My Brother, Mike

My brother Mike is a Pastor at the Brindley's Chapel Church of God.  Mike is the closest in age to me, with Randy being the oldest of the three of us.  Yes, I am youngest despite what Mike may say.  I remember so well the day Michael became a Christian.  It was during a revival week with Wayne Depew as the Evangelist.  Mike sought out Brother Wayne during the day in order to talk to him about the Lord and how to get saved.  When I heard at church that night that he had become a Christian it was definitely one of the happiest days of my life as no other member of my immediate family was attending church or living for the Lord at that time.

Mike grew so rapidly in his knowledge of the Word.  He and his co-workers started using their break time for Bible Study.  He was so faithful to the Lord and the church - maturing quickly in his Christian experience.  He felt God's call to go into ministry and responded and starting pastoring.  Anytime that I have been able to sit in a service with Mike's preaching, I have been blessed.  He does an excellent job of presentation, of mixing in humor and staying true to God's Word.

I am very proud of my brother Mike and the way that he has served God.  I couldn't attend Pastor Appreciation today, but I certainly do appreciate him and pray for God's best for his future.

Madden Family KY Home - If These Walls Could Talk

If These Walls Could Talk

The Story of the Madden Family home - by Peggy Madden Harmann

There would be tales of great happiness and deep sorrow; tales of everyday life in this Appalachian holler known as Bill’s Creek.

My walls were raised in the early 1900’s, most likely by Joseph Thomas and his wife Laura Napier Thomas after their Christmas Eve wedding in 1900. Joe was a hardworking timberman and a dedicated father to his three daughters: Hannah, Levi and Dora.

Life was hard in Bill’s Creek – nothing came easily. The high mountains and rocky soil made hard work and long hours a normal way of life. No doubt Joseph cut and hauled the mighty trees from which my walls were made. I was a humble building – only two rooms, but this provided shelter to my beloved occupants.

Life progressed as normal – hard work and good fun. Joe would pack in food on his horse from neighboring community stores when needed to supplement our garden produce during the icy winters and humid summers. Joe didn’t know how to read or write, but he did know how to provide for his wife and daughters.

I watched as the girls grew into pretty young ladies and married. Hannah married a local boy, Dewey Hensley, in 1918. 13-year-old Levi married Elijah “Lige” Madden in 1914, and 15-year-old Dora married Lige’s cousin, George Madden, in 1921. I would later be a home to the families of Lige & Levi as well as George & Dora Madden.

Life had been quite happy within my walls… that is until July 7, 1926 – just three days after our country celebrated the 150th anniversary of freedom. On the street in front me, disaster struck. Tempers flared, shots were fired. When the smoke cleared, Joe lay dead in the street. Later that day the other gunman, Green Presley, died. Green was the brother of Joe’s sister-in-law, Millie Presley Thomas (wife of Samuel). Both Joe and Green were buried within three days on the mountain behind me.

The absence of funeral parlors on Bill’s Creek meant that many bodies were brought within my walls for the final visit of their family and friends. Normally, family would sit up through the night, sharing their memories as well as their sorrows. Three such sad evenings followed the deaths of Lige & Levi’s children. In 1918, 5-month-old Simon died of colitus. He was followed in death by

two-year-old Martha in 1932 and two-year-old Lawrence in 1933.

George and Dora expanded my walls, adding a kitchen, dining room and bedroom over the years. After some troublesome years, George and Dora were finally remarried right in my kitchen on July 12, 1936 by Baptist minister, Akles Wynn. Their 12-year-old daughter, Verna, witnessed the ceremony along with her 2nd cousin, Green Madden.

Ten months later, another daughter, Mona Ruth, was born in one of my bedrooms. Although only five years old at the time, brother Ed remembered being told to go play at the far end of the hog yard during this birth. What excitement within my walls – another generation of the Madden family entering the world!

