December 31, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Wed.  Cloudy to fair & cold.  We had Wendi.  A.T. come at noon for her and we went to Uncle Ray's.  ran into Jennings at the post office coming from Ark.  where he had spent Christmas with his kids.  To prayer meeting tonite. 

Footnote:  Wendi is her granddaughter.  A. T. Collier  is Wendi's Dad.  Uncle Ray Baker is her uncle - the half-brother of her mother, Lula Baker Reasor.  Jennings is her brother who lives near her.  He has a daughter, Betty Jean who lives in Arkansas and that is where he went for Christmas.  His son, Kenneth lives in Iowa and I would guess that Kenneth and his family came to Arkansas for Christmas.    

Memo for Next Year:   This information is at the end of the book for 1980.  
Tues. Jan. 20, 1981   Ronald Reagan inaugurated as president.  Bush as vice president. 
54 Hostages released by Iran after 440 days.
 
Dec. 20, 1980  Maebird Blair had surgery and is full of cancer. 
Jan. 4, 1981  Jack took her to Dayton to his home. 
Feb. 23, 1982  Maebird died in the hospital in Dayton.  Bro Zion held her funeral at the church. 
Margarette Blair has cancer.
 
Friday Jan. 16, 1981  Little Tag Farmer passed out after coming off the school bus.
 
Feb. 28, 1982.  Brenda Wade (Kyle Wade's X-wife had a car wreck in Knoxville, Tenn. on her way to see her mother in the hospital in Nashville.  Lila Murphy 37 was killed in the accident and Brenda hurt real bad. 

December 30, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Tues. 1980  Snow flurries.   Wendi & I went to Penn. and over for milk.  When I come Edith was here.  She ate lunch with us.  I walked over to Mrs. Davis late, just for exercise. 


Footnote:  Wendi is her granddaughter who is probably still out of school for the holiday.  Pennington Gap is a town about 7 miles West.  Edith is her sister.  Mrs. Davis is her neighbor. 

December 29, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Monday  1980  50 degrees.  Fair warm to cloudy.  Went out to Lizzie's, down by Va. Shuler's a minute.  Radious and Walter were in. 


Footnote:  Lizzie Sturgill is her neighbor and Virginia Shuler, who lives near Lizzie, is her cousin.  Radious and Walter are her neighbors too. 

December 28, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sunday 1980   Fair cold.    We rushed home after church and went to Malissa's funeral.  To church. 


Footnote:  Malissa Reasor is her relative. 



My Note:  I cannot believe it but it has now been - today - 50 years since I got married at the First Baptist Church in Big Stone Gap.  Boy a lot has happened since then.  I would write a book but it would not be very interesting.   

December 27, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sat.  Fair cold  1980    I went to Big Stone this eve, to the funeral home where Malissa Reasor lay corpse.  Curt & Martha were in late.  


Footnote:  Big Stone Gap is a small town about 9 miles away.  Malissa Reasor is her cousin - not sure just how.  Curt is a relative of her husband, Millard.  I think he is Millard's brother but he could be a nephew - just don't remember.   Martha is Curt's wife.  They visit pretty often. 

December 26, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Friday  Fair cold.  1980    We had Wendi today.  We went for milk.  Stopped at Va. Shuler's.  Went for a walk later.  Richard Danner was in a while. 


Footnote:   Wendi is her granddaughter and she is out of school for the holiday.  Virginia Shuler is her cousin and neighbor.  Richard Danner is a friend who lives in the area.  

December 25, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

1980  Thurs.  Fair, some snow and ice.  We went to Janice's for lunch.  Stopped at Edith's awhile.  Patricia brought me a lovely white sweater.  We called Redge. 


Footnote:   Janice is her daughter.  Edith is her sister and she and Janice both live in Big Stone Gap.  Patricia (that's me)  is her niece, Edith's daughter and she lives in Cincinnati.  Redge is her son who lives in Charlotte, N.C. 


Hope you all had a lovely Christmas, we are all blessed to share the love with our families.  I am at Leah's and it was busy yesterday so I just never had time to write.  Things are really quiet today.  Max and I are going to the Half-Price book store and Goodwill after while.  His two favorite places to shop for movies, games, books and at Goodwill he likes to get Plush animals.  Leslie and Kenny are gone to work and Leah is going to show houses. 

December 24, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Wed.  Rainy - turned windy and snowed some.   Malissa Reasor died this morning.  Lots of other deaths around us.  Every year I pray we won't die at these holidays.  Makes some one sad for sure. 


Footnote:  Malissa Reasor was a relative I think, but I'm just not sure how she is related.   I remember her and where she lived  but not much else.   It is sad to have a death during the holidays. 


I hope each and every one of you have a wonderful Christmas.  It is very cold here - in the low 20's and not supposed to get much warmer.   I have all my gifts wrapped and getting all the food ready to go to Leah's in a few minutes.   I will do some of the cooking today.   I have a really bad cold and don't feel so good but will make it thru the day.  I will stay all night at Leah's and go with them to the movie tomorrow and then to Kenny's brother's house for the Kordenbrock huge family gathering. 
Have a safe and warm holiday.    Love to you all.   Pat 

December 23, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Tues.  cloudy cold.   Wendi & I went to the grocery store.  Radious & Walter were here a minute.  To prayer meeting tonite. 


Footnote:    Wendi is her granddaughter and out of school for the holidays.  Radious & Walter are neighbors of hers.    

December 22, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Monday.   1980  Fair warmer.  We have Wendi.  We all took a walk.  I sewed some.  Val and Gene Lipps come awhile.  Maebird Blair had surgery today.  She has cancer. 


Footnote:  Wendi is her granddaughter and I bet she was out of school for the holidays.  Val and Gene are friends of hers who live somewhere in the neighborhood.   I do not remember them.  Maebird Blair is a neighbor of hers. 

December 21, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sunday 1980  Fair not quite so cold.    Janice was home.  We went up to Litton's fabric shop this evening.  Christmas program tonite. 


Footnote:   Janice is her daughter who lives about 9 miles away.  Litton's fabric store was in the Cadet section of Wise County, located between Big Stone  Gap and her house in Deep Springs.  The woman who owned the store was from Appalachia.  Her son Scotty Litton was a boyfriend of mine for a while when I was in high school.  Litton's daughter, Carolyn still lives in Big Stone and I think she owns a store - maybe the bridal shop - in Big Stone.  Carolyn married one of the Bloomer boys who was from Powell Valley and his family owned the roller skating rink that we all loved.  There was also a lake there where we went swimming sometimes.   I remember going to her fabric store. 


sorry I didn't get this posted yesterday.  I have a bad cold, slept late and had to meet a friend at noon to deliver a journal cover I made for her trip to Florida.  So when I got up I had to leave. 

December 20, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sat.  Fair very cold.    I done house work.  We went up to Reba's this eve.  Hear Maebird Blair is full of cancer. 


Footnote:  Reba is her sister-in-law and lives nearby.  Maebird Blair is also a neighbor.  I think they are the Blairs that owned the general store.  I remember getting fudgecicles there.  Daddy would stop to get gas there sometimes and we would get to have an icecream.   Can't remember her husbands name but I remember what he looked like - a small frame man with dark hair.   

Cold and rainy here today.  I have a cold, sore throat and all that crap.  Got it at the grocery AGAIN.  I swear I wear gloves, never touch all those signing pens that everyone else touches, clean the cart and still I get a bug.  I have some things I have to pick up for Christmas and I have a journal and doll to deliver to two different people.   So I have to get out in this mess.  I would just rather stay here and sew.   I was supposed to meet some of my old friends for lunch downtown and then I had plans to have dinner with some other friends tonight at a barbecue place - I had to cancel both of them.  I don't feel so bad, I just don't want to spread the germ.    Hope you are all well.   

December 19, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Friday  very cold.    I went to the post office early to pick up our packages from Rosemary.  Then we went to town and took some things to Janice's house.  To the bank.  Curt & Martha here a while.  Jennings got to Ark. in about 11 hours. 


Footnote:  Rosemary is her daughter who lives in New Mexico with her husband, Carey Drew and their two children, Gregory and Shauna.  Janice is her other daughter and she lives about 9 miles away in Big Stone Gap, Va.  Curt is her relative and Martha is Curt's wife.  Jennings is her brother who lives near her and he has driven to Arkansas to spend Christmas with his daughter, Betty Jean and her family.  

December 18, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Thurs.  Fair Cold   I washed.  Jennings was here awhile.    He leaves for Betty Jean's tomorrow for Christmas.  I will miss him. Allso miss Everette so much today.  I was up to Jennings late. 


Footnote:  Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.  Betty Jean is Jennings' daughter and she and her family live in Arkansas.  Betty Jean is the oldest grandchild in this Reasor family,  the third generation.    She has passed away now.  Everette is her youngest brother and he has also passed away.  He was the youngest child in the Reasor family, the second generation.   They were both very nice, gentle, God loving people.  They are both missed by all the family.  

December 17, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Wed.  Fair Warmer.   I went to Pennington and finished my shopping.  Visited at the nursing home on my way up.  To prayer meeting.  Radious & Walter were in. 


Footnote:  Pennington is a town about 7 miles West.  Radious & Walter are good neighbors who stop in often. 


My Note:   I just noticed that I missed another day.  My days are too busy and start early it seems.  I have two more dolls to deliver today and done with that for a while.  Gotta get shopping and wrapping.   Hope you all are all finished and just coasting. 

December 16, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Tuesday.  Rainy Wet.  warm.    I am worn out, so haven't done much.  Millard had upset stomach.  Jennings was in.  Redge called tonite.  Harold & Va. were in. 


Footnote:  Millard is her husband.  Jennings is her brother.  Redge is her son and he lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Harold Shuler and Virginia are neighbors and Virginia is her cousin.  Just wondering if Millard's upset stomach is the reason she is "worn out"?    Maybe she is just tired on this day.  I have those days too.   

December 15, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Monday  cloudy cold.  1980   Rain by nite.  I went to tobacco market.   When I got back & had to go stay with Wendi until her mom come in.  Millard 77 years old. 


Footnote:  The tobacco market was held in Pennington Gap, Va. at the tobacco warehouse, about 8 miles away.  Wendi is her granddaughter and they live in Big Stone Gap.  Millard is her husband. 

