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Saturday, April 25, 2015

LIfe Story--Aunts and Uncles--Grandma Anna

Written Friday, May 23, 2008.

List each of your aunts and uncles and tell one thing about each one of them.

"My mother's side started with Uncle Herbert Berry.  He was a dentist and invented the first polisher for teeth.  Then Uncle Oron Berry.  He was a kind husband and father.  Then Aunt Zella Berry Whiting.  Although they were married in the temple, he left he because she couldn't have children.  When I was 5 or 6 I had scarletina and she helped Grandma take care of me.  Then there was Uncle Elmer Berry.  He was like my mother and never got mad.  Then there was Aunt Etta Berry Heap.  She taught me how to crochet and I've loved it ever sense. 
"On my dad's side, he was the oldest.  Then Uncle Lawrence McCray.  I didn't know him very well.  He never was around St. Johns.  Uncle Paul McCray was a kind person, especially to Matthew.  He took him fishing, hunting, and just looking.  Uncle Wilford McCray was never around here much either, so I didn't know him at all.  Then Aunt Peggy.  She was a wonderful seamstress and made clothes for her 3 girls.  That's all."

LIfe Story--Peace--Grandma Anna

Written Thursday, May 22, 2008.

What brings you the most peace and why?


"Having the gospel, knowing of our Savior's atonement for us on condition of our repentance.  Attending the temple and all of our meetings.  Having a stalwart husband.  Having children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Having grandsons on missions.  All of these reasons are obvious of why they bring me peace."

Life Story--Sports--Grandma Anna

Written Wednesday, May 21, 2008.

What sports do you play?  Do you watch?  Do you like?

"I was never very good at sports, although when we went Home Teaching to Al and Shirley Anderson, their grandson was out trying to make baskets, but he missed.  Then Bill said,, "Let me try."  And he missed.  Then I, in my Sunday dress, said, "Let me try."  And it went in slick as glue and never touched the rim.
"I always went to the games Jim was in, and then Matthew.  Jim was very good at football and Matthew was very good at basketball.  Now we go to our great-grandsons'.  Before Mike and Marc went off to college and then their missions, I always went to their games.  Mike was into it more than Marc, but they were both good."

LIfe Story--Favorite Holiday--Grandma Anna

Written Tuesday, May 20, 2008.

What is your favorite holiday?  How do you celebrate it?

"Christmas is definitely my favorite.  I start playing Christmas music in July, and sometimes I start making things in January.  I love the pretty lights and ornaments.  I love the pretty music and the kindness people show to each other, because we feel the spirit of our Savior, which we should.  And we do try to keep his spirit with ujs always by studying, praying, and being kind."

Life story--Marriage--Grandma Anna

Written Monday, May 19, 2008.

What were your expectations and anticipations about getting married?

"I really didn't have any expectations or anticipations.  Bill and I went together for about 3 years before we married.  He worked on ranches and was out of town most of the three years. 
"He wasn't a member of the church and I wasn't active at all. After the missionaries came I developed a lot of expectations.  Attend church and all meetings when we could, because we were still on the ranch and even though gas was cheap, 5 gallons for a dollar, we made such a little amount of money. 
"But we had a house furnished for us until we bought one in town and left the ranch.  Bill worked at a service station for Carrol Shumway and I did sewing and cleaning for people.  I never dreamed Bill would become the Public Works Director for the city of St. Johns nor I become the County Assessor. 
"After that we did much better.  We kept Linda's twins on missions and helped her and Jim until he passed away August 10, 2007.
"I really miss him.  Strange we had 3 children.  Now we have one.  We are grateful for her, as well as the two boys that have passed away."

Life Story--Christmas Tree--Grandma Anna

Written Sunday, May 18, 2008.

Describe getting a Christmas tree with your family.  How did you decorate it?  When did you put it up?

"Bill and I and the children took a picnic and went to the mountains to get that special tree.  We brought it home and put it in a big metal bucket with rocks to hold it up straight.  Then we filled it with water.  We put the lights on first and then all the ornaments we had on the tree.  Sometimes we popped corn, not for the tree, but to eat while we looked at the tree.  Gradually gifts would be placed under the tree for everyone. 
"After Matthew passed away, Linda would invite us to have Christmas with her.  We still do.
"Now we both have a fake tree because of allergies."

Life Story--Music Lessons--Grandma Anna

Written Saturday, May 17, 2008.

What kind of lessons do you wish you could take (piano, violin, etc)?

"I took piano lessons for a while from Maine Olerton until they went on a mission.  When they came back she was ill from a slight stroke.  Then I had open hear surgery and went into cardiac arrest and lost most of my ability to play.  But if I wasn't so old I  might take lessons again.  It's harder for me to learn now, but I'll keep trying.  I did write a song, however, titled The Lord's Plan. So far everyone seems to like it."

LIfe Story--Weather--Grandma Anna

Written Friday, May 16th, 2008.

Describe the way the wind makes you feel.  Thunderstorms?

"The wind blows 80% of the time here.  A person always feels windblown.  I don't like thunderstorms, especially when they feel close and creates bad noises near the house.  When the Mormons were sent to settle St. Johns and surrounding areas, they didn't like the  wind and said as soon as the wind stopped they would move on.  But guess what!  They are still here."


