The last picture made of Phyllis and the boys.
Joey has been asking lately what his mother was like. Like all of us, I guess, he's reached the age of wondering where he came from and who he is? For sevaral reason we were estranged after his mother's death when he was three years old; as he was estranged from Tommy. Tommy has heard a lot of these tales before. I would hope by this page to keep her memory alive for her sons since all of us reach the stage in life when memories are more meaningful for us. Phyllis would have been 43 years old, June 22, 1999. She's been gone 19 years now but not a day goes by without her entering my mind and heart. The colors and images are hers. I called her my butterfly because she was never still just as bluebirds, hummingbirds, and butterflies are never still. Her older sister described her as the "original free spirit".
This page will be edited and added to as time permits. I love to play with HTML so much and there are so many tales about Joey and Tommy's mother I couldn't think of a better way for me to relive and relate the memories.
Her life was ended one evening after a beautiful family day of picking strawberries. Her car had stalled, a friend had stopped to help her, pulling his car in front of hers so the cables would reach. She was standing between the cars helping. A car, driven by a teenager who had been"smoking" and drinking, slammed into the back of her car. She did not survive! Her "free spirit" life was ended.
 Phyllis's BirthGetting MarriedTommy's Birth |
Joey's BirthPhyllis's DeathFun things to remember |
My ButterflyHer Visit From BeyondPhyllis's Poems
Phyllis Is BornPhyllis was born on a hot summer day, June 22, 1956. At that time, June 22 was considered the first day of summer. Her grandmother Raney wanted us to name her Summer but I didn't. She had her daddy's first name, feminized, and my second; Phyllis Anne. She weighed in at six pounds, 12 ounces. She was even quick then. She was born only a scant two hours after I went into labor.
She runs awayShe ran away to get married. Your Dad was stationed in Fort Rucker, Ala. She got some friends of hers to take her to the bus station in Nashville where she caught the bus to Fort Rucker. She left Rod home by himself. You should have seen how scared he was when I got home and he had to tell me his sister was gone.
Tommy's BirthTommy was born on a cold, snowy night December 15, 1973. Richard called me in the middle of the night and I took off driving to Fort Cammpbell, even though I had never driven in the snow before. On the way I picked up two young girls who were hitchhiking. They were running away from home. While we were riding, I talked them into going home and left them with the authorities in Clarksville so they could be returned to their homes.
Joey's BirthIt was snowing the night Joey was born also and bitter cold. There was a lot of snow on the ground and I couldn't make it to greet Joey. I was trapped in a motel room about half-way there because of the icey roads.
How She DiedShe was killed by a young driver who was out with a bunch of kid's smoking pot. The drive ran into the back of Phyllis's car which was parked. She was trapped between her car and the car of one of her friends who was trying to jump the car off.
Tales she would have told youThere are many things funny and happy about your mother to relate. She was a sunny, bright, free person who lived to be happy. There will in time be many tales here.
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