The first grandchild of Isabel Harrell Cook

Isabel Harrell Cook and her first born grandchild
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

There are no words to describe how a person feels when they learn they are going to become grandparents. It's a mixture of joy, excitement, and a profound sense of love that overwhelms them. The realization that a new generation is being welcomed into the family brings a deep sense of fulfillment and a renewed sense of purpose. This is exactly what my mother felt when she became a grandmother.  There were times when she needed to be reminded that I was Joseph's  mother. To put it simply, it didn't matter. In the end, she didn't mind spoiling her first grandchild. Being a grandparent comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. On one hand, grandparents may struggle with finding the balance between spoiling their grandchildren and establishing boundaries. On the other hand, the joy of seeing their grandchild grow and thrive brings an immense sense of fulfillment and pride. Grandparents also have the opportunity to pass on their wisdom and experiences, creating a strong bond and leaving a lasting legacy. 

Joseph was the first grandchild of a new generation followed by fifteen more grandchildren and twenty-three great-grandchildren. All her offspring and family enjoyed eating Mama's famous strawberry cake. Joseph had four children.The oldest of his children is my mother's first-born great-grandchild.  My mother always asked Jo'elle if she wanted some homemade gumbo and strawberry cake whenever she called. The temptation was too great for Jo'elle to resist. The tradition of homemade gumbo holds a special place at our family gatherings. The delicious aroma of gumbo filled the air as we gathered at my mother's house. And of course, no family gathering is complete without Mama's famous strawberry cake and lemon pies a sweet delight that adds the perfect finishing touch to our cherished traditions. 

Teaching our youth to maintain the graves of their ancestors

  Tyra Climmons
Cleaning her maternal great-grandparents graves

Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

Growing up in Amite, Louisiana, my mother Isabel Harrell Cook took my three brothers and me to Big Zion Cemetery to maintain the graves of Jasper Harrell, Sr. and Josephine Richardson Harrell. It was very important to my mother to maintain their graves. We were taught the importance of caring for the graves. It is my youngest brother Michael Cook, Sr., who frequently cleans and paints the graves. We have been joined by Monteral Harrell and her daughter Tyra. Maintaining graves is not only a way to honor and remember our loved ones, but it also serves as a connection to our family history and heritage. It allows us to pay our respects and show our gratitude for the sacrifices and contributions they made during their lives.

Jo-Ann Lewis Frazier and her aunt Isabel Harrell Cook was the keepers of oral history

Jo-Ann Lewis Frazier and her aunt
Isabel Harrell Cook
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

My mother Isabel Harrell Cook was the family griot for both her paternal and maternal families. Among her records were photographs, documents, funeral programs, and other items useful for genealogy research. Being a family griot is a position of great importance and responsibility. It means being the keeper of family history, traditions, and stories, ensuring that they are passed down from generation to generation. By preserving and organizing these valuable records, my mother played a vital role in connecting our family to its roots and fostering a sense of identity and belonging. She taught me so much about our family history. Although she sometimes repeated the same stories over and over. 

Her niece Jo-Ann Lewis Frazier was the first of my grandparent's grandchildren. Jo-Ann was also a family griot. Her family stories always make me smile. Family history and traditions serve as a cultural and emotional anchor, providing a sense of belonging and identity to individuals and their descendants. They allow us to understand our roots, appreciate our heritage, and pass on valuable lessons and values to future generations. By preserving and sharing these stories, family griots like my mother and Jo-Ann ensure that our family's legacy is not lost, but rather cherished and celebrated. 

Josephine Doretha Richardson Harrell

Josephine Doretha Richardson Harrell
1912-1968

Originally from Montpelier, Louisiana, Josephine Richardson lived most of her life in Amite, Louisiana. Montpelier is located in St. Helena Parish. She was born to Thomas Richardson and Emma Vining Richardson on November 4, 1912, and died on March 20, 1968, in Amite, Louisiana. She later married her sweetheart, Jasper Harrell, Sr. They had ten children; Catherine Harrell Lewis, Jasper Harrell, Jr., Roosevelt Harrell, Sr., Frank Harrell, Sr., Isabel Harrell Cook, Leon Charles Harrell, Henry Harrell, Hebert Harrell, Raymond Harrell, Sr., Delores Harrell Washington and one adopted son Oliver Jackson, Sr.

Teaching the youth in the family to preserve family photographs

Tyra Climmons
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

Preserving family photographs is essential for our youth. Trya's mother Monteral Harrell inherited family photographs from her father Raymond Harrell, Sr. These family photographs serve as a precious link to the past, allowing future generations to connect with their roots and understand their heritage. They capture cherished memories and evoke powerful emotions, reminding us of loved ones and special moments that would otherwise fade away with time.