Manford Fayne and Daisy Easley had five children, two daughters and three sons. Manford Fayne was nine years a widower in this photo following the death of wife Daisy Easley Fayne in 1946. From what I can sense over my lifetime, Ole’ Daddy led a close family and adored his girls, Hazel and Violet. He died in 1971 when I was 4yo, but I remember him. His light. His smile.
According to the 1950 US Census, Manford Fayne was a 65yo farmer living on Lock 8 in Jessamine County as the head of household. Also in the household, his son-in-law Clyde (41) & daughter Violet (36), and grandchildren Ronald (16yo), Phyllis (8yo) and Herbert (4yo). Multigenerational family farm living.
This photo is dated January 1955, at which time Hazel was 50yo and had been married to farmer Henry Thomas Graham for 34 years. They married when Hazel was 16yo and Henry was 24yo. They had no children which leads me to wonder whether they were able to conceive. She would be a widow at 52yo. Henry would die at the age of 60yo in November 1957 – nearly two years after this photo.
Violet (standing far right in the photo) had been married to Clyde for 25 years and at the time was mother to Ronnie (22yo), Phyllis (12yo) and Herbert (9y0). They were living with Ole’ Daddy and, to whatever extent he needed, were providing him care. I need to find out what year the Clyde McQuerry family moved from Lock 8 to Richmond Avenue near downtown Nicholasville, KY. It seems to me it was after 1971, which is when Ole’ Daddy died. I may not be accurate in piecing together a correct timeline..
The first child of Clyde & Violet, Ronnie, and his wife, Alice, were living in Virginia while Ronnie was serving in the US Marine Corp, Quantico, VA. Phyllis and Herbert were in school, I presume. Based on the 1950 Census and the probability they were living the same five years later, this photo was taken at either the Graham’s or the Fayne’s homeplace. I love the white picket fence.
I believe a multi-generational family experience can be such a gift. I take special delight in the relationships my children have with my parents. The fact that we live as neighbors is icing on the cake and my proof in the power of manifesting. I fall asleep at night dreaming of a Kentucky homeplace farm with wide open space where all my family could gather, enjoy food grown out the back door. In truth, I am not far from that now. Could it be this came from my ancestors’ DNA?
I also feel that continuing this tradition of caring for our elders is important. Caring for our people in their final days of walking on home changes you. I am blessed to have had that honor. And, it seems, so were my ancestors.
that Kentucky girl 