As Joe’s wife, Laura, entered her fifties she contracted tuberculosis. This dreaded disease was running rampant through the mining camps and called for critical measures. Abiding by doctor’s orders, she was quarantined in one of my bedrooms – shut off from the rest of the family. Dora and Verna would leave food outside her door to avoid catching the disease. Eventually Laura recovered enough to return to a more normal life.

With his hard-earned wages from the Peabody mine, George decided to invest in something innovative – a shower! A bath house was build just behind me. There, George installed one of the first showers on Bill’s Creek! A later addition included an indoor restroom – what luxury!

I watched as the children grew up and headed to Michigan – the land of jobs away from the coal mines. Verna, Ruth, and Fay returned to Bill’s Creek. Ewell and Ed were frequent visitors over the years. My walls have since been filled with happy sounds of visiting children and grandchildren.

The garden spot once plowed by Grandpa Isaac Madden and his mule still flourishes. The bushes carefully tended by Dora are still in the yard. Verna has made sure I was kept in excellent condition throughout these later years. The cemetery on the mountain has grown to include other friends and family over the years. Many things have changed on Bill’s Creek – cars and four-wheelers have replaced the horses, telephones now ring and electric lights glow in place of oil lamps. One thing has not changed – I am still regarded as the homeplace of the Madden’s of Bill’s Creek.

Ramsey Family - Charlie Ramsey

Charlie Ramsey (June 10, 1901-April 16, 1982) was the oldest of 12 children born to George W. Ramsey (June 9, 1873-October 5, 1936) and Vernie Bell Bryant Ramsey (Feb 28, 1883-June 6, 1972) in Tennessee. The George Ramsey family lived in various places - on Kuykendall Road near the Sparta Road, near Burnt Stand at present day TTU, and in the Buffalo Valley area. In 1910 the census shows them at the first address with their five oldest children, George is working as a farm laborer and has a rented home.

We have one photo of Charlie at school before age 10 and our next photo of him is when he is a young adult. He told of cutting wood with his dad in a swampy area near the current highway 1-11 and Spring Street intersection. They used a two handled saw and he said water was so very cold they could hardly stand it. Sadly, in this area his sister Sarah (1910-1914) died as a result of terrible burns when her gown caught fire as she played by the fireplace. She was a favorite of Charlie's and he was terribly saddened by her death and the subsequent death of her cousin/friend Nellie a few days later from sickness. Charlie later had an accident woodcutting, in which he cut off his big toe. He had problems with his feet his entire life.

Charlie went to work in the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps), along with approximately 3 million other young unemployed men, in the 1920's. He was assigned to build roads in Florida near Orlando and Winter Garden where he was at work in late 1925 through early 1926. During this time he was corresponding with Vinnie Mariae Ford, from Baxter, who he married in May, 1926 after his return. Their letters have many references to Charlie attending church, especially Sunday School. His faith was evident throughout his life. Their correspondence indicates that she he had been very sick the year before. She passed away in October with pregnancy-related complications.

14 months after Vinnie's death, Charlie married Alta Louise Cowan (daughter of George Staley and Mary Magdalene Exum Cowan) on Christmas Eve, 1927 during Christmas services. They lived as sharecroppers on various farms in Smith and Putnam County until he purchased the farm where they would live for many years which is approximately 80 acres and spans the White and Putnam County border. They had 8 children: Vinnie Louise (1929-2007), Maggie Frances (1930-2005), George Thomas (1932-), Ruby Nell (1934-), Martha Ann (1935-), Betty Sue (1937-), Haskell Izel (1939-), and Wilma Emma Jean (1942-).

The children tell of working very hard on the farms, helping to get in crops. Their Christmas memory was that they would be delighted to get fresh fruit - usually bananas and/or oranges. As the depression continued, Charlie eventually found that he could get work to support his family in Michigan. He went to Detroit and worked, renting a room and sending money back to Alta and the kids in TN. We have some letters written between him and Alta during those years. Eventually she took the children who remained at home and moved to Michigan. He refers to looking for a 'war' house to buy (which I mistakenly read as "wor" initially). While in Michigan most of the children dated and married and began their own families. Charlie became disabled and he, Alta and the younger children moved back to their farm in Tennessee.

