GRANNY KILGORE...Bridges, Storms, Dogs, Cooking, & Singing

Memories may be recalled, but many times they veil themselves as if in an early morning fog, which shifts and disappears as the sun appears.  Some memories are capsules of a single occurrence, locked in the storage of one’s mind.  Such is the case with three distinct memories I have of Granny Kilgore.  Each memory is fuzzy at best, but at the same time; clear enough to have a still -shot colored photograph of it in my mind’s memory chip. 

But before I share my three Granny Kilgore still- shots, my first cousin, Ronald J. McKeever, recently sent me some memories he has of Granny Kilgore, which he wanted to share with everyone:

Our Granny Kilgore feared bridges and crossing water.  Many times when they would travel by mule and wagon to Nauvoo, they had to cross Blackwater Creek, over a one-lane metal structure bridge, laced with wooden boards.  Oftentimes, the mule would balked about crossing and Granny Kilgore always insisted on getting off the wagon and walking across the bridge after the wagon had crossed. When we McKeevers moved back from West Virginia in 1951, it became my duty to travel with Granny when she would go somewhere to spend a night or two.  On one occasion, we were going to visit Ruth and Ted, who had recently moved to Guntersville, where Ted had become Forest Ranger for Marshall County.  This trip involved catching the bus in Double Springs and going through Cullman, Arab and into Gunetersville.  Guntersville is on an island and from Arab, you cross the causeway, which is about two miles and crosses a couple of bridges.  Granny insisted that I instruct the bus driver that she wanted to walk across, rather than ride the bus two miles to the shoreline.  I assured her that the driver had done this many times and he would not let her off that far away from the bus station.  I am not sure but I think she held her breath and prayed for the two miles until we reached the other side.  We did make it safely both ways.

I appreciate Ronnie capturing a part of Granny’s personality that we may not have known, or may have forgotten.  I also remember Granny Kilgore being extremely fearful of storms.  Many people are, but she was to the point of having an anxiety attack any time a storm hit.  I often wondered what might have occurred in her younger days that made her so fearful. 

I can also recall Granny Kilgore being so fearful of a family pet dog we owned when I was a young child.  It was a beautiful, English bulldog.  One day Granny was baby sitting us in our home while mother and daddy went somewhere.   For some reason, Granny had to go outside to the backyard, where she encountered the bulldog, which could sense her fear, resulting in the dog attacking her.  She got away, but not without having some flesh taken from her legs.  When Daddy got home and saw his mother hurt from the dog attack, with angry justification, he grabbed his shotgun and went out the back door.  Not long after, we heard the loud blast of the gun. As mother explained the reason for Daddy's actions, he was outside burying the dog.  It was such a sad time because Granny was hurt and our pet was dead.

Now I begin the stories of my three still- shot memories of Granny Kilgore.  The first one is the fuzziest memory, but it involves a summer revival at the church our family attended in Nauvoo, Alabama.  New Oak Grove always had a two-week summer revival in June with services both in the morning and the evening.  It was a special time when people could host the guest evangelist for lunch.  Granny Kilgore was doing just that.  She had the preacher, the guest evangelist, and my family there to enjoy her cooking. Granny had cooked quite a spread on her wood-burning stove.    The round table holding all the food was in the same room where she had prepared the food.  (As a side note, that table is presently our main table in my home. I had it restored when I lived in Wetumpka, Alabama more than thirty years ago.  The chairs that went with the table have never been restored.   They are still in Granny Kilgore’s house, and I hope to restore them someday.)  

Now back to my story.  Granny Kilgore had been cooking all morning.  There was so much food that there was little room to sit around the table, but all the adults did just that.  The adults ate first.  I  can recall going into the kitchen, seeing all that food, and wishing for the pulley bone.    I was told that I could get what was left over after the adults had eaten.  We had to eat in shifts, and when it was time for the children, there was no pulley bone there to enjoy.  In fact, there was no chicken left at all except for the wings.  Needless to say, I was a disappointed kid.

