General Notes

Custom Field:<_FA#> She played the piano in her youth.@@S726784@@Date of Import: Jul 31, 2003
Custom Field:<_FA#> 27 Dec 1989"Mother" is written on her stone.@@S726784@@Date of Import: Jul 31, 2003
Address:<ADDR> 1925 West St
Montgomery
AL
36106
USA
[coosa1.ged]
Besides her given name, Kate had a few other names given to her. She even
gave one to herself. Her parents did not give her a middle name. Later
she gave herself a first name of Mary.  She was called Katie by her
friends. Her sister-in-law, Gladys, called her Hannah, which is a Hebrew
name, meaning gracious. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren called
her, Nannie. Her sister, Foye, referred to her and called her Sister in
conversation as well as in writing.
The Two Mules
The candy's colors of red and white had to be sweet I thought.  Three
for a penny seemed to be a bargain. And it had to be good quality.  Why
else would the storeowner secure the candy sticks in a jar? Pa Pa always
likes for us to be thrifty, especially when we buy the best.
"Pa Pa, can you buy that peppermint candy for Foye and me? One for
me, one for Foye, and one for you too. And just for a penny, Pa Pa," I
said quickly and excitedly as an after thought.
"Not now, Kate. Can't you see I'm talking," replied Pa Pa firmly but
gently.
I knew to be quite now. Pa Pa never needed to repeat himself with
Foye and me or for that matter with anyone. Even though gentleness was
his way with everyone, all knew he would take a stand when the need
arose.  His tireless strength at chopping, hauling, lifting, plowing, and
fighting with stamina had been seen by all in the community. Not only was
his physique muscular, his tanned face displayed youthful intensity and
assuredness in his conduct with others.  His dark brown hair was soft but
always in place and cut neatly.  His soft brown eyes focused on all his
actives as well as others when he spoke and listened. Yet, gentleness
radiated from him.  Even his nickname exposed that wonderful gentleness -
Johnsee.  He was a good looker too. Women's eyes stared at him politely.
Their heads would turn when he walked the streets of Troy.  My mother,
Ella, knew it too, but she only smiled slightly when her eyes fixed upon
the embarrassed ladies who she caught gazing at him.
I knew to wait. He would ask me about the candy when the conversation
ended.
"It's the wettest spring I've ever seen or can remember," said
storeowner Sid. "Why look at my calendar. It has rained almost every day
this month and it has just about been the same for the past two months."
Everyone turned and looked at his picture calendar which had a red
letter "R" written over most of the days of May. Some nodded.  Some
hummed in agreement. I stared in awe and never forgot the rare scene. Men
in total agreement.
"The only day I remember not raining in April was on Kate's tenth
birthday," said Pa Pa.
He winked at me. I couldn't help smiling. I glanced at Foye. Her eyes
fixed on the peppermint.
"Pa Pa."
"Not now," Pa Pa said as he raised his hand and placed a single
pointed finger on his lips.
The men began their weather conversation again. Their voices faded
into a jumble sound as I approached Foye. She was my younger sister of
four siblings. We were buddies, even though I was a little jealous of her
from time to time. I used to be Pa Pa's only girl.  The rest of my
siblings were older boys - Albert, Hop, and J. C. They were at home doing
the chores.  I wonder if Hop had finish chopping the cotton. He promised
to take me fishing later in the evening.  I then heard Sid's voice raise
above the fray.
"Johnsee, I have everything added up. Is there anything else you
need?"
"That candy in the jar, the peppermint. Three for a penny? What if I
only want one piece, do I get change back on the penny?"
"You could," grinned Sid.
"Papa don't tease me. You know you can't get change from a penny," I
softly uttered