The Loss of a Son

The news that Jerry and Pearl had lost their son, Sgt. 1st class John D. Morton, in Afganistan is so very sad and brought back the memories of all the sons our family has lost over the years. John D. Morton was doing what he loved and felt that he wanted to do his part for the safety of his Country. He leaves a wife and three children who will miss him terrible. He will be terrible missed by all his family and his many friends.

I don't know of any pain that is as bad as losing a child. It is like your heart just got ripped out of you and you will never be whole again. Do we all ask why? Do we all wish we could have taken our childs place? Yes, I believe we do but that is not for us to decide. Only God can decide that.
How often I wished I could take Bobby's Muscular Dystrophy away for him. Now I have Multiple Sclerosis, do I ask why? Yes, I suppose I question the nature of things. I don't feel that I questioned God, but did I? Then to lose Stevie, who was a Marine and was in Viet Nam was more than I could stand; when I went home after his funeral, I just wished that I could die.


My Sisters, Nieces and daughter have also lost sons to Muscular Dystrophy and I know they must have felt the same pain. Jennie, Vivian, Sharon, Etta and Arlene all lost sons to Muscular Dystrophy and now Charlotte, Windfred, Jerry and Pearl have lost a son to other causes.. I have given my life to God in the last years and it is helping me to deal with it all and I know Gods Will Be Done. Maybe that is why when I dream about my boys it is about when they were small and things were happy.

May God Bless and comfort each and everyone of the Morton Family.

Vicenza-based sergeant remembered as 'man of valor'

Stars & Stripes:
By Kent Harris, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Wednesday, December 21, 2005


Sgt. 1st Class John Morton

VICENZA, Italy — There weren’t enough seats for the people who wanted to say goodbye.

Dozens were left standing in the base chapel during a memorial service Tuesday for Sgt. 1st Class John Morton, a soldier his friend called “a sincere, honest man.”

Morton, noncommissioned officer for communications for the 74th Long Range Surveillance Detachment, was killed Thursday in a firefight in a mountainous region in southern Afghanistan. He’s the 18th member of the Vicenza military community to die since the Southern European Task Force (Airborne) took over operations in Afghanistan in March.

Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Chance said of his friend: “As a soldier, John was a quiet professional. A role model. He never looked for glory, but was always glorious. He was a leader of men and a man of valor.”

The 31-year-old from Kentucky was also a husband and a father of three children: Joshua, 8, Scarlette, 6, and Olivia, 3 months.

Chance directed his final comments to the fallen soldier’s wife, who attended the service.

“Sarah,” he said, “no matter where in the world John and I were, he counted the moments until he could be with you again.”

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Doug Hudson said the death was “a devastating blow to us, because we love John and we love his family.”

Lt. Col. Mike Shinners, the 173rd Airborne Brigade’s rear detachment commander, said Morton’s duties didn’t require him to be out on such a patrol.

“If there were killers, bullies or terrorists in the mountains, John Morton was not the kind of man to just talk about them on the radio,” he said. Instead, he volunteered to hike into the mountains.

Shinners said others in the detachment stayed on that mountain for three days in wintry conditions before they found the person responsible for his death.

Shinners also said he didn’t want to attend another memorial service on Caserma Ederle. Most soldiers are expected to return to Italy in February or March.

“I hope this is it,” he said. “We have achieved so much, but at such a price.

“Holy mackerel. Enough is enough. Peace on Earth, Lord. Please, peace on Earth.”

A true and faithful Soldier

Stanton KY, (AP) Newsfirst. The father of an eastern Kentucky soldier says his son was killed in Afghanistan when his patrol was confronted by Taliban fighters.

Jerome Morton says military officials told him yesterday about the death of his son - 31 year old Sergeant First Class John Morton of Stanton.

Jerome Morton says the Army told him his son was on
a mission in the mountainous area around Kandahar
when he was killed Thursday. The Pentagon said
yesterday that Morton's patrol came under small-
arms fire. Morton was assigned to the 74th Infantry
Detachment (Long Range Surveillance), 173rd
Airborne Brigade, based in Italy.

