Grace Sharp Hammock

Grace Sharp Hammock was born in Lafayette, Alabama on July 3rd, 1920. It was fun to celebrate her birthday on the 3rd and the 4th of July. We had some great cookouts with family and friends.



Her parents were Herschell and Lila Sharp. There were 10 children-Preston, Nell,, Gladys, Genette, Harvey, Grace, Marion, Ann, Reba and Kayron. Her sisters Ann Carter, Reba Price and sister-in-law Lucille Sharp are still living. Grace was born in between two brothers. She was quite the tomboy. She loved being outside and enjoyed gardening and working with the cows, horses and other animals. Aunt Reba complimented Grace’s beautiful hair. Frank loved her black hair. She often cut her friends hair. Reba also said that when Grace cooked she used all the dishes available. Grace said, "Well, at least I was cooking...." Her father, Herschell, had only finished 3rd grade. He was such a smart and good provider. He had a head for numbers and was a builder and farmer. He acquired almost 2000 acres. He built and rebuilt their home. His Spencerian penmanship was extraordinary. It was like calligraphy. Grace said that her mother was so sweet and she never yelled. She worked hard in the home. She prepared school lunches for them that were envied and sometimes fought over-sweet potatoes, biscuits, ham, cookies, cake….She cooked on a wood stove. At night one of their favorite suppers was cornbread and sweet milk. They had a big bell outside that would be rung to signal the delicious home-grown meals.



They used kerosene lamps until electricity became available. Family laundry was an all day event. Her dad was very religious and had strict discipline. They read from the Bible and would sing and play the piano. (One time Nell and Genette were caught doing the Charleston.....they were punished ....there was no dancing....)The family was very musical. They would travel to singings. Some of the family had formed a gospel singing group. They had one of the first Model T’s. All the family could not fit….that was a problem. Reba and Ann were sometimes left at home……so Reba says often.



Grace lived through the Great Depression, World War II and a cyclone. These events greatly influenced her life. Grace was good at recycling and repurposing long before it was the new vogue. She had learned the hard way.

Her father would not let the girls marry during the war and was selective about their career path. He would not let Gladys become a nurse and she had such great skills in helping the sick.







The Storm......this is the story Grace told to Sandra.



The second major storm in a week made its way through East Alabama, Chambers County began reporting damage. Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church in Marcoot was destroyed just after Easter Services in 1932 concluded. (After the storm, Grace and her dad, Herschell Sharp, went over to help the people figure out the lumber to order to restore the church. ) Over in White Plains, youngsters Grace, 11 years old, and her older brother Marion were playing in the white sand in the driveway. It felt so good and warm to their bare feet. Grandpa Sharp, who lived with them, said, “ You had better get your shoes on or you might not be able to find them! There is a storm coming.” Their older sister Nell was playing away on the piano in the front room oblivious to the fact that the weather was changing. Frank Earl, their cousin, about the age of Preston, the older brother, was visiting and said that he had better head home. Grandpa Sharp said, “You had better get in this storm pit!” 15 people were lined up against the walls of the storm pit. It was dug underground and had a heavy top of about 4-5 layers of wood. The seats were anchored to the wall. That may have helped keep the pit grounded.

Nell had red hair. They say that people with red hair are more affected by storms and bad weather. When the cyclone came the noise and weather system hurt Nell’s ears badly. When they came out of the storm pit Herschell Sharp’s new house was moved about 12 feet, making almost a complete wreck of the house and foundation. The pathway that Frank Earl would have taken was trenched out by the winds. When people heard the news, they came by the car load to view the destruction. Grace and Marion never found their shoes and they stepped on a few nails but luckily did not get an infection. Grace said, “Someone could fall into this well….it is uncovered.” So the adults agreed and someone covered it with some lumber.

No one brought the family any food, clothing or supplies that might help them with their recovery. The family had a house close by that was loaded with hay. All the children and adults had to take hay from the house to the barn, which was quite a distance away, and sweep, sweep, sweep the house with brooms made by their dad, Herschell Sharp. The house was very dirty from the hay. They collected the mattresses that they could find. That was where they slept. The family had a strong faith in God and were hard workers. Grace said that she couldn’t understand why some people from the black Methodist Church across the way came by and asked for a donation but did not volunteer any help to the family. The church had damage from the storm too. Grace said, that her father would have brought food and offered to help if it had been his neighbor that needed help.





