Mom enjoyed cooking and having company on the holidays throughout the year.  I remember her working all day in the plant and coming home to do housework, laundry and cooking.  She often stayed up late at night during the holidays for meal planning and preparations.  She would prepare feasts on holidays, particularly during Christmas.  Our home was the center of family activities during those special times of the year.  

After moving back to Mississippi, Mom worked at the Jitney-Jungle Food Store in Columbia for many years. She briefly owned and operated her own small restaurant in Bassfield, Sue's Country Kitchen.  After deciding to close the business, she became deli manager at Bassfield Texaco.  She remained there until her health forced her to retire.  

Mom loved to travel better than nearly anything else.  Each year she planned and mapped out a new trip with the help of my brother Frank Jr, who was a cross country truck driver.  She had traveled through almost every state in our country. Her favorite trips were to Colorado, Wyoming and Canada.  She brought home many memories of her adventures on the road and I'm fortunate to have a few videos and several photos of her trips.  The one place she desired to visit but didn't make was Alaska.  Her health steadily declined after she retired and she gradually became homebound.

Lula Sue Powell Death Record

Mom passed away following a brief illness on 14 November 2007 in Columbia, Marion County, Mississippi while in Marion General Hospital.  She was laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery, Columbia, Mississippi.  I will always miss her, however, I am grateful for all the wonderful memories which remain. 

See also:
Photos- Through the Years:  Childhood Through Teen Years
Blog Post- Tombstone Tuesday:  Lula Sue Simmons Powell
Blog Post- Mama's Apron
Blog Post- Mama's Bourbon Balls
Blog Post- Treasure Chest Thursday: Quilted Memories
Blog Post- Sentimental Stories: Fading Away
Memoirs:  Part 1, Early Life in Pinebur
Memoirs:  Part 2, Musings of a Mischief
Memoirs:  Part 3, Crossing the River
Memoirs:  Part 4, Time to be a Child
Memoirs:  Part 5, Adventures on Little River
Memoirs:  Part 6, Love Carried Us Through
Memoirs:  Part 7, More Memories of Grandpa
Memoirs:  Part 8, Homemade Remedies and Weather Predictions
Memoirs:  Part 9, Hog Killing
Memoirs:  Part 10, Memories of a Poor Child's Christmas
Memoirs:  Part 11, Grandpa Took Care of It
Memoirs:  Part 12, Circle of Friends
Memoirs:  Part 13, Everyday Miracles

Sharing Memories 2012 (Week 12): Family Additions

Mom & Dad, Spring 1961

Let's see, where was I in my story? Oh yes, Mom wanted to have more children... three more children to be specific. Well, she was granted her wish.

On their first anniversary, Mom and Dad were welcomed by a new baby boy. I don't remember anything about my baby brother coming home from the hospital because I was only two years old (nearly three) when he was born. Mom said she would have to watch me closely, however, because I would try to pick him up and play with him like one of my baby dolls. She told me that one day she was outdoors taking the laundry off the clothes lines and she heard Frank Jr. crying. She rushed inside to find me sitting in the rocking chair with him, scolding him... "Be quiet, baby!". She never figured out how I was able to get him out of his crib.

Mom & Dad with Frank Jr and I, 1962

A mere eighteen months later, Mom delivered a baby girl whom they named Sandy. They had their hands full, I'm sure, with three young children. Mom was defining the term "barefoot and pregnant" in those days. She still desired one more child before she called it "done". 

Mom & Dad with Sandy & Frank Jr, 1964

Sharing Memories 2012 (Week 11): Dad and Daddy

It didn't take long for Mom and Frank to settle into married life. Right away they talked of having children. It had been Mom's desire to have four children- one down, three to go.

They had the painstaking task of "undoing" the effects of having one spoiled little girl...me, LOL. I had been allowed to pout and whine to get my way, without hardly being punished for my misbehavior... thanks to my Granny and uncles. Mom agreed with Frank that he should treat me like his own child and discipline me accordingly. As long as he was doing it properly, Mom would not defend me or stand in his way. It took time and patience but eventually my behavior improved and I was no longer the screaming little brat that demanded everyone's attention.

