Lucille Holmes Shotwell of Jackson, Louisiana was born a twin (to her brother HL) on June 25th, 1928 in Walthall County, Mississippi on her family's farm north of Tylertown. The farm had been in the family since the days of the War Between the States. She grew up attending Salem School, participated in the 4-H Club, and worshipped at Magee's Creek Baptist Church, Salem Baptist Church, and the little Log Cabin Church in her neighbourhood. At about the age of twelve she was baptized in the waters of Magee's Creek behind Magee's Creek Church. Although she grew up during the Great Depression she enjoyed the bounties of the farm and the simple pleasures of country life at a time and place in which hospitality was more prevalent than it is today and good manners and respect towards one's fellow man was still highly regarded, expected, and appreciated. At an early age she became a member of the Order of the Eastern Star (Marion Chapter No. 94, Columbia, Mississippi). Although she maintained membership in the organization throughout her life she never took an active role in it or participated in any other chapter.
On September 9th, 1950, with both at the age of twenty-two, our mother and father, Ewing Shotwell, Jr., were married in Biloxi. It was on the same day as our father's maternal grand-parent's Golden Wedding Anniversary. Our father was from the Red River Cotton Belt of Texas and had enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp. He was stationed at Keesler Field in Biloxi when he met our mother and was introduced to the Holmes family. Our parents exchanged their marriage vows during a small wedding ceremony officiated by Rev. R.R. Rust, pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Biloxi. There would be two sons and a daughter born of this union but the marriage would not last. It is always tragic when a divorce occurs as it is impossible for families to escape unscathed. Our parents divorced while we were all yet young. Our mother never remarried. She learned to deal with the great challenges life dealt her as these things drew her closer to her Lord.
The three children born to this union were - Michael E., Bronya Lou, and Gary Neal. Our mother, affectionately called "Miss Lucille" or "Miss Lou" and "Aunt Lucille," was ever growing in the grace of the Lord and sought to point her children in that direction as well. She loved her family and sacrificed for them and would dote upon her grandchildren.
She was employed by East Louisiana State Hospital in Jackson for many years until she retired. Everyone knew her there as she received the guests and visitors coming to the hospital and the Center Building. The hospital, having been established in the 1840's, is one of the oldest mental care facilities in the country and at one time was one of the largest.
Our mother loved to plant flowers and nurture them. She could take a cutting from an azalea and simply stick it in the ground and after a few years it would be a healthy, growing bush full of blooms. Among the flowers she took delight in were - day lilies, gladiolas, irises, and in how the wild little red spider lilies would shoot up in abundance after a late summer's rain. Gladiolas and irises were her project in her last years. She planted them in rows and called the irises - flags. An antique miniature rose bush from our mother's yard has been transplanted in her daughter's yard where it continues to thrive.
Our mother was a very good cook and would cook pies, cakes, and oftentimes a meal for friends, family, and neighbours. She would make delicious pies for holiday occasions. She loved children and would try to always give a little something to the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home. She was saddened by the misfortune of others and joined in the rejoicing over the good blessings of her friends, neighbours, and fellow church members or anyone else. She was a great mother and grandmother - not perfect, none of us are that, but great nonetheless. The Lord gave her grace to overcome many trials. Her great hope was wrapped up in the Lord Jesus Christ and she trusted in His sacrificial atonement and His imputed righteous alone for a right standing before God.
When her last illness befell her she did not live long past its discovery. Her children and all her family rallied round her. When she went into the hospital it was winter and there was a leafless and flowerless shrub outside her hospital room window. Two weeks later Spring had come and on the day she died there was a solitary flower that had fully bloomed on that little shrub outside her window. We sang hymns round about her till a silence fell upon that place. We felt we should also be silent as this reverential silence prevailed over the usual activities and noises in a hospital. Someone once wrote: "The Lord knows just the right time to take His children." Surely this is true. The Lord does all things well and we are confident that He took our mother unto Himself at just the right time. A dear and precious chapter closed in our lives.
