Avalon Resources

On January 28, 1922 before daylight, a very young Vera Belle took the water bucket and walked down to the pump located just inside a fence that ran beside the road to get water for cooking breakfast and doing the cleaning. On this day however, things did not proceed as usual because Vera Belle hung that water bucket on the pump and left it empty, because Leon was there and had arranged for Robert Thomley and Alma Minims to

drive them to the Court House in Blakely, Georgia ( Early County) to be married. What a day that must have been for everybody! This seems so out of character for my parents. I can't remember my Mom and Dad behaving anyway but responsibly for my whole life. Guess she had a fair amount of adventure and courage to deliver such a surprise to her parents. Could be where a couple of her kids acquired their adventuresome spirit.

A loving woman who was devoted to her family. Vera was a great cook who made coming home from school the best part of the day. To get a chair at her table was a satisfying experience. When my uncles and aunts came to visit they always made her feel wonderful with there never ending praise for her cooking, especially her biscuits. Mother was from the school of scratch cooking, so you have gotta know what we did on our summer vacation from school. My Daddy could grow the best garden in the whole world. Just wish he had only had half the seeds!!! It seemed we would never get enough canned or frozen to last the winter. I can assure you that if we wasn't working Mother never had any trouble with kids under foot or fighting among ourselves. When I reflect on my life as a newly wed I realize that a large part of Southern Bell's net worth came from my need for receipts from my Mother and my sister Ruby while I lived in Georgia. Never did learn to cook like they did. Mother could also sew well. She made my school dresses out of print chicken feed sacks we would get from the Godwin's who raised chickens and eggs for the community. I feel a real sorrow that it was only after Mother passed away that I chose to start a sewing business that was such a success that it about worked me to death. She made many beautiful quilts also. All of her children has at least one of the quilts she made. She enjoyed her many grandchildren and retained more than enough patience for a house full of company anytime. Just as was true of her children, every single one of her grandchildren was treasured.

Mother loved flowers and could take cuttings from most any plant and start new ones. Her methods were simple, she never needed bug spray because she just poured her dish water over the plants and they needed little more than that to thrive. She would just stick a rose cutting down about 6" from the foundation of the house and before long she would have a beautiful rose bush. Necessity breads ingenuity.

This year of genealogy research has provided an amazing clarity about who I am and how I came to be that person. My Mom and Dad led our family as two people who had become one in thought and responsibility. When I was very young I learned about unconditional love. We were a family of modest income but I never felt poor. As I grew I learned about responsibility to family. This is by far the best thing they did for me. I find that my most shining moments were the times when I have faced my responsibilities head on and give life my best effort. I am not sure if they encouraged or insisted that I develop a variety of skills. Whichever it was, my since of self worth has never failed me. Reflection is incredibly fulfilling as I am flooded with love for those two people and it is also incredibly painful as I realize that I had the foundation to be much more than I am. I, by no means feel as if I have failed, but, reflection regrettable, makes me certain that I should have reached higher and made wiser choices. You know that your parents did something right when you feel you are an extension of them. Now, more than ever before, I understand how important family truly is.

More About VERA BELLE GREATHOUSE:

Burial: Christian Home Church of Christ Wicksburg, Alabama

Cause of Death: Congestive Heart Failure

Medical Information: Alzheimer’s

Occupation: Mother/Homemaker

Religion: A Christian

Social Security Number: 421-26-8550