February 28, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

1981  Cloudy all day.  We visited Mr. and Mrs. White then rode over thru the back valley to Olinger.  stoped at Edsil Huffs and he leased our tobacco.  Jennings was in after we got back and Kenneth called while he was here. 

Footnote:  Not sure who Mr. and Mrs. White are - friends I am sure.  Olinger is a small village about 6-8 miles away from where they live.  Millard's sister, Reba and her husband owned the country store in Olinger.   Not sure if my memory of the store is correct, but I can see it as having 2 big windows in front and a big porch with no roof on the porch.  Don't know if that is right but it is what I imagine.  Edsil Huff must be a tenant farmer who will raise her tobacco for a share of the money when it is sold.  Jennings is her brother.  Kenneth is Jennings' son who lives in Iowa. 

Special Data from February  1981

Rug place at Big Stone burned March 14, 1981    (that is what is written in the book at the end of Feb.)
Millard went in the hospital Feb. 17, 1981 with a light stroke.  couldn't use left leg.  got home Feb. 20.
Monday, Feb. 16, 1981 Greg Kelly's son died of cancer. 

February 27, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Friday 1981  Fair  65 degrees.  I got my milk and eggs.  dried clothes outside.  Roy & Edith stopped on their way to Cincinnati.  Herbert Slemp and Norma Reasor Tankersley stoped.  We went to town and got the car washed and out to Janice's. 


Footnote:  Edith Shuler is her sister and Roy is Edith's husband.  They live in Big Stone Gap and have to go thru Deep Springs on their way to Cincinnati, where their daughter and granddaughters live.   Herbert Slemp is a neighbor and cousin - he is the son of Rose Baker Slemp , half-sister to Lula Baker Reasor, Estelle's mother.    I am not really sure who Norma Reasor is.  Janice is her daughter who lives in "town", Big Stone Gap, about 9 miles away. 

More info from the other book:
April 30:
1978 Curt Ely got real sick in S.S. (Sunday school I think).  Took him to Big Stone and has a blocked kidney.  Sent to Kingsport for surgery, but started passing stones over 150.  Come home May 12.  1982 he lost some kidney with cancer.  1983 he died on Jan. 28 at Pennington Hospital. 

1980  Laster Miller died with heart attack.  Buried in Kingsport.  Laster visited me in hospital one month to a day when he died. 

1980  Michale Suzanne borned to Keith & Regina Gullion.  Michael Todd borned to Gullions May 31, 1975.

1985 Bill Roller died, Pat Flanary's husband. 

1992 Evan Skaggs died (81)

February 26, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Thursday 1981  beautiful 65 degrees sunshiny.  Jennings and I went to Harlan for me to see the eye specialist.  Reba spent part of the evening with Millard.  Millard & I rode up to Rad's & Walters a minute late. 

Footnote:  Jennings is her brother.  Harlan, Kentucky is just across the mountain but takes over an hour to drive there.  Reba Ely Reasor is Millard's sister and she lives nearby.  Millard is her husband.  Radious and Walter are friends and neighbors of hers. 


Data from her other book:
April 28:
1963  Sunday.  Ted Livingston died this morn.  Heart attack
1979 Walker Clarkston died last night. 

April 29:
1984 March 28 Milam Slemp died.  
1984  April 29  Milam's wife died.
Maude Hyatt anniversary

February 25, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Wed.  59 degrees  1981   I went to trash can and out to Mrs. Orr's  a minute.  Jennings was in.  I worked in the house and to prayer meeting tonite.


Footnote:  Mrs. Orr is a neighbor of hers.  Jennings is her brother. 