December 14, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sunday.  Fair cold.  Janice & Wendi & Jennings ate lunch with us.  We went to Magic Mart. 


Footnote:  Janice is her daughter and Wendi is her granddaughter.  Magic Mart is a general store with a variety of things,   They did this a lot on Sundays . 

My note:   in the 30's here today and rainy.  snowing just a little North of us.  Going to Leah's for the Cookie Bake Day.  Rachel and Hope will be there too.  Leslie is working at the Urgent Care until 3 and then she will bring the excitement up a level or two.   Max will be hidden away in his room doing what he loves - watching YouTube and movies.  He will help us make his favorite cookie - sugar with decorations.   Hope you all have a good day. 

December 13, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sat. Fair cold.   I washed & baked a cake.  We went up to Jennings and up to Radious awhile.  We had youth meeting at the church tonite.  nearly 200. 


Footnote:   Jennings is her brother and Radious is a neighbor.  That is a lot of people in that little church on a Sat. night.   

December 12, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Friday 1980  Fair cold to a warm 50 degrees.   Jennings, Millard & I ate lunch at Burger Queen in Big Stone and went to  Johnny Gilliams funeral at Appa.  I helped Randy grade tobacco after we come in. 


Footnote:  Jennings is her brother and Millard is her husband.  Burger Queen (I think there are no more Burger QUEENS) was a local hamburger joint in Big Stone Gap.  They did have good burgers.   I don't remember Johnny Gilliam.  Appalachia is a small town just 2 miles away from Big Stone Gap.   Randy is the guy who has shared in the raising of the tobacco crop.  He will share in the money when the tobacco is sold. 

My note:   boy I just don't know what has happened to my timing.  I seem to be a day behind.  I will go ahead and try to catch up now.  Think I just forgot to write one day and can't seem to get the days straight.  I should be thinking better than that, I got a lot of blood flowing to all parts now.    Still cold here.  Going to deliver 3 dolls to this lady now and stop at Whole Foods (my favorite store) to get some supplies for the week and for the cookie bake we are having at Leah's tomorrow.  I have to get something for the kids to make too.  Hope and Max love to bake cookies - Leslie not so much the baking but she does love the eating.    It is always a fun day - I will be making fudge of all kinds - dark choc, semi-sweet choc and a batch with walnuts.   Wish I could share some with all of you. 

December 11, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Thursday 1980   Fair cold.  I baked a cake & cooked beans for Mrs. Bonnie Green.  baked a pie & took Jennings some.  just layed around all evening.  Harold Davis died today, a brother of Henderson & Sam Davis. 


Footnote:  I don't know who Mrs. Bonnie Green was.  Jennings is her brother who lives near her. I don't know Harold Davis or Henderson.  I do remember her talking about Sam Davis but don't remember anything about him. 

Sorry I am so late posting today/tonight.   Rachel called early this morning to say that Hope was still sick and could I come and stay with her,.   She was sick Monday and Rachel took her to Dr. and they found blisters on her throat but no strep.  So it will just have to run its' course.   She was feeling better later in the day.      So now it is Thur. morning and I am trying to get this finished.  Last night, the computer just stopped so I went to bed.  It is 8 degrees here this morning and I am so glad I don't have to go out.   Stay warm.  

December 10, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Wed.  Fair, cloudy, cold   1980  I didn't do much.  Went to see Pearl this evening.  was up to Jennings this morn.  To pray meeting tonite.   


Footnote:  Pearl Barkley is her first cousin who has had a stroke and I think she was homebound at this time.  Pearl lives about 5 miles away.  Jennings is her brother who lives closeby.  

December 9, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Tues.  Rainy warm  wet.  1980    I had sore throat and didn't feel too good.  Randy put down all the rest of the tobacco.  I walked up to Jennings late.   Reba was in. 


Footnote:  Randy is the guy who helps her with the tobacco crop, getting it ready to go to market to be sold.   Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.  Reba is her sister-in-law and she also lives nearby. 


My note:  had a good sale yesterday in spite of the awful weather.  It was 20 degrees when I got downtown at 6:30 yesterday morning to set up the show.  There were lots of nice young men there to help me carry my boxes in the building.  Lots of people showed  up and bought some things.  This group hires a caterer to fix dinner for everyone after the show.  The food was so delicious and it just went on and on - right to the homemade carmels and peppermint patties at the end.   We ate in an old Victorian home downtown that belongs to an old friend of mine and he was the mayor of  Cincinnati about 10 years ago.  His wife is a potter and she is in the show.    It was a very long day and a cold day.  So I am pretty tired today and have just kinda set around all day - couple of naps too I think.  It is snowing here again.  Already have 5" on the ground and it is frozen. 

December 8, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Monday   Fair warmer.  I went to the post office and mailed Rosemary sweet potatoes.  Washed a load of clothes.  We went to Big Stone and Appa to get car insurance this evening.  Stopped at Edith's a minute. 

Footnote:  Rosemary is her daughter who lives in Hobbs, New Mexico and loves Virginia sweet potatoes.  Big Stone is a small town about 9 miles away and Appalachia is another small town about 2 miles from Big Stone.   Edith is her sister who lives in Big Stone.


My Note:   I am writing this a day early as I have a show tomorrow - Sunday the 8th. and I have to be there at 6:30 AM to set up.  Can you believe it?   It is going to be 14 degrees and supposed to sleet/snow and who knows what else.  Won't get up to 30.   This is a well established show (45 years)
with a big following and I am invited as a guest this year.    One of the men passed away and they needed to fill his space so they invited me.  I am really excited about being in the show - just wish the weather was going to be better.     I'll let you know if it was worth all the work and cold. 

December 7, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sunday  Fair warmer, 1980    Janice & Wendi were home.  Roy Shuler was in a minute.  Rosemary called.  


Footnote:  Janice is her daughter and Wendi is her granddaughter and they live in Big Stone Gap.  Roy Shuler is her brother-in-law, married to her younger sister, Edith and they live in Big Stone.  Rosemary is her daughter and she lives in Hobbs, New Mexico. 

December 6, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sat. 1980   Beautiful warm weather.  I went to Joe Tankersley's to get me some deer meat early.  Was up to Jennings, and down by Sandra a minute.  Millard & I took down the road to Woodway, visited the Tom Ely's, come back by Uncle Ray Bakers and up by Mrs. White's. 


Footnote:  I don't know Joe Tankersley.  I do remember the name but not the guy - he must have lived in the area and was a hunter.  Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.  Sandra is her niece who lives nearby.  She is the daughter of Everette (Estelle's brother) and Ruth Reasor.   Millard is her husband who makes the rounds with her sometimes and looks like today is the day.  Woodway is a small community about 10 miles away.   I think we all knew somebody who lived in Woodway.  Tom Ely was Millard's brother - I think.  I remember him being called "Uncle Tom".  Uncle Ray Baker was Estelle's mother's (Lula Baker REasor) half-brother.   Don't know Mrs. White - must have been a friend in the community.   

My note:   Well we got the ice sometime during the night and it is 30 degrees now.  Supposed to start snowing anytime now and won't stop until we get 5" according to the weatherman.    I am packing my dolls and things in the car this morning so I can get the car to the edge of the driveway.   Show is Sunday and we have to set up at 7AM.  What havoc the weather can create on our lives.   We will get thru it and hopefully have a few less dolls and a little more money.   Hope all is well with you.  

December 5, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Friday 1980    Fair, cold to warmer.  Jennings picked us up and we went to Penn. for Paul Kelly's funeral.  Then Millard & I went to Big Stone and got his driving license, I visited Malissa at the hospital.  We went to Janice's and then to appa for groceries. 


Footnote:  Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.  Pennington Gap, Va. is a town about 7 miles West of her home.  Paul Kelly was a neighbor.  Millard is her husband.  Malissa Reasor is an older relative who lives in the Big Stone Gap area.  Janice is her daughter who lives in Big Stone.  Appalachia is a town about 10 miles from her home.  Guess they were out of groceries in Big Stone that day. 


My note:  speaking of groceries - that is where I am headed.  The weatherman says it is going from 60 degrees to 17 degrees by Sat. and a large number of inches of snow.   I have a show on Sunday so I am a little worried about loading the car if there is so much snow.  I guess I could just go ahead and get some of the boxes in the car today.   So as I always say, the weather is brought to you by your local grocer.  People here rush to the store like they won't get to eat for weeks.   I just need a flashlight that works and some candles in case the electric goes out.    Hope all is well where you are. 

December 4, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Thursday. 1980    Fair cold.  I sewed some, wrote Lucy a letter.  Cooked some soup.  Tonite Jennings & I went to funeral home  where Paul Kelly lay corpse.  Stopped at Dry Branch Methodist Church to the revival.  

Footnote:  Lucy is her sister, Lucille Zubke, who lives in Goodrich, Michigan.  Jennings is her brother who used to live in Flint, Michigan but when he retired he moved back to his homeplace in Deep Springs, Va.  He lives very near her.  Not sure who Paul Kelly is but he was probably a neighbor.  Dry Branch is a small community a few miles away.  Looks like she was checking out the Methodist .  

December 3, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Wednesday 1980    Cold. Fair.  Radious, Walter, Val and Gene Lipps & Jennings were in a minute.   To Prayer meeting tonite.  


Footnote:   Radious and Walter are her neighbors.  Val and Gene Lipps were friends of hers and I don't know where they lived.  Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.  Prayer meeting was at her church.


My note:  Boy I don't know what I was doing this morning that made me forget to write on the blog.  I am getting ready for a show on Sunday and I had a couple of silk purses in mind to make and I guess I just jumped right into that as I did get them made.  I am working on a new doll - a fat older lady made of the fabric from a wool skirt that I got at the junk store - recycle.   I made 6 new dolls for the last show that have dark brown skin - one is actually black fabric -  and I crocheted jackets and hats for them out of silk ribbon that came from old Indian sari's.  So the jackets are wildly colored and kinda stringy as the silk does ravel some.  They were perfect for the long skinny black dolls that I dressed in African tie-dye fabric.  I sold 3 of them to one gal who is giving them to the grand children of the Rev. Shuttlesworth ( a marcher and friend of Dr. Martin Luther King).  He lived here in Cinti before he died recently.    So I love to try putting together new dolls.   I just cut fabric and sew - no pattern.  I gotta get back now, gotta figure out what kind of legs and shoes this gal will have.  

