Memories of my Grandparents by Peggy Kerr

The year was 1917. My grandfather, David Blythe, has just lost his wife to pneumonia. He had three children left to raise on his own — a teenage boy, Dillard, and two small girls. He had help from friends and family but he knew he needed to find a new wife. He had a friend with a daughter who was a teenager, but of marrying age in Arkansas. One day he drove the wagon to visit his friend. Daughter Loda Mae Lively was sitting on the front porch. She was large for her age and average looking. Her long hair was braided and put into a bun. The deal was made. David and Loda were married soon after.

Loda knew how to take care of children. She was raised in a large family. She was only slightly older than Dillard but she knew how to work on the farm and how to cook. She lovingly cares for the girls, Selma and Bertha, and Dillard. In 1919 my mother, Katie, was born. Two years later Loda gave birth to their second child, Dalton.

David owned a cotton mill and the family prospered in Mena, Arkansas. They had a nice house and the only car in the county. Then in 1929, disaster struck. His debtors could not pay him what was owed. Everything had to go. Their belongings were loaded in the wagon and they moved to Moore, Oklahoma. David bought a small plot of land and the farming continued. He also managed to accumulate enough wealth to own a cow, pigs and chickens. However, the family never reclaimed their former standard of living.

After the children married and began having children of their own, David and Loda moved to Edmond, Oklahoma. There they bought a city block between 1st and 2nd street and built a small four room house. Chitwood Park was across the street and this is where their grandchildren spent many hours playing.

Loda planted her garden and David kept his animals. He rented some of the block to an oil company where they stored huge pipes. This provided a small income for them. He also managed to buy a car since they were now city folk. However, their manner of living was much the same as it had been in Arkansas.

David cared for the animals, which were allowed within city limits. It seems he spent most of his days outdoors wearing his usual overalls and a hat. Some of the time he used crutches which was the result of a tractor accident. He also served as a caretaker for two houses that belonged to some families who traveled and needed help. I often went with him to water the plants and feed the pets.

Loda churned her own butter and always provided the pies at the church bake sales. The chickens were often lunch and the cow provided milk and butter. She made wonderful vegetable soup from her garden. Her shelves were lined with the vegetables she had canned. She also wrote poetry. But, above all, she loved to quilt; and made these for so many family members. She taught me how to sew on an old pedal sewing machine.

My aunt Selma and my mother, Katie, also lived in Edmond. They were frequent visitors and looked after their parents. David and Loda loved family and relished having their children and grandchildren near by. My cousins and I spent many days at grandma and grandpa’s house.

David’s heart gave out and he passed away peacefully. Loda died much later. She had a heart attack while working in her garden. She was taken to the hospital and given a pacemaker but to no avail.