My second still-shot memory is also in a kitchen, but it was in Granny Kilgore’s newer kitchen, the one off her bedroom and living space.    The newer kitchen was originally an enclosed back porch that was converted into a modern kitchen with a big white sink connected to running water, an electric Frigidaire stove and refrigerator, and a rectangular red table off to one end. 

The small kitchen was narrow with a slanted ceiling, but at the same time, very long. The slanted ceiling had Celotex tiles and the wall was painted with  two colors, white on top and a bright off- green on bottom.  It was very modern in contrast to the rest of the house.  In that room, I recall, in living color, having Granny Kilgore’s cat head biscuits.  The are called “cat head” biscuits because they are as big as a cat’s head.  Granny’s Kilgore’s biscuits may have been even bigger than a cat’s head because they were enormous.  They were also good! Oh, so good, especially with Golden Eagle syrup.

Granny Kilgore also took great pride in making what she considered a good hot chocolate drink.  Although I drank it, I had to pretend to enjoy it so I would not hurt her feelings.  The drink was made with a large amount of water, very little milk or no milk at all, and some cocoa with sugar.  It was very watered down, and not creamy and rich at all.  She never knew I didn’t care for it. At the same time, I so appreciated the love she displayed by taking time to make her hot chocolate for me.

The third picture memory of Granny Kilgore is of her sitting in her big rocker in the corner of her bedroom near the fireplace, while I sat on a stool next to her.  In her hand was a songbook of church hymns.  She opened the book to one of her favorite hymns and sang      “Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee!  E’en though it be a cross That raiseth me!  Still all my song shall be, Nearer, my God, to Thee!   Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee!” 

(Words by Sarah F. Adams and Music by Lowell Mason)  

She would tilt the songbook closer to me as she had me to sing along with her.

Now, many years later, I’m still singing those old hymns, and I know Granny is doing the same up in Heaven.  While writing this post, I’m actually singing, “Precious Memories.”  Granny is singing near to God in Heaven!  And for her, there is no more fear…. of narrow bridges, crossing water, facing storms, and certainly no fear of aggressive dogs.

I sign off now as Granny Kilgore's grandson, Johnny Kilgore.

CLOCK REMEMBRANCES IN THE KILGORE FAMILY

Johnie Thomas Kilgore, son of Virge and Sarah Kilgore of Nauvoo, Alabama, was the middle child of nine living children.  His youngest brother was my father, Cecil Kilgore.  Johnie’s life was cut short by a freak motorcycle accident in March 1939.  Everyone who knew Johnie Kilgore spoke his name with a special reverence.  Though I was not born until long after his death, I knew of him in so many ways.  One of those ways was through a little timepiece belonging to the uncle I did not know.  That little clock was always in our house as I grew up.

The clock is a Westclox Baby Ben, Style 4, manufactured between1934 and 1939.  Johnie’s clock was purchased, at the earliest, in late 1936.  The reason I know that is because it was not until late1936 that the wording on the dials was changed from “Made by Western Clock Co.” to read “Made by Westclox.” Based on research, the base cost of the clock when it was manufactured was $2.95.  That was a lot of money during the 30’s. 

The case of the Baby Ben style 4 is a modification of style 3.  There is no matting ring between the dial and the glass, and the base has two convex curves (one on each side) instead of four concave curves.  The glass is convex.  Baby Ben style 4, when introduced in 1934, came in two case colors.  The ivory case with brass trim had a white non-luminous dial with black figures, or a brown-banded luminous dial.  The black (actually called gunmetal, a grayish metallic paint) case with nickel trim had a white non-luminous dial with black figures, or a solid black luminous dial. The key to wind the alarm was lower on the back than on style 3, and there was a sliding cover on the regulator slot, which was also used on styles 5 through 8 that followed.   Another interesting note is that in Style 4, the numbers, 9 and 6 used a curved tail, while in later styles those numbers had a straight tail. Also the word, “Westclox” is smaller than the words  “Baby Ben” on the Style 4 clocks. The base identification number is 61N.   Johnie’s clock used a loud alarm instead of a chime alarm, which was distinguished as Style 4 A.

