The Circle That Binds

By Ellafair Keyes

As we grow and develop from babies to children, to adolescents, and then to adulthood, most of us rarely think about the roles our immediate family, other family members, and people in our circle play in contributing toward our development as individuals. Therefore, we simply go through life without stopping to relish the good things our family members have given to make us worthwhile human beings.

In The Circle that Binds, author Ellafair Keyes narrates her unique journey through life, sharing her personal family trees and telling how her courageous ancestors paved the way for her to live in the United States. Ellafair is the daughter of a Sharecropper mother and granddaughter of first-generation freed slaves. She offers an autobiographical account of how she overcame negative thoughts and actions by focusing on the life of Jesus Christ and the good things her family instilled in her.

The Circle that Binds serves as a blueprint to help you hold onto family relationships. Ellafair encourages you to use her personal family trees and blank forms to research your ancestral roots and extend and create individual family frees for current and future generations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Oct 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781665707596

Ellafair Keyes

Ellafair Keyes is a retired Special Education teacher who advocates for inclusion of children and people with diverse abilities to become contributors in society in all areas of life, including home, work, community, and religious affiliations. Raised with strong Christian values in every aspect of life, she is married to William and mother to two adult sons, Elgin McCoy and Algernon Keyes. Elgin lives with his partner Coleen Grisham and their daughters Madison and Mia. Ellafair and William Keyes are devoted members of Overcomer Covenant Church in Auburn, Washington under the visionary leadership of Pastors Gordon and Derozette Banks. Mrs. Keyes lives in Kent, Washington.

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Copyright © 2021 Ellafair Keyes.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

Archway Publishing

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Bloomington, IN 47403

www.archwaypublishing.com

844-669-3957

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

ISBN: 978-1-6657-0758-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6657-0759-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021910879

Archway Publishing rev. date: 09/30/2021

(Insert Poem Where I’m From)

Name Ellafair D. Keyes Period__ 1st_____ Date 12-5-13

Where I’m From Template/Draft

Directions: Fill in the blanks today. You will copy the entire poem with your words filled in and create a visual to go with it. You will NOT make a final copy with the words contained in the parenthesis! Leave those out!

Due Dates: 1-22-14 (send final copy to Ms. McFarland at McKnight Middle School—in Renton School District, Renton, Washington)

This sheet: _______________

Look for magazine pictures, your pictures, etc. to represent your visual __Kings and Queens of Africa___TODAY____My parents___--Sidney Goldsby, Sr. and (Irma) Cora Tempie Miles Goldsby

Final copy due_____1-28-14____(Final Copy below)_______

(Poem template is taken from Where I’m From Poetry Packet)

Where I’m From

I am from soul music, gospel music, and down-home blues, the city of The Pyramid

From where cotton was king and black protests, and the place of the last speech of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I am from the mighty bluff --- Memphis, Tennessee-- of multi-racial lineage—from the Island of Goree (The Door of No Return), perhaps Senegal and Ghana, Israel, England, and the Moluccas of our native American soil

It sounded like the call-and-response of the ancient drum beat

I am from the mangrove and yams; corn and the matzo ball (which I will soon taste),

Collard greens, cornbread, and sweetpotato pie

Purple, vibrant orange, and fleshy green

I’m from close-knit, family gatherers and praying, Christian people from The Goldsby-Gordons, The Miles and The Lees (cousins --like sisters and brothers to me)

I’m from an opinionated and practical line of preachers, computer specialists, teachers, and businessmen and women, mostly smiling and very resourceful

From I am somebody and strive for excellence, Mama would say.

I’m from the Christian faith_, following the life of Jesus Christ and scripture in the Bible.

I’m from Millington, Tennessee (10 miles north of Memphis), of multi-racial lineage—from the Island of Goree, perhaps Senegal and Ghana, Israel, England, and the Moluccas of our native American soil,

The yam and mouth-watering throw-away foods (hushpuppies, roasted neckbones….).

From Let Sugar Doll Do it, they’d say about Mama

Or Frog can get you a job with the Man, they’d say about my father.

From oral history and my families’ picture albums my story can be pieced together….

I am from proud, prodigious people who will forever believe in the power of prayer and the advocacy of self and others.

DEDICATION

I dedicate THE CIRCLE THAT BINDS in honor of my husband William L. Keyes, my love, who continues to, not only provide for our family and home and ‘the extras’ that are needed, but acts as a ‘sounding board’ for tough decisions and actions that I choose to take in life.

