... In this chapter, Rosemarie discusses her mother’s love of (and knack for) telling ghost stories, and her ability to sense and see invisible presences around her. Mama Freeney’s abilities sometimes scared people, but she also knew how to handle and use those abilities for good. Ella Lee...

... Charles Dock Freeney Sr. (“Bud”) death nonviolence Ella Lee Freeney (“Mama Freeney”) Chicago Illinois ...

... Dock Freeney (“Daddy Freeney”) paternal care ...

... explain the origins of the mystic and healing traditions in the family, and draws parallels between Grandma Rye and Rosemarie’s own mother, Mama Freeney. Through Grandma Rye’s story, the chapter also speculates about the transformation from the practice of African religions to the acceptance...

... Relates Mariah Grant’s personal history and some of her personality traits. This chapter helps explain the origins of the mystic and healing traditions in the family, and draws parallels between Grandma Rye and Rosemarie’s own mother, Mama Freeney. Through Grandma Rye’s story, the chapter also...

.... The chapter is a meditation on how southern whites feared black people even as they refused to acknowledge their existence on a daily basis. Dock Freeney Macon Georgia World War I racism ...

... Tells the story of Rosemarie’s Uncle Willie Dan, and her father, Daddy Freeney, racing their cars along a Georgia country road. Both cars are filled with family members and when Uncle Willie Dan’s car crashes, the adults go looking for help for an injured Aunt Mary, instructing all the children...

... This chapter is about Rosemarie’s mother, Ella Lee, as a child and as an adult—her intelligence, her idiosyncrasies, her ability to make people feel good about themselves, her ethics, and what Rosemarie learned from her. Ella Lee Freeney Leesburg Georgia James Harris (“Papa Jim...

... African American community Freeney family Rosemarie Freeney Harding’s childhood Describes the Dardens, the family that lived across the street from Rosemarie in Woodlawn. Shirley Darden was Rosemarie’s best friend, and Rosemarie idolized Shirley’s older sister, Sarah. The Dardens were a kind...

... community Freeney family Rosemarie Freeney Harding’s childhood ...

... a slave, and Rosemarie felt lucky to hear her stories—even though they were often difficult—since her own grandparents had passed away before she was born. Shirley Darden Darden family Rosemarie Freeney Harding’s childhood stories of slavery ...

... Describes the circumstances surrounding the death of Rosemarie’s favorite older brother, Bud. The fact that her parents didn’t press charges against Bud’s killer informed Rosemarie’s belief in nonviolence. Charles Dock Freeney Sr. (“Bud”) death nonviolence Ella Lee Freeney (“Mama...

... north), and elements of the African American mystic tradition—dreams, visions, and sight. death and dying African spirituality Ella Lee Harris Freeney (“Mama Freeney”) secrecy dreams ...

... Rosemarie Freeney Harding Charles Dock Freeney Jr. rainstorm seasonal cycles ...