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Notes for Mabel Anne 'Nannie' Mays: REMEMBRANCE OF GRANDMA BALSINGER Grandma Balsinger was loving toward me, and my memories conjure her up as a devout and austere religious person; a proud, intelligent, and forceful personality. Her long, drawn-out wailing prayers were masterpieces. If God never heard the prayers of my grandma Balsinger HE just never got around to listening to anyone. There we would be, my mother, my sister, my Aunt Bessie, my Grandpa, Uncle Carl, Uncle Stanley and whoever else might have been visiting, all kneeling on the floor of the living room, listening to Grandma yelling between heavy tears to the lord about our sinning ways, our lack of faith, our repentance, HIS precious forgiveness, and HIS eventual coming for us. My Grandma Balsinger was one of a kind, a true original. She always showed kindness and love to me. In the back of my mind, I remember Grandma sometimes carping on Grandpa for something or another. It was something she needed to do, I guess, but I always felt sorry for Grandpa ... after all, he was my saint. I especially remember Sunday afternoons, sitting out front or the side yard, cranking the ice cream maker and eating ice cold watermelons. All the family would be there, making it so beautiful, together, peaceful ... like there was nowhere else I wanted to be. There was a sanity and a stability to them at a time of my life when I especially needed it - one those Sunday afternoons. I loved Grandma Balsinger, and, in her way, I know she wanted the world to be a better place for her family. Billy R. Chitwood Nannie (Mays) Balsinger could be a hard woman, and often made John's life difficult although he never complained or spoke against her. Nannie Mays received a delayed birth certificate from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Knox Co., Barbourville, signed 9 April. 1956. It lists her parents as Richard Mays (age 32 b. KY) and Adeline Wilson (age 32 b. KY). Her sister, Rinie Davis (age 79 as of 2/18/1956) and W.H. Steele (non-rel) signed affidavit. Nannie died of malignancy of the left lung with an onset of about 8 months. Carl Balsinger, her son, was the informant on her death certificate. He listed her birth date as 20 July 1892, age 83, parents as Richard Mayes and Adaline Wilson. Nannie died at home, Highway 411 North, Madisonville, Monroe, TN and F. Social Security number was 411-84-5381. Houston Lowry, Jr., M.D. was the attending physician. Her burial took place on 25 October 1975 the the Sunset Cemetery in Madisonville, by Kyker Funeral Home. She was a widow at the time of her death, John having died eleven years previously. In the 1920 Campbell Co. TN census it shows her name as Anna, on the 1910 census it is listed as Nannie. On her daughter's, Maude, birth certificate her given name is listed as Mabel. No one in the family appeared to know her given name as she was called Nannie all her life. |
| i. | John James Balsinger , Jr., born July 28, 1921 in Highcliff, Campbell, TN; married Myrtle Cathrine Pierce November 19, 1943 in Marion, SC. |
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Notes for John James Balsinger , Jr.: John Jr. was injured during WWII. He would sit on the porch in the evening and sing a very sad song about a soldier writing to his mother and dying in the next battle. His mother would cry the whole time. UNCLE JOHN Uncle John was another hard worker. Good looking, an engaging personality, he was someone I enjoyed being around. His wife, Mert, was a good fit for him. Little Carl, John's son, was my adorable little pal. For a brief period in my young life, little Carl was like a baby brother on whom I doted and loved so much it was difficult to separate myself from him. Uncle John loved country music. He could make us all cry, particularly Grandma Balsinger, when he sang the tear jerker about a mother who lost her son in war. One Sunday afternoon, we sat on our porch some hundred yards up from the railroad tracks and the big water tank that serviced the freights. One of my little buddies was playing along the tracks with another of his pals, yelling up taunts and threats. Cowering, I just sat there. Finally, my Uncle John, sitting on the swing with Aunt Mert, said to me: "Billy Ray, if you don't go down there and whip that boy, I'm gonna whip you!" It was enough to blindly propel me from the porch. Running like an out of control locomotive I plowed into my antagonist buddy, knocking him down. He got up crying, moving off toward home, beaten, and confused for the moment. A small victory for a weird little kid trying to figure out what it was all about ... this life, this time. Uncle John motivated me to act. Wish he could have been around more in my life. I loved him. Billy Ray Chitwood Note: Information on birth dates given by John J. Balsinger. |
