1956. I was six, Jerry Gravley was nine. We lived at the upper end of Furman Hall Rd. and our long sandy driveway ran parallel the full length of Foister St. My Gravley grandparents and Aunt Minnie lived at the end of Foister St. Jo Posey Singleton was our neighbor and Jerry and I would play badmitton with her across the fence. Sharron Davis Hawkins was another neighbor. She had a pony and later was the teen with a super cool Mustang to drive. David Lister’s aunts lived next to us on another angle and it was always a pleasure to talk to the famous Hovie Lister (The Statesmen). We had many other super nice and unique and unusual neighbors. (See my story re: Bluegene Cross.) One great pastime was walking down Furman Hall Road a couple of miles to the Greenville Humane Society. Duke, the first seeing eye dog in Greenville was buried there with a special marker. Mother would let Jerry and me walk to get us a pet. It only cost about $2 back then for the adoption fee. We would stop by Dan Hunts Gas Station and buy a Fanta Grape for fifteen cents and a Zero Bar for a dime. The 291 By Pass was developed in the early 1960’s creating fun sitting on the red dirt cliff waving at the truck drivers and gesturing for the drivers to blow their air horns. A little later the 291 Cafe opened and we could get 4 hot dogs for a dollar.I might find neighbors like Jeri Stafford walking along the way. As we crossed 291, we would stop and play at the pond behind Stone Manufacturing. Later on Barbara Holcombe Gregory and I would play softball in the field behind their house and her brother Dickie would be with my good friend Nick Howard and we would walk to a baseball game at the textile league games on the Stone field.
Brother Jerry and I were good friends. Time separated us and later illness built bigger barriers.
Jerry died in the ER of Greenville Memorial two years ago while I was in the 17 day coma here in Greenwood. What a horrible time for my mom and my family. God took Jerry and left me behind with other tasks to complete. Right now, it is to take care of Joy Gravley in the hospital bed here next to me…..and to help home school the grand sons. We all will not have thrones here on Earth . I will see my Christian friends at the feet of Jesus on the throne of God.
Be there!
It will be more refreshing than a Fanta Grape….and the price is already paid.
I chose to add this hymn to my story. God works in mysterious ways for sure as I chose which drink I would include in the story and for the title…Then I noticed the name of the person who wrote the score for this hymn…
This portion copyright from http://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org
Jesus Paid it All – The Lyrics
The words to the song “Jesus Paid It All” was written by Elvina Hall in 1865. Being prompted by his wife, John T. Grape wrote the score. However it was Grape’s Pastor, Rev. George W. Schrek who believed the score and Hall’s words should be paired together. The song appeared in a hymnal for the first time in 1868.
Excerpts from Jesus Paid It All
I hear the Savior say
Thy strength indeed is small
Child of weakness….watch and pray
Find in me….thine all in all
Chorus:
Jesus paid it all
All to Him I owe
Sin hath left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone
For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calvary’s Lamb