Bill has shown his love and care for our unique family and me by preparing and cooking meals for us for nearly 34 years! In addition, over the years, Bill created businesses that provide income for our household and also for families of a few workers, mainly Elgin and his household. Bill’s businesses have included several enterprises---World of Books (book sales on-line); Keyes’ Logistics (delivery and travel), and Keyes Industries, Ltd (property maintenance, landscaping, etc.). Quite frankly, he’s the wind beneath my wings ¹.

In addition, I want to dedicate THE CIRCLE THAT BINDS in memory of my mother (Erma) Cora T. (Tempie) Miles Goldsby---my hero and an Oral historian who was an ever-striving Legacy Keeper. My mother’s input, regarding our ancestors and the Miles Family bloodline, enabled me to have background knowledge of our oral history that I can share (and have shared) and develop relationships with other family members in a meaningful way through the years.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First, I give Abba Father God, praise and thanks for allowing me to complete THE CIRCLE THAT BINDS—the dream that I have pursued over the past three decades!

Secondly, I’d like to thank Bill Keyes, my dear husband, for loving, cooking, and caring for me down through the years while I assisted him in his business enterprises, worked as a Special Education Teacher, nurtured our sons Elgin and Algernon, and compiled The Circle That Binds.

Equally important, I want to thank Duane Johnson, Josie McGraw, and Denise Benefiel with Archway Publishing who helped me tremendously in the publication of my book. Jeff Slone, Marketing Consultant, and Robert DeGroff, my Production Services Associate and his staff, provided invaluable, professional knowledge that has enabled me to produce a heart-felt, quality book. Without them I would not be able to make The Circle That Binds MY DREAM COME TRUE!!

Next, I want to posthumously thank and acknowledge my oldest brother Sidney Goldsby, Jr. who contacted some of the MILES family members, living in Illinois, prior to our very first Family Reunion which was held July 5, 1998 at the Millington Naval Air Base (where Mama worked for 32 Years) in Millington, Tennessee. Sidney, Jr’s untimely death on July 4, 1997 left a huge void for our family since we knew that he would not be in attendance with us on this great celebration. However, knowing that he was with God in heaven gave me great comfort. From that day forward, I also know that my job in my life’s journey is be an inspiration to my family members and a ‘difference maker’ in the world and in my church.

I don’t have words to express to my sister Cherubim E. Goldsby, MD and brother Miles P. Goldsby for their encouragement, editing, and ‘reconciling’ of events in our family life as they reviewed the content in my autobiography. Both Cheri and Milles have been my prayer partners (in many Conference calls) during the best and the worst of times. And for these cherished, special moments together, I’m so very grateful! Cheri and BB, thanks for being excellent siblings and prayer partners and always being there for me. I love you so much!

Finally, I want to thank all of our Miles Family members and the Goldsby-Gordon Family members for their interest, participation, and support throughout the past twenty years for being an integral part of our family celebrations!! Our first family reunion was extremely successful due to prayer, inspiration, input, and tireless efforts of Ruth Campbell, Lynn Anderson, and Walter Joe Bell, Jr.

Notably, Lavine (Lee) Dandridge (and Lee family members) and Regenia (Fayne—in Shepherd/ Miles bloodline) Dowell and husband Robert Charles Dowell, and Walter Joe Bell, Jr. (Goldsby-Gordon bloodline) AND their children have been constant attendees at our family reunions over the past twenty years. Thanks to The Conleys, our life-long friends of the family---Irma, Marva and husband Ron, and Joe and wife Evelyn (their parents and brothers) ---have loved and supported ‘the Goldsbys’ and our relatives by being regular attendees at our family reunion celebrations as well. YOU ARE AWESOME!!!

I LOVE YOU FAMILY!

FOREWORD BY AUTHOR

I, Ellafair D. Keyes, a proud descendant of United States slaves, utmost love the Lord Jesus Christ and my ‘rock’ and beloved husband Bill. The ‘circle that binds’ me to creation and life includes our sons Elgin (and his family) and Algernon, and many other relatives, friends, and associates who are related and connected to us.

My hope is that as you read this book, you will get a glimpse of the paths that I’ve taken to navigate my life’s journey and how I cherish the importance of staying connected with family members throughout my life. No matter who you are or where you are, you have a story---and family too!

