KENNERLY, CRIBBS, AND HARBOUR

A few years ago while researching my ancestor, John P KENNERLY, who came from Gibson County, TN and settled into Pulaski County, AR I came across a connection between three surnames: KENNERLY, HARBOUR, and CRIBBS. This blog post will just be me working through these connections.

John P KENNERLY married Lucinda HARBOUR in Gibson County, TN in 1831

John was born in 1811 and had migrated to AR as early as 1837 according to the birth of his daughter, Elizabeth who is found in the 1850 Maumelle, Pulaski, Arkansas, census.

In the 1840 Federal census John and an older Wm Kennerly, who is old enough to be his father, are found living in Searcy, AR yet in the 1840 Arkansas State census the two are listed in Scott, AR

I began searching Newspapers.com trying to see if I could prove parentage but was only able to definitely prove he had a brother, Gilbert Kennerly, from an article found in the Daily Arkansas Gazette dated 29 Nov 1882.

From there, I decided to see what I could find on John's brother, Gilbert. I found his full name to be Gilbert Cribbs Kennerly, from the California Voter Register.



Searching for CRIBBS in the 1840 census I end up with two living in Scott, AR; Doctor CRIBBS (70-79) and Gilbert CRIBBS (40-49) (is this who John's brother is named after? Maybe an Uncle or maternal grandfather?) Gilbert CRIBBS married a Nancy MARTIN in Gibson County, TN in 1824.

Going back to the 1850 census we see that John and Lucinda KENNERLY had the following children:

Thomas G (is this for Gilbert?) b. 1834 TN
Eliz b. 1837 AR
William A (though this later proves to be the wrong initial -- it's actually C (for Cribbs?) b.1840 AR
John M b. 1841 AR
Nancy A b. 1844 AR
Mary (my ancestor) b. 1845 AR
Randy (short for the Margaret in 1860?)(female) b. 1848 AR

It also appears that a John and Jane BAKER are living with them. Jane is 19 born in IN. I suspect she could be an older child of John and Lucinda. In 1860 there are two young BAKER children living with John; a William and Clerinda.

Two names down on the 1850 census is A.D. HARBER and again on the same page as my John KENNERLY in 1860 is A. D. HARBOUR and living in his household is a James K. CRIBBS. I believe A.D. HARBOUR to be Lucinda's brother.  James K. CRIBBS is the son of Doctor CRIBBS (name not profession) and Nancy HARBOUR (another sibling of Lucinda?). They were also married in Gibson County, TN the same year as John P. KENNERLY and Lucinda HARBOUR. This Doctor CRIBBS is most likely the son of the 1840 Doctor CRIBBS as he was born in 1809 according to the 1850 census record.

Another HARBOUR/CRIBBS marriage in Gibson County, TN  was that of William CRIBBS and Jane HARBOUR  in 1826.

I found the given name Doctor to be a unique and distinctive first name. Remember the William KENNERLY that I suspected to be the father of my John P? Well living in his household in the 1850 Maumelle, Pulaski, Arkansas census is a Doctor Kennerly, age 23, born in TN. There is no mother living in the household by 1850. Was William's wife a CRIBBS? Possibly the daughter or sister of the 1840 (70-79) Doctor CRIBBS?

Another CRIBBS listed in the 1850 Maumelle, Pulaski, Arkansas census is 20 year old TN native Cullen G. CRIBBS and his young wife Mary E ROWLAND. Cullen ends up being the Administrator of my John KENNERLY's son, William C KENNERLY's estate. He must be closely connected to this family as I also found him named in the obituary of William's young daughter, Ida KENNERLY.





I suspect that Cullen was either the eldest son of Doctor CRIBBS and Nancy HARBOUR  who was living in Yell, AR in 1850 or a son of Gilbert CRIBBS and Nancy MARTIN who had moved onto Polk, MO by 1850 but I can't prove it. Maybe the reason he didn't leave the area was because of his ROWLAND in-laws.

