After three years, I can still see Gramma Frances quite clearly.In my recent times visiting with her, we had alot of fun. The two of us would sit all cozy in her apartment at dinner time, or eat downstairs, on weekends we had to wing it with dinner (laugh), and watch her favorite shows on television. Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune. She also like to watch the National Geographic channel and PBS. I had my daughters with me and my husband sometimes, and I would take them to " Your Black Muslim Bakery" in Oakland on San Pablo, and buy a Blueberry Swirl Bean Pie to eat after dinner. Gram would sometimes surprise us with a Trader Joe's Apple Pie! My husband and I would stay weekends. Our routine was going to the Grocery store and picking up, Orange Juice, Sparkling water to put in it, Bread and a few other items for snacks! We would always ask if she had painted any new paintings? She was usually working on one of her master pieces! In conversation, Gram would share with us some stories of her childhood and her giant family. A favorite was about her sister Rebecca who would defend her, givin someone a whack, if anyone teased her or used the "N" word towards her. Gram would make us laugh because she really did say in her childhood, " Sticks and Stones will break my bones, but names will never harm me!" She really meant it! We would go for short walks and frequent the Thai restaurant on the corner. I must say, she was always a great driver and never got a ticket...She always had a full library. She shelved, Black History, Art Books, Novels and read them all! She loved to read! She would have us laughing in the Dining room because she woul repeat over and over that the people talked too much. My husband and I would go for walks up University. My old stomping grounds. I miss visiting Berkeley...Well, Gram was one of the greatest gramma's around. She was known by her signature paintings. She is missed by all of the grandchildren. She kept us laughing...She was an "A" college student and loved education. She would always say, " Get an education"...She inspired us all...

This was the big house on Majestic! We were one big family on this street. There were the Tabor-Smiths, The Hayes up on the hill, Mrs. Jolivette, Pelton across the street, The Cottonreaders around the corner and many others and the big house 57 Majestic, Grams house. At the time, we all use to walk around the corner to the store of which the Chinese family owned to get a 10 cent candy bar or purchase a soul magazine with the J-5 on the cover. My sister and I loved that big house and we ran all over it and danced all over it! All of the children would play outside util the sun went down running up and down the street and sometimes sliding down the big grass hill on cardboard pieces. Gramma Frances's house was the ultimate big and spacious house to play in. Especially in the backyard that had a treehouse that Dad, Kaye had built us. In the backyard we would get lost in the shrubs and bushes and trees and plant life that covered the yard. Aunt Thelma would send us around the corner to buy her a "Coke" and we could keep the change and buy a treat or some cracker jacks! During the holidays, Maaaaaaan! We had a giant feast on the back room long table and all through the house and all would bring a dish! The Tabor-Smiths's would bring their homemade rolls and Peruvian corn bread! Gramma Frances would make her famous African dish with meat and fruit in it. Uncle mike would be playing his soulful music and jams downstairs and people from the Black light Exposion Co. would stop by and visit him for a game of dominoes. Our cousin Michael would be dancing with us upstairs. After all was prepared...There was food and more food for days! Grams friends would stop by, Emmit, Paul Brown, The Beans, The Williams, and people would come in and out all day! It was enough food to feed an army! When ABC came out with the J-5, we were all dancing in the back and listening to KDIA lucky 13 on the radio, the local soul station. Dad Kaye was creating music then and writing songs..I remember a song called " One Step" and " The last blade of grass". Gramma Frances has always been quite a dresser and a Fashion Lover. Of course! She was the hostess! Gramma's house was a great house. Her house was full of her paintings and her great wisdom. We were all part of that house! Even our cousin, Marie Christine Dunham Pratt and Great Aunt Katherine Dunham came to visit in the early years! My sister and I danced around that house and loved that house...There was always laughter in that house...Especially big holiday feasts...We will always cherish those magical memories...
 

thanks for sharing!!!

peace             david