Sylvia Edmondson-Holt - Between the Pews: More Than a Sabbath Days Journey from the Promise Land

Between the Pews

More Than a Sabbath Days Journey from the Promise Land

Sylvia Edmondson-Holt

Copyright 2016 by Sylvia Edmondson-Holt.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016910727

ISBN: Hardcover 978-1-5245-1472-3

Softcover 978-1-5245-1471-6

eBook 978-1-5245-1470-9

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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Rev. date: 07/25/2016

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Contents

Mr. Alex Will iams

Home Telehealth staff of TVHS

Promise Land Community Heritage Associa tion.

The residents of Dickson County, Tenne ssee

The Masons and Eastern Star Association of Charlotte, Tenne ssee

Hampton High School Alumni Association, Dickson, Tennessee, and Class of 1962

Special Dedica tion

Mr. Harold Bell because Bobby considered you his best friend in the world from high school and on. Not just anybody had that privilege. Thank you for your friend ship.

Mr. Dan Buckner, former mayor of Dickson, Tennessee. Mrs. Bettye Buckner and Reed. I simply cannot express how much we appreciated this family. Mother met and worked several years later in life for them. She loved you like family, and you gave that love back. She often talked about her friendship with Mrs. Ledbetter like a sister (a white family, for the reader who does not know).

Special Dedication and in Loving Me mory

Mrs. Wilma Talley, my sister. My lifetime pal. She was my sister and best friend for ever.

Dr. Ardis H. Edmondson-Holt, my niece. You left us too soon, but we believe that God knows best. We love and miss you.

The late Mr. Dennison and Mrs. Thelma Dennison. They owned Dennisons Motors, a car dealership and was the first sponsor of Theodore Edmondson and the Promise Land Singers radio program. (Some readers might not know; these were white friends of my par ents.)

The late Bro. Henry Ragan and Mrs. Nancy Ragan. Former owners of the Friendly Neighbors Furniture Store, Dickson, Tennessee. This store is still open t oday.

Our family will never forget this family. They also sponsored the Promise Land Singers on the radio program. They remained friends with my mother until her death. When mother passed, Brother Regan wrote in her visitation book: Lizzie, tell Theo hello. I can imagine what a time they are having together around the Great Throne of God. The day of Mothers funeral Brother Ragan had breakfast for our family at the Shoneys in Dickson. That was the kindest thing and exactly what we needed (white friends of my par ents).

Very Special Dedication and in Loving Me mory

Mr. Bobby Lane Holt and his chil dren.

I respectfully dedicate my memoir to the Late Bobby Lane Holt because we met at the ages of fifteen and seventeen. He is naturally a large portion of my story and the father of my three sons. If in writing I have made any comment or statement about him that seemed negative in any way, I apologize. It was not meant to be. The truth sometimes is negative, but the positive is how we deal with it. I am thankful for many good memories. I am sorry that it could not have lasted forever. I believe he served his purpose while here.

Because he possessed excellent wisdom as a young man, our children are blessed for generations to come. To disrespect his memory would be a direct reflection on my own integrity. Without him, I wouldnt have you, my children and grandchildren. I gained a lot from the wisdom and knowledge he possessed that has made me a better person. I owe God first and then him the highest praise for protecting our family until we are like baby eaglescould fly a lone.

We developed a compatible relationship to accommodate our children and grandchildren and to facilitate closure to our own. God has commanded us to love one another and to forgive each other as he so generously has forgive n us.

I know that it was well between us before his passing as our children witnessed. And in closing, I say, I want to remind his children: he was proud of you, and he loved all of you.

Is it well? Yes. It is well. I thank God it is well with our spirits, his, and mine.

In loving memory of our babies lost at b irth:

Our son Bobby Edmondson Holt (Bobby and Sylvia Holt) and our grandson Avery Duran Holt (Andre and Chiquilla Holt). We look forward to seeing our babies in he aven.

ILLU SION

Hold me not illu sion

Let me have mind eye

That I may see what is true.

Move me not in w aves;

Let me taste not, thy be auty

Empty me not. Leave me my p ride.

You must not balance my fate

Let me make it through the gate

That I may be free of your w rath.

Terrell J. Holt Sr., 1981

Special Th anks

Special thanks to my sister Helen M. Hughes for your generous support while we reminisced together during the time I was working on this project. We laughed at the fun times. We cried over the sad times. Most important, you listened to me all the time. Your diligence to ramble through your endless pile of pictures and memorabilia trying to find the right relic has been priceless. Thank you so much for your love and dedication to the preservation of our heri tage.

Special thanks to my cowor kers

Un agradecimiento especial a mi compaero de tra bajo

Un agradecimiento especial a Natalie Rodrguez. Usted ha odo y ledo muchas de mis historias. Su nimo y fe en m ha sido apreciada. La mayor parte de todo gracias por su amor y ami stad.

Special thanks to Alex Williams. I appreciate all your help and encouragement as a friend and coworker. Your awesome wisdom and wonderful sense of humor will never be forgo tten.

TO MY CHILDREN/GRANDCHIL DREN

Favorite Memories of My Sons

Terrel l Sr.

You have always been adventurous. Have you told me really? Have you told me about all the trips you and your best friend took in that little Dodge Dart while calling and telling Daddy and me, We are across town at friends house and spending the night. Donor finally confessed about the flat tire in Memphis when you guys had to sleep in the car overnight. I am sure there were other times and places you went. God protected you then, and he will continue. You enjoyed your adventures; that is all I care a bout.

When your daddy left the table at dinnertime, hed say, Boys, eat all your food. When hed return, those plates were cleaned. Usually the dogs had enjoyed it before he got back. One time he looked out the back door to find turnip greens swinging from the rail on the porch. He loved to tell that story to his friends. Who didnt eat their turnip gr eens?

A ndre

You have been a true delight as a child and in adulthood. You are the one who never got in trouble, except you hit a little girl in kindergarten. When the principal called me, I took up for you, letting him know I have taught you to protect yourself. Upon investigation, we found that the little girl had passed the first lick. He understood that I had not told you it was all right to fight anyone. But the little girl must be taught not to hit as well.

My most precious memory is when you were about three years old, we were trying to put up an artificial Christmas tree. You stated, Well, lets just find the recipe (directions). Then we can d o it.

You were always the early riser, and in the summer, you could be found in the backyard fishing in Lake Imagery (your imagination) before the rest of us wer e up.

I think you are the one who so generously told your six-year-old classmates about Old Santa Claus. You were not trying to ruin Christmas for them. But he was not in the same league as Jesus Ch rist.