Eventually, I would call Frank "Dad". After all, he earned the right to the title. Just like Mom, he fed me, bathed me, clothed me and held me. He was, and still is, everything I needed in a father. When I mention "Dad", it is Frank that I am referring to. When I mention "Daddy Charles", it is my biological father that I am writing of. I just wanted to make that clear so there will be less confusion for my readers.

I have many wonderful memories of times spent with Daddy Charles which I will write about as well.  I treasure them enormously.  How blessed I was as a child to receive love from two fathers, each in their own special way :)

"Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a DAD"...

Sharing Memories 2012 (Week 10): Their Secret Revealed

It had to happen sooner or later. Most secrets are not kept hidden for long, with a few exceptions.

Over two weeks later, on a Sunday morning, Mom was getting dressed for church. Frank knocked on the door and was greeted by her mother. He was invited inside to wait while Mom finished getting ready. The living room was full of Mom's family members... her brother Alton and his wife were there, as well as her brother Elton and others. Frank was growing a little anxious and was hoping his wife would hurry so they could leave.

Then the question came. The question that demanded an answer. With a firm tone and raised eyebrow, Granny approached Frank. "I am going to ask you something Frank, and I want an honest answer. I want to know if you and Sue are married." She hesitated a moment then continued, "If the two of you are not married, then you should be".

Frank froze in silence for a moment. He needed to think quickly. Did Sue give their secret away? What should he say? What did her mother mean by saying we SHOULD be married? What did she know? He wanted to be honest, yet he didn't know how to respond. He would just simply tell the truth, regardless of the outcome. "Yes, we are married... and we have been married for two weeks". There, it was out. Their secret was exposed.

Granny: "Well, why have ya'll kept it a secret? Why didn't you two say anything? It would have been nice for the family to be a part of your wedding."

Frank: "First of all, you don't like me. I don't know why, but you never have liked me. Second of all, my grandmother doesn't agree with me marrying Sue. Therefore, Sue and I have no place to stay." He went on to explain to Granny that he had been saving to get their own place.

Granny: "Well, it doesn't matter now what we think. Since you two are now married, you should be together. You are welcome to move in here, and stay until you can get your own place."

Frank: "We should be able to get our own place in a week or two, so it won't be long".

Granny: "It doesn't matter. Stay here as long as you need to."

When Mom entered the living room, she was briefly reprimanded by Granny for keeping the marriage a secret. She was stunned that the secret was out, yet relieved at the same time. She glanced at Frank, wondering what had been said. He would explain it all to her on the way to church.

When they arrived at church, Mom whispered the news to Frank's sister about the marriage. Before church was over, everyone knew. The cat was out of the bag. Before long, everyone in the county would know about the marriage. Gossip spreads fast in a small town, especially in this little town full of people with nothing better to do, LOL.

Mom and Frank lived with Granny for a few weeks then settled into their own apartment. The times were hard, and they knew they would have to struggle for a while, yet they were together.... finally. Granny never did say anything further against Frank. She grew fond of him and over the course of time she learned to love him as if he were one of her own sons.

Sharing Memories 2012 (Week 9): Secret Vows

I remember Mom and Dad talking about this little "secret" years ago, when they were younger.  Their "love story" means even more to me now.

They wanted more out of their relationship. They wanted to begin making plans for a future.... for their future, together.

Mom and Frank had discussed planning a wedding but felt that their families would interfere because they were against it. What were they to do now? They wanted to marry anyway, despite how others felt about it. They were both adults and were capable of making their own decisions, after all. Perhaps when their families realized how much they loved each other, they would come to their senses and accept their relationship. They decided that, no matter what others believed, they were going to do what their hearts told them to do.

It was Thursday, December 8, 1960 when Mom and Frank tied the knot. Mom and I were dressed in our Sunday best. She could hardly wait for Frank to appear. This was the day they had chosen to marry. They would keep it a "secret" for a little while, and would continue to live apart until they could afford their own place. They would tell their families about their commitment when they could finally move in together. It would not be long now because Frank had saved nearly enough to get their own place.

They drove out into the country, to a small store where the Justice of Peace resided and operated his business. With me between them, Mom and Frank stood there and recited their wedding vows. This is the day they had long awaited. It was not the kind of wedding ceremony that they had hoped for, but nonetheless, they were now husband and wife.

