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Archiver > ARIZARD > 2002-09 > 1031331741


From: "Bernie Moore-Knowles" <>
Subject: [ARIZARD-L] The rest of the story........John Charles Smith
Date: Fri, 6 Sep 2002 10:02:23 -0700


Hi all

I am not sure if any of you will recall my posting some questions to you last Spring about a mystery man named "Peanuts" that was supposedly a cousin of my mother's? I was curious as to who he was in hopes that it might lead me to my hiding Smiths?

I wrote that as a young child, I lived in Oologah, Oklahoma and that there was a man that was a cousin to Mother and that this man, I thought was nicknamed "Peanuts?" "Peanuts" and his wife either owned or worked at the "only store in town" there in Oologah.

I knew that this couple had a disabled son that always sat in his wheelchair in front of this store and when in my childhood innocence, I would ask my father about the little boy............who he was, what was wrong with him, etc. L. A. told me and it was my first remembered experience with the disabled and how to act, what not to do and how to help those less fortunate. Follow me?

He also told me that the little boy's father was a cousin of Mother's. I remembered that much.

Well, I found out recently through Bob Hudson, my newly found cousin who that little boy was and how he was connected to me.

The little boy was named John Charles Smith and he was born to Charles Laverne "Peaches" Smith and Cissie Kepler, there in Mountain Home, I think - in 1950. He was their only child and was born with CP.

"Peaches" and not my childhood memory of "Peanuts" was the son of Lewis Smith and Lewis was my grandfather's brother.

Bob Hudson tells me that Peaches and his wife; Cissie doted on the little boy that was afflicted and he lived a long life for one with CP, living until he was almost thirty years of age.

I relayed to Bob how even as a young child, I recall this little boy always smiling and that everyone that came into that store would stop, smile and just love on him. He was a great lesson for me to learn.

So, I now have a name to a face. Additionally, Bob Hudson sent me a photograph of little John Charles, aged five and I can tell you that I recognized him immediately. Never forget that wonderful smile and those dark eyes.

And know what?

Bob Hudson said that he drove through Oologah, Oklahoma on his way to OKC in 1965.

Darn! We had just missed each other it seems and that would have been another story. I would have known who my Smith family was and would not have to have waited almost forty years to find them.

Right?

Thought you all might like that Paul Harvey ending.

Bernie Moore-Knowles
Phoenix, Arizona

"I have Indian blood in me. I have just enough White blood for you to
question my honesty." ........Will Rogers


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