Kelsea Kindrick Baggett (1937 - 2017)

We lost another member of the Baggett family in 2017.  We miss him greatly and enjoyed our visit to CA a few years ago, going to his church and having lunch with his family.  

Kelsea Kindrick Baggett was born on November 19, 1937 to Joe and Mildred Baggett in Arkansas and went to glory to meet his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 7, 2017.  What a reunion awaited him I am sure.  

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Roxanna (Roxy) Baggett, and four children, Dan, Sheryl (Griego), Noel, and Doug and six grandchildren and many other family and friends.  

He graduated from Pine Bluff High School in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, served in the U. S. Air Force and retired as Director of Nursing at the LA County Sheriff's Department. 

Tribute posted on facebook by his daughter Sheryl Baggett Griego - "He passed in his home, surrounded by his family. We all got to tell him how much we loved him, and he was aware and able to respond to us. I have no way to express how much he meant to me. He was such a great man of integrity, always loving, and a wonderful Christian. He is the best father anyone ever could have asked for, and I thank God for having him in my life."

Barabara Dorman Wilkie (1951 - 2017)

In memory of cousin Barabara Wilkie,  born August 28, 1951 , died January 03, 2017. Barabara was the daughter of my dad's sister, Ann Franklin Dorman.  Her OBIT as published in the Spartanburg Herald-Journal is below. 


BLACKSBURG, SC-- Barabara Dorman Wilkie, 65, of 200 West Carolina Street, Apt. B-4, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. 

Born in Fort Benning, GA, she was the widow of the late Keith Wilkie and daughter of the late Albert Dorman and Ann Franklin Dorman. She retired from textiles and was a member of Lighthouse Baptist Church. 

Surviving are a son, Charles Wilkie of Chesnee; a daughter, Annette Gardner and husband, Ronnie, of Blacksburg; a stepson, Richard Wilkie of Spartanburg; a stepdaughter, Candy Wilkie Abrams and husband, Robert, of Spartanburg; two sisters, Gloria Walker of Landrum and Dianne Pettit of Spartanburg; a stepsister, Maudine Wyatt of Cowpens; five grandchildren, Payton Wilkie, R. J. Gardner, Jamie Gardner, Brian Gardner and Don Wilkie; four step-grandchildren. 

The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 PM on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at Blakely Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, January 6, 2017 at Lighthouse Baptist Church with Rev. Grady Gregory officiating. Interment will be in Daniel Morgan Memorial Gardens. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Lighthouse Baptist Church, P.O. Box 547, Blacksburg, SC 29702. 

Mary Marcoccio Franklin (1926 - 2016)

Aunt Mary Marcoccio Franklin passed away on Dec. 23rd. She was the loving wife of the late Lawrence Clinton Franklin, Sr., who was my dad's brother.  

Pictured at right from the 1990's 

Pictured below from 1957 

From her OBIT on legacy.com:

Mary M Franklin,  90, of North Kingstown, formerly of Warwick, died Friday December 23, 2016.  She was the beloved wife of the late Lawrence C. Franklin, Sr. Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Eleuterio and Theresa (Consola) Marcoccio. Mary was employed at Elmwood Sensors until her retirement in 1991.

Mary is survived by her loving children: 
John E. Franklin of No. Kingstown, 
Lawrence C. Franklin, Jr. (Barbara) of Scituate and Wayne C. Franklin of Warwick; 
a sister: Angela Denocour of FL; 
8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was the mother of the late Arlene Marques and sister of the late Elise Tafficante, Louise Tella, Anna Ahern, Jennie Dail and Louis, Joseph and Andrew Marcoccio.

Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016 at 7:45 AM from THE URQUHART-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 800 Greenwich Ave., Warwick followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 AM in St. Bernard Church, 275 Tower Hill Road, No. Kingstown. Visiting hours on Tuesday from 4 – 7 PM. Burial in Highland Memorial Park. - 

Letter from my grandmother dated July 22, 1969

As I mentioned in my previous post, my mom found this letter written to me by my grandmother Rice in July of 1969. 

It brings back lots of memories of my Mamaw Rice (Ethel Mae Allen Rice). She spent a few months in TN with my Aunt Louise's family when she was sick with cancer. 

I can't remember for sure, but I think I wrote her a letter and she was responding.  She was living with us when she passed away in our living room in 1970.  We tend to remember the way things were right before someone passes away, so it was nice to read this again and rekindle the good memories.  (Click each page to enlarge)