After the marriage vows were exchanged, Mom and Frank (and me, of course) spent a little time together riding in the country and sharing thoughts about their ceremony and their future together. They had wished that their families could have partaken in their ceremony. They had wished that they could have gone on a honeymoon, away from it all, just the two of them. That would have to wait. For now, they were excited about getting their own place and beginning their new lives together.

For the next two weeks, Mom and Frank managed to keep their marriage a secret. They saw each other as often as they could, just like before. However, there was some "talk" going on among family members and some of them grew suspicious.

Sharing Memories 2012 (Week 8): Dilemmas

More from Dad's memories:

They were finally together again. It had been one long year of missing each other, of pouring out their feelings onto paper. At last they were back in each others arms. During the year apart, they both realized that they wanted to take their relationship further. They knew that one day they would marry. Now that Frank was discharged from the Navy and settled in at home, there were plans to be made, plans for the future....

Frank took a job and decided to live with his grandmother until he could save enough money to move into an apartment of his own. He spent as much time as possible with Mom during his evenings and days off. They spoke of marriage often but had some reservations about planning a wedding right away. They were facing some unresolved issues at the time.

Mom knew her mother was not particularly fond of Frank; she thought that Frank considered himself "too good" for their family. She assumed this because Frank was better educated and more reserved than most members of Mom's family. Her assumptions were based on misconceptions, of course. She feared Mom was "rushing into things too quickly" and wanted Mom to realize that she was still a young woman and had plenty of time for marriage... later.

Frank had hinted to his grandmother about the possibility of asking Mom to marry him. Frank's grandmother did not agree. She thought that it would be a mistake because Mom had already been married and divorced once, and furthermore had a child from that marriage. She told Frank that he should date other women.... single women with no children. She feared that he was "getting in over his head" if he married a woman who already had a child.

Despite the opinions of those they loved dearly, Mom and Frank continued to see each other.

Sharing Memories 2012 (Week 7): Coming Home

The story continues from my Dad's memories:

When Frank left home to return to his duty abroad, he had one more year to fulfill his obligation. He had previously considered staying in the Navy and retiring, since the benefits were outstanding. However, Mom was not keen on the idea of traveling abroad and moving constantly from one place to another. At that time, she was still very attached to her own family and already had one child in tow. After several discussions about it, through letters, Frank decided that he would finish his obligation to the Navy then come back home, to the woman he had fallen in love with, the one he intended to marry.

Mom and Frank could hardly wait until the year was completed. They were both anxious to see each other again, to be together. The frequent letters to each other kept their hope alive.

In October, 1960 the long awaited day finally arrived. Frank was honorably discharged from active duty in the Navy. He would be coming home.

Sharing Memories 2012 (Week 6): Oceans Apart

I'm interrupting my own childhood memories to write about the beginnings of a long relationship- that of my Mom and her second husband, who I would come to know as "Dad".  I am writing this from the memories of my Dad, though my Mom briefly told the same story many years ago.  

Modern technology has provided us with wireless home phones, pagers, cellular phones, ear phones, and iphones. We can communicate with anyone at anytime around the globe. Some would say we are very fortunate to have these great amenities in our modern lives.

Things were quite different in 1960. Most households in the south were not furnished with even a simple home telephone. If they were fortunate enough to have a home phone, it was usually tied into a "party line" which means the phone line was shared with a neighbor or two. International calls were impossible to make from the rural homes of south Mississippi. Therefore, letters were written and mailed.

So it was with my Mom. She began writing to a young man whom was then in the Navy. Frank was from her hometown and was a "friend of a friend". He had come home on a 30-day leave from the service. On his very first day at home, a weekend night, he received a call from his sister asking him to accompany her and a gentleman friend to a club in Bogalusa which was about an hour drive away. Frank was hesitant, reminding her that he had just returned home and furthermore did not want to be the "odd" one in a group of three. Minutes later, Frank's sister called again, this time convincing him to go out that night since she had arranged a "blind date" for him. This "blind date" was none other than my Mom. Apparently, she was fortunate enough to find a babysitter that night.

