What is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to you?

When God saved me from sin, and gave me a desire to live for Him.

Tell about your life as the children left home. What you did with the extra time?

Each one was missed of course. 
Ronnie joined the Army so we couldn't visit him.  Really didn't have that much extra time as there were still five at home.  As each one left I suppose I got bored many times.  I sewed for people, did crossword  and jigsaw puzzles.  Kept my grandchildren.  Took care of Moner when she broke her ankle.  Then took care of Daddy.  I've had a full and good life.

Tell about a favorite vacation.

Going to the mountains.  I love them especially when the leaves turn red and gold.
I always looked forward and enjoyed just getting away and seeing new places.  The first time we went to Claifornia, was my first plane ride.  It was beautiful weather, daytime, you could see below.  Looked like a patch-work quilt laid out with the different colors.  It was very enjoyable.  The next time changed my mind about flying.  It was at night and the weather was rough.  I didn't enjoy the trip at all.  I've been to Canada.  Couldn't read the signs to find our way out, stayed just long enoughto find someone who could tell us how.  Saw Niagra Falls from the New York side that's why we went to Canada.  I had always wanted to see the Falls.

Were there any family Christmas traditions?

Not that I remember.  But I remember making peanut butter cookies every year when I was old enough to help. I also remember opening Christmas presents on Christmas Eve and then going riding around together looking at lights and decorations.

Describe a favorite Christmas with your children.

I don't remember the year, before any of you left home.  The boys got a train set, Sylvia a doll, and probably a tea set.  You and Billy were small can't remember too much about it.  We enjoyed the trains and playing with all of you.

What is the most difficult thing a Mother has to do?

Looking into a casket seeing my child in it was very hard.  But knowing that I will see him again makes it easier to bear.

What do you love most about being a Mother?

The grandchildren and great grandchildren.  I've read somewhere "If I had known Grandchildren were this much fun I would have had them first."  Seriously when we all get together ( although all of never have)  as a family.  Visiting each you and just being together.

What is your child-rearing philosophy?

God should be first of all in a person's life.  Spouse next, then the children.  Show them you love them, also tell them you love them.  Praise them when they're good, chastise them when they're bad.  Listen to them.  when they have something to say.  Don't give advice until they ask for it.  Teach them right from wrong.  Take them to church, read the Bible together, and pray with them.  Don't make promises you can't keep.  Apologize if you think you've said or done something you shouldn't.  Teach them that God loves them and that in turn wants to be loved by them and we should love everyone.

Tell about each of your children: birth, characteristics, problems, joys, sorrows, and accomplishments.

