Ms Alberta’s Mother – Myrtle Evabelle Vaughn Shoupe

I've talked a lot about Ms Alberta’s sense of humor. I believe she must have gotten a lot of that from her mother, Myrtle “Mom” Shoupe.

In 1956 we were living on Old 31W, now called Sportsman’s Lake Road, in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. I remember one year Mom and Pop had come to visit us. We were going on a picnic to Lincoln Farm in Hodgenville. Pop, Danny and Dad had gone on ahead to find a good place for us to set up and Ms Alberta, Mom Shoupe, my sister, Jean and I were to follow with the goodies for the picnic. Somehow we got locked out of the house and Ms Alberta remembered we didn’t have a knife for the watermelon.

Mom Shoupe loved watermelon and was determined we were going to have some to eat at the picnic. The only way to get back into the house for a knife was through a bedroom window.

Mom Shoupe took one of the folding chairs we had in the car; climbed up on that and then through the window. On her way back out Mom Shoupe got so tickled it was all she could do to get out the window. I guess it was a good thing that she had handed the knife to Ms Alberta or there could have been an accident.

Mom Shoupe

Ms Alberta in Texas, 2000

I had mentioned that Ms Alberta had taken a trip to Texas to see her sister, Sue. One of the things Ms Alberta was supposed to have done was take a ride around the block on her nephew’s motorcycle.

How about it Derrick? Did she actually go for a spin or did she just sit on the back for show?

Derrick and Ms Alberta, Texas – 2000

Ms Alberta's Immediate Family - Harlan, KY

Ms Alberta had two sisters, Ardith Faye and Dessie Sue

Faye was born just before Ms Alberta turned six. Ms Alberta was ten when Willis was born and was thirteen the year Sue was born.

All four of the Shoupe children were born in Harlan County, Kentucky where Pop Shoupe worked in the coal mines.

 Faye and Ms Alberta

 Ms Alberta, Sue, Faye, Pop and Willis Shoupe

Mom and Pop Shoupe

Ms Alberta’s Only Brother

Ms Alberta only had one brother, Willis Ray Shoupe; he was the third born child. Considering that he was the only boy he wasn't too spoiled by everyone; but he was sure the tag a long kid. Willis followed everyone around almost as badly as Ms Alberta’s little sister, Sue.

Willis joined the service to get out of the coal mines. It was while he was in the Army that Pop Shoupe got a job with the Goodyear Corporation in Akron, Ohio.

After Willis enlistment was up he went home to his family in Akron, Ohio where he got a job with the Ford Motor Company. The workers at Ford nicknamed him “Big Bill” Shoupe. I don’t know if this was because he was a really big man or if there was another Bill working for Ford.

Bill liked to gamble. Horseracing, dog races, the lottery; he played them all. Bill used the same numbers all the time. He always said that was the secret to his luck. One thing for sure, Bill did win. He even won an Irish Sweepstakes using the same numbers that he used for stateside lotteries.

Willis worked for the Ford Motor Company through strikes, layoffs, and rehires until retirement.

He died of cancer May 10, 2000.

 Willis age 16      Willis age    20

Ms Alberta’s Eightieth Birthday

August 1, 2006, we all gathered at Ms Alberta’s in Upton, KY for what was supposed to be a surprise eightieth birthday party. Every one brought a dish so Ms Alberta wouldn’t have to cook.

When we arrived we found Ms Alberta was out in her rock garden planting some new flowers that she had found at Lowe’s in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. We took her picture and wished we could be as young as Ms Alberta was at eighty. Then we all went inside with our dishes and there we were met with a surprise.

As almost always happens in a big family like ours, someone had let the cat out of the bag and Ms Alberta had baked some of her Banana Nut Bread and lots of her famous Egg Custard Pies. We all liked birthday cake and ice cream; but a slice of Ms Alberta’s egg custard or a piece of her banana nut bread, beat the cake and ice cream every time.

Ms Alberta in her rock garden in Upton, KY

Ms Alberta’s Shoulder Injury

Ms Alberta came back from Texas in January 2001. At the time she was still smoking and since I have asthma she didn’t smoke in the house but would go outside to smoke.

