{This section introduces the families of Lizzy and Joe Dean}
My Great Grand-parents

So, let me tell you a story
‘bout a lad named Joe
Joseph Bell Dean
But we called him
Grandpa Joe.

He never knew his father
Or so the story goes.
He had one brother,
George was his name
This is still a puzzle

As everybody claims.
He tilled the soil and
Made farming his livelihood.
And as he grew older
He understood that

Young men fall in love
And want to be on their own.
So he married Grandma "Lizzie"
And they made their selves a home.

Elizabeth was his choice
                             to make his life complete;

Wait a minute ________ not quite yet
                                                                    A family we have to meet.

MARY NELSON,was {Lizzie’s} first born,
Then came Uncle Dan,
Uncle Cleve, was the third
Then Aunt Tina, and Grandma Maude,
And Uncle Charley, wanted to be heard
Along came Aunt Carrie, then Aunt Ellie,
Then   made the family nine
Uncle Arthur, Ira Russell,
Uncle Ray, Aunt Maggie,
Uncle Ot,And Uncle Clyde,
Completed the family line

Large families were not uncommon in those days of long ago,
They never had such modern things we now enjoy so.
Electric lights, and wash machines, remote controlled tv’s,
Indoor plumbing with padded seats and other things you see.
But, the one thing that was plentiful enough to pass around,
Was love, while happiness and contentment seemed to abound.
Their kids, well they grew up and married,
Had families of their own,
And made them selves a home.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Grandma "Lizzie" had brothers
and some sisters too.
Rhuhama, Henry,Charles and James
Sarah, Thomas, and Phoebe came.
"Lizzie"fit in at number six,
Jacob William arrived last,
making a large family fast.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I never knew my Great Grandparents
I only wish I had.
But, I can tell you more about
my Grandma Maude
 ................................................and all the kids she had.
~ ~

Maude Catherine, was her name the fifth in all the clan,
She married Ace Singleton – my grandfather he became.
They lived on Burns Run in Braxton County
Where Uncle Matt was born,
Then Aunt Goldie, Uncle Harry,
And my Dad Carris, came along,
Aunt Sylviawas next,
Then Aunt Pauline was added to the nest.
But wait a minute_____not quite yet,
Uncle Basil completes my list.
~ ~

No modern things did they have for life of ease,
Wash boards, plows and pumps outside wasn’t such a breeze.
On those snowy winter mornings when they couldn’t walk to school,
They rode on a sled, pulled by the old horse "Ned"
They listened to stories told by their elders, popped corn on the open fire.
It’s true they didn’t have much money, no fancy cars to drive,
But, lots of love filled their homes inside.
What greater heritage could one ask for, none other I have seen,
Of fondest memories of Grandpa Joe and Grandma "Lizzie" Dean.

Elizabeth Jane and Joseph Bell Dean
{My Direct Lineage}
Elizabeth, 6^th. Born to William and Luticia (Williams) Dean
Joseph, 2^nd. Born to Lucinda Jane Dean
(Jacob and Lucinda were brother and sister}
This making Elizabeth and Joseph 1^st. cousins
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Generation #4)
Elizabeth, born 3-9-1864/died 1944
Joseph, born 10-5-1864/died 1927
Married: 1880