Recollections of a Chickasaw Chick
By Sylvia Barker Osborne
Can a space in time really fill our soul? Can a smell, the shadows of light on leaves, or church bells ringing, really take you back to those good ÒoleÓ days?
As I sit here writing this little note to accompany our City of Chickasaw booklet I believe the answer is ÒyesÓ.
Thinking of the First Baptist Church of Chickasaw on the corner of 5th and 3rd street, and remembering our special friend, Dr. Bob ÒCoffee with the ParsonÓ Barker, is an anchoring memory of this space in time. The challenge to go forth and do good by spreading the work of God was given to a group of bright, eager young people. Years later the word of God in song and word came from the lips and hearts of these young people, and it has reached around the world. Dr. Bob would be so proud of the accomplishments of his flock.
The Chickasaw Methodist Church was the spiritual home of many of the Chickasaw young people. Commitments of Faith gave us a strong foundation upon which to build our live. MYF, summer camps, and choirs were all activities that occupied our time and filled this space with good memories.
OH, that wonderful magic block of Chickasaw Stores!!!! So many coke floats at the soda fountain of Chickasaw Drug store. . . too many to count. The 5 and 10c Store where some of us had our earliest paying jobs. The Post Office that looked and smelled special even during those years. Our Delchamps Grocery Store was like a good familiar friend. Many of our beaus had their first jobs there. Mr. Fred Denton taught our guys how to pack a bag of groceries, and I imagine most of them can still pack a tidy bag.
The precious little library with our precious little Ms. Smallwood.. Her stern look and gentle voice taught us how to reverence the books offered to us there.
The walk through the Chickasaw park over the bridge that led to Chickasaw Elementary School was fraught with danger. Remember the troll that lived under the bridge al those years? I wonder what happened to him. Maybe he hides under a bridge in another town that still has little people running for safety with happy giggles.
Chickasaw Theatre Saturday special double features. . . remember how many times we gladly did our chores for our allowance so that we would not miss a Saturday show? Remember all the cowboy shows in continuing episodes? We tried never to miss one. The beautiful ladies and handsome men in those old films gave us something about which we could daydream.
Many of our dadas worked at the shipyard or paper mills, or worked or owned businesses that provided support jobs for those companies. I think these giant mills and shipyards produced a brotherhood among the workers. Shift work was just the norm for many of our households. Plans had to be made around those schedules.
Our MOMS!!!!!!!!!!!! Our wonderful, beautiful, loving moms! We were so loved and protected!
So, I do believe a space in time can fill the soul.
My soul is filled with love, respect, and appreciation that we were fortunate to have lived within the pages of the City of Chickasaw historyÉÉÉÉÉÉ.. 1940-1960.
Published by permission of the author, Sylvia Barker Osborne