Individuals Recognized after Black History Month
Black History month was February, and I missed a couple of opportunities to write about it. I am going to attempt to write about people who will probably never be recognized in Black History other than in this writing, however each of these people played a profound part in shaping my life.
Mamie worked for Dot who kept me when I was five years old. She helped mold me in those early days, by using a keen hickory switch on my rear end. It seemed that I was on the receiving end too many times and it could always be tracked back to the day care tattletale Deon. Mamie always believed him (looking back I believe he told the truth every time) and I always got the whipping.
The next person of color was Casper. Casper was my father’s right hand man in the plumbing business. Casper always had time to talk to me and he quickly became one of my most admired adults. That changed somewhat one day when I followed him under a house and we came upon a snake. He left from there real fast, forgetting all about me.
Some years later there would be some more men that I really grew to love and respect. One of these men was Mr. Seals Smith, an elderly man from Mansfield. He always referred to me as Mr. Danny or Mr. Sorrells. This was strange to me, since I was only 12 years old.
One day sitting at our gas station I enquired as to why he addressed me this way. He stated that it was because of respect. He said I always showed respect to him by saying things like, Sir, Thank-you, Please and Mister, so he would always respect me the same.
Mr. Gussie Belcher was another jolly old man that drove a 60 something model blue Plymouth. He too was one our faithful customers but he was so much more. I can still hear his greeting as he pulled up to the gas pump or as he just coasted by on the Highway, he would say, “HEY BOYEEE!”
My favorite times were when that greeting was followed by, “You wanna go fishing?” He and Mr. Seals Smith had so much wisdom to share. I took in much of it, but looking back I now realize I missed so much more.
As a young adult Mr. Blue worked with me on Grey Hinton’s farm. Man he could sing and I loved to hear it. He helped teach me to work hard and earn the money you’re paid. On that same Jasper County farm I worked with Amos Bogan. He and his wife Hilda were always special to me, even after I left the farm.
Over the years before moving back to Jasper County I would visit them whenever I came home. After moving back here Amos would introduce me to people as his white brother, the Pastor of the White Shiloh Baptist Church. I would correct him and would tell him that we were a church of all races, shapes and sizes.
As I said in the beginning, you will probably never read any of these names in history books, but each of these folks hold a special place in my heart and life. Each has gone home to be with the Lord, and I am forever grateful for having known them.