* See also Introduction for names. Gale was Von’s wife; they
already had an older son. Susie’s youngest son Clinton McNeal
was variedly called "Clint," "Mack", and
sometimes "Blue" (for his complexion). His oldest son
Twon was a quarterback at my old secondary school, Central High of
Sussex. Annie’s second son Clarence was called
"Peter," "Pete," and, at times
"Pedro." Usually, only his mother called him Clarence.
He was named for Clarence Carter, Susie’s first husband..
**Rack Ford was related to the Ford clan, who were also
prominent members of Jerusalem. Until recently, there had always
been a Ford as deacon of the church. The last one was Peter Ford,
who went near-blind and was no longer able to serve. He was
married to Evelyn Wyche, daughter of Cary Wyche and sister of
Edler Wyche.
***Kay was Peter’s white girl friend, who had two Negro kids
by a service man. It was while in the Army that Peter met Kay, who
also had a son for him, who Mama nicknamed "Blue Eyes,"
for the brilliant color of his eyes. Peter was an extremely bold
young man. Though I like him very much, I have never cared that
much for his recklessness.
****I was in New Orleans and had money to burn. But I have
never been extravagant. I always saved my money, which is a way of
making money. One can never tell what might happen when one is a
salaried employee. I was never one to have credit cards or bills
outstanding. I never needed much. Most of the money I made either
went into cultural or literary projects or in the bank. I spent a
considerable amount of money copying material from the Christian
Collection at the University of New Orleans or promoting his work.
I did not give it a second thought. I cared little whether I would
get the money back. I believed that it was the right thing to do,
that Christian’s work needed exposure and since there was no one
else to do it and I had the means and the opportunity that it was
my responsibility to do it. I have kept that commitment until
today. It may be a lost cause, but it is a cause worthwhile.