| ii. | Maude Inez Balsinger, born May 30, 1910 in Highcliff, Campbell, TN3; died June 10, 1998 in Phoenix, Maricopa, AZ4; married (1) Ray Bannon Chitwood May 21, 1931 in Jellico, Campbell, TN; married (2) William Parham Aft. 1934; married (3) Erwin Vitt Abt. 1953. |
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Notes for Maude Inez Balsinger: Maude "Nannie" Balsinger was a lovely young girl growing up in Highcliff, Campbell Co., Tennessee. All eight Balsinger children were born in the two story house in Highcliff. Nannie's birth certificate: #10393, report made by G.W. Layne, enumerator of the 5th School District of Campbell County of Tennessee. Name of child, Maude Ballsinger; date of birth, May 30, 1910; sex, F; color, W; place of birth, High Cliff Tenn.; name of Father, John Ballsinger; place of his birth, Kentucky; Father's occupation Section Foreman; name of Mother, Mabel Ballsinger; place of her birth, Kentucky; name of Physician Dr. Snyder. A friend obtained a job for her at the Jellico telephone office when she was seventeen. It was a career decision that served her well the rest of her life as she eventually retired from Southwestern Bell in St. Louis. After her retirement she moved to Las Vegas and worked as an Operator for the Riviera & the Stardust, giving her the opportunity to meet many celebrities. At the time she started her first job her father bought her a car and taught her to drive so he wouldn't have to worry about her getting back and forth to work from Highcliff to Jellico (about 3 miles). On 19 December 1959 Nannie received the Holy Sacrament of Baptism according to the Rite of the Roman Catholic Church by Rev. W.M. Boul at St. William Church, Woodson, Tennessee. Her sponsor was Catherine Honkemp. Date of birth was listed as May 30, 1910 and parents as John Balsinger and Nannie Mays. She received her First Communion on December 24, 1959, most likely at St. William Church. Maude received her Confirmation on Sunday, November 11th 1960 at the St. Louis Cathedral, St. Louis, MO, with her Sponsor Miss Anna Ruth Honkemp (9412 Harold Dr., St. Louis MO). Anna was possibly the daughter of Catherine Honkemp who was her Sponsor at her Baptism. During her life she moved quite a few times. At the time of WWII she was working in Oakridge TN. She lived in St. Louis, Las Vegas, and in and out of Phoenix, where she currently lives. She was also a great one for traveling, thinking nothing of packing her bags and jumping in her car and taking off for new places, often bringing along her little dog. Maude also does beautiful handmade quilts, giving them as treasured gifts to the family. She also has a way with plants, perhaps a gift from her Grandmother, Adaline. When she was young her Grandmother would always plant green onions in her garden just for Maude. When they were ripe she would wave them in the air so that Maude could see them from their home below. Maude was especially close to her Grandmother Adaline. Adaline's second husband, Louis, used to claim Maude was the best cook in the world, another talent that paid off when she was the cook at boarding houses. Even in her late 80's it was impossible to beat her Southern breakfasts. When she lived at Highcliff as a young woman the trainmen would bring her presents, candy, a bit of ribbon, as they roared though. She would stand on the porch of the two story section house and wave, giving them her beautiful smile. On 10 June 1998 at 12:30 p.m. Nannie passed away after having suffered several strokes. She was buried at the Phoenix Memorial Park Cemetery. Margie, the mother of Steven, Scott and Shelley, sent a beautiful card and because the sentiment was so "Nannie" I've added it: "Remembering Your Mother" "Remember the way she laughed. Remember the times she cried. Remember the way she lived Instead of the way she died. Remember the brightness she brought us Instead of this mourning gloom. Then think of her, entering heaven ... She always could light up a room." |