PREFACE

This book is an autobiographical account of how I developed into a unique person from birth to the present. Throughout my journey of life, I’ve noticed that relatives in both my inner circle (immediate family members) and outer circle (other relatives and friends) have impacted the life choices that I have made in situations in my life. In this publication I share some events of how I overcame negative thoughts and actions by focusing on the life of Jesus Christ and the good things that my family instilled in me from birth.

The origins of The Circle That Binds began after the birth of my son Algernon on June 25, 1988. Several family members knew about my challenges in life that began with my adoption of Elgin---our eldest son. Then, fast forward nine years later, I survived a difficult pregnancy that started my family’s journey towards caring for a special needs child. Particularly after Algernon’s birth, many people said, Wow, you’ve gone through so much. You ought to write a book. And the more I heard these words, I agreed with them. So, in 1992 I began writing this book. Working as a Certificated Substitute teacher in the Tacoma School District and the Lakewood School District, I managed to write forty to fifty pages in a two-month span of time.

Over the next few years, unexpected changes came my way—Sidney, Jr. passed away on July 5, 1997. Then my beloved Bigee (Aunt Bessie) passed away in September 2000. After Bigee’s passing, in 2002 Bill and I decided to move to the State of Washington, a more progressive state and the place where Bill’s mother Eula Keys Norvell resided. Our move helped to advance our family financially and my teaching practice professionally.

So, through all of these changes, I got weary and didn’t want to write anymore.

However, when I ran across my manuscript in 2016 (as I was searching for some of my teaching textbooks), I noticed that the year 2004 was typed at the top of the page. 2004 had been the year that I created a Word Document for my manuscript and typed seventy-five percent of the book’s content on my computer. Consequently, THE CIRCLE THAT BINDS became something important that I strove to preserve; its compilation validated my desire to become a published author!

Then, on June 20, 2018 I retired from the Renton School District. At that point, I decided that I’d finish typing the remaining chapters that were hand-written. I also edited and wrote additional chapters to ‘fill in the gaps’ of my story. Some of the gaps in my story that I delved deeper into included ‘His story’ summaries from Bill, Elgin, AJ (as told by author), and myself. Other parts of my life’s journey that I decided to include in my book are the family trees from both my maternal and paternal bloodlines and a few selected family pictures to ‘tell more’ about my relationship to people in ‘the circles of my life’. How cool is that (I was thinking) –to have two artifacts that will provide a roadmap that my descendants can use either to go back in time to identify their ancestors or go forward to create their own family trees!

In retrospect, I was so blessed to have had my Mama who trusted me with the details of the Miles Family Tree. I believe that Mama sensed deep within her soul that my pressing her to get historical facts (generational names, heritage) about our ancestors would somehow lead to my sharing of information with our family members for generations to come!

On July 31, 2020 I finished writing THE CIRCLE THAT BINDS IN its entirety! I was elated! Then, In August 2020 I printed the manuscript for this book. Finally, I researched publishing companies that allowed individuals to self-publish. I chose Archway Publishing to publish my book because of its affiliation with the parent company---Simon &Schuster—a well-known, established publishing company. I phoned Archway Publishers on September 25, 2020 and was greeted by Duane Johnson (yes, a very nice man—but not the actor) who started my journey with Archway Publishers. Over the next few months, a lot of conversation with Josie McGraw, my Check-in Coordinator, began. Finally, in the summer of 2021 THE CIRCLE THAT BINDS was published!

INTRODUCTION

The Circle That Binds is divided into four distinct parts

Part I—BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD YEARS (Chapter 1 thru Chapter 3)

Part II— THE EDUCATION OF PEACH DOLL (Chapter 4 thru Chapter 6)

Part III—ADULTHOOD (Chapter 7 thru Chapter 11)

Part IV—LIFE, OH SO PRECIOUS! (Chapter 12 thru Chapter 17)

Part I---Birth and Childhood Years

Primarily, I describe my beginnings in Millington, Tennessee, a small rural town, and city life in Memphis, Tennessee during the Civil Rights era. I share remembrances of my close family members (my ‘inner circle’) and other relatives who have helped shape my life / ‘bind our ties’ as a family. During these years my loving Father God is a part of everything that I do.

Part II---The Education of Peach Doll

Seeing and experiencing life from elementary to college years as a beautiful, young Black Southern girl is the focus of several chapters.

Part III---Adulthood

I go on a quest to find the ‘real me’, the one that Mama said I am---God-fearing, talented, beautiful, and loving human being. Although, time and time again my mother told me that I was special and beautiful, I