May 31, 1979 Thursday, Aunt Estelle wrote

Rain all day.  I picked up Wendi at noon and stayed with her until Janice got in from work.  Stopped at Edith's a few minutes. 


Footnote by Pat:   Wendi is her granddaughter who lives and goes to school in Big Stone Gap, Va., about 9 miles away.  Janice is Wendi's mother.  Edith is her sister who also lives in Big Stone Gap.  

May 30, 1979, Wednesday Aunt Estelle wrote

Clear     I washed some, did some pressing.  Went to the garden and planted some corn & beans.  To church tonite. 



Footnote by Pat:    I'd say that was a good days work. 

May 29, 1979, Tuesday Aunt Estelle wrote

Clear    I washed some.  Took Aunt Rosalee to grocery store.  After dinner Millard & I went to Penn. to pay hospital bill and fertilizer bill.  I was up in the garden awhile.  Radious & Walter were here late.



Footnote by Pat:   Aunt Rosalee is the wife of Millard Baker, Estelle's Mother's half-brother.  Millard Ely is  Estelle's husband.  Penn is short for Pennington Gap, Va., about 8 miles West of her house.  The local hospital is located there.  Radious & Walter are neighbors (who stop by frequently).

May 28, 1979, Monday Aunt Estelle wrote

Clear, rain      Clear this morn and a shower this eve then clear.  Redge left about 10 for home.  I helped Jennings pick & clean his strawberries  Then washed a load of clothes and got Lillie over to mow.  Stephen was in awhile.   Boots Allman had a breast removed today.  It was cancerous. 


Footnote by Pat:    Redge is her son who lives in Charlotte, NC.     Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.  Don't know who Lillie is.    Stephen Reasor is her nephew, the oldest son of Everette Reasor, her youngest brother.    Boots Allman is a neighbor of Edith's (Estelle's sister) who lives in Big Stone Gap, Va.   Boots was always at Edith's house and all the family knew her.  I grew up knowing Boots very well, she made the best pineapple turnover pies covered with sugar - oh, they were delicious.   Boots did not survive the breast cancer .   My mother, Edith, always thought Boots was a smoker, she always had a mint in her mouth and in her apron pocket.  If one of the kids in the neighborhood was sick, she always came with her thermometer to take our temperature.   She never had any children, just all the neighborhood children. She wore her stockings rolled down to her ankles.  And her hair was long and gray and she kept it rolled tightly all around the back of her neck.    She was a very good person and we all loved her. 

May 27, 1979 Sunday, Aunt Estelle wrote

Cloudy, rain  Cold.    Redge, Leisha, Janice & Wendi were here of course.  Curt came for supper.  Janice & I went up to see Elizabeth & Jennings awhile.  To church.  Leisha went to church tonite at Big Stone and was saved and Baptized. 


Footnote by Pat:   Redge is her son and Leisha is his daughter.  Janice is her youngest daughter and Wendi is Janice's  daughter.  Curt is her husband's  brother, I think.  Elizabeth is the wife of Jennings, Estelle's brother. 

May 26, 1979 Saturday, Aunt Estelle wrote

Clear, cold, wendy.  I cooked some for us and Jennings.  Went for eggs and milk.  To church tonite.  Reba was in a minute.  Redge & Leisha were here tonite. 



Footnote by Pat:   Jennings is her brother.  Reba is her husbands' (Millard) sister.  They both live nearby.  Redge is her son and Leisha is his daughter.  They live in Charlotte,  NC.  

May 25, 1979, Friday Aunt Estelle wrote

Cloudy, rain    Rain all day and 48 degrees.  I washed a load of clothes.  We had to pick up Wendi this evening.  To church tonite.  Edith and Roy were in after church, they stayed with Elizabeth while Jennings went to church. 


Footnote by Pat:   Wendi is her granddaughter.  Edith is her sister and Roy is Edith's husband.   They all live in Big Stone Gap, Va.  about 9 miles away.  Elizabeth is her sister-in-law, married to Jennings, her brother.   They live nearby.  Church is the Deep Springs Missionary Baptist Church and it is about a mile from her house.  It is still there today,  as the  State of Virginia didn't take it when they built the new highway.  When the state was building the new highway, they renamed a bridge in honor of Estelle's grandfather.  The bridge is now the Dr. Daniel Sheffey Reasor  Bridge and it is located near Dryden, Va. , about 5-7 miles going West on Highway 58.  Several of the great-grandchildren were there for the dedication and we have to thank Stephen Reasor for his efforts in getting the bridge named.

May 24, 1979 Thursday Aunt Estelle wrote

Cloudy, rain    Rain all day.  Elizabeth feels real bad.  I cooked some and made a dress.  Eugene Moore is having trouble with his leg and Elmer Bowling had a blood clot in his hemoriods, so a lot unable to come to Revival.   We are so thankful to be able to go and enjoy Bro. Buele so much. 


