I was blessed to have parents who cared for their family. They each saw to it parents were cared for, housed and saw to all their needs until they passed. I loved spending time with my maternal grandparents (especially, my “Bom-Bom,” who was THE best cook in the world!). Unfortunately, I never knew my paternal grandmother … she passed shortly after my birth … but I certainly heard some stories.

My granny, Nettie Ferrell, must have been quite something. She raised her large brood of boys s...