Poetic Memories of a Lifetime

By Jean Abernathy-Smith

Jean Abernathy-Smith is the proud author of this book of poems that rhyme. She has been writing poems for about forty-five years. With that being said, never in her wildest dreams did she think that her poems would ever be published. Now that she knows that they are now being published, here are some facts about Jean, the author.

She was born on June 24, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up on a street called Hazlett. In 1974, she relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, and settled in a small community called Highland Hills Village. She joined the Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in 1982, where she is still a member today. Her two previous church homes were Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church of Detroit, Michigan, and Temple Baptist Church of Cleveland, Ohio.

After being a long-time employee of Ohio Bell and AT&T and becoming active in her community, she became very interested in the political arena. She became a member of the Advisory Council of the Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility. Another organization she was appointed to was the Warrensville Heights City School District Family Community Action Engagement Committee. She also became a member of the Greater Cleveland Congregational Educational Committee. She was elected to the Warrensville Heights School Board in 1999 and later became the vice president and president, which was a great honor. In 2011, she was then elected to Highland Hills Village Council where she served as their vice president and president before becoming their senior director for the senior department in December 2017.

Poet Jean Abernathy-Smith has received numerous recognitions and awards over the years: “Who’s Who among Professionals,” first edition of Who’s Who in Black Cleveland Magazine, Call and Post Newspaper, AT&T Global Award, Outstanding School Board Member Award, and The Warrensville Heights City School District Booster Club Award. She also was awarded the Citizen’s Award and the Employee of the Year award for the year 2020.

Jean is a wife, mother, and grandmother.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 31, 2024
• ISBN: 9798887511405

Book preview

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Poetic Memories of a Lifetime

Jean Abernathy-Smith

ISBN 979-8-88751-139-9 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88751-140-5 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Jean Abernathy Smith

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Farewell, Dear Coleman Connection Family

Dear Aunt Sug

A Tribute to My Brother Jimm

Alice

Our Beloved Ernestine

Our Beloved Evelyn

Reggie

Dear Nate

Dora Henry, The Hat Diva

The Fabulous Rachel Story Through My Eyes

Education Is the Key

Keith and Rachel—and how It All Began

Eric and Robin's Wedding Day ****Beginning to End****

The Tannie Elbert Story Told through the Eyes of a Friend

Happy Birthday, Mayor Michael L. Booker

Clarence C. Rogers The Professional Man

A Tribute to Charles Cross

A Tribute to Mr. Fred Thomas

Dear Cassandra

Congratulations, Marsha

Edwina

Sheri

Beyond This Place

Mother Dear

Reflections of a Tree in Us

Reflections: Yesterday's and Today's Women

Our Dear Ernestyne

Gone Too Soon

We Are Family—Bridge the Gap

Family Support

Marsha

God Smiled

'Twas the Night Before Xmas No. 2

Salute to Olivia

A Message to My Mother

A New Beginning

Where I Am Now

To God Be the Glory

A Long Journey Home

Disruptions

A Comforting Message

Lite Rap

A Message to My Parents

The Introduction by Jean

A Message to My Wife

Welcome

Mia

Happy Birthday, Sandra Brown

Dear Ronzo

The History of Highland Hills Village

Pastor Colvin

Our Gift to You This Christmas

Woman of Tomorrow

The Creation of Dorothy Knott

Lady of Distinction

About the Author

Farewell, Dear Coleman Connection Family

Well, the reunion's over

It's time to say goodbye.

We had a lot of laughs

And we even took time to cry.

Don't forget the smallest thing

That happened to you while here.

Remember all the special events

And the moments of good cheer.

Keep the momentum going

Keep our family alive.

If we connect one by one

We, Colemans, will survive.

Written by Jeannie Coleman Abernathy

Dear Aunt Sug

You've made history in our family

By reaching a hundred years old.

Let's take a look at your life

And let the memories unfold.

You are a wonderful mother

And to many, a dear aunt too.

You've touched so many lives

With the things you say and do.

So many have gone before you

But many are still here.

Your only daughter passed on before you

But your only son is still here to cheer.

You could outcook any cook

And keep a house so very clean.

You kept everything in place

There wasn't a speck of dust to be seen.

I still remember those homemade rolls

And those delicious pound cakes too.

When you would have those special dinners

Everyone forgot what else they had to do.

When you were able to share your means

You did it with all your heart.

You opened your doors to many

To give them a brand-new start.

You gave good advice and shared your wisdom

To anyone with a listening ear.

You fed the hungry and clothed the needy

To anyone who was near.

You are such a dear Aunt Sug to many of us

And we know why god kept you here.

He wanted to bless this family tree

By keeping you close and near.

So run on, Aunt Sug, run your race

Run and see what the end will be.

And when all that has to be said is said

You will stand out as a jewel on our tree.

Happy one-hundredth birthday!

With love, your niece, Jeannie

A Tribute to My Brother Jimm

I have an awful lot to say about Jimm

But I don't want to take up