Truett Family
Front row: Charlie Jenkins (Granny’s father), Pearl, Gazzie (Granny’s mother), William Thomas (Granny’s grandfather, Byers, Amanda (Granny’s grandmother) Susie. Back row: Henry, Gertie, Harrison, Hardy
I love this old photo of the Truett family. I was fortunate to meet most all of Gazzie’s siblings before they passed away. The book I’ve been sharing, A People and Their Quilts written by John Rice Irwin reminded me of this photo.
I’ve seen other old photos that had quilts hanging as a backdrop behind people. I’m guessing it was to assist with the lighting needed for the picture to make.
I ask Granny if she reckoned the quilts in this one were from Granny’s family. She said probably, but didn’t really know for sure. Makes you wonder if photographers carried quilts around with them or if they knew folks would always have quilts on hand for them to use.
Granny did tell me two funny stories about this photo.
The first is sort of hard for me to believe because it seems so silly and because Thomas was a very prominent Baptist preacher in our area.
Granny said they always laughed about Thomas’s hair in the photo. They laughed about it because he didn’t really have any hair but the photographer “made” him some so he wouldn’t appear bald. Granny said they all thought it looked like worms instead of hair 🙂
The second story is one I’ve heard before but always love to hear again.
Granny’s mother and father, Charlie and Gazzie, were planning to sneak off from church and get married. Somehow Pearl overheard them talking. She told them the only way she wouldn’t run and tell was if they gave her a dollar and they did.
I wish I could ask Gazzie or Pearl more about the blackmail. A dollar seems like an awful lot of money in those days. I wonder if Gazzie’s parents had forbid the wedding or if the couple was just afraid to tell them.
Either way Charlie and Gazzie went on to have a big family of their own and after Amanda died Thomas lived with them for the rest of his life. Granny says her grandfather was one of her favorite people in the whole world and still is today.
Aunt Pearl always seemed so fancy when I was a girl. She lived up north for a long time so that’s likely why I thought that. I remember Pearl sitting at Gazzie’s kitchen table on a Sunday drinking hot tea from a china teacup. She would saucer and blow her tea to cool it before drinking. Aunt Pearl was a really nice lady and took a shine to Paul. He still has a little metal car she gifted him.
Last night’s video: Katie’s Baby Shower Turned Out Great.
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That is a fine looking family, wormy looking hair and all! I enjoyed seeing this and glad you supplied the names.
Saw Gazzie’s picture there and straight away thought of Katie! My goodness she favors her great grandma!
That is a wonderful family treasure to have Tipper.
Love the two stories you shared, the “wormy” hair was so funny.
In old movies the camera man would tell folks to sit very still and not to move. I imagine they had to sit still for a good bit while the camera man adjusted the scary looking flash stick and the glass photo plate had to be turned, so that took a few minutes. LOL by the time the photograph was made them folks were probably tired of sittin’ still.
I can see Corie and Tipper in Granny Gazzie and Katie resembles Pearl
My 24 mo old grandson was going to be named Truett, but then my son was reading scripture and saw in Revelation where it saw “the rider on the horse shall be call faithful and true,” so they settled on True over Truett. True Gentry is his full name.
A treasure of a photo. Of the younger folks, only my nephew is interested in the old photos and their stories. I’m the oldest of my generation of cousins and was blessed to have known four of my great grandparents and some of their siblings.
When I first saw this picture I assumed it was Matt’s family. To me he looks like William Thomas.
I certainly enjoyed the photo of the family and I was amused to see two children with almost beginning of a smile, so sweet.
His full name was Rev. Joseph Judson Byers. Married a Kuykendall. Several sons were ministers.
I wonder if Byers was named after Rev Joseph Byers who was head of the Baptist Assoc in the old days??He had the paperwork and the authority to establish Baptist Churches in our are. Later his son Rev Robert Byers helped establish Baptist churches in N GA & W NC.
Don-that’s a good guess. I will ask his daughters next time I see them and see if they know where it came from 🙂
I have pictures of ancestors with quilts hanging behind them also, my mother told me years before she died that in those pictures the quilts were placed in front of dark outside buildings, also that the “lady of the house” liked to show off her best quilts.. After reading your replys about the non-smiling I pulled out those pictures and SURE ENOUGH —no one is smiling.
