Mamaw Russell

My maternal grandmother, Cleo Douglas Underwood, was born March 6, 1909 to John W. and Barsha Matilda "Lady" Underwood. She was later in life to become the world's greatest Mamaw, at least to Ann, Rick and me.

As a young woman she met and married Hobart Dewey Russell from 'down on the creek'. (Cloud's Creek). She had a job as one of Rogersville's telephone operators...Mayberry had Sarah, Rogersville had Cleo. As a courtesy, she would call different wives at the sound of the noon factory whistle so they would know it was time to put the biscuits or cornbread in to bake in order for it to be done by the time their husbands walked home for dinner. She pretty much knew all the business in town and I mean "all". She knew it because she had to connect all the calls. A lady who ran the local millinery (hat shop) in town was having an affair with a married man. As "hush payment", the shop owner kept Mamaw in the finest and most stylish hats available. (I still have one of those hats!)

She bore 3 children...Fred, Virginia "Gin" (my mom) and H.D. "Dee" and raised them in church. She endured the sending of a son to war, the letting go of a 21 year old daughter to go with her young husband to Kansas for the Air Force and then the tragedy of losing a 17 year old son in car wreck on a cold January night. (She told me she heard "death bells" that night when she turned down his bed covers prior to learning of his death.) She also knew the sorrow in losing a husband by death.

She had a reputation for her delicious cakes and wedding mints. She kept the mint recipe a secret but would graciously share her other recipes. Her peanut butter roll was to die for along with her fudge, pimento cheese and anything else she made.

Mamaw was known for her jovial manner and kind-hearted giving spirit and she possessed the gift of hospitality.

I know of only one time when she 'got mad'. This occurred when women would use a 'dishpan' to wash dishes in. Apparently Mamaw was doing the supper dishes and another woman came to her back door making false accusations about her. Trying to reason with the woman and tell her it was not true what she was saying was making no headway. Finally, the accusing woman called Mamaw a "liar". Needless to say, that didn't set well and Mamaw proceeded to throw the dish water on the woman. That cooled the woman off...literally and no more problems arose.

She taught me to crochet and decoupage. She loved her Home Demonstration meetings, Keenagers, but most of all she loved her family and her Lord. We live in her home....sometimes I can still smell her. I miss her so much. I'm so thankful to have had her as my Mamaw!

In June of 1985, we lost the matriarch of our family. She would have been 105 today. BTW/ her nickname was "Hotlips"!