December 2, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Tues. Dec. 2, 1980    Cloudy some rain & turned cold.  I washed, hung some clean curtains, cooked some.  Paul Kelly died today of cancer.  I went up to Jennings awhile.  To missionary society tonite. 


Footnote:  Paul Kelly was a neighbor.  Jennings is her brother who is also a neighbor.  Missionary society is an organization that is part of the Baptist church.  I was never at a meeting but I am guessing they had food and talked about the mission program and raised money for the missionaries.  Sounds like a good meeting.  

December 1, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Monday 1980  Nice sunshiny warmer day.     I washed & dried 3 loads of clothes.  Walked up to trash can.  Washed the car.  Jennings was in also Edith & Roy.


Footnote:  Jennings is her brother.  Edith is her sister and Roy is her husband.  


Notes at the end of November:
Friday Nov. 30, 1979  Doug Shuler had hemmoroid surgery.
Dec. 1, 1979  Glenda Carol Johnston 37 years old - committed suicide with the exhaust of her car. 
Friday Dec. 14, 1979  H. L. Noe of Harlan and husband of Patty Noe who works with Janice.  He wrecked his private plane in Knoxville and it exploded and he burned. 
Dec. 16, 1979  Judy Orr 56 died.  daughter of Mr. Robert Orr down near Pearl Barkleys.
Dec. 9, 1981  Millard stayed in Pennington Hospital with congestive heart failure until Dec. 14. 

Events in December:
Jonathan Wesley Reasor born Dec. 7, 1974 to Stephen and Cherlene Reasor.
Millard Ely born Dec. 15, 1903  and he died Dec. 21, 1983    80 years old. 

November 30, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sunday  Fair.  Got nice & warm.  1980   Jennings, Janice & Wendi ate lunch with us.  We went to Magic Mart.  Had fellowship supper and Jerry & Sandy sang tonite. 


Footnote:   Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.    Janice is her daughter and Wendi is her granddaughter.    Magic Mart must have been the magic store for a place to go on Sunday.   I don't know Jerry & Sandy.  

November 29, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Saturday  Some snow & cloudy.   Redge left for home this morning.  He called back to say he got there O.K.  Jennings got back from visiting Aunt Jeanette & Uncle Millard.  Woodrow & Lizzie were in this evening. 


Footnote:   Redge is her son and he and his family live in Charlotte, N.C.   Jennings is her brother who lives near her but made a trip to Michigan to visit relatives.  Aunt Jeanette is her mother's half-sister.  Not sure who Uncle Millard unless it was Millard Baker who had lived near her but had been moved to Cincinnati so his two sons could take care of them.   That might have been the time that Uncle Jennings stopped to see me and the girls and he stayed all night with us.  I took him to see Uncle Millard and Aunt Rosalee.  I still pass by the house they lived in.  It is near where Rachel works.     

My note:   Hope you all had a safe, happy and full of good food holiday.   I am at Leah's and she had a houseful of people who ate every last speck of turkey, dressing, corn pudding, gravy and many other good things.    I am off now with Leslie to Hobby Lobby and JoAnn's  .    The family does a Christmas craft exchange and Leslie needs to get her supplies.    Later  

November 28, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Friday  Rainy Snowy and cold.  We had Wendi and Redge's family.  Ruth, Smith, Justin & Johnathan, Roy, Doug & Travis were all here.  Redge went to Big Stone . 

Footnote:  Wendi is her granddaughter and she lives in Big Stone Gap, about 9 miles away.   Redge is her son and he and his family live in Charlotte, North Carolina.    Ruth is her sister-in-law, married to her youngest brother, Everette.  Smith is Ruth and Everette's youngest son and Justin and Johnathan are the sons of Ruth and Everette's oldest son, Stephen.   They all live close by.  Roy is her sister, Edith's husband and they live in Big Stone Gap.  Doug and Travis are Roy's son and grandson and they live in Kingsport, Tenn.  


Hope you are all having lots of good food and visits with family and friends.  It is a day to be thankful for all the good blessings we have. 

November 27, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Thurs.  1980   Rainy, windy.   I baked some pies, baked a ham and worked on my quilt some.  Stayed by ourselves most of the day.  Francis Ratliffe finally come, also Roy Shuler, Doug & Travis.  Redge and girls come to stay all nite. 

Footnote:  Francis Ratliffe is her niece on her husband's side.  She was raised by Reba Ely Reasor.  Roy Shuler is  the husband of her sister, Edith.  Doug is Roy's son and Travis is Doug's son, Roy's grandson.  Redge is her son who lives in North Carolina.  He has two daughters, Jennifer and Leisha. 

November 26, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Wed. 1980   Fair not so cold.    We have Wendi.  She & I visited at the nursing home.  Reba was in.  To prayer meeting.


Footnote:  Wendi is her granddaughter and I am guessing she is out of school for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Nice of Wendi to go visiting with her.   Reba is her sister-in-law who lives nearby. 


My note:   Boy I don't know what is going on - yesterday just got away from me and I totally forgot to write on the blog.  I had to pick up Hope (Rachel's daughter who is now 9 years old and sharp as a tack.   We went shopping for some gifts.   She helped me in the booth Saturday at the show and she could handle the phone/credit card machine with no fear.   I let her do everything that she wanted to do to help me.  So of course, she found some things in another gal's booth - jewelry- that she wanted and I let her get that too.   We all bring light snacks to the show and Rachel works in the dining room keeping the food cleaned up.  Some of the people come and eat like they just got out of prison. 
So now, I have to go pick up Hope.  We have some more things to do - gotta go to the grocery to get ingredients for fudge, deviled eggs and dumplings.  That is what I am making at Leah's for Thanksgiving dinner.  Her husband's family is coming to her house and there are 57 of them - hopefully they won't all be there at the same time.  Takes a lot of food but they all bring what she tells them to bring.  Rachel, Dave and Hope will come early as they go to his families house for dinner.  Rachel is making Southern corn pudding - and it is sooooo good.    Hope  each of you have a good family gathering with all the best foods.  

November 25, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Tues. 1980   Fair cold.   I went for milk, then to the bank and grocery store.  Stopped at Edith's a minute, washed and quilted some this evening. 

Footnote:   Edith is her sister.

November 24, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Monday 1980  Rainy & wet.    I mailed Rosemary's  packages this morning.  Then helped in the tobacco nearly all day.  Curt & Martha come awhile. 

Footnote:  Rosemary is her daughter and she and her husband, son and daughter live in Hobbs, New Mexico.   They visit her in the summer for a long vacation.   They are getting the tobacco ready to be sold, which usually happened in December.   Curt is her brother-in-law and Martha is his wife.


My Note:   I was so lazy this morning that I totally forgot to write on the blog.  Sorry about that.  I had a good show yesterday, lots of people and they gave me some of their money in exchange for some of my work.  It is very cold here but I did go out to a small art show that three of my friends were having.  Then I went to Whole Foods to get some fresh fruit and veggies.  I love to go there for fresh food.   Hope you had a good day - stay warm.  

November 23, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sunday 1980   Rain & Rain    Janice & Wendi were home.  We went to Magic Mart a minute. 

Footnote:    Janice is her daughter and Wendi is her granddaughter.  Magic Mart is a general store.

My Note:   I am writing this on Friday night as I have to get up and leave early in the morning.  I am in a show and we have to finish setting it up before it opens at 10 AM.  Leslie came and helped me carry all the things into the building this afternoon (Friday).  I set the booth up after she left.   This is a show that has been going on for 17 years on the Sat. before Thanksgiving.  It started with 5 women and they had the show in one of their homes.  They had so many people come that the next year they rented a hall and had it there.  It has been in the Harmony Hall ever since.  I am not one of the original people.  I have been doing it for 12 years and it is one of the best shows I do.  We do all our own advertising and mail out 4,000 postcards.  The customers are waiting in line as early as 9:00 AM.  We all make 2 homemade goodies each and the people just eat and shop.    Rachel comes and works in the dining room helping to keep the food fresh and we all pay her for the work.  There are 12 of us now so it is small and all the work is really good.  I feel really privileged to be part of the group.    So I have my fudge and brownies ready to go.  Rachel made ginger snaps and cranberry/white choc. chip cookies.  I have to leave here early.  I will let you know how it goes.  It is supposed to be really cold tomorrow - high of 38.   Hope it doesn't stop the people from coming out. 

November 22, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sat. 1980  Fair to cloudy warmer.    I washed some, cleaned house & car.  Went to town to get the car washed.  stopped at Stell Kelly's a minute. 

Footnote:  I am guessing she went to Big Stone Gap, about 9 miles away, to get the car washed.  Stell , Estelle, Kelly is her good friend from the neighborhood and church. 

November 21, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Friday  1980  Fair cold.   I worked on my quilt.  Roy Shuler was in, also Radious, Walter, Lizzie, Maude Ellen , Ginger & Dale. 


Footnote:  Roy Shuler (my Daddy) is her brother-in-law, married to her sister, Edith.  They live in Big Stone Gap but have a small farm near where she lives.  Radious and Walter are neighbors as well as Lizzie and Maude Ellen Sturgill.  I don't know who Ginger and Dale are.  Maybe friends from church.  

Other info: 
Oct. 22, 1986  Wendi age 13 had her eyes checked today and will have contact lenses.  Janice had glasses last week. 
Oct. 22, 1984  P. H. Tritt died
Oct. 22, 1979  Molly Delph Reasor burned behind the old schoolhouse today.  first thought is suicide, but may not be. 
Oct. 22, 1883 Mrs. Molly Wards birthday.  died June 25, 1981.  Jeff Ward died May 4, 1971   (wow, Molly was nearly 100 years old). 
Oct. 22, 1967 Nancy Givens died  age 77
Oct. 22, 1964  Sabrina Kay daughter of Wayne & Wanda Wheeler Bailey. 
Oct. 23, 1987  Luna Coomer died sudden of her heart conditions.   

November 20, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Thurs. 1980  Fair cold.    Fair cold.  Jennings left for Michigan about 8 this morn and called back before 8 tonite he was there.  Bro Zion was in a minute.  I went to Pennington awhile.  Visited at nursing home and shopped Magic Mart. 