Life Story--Grandparents--Grandma Anna

Written Thursday, May 15, 2008

Did you have a close relationship with your grandparents?  Tell about it.

"I did with my mom's side of the family.  When I was sick with scarletina, Grandma Sarah Roundy Berry and my mom's oldest sister took care of me.  My mom couldn't have me stay at home and expose the others to the illness.  Grandma Berry was a true saint.  I know her election was made sure just as I know my mother's was.  Grandpa Berry always had a pocket full of peppermint candy for any of the kids that came.  They were choice people."


Life Story--Sundays--Gandma Anna

Written Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Describe your Sundays with your family.

"There is just Bill and myself.  We do some home teaching because the people in Concho work and they would rather have us come on Sundays.  Sometimes we stay for a practice song for one of the meetings."


Life Story--First Date--Grandma Anna

Mrs. Merle Shumway
Written Monday, 13 May 2008

Describe your first date.  What was he like?

"It was my junior prom.  It was really scary because I didn't dance very well and most of the football players dance with me.  I know the coach made them dance with the less popular girls.  They couldn't dance any better than I could.  The only reason I could dance at all was because our music teacher, Mrs Merle Shumway, would have us dance once a week in music. She always had me dance with the football captain or one of the rich kids.  I think I was her favorite because she thought I looked just like her sister."


Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Life Story--Saturday--Grandma Anna

Written Monday, May 12, 2008

What is your favorite Saturday activity?

"I don't have a favorite that I know of.  It's generally visiting family, getting ready for Sunday, preparing lessons, getting music ready for Sacrament meeting and Relief Society, sewing gifts for birthdays or Christmas and new babies.  Mending, ironing, and just listening to music or watching TV.  Also  I always try to write to Elders Prentice, but most of the time it doesn't go out until Monday."

LIfe Story--Education--Grandma Anna

Written Sunday, May 11th, 2008

Did you receive your education somewhere other than school?

"Yes!  At home I learned to cook, sew, make quilts, sing, and be quiet when others were speaking.  Later in life I attended Real Estate classes while working in the Apache County Assessors office.  I worked there 32 years, 20 of them being the assessor."

Life Story--Junior High--Grandma Anna

Written Saturday, May 10, 2008

Describe a typical school day during your junior high years.

"A typical day would be to study hard and prepare for a test.  Some teachers were more kind than others.  However, it would depend on whether all of your family was "A" students or if only one of you worked for an "A".  But it's OK.  I learned compassion for the underprivileged, and am better for it."

Life Story--Favorite Scripture--Grandma Anna

Written Friday, May 9th, 2008

What is your favorite scripture?  Why?

Matthew 11:29, 30, 31
 28 ¶Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

"What I call heavy laden is loosing two sons.  But I am grateful for the gospel and the temple and family sealings. Also I feel heavy laden when others have trials and the only thing I can do is try to comfort them.  It's hard though, but we can do it."

Life Story--Healthy Life--Grandma Anna

Written Thursday, 8th May, 2008

What is your secret for good health?

"I'm really not the est person to ask that question.  I have had several surgeries including open heart.  I have a cow valve, a pig valve, and one partially repaired Tricuspid valve. The reason it wasn't finished is because my heart had been out too long.  Dr. Moon said he would finish it at a later time.  But I'm still around and I know it's because of the power of the Priesthood and prayer, and the faith that you can be healed.



Sunday, March 29, 2015

Life Story--Important Invention--Grandma Anna

Written Monday, May 7th, 2008.

What is the one invention that you could not live without and why?

"I have lived in places where there was no running water, nor bathroom facilities or drinking water, unless it was carried in from snow or ice melted.  It was very inconvenient needless to say.  Very  difficult to keep things clean as well as your clothes and bodies.  Very bad! Very bad!"

Life Story--Favorite Foods--Grandma Anna

Written Tuesday, May 6th, 2008.

What are your food preferences?  How did they come about?

"My preferences are must different now than they used to be.  I have been lactose and gluten intolerant for 6 years.  I probably like beans and rice and some vegetables and fruits.  There are some special things made for people like me, so we have a few more things we can eat.  Cheese made from oils and vegetable.  It took me a while to like some of the things, but I'm beginning to be satisfied with them."

Life Story--Religious Practices--Grandma Anna

Written May 5th, 2008, Monday

Tell about religion practiced in your home.  Any faith promoting stories.

"We had none.  When I was old enough to realize the gospel was true.  We never had prayer, blessing on the food, scripture study.  In fact, I don't remember seeing any kind of scriptures.  When the missionaries came to teach Bill, they taught me also."


Life Story--Musical Instrument--Grandma Anna

Written May 4, 2008, Sunday

What instrument did you play or wish you could play?

"I wanted to play the piano or violin, but we had neither one.  When we were married we got a piano for the kids to take lessons.  Linda got pretty good.  Jim took a few lessons.  And Matthew was beginning his lessons when he got cancer and passed away.  I try to practice some, but it's hard for me.
"When Maxine Ollerton gave me lessons, I got to where I could play hymns and other things.  Then she and Carl went on a mission.  Shortly after they came back, I had heart surgery and was in the hospital 2 months and 10 days.  Between that time I went into cardiac arrest and lost most of what I had learned."