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Notes for Ray Bannon Chitwood: Ray was born 13 Dec. 1902 in Scott County Tennessee. He married Armina 1st and they had Fred, Cleo & Theo. Fred was killed in a car accident in Cincinnati Ohio. Ray married 2nd. Georgia Davis, a school teacher. It was a short marriage, resulting in the birth of a daughter, Willadean . He married 3rd & 4th, Maude Balsinger and they had a daughter, Bobby Jean, and a son, Billy Ray. During World War II Ray served in the Navy as a Seabee. His cousins, John and Brassfield (Barney Chitwood's boys) also served in the Navy. He eventually retired from the Southern Railroad where he had been a Brakeman. He died on 14 November 1970 in a Knoxville hospital of an acute eruptive abdominal aneurysm, six months after his mother, Nannie Bridges Chitwood, died. Ray was good to his sons, but extremely abusive to his daughter, Bobby Jean, and his wife, Maude. Apparently in his old age he began to mellow and his marriage to Martha was a lot calmer. He also, with tears in his eyes, apologized to Bobbie Jeanne for how he had treated her, shortly before his death, while they were sitting in his backyard at his Knoxville home. He was a very good-looking man, with plenty of charm; however, he had a violent temper. |
| iii. | Rose Esther Balsinger, born April 05, 1912 in Highcliff, Campbell, TN; married Thomas Critten Perkins Abt. 1927 in Family Home, Highcliff, Campbell, TN. |
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Notes for Rose Esther Balsinger: AUNT ROSIE Aunt Rosie, in my brief encounters with her seemed always chipper, always smiling, happy with her lot as country mother and wife. She had a certain elusive sophistication that belied her rural existence. In my memory, her husband, Tom, was big, robust, jolly, secure in his life and work. The kids, too, exuded the same zest in their little lives. Aunt Rosie and her family epitomized for me an adjusted and contented reality. I loved her. Billy Ray Chitwood Rosie was named after her grandmother, Rosie Balsinger. She was taken to Rosie's funeral when she was a young girl. After Tom died Rosie moved to the Detroit area, Southgate, where she lives in a house just behind her daughter Boots' home. She was living there when her father died in 1964. |
| iv. | J.T. Balsinger, born October 16, 1913 in Highcliff, Campbell, TN; died December 31, 1995 in Madisonville, Monroe, TN; married Nelle Presswood. |
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Notes for J.T. Balsinger: UNCLE J.T. Uncle J.T. was the epitome of industry. For most of his life he worked two, three jobs. He was a caring and loving father and devoted husband. He was quiet, almost brooding. My perception was that he must have held within himself some terrible truths and pain. An anecdote ... Uncle J.T. lived in the basement apartment of our house on Court Street in Maryville, Tennessee, across from Maryville College. Uncle J.T. trapped and caught a dog he said had bitten one of his daughters. He took the dog to the basement and, near the furnace, he beat the dog in the head with a hammer. He had called me in to watch and to help. I was too terrified to help but I watched ... Despite that episode, I loved him. Billy Ray Chitwood |
| v. | Bessie Balsinger, born February 03, 1915 in Highcliff, Campbell, TN; married Wright Maxwell. |
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Notes for Bessie Balsinger: AUNT BESSIE Loyal, true and abiding commitment to her role as care giver and loving servant: that's my remembrance of Aunt Bessie. She was always there for Grandma and Grandpa, never grumbling, never resentful, just faithful to her tasks... She never really got a chance to live her own life. Then, again, perhaps her destiny was to serve. She was always kind and loving to me. I loved her. Billy Ray Chitwood. |
| vi. | Carl Balsinger, born November 28, 1925 in Highcliff, Campbell, TN; died February 02, 1990 in Madisonville, Monroe, TN; married Betty Calmes. |