At our mother's funeral the church house (the First Baptist Church of Jackson, Louisiana) was overflowing with those who had come to show their last respects -- some of whom had to stand in the aisles. This was where she had worshiped with her family and friends and attended Sunday School, where her mother's funeral had been, where her youngest son had wed (and later a grandson), and where all her children were baptized. The congregation which filled this old house of worship had its beginning prior to the Southern Baptist Convention and this was where we received much of our early spiritual nurture. The old cottage in which we lived was located directly across from the church so we never had any excuse for being late for Sunday School or Church. Our mother did indeed point us in a good direction. She left a good legacy as a faithful mother. She grew in the grace of the Lord. She persevered to the end. "Her children rise up and call her blessed."
On September 9th, 1950, with both at the age of twenty-two, our mother and father, Ewing Shotwell, Jr., were married in Biloxi. It was on the same day as our father's maternal grand-parent's Golden Wedding Anniversary. Our father was from the Red River Cotton Belt of Texas and had enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp. He was stationed at Keesler Field in Biloxi when he met our mother and was introduced to the Holmes family. Our parents exchanged their marriage vows during a small wedding ceremony officiated by Rev. R.R. Rust, pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Biloxi. There would be two sons and a daughter born of this union but the marriage would not last. It is always tragic when a divorce occurs as it is impossible for families to escape unscathed. Our parents divorced while we were all yet young. Our mother never remarried. She learned to deal with the great challenges life dealt her as these things drew her closer to her Lord.
The three children born to this union were - Michael E., Bronya Lou, and Gary Neal. Our mother, affectionately called "Miss Lucille" or "Miss Lou" and "Aunt Lucille," was ever growing in the grace of the Lord and sought to point her children in that direction as well. She loved her family and sacrificed for them and would dote upon her grandchildren.
She was employed by East Louisiana State Hospital in Jackson for many years until she retired. Everyone knew her there as she received the guests and visitors coming to the hospital and the Center Building. The hospital, having been established in the 1840's, is one of the oldest mental care facilities in the country and at one time was one of the largest.
Our mother loved to plant flowers and nurture them. She could take a cutting from an azalea and simply stick it in the ground and after a few years it would be a healthy, growing bush full of blooms. Among the flowers she took delight in were - day lilies, gladiolas, irises, and in how the wild little red spider lilies would shoot up in abundance after a late summer's rain. Gladiolas and irises were her project in her last years. She planted them in rows and called the irises - flags. An antique miniature rose bush from our mother's yard has been transplanted in her daughter's yard where it continues to thrive.
Our mother was a very good cook and would cook pies, cakes, and oftentimes a meal for friends, family, and neighbours. She would make delicious pies for holiday occasions. She loved children and would try to always give a little something to the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home. She was saddened by the misfortune of others and joined in the rejoicing over the good blessings of her friends, neighbours, and fellow church members or anyone else. She was a great mother and grandmother - not perfect, none of us are that, but great nonetheless. The Lord gave her grace to overcome many trials. Her great hope was wrapped up in the Lord Jesus Christ and she trusted in His sacrificial atonement and His imputed righteous alone for a right standing before God.
When her last illness befell her she did not live long past its discovery. Her children and all her family rallied round her. When she went into the hospital it was winter and there was a leafless and flowerless shrub outside her hospital room window. Two weeks later Spring had come and on the day she died there was a solitary flower that had fully bloomed on that little shrub outside her window. We sang hymns round about her till a silence fell upon that place. We felt we should also be silent as this reverential silence prevailed over the usual activities and noises in a hospital. Someone once wrote: "The Lord knows just the right time to take His children." Surely this is true. The Lord does all things well and we are confident that He took our mother unto Himself at just the right time. A dear and precious chapter closed in our lives.
At our mother's funeral the church house (the First Baptist Church of Jackson, Louisiana) was overflowing with those who had come to show their last respects -- some of whom had to stand in the aisles. This was where she had worshiped with her family and friends and attended Sunday School, where her mother's funeral had been, where her youngest son had wed (and later a grandson), and where all her children were baptized. The congregation which filled this old house of worship had its beginning prior to the Southern Baptist Convention and this was where we received much of our early spiritual nurture. The old cottage in which we lived was located directly across from the church so we never had any excuse for being late for Sunday School or Church. Our mother did indeed point us in a good direction. She left a good legacy as a faithful mother. She grew in the grace of the Lord. She persevered to the end. "Her children rise up and call her blessed."
