This was my grandmother.

My grandmother,  Lillian Estell Stump was the 6th child of William and Mary Frances Stump.  She was born on Oct. 8, 1902.

LILLIAN MARRIED VICTOR G. LOCKHART

(TO READ MORE ABOUT LILLIAN AND VICTOR CLICK ON LINK BUT YOU WILL NEED TO USE YOUR BACK BUTTON TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE.)

Mamaw Lillian was a wonderful lady.  She is the main reason that I'm doing this today.

If it were not for mamaw and her love of family and her love of pictures none of this would be possible.  Mamaw Lillian had hundreds and hundreds of pictures.

Thanks to her we have pictures of her father William and all her sisters and brothers.  We have pictures of all her four sons from a few months old to fathers theirselves.

I inherited Mamaw's cedar chest.  It is filled with things that she collected.  There are things that the boys made her as children.  There are things that they sent or brought her while in the service.

I remember as a child staying with mamaw and papaw Lockhart on weekends.  I always wanted her to set with me and go through the things in this cedar chest.  I would have her tell me all about them.  There are cards from my father ( Jack ) to mamaw and papaw on Mom's day and Father's day. And letters that each of the boys send her while they were over seas.

Mamaw also had a love for flowers.  That is why I chose the violets for her page.  She had African violets growing everywhere in the house.  I never did before or since, see anyone with the knack for growing them like her.  She could simply break off a leave and stick it in a cup of water and it would grow and bloom.

Mamaw's first grandchild was my sister Linda.  Mamaw also loved to crochet.  She made Linda a sweater and cap before she was born.  It is still with us in the treasured cedar chest.  She called Linda "Wendy" . Wendy is now 49 years old.

Mamaw gave all her pictures to Linda.  We are now trying to figure out who some of the people are,  Over the years, at different times Linda and I and others had spent time with mamaw writing on the back of pictures.  Who and when they were taken.  This should be a lesson to all who read this.  Always write on the back of pictures and date them.  It may not seem important now.  Years from now when your family is trying to place a person, it will mean everything.

Mamaw also taught me important things. Like always make sure your windows and porches look nice.  She said that people who don't come into your house always judge you by what they see outside.  She also said that you can tell a good housekeeper by looking at her bloom.  If it is worn to a point,  they are a good housekeeper. The point is from sweeping in the corners.  I know this sounds silly , but it is true.

Mamaw died at the age of 93 in the nursing home here in South Shore, Ky.  The caregivers at the home called her "Miss Lilly ".  Two days before Miss Lilly died she had a really good day.  My sister Brenda and I spent most of the day with her.  She wanted to get dressed and sit by the window and watch the birds outside.  Brenda dressed her and combed her hair and postioned her by the window.  She had a beautiful smile on her face that day. She later said that all her children came to see her that day.

All her children had already passed away.  But in my heart I know that she was telling the truth.  I do believe they were all there. I believe that they were wanting her to come with them.

After she was put into bed that night she kept looking at the ceiling . She was smiling and pointing and saying " Birds" Like she was seeing birds flying around the room.  I still think it was angels. A couple of weeks after mamaw passed  I bought a bird.  It is a beautiful white bird with blue on its wings. She is still with me today.  Her name is Lilly. Gary , my husband didn't want Lilly to be lonely so he bought one too.  He named the other bird Harry.  Harry was his grandfather.  Harry and Lilly are very happy in their new home.

Papaw Victor died on March 12, 1971 and my father Jack died on March 25, 1971.  I can't imagine the pain that mamaw must have felt to lose her husband and son in the same month.  She was a strong woman.

This  picture of Victor and Lillian was taken on Easter Sunday 1966.  It was also Linda's 16th birthday.

This picture isn't in very good shape but I had to include it. It is a loving picture of a son ( Jack ) and the number one woman in his life at the time.  His mother.  It was probably taken in the late 40's.  Dad enlisted twice.  This was the first time.

I can't tell of Lillian without mentioning my own mother Helen.  She took on the care of mamaw after all the sons were gone.  She always saw that mamaw had everything that she needed or wanted.  Mom worked and spent her days off and Sundays with mamaw at the nursing home. Mom, Like all the daughter-in -laws of Lillian called her Mother.  I thank my mother for taking such good care of mamaw Lillian.  I guess at the time all of us Grandchildren were to busy taking care of our own children that we didn't take the time that we should have to help out.

We were all there for the last couple of years to help out.  Mamaw lived to see several of her great great grandchildren including my granddaughter Bonnie Marie.  My daughter- in -law Tiffany went into labor while my son Patrick, was with the family at the funeral of Lillian.  Noah Patrick was born the next morning. I always figured God took mamaw then had to send down Noah to fill the hole left in my heart from missing her.  God also sent Bonnie on the 24th Anniversary of my dads passing.  So I guess that God is always looking out for me.