Happy Birthday Mom
89 years ago today Relma Irene Whitman Layne was born. She was the sixth child of Allen and Mary Jane Whitman who lived in Logan County, WV. I want to tell Mom's life story with pictures. Even though she lost her mother early, she was raised with so much love around her. Growing up I was amazed at how "aunts" I had. She had two sisters and three brothers, as well as nine "foster sisters" whom we referred to as our aunts! The following pictures will hopefully explain Mom's "large" family!
My mother's mother - Mary Jane Fowler Whitman died on February 29, 2009 - my mother was only a day old. This picture is the only one Mom has of her mother!
My grandfather - Allen Whitman - had five young children at home who were way to young to care for a new born baby. My grandfather worked for the railroad and couldn't stop working. He had to decide who would help care for his new born daughter - Relma Irene Whitman.
My grandfather made the decision that would be best for my mother. He gave my mother to his brother and wife - William and Polly Ann McDonald Whitman -who already had eleven children (10 girls and one boy). The older girls were basically given the responsibility of caring for my mother. One aunt in particular took charge of Mom - Aunt Keller.
This is a picture of most of my "aunts" and Granny Polly - who is pictured in the middle. Aunt Keller is in the back row on the left.
My grandfather made the decision that would be best for my mother. He gave my mother to his brother and wife - William and Polly Ann McDonald Whitman -who already had eleven children (10 girls and one boy). The older girls were basically given the responsibility of caring for my mother. One aunt in particular took charge of Mom - Aunt Keller.This is a picture of most of my "aunts" and Granny Polly - who is pictured in the middle. Aunt Keller is in the back row on the left.
Aunt Keller is holding Mom - oh how I do see John in Mom's face! :)
Mom is standing in the front with my Aunt Ruby on the right - not sure who is on the left! :(
A working lady on the front steps of her home with her niece, nephew, and cousins. Diana (in front) and Brian (on the left) are the children of my Dad's oldest brother who happened to marry one of Mom's foster sisters. Her cousins became her niece and nephew officially when she and Dad married. Mom worked at the Logan County Courthouse and was witness to many marriages taken place there! After she and Dad were married, she had a full time job as a housewife and mother.
This a picture of Mom and Dad before he went into the service and before they were married!Dad wore his hair straight. Mom says this is how we know when the pictures of Dad were taken.
Notice Dad's hair style!! This is after the war and after Mom and Dad were married!!!
A happy mother with her first born - Dink!
She looks serious (as do John, Mike, and me) -wonder if we were in trouble??? :):)
This was taken during the 60's - one of Aunt Keller's visit to see her "daughter" and family. Aunt Keller had no children of her own, but considered Mom her own. Aunt Keller was married for a short time - her husband was killed in a mine accident. The ring I wear with my wedding band belonged to her. It was given to me after her death. It is a ring I will always cherish!
One of my favorite pictures of Mom and Dad taken when they went to Nagshead, NC.
This is one I've posted many times - Mom and Dad's 50th anniversary.
Mom and her four kids 2006.
Mom waiting to go to church - 2008.
This was taken in front of the house where Mom was raised. Mom is on the right - love that hairdo!!!
This is a picture of Granny Polly and Mom's real father - Pappaw Pud. Mom said she always called Granny - Mom; Granny's husband was called Dad; and her real father was called "my Dad!" Everyone made sure Mom knew her "real" family.
This picture is of my mother's "real" siblings, their spouses, and Pappaw Pud. Mom's three brothers are Uncle Bunk (in the front), Uncle Tab (2nd row on the left), and Uncle Tommy on the right in the back row) ; her sisters are Aunt Agnes (3rd row on the right), and Aunt Olive (in the center with my uncle's arms around her; Pappaw Pud in on the right (2nd row with the hat on); and Mom is on the left in the back row. (Dad is in front of her!)
This is Mom in her "Rosie the Riveter" pose. During the war, Mom went to Ypsilanti, Michigan and worked in a plane factory. She said they never saw the finished product!
This picture is of my mother's "real" siblings, their spouses, and Pappaw Pud. Mom's three brothers are Uncle Bunk (in the front), Uncle Tab (2nd row on the left), and Uncle Tommy on the right in the back row) ; her sisters are Aunt Agnes (3rd row on the right), and Aunt Olive (in the center with my uncle's arms around her; Pappaw Pud in on the right (2nd row with the hat on); and Mom is on the left in the back row. (Dad is in front of her!)This is Mom in her "Rosie the Riveter" pose. During the war, Mom went to Ypsilanti, Michigan and worked in a plane factory. She said they never saw the finished product!
This picture was taken around 1940 - my beautiful mother!
A working lady on the front steps of her home with her niece, nephew, and cousins. Diana (in front) and Brian (on the left) are the children of my Dad's oldest brother who happened to marry one of Mom's foster sisters. Her cousins became her niece and nephew officially when she and Dad married. Mom worked at the Logan County Courthouse and was witness to many marriages taken place there! After she and Dad were married, she had a full time job as a housewife and mother.
This a picture of Mom and Dad before he went into the service and before they were married!Dad wore his hair straight. Mom says this is how we know when the pictures of Dad were taken.Notice Dad's hair style!! This is after the war and after Mom and Dad were married!!! A happy mother with her first born - Dink!She looks serious (as do John, Mike, and me) -wonder if we were in trouble??? :):)
A picture of Mom and Dad from one of the church's picture directory!!! Taken after Dad's cataract surgery - no glasses!!!
One of my favorite pictures of Mom and Dad taken when they went to Nagshead, NC.
One of the many "family" pictures of Mom, Dad, and the four kids - John, Mike, Dink, and me (Sue).
This is one I've posted many times - Mom and Dad's 50th anniversary.
Mom and her four kids 2006.
Mom waiting to go to church - 2008.
Mom is a trooper. Throughout her entire life she has helped nurse back to health many family members which included my grandparents as well as helping out with aunts and uncles who came to Huntington for various reasons. Dad was the one who depended on her the most. It was 1972 when he had his first heart attack and after that, she kept a very close eye on him. He was the love of her life and she misses him very much - we all do.
She lost her mother after only being one day old. But she lost her other "mothers" much later. Granny Polly was a mother to her as were my Aunt Keller and other aunts who were old enough to help raise Mom. Then she lost my Dad, and three years later she lost a child. How hard it must be to lose a child. She has pulled herself together and because of her perseverance, she has given us all the strength to go on with our lives.
The last two weeks has been tough - her oldest son - Dink suffered a stroke and then a heart attack. She has been very upset, but was so pleased when she received a call and Dink sang Happy Birthday to her. Two week ago we didn't think this would ever happen. She has had a good birthday.
Next year, when she turns 90, we hope to have a birthday celebration for her!
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