This is my latest installment - I know I jump around LOL  And this post might be a bit rambling but it is going to be focused on my father's side of the family.

My father's side of the family is not Jewish.  They are essentially Heinz 57 (they probably have a blending if just about every nationality) Because he was not sure of his background.  So, I just considered his background as a typical Okie.

My father's side of the family - I honestly do not know very much.  My father (Jim Clayton Woolwine) was born in Oklahoma (Shawnee, OK).  His mother was Neva and his father I believe was named Jim, as well (though I am not sure).  His Father was in the merchant marine and when Neva found out that he had a woman in every port that basically ended their relationship (so I have been told) but she wasn't very stable either (she was an alcoholic).  Neva did not raise my father, Neva's mother did.  My father considered his grandmother to be his mother.  When he introduced my mom to his family he called Golda (his grandmother) mom.  My mother told me that when she finally met Neva, my father was very embarrassed and did not want the two to met.   Neva died before I was born I believe around 1968 or 1969. 

Grandma Murray (Golda) I remember somewhat.  I still have her bible and when I open it it still smells like her and her cat LOL.  What I remember of her is her being TOTALLY Evangelical.  That is where I think that side of the family gets it from.  She would be very upset with me if she was still alive because I am not a Christian and that I am Jewish.  She was that type of person.  I also remember going into her house when I was a kid and she stored bacon fat in the kitchen.  LOL Funny memories.  I remember picking her up to go to church every sunday and after church the family would go out to lunch or we would pick up lunch and take it to the house and she would make our plates and talk about the sermon. In 1982, she went into the hospital for cataract surgery and while she was recovering she had a heart attack and passed away.  I remember that as well because the principal at my sister's and my school pulled us from class and drove us home.

I never knew any of my grandfathers.  They passed away before I was born.  I knew that Golda's husband was a moonshiner back in Oklahoma but when they moved to California they owned a gas station in Whittier, California.

My fathers side of the family continuously did a full court press in trying to convert my mother and her side of the family to Christianity.  My mom did convert (before I was born) and when she passed away in November we made sure that she had a cross on her burial stone (as she wanted).   My grandmother (on my mom's side) she was always polite but they never got anywhere with her.  

When I told my father's side of the family that I was going to enroll at California Baptist College - to obtain my Bachelors Degree, they were against it.  They felt that the college was going to try to convert me and take me away from the "True Path of Christianity"  - though at the time I was not going to church at all. At the time I was not religious to the point that I was very disenchanted with the Church of Christ (but thats for another post). 

My father's sister (who actually is his aunt) is still alive and she looks just like Golda.  The last time I saw them (her, her husband and their children) was when my mother passed away.  I know my sister has been in contact with them about once a year but there is very little in common, unfortunately.  Their lives evolve around Church - that is what they do for a living (Jack - Nancy's husband) is retired military and a church elder and Lonnie (their son in law) is a preacher.

Anyway, that is about all I know of my father's side of the family.  I will make a post about my dad - but it will be a shocker - just a warning a head of time.

Posted by: Robert Woolwine at 08:28 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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