I love this story!!! It seems to me, from hearing many stories from the back in the day, that a lot of young couple ran away to marry. My Dad’s sister and her husband ran away to marry and then came home the same day. My aunt went home to my grandparents and her new husband went home to his parents and it was several weeks before my aunt found the courage to tell my grandparents. It was always said that my grandfather did not approve of my aunt’s husband, and also, my aunt’s marriage was never a happy one; so perhaps, she should have paid more attention to my grandfather’s opinion of her chosen husband.
What a beautiful shower for the glowing mama. The food looked delicious and everyone seemed to be having a good time. The picture is great. I have several of my family and my husband’s. I enjoy getting them out once in awhile to see everyone in them. Most our family has passed on, mom, dad, grands, aunts, uncles and cousins and my husband’s siblings have all passed on. He was the youngest. Soon to be 83 years young. Back to your picture. You have a resemblance to Miss Amanda and Miss Gazzie. Corie is Gazzie’s spitting image. Katie seems to favor Amanda the most. What a fun picture to look and see this family’s history. Wonder if not smiling might come from the times and what was happening. Might be from tooth problems too. Just joking about this. Love to all and thanks for the great blogs.
Oops, forgot to say that in most of the old pictures of my family, a quilt is hanging behind them. I know my grandparents had a lot of quilts but I don’t know if the quilts were theirs, or the photographer brought them along for staging the picture.
I’ve studied those old pictures of my family and your family and see that the old photos have a lot in common. If you look back at even older photos you just don’t see anyone smiling:) And most of them are dressed in their best attire. I do agree that Tipper you certainly do resemble your Granny Gazzie, but I also see Katie and Corie do too. I had to smile when I read, Aunt Pearl took “a shine” to Paul! I’ve used that expression and heard it all my life but where I live now I’m not so sure they would understand it unless they had roots in the south:)
Loved the beautiful baby shower ya all had for Katie and lil bit:) May God bless and keep ya all!!
In old photos quilts and sheets were often used for backdrops. Why people did not smile, I don’t know!
The resemblance is remarkable of Tipper, Corie and Gazzie.
I had a great-great beautiful nephew born last week. Truett was the name given by his wonderful parents.
Enjoyed granny’s stories today. Tipper count it a blessing she still sharp as a tack!
Blessings to all.
Enjoyed reading Grannys stories today
Tipper,
WOW!! What a blessing to have these treasures of beautiful photographs , stories., and memories that will never die and can be handed down to your two beautiful daughters.
I believe that you do resemble Gazzie.
Praying for Granny and the rest of your family.H H
I so enjoy seeing old family pictures like your Granny Gazzie’s family. It’s even better when there are fun stories to go along with them. What a treasure you have in this photo and Granny’s stories that you have documented for generations to come for your families. I wished I had asked more questions about old family photos and written down all of the stories my mom and her siblings shared at family gatherings. If we just keep them in our minds those stories will be buried with us never to be told again. I’m trying to remind myself to write stories down so my daughter and granddaughter will have to hopefully enjoy reading after I’m gone. Even if it’s just little nuggets that might spark their memories of me telling them the full story. My dad’s family was very reserved and private, so I have very few stories of his family. I did have my dad start tell his story of how he got his Purple Heart from WWII as I videotaped him, but sadly my camera battery died, so I don’t have the full story recorded. I remember it, but need to write it down, so his story does not get buried with me when the time comes and I leave this world. I encourage everyone to write down your family stories. Tipper has shown us the importance of carrying on family traditions and legacy by writing about them, so let’s do the same for our families.
You are so right about the stories. I would add how important it is to write names, dates, and places on the backs of old photos. My mom was good about doing that, but my grandparents weren’t. I spent some sessions going through pictures with my paternal grandmother, and my mom did the same with her mother, noting what they remembered. I’m the oldest of my generation, and now, what I don’t know that wasn’t written down is simply lost.
Tipper,
WOW!! What a blessing to have all these treasures of beautiful photographs, memories and stories of your past generation!!
