A Memorable Day 2006

It was a day much looked forward to and had been in the planning for months.  October 15 was a day to be anticipated – especially by the One I Love Best.

Some years back our girls wanted to join the DAR and, of course, had to have everything documented in order to do so.  Donna found this distant cousin of her daddy’s in Pensacola, Florida and he had all the documentation necessary for DAR membership – in fact, his daughter was a member in Key West.  Later we all met this cousin and just fell in love with him and his significant other.  John and Jerry bonded immediately. In the 1800’s John’s gr. gr. grandfather, John Clark, married his second cousin, Jane Crumly (I’ve contended ever since I heard this that this is what’s wrong with this Crumly clan).   Now this made Jane – Jane Crumly Crumly.  Jerry’s gr. gr. grandfather was Jane’s brother.  This sort of makes John and Jerry branch water kin.  You don’t know what branch water kin is?  That means their dog wet in the branch just above where John’s family got their drinking water!!

Anyway both these men have had DNA tests and they tested identical except for one glitch or point – or whatever it’s called. They have more similarities then we could begin to name and they have only known each other for three or four years.  Even yesterday John wore a sweater that Jerry has one just like.

Back to the subject – Jerry plays bagpipes and we had asked him to play at our church one Sunday and October 15 was it.  We decided to have a meal after church services and invite a few extended family members who had exchanged e-mails with Jerry for years.  It was exciting for Jerry, too – now he could put a face with a name since he had never met these e-mail relatives.  It was a joyous time for all concerned.  Most in attendance were descendants of Jane and John Clark; however, Jane had a sister, Hannah Crumly Allen, in the area and some of her descendants were at the gathering, too.  CrossvilleUnitedMethodistChurch (called Pine Bark at first) was organized in the home of John Clark (nicknamed, Jack), and several family members (including Hannah Allen and her family) were charter members as well.

The church was so gracious and had reserved pews so the family members could sit together during the service.  Bagpipes were played as the choir entered the choir loft, then belted out the old familiar hymn, Amazing Grace, as the offertory number; and then played again as the congregation dispersed at the end of the service.  It was memorable, to say the least.

The meal went over well – as all these folks enjoy eating.  The pastor and his wife changed their name to Crumly for the day so they could eat with us, too.  John and I took a crock pot full of turnip greens and all that was left at the end was pot liquor.  I could not believe how they devoured those greens and the accompanying cornbread.  We were quite honored to have a Honey Baked Ham brought in from Atlanta and most who attended brought a dish to add to the spread, as well.

I must tell you about the time I sent John to buy a Honey Baked Ham.  It was December when I had radical knee replacement.  It was near the holiday and I sent John to Gadsden to the Honey Baked satellite store to buy a ham..  Would you believe he brought back a price list?  I could not believe my eyes.  We had no Honey Baked Ham that year!!  To say John is tight is an understatement.

And back to the subject – cameras were the order of the day and flashes were all around.

Candid shots are my favorite, but a formal group picture was made, too.  My plan is to write names on the back of pictures so future generations can identify these folks.  I wish those who went before us would have done that.  We have so many pictures that we can’t identify.  I know I have some pics of some of my ancestors (yet I don’t who they are) – because we are of the same girth!!  Stout, if you know what I mean.

This senior couple begins the week with frequent naps and much rest to try to recover from the big day and the getting ready for it.  John is scheduled for cataract surgery later in the week.  Whew!   Busy to say the least, but some of the best parts of country living.