Notes from birth, death and marriage book: 
April 25
1989  Mrs. Vass Fletcher (Nell Reasors Mom) died.  Vass Fletcher May 31, 1987
1886 Aunt Tina Parsons Birthday  aged 85  died July 25, 1971
1974 Virginia Ann Reasor was married to Bill Odell of Bristol, Va.  She was Pete Reasors daughter (Pearls niece)  Borned to Virginia Ann, Michelle Helen 1975 April 21.  another baby 1979

April 26
1969 Penny Cubine married George Howard Bishop     (my note - I am not sure of that name, I can't read her writing)
1989 Robert Hunter died.  Husband of Jeanette Reasor
F. M. Sturgill pronounced dead after being kept alive by machine for 2 days. Friday. Evelyn Hobbs wife.  1986 Evelyn married Charlie Peters. Oct.

Februray 24, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Tues. 1981    Val & Gene Lipps brought the lawn mower home and eat lunch with us.  Lillie Davis visited this morning.  I was up to Jennings. 


Footnote:  Val & Gene Lipps are friends/neighbors.  Lillie Davis is a neighbor also.  Jennings is her brother. 


Notes from the other book:
things that happened on April 23
1965  Janice Gail Ely and Samuel Allison were married.  separated May 10, 1967. divorced 1968

1981  put carpet on our kitchen and bedroom.  Put new in kitchen again in 1987.

1990 Cora Reasor McGlinchy was found dead in a chair.  78 years old.
1990 Waive Orr 88 died in Conyers, Ga. in nursing home.   1990  May 25, Charles Orr died after a car wreck 2 1/2 weeks before ??      1980 July 6 Mr. Orr died. 

things that happened on April 24
1963  Wed.  Thyra Herndon Gardner  age 53 died of a heart attack.
1985  Smokey Stapleton died after being in a coma for 2 weeks
1978  Milyard Ely come for revival.  Oct. 29, 1962 He come for first revival and stayed with us and come to Olinger April 8, 1963. 

1986  Aunt Ruby Baker Gloscat (?) got in the nursing home at Duffield.  died in August, 22, 1987.  Sept. 1986  Aunt Ruby (better) went home with Donald. 

February 23, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Monday.  Cloudy, wendy like March.  47 degrees.  Stell Kelly, Jennings, Roy & Edith were here this  morning.  Reba and the men she works with were here this eve.  I walked up to Jennings & Ruth's late. 


Footnote:  Estelle Kelly is her good friend and neighbor.  Jennings is her brother.  Roy & Edith Shuler are her sister and brother-in-law who live in  Big Stone Gap, about 9 miles away.  Reba is her sister-in-law and she lives near them.  Ruth Reasor is her sister-in-law, married to Everette who is Estelle's youngest brother.  She lives near by also.  

February 22, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sunday. Fair 60 degrees to rain by nite.  Janice & Wendi were here for lunch.  She was called to work so we were alone most of the eve.  Roy, Doug & Travis was in a minute. 

Footnote:  Janice is her daughter and Wendi is her granddaughter and they live in Big Stone.  Janice works at the hospital is was on call some weekends.  Roy Shuler is her brother-in-law, Doug is Roy's son and Travis is Doug's son. 


Sorry I missed posting Friday's info until after midnight.  I had to leave early this morning to go to Rachel's house to stay with Hope as she was still not feeling well enough to go to school.   They I got busy when I got home and just forgot.   Nice day here today - 57 degrees but is supposed to get cold again on Sunday.  We have had lots of rain and it has washed away most of the dirty snow.  Daffodils are poking their heads out of the ground though. 

February 21, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sat. 1981  Fair warm.   I washed & dried outside.  Bro Zion was in, also Roy, Reba and Radious & Walter.  I went over to Mrs. Davis a minute.  Rosemary called. 

Footnote:  Bro Zion is the preacher at her church.  Roy Shuler is her brother-in-law from Big Stone Gap.  Reba is her sister-in-law and she lives nearby.  Radious and Walter also are neighbors.  Mrs. Davis was her neighbor that was within walking distance.  Rosemary is her daughter who lives in New Mexico. 