Footnote by Pat.  Elizabeth is the wife of Jennings, Estelle's brother.  She made most of her clothes and she was pretty fast on that sewing machine.  Eugene Moore and Elmer Bowling must have been church members.  Bro. Buele was the revival preacher. 

May 23, 1979 Wednesday Aunt Estelle wrote

Cloudy, rain   Rained all day.  Stell Kelly & I went to visit Zora Parsons Green, Uncle Rhea Baker & Aunt Hazel,  Mrs. White and over to Betty Ramey's for milk.  To revival tonite. 



Footnote by Pat:   Stell Kelly is Estelle  Kelly and she was a good friend and neighbor.  Don't know Zora but she must have been a friend.   Uncle Rhea Baker is her mother's half-brother and Hazel is his wife.  Don't know Mrs. White.   Betty Ramey was a neighbor and where she got fresh cow's milk. 

I had a note from Sandra and she gave me the correct information on her Dad, Everette.   He was born in 1925 and had turned 53 in March of 1978.  He died May 22, 1978.   My Mother is the last of that generation.  She was born July 16, 1919 and will be 93 this year.  Still lives alone, cooks some and reads books and works puzzles all day.  Got a bad knee, other than that she is doing great. 

May 22, 1979 Tuesday Aunt Estelle wrote

Cloudy, rain   One year ago Everette died.  I set some plants this morning.  Took Aunt Rosalee to Drug Store & grocery store this evening.  To church tonite. 



Footnote by Pat:  Everette is her youngest brother and he lived in the "old homeplace".  It was just across the road and set up on the hill.  It was two story and because it was on the hill, the back was on level ground as well as the front.  It had a portico with beautiful wood railing and slats.  I remember there was an oversize chair that always set in the left corner of the porch - that way you could see all the cars coming down the road.  There were big trees in the front  yard and a sweet smelling "poppy bush".  Everette and Ruth raised two boys, Stephen and Smith, and one daughter, Sandra  in that house .   Everette was mowing the grass and set down under the walnut tree to rest.  He had a heart attack and died - May 22, 1978.  He was not very old - in his late 50's.  He was born in 1921 I think.  Aunt Rosalee was married to Millard Baker, her Mother's half-brother.  He had lost his eyesight and unable to drive. 

A sad note,  the "old homeplace" was torn down by the State of Virginia when they decided to build a new highway thur there and the house was in the way.   Also another sad note, they tore down Estelle's house and barn too.   They tore down the big barn that belonged to the big house as it sat very near the road.   So when I go back to visit relatives still living in the area, I almost don't know where I am.  Everything has changed.   

May 21, 1979 Monday Aunt Estelle wrote

Clear    I worked in garden a while this morn.  Picked Jennings strawberries.  We had to pick up Wendi this eve.  Stoped at Edith's as we come down.  Elizabeth went to the Dr. again today.  Sure hope she is getting better.  I am 66 years old today.   Went to the revival tonite. 


Footnote by Pat:   Jennings is her brother and he must have had a strawberry patch.  Wendi is her granddaughter and she lives in Big Stone Gap, Va., about 9 miles away.   Edith is her sister who  also lives in Big Stone.  Elizabeth is Jennings's wife.   Today is her birthday as she was born May 21, 1913.  She would have been 99 years old had she lived .  She died when she was 80 I think, maybe 81.  

May 20, 1979 Sunday Aunt Estelle wrote

Clear, cloudy, rain    Redge & girls went home this morning.  Janice was home.  Ralph Parsons & wife visited awhile this eve.  Jessee Buele preached for us tonite and will all week. 



Footnote by Pat.  Redge is her son and he has two daughters, Jennifer and Leisha and they live in Charlotte, NC.  Janice is her youngest daughter and she lives in Big Stone Gap, Virginia - 9 miles away.  Don't know who Ralph Parsons is.  Don't know the preacher either. 

Sorry for the delay in posting today, I was in an art show and left the house about 7AM.  It was very hot in the tent and a very long day.  Show was just OK.  Too hot for people to be out and the ones that were, were not buying much. 

May 19, 1979, Saturday Aunt Estelle wrote

Clear, Cloudy  I washed some & cooked some.  Took Jennings & Elizabeth some lunch.  Reba was in.  Redge, Jennifer & Leisha stayed all nite.  Mrs. Scalf is real sick. 



Footnote by Pat:    Jennings is her brother and Elizabeth is his wife.  They live nearby.  Reba is her sister-in-law who also lives nearby.  Redge is her son and Jennifer and Leisha are his daughters and they live in Charlotte, NC.  Mrs. Scalf is Redge's mother-in-law and she lived in Big Stone Gap, VA.

