Sepia Saturday: The Johnsons of Summers, Arkansas

Summers, Arkansas is not far from 
Siloam Springs and Fayetteville

Wikipedia's Link to Summers, Arkansas

This is the house where my Dad, Ralph, was 
born, in Summers, Arkansas.  

I was there for a visit in 1976.  My Grandpa Delmar's sister, Aunt Mabel, still lived there then.  I don't know what things are like there now in Summers, Arkansas, but back then, this house was on a country lane and was surrounded by family farms.  

On my Mom's side of the family, there are no stones unturned regarding family history.  We visit the graves each year retelling the stories.  Some ancestors are reduced to odd little tidbits, such as, "Now, here is Grandpa's baby sister.  She died when she was two, of eating matches."  Sad story, but it makes you never want to try eating matches when you are little.  Of course, once they got over here via covered wagons, this side of the family stayed put.  They settled in Drain, and didn't go much further than Medford, Eugene or Portland.  They are easy to find.  I do hope that the word will get out about this post to them, so that they may enjoy the photos too.

On my Dad's side, they were a bit more casual about this sort of thing, and so it was a big score when I found a few choice items as I sorted through things awhile back.  Like my great grandpa J.C.'s obituary, below.

Most of  Dad's side stayed put too, in Arkansas, except for my Grandma and Grandpa, Agnes and Delmar.  They kept in close contact with their family, but as life went on and they died, I have many unanswered questions about that side of the family.  I think that I need to get in contact with of some of them pretty soon.  I'll add that to my list of projects.

Here is my great grandfather's obituary:

J.C. Johnson

"John Chapman Johnson was born March 8, 1879, three miles south of Wedington and lived there to the age of 54 years, one month, 15 days, when our blessed Master, who doeth all things well, saw fit to call him to rest on the morning of April 23,  1933.  

On September 2, 1900, he was united in marriage to Miss Sallie Hunton.  To this union were born nine children, four of whom have proceeded him in death.

He is survived by his wife and five children:  George, Mrs. Mabel Henderson, Carl, Delmar and Chloe, and three grandchildren.  He also leaves three brothers and two sisters besides other relatives and many friends who morn his departure.

He professed faith in Christ in his earlier days and joined the Methodist church, but through neglect he drifted from God, but later in life there came a message from the Father above, calling his prodigal son to come home.  He accepted this great invitation, which was proven by the many wonderful testimonies that were witnessed during his illness.

Funeral services were held at the Baptist church of Wedington conducted by Brother Dees.  After two songs.  Death is "Only a Dream"  and "Swing Open the Gates of Heaven." which was his favorite song, a wonderful message was delivered from the 12th chapter of Ecclesiastes.  Pyeatts funeral service took charge and he was laid to rest."

Until I read this, I never knew that my Grandpa had four siblings who died.  That is so sad.  I wonder how they died?  Also,  this serves as a reminder not to backslide if you live in Arkansas; they just may print it in your obituary!

P.S. - LD Burgus left a comment wondering what the house looked like in 1976, and I was wondering the same thing too.  I have only two partial pictures of it then when we were visiting.  My Grandpa Delmar and Great-Aunt Mabel are standing in front of it:

I am entering this post into Sepia Saturday.  Please "click here"         to go see more great old photos.

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