Morton enlisted in the Army as a senior at Powell County
High School in 1992. Morton was married and
had three children, two girls and a boy. He also is
survived by his mother and two sisters.

Morton's sister told us about the last e-mail she
exchanged with her brother --just a week ago. She
wrote that some people in the Stanton area considered
him a "hero". John said "no, you're only called a hero
if you don't come home alive.

Another good Picture

I think this is a great picture of Dorothy, Vivian, Osha and Jennie. They were all having a good time and really enjoyed being on the beach.

Back in the kitchen

Jo Ann is back in the kitchen again. She is a good one to take on a vacation with you. She just seems to be attached to the kitchen and making sure there is food and clean dishes. ha. That's my baby. ha.

Janice and Dorothy

Another photo where you can see the beautiful view that we had the pleasure of enjoying as there were cruise ships passing at a distance and dolphins coming up to the surface. It was all amazing.

Our Fun, Rummikub

This just shows you how we let everything else go to pot and played the rummikub game. After all we were on vacation and didn't have to clean up until we were about ready to leave, ha. What fun!!!!

Vivian and Dorothy

I found a picture of Vivian and Dorothy. I was looking for the one in their bedroom but couldn't fine one. So I am glad I found this one. Those two were the ones who said they hated the rummikub game but once they caught on, they got to like it. I heard that Jennie and Janice bought more rummikub games after they got home. Thanksgiving the whole family played and loved it while they enjoyed their dinner at Jennies.

Another Bedroom, this one was the largest.

Osha and Jennie sitting on their big kingsize bed. How could Osha hear Jennie snore from the other side of the bed anyway. That was a big joke and we all had a good laugh.

Janice and Jo Ann

Janice and Jo Ann look like they are having fun like the rest of us. I know Jo Ann is enjoying the vacation with our family. This will always be a time to remember.

Our Traveling Time and Things We Saw

Jo Ann and I got up very early and left Umatilla at 5:30 a.m. I just sat back and tried to get as comfortable as I could. Jo Ann doesn't like me talking to her when she gets in a tight spot. Or sometimes she just doesn't want me to talk because she is like me, can't chew gum and walk at the same time ha. Anyway I just let her go because she knows the roads good until after we get off I-95. We hardly stopped and were making good time. I do believe we stopped once somewhere but that was about it. As we got on 17 Alt, I knew we should have been on that only for a few minutes, I kept saying to Jo Ann. "you are going the wrong way, we should be on just 17 not 17Alt". She reminded me that she knew where she was going so we drove, drove and drove. finally I called Janice on my cell phone and she told me to ask Jo Ann to get off the road and she would check her map. Jo Ann still didn't want to get off, finally I told her that Janice wanted her to get off to a place where she could stop. Then she listened. Janice told her to stay on that road even though it was the wrong way and they would meet us at a shopping center where they were able to get off at an exit, can't remember which one but they were coming from the North and we were going from the South. ha. It really turned out to be much better for us as we were able to follow Janice into the condominum where we had the reservations.

We were all tired when we got inside the condo but excited to see everyone. We just left our things in the cars after we got parked and it was so good to get inside and just relax. We had such a good time. We were almost too tired to eat much but sat around and visited. Each of us chose our bedrooms and it was decided that since Osha had hearing aids and would be taking them out, that Jennie could sleep with her because she couldn't hear Jennie snore. We all got a laugh from that. We would get up in the mornings, one at a time, until everyone would come to the ktichen and eventually we would have our coffee, then decide what we all wanted to eat. Janice and Etta went to the grocery and bought lots of food and we thought we would have enough, but no way, they had to go back again and get more food before we left for home. Oh, I took my rummikub game and everyone just loved it except Vivian and Dorothy but after they learned how to play they really enjoyed it. Janice took us to see downtown Charleston. It was very nice with old buildings and an underground bunker from WW1. It was old and so interesting. At least this is how I remember it. but my memory isn't what it used to be. It is too short term. ha

We left on November 13 and Jo Ann was a wonderful driver. We filled up with gas and got on our way. It seemed to be much faster than when we went up. I believe we all would like to do that again next year. We stopped after a few hours and Jo Ann had made some chicken salad, I had some wheat bread and she had a bagle, so we made a sandwich and it sure tasted good. We got started again after about half an hour. We saw some really bad accidents going north and all cars were stopping to see if they could help even though the rescue was there. They all looked very bad and there could have been deaths, I am not sure. We got through that and were on our way again and a lady behind Jo Ann was on her tail and making her very nervous, I had my wheelchair on the lift and sometimes it looked like some of those drivers were going to run into it. Later down the road, Jo Ann started laughing and I asked her what she was laughing about, she said "I am so glad, the highway patrol has stopped that crazy lady driver ha.ha.".