A teacher from Milltown asked Grandpa Sharp, What gave you the faith to get in the storm shelter?” Grandpa said,”Well, when it is raining God tells you get out of the rain or you put your hat on, when it is cold you put a coat on and when a storm is coming you get in the storm shelter.” He had family that had been hurt before in a storm and a daughter that had a log come through her chest. She lived only a short while after that. He knew what a storm could do. They got in the storm shelter quite a few more times that season. The family also built a better storm shelter. To this day, the sisters still relive the storm.



Grace attended Jacksonville College with her younger sisters, Ann and Reba. Catherine Childers, a friend and later a teacher at Milltown, also attended. Grace had to work in the cotton mill for funds and she also got scholarships. She loved college. She majored in math and science. She had a teaching career that lasted over 35 years.



Frank Hammock married Grace Sharp 64 years ago. Frank selected the date October 9, 1948. He wanted to marry before he turned 30 years old. He said that the best nickel he ever spent was the one he used to call Grace. This is how he got her number, which he memorized to his heart…….Grace’s sister Nell worked in the mill with his mother, Era. Era told Nell that her son, Frank, worked as a traveling salesman and Gadsden was one of his territories. Nell said that her sister Grace taught school in Gadsden. So Era got the phone number and told Frank about it. He called. When Frank saw Grace come down the stairs for their first date he said to himself, “I am going to marry that girl!” Nell was 101 years old when she passed away on October 9th this year on their anniversary.



They had 2 daughters. Sandra is married to Jack Bickford. Jack loved Grace and she was so happy Sandra married him. . She was beautiful at their wedding. Frank broke his hip just days before and could not attend. Beverly married Chuck Murray. Grace always called her daughters her angels….She was always so complimentary and supportive. She was sweet and loving like her mother. She was generous in so many ways. She would sing hymns, and Doris Days songs while she was taking care of them and their home.



Grace was an artist and a country Martha Stewart. When she was 90, she painted pictures of birds from the United States. She wanted to make a book or presentation to inspire students to paint and learn about birds. She never met a stranger. She was a great teacher, seamstress, cook and homemaker. She made beautiful clothes for the girls. When she moved to Abanda she made friends with some of the older neighbors. They would give her some great advice. Mrs. Floy Rotten helped her with cooking ideas, flowers and greenery for every season so that she would be able to use them for church, school and social events. Mrs. Emma Davis would say things like” I don’t know why my niece needs another package of pins and needles---I bought some 10 years ago!” She was very thrifty and smart about gardening. Mrs. Pauline Tatum said that a good gift for someone who was sick was a wash cloth and soap. Mrs. Clara Tatum shared her Alabama Pound Cake recipe. Mrs. Charlie Taylor introduced her to pizza and butternut pound cake..Grace had some very good proverbs to live by and to inspire her family and students. She would give one of the daughters something like one piece of gum. She would watch to see what happened. They would share. They did not take the last cookie without asking if anyone else wanted it. She also said, you don't have to eat it all....just try it you might like it. Remember to comb the back of your hair. She corrected them with soft words or silence.... Or the mother's look. When they were young in church they would play with her wedding rings and be still so they would not get pinched or get a lecture. Sandra often repeated her sayings to her students. She would start by saying “My mother said this to me…..a lot….like we can’t always have what we want or to always to do your best!” She also used the southern saying, Be Sweet! Grace was very honest. There is one story though that is unbelievable. Mother would take chocolate pies to her Sharp Reunion at Sharp's Lake. She got them from Frank's cousin Louise Liles. They had Rodgers Cafe in Lafayette. She said that she made them.....she even gave them Lavonia Osborne's recipe. Grace said that was a good recipe. People said it was delicious but not quite the same......Now you can get your own. They were Edward's pies.