One more connection is that there is a marriage record for a Nancy A KENNERLY and Benjamin S CLARK in Pulaski County, AR for the year 1848. In 1850 Smith Township, Drew County AR, Nancy (20) and husband Spencer CLARK (27) can be found with an infant son, Doctor G CLARK. They are living next door to 26 year old William B. KENNERLY and his wife Frances.

I think I have exhausted all the leads on this for now, so if anyone out there has any more information on these three families, please let me know.

Until  next time,
Becky

Heritage Part 3

This week I wanted to add the next entries in the cemetery book that are my direct line ancestors, my 2nd great grandparents, James William and Clara Inda EVANS ACORD.

On page 22 under Evans Cemetery

ACORD, Clara I.                                                                           18 Aug 1882      02 April 1949

Peggy Harmon Stepp furnished the following: "Clara India "Indie" Evans was born Aug 18, 1882 about 2 miles south of Spoke Plant, AR near the Little Mulberry River. Indie's parents were Josiah and Jane Conner Evans.

Indie first married [John] Ginger Holland who operated a ferry crossing the Arkansas River. They were married only a few months. There were no children born in this marriage. Later Indie married James William "Jim" Acord. They were the parents of 6 children. Jim died when the oldest child was 12 years old. Indie managed to raise the children on her own. Indie and her oldest child, Zula worked for neighbors to earn a little money. They raised most of their food and gathered many wild greens and herbs. They grew cane to make molasses. They put up kraut and molasses in 60 gallon barrels. Indie's nephew, Ode Eldridge would come in the fall with his family to help cut the wood for winter.

Indie was a midwife, taught by her mother who was half Indian. She would travel many miles thru all kinds of weather to deliver a baby.

Later in her life she moved in with her son John and his family. their house was on the same home place property. When Indie got sick she went to her daughters at Fayetteville where she died April 2, 1949"

THE MADISON COUNTY RECORD, Huntsville, Arkansas, Thursday, 7 April 1949

"Mrs. Clara India Acord, 66, of Little Mulberry, died April 2 at 4 p.m. at the home of a nephew in Fayetteville. The widow of the late Jim Acord, she had been ill for about eight years.

Survivors are two sons, John of Spoke Plant and Joe of Pettigrew; two daughteres, Mrs. Zula Stepp of Spoke Plant and Mrs. Equilla Carr of Fatetteville; 19 grandchildren and a brother, Jody Evans of Fayetteville.

Funeral Services were held Monday, April 4 at 2 p.m. at the Evans cemetery conducted by the Rev. Albert Hoskins. Arrangements were under the direction of the Nelson-Savage Funeral Home.

Directly following this entry, on page 23

ACORD, James W.                                                                       18 July 1881     28 Jul 1915

Peggy Harmon Stepp wrote the following: "James William Acord was born July 18, 1881 to John Turner and Sarah Zulema Kosier Acord.

James "Jim" married Clara India "Indie" Evans.

Jim and Indie lived in the Acord Hollow the first few years of their marriage.  Later they moved, about 1906 to the Evans place on Little Mulberry. 

Jim and Indie were the parents of  Zula Jane, Lou Annie, Minie, John Thomas, Joshua "Joe" Charles and Effie Equilla Acord.

Jim was a farmer and timber worker.

Jim was a strong man. One Sunday afternoon there were several young men over visiting. They were lifting. Jim felt something pull in his stomach. A few days later Jim died at the age of 34."

Jim Acord and Clara India Evans were the parents of:

1. Zula Jane married Newell McKinley Stepp, Sr.; both buried in Evans Cemetery.
2. Louanna buried in Evans Cemetery.
3. Minnie Myrtle married Roy Betnar; both buried in the Evans Cemetery. 
4. John Thomas married Elzada Griffith; both buried in the Oark Cemetery. 
5. Joe S. married Wilma Vae Combs; both buried in the Yale Cemetery.
6. Effie Equilla married #1 Hoyt Karr and #2 Omer Clark 

 

 

 Jim & Indie Acord with their girls: Zula (standing), Minnie (in Jim's lap) and baby Lou Annie (in Indie's lap). Lou Annie died not long after this was taken. This picture has been mistakenly labeled and shared many other places as John Turner and Sarah Zulema Acord with children. This picture was hanging in Effie's (Aunt Dood) and was given to Connie Betnar (Minnie Myrtle's son) and now belongs to his daughter Ann.