I think you resemble Gazzie.
Praying for Granny Wilson and everybody in your family. HH
What a wonderful photograph! I just love old family photos. I think when we look at them, it gives us a sense of belonging. We can look at them and say, “that’s my people.”
Tipper. I think Katie’s baby shower was one of the nicest I have ever seen. I think a brunch was a wonderful idea and the food looked amazing and the decorations were so special. What was even more special was the love that was shown for Katie and that precious baby. She was so appreciative of everything, as I know all of you were. Katie will never forget it. Oh, I think my favorite gift she got was the quilt. Beautiful!! Katie and Corie both are just glowing!! It won’t be long now. Prayers for Katie, the baby and all of you.
In the 1930’s, my uncle’s family lived on a farm outside a very small town. His brother wanted to marry an underage girl but knew his parents would not approve because of religious differences. He asked to take the horse carriage, put on a suit, picked up Hildreth and her mother, and got married. He then took his wife and mother back to her family home. When he returned to the farm, his father said, “ You were seen in town with Hildreth and her mother. Go get your bride and bring her home.”
By the way, I really like some of those names! Byers, Harrison and Hardy…love those!
Now that I think about it all of our old family photos that I can remember were just about always taken outside in front of a pretty flowering bush or a flower bed or something like that. I can’t recall any taken in front of quilts. It must run in the family because I prefer taking pictures in front of flowers or under trees too! I wonder why people never smiled for photos back in the old days? You never find smiling faces in the really old ones. I couldn’t imagine posing for a family photo nowadays and everybody standing there stone faced
Nice looking family! How blessed you are to have all these old photos of your family. I have very few of mine. You’re so lucky/blessed to have a running history of yours in pictures, videos, stories, etc. Your children and grandchildren will thank you! I never had the good fortune to know the paternal side of my family and started asking daddy questions in the final winter of his life. I was floored at some of his answers! It started me on a quest to know more and I have been absolutely amazed at what I’ve found. Our parents and grandparents are walking history books, so for anyone interested in preserving their history, ask those questions and record their history while they’re still alive! You’ll be glad you did!
I noticed Thomas’ hair to and that Hardy looked like he was trying to edge right out of the picture. That’s what I would want to do. To myself I never look natural in a posed picture. I’d rather not know my picture is being taken. And about smiling – it is said of me I never smile in a picture. I try; doesn’t work. The old saying is, I “look like a mule eating sawbriers”. I think that means determined but not happy about it.
Tipper, I love this picture so much of your family. Grandpa didn’t look too happy in that picture,
probably worrying about his hair! What a lovely family you have, you look so much like your Grandma,
I think. All our old family pictures are such treasures, carrying those memories from one generation to
the next.
I found some old large negatives, I didn’t think I could even get pictures from them, but I did,
they are so great, my oldest Sister and Brother and our Grandpa Queen. My Mother was so excited when
I brought the pictures over home for her.
Love the story about the photo and the hair! Ms. Sadie Ledbetter, it is time well spent reading your comments. I just love them. My husband and our son are tractor pullers and they pull with some Ledbetters. They tell some good stories, too. Tipper thanks for sharing the picture and the stories. Love and prayers to Granny and Little Mamas and all of you too.
Great picture of a good looking family. I think the photographer must tell them not to smile. My 2 sons were in the marines and they both look soo stern in their pictures.
Linda, that’s a military thing. It’s improper to smile when “at attention” for a portrait-style photo in uniform. I’d say it is like a football player’s “game face.”
It’s wonderful to have someone around to tell the stories. What a great family photo!
I enjoyed the picture of your family. My family didn’t have many pictures and I only had one living grandparent while growing up, my mother’s mother, mammaw. They were poor but had good home-grown food and canned most of it. They also had hogs, chickens, a cow and some other animals. I remember my mother talking about hoeing corn and other vegetables on the side of a hill. I asked her how they kept the animals from eating their garden and she said they turned the dogs loose at night. The women in the family made quilts regularly but by the time I was born, the older ones were worn out, which were made by my great-grandmother. I was born in Letcher Co. Ky but only lived there a short while. My daddy and his family went to northeastern Ohio for jobs and that’s where I grew up. At home it was like living in Ky and, of course at school, the north. I still make the foods Mom made and when I get with other Southerns fall into the talk. I have lived in Va since 1986 and love this area. It’s a lot like Ky.