Grace had a love of community, teaching, church, and family. Recently Jeanette Aikens commented that Grace was missed in the community. She was always there for a bereaved family. She made sure the coffee was going and that there was food for the family. Grace was very hard of hearing. She loved to read the Bible, magazines, Lafayette Sun and the Randolph Leader and the Alabama Baptist. She enjoyed crocheting and painting, watching Lets Make a Deal and Wheel of Fortune, The Food Channel and also HGTV. She liked to watch Beverly and Sandra create things and helped them with their projects like painting 150 wildflower vases for a wedding. In August she directed them in making decorations for Shannon Tweedy's son's wedding. Shannon was her nurse and friend. She was managing fairly well, for her condition,until about 8 months ago. Not long ago she had her bather, Lindsay, cut her hair short. She sat so still until Jack and Sandra got there...not a hair out of place. Later that week she hurt her toe and it was bleeding....she said..if my hair is alright....I am alright. She always took pride in her home and appearance.



Grace wanted to see this Christmas. She loved Christmas and all family holidays and made them very special. Grace said, Now let's don't do too much this year.....but we need to have one present to open from Santa Claus...she always told Sandra and Beverly....as long as you believe, there will always be a Santa Claus. One thing she did in her later years, was to pretend she did not know it was not her turn and open her gifts out of order. It was funny. It happened more than once.....almost every round.

Beverly and Sandra decorated her room early and put on the Hallmark Christmas movies.

And gave her presents on different occasions. A favorite Christmas memory was when, like the song, she got a Better Homes and Garden home magazine for Christmas. She almost wore it out planning for her new ranch style home in Abanda. ....



Mama cut out pictures of houses for you

From Better Homes and Gardens magazine

Plans were drawn and concrete poured

Nail by nail and board by board

Daddy gave life to mama’s dream

They loved their new home.



Chuck and Beverly brought Grace and Frank to live with them 8 years ago. They took such good care of them and also Virginia Watson, Sandra's mother-in-law, Marshall's mother, who was like a sister to Grace. Their dogs, Peaches and Tiger brought much joy to them. Mother and the dogs were glad to see Chuck get home from work. He would make the rounds telling everyone Hello, how are you? And turn on the lights, check their water and such. He was so sweet. They had some rose bushes that kept on giving to the end. Chuck said it was because of Miracle Grow. God had his hands in it too. She painted many pictures of them.



Late October Grace said that she wanted to visit her friends and relatives. It had been too long. She got great joy out of the get togethers and phone calls and cards from friends and relatives. Ray and Pat Mulkey called often with information about the community. Marilyn, Bobby and Betsy Breed called and sent cards with the news. Bobby Carter made frequent calls with updates about the family, Lafayette and the weather, he was the one that played Santa Claus for years at the church. Edith Pitts sent cards from the church.



Frank, her Mother, Father, brothers and sisters have helped her in her sickness. She could see and talk to them. Grace had a form of Parkinson's called Lewy Body Dementia. It had many symptoms. One was hallucinations....they could be friendly or very, very scary.

She talked out loud saying..I have to get ready for school, I need to do the laundry, let's make preserves, jelly or jam. I need to sew this for the girls. She would carry on conversations through the night. Those were the good ones. By the way, Beverly said that she had not had to do laundry since moving to Georgia......Mother and Beverly, let's just say..... bonded during many of their earlier cooking projects....Beverly said she would remember much of what her Mother taught her, but maybe not the relish recipes.



The family wants to thank Vista Care and Agape Hospice, her nurse, Shannon Tweedy, her CNA's, Dawn Conrad was her present one. Pastor Harold Peacock would bring comforting words, prayers and collards, preserves and surprises by. The latest one was a beautiful handmade evergreen wreath from Hospice. She was on Hospice for 4 years. She met the criteria. It was the longest case they had. They took such great care of her and also the family. Thank you to her family, friends, community and Abanda Baptist Church for all their compassion, prayers and friendship.



She will be missed. She was so loved. Beverly read some of her favorite verses from the Bible and we sang some hymns and Christmas songs. She was able to leave us peacefully. We will remember the sparkle in her blue eyes and the cute winks. We will tap our heart, say a prayer and she will be there. She is in a better place with God In heaven. She will be able to celebrate Christmas with Jesus and the angels.

When the Christmas bells ring, Grace will be getting her wings.



Favorites



Psalms 23

Amazing Grace

O Holy Night was a favorite Christmas song. Her daughters used to sing and play it for church.

How Great Thou Art

Beulah Land

Ezekiel 16:6- This verse was read by Frank's dad to stop bleeding. It has saved lives.

The Lord's Prayer