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Notes for Carl Balsinger: REMEMBRANCE OF UNCLE CARL Uncle Carl treated me with kindness and unstated love. Not as gentle as his brother, Uncle Stanley, he nonetheless had my childhood respect and awe. In my memory, he was so handsome, so confident of himself, so clean cut and sure of where he was going. Uncle Carl was enterprising and always doing and going. My memory conjures up the moments when, in the early evening after work, he would shave, bath and dress in causal slacks, shirt, penny loafers, and walk the railroad tracks into Madisonville for a date ... for a movie or fun. He was sort of who I wanted to be. I loved him. He was loyal to his parents and to his country. ... Billy R. Chitwood Carl owned quite a bit of real estate in Madisonville, including a drive-in theater. However, he got quite upset with the government over taxes, feeling that they had gotten completely out of hand, and refused to pay them. Until the day of his death he was fighting over what he felt was unfair taxation. Obit from newspaper clipping: "BALSINGER, CARL -- age 64, of Madisonville, passed away 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 2, 1990, at his home. Retired from L&N Railroad after serving as an agent for 28 years. Veteran of WWII. Member of VFW Post #5156. Owner of Balsinger Real Estate. Survivors: wife, Betty Calmes Balsinger; daughters, Belinda Balsinger, Athens, Angie and Bridget Balsinger, both of Madisonville; sons and daughters-in-law, Mike Balsinger, Knoxville, Allen and Lucretia Balsinger, Sweetwater, Brian and Jeanette Balsinger, Madisonville; grandchildren, Julia and Ashley Balsinger, Sweetwater, Jeremy Balsinger, Jeffery Garrett, both of Madisonville; sisters, Bessie Maxwell, Madisonville, Rose Perkins, Wyandotte, Mich., Maude Vitt, Phoenix, Ariz.; brothers, J.T. Balsinger, Madisonville, John Balsinger, Knoxville; several nieces and nephews. Graveside service and interment 2 p.m. Sunday, Sunset Cemetery, Rev. Mike Johnson officiating. Memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. The family will receive friends 608 p.m. Saturday at Biereley-Hale Funeral Home, Madisonville." |
| vii. | Margaret Adalee Balsinger, born Aft. 1926 in Highcliff, Campbell, TN; died Aft. May 16, 1964; married George Sells. |
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Notes for Margaret Adalee Balsinger: AUNT ADALEE Aunt Adalee is a gauzy remembrance, haunting, almost surreal. She was in my young mind an enigma, a figure of some sort of unspeakable tragedy. She seemed always to me, in my brief encounters with her, a person displaced, tentative, unstable, inscrutable, at once an ambivalent essence, both prosaic and poetically wistful at the same time. She chased her demons until they finally caught her. Bless her soul, wherever if may abide. I loved her. Billy Ray Chitwood Adalee committed suicide by jumping off the Gay St. Bridge in Knoxville. She and George had a son, Wendell, who was retarded. This had to be sometime after her father's death in 1964 as she was listed as living in Knoxville in his obituary. |
| viii. | Stanley Balsinger, born Aft. 1927 in Highcliff, Campbell, TN; died Aft. May 16, 1964 in Knoxville, Knox, TN; married Jonnie Mahan. |
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Notes for Stanley Balsinger: Stanley was murdered during the robbery of his gas station in Knoxville TN. During the robbery he was forced back to one of the rest rooms and shoved into the door and shot in the back of the head. As of 1990 his murderer, a Negro, was still on death row. This happened sometime after the death of his father, which was 16 May 1964 as he was listed as living in his father's obit. REMEMBRANCE OF UNCLE STANLEY He was so much like his father, my grandfather, in his gentle, quite, and humble ways. In our short times together he treated me like a younger brother, with caring and patient actions and words. Like grandfather John, Stanley had saintly ways. In my own little world he meant so much to me. I loved him. My little heart was nearly broken once, when, walking along the railroad track with Uncle Stanley, I hit him in the head with a creosote rock. He was probably thirteen or fourteen; I was probably seven or eight. We were just idly tossing rocks, mimicking baseball players throwing underhanded to get an out at first base. The rock broke his skin and caused blood to flow. We both cried as we ran home to have grandmother tend the cut. O course, it was a silly accident and no real damage was done. It just hurt me so that I had hurt my big pal and idol. Uncle Stanley never once made me feel bad over the incident or tried to hurt me back. That was not his way. When I heard of his murder my heart was heavy and somehow just a bit smaller. He was such a wonderful child and man. I shall always remember him and miss him. Billy R. Chitwood |
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