Some thoughts and more history....

Pa's best friend (Kenneth Hubbard) has been sick off and on for a while. I took him often to visit, and they always had a grand time. It was fun just listening to them banter back and forth. Lots of wisdom, memories, laughs, etc...it was priceless. The last visit was in the hospital. When we came in the room, he just lit up, like always. He said something that stuck in my mind, and I asked Pa about it as we were leaving that day. He said, "I hate for this to happen at the holidays. I just hate it for the kids." I asked Pa what that was all about, and Pa thought that he was just confused as to the time of year. It stuck with me because (even though he was getting better and expected to go home the next day) I felt that he knew he was going to pass away close to a holiday. Some people just know.
Sadly, he did pass away the day before Thanksgiving. The service was scheduled over the weekend. I couldn't take Pa because I was having the other side of the family here for the Thanksgiving dinner. Thank the Lord for the sweet neighbor lady who took him for me. They left early and took a little more history tour. She was gracious enough to also take pics to share with me. Enjoy!

This is called the Browntown Schoolhouse. It's a miracle that any of these buildings are standing!

This is the house where Pa and Granny (whom he was married to for 52 years) first lived when they were first married. It was built maybe in the early 20's or 30's by his Dad.

Here's a view of the back side.

The neat story behind this: Pa and Granny moved in here with Pa's family. Pa's Dad had built another house up the hollow from this one on Calf Creek, so about a week later, that's where the rest of the family moved to after Pa and Granny moved into this one.
About 2 years after they were married, Pa and Granny got a little place closer to Bear Creek, and the rest of the family ended up moving back into this house.

I guess there really is just no place like home.

History with Pa (Part 2)

In Dongola, just North of Marshall, there is a little farm of about 65 acres. This little farm used to belong to my Pa and Granny.
On this property lies 2 Civil War graves. I'm sure there are more, but these two are the only documented and marked ones on the property.

The men are actually in one grave together, because their wives had to bury them by themselves....by hand....and in a hurry. The headstones themselves were placed by the Government in the 60's, I think. There is a document detailing the battle and the burial, but it's at Pa's house.

Dongola Cemetery is also where most of Granny's family is buried, and now Granny, Mom, and Norman are there, too. It's where (if the Lord tarries), Pa will be (next to Granny).

The following pics are difficult for me, because the thought of not having Pa here is too much for my heart to bear. We talk everyday, and there aren't words to explain what he means to me. Anyway, here's Dongola:

Pa planted those maple trees himself. They came from that little farm.

By the way, I didn't take these pictures. I just couldn't. A friend and neighbor of Pa's took the photos.

I know Pa still misses Granny. After 52 years together, you can understand why.

History with Pa (Part 1)

Pa went to school in a one-room school house called Burr Oak. Can you believe that building is still standing?

Pa and I have been working on organizing a Class Reunion for him. Can you believe that so far we have 14 committed to coming?

Here are a few pics of our tour of the building. No electricity or running water, but a lot of memories for him. Enjoy a little history!

This building is the original wood and chimney. The only change was the tin roof.

This is one of the original desks, just painted over. Yes, that is a tree growing into the window.

Pa leaving his mark, hahahaha! Yes, that is the original chalk board. The theatre seats were added later, when they used the building for a church.

There you have it! Pa (a.k.a. Leroy McInturff) began school at age 10 in 1933, completed the 8th grade in a short amount of time, then went to CCC camps before entering the Navy. He doesn't believe he's smart, but I believe he has a lot more wisdom than many scholars I have met. Just sayin'.

Coffman Funeral Home of Harrison and Jasper: Obituaries

Coffman Funeral Home of Harrison and Jasper: Obituaries