gramps

Grandpa was always close to nature. He enjoyed fishing, and he always had the most wonderful gardens. He tended to plant corn and beans alongside so the beans would run up the corn. You would never find a weed in his masterpieces either, something that has indeed carried over to me, as I love gardening as well. I remember Grandpa always planted "batchelors buttons" something I have done every year in honor of him. He loved his pretty flowers as well as his veggies he planted every single year. I remember him planting peanuts, tommy toes and those wonderful strawberries which I loved to taste from his gardens.
I had never realized the hard life my Grandpa must have had until I began my searches. I had never heard him mention his mother, but do indeed wish I had listened better as a child. I do know that my mother adored him, and that even though my Dad felt at times that he was at emnity with his father in law, yet grandpa really stood behind him in time of need. My grandpa died during a period of separation between my parents, something my mother never forgave herself for. Grandpa came to the house the very day before he died and told Daddy not to worry because she would be back.
Later that night he raised up out of bed and just dropped dead.
Grandpa was a small man in stature, but a real hero in real life. He held his own in life. He drove a cab for the city of Gastonia, NC for several years. Recently I met a co worker who remembers him well. He began work in the cotton mills at the age of 9, having to stand on a doff box to put up ends.
My main regret is that I never told Grandpa what a wonderful person he really is.
He did come to me in a dream here a while back, telling me how I had misjudged him, and that he did indeed love me. And yes, all of us are somewhat mystical.
OK< back to facts, Robert Franklin Stinnett was born 15-Oct-1890, most likely in Maryville, Tennessee. He was totally adored by his sisters who looked out for him. He did have a cousin (?) with the exact same name, this cousin, known as "Little Bob" was Robert Franklin Stinnett married to Pearl Bolden, (possible relationship to my granny Ethel?) Putting the info I have into my gedcom, I have came to the conclusion that my guess is correct, as according to the info I have he does link to this other Bob as a second cousin. This other Robert is buried in Jefferson County along with his wife Pearl at McCampbell's Church cemetery, would appreciate any feedback on this. This "other" Robert was some kind of commisioner for Knoxville, this 'cousin' sued a factory because he found a pin in a can of beans, he lived in Knoxville, and owned coal yards. I would just love some feedback on him.
My beloved Grandpa was not a 'saint'. I can remember him in various situations.
Grandpa worked the cotton Mills after the death of his wife Ethel Bolden in 1935, he remarried rather quickly to Lena Fowler Braden. He and Lena had one child, Vicky Lynn.
He and Ethel had the following:
Raymond
Helen
Clara
Robert
William
Myrtle

For many years I had thought my maternal family didn't care for me. It was a pleasant surprise to find out they did. I had always thought of my Grandpa as a hateful old man, never giving a darn one way or another, but now i am reminded of the many fishing trips he took me on, and the care he always gave each and everyone of his grandchildren.

OBITUARY OF ROBERT FRANKLIN STINNETT
Taken from the Gastonia Gazette-January 1965

Robert Franklin Stinnette, 74, retired textile worker, of 607 North Scruggs Street, died unexpectedly, Monday night at 11 o'clock at his home.
He was born October 15, 1890, in Tennessee, the son of the late William and Edna Stinnett.
Surviving are his wife, Lena Fowler Stinnette; three daughters; Mrs. Jimmy Lucas and Mrs James Marlowe of Gastonia,, and Vicky Stinnette of the home; two sons, William and Charles Brady Stinnette of Gastonia and 21 grandchildren.
The body will be taken to the home Wednsday morning at 10 o'clock. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 3 pm at Washington Street Baptist Church with the Rev. Paul Hovis officiating.
The body will lie in state for one hour at the church prior to the service.
Burial will follow in Gaston Memorial Park Cemetery.
Sisk Funeral Home of Bessemer City is handling arrangements.

There have been several who have posted misinformation on the actual parentage of Robert Franklin Stinnett. His burial records are available through Sisk Funeral Home, 730 Gastonia Highway, 28016 if anyone wants to dispute the names of his parents. William Stinnett was actually his grandfather who took guardianship of the siblings, mother Edna Yearout which can be proven in the death record of his sisters, both Harriett Stinnett Rutledge and Mary Alice Yearout Willix. All siblings can now be proven with obituaries, death, burial, marriage and census records.

Grandpa loved gardening, left is a picture of him with his pumpkins.
Right is him in his younger days. I kind of get a laugh out of this pic because he has two guns on him!

I remember him as a simple man. I don't think he was much over 5'4" or so, and when I was a kid it seemed that he was always hollering at me about something.
Looking over the past a bit better, I began to realize that he was a super grandpa, always taking us fishing and trying to spend time with all of us. it is indeed true, he did holler at me a lot, but I was a headstrong child and probably needed it. I can't remember him ever laying a hand on any of us grandchildren.

These are both of my grandparents, Bob & Ethel Bolden Stinnett, taken about 1916

After he retired from textiles, Grandpa drove a cab.

Picture of Grandpa and his second wife, Lena
The lady on the left is Harriett, his sister, not sure who the babies are.

Index

MISCONCEPTIONS:
My grandpa is listed in the Sevier Library as the son of Tipton & Martha Perryman Stinnett. I wrote Mr. Sam Maner and scanned and sent the obituary, death record and census reports on Grandpa but he never answered. Later, I took the 4 hours drive to Tennessee and visited the library in person. I took a CD with all my scans and proof of the parentage of the children of Edney Yearout and the CD mysteriously got lost. Incorrect information is still onsite.
Strange thing, the wives of Grandpa are listed correctly, dates of birth/death listed from what i sent as well as the children, except my mother who is listed as Carl.