Memories of Mamaw

The tribute page is really nice. It is great to read in detail about "Aunt Alice" as I know her. She was greatly loved and that was felt during the funeral. I always loved being around her. She was a bright spot in many lives.

From: Jeff Manhart
To: bill @ orangefrogproductions.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 11:43 PM
Subject: Alice

Hi Bill,

I don't think we ever met, but since you published the stories about your grandmother on April 25th, I thought that I would tell you a memory I have of her. April 25th was my father's birthday, so I found that kind of interesting!

Anyway, my name is Jeff Manhart, and I live in Woodstock, Georgia, about 30 miles or so north of Atlanta. Alice worked for my dad a very long time, and I never knew how she put up with him for so long. He was very demanding, had a hair-trigger temper, but did have a kind heart that showed up from time to time. My mother worked there for a few years as a nurse as well, once I started high school.

When I was 7 or 8 years old (late 1960's) my dad made me start cutting the grass at his office, and doing other yard related chores there.

I'd tie up the mower to the back of my bike, ride to the office, then ask Alice to help me start the mower. I was probably 9 before I could do it myself, but she always came out to start it for me when I couldn't. She'd make sure I had some water or a cola, then let me have my way with the lollipop stash dad had for the kids who came in.

As I got older, the chores increased, and dad always did these "inspections" of the work I'd do. He often yelled at me and stormed away because I didn't do something right, but when he'd leave or go be with a patient, Alice would come out and give me a big hug with that big smile of hers, and tell me it would be alright. Sometimes she wouldn't say anything, but the hug and smile always made me feel better.

When I was a teenager, she covered for me more times than I can remember, and saved me from a few butt-kickings, by telling dad that I was there when I wasn't. When it was a snowy morning, dad would go to the hospital early, then expect me to drive to the office and clean off the sidewalks before school. When I forgot to do it, Alice would do it herself, then tell dad that I did it before she got there. When I'd see her, she'd wink at me, and I knew what she did!

Alice was a big part of my life growing up. I'd see her a few times every week, and she always checked up on us, especially during times when somebody in our family was sick. She was a wonderful woman, and she'll always have a special place in my heart for making me feel better during those tough days as a little kid. And who could ever forget that smile?!

Just thought I'd share those memories with you. I found out about her passing today, and you and your entire family have my deepest sympathy. I hate to say you've "lost" her. She's not lost, I think we all know exactly where she is!

By the way...I also have faint memories of David. Wasn't he the guy with the purple scooter and the good-looking gal on the back?? I always wanted to be that guy when I was little!

Sincerely,
Jeff Manhart

I learned a great deal from my dad, and we actually became buddies after he retired and moved to Alabama. We fished and hunted together, and he even gave me advice on which way to go with my career. I hope to be the same with my kids, although I'm getting a late start, and probably won't yell at them as much! Looking back, he was a good dad, and I understand now why he was so hard on me.

From: Charles Baird
To: bill @ orangefrogproductions.com
Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2007 11:36 AM
Subject: Herm Gray

It was probably the summer of 1948, and I had my first car, a 1936 Ford. Herm said you should not be driving on those tires, I told him I did not have the money right now to replace them. Herm said pay me when you can and he put on 2 new tires. I paid him at the end of the month and put on the other 2 tires. Charles Baird

From: Charles Baird
To: bill @ orangefrogproductions.com
Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2007 11:57 AM
Subject: Carp Sanders

In the early 1950's I was working for Perry Pitts construction and Mr. Sanders was on the Job replacing something under the kitchen sink. He had taken the trap apart, dumped the water in a small bucket and told David to get rid of it, David poured it in the sink with out thinking and it went all over his dad. David was Jr. high age at the time, and has probably forgotten it by now. Charles Baird