We have a photo of Charlie reading his Bible at their house in Michigan and his Bible has many notes to capture sermons and his progress in reading. He read the Bible every day throughout the rest of His life. Two constants for Charlie were his attendance at church (at the Church of God Tabernacle in Michigan and Brindley's Chapel in Tennessee) and his daily reading of the Word of God. When he returned to the Tennessee farm, he expanded the original two-room log cabin to add several rooms on the back. The building material came largely from the old Brindley's Chapel Church of God building, which was replaced with a new building. Charlie loved the Lord and it was not unusual to hear him give his testimony at church about how God had saved him, sanctified him, and filled him with heaven's sweet Holy Ghost. He loved God and looked forward to seeing Jesus at His return to earth. He would rejoice, speaking in tongues and raising his hands during times of worship.

Charlie continued to work hard on the farm, despite the disability. In his early days he raised tobacco, but later felt convicted in his spirit that he shouldn't so he quit that and just went with the other basics such as hay and corn, along with a garden. He had mares (e.g. Dutch and Queen) and a mule (Mandy) that would assist with the farm chores such as plowing, discing, raking, and mowing. He never had a tractor but rather used these animal-drawn implements. He built 3 barns on his property, two which remain today. He depended on old methods. Once I was walking on the farm with a friend, Cindy, when we saw him also in the field and he said he was removing a certain weed. She told me that you couldn't get rid of them that way, that you had to use chemicals. I was glad to later notice that there was no trace of the weeds.

He raised cows, pigs and chickens. He had a black and brown dog named Sunshine who was with him much of the time. He also had a dog named Spot (white with black spots). Like any farm, there was a multitude of cats. They also had a duck named Daddles - though it was primarily grandmother Alta's pet.

Charlie was thrifty - being raised in the depression and going through such difficult times, he had to be. He recycled before recycling was trendy - keeping any leather to repair shoes and farm tack. For many years the family had to carry water uphill from the creek and did not have an indoor bathroom until the 1970's. He also appreciated things - such as his morning coffee, a cool drink of water from the dipper, his wife's cooking, his grandchildren, and his favorite rocker on his porch looking over his fields. Cards received from loved ones were put nearby on the wall of that porch where some remained well past the year 2000.

Charlie loved to go for rides on Sunday afternoons after church. Emma Jean would take him and grandmother into the mountains and valleys where they and their families had lived. They would visit friends, family, the old stores and cemeteries. He also enjoyed going to the Smoky Mountains and walking some of the short trails with Alta. He normally was very serious but then would make a joke or say something totally unexpected to make you laugh. He had an odd expression he used when others may have used profanity - 'rotten on it'. I don't think I've ever heard anyone else use that expression. He would also pronounce the color yellow as 'yellar' but that was very common for people in this area of the south at that time.

Charlie became very ill in later years and Alta and Emma Jean lovingly cared for him at home. He hurt much of the time with joint pain and chest pains. On the evening of April 16, 1982 Alta attended my wedding rehearsal. A couple of hours after returning home, cousin Alfred Fowler came to our home yelling for us to call an ambulance for Papa (Charlie). We did. Betty went to check on him, then I went over and was there with Alta, Emma Jean and some other family members as Charlie drew his last breath. He was buried at Howard Cemetery (Putnam County, TN) near his beloved sister Sarah, his mom & dad, and his grandparents and some other family members (several of these graves had been moved from the Burnt Stand Cemetery when TTU expanded).

Charlie was a man who loved God and family. We are thankful for his influence in so many ways.