Here is a photograph of Uncle Johnie’s clock in its present condition.  As you can see in the picture, the gun metal black has worn off through the years, leaving the nickel metal exposed.  Originally, only the nickel rim would have been exposed along with the back, and the case would have been totally black.  You can see some of that black on the base in its present condition.  

In my childhood, clocks and watches were not common items as they became in later years.  I always felt Johnie’s clock was special because of who owned it.  It was part of Uncle Johnie’s life and so it became part of our lives.  It was of the old guard of clocks because it was strictly mechanical.  It had to be wound daily, otherwise, it would stop.  I remember the Baby Ben with the black face moving about the house depending on who needed it.  I believe that the clock accompanied me to band camp in my teenage years.  It was rare that the clock ever left the house because it was guarded carefully.  It held special sentimental value.  That value has not decreased in any way through the years.  When Mother gave me the clock, it would not work.  I recently took it to a clock smith to have it repaired.  It works fine now!

Strangely enough, I also have in my possession a Big Ben clock, which belonged to Lou Etta “Sis” Kilgore Romans, the oldest sister of Johnie Thomas Kilgore.  Sis was 7 years older than Johnie.  For many years before her marriage to Jerdy Romans, she was like a second mother to her younger siblings.  After Sis’ death on April 10, 1986, some of her possessions were willed or given to her siblings. Among those was a Westclox Big Ben clock, which was given to my daddy.

The clock itself holds no family memories as Uncle Johnie’s clock did.  But it is still special because it does serve as a remembrance of a wonderful aunt.   On the base of the clock is a tag which reads “ Strickland Rexall Drug Co.” and in pencil, the price of $9.25.  The clock itself is a stylish modern 60’s looking clock.  In my research, I discovered that Aunt Sis’ Big Ben is a white style 8 Big Ben alarm clock with brass trim and non-luminous dial.  It was initially introduced in 1964 and was discontinued in 1980.  The initial retail was $8.98.  Just like Uncle Johnie’s clock, it is spring- loaded and must be wound each day.  Sis’ clock still works and did not need any repair.  Here is a photograph of the clock for you to see.

Some of the factual information about these two clocks was found on the internet and I acknowledge the sources at this time: Westclox-An Identification and Price Guide, Gary Biolchini, Schiffer Publishing, 2003, ISBN 0-7643-1835-7; The Westclox Big Ben and Baby Ben Identification Guide, Richard Tjarks and Bill Stoddard, revised edition, 2011.

These two vintage timepieces are a link to the past and certainly stir the imagination about the lives of those who owned them.  If the clocks could talk, there would certainly be stories to tell.  These clocks serve as a reminder that time moves on. At the same time, because of their ties with our loves ones, they also serve as a token of the lives lived.  They are special keepsakes.

In Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3 there are some familiar verses that tell us of the mystery of time.  I conclude this post by quoting the opening verse.  "There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven."(Christian Standard Bible).  So goes this blog post activity as I share with you an occasion to look at two clocks belonging to our Kilgore ancestors.  Just remember that in His time, God makes all things beautiful and He does not even need a clock. 

Johnny Kilgore

REMEMBERING OUR KILGORE RELATIVES BURIED IN CEMETERIES AWAY FROM OUR NAUVOO ROOTS

Many of the descendants of Virge and Sarah Kilgore are buried in three cemeteries near the communities of Nauvoo and Poplar Springs in Winston and Walker counties in Northwest Alabama.  Previously, I featured each of these cemeteries in a blog trilogy, displaying photographs of the gravestones of those buried at Old Bethel, Bennett, and New Oak Grove.  This post is very similar, but features other cemeteries outside the three already mentioned.   

There are four specific areas of Alabama where some of Papa and Granny Kilgore’s descendants are buried that do not involve the Nauvoo perimeter.  Those locations are Jasper, Clanton, Sheffield, and Albertville.  Our relatives who are buried in those locations lived and worked there, or in some cases, moved there to live out their retirement years.

