Will Owens' Children: A Lifetime of Hope

By Gertie M. Talton

A biography of an African-American family in the deep south.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Jun 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781982268053

Gertie M. Talton

Gertie Mae Talton is an avid Geneaologist since early 1987. A Louisiana native, she is a retired Teacher of English. Historic facts for this author include a Bachelor of Science degree in English/Library Science from Grambling State University (Grambling, Louisiana, 1964-1968), a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Houston – Downtown (Houston, Texas, 2012-2016), with matriculations at Southern Methodist University (Dallas, Texas, 1972), Dallas Baptist University (Dallas, Texas, 1984), Texas Southern University (Houston, Texas, 1987; 2012), Thurgood Marshall School of Law (Houston, Texas, 1987). While attending Grambling State University, Gertie Talton was a part of the following: Vice President of the C.H. Mason Club; Interim President of Lambda Iota Tau Literary Honor Society (Gamma Alma Chapter); Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, college Dean's List, a Cum Laude graduate. She has been a Staff Writer for the Gospel Truth Magazine, a subsidiary of the Dallas Full Gospel Holy Temple Church Incorporated (1978-1981); contributor to the Bible Class publication of the Full Gospel Holy Temple Church, Incorporated. Currently, Gertie Talton is a semi-retired book editor/proofreader/book transcriber -- for Prolific Quotes & Sayings (Joanne Talton-Tisdale); The Downloading of Files into the Human Psyche (Joanne Talton-Tisdale); You Thought Life (Joanne Talton-Tisdale); and Life In The Spirit (Bishop Gerald C. Moore); The Principles of the Doctrine of Christ (Bishop Gerald C. Moore), etc. Gertie Talton is the author of The Murray Transfiguration (2012) and Armageddon Notes (2015).

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Copyright © 2021 Gertie M. Talton.

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2021908353

Balboa Press rev. date: 06/17/2021

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WILL(IE) MAE OWENS

FEBRUARY 8, 1876 – SEPTEMBER 5, 1949

WILL OWENS’ FAMILY

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Left to right: Catherine Owens Roberts; Jessie Mae Owens Talton;

Brooksie Owens Davis-Loyd-Fields; Conrad Owens; Bammer Owens

Hendricks-Benson; Florence Burch-Owens GRIFFIN-Johnson

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Finner Watt Owens

Grandchildren of Will(ie) Mae Owens and Abie (Baylis) Owens

Back row left to right: Nona Louise GRIFFIN; Rutha Mae

GRIFFIN; Joanne Talton; Gloria Jean Talton; Levi GRIFFIN;

Second row, left to right: Deloise Talton; William GRIFFIN, JUNIOR;

Third row left to right: Charles Ray Owens; Mary Jean Scott;

Joe Willie Talton; Aline Roberts; Martha Carol Roberts; Gertie

Mae Talton; Abie (BAYLIS) Owens; Cora Jean Johnson; Shirley

Marie Owens; David Charles Hendricks; Robert Louis Owens

Front row (squatting) left to right: Lorene Roberts;

Freddy Talton; Florene Roberts; Amy Ruth Davis

Single photo: Florence Ann Owens (James Taylor J.T Owens)

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgements -- In Pictures

Introduction

Preface: The Travesty That Is "Will Owens

Part 1:   The OWENS Family Tree, IN GENERAL

Part 2:   The Ancestors/Forefathers of WILL(ie) Mae OWENS

Part 3:   The Birth and Early Life of WILL(ie) Mae OWENS

Part 4:   The Personality of WILL(ie) Mae OWENS

Part 5:   "The Spiritual Man and WILL(ie) Mae OWENS"

Part 6:   The Strength of WILL OWENS’ Name: JESSIE MAE

Part 7:   The Universe of WILL(ie) Mae OWENS

A. LOT(TIS) (OWENS) Roberts

B. RETTER (OWENS) Moses

C. The Sons of LEILA OWENS

Part 8:   Jacob’s Ladder and Asher’s Strength: The Wisdom of "ABI(E)"