February 20, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Friday 1981  Rain but cleared off .  I went for Millard this morn.  He does very well.  Maudie Ellen, Lizzie, Betty Ramey, Hargus & Jennings were in.  Janice & Wendi come later.  I went for eggs.  Had a new chair brought in. 


Footnote:  Millard is her husband who has been in the hospital.  Maudie Ellen and Lizzie Sturgill are neighbors.  Betty Ramey is also in the neighborhoos.  Hargus Ely is Millard's brother who lives in the neighborhood too.  Jennings is her brother.  Janice is her daughter and Wendi is her granddaughter.  Wonder when she bought a new chair?  

February 19, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Thurs 1981  Rainy to fair & rain at nite.   I went & checked on Millard.  Come home a while.  Jennings & I went to a church meeting at Dryden and back to check on Millard.  He is better today.  Edith got out of hospital today.

Footnote:  Millard is her husband who is in the hospital.  Jennings is her brother.  Dryden is a small village about 6 miles West of her home.  Edith is her sister.  Wonder what was wrong with Millard and Edith.  Wish she had said. 


Sorry I forgot to post this morning.  I had to keep Hope today as she was sick - sore throat, ear ache and low fever.  I will go to her house and stay with her tomorrow as the schools now won't let the kids who have a fever come back to school until they have been fever free for 24 hours.  Good idea as that keeps things from spreading.  She slept for a couple hours which is so not like her - she is one busy kid.  got her to eat English muffin with peanut butter and she drank a bottle of water.  The Dr. put her on antibiotic so she will be better tomorrow.  

February 18, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Wed.  1981  I washed, went to the hospital awhile.  Stopped at Jake Parsons on the way home.  Val and Gene Lipps come awhile.  I went back to the hospital late.  Rosemary called tonite.


Footnote:  Millard, her husband, is in the hospital at Pennington Gap, about 8 miles West.  Jake Parsons is a neighbor.  Val and Gene Lipps are also neighbors/friends.  Rosemary is her daughter who lives in New Mexico.  

February 17, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Tues. 1981  55 degrees rain nearly all day.  Millard got up and couldn't use his left leg.  I worried around and finally got the ambulance and got him to the hospital.  Guess he has had a little stroke.  Sure worries me.  Jennings come for me.  Janice came down late and we went back again. 


Footnote:  Millard is her husband, Jennings is her brother and Janice is her daughter. 

February 16, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Monday 1981  50 degrees early  later rain.  Millard walked in the yard this morn.  The first time he has been out in 16 days.  I went to Big Stone to visit Edith at the hospital this evening. 

Footnote:  Millard is her husband.  Edith is her sister who lives in Big Stone Gap, about 9 miles away. 

February 15, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sunday 1981  Fair  65 degrees.  I went to church with Jennings.   Janice & Wendi were home.  We rode down to the Magic Mart.  Edith is doing O.K. today.   We talked to Redge tonite. 


Footnote:   Love that it is 65 degrees in mid-February  - weather like we are having now.  Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.  Janice is her daughter and Wendi is her granddaughter.  Magic Mart is a general store like a grocery/dollar store, I think.   Edith is her sister.  Redge is her son who lives in Charlotte, N.C. 

February 14, 1981, Aunt Estelle wrote

Sat. 1981  56 clear.  Curt & Martha were in and we went to the church for Carolyn Edwards wedding.  She is the daughter of Muriel Slemp.  Radious, Walter & Jennings were in and we went back to the church for 6:30 wedding of Lisa Kelly (Suzie's).  David Brewer married them.  Darrell Blair married the first ones.  Edith Shuler got sick today and is in intensive care tonite. 


Footnote:  Curt & Martha are relatives of hers on her husband, Millard's side.    I don't know who Carolyn Edwards or Muriel Slemp are.   Radious and Walter are neighbors and Jennings is her brother.  Not sure who Lisa Kelly or Suzie are.  Darrell Blair is a preacher who was raised in the neighborhood.  Edith Shuler is her sister.            Happy Valentine's Day!!!

