Love Appreciated: A Grandson's Perspective
by Harold Burquess (grandson of Viola Barnette; Son of her daughter Kathleen; Now lives in Maryland)

It is early morning. So early, that the first rooster crow has not yet signaled the coming of a new day - it is still midnight dark outdoors. But, a new day has begun because a daily early riser is stirring in the kitchen. The stirring is almost noiseless, so well planned by the early riser to ensure that the people for whom breakfast is being prepared will only be awakened by the aroma of food. Bacon, sausage, biscuits, coffee accompany the savory smells of homemade applesauce with cinnamon, and a variety of fruit jams and jellies, and of course, grits. Often times, fried perch and/or salmon croquettes grace the breakfast table. Biscuits are the main attraction, and Sunday breakfasts might feature fried eggs sunny side up.

As you enter the dining/kitchen area, the warmest, sweetest and robust "good morning" greets you from the early riser. The early riser's nine children call her "Momma." Momma's grandchildren call her "Grandmomma" or "Grandmother." Community children, young adults, and some adults call the early riser "Ms. Barnette" or Ms. Viola." Other adults call her "Viola." By any of these names, she is the same to each caller - a model of inspiration, dignity, composure, quiet humor, and spiritual harmony.

The same care and dedication that Grandmother gave to provide her family a savory and nutritious breakfast, she utilized to attain her early in life spiritual goal - baptism. Later, she met her family/community goal-continuing education for Black children of Madison County beyond the seventh grade. It is crystal clear that Grandmother's mission for her family was ongoing. The mission was to instill in us, her descendants, the necessity to be:

• Responsible


• Educated, and


• Spiritually Balanced Citizens

Grandmother set examples for us, that being responsible to God, our family, the community, and to ourselves, was a duty. She reminded us that becoming educated was also a duty. She forged in our minds that the better educated we become, the more responsible we would be. In her smiling and always composed demeanor, she taught us that spiritual balance, faith in our Creator, family, and self, provides us the confidence and skills to effectively communicate with any person, regardless of their station in life.