In the fall of 1914, James Thomas Blackwood traveled to Florence, Alabama to visit his brother. While staying there, he wanted to hear his brother preach. His brother had followed in the footsteps of their father who was a Methodist minister. Their father, James Isaiah Blackwood was a circuit rider in the Ozark mountains.
Now on this crisp, cool fall day, Jim dressed in his best outfit. To complete the ensemble, he was sporting a rather wide red velvet necktie. Upon entering the church that day, he saw a group of people gathered around a wood stove. Seated by the stove was a young woman wearing a large hat with a red rose in the brim.
He said he knew from the first moment he saw her that this was the woman he wanted to marry. He went to her house later to get acquainted but she had another suitor by the last name of Pigg.
Mary Emma Cypert was the local schoolmarm. She was the daughter of James Millard Fillmore Cypert and Sarah Minervia Osborn Cypert. Her grandfather, Captain Thomas Jefferson Cypert had fought in the Civil War and served as State Senator in Tennessee.
At age 26, she taught grades 1-8 in a one room school house for $40 a month. That year she had received a substantial raise from the former $35 per month. She used to sing a little song “Oh me, the troubles I see, the boys go a courtin’, but they don’t court me.”
She and Jim dated in a horse drawn buggy and were married in one while sitting on the state line between Tennesee and Alabama.
Later, when asked if she thought he was good looking the first time they met, she always replied, (no matter how hard she was coaxed) “I thought he looked nice.”
The next year their first babies, twin girls named Macie and Gracie, died shortly after birth. Ruby was born two years later, followed by Clifford and Reuben. Clifford and Rueben both died before they were five. JT and Geneva were born, then in 1927 at age 39, Emma gave birth to her second set of twins Laurine and Lorene.
Because Jim had baby daughter Ruby at home, he didn’t have to go to war when World War I broke out. Recalling this event years later, he spoke of it with tears in his eyes. He and Emma lived through the depression, two World Wars and the Korean war, all the while raising their family. The Vietnam war occurred during their old age.
Jim was 63 and Emma age 65 when their first grandchildren were born. Laurine had a baby boy in 1953 and two weeks later her twin sister Lorene delivered a baby girl.
They never drove a car or flew in an airplane and as far as I know, did not travel anywhere except in the southern part of the United States. They were simple country people and the phrase that best describes them is “salt of the earth.”
In the early 1970’s, they lived near us in central Arkansas. I’d walk to the main road each morning to catch the school bus. The bus stopped near their house and my brother and I liked to visit a while before the bus came. One Spring morning I arrived early and saw my grandfather kneeling by my grandmother. The day sticks out in my mind because it was one of the first days of Spring. A coat was not necessary, the sun was shining and the weather perfect.
Grandma was lying on a couch in their living room. Grandpa was worried and holding her hand. I can’t recall exactly what was wrong with Grandma but at age 14, the severity of the situation was clear in my mind.
My brother Roger, was close behind and he left immediately to run to my aunt’s house for help.
Grandpa was crying and I heard him say, “Emmer always stood by me no matter what,” as he softly stroked her hand.
Now being a young girl, I didn’t have the comprehension or wisdom that comes with age to help me understand the range of my grandfather’s emotions on that day. How can someone who has only lived 14 years know that 57 years of history created a bond felt deeply by the man kneeling beside his wife? They had buried four infant children and two more as adults. Their lives had been intertwined and inseperable since that day he wore that silly red necktie and fell in love with the beautiful young woman with the red rose in her hat. And now, for all he knew, she might be dying.
Grandma recovered from her sick spell and lived ten more years. In the next ten years, tragedy struck again and they buried their beloved grandson Roger in 1980 and during that decade, six great grandchildren were born.
She passed away on Dec. 20, 1981 after 67 years of marriage. Grandpa lived 8 more years in a nursing home and passed away in 1989.
Looking back, I realize what incredibly strong and courageous people they were. To live through 67 years of married life is a feat not often seen in these days of quick divorce. It took continuity, hard work, strength, faith in their Creator and love for one another to do it. It took giving and taking, more than some of us will ever know or experience. They were imperfect but they persevered. The roots they laid are the foundation for my life today.
They symbolize people who worked hard at all they did and were content with their lives. My grandparents were heroes to me. © LaRose Karr 1997
LaRose Karr lives in Sterling, Colorado with her husband Larry and four children. She is a church secretary and a contributing writer to “God Allows U-Turns” and “More God Allows U-Turns” published under the Promise Imprint by Barbour Publishing. She will have a devotional included in the Sept. – Oct. 2002 of “The UpperRoom” magazine. She believes her writing is a gift from God and give HIM all the glory! She is the editor of “Moonflower Ministry” digest. Email: rosiebay@kci.net