A. FLORENCE

B. FAYE MARIE

C. JESSIE MAE

D. CATHERINE

E. BROOKSIE

F. FINNER WATT

G. CONRAD (BAYLIS) II

H. BAMMER

I. JAMES TAYLOR

Conclusion

A. WILL(IS) OWENS

B. WILL(IE) (THOMAS) OWENS

C. AOELINE (OWENS) MASON

D. WILL OWENS’ OTHER CHILDREN

1.   LOT(TIS) Roberts (LEE, Senior)

a.   WILL(ie) Mae Roberts

b.   Lottie Gray Roberts

c.   Sidney Roberts

d.   Minnie Bob Roberts

e.   Lou Annie Roberts

f.   Gladys Roberts

g.   Lee Roberts, Junior

2.   RETTER Moses (Nehemiah)

a.   L.B. Moses

b.   Dottis Moses

c.   Claudis Moses

d.   WILLie Lou Moses

e.   Clarice Moses-Green

3.   FLORENCE GRIFFIN-Johnson (WILLiam/Lonnie)

a.   Rutha Mae GRIFFIN

b.   Nona Louise GRIFFIN

c.   Bobbie Mae GRIFFIN

d.   Levi GRIFFIN

e.   WILL(iam) GRIFFIN, Junior

f.   Lonnie Johnson, Junior (Deceased)

g.   Cora Jean Johnson (Deceased)

4.   FAYE MARIE McCoy (Woodie)

a.   Sarah Ann McCoy

b.   Margie Ree McCoy

c.   Woodie McCoy, Junior

d.   Billy Clyde McCoy

5.   JESSIE MAE Talton (Dewitt)

a.   Joanne Talton

b.   Gloria Jean Talton

c.   Deloise Talton

d.   Gertie Mae Talton

e.   Joe WILLie Talton (Deceased)

f.   Neddy Talton (Deceased)

g.   Freddy Talton, SENIOR

h.   Betty Gray Talton

6.   CATHERINE Roberts (Almer)

a.   Aline Roberts

b.   Lorene Roberts (Deceased)

c.   Florene Roberts

d.   Martha Roberts

7.   BROOKSIE OWENS-Fields (E.W. Davis, SENIOR /Lindsey Loyd/ Willie Jenkins/Adell Fields)

a.   Emmett W. Davis, Junior

b.   Mary Jean Scott

c.   Amy Ruth Davis

d.   Robert Lindsey Lloyd

e.   Linda Kay Lloyd

f.   Larry Manning

8.   FINNER WATT OWENS (WILL(IE) L. Burch)

9.   CONRAD OWENS (Gussie Lee Glosson)

a.   Charles Ray OWENS

b.   Fred Lee OWENS (Deceased)

c.   Robert Louis OWENS

d.   Shirley Marie OWENS

e.   Patsy Ann OWENS

10.   JAMES TAYLOR OWENS (Ethelene Glosson)

a.   James Earl OWENS

b.   Jackie Robinson OWENS

c.   Fred Lee OWENS

d.   FLORENCE Ann OWENS

e.   Kathy OWENS

f.   Stanley OWENS

APPENDIX: THE POEMS OF WILL(ie) OWENS’ OTHER CHILDREN

A. George W. Tisdale, SENIOR

B. Joanne (Talton) Tisdale

C. Nina (Tisdale) Cebrun

D. Stacey (Tisdale) Berry

E. Louis Paul Metoyer

F. Gloria Jean (Talton) Metoyer

G. Eddie (Harris) Alexander

H. Deloise (Talton) Alexander

I. Roxanne Rochelle Alexander

J. Gertie Mae Talton

K. Joe Willie (OWENS) Talton

L. Leila Mae (Finley) Talton

M. Mary Ann Talton

N. Freddy (OWENS) Talton

O. Sallie M. (Traylor) Talton

P. Vicky LaShon Traylor-Talton

Q. Brandon David Rucker

R. Betty G. (Talton) Rucker

S. Felicia W. (Talton) Jackson

T. Evangelist Shirley Murray

U. Apostle Lobias Murray

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DEDICATED TO:

HENRY ANSEL (BENSON) FINLEY

(Son of Asby Finley and Rebecca (Benson) Finley

(FARMERVILLE, LOUISIANA)

(JULY 1942 - JANUARY 29, 2015)

INTRODUCTION

WILL(ie) Mae OWENS was born on February 8, 1876 to the parents of WILLie (Thomas) OWENS and Aoeline Mason OWENS in Union Parish, Louisiana. The birth of WILL(ie) Mae OWENS was not celebrated by angels, but the child, WILL(ie) Mae OWENS, who was born on February 8, 1876, would truly prove that God’s divine calling was upon the life of the son of WILL(ie) (Thomas) OWENS and Aoeline (MASON) OWENS.

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen HIS STAR in the East and are come to worship him.