Jasper is the closest location to the Kilgore farm in Nauvoo.  The city of Jasper, though small in comparison to the metropolitan area of Birmingham, always was a major city for local commerce.  It is only approximately 18 miles away from the Kilgore old home place.  The relatives who lived and worked in and around Jasper were, for the most part, from the Dolly Kilgore Gordon Sherer family.

Aunt Dolly and Uncle Jack were very active at New Prospect Baptist Church in Jasper.  Jack was a top-notch carpenter and he had much to do with the building of the present sanctuary of New Prospect.  Uncle Jack was Dolly’s second husband.  Her first husband, Johnny Gordon, died in l929 at the very young age of 25. There were two children born from that marriage, James Gordon and Jacqueline Gordon.  All these precious family members are buried in two separate cemeteries on Alabama Highway 5, just north of Jasper. These cemeteries are located on either side of New Prospect Baptist Church.  the older cemetery was church established and eventually owned by the city of Jasper and the other  cemetery is privately owned.  

Aunt Dolly and Uncle Jack are buried in the cemetery established by New Prospect Baptist Church.  New Prospect Cemetery has its annual decoration day on the second Sunday in May.  Uncle Jack and Aunt Dolly loved their church and loved serving their Lord there. My sister, Rebecca Kilgore Smith, is serving the very same church today as Music Director.  I know Aunt Dolly and Uncle Jack would be proud.

 I can recall, as a teenager, one visit in Aunt Dolly and Uncle Jack’s home when Uncle Jack and Aunt Dolly talked about how important it was to tithe.  They lived out their faith through service and by giving the Lord his tithe.  That really made an impression on me.  Aunt Dolly played the piano and played it quite well.  When my family visited in their home, she always sent me to the piano that was located in the parlor to hear me play. Mother recently found a cassette tape recording of Aunt Dolly playing the piano during one visit.   Aunt Dolly was a terrific cook, and I also recall some wonderful meals around her table. These are great memories.  How fitting that these two are buried in the cemetery founded by the church where they invested their lives.  I honor these two Godly people now as I show photograph of their gravestones.

                                                      

 

The other cemetery adjacent to New Prospect Baptist Church is called Walker Memory Gardens.  This cemetery does not allow upright grave markers.  Instead, the markers are flush with the ground.  There are many inscriptions in bronze on slabs of large granite.  We have many cousins and/or their spouses buried in this cemetery.  They are descendants of Dolly Kilgore Gordon Sherer.

I would like to list them now, mentioning their relationship to Dolly and honoring them by displaying their gravestones.

First, there is Johnny Gordon, Dolly Kilgore’s first husband and the father of James and Jacqueline Gordon.  He was born in September 1903 and died in May 1929.  Dolly was 20 years old when her first husband, Johnny, died.  Dolly's daughter, Jacqueline was 2 years old and her son, James was  6 months old when their father died.

There is Dolly’s son, James Gordon, Sr., who was born in November 1928 and died February 1999.  James’ wife, Mildred, is buried next to him.  Mildred died in January of 2012.

There is Dolly’s grandson, Johnny James Gordon, who was the oldest son of James and Mildred Gordon.  Johnny died in 2001 at the age of 51 years old.

There is Dolly’s oldest child, Jacqueline Gordon Cordes/Gentry, who was born in May 1927 and died in February 2007.   “Jackie” is buried next to her daughter, Patti Cordes Lawson, Dolly's granddaughter who died at the age of 42 years.  Next to Patti is her father and Jackie's first husband, Ruben Cordes.  Ruben died in 1974.

Alan Dale Sherer, Dolly’s only child by her second husband, Jack Sherer, has a grave marker in Walker Memory Gardens where his first wife, Carol, is buried.  Carol died in July 2003.

