Rearview Mirror Reflections: A True Family Story

By Frances Wright

Rearview Mirror Reflections depicts the family biographical reflections of one who was

born and reared in the Deep South during the late 1940s. This narrative presents a collection

of illuminating short stories and incidents that reveals the delightful, difficult, and sometimes

complicated experiences of my childhood.

These informative reflected stories, events, people, and places were collected as the

remembrance of them flowed from my richly endowed memories. However, the presentation of

hem will not always be arranged in the order in which these experiences occurred.

Life has a way of beckoning at us from our past. Reflections of it show up as bright as the

noonday sun alluding to the fact that it has in some way shaped our present day. Experiences and

lessons learned stare toward us with clear perceptions of those former days.

The joys and the sorrows of our family still stand out as markers of progressiveness and

accomplishments. Nowhere has it been known of as having a childhood such as ours.

As I was growing up I did not have anything to compare my life with. So, I simply accepted

things as they were. Nevertheless, my growing up years holds many fond memories that I would

not have traded for anything else.

Therefore, many of my reflections may seem somewhat amusing, and maybe incredible to

believe by some, or even a bit absurd. Nevertheless, they all identify my youth as I reflect upon

my childhood.

It is my hope that you will enjoy reading my family biographical reflections as well as I did

in sharing them with you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 15, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483609669

Frances Wright

Frances McMillian Wright was born in West Florida during the end of the 1940s. There, she spent her childhood growing up until her late teens. As she grew up in this rural Southern setting, she acquired a rich and enduring heritage of Southern hospitality. She currently makes her home in Syracuse, New York, with her husband of forty-eight years. She is indeed a wife and a mother. She is married to Herbert Wright. She and her husband have been blessed with four beautiful children: two beautiful daughters (Octavis and Larissa) and two handsome sons (Donald and Wayne). They are now grown and have given them a host of darling grandchildren. Frances is an avid reader, having read widely on many subjects. She also enjoys writing as well. Currently, she has three published books listed with all the online book retailers. In her spare time, she also enjoys traveling as well. During her many trips, she has toured many popular and exciting places. Frances is also a committed Christian who loves the Lord with her whole heart. Indeed, she is strong in the faith and spends an enormous amount of time in prayer and evangelistic activities.

Book preview

REARVIEW MIRROR

REFLECTIONS

A Family Biographical Narrative

A True Family Story

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FRANCES WRIGHT

Copyright © 2013 by Frances Wright.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 03/12/2013

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

132608

Contents

Dedications

Acknowledgements

Preface

1. Introduction

2. Mom and Dad

3. Reflections of My Parents

4. Reflections of my Siblings

5. Reflection of our Childhood

6. Siblings who defied Challenges

7. My Mischievous Siblings

8. Bernice, Charlotte, and Frank

9. Enjoying God’s Protection

10. Amusement

11. Everyday Life

12. The Toy Snatch

13. School Days

14. Fifty Cents Stories

15. Hot summers

16. That was then: This is now

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Mr. and Mrs. Verdell and Leroy McMillion.

My Loving Parents

DEDICATIONS

This book is dedicated in remembrance of my loving parents: the late Leroy and Verdell McMillion. It is also dedicated to all of my siblings: Rutha Mae Clemons, The late Perry McMillion, Loretta Alls, Johnny L. McMillion, Elnora Wilson, Jack McMillion, Mark McMillion, Mazola Colston, and Annie Doris Jones.

Moreover, I would like to dedicate this book to Aunt Classie White, Dora Gibson, and Uncle Frank Bloxom. They were the ones who provided to me much understanding and made many of my life experiences what they are today.

I would also like to dedicate this book to all my childhood church associates at the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Especially, this book is dedicated to the Campbell’s, my extended family; you are the ones who deserve much credit for many of my pleasant memories.

I also would like to give a special ‘Thank You’ to my high school classmates Mary Nelson Kenon and Martha Davenport Kenon. Indeed, I would also make this dedication to Sylvia Tyson and Annie Doris Salters, my former friends at the Carter Parramore High School in Quincy Florida.

Additionally, I would like to dedicate this book to the Moore family for you are also part of my original roots. Indeed, you deserve much credit.

I also would like to dedicate this book to the members of the Holy Tabernacle Church of God in Christ; you are my team players and much recognition is due to you.

Lastly, and most importantly, I would like to dedicate this book to the members of my own family: Herbert (my darling husband), and to my four darling children: Donald, Octavia, Wayne, and Larissa. Precious hearts, you are my pride and joy.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I want to thank all my family and friends for your continued support and inspirational input. You have once again caused my pen to write and express the thoughts of my mind in this reflective biographical narrative. Grace and blessing to you.

These reflections are part of my treasures shared with you. And you have made my heart overflow with gladness. Reflect with me too. Our love still remains strong and will forever live on.

Especially thanks to Aunt Dora Gibson, you had a hand in the shaping of our lives. I want to express much, much gratitude to all of my siblings for your input of this material.

I also would like to thank Ms. Mary Nelson Kenon for the push she gave to me to write this biographical narrative and for the constructive criticisms when I needed it.

I also would like to thank Ms. Carrie Benton for all of the inspiration she has given to me. Especially, for the assistance I received in proof reading my manuscript.

I would also like to thank Mattie Dean Davis, Barbara Drummer, Otis C. Drummer, Murlee Mc Mullen, Thelma Flaggs, Roger Flaggs, Betty Rivers, LC Rivers, Veardine Jackson, and Murlee Torrence for being the force behind my desire to attempt this project.

