My friend, Kiki, suggested we participate in this lovely challenge to share some stories of our maternal grandmothers as part of our genealogy preservation work. I have actually always meant to write more about mine. As an adopted child, I was not blessed to know my biological grandmothers, but I do have some photographs of them and know from my older brother and some other relatives that they were special.
My Biological Grandmother
Anna Laura McGuire Allman
Born: March 14, 1914
Watauga, NC
Died: July 5, 1978
Salisbury, NC
Parents: Dell Mack McGuire and Frances Arbella Howell
Step-Mother: Ada Trivette McGuire
Siblings: Verna Lee McGuire, Mack Howell McGuire, Idella Mae McGuire, Claude Allen McGuire, Robert R. McGuire, James Monroe McGuire & William Howard McGuire
Spouse: Barner James Allman
Step-Children: Betty Jean Allman and James Ray Allman
Children: Ronald Dell Allman and Connie Nell Allman
Anna was a shy young girl who was very close to her family. Her mother died when she was at the tender age of 15. Her youngest brother, Bill, was only 2 at the time and was lying in the bed with his mother when she passed away unexpectedly. I can only imagine the trauma this caused to the family. Her oldest sibling was 20 and probably already out of the house. Anna's sister, Idella, who was about 17 did take over many duties of the family matron. Her poor father was left to care for his 8 children the best he could. He later found a wonderful woman named Ada to love and care for him and his children. Even after Dell's death in 1956, Ada lived on to care for her husband's children and grandchildren until 1979. I know she was there to help care for my older brother, Paul, as a young child.
Grandma Ada holds great-grandson, Neal, with daughter Anna and granddaughter Connie.
Grandma Ada helps granddaughter Connie care for her first son, Paul.
Grandma Ada was such a sweet and special lady.
The oldest picture I have of Grandma Anna is this one with her in the middle in a wheel chair between her sister, Idella, and son Ronnie. I am not sure what afflictions she suffered, but she is younger than her sister Idella who looks so young and hip here in the 70s. I can remember a little of Aunt Idella. I don't think she ever married or had children, but she was so beautiful and fun. Just look at those gorgeous legs!
Grandma Anna did look well and young here with her children, Connie and Ronnie, and Ronnie's first son, Neal.
My Adopted Grandmother
(Granny is the younger child with her older sister Doris)
Glady Aileen Sullivan (she hated the name Glady)
Born: June 19, 1917
Wayne County, NC
Died: October 9, 2007
Wilson, NC
Parents: Henry Gilbert Sullivan and Mary Ward
Siblings: Kermit B. Sullivan, Doris Sullivan, Gilbert Sullivan, Edna L. Sullivan & Cedric E. Sullivan
Spouse: General Jasper Ginn
Children: Lena Gray Ginn, Mary Lindora Ginn, Sandra Ginn, A Baby Boy, Jackie Carol Ginn & Henry Shelton Ginn
Granny Aileen was such a special part of my life after I was adopted. She filled so many empty places in my heart where grandmothers should have been. We lived right down the road from her and were surrounded by her farm. It was a great life. I enjoyed walks to her house on the little farm paths, helping her with her yardwork, eating many meals at her table with the most delicious homemade delicacies, and even helping her in her chicken houses. Oh that lady was busy! I would worry about finding her in the hot chicken houses in the heat of summer and would often go in to check on her. Of course, I had my nose clamped shut, but the smells never bothered her. She said, "They smelled like money." Haha! Eventually, I believe she did lose her sense of smell altogether. She was so feisty. She was a wonderful Christian lady who would never say a bad word except the occasional "Sh" word that would slip out. It was cute to hear from my little 4 ft. 6 (probably) granny. She had a green thumb and could make anything grow. Her yard was always so beautiful, and yes, she did it all herself until almost 90. She drove a little white pickup truck most of my childhood until she decided it was no longer safe for her to drive. She mostly just drove around our little town and to church. We spent many a Saturday morning together as I would beg to go with her to eat breakfast with all her friends at our local Hardee's. We would sit and talk and eat together for over an hour at least. Mind you, this was an early Saturday morning for a young pre-teen. She would always say, "Are you sure you can get up that early?" Haha! Then, sometimes, we would hit the yard sales that morning. My Aunt Lena often joined us. Lena was Granny's oldest daughter, and they often seemed more like sisters at this stage. Granny also loved to fish. She did have a little pond on her property, but I was never sure it had anything but snakes and frogs. Her best friend and sister-in-law lived down the road. Granny and "Aunt Minnie" would often fish together at a larger pond down there. Granny also enjoyed quilting and often hosted quilting parties at her house. She taught me how to quilt although I never attained her level of skill. She was a pro and could sew the tiniest stitches so straight, even, and fast. I miss those evenings together and all the laughs and stories told of old times.
