When my three
sisters and I began our family history search ( inspired and instigated by my
oldest sister Dot), we made several family history journeys...with so much
laughter and fun as the four of us traveled together. Sometimes, my niece
Sharon accompanied us and there was even more laughter. One of those trips was
to Jackson, Mississippi, where we spent the day in the Mississippi archives.
Another search took us to Pontotoc County, Mississippi, where Mama and Daddy
were both born. There, we visited both the library and the dusty archives of
the small town newspaper. Most of the articles were not on microfiche or
anything more updated, so we searched through dozens of large leather-bound
journals containing newspapers from many decades ago.
We would get so excited whenever we found an article about our family. One
such article was written about Mama's Fourth of July birthday party held at
their home. From the date, they would not have been married very long. It
described the menu (including homemade ice cream - or "cream" as Daddy called
it. Year after year, there was a twofold celebration...Mama's birthday and our
nation's independence.
As the years rolled by and we daughters were born, the celebration
continued. As we grew up, got married and had families, the celebration
continued. Every year, the family gathered for a picnic and cookout with all
the trimmings in her honor. In later years, it was held at my oldest sister
Dot’s house because she had a swimming pool. Memphis is hot in the summertime
and the kids loved the pool. Dot would bake a large chocolate sheet cake with a
hint of cinnamon and a delicious chocolate icing. Sometimes, she’d decorate the
top. It was so very good. My mouth waters just remembering. With the cake, there
would be homemade vanilla ice cream, usually my sister Gerry’s specialty. Before
dessert, of course, there would be delicious grilled hamburgers, baked beans,
potato salad and other wonderful dishes. In later years, we’d sometimes order
Memphis barbeque at its best – from Corky’s.
These will always be my memories of the Fourth of July...my dear parents,
my sisters, my precious family. I have no doubt they are celebrating in Heaven
today. Happy Birthday, Mama...
Below:
the McGregor girls at one of Mama's Fourth of July birthday parties...
Below:
Dianne and Gerry at Mama’s 4th of July birthday party at Dot’s house. About
1990.
Below are just a
few of the members of my large family. I need to dig through all my photos and
scan the rest! I faithfully took my Pentax K1000 to every single function we
had. Everybody teasingly complained then. Now, they are glad for a bit of
history captured on film.
Below:
My sister Gerry and my niece Sharon about 1982. Mama's Fourth of July
birthday party at Sharon's house.
Below:
my oldest, my great-niece Dawn and my niece Gina
Below:
my sister Dot and her husband Tom...late 80's.
Below:
my sister Eunice and her husband Eddie.
Bill and
me at a Fourth of July birthday party for Mama...late early 90's.
Below:
my sister Gerry at another Fourth of July at Dot's house... 
Below:
three of my nieces at Dot's house...late 80's.
Below:
Mama's Fourth of July birthday party at my niece Sharon's house - about 1982.
My
youngest is in the "firetruck" and my great-nephew is on his bike. 
Below:
my oldest two with their "Mamaw"...about 1990...at Dot's house.
Below:
my sister Gerry and her husband, my niece and her son (who is now in his third
year of medical school!)
My
niece...Gerry's older daughter. I wish you could hear her play the
piano...
