101 Years Ago

Mother signing one of her books surrounded by five of her seven children. L-R: Sharlyn Beth Shaw (Roszel), Deborah Ruth Shaw (Lewis), Sarah Ruth Baird (Shaw), Lynda Joan Shaw Turrentine, Charles Terrell Shaw

Today marks the one hundred first anniversary of the day in Porterdale Georgia in 1923 when Wilson and Ieula Baird welcomed their eleventh baby, Sarah Ruth. Ruth was the first of their children to be born "in town". All the others had been born on the farm in the Oak Hill area of Newton County. Wilse (Benjamin Wilson Baird) was 62 years old. Ieula (Ieula Ann Dick Baird) was 37. The couple had lost one baby (Lola Frances) a dozen years earlier at only a few months old. Their eldest child Grice (Wilson Grice) was already 18 years old. Little Leon (James Leon Baird) was just three. 

The joy of this day would turn to terror and sorrow when measles struck the baby and Leon. Leon died when the measles turned to pneumonia. The baby, Ruth, would live more than 98 years. 

What a somber beginning for my mother. But what a wonderful heritage of love and faith she left us. 

Mother was an amazing woman who wrote a lot -- sermons, poetry, reminiscences -- including a blog! She continued to write her blog throughout her eighties and a little into her nineties. "Ruthlace"

She writes about Leon in this post: https://ruthlace.blogspot.com/2009/11/when-cotton-was-king.html

I just posted the following link a few days ago, but just in case -- hear and see my mother here as she explains how to fix biscuits (and also sings a song she wrote.)

I wish I could bring you a bouquet of my daffodils this afternoon, Mother. I hope there are lots of them where you are. I miss you every day.