Ora and Lizzy was married in Monroe Co. but had their wedding picture
taken in Brown Co. by T.C. Steele. After the marriage while on the way
home, while crossing the Oscar Owens bottom, Ora said to Lizzy "You game
to tear them Up?" Meaning the marriage licence. Lizzy never could
withstand a dare so she tore them up and threw the paper off the Nancy
Jane Bridge as they crossed in the buggy.
Winford told this story to Jeanette Richart about how his mom liked to
laugh. Lizzy liked to go to church. She always rode with Orville Frye and
his wife. After church one night at Paynetown, Lizzy had Orville's
daughter, Marcella, by the hand. She was about eight. The minister came
by and was talking to Lizzy and he turned and said to Marcella. "I hear
you are learning to play the piano. Maybe you can play for us at church
some night." Marcella replied," Yes, I can play two songs really well. '
Hand me down my walking cane' and 'Ain't a gone walk this road no more'.
Both were drinking songs and the ministers expression sent Lizzy into
laughter for days. She would say,"You should have seen his face."
Winford said his mother had lots of hardships in her life, but one of
the things he remembers the best about her was her ability to laugh,even
at her troubles.
Since this story is being included here. I would like a chance to say.
They were songs about reformed drunks. And I think they would have been
quite fitting for church. I can remember Aunt Lizzy laughing all the way
home and telling my parents she would tell them later what was so funny.
And I waited for weeks to be asked to play the piano at church, but the
preacher never did ask me.
I remember Aunt Lizzy very well and I loved her very much. She lived
right across the creek from us and she would come and play with me like
another kid. When I was about three and too young to remember much I was
very sick. But I do remember Lizzy coming and rocking me, and singing to
me. She told me she never had any little girls so she liked to play with
me.
My Uncle Ben liked to call me Lizzy because he said I had her sence of
humor. I thought it was a great compliment.
I was heart broken when she passed away. I remembered all the trouble
she had and how she was so kind to me. She was a very special person.
My daughter's middle name is Beth. I took it from Lizzys' name
Elizabeth. And I have a granddaughter Emilee Elizabeth.
Marcella Frye Deckard