Lucille Holmes Shotwell of Jackson, Louisiana was born a twin (to her brother HL) on June 25th, 1928 in Walthall County, Mississippi on her family's farm north of Tylertown. The farm had been in the family since the days of the War Between the States. She grew up attending Salem School, participated in the 4-H Club, and worshipped at Magee's Creek Baptist Church, Salem Baptist Church, and the little Log Cabin Church in her neighbourhood. At about the age of twelve she was baptized in the waters of Magee's Creek behind Magee's Creek Church. Although she grew up during the Great Depression she enjoyed the bounties of the farm and the simple pleasures of country life at a time and place in which hospitality was more prevalent than it is today and good manners and respect towards one's fellow man was still highly regarded, expected, and appreciated. At an early age she became a member of the Order of the Eastern Star (Marion Chapter No. 94, Columbia, Mississippi). Although she maintained membership in the organization throughout her life she never took an active role in it or participated in any other chapter.
On September 9th, 1950, with both at the age of twenty-two, our mother and father, Ewing Shotwell, Jr., were married in Biloxi. It was on the same day as our father's maternal grand-parent's Golden Wedding Anniversary. Our father was from the Red River Cotton Belt of Texas and had enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp. He was stationed at Keesler Field in Biloxi when he met our mother and was introduced to the Holmes family. Our parents exchanged their marriage vows during a small wedding ceremony officiated by Rev. R.R. Rust, pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Biloxi. There would be two sons and a daughter born of this union but the marriage would not last. It is always tragic when a divorce occurs as it is impossible for families to escape unscathed. Our parents divorced while we were all yet young. Our mother never remarried. She learned to deal with the great challenges life dealt her as these things drew her closer to her Lord.
The three children born to this union were - Michael E., Bronya Lou, and Gary Neal. Our mother, affectionately called "Miss Lucille" or "Miss Lou" and "Aunt Lucille," was ever growing in the grace of the Lord and sought to point her children in that direction as well. She loved her family and sacrificed for them and would dote upon her grandchildren.
She was employed by East Louisiana State Hospital in Jackson for many years until she retired. Everyone knew her there as she received the guests and visitors coming to the hospital and the Center Building. The hospital, having been established in the 1840's, is one of the oldest mental care facilities in the country and at one time was one of the largest.
Our mother loved to plant flowers and nurture them. She could take a cutting from an azalea and simply stick it in the ground and after a few years it would be a healthy, growing bush full of blooms. Among the flowers she took delight in were - day lilies, gladiolas, irises, and in how the wild little red spider lilies would shoot up in abundance after a late summer's rain. Gladiolas and irises were her project in her last years. She planted them in rows and called the irises - flags. An antique miniature rose bush from our mother's yard has been transplanted in her daughter's yard where it continues to thrive.
Our mother was a very good cook and would cook pies, cakes, and oftentimes a meal for friends, family, and neighbours. She would make delicious pies for holiday occasions. She loved children and would try to always give a little something to the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home. She was saddened by the misfortune of others and joined in the rejoicing over the good blessings of her friends, neighbours, and fellow church members or anyone else. She was a great mother and grandmother - not perfect, none of us are that, but great nonetheless. The Lord gave her grace to overcome many trials. Her great hope was wrapped up in the Lord Jesus Christ and she trusted in His sacrificial atonement and His imputed righteous alone for a right standing before God.
When her last illness befell her she did not live long past its discovery. Her children and all her family rallied round her. When she went into the hospital it was winter and there was a leafless and flowerless shrub outside her hospital room window. Two weeks later Spring had come and on the day she died there was a solitary flower that had fully bloomed on that little shrub outside her window. We sang hymns round about her till a silence fell upon that place. We felt we should also be silent as this reverential silence prevailed over the usual activities and noises in a hospital. Someone once wrote: "The Lord knows just the right time to take His children." Surely this is true. The Lord does all things well and we are confident that He took our mother unto Himself at just the right time. A dear and precious chapter closed in our lives.