Footnote:  Jennings is her brother who lives near her.  He spent all his working life in Flint, Michigan and has family and friends there.  He must have driven fast and never stopped.  When we would go to Michigan in the summer, it took us two days.   Bro Zion is a preacher, I think.  Pennington is a town about 8 miles west of her house.    She made her rounds at the nursing home - just seeing all the people she knew.  She sure was good about visiting with people. 

My note:  Last night I went with Rachel, Dave and Hope to Hope's school for the third grade Thanksgiving show.  It was all about being thankful and some of the kids got to speak into a microphone about what they are thankful for.  Hope had a speaking part.  They also had some musical instruments they played.  It was very good.  They are all well behaved and looked so cute. 
I got a lot of things to finish up today getting ready for the show.   Talked to Mother
and she is doing fine.  Janice was over Sat. and took her out for the day.  She sure enjoys her time with Janice and I want to thank you Janice for taking your time to do that.   Saw a good picture on the internet of Redge and Reka.   You all look very well and happy.  

November 19, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Wed. 1980  Fair cold.  I washed two loads of clothes.  Jennings was in.  To prayer meeting tonite. 

Footnote:  Wow, that was an easy day.   Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.  She never misses a chance to go to church. 

Info from the other journal: 
Oct. 20, 1987  Bob Howard's wife died of cancer.  J. J. Howard (his dad) was buried today. 
Oct. 20, 1980  Jennifer Ely had her eye repaired. 
Oct. 20, 1972  Stephen Reasor (21) & Cherlene Bently (22) got married at Deep Springs church.  Johnathan Wesley was borned Ded. 7, 1974.  Justin David borned Jan. 30, 1977. 
Oct. 21 Wesley Campbell Hop Slemp borned to Charles & Jean Slemp  1984
Oct. 21   Mrs. Waive Orr's Birthday
Oct. 21 1972  we heard that Rev. Burleson Sword died after a car wreck in California (age 50)

November 18, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Tues.  cold  snow flurries this morning.  Jennings, Millard and I went to Dewey Russell's funeral, eat at Long John Silver's, got some groceries.  Late I went to Va. Shuler's and over to Betty's for milk. 

Footnote:  Jennings is her brother and Millard is her husband.  Dewey Russell was a neighbor of hers - and I guess they didn't get any cake since she said yesterday that the 2 cakes she made didn't turn out.  Virginia Shuler is her cousin and friend who does not drive, so she visits her often and they both are avid readers so they share books.  Betty is her neighbor with cows. 


My note:  Got a busy week ahead - have a big show on Saturday so I have a lot of things to finish and get prices on them.  I have the biggest inventory of things now that I have ever had.  Just have to make some more silk scarves today and put hair on 12 new dolls.   Need to go to the grocery and need to go to the printer and make some more business cards.  No Dr. apts. this week so that is good and I hope it stays that way - tired of spending my time and money on that.  I feel 100% better than I did this time last year.   So hope you all have a good week and stay healthy.  

November 17, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Monday  Rain wind more rain.  I baked 2 cakes to take to the Russell family.  Neither was right.  This afternoon I helped Randy in the tobacco for 4 hrs.  Jennings was in a minute.  Lucille called tonite. 


Footnote:   She noted a couple days ago that Dewey Russell had died.  I think he is a neighbor.  Guess they didn't get any cake if that is what she means that neither of them were right.   Randy is the guy - probably her tenant farmer for the tobacco crop - who is grading the tobacco getting it ready to go to market for sale.   Jennings is her brother and he lives nearby.  Lucille is her sister who lives in Goodrich, Michigan. 

More info from the other journal:
Oct. 19, 1980  Bro Haun 79 years old talked at our church tonite.  He lives in N. Carolina with his daughter.  Bro Haun died Nov. 26, 1982.
Oct. 19  Boy 1973 Joel Thomas borned to Harvey and Luretta Graham. 
Oct. 19 1968  Sammy Kelly and Eva Burchell married at Deep Springs Church.  Had a baby girl 1971 another in 1972. 

November 16, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sunday,  Windy cold.   Janice & Wendi were here.  We went to Magic Mart. 

Footnote:   Janice is her daughter and Wendi is her granddaughter. 


More info from the birth, marriage and death journal that she kept: 
Oct. 16, 1971  Judy Reasor and Carlie Cox were married at the church.  Jan. 7, 1974 Charles Andrew was borned. 
Oct. 17, 1989.  Wendi made her 1000 points in her ball game tonite.  They gave her the ball she used and honored her.  Quite a crowd. 
Oct. 17, 1989  Earth quake in San Francisco, California.  a big catasphore. 
Oct. 17, 1973  Etta Belle Scott died.  of Seminary. 
Oct. 17, 1968  son borned to David Barney & Brenda Lynn Ely Barney (Jason Lynn)
Oct. 17, 1966  Maudie Ellen Sturgill Castle found her 4 mts. old baby boy dead in bed. 

Oct. 18, 1990  Herbert Slemp had a heart attack, then surgery, a triple by-pass. Oct. 25 real sick, died Dec. 3, 1990
Oct. 18, 1987  J. J. Howard died of a stroke & heart attack and several days of being real sick. 
Oct. 18, 1978  Harold Reasor died sudden in Louisville, Ky.  wife Jewell Farmer, daughters Sharon and Lennis(?)
Oct. 18, 1967 Bascom Slemp & Glenice Jones married.  Baby girl borned 19 May 1968 to Bascom & Glenice.  Glenice died of cancer March 3, 1984.
Oct. 18, 1965 Redge Ely got wrist broken at Pet plant Charlotte, N. Carolina
Oct. 18  Herbert Slemp birthday. 

November 15, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sat. Rainy Foggy.   Janice & Wendi & I went to Kingsport.  Randy started grading the tobacco.  Dewey Russell died today. 


Footnote:  Janice is her daughter and Wendi is her granddaughter.  Kingsport, Tenn. is a nice town about 45 miles to the southeast.  Randy must have been the tobacco sharecropper she had that year.  That usually meant, as I remember, that she had the land and the tobacco allotment and she hired someone to plant and tend to the tobacco until it went to market and then he would get a share of the money the tobacco made when sold.    Dewey Russell was a neighbor. 

My note:  Went to the gallbladder surgeon yesterday for my final checkup - I hope for the year.  I am over all this medical stuff and I need to get some order back in my life.  I am back home and have finally got things back in order - threw all the stuff away that was in the fridge.  A lot of the boxes and canned things had expired so out they went.    Getting ready for two shows in the next month so my sewing stuff is everywhere.  Got a lot of new things finished and ready to sell.   Hope all is well with all you guys.  Stay warm - had our first snow this week - gone now and going to be 60 this weekend..

November 14, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Friday, 1980   I washed some.  Radious & Walter were here awhile.  Jennings, Millard and I went to visit Malissa, stoped at Janice & Edith and Buckles a minute. 


Footnote:  Radious and Walter are friends/neighbors of hers.  Jennings is her brother and Millard is her husband.  Malissa Reasor is her cousin who lived in Big Stone Gap area.  Janice is her daughter and Edith is her sister and they both live in Big Stone Gap.    Buckles is a long-standing, old grocery store that was in Big Stone Gap.  It has long since been torn down.   

November 13, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Thurs.  Fair cold  1980    I cooked a roast for Jennings.  We had to go meet Wendi.  Stopped at Southern States for grass seed and sowed it on potato patch. 


Footnote:   Jennings is her brother who lives nearby and is alone.  Wendi is her granddaughter who lives and goes to school in Big Stone Gap - about 9 miles away.  Southern States was a big farm supply store in Big Stone Gap.    We walked by the store everyday on our way to school.   

November 12, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Wed.  Fair cold.  1980   I cooked some.  took Jennings some food.  Jennings & I went to Olinger.  Come back by Hattie Reasor's.  Radious and Walter come in awhile.  To prayer meeting.  I got several Christmas packages wrapped. 


Footnote:  Jennings is her brother who lives around on the back road.  Olinger is a small community about 6 miles or so from where they live.  Millard, Estelle's husband, had a sister that owned the community store there in Olinger.  I think the coal trains ran thru Olinger.  In April of this year, I was visiting Mother and we took a day to visit in Lee County and Olinger was one of the spots we visited.  I remember the name Hattie Reasor but I don't know what the connection is - if she is a cousin or friend - could be both.  Radious and Walter are neighbors of her.  She sure got an early start on Christmas but she did have to mail packages.  

November 11, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Tues. 1980  Fair cold.    I went to Pennington to shop some.   Reba was in a minute.  Jennings picked me up and we went to Admant for revival tonite. 


Footnote:  Pennington is a town about 8 miles to the West of her home.  Reba is her sister-in-law who lives nearby.   I don't know of a place called Admant.  In her writing, that is what it looks like.  Anyway, they went to church there.   

November 10, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Monday 1980   I washed.  was up to Jennings one minute.  We went up to Hargus & Thelma's awhile.  Glen Graham picked up a load of hay late. 


Footnote:  Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.  Hargus is her brother-in-law and Thelma is his wife.  They also live nearby.  Glen Graham is a neighbor who lived up by the church, 1/2 mile away. 

November 9, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sunday.  cloudy  1980  dripped a little.   Janice, Wendi & Jennings eat lunch with us.  We went to the Magic Mart. 



Footnote:  Janice is her daughter and Wendi is her granddaughter.  Jennings is her brother.  Magic Mart is a general store located about 7 miles away.   


Nice day here in Northern Kentucky.  I am at Leah's and we had our crafting day today.  Made lots of fun things and Rachel made some super good cookies.   I took Max junking today  and he got some new things.  I found some more nice neckties - got to make some more dyed scarves this week for the show I'm in 2 weeks.  

November 8, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sat.  Fair warm  1980    We had Wendi, Janice had to work half a day.  Edith, Roy, Travis & Lori were here awhile.  Junior Morefield dug potatoes and I helped pick up awhile.  David Sturgill put a booster on our TV. 


