Mary Emily (Meadows) Davis (my grandmother) was born
the youngest of 12 children to her mother,
Marie Meadows (b.1894? /d.1934) and her father
(unknown), on May 19, 1917 in Carlisle, SC.
She was basically single-handedly raised by her maternal grandmother, the feisty Frances Kelly (b.1861 / d.1971)
who was a former slave. Her family moved to Spartanburg in the early 20's and lived in an old black neighborhood called "Martin's Alley", which was located near Sydney,
Young and Cummings streets on Spartanburg's rowdy black southside or "Baptistside" as it was known.
She attended school at Highland Elementary.
Her education went only to the 7th grade.
But she had a mother wit and an intuitiveness that could never be taught in any book or fancy school.
In 1931, at age 13, she met my grandafather, Allen Davis Sr. ( b.1913 / d.1994) and the two were married a year later, on July 27, 1932 in her grandmother's living room by a justice of the peace. She was just 14 and he was just 19. Their union produced 11 children, 10 of which survived into adulthood and a devoted 42 yr marriage.
Her life was one of simple golden joys and also great loss & pain.. her mother, Marie Meadows, was murdered in 1934 and she'd outlived all of her 12 brothers and sisters by the time she was in her 40's...she also endured the loss
of two children, Dorothy Lee (b.1934 / d.1934),
who died at 3 days old, and my Aunt Shirley,
who was the oldest child (b.1933 /d. 1971).
But despite these trials, my grandmother was a deeply loving, sweet-natured and humorous woman who was possessed of a quiet strength and inner beauty. In addition to being the quintessential "earth mother", she was an incredible cook, homemaker and gardener! Her flower beds, like her family, was a thing of great beauty, joy and pride for her and she nurtured them without tire! Generosity and kindness were her strong suits, but don't get her mad!...
She could wield a formidible temper that could send even my grandfather heading for the hills! But this was only if she was pushed. She was a source of warmth, deep love and comfort to all of her children as well as the 40+ grandchildren that she left behind when she died suddenly of a massive heart attack on May 7, 1974 at the far too young age of 56. It was the day after my 10th birthday and the last b'day party I've ever had! I've always referred to that date as the end of my childhood.
But in the short time that she graced the earth with her presence, she left an indelible mark on the psyche of her
family and freinds and her loss is still felt to this day!
She was my deepest teacher and inspiration (in addition to my mother!) and she doted on me immensely!..The only time that I was ever doted on in my life! I miss you grandma!
And I will always carry you in my heart and mind until the day we meet again!--Rest In Peace!
Your Loving Grandson, Reesy
the youngest of 12 children to her mother,
Marie Meadows (b.1894? /d.1934) and her father
(unknown), on May 19, 1917 in Carlisle, SC.
She was basically single-handedly raised by her maternal grandmother, the feisty Frances Kelly (b.1861 / d.1971)
who was a former slave. Her family moved to Spartanburg in the early 20's and lived in an old black neighborhood called "Martin's Alley", which was located near Sydney,
Young and Cummings streets on Spartanburg's rowdy black southside or "Baptistside" as it was known.
She attended school at Highland Elementary.
Her education went only to the 7th grade.
But she had a mother wit and an intuitiveness that could never be taught in any book or fancy school.
In 1931, at age 13, she met my grandafather, Allen Davis Sr. ( b.1913 / d.1994) and the two were married a year later, on July 27, 1932 in her grandmother's living room by a justice of the peace. She was just 14 and he was just 19. Their union produced 11 children, 10 of which survived into adulthood and a devoted 42 yr marriage.
Her life was one of simple golden joys and also great loss & pain.. her mother, Marie Meadows, was murdered in 1934 and she'd outlived all of her 12 brothers and sisters by the time she was in her 40's...she also endured the loss
of two children, Dorothy Lee (b.1934 / d.1934),
who died at 3 days old, and my Aunt Shirley,
who was the oldest child (b.1933 /d. 1971).
But despite these trials, my grandmother was a deeply loving, sweet-natured and humorous woman who was possessed of a quiet strength and inner beauty. In addition to being the quintessential "earth mother", she was an incredible cook, homemaker and gardener! Her flower beds, like her family, was a thing of great beauty, joy and pride for her and she nurtured them without tire! Generosity and kindness were her strong suits, but don't get her mad!...
She could wield a formidible temper that could send even my grandfather heading for the hills! But this was only if she was pushed. She was a source of warmth, deep love and comfort to all of her children as well as the 40+ grandchildren that she left behind when she died suddenly of a massive heart attack on May 7, 1974 at the far too young age of 56. It was the day after my 10th birthday and the last b'day party I've ever had! I've always referred to that date as the end of my childhood.
But in the short time that she graced the earth with her presence, she left an indelible mark on the psyche of her
family and freinds and her loss is still felt to this day!
She was my deepest teacher and inspiration (in addition to my mother!) and she doted on me immensely!..The only time that I was ever doted on in my life! I miss you grandma!
And I will always carry you in my heart and mind until the day we meet again!--Rest In Peace!