Now let us travel from Jasper to Clanton, Alabama where Ruby Kilgore Chadwick lived. Ruby and her husband, Johnny, moved to Clanton after retirement to get away from the big city of Birmingham.  Clanton is located in Chilton County, in the middle of the state.  Ruby and Johnny were active members of Concord Baptist Church, located just off of I-65 just north of Clanton.  Ruby and Johnny are buried in Concord Cemetery next to the church.   The address is 1184 County Road 28, Clanton, Alabama. Uncle Johnny died in 1993 and Aunt Ruby died in 2001.    I honor them now as I display a photograph of their gravestone.

Aunt Ruby and Uncle Johnny were wonderfully precious people who lived a full life raising three brilliant and beautiful girls and one older intelligent son, Dr. William Raymond Chadwick who we called “Billy” or “Bill.”  Billy was a chiropractor whose practice was in Clanton, Alabama.  He raised his family there, and Billy’s two daughters, Leah and Rachel, still live there raising their own families.  Billy died in July 2009 and is buried in Martin Memorial Cemetery.  The cemetery is located on Yellow Leaf Road in Clanton, Alabama.  I honor him now as I display the photograph of his grave marker.

We now direct our attention to the Sand Mountain area of north Alabama, where Virge and Sarah Kilgore’s daughter, Ruth Kilgore Spain and her husband, Ted, lived, retired, and died.  Ruth and Ted have some children and grandchildren who still live in the area.  Ruth and Ted Spain are buried in Marshall Memorial Gardens, 3368 Highway 205 North, Albertville, Alabama 35950.  The special Decoration Day for the cemetery is the fourth Sunday in May. The area also holds a special place in my heart because my sweet wife, Pat Colvin Kilgore, is originally from Albertville.  Her parents are buried in the Memory Hill Cemetery there.  I honor my Aunt Ruth and Uncle Ted now by showing a photograph of their grave marker.

From Albertville we move to the extreme northwest corner of the state, the quad-cities of Florence, Tuscumbia, Muscle Shoals, and Sheffield.  Papa Kilgore’s oldest son and his wife, Grady and Nettie, retired in the area because their three children and grandchildren lived in the area.  Grady and Nettie are buried at Colbert Memorial Gardens, 502 Montgomery Avenue, Sheffield, Alabama 35660. 

I honor Grady and Nettie now by showing a picture of their grave marker.

Jimmy Kilgore, Grady Kilgore’s middle son, has two loved ones also buried at Colbert Memorial Gardens.  They are his first wife, Wanda, and their son, Donald Trent Kilgore.  Donald was born on September 10, 1979 and died two days later.  Wanda died May 21, 2005.   I honor them as I show a photograph of their grave markers.

Recently I received a phone call from Jimmy Kilgore telling me about the graves of two of our ancestors, which are located in the woods southwest of the Cecil Kilgore property.  In those early days, many people were buried on their home place instead of a cemetery.  Jimmy recalls being taken to these graves by his dad during his younger days.  These are the graves of the grandparents of our grandmother, Sarah Noles Kilgore.  Granny Kilgore’s mother was Martha Jane King before she married Thomas Louis Noles.  Martha’s parents were William M. King and Elizabeth Rushing King.  The graves Jimmy is referring to belong to William and Elizabeth.  (NOTE: Correction made January, 2013 that these graves are not the grandparents of Granny Kilgore.  The graves are of H. W. King and Mary Jane King, uncle and aunt of Granny Kilgore.  Henry Wilson King was Martha Jane King Noles's brother.) At some point I will post something about all this when Jimmy and I take a trip through the woods to find their grave markers. (See blog entitled "Quest for the Hidden Cemetery posted January 9, 2012)

I want to thank some relatives who helped me with the information and photographs for this post.  Those contributors were my sister, Rebecca Kilgore Smith, Billy Chadwick’s daughter, Rachel Chadwick Tilley, Joan Spain Irvin, and Jimmy Kilgore’s second wife, Sandra.  Thank you so much for your help.  

May this record help us to honor those who have preceded us in death.

Johnny Kilgore