February 13, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Friday  1981  Fair  40 degrees      We had Wendi.  She & I went for eggs and milk & finally to the drug & grocery store.  Took Jennings some pie at lunch. 


Footnote:   Wendi is her granddaughter and she must be out of school.   Jennings is her brother who lives nearby. 



My Note:   I hope all the cousins in the Southeast are staying indoors  and have electricity.    No walking or driving on the ice - you know the orthopedics are waiting to take your money.    Just remember: There are two things that will disappear in time - adolescence and snow. 

February 12, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Thurs.  1981  0 degrees this morn.  got up to 30 degrees.  We had Wendi.  We didn't feel so good.  Jennings was in. 


Footnote:  Wendi is her granddaughter.  Jennings is her brother who lives nearby. 


Some notes from her birth, death and marriage record book:

April 19   Danny (Daniel) Reasor and Mary ? married 1986.  Danny borned Nov. 26, 1962 - age 24.  Had a baby boy spring 1991 March, Alexander Jennings (Daniels baby). 
April 19, 1991.  Roy Milford Peters, Jr. killed himself with shooting. 
April 19, 1986  Ralph and Texie Parsons celebrated their 50th anniversary at Dry Branch church.  Real nice affair.   1988 Ralph broke his hip and went in nursing home. died July 24.
April 19, 1980  Lizzie Slemp Wells died of cancer.  Sister to Elbert Slemp. 

April 20,  Richard Damer birthday borned 1927.
April 20, Sylvia Kelly anniversary
April 20, 1984  I fell in the floor and broke my arm.  Went to Big Stone hospital 3 days and to Janice Gails  4 weeks.  Sure hurt.  

April 21, 1976  Paul Howard age 28 (son of J.J. & Ruby Lee Howard  & married 4 years to Mary Ellen Ward (daughter of Ed & Barbara Ward) was working on his coal truck when it fell on him cutting off a leg and bled to death before getting to hospital.  Real sad. 
April 21, 1987 Byron Baker 67 died in Kingsport.
April 21, 1982  Beulah Blair broke her leg in 2 places. 
April 21, 1975  Michelle Helen borned to Virginia Ann Reasor O'Dell. (Pete Reasors daughter)
April 21, 1972 Viola Brewer Lawson went to Harlan hospital.  had surgery. 

April 22, 1886 Birthday Uncle Hop Slemp.  died Oct. 2, 1973 of a stroke or heart attack.  Aunt Rose died Dec. 5, 1966

February 11, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Wed. 1981  40 degrees early.  dropped to 20 & snow by noon and on lower by night.  13 degrees when I went to bed.  Bro. Zion was in a minute. 


Footnote:  The weather in 1981 is about as bad as it is today.  Bro. Zion was her preacher, I think.  She was a lifelong member of the Missionary Baptist Church in Deep Springs, less than a mile from her house.
  When I was 5-6 years old, we lived in the big house with Mamie Reasor and I went to school with Rosemary and Redge at the Deep Springs 2 room school.   The school was on the same hill and close to the church.  We all walked to school - along that busy 2 lane highway.  The cars didn't travel quite as fast as they do now.   It wasn't safe then but would be even less safe now.    I still have my report card from that year that I went to school there.  I can even smell the soup beans and cornbread cooking in that little kitchen.  There were 3 grades in my room and 4 grades in the other room - I think.  Then the kids got a school bus to Dryden school, about 7 miles away.    I never went to Dryden as Mother and Daddy bought a house in Big Stone Gap, near Pet Dairy where Daddy worked.  I had to start over in the 1st grade when I went to Big Stone Gap Elementary. 

February 10, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Tues. 1981  40 degrees   Cloudy to rain.  Radious, Walter, Ruth & Jennings were all in a minute. 


Footnote:  Radious and Walter are neighbors.  Ruth Reasor is her sister-in-law, married to her youngest brother, Everette, and she lives nearby.  Jennings is her brother who also lives nearby. 

