"Happy Mother's Day" to all mothers young and old
It is with great honor I introduce you to my family of
mothers. From my Great-Grandmother to myself ... enjoy.
Great-Grandmother Rebecca was a full-blooded Cherokee
Indian. It is not known if she was born into slavery,
or what her Indian name may have been, but she was a
slave at the Hairston plantation in South Carolina. She
united with an African, given the Christian name of
Anthony, and from this union there were 9 children. I
was told she died on September 7, 1907, and had lived
to be about 60 yrs old.
Grandma Daisy was a very proud woman just like her
mother. She was born on April 15, 1884 in South
Carolina. Since both of her parents were still
considered "owned" by the Williams family, it was
accepted as a gift to her parents when she was born
that she wouldn't be treated as a slave. Grandma
Daisy was the 8th child, the last girl and tradition
was that she carried a lot of names. When I was 12
yrs old, she sat me down and made me memorize them
all; Daisy Dessie Janie Lottie Lucilla Williams...
whew! She married John C. Ferguson on December 25,
1907. From this union there were 8 children. Since
both her parents were now dead, Daisy and John moved
to Cleveland Ohio. My grandma lived to be 98 yrs.
My "Momma," Frances was the 7th child and the last
girl born. It was a tradition for the last girl to
have all the names (how my grandma knew she wouldn't
have anymore girls is beyond me...haha). She married
William C. Petite and had me. My father has long died,
but I thank the Lord everyday that my Momma is still
here with me; she is 83 yrs old. I didn't have any
siblings, but a lot of adopted brothers and sisters
who thought the world of her, & made her feel special.
And now we arrive at the pride of the Ferguson women,
now how can you tell I am the spoiled brat of the
girls in my generation? My momma had a very hard time
conceiving, and was 33 yrs old when she had me. By
this time the youngest girl in my generation was 14
yrs old... can you just smell the rotten spoiled smell
coming from her direction?...haha. We were mortal
enemies til I was about 14 yrs old and started baby
sitting for her son Chris... wow, what a journey that
was. I have one child, a son named Raymond Jr. He is
20, goes to college, and mentally abuses me everyday.
Ok, maybe not everyday, but he loves his mom, and knows
there isn't anything in this world I wouldn't do for him.
Thanks for reading my tribute to Mother's Day, and I
sincerely hope yours was a great and satisfying one.
You are probably wondering why I don't have some kind of
"mother" song playing, Well, if you knew these women the
way I do you would know they are not concerned with any
music that is not Gospel... and it must be uplifting in
sound! You have been wonderful so take a Red Rose on your
way out, they are my Momma's favorite,
and we have plenty to go around.
"Down At The Cross, by Moses Tyson, Jr."
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