Queen Rebecca Dickerson - Part 2 The story goes on

A TAPESTRY CALLED QUEEN

Presented on the occasion of Queen's 100th birthday celebration March 29, 1991 in Venice, Florida 

THE FIRST TWENTY YEARS 
(The green threads)

 Time has a way of flying by 'til it becomes a blur.

A tangle of so many threads, woven tight and sure.

But on your 100^th birthday, it seems quite fit and right

to  pull apart the glorious threads and share a life so bright.

Queen Dickerson, Age 19

A little girl with a regal name is born that cold March day.

Mother Emarine holds her close, her father's proud and gay.

Her first three years are filled with joy; 
the family adds a baby boy.

It seems that it will ever be, 'til stricken with a tragedy.

With Papa dead and many kids, Mother works so hard.

She spins the wool and gives out love, teaches faith in God.

 


 THE WIFE AND MOTHER 
 (The red yarn)

Queen & Fred with Evert & Edna

In 19-9, Queen meets the man to whom she pledges love.

And as they court one starry night, Hailey's Comet soars above.

Her 20^th birthday is the day that Fred and Queen are wed.
One year later,  Evert's born, and wailing to be fed.

The little family scrapes along, hard times are the norm

Evert and Edna

Before too long, they swell with pride when a baby girl is born.

The family moves from state to state since jobs are hard to find

E'en though the outside world may change, their love withstands the grind.

Six years later, Paul is born, and Carthel's born in two.

They weary of their roaming ways, want to settle in their crew

In rural land outside Versailles, they spot a farm and store

It's big enough to raise some food – with chickens, cows and more.

In '23, they make the move, excitement reigns supreme.

And though they still must scrape and strive, together they're a team.

With gardening, sewing, care for kids, there's not much time to spare;

And no such thing as “store-bought” clothes. Store food, store treats are rare.

The kids keep getting bigger, their needs are greater too.

Fred “moonlights” in a quarry; sells Watkins on a route

One by one the children leave;  to college each one goes.

Their parents feel such joy and pride. 
This chapter they now close.

William Evert Franklin

Edna Bethel Franklin

Carthel Floyd Franklin

Paul Keith Franklin

THE MIDDLE YEARS

(The blue fiber)

Teacher Edna's first to wed,  moves to another state.

Evert, Paul and Carthel, too, await the hands of fate.

As a great war looms ahead, their parents leave their home;

They move to other cities; to Chicago they do roam.

Queen, Fred, Linda, Hayward, Billy Franklin

They rent a small apartment and find some work to do;

Queen sews for a living and Fred does “war work” too.

When the fighting's finally over, back to the farm they go.

And hear new children's voices -  kids playing in the snow.

With Cart and Evert  finally wed, their life goes speeding by.

Queen's hands start feeling such great pain, arthritis makes her cry.

But never one to whimper long, new juices start to flow.

She wins a ribbon at State fair and has a “one man” show.

Life takes on all new rhythms, until they must decide:

It's time to make another move; God knows how hard they'd tried.

The farm and furnishings are sold and city life begins.

It's nice to have the ”boys” nearby and a neighborhood of friends.

As Fred takes joy in baseball games, helps Evert mow and paint,

Queen keeps having her art shows, and sales do escalate.

Before too long, one grandchild weds and Paul takes on a wife.

The family grows and grows again; THIS is the thread of life.

But by the middle '60's, Fred's health begins to fail;

and after more than 80 years, he leaves this life's travail.

For many  years she'd been his wife but now she starts a brand new life.

LIFE DEEPENS
(The cords of Gold)

The thread's a deeper color, the weave becomes more tight

And after she has grieved and mourned, Queen finds travel a delight.

By now her family's scattered; kids and grandkids far and wide;

There isn't much she likes much more than going for a ride;

Then at the age of 85, a new hobby she begins.

The bowling alley is the place. It's fun knocking down those pins!

She loves to tease the “youngsters” about their 10 pound balls;

Sells bread loaves to her cronies, cheers when the last pin falls.

But after years of city life, the cold begins to pall;

Our Queen begins to yearn for sun and a southern drawl.

What new place could suit her more than where her children are?

Where she can plant her flowers without cold winter's scar.

So toward the end of '88, she quickly packs her things

And with some sadness and more smiles,
she once more spreads her wings.
Now she lives in this fair land, with friends and family.

Around her home fair flowers bloom and birds sing happily.

3 generations - in front: Edna Hayward, Queen Franklin; 
in back Judy, Susan, Linda Hayward

This tapestry is not complete, though it throbs with colors bright.

For all of us are woven through the story of her life.

As Queen herself has often said, her goal remains the same.

And we'll confirm her life has left "a mark but not a stain”.

Queen Franklin on her 106th birthday in Venice, Florida

Written with great love by Queen's granddaughter, Judith Hayward Copeland, for the celebration of  her 100th birthday in March 29, 1991.

She left us May 27, 1998 but the memory of her life and adventures linger on.- with nary a stain.