Today, I’m switching to the maternal side of my family. I don’t have as many good stories to tell. My mother was mentally ill for 35 years and she simply was not able to leave as many stories behind, although there were some. But she was not as talkative as my father and didn’t feel inclined to share as much about her background. I am indebted to her sister, the late Melba Clark, for some family background. My cousins, David Lane and Diana Cowen, have done some genealogical work and may be consulted for serious information in that area. Also, Mama’s youngest sister, Loretta, shared some things with me before her death two years ago.
My grandfather’s name was John Wesley Lane. He was known to us as “Papa.” He was born in Hico, Texas on August 31, 1879 and lived his entire life there. He died on September 27, 1961. His father’s name was Charles Lane and his mother’s name was Samantha, Medford. According to Loretta, Papa’s grandmother was a Choctaw Indian
My grandmother’s name was Ada Webb. I called her “Grammie” although other grandchildren call her “Granny.” Interestingly enough our grandchildren call Ann, “Grammie.” Ann absolutely refused to be called “Granny.” I didn’t want to be called, “Papa.” My son came up with the name “Grandy” which I like, but they never give me free food at Grandy’s restaurants. I guess we have come full circle. Elliott is a grandfather now, and he’s “Papa.”
Ada Webb was born on September 10, 1889 in Spring Place, Georgia, which is near Dalton. She died in a nursing home at Meridian, Texas on April 7, 1977. Her father’s name was John Wesley Webb and her mother’s name was Lora Anglin. John Wesley Webb was from Elijay, Georgia. Lora Anglin is said to have been raised in French aristocracy, but was disowned by her family when she married my great grandfather, who was a Georgia sharecropper.
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