Ramsey family - Vinnie Mariae Ford Ramsey

Vinnie Mariae Ford Ramsey is not related to me directly but deserves to be remembered. She was born on July 20, 1908 in Putnam County, TN. She was the daughter of William Wilson and Margie Ann Dyer Ford. Her dad, William Wilson Ford, owned and operated a general store at Baxter Crossroads. Vinnie had three older brothers (Claude, William and Bailey) and three sisters (twins: Minnie C and Myrtle Gertie, and Anna). In 1910 when Vinnie Mariae was two years old, her family was living in the 18th Civil District of Putnam County, TN near Bloomington Springs Road and Baxter Road. At that time, her father was listed as a farmer. Neighbors included their relatives of the Ford and Dyer families as well as the Whitson, Haney, Ferrell, Stout and York Families. A short distance away lived the Bryants - relatives of Charlie Ramsey (my maternal grandfather) (1901-1982). She mentions seeing Charlie's family members often.

Vinnie had fair hair - bordering between blonde and light brown. As you read her letters to Charlie on the following pages you will sense how she loved life - enjoying Sunday School and listening to records on the "Victorola." You will see that she suffered a serious sickness during the summer/fall of 1925. She expresses her hopes for the future - what she wants to be like when she grows up. You can also see the relationship growing in these letters though Charlie is away in Florida working on a road crew. Notice the references to gifts he sent from Florida as tokens of his love from a young man to his teenage sweetheart. They did marry May 23, 1926 and sadly, on October 14, 1926 she and her unborn child died of pregnancy-relaed complications. They lived in a small house near the old Baxter Speedway/Race Track. She is buried in the Dyer family cemetery in the Baxter crossroads area (near her dad's store site).

We discovered the letters after Granddaddy Ramsey died. He had kept them for nearly 60 years, lastly in the attic of the family log cabin. They were in a bag suspended on a wire to protect them from pests. It worked! Charlie later married Alta Cowan (my grandmother) and had 8 children. They lived in TN and MI then back to TN where 3 of their daughters, 1 son and several grandchildren live on their old homeplace in Putnam and White Counties. They named their first daughter after Vinnie - Vinnie Louise Ramsey (Lafever). This had to be somewhat difficult for Alta, but it was very nice that she did allow this recognition of a young lady who was Charlie's first love and who passed away so young, with her only child.

Below are some excerpts from some of those letters, written by a 18 year old TN country girl to her beloved.

August 31, 1925: "Dear Charlie, I now with pleasure answer your kind letter that came to hand a few days past. Was proud to know you thought of me to answer my letter. I am very lonesome this morning. They are all gone to pick peas, but me; and have left me to keep house. You know it will be a lot I will do all by myself. ... You said Emit said he was coming up here but he didn't come and little good it would have done him if he had are (or) any one else that came for that purpose." ... Vinnie

October 19, 1925: "Dear one, I will now try and answer your letter I received Friday... I haven't wrote to anyone except wrote Bailey a little once; he just would not believe I was getting any better unless I would him a letter.

... Listen, someone said you was going to Florida. You never mentioned it in your letter. I don't reckon I will get to go anywhere. By the time I get so I can walk, I won't have no hair. I would give anything if my hair was back like it was two months ago. I would never cut it. I never had any idea of ever cutting my hair off and was dying with my head on the pillow and knew little about it when it was cut....

How are liking Sunday School? Vanderbilt said if I did not hurry up and go to Sunday School I would not have no sweet heart at all, far somebody was getting every one of mine. I told him they could treat me anyway while I am at home but somebody will have me to whip when I get so I can go.

... Your loving friend, Vinnie Mariae

p.s. When you get old and ugly, as old folks often do;

remember you have a friend that is old and ugly too."

Jan 30, 1926: "Well Dear: ... was proud to hear from you and know you had not forgot me. .. I am very lonesome today. I would indeed like to see you. It sure is a nice day here today. If you was here, we would go somewhere. I stay at home all the time. I hope you are having a fine time. Have you seen anyone down there like me?... When you can, I want you to have some pictures made and send me one.. While you are with so many pretty girls, you must not forget me for there is no one in Florida that loves you like me.... Your lover as ever, Vinnie."