The date between my Mom and this gentleman that night was only the beginning of a new relationship. During the next few weeks, Mom went on several dates with Frank, taking me along on most of them. I was there, between them, as they went on dates to the drive-in movies and theatres, fairs and restaurants. Their time together would pass all too quickly. As Frank prepared to return to duty, he vowed he would stay in touch with Mom.

Thus the letters began. The letters that would become longer and more frequent....words that expressed how much they missed each other and longed to be together. As their feelings for each other grew, they began writing about commitments and a future together. The only thing that separated them then was distance, for they were oceans apart.

Memoirs of Lula Sue Simmons: Part 13, Everyday Miracles

As Mom aged, she thought a lot about the important things in her life.  I can remember Mom being a fanatic about having a clean house when we were growing up.  She worked herself down doing housework, laundry, cooking and still maintained a full time job after her children all started school.  I've often wondered where she acquired the energy to keep up with everything.  As children, my siblings and I were expected to keep our bedrooms orderly and participate in household chores.  As Mom grew older, however, she didn't worry as much about everything being in perfect order.  She realized there were more important things.

As we grew up and married our life would change.  We would have nice homes  nice cars  children who would go to school  come home and play.  No working until dark.  Good food.

Alton is the father of two sons.  Gertie has two daughters and a son.  Elton has three daughters and a son.  Myself the mother of two beautiful daughters and two sons.  But the love between my sister and my two brothers is still there and will always be.

Our mother died on June 18, 1974   she was fifty six years old but had a hundred years of work and hardship on her.  I guess that was the greatess [sic] loss that her children had ever known.

Time to enjoy things.  Not having to worry about dusting  washing  cleaning and cooking.  Your value changes     Your outlook on life is not what you can have, but what you have had.

Sometimes we are too busy raking fall leaves to see the real beauty of them.  To watch a small humming bird feed.  Flying so fast that you can hardly see its little wings.  To see a red bird sitting on a feeder feeding its mate.  The calling of a dove  this is life going on, in a world that we are all a part of.  This is a part of my life that is a everyday miracle.

Because I can see and hear this.  There are a lot of people that can never hear or see this   not because of being deaf or blind but because they are too busy with every days life and care.  To [sic] busy to take time to see real life   to [sic] busy making money to buy things with   that will not matter when life is gone.

I have seen a lot of people die in my time.  A lot of people that didn't have time to see life.  To see a reflection of a mountain in a beautiful lake.  I have seen this.  I have been to the highest mountains peak  have seen the ocean laugh as it greets the sand on the beaches with the roar of giant waves.

I have seen the great redwood trees that reached for the sun and heavens.  To walk among these gaint [sic] trees makes you feel God's hands in the sun that comes streaming through the gaint [sic] branches.

God's laughter in the crash of a gaint [sic] ocean wave.  But most of all God's peace in the clear cool air of a mountain breezes.  In our memories of life there is a lot of things that can never be bought or taken away.

I have always told my childrens [sic] it is not what life can do for you but what you can do with life.

While reading this part of Mom's memoirs, I reflected back to the times she and I have sat on her porch and enjoyed watching the birds feed.  During spring, she placed three or four hummingbird feeders out and before long she had broods of the little birds fighting for their places on the feeders.  I also thought of how much joy Mom had while on her vacations.  She thoroughly enjoyed traveling and seeing new places.  

Here are just a few snapshots of her while on her trips:

The West Coast

The West Coast

The Northwestern United States

Disneyworld in Florida (Mom & her friend Irene)

Beaches of the East Coast

Memoirs of Lula Sue Simmons: Part 12, Circle of Friends

There is nothing like a good friend.  Mom had plenty of them- whether related or not, she cared deeply about her circle of friends.  She enjoyed their conversation and the time spent with them.  She wrote lovingly about them in her memoirs:

I have had the good fortune of having a lot of good friends in my lifetime.  Two very special ones has a very special place in my heart.  Carol and Daisy.  

Carol's friendship has no boundary she accepts me as is.  Mistakes and all.  Daisy and I go back a long way together.  We have traveled a lot together and we have shared a lot of good times and a lot of special memories that no one can never take away.

