My great Grandma.

Grandma Callie was the youngest daughter of Joseph C. Tousley & Harriet Bender Gerst. She was one of twin girls (the other one died at birth); her mama died when she was but six years old. Several years later her daddy took the family to Oklahoma Territory where he was active in politics and when Congress passed the Organic Act in 1890 he was elected to the Territorial Legislature and served as Speaker of the House. Joseph was also editor of a newspaper, the first office of which was a tent. It was while helping out in the printing shop that she met her future husband, Okey Ragsdale. They were married July 29, 1893 and she proudly bore him eleven children.

Grandma Callie was always smiling and laughing as a young married woman. She had real black curly hair and never changed her cheerful disposition.

They were true pioneers traveling to Old Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and back to Oklahoma looking for work and a place to settle the family. During these treks, Grandma Callie cooked on a camp-fire, using a dutch oven, long-handled skillets, and a granite coffee pot; the dishes being made of granite. Sitting around the fire, they would often sing, or Okey would play the violin.

Evidently the pioneer spirit took it's toll, as granddaughter, Dyllis, had asked her grandma to share some stories about their travels and the Indians but she was told that Grandma Callie didn't want to remember those times let alone talk about them. Life had been very hard; she didn't want to remember any of it. Just imagine traveling in a covered wagon with all those children. Traveling for days and weeks trying to keep the children in tow, keeping them clean and fed. Traveling to wherever, then knowing that even when you get there it won't be for long because husband is going to want to move on to someplace new.

Us great grandchildren remember her being very sweet, kind, and funny. Oh, and could she bake! Yummy.....

Many thanks for stone photo, Lynn Williams, who first listed and graciously transferred memorial.