"And lo, THE STAR, which they saw in the East, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

"When they [wise men] saw THE STAR, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." (St. Matthew 2:1-2; 9-10)

ASTROLOGERS study THE STARS and try to predict what personality traits that a person WILL have in life by the date of a person’s birth. But there has never been any ASTROLOGER, living or dead, that could have known the great and powerful influence that WILL(ie) Mae OWENS would have on the lives of those who came in contact with him. Only God himself could have ordained the birth of WILL(ie) Mae OWENS.

THE TRAVESTY THAT IS

WILL OWENS

May 26, 1997

11:07 A.M.

THE PROPHET’S CHOICE

(A Poem of Gratitude for Evangelist Clevetta

(WILLIAMSON) Patterson)

1. And this Seraiah was a quiet Prince!

In 1972, you taught me some sense.

Erma Herndon Evans brought me to your home,

Where you carefully monitored your godly spirit alone.

2. Both Erma and I taught school -- side by side.

We EACH lived for God holy and sanctified.

And so Arkansas and Louisiana met,

But God was not finished yet.

3. There was strength in Oklahoma’s state.

So from 1967 to 1972, God did wait.

Because there is strength in being quiet,

God set apart Clevetta from the world’s riot.

4. There is no falling down on a sanctified job.

You, Clevetta, had endured suffering hard,

And God wanted to use your strength

To show a quiet, shy girl how not to bend.

5. When I first saw you at the apartments on Spanish Fort,

I marvelled that you were so quiet and did not distort

The simplicity and the innocence of holy life.

Thank you, Clevetta, for living right.

6. I thought to emulate all that you did.

Your sincerity in God could NEVER be hid.

It was 1977 and I needed a car.

So I bought a 1973 Monte Carlo because of yours that I saw.

7. Then I silently claimed you as my evangelical partner.

My courage had no end when you remained solid.

But December 1977 changed my plans.

WE HAVE A WEDDING TONIGHT! the Apostle proclaimed.

8. It was a virtuous wedding; God saw to that! --

Even when your close friends tried to make you take used

merchandise, unreliable and flat!

And the baby KERMEISHA said it all.

Thank you, Clevetta, for refusing to fall!

9. Exactly nine months!! -- who would have guessed

That your former roommate tried to tie you up in a mess??

But other people depended on your strength.

Thank you, Clevetta for being content.

10. That BRIDGE of untempered mortar would have

destroyed your life.

Thank you for obeying the voice of Christ.

The 1976 treason in Texarkana-Nash,

Kept your soul from filling up with trash.

11. There were church females who evangelized with disparity,

But Elder Ryan CALLED for you, God’s very own rarity!

He that findeth a wife . . . . bars women from stalking.

You, Clevetta, lived righteously and stopped the liars from talking.

12. Of Ruby and Georgia and Charlie and Jackie --

Who were the ones that turned up lacking?

THERE LACKED 19 MEN AND ASAHEL!

I am glad that you followed God’s quiet bell.

13. You quietly acknowledged me in 1972.

That is why I thank God for you.

Ostentatious saints do not last long,

But, you, Clevetta, showed me how to hold on.

14. You appraised my written poem in ’77.

That alone strengthened my commitment to go to Heaven.

I revised EACH word of what you said,

Because I trusted what was inside your head.

15. And so Polly Smith urged me on,

Because Clevetta Williamson had taught me to be strong.

Some shy people are shunned and overlooked

Because they refuse to be dumb and an overbearing crook.

16. But always, you did light up my path

And urged me to be firm when I am harassed.

And so I grew in the light of your shadow.

Seldom did the Apostle have to use his sanctified paddle!

17. Because I SAW!! -- that you did endure,

My own life was made secure.

When others lied on me and did me shame,

Your courage kept me fixed in God’s game.

18. You alone did shine a quiet light

When others tried to make me give up the fight.

The Bible says, Prove your own ‘SELF’!

You did not push me back to the corner of the shelf.

19. Those who talked L-O-U-D to destroy my hope

Did not realize how Clevetta taught me to cope.

So May 1990 did not destroy my sanctified life.

Thank you, Clevetta, for the strength of Christ.

20. She L-O-U-D(ly) promised me Mother Hill’s tapes

And never broke a sweat when the truth was raped.

But my trust in God did not fade away.

I REMEMBER!! -- you, Clevetta and all you did say.

21. I am a woman without a country, a church, and without friends,

But I still refuse to negotiate and bow and bend.

You have shown me chastity, purity and truth.

I refuse to live lasciviously and lewd.

