Growing Up in Small Town America Part 4

 

Picture taken in 1960

SUNDAYS

Sundays were set aside for family and church. No stores were open, only church doors. We attended the First Baptist Church of Vernon every Sunday, some Sunday nights and often on Wednesday nights. Daddy served as an usher for awhile, and I believe he was asked to be a Deacon, of which he declined.  I had clothes that were considered Sunday School clothes, usually complimented with patton leather shoes. Mother would put a roast in the oven before we left the house and complete the meal after church. Then we would all eat together in our comfy clothes. Sometimes we would make the trek to Crowell to eat our Sunday meal with Mimi and Pappy and other extended family. I'm certain that I was molded in my formative years by my participation with my church family.  We had a magnificent church with high vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows, aisles leading to the altar, a choir loft with the Baptismal above that.  There was a magical pipe organ accompanied by a piano. We had hymnals in the pocket on the pews in front of us. At about at age10, I dedicated my life to Christ and was baptized in the church, the same church that I would be married in 12 years later.  I remember how exciting it was when I was finally allowed to sit WAY up in the balcony with other kids.  I felt very independent and sometimes the pastor had to remind us to pay attention to the sermon :) Our Sundays usually ended in a Sunday afternoon drive, winding our way around all the rural roads surrounding Vernon. There was never a destination; we would just drive, usually ending at the newly opened and locally owned Dairy Queen. I often got a chili cheeseburger and a chocolate milkshake in the winter. I loved singing in the youth choir. I would attend practice twice a week, and when we performed, we donned the white choir robes with blue neck sashes. I also played hand bells and adored the sweet sounds that were created. Most always I attended Sunday School and Vacation Bible School in the summer.  

Looking back on it, I don't believe that I ever knew anyone who didn't know Jesus, until recently. We were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment and common sense, and we learned how to cope with death by knowing Jesus.

Bridges Bible - Mattie Bell Bridges & Martin Harmon Jones

 My grandparents on my mother’s side were Joe Carroll Jones and Ava Ella McNair. They had 5 children, including my mother, Carolita Jones Quillin. Mother was most interested in helping me gather family information. Her brother, Martin Franklin Jones, was also interested in helping me throughout the years. There will be several Jones Family posts of the information gathered from them.

The following are recollections of Martin Frank Jones 2013

There is a copy of all the genealogy work that Edith Bridges gave Martin Frank in a big Bible.  He does not know where that Big Bible is….

The following was a sheet of paper in his Bible.  It appears to be an obituary for Mattie Bell Bridges Jones.  Dated June 1, 1971 (I’m not sure who wrote it)
 
"Mrs. M.H. Jones (Mattie B.) was born May 5, 1878, at Delton, Georgia.  She passed from this life at the age of 93 at Abilene, Texas May 31, 1971.  She was married to Martin Harmon Jones on June 28, 1896, at Whitewright, Texas.  Mrs. Jones was preceded in death by her husband and two sons, Hugh S. Jones and Wm. Albert Jones.  She is survived by two sons, J. Carroll Jones of Crowell and George T. Jones of Houston, Tx.  Three sisters:  Mrs. Fay Lyles of Savoy Tx; Mrs Ida Campbell of Roby, Tx; and Mrs. Lucy Ford of Merkel, Tx; 17 Grands, 36 great grands and 4 great-great-grands.
 
"People who knew Mrs. Jones knew her as a woman with many friends who loved people and loved to help them.
 
"Mrs. Jones moved to Foard County and the Thalia community in 1906 with her family.  She moved to Crowell in 1959.  She resided at the Shady Oak’s Lodge at Abilene, Tx from 1969 until her death.
 
"Mrs. Jones was a longtime Christian.  She belonged to the First Baptist Church at Crowell at the time of her departure.  She was among the most faithful members for many years at the First Baptist at Thalia before moving to Crowell."

Joe Carroll Jones and his mother, Mattie Bell Bridges Jones. On a Sunday before church.

Crowell, Texas. c. 1964