Ronnie was born in Panhandle Texas.  We were visiting his Aunt.  I went into labor and the Doctor said if we went back to the city where we lived  to my Doctor it would have to be by ambulance.  It was about 28 miles away so I stayed there.  He delivered him there at her house.  He was born November 19, 1950.  Back then it was required that you stayed in the bed for nine days after giving birth.  She made me stay and do that.  In the meantime our apartment in Amarello where we lived burned.   Ronnie was a cute child, blonde curly hair.  I didn't want to have it cut.  He was probably three when it was cut.
Sylvia was also born in Panhandle, Texas.  We lived in the same house that Ronnie was born in.  His Aunt had moved away.  Sylvia was born in a clinic, the only thinkg there.  There wasn't a hospital.  She and I both were anemicand had to take B-12 shots.  She had dark brown hair and was born on May 1, 1952.  Sylvia was probably nine months old when they wrote me that Moner had been badly burned and may not live.  Louis made arrangements for Ronnie, Sylvia, and I to come back to Georgia.  Not long after he said he wanted a divorce.  That was the last we heard directly from him, several years later we got word he was dead.  He was overseas at the time.
Ronnie and Sylvia were good children.  As we all know Moner lived and we all moved back to Collins.  Ronnie and Sylvia called me Dean and your Grandmother "Moner".  That stayed with her and even now when my children, and grandchildren refer to her it's still Moner.
I remarried had Paul October 16, 1954.  He was PeeWee long before he was born up until he started school.  He was shy and stayed close to me.  He was hard to potty train, took longer than the others.  We lived at Deptford Homes when he started school.  Cried every morning the first week,  until he got use to being away from me for a few hours.  We moved about month after school started had to go to a different school -Port Wentworth.  Cried again for the first week.  After that he was fine, learned and made good grades.  He's a lot like your Dad was serious, but quite.  As far as I know doesn't have any bad habits, unless he bites his nails.  haha  The older he gets the more he looks like your Dad.  Paul was born in Reidsville.
Alan was born June 20, 1956 at Telfair Hospital in Savannah.  We lived at Frances Bartow homes at that time.  The Dad's were only permitted in the patient's rooms during visiting hours.  The way I remember that was a few hours in the morning and a few at night maybe 2-3 hours each time.  There were semi-private rooms then, although it was a womans hospital, not only babies and mothers were there.  But women who had surgery also.  You really had nothing in common with the woman who shared your room or I didn't.  She was older and wan't having a baby.  I just remember she wasn't that friendly.  I was very glad to get home.  Paul was quiet and shy and Alan outgoing and didn't find strangers.  Although Paul is 20 months older than Alan, Alan caught up with him in size.  When they were young I dressed them alike.  People thought they were twins.  Both of them had motorcycles as teenagers until Paul was hurt in an accident with his.  He soon lost interest and got a volkswagon.  Alan had had accidents on his but still ride them.  I waited five years before having another child.  You (Thena) were born on November 19, 1961 on Ronnie's 11th birthday.  You weighed more than any of the others at birth and had no hair.  You wore caps so you look like a girl.  I wouldn't let you get dirty.  Moner and others told me it wasn't healthy to keep you so clean.  I didn't bathe you in water, I used baby oil.  People commented on how soft your skin was.  I don't know if I've ever told you this.  Once when we were at your Daddy's brothers house (Uncle Frank) there were cataba worm trees around their house.  You were crawling or may have been walking.  This worm was crawling on the floor, you put it in your mouth before we could get to you.  I don't remember but it must have not made you sick.  Almost did me though.  You are alot like your Daddy's sisters, your coloring light and blonde hair.  You cried at nights the first week after coming home form the hospital.
Billy was born July 17, 1963.  He was active, and didn't meet strangers.  Thinking back he and Alan was more alike in some ways and you and Paul in some ways.  You and Billy were close as children especially before you started school.  The two of you had an imaginary friend her name was Mitzi.  I would get tickled listening to you two talking to her.  I believe you were the baby when Alan broke his arm.  Ronnie was pulling him on a wooden drink crateand he fell off.  He wasn't one to cry much when he got hurt.  This time he really cried and I knew it must be serious.  We took him to the emergency room and sure enough.  His arm was broken above the elbow.  When he was a few months old he had pneumonia, stayed in the hospital several days.  As far as problems, we had them, but they were nothing compared to families now.  I'm very proud of my children and your families.  My prayer for each of you is to love and live for the Lord.  He gave his all for us and He wants us to give ourselves to Him.

Describe your first home as a married couple.

Your Dad and I lived in Deptford Homes in Savannah.  Ronnie & Sylvia's Dad and I lived in an upstairs apartment near Forsyth Park.

Can you remember what your wedding dress looked like?

The first time was a two-piece light green skirt and top.  To your Dad a skirt, blouse, and coat (gray).  Both times they were hand-me-downs.

What were your fears, expectations, and anticipations about gettting married?

I don't remember having any really.  I was too young the first time to know what I was getting into, I suppose.  When Daddy and I were married wanting to be a good wife and mother and a place of our own to take care of.  I failed many times at both I suppose.

How did you become engaged?

We were at a movie.  It couldn't have been that he was feeling romantic, because he slept through most of it.  He was drinking pretty heavily.  I probably wouldn't have goine with him had I known.  Anyways I didn't give him an answer that night.  He was sober the next time .  I never saw him in that condition again before we were married, and only once after.  He then turned his life over to God, and started living for Him.  Had no desire for the sinful things of this world anymore.  He was a good husband and Dad.  He loved God, and his family.  He didn't say it much but showed it, lived it, and worked hard for us.

What was your most special date with him?

Most people would probably say when he proposed.  But for me, it was the next date.
Read on.

Tell about your's and Daddy's courtship.

I knew him when I was really young.  As you know by now Aunt Jane and her family and ours lived in the same house.  He came to visit them.  As I recall he would sit on the porch and read.  We would aggravate him to play with us.  Being older than us in his teens he didn't want to play.  Years later I saw this convertable (maroon) at the store.  I could see it from the house, it was the same house that Moner lived in behind Charlie's.  I told Moner, Carolyn, Grandmama, and whoever else was there that was my car.  Not knowing who it belonged to could have been anyone passing through.  He was visiting Aunt Jane in the country.  I can't remember exactly how I met him again.  I think he brought Dot to our house and one thing led to another.  We started dating.  Dot and Jack went with us some and we would double date with his cousins.  We went to the drive-in in Metter, the soda shop in Claxton, or visit his Aunt, and Uncle in Metter.  Jack, Dot and others would all go to the river to swim.  Daddy and I couldn't swim and never learned how, but we would go to the river.  He took Dot and me to places they had lived before around here and out from Metter.