22. You showed me how to pay what I owe.

Thank you for the 3 tapes which did let me know

That 25 years ago was God’s own investment

That will help me to stand when fiery trials test me.

23. A quiet spirit is priceless to God.

Thank you, Clevetta, for having an earnest heart.

Thank you for your realness and your strength,

For showing me what the word SANCTIFIED really

meant.

24. When I evaluate my sanctification tenure,

I am determined to never request a change of venue!

What Tulsa gained from you in ’67

Has now solidified my claim on Heaven.

25. And this Seraiah was a quiet Prince.

Jeremiah 51:59 should teach EVERYBODY some sense.

And so my expression to you at this time --

Thank you, Clevetta, for plumbing the line!

May 10, 1994

THE FLAMING CHERUBIM

(My Tribute – To Professor Oakland Boyce Adams, Senior)

1. Like the durable oak of Polynesia, you stood so firm!

No weeping willows at Eastside, Fall or Spring term!

You supported your students with the finesse of the

oak hard-wood floor,

Determined to keep Eastside High School as a revolving door.

2. The oak tree family is a part of the enduring evergreen --

At Eastside High School, you assembled an infallible team!

For you taught that learning should be a continuous challenge.

You refused to let us be just average.

3. In 1954, The Topeka Decision did not affect Farmerville.

For Doc Elliot, that was too much of a bitter pill.

So, four years later, they built Negroes a new school.

Only a true leader could have maintained his cool.

4. You smiled softly as you accepted the baton of progress.

Because you are quiet, Jim Crow thought you would

overlook his mess!

You considered the inevitable end of open confrontation,

As young trusting faces looked to you for reformation.

5. At one stroke of Jim’s pen and you knew that Eastside

could be closed – FOREVER!

And it seemed that you had made a pact with the Devil!

But you were the forerunner to 1963’s Martin Luther King --

You were a Louisiana oak who made youthful hearts to sing!

6. Four years out of Topeka, Kansas and you already knew

That Union Parish Schools refused to obey the rules.

But that quiet and patient heart inside your breast

Would not let you accept less than the best,

7. As you pacified radical elements among your Eastside staff.

It was not easy to separate the chaff.

Young Felix Harris was perhaps your greatest test –

Fresh out of college, full of innovative finesse!

8. But, your quiet eyes did warn:

Students are our uppermost concern!

So Felix Harris settled in, at last!

Mr. Adams, you had an awesome task.

9. Few people saw you on the nights that you walked the floor –

Wondering at the backlash if you pushed Negro students

inside waiting college doors!

And SHE SAT SILENTLY in that cramped office at Eastside –

To strengthen you and to listen, with a nod of the head and

a menacing smile!

10. It was Mary (Meadors) Adams – She IS!! A phoneme!

Who would not surrender her husband to the beat of

graveyard drums.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said it best –

Be not like dumb driven cattle [during life’s tests]!

11. "Life is Real and Life is Earnest; and the grave is not its goal!

Dust thou art till dust return’st, was not spoken of the soul.

If ever Longfellow were right in his summation,

It was the day the OAK-land Boyce Adams became the

Negroes’ salvation.

12. Until 1959, only the Farmerville Bilberrys were allowed

in college.

But a quiet, preaching man opened the doors of knowledge.

Not even Z.J. Johnson was given an athletic scholarship.

George W. Tisdale even got caught in that rift.

13. But a young OAK-land Boyce Adams silently watched,

Determined that Negroes would no longer be placed on the

auction block.

…Yielding pacifieth great offences, says The Preacher.

Ecclesiastes 10:4 is a great teacher.

14. Though the rulers tried to provoke you continually,

Yet, you stood your ground avidly.

The sacrifice was great, but you made it known

That Negroes would no longer suffer Jim Crow’s scorn.

15. Like The Flaming Cherubim and The Sword, you protected us.

The Tree of Life, shrouded in darkness, gave you impetus.

The Tree of Knowledge could not be that far behind;

Therefore, you taught and trained and challenged our minds.

16. . . . TO KEEP THE WAY OF THE TREE OF LIFE!

You refused to let us re-enter the Serpent’s strife.

You STOOD IN THE GAP AND MADE UP THE HEDGE!

And steered the Negro from among the living dead".

17. You TURNED THE BATTLE TO THE GATE!

And in our hearts you did sedate

The violence and the hatred that Jim Crow festered.

Mr. Adams, may God continuously bless you.

18. In the mount of God, Moses listened to his Friend.

Moses truly was a man among men.

Moses himself prevented a racial genocide

Because his meekness made God’s anger to subside.