Footnote:  Wendi is her granddaughter and Janice is her daughter.  Edith is her sister and Roy is Edith's husband.  They all live in Big Stone Gap - about 9 miles away.  Travis and Lori are Edith and Roy's grandchildren.  Junior Morefield was a neighbor farmer.  David Sturgill is probably one of Lizzie's children and Lizzie is her neighbor and good friend who lives nearby. 

November 7, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Friday   Fair  A beautiful day.   I washed & sewed some.  was up to Jennings a minute and he & I went to Dryden for church tonite.  Glen Graham was in awhile this eve. 


Footnote:  Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.  Dryden is a small town about 6 miles West of her home.  Glen Graham is the son of one her neighbor friends.  I think he is the youngest son in that family and when he was in school they called him catbird.  He was a friend of my brother. 

November 6, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Thurs.  fair but cool.    I baked some pies & took Jennings one.  I made me a jacket.  Went down to Va Shuler's and up by Lizzie's a minute.  Mrs. Ollie Cawood died. 


Footnote:  Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.  Virginia Shuler is her cousin who lives a couple miles away.  Lizzie Sturgill  is also a neighbor.  Mrs. Ollie Cawood was a friend and I think she lived in Seminary about 6 miles away.   

November 5, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Wed.  Fair nice but cool.  Jennings was in.  I walked over to Mrs. Orrs a minute, stopped at Mrs. Green's.  This eve we went to Johny Sturgills, Grant Morefields, and Allene Reasor's.  To prayer meeting. 


Footnote:  Jennings is her brother.   Mrs. Orr and Mrs. Green are neighbors of hers.  Johny Sturgill and Grant Morefield  are friends and I think they may have been neighbors at some time.   Allene  Reasor is a cousin of hers.  Not sure where all these people live but they were probably within 20 miles.  

November 4, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Tues.  Fair  68 degrees.  We had Wendi.  She & I went for milk.  Then we went to vote and on to town.  I bought a few Christmas things.  Took Wendi home.  I went to prayer meeting tonite. 


Footnote:  Wendi is her granddaughter.  They get milk from a neighbor lady who has cows.  She has had cows in the past because I remember her going to the barn with the milk bucket to milk the cows.  I can just see her going thru that gate in the fence  by the house and walking thru the pasture to the barn.  My girls loved to drink that fresh milk.  I also remember her sitting in the middle of the kitchen with her legs around that churn making butter.    I bet that she never missed a day to vote - she loved her right to vote.  I understand that she and Uncle Millard cast opposing votes which basically cancelled out their vote, but that was their right to vote as they saw fit.     I don't know if she went to prayer meeting on a Tue. night but that is what she has written. 

Nice fall day here in Northern Kentucky.    I am feeling so much better now - Leah is taking me home this afternoon but I am coming back on Thursday.  We are having our Christmas craft day at Leah's house on Saturday so I am coming to help them get things together for that.   Rachel will be testing some new cookie  receipes  then.   Hope will have a couple crafts to do and she will need a little help.  Leah has to make 5 craft items for the Kordenbrock family exchange at the Christmas gathering.  All the women draw 5 names at Thanksgiving and they have to handmake a craft of some sort - so they give 5 and they get 5.  It is fun to see what they all come up with.  Some are very good, some average and some are just plain awful.    I have a show Nov. 23  and another one Dec. 8 so I am busy getting dolls finished for those two big shows.    Hope all is well with you guys. 

November 3, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Monday 70 degrees Fair warm.  I washed some.  We went up to Reba's & visited Francis, Bob & boys awhile.  Harold Shuler, Va & Allan come to tell us Uncle Millard had cancer.  to bad. Edith & Roy were in awhile. 

Footnote:  Reba is her sister-in-law and Francis is her niece.  Bob is Francis's husband and the boys are their children.   Harold Shuler and Virginia are her relatives too.  Allan is Harold's grandson.  Uncle Millard Baker is her mother's half-brother.  They lived in the neighborhood until recently they moved to Cincinnati.   Edith is her sister and Roy is Edith's husband.  They live in Big Stone Gap. 

November 2, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sunday 1980    Janice & Wendi were home.  We went to Magic Mart & Cas Walker's a minute.  


Footnote:    Janice is her daughter and Wendi is her granddaughter.  They live in Big Stone Gap, about 9 miles away.  Magic Mart is a general store that was a few miles away and Cas Walker's was a grocery store in Pennington Gap.    Other than that, it looks like it was a quiet day. 


My note:  It is a nice sunny day here in Northern Kentucky.  But it is in the upper 40's, so not as warm as it looks.   Leah has gone to show a house and Kenny just left with his Mom and Dad and his son Zack.   They are going to a couple Winery's today.  There is a wine trail celebration of some sort and there will be food at each stop.   It is his Mom and Dad's favorite thing to do.   With all the children and grandchildren they have, somebody is taking them every week.    Max is watching his TV and Leslie is still sleeping.  She has work at 3 PM.  So I am finished now and going to put hair on some dolls.  Got a show in 3 weeks.  Just today, I am feeling almost like normal again.  Been a long week.  Glad it is almost over.    Hope all is well with everyone. 

Nrovember 1, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

1980  Sat.  Reba picked us up and we went to Myrtle Reasor's funeral.  We ate in Pennington.  Millard & I went up and visited Janice & Wendi and back by Edith's a minute. 


Footnote:  Reba is her sister-in-law.  She is Millard's (her husband) sister and she lives nearby.  Not sure is Myrtle Reasor is a relative or not.  Janice is her daughter and Wendi is her granddaughter.  Edith is her sister.  They all live in Big Stone Gap, Va., a small town about 9 miles from her house. 


My note:  Well it is November already, hard to believe.  There are some important dates in November:  
November 2, 1954  Sandra Kay Reasor was born to Everette and Ruth Reasor
November 3, 1968  Leah Ann Statzer Kordenbrock was born to Ronald and Patricia Shuler Statzer
November 11, 1949  Everette Reasor married Ruth  Smith
November 26, 1962  Daniel Sheffey Reasor was born to Kenneth and Jeanene Reasor
November 30, 1984 Laura Somers was born to Doug and Norma Zubke Somers


Special Data:  She has this entered in the book at the end of October.
1979 Oct 23 put Millard in hospital at Penn. for 4 days
1979 April 15 to April 22  Millard stayed in Penn. hospital with a virus.   

October 31, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Friday 1980   Roy, Edith, Jennings & Reba were all in.  Jennings & I went to funeral home tonite where Myrtle Reasor lay corpse.  A sister to Tate, Henderson, Cleve, Nat & Goldie.  I visited Pearl a bit this evening. 


Footnote:  Roy is Edith's (Estelle's sister) husband.  Jennings is her brother and Reba is her sister-in-law.  Myrtle Reasor was not a relative - I believe.  Stephen would know about this - but I think it was a whole different strain of DNA.   Could have been a distant 2nd or 3rd cousin though.  Pearl Barkley is a cousin who has had a stroke and not able to get around much. 

My Note:   I left the house early this morning to run some errands with Leah.  Not feeling up to par yet.  We were gone longer than I planned so now I am pretty tired and think I will take a nap.   Happy Halloween everyone,   Have fun!!!

October 30, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Thurs. 1980  We were up to Jennings awhile, went on to take care of Wendi when she come from school.  She has sore throat.   We come by Edith & Roy's awhile. 


Footnote:  Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.  Wendi is her granddaughter who  lives in Big Stone Gap.   Edith is her younger sister who also lives in Big Stone Gap.   Roy is Edith's husband. 

October 29, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

1980 Wed.  I went for milk early. come by Va Shuler's a minute.  Roy Shuler was in a while.  Jennings ate lunch with us.  To prayer meeting tonite. 

Footnote:  She usually gets her milk from Betty Ramey, a neighbor.  Virginia Shuler is a neighbor and cousin.  She doesn't drive so Aunt Estelle does a lot for her.   Roy Shuler is the husband of her younger sister, Edith.  They live in Big Stone Gap but have a farm near Aunt  Estelle's house .  Jennings is her brother who lives nearby and she feeds him quite often.  It is good that they can do so much together. 

My note:   I survived the gallbladder surgery.  It was quick, I checked in at 11:00am and was out of there by 4 PM.   My belly is a little sore but no real pain.  I have  had toast and jelly for  breakfast.  I am at Leah's and the dogs are keeping me company.  Everybody   is at work and Max is at school.  They will start coming back in here about 3 PM and the house will come alive again.  Nice sunshine today but cool. 

October 28, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Tues.  1980    We went to Jonesville to pay taxes.   across the Mt. to Charlie Ely's.  visited Ray Watson on the way.  Never did find any of the Ely's.  Come back thru Kingsport.  Stopped at Edith's a minute.  

Footnote:  Jonesville is the county seat and where all the government of the county took place.  Charlie Ely is a cousin of theirs who lives in Tennessee.  Edith is her sister who lives in Big Stone Gap.   

My note:   Nice frosty morning here in Cincinnati.  Leah is here to take me to the hospital so I can have this dadjim gallbladder removed.  Be glad when I can get back to normal.   I will be going to Leah's for a few days.  Got all my work ready to go with me.  I will let you know how it all goes - I am so hungry and had to shower in Dial soap and no lotion, so my skin is crawling as it dries out.   OK  I'll be back on tomorrow.    Pat  

October 27, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Monday, 1980   dark, drippy all day.  I baked some pies.  Went up to Jennings a minute and out to Lizzie's.  Stell Kelly come in. 


Footnote:  Jennings is her brother.  Lizzie is a neighbor and where she usually gets her eggs.  Stell Kelly is a good friend and fellow church member.  

October 26, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sunday  Fair cool beautiful  1980 .  Janice & Wendi & Jennings ate lunch with us.  Heard Elsie Moore Ely (Howard's x) died Oct 19 last Wed.  Janice, Wendi & I went to Harlan, bought 2 Christmas gifts.  Curt & Martha were here when we got back. 

Footnote:   Janice is her daughter and Wendi is her granddaughter.  Jennings is her brother.  Howard Ely is her brother-in-law and he was married to Elsie at one time.   Harlan, Kentucky is a town that is about 40 miles (I am guessing) over the mountain.  Was known as "bloody Harlan" in the 50's as there was many people killed in the coal miner and union disputes.  There is a book that was written about all the troubles and as I remember it is called "Bloody Harlan".  Curt and Martha are relatives of her husband, Millard.  They visited them often. 

