A Real Lady
by Barbara Joan Casey Barlow Carpenter (1931-2011) (great granddaughter)
in her book, "A Living Kaleidoscope - A Year of Devotions" published 2006
Entry for May 7:
At the turn of the century, my grandfather died with a heart-attack and Della Veasey, my grandmother, was left with six children under twelve years old; one son and five daughters. She had no income, no welfare checks, and no rich relatives. She lived in East Texas on a small farm with a garden, a cow, and chickens. Alone, she supported her family by making lace tatting trimmed camisoles for wealthy ladies. Grandmother's house was plain and unadorned, but her yard was flamboyant with color. In her front yard was a smoothly swept dirt path leading through large bouquets of colorful flowers and interesting vegetable stalks. I still think of her when I see petunias or four-o-clocks blooming.
"Idle hands are the devil's workshop.""Busy hands are happy hands." One sure thing, Della's hands were never idle. She taught her children by word and example. In her eighty-four years she saw all her children become senior citizens. This one little lady with great faith and willingness to work accomplished her mission. Many of Della's sayings were directed to the females in the family. They may sound foolish today, but they contained wisdom with emphasis on the word real. "A real lady never raises her voice in anger or laughter," "A real lady never sits on a bed when a man is in the room," "A real lady never chews gum in front of guests." So went the training of a real lady. Everyone knew Della Veasey wouldn't gossip or say she hated anyone. If a person's sinful conduct was pointed out, she answered only when pressed for her opinion. Then she firmly said her piece, "I don't hate him, but I hate his low-down ways."
Five-foot-two and a bit plump, Grandmother barely had room on her lap for the Bible she read daily. When night came and it was time to go to bed she would sit in her little rocking chair. If anyone said she should go on to bed, she answered, "No, I have to rest a spell before I go to bed." No doubt, she rested while reading and rocking, but she also rested in the Lord. Her life gave witness to that fact. By the way, when a man asked Grandmother to let him call on her, she always refused. When asked, "Why?" She repeated her standing answer, "I had the perfect husband, I could never find another as good as him."
Della Veasey, by any definition, was truly a real lady. These scriptures remind me of her beautiful ways. "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:25-27 NIV
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Note about the spelling of Veazey vs. Veasey. Della spelled her name Veazey, but her son Jessie preferred Veasey, "Because it was easier to write," according to grandson Harlin Veasey. So descendants of Jessie Veasey, including his granddaughter Barbara Carpenter, continue to spell the family name with an s instead of the original z. One exception: Jessie's son J.E. (Judson Eugene, or "Jud") reverted to the original Veazey spelling while in the military, and his descendants continue this spelling.
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Biographical details added by great grandson Danny Grizzle:
Della Veazey was widowed with six young children to raise. Her father, Paul "Pa" Malone of Paris, Texas, provided assistance. For a time late in life, Della lived in a house on 4th Street in Longview, Texas near U.S. Highway 80. Some older photographs of Della are stamped by a Longview photographer. This area has since been redeveloped into medical offices in relation to expansion of Good Shepherd Hospital.
Upon the early death of daughter-in-law Nellie Temperance Scott Veasey, Della helped raise the young children of her son Jessie, becoming especially close to the youngest girl, Eddie Mae. Eddie Mae survived all other grandchildren save cousin Robbie Hunt; upon her passing, Eddie Mae's ashes were buried on her grandmother Della's grave in Providence Cemetery, Franklin County, Texas.
As of 2010, descendants of Della Veazey (also spelled Veasey) continue to hold family reunions in Mt. Vernon, Texas, every spring on the Sunday nearest her birthday, but not Easter Sunday. For decades, these family reunions were held in the Purley Community in the old school house, which has since been demolished and replaced by a county maintenance barn.
Note: spelling of family name varied by personal preference, Veasey and Veazey. These two spellings are essentially interchangeable. In cases where the name is present on a cemetery marker, I try to use that spelling.
Revision (May 2013): Della Veazey's oldest son Jessie preferred to spell his name Veasey because he found s easier to write than z, according to grandson Harlin Veasey. All other children of Della Veazey spelled their name Veazey. Jessie's children continued to spell their name Veasey, with the exception of son Judson Eugene "J.E." who reverted to original Veazey spelling (as have his posterity).