Sooo that is my story about our trip and it was such a wonderful time and so great to get to see my family again. Hopefully it can happen again.

Another Mother and Daughter

I am afraid Osha is getting tired of being moved from place to place to take pictures. If I remember right, it seems we are about finished here. I wanted to have as many pictures as possible in order for my nephews and their families who haven't seen us for a long time will be able to see us in all kinds of places etc. Just Roger's and Wallace's families haven't seen us for a long time.

Me and Jo Ann

We are in our little bedroom but we had the only twin beds. ha. It looked like it was the kids room because there wasn't that much in the room to get damaged. ha.

Jennie and Janice

Another mother and daughter photo. I think Jennie was in a hurry to get back to the game. Janice is so good to take care of her and take her places. I know Jennie is thankful for that.

The Four Cousins

Taken outside where we parked under the building. Aren't those nieces of mine sweet? Etta, Jo Ann, Janice and Dorothy. What a fun group to have around. Oh!! one of those girls is my daughter.

Janice and Jo Ann

These two were the cheif cooks. Jo Ann made two pans of fried potatoes with onions and with Janice's help I made two pans of cornbread. Osha always liked my cornbread. The first time I made some cornbread and was going to let it bake on a top burner at low. ha. The burner didn't even get warm, therefore the bread was not a success but we put it in the over and finished it and it still tasted yummy.

Lorraine and Jo Ann

We had decided to take pictures in groups of mother/daughter. We could all do that except Vivian since Linda was not there. That couch was so soft that I just sank down in it and couldn't straighten up my back. ha. I hadn't laughed so much for so long that it felt good. ha.

Dorothy and Vivian

Vivian didn't have a daughter with her so she and Dorothy were in several photos. There are so many pictures that I am having a time finding the ones I want to put on the blog.

Etta and Janice

This is the room Janice and Etta had, they decided to take a picture of each room where we all slept. There was four bedrooms so we all got to choose where we wanted to sleep. I doubt if any of us had laughed as much as we did there.

The Sumner Sisters

I am thankful that we could get together in Charleston, SC. The trip made us pretty tired but we got a good rest and then we just had such a good time. We played games and I found out that they all liked Rummikub best of all the games I took. We had wonderful meals, becuse they cooked them there and we didn't have to eat out once. We are left to right, Lorraine, Vivian, Osha and Jennie. Golly I am going to have to go on a diet. ha.

Taken in South Carolina November 13, 2005

This was taken on our South Carolina trip. We all had a wonderful time and I am hoping we can do it again. Janice, Etta, vivian, Osha and Jennie. Janice had taken all of us to see down town Charleston. She took us in two loads in her van. ha. Couldn't take us all at one time and Jo Ann would have had a hard time trying to follow her.

It's me, just trying something.

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I just installed Picasa and now I want to try a picture and see if it works as well as it did before, I hope I didn't mess it up. It has been a hectic day with getting an electric bill that is outrageous. This is Bobby I can't remember how old he was here but this is really our Bobby.

Jessica and Troy's Wedding

Just received this picture from Susan so will add it to the other wedding pictures. L-R Joyce, her son Aaron, Susan, Jessica holding Logan and groom Troy. Back row Karen's husband Kenny, daughter Amy, Karen behind Susan, Pat and daughter Kathryn.This is most of the family except Joyce's husband John and her two youngest children, Mike and Sis and their families. There are still two weddings in Wallace's family that are not on there yet. It seems like there has been several weddings in the last couple of years.

taken July 4, 2005

I think this picture doesn't want to go in the blog. ha. I have tried and tried but am willing to try one more time. Front row left to right, Linda, Osha and Dorothy. back row left to right Etta, Janice, Jennie and vivian. I am pretty stuborn so hopefully I will win this one.

