The decision wasn’t easy.
Our family sat around an oval oak table in the kitchen for months, pondering and praying. Our family’s hearts and our souls were woven into the fabric of my hometown. Ripping us out would be as painful as snatching a 3-foot Band-Aid off sensitive skin.
But if I was to stay family-connected, we needed to move to the geographic center of Community Newspapers Inc. (CNI). CNI had grown across four states—Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas. We considered three towns. Alan, Emily and Eric voted for Athens. Pam and I agreed.
When my classmate and barber heard the news, Jerry Moseley said, “I thought Panama’s dictator Manuel Noriega would have moved to Jesup before you ever left Wayne County.” That was 1990.
No, it wasn’t easy. But Emily explained it this way, “Dad, we have the best of both worlds. We have all of our old friends in Jesup plus all of our new friends in Athens.” When my parents were alive, they said, “Since you’ve moved, we see more of you now than when you lived across the street.” We will always keep the asphalt hot, back and forth.
As I explained to Jerry, the decision was all about family. And we soon gained an extended family, friends’ children who attend the University of Georgia. For 34 years, we’ve been welcoming those UGA students into our home. The giving goes both ways.
We’ve provided home-cooked meals and whatever they needed, including advice on mechanics, tow trucks, doctors, veterinarians, dentists, churches, and sometimes lawyers. But without their knowing, the students continue to give us a link to back home. Sunday night was an example.
UGA freshmen and roommates Griffin Phelps and Andy Peel came to the farm. Pam prepared simple family favorites, but the main item on the menu was just visiting. I don’t remember a time in my life that Griffin’s and Andy’s families weren’t an important part of my life.
Griffin Phelps
I visited Griffin days after he was born. Joe Phelps Jr.—his Big Daddy—was my best boyhood buddy. I spent countless nights in the Phelps home to go hunting and fishing with Joe and his dad. Joe Sr. and Jeanette Phelps were another set of parents to me.
Griffin’s MeMe (the former Judy Bennett), Joe and I were members of Jesup High School’s Class of 1966. Griffin’s dad, Joe III, once lived with Alan in Athens. Joe and Judy were regulars in our home during Bulldog football season. I delivered Griffin’s grandfather Joe’s eulogy in August 2018.
Andy Peel
Cherry Street merchants Jimmy and Vonice Sullivan—Andy’s maternal great-grandparents—were pillars of the community. I learned the art of extraordinary customer service by working at S&R Men’s Shop. Andy’s grandmother Jan Sullivan Peel also attended Jesup High.
And when Jan and her husband, Gary, moved to our hometown, Mr. Sullivan said, “Make Gary feel welcome and introduce him to everyone.” Gary’s and Jan’s daughter Laura, Emily’s friend, was a regular in our home. I was born in Andy’s great-great-grandfather’s Ritch-Leaphart Hospital, across the street from his great-grandparent’s stores.
In each of Andy’s and Griffin’s families, our connection runs five generations deep. Of course, I miss waking up in Wayne County. But all those years ago, Emily got it right, “Dad, we have the best of both worlds.” That fact remains a constant. In 2012, we moved to our Oglethorpe County farm in the historic Smithonia community so that we could stay close to our children and eight grandchildren.
And I am sure Jerry Moseley would agree with this. Two of life’s greatest treasures are family and friends.
Wherever you are.
dnesmith@cninewspapers.com