Note: Find A Grave relationship links for children of this individual are complete.
by Barbara Joan Casey Barlow Carpenter (1931-2011) (great granddaughter)
in her book, "A Living Kaleidoscope - A Year of Devotions" published 2006
Entry for May 7:
At the turn of the century, my grandfather died with a heart-attack and Della Veasey, my grandmother, was left with six children under twelve years old; one son and five daughters. She had no income, no welfare checks, and no rich relatives. She lived in East Texas on a small farm with a garden, a cow, and chickens. Alone, she supported her family by making lace tatting trimmed camisoles for wealthy ladies. Grandmother's house was plain and unadorned, but her yard was flamboyant with color. In her front yard was a smoothly swept dirt path leading through large bouquets of colorful flowers and interesting vegetable stalks. I still think of her when I see petunias or four-o-clocks blooming.
"Idle hands are the devil's workshop.""Busy hands are happy hands." One sure thing, Della's hands were never idle. She taught her children by word and example. In her eighty-four years she saw all her children become senior citizens. This one little lady with great faith and willingness to work accomplished her mission. Many of Della's sayings were directed to the females in the family. They may sound foolish today, but they contained wisdom with emphasis on the word real. "A real lady never raises her voice in anger or laughter," "A real lady never sits on a bed when a man is in the room," "A real lady never chews gum in front of guests." So went the training of a real lady. Everyone knew Della Veasey wouldn't gossip or say she hated anyone. If a person's sinful conduct was pointed out, she answered only when pressed for her opinion. Then she firmly said her piece, "I don't hate him, but I hate his low-down ways."
Five-foot-two and a bit plump, Grandmother barely had room on her lap for the Bible she read daily. When night came and it was time to go to bed she would sit in her little rocking chair. If anyone said she should go on to bed, she answered, "No, I have to rest a spell before I go to bed." No doubt, she rested while reading and rocking, but she also rested in the Lord. Her life gave witness to that fact. By the way, when a man asked Grandmother to let him call on her, she always refused. When asked, "Why?" She repeated her standing answer, "I had the perfect husband, I could never find another as good as him."
Della Veasey, by any definition, was truly a real lady. These scriptures remind me of her beautiful ways. "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:25-27 NIV
========
Note about the spelling of Veazey vs. Veasey. Della spelled her name Veazey, but her son Jessie preferred Veasey, "Because it was easier to write," according to grandson Harlin Veasey. So descendants of Jessie Veasey, including his granddaughter Barbara Carpenter, continue to spell the family name with an s instead of the original z. One exception: Jessie's son J.E. (Judson Eugene, or "Jud") reverted to the original Veazey spelling while in the military, and his descendants continue this spelling.
========
Biographical details added by great grandson Danny Grizzle:
Della Veazey was widowed with six young children to raise. Her father, Paul "Pa" Malone of Paris, Texas, provided assistance. For a time late in life, Della lived in a house on 4th Street in Longview, Texas near U.S. Highway 80. Some older photographs of Della are stamped by a Longview photographer. This area has since been redeveloped into medical offices in relation to expansion of Good Shepherd Hospital.
Upon the early death of daughter-in-law Nellie Temperance Scott Veasey, Della helped raise the young children of her son Jessie, becoming especially close to the youngest girl, Eddie Mae. Eddie Mae survived all other grandchildren save cousin Robbie Hunt; upon her passing, Eddie Mae's ashes were buried on her grandmother Della's grave in Providence Cemetery, Franklin County, Texas.
As of 2010, descendants of Della Veazey (also spelled Veasey) continue to hold family reunions in Mt. Vernon, Texas, every spring on the Sunday nearest her birthday, but not Easter Sunday. For decades, these family reunions were held in the Purley Community in the old school house, which has since been demolished and replaced by a county maintenance barn.
Note: spelling of family name varied by personal preference, Veasey and Veazey. These two spellings are essentially interchangeable. In cases where the name is present on a cemetery marker, I try to use that spelling.
Revision (May 2013): Della Veazey's oldest son Jessie preferred to spell his name Veasey because he found s easier to write than z, according to grandson Harlin Veasey. All other children of Della Veazey spelled their name Veazey. Jessie's children continued to spell their name Veasey, with the exception of son Judson Eugene "J.E." who reverted to original Veazey spelling (as have his posterity).
Note: Find A Grave relationship links for children of this individual are complete.
