In the fall of 1914, James Thomas Blackwood traveled to Florence, Alabama to
visit his brother. While staying there, he wanted to hear his brother preach.
His brother had followed in the footsteps of their father who was a Methodist
minister. Their father, James Isaiah Blackwood was a circuit rider in the Ozark
mountains.
Now on this crisp, cool fall day, Jim dressed in his best outfit. To complete
the ensemble, he was sporting a rather wide red velvet necktie. Upon entering
the church that day, he saw a group of people gathered around a wood stove.
Seated by the stove was a young woman wearing a large hat with a red rose in the
brim.
He said he knew from the first moment he saw her that this was the woman he
wanted to marry. He went to her house later to get acquainted but she had
another suitor by the last name of Pigg.
Mary Emma Cypert was the local schoolmarm. She was the daughter of James Millard
Fillmore Cypert and Sarah Minervia Osborn Cypert. Her grandfather, Captain
Thomas Jefferson Cypert had fought in the Civil War and served as State Senator
in Tennessee.
At age 26, she taught grades 1-8 in a one room school house for $40 a month.
That year she had received a substantial raise from the former $35 per month.
She used to sing a little song "Oh me, the troubles I see, the boys go a
courtin', but they don't court me."
She and Jim dated in a horse drawn buggy and were married in one while sitting
on the state line between Tennesee and Alabama.
Later, when asked if she thought he was good looking the first time they met,
she always replied, (no matter how hard she was coaxed) "I thought he looked
nice."
The next year their first babies, twin girls named Macie and Gracie, died
shortly after birth. Ruby was born two years later, followed by Clifford and
Reuben. Clifford and Rueben both died before they were five. JT and Geneva were
born, then in 1927 at age 39, Emma gave birth to her second set of twins Laurine
and Lorene.
Because Jim had baby daughter Ruby at home, he didn't have to go to war when
World War I broke out. Recalling this event years later, he spoke of it with
tears in his eyes. He and Emma lived through the depression, two World Wars and
the Korean war, all the while raising their family. The Vietnam war occurred
during their old age.
Jim was 63 and Emma age 65 when their first grandchildren were born. Laurine had
a baby boy in 1953 and two weeks later her twin sister Lorene delivered a baby
girl.
They never drove a car or flew in an airplane and as far as I know, did not
travel anywhere except in the southern part of the United States. They were
simple country people and the phrase that best describes them is "salt of the
earth."
In the early 1970’s, they lived near us in central Arkansas. I'd walk to the
main road each morning to catch the school bus. The bus stopped near their house
and my brother and I liked to visit a while before the bus came. One Spring
morning I arrived early and saw my grandfather kneeling by my grandmother. The
day sticks out in my mind because it was one of the first days of Spring. A coat
was not necessary, the sun was shining and the weather perfect.
Grandma was lying on a couch in their living room. Grandpa was worried and
holding her hand. I can't recall exactly what was wrong with Grandma but at age
14, the severity of the situation was clear in my mind.
My brother Roger, was close behind and he left immediately to run to my aunt's
house for help.
Grandpa was crying and I heard him say, "Emmer always stood by me no matter
what," as he softly stroked her hand.
Now being a young girl, I didn't have the comprehension or wisdom that comes
with age to help me understand the range of my grandfather's emotions on that
day. How can someone who has only lived 14 years know that 57 years of history
created a bond felt deeply by the man kneeling beside his wife? They had buried
four infant children and two more as adults. Their lives had been intertwined
and inseperable since that day he wore that silly red necktie and fell in love
with the beautiful young woman with the red rose in her hat. And now, for all he
knew, she might be dying.
Grandma recovered from her sick spell and lived ten more years. In the next ten
years, tragedy struck again and they buried their beloved grandson Roger in 1980
and during that decade, six great grandchildren were born.
She passed away on Dec. 20, 1981 after 67 years of marriage. Grandpa lived 8
more years in a nursing home and passed away in 1989.
Looking back, I realize what incredibly strong and courageous people they were.
To live through 67 years of married life is a feat not often seen in these days
of quick divorce. It took continuity, hard work, strength, faith in their
Creator and love for one another to do it. It took giving and taking, more than
some of us will ever know or experience. They were imperfect but they
persevered. The roots they laid are the foundation for my life today.
They symbolize people who worked hard at all they did and were content with
their lives. My grandparents were heroes to me. © LaRose Karr 1997
LaRose Karr lives in Sterling, Colorado with her husband Larry and four
children. She is a church secretary and a contributing writer to "God Allows
U-Turns" and "More God Allows U-Turns" published under the Promise Imprint by
Barbour Publishing. She will have a devotional included in the Sept. - Oct. 2002
of "The UpperRoom" magazine. She believes her writing is a gift from God and
give HIM all the glory! She is the editor of "Moonflower Ministry" digest.
Email: rosiebay@kci.net
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