As I said before, I only have one real memory of my Dad's Father (Wes), putting me up on the coal shed roof. He died the same year as my first little sister (Mary Elizabeth Feb 22, 1952- Feb 25, 1952). She was born with an enlarged heart that actually suffocated her. I remember going to the funeral parlor and standing on my tiptoes to look in her casket. It couldn't have been much larger than a shoe box. There seemed to be a couple of little toys in it with her and was covered with a shroud. To me she looked like a little doll in a doll box. This part I don't remember, but my dad told me much later in life. After the graveside rights, we all went back and got in the car to leave. The funeral director (Ned Naylor, a friend of the family) came over to the car and my dad shook his hand and told him he didn't know how he would be able to pay for the funeral. Ned told him not to worry about it and shook his hand. In his hand was a $10 bill he gave my dad. Dad said that they both just stood there and cried for about 10 minutes before leaving.

I never knew we were poor. Since my Mom's folks always had a huge garden, I guess from the last picture, you can tell we didn't miss many meals. I do remember eating lots of fried potatoes, and ham and beans and cornbread. That was at least a once a week meal, if prepared in large enough quantities, might last for 2 or 3 days. My Mom could fill you in on some of the Whoppers I used to tell, so I am told, have no recollections at all on those. Seems I would come running up to the back door, panting and out of breath, telling that the neighbors bull chased me home, or some such tale. Never was my brother chasing me, as I recall.



My Grandfather Wesley Hardin Pierson  1880-1952
                                                          My Great Grandmother Nancy Ann Dugger Pierson Frazee

                                                                                                                      1857 - 1956