Yesterday I attended the funeral of my mother’s youngest sibling, Wallace Ralph, age 86. He died of Covid-19, complicated by pneumonia. He left behind his wife of 66 years, Jackie, and three precious adult children, plus grandchildren. And a lot of excellent cigars, which he loved. He moved around quite a bit after getting married … [Read more…]
My mother, Mary Onezima Ralph Bradley, was the fourth of nine children and her brother, Luther David Ralph, Jr., was just 18 months older than she was. On December 18, Steve and I drove to his home in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, to celebrate his 100th birthday. I wrote the following memories that I printed out for … [Read more…]
What a beautiful, sunny day to celebrate the life of my dear Aunt Juanita! Our trip to Goodlettsville, Tennessee, was uneventful and quick. We were there for the visitation and then the funeral. At the visitation, I renewed acquaintance with many cousins and enjoyed talking to eight of my NINE aunts and uncles. Uncle L.D., … [Read more…]
I knew this Queen as Aunt Juanita, for whom I was named (and for my Aunt Lola.) She was born Vivette Juanita Ralph on a farm named Vertical Plains near Goodlettsville, Tennessee, and married Tom Gilliam Hawkins not long before I was born. She was the second oldest of nine children, but was the oldest … [Read more…]