 

 

 

 

The Sound of Her Voice

Growing up, I had a special relationship with my paternal grandmother, who we called Mammy. My parents divorced before I was a year old and my daddy got me every other weekend and a few long spells during the summer. The only "problem" with that was that he worked every Saturday at the Washington County Sale Barn, so he needed someone to watch me. That job fell into the hands of his parents, my Mammy and Bampy. It's funny how when I think back on my childhood it's the memories associated with that time that seem to stand out. I don't know why exactly, but I always assume it was because those moments were where I got the most attention or one-on-one time. It may have been doing chores or flat out working but I didn't have to share that with any other kids very often.

Anyway, when my Mammy passed, I was asked if there was anything I wanted. I didn't answer truthfully because honestly, I wanted ALL. THE. THINGS. But that wasn't realistic or fair. So I asked for her tapes. Every time the church we attended held a service, they recorded it, beginning to end. And my Mammy purchased every single tape, I bet. There were several boxes full. Through the years I have sifted through them and tucked in with those tapes was the best surprise ever; a few tapes that Mammy had recorded of herself singing (either making up songs or singing along with the radio), a few tapes where she sang specials at church (New Sulphur Free Will Baptist Church) and two other very special tapes...

Before the age of computers and cell phones people wrote letters and because my Mammy had left her home of Texas, where her mother and all of her siblings lived in the early 1960's the only other way to keep in touch was with a phone call. Back then, before cell phones, there were long distance charges to call outside of your local area and they were pricey. Towards the later part of my Mammy's mother's life, Grandma Jones couldn't read or write very well so my Mammy and her would exchange  recorded cassette tapes of conversations with one another. Hence the two other very special tapes. One of Grandma Jones that is labeled 'Mother's Last Tape' and one that my Mammy recorded to send Grandma Jones. I don't know if she never sent it, or if she somehow got it back after Grandma Jones passed away. But either way these two tapes were tucked inside with all those other tapes. They are some of my most treasured items.

I have shared these on Facebook, before, but I think I would like to share them here in my genealogy post.

I hope you enjoy hearing her voice again. Honestly, I tear up every time I listen. But sometimes the soul needs a good purge.

Until next time,
Becky

Mammy Original:

Grandma Jones' last tape from the nursing home in Knox City, TX:

And last but not least My Mammy singing Far Side Banks of Jordan with Brother Glen Faulkner April 2001:

Heritage Part 2

Yesterday I wrote about a cemetery book my grandmother gave me. In that post I also transcribed the entry for my great grandmother, Zula Jane ACORD STEPP. Today I will transcribe the next entry in the book, her husband, my great grandfather, Newell McKinley STEPP:

        STEPP, Newell M., Sr.                24 April 1896   03 Oct 1987

Roma Lynn Jackson Stepp, Newell's daughter-in-law, wrote the following:

"Newell was born April 24, 1896 to James Jonathan & Rebecca (Merle) Stepp near Fallsville, AR.

He was the neighborhood blacksmith until he was elderly. He also was a farmer. He never bought any tools or machinery parts if e could make what he needed & most of the time he could. He knew how to graft trees, slip ginseng. He lived in the most inventive of all times. He lived through the horse & buggy days, men walking on the moon to the computer age. He was in WWI. The war ended while he was on a ship going to France. 

Newell's brother Bill, married him to Zula Acord on April 1, 1923 at Spoke Plant, AR. They had 7 kids. 6 lived to be grown & 1 died at 2 weeks old.

Newell was usually a quiet, nice man. He liked to farm, putter around with his blacksmithing & to read. He was a good neighbor.

He died in Oct 1987 from a blood-clot resulting from falling backward off his porch."

