Usually elders don't like to tell you what they have done. That they were young and foolish too. That they had unbridled drive and hope. That they DID things. we will do it for them.
Uncle Johnnie's pastimes
never ceased to amaze us. Kelo, a
retired race horse, would run around the barnyard like
a big puppy. Uncle Johnnie's big smile would erupt
into laughter at our reactions and interaction with
Kelo.
Ronald
Stephens, Uncle Johnnie's baby
boy(correction-Until William).
The "I love my
family gene" has shown up in Ron. He is
the person everyone in the family knows because he
makes it his business to connect with them. In this
way, he is very much like Grandmother. He is very proud
of this and the that he looks like Uncle
Louis.
I find it
funny that he rides a bike for it really is a modern
day trait from Uncle Johnnie. Uncle Johnnie
rode a horse that was a retired race horse and the joy
of children throughout the community. Ronald rides his
iron horse and you might find you child riding in a
parade on a baby bike beside him.
A couple of his young
nephews wondered to each other if he was "actually
their dad" because he was always checking up on
them and their process in school. He always showed up
for everyone's key events and often with other family
members in tow.
Recently, I met his "real" son
and was SOOOO glad Little Ron is truly GOOOD
person. Ron deserves a good son. This child
is key because carries the family name and the family
love of his father.
On
September 22, 1917 twins were born to William Joseph
and Ursula Smart Stephens, a happy bouncing baby boy
and girl. These babies were named Janie
& Johnnie. Janie was reported to be
the second born. She became the oldest sister
of the 8 surviving sisters and brothers. This
helped her develop a nurturing personality very early
in life and from these experiences she transformed into
a family treasure. This loving and giving
spirit allowed her to take care of her mother for 15
years prior to her mother's death.
Janie attended
Statesboro High and Industrial School from 1934 -
1938.While there she was captain of the women's
basketball team. She earned extra money by
teaching and "doing hair". At one
point she actually owned and operated a beauty shop
with several stylists working for her.
From 1936 to 1949 she
taught school. Her association with Julia
Pearl Bryant, the State Superintendent of Schools, led
her to teach in many of the schools in Bullock County,
such as but not limited to: Polk, Willow Grove, Harmen
and Statesboro High. She is remembered in
"The Curriculum Staff and Teachers of Statesboro
High and Industrial School" section of a book
commemorating the school. Janie was very good
in math and she is remembered for several students
having problems solving algebra problems.
In 1939 she married
Henry "CJ" Watson. Her life pride and joy,
Henry & Jacquelyn were born.
Another of Janie’s
lifetime legacy were the hats she made for Bess
Myerson, star of the Big Pay Back, and the number of
family members she assisted in getting jobs with the
telephone company.
As a fun loving person, she spent her 70th
birthday dancing with her niece to live band singing
somethng about being sexy. She wore a black
lace dress because she was pretty enough to do
so.
Her loving
nature never ceased for her nieces, nephews and cousins
became sons and daughters and friends became
family.