February 9, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Monday  Fair  50 degrees    We stayed in.  Roy, Edith & Jennings were in.  I ran down to the store late.   Maudie Ellen & Lizzie were here too. 


Footnote:   Edith is her sister and Roy Shuler is Edith's husband.  Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.  Maudie Ellen and Lizzie Sturgill are neighbors who visit often.   

February 8, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sun. 1981  30 degrees.  Rainy snowy.   We couldn't get out because of our colds.  Janice & Wendi didn't feel like coming home. Jennings ate lunch with us.  


Footnote:  Janice is her daughter and Wendi is her granddaughter.   Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.    I went back to see how long they had these colds and I am thinking they got the bugs when the were forced to sit in the Doctors waiting room from 10 AM to 4 PM on Jan. 28.  The Doctors waiting room is full of sick people and bugs are everywhere.  

February 7, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sat. 1981  Fair to cloudy.  Showers early at nite.  Roy, Jennings, Radious & Walter were in.  We have had to cough a lot today.  Got up to 50 degrees today. 


Footnote:  Roy Shuler is her brother-in-law and he and Jennings do a lot of work on the farm together.  Radious & Walter are neighbors. 


My note:   I am nice and warm here today- inside.  Outside it was 4 degrees actual temp.  Will go up to 17 but the sun is shinning and the new furnace is working just fine.   I am having homemade vegetable beef soup and homemade bread (I made both) for lunch and trying to get some dolls made.   Hope you all got the email about the get-together in July and can make plans to come.  

February 6, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Friday 1981  Fair got to 40 degrees.    I went for the milk & eggs for the first time I have been out I over a week.  We took a bath, hope we don't take fresh cold.  Roy, Radious, Walter, Lizzie & Maudie Ellen were in.  


Footnote:  Roy Shuler is her brother-in-law who lives in  Big Stone Gap.  He has a farm near her house in Deep Springs.  He has cows on the farm and was probably down there every day to feed them.  Radious & Walter are neighbors as are Lizzie and Maudie Ellen . 


I am back home and have a new furnace.  It has been running for over two hours and the house is still very cold.  Just hope it will start to warm up soon as I am all wrapped up and still have cold hands and nose.  Our winter has just been the worst and it ain't over yet = supposed to be 4 degrees tonight and Friday night.  The ground has 6 " of snow and ice and it is so frozen that I don't even make a foot print on it when I walk on it from the car.   And it is supposed to snow again.  When will spring be here?   We are all over it!!! 

February 5, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Thurs. 5. 1981  2 degrees this morn.  got up to 30 degrees today.  Harold & Va Shuler, Woodrow Sturgill, Val & Gene Lipps & Jennings was in.  Carol Ann Ely called today from Indiana, just to talk. 

Footnote:  Harold and Virginia Shuler are friends/cousins of hers who live nearby.  Woodrow Sturgill is also a friend who lives on the same backroad that the Shulers live on.  Val & Gene Lipps are also friends of theirs.  Jennings is her brother.  I know that Carol Ann Ely is a relative - I am just not sure what her connection is.


my note:   I am still at Leah's where it is warm.  We had an ice and snow storm last night and the snow is so frozen that the dogs don't even make a mark when they walk on it.    The guy called today and wants to install the new furnace at 8:30 in the morning.  So I will have to get up and move out early in the morning.  And it will be cold in my house, but I hope not for long.    Hope you all are safe and warm.  

February 4, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Wed. Feb. 4, 1981  Nearly 0 last nite.  Fair, very cold. 30 degrees all day.  Roy & Jennings were in.  I wrapped up face & all and got the mail today. 


Footnote:  Roy is her brother-in-law, married to her sister Edith.  Jennings is her brother who lives nearby.  