October 25, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sat. 1980  Rainy cold.  Talked to Rosemary.  I sewed some & did house work, about  12:30 I took off to Penn. for tobacco festival parade alone.  When I got back Janice called to lets go to Appa.  We did.  I bought one Xmas gift.  Saw a few snow flakes. 


Footnote:  Rosemary is her daughter who lives in Hobbs, New Mexico.  Penn. is Pennington Gap, Va. and they have a huge tobacco warehouse where the farmers bring their tobacco to be sold to the cigarette manufacturers.  Each year they have a big parade thru town and all the activites  take place at the fair grounds.  They have a beauty contest to pick Miss Tobacco Festival.  One year me and Rosemary were in the contest.   I think Nancy Gibson won that year - she was a beauty and could sing like a bird.  She was also from Pennington.  Many years later, I was at the Cincinnati Zoo for the Summer Opera show and guess who was there singing in the Cincinnati Opera - Nancy Gibson.  She was very good!!!  I saw her several times after that but lost touch now.   
Janice is her daughter and they went to Appalachia.    We had a few snow flakes here this morning. 

Sorry about not posting this morning, I was so into a new project that I totally forgot.  Then I picked up Hope - she had a day off school - and we went shopping and I just got home - 6 PM.  Going to an art opening of a good friend of mine tonight and then out to eat with her and some other friends.  It is very cold here but figured I had better go while I can - may be snow soon.   Have a good weekend!!!  

October 24, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Friday 1980, Fair warm.    I washed.  I got a new bed today,  Uncle Millard Baker & Aunt Rosalee moved to Cincinnati today.  Jennings ate lunch with us.  I was down to Va. Shuler's a minute. 


Footnote:  Uncle Millard and Aunt Rosalee had lived in Virginia all their lives.  I know it must have been hard for them  to leave.  It must have been hard also on Aunt Estelle to see them go.  That is what she meant when she wrote a couple days ago that she "said her goodbyes",    Millard Baker is the half-brother to Estelle's mother, Lula Baker Reasor.   They moved into a house on the westside of Cincinnati,  near where I live.   I visited them a few times.  One time, Uncle Jennings stopped at my house - he had been to Michigan and was on his way back to Virginia - and I took him to visit with Uncle Millard and Aunt Rosalee.   They have two sons that live in the Cincinnati area.  Jennings is her brother.  Virginia Shuler is her cousin who lives nearby.  

October 23, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Thurs.  Fair warmer.   I made cushaw pies and took to Aunt Rosalee boys.   Said my goodbyes.  This eve Millard and I went to Appa & bought me a bed.  Went out to Janice's a minute.  Jennings was in.


Footnote:  Aunt Rosalee is her neighbor and she is married to Millard  Baker who is the half-brother of Estelle's mother, Lula Baker Reasor.   Aunt Rosalee has 3 sons, two in Cincinnati area and one in North Carolina - I believe but not sure of that.  They must have been visiting.  Millard is her husband.  Appa is short for Appalachia, Va. , a small town about 10 miles away.  Janice is her daughter who lives in Big Stone Gap, a town that is on the way to Appalachia.  Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.   

October 22, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Wed  Fair cool.  I made potato salad for Aunt Rosalee's boys.  Stayed down there a lot as they had a yard sale.  To church tonite. 


Footnote:  Aunt Rosalee is married to Millard Baker who is Estelle's mother's half-brother.  They live nearby and she is always helping them.  Millard is blind and not able to drive.  They have three sons and none of them live near them.  Lowell Baker is the youngest and he lives here in a Cincinnati suburb, not far from me.  I have lunch with Lowell and Joyce a couple times a year.  Lowell has white hair now and looks just like Uncle Millard did.   I think I will call them today and see if we can get together. 

October 21, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Tuesday 1980  Fair warmer.  After dinner I went to Pennington.  Stopped at Aunt Rosalee's, bank and visited at nursing home, to Cas Walker's, to the hospital, back by Dry Branch School where I left some of Aunt Rosalee's clothes, back to Aunt Rosalee's, Va Shuler's and by Betty's for milk.  Late I went up to Jennings.  


Footnote:   Well, I am tired just reading all the places she went today.  Dinner for her was what we call lunch.  Dinner was called supper.   So she did all this in an afternoon.  Aunt Rosalee is married to Uncle Millard Baker, her mother's half-brother.  Cas Walker's is a grocery store in Pennington Gap  where the hospital is.  Not sure where the nursing home was - either in Dryden which is a small town located on the road going toward Pennington Gap.  The bank was probably in Pennington Gap too.  Dry Branch is a village near Pennington.  Virginia Shuler is her cousin - the daughter of Rose Slemp who was a half-sister to her mother.  Betty Ramey is her neighbor and friend.    Jennings is her brother.   

October 20, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Monday. 1980.  Fair cool.   I washed and baked 5 apple pies.  Took Ruth some and Uncle Millard's some.  Radious & Walter were in.  I walked up to Jennings late. 


Footnote:  Love to have a big slice of one of those apple pies. But her stack apple cakes were the best.  Ruth is her sister-in-law who lives nearby and has just come home from the hospital.  Uncle Millard is Millard Baker who is her mother's half-brother.  They live nearby too.  Radious & Walter are her neighbors.  Jennings is her brother who lives close by. 


My note:  I am still at Leah's but going to Rachel's in a few minutes and we are going to the Pumpkin Festival today.   Amanda's wedding was beautiful even though it was cold (44 degrees) and we were outside on wet ground.   Nice reception and all the kids had a great time.  Leslie was a bridesmaid and Zack (Amanda's brother) was also in it.    So everybody here is tired today and some had a little too much to drink.   The sun is shinning today - yesterday it rained almost the whole day.  

October 19, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sunday Fair  Warm.   Janice & Wendi were home.  We went to grocery store & to Magic Mart.  Bro. Haun preached for us tonite.  Ruth come from the hospital today. 


Footnote:   Janice is her daughter and Wendi is her granddaughter.  I think it is interesting that she says they "were home".  My mother says the same thing.  Even though we all have homes of our own, they still think their home is the only home.    Magic Mart is a general store and I think it was like the dollar stores today.  I love to go to the dollar store.   I remember the name Bro Haun but don't
remember ever hearing him preach.  Ruth is her sister-in-law who has been in the hospital at Pennington for a few days. 


My note:  I am at Leah's now and it is raining and cold.  Amanda's  wedding is supposed to be outside down by the river and the ground was very wet yesterday when we were there to set it all up.  She doesn't have a plan B and doesn't seem to be too concerned about it - can't control the weather.  The wedding is planned for 7:15 PM and it appears it is going to be dark by then.   She didn't want lights or candles.  I will let you all know how it all goes.  We had a very nice rehearsal dinner last night and Amanda gave some gifts to her attendants.  She gave Max a black tophat to wear with his tuxedo.  He was very proud of it - wearing it home.  So now he wants a cane to go with it and I am off with him to the costume shop to get a cane.   Later  Pat  

October 18, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sat. Cloudy 1980   warm some rain.   We watched the band festival on TV all morning,  I walked up  to trash can & Mrs. Green's this evening a minute. 


Footnote:  Not much going on this Saturday for her.  Mrs. Green is her neighbor. 


My note:  It is cold here this morning and I had to get out of that warm bed early.  I am going to my favorite bakery to get donuts.  I am meeting Leah, Leslie and Amanda at the nail salon and we are all having pedicures and manicures.  Tomorrow is Amanda's wedding.  Amanda is my step-granddaughter who has been in our lives since she was 6 years old.    So I am taking donuts to the salon - hope they don't mind.  I will go to Leah's after that as we have the rehearsal  tonight and then they are taking pictures all day tomorrow ( I think).  Be a long day in wedding clothes.   So I took the cast off my broken hand and it is swollen a little but feels fine - just a little stiff and sore.  I am able to sew so I am a happy camper.   I am going on Sunday to the Pumpkin Festival with Dave, Rachel and Hope.  Haven't been in years as this is the weekend I always drive to Tuscaloosa, Ala. for that Folk Art Show.     Have a good weekend,  Pat 

October 17, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Friday 1980  Fair to cloudy.   Jennings, Millard & I went to Penn. to Long John Silver's for lunch.  Out to a yard sale and over by the hospital to visit Ruth.  I went to Uncle Millards late. 


Footnote:  Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.  Millard is her husband and Pennington Gap is a town about 8 miles West of her house in Deep Springs.  Long John Silvers, as we all know, is a seafood restaurant and they are still around - love their hushpuppies.  Ruth is her sister-in-law who is still in the hospital.  Uncle  Millard is her mother's half-brother and he is blind so she visits them often.   

October 16, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Thurs. 1980   Fair  warm.   I washed some.  Jennings was in.  Edith picked me, Sandra & baby and we went to see Ruth at the hospital.   Came back by Pearl Barkley's and visited her a minute.


Footnote:  Jennings is her brother who lives close by.  Edith is her sister who lives in Big Stone Gap -  about 9 miles East. Sandra is their niece who lives near her and she has a new baby boy.  She is Ruth's daughter.  Ruth is their sister-in-law, married to their brother, Everette.  She is in the hospital at Pennington Gap which is about 8 miles West.   Pearl Barkley is a cousin who has had a stroke.  She lives in a big house that is on the way back from the hospital.    

  

October 15, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Wed. fair warmer.  I washed, baked some pumpkin pies, and took Uncle Millard some as we went for our Dr. appointment.  visited Ruth at the Hospital.  also Dewey Russell.  To prayer meeting tonite. 


Footnote:  Uncle Millard is Millard Baker, her mother's half brother.  Ruth is her sister-in-law, married to Estelle's youngest brother, Everette Reasor.   I believe Dewey Russell was a long time neighbor. 

My note:   I am OK, kinda just got busy today and forgot to write.   I did go to the Dr. to have my pre-op check up.  Having the gall bladder surgery Oct. 28.   My step-granddaughter, Amanda is getting married Saturday evening so I went to a department store to get a couple new things to wear.  I hate to shop as I hate wearing new things - if I had my way and could,  I would still be  wearing my jeans from high-school.  So I got new things to wear now - lost a little weight after the surgery so my things are a little too big now and they are mostly worn out ( to hear Leah tell it).    I love buying new things for Leslie and Hope - Max could care less.   Weather is great here but gonna get cool soon.

