My mother awoke from a sound sleep early that morning. She listened to the north wind whistling around the little shack and the sound of rain falling steadily on the roof. She was considering the possibility of falling back to sleep when she felt a slight twinge of pain. It was only then that she realized what had awakened her in the first place. It was the beginning of labor.
The date was November 24, 1932, Thanksgiving Day. The Great Depression had a tight grip on this family. However, the same was true all across America. Brown and Carrie Wilson already had two little boys, Sam and Roy. It was a daily struggle trying to provide food for four people and now there was another mouth to feed. It must have been difficult to feel thankful for a third child.
Daddy had gone hog hunting a few days before and had the good fortune to kill a small wild pig. They roamed in the river bottom, feeding on acorns and hickory nuts. Fresh spare ribs and a mess of turnip greens would be the Thanksgiving dinner. A couple of baked sweet potatoes supplied by a neighbor would be the dessert. The neighbor happened to be Ms. Lillie, and she was an Indian. She was known as a “Granny Woman”, a common name for a midwife. My parents knew it was out of the question to get a doctor for the delivery. Oner reason, no money. Also, numerous mud holes in the road made it impossible to drive a car to the house.
Momma instructed Daddy to build a fire in the fireplace and in the kitchen stove as well. She told him to put a kettle of water on to boil. He then saddled up his old plow mule and off he went to fetch Aunt Lillie. He helped her on the mule and he walked, leading the animal around the mudholes. Finally, they arrived back at the little shack. Before long, Sam and Roy had a baby sister. They must have thought I was worth keeping because they didn't ask Aunt Lillie to take the baby home with her. They have always been there for me, fighting for me, protecting and watching over me. I was very fortunate having my two older brothers.
When Aunt Lillie handed me to Daddy, I reportedly grabbed his collar with one little fist. Daddy would always laugh and say, “And she's had me by the collar ever since.”
Some bartering took place between Daddy and Aunt Lillie since there was no money. He asked her if a mess of the fresh pork would do for pay and she agreed. There may have been a few times when my parents wondered if they got beat in that trade.