A Real Lady
by Barbara Joan Casey Barlow Carpenter (1931-2011) (great granddaughter)
in her book, "A Living Kaleidoscope - A Year of Devotions" published 2006
Entry for May 7:
At the turn of the century, my grandfather died with a heart-attack and Della Veasey, my grandmother, was left with six children under twelve years old; one son and five daughters. She had no income, no welfare checks, and no rich relatives. She lived in East Texas on a small farm with a garden, a cow, and chickens. Alone, she supported her family by making lace tatting trimmed camisoles for wealthy ladies. Grandmother's house was plain and unadorned, but her yard was flamboyant with color. In her front yard was a smoothly swept dirt path leading through large bouquets of colorful flowers and interesting vegetable stalks. I still think of her when I see petunias or four-o-clocks blooming.
"Idle hands are the devil's workshop.""Busy hands are happy hands." One sure thing, Della's hands were never idle. She taught her children by word and example. In her eighty-four years she saw all her children become senior citizens. This one little lady with great faith and willingness to work accomplished her mission. Many of Della's sayings were directed to the females in the family. They may sound foolish today, but they contained wisdom with emphasis on the word real. "A real lady never raises her voice in anger or laughter," "A real lady never sits on a bed when a man is in the room," "A real lady never chews gum in front of guests." So went the training of a real lady. Everyone knew Della Veasey wouldn't gossip or say she hated anyone. If a person's sinful conduct was pointed out, she answered only when pressed for her opinion. Then she firmly said her piece, "I don't hate him, but I hate his low-down ways."
Five-foot-two and a bit plump, Grandmother barely had room on her lap for the Bible she read daily. When night came and it was time to go to bed she would sit in her little rocking chair. If anyone said she should go on to bed, she answered, "No, I have to rest a spell before I go to bed." No doubt, she rested while reading and rocking, but she also rested in the Lord. Her life gave witness to that fact. By the way, when a man asked Grandmother to let him call on her, she always refused. When asked, "Why?" She repeated her standing answer, "I had the perfect husband, I could never find another as good as him."
Della Veasey, by any definition, was truly a real lady. These scriptures remind me of her beautiful ways. "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:25-27 NIV
========
Note about the spelling of Veazey vs. Veasey. Della spelled her name Veazey, but her son Jessie preferred Veasey, "Because it was easier to write," according to grandson Harlin Veasey. So descendants of Jessie Veasey, including his granddaughter Barbara Carpenter, continue to spell the family name with an s instead of the original z. One exception: Jessie's son J.E. (Judson Eugene, or "Jud") reverted to the original Veazey spelling while in the military, and his descendants continue this spelling.
========
Biographical details added by great grandson Danny Grizzle:
Della Veazey was widowed with six young children to raise. Her father, Paul "Pa" Malone of Paris, Texas, provided assistance. For a time late in life, Della lived in a house on 4th Street in Longview, Texas near U.S. Highway 80. Some older photographs of Della are stamped by a Longview photographer. This area has since been redeveloped into medical offices in relation to expansion of Good Shepherd Hospital.
Upon the early death of daughter-in-law Nellie Temperance Scott Veasey, Della helped raise the young children of her son Jessie, becoming especially close to the youngest girl, Eddie Mae. Eddie Mae survived all other grandchildren save cousin Robbie Hunt; upon her passing, Eddie Mae's ashes were buried on her grandmother Della's grave in Providence Cemetery, Franklin County, Texas.
As of 2010, descendants of Della Veazey (also spelled Veasey) continue to hold family reunions in Mt. Vernon, Texas, every spring on the Sunday nearest her birthday, but not Easter Sunday. For decades, these family reunions were held in the Purley Community in the old school house, which has since been demolished and replaced by a county maintenance barn.
Note: spelling of family name varied by personal preference, Veasey and Veazey. These two spellings are essentially interchangeable. In cases where the name is present on a cemetery marker, I try to use that spelling.
Revision (May 2013): Della Veazey's oldest son Jessie preferred to spell his name Veasey because he found s easier to write than z, according to grandson Harlin Veasey. All other children of Della Veazey spelled their name Veazey. Jessie's children continued to spell their name Veasey, with the exception of son Judson Eugene "J.E." who reverted to original Veazey spelling (as have his posterity).
