How about this, Gus?

Gus Keasler died when he was 32 and Mama was only 15 months old. Just look at the family she has given him - a hefty group of descendants. And some "look alikes."

This picture was taken this time two years ago when we gathered to celebrate Mama's 90th birthday. The real day is December 25 - Christmas Day. She used to tell us that she often felt short-changed because she did not have her own day for her birthday - "like everybody else."

Louie Keasler Diggle will be 93 this year.

Happy Birthday, Mama.

ABOUT THE GUS LOOK-ALIKES


This picture of Mama and Grand Dad Gus was taken in 1916. She was about a year old. He was 31. Its the only picture we have of him after he graduated from college.

Gus is no longer a lean and trim football player and his hair is on the wane.



My candidate for the one who looks the most like Grand Dad Gus in the third generation is Henry Smith, Lynda'a oldest son. I hope to have a better picture to make my case.
Until then just compare the receding hair patterns on both guys.


Introducing Henry's mother, Lynda, of backwards alphabet note.

Mama always said, "Lynda is the Keasler." She is also the woman who told us, "Never argue with your mother." Hmmm.



Introducing Christine Keasler Bidwell, Gus's sister.

I guess Mama knows her Keasler look-alikes.



I don't know much about Aunt Christine.
She was born in Sandy Springs, S.C. - just like Gus.
Christine lived with Granny's mother, Alice Shaffer Hall, in Charlotte while she was going to nursing school. I have a letter from Gus to Granny talking about how important it was for Christine to complete her schooling so that she would have a way to earn a living.

Christine married "Dr" Bidwell. They lived in Greenville, SC.
I went to visit them when I was about 13. She was a lovely, sweet woman, who made me feel right at home, even though we did not know each other. They lived in a large white "southern house" with a wide front porch that wrapped around three sides. You entered into a wide front hall with parlors on either side. That house made quite an impression on me.

Dr. Bidwell had a clinic in the house. He was a homeopathic practioner and people stayed with them during their course of treatments. I remember that at dinner Aunt Christine gave me a little salt shaker in the kitchen and told me to use it on the food," it won't taste good to you without salt, because you are not used to it." She was so right. Anyone know the story, "Like Meat Loves Salt?"

This is what's known as "piecing the bits" to try and make the story.