October 14, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Tues.  Fair warmer.  I went to town alone.  Shopped for a mattress a little.  got a few groceries, went out to Janice's a minute. 

Footnote:  Janice is her daughter who lives in Big Stone Gap, about 9 miles away.  I guess she went to Big Stone to shop.

Other info: 
Oct. 13, 1977  Jack Belcher (husband of Betty Howard) died.  left a 6 yr. old girl and 11 yr. old boy.

Oct. 13, 1984  Verna Pearson died

Oct. 14 (Elizabeth Reasor parents)  1975 Zoe Reasor died in Mich.  Pete died Feb. 26, 1953.  I don't understand this entry but this is how it is written.
  
Oct. 13, 1964  Frank Wygal died in California

Oct. 13, 1963 Deborah Ann Wade daughter of  J.C. and Joyce Wade. (separated 1971)

Oct. 14  Jack Yeary & Edith Coomer married 1958.  James Terrell borned Aug. 16, 1961.  Dec. 24, 1986 baby girl borned to Jimmy. 
 
Oct. 14, 1974  Maebird Blairs mom died.  Laura Gilbert Musick

Oct. 14, 1971  Mary Pinkston Rogers died.  Had surgery in March. surgery again in Sept. died of cancer.  Her husband lost an eye with a lawn mower accident Summer  1972

Oct. 14, 1991  Rhea Reasor went to Pennington Hospital and on to Norton Oct. 17.  Supposed to go home Wed. Nov. 6.  Aug. 27, 1992 went in Pennington hospital.  died  Sept. 5, 1992.

October 13, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Monday. 1980  Big frost,  Cool to nice & warm.  I washed some.  took Reba Kelly some pumpkins.  Went to Uncle Millards awhile .  This evening we went up to Radious & Walters, Reba's & Jennings.  Ruth went in hospital with something on her foot.  Turned out to be a carbuncle on her leg. 


Footnote:  Reba Kelly was a neighbor of hers.  Millard Baker is her uncle as he was the half-brother to her mother.  Radious and Walter are neighbors.  Reba is a sister to Millard, Estelle's husband.  She lives in the community also.  Jennings is her brother and he lives nearby also.  Ruth is her sister-in-law and she too lives nearby.   None of these neighbors live next door - most of them are not even .in walking distance .   She could walk across the road and up a hill to Ruth's place and Jennings lived just a little bit further up the hill.  She could not see his house from her house.   She kept close watch on all her friends in the community. 

October 12, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sunday 1980    Jennings took us all out to the Coach House for dinner.  Janice & Wendi came back with us. 

Footnote:  Jennings is her brother who lives nearby and they all go to Deep Springs Baptist Church.  Nice of him to take them out to lunch and well he should have as there are many days he eats with them or she takes him food.   The Coach House is a restaurant in Big Stone Gap, about 9 miles away.  It was a nice place with good food  and one that my Daddy love to go to.    Janice is her daughter and Wendi is her granddaughter.  They live in Big Stone Gap. 



speaking of  Big Stone Gap - they are starting to make the movie of the book that Adriana Trigiani wrote called Big Stone Gap.  They are filming in Big Stone - maybe Janice will show up to be an extra.  This could be your big break, Janice.  Ashley Judd and Patrick Wilson are starring.  Patrick is the son of Johnny Wilson, who I went to school with.   Johnny is a TV news anchorman in Tampa - known as John on TV.   It will be fun to see the movie and see if we  recognize any of the locations. 

October 11, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sat. 1980  Fair warmer to cool.  I cooked & washed some.  Went up to Edith's yard sale this eve.


Footnote:  Edith is her sister and she lives in Big Stone Gap, a small town about 9 miles away. 


More info:  Oct. 11, 1926   Ruth Smith Reasor   Happy Birthday to Aunt Ruth - She is my only surviving aunt on the Reasor side.  Wish I could go see her today.  She is always kind and gentle.

Oct. 12, 1990  Sue Reasor died. one month to a day after her mother, buried Aug 17 at Woodway.  Her mother Alean Reasor & Joe Reasor.
 
Oct. 12, 1944  Brenda Lynn Ely born.  Married David Lynn Barney June 17, 1962.  Jason Lynn borned Oct. 17, 1968.  Shannon Lynn borned  April 15, 1975.  Brenda died May 21, 1986 of massive heart attack.

Elsie Moore Ely Heaton died 1980  Oct. 12

Oct. 12 1975, Monday   Elbert Slemp started treatments for leukemia, died Nov. 1, 1975 of heart attack.  Valeria died June 15, 1975 (?)  cant' read her writing.

Oct. 12, 1975 Monday  Mac Graham had a pace maker.   Jan. 1977 Mac real sick in Pennington Hospital pneumonia.  1977 April 8 in Indian Path with Heart failure.  1980 Aug. Mac died Aug. 10, 1980. 

October 10, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Friday,  1980   Clear, very warm.  I picked up Roy & Edith and we went to the cemetery for Mrs. Otey's funeral.  Millard  & I went up to Maude Ely's yard sale awhile.  I went for milk,  over by Uncle Millard's, up by Jennings & down by Ruth's a minute. 


Footnote:   Edith is her sister and Roy is Edith's husband.  They live in Big Stone Gap.  Millard is her husband.  Maude Ely must have been a relative - I have heard her name but I don't know the relationship.  Uncle Millard Baker is a half-brother to her mother, Lula Baker Reasor.   Jennings is her brother and Ruth Reasor is her sister-in-law, married to Estelle's youngest brother, Everette.  They both live nearby. 

Oct.9, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Thurs. 1980   Millard & I went up to Edith's about 10 for her yard sale.  Saw a lot of people.  Millard got a hair cut.


Footnote:   Millard is her husband.  Edith is her sister who lives in Big Stone Gap,  about 9 miles away.   Would like to have seen the things at that yard sale. 


Other info:   Oct. 9, 1943  Larry Curtis Ely born.
Oct. 9, 1984  Tanya Suzanne Ely, daughter of Tom & Veda Ely
Oct. 10 1973  Vice-president Spiro Agnew resigned his position today.  Pres. Nixon appointed Rep. Gerald Ford on Oct. 12.  Rep. Gerald R. Ford was sworn on Dec. 6, 1973.

October 8, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Wed. Fair much warmer  1980   I washed, worked on windows and hung some clean curtains.  Took Jennings some dinner.  To prayer meeting tonite.   Mailed Rosemary some sweet potatoes. 


Footnote:   Jennings is her hungry brother who lives nearby.  She made sure he was taken care of.  Rosemary is her daughter who lives in New Mexico.  She wants to made sure everyone has the things they need.  I know Rosemary and family enjoyed those sweet potatoes. 


More info for October 8.
Oct. 8, 1906  Reba Ely Reasor was born
Oct. 8, 1961  Kenneth Reasor & Jeaneen Young were married
Oct. 8, 1988  Mrs. Lora Bull of Middlesboro died
Oct. 7, 1987  Virginia Ely (Paris) had a heart attack.
Oct.7, 1985  Joe Orr drove in front of a taxi.  His wife killed. more hurt. Joe, a man & woman hurt bad.
Oct 8, 1980  Mrs. Flossie Otey died today..  1990 her sister Aunt Ann Masters died 

October 7, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Tues.   Fair clear & warmer.   I took Aunt Rosalee to grocery store.  Jennings & I dug sweet potatoes this eve.  I went to Missionary Society tonite.  


Footnote:  Aunt Rosalee is her aunt by marriage to Millard Baker, who is the half-brother to her mother, Lula Baker Reasor.   Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.  Missionary Society is a ladies group that is associate with the church. 

Some notes from other diary: 
Oct. 6, 1959  Gregory Dewayne Jetton born
Oct. 6,  Ginger Castle 18 & James Contrell 18 married Nov.13, 1986 and 1987 Jessica Adele borned to Ginger Contrell, Lizzie Sturgill's great grand daughter.
Oct. 6, 1981  Farin Rogers 26 member of our church was killed at the mines this morning.  His wife is Romano and children Gretchen & Scott.  We loved him a lot. 
Oct. 7, 1977  Wendi's first day at nursery school. 
Oct. 7, 1972  Uncle Hop got his legs burned. 
Oct. 7, 1965  Estelle Ely had gall stone operation at Pennington.  I come from hospital 17  ( my note - I can't really understand what she means with this note - did she stay in hospital for 10 days??)  then she writes:  another gall stone surgery  Feb. 11, 1983. 
Oct. 7, 1962  Kern Coomer died

October 6.1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Monday  Big Frost  1980   Nice sunshiny day.  warmed up   Jennings and I went to Kingsport.  I saw my ear Dr.  We shoped some.  Come by Roy & Edith's. 


Footnote:   Jennings is her brother who lives nearby and she is very close to.  Edith is her sister who lives in Big Stone Gap.  Big Stone is a small town located about 9 miles from her home and situated between her home and Kingsport.

My note:  I am back home after doing a show today in a wealthy suburb of Cincinnati.   Rachel came to go with me at 6:30 this morning and it was pouring buckets of rain.   We loaded the car yesterday so we were ready to go.  We stopped at McDonalds to get sausage biscuits.  Pulled to the window to pay and was told that the person in the car in front of us had already paid our bill so I said, "oh this is going to be a good day".   I gave the gal the $5.00 bill I had out to pay for our food and told her I wanted to pay for the order in the car behind me.    By the time we got to the show site, the rain had cleared out.  We got the tent set up and Leah came to help.   It rained off and on all day but I had a booth full of people all day and sold a lot of things.  About 4:00, it started pouring again and we packed up the booth and left.  I am tired as I stood on the hard pavement most of the day.   It was fun spending the day with my girls and I sure appreciate their help.    Next show Nov 23 - indoors  - no rest....

October 5, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sunday 1980  Fair cold  42 degrees   Janice, Wendi & Jennings had lunch with us.  We went to Magic Mart.  Heard that Clarence Johnston had Hodginson (cancer) disease.


