Why were you invited to this newsletter? This is what all of us have in common.
In the early stages of the website some very interesting family history was included. It took us back to the early 1780's with Charles and Sarah Marshall, the parents of Mathew Marshall Ford a Slave. It went on to tell us how Jane Ford a free woman married a slave and so Mathew took on her Surname. And finally, it explained our Early beginnings in what is known as Culpeper, Virginia.
You may not have been a history buff, but Culpeper was the sight of the most military battles in the Civil war. Why is this important to Our family. Jane and Mathew (a former slave) ran a commissary for the Union Army in the midst of the war. Less than a mile away from the homestead was a military jail.
You have to ask yourself: What kind of People were Our Family! Some of our new readers may still ask : Why is Jane and Mathew important to us. Well Jane and Mathew fathered Richard Ford who married Sarah and had Mary T who in turn married Dock Stroud. Well, hold on Dock and Mary had 5 daughters who eventually moved to Mount Vernon, N.Y and married into the Haden, Tucker, Michael, Ford and Wyatt Family. Need I say more?
Welcome to the 135th Edition
Peace and love Family,
Here we are racing into September. If you don't know as a family we are celebrating two monumental events. First our Matriarch Jean Tucker Grant will be celebrating her 97th birthday in New York. We will share later on some information on our illustrious Queen. And secondly, Sept 23rd. we will gather as a family to participate in Las Vegas, Nevada's Relay For Life.
Both of these event's mean a lot to us as a family. We hope you will make every effort to either participate or support these two events!
Here we are entering September and again we must remind the family a new strand of this covid virus has reared it's head. Please take the necessary precautions to protect yourselves and the your household. We have counted our blessings in being here today despite how rampart the virus ran. Each of you is important to us and so with love with ask you to be diligent in taking care.
We do not have the first day back to school photos, because none were sent. We do wish all of our returning students a successful school year. In the past we have provided a list of scholarships for High School Seniors. Should anyone be interested or in the need we will again provide an updated list. Please let me know by emailing me at fullergail@hotmail.com
Once again this newsletter is design to keep us informed on the family happenings near and far. So please let us know if you have questions or need us
Much love to everyone
Honoring Jean Osborn Tucker Grant
Jean O Tucker Grant was born to Harry P Tucker Sr and Helen Stroud Tucker. She is the oldest daughter born to this union on Sept 9th 1926 in Mount Vernon, New York. Jean is the proud mother six children, five daughters and one son. Her son Joseph M Grant predeceased her as did her daughter Susan Grant Wilson. Today Jean's daughters Joan Jordon, Victoria Kershaw, Denise Jones and Debra Strand care for her needs.
Jean is not only the Matriarch of this family but a highly respected member of the Mount Vernon, NY community. Early on Jean was one of the founders of the Community Action Group. It was an organization that came into being during the early 6o's. Jean was a voice for organization and community development. Ms. "CAG " as she was fondly referred to was the " go to person" if there was an issue, a question or a need for a resource. Jean gave her life to uplifting the City of Mount Vernon, and to this day her name and work is greatly revered.
So on Sept 9th we ask everyone to show your love by sending prayers and cards to our Matriarch. Your cards should be addressed to Jean Grant c/o Sarah Newman Rehab 845 Palmer Avenue, Larchmont, New York . Please let her feel your love and the honor she so rightly deserves.
For our family at 97 she is a treasure.
The voice of Jean O Tucker Grant as remembered by her daughters:
Denise Jones: "Some people are too much candy for a nickel"!
Victoria Kershaw: Mom would say if a couple who was not married and lived together, "they are doing some heavy rooming"
Joan Jordon: Mom would say so much with lots of laughter. Most of it was about Hope for a better world, and nothing is more powerful than hope. "You can think...You can work... You can dream. If you have hope you have everything, Most of all Help one another with a big Smile!!
Debra Strand: "Sometimes it's hard to seek all the right words to honor Mom. The words aren't enough. My Mom was the most loving generous person even when we had nothing, but we had love., I can go on and on about Mom, how she made us feel like we were rich.. I remember asking her that question. She laughed whole heartedly and said no. Those who know Jean,and that laugh that could be heard miles away. Well at age 12 , no was not acceptable. We had to be well off even though we didn't have a lot.
Even to this day I continue to feel the richness that she instilled in us to care about others, love each other and most importantly be thankful to God. Her community mindedness still has people calling and asking about her; testifying about the help and the love she exuded.
The nursing home staff tell us every day your mom is a strong woman at 97 and we are rich that she is still impacting the world in her small way, I Love Jean Osborn
Relay for life Southern Nevada Sept 23, 2023
Here we go family, we are Relaying once again in Las Vegas, Nevada under the esteem leadership of Mary Royster Harris and Michele Harris Dixon. With 30 years of experience these ladies are bring us together again to support the American Cancer Society, to honor our family members who had cancer and raise noise and funds for our Cancer survivors. If you have never done Relay, you need to make plans to join us for what will be one of the best experiences of a lifetime. Our team names are Sisters from the Heart and Royster Family and Friends. Come on don't be shy join us and support us!
All of us have been affected by cancer at one time or another. As a family we're working to bring new research, medication, information and support to all
The link to our Team page is https://secure.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLCY23SOR?px=49334797&pg=personal&fr_id=105187
You can join our team or you can make a donation in any amount we greatly appreciate all you do
Prayer Warriors
Please remain vigil in praying for our Family. Let your prayer for keeping us together as a functioning and happy ( with our flaws) family be heard daily. Family, pray for our Elders and their children who care tirelessly for them. Never forget our Matriarchs!
Prayers going out as we remember Sept 11th for the victims and their families
With that being said someone needs our prayers for healing. I don't know what the issue is, I do know our prayers will give them the strength to keep on fighting. Take a minute to reach out to someone you've lost touch with, you'll be surprised what this can do.. Please take a minute and ask the Most High for healing Grace. I know you can and will do this! All Praises due
Good News:
Happy 17th Anniversary to Charles Jr and Shaneyle. Tripp Tucker.
Happy Birthday Yasin Riley
Our History:
For my Michael line we are sharing a rare photo of Robert "Bobby" Michael and his mother Rachel Stroud Michael Stewart. Rachel was the daughter of "Papa Dock" Benjamin Stroud and Mary T Ford. of Culpeper, Virginia. Rachel came to New York in the early 1930's.where she met and married William Michael Jr. from Charleston South Carolina . The couple wedded on Sept 3, 1933 in Mount Vernon, New York. To this union was born Bobby Michael an only child.
Rachel worked for many years as a maid and seamstress. She had a flare for decorating her home and making her clothes. Rachel married again in 1958 to Albert Lee Stewart who died in 1983 We hope you will find this photo enjoyable. . The gentleman in the photo is Albert Lee Stewart , Rachels last husband.
Rachel died of Brain Cancer on Feb 15,1992 at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, New York
Wider Horizon Virtual Book Club
You are invited to join us in our zoom book club meeting on the last Saturday in Sept. As we review, " .
Stop in and see what this group is all about. Bring your glass. We believe you will be pleasantly surprised and drawn into joining us again. All ages are welcome to join us.