Note: Find A Grave relationship links for children of this individual are complete.
by Barbara Joan Casey Barlow Carpenter (1931-2011) (great granddaughter)
in her book, "A Living Kaleidoscope - A Year of Devotions" published 2006
Entry for May 7:
At the turn of the century, my grandfather died with a heart-attack and Della Veasey, my grandmother, was left with six children under twelve years old; one son and five daughters. She had no income, no welfare checks, and no rich relatives. She lived in East Texas on a small farm with a garden, a cow, and chickens. Alone, she supported her family by making lace tatting trimmed camisoles for wealthy ladies. Grandmother's house was plain and unadorned, but her yard was flamboyant with color. In her front yard was a smoothly swept dirt path leading through large bouquets of colorful flowers and interesting vegetable stalks. I still think of her when I see petunias or four-o-clocks blooming.
"Idle hands are the devil's workshop.""Busy hands are happy hands." One sure thing, Della's hands were never idle. She taught her children by word and example. In her eighty-four years she saw all her children become senior citizens. This one little lady with great faith and willingness to work accomplished her mission. Many of Della's sayings were directed to the females in the family. They may sound foolish today, but they contained wisdom with emphasis on the word real. "A real lady never raises her voice in anger or laughter," "A real lady never sits on a bed when a man is in the room," "A real lady never chews gum in front of guests." So went the training of a real lady. Everyone knew Della Veasey wouldn't gossip or say she hated anyone. If a person's sinful conduct was pointed out, she answered only when pressed for her opinion. Then she firmly said her piece, "I don't hate him, but I hate his low-down ways."
Five-foot-two and a bit plump, Grandmother barely had room on her lap for the Bible she read daily. When night came and it was time to go to bed she would sit in her little rocking chair. If anyone said she should go on to bed, she answered, "No, I have to rest a spell before I go to bed." No doubt, she rested while reading and rocking, but she also rested in the Lord. Her life gave witness to that fact. By the way, when a man asked Grandmother to let him call on her, she always refused. When asked, "Why?" She repeated her standing answer, "I had the perfect husband, I could never find another as good as him."
Della Veasey, by any definition, was truly a real lady. These scriptures remind me of her beautiful ways. "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:25-27 NIV
========
Note about the spelling of Veazey vs. Veasey. Della spelled her name Veazey, but her son Jessie preferred Veasey, "Because it was easier to write," according to grandson Harlin Veasey. So descendants of Jessie Veasey, including his granddaughter Barbara Carpenter, continue to spell the family name with an s instead of the original z. One exception: Jessie's son J.E. (Judson Eugene, or "Jud") reverted to the original Veazey spelling while in the military, and his descendants continue this spelling.
========
Biographical details added by great grandson Danny Grizzle:
Della Veazey was widowed with six young children to raise. Her father, Paul "Pa" Malone of Paris, Texas, provided assistance. For a time late in life, Della lived in a house on 4th Street in Longview, Texas near U.S. Highway 80. Some older photographs of Della are stamped by a Longview photographer. This area has since been redeveloped into medical offices in relation to expansion of Good Shepherd Hospital.
Upon the early death of daughter-in-law Nellie Temperance Scott Veasey, Della helped raise the young children of her son Jessie, becoming especially close to the youngest girl, Eddie Mae. Eddie Mae survived all other grandchildren save cousin Robbie Hunt; upon her passing, Eddie Mae's ashes were buried on her grandmother Della's grave in Providence Cemetery, Franklin County, Texas.
As of 2010, descendants of Della Veazey (also spelled Veasey) continue to hold family reunions in Mt. Vernon, Texas, every spring on the Sunday nearest her birthday, but not Easter Sunday. For decades, these family reunions were held in the Purley Community in the old school house, which has since been demolished and replaced by a county maintenance barn.
Note: spelling of family name varied by personal preference, Veasey and Veazey. These two spellings are essentially interchangeable. In cases where the name is present on a cemetery marker, I try to use that spelling.
Revision (May 2013): Della Veazey's oldest son Jessie preferred to spell his name Veasey because he found s easier to write than z, according to grandson Harlin Veasey. All other children of Della Veazey spelled their name Veazey. Jessie's children continued to spell their name Veasey, with the exception of son Judson Eugene "J.E." who reverted to original Veazey spelling (as have his posterity).
Note: Find A Grave relationship links for children of this individual are complete.
