Introduction
“Whirlwind Publications,” as I call yesterday's three articles, is behind me. The theme of this article is about family and heritage. It is a tribute to a fine grandmother and two nieces.
The Fearghail clan continues to honor God, family, and heritage. Well, at least many of the clan do.
Granny Ferrell
Molly Gertrude Archer Ferrell (Granny Ferrell) was my paternal grandmother. She was born on November 30, 1892. She joined Papaw Marion Ferrell (4/13/1880–11/21/1970) on June 11, 1971, when she passed away at age 78. I was ten, almost eleven years old.
Granny and Papaw Ferrell were licensed to marry on 11/24/1908. (As a side note, my mother was born on 11/24/1932.) Granny and Papaw were married the day after Papaw got their marriage license. Granny Ferrell turned 16 five days after their marriage. Papaw Ferrell was 28 at the time.
Papaw Marion Ferrell eloped with Molly Gertrude (Gertie) Archer on the same day that Winfield Lype (Lipe) and Gertie Carter eloped. According to family history, the two couples were wed on the same day and on the same trip. Papaw Marion Ferrell drove a wagon with both brides to Rogersville. Gertie Carter was a sister to Bert Carter. Lula Archer and Molly Gertrude Archer were sisters. Lula Archer had married Bert Carter. The Carters and Archers were raised in the Mooresburg/Old Spruce Pine community in Hawkins County, Tennessee. Later, the Carters and Archers moved to Mosheim in Greene County, Tennessee. Papaw Ferrell and Winfield Lype had farms in the Hickory Cove area of Hawkins County.
I remember the house, front porch, and porch swing very well. Further, I remember the barn, shed, smokehouse, two-seater outhouse, and other outbuildings. One of my first cousins provided the above photograph of Granny Ferrell. I think the year was 1965. I don't know who the assumed grandchild in the image is.
Granny and Papaw Ferrell raised two girls and six boys. According to family history, Granny had one miscarriage due to working too much on the farm, while Papaw was off hunting or trading. My father (Earl H. Ferrell) was their youngest child. I am the oldest son of Earl and Betty Lou Wood Ferrell, who, together, had four sons and no daughters.
Fond memories of Granny and Papaw Ferrell abound. My Ferrell cousins (of the Fearghail clan, County Longford, Ireland) and I need to write a detailed historical book, before it is too late.
I will share three memories of Granny Ferrell. First, while Granny and Papaw were still keeping house, I stayed with them for a while. Mom and Dad let me stay with both sets of my grandparents for a few days in the summers. Those times hold great summer vacation memories! Once, I had done something bad. I don't recall what it was. I hid. Granny was trying to find and spank me! Papaw Ferrell came home just when Granny found me. Papaw saved me from a well-deserved whipping! Neither set of my grandparents ever whipped me. I probably deserved a few!
Later, after Granny and Papaw broke up housekeeping, they stayed separately at times with us, when we lived on the old Livesay farm near Dead Man's Curve off old Highway 11W in east Hawkins County. Granny liked bottled Pepsi-Cola drinks. When she visited, she and I would sit in chairs on the big L-shaped porch near the corner of the “L.” She would give me a Pepsi-Cola to drink while she drank hers! To this day, if I can find one, I prefer a soft drink in a glass bottle, not plastic.
Finally, Granny Ferrell was living in the basement apartment of Avery and Lula (Ferrell) Absher. Dad used to take my brother, closest to me in age, and me with him to visit Granny. She always served us homemade cake! I remember one time, probably in late fall or winter, when I decided to take a leak outside. It was already dark. I didn't notice the electric fence directly below and in front of where I decided to take a leak. The fence was on. That was a shocking experience!
Niece at Age 15
Thirty-five years and a day after Granny Ferrell passed away, the oldest daughter of my youngest brother and his wife was born. Our niece turned 15 yesterday, 6/12/2021.
For our 15-year-old niece, the 2/9/2020 article—“BULLS GAP MIDDLE SCHOOL LADY BULLDOGS: STATE FINAL FOUR!!”—comes to mind.
Eight years ago, on St. Patrick's Day, 3/17/2013, my youngest brother took the above photograph and sent it to me. Both of our nieces are in the image. The eldest was seven at the time. The youngest was three.
To both our nieces, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I are proud of you! You are continuing the example of good Ferrell heritage. Granny Ferrell would have been proud of you! Your parents are raising you in the proper Appalachian-Irish tradition of godly parents, godly heritage, and biblical values! Do not let the modern world of moral decay and such take you from your heavenly path! I know it will not. I have faith in you! Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I love you! Don't you look forward to meeting your great-grandparents? Don't you look forward to meeting your paternal grandmother? Dad, your paternal grandfather, always bragged about our niece, born in 2006, before he passed on in 2008. He saw you several times. I wish that he had lived to see your younger sister.
Conclusion
Everyone needs to live in honor of God, family, and heritage! The trivialities of skin color and nation of origin do not matter!
The Democrat Socialists continue to drive their divisive wedge into the heart of this once-great nation. Those who continue to live in honor of God, family, and heritage will endure and survive that divisive wedge.
Join our nieces, their parents, and countless others who stand together to heal the wound that a divisive wedge is trying to fester! Will you? I trust that you will.
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