In May of 1997 my sister a cousin and myself wented [sic] to Wyoming to see another cousin Pearl.  Elaine and Gertie had never seen the great Rocky Mountains that reached up to touch the blue skies.  Snow that looked liked [sic] the angel wings.

Or a waterfall that roars down the mountain into a beautiful stream of water.  To walk among the Indian Cliff dwelling were [sic] a very great and powerful people lived.  The frist [sic] real American people who has had their lands, God and honor taken from them.  Have been lied to cheated and killed for their way of life.  As we walked through their homes listen to their music you can feel their pain.

Have I losted [sic] my zest for life?  Why no.  I'm like a large dead oak tree standing in the middle of a field.

I might not have any pretty leaves lefted [sic] or new branches.  But when a stroam [sic] comes through I don't have to worry about those new branches or new leaves getting blown off.  I have old limbs and no leavs [sic] to lose.  But I still have things to do.

God made a lot of beautiful things and I intent [sic] to see most of them.  Who knows I might live long enough to see one of my daughters learn how to make dumplings or cook a big Christmas dinner without me being there.

This part of Mom's memoirs stirs up emotions within me.  Once her health started failing, Mom didn't have many years left to travel and see all the things she wanted to.  Yes, she was fortunate to have seen a lot of beautiful places, but there was so much more she wanted to do.  It's just that her tired and aged body wouldn't cooperate with her plans.  For years she had talked about wishing to go to Alaska.  That is one place she didn't get to see.  

As far as me or Sandy learning how to make dumplings, no- that has not worked out either.  I have tried and failed miserably.  I chose to leave that to someone else.  I have learned to cook a big Christmas dinner without Mom being there, but only because I have been forced to.  

I'm grateful that Mom had devoted friends who shared so much in her life.  She had great memories of their travels together, their fun and laughter and also of the times they held each other up when life was tough.  

Here are just a few photos of Mom and those she was honored to call her Friends:

Faithful friends- Mom & Carol

Friends for life- Mom & Daisy (they were cousins too!)

Showing off their catch of the day ;)

Their big trip to Wyoming

Elaine, Pearl, Mom & Gertie

Through the Years: Lula Sue Simmons, Childhood through Teen Years

Lula Sue Simmons was born February 13, 1941 in Baxterville, Lamar County, Mississippi.  She was the second child of four children born from the union of Susie Johnson and Woodrow Wilson Simmons.  She is shown in this photo as a youngster, about 2 years old, with her parents and older sibling Alton. The year was about 1943.  The family lived in rural Lamar County, approximately 16 miles from Columbia, Mississippi.  

Lula Sue was about age 7 in this photo, estimated to be taken about 1948.  She spoke often of her early childhood- the struggles the family faced as well as the good times.  Later in life, she wrote down some of those memories.  I published her writings in this blog, which are divided into sections.  See Memoirs of Lula Sue Simmons in the topics section.

This photo was taken in 1952, so Lula Sue would have been about 11 years old.  I remember her telling me that she attended school in Hub, a tiny community located between Columbia and Baxterville, Mississippi.  She didn't talk much about her school days.  Of course, the old schools in the area are now non-existent so I'm unable to get any further information.

1953

The popular hair style trends for young women in the 1950's was short, wavy or curly hair.  Although Mom had naturally wavy hair, she would also "pin curl" her hair, adding more curls.  Pin curls were created by rolling the ends of wet hair up toward the scalp then pinning it to the scalp with bobby pins and allowing it to dry.  When I was a young girl, I can remember Mom putting pin curls in my hair a time or two.  (I couldn't stand having all those bobby pins in my hair!)

The year was 1954 and Mom was a teenager.  At that time, she was attending school in the Columbia district.  She didn't talk much to me about her teen years, which leaves me to wonder now- what was she like as a teen?  What did she enjoy doing?  The 1950's was the era for the birth of rock 'n roll, sock hops, Elvis Presley, movie idols like James Dean and Marilyn Monroe, ponytails and petal pushers.  Was she influenced by the new trends of the 50's?  At this point, I don't have answers to those questions.

1954-55

These are some of my favorite photos of Mom.  She was so lovely in her formal dress.  I believe she said she was dressed for a music recital, perhaps a piano recital.  