My notes:   Well, I am back at Leah's for the night.  Last night I am sitting on the sofa, stuffing dolls and wondering why my nose is so cold.  Then I started listening for the furnace to come on, nothing. So I turned up the thermostat and nothing happened.  I turned the furnace on manually and no hot air coming out.   So I put a jacket on my pajama top and put on a felt hat and turned on my electric blanket and went to bed.    I never got cold during the night but the house was at 50 this morning.  I called Leah for the name of a furnace man that her company uses.  I had turned on the stove as I just couldn't take it any longer.  Furnace man came about 1PM and gave me the bad news - the 35+year old furnace could not be repaired as they don't make the parts anymore.  Now we have been warned that a  ice/snowstorm is on the way.   So I told the guy to order the furnace and I would be back when he could install it.  I gathered my things and left - I did turn on all the water faucets and left all the lights on.  Hope there are no pipes broken - not supposed to get that cold for a long period.
It is always something.

February 3, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Tues. 1981  Very cold 18 degrees.  We hope we are some better.  Roy & Jennings were in a minute. 


Footnote:  Roy is her brother-in-law.  He is married to Edith, her sister.   They live in Big Stone Gap, about 9 miles away.     Jennings is her brother who lives nearby. 

February 2, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Monday  1981  Snow. Cold.  We are afraid to stick our heads out.  The preacher come & brought in the paper.  Jennings brought the mail.  We stayed put hoping our cold will go away. 


Footnote:  Boy they must have some bad colds.  Jennings is her brother.  

This is a page of special data at the end of January.
Jan. 30, 1979  Ada Hobbs died.  She is a sister to Nettie Rogers. 
1978 was a tough year on this community and connections.  W.L. Barkley, Jan. 9, was dead in bed in early Dec. before this year.  Jake Blair was dead in early May, May 5, of a stroke.  Everette Reasor was dead May 22 of heart attack, two weeks later Joe Reasor, June 3, was dead of a self inflicted gun shot.  Maggie Smith, June 21, died of cancer and May Reasor Hobbs, Sept. 28, died of cancer.  Harold Reasor died of heart attack in Oct. 18 and Mrs. Laura Farmer died in Dec. 18.  Allso Oscar Kelly died July 10.  Charles Brewer died Nov. 30 in Reba's tobacco barn. 
1981  Friday Jan. 16.  Little Tag Farmer passed out after getting home from his school bus run.  Had another seizure after he got to the Hospital. 
Jan. 9 to Jan. 20, 1981  Millard was in Pennington Hospital with a stomach virus.  We think biscuits caused it. 
1981 Jan. 29  we bought a rainbow sweeper from Rev. Clint Hensley.  $400.00 cash. 

February 1, 1981 Aunt Estelle wrote

Sunday  1981  Cloudy Rain & rain.  We had too much cold to be out.  By nite we are a lot better.  Janice, Wendi, Edith & Roy, Jennings & Ruth were all in a minute. 


Footnote:  Janice is her daughter and Wendi is her granddaughter.  Edith is her sister and Roy is Edith's husband.  Jennings is her brother and Ruth is her sister-in-law. 


February dates to remember
Feb. 8, 1993  Estelle Reasor Ely Died.   She was born May 21, 1913.
Feb. 9, 1964  David Reasor  birthday  -  Kenneth's son and Jennings' grandson
Feb. 14, 1969  Heidi Zubke birthday  -  Barry's daughter and Lucille's granddaughter
Feb. 17, 1940  Rosemary Ely Jetton birthday  -  Estelle's daughter
Feb. 21, 1935  Carey Drew Jetton birthday - Rosemary's husband
Feb. 22, 1967  Leo "Buster" Reasor died.  He was born March 30, 1917 - Just 50 years old. 

My note:   I have to tell you that the bread I made in my new pot is so delicious.  It was so easy and baked to a golden brown with a nice hard crust.  I am loving it - probably too much.   I want to made another one but I will add something to it - like cheese and rosemary or cranberries and almonds.