19. And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face;

Moses helped to save the Hebrew race.

. . . As a man speaketh unto his friend.

Exodus 34:11 describes OAK-land Boyce Adams, then.

20. Had not God placed you in our path

Farmerville Negroes would have suffered the brunt of Jim

Crow’s wrath.

But you patiently bargained for our souls.

To a young child of 12 years, that was very bold.

21. I became 47 years old on February 10th of this 1994 year.

On May 7th, 1994, for me, God became much more dear,

For God answered my heart’s sincere prayer.

In a Wal-Mart store, GOD SENT YOU!! – there.

22. My heart’s desire was to see you again.

Because you had helped to erase my scars from bigoted pain

Which others had torn into my life,

Because I MEEKLY endured the bigotry and the strife.

23. When you stood there in that Wal-Mart store,

I understood the love of God so much the more,

For GOD SENT YOU to be a blessing "again.

You did not know that my heart was full of pain.

24. As you talked to me, the pain did not seem as bad.

I REMEMBERED!! 1959 and the stress that you must have had.

As you called out the names of your children to me,

There was so much strength in the children’s royalty.

25. Your son, O.B., Junior and your daughter, Earlie meant

the most to me.

They symbolize such grace and dignity.

Your two daughters, Alice Rosalyn and Sandra, too,

have a place

In helping to strengthen you, GOD’S ANGEL OF GRACE.

26. It seems that these words will never end,

But, they must, as I emulate you, my mentor and my friend.

Your meekness and your patience are such great strength.

Thank you, Mr. Adams, for refusing to relent.

27. It is your patience that made me strong.

Have you ever read The Gospel Truth Magazine in your home?

In 1978, your patience proved out,

When I was 31 years old and a writer – still shy and so full of doubt.

28. But the people of Africa read, in The Gospel Truth, God’s own words.

Do you think that the imprisoned Nelson Mandela, too, heard?

If so, then YOU helped to destroy the Apartheid demon

Because YOU SHOWED ME the value of quiet wisdom.

29. You have strengthened the weary and the tired.

You have been a wise and a patient guide.

You have given to Negroes hope in despair.

Thank you, Mr. Adams, for those silent prayers

30. That made Nelson Mandela devout and strong!

The oak in OAK-land is a true song.

OAK-land Boyce Adams gave truth a new meaning,

Because on the EVERLASTING ARM you were leaning!

January 1993

MISS VERA

(A Special Tribute to Mrs. Vera (Page) Cleveland - 1953-54)

1. Of the name Vera, there are three

Who waged war so valiantly!

Vera, the First -- a woman of cleverness--

Always willing to give students her best.

2. It was a time of awesome change.

Brown vs. Topeka (1954) removed Negroes’ shame,

Chronicle-ing the Black man’s strength.

At Union Parish Training School, even we knew what that meant.

3. It was September 1953; 40 years have passed,

Since God ordained that I be in your class.

There were so many paradoxes that I endured,

As God tried to make me sturdy and SURE.

4. It was my second year of school,

As I strove to follow your classroom rules.

But I was so timid and so fearful and so shy,

And many opportunities passed me by.

5. Students snubbed me and even laughed,

But there came a turning point IN YOUR CLASS.

You took the time to secure my soul,

A daring step but gracious and bold.

6. You chose me TO BE -- Queen for a Day!

And caused hypocrites’ heads to turn my way.

My King?? Mitchell Ray Watley, don’t you see!

You gave to me great dignity!

7. The sons and daughters of Farmerville’s elite

Rolled their eyes, but you were daring and sweet!

No one could veto your choice,

For you HAVE a strong, authoritative voice!

8. That school year changed my entire life

And you gave me strength to avoid violence and strife.

Deep within my 6-year old breast,

I found strength to endure life’s most rigorous test.

9. Some teachers winced at the choice(s) you made,

But you ARE sturdy and refused to trade

The soul of a child so tender and so young.

Miss Vera!! Thank you for being strong.

10. My third year came; second grade for me was complete,

As you stomped the grounds of sand for life’s repeat.

Joe’s supposed to be in my room! You loudly cried.

My brother sat in another 2nd grade classroom nearby.

11. Mrs. Georgia Williams observed you well.

Why she did not release my brother, I cannot tell.

You built warriors of students when no one else cared.

Mrs. Georgia Williams also wanted to do her share.

12. So Joe stayed there, a great lesson to learn,

But in my young soul a fire did burn

TO WATCH a teacher so daring and so bold.