Who was your first crush? What was he like?

His name was Jimmy Miness (Uncle Marshall's nephew).  I must have thought he was cute, something attracted me to him.  I don't remember what, I was about 10 or 11.

Tell about a frustrating experience you've had with a car.

One day I was going to Pooler to get a perm.  I was driving on I-95 and had a flat tire.  A trucker stopped and changed it for me.  There's been others also.

Have you had any memorable driving experiences?

I drove through Atlanta one day after Daddy wasn't driving anymore, which surprised even me.  It was during the lunch hour so traffic wasn't that bad.  The first time we went to Grandfather Mountain we were in a truck.  Terry Kirksey was driving and I would close my eyes.  It frightened me so (the drops off the side).  Next time we went to Grandfather Mountain I drove.  I did quite a bit of driving in the mountains and loved it.

How, and where did you learn to drive?

Your Dad let me and Dot take his car on Sundays and drive around the country, before we were married.  I would drive some on our dates.  Once, we were going to Metter to a drive-in.  Something was in the road, and I jerked the wheel to go around it.  He told me that was the wrong thing to do.  It could cause a person to lose control of the car.  That was the only time I remember him saying anything about my driving.  But there was probably other times, I just can't recall.

Tell about your Aunts and Uncles. (Your Daddy's brothers and sisters)

Aunt Bell married Perry Jarriel.  I don't remember him.  They had three girls and one boy.  She lived here in Collins.  She and Moner went fishing quiet a bit.

Uncle Roy married Ruby Andrews.  They had two boys and lived out in the country.

Aunt Lela.  Don't know who she was married to and they had no children.

Uncle Mariel married Geneva Jarriel.  They had two girls, and one boy and lived in Collins.

Uncle Devoe married Lizzie Moody.  They had one daughter.

Aunt Bernice married Needum Collins.  They are Nadine's and Floys parents.  They had two boys, and three girls.    They lived out from Glennville. 

Aunt Audian married Willie Tatum.  They didn't have any children, and I don't know where they lived.

Aunt Amanda married Clifford Rewis.  They had four girls, and two boys.  I don't know where they lived.

Aunt Debbie married Coy Powell.  They had two boys and one girl.  I dont know where they lived.  Their daughter's name was Sue Nell, and she has a daughter that lives here in Collins (Lisa).  Lisa has a daughter, Tara who lives in Cobbtown.  And she has a daughter name Zoey, she's the little girl that I keep, so she's my fourth cousin.

What is your favorite Bible verse?

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear but the power of love and of a sound mind.

Why?  When I first started having rapid heart beats, I had a great fear of dying, or not being able to take care of myself.  Over the years I have learned that God doesn't have anything to do with that fear.  When things happen now and the fear comes back.  I say Lord I'm in your hands.  The devil has nothing to do with me except try to discourage me and take me from you.  But he can't I belong to you.  We have to rebuke the fear and the things the devil tries to bring to our minds.  Call on God, he comes through everytime.  I love Him and He means everything to me.

Did you have a close relationship with any of your Grandparents?

Grandaddy (Moner's Dad) was the Daddy we didn't have.  He was a very patient and loving man.  He worked hard when he was able.  I don't remember him ever going to church but he may have.  I don't remember if he ever spanked us.  I'm sure we needed it.  He would scold us if we did something we weren't suppose to.  He was sort of quiet.

Where did your Granparents live?

I don't remember we all moved to the two-story house in Collins.  Moner's parents lived with us there.  I don't know about Daddy's parents.

Do you remember your great grandparents?

No, not at all.

Tell about your relationship with your Dad.

We had none.  After your Dad and I was married and lived in Deptford Homes.  His niece also lived there and he came to visit her.  He came by our house for a few minutes.  That was the last time I saw him.

Did you and your Dad share any interests?

Nothing that I know about.

What personality traits did you get from your Dad?

My not knowing him, I don't know if I'm like him in any way.

Tell about your Father's personality, characteristics, talents, and temperament.

I didn't really know him just his face.  As for his role in the home, the night Carolyn was born he was there.  There was another time in the same house may have been before Carolyn was born.  He was sick and Moner gave him some medicine.  I wanted some and she finally gave in and gave me some.  It came back up about as fast as it went down.  I probably didn't want everything someone else had after that.