This is our grandfather, most knew him as Armon. My brother and I referred to him as Grandpa! Armon was born November 2, 1931 in Richland, Arkansas (Eula on the map). He was a son of William “Sumner” and Lona Emiline (Stephens) McCutcheon. On April 23, 1954 he married our grandma, Wanda Estalee (Milam). She was the daughter of Monroe Marvin and Maybelle Martha (Yancey) Milam. Grandma Wanda was born August 9, 1934 in Burr Oak Arkansas. Our grandparents went on to have four children of their own. The oldest was Margie Elaine, most knew her as Susie, I will do some asking to find out how she got the name Susie. In my forty years that was the name I have known her by! Next is Randy Bruce, he is the oldest boy! The man my brother and I refer to as dad! I am not sure where the name Randy came from, but I will assume the Bruce came from granny’s brother Paul Bruce. Then Elona Mae, I believe she was named after her grandma Lona and grandma Maybelle. Someone will correct me if I am wrong! Last, Andy William was born! He was the youngest of the crew. When I asked my dad about where he (dad) was born, he told a story of granny having him and needing to stay in town. I am assuming town was Harrison, Arkansas. The lady that granny stayed with had told granny if she had another boy he needed to be named Andy! So maybe that’s how Andy got his name! Looking back through family history, William was a very common name in our family! Hopefully we can discover just how far back it goes!
—- ok!—— So apparently aunt Susie got her name from my great grandpa Sumner. From what I gathered when he played with her he called her Susie Q and it stuck! Upon further investigation grandpa Sumner had nicknames for them all! Margie = Susie Q, Randy= Shorty, Andy= Dint (not sure if this was a Sumner nickname or not), and Elona=Babe!
BACKUP—— The lady granny Wanda stayed with in Harrison was her aunt Adele (Maybelle’s sister), not sure if she had wanted Randy to be Andy and was grumping that he wasn’t and then granny had another boy and named him Andy. I also heard she had a walking stick and if you didn’t pay attention when she was speaking to you then she would whack you! Maybe I need a stick, wonder if that would work for me also!
Grandpa Armon’s siblings are Sam Newton McCutcheon (Memphis, Tennessee), he was the oldest and Olee Monroe (Oakdale, California) was his sister. Looking through old records, there was another brother listed, Louis born in 1917 and passed weeks after birth. This child is buried at Hall Cemetery Eula, Arkansas. Grandpa Armon was Pentecostal in faith and loved to attend Falling Water Church. He was traditional, holding strongly to “old” fashioned ways, in which he instilled in his children and grandchildren. Grandpa was a farmer, he loved the land, it makes my heart happy knowing that his farm is still in the family and open for all family to come visit at any time! Grandpa used to sit out in the front yard and always had a whittling stick and a pocket knife! The cedar shavings were always pile high, he even used to show us grandkids how to whittle! Grandpa was also a veteran of the Air Force, I will have to get back to you on the dates and locations he served. OH! I need to mention he was a hardcore Missouri State Lady Bears fan! He was serious when it came to game time! Grandpa went to be with the Lord January 22, 2009 and is buried in the Hall Cemetery at Eula, Arkansas. He is loved and missed.
Grandma Wanda had several siblings. Nellie Milam, Georgia Homan, Alfred Milam, Barbara Horn, Ben Charles Milam, Paul Bruce Milam, and Donald Wayne Milam. Granny was also of Pentecostal faith, she loved listening to old gospel, Christian, and western music. Granny loved to cook, cooking meals for her family were a favorite for all. She enjoyed working in the garden, they both did! Granny passed on January 24, 2014 and is buried next to her loving husband at the Hall Cemetery. She is also loved and greatly missed!
My perspective:
I loved to spend time at the farm in Richland Valley with my parents and grandparents. I still do! We lived close and were able to go often! I have such fond memories. When the creek was up, dad would pack his chainsaw and we would take off through the “Gap of the Mountain”. This was always exciting, we never knew what we would run into! Especially after a big storm. If granny knew we were coming, you can rest assured that she would have biscuits from scratch and chocolate gravy! It was the best, it was one of the grandkids favorites! They didn’t have phones when we were little and communicated with a CB radio. Grandpa’s handle was Tin Badge and grandma was Lady Tin Badge. Sometimes we were able to chat with them on the CB from our home. When we were at the farm, if we were lucky grandpa would let us talk to the CB buddies! It was always a fun time! Sometimes I wish mom and dad still had an old CB radio. Seems like every time it rains much their phone goes out! More about granny and grandpa later!
Aunt Susie, now she was a character. I spent lots of time with her growing up. For awhile she drove our school bus, to Leslie, during the mornings and evenings. She worked through the day in nursing. She is one of the ones who encouraged my brother to go to x-ray school. Then they both influenced me to go as well! She often would drive our basketball team to our away games! She was one of our biggest fans! But, when she sat with her brother and sister-in-law at the games…..well, it was loud! I remember when I was graduating high school one of her gifts to me was a CD. It was Lee Ann Womack, with the song I Hope You Dance marked! I hope I did dance, and continue to dance. When I need encouragement I still like to seek out that song! I also dance in the rain! Aunt Susie was born March 7, 1955 and passed December 6, 2003. She is buried in the Hall Cemetery also. She is missed and loved! I missed her birthday this year, but one day I plan to do a polar plunge on her birthday! Where we all jump in Richland creek at the Eula crossing and go swimming! Burrrr. This is something my dad talks about aunt Susie doing on her birthdays!
Aunt Elona, just like her big sister, she is a character! She didn’t live close to home, but I have great memories of visits to the creek. Often, we refer to “the creek” as the farm where they grew up! We are still making memories. When aunt Elona came in for a visit we were sure to all be at the creek. Always lots of laughs, good food, and better company! My grandparents loved it when the kids and grandkids with all there for a visit! Elona still lives a ways off, but we make sure the make the best of it when she comes for a visit! We explore the valley, reminisce with old stories and memories. She pursued a career in nursing! That keeps her very busy, plus her kids and grandkids! But she still makes time to come “home” and see us all!
Then, we have our uncle Andy! Andy is a tough one, he left for the Air Force just eight months or so after his high school graduation. He spent most of his time in Louisiana at a base there. He spent over one year in the Philippines as well. Other random assignments were in Panama, Honduras, and Saudi Arabia. He eventually moved back to Arkansas with his wife of 20 years (this year) Cheryl. Andy finished out his career working out of Little Rock Arkansas Air Force base. He retired in 2008 after serving 20 years and 11 days in the Air Force. He then moved back closer the creek and has his own farm in Searcy County!
More to come later! Love and Hugs- Cassie