Characteristics of G-1's as Expressed by
G-2's and G-3's
(Reunion 2002 - June 22, 2002 -
Chowchilla)
The hard and fast
values that Lowery and Opla Poteete instilled in their ten kids, the G-1's,
have stood the test of time. All of us are here today because we share some of
those values - - among them loyalty and love of family. The warmth and love
among those ten brothers and sisters is a wonderful thing to see.
Through necessity,
all of those ten kids learned other values too. All developed a healthy capacity
for hard work at an early age. All learned patience. All have a remarkably even
temperament - - with allowances for the occasional outburst when provoked. And
all have mellowed a bit more with age.
In addition to
those collective values, each of the G-1's brings individual talents and
qualities to this family. Several G-2's and G-3's put their heads together to
identify those qualities. Following are words, phrases, and anecdotes
describing how these G-2's and G-3's perceive their parents, and aunts and
uncles among the G-1's. Special thanks to Cathie Proffitt for her warm memories
used here. See how fitting you think these descriptions are.
Monteen: "Grandma Moses", "The
Grand Dame", artistic, pretty darned smart, resilient, perceptive,
eloquent, fearless; she has managed to keep her sweet nature in spite of
incredible loss. Cathy
writes: I had permission at an early age to call her "Monteen", and
not "Aunt Monteen" as she didn't like the sound of it. Donna thought
that I just liked being disrespectful and would scold me when she heard me say
it. Donna needed to take lessons from Monteen on being an older sister. Now
that we are older, Donna has become a great friend; I'm sure that Monteen has
rubbed off on her. Monteen has such an appreciation for the small things: the
branch of a crepe myrtle in winter, the sounds of her sisters when they did the
dishes.
Reinette: Hospitable, the "glue" - -
her house is the center of everything, drop-in, decisive, direct, a great dry
sense of humor, social and fun loving. Cathie writes:
The hub of the whole clan. Her house on 19th Street in Bakersfield
is the jumpin' joint of the Poteete family. The basement with the special smell
and the trunk of beautiful dresses we could actually put on and play in. The
whole atmosphere is purely Reinette. What an open heart she has. Her home has
been and is home to so many. Aunt Reinette carried so much on her shoulders,
but with a gracious heart, a full table, and willing hands, it's just
impossible to thank her gracefully. So I'll resolve to emulate her character,
love, and care for the circle of the family and friends.
Max: Carpenter, storyteller, good humor,
role model, articulate, compelling communicator, philosopher, cool guy, tender,
poetic. Cathie: As a child
I remember thinking that Uncle Max could and did everything. He could fly a
plane, he built the building we passed going to Aunt Reinette's house, he even
smoked! He is a master family historian. With all the nieces and nephews he
has, we could easily blend into a homogenized mass, but he remains interested
in us as individuals and always seems to know the latest news in our lives.
Ruth: Gracious, steady, unassuming,
pragmatic, sensitive, quick wit, must have a suppressed party gene somewhere in
her DNA. Cathie: I'm sure
that sometime in the past, Martha Stewart stayed at Aunt Ruth's house and took
copious notes. My mom always spoke of Ruth being a person who can make anything
with anything; as I grew up, I noticed that she was right. Window coverings and
slip-covers were home made and looked good; gardens were planted from clippings
and starts from other people's gardens and looked great. Aunt Ruth is a study
in calm and capability. She always has a smile of welcome, very good food, and
a sense of humor. Anyone who has lived in Taft has to have those things.
Jeanne: Compassionate, emotional, welcoming,
loving, tender-hearted, the "Saint of Tears", flexible. Cathie: Aunt Jeanne's mission in life is
to make all those around her feel special. If it is in her power to make
something just for you, Jeanne will go the extra mile to make sure that things
are just right. Jeanne and Arnold are such a large part of our life, the
parents that never scolded, that rally behind us, that love us, warts and all.
Lucille: Loyal, capable, cheerful, practical,
seasoned, hospitable, can put you at ease, a thoughtful hostess, -- must come from all those years in DC
having to smile at people.
Cathie: Lucille lived half a nation away while I was growing up, and all I knew
about her is that she lived in large houses, had three sons that were way older
than me, and her husband owned a bank. Lucille and I have the same type of
problems now, such as how to keep deer out of the petunias and how to make a
hillside backyard attractive. Aunt Lucille's such a loveable, down-to-earth
woman, ready to buck hay or feed the crew a six-course meal. She is ready for
anything.
Peggy: Nurturing, giving, understanding, a
good sport, family oriented, firm discipline, makes great jam. Cathie: Mom is Opla Jr. Whether it was moral
responsibility, schoolwork, or painting the fence in 110-degree Maricopa heat,
Mom was on the lookout that we measured up with Opla sitting on her shoulder
whispering helpful hints. We grew up knowing that we came from a long line of
hard workers that didn't worry too much about what other people thought as long
as we developed a good character. And she taught us that appreciation grows out
of things that are worked for. Mom is a wife, career woman, homemaker,
character builder, and great cook. Excelling at all aspects, something that
Barbara Walters said can't be done.
Carol: Spirit-filled, tomboy, probing,
prayerful, leader, approachable, encouraging, motivating, has a global
perspective. Cathie: Carol
is timeless. I think she is the one aunt I could appreciate in every stage of
my growing years. I remember one Christmas when as a four year old, I was
pretty disappointed when my gag-gift turned out to be an art gum eraser. I just
couldn't believe it when Carol leaned down and asked if I wanted to trade it
for the disappearing milk doll bottle that she got. I couldn't believe that
someone could be so gracious; who could possibly want an eraser? She can take a
young girl and make her know that she is so important to the family and to God.
I've seen her do it. Willing, witty, wise, God has taken such raw material and
made such a wonderful person out of Carol.
Alan: Democratic, dependable, thoughtful,
pensive, industrious, a "live and let live attitude", a free spirit. Cathie: The quiet one. How cold he be
anything else, coming after seven sisters? Yet again, here is a resourceful,
unique Poteete. His way is just to get it done. I like the way he can acquire
an old house, live in it, fix it up, and move on. He seems to do this with the
people in his life also. He is always there to lend what he has to make the
occasion successful. From hauling nieces and nephews around the lake with his
boat, to splitting wood with my dad, he has been an understated yet crucial cog
in Poteete life.
Jessie: Opinionated, interesting, confident,
bold, independent, outspoken, eccentric (a good attribute). Cathie: Unique with a capital U! If there
is a different way to do anything, I think Jessie has found it, and made it her
own special way. Years ago, one of her kid's bedroom had palm trees painted on
the walls. Jessie had painted them freehand, not stenciled or wallpapered. What
a trendsetter! Whether it is diet, ways to keep house, or surfing the Net,
Jessie knows how to make the most of something and do it whole-heartedly and
add some panache.
So - - that's a
pointed assessment of our G-1's. While growing up and even today, I thought not
so much of the G-1's individually as I did of them as part of a couple. For me,
and other G-2's, I thought not so much of Jessie as I did "Wayne and
Jessie" or "Ruth and Art." And while we're here today to honor
the G-1's, their spouses deserve our thanks and honor as well: Bob Purdie, Tim
Sullivan, Dorie and Janet Poteete, Art Johnson, Arnold Liesch, Glenn Heitz,
Clyde Johnston, Lowell Fairley, Bev Poteete, and Wayne Lance.
Thanks to the
G-1's and their spouses!
Co-edited by Joe
Heitz and Cathy Proffit with help from a number of G-2's and G-3's.