May 18, 1979 Friday Aunt Estelle wrote

Clear    Reba & I went to Harlan where the Dr. promised my eyes were all well.  We shopped a little.  Finished out our yard sale this eve.  Jennings and I set sweet potatoes late.  




Footnote by Pat:    Reba is her sister-in-law and lived "just up the road" .   Harlan is in Kentucky, just across the mountain - probably an hour or more to drive.   Jennings is her brother and "set sweet potatoes" means they planted them.    She sure was busy.

May 17, 1979 Thursday Aunt Estelle wrote

Clear, hot & fair.  Lizzie & Maudie Ellen come out and we had a yard sale.  Had a lot of folks come and we sold some junk for sure.  I sure was tired.  Radious, Ruth & Walter was here tonite. 



Footnote by Pat:   Lizzie & Maudie Ellen are her neighbors.  Radious, Ruth and Walter are also neighbors. 

May 16, 1979 Wednesday Aunt Estelle wrote

Clear    I washed some & cooked some.  Millard had a Dr. apointment so we went & bought some plants.  Jennings & I worked in the garden this evening.  To prayer meeting tonite. 



Footnote by Pat:  Millard is her husband.  Jennings is her brother. 


Footnote by Pat for Tuesday:   Aunt Rosalee is married to Millard Baker, her Mother's half-brother.  Lizzie is the egg lady and I think Maudie Ellen is her daughter.  They live close by.  Hargus Ely is her brother-in-law.  Radious and Walter are neighbors. 

May 15, 1979 Tuesday Aunt Estelle wrote

Clear, rain   I went to the garden awhile this morning.  Then went by Aunt Rosalee's and to the grocery store.  Lizzie & Maudie Ellen were in a minute.  I went up to Hargus Elys and got tomato plants & set out late.  Radious and Walter come a while. 

May 14, 1979 Monday Aunt Estelle wrote

Clear, coolish today.  I washed windows in the bedroom and put up fresh curtains.  fixed some food for Jennings & Elizabeth late. 



Footnote by Pat:  Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.  Elizabeth is his wife and I think she was sick at this time.  She always wanted to see that everyone had food. 

May 13, 1979 Sunday Aunt Estelle wrote

Rain    Janice, Wendi & Curtis were here for lunch.  Francis & Reba visited in the afternoon.  We had a young preacher for today.  The church is still full of hatred.  


Footnote by Pat:   Janice and Wendi are her daughter and granddaughter.  Curtis is her nephew.  Francis  is her cousin and Reba is her sister-in-law on her husbands side.   Reba lived in Olinger, Va and owned the General Store/filling station.  The only one in town I think.    Happy Mothers Day. 

May 12, 1979 Aunt Estelle wrote

Clear, cloudy, rain     I washed some sweaters.  Cooked some.  Rosemary called.  Richard Darmer come out and fixed our roof on the house.  Fred Ely, Millards cousin visited late. 



Footnote by Pat:   Rosemary Ely Jetton is her oldest daughter and she lives in Hobbs, New Mexico.  Richard Darmer is a neighbor.  Fred Ely is Millard's  (Estelle's husband) cousin and I don't know anything about him. 

May 11, 1979 Aunt Estelle wrote

Clear, rain     I piddled in house.  Jennings & Elizabeth went to the Dr. and stoped by.  I went for eggs and milk.  Curt & Virginia (girlfriend) came awhile.   Allso Mrs. McCallum stoped.  She is the lady who bought the Dave Isaac house.  


Footnote by Pat:   Jennings is her brother and Elizabeth is his wife.  Curt is her brother-in-law.  Mrs. McCallum is a new neighbor who lives in the house built by Dave Isaac, a merchant who owned a department store in Appalachia, Virginia (about 11 miles to the North).  It was a very nice store and one that we shopped in all the time.   The store had a big staircase in the middle of the first floor that went to the "Bargain Basement".   I remember buying Sunday shoes there for $4.00 a pair. 

May 10, 1979 Aunt Estelle wrote

Clear, rain      I washed a load.  Baked a Rhubarb pie and took Jennings some.  We went up to see Wendi a minute, allso visited Mrs Otey, Mrs Masters and Dorothy a minute.  Come by Ediths too.  Walked up to Jennings late. 



Footnote by Pat:   She made really good pies and I know Jennings - her brother- loved it.  Wendi is her granddaughter who lives in Big Stone Gap.  I have heard her speak of Mrs. Otey but I don't know who she is - just a friend I think.  Don't know Mrs. Masters and Dorothy.  Edith is her younger sister who lived in Big Stone Gap.    She sure paid a  lot of attention to Jennings. 