Footnote:  Janice is her daughter and Wendi is her granddaughter.  Jennings is her brother.  Magic Mart is a general store that is located nearby.  Clarence Johnston is the husband of Virginia McElroy who was a long-time friend of hers.  Virginia lived on the mountainside behind Aunt Estelle's house.  I think they probably went to school together.  Clarence and Virginia lived in Woodway, Va. which was a small village close to Pennington Gap, Va. - about 8 miles from her home.

October 4, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sat. 1980  Fair to Rainy   Va Shuler & I went to a harvest yard sale this eve.  Jennings & I went to Dry Branch for singing tonite.


Footnote:  Virginia Shuler is her cousin and good friend who lives nearby.  She never drove a car so Aunt Estelle was very good to take her places.   Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.  I don't know exactly where Dry Branch is but I think it was not too far away.

October 3,1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Friday 1980   Cold, rainy.   I worked in the house all morning.  Went to visit at nursing home this eve, then we went up to see Janice & Wendi awhile.  I was up to Jennings.


Footnote:   Janice is her daughter and Wendi is Janice's daughter.  They live about 9 miles away.  Jennings is her brother who lives just up the backroad. 

Happy Birthday to Leisha  - may you have many more!!!

October 2,1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Thurs. 1980  Rainy  I washed some, but had to dry in the house.  baked some banana pies and took Jennings & Betty Ramey one.  


Footnote:   Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.   he is alone now since his wife died recently.
Betty Ramey is a friend of hers -she lives nearby and has milk cows.  She gets milk from Betty.
I know those were good pies.  like to have a piece right now . 

October 1,1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Wed.1980  Fair warmer.   Jennings, Millard & I went to Ramsey.  We come back to Burger Queen & eat.  visited over at Edith's awhile.  Reba come and we went up and helped her with some furniture.  To prayer meeting tonite. 


Footnote:   Jennings is her brother and Millard is her husband.  I think Ramsey is a flea market near Norton, Va - about 15 miles away.  Edith is her sister who lives in Big Stone Gap -about 9 miles away and it is on the way to get back home.  Burger Queen is in Big Stone too.  Reba is her husband's sister and she lives nearby.   

Today my youngest granddaughter, Hope, is nine years old.  She is a very sweet girl, very independent and a very good student.  I made a deal with her- $ for A's - she may break me.   She is having a roller skating party with her girlfriends (only) on Saturday afternoon. 

September 30, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Tues.  Rainy nearly all day. 1980   I picked up Aunt Rosalee & Va. Shuler and went to grocery store.  Jennings was in a minute.  I was up to Mrs. Orr's & Mrs. Green's a minute. .



Footnote:   Aunt Rosalee is the wife of Millard Baker who is the half-brother of Lula Baker Reasor, Estelle's mother.  Virginia Slemp Shuler is a first cousin to Estelle.  Her mother and Virginia's mother, Rose Baker Slemp were half-sisters.  Neither of them could drive a car so she was very kind to them and did a lot of things for them.  Mrs. Orr and Mrs. Green are her neighbors. 

October Events:
October 1, 2004  Hope Nicole Klump was born to Rachel Hope Statzer  and David Klump
October 3, 1964  Leisha Ely was born to Redge and Reka Ely
October 4, 1911  Willard Morris Reasor was born to Lula and Martin Reasor
October 6, 1959  Gregory Jetton was born to Rosemary and Carey Drew Jetton
October 11, 1926  Ruth Smith Reasor was born - she married Everette Reasor
October 14, 1949  Lula Baker Reasor died 
October 27, 1993  Laura Reasor was born to Smith Kevin and Linda Reasor   - Smith is the youngest of the grandchildren (third generation) and Laura is the youngest of the great-grandchildren (fourth generation)  .     

September 29, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Monday, cold some rain. 1980    Neither of us felt too good so we watched TV all morning.  I walked up to Jennings & down by Sandra's.  Late we went to funeral home where Ruth Olinger Ringley lay corpse.  Come by Zora's for eggs. 


Footnote:  Jennings is her brother who lives a short distance away.  Sandra is her neice who lives nearby also.  Ruth Olinger Ringley (love the full name) is a friend of hers.   And I love the expression "lay corpse".    Zora  is her friend who has chickens.  

September 28, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sunday, cold.  Janice & Wendi was home for dinner.  We went to Magic Mart.  Jennings, Edith & Roy were in.  Robbie Hunt was baptized tonite.  


Footnote:  Janice is her daughter and Wendi is her granddaughter.  They live in Big Stone Gap, Va.  which is about 9 miles away.  Magic Mart is a general store that she likes to visit.  Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.  Edith is her sister and Roy is Edith's husband.  They also live in Big Stone Gap.  Robbie Hunt is the husband of  Sandra Reasor Hunt  who is her niece.  They live nearby also. 

Nice day here today.  Neighborhood is having a yard sale and there are lots of people outside.  I am not participating - nothing to sell - Ha!!!   Leah said I should just open the garage door.  She things everything out there is junk -  Not true!! That is my   "hoarders closet".     I am going with some friends to Rabbit Hash, Ky. today for a meeting with  my  fiber art friends.  The gal who is hosting the meeting is a very famous quilter.  Her work is incredible and it is always fun to see her studio and what she is working on.   It is a potluck lunch.  I made deviled eggs and salami rollups.   Then I got lots of work to do when I get back.  Next show is Sunday, Oct. 6.  I'm excited to show again.  Well that is what's going on here.   Hope you are all OK.   

September 27, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sat.  1980  46 degrees, real cool.  I baked pies, washed a load of clothes.  We went up to Jennings & down to Uncle Millards with pies.  I went down to Wampler's to a yard sale awhile.  The boys finished hanging the tobacco.  Ruth Olinger Ringley died this eve.  We had Debra Lawson a baby shower tonite. 

Footnote:  Jennings is her brother who lives nearby and Uncle Millard is her mother's half-brother and he also lives nearby.   How many pies did she make?  I don't have time to make one - where does our time go?  Wamplers must have been a family somewhere in the neighborhood.  I have heard the name Ruth Olinger - I think she was a school friend.  Debra Lawson, I am guessing, was probably a member of her church or a neighbor.   

September 26, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Friday  cold 62 degrees   I washed some.  Went to Magic Mart, visited at nursing home, come by Va. Shuler's and over to Betty's for milk.  Late we went up to Jennings. 


Footnote:  Magic Mart was a general store located about 8 miles from her house.  Not sure where the Nursing home was but must have been near the Magic Mart - probably in Dryden or Pennington.  Virginia Shuler is her cousin who lives nearby.  She is the friend who she shares her books with.  They are both avid readers.  Betty Ramey is her friend who has cows and where she gets her milk.  Jennings is her brother who lives nearby. 

September 25, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Thurs. Rain off & on all day.   I cleaned my wardrobe and papered.  It was a mess.  Jennings ate lunch with us.  I visited Mrs. Graham a while. 


Footnote:  Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.  Mrs. Graham is her neighbor and friend. 

Here is a recipe from her notebook: Thought it would be good this time of year. 
Apple Dumplings:
1 large can Biscuits
4 cups finely chopped (not to much) apples
Roll biscuits until thin.  roll about 3 times (about as big as your hand)
Place apples inside. Fold and place in a glass baking dish. 
Filling:
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups water
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 stick margarine
Heat until sugar is dissolved.  Pour over dumplings.  Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Doesn't that sound good and easy?   Maybe I will make this for the potluck lunch I have to go to Saturday.   If you make this, let me know.  

September 24, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Wed. 1980    Rain early & late.   Fair & hot in the day.  I washed and finished mowing the lawn.  Went out to Sandra's awhile.  Jennings was here and worked on the lawn mower.  To prayer meeting tonite. 


Footnote:   Sandra is her niece who lives nearby.  Jennings is her brother and he also lives in the neighborhood. 

September 23, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Tuesday 1980  Fair Hot.   Took Aunt Rosalee to grocery store.  Washed a load of clothes.  Jennings ate lunch with us.  I went to Big Stone to pay for our television.  Mowed some late.  Was over to Mrs. Orr's late. also Mrs. Green's. 


Footnote:  Aunt Rosalee is her aunt by marriage.  Rosalee is married to Millard Baker who is the half-brother of Estelle's mother.   Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.  Big Stone Gap is a town about 9 miles away.  I guess this is the television they had brought in on trial.   Mrs. Orr is her neighbor and so is Mrs. Green, I guess. 

September 22, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Monday 1980  Rainy.  I put in a wash when Millard decided we should go to Charlie Ely's.  He is sick.  I stopped the washer and we went over the mt.  & back up by Kingsport.  They were over here June 16, 1980 to visit us.  We went over there Sept. 27 last year. 


Footnote:  Millard is her husband and, as I remember, didn't like to go too many places.  So when he said go, I think she was ready, even stopped the washer.  mt. is short for mountain - they had to cross the mountain to get to Charlie's house.   Charlie Ely was a relative, but I don't know how he was related.    They lived somewhere in Tennessee I think.   I remember being at their house but couldn't tell you where the house was.  Kingsport is a town in Tennessee and they could get home by going thru Kingsport or going back across the mountain.   

My notes:   I am at Leah's but going back home today.  I have been here since Wed.  when Leah had to go to St. Louis for real estate training.  I got Max off to school Thur. & Fri.  He is very self-sufficient and did everything for himself, even waking me up.  We went to the Half-Price book store one night and he found some movies - he has about a million.   We all went to yard sales yesterday and he found some things - stuffed animals - he has as many of those as he does videos.   Leah got home safely late Friday night in the rain.   Nice day here today - cool and sunny.   Hope all is well with each of you.  Would love to see you all.  Hope we can get together in 2014. 

September 21, 1980 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sunday 1980   Fair not quite so hot.   Cloudy, showers.   Janice & Wendi were here for lunch.  Reba & I visited Pearl, also Becky Woods who just buried her husband and Zora Parsons.  I went on up to Stell Kelly's after letting Reba off. 


Footnote:  Janice is her daughter and Wendi is her granddaughter.  They seem to be there a lot of Sundays.  I think they go to church at Deep Springs Baptist Church with the family.   Reba is her sister-in-law and she lives nearby.  Pearl Barkley is her cousin who lives about 8 miles away and she has had a stroke.  I don't know Becky Woods.  Zora Parsons is her friend who lives in the neighborhood.   Stell Kelly is her good friend and fellow church member.  She also lives just up the road.