Two issues ago we featured May and Elmer, but space constraints didn’t permit inclusion of my say on these two wonderful people.

Two of my personal favorites! They always made you feel so incredibly welcome in their home and camp at Black Lake. Plus I always loved to visit them in their Beaumont home because the city was so different from living in Cotton Valley—indeed three miles outside Cotton Valley in the “sticks”. Neighbors right next door including children to play with—we had some fantastic kick ball competitions in their front yard with the neighborhood children. They in-turn enjoyed the country, May in particular it seemed loved to visit us. It seemed she made it a point to come and come often, because she loved Jessie and Bessie so much. Often she was visited by herself especially later in life, but quite often the whole Beaumont clan came along especially during the holidays—Thanksgiving and Christmas. Good times!

When it comes to couples, “opposites attract” seems to have applied to May and Elmer, at least in my youth’s eye view this was certainly the case. May loved a good laugh and wasn’t above a good prank on unsuspecting young boys. I well remember a couple of incidents where she “got me”. Once I was pestering—of course I was always busy pestering—and I don’t remember the exact context, but I believe I must have been after her to share or give me something. She gave me something all right—she grabbed my outstretched hand and spit right into it! That taught me a lesson if a brief one! (I understand I wasn’t alone in receiving that surprise though!) Another incident which stays with me, was also many years ago at our home. I was outside the kitchen window and was busy pestering May through the window—probably being very obnoxious and loud. I’d do my thing then beat a hasty retreat, but she caught me out about the third or fourth round and doused me good with water thrown right through the window screen. Having believed I was safe, I’m sure I had a very surprised look which caused her to laugh and laugh!

By comparison, as a small boy I was always a bit reluctant to get too close to Elmer due to his abrupt manner—guess I was just a little intimidated and didn’t understand his personality as a lad. But he too was obviously as good as gold because otherwise he’d have given Jon Barker and I a lot of trouble after we dumped his outboard motor into Black Lake (see Jon’s account in Volume 3 Issue 3 dated July 2003). Unbelievably he never said a word to us about it! He too was entertaining—just without intending to be I think. Many is the time we have had a good chuckle about his fishing—the way he always wanted the engine’s throttle opened up—even when crossing Black Lake’s stump and snag infested “gar wallow”. Shear pins were always a required “accessory” when you were in the boat with Elmer! And that small aluminum fishing boat of his, which was unsteady underfoot and so noisy—it is a wonder he could catch a fish. From some distance away it was very easy to hear him making his way from the front to the back of the boat and vice versa, and hauling his fish stringer out of the lake! Bless his heart though—many is the time he towed us out to the channel and back—always without a complaint. I always admired his taste in automobiles though—as I remember he always drove Pontiacs. Whenever they visited I always waited with anticipation to see if they had another new “Poncho”. Might have had something to do with my first two cars being Pontiacs.

I suppose the most telling thing I can say which captures the goodness of May and Elmer, is their outstanding character and strong love of God and family. I point out how they helped provide for Mary Lou Belle and the three girls after Alan died. They practically raised Bessie you might say, and Ada and Jessie also spent lots of time in their home. But the bottom line for me is their own family. If a good measure of a couple is how their children turned out, May and Elmer get an A+. They raised such nice children who in-turn have done an equally admirable job with their families. I have always said that the “Beaumont bunch” are some of the best people one can ever meet and I’m very proud to call them family!