Willie's sister, Polly has never been afraid of hard work.  She worked hard everyday and sometimes on the weekends to take care of her little baby, Terry Wayne.  He was not quite one year old and had always been a healthy little guy.  She sure loved her baby and looked forward to the day that he would be big enough to play with his cousins Larry and Sondra.
On her way to work each morning, Polly would drop Terry Wayne off at her mom and dads (Missouri Jane and Frank).  They loved taking care of their grandson and were happy to help out their daughter.  He was a good natured little boy and was no trouble for Jane to love on and take care of each day.  That is why when he was extremely fussy that day in late February 1946, she knew something wasn't quite right. 

Terry Wayne seemed fine that morning when Polly took him to Jane and Frank's apartment in East Prairie, Missouri.  Before she left for work, she hugged his neck and got sugars.  He threw kisses to his mommy as she walked out, closed the door behind her and got in her car to head to work.  He didn't cry after her, because he was quite content to be with his best buddies, Grandma and Grandpa Tollison.

As the day progressed, Terry Wayne began to cry and nothing seemed to pacify him.  Jane knew he wasn't hungry, knew he wasn't needing his diaper changed and knew he didn't have a fever.  What could be wrong with him?  She looked him over from head to toe to see if he had hurt himself when she wasn't looking.  There wasn't a mark on him anywhere...why was he crying so?  She rocked him and carried him around, but nothing seemed to work to stop his crying.

Frank was outside checking on his Watkins inventory in the car.  Tomorrow he and Jane would take their trip Charleston where he would try to make a few sales.  As  he looked up, he saw Jane coming toward him with Terry Wayne bundled up and could hear he was still crying hard.  She told Frank that they had to take the baby to the hospital, because this non stop crying must mean something is bad wrong.  Frank didn't question Jane or hesitate one second before starting up his car.  They headed to the hospital in Sikeston as fast as the old car could take them.  You could see the worry on both of their faces as they walked into the emergency room and handed him over to the doctor.

At the hospital, Terry Wayne never stopped crying.  The doctor said they never knew what happened, just that he cried til he died. What a sad day for Jane and Frank...their sweet little Terry Wayne was gone and now they had to let Polly know that the baby she left at their apartment waving bye bye to her is gone.

The decision was made to have the funeral at the church, but would "lay him out" at Helen and Willie's place.  Even though it was late February, it felt like early spring as folks that loved Polly came by to give their love and condolences to the family.  Baby Terry Wayne looked like he was sleeping peacefully in his tiny casket. 

Willie was not home yet, but Helen loved Polly and was glad that she could open her home up to her during such a heart wrenching time. (on a side note....Helen had $10 under a vase on the table she was saving that wasn't there when everyone left from the viewing)


 


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    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!!!
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