Fourscore years ago on this very day, a beautiful baby girl was born to Gregory & Lynn Coleman. The doctors made a comment that this beautiful baby girl sparkled like a precious jewel, and thus she was christened Vivian Jewel.
That’s right—my Gramma Jewel is officially eighty years
old today!
Seeing as how this is her very special day, y’all already
know that I’m dedicating today’s blog post to her. In writing this blog post, I
realize that I could very easily mention eighty fun factoids about my beautiful
grandmother, but I’ve decided to mention only twenty… and here they are:
1. The name Vivian is Greek for “vivacious and
lively,” and every man, woman, and child can attest to the fact that Gramma
Jewel definitely lives up to her name.
2.
Gramma Jewel stands only five-foot-three, but her
genuinely big heart makes her at least seven feet tall.
3.
One of Gramma Jewel’s favorite sayings is: “I
was born, raised, and educated in the state of Mississippi.”
4.
Her nickname is “Delta Jewel,” which was given
to her by her father.
5.
Gramma Jewel is a proud Bearcat; she graduated
from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi—Class of 1957, with a Bachelor’s
Degree in Sociology.
6.
In an ironic twist of fate, Gramma Jewel met and
fell in love with the late Clark Kenneth Jones after the two were in a minor
car collision. The two ultimately were wed on June 2, 1962.
7.
Gramma Jewel will tell you in a heartbeat that
her favorite gifts are her five rambunctious but lovable children—Anthony Thomas,
Ronald Lawrence, Cheryl Yvette, Gregory Joseph, and Danielle Renee.
8.
There is a reason why I call her “Gramma Jewel,”
and it has everything to do with the fact that I am one of her “Magnificent
Seven.” She picked the perfect nickname for Candace Cassandra, Lionel Clark,
Vanessa Joyce, Calvin James, Matthew Edward, Patricia Lynn, and of course—yours
truly.
9.
Gramma Jewel’s favorite hymn is “Near The Cross.”
She actually sang this song at Great Gramma Lynn’s homegoing celebration.
10.
Don’t let Gramma Jewel’s height, age, and
silver-grey hair fool you—she has been known open a good number cans of
whoop-ass when someone has pissed her off.
11.
Gramma Jewel lives by this credo: “Ain’t no ugly
folks in our family, and if there are, then that’s on them!”
12.
In her eighty years of living, Gramma Jewel only
has three best friends: Mildred Ann Vanderkellen (childhood friend), Gladys
Lorraine Nelson (college friend), and Thelma Jean Davis (church friend).
Whenever these four ladies get together, it’s an automatic party.
13.
Gramma Jewel loves rap music. Some of her
favorite rap songs are: “You Know How We Do It” by Ice Cube, “How Ya Do Dat
Dere” by Master P, and “Rappers Delight” by the Sugar Hill Gang.
14.
Gramma Jewel debuted her strawberry seven-up
cake in a 1997 Baking Contest… and she won the grand prize!
15.
Gramma Jewel’s childhood mentor was Mrs. Shirley
Ruth Madison, a lady who lived across the street from her back in Ruleville.
16.
Gramma Jewel convinced a mugger to turn himself
in to the police, and all she used was her sweet, loving voice.
17.
Gramma Jewel got her fifteen minutes of fame in
the spring of 2010. She, my Cousin Candace, and the Douglases were in front row
at the Ol’ Skool Wrestling Homecoming pay-per-view, and she looked like she was
having a grand ol’ time!
18.
Gramma Jewel has had three pastors in her
lifetime: Reverend Thurmond Marshall at the Solid Rock Methodist Church in
Ruleville, Mississippi; Reverend Frank Austin at the Ark of Safety Baptist
Church in Memphis, Tennessee; and Reverend Stanley D. Richardson at the First Baptist
Church of Culver City, California.
19.
Of all that Gramma Jewel has accomplished, she
says that her greatest achievement is getting an opportunity to put a smile on
someone’s face… and I can testify that she does a great job in that department.
20.
Gramma Jewel doesn’t believe in high-heeled
shoes or pierced ears—they are just not for her.
In closing this very special blog post, I want to dedicate
this song to my beautiful grandmother, Mrs. Vivian Jewel Jones.
Smooches,
Natasha
Natasha
No comments:
Post a Comment