Sumner Family Reunion 1976

This is about the only picture I have of the reunion in 1976 that has Agnes in it. Osha is standing then there is Wallace, Ruby and Agnes sitting. I hope you all will enjoy pictures of the past.

Osha, Vivian and Jennie

This picture turned out so good and I thought you all would want to see it. It was taken at the reunion this year. It looks like they all had a good time and at least they were nice and cool.

Air Force Accademy

Where Zachery first went after he got in the Air Force. I just heard that he and Jessica had visited home for a while. He has now gone back to the Air Force and if I have it right, he will be training other men and women. I like this picture and can't you tell how proud Sue looks.

Wally Sumner Sr. & Wally Sumner jr

I just found this picture from the Sumner reunion at vivian's home. It was so terrible hot that day that if I could have found a mud puddle, I think I would have tried to get in it and cool off. It was one of the days like we are having now. This was made in 1999.

Chip and Heather's Wedding Picture

I decided to put another picture of Chip and Heather's wedding to let everyone see from right to left, Zachery, Dennis, Chip's friend and Jessica. Don't they look good and what a difference a few years make. Kids sure grow up fast. Oh!!!! I forgot it is written on the picture, forgive me. O.k.??

How quick they grow up

This is at an age where they are growing up. I am glad they finished school. Now Matthew is married and has two kids and a stepson. Jason is a pretty smart guy to take his time and decide what he wants to do and how far he wants to go, he has been a fireman an now works in Orlando as paramedic so he is doing o.k.

Mothers Day Surprise

I got the nicest surprise on Mothers day one year. Jo Ann and Bobby were whispering and laughing, then Jo Ann went out and came back and ran to Bobby's room, then Bobby came out with this big smile and look at the joy in his eyes because they had surprised me with some beautiful roses. What a blessed day!!!

The Eight Children of Hez and Mattie Sumner

In 1976 we had our reunion in a park near where Osha lives and it was the first time we were all together at one time since we were children I guess. I am so glad we got pictures of everyone. We haven't all been able to get together since.

Bobby, Jo Ann and Jason

We were all excited with the new baby and Jo Ann just wanted to let Bobby hold him. It was hard for Bobby as he was getting very weak so he was telling Jo Ann to catch him before he dropped him. Bobby really loved that and I am glad he got to hold him a little.

My two grandsons, Jason and Matthew

These two are just less than two months apart. They have always been close. Now they are all grown up and Matthew has two children and a step child. Jason is working very hard. He has been a fireman and is now a paramedic. He likes his job. Right now he is working on his house, tile, carpet etc. Matthew is working at tree triming. His son Dennis and daughter Terra are so cute and before you know it they will be grown also.

Elijah, Rhoda Sumner and sons Jim and Hezekiah

I found another old picture. Who knows when it was taken. My father didn't look like that as he got older. I loved my Grandma, she used to say that I helped her a lot and took a load off her by feeding her chickens, gathering the eggs in and lots of little jobs that saved her steps.

Ronald, Arlene, Scott, Jean and Maddy Sumner

Just look at the Grandparents!! You can sure tell how proud they are. See Grandpa holding Maddy's hand with love and her Grandmother just thrilled. They have waited a long time for grandchildren, now they have two beautiful granddaughters.

My Namesake.

This pretty little girl, Lindsay Grace Watson, was named after my. Just in case you all didn't know, my first name is Grace. I don't know why no one ever used my first name but I think I heard that my Mother had really liked a lady named Lorraine and that is why they called me by my middle name. Judy, Angela and Dorothy came to Florida to visit me and I got to see little Lindsay. She was the best baby I have ever known, Angela would put her in her crib and tell her to be quiet and go to sleep. SHE DID. I couldn't get over that. When I would laugh with my big loud laugh, she would look at me as if to say. "what is wrong with you lady?' ha

Who was that who asked about Ancestors??