At our mother's funeral the church house (the First Baptist Church of Jackson, Louisiana) was overflowing with those who had come to show their last respects -- some of whom had to stand in the aisles. This was where she had worshiped with her family and friends and attended Sunday School, where her mother's funeral had been, where her youngest son had wed (and later a grandson), and where all her children were baptized. The congregation which filled this old house of worship had its beginning prior to the Southern Baptist Convention and this was where we received much of our early spiritual nurture. The old cottage in which we lived was located directly across from the church so we never had any excuse for being late for Sunday School or Church. Our mother did indeed point us in a good direction. She left a good legacy as a faithful mother. She grew in the grace of the Lord. She persevered to the end. "Her children rise up and call her blessed."
On September 9th, 1950, with both at the age of twenty-two, our mother and father, Ewing Shotwell, Jr., were married in Biloxi. It was on the same day as our father's maternal grand-parent's Golden Wedding Anniversary. Our father was from the Red River Cotton Belt of Texas and had enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp. He was stationed at Keesler Field in Biloxi when he met our mother and was introduced to the Holmes family. Our parents exchanged their marriage vows during a small wedding ceremony officiated by Rev. R.R. Rust, pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Biloxi. There would be two sons and a daughter born of this union but the marriage would not last. It is always tragic when a divorce occurs as it is impossible for families to escape unscathed. Our parents divorced while we were all yet young. Our mother never remarried. She learned to deal with the great challenges life dealt her as these things drew her closer to her Lord.
The three children born to this union were - Michael E., Bronya Lou, and Gary Neal. Our mother, affectionately called "Miss Lucille" or "Miss Lou" and "Aunt Lucille," was ever growing in the grace of the Lord and sought to point her children in that direction as well. She loved her family and sacrificed for them and would dote upon her grandchildren.
She was employed by East Louisiana State Hospital in Jackson for many years until she retired. Everyone knew her there as she received the guests and visitors coming to the hospital and the Center Building. The hospital, having been established in the 1840's, is one of the oldest mental care facilities in the country and at one time was one of the largest.
Our mother loved to plant flowers and nurture them. She could take a cutting from an azalea and simply stick it in the ground and after a few years it would be a healthy, growing bush full of blooms. Among the flowers she took delight in were - day lilies, gladiolas, irises, and in how the wild little red spider lilies would shoot up in abundance after a late summer's rain. Gladiolas and irises were her project in her last years. She planted them in rows and called the irises - flags. An antique miniature rose bush from our mother's yard has been transplanted in her daughter's yard where it continues to thrive.
Our mother was a very good cook and would cook pies, cakes, and oftentimes a meal for friends, family, and neighbours. She would make delicious pies for holiday occasions. She loved children and would try to always give a little something to the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home. She was saddened by the misfortune of others and joined in the rejoicing over the good blessings of her friends, neighbours, and fellow church members or anyone else. She was a great mother and grandmother - not perfect, none of us are that, but great nonetheless. The Lord gave her grace to overcome many trials. Her great hope was wrapped up in the Lord Jesus Christ and she trusted in His sacrificial atonement and His imputed righteous alone for a right standing before God.
When her last illness befell her she did not live long past its discovery. Her children and all her family rallied round her. When she went into the hospital it was winter and there was a leafless and flowerless shrub outside her hospital room window. Two weeks later Spring had come and on the day she died there was a solitary flower that had fully bloomed on that little shrub outside her window. We sang hymns round about her till a silence fell upon that place. We felt we should also be silent as this reverential silence prevailed over the usual activities and noises in a hospital. Someone once wrote: "The Lord knows just the right time to take His children." Surely this is true. The Lord does all things well and we are confident that He took our mother unto Himself at just the right time. A dear and precious chapter closed in our lives.
At our mother's funeral the church house (the First Baptist Church of Jackson, Louisiana) was overflowing with those who had come to show their last respects -- some of whom had to stand in the aisles. This was where she had worshiped with her family and friends and attended Sunday School, where her mother's funeral had been, where her youngest son had wed (and later a grandson), and where all her children were baptized. The congregation which filled this old house of worship had its beginning prior to the Southern Baptist Convention and this was where we received much of our early spiritual nurture. The old cottage in which we lived was located directly across from the church so we never had any excuse for being late for Sunday School or Church. Our mother did indeed point us in a good direction. She left a good legacy as a faithful mother. She grew in the grace of the Lord. She persevered to the end. "Her children rise up and call her blessed."
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