Peggy Harmon Stepp, Newell's daughter-in-law submitted the following information:

"Newell McKinley Stepp was born April 24, 1896 in the Clifty Hollow area in Madison County, AR. He was second born of 15 children to James Johnathan and Rebecca Matilda Merrill Stepp.

Newell grew up helping his dad and brothers working in the timber. They hauled cross ties and stave bolts to the railroad yards at Pettigrew. 

Newell started school at Mullins Chapel, later finishing his education at Spoke Plant school. 

Newell was in the Army during WWI in France.

After returning from the Army, Newell married Zula Jane Acord. He bought a farm at Spoke Plant. Newell and Zula raised all their children at Spoke Plant.

Newell was a farmer, still continuing over the years to work in the timber and was known as a good blacksmith. People came from miles around to have him work on their wagon wheels or whatever could be fixed in a blacksmith shop. Newell was an honest hard working man. He always told his children "Take care of your pennies and your dollars will take care of themselves." They had a happy family life, working hard on the farm. They enjoyed social gatherings, visiting with neighbors. Good neighbors were very important to this generation and the Newell Stepp family were good neighbors. As Newell got older he took great pride in his gardening. He enjoyed growing a big field of corn and garden to share with family and friends. He continued to grow a garden until he was in his late 80's.

Newell and Zula were married 64 years. They continued to live at Spoke Plant until Newell died at age 91."

THE GRAPHIC, Clarksville, Arkansas, Wednesday 7 October 1987

"Newell Mckinley Stepp, aged 91, of Pettigrew died Oct. 3, 1987 at the Johnson County Regional Hospital.

He was a retired farmer, World War I Army Veteran and a member of the Pentecostal Church.

Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Zula Jane Stepp; three sons, Artist Stepp and Newell Stepp, Jr., both of Pettigrew and Dwight Stepp of Oark; three daughters Merle Denzer of Gentry, Argie Jayne Benson of Prairie Grove; one brother, Jubal Stepp of Pettigrew; four sisters, Cora Clark of Wheeler, Stella Barber of Charter Oak, Mo., Alda Mullins of Pettigrew and Odessa Stepp of Fort Worth, Texas; 19 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Graveside funeral services and burial were at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Evans Cemetery near Yale with Rev. Bill Gregory officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home.

Active pallbearers were Tony Benson; Tim Denzer, Greg Stepp, James Stepp, Danny Stepp and Steve Moore.

Honorary pallbearers were Connie Betnar, Clyde Betnar, Dr. Don Pennington, Steve Trosper, Michael Konnard, Clifton Hill, Keith Stepp, David Stepp, Ron Denzer, Clyde Benson and Kenneth Stepp." 

 *This left out my grandmother Reba Melson of Prairie Grove.

I wanted to share a picture (again) of a hammer, Newell made and the story that goes with it.

My Great Aunt Peggy shared an heirloom she and my Uncle Dwight have. Dwight's dad, my great grandfather, Newell Stepp Sr. was a machinist in the Army in WW1. He made 5 ball-peen hammers while he was in the Army. He gave one to his commanding officer and brought the others home. A few years ago Dwight was visiting his cousin, Edna McDonald and she had one of the hammers that Newell made and gave to her Mother. She said she wanted Dwight to have the hammer, which he is very proud of. We don't know where the other 3 hammers are. They have Newell's serial number stamped on them, unfortunately its too faded to make out.

Grandpa Newell, hunting ginseng.

Newell and Zula in their garden.

Until next time,
Becky

Heritage

This past weekend I went to visit my maternal grandmother. While I was there we talked gardens, chickens, snakes, wild hogs, and tall tales. She sent me home with loads of veggies from her garden and she also sent me home with her copy of the Evans Cemetery Book (On loan, of course!). She said it was a gift to her from her youngest brother, Dwight and his wife, Peggy. He told her he remembered my Grandma and Grandpa buying him and their brother Tooter a rod and reel one year when they were young boys and he just wanted to give her something too.