I have tried to put these pictures on one post but my computer is smarter than I. I will have to post it separate. I hope everyone enjoys it. I think My Mother is beautiful. (that is the one on the far right end. That is her Mother in the center of the picture. They are pretty dark but I hope everyone will be able to see them.

Who was that who asked about Ancestors??

Ruby made copies of these and gave each of us one. My Mother, Mattie Dixon Sumner had three sisters and four brothers. My Mother was the youngest girl. She is on the very right of the picture, wasn't she pretty at age 22? The only uncle I ever saw was Uncle Riley, second from the left and J.P. Dixon was my Grandpa, he is in the center. These pictures were taken in 1915. My Mother died January 12, 1930.

Hezakiah and Mattie Sumner with children

This picture is an old but important one. I am so glad to have it and want to share it with all the family. It was probably taken around 1929. I don't remember my Mother at all, but there are so many times that I wish I could have known her. How do you like this bunch of blonde heads????

Sharon, Stevie and Bobby

It must have been a cold day in New York when this was taken, my, how the years fly.

James N and Elizabeth Pratt Brashear

Parents of 14 children, all born in Perry County, they are: Rhoda, Ray (lived 3 days), Hiram P. (lived to be 104 yrs. old), Elzira, Martha, Sampson (Capt. in WW1) died in France, Ezekiel, Robert Lee (whose grandson used to be Chief of Police in Hazard), Joel, Preston, Marion (Postmaster at Viper for years), Lucinda, Anna and Eli (the good old boy of Viper). Submitted by Frankie Lane Campbell Roberts of Dayton, Ohio. Photo taken around 1904.

James N. Brashear, Jr. volunteered for service in the Confederate Army on Sept. 12, 1862 and was assigned to Company B, 13th Kentucky Calvary Regiment in which he served for the duration of the Civil War. He married Elizabeth Pratt and they had 14 children as named above."

(I found this on hazardkentucky.com Thanks, Frankie!!)

Stephen and Lorraine's Family 1956

I am enjoying looking at these pictures because I was so busy but happy with my children. They sure kept me hopping just to keep up with them. I now remember when Stevie told me that Bobby had just jumped out the window. That was terrible but Bobby was hiding under the bed. When I knew that I just lay down in the floor and cried. Stevie never did anything like that again.

Beautiful Wedding

I was so surprised and pleased when Jim and Molly sent me the pictures of Chip's wedding. What beautiful pictures, it must have been a special wedding. Chip and Heather are working on a web site and will post their pictures. I haven't seen Jim since he was about a year old. It is so nice to be able to communicate with them now and Dennis and his family also.

Madeleine Sumner (Maddy)

This is Maddy Sumner, Scott and Jean's baby. She is so sweet and I can imagine her and Mia together playing, I am sure it will be so cute. I am hoping I can get the picture on this blog but I won't guarantee it.

Mattie Dixon Sumner and Lorraine 1928 Approx.

This is an old one, hope you all like it. I am working on pictures today and you should see my desk and the kitchen table. Looks like I am missing being around baby's as it seems that I just keep putting in baby's.

The Sumner Sisters

I thought I would change things and see if this computer would let me get one thing done. I know this will be lots of fun once I get rolling. This picture is like all the rest, we seem to go by age, oldest down to the youngest. I am hoping that Osha will be able to look at all these pictures on the computer there where she lives.

Tracy with her beautiful Mia

Tracy and her beautiful baby Mia, I know you all will love seeing this. I will also put Mia's cousin Maddy so you can see them both, can you imagine when they grow up and hang out together. ha,

Lorraine is here!!!

I made it!

I'll be posting some pictures I have as soon as this stupid program will let me.

Meantime, I've decided to set up my own blog (this is fun!) you can find it at

http://www.sunnylady.blogspot.com

I've really got some great pictures to share. Hope to see everybody here in the future.

Hope I catch on to this soon, too.

It's Friday night, do you know where your ancestors are?

Well, I'm hoping there will be enough blog-savvy folks in our family to pull the rest of us along. We'll call this post a test

Let's try posting a photo now.

Not exactly what I had in mind...the photo was supposed to be down here!