Visiting Mama and Papa Smith when they lived in a log house

L-R: Alice, Perry, Billy, Judy
Back row: Christine, Nell, Inez Rowell and Sue

Mama and Papa Smith moved often when I was growing up.  This log house belonged to Willie Spurlin and he rented it to them.

I remember helping them move to this house from a place they were renting in Liberty community.  It was in the summertime and so hot. I was not yet 14 and would be entering the 9th grade that fall. Our neighbor, Sara Foley, used her husband's truck and she and I helped Papa Smith load all their furniture and move it to this house.  It took several loads.  We helped him set up a bed and get the lamps filled with kerosene. There was no electricity or water in this house when they moved there.  It was so dark and spooky inside. The walls were made of cedar and smelled so good.

I think the occasion was getting together for Sunday dinner because Aunt Faye and Uncle Marty had come for a visit from Washington, DC.  Aunt Ida and Uncle Tommy were there from Brewton.  I can see their daughter Susan on the porch in the background, with Papa Smith (with his hat on). Perry had his cousin Billy Cannon with him and Sue had her neighbor and friend, Inez Rowell with her.  Alice was not quite 2 and Carolyn wasn't born until 2 years later.

Mama Smith with Alice and cousin Susan Liles

Mama Smith was 62 years old in this photo.  I thought she was really old.  She had arthritis really bad and couldn't use her hands to do very much.  I remember she had to wear felt house shoes because her toes were so arthritic.  Papa Smith did much of the housework and cooking.  He was 70 when they moved to the log house.  He died 6 years later. Mama Smith lived to be 90 years old.

I don't remember how long they lived in this house before they moved back to Elba.  Papa Smith didn't have a car so I guess they were too far removed from everything and they must have decided it was too isolated for them.   I didn't like to go there.  Lots of wild animals roaming around, especially at night.

Years later the house burned and our friends Patsy and Foster Bane bought the land and have a nice home there today.  The road is now paved and called Airport Road.  I sometimes take the road to get to Curtis or to go to Opp, and as I pass by where their home was located, I remember the times I visited them there.