10/28/20
Great Grandmother Martha Ann (Matty Durrett Roberts) died on this day, Oct 28, 1946
Martha Ann Durrett
Sex: F
Born: 17 August 1863
Pulaski, Giles, Tennessee, United States                             
Death
28 October 1946 SHE DIED THIS DAY IN 1946
Malakoff, Henderson, Texas, United States
Burial
30 October 1946
Malakoff, Henderson, Texas, United States
Dear Roberts Cousins,
After reading Chip’s post about his family research, I remembered an email I
received from Family Search last week about my Great Grandmother. I had not
looked up the information until today. Grandma Roberts must have wanted me to
look up the information because I found errors. They had her dying in Houston,
Texas and being buried in Pulaski, Tennessee. Since I was there in Malakoff when
she died and also at her burial, I corrected the information. Perhaps there was
another Martha Ann Durrett, but I believe this information is correct now. In 1946 I
was 8 years old and living in Oklahoma with my grandparents, Oscar and Grace
Roberts Henderson. We received word that Grandma Roberts was very sick, so my
Grandmother and I went to Malakoff to be with Grandma. My Granddad, Oscar,
was the Church of Christ minister in this Oklahoma town and Grandmother
operated a beauty shop. My Grandmother decided to move back to Malakoff and
help take care of Grandma. I still remember when we got there, Grandma was sick
in bed and coughing really hard. (Back then, no one went to the hospital) I am not
sure how long she lasted after we got there, perhaps only a few days. I remember
when we arrived; Gary Jackson was there with Grandma and Grandpa Roberts.
The next thing I remember was being on the front porch and watching the hearse
take Grandma away. As the hearse was leaving, I can still see, as if yesterday, a
car coming as the hearse was leaving. It was Uncle Dunn, Lizzie Bell, and Phyllis
trying to get there before she passed away. Since I was only 8 years old and today
at 82, I have forgotten most of what transpired. I find in very ironic that today, Oct.
28, is the day she died, 74 years ago. I remember Grandma as a very nice lady and
she was easy to love. On previous visits she fixed me a cup of coffee which I
begged for. (Of course it was 99 % milk). There is another thing I remember; on the
back porch area was an ice box where they kept the milk that came from their cow.
I still can taste that milk from another time when we were there and it was very
bitter. I was told it was due to the cow eating bitter weeds which were in
abundance throughout the pasture.  (Can you believe, that weed Grandpa fought
to get rid of is now on the endangered species list)  
Included you will find a poem written by my Aunt (Martha Grace Henderson Farrell)
which pretty well describes Grandma Roberts.

This poem was written by Martha Henderson Farrell, the daughter of Oscar and Grace Roberts
Henderson and the granddaughter of A. M. and Martha Roberts.   In the poem she describes her
recollections of Grandma Roberts      She mentioned “craw-daddin. Near Uncle Edgar’s house was a
small pond where crawfish were found.

“My Guardian Angel”
By Martha Henderson Farrell
© Martha Henderson Farrell 1950


When I was a little girl, many years ago;
There was no place like Grandma’s to visit to and fro.
Never another so kind, with the patience of Job;
She reminded me of Jesus, in a white flowing robe.

She was handy with a needle, and little scraps of cloth,
When an article was finished it was always sought.
Her grandchildren were large in number,
but she caressed each one;
Giving of herself freely, 'til the day was done.

She was never so busy that she couldn't take time, to
Listen to your chatter, or get bait for a line;
For there's a little fishing place that I always liked to go;
And no matter when I asked her, she never said, "No".

Dropping what she was doing, and not minding the time;
She would get me some string and a piece of meat rind;
If you’ve never been "craw~daddin", when you were among
The young, then you don’t know what you’ve missed,
"Cause it sure is fun.
All alone or with playmates, whatever the case;
It makes the makes the world seem friendlier with the whole human race.

I can remember seeing a picture in her hall, of a child and
A Guardian Angel, hanging on the wall.
My, what an impression, as a child, that made on me;
I’ve kept it in my memory, of what could be.

Holidays were feast time, with company galore;
At Grandma’s they all gathered, but not any more.
Her days on earth have ended, but her presence
is here, still;
For my thoughts, feeling and love for her,
Are very much real

Most people have feelings, mine are strong and warm,
That “Grandma” is “My Guardian Angel”
Who keeps me from harm.
Everyone should have a Guardian Angel, this much I know;
It gives such a protected feeling of warmth and glow.

If there was ever an angel on earth, my Grandma was one.
As she enters the Pearly Gates,
They’ll say to her, “Well Done”.
For Grandma was a saintly lady, believing
Not in things worldly made;
Living each day fully, unrushed and unafraid.

If you’ve experienced these feelings,
That you couldn’t quite explain;
Maybe someone’s watching over you, on a much higher plane.
Listen for your Guardian Angel, and always give heed;
It will surely lift your spirits, in a time of need.


Copyright ©1950 by Martha Grace Henderson Farrell