Mom was 14 years old when this photo was taken.  Apparently she attended Walker School.  I did a search on the school but yielded nothing.  Where was Walker School located?  Mom's family resided in Lamar and Marion Counties as far as I'm aware.  I didn't realize how little I knew of Mom's teen life until I began posting these photos.  I will plan to possibly find out more from her living siblings, Gertie and Elton.

Memoirs of Lula Sue Simmons: Part 11, Grandpa Took Care of It

From Mom's memoirs I gather that her Grandpa "Bob" (Johnson) had zero tolerance when it came to his grandchildren possibly being placed in harm's way.  When others gave the children trouble, he simply took care of it, one way or another.

When our cousins would come over to see their grandparents then we would have someone new to play with.  We would meet them half way up the road.  But Benson May their uncle and Alton would fight, and when they wasn't fighting they would pick on the smaller kids.  This day they was fighting over a big Persimmon tree.  Benson said it was on Mr. Mays land and Alton said it was grandpaw's.  Well Gertie got hit by a flying presimmon [sic] and did she cry   So with her in tow and crying I brought her home and told the grandpa.  Well time he got down there Benson and Alton was gone and our little cousin was gone too.

Well grandpa just happen [sic] to have a real sharp ax with him so guess what happen [sic] to the tree.  Let me just say it was no longer there to be fussed over.

Between the fenced yard and the road was a big oak tree.  This was our play area when Gertie and Elton was with us.  Everyone that drove down that little gravel road knew that kids were out playing.

But there was one who just didn't slow down and that was John    he would drive just as fast as that old truck would go.  Grandpa had asked him    had talked to Uncle Albert about his driving but he just wouldn't listen.  So late one night, knowing John would be comming [sic] down that road early in the morning before anyone else   Grandpa dug a ditch across the road    covered it with paper    put a little sand over it and sat on the porch and waited for John.

The road wented [sic] down the hill across a little creek.  So the ditch was dugged [sic] at the the top of the hill.  Did John have a suprise [sic] comming [sic] to him!

He hit that ditch going full speed     bounced down that hill over the bluff and into the creek.  Grandpa walked out to the road and he could see John crawling out of the truck    so he got his shovel     cover the ditch up and wented [sic] into the house.  John never did ask any question [sic] nor drive fast by our house again.

Memoirs of Lula Sue Simmons: Part 10, Memories of a Poor Child's Christmas

I was blessed to have such wonderful memories of Christmas as a child.  Christmas was a big event in my childhood and my parents did their very best to provide us with most of the items on our "wish list".  Besides the gifts, there were big family gatherings and lots of good food.  There was laughter, love and time spent with family.  

Mom was not so blessed in her early childhood.  Because the family was struggling to survive, their gifts were meager.  I remember Mom, and Dad too, talking about those days.  They often received a few pieces of fruit for Christmas, such as apples and oranges, and sometimes a few pieces of candy which really made them happy because those were treats they rarely received.

Mom wrote some of her memories about Christmas as a child:

Christmas, no tree, no gifts    just family and all of the food that we could want.  I can remember the first Christmas tree.  A coffee can full of sand with a little pine tree in it.  We gather [sic] sweet gum balls and covered them with cotton to hang on the tree.

My grandmother put it up for us.  The lonely little pine tree sitting by a fire place with cotton cover [sic] sweet gum balls.  But we thought it was the most beauthful [sic] tree in the county.  We didn't know that there was another kind of life out there.  When we started school and I would sit in the class room after Christmas holidays and listen to all of the things the other children got, then I knew that our life was different.  After I got older I wouldn't go to school that frist [sic] day because I didn't want to stand up in that class room and tell the teacher and classmates what I got for Christmas.  So instead of lieing [sic] to them I would stay home.

