A bit of history: The Carnegie was the Phoenix library from
1908 to 1954 and has the name of Andrew Carnegie a philanthropist from New York.
Since its restoration, it is now a center for community based organizations and
meeting places and speaking engagements.
One such meeting I attended was to
hear a speaker talk about DNA and Genealogy and also a talk about writing and
journaling.
When the session was over I went to
view the exhibits throughout the building.
The center houses beautiful quilts
that highlight women who have made a contribution in the betterment of Arizona
and have been inducted into the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame.
The quilts were all custom made with
the help of the Arizona Quilters Guild and also created and donated by three
members of the Phoenix Quilters Association, Patricia Bliss, Sara Friesen and
Nellie Lopes.
I swelled with pride when I spotted
Ms. Laura Heron, my Physical Education teacher when I attended Phoenix College
many moons ago.
If I remember correctly Ms Heron was up in age then but full of spunk.
As I moved over to see the rest of
the images, my heart really swelled when I saw one of my heroines Ms. Coleman
who we all know resurrected Juneteenth here in Phoenix. She also helped so many
others, as she used her voice to relay what tenents of the Matthew Henson Projects wanted the City of Phoenix to address.
When Ms Coleman talked, they
listened.
However I cannot help but let my mind wander
to her mother Ms. Bertie Bryant.
Now that lady was my savior when my kids were
small. As a single mother who had to work and needed someone who cared about
children Ms. Bryant was the answer to my prayer.
She was a gentle soul and my kids loved
her. My daughter Tish and nephew Anthony always were anxious to hit those steps
to her house on West Madison.
They didn’t fool me; I knew that she could cook way better than me
and they knew it too.
I wish I could tell her today how
much I appreciated her. Instead she will always remain in my thoughts and my
heart.
When I came home from the presentation I wondered where Ms Bryant came from. I was surprised to learn that she was actually from Henderson Texas, a city not far from Marshall Texas, my grandparents home.
Ms Bertie Bryant came from Henderson Texas and was first married to Robert Myers.
They lived on Railroad Street in 1920 according to the Rusk Co Census records.
Here is the excerpt view
I was curious to see if there may be a common name that shows up because I search all around that area.
I am hoping this 1900 census holds a clue
The wheels are turning in my Harrison
County Texas mind. Where are you with this McLemore name?
In the meantime, continue to Rest In Peace Ms Berta Bryant!
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