Photos

My grandfather, John Reed finished 3rd grade. He was the 10th child of 12 live births (twins born later). He was a "whiz" in math. His Mother died when he was 7 and his Father died when he was 10. After his Mother became ill he moved in with an older brother, Sherman and lived there until he was grown. When he was 20, he and his younger brother Earl rode horses to Oklahoma to see their sister. While there Earl became ill and died (cause unknown). John rode the train home. As an adult he was a farmer by profession (cotton, sugar cane, grains). Also, when a man in the community died he would "prepare" the body for burial (cleaning, clothing) He was a deacon in the Baptist Church and sang in a mens quartet. He was a storyteller and like to play practical jokes with his best friend Leon Woods.

Judy Whitehead Martin