Feb 19, 1926: "Mr. Charlie Ramsey: My dearest one I will write you this afternoon. We may have to quit writing, but if we do you need not get mad at me for I won't be to blame and will love you just as dear as ever and lots butter; but that don't mean that I won't love you when you get back and I will go with you then or die. .. It sure is cold up here today and snowing so you can't see nothing. I sure wish I was down there with you for I don't think anyone loves me up here. I think you love me... Remember me, Vinnie."

March 17, 1926: "Dear One, What are you engaged in today? For me I am thinking only of you... Guess I will tell you of the wedding that took place in Ensor last Sunday. .. Don't think there can surely be many more weddings down that way unless some part and marry again, do you? Dear, looks like I ought to get a chance if some or all of those folks do. Guess I am not pretty enough, don't you Dear. ... Love lover, Vinnie"

April 1, 1926: "My Dear One, ... I had gave up all hopes of hearing from you... You said you had been going to church. Dear, it has been a long time since I was at church... Papa would not let us go. I did not feel like going but Myrtle wanted me to go with her...Guess I will sometimes be old, but I hope won't be like Pa. ... I am sure I would not find anyone else I had rather be with nor any better-looking either... Now hurry up and come home and we will go (to Sunday School). Listen dear, I was proud to get the song you sent me. Sure was pretty. When are you coming home? It seems like it has been a year since I have saw you and not been three months. I hope it won't be three more... (talks about a problem and says)... did not care whether I live or didn't. ... Vinnie Ford

undated..."Dear Charlie... Wonder if you are thinking of this lonesome kid dear. There is but a few months past since I first went with you, but what you are in my mind. I know if you care as much for me as I do you there is no one that can part our love..... Your loving one as ever, Vinnie"

undated "Dearest One, ... are you going back when you come home or do you mean to stay here. If you go back, guess I will have to go back with you if you will let me. Will you? Have you found you any girl down there... Yes, I got the book you sent me... Your friend, Vinnie

undated "... I am lonesome not been any other way since you left. You said you was at work on the road. You must not work too hard, you know. .. You said you didn't guess I would look at you. Why, dear, there is no one on earth could keep me from loving you when you come back I will be the same to you as I was when you left. ..I would like to see you but I am not going to rush you for there is nothing here and you know this yourself... Your friend as ever, Vinnie Ford.

If we locate any interested descendants of Vinnie's family, I will be glad to share the letters in their entirety.

Birthday Celebrations

Last week we had a birthday party for my mom on her 74th birthday. We also celebrated the birthday of Brittany, nephew Randall's wife. We had mom's two great grandsons, Evan & Caleb, at the party and got some very nice photos of 4 generations with the kids. I was glad my brother Randy was willing to have his picture taken, he is often very resistant to that idea!

Generally, birthdays have often been a time for our family to get together. When my kids were young and there were fewer in the family, we usually had a family get together for every birthday. Over time it became the responsibility of the adults in the family with the birthday to set it up so things are done in various ways. We just watched a video the other day of E's 2nd birthday party. Verna, Ruth and Fay were there from KY, my dad was in the video, and we remembered some great times as we watched the video and laughed together.

A work birthdays were important to me, too. I have always tried to recognize the birthdays of people that were on my staff, but over time that became a deliberate effort of celebration to recognize my peers, bosses, etc. My birthday list expanded to hundreds of people and now, with the kids at church, it has grown even more. Remembering birthdays gives us a great time to celebrate with one another in big ways or small ways. We almost always appreciate birthday wishes. Since retiring I haven't been as good about checking my list each week so I've missed some important birthdays. I am going to try to be better about this in the future. My family and friends are a great blessing to me and I would like to make their days better by remembering their special days.