This book was compiled by Doris Evans and Jimmie Dewberry in March of 2002. To them, I am grateful they chose to share their research, and to Grandma I am thankful she trusted me enough to loan me this genealogical treasure. Just in skimming it, I have found new tidbits of information that I didn't know before. I hope to share a few of the entries pertaining to my direct line ancestors a little at a time.

The first entry I came to was my great grandmother Zula STEPP.

Roma Lynn Jakson Stepp, Zua's daughter-in-law, wrote the following: "Born Sept 6, 1903 to James & India Evans Acord at the headwaters of Acord Hollow near the [Little] Mulberry River. She married Newell McKinley Stepp,Sr. April 1, 1923. They had 7 children. 6 lived to be grown, 1 died about 2 weeks old. 

Zula was a midwife in her earlier years. She delivered 2 of her daughter-in-laws when they were born. She was the jolliest person around & a great story teller. She was the best, most wonderful wife, mother, grandmother & mother-in-law ever lived. She was an outdoors person. She liked gardening, canning her veggies & could make the best biscuits of anyone around.

One of her favorite sayings was, "The Bible don't say, woe beyond for the sinners, it says "Woe beyond for the hypocrites."   

She died at 91 years old." 

Another daughter-in-law of Zula, Peggy Harmon Stepp wrote the following: "Zula Jane Acord, the oldest of six children was born to James William Acord and Clara India Evans on 9-6-1903. At the time the family resided in the Acord Hollow area in Northern Johnson County, AR. When Zula was three or four years old the family moved in with her grandmother "Grannie Jane", on the Evans place just below the Evans Cemetery.

Zula and her brothers and sisters walked about two miles to the Spoke Plant school. 

Her father died when Zula was 12 years old leaving her to help her mother care for her brothers and sisters. Together they worked for neighbors in the fields to earn a living. 

On 4-1-1923 Zula married Newell McKinley STEPP. The ceremony was performed by Newell's brother, William "Bill" Stepp. 

Zula and Newell were the parents of 7 children, Merle Iris, twins Artist James and ARgie Jane, Rebecca India, Minnie Pearl, Newell McKinley Jr. and Dwight Douglas. Minnie Pearl died just a few days after birth. She is buried in the Evans Cemetery. In 1937 Zula's sister Minnie "Pud" Betnar died leaving two small sons, Clyde and Connie. Zula took the boys in keeping them several years. Newell and Zula raised all their children at Spoke Plant.

Zula was the perfect picture of a "fun grandma". She was "Grandma Stepp" to many, many children, many of them being no relation. If you ever needed a baby sitter you could always go to Grandma Stepp. She would meet you on the porch with a smile on her face, her apron on and lots of good food on the table. 

Zula was a hard worker, but always had time for fun. She would always laugh and say, "If you can drive, I can ride it." When she was in her 80's she would still jump behind the kids on their three wheelers and ride off with her dress tail blowing in the wind.

After Newell died Zula moved in with her youngest son, Dwight and his family. Later Zula resided at Countryside Manor Nursing Home. She won the hearts of many employees and new friends. There she became "Grandma Stepp" to even more people. She died July 6, 1993 at Countryside Manor in Lamar, AR."

Her obituary follows:

 THE GRAPHIC, Clarksville, Arkansas, Wednesday, 14 July 1993

Zula Jane Stepp, 89, of  Pettigrew, died Tuesday, July 6, 1993 at Countryside Manor in Clarksville.

Daughter of the late Jim and Inda Evans Acord, she was born Sept. 6, 1903, in Johnson County. Mrs. Stepp was a homemaker and a Pentecostal.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Newell McKinley Stepp Sr., and by a daughter, Minnie Pearl Stepp. 

Survivors include three daughters, Merle Denzer of Gentry, Argie Benson of Bakersfield, Calif., ad Reba Melson of Prairie Grove; three sons, Art and Tooter Stepp, both of Pettigrew, and Dwight Stepp of Batson; one niece Connie Betnar; one nephew, Clyde Betnar; 18 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. 

Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Evans Cemetery near Pettigrew, with Rev. Bill Gregory officiating. Burial was under the direction of Roller-Cox Funeral Home. 