I enjoyed the baby shower yesterday. It’s good to see family and friends gather and show their love for Katie and her child. I’ll be watching in the future and am anxious to see the new baby. Prayers are going up for all of you.
loved the photo and stories. Isn’t it interesting that No one smiled much for photos back then.
I have to say Thomas doesn’t look “thrilled” about that mop atop his noggin! Lol. As a matter of fact everybody seems to be looking rather stearn in my opinion, not exactly “happy happy.” I like the old photos cause they tell a lot without uttering a word. I see those folks were hard workers and I see absolutely no privileged lifestyle here. Life looks hard on those folks and I know myself the hardness of life shows on my face, expressions, temperament and has worn me to a frazzle. I feel like I look 89. I love the quilts. It’s one thing to take your quilt to a show and win a big prize but it’s quite another when a quilt is gifted from loved ones and passed and used from generation to generation. When I find old heavy quilts anywhere, they find their way to a big plastic box I have to be saved for Lord only knows what. I have a thing about blankets and I must have 50 or better stashed away. It’s a thing for me… God bless us all I say!!! It’s rough as a corn cob on the backside out here in the world!!!
is your set of Truetts kin to George W Truett, the Baptist preacher for whom Truett-McConnell University in Cleveland Ga is named?
Gary-they are 🙂
oh my gosh, “made him some hair” I just love that. what a wonderful family photo, I have one similar on mu fathers side of the family. I cherish it.
You have an incredibly handsome family; good looking people all.
I love to look at old photographs…at their clothes and hair and facial expressions. It’s so interesting to imagine a day in their life with that many children. I am going to have to dig out some of my parents old photos and pay more attention to see if there are any quilts in the background. I love Granny’s stories about the hair and the blackmail. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I just loved the videos you and the girls put out last evening. It was just like being there. It’s so cool how your baby shower food was so like you…all homemade and original. I never went to a shower that served delicious biscuits and gravy before…brunch was a great idea. It all looked yummy—the decorations were just beautiful—and Katie looked so happy! Now, we just wait on the sweet baby!
Love the picture and the memories about past days and people long gone. But I can’t help but being drawn to your choice of words Tipper. To say that Pearl “took a shine” to Paul is such a southern/Appalachian way of talking. I suspect that you wrote that without thinking anything about it, just as I would have. But I couldn’t help but think about how natural that is to so many of us and yet how strange it must sound to others that aren’t used to hearing it.
Great !! Who was the Byers? Would like to know so I can add this to the Byers History. Thanks! Great reading!!
Don-Byres Truett was granny’s uncle 🙂
Ok..Tom Truett was our pastor at Antioch in the 50’s. Baptized me and some other kids in Caney Creek beside hwy 64 in 1955.
Don-so neat that he baptized you!!
Best I remember he was 76 years old when he baptized me..I know it was1955. He was a great soft spoken man who lived to tell the congregation of God’s love..
Wow, what a ‘shindig’ so to speak. You guys outdid yourselves for Katie’s shower. To me, and my way of thinkin’, the hit was the ‘TRUCK”. I can imagine that would be something I would ‘put away’ and use as a decoration for the little boy’s room. I can’t remember if she has chosen his name or not. Loved today’s post and looking forward to today’s read. Prayers for Granny and God’s Blessings for you guy.
What a great picture. I was surprised the men/boys had suits or jackets. It’s funny how no one smiles in old pictures.
Wow, what a treasure! You are so blessed to have all of these memories from passed generations. I always love to look at and admire the women in photos of this time period. They always look so lovely and graceful, strong and dignified. I admire that with the hard work they did all day every day, they still put care into doing their hair and looking nice but they still look so natural and simple. The mixture of grit and grace they had is just so inspiring. And the story about the hair is too funny!
Easy to see the family features in Amanda and Gazzie. Gazzie and Tipper definitely have a strong family resemblance.
Great picture.