January in Kentucky is not warm so I had made a place in the garage for Ms Alberta to smoke. There were chairs, a table and a kerosene heater to help her stay warm while she was indulging her habit of more than fifty years.

I always tried to keep the patio and walk clear of snow and ice for her walks to the garage but early one morning after a snow during the night; the patio and walkway were clear but had not had deicer put on them yet. They were really slick and I wasn’t able to warn Ms Alberta that they were icy.

As Ms Alberta was making the trip to the garage she slipped and fell, breaking her shoulder. The cup of coffee that she was holding was still upright and unbroken in her right hand; but Ms Alberta had to have surgery to repair the damage to her left shoulder.

Ms Alberta in her room at my house in Grayson County, after one of her surgeries.

Others: Quote from an email – author unknown

Home cooking: where many a man thinks his wife is.

Others: Quote for Boating

"Red sun in morning, sailors warning; red sun at 
night, sailors delight".

Ramblings from Ann – Fishing With Pop Shoupe

I can remember how much Ms Alberta’s father, Leonard “Pop” Shoupe loved to fish. I can remember going fishing with him only twice my whole life.

The first time was one summer we three children where spending the summer with Mom and Pop. Danny loved to fish too. The fishing was usually a boy’s only type of deal but this one fine summer day we had all been allowed to go along for one of Pop’s fishing trips.

Since I hated worms; I didn’t even try to bait my hook. I just didn’t like the feel of those squirmy, slimy fishing worms. Double Yuk! Pop took pity on me and would bait my hook for me but the final draw came when I started catching fish more often than he was.

No wonder! He was baiting my hook and wasn’t even able to put a line into the water; so he wasn’t catching any fish and I was. When he took us back home that afternoon, he told Mom that was the last time he was taking me fishing. I was just bad luck for him when it came to fishing.

The second time I got to go fishing with Pop I was grown and married. I didn’t have a fishing license because I had no idea I would be fishing.

By then I had learned to tolerate the worms and I even knew how to bait my hook. I had just thrown my line in the first time and was standing there contemplating fresh fish for supper, when who should walk up but the game warden.

He said, “I need to see your fishing license.” I told him I didn’t have one and he wrote me out a ticket for fishing without a license. Thirty seven dollars and fifty cents was what I paid for that fishing trip with Pop Shoupe; and I didn't even catch the first fish! That was my very last fishing trip with Pop Shoupe.

Ramblings from Ann - The Pillow Fight

I wish I had pictures from one of the pillow or water fights from my growing up years. I can remember one particular Saturday when Ms Alberta had gone into town to the grocery store. We three children where supposed to do our chores so the house would be clean when she got back.

Everything proceeded according to Ms Alberta’s plans until Dad came in, washed his hands and took a look around. “Where’s your mother?” he wanted to know. We told him she had gone grocery shopping. 

“Hmmm.” He said as he went into one of the bedrooms and grabbed several feather pillows off of the bed.

Dad tossed a pillow at each of us and then proceeded to pummel us with the pillow he had kept for himself! We smacked each other with those pillows and ran through the clean house chasing and laughing.

With all of the noise we didn’t hear Ms Alberta’s car pull in. We were all four in the living room pounding away at each other with those pillows; when two things happened at the same time.

Ms Alberta walked through the living room door just as one of the pillows burst open spilling feathers into the air, all over us, and onto the floor. There was immediate silence as we all looked around at the feathers, each other, and Ms Alberta.

The four of us who had been pillow fighting had feathers in our hair, eyebrows, and all over our clothes. Ms Alberta took one look at us and stated, “Well, I hope you know the four of you have to clean this mess up. 

But first help me get the groceries in.”

So we carried in groceries and then the four of us, yes, Dad helped, cleaned all of the feathers up from the living room furniture and the living room floor.

I remember that we laughed as we cleaned; with a lot of smiles and “you should have seen your face” was said often. We might not have had a lot of money but we had laughter and the most important thing we had was love.

Ramblings from Ann

This coming Sunday, June 17, 2012, will be Father’s Day. I guess that is why I have been thinking so much about my father as well as Ms Alberta.

Dad loved to tease Ms Alberta. In my mind, I can see and hear them together. He would get a mischievous light in his eye and Ms Albert would say “Now Harold!” Then they would be off and running; always with my Dad in pursuit.