Pallbearers were Greg, Danny and James Stepp, Tony Benson, Tim Denzer, and Paul Vickers. 

 Honorary pallbearers were Ronald Denzer, David and Keith Stepp, Clyde Benson, Corky Pool, Rickey Wages, Keith Stepp, Dr. Don Pennington and Clifton Hill."

Newell and Zula Stepp after duck hunting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Passing of Mr. and Mrs. James Walter Rutherford

Lately, I have felt a little run dry when it comes to new genealogy finds. Yesterday, however, I came across a new FREE resource from Texas Tech University. In doing so, I have found many articles mentioning a lot of my Texas ancestors. Most of these finds have been little gossip tidbits about so-and-so visiting so-and-so but I have also found a few obituaries. Today, I would like to share the obituaries of my 2nd great grandparents, James Walter Rutherford and his wife, Ora Frances McClung. If you click on the headlines you should be directed to the actual newspaper articles if you would like to read them first hand. Otherwise, I have transcribed them for your convenience.

James Walter and Ora with 6 of their 7 children. Myrtle Jones is missing.

From the Crowell, Foard County News, Thursday 17 Aug 1950

Pioneer Truscott Resident Dies Saturday, Aug. 12
J.W. Rutherford Buried at Truscott Sunday Afternoon
Funeral services for J. W. Rutherford of Knox City, who died Saturday, August 12 in a Knox City hospital, were held at the Truscott Baptist Church last Sunday afternoon, August 13, at 3:30 o'clock. Ralph E. Branum pastor of the Truscott Baptist Church, was in charge of the services. The following favorite songs were sung, "Saved by Grace" Nearer My God to Thee" and a special quartet sang "Land Where We Never Grow Old". Internment was made in the Truscott Cemetery under the direction of the Womack Funeral Home of Crowell.
James Walter Rutherford was born in Mississippi on April 7, 1877. He came to Texas at the age of six. He was married or Ora McClung at Mt. Pleasant, Texas, in 1898. He moved to Truscott in 1908 and lived there until 1944 when he retired and moved to Knox City. He is survived by his wife and seven children: Mrs. Myrtle Jones, Benjamin; Jesse N. Rutherford, Truscott; Mrs Fletcher Collier, Thalia; Mrs Willard Traweek, Foard City; Mrs. Farris Caddell, Truscott; Mrs E. E. Thompson, Knox City; and Mrs Robert L. Holmes of Iowa Park. All of the children were present for the funeral. He is also survived by three sisters Mrs. Marion Close, Kirkland; Mrs Lillie Price, Odessa; and Mrs Margaret Hosch, Grandfield, Okla. who were also present for funeral services.
Pall bearers were Stan Westbrook, John Bullion, John Black, Bruce Eubank, Mart Chowning and Ozzie Turner. Flower girls were Norma Jones, Clara Jones, Faye Black, Nettie Black, Annie Haynie, Peggy Traweek and Patsy Owens.
Those from out of town attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher B. Collier and children, Mary, Jimmie, Patsy Anna Marlene and Carolyn, of Thalia; Mr. and Mrs. B. L. rater, Mrs Theo Richardson and children, Mrs. Joe Monds and children, Shirley and Velma Ruth, of Duncan, Okla; Mr. and Mrs. Norman Davis and son, Randall, Joe L. McClung, Oris J. Davis of Marlowe, Okla; Reece McClung of Electra; Will Glenn and Mr. and Mrs Edwin Jones and Juanella Kaye of Benjamin; Mr. and Mrs Clarence Woodward, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Godsey Mrs. McCarty, Mr and Mrs. E. E. Thompson and chldren Je. E. Lee Arnold, Armitta, Peggy Anita, and Ray Lynn and Bill Cummings of Knox City; Sgt and Mrs Robert L. Holmes and children Robert, Ronnie and Larry, Mrs. J. C. Skipworth and son, Eugene, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin B. Bishop and sno, Mr. and Mrs. Dwayne Cook and Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Young Jr. of Vernon; Mr. and Mrs. Willard Traweek of Foard City; Mr. and Mrs. Clint Blakeley of Fort Worth; Mrs. Walter Weems, Mrs Georgia Beard, Mrs. Lillie Price of Odessa; Mrs. C. L. Staton of Borger; Mr. and Mrs Edmund Close and Sue, Mr. and Mrs Marion Cose and Louna Lisenbee of Kirkland; Mrs. Margaret Hosch and Grady Hosch of Grandfield, Okla, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Langston.

