The word stranger has a hospitable
meaning in Memphis, Tennessee. Strangers speak to you like they know you:
"mam" or "Miss Myrna. " Memphis is a different culture. It
seems that I am no longer a Memphian. I
can say that I am ‘from Memphis.’ Living
in Manhattan, New York for thirty years disqualifies me from being a Memphian. During
this visit back to my hometown my hosts, Bev and Rob Crawford had to remind me
that Memphis is a different culture.
At the gas station on Elvis Presley
Blvd with points available for the neighboring Kroger grocery store; the woman
in line ahead of us offered to pump our gas. I was speechless, suspicious, afraid.
Perhaps I should cower my New York city smugness. Such bravado is misguided
because Memphians have a few things figured out. My high school classmates are
living large in classy sports cars with golf clubs in the back, large two car
garage homes with two large trees on the front lawn. They know how to live with this land and in
this culture: Latitude 35
°10’22.13N Longitude 89 °44’35.92W
So did my grandfather, Dr. Greene
Forte Pinkston. My mother’s father, GF graduated from Meharry Medical School in
1904. This began a tradition of family members attending undergraduate and
graduate professional schools in Nashville, Tennessee. His medical practice in
Memphis and in Cordova was miraculous given the segregated culture at that
time. His medical practice included obstetrics, dentistry and pharmacy. In 1915
GF purchases 258 acres of farm land in the rural area Cordova at $50/acre. His
early plans included a dairy farm with his sister and her husband.
In 1963 at the age of 87 years GF was
a victim of eminent domain. The Tennessee Valley Authority purchased 188.66
acres of his farmland for $530/acre. TVA and Memphis, Light, Gas and Water utility
would build a $8.3 million facility, a substation/service center on the site of
the Pinkston medical office and family farmhouse. It is estimated that this
land is worth $10,000/acre today.
My first cousins who live and thrive
in this ‘today’ Memphis have organized the placement of a Historical Marker at
1738 Lenow Road, Cordova, TN. It stands tall across the road from the TVA substation/service
center. Family members from east and west were present November 12th
for the Dedication Ceremony. My physical
memory peaked as we turned left onto Lenow
Road. The giant substation loomed ahead on the left. The Historical Marker stands
on the right. Only the citizens of
Shelby County are grateful for the electricity that fueled the sprawling
development of east Memphis. There is a
Starbucks coffee shop at the nearby Mall.
At the Dedication Ceremony on
Saturday we were all grateful to Howard Pinkston, Jr, grandson who presented
long stem red roses to the organizers: two of the granddaughters Bonnie and
Carmen Pinkston. We heard from dignities
and family members who made tributes to the life and times of GF. Jimmy Ogle,
Shelby County Historical Commission was the Master of Ceremonies. He introduced
his colleagues, including Sylvester Lewis who subsequently unveiled the Marker
at roadside. A friend to the ‘farm’ family and neighbor John L. Garrison Jr.
reminisced. Darlene Sawyer, author and Cordova historian gave detailed
historical information. www.cordovahistory.com My childhood friend and historian Roland Walter spoke along
with V. Lynn Evan, TVA Board of Directors. Ms. Evan suggested a justification
for this uprooting. "The land where the farmhouse stood (and the pecan
trees that I remember) was flat enough for the necessary construction."
She presented a plaque to our family.
Wentworth "Earl" Miller
lll, grandson had heard that GF had a style of discipline that simply required
"a look." This was kinder than his treatment of the farm animals.
Garland Pinkston Jr., grandson described
his youthful experiences as a summer visitor from Washington, DC. He
remembered the picking of the prickly cotton.
Pauline Pinkston Oden, youngest
daughter of GF shared her query, "Why did GF move to the Cordova
farm?" She understood that her Dad valued education for herself and
siblings. Their mother Penella B. Horne and children lived in Memphis going to
school. Summers were spent with farm chores including gardening, then selling
the garden vegetables at the Memphis market. "Why did he choose to be
`everyones´doctor, a gentleman farmer and raise nine children?" Charles
Pinkston, son of GF asked "How did he do it all?"
When
Howard Pinkston,Jr spoke he said
"Dad (son of GF) had a passion for farming." He worked with his dad
as a young adult with the early mornings and the long days, the brutally hot
rides on the tractor and other challenges that have guaranteed that a portion
of the original acreage remains in their family. Walking on this land Saturday, I stepped away from the temporary tent, away
from the stage, the chairs, the ramp for Uncle Howard’s wheelchair, the buffet table,
the champagne, walking away from the attending friends and family with their
numerous cars parked along the roadside. It is an ironic scene. My eyes teared
at the sight; the imposing swath of giant electrical towers across this land.
My steps landed between rows of six inch corn plantings. The soil was soft but
dry. The color was tan; my shoes were dusted.
There are many things wild and
wonderful in the culture that was once my Memphis home. Jerome Wright,
journalist details this family history on the editorial page of the local
paper, Sunday, November 6, 2016. http://www.commercialappeal.com/story/opinion/columnists/jerome-wright/2016/11/05/honor-gentleman-farmer/93244096/
He describes my grandfather, not the `Grindfather,´ Tony Allen, Memphis
basketball Grizzlies forward. We photographed
the full moon at perigee in the
Crawford’s backyard. It was dark enough to see Venus. I practiced my swing jazz
piano studies at AMRO Music Store for no $charge. In Elmwood Cemetery we
meandered among friends and relatives.
It was 4:30pm when the night watchman invited us to leave. Steve Harvey,
TV/radio 103.5fm personality tied together lives long past, living large and
love of God.