The picture I have used of the two of them together is one that I took shortly after we moved into the house on old 31W, which is now called Sportsman’s Lake Road, in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

Dad was threatening to give Ms Alberta a ”whiskering”. Ms Alberta had told him she wouldn’t give him a kiss because of his whisker stubble; so of course the chase was on with us three children in close pursuit behind.

When Dad had a heart attack and died On January 14, 1967, he was forty two, Ms Alberta was forty, Danny was eighteen, Jean was seventeen; and I had turned twenty one two weeks before in December.

I miss them both but know that I will see them again some day when the Lord calls us all home.

RECIPE: Banana Split Cake - Myrtle Fee Vaughn and Myrtle Vaughn Shoupe

2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs                1 large can crushed pineapple

1 stick melted margarine                     2 bananas, sliced

1 (8 oz.) cream cheese                         1 large container Cool Whip

1 stick margarine                                 sprinkle of pecan pieces

2 cups confectioners’ sugar

Mix vanilla wafer crumbs and 1 stick melted margarine and spread in bottom of glass dish. Combine cream cheese, 1 stick margarine and confectioner’s sugar and beat until fluffy.

Spread on top of wafer crust.

Drain pineapple and spread on top of the cream cheese mixture; slice bananas placing them on top of crushed pineapple.

Spread Cool Whip on top and sprinkle with pecan pieces.

NOTE: This is one of the favorite recipes of “The Two Myrtle’s” – Myrtle Fee Vaughn and Myrtle Vaughn Shoupe. Ms Alberta’s mother Myrtle Vaughn “Mom” Shoupe had a brother named Cecil who married Myrtle Fee. The two got along very well and soon became know as the two Myrtles’. They were both diabetic but it did not keep them from making one of these Banana Split Cakes and splitting it right down the middle.

The two got tired of hearing that they never shared the cakes and started making two at a time so they could still get their “fair shares”.

RECIPE: Poor Man’s Cobbler – Ms Alberta

This cobbler may be made with any fresh, frozen or canned fruits, such as blackberries, cherries or peaches. Always use 2 cups of liquid with fresh or frozen fruit.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees; Melt the margarine in a 13X9X2 inch baking dish or sheet cake pan.

½ cup margarine (1 stick)                    1 cup sugar

1 cup milk                                           1 cup sifted self-rising flour

For Fresh Fruit: In a medium size saucepan mix together 2 cups water, 1 cup milk and 1 cup sugar; stir continuously; after the sugar has dissolved, add the fruit. Continue to stir until mixture has come to a gentle boil, remove from heat and add flour. Pour gently into preheated 13X9X2 inch baking dish or sheet cake pan.

Bake until top is golden brown and a knife comes away clean from the center of the cobbler. Remove from oven and sprinkle with about 2 teaspoons of sugar.

For Canned Fruit: In a medium size saucepan mix together liquid from fruit adding water until have 2 cups liquid, 1 cup milk and 1 cup sugar; stir continuously; after the sugar has dissolved, add the fruit. Continue to stir until mixture has come to a gentle boil, remove from heat and add flour. Pour gently into preheated 13X9X2 inch baking dish or sheet cake pan.

Bake until top is golden brown and a knife comes away clean from the center of the cobbler. Remove from oven and sprinkle with about 2 teaspoons of sugar.

This cobbler is really good served warm, with a scoop of ice cream on top.

RECIPE: Apple Cobbler – Myrtle Vaughn “Mom” Shoupe

½ cup margarine (1 stick)                    ½ cup shortening

2 cups sugar                                        1/3 cup milk

2 cups water                                        2 cups finely chopped apples

1 tsp. cinnamon                                   1 ½ cups sifted self-rising flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees; Melt the margarine in a 13X9X2 inch baking dish or sheet cake pan. In a saucepan, heat the sugar and water until sugar melts. Cut shortening into flour until particles are like fine crumbs. Add milk and stir with a fork only until the dough leaves the side of the bowl

Turn out onto lightly floured board or pastry cloth; knead just until smooth. Roll dough out into a large rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Sprinkle cinnamon over apples; then sprinkle apples evenly over the dough. Roll up dough like a jelly roll.

