Rest In Peace, Cousin Martha

Jordan with Martha Neal Dennis at Jordan's Journey lecture in LaFayette, GA
Jordan M. Scoggins and Martha Neal Dennis at the Jordan’s Journey lecture, LaFayette-Walker Public Library, 4 Jun 2012

Back in 2012, when I did the Jordan’s Journey lectures in Walker and Chattooga Counties (Georgia), Martha Neal Dennis was one of the many people who came out to see me. Mrs. Dennis is a blood cousin of mine–we both grew up in Armuchee Valley and descend from the same Keown family–though I never knew her before that day at my lecture.

Mrs. Dennis attended my lecture after seeing the announcement in the Walker County Messenger. She recognized my name from many years earlier. You see, I participated in a Daughters of the American Revolution ceremony when I was a young boy to honor some of my ancestors. My name had been listed in the program from that ceremony, and Mrs. Dennis, an active DAR member, was also there. The day of my lecture, she brought that program–from some 20 years earlier–to show me.

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School Days: LHS Majorettes, 1964

LHS Majorettes, 1964, Lamb’s Studio, LaFayette, Georgia

So far, all my School Days posts have focused on the Villanow and Subligna areas of the Armuchee Valley/Dirt Town Valley regions in Walker and Chattooga counties. I’ve looked at older photos and a (relatively speaking) newer image (and I’ll have more of both for you in the future). Today, though, will be something a little different. For any of you familiar with the geography of my homeland, you know that over Taylors Ridge to the west of the Armuchee Valleys lies the city of LaFayette. Home to LaFayette High School, LaFayette is the county seat of Walker County, and the city plays a significant role for all my Armuchee Valley ancestors.

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