From the Knox City, Texas,  Knox County Herald 17 July 1958

Funeral Held at Truscott For Former Resident
Funeral services for Mrs. J. W. Rutherford, 78,  former Truscott resident were held in the Truscott Baptist Church Tuesday afternoon at 3:00, conducted by the pastor Reverend Jack Davis assisted by Reverend Bill Hall pastor of the Gilliland Baptist Church and Reverend David Stevens pastor of the Truscott Methodist Church.

Mrs. Rutherford died in the Ford County Hospital Monday morning following a serious illness of several weeks. She had been in ill health for a number of years. She made her home with her children until she went to live in the rest home in Crowell this year.

Pallbearers were Jim Jones and Bryant Bate of Truscott, Harry Traweek of Crowell, Carl Haynie, J B Eubank Jr., and John Bullion all of Truscott.
Ora Frances Rutherford was born in Piedmont Alabama to Martha and Joe McClung on July 1st 1880. In 1898 she was United in marriage to JW Rutherford who preceded her in death on August 12th 1950. To this Union was born six daughters: Mrs. Myrtle Jones of Benjamin, Mrs. Glennie Collier of Thalia, Mrs Elba Traweek of Foard City, Mrs. Lona Noron of Midland, Mrs. Laverne Holmes of Roswell, New Mexico, and Mrs. Opal Caddell of Truscott, and one son Willard Rutherford of Gilliland (<-- This is a typo. Her son is Jesse N. Rutherford)
At an early age she joined the Baptist Church in Coleman County. At the time of her passing she was a member of the Truscott Baptist Church.
The Rutherford's lived on Antelope Flats, near Truscott, and lived in Knox City for several years.
Survivors are her seven children: one brotehr Joe McClung of Marlow, Okla; two sisters, Mrs. Winnie Studdard, Piedmont, Alabama; 32 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.
Burial was in the Truscott Cemetery beside her  husband. Womack Funeral Home in Crowell was in charge of the arrangements.

It's Blackberry Season

When I was younger, and my weekends were spent with my Mammy, there were several occasions where I was given an old plastic gallon size ice cream pale and sent down the road to my Great Grandma Willie Belle's. The bucket was to be filled will blackberries picked from the side of the road. It was about a 1.5 miles down the dirt road from Mammy's house to hers. Along the way was my Dad's land too and I would often grab a few sand plums from his fence row. Sometimes my berries were given to Grandma Nall and she would make jelly. The rest of the time it was taken back to Mammy and they would be washed and frozen for blackberry cobbler one Sunday after church.



I am lucky enough to be nearly surrounded by blackberries out here at Chigger Haven. This year I, with the help of Jared and Ashley, have harvested our wild blackberries 3 times so far. The first batch we just ate plain. The second I used to make a batch of delicious blackberry breakfast bars. This time I decided to skim some old newspapers for some unique recipes. I found a winner from The Akron Beacon dated 15 July 1939. The recipe was a submission from a local reader, Mrs. Gertrude Hensel. She was the prize winner and for the cost of 6¢ she would receive a Glenna Snow cookbook. She entered several recipes but the one I am making today is her Blackberry Pudding recipe. I added a bit of cinnamon to mine.... and used 1 1/3 cup of sugar.

 

There isn't a temperature or time for her pudding but a quick search online tells me that similar bread pudding recipes bake at 350° for about 40-45 minutes.

I look forward to trying her Blackberry Custard Pie next. The above little snippet is a perfect combination of both of my Dads. My Dad, Johnny, loves custard pie, while my Step-dad, Steve, loves bread pudding.

Here are a few pics from today:







Until next time,
Becky