I also give acknowledgements to Sarah Blair who was one of my childhood friends. Additionally, I give an honorable mention to Betty McMillion, Mamie Lowe, Ella Mae McMillion, Barnie Simpson, and Faye Nickens.

A special thank you goes to the Payton Memorial Church of God in Christ for your love and encouragement. I also have special love for you Holy Tabernacle Church of God in Christ. Both of you are greatly appreciated.

I also want to acknowledge Melody Young, my daughter Larissa’s best friend. She shows great fascination toward my work and gives me lots of encouragement. Also Vernell Mims.

A special thank you goes to the members of the Clemons family, the McMillion family, the Colston family, the Jones family, the Alls family, the Wright family, the Wilson family, the Bloxom family, and the White family. A special ‘thanks’ to the Gibson family; my life would not have been the same without you.

Thanks to all my friends at the True Vine Church; you are the best. Special thanks to daughters Larissa and Octavia. I would also like to give a great big ‘thank’ to Mamie Procks and her family.

I also want to give a special ‘Thanks’ to the Pastor and Elder Glover, Arthur Alls, Dianne Scott, and all the members of The Church of The Way By Faith in Orlando Florida. Indeed, I want to include my dear friend Sister Fogger in my thanks. I also want to thank all my friends at The Brotherly Love Church.

Thank you Mother Carter, Carol Mclinic, and Annie T. Shrewick, you all are the spice in my life. You all are like a well put together recipe that make things turn out very good. You all have always appreciated my works.

I want to give a special thank you to Dr. Author O. Wright for your generous collaboration throughout the project. Your abundant help indeed made this biographical narrative possible. You are greatly worthy of many thanks.

I also owe a special thank you to Mrs. Loretta Alls for of her tremendous input. She worked tirelessly with all of the photos. Special thanks to Paterial for her typing skills used in this book. The painting on the book cover was done by my precious daughter Octavia.

PREFACE

Rearview Mirror Reflections depicts the family biographical reflections of one who was born and reared in the Deep South during the late 1940s. This narrative presents a collection of illuminating short stories and incidents that reveals the delightful, difficult, and sometimes complicated experiences of my childhood.

These informative reflected stories, events, people, and places were collected as the remembrance of them flowed from my richly endowed memories. However, the presentation of them will not always be arranged in the order in which these experiences occurred.

Life has a way of beckoning at us from our past. Reflections of it show up as bright as the noonday sun alluding to the fact that it has in some way shaped our present day. Experiences and lessons learned stare toward us with clear perceptions of those former days.

The joys and the sorrows of our family still stand out as markers of progressiveness and accomplishments. Nowhere has it been known of as having a childhood such as ours.

Indeed, as I was growing up I did not have anything to compare my life with. So, I simply accepted things as they were. Nevertheless, my growing up years holds many fond memories that I would not have traded for anything else.

Certainly, growing up in a family of twelve, we were often confronted with great odds. We had innumerable periods of adversity and scarcity and the road we had to travel was sometimes very dark and dismal.

But thank God, through prayer, we placed our unfavorable conditions and uncertainties of life into our Savior’s hands. And with unwavering faith, we endured the horrors of depressing poverty and murky second-class citizenship.

And through the grace of God we were able to overcome those great odds and unimaginable hardships to rise to the level of finding great comfort and relief. Now, I am able to tell our story.

The declaration of my reflections may seem to some to be somewhat amusing, and maybe incredible to believe by some, or even a bit absurd. Nevertheless, this collection of stories identifies my youth as I reflect upon my childhood.

So, sit back and relax, and enjoy the biographical journey of the McMillion family. If need be, get some popcorn and enjoy this informative and enlightening voyage through my childhood tenderly presented in short stories and incidents.

It is my hope that you will enjoy reading my rearview mirror reflections as well as I did in sharing them with you.

CHAPTER 1

Introduction

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IT is not the Walton’s on Walton mountain in the state of Virginia or some other family anywhere in the world that is currently on my mind, but it is my own family, the McMillions with all its rich heritage.

As memories after memories come into view on the canvas of my mind as one continuous movie screen saga, I excitingly whisper to myself the name The McMillions.

While reflections after reflections of my own childhood flow through my mind, I sit quietly, listening and musing over the echo of my own thought life. Then, I whisper to myself again very tenderly The McMillions

Interesting, oh yeah! I affectionately whisper to myself, "what an adventurous and intriguing family." The marvelous tradition of the McMillions identifies the source of my social, cultural, and spiritual strength. Indeed, the social and cultural inheritance of my ancestors contains the roots of my family identity.

Despite being uprooted and taken from the motherland of Africa, our ancestors stood remarkably strong under their unfortunate and regrettable journey to the slave port in Charleston, South Carolina.

Even after they were auctioned off and sold as slaves to the various slave owners and taken to the plantations, they did not lose hope in themselves or their God. They quietly endured the deplorable sweat and toil in the fields of slavery and waited on their God to move on their behalf.

In the process of time, the grace of God moved and their descendants were set free from the appalling and pathetic conditions of forced labor. After receiving their freedom, these descendants rejoiced and embraced the name of McMillion. They also attempted to make their home in South Carolina.

At this time, the descendants of the McMillions were in the control of two twin’s brothers. These twins’