Medley of Memories... : June 2014

in my early years at 1101 South Main Street....

Mama and Daddy - They loved me and took care of me. They gave me the best two brothers a sister could have. They also gave me roots, and when the time was right they gave me wings.

Aunt Ruby and Jewell Dean who were our neighbors until we moved to English Court when I was twelve years old. It was like I had another mama and a big sister.

Grandma and Grandpa who was our rock....so patient and so sweet..

Lee Freeman who lived next door to us and was very fashion forward. I didn't know that term back then. She always looked as if she just stepped out of the salon. She would talk to me like I was grown up. She was a good listener. I remember being so happy every time I was able to spend time with her.

Mrs. Pratt who was also a neighbor. She would invite me to come over and play with her daughter Nancy. Most of us in the neighborhood would just play with whomever had a game going. I always loved playing with Nancy, and she was a big influence for me. I always thought she missed out a lot by not being a part of us kids playing outside. I did learn early that everyone is not happy doing what everyone else does. They had a good life and was well respected.

Katie and Preston Loflin lived behind us. Their house faced Hamilton Street. Katie was an educated and outgoing lady. She played the piano and was always busy doing something. Her sister and nephew lived with them. Freddie was my age so we saw each other most days, and were in the same class several years at Cloverdale.

Mildred Stroud and her family owned Stroud's Grocery on Hamilton. You could watch Mildred with the customers and learn so much about life. Of course, at the time, I didn't realize how much she would pop up in my mind in years to come. What would Mildred do? Jewell Dean would go to Stroud's most every day, and I would always tag along. I wish my children could have been able to walk to a neighborhood store everyday that had a "Mildred" working there.

Shorty who owned the cafe not many steps from our house. I can close my eyes and see him now. He was a busy little fellow who would always make you feel as if you were an important person. He would let us roller skate in front of his cafe.

Mrs. Peace and Slim worked at Big Bear across the street from us on Main Street. I probably didn't say ten words to them in the dozen years I went over there with Daddy, but I just remember them being so nice to me. Most of the time, Slim would have a treat for us kids.

The policeman who helped us cross the street when we walked to school. He would stop the traffic to let us walk across Main Street. I don't know if that was Cloverdale Street, but there was an A & P on one corner and Arthur's Pharmacy on the other. He knew all our names...He gave us passes to the kiddie show...He talked to us....I can see him in my mind, but I can't remember his name.

The Way's lived across the street. I played with Loretta and Bobby..they had younger brothers who were still pretty small when we moved from Main Street. I remember the dad, Hurley, as a very quiet distinguished man. His wife, Beatrice, was a very busy mom. When my Uncle Henry married Myrtle she already had several children, one of which was Beatrice. I remember Myrtle's son whom everyone called "Shorty", and he worked in a grocery store for a long time. His last name was Pitts. They were a good family.

All the congregation at Pilgrim Holiness Church..from 1945 till 1953. I loved going to Sunday School and Bible School in the summers. It seems like at least once a month, we would be in a play; and we would go to practice several times a week....so much fun..Preacher Grout, Mrs. Nance, Mrs. McDowell.. These three people stand out in my memory. They taught us to memorize Bible Verses and songs which led us to reading our Bibles and loving to sing songs about Jesus.