Frank, Missouri Jane, Roy and Eunice 09/07/2011
I love the title "Frank, Missouri Jane, Roy and Eunice". It sounds like it could be the title of a new show starting on Fox in the fall. But for me...it represents my Roots! (not the kind you cover up with Loreal, but the kind that helps you understand why you are you) While Frank and Missouri Jane Tollison were raising their son (my dad) William along with a brother and sister in Arkansas, Roy and Eunice Rhodes were raising their daughter Helen (my mom) along with six sisters and five brothers in Missouri. When Willie was in high school, his family moved to Missouri and he started school at Kewanee where he met the cutest girl in school, Helen. He had already caught Helen's eye, because he was quite the looker. (I'll tell you more about their romance in another post) I can remember visiting with my Grandma and Grandpa Tollison and drinking Grandma Jane's sweet tea served in the cutest little glasses. Grandpa was an entrepreneur selling Watkins products. He had a sign in the window of his old car that simply said "Watkins". One evening we got a call from Grandma Jane that something was wrong with Grandpa. Dad went to their home, but it was too late Grandpa had died suddenly of a heart attack while fixing a fence. Grandma Jane was such a sweet little lady but got old before her time. When Grandpa died, Grandma Jane moved in with us. She was so important to our family and eventually had a trailer that no matter where we moved, her trailer moved with us. I still remember her little giggle. As she got older, I think she giggled because she didn't understand a word we said. She lived to be over 90 years old and inspired me by just being sweet in every situation she was in. I always knew that if I needed an ear to listen to my problems...she would be that ear for me. What a precious legacy to leave...make others feel good by listening and a little giggle thrown in here and there. Eunice (Grandma Rhodes) had several babies close in age, she had a 18 month old baby die in her arms on the same day that one of her sons was born and a 20 year old daughter die suddenly. I think if these things had happened now, we would explain it as postpartum depression, but she had a breakdown and spent 3 years in a mental hospital. She had to have shock treatments - just a scarey rough time for her. When she returned from being in the hospital...2 months later her 20 year old daughter died. Roy (Grandpa Rhodes), was a heavy drinker and now as I look back, I wonder if it was a way to cope with a large family, loss of children and a depressed spouse. I remember when he passed away in the hospital...doctors said it was his liver (and I believe from his drinking). Even though Grandma Rhodes was in a nursing home in her later years, she spent weekends with a different son or daughter and their families each week. One of those weekends she taught me how to cut up a whole chicken. It tickled her to be able to share that with me. She loved a good meal and I loved seeing her enjoy sharing a Sunday dinner with our family. I admire the strength that Grandma and Grandpa had...even though they dealt with things differently than some of us would have chosen - they will forever be an example of how raising a family can be challenging, but you do what you have to do. CommentsSally 09/08/2011 6:34am
Paula, You made me tear up this morning. It is so true how that thread is woven so deeply and becomes such a part of who we are. Love, love, love your blog! Julie Mansfield 09/08/2011 8:28pm
Paula you are such a great story teller, I can't wait to read more. I find it very interesting that my Great Great (I think just 2) Grandmother was also named Missouri Jane (she was a Cherokee Indian). Thanks for sharing your stories. 09/29/2011 6:49pm
This one made me cry, right at the beginning. I guess for obvious reasons. My namesake!! When I was younger I thought Jane was such a country name and was kind of embarassed by it. Humm, I did grow up in the country, so why should I not have had a country name :o) As I've gotten older I am so proud to be named after Grandma Jane. She was such a sweet, sweet person and I remember going to her trailer as a little girl to visit and then going to see her in the nursing home when she could no longer stay at home. Wish I could talk to her now and that she could meet my kids! Leave a Reply |  Author
Paula Tollison Andrews Maupin I am married to Bobby and live in the Nashville, TN area, working as Executive Assistant to both the Director of Sales and General Manager of FOX17, MyTV30 & CW58 television I have 3 wonderful sons and daughters in
love (Brad & Holly Andrews, Bryan & Stacy Andrews and Brandon
& Ashley Andrews) from Tulsa, St. Louis & Springfield
respectively. They have given me 9 precious grandbabies. (Joseph,
Cooper, Margo, Sloan, Jonas, Nora, Everett, Lawson and Blythe & Gma
loves them so much) I also have 2 great stepsons and daughter in love
(Jonathan & Kathryn Maupin and William Maupin) from Lexington,
Kentucky.
As a lady who's lived through both good & bad circumstances in my life, I've learned and continue to learn a lot of "life lessons". Along the way I have been inspired to be a better me. God is faithful in ALL circumstances and His love covers all. My hope is that you will be inspired to be who you were meant to be. I have been writing this blog about my mom and dad since September of 2011. You can find their story from the beginning by going to the Stories link. Happy Reading!!!   ArchivesMarch 2012 |
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