Memoirs of Lula Sue Simmons: Part 8, Homemade Remedies & Weather Predictions

I can recall Mom talking about some of her homemade remedies from the "old days".  She used some of them with us while we were growing up.  For example, I can remember when I was stung by a wasp, she would wet some cigarette tobacco and put it on my sting.  When one of us got sick with chest congestion, she mixed up a concoction of whiskey, lemon juice and peppermint (seems to me that it did help!).  She wrote about some of her grandparents use of "natural" elements for medicine and teas in her memoirs:

Certain tree roots and barks was gather [sic] for medicine.  I don't remember the name of any of them but I do remember going to the creek bank with grandma for these things.  Grandpa would get wild cherry bark but it would have to come from the north side of the tree.  He would make tea with this.  He drinked [sic] coffee every morning with red pepper in it.  He said it helped him breath better   he had asthma.  He used mullin tea at night for colds   this was gather [sic] out behind the smoke house   it was a weed with real fussy [sic] leaves.  He used the roots of a sassafras tree to make a drink with.

Everyone is worried about the year 2000.  What will happen to the computers, T.V.'s and everything that runs the world.  Well in my younger days we didn't have things like that to worry about.

The weather was simple to predict, by the hornet nest where it was low to the ground or high in the tree.  A wooley worm or a presimmon [sic].  Cut the seed into  if there was the sign of a spoon it would be a warm winter   a fork meant a mild winter but a knife means a cutting edge cold winter.

If a woman with children had to go out of the house and there was not an older child to watch the young ones then there was the diaper way to a baby sitter.

Simple, tie a diaper around the child's waist, put the ends of it under the leg of a iron bed leg   the baby couldn't go anywhere.  But with Alton    Mama could put a feather or a glove in the door and he would not go near it.

I can remember sitting in front of a fire place in old straight chairs with my grandma and grandpa roasting peanuts and corn on the cob over the hot coals.  This was the place to be on a cold winter day.  On days that was not real cold we would gather broom straw to make brooms with for the house   Dog wood limbs was used to make yard brooms with.

Memoirs of Lula Sue Simmons: Part 7, More Memories of Grandpa

My Mom dearly loved her Grandpa Bob.  He and his second wife Harriet helped to provide at least some stability to Mom and her siblings.   Since her mother had to work outside the home to help support them, Mom and her siblings were often left in the care of Bob and Harriet.  Mom shared more memories of her grandpa in her memoirs:

One of our game [sic] was playing church in grandpaw's storm pit.  Of couse [sic] Alton was always the preacher.  Because if we didn't want

him to preach he would get mad and leave.  

Gertie and Elton wasn't allowed to leave the yard  they were just toddlers    this is the reason they didn't get into all of the trouble that Alton and I did.

My grandpaw thought it would bring him bad luck if he lefted [sic] to go hunting or fishing with his grandkids crying to go with him.  So it didn't take us long to figure this out.  So when he lefted [sic] and we saw him going across the field to the back woods Alton and I would go running and crying for him to take us.  So instead of taking us back home he would let us go.  He would take us far enoug [sic] that we could hear the sound of the water.  Here he would sit us on a log and we would

have to stay there until he came back.  It didn't take but 2 or 3 trips and we didn't want to go with him again.  Of course later in life we learned why he didn't want us with him.  He was using fish traps and this was against the law and he was afraid Alton and I would tell.  It didn't make the fish taste any different because they were real good when grandma got them cooked.  We would all sit at that old wood table with those old hard wood benches and enjoy collard greens, fish and corn bread.

We would then go to the front porch and relax a few minutes.  I can remember grandpa sitting on the porch under the water selve (?) resting his back against the wall.  He sat there everyday

with his shot gun at his side.  He hated a chicken hawk and ever [sic] time one flew over he would shoot him. He said he didn't raise chickens to feed the hawks with.

Of course there wasn't too much relaxing for us.  On days were [sic] there was no field work there was other things to do.  Wash day was a whole days work with the water comming [sic] from the well and wood for the wash pot

And when all of the fields was planted the fertizise [sic] sacks had to be ripped apart and boiled for hours.  They were used for sheets and panties, slips.  Then we would have to go gather medical roots and tree bark to use for teas.

There were days when Mom's hand tremors made it difficult for her to write.  Obviously, she attempted to write these notes on such a day.  

I truly appreciate my Mom's efforts to write down a portion of her memories, for they mean so much to me now.  As I read her handwritten notes, I imagine her sitting in her chair remembering the days of her childhood.  I imagine her smile when she wrote of the tender moments in those days and I imagine her attempting to hold back her tears when she wrote of the hard times.   

To be continued...