Dampen the edge of the dough with a little water and seal; slice dough into about 16 slices (1/2 inch thick). Place in pan with melted butter. Pour sugar syrup carefully around rolls. (This will look like too much liquid, but the crust will absorb it.) Bake for 55 to 60 minutes.

Cobbler variation: This cobbler may be made with other fresh, frozen or canned fruits, such as blackberries, cherries or peaches. If packed in liquid, drain and substitute for part of the sugar syrup. Always use 2 cups of liquid.

Words to Heed

Bible:   Eccl 3:1-8 – King James version

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens;

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up:

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and time to dance.

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing.

A time to gat, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; and a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

NOTE: from Anne – No wonder the Beatles used these Biblical words in a song; they are as true today, for us, as they were thousands of years ago for an ancient people.

Ramblings by Anne – June 10, 2012 – Sunday 6:00 AM

One of Ms Alberta’s favorite things to say was, “My suitcase is packed; but I’m not homesick yet; so I’m not ready to go home.”

Today is a Sunday. Before she was diagnosed with cancer, Ms Alberta rarely missed church. If she had to miss church she would turn on the TV and worship with others as the singing and preaching was broadcast. Ms Alberta had done this during the winter from fear of falling on ice or on those occasions she was too sick to attend.

After Ms Alberta had moved in with me, there were many times that I would go into her room and she would be sitting with her Bible open before her, reading the Good News of Salvation.

There were many nights that I would hear Ms Alberta talking, wonder who she was talking to and go to see if she was okay. On those many occasions I would find that she was talking to the Great Physician and Healer upstairs.

I was always moved by the way Ms Alberta prayed. Her problems and worries were simply given to God in prayer with the full knowledge and believe that the Master had a plan and He was in control.

One night I heard her pray, “Lord if I can not be cured of this cancer then please take me quickly. But Lord, your will be done.”

How many of us knowing that we had cancer, a disease known for extreme pain, would simply give the whole thing to God and wait for His will? I don’t think there would be many.

I believe that God heard Ms Alberta’s prayer. After all there were only three months and eighteen days from the time she was diagnosed with cancer until she went home to the Master.

I have no doubt of where she went. After all, her suitcase was packed; she just got homesick and went home.

Ramblings by Anne - June 9, 2012

I did a page on the embroidery skill that I was taught by my mother, Ms Alberta. That page made me start to think about how much of what I do daily is, by unconscious habit, a direct result of what I was taught by word and reinforced by action.

For example one of the things we were taught was “A place for everything and everything in its place”. Growing up we knew where to find what we wanted or needed, a spoon, fork, knife or even something as simple as first aide ointment and a band aide for a cut. Each item was always in the same place in our home.

Today I practice the same thing in my own home. I can find what I need because I always have a place for it and that is where it will be. I usually put things away without even thinking about it.

Another thing that Ms Alberta did was share with others. There was always a cough drop, a small toy, a sucker, or piece of candy in her purse; along beside a change purse with nickels, dimes and quarters. These items would find a home with an adult who had a cough, or for a small child’s hand for quieting in church or at a grocery. Ms Alberta always asked the mother before giving these items; but they were rarely turned down.

If you came to her home there was always a piece of cake with coffee, soft drink or cool sweet tea. If you were hungry there was always something that she had fixed extra to share.

I am sure that I am not the only one who misses sitting down with Ms Alberta for a slice of her banana nut bread and a cup of coffee.

PICTURES: Generations: Heritage

I can remember watching Ms Alberta as she embroidered pillowcases and tablecloths. My grandmother “Mom” Shoupe would crochet around the pillowcases or tablecloths after Ms Alberta was finished. I still have some of the scarves that they did together in this way.

When I was about eight years old I asked if I could learn how to embroider and crochet. Ms Alberta hemmed bleached muslin and got out special patterns that she used to create designs on seven dish towels with each day of the week and a small animal. Then I was taught how to stitch the designs.

I still use the skills that Ms Alberta taught me. I use them to create quilts with matching pillow cases or create doll dresses from the pillow cases. I am now passing the same skills on to my grandchildren.