Your Loving Grandson, Reesy
Mary Emily (Meadows) Davis (my grandmother) was born
the youngest of 12 children to her mother,
Marie Meadows (b.1894? /d.1934) and her father
(unknown), on May 19, 1917 in Carlisle, SC.
She was basically single-handedly raised by her maternal grandmother, the feisty Frances Kelly (b.1861 / d.1971)
who was a former slave. Her family moved to Spartanburg in the early 20's and lived in an old black neighborhood called "Martin's Alley", which was located near Sydney,
Young and Cummings streets on Spartanburg's rowdy black southside or "Baptistside" as it was known.
She attended school at Highland Elementary.
Her education went only to the 7th grade.
But she had a mother wit and an intuitiveness that could never be taught in any book or fancy school.
In 1931, at age 13, she met my grandafather, Allen Davis Sr. ( b.1913 / d.1994) and the two were married a year later, on July 27, 1932 in her grandmother's living room by a justice of the peace. She was just 14 and he was just 19. Their union produced 11 children, 10 of which survived into adulthood and a devoted 42 yr marriage.
Her life was one of simple golden joys and also great loss & pain.. her mother, Marie Meadows, was murdered in 1934 and she'd outlived all of her 12 brothers and sisters by the time she was in her 40's...she also endured the loss
of two children, Dorothy Lee (b.1934 / d.1934),
who died at 3 days old, and my Aunt Shirley,
who was the oldest child (b.1933 /d. 1971).
But despite these trials, my grandmother was a deeply loving, sweet-natured and humorous woman who was possessed of a quiet strength and inner beauty. In addition to being the quintessential "earth mother", she was an incredible cook, homemaker and gardener! Her flower beds, like her family, was a thing of great beauty, joy and pride for her and she nurtured them without tire! Generosity and kindness were her strong suits, but don't get her mad!...
She could wield a formidible temper that could send even my grandfather heading for the hills! But this was only if she was pushed. She was a source of warmth, deep love and comfort to all of her children as well as the 40+ grandchildren that she left behind when she died suddenly of a massive heart attack on May 7, 1974 at the far too young age of 56. It was the day after my 10th birthday and the last b'day party I've ever had! I've always referred to that date as the end of my childhood.
But in the short time that she graced the earth with her presence, she left an indelible mark on the psyche of her
family and freinds and her loss is still felt to this day!
She was my deepest teacher and inspiration (in addition to my mother!) and she doted on me immensely!..The only time that I was ever doted on in my life! I miss you grandma!
And I will always carry you in my heart and mind until the day we meet again!--Rest In Peace!
Your Loving Grandson, Reesy
the youngest of 12 children to her mother,
Marie Meadows (b.1894? /d.1934) and her father
(unknown), on May 19, 1917 in Carlisle, SC.
She was basically single-handedly raised by her maternal grandmother, the feisty Frances Kelly (b.1861 / d.1971)
who was a former slave. Her family moved to Spartanburg in the early 20's and lived in an old black neighborhood called "Martin's Alley", which was located near Sydney,
Young and Cummings streets on Spartanburg's rowdy black southside or "Baptistside" as it was known.
She attended school at Highland Elementary.
Her education went only to the 7th grade.
But she had a mother wit and an intuitiveness that could never be taught in any book or fancy school.
In 1931, at age 13, she met my grandafather, Allen Davis Sr. ( b.1913 / d.1994) and the two were married a year later, on July 27, 1932 in her grandmother's living room by a justice of the peace. She was just 14 and he was just 19. Their union produced 11 children, 10 of which survived into adulthood and a devoted 42 yr marriage.
Her life was one of simple golden joys and also great loss & pain.. her mother, Marie Meadows, was murdered in 1934 and she'd outlived all of her 12 brothers and sisters by the time she was in her 40's...she also endured the loss
of two children, Dorothy Lee (b.1934 / d.1934),
who died at 3 days old, and my Aunt Shirley,
who was the oldest child (b.1933 /d. 1971).
But despite these trials, my grandmother was a deeply loving, sweet-natured and humorous woman who was possessed of a quiet strength and inner beauty. In addition to being the quintessential "earth mother", she was an incredible cook, homemaker and gardener! Her flower beds, like her family, was a thing of great beauty, joy and pride for her and she nurtured them without tire! Generosity and kindness were her strong suits, but don't get her mad!...
She could wield a formidible temper that could send even my grandfather heading for the hills! But this was only if she was pushed. She was a source of warmth, deep love and comfort to all of her children as well as the 40+ grandchildren that she left behind when she died suddenly of a massive heart attack on May 7, 1974 at the far too young age of 56. It was the day after my 10th birthday and the last b'day party I've ever had! I've always referred to that date as the end of my childhood.
But in the short time that she graced the earth with her presence, she left an indelible mark on the psyche of her
family and freinds and her loss is still felt to this day!
She was my deepest teacher and inspiration (in addition to my mother!) and she doted on me immensely!..The only time that I was ever doted on in my life! I miss you grandma!
And I will always carry you in my heart and mind until the day we meet again!--Rest In Peace!
Your Loving Grandson, Reesy
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