I wrote the following about my dear Mama, Grace Ragland:
You know, everyone has a grandmother. But not many can claim their grandmother looked like a movie star. My grandmother, Grace Ragland sure did. When she married Bayne Ragland in 1936, Kernersville gained a blonde bombshell.
But Grace Ragland, my Mama, was not someone who was all looks and no brains. Although she certainly was as ordinary as you and me, and had a minimal education, she made a difference in her community. She had a genuine concern for the poor and disadvantaged in Kernersville and the surrounding Forsyth County community.
Through her writing campaign to county officials and the Winston-Salem Journal & Sentinel, the terrible and inhumane treatment of the mentally disabled who resided in the old county home ended. In result of her actions, the residents were moved to a new facility and their basic human rights and needs became a priority.
My Mama also wrote in recognition of the deliberate humiliation and second-class treatment of African-Americans in our country and the need for change in racial relations, at a time when such attitudes were not considered “in fashion,” especially in the South. She wrote about what she saw as inherently wrong and malign to people, no matter of their color, religion or background.
You know, my Mama even wrote a Senator from Massachusetts who was running for President about what she saw as wrong in society. When he won the national election, he wrote her back and thanked her for her support and promised that he would help to make the needed changes in our country. She was so impressed with his communication; she framed his letter and hung it above her lazy chair.
Mama always acted with her heart and her intentions were always selfless, but it was nice to see that she was recognized for her beliefs and subsequent actions, even if we never could be too sure JFK really signed the letter he sent to her, or if it was a staffer’s signature.
My Mama’s attitudes about helping other people and standing up for personal beliefs certainly carried down to her children, and later her grandchildren. She taught her family to know and practice what was right, even when it made you seemingly unpopular and out-of-place.
Growing up with my Mama I had some wonderful experiences, especially with food - Mama was a great cook! I would like to emphasize that she could cook collard greens without using fatback, yet you could still taste the bacon flavor. Perhaps she knew this was healthier – I don’t know? But it was always prepared well and with care.
My favorite dish was corned beef and cabbage, with fresh corn-bread muffins. My Grandfather and I usually ate this while watching quality television shows such as Dallas or my grandparent’s favorite TV mini-series, The Thornbirds. (Ya know, I was too young to really enjoy watching these shows, but I wanted some good food so I tolerated the viewing – hey I was only six years old or so).
But my favorite experience with my Mama was fishing at Kernersville Lake, circa 1985. We visited my Mama’s nephew from time to time, and he often took us out on one of his “john” boats for bass fishing. On one of these occasions, near the “little island” in the middle of Kernersville Lake, Mama’s fishing line tightened - she had a big bass on the end of her line! Instead of reeling in the “old monster” herself, she handed her fishing poll to her grandson (me), and allowed me to catch the biggest fish I ever caught!
These are my recollections with my Mama – I know my Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins and other good folks here today could tell similar and/or probably funnier experiences with her.
C.
