Big Daddy

    Big Daddy as he was known to his children and grandchildren was born in 1877 in Wayne County to the parents of Dr. Thomas S.and Minerva Jane Gullick Evins. His real name was Thomas Jane Evins. About two weeks after Thomas's birth, his mother died.  He was basically an only child.  His older brother by 18 months died on his second birthday about six months after their mother's death.  With the help of a wet nurse and his Gullick grandparents, Thomas was raised by his father
    In 1912 when he was 34 years old, he married Alma Dox Sharp who later became known as Big Mama. They had five children of which one was my grandmother.The picture below was taken on their wedding day.  Such solemn expressions for what sure had been a happy day.

    Oh, how I wish I could remember all the stories Grandma told about her family. I do recall she said her father would buy a large hanging cluster of bananas and store them in a closet underneath the stairs.  The children had a treat often. Also, she told about how fearful her mother was of storms.  Whenever a storm approached, she and the children would get under the bed.