Nellie
Nellie was born in August, 1904 1903 in rural North Carolina.
In August 1920, she married Celius…they had seven children.
She was a farmer’s wife and lived a simple life.
She loved to have her long hair brushed ~ to the point you thought your arm would fall off.
She always wore her long hair in a bun except when she went to bed.
She taught me to crochet even though she was right handed and I am left handed.
She had me sit in front of her so I could follow along….I was fairly young when I learned.
She hummed or sang hymns while she cooked.
She made the best fried chicken. Ever.
Each time we would visit, she would make my favorite dish.
It was tuna fish hash. No one has been able to copy it to this day.
I never saw her in pants….she always wore a dress.
She didn’t wear any makeup or jewelry….except a broach to church…
…and a Timex my grandfather gave me the day after she died.
The watch is one of my greatest treasures.
She loved to garden and show off her flowers to visitors.
She loved her family and her faith.
I loved her hugs, her laughter and her smile.
She passed away when I was 18….gone from our lives far too soon.
Sometimes it feels like yesterday.
What I wouldn’t give to go back in time so I could sit and talk with her
at that old kitchen table while I enjoyed a plate of tuna fish hash.
I still miss you all the time Grandma!
Love, Debbie
7 Comments
wanda
I could not have said it better. ( no tuna fish hash) for me tho. Give me the chicken and pastry. She loved it when I brought her blueberries that I picked from the local farm. I loved to sit at her side and watch her crochet. I have 2 of her crochet hooks, rusty but very much treasured. I was angry at someone one day and I remember her telling me “there is good in everyone, some people you just have to look a little deeper”. I always felt so loved by her. I recently was given some plants that were her favorite flower. I sure hope they live.
Magikal Folk
I agree Wanda….I always felt so loved by her. She always did see the good in people…she was a woman who truly practiced what was preached.
Tom Sanderlin
I think about her all the time. She was a great person with a strong spirit who spread love to anyone she met. She always wanted a hug and she would fuss at me if I did not hug her before running off to play. She always made my favorite carrot cake for my birthday. I, like you Debbie, have never had a cake as good. I miss her and Granddaddy as well as the home on East Ridge Road. We had great times and they all live on in our memories. But her spirit was passed to your Mom and on to you Debbie. I feel that same spirit of love when I visit your Mom’s home in Virginia. Thanks for putting a smile on my face and honoring our Grandma who taught us all how to live.
Magikal Folk
I’m glad you enjoyed the post and I know your comments will make my mom’s day Tom. 🙂 I loved that old house on East Ridge Road…I only wish my kids had the chance to meet Grandma and Grandaddy and experience some of what we were able to on the farm.
Vicky Sanderlin
Hello Debbie,
Thank you for this tribute to Grandma Sanderlin.
Your memories are like mine, except I never had the patience to learn how to crochet. I regret that now.
She was the most generous person and so very loving. I still have some of the Barbie doll clothes that she made us and a beautiful quilt that I received for my 16th birthday. It needs to be restored, but some of the squares were made from her old dresses, that I recall her wearing. I know that every stitch was made with love. Did all the grandaughters received a quilt for our 16th. She told me to put it in a wedding chest.
Grandaddy told me that he first saw Grandma when she was 15 and riding a horse bare-backed. She had great legs he told me and that was what attracted him to her.
He felt lucky to have her accept his suit [and of course we are all greatful now].
I have never seen the earliest photograph you posted and wonder how old she was in that photo. I don’t know why, but I always assumed that her hair was light in colour as Aunt Maud was a redhead [like my daughter, Siobhan]. Please do share more photos when you get an opportunity, Debbie.
Your Mom is just as good a cook as Grandma and I can taste her cornbread even now. Remember how hard Grandma worked to provide us with a huge Sunday lunch. She stored the leftovers in the oven and we used to run in and grab the odd potato etc. to eat. My memories are of her rice pudding – no one else has been able to replicate that creamy consistency.
Love and gratitude,
Vicky
Magikal Folk
I was surprised to see Grandma with dark hair as well Vicky….I always assumed it was blond…maybe it was more red but just looks dark in the photo? Her beautiful quilts will always be treasured by all who received one.
Magikal Folk
These memories were emailed to me from my cousin ~ L. Scaff
Thank you for what you did. Until I opened you email I had never seen a picture of her as she was when she was young. I always remembered her as white headed with her hair in a bun. Never had the tuna hash, but I sure can remember her dried lima beans, potato soup, killer size pancakes and ice cream made in her refrigerator.
She always listened to her radio and hummed all day. I think the only thing I never could figure out was how she and granddad ever married. In so many ways they were so opposite. If anyone ever made an art out of cussing it was granddad. I think he delighted in getting her rung up. I do think they loved each other very much and he mellowed out in latter years. They both had a way of letting you know they loved you.
Thanks again for the memories.
You have a great day.