Miss Vera, You made a lot of bigots’ eyes to roll.

13. Second Grade was a real training ground,

As 7-year old boys tried to tear me down.

Willie Page hit me with a cable wire.

John Everett Lewis slapped my face in ire.

14. But your formidable confidence IN ME

Moved me forward STILL, don’t you see.

You taught your students loyalty,

And you gave to me a chance at royalty.

15. You unlocked a treasure inside my heart.

Thank you for doing more than your part.

There remained 10 years of schooling ahead for me,

When I would encounter spite and agony.

16. But always I had YOUR TENACITY

To endure and to fight valiantly!

I am 45-years old now

And THROUGH YOU, I survived, some way and somehow.

17. Some have bragged of their success,

Ignoring their teachers WHO MADE THEM THE BEST!

But you have woven your own self inside my heart.

Miss Vera! I love you for giving me a head start!

18. There is a 2nd Vera, "the Russell" I met in Dallas.

Somehow she became my friend and did rally

To strengthen me for Big City life.

Still, Second Grade made the difference in strife.

19. There is Vera Petersen of television fame.

Her husband Norm gave her a hallowed name.

CHEERS, a Thursday night, 30-minute laugh-a-thon

Made the name Vera devout and strong.

20. Vera remained loyal through her husband’s failures.

CHEERS showed that "Vera" Petersen was stable,

Understanding life’s most minute mishaps.

The name VERA put boldness on the map!

21. Miss Vera, Thank you for loving me.

Even 6-year olds need tenacity.

You gave me fame no one can destroy

And a heart full of gratitude and joy.

22. Thank you for taking the dare

To strengthen me to fight against the prince of the air.

St. John 14:30 keeps me strong,

Teaching me to live godly even when I am all alone.

23. And you have proven to me

That I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST -- avidly!

Thank you, MISS VERA, for shaping my life,

For steering me to the cross of Christ.

24. You have made my life complete

And I place my Heavenly crown at your feet!

Vera! Vera! God’s earthly cherubim to the young!

Thank you for being pure and strong!

October 30, 1987

2:37 A.M.

UNCLE DUB’S RHETORIC

(An Exaltation of the Wisdom of Finner Watt Owens)

1. Whether That Blame!! or By Jame!! or plain ol’ sh##** ,

Finner Owens HAS!! a most cunning wit,

TO KNOW -- the depths of a person’s soul!

Finner Owens MADE his family uncommonly bold!

2. We call him UNCLE DUB; others say FINNER;

But he IS!! a real person, an awesome winner!

UNCLE DUB has always been so very shy;

Yet, ain’t no way he’ll let any hypocrite get by!

3. He has the innocence of a child,

That carries with it an impeccable smile.

Because he is so shy, I grew to love him SO!!

And I refused to be repelled by his evasive cold.

4. I was drawn to UNCLE DUB more than some

And so I DARED!! -- to love him despite the dung

Which he would emit to maintain his quiet.

Go on, Skace! he demanded as he realized

5. How much I really love him for himself,

But I would not let go of the realness that I felt.

UNCLE DUB’s vocabulary is simple, but accurate.

He’d label you by the way he viewed the facts.

6. Since I seldom increased in body weight,

UNCLE DUB decided to accent-U-ate

All the things that would distinguish me

And provide for me an ostentatious identity.

7. It was not just for me only that he discerned

That people are sometimes more apt to learn

The TRUE character inside of one’s own self,

If they are labelled by UNCLE DUB’s stealth.

8. So I am still SKACE, or S-C-A-R-C --E.

It seems ironic that "UNCLE DUB did foresee

How that Romans 5:7 MUST be fulfilled

In a waif who could break the big chill.

9. At 44 years old, UNCLE DUB returned to school.

Grade 4!! There could be no demeaning rule

That could stop UNCLE DUB’s zeal.

It did not matter that life had given him a raw deal.

10. WILL Owens gave birth to an awesome host!

Jessie Mae! Brooksie! J(ames) T(aylor)! -- Socratic folk.

The days of poverty strengthened their unity

And gave to them a rhetoric most punitive!

11. That Blame!! and profanity eased to the light.

I guess UNCLE DUB didn’t know that words cause fights.

Blamed means DAMNED; that’s bizarre!

UNCLE DUB would never use such a swear.

12. By Jame was a smoother rendition of damned".

Still, UNCLE DUB would never use the harsher "name..

By the time sh##** came along

UNCLE DUB thought it was time to be obviate and strong.

13. Always, I showed him to the toilet