Memories that Matter
for families, friends, family history and fans.
Mary Neeley:
"Where have all the flowers gone? The most BEAUTIFUL flowers in the garden are always picked first. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love is a memory no one can steal. You were the GREATEST singer/songwriter of the 21st century. Others will come and go but no one will EVER have your style. Rest in peace, Dear Amy Jade Winehouse. You have touched so many."
Patricia Fuller:
James was my dad. He was unappreciated in his life. His father Charles abandoned his wife and three children James Charles and Dorothy. Growing up without a father shaped his view of life. He was a career Air Force. He was generous. He would step up and try to help others. He married my mother Maxine and adopted her three young sons. He was a good provider.
Gale McKiddy:
Melvin's family - Melvin grew up in St. Louis City where he attended school. As a young man he worked for the Conservation Corps in Oregon before he enlisted in the Army. He was among the first troops to enter Hiroshima about one month after the atomic bomb. He had been on the ship The Missouri. Melvin trained as a carpenter and built temporary hospitals for the wounded Japanese and those suffering from radiation illness. After returning home to St. Louis, he married Jean (Spitzmiller) Baldwin and continued his career designing and building beautiful homes. He and Jean had three children, Gale, Connie and Kenneth, and later raised the son named Ricky of his favorite sister, Francis Huffman. The Huffmans moved to Seffner, Florida in 1981 for retirement. Melvin was a Mason, later became a Shriner, and was very active in the St. Louis and Tampa Shrine groups. He and his wife, Jean, were regular volunteers in the burns' unit at the Shriners Hospital in Tampa. In 1993 Melvin was diagnosed with lung cancer and completed extensive radiation therapy. He had not had sufficient breath support to have his lung removed. He was in remission until 1996 when his cancer returned as Leukemia. He died at 70 years old in 1996 and was buried at Florida National Cemetery. Mr. Huffman had a reputation as a skilled woodworker and finish carpenter. His many interests and hobbies included boating, raising fish, photography, building clocks and woodworking.
Justin Johnson:
Grandmother - I’m a one of Lillian’s grandchildren. I have only very few memories of my grandma. But I do remember being under her everyday. Always wanting some of her coffee, touching the gas stove. We ate pecans all the time from the tree in the backyard. I wish she was here for me to talk to sometimes. To watch me grow to become a father myself.
Cynthia Lynch:
Clara was my great grandmother on my father's mother side. Grandma lived with us from the time I was 2 until around 6 or 7 years old then she went and lived back at Grandma dorothys house in Ferguson Rd. Ashland ky until she was put in a nursing home in Russel or raceland ky . She was a leg removed from gain green and lied when they went to remove her other leg. Grandma died when I was 7 years old . I think if her everyday. She in buried with our a headstone in rosehill cemetery. Boyd co ky out in the county by a big big tree on left side of hill . My miller family is buried across the walk way from her
B Gaskill:
Sweet Lady Amazing history - Mrs Thayer was an amazing Lady; When I was Seven years old she was my first customer for my garden Care business in 1968. She paid me 3 dollars a day to pull up the weeds in her flower beds. She grew champion Roses that she entered in competitions. Her Late husband was a pioneer i.n the building of the City of Long Beach, he had purchased land that started at the port of Long Beach and went north along the road that later became the 710 freeway. He built warehouses along the route and they prospered. She Was great friends with Mr and Mrs Bixby another of Long Beach City founding families and she used to show me photos of her and the Bixby and Knott's families having picnic's together. That's the Knott's Berry farm founder family. She lived in the house her husband had built for them and she drove the 1961 Rose pink Cadillac her husband bought her until she was unable to drive anymore. She taught me the correct way to maintain a garden and every Saturday for 3 years I worked and learned from that sweet Lady. GOD bless her.
Lou Nelson:
Mr. - I worked with Mike at Little America refinery from about 1980 until 1985. He was a great guy, good father, and husband. We became good friends. His wife Dena was a nice lady, and they had two beautiful girls as I recall. I am saddened to find that he has passed away and offer my most sincere condolences to his family. Over the years I have become a Christian and was hoping to share some of what has happened to me in my life since I knew Mike and Dena. Mike was always full of energy and a mountain man who liked to find secret little places to pan for gold. Dena was a very nice person and homemaker who, as I recall was interested in opening a clothing store according to what Mike told me. I would like to wish them well, and God bless.
Lou Nelson
[contact link]
Maria Klein:
All these years and I still miss him - I don't know if anyone will ever read this but he deserves to be remembered. I Knew Pete from the time I was two until his death when I was only 12. I am heartbroken that I'm unable to find any obituary or information on him anywhere. So here are a couple of my memories of him.
Fist off I adored that old man. I was just two years old when I first met him and his wife Sophie. I would squeeze myself under the fence between our homes and "runaway" to their house because they would give me ice cream.
Peter and I would sit and watch boxing matches together. I was once told he was a golden gloves boxer but I don't really know if it's true. There was a fun story about when he was in his 60's or so and at the bar having a drink. A young guy came in and wouldn't stop harassing him so when Peter finally had enough he cold cocked the young man then calmly went back to his drink.
He would also sit in his truck to drink and throw the beer cans out in the yard. For every beer can I brought him he would give me a 2-dollar bill. When I was little I thought it was the greatest game ever.
He bought me my first bike and hid it out in his shed. He once asked me to tell him who was on the 100 dollar bill. When I told him he gave me the 100 dollars. I don't know how he was with other people but that old fart treated me like a little princess. I never doubted for a minute that he loved me. I was heartbroken when I went to the hospital and told him goodby for the last time. I wish I had more memories of him and his wife Sophie who was just as wonderful to me.
Dedee Rogers:
My popa - To my father I love u. This is your daughter. I want you to know I'm doing good. I don't want or need anything. Your daughter made it wish you was here to see it. Ya babymomma still something else 😏🤣 . I believe you probably know that lol. Anywho R.I.P til Jesus call you to open beautiful eyes again. Love you dad forever #24.
Your Babygirl , your one and only 🧸
