My Dearest Sister,

The following story was told to me by our Mom, the late Thelma Mc Coy Graves.

In the year 1939 she was out walking and was pregnant with our brother Gerald.  She was carrying our sister Patricia Ann in her arms.  You and I were holding hands and walking behind her.  I was walking slowly and was a little "chubby" and you were "slender".  The distance between Mom and us was growing.  You called out to Mom and said, "Inez won't walk fast and I'm tired of pulling her along.  She is stopping and looking at everything".  

You were my oldest sister and you were in my life for eighty-four years and four months.  We were not only sisters but were also best friends and confidants.  You were an introvert and I am an extrovert but we were so in tune with each other.

We enjoyed many experiences together over the years and learned valuable life lessons along the way.  We experienced accomplishments, joy, loss, along with the wonderous births of our children, just to name a few.

The core family members that we grew up with totaled 20 members.  They included our parents, four children, our maternal grandparents, four uncles, one aunt and six cousins.  Little is known about our paternal grandparents, our father, John Quentin Haynes, Jr., was an only child and his parents passed away at an early age.  Our parents marital union ended in divorce.  Later we were blessed to have John J Graves "Pop" become our step-father.  He was such a positive and wonderful figure in our lives.

Growing up the four of us went to church every Sunday.  The only exceptions for not going were bad weather or illness.  This practice continued from early childhood until we were old enough to move out of our family home and live on our own.

We went to a lot of piano recitals where "Mom" and Uncle Frank performed.  We loved going to the beach together.  We went to museums, open air concerts in the park and to the movie theater.  Going to the neighborhood "Rec" the recreational center was another favorite.

Most holidays were spent at our grandparents home in El Centro, California.  At Christmas we all gathered around the piano and sang Christmas carols.

You were so talented.  I recall when we were attending Point Loma High School in San Diego when you had paintings sent to Los Angeles by your art teacher.  They were exhibited at Bullocks Wilshire Department Store which was considered a luxury department store for over sixty years.  Chounard Art Institute which was a progressive Fine Arts School in the 50's and 60's was another site where your artwork was exhibited.

Fast forward to Los Angeles Sis, which became your home.  I moved to Los Angeles years later.  Your children Brenda Dixon, Michael Gates and Adrianne Gamell were always well taken care of and enjoyed great meals because you were an excellent cook.

I was so proud when you graduated from California State University Los Angeles, and your long career as an elementary school teacher.

Preceding your move to Georgia, as a family we enjoyed countless get togethers and family dinners here in Los Angeles.  We had a lot of fun.

I am now the oldest living member of the 20 member core group.

We however, have numerous offspring from the group, children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, great grandchildren, and extended family members; each talented in their own unique way that are living new chapters to add to our family story for generations to come.

Lastly, while you were here on earth I always knew where you were, now you are in heaven.  With that said, I will heed a few words taken from one of your favorite songs, Way Up High" which was recorded by Damita Jo.  "There's a land in the sky and a place where we'll meet by and by so dry your tears don't you cry, we will live all our dreams in the sky."

With much love and admiration.

Your Sis,

Inez