We always gathered at Granny's for all the holidays. Easter egg hunts at Easter. Christmas Eve parties. Thanksgiving. The table was always full of the best food like her homemade chicken pastry, many layered chocolate cakes, and buttermilk biscuits. Oh how I loved watching her hands work in the flour and buttermilk to make those perfect treats. Dinner was often finished with some biscuits and syrup or molasses for sopping. I was her youngest grandchild for a few years until my Uncle Shelton remarried and gave us a sweet new grandson, Dalton. Dalton kept Granny young for years as she kept him daily while his parents worked. I just loved this lady with all my heart!
I never got to meet Pa as he passed before I was adopted, but I know he was the best father and husband. His death was such a tragic story. He was devoted to Granny until the end. He had a known weak heart due to an inoperable blood clot. He knew not to overdue it. One Sunday after church, he and Granny went to the mall so she could get a baby gift for a church shower. Upon leaving, it was pouring rain. Granny went to get the car for them, but Pa realized too late that he had the keys in his pocket. He ran after her to give them to her. Later that day, he was suffering from extreme weakness and exhaustion from this event and went to sleep in his favorite chair. He never woke up. Granny had to live many years without her beloved life partner, but she was a strong woman who never gave up.
One of our favorite pastimes was playing cards. Granny would often come to our house in the evenings for card games. She really loved laughing at me when I would get mad about losing. Haha! Mostly, we played Rummy although here it looks like a little game of Go Fish during a wonderful summer visit with my other Grandma from California. Having both of my grandmothers together was a rare and special treat!
Another rare snapshot of Granny at our house actually smiling at the camera. I may have taken this one.
And another beautiful candid smile from Granny at my wedding reception.
One of Evan's first trips was to visit his Granny. I just knew he had to know his Great-Granny ASAP.
Evan was the only one of my children to get to meet Granny. It breaks my heart.
We got to celebrate Granny's 90th birthday in 2007. Granny was actually still in great health and really always was.
Granny sat with her younger sister Edna who was talking and pointing a finger at feisty Aunt Minnie. I am thankful I took these photos of these ladies.
Granny with her favorite youngest grandchildren, me and Dalton.
Later that year, Granny decided she was lonely at home all day by herself now that Dalton was in school. She moved herself into a local retirement home where she could always have company. She enjoyed sitting in her chair doing her crossword puzzles. I visited her many times that summer with baby Evan. Sadly, she suffered a bad fall at this home while going to the bathroom. She injured her hip and ended up in a nursing home. When I visited her in the nursing home, she had declined so fast, and it broke my heart to see a woman who I knew to be so strong and active suddenly bedridden. She was sleeping as a leaned over her and whispered into her ear that if she was ready to leave this world and go to her beloved husband, I would miss her but I would understand. Yes, she passed shortly after, and I believe she heard me.
Granny, I will always love you! You gave this girl someone to look up to and admire. I sit crying writing these words to you. I hope you are smiling in heaven with your husband, children, and your great-granddaughter, Mattie.