Picture and Memories: As Told by Ms Alberta – Harold’s Marriage Proposal

Just before all the boys went marching off to war, Ms Alberta had been dating a young man by the name of Engel Davenport. When the war started, Engel was one of the local young men who volunteered. When Engel shipped overseas he carried Ms Alberta’s picture in his wallet; and Ms Alberta wore a promise ring on her left hand from Engel; a promise of marriage after the war was over.

Ms Alberta told how she wrote to a lot of the boys’ overseas; not just to Engel. Ms Alberta said there was nothing mushy, just what was going on in the daily lives they were fighting for the preservation of. And, of course, she sent candy to all of them. The candy was wrapped and packed in popped pop corn to help it not to get too crushed in transport. Pop Shoupe told everyone that the candy shipped overseas was his way of helping to support the troops.

Ms Alberta had gone to school with Engel and also with another young man by the name of Harold Lee Thomas. Harold was tall and dark haired; Ms Alberta had noticed him but he had always seemed stuck up to her. Ms Alberta didn’t think he had even noticed her.

On July 29, 1943, Harold signed up to go fight for his country. Harold was seventeen and would turn eighteen on August 4, 1943 while he was in boot camp for training.

This is where my memory fails me. I’ve heard Ms Alberta tell this story so many times but I can’t remember if it was before Harold went overseas or if it was while he was in on leave; but the facts I do have straight (at least to the best of my memory) are these.

Harold was in town. He came into the place of business where Ms Alberta was working and asked Ms Alberta to the movies. She accepted the offer of a movie and while Ms Alberta and Harold were watching the movie he proposed marriage to her.

Ms Alberta said she slipped Engel’s promise ring off, intending to slip it into her pocket so she could return it; but she dropped it and she could hear the ring rolling down the aisle of the theater.

Ms Alberta and Harold Lee Thomas were married on March 5, 1946.

PICTURES: Ms Alberta and Family

Faye, Sue and Ms Alberta

Ms Alberta, Sue, Faye, Pop Shoupe and Willis

Faye, Willis, Sue and Ms Alberta

Ms Alberta, Faye and Sue

   The last picture was taken in Murray, KY. They were together for a combination Shoupe Reunion and birthday celebration. There were four of them having birthdays starting May 31 through August 1st.

PICTURES: Ms Alberta - the Younger Years

Ms Alberta 9 Months

Ms Alberta 18 Months

Faye and Ms Alberta

Sue and Ms Alberta

PICTURES: Ancestors: Ms Alberta's

Grandfather: Albert Vaughn

Grandmother: Bettie Lanter Montague Vaughn Lowe

Myrtle Evabelle - Bettie - Maree Vaughn
Mother- Grandmother - Aunt

Myrtle "Mom" and Leonard "Pop" Shoupe
Mother and Father

PICTURES: Dolls: Ms Alberta's

Ms Alberta gave away or sold so many of her dolls and collectibles before she moved in with me December 2011. Most of what was left had a note attached so I would know what she wanted done with them. She was always thinking about others.

PICTURES: Old Things

These are copies of the play in Ms Alberta's possession when she died.

The name of the play was 'Comin’ Round the Mountain' – by Ned Albert. The date of Copyright on it is 1935.

Ms Alberta played Dynamite Ann in the play which was given at Hall High where she attended. I wonder if that is where she got my name? I know that the song "Danny Boy" was her inspiration for my brother's middle name.

Connections: Ms Alberta's Family

Leonard Edgar “Pop” Shoupe 9/22/1901 Tazewell, TN – 6/14/1978 Akron, OH

        Married:

Myrtle Evabelle “Mom” Vaughn 5/5/1909 – 12/1/1989 Elizabethtown, KY

Children of:        Leonard Edgar Shoupe and Myrtle Evabelle Vaughn [4 Children]

1.       Edith Alberta Shoupe 8/1/1926 Spouse: Harold Lee Thomas 8/4/1924 -1/14/1968

2.       Ardith Faye 5/30/1932 Spouses: Louis Sergent, C D Wilson, Russell Harris

3.       Willis Ray Shoupe 10/17/1936 – 5/10/2000 Spouse: Goldie Sue Winningham

4.       Dessie Sue Shoupe 4/12/1940 Spouse: Harrison Charles McVaney