May 9, 1979 Aunt Estelle wrote

Clear, cloudy, rain     Millard and I cleaned the aluminum siding in the front this morn.  I cooked some stuff and was up to Jennings twice.  Elizabeth sick enough to go to the Dr. this eve.  Tonite after prayer meeting Hilda took some of us to the funeral home where Betty Gilfert Waddell (Frank & Thelma Gilferts daughter) lay corpse.  Wendi Collier had adenoids out and tubes in her ears today. 



Footnote by Pat:    Millard is her husband.  Jennings is her brother and Elizabeth is his wife.   Hilda is a neighbor and fellow church member.  I do not know who Betty or Frank or Thelma  were.   Wendi Collier is her granddaughter who lives in Big Stone Gap, Va.  about 9 miles away. 

May 8, 1979 Aunt Estelle wrote

Clear,  Hot.  I cooked some and took to Jennings & Elizabeth.  Took Aunt Rosalee to grocery store this evening. 


Footnote by Pat:   Jennings is her brother and Elizabeth is his wife.  They live close to her.   Aunt Rosalee is married to Millard Baker, who is the half-brother to Estelle's Mother - Lula Baker. 

May 7, 1979 Aunt Estelle wrote

Clear very warm.   I washed 2 loads and dried outside.  Sold a load of Hay.  Walked up to Jennings.  Betty Ramey & Radious was in. 



Footnote by Pat:    Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.     Betty Ramey is a neighbor who has cows and that is where she goes to get fresh,  raw  milk (something we all loved to drink , my girls included).   Radious was a neighbor also. 

May 6, 1979 Aunt Estelle wrote

Clear  got very warm.  Janice & Wendi were home.  C.B.Slemp, Rodney Orick, Smith Kevin Reasor were here a while.  Bro Milyard Ely preached for us tonite.  



Footnote by Pat:    Janice is her daughter and Wendi is her granddaughter - they lived in Big Stone Gap, Va.(about 9 miles away)    C.B Slemp is her nephew (his Mother was Millard's sister) .  Rodney Orick was the son of a neighbor and fellow church member (I think).   Smith Kevin Reasor is her youngest brother's youngest son.  Her youngest brother was Everette and they lived in the Reasor family home where they all grew up.   The home was on a hill just across the road from Estelle's home.

May 5, 1979 Aunt Estelle wrote

Clear/Cloudy    Jennings & Elizabeth eat lunch with us and she was very sick tonite.  My eye is lots better.  We rode down to Grant Morefields late and stopped by Uncle Millards. 



Footnote by Pat:   Jennings is her brother and Elizabeth is his wife.  They live very close by.  Grant Morefield is a neighbor and Uncle Millard is her mothers half-brother who also lives nearby. 

May 4, 1979 Aunt Estelle wrote

Rain      I awoke with a red swollen eye and Reba took me to Harlan where the Dr. found infection.  I'm afraid pickin polk for greens is my trouble.  Curt come down and spent most of the day with Millard.  Roy & Edith were in tonite. 


Footnote by Pat:    Reba is her sister-in-law who lives nearby.  Harlan is in Kentucky about an hour away.  I guess that is where her eye Dr. was.  Curt is Millard's brother.  Millard is her husband.   Edith is her sister and Roy is Ediths  husband.  They live in Big Stone Gap as does Curt.   I really don't know what "polk" is but I think it is some sort of wild greens that comes up in early Spring.  Don't know what she did with it either.   Must have been for eating. 

May 3, 1979 Aunt Estelle wrote

Cloudy, rain      I planted squash & pumpkins today.  Curtis was hear all evening.  Allso  Pearl, Gene & Val Lipps & Reba was here. 


Footnote by Pat:    Curtis is her husbands'  brother.  Pearl, Gene & Val Lipps are neighbors and friends.  Reba is her husbands' sister.

May 2, 1979 Aunt Estelle wrote

Warm.   I cleaned some windows and put up clean curtains.  Bud Culbertson visited a minute.  This is the first we have seen of him since he left.  Jennings & Elizabeth were here, allso Betty Ramey, Sylvia and Cathy Kelly.  To prayer meeting tonite.  


Footnote by Pat:     Bud Culbertson was a former preacher at her church (I think).  Jennings is her brother and Elizabeth is his wife.   Betty Ramey is a neighbor.  Sylvia Kelly is a neighbor and fellow church member and Cathy is Sylvia's daughter.  They lived about 2 miles East. 

May 1, 1979 Aunt Estelle wrote

Coolish - I went to Lizzie's for eggs and stopped at Jennings a minute.  Millard & I went to Virginia Shuler's to ask about Harold who is in hospital and was very sick but was better  I went to Missionary Society tonite and out to Radious a minute. 


Footnote by Pat:   Lizzie is a neighbor with a lot of chickens.   Jennings is her brother.   Millard is her husband.  Virginia Shuler is a cousin and neighbor,  Harold is Virginia's husband.   Missionary Society was an organization for women who were members of the Deep Springs Baptist church.