Find more celebration posts at Ruth’s blog.
I grew up in Jackson, MS. My father grew up in Jackson. Mom moved to Jackson when she was 15. Even though they both lived in Jackson, they didn’t meet until they were attending LSU. I love to tell the story about how they met at the Episcopal Student Center and that Jeff and I met at the same place.
I came home yesterday for the Memorial Day weekend. Dad showed me that his cousin had given him a thorough book about his mother’s ancestry. Reading through genealogy is interesting to me. I spent some time last night and this morning reading. My father was interested in the murder story. Apparently a brother of his great grandfather killed the mayor in an argument over back taxes.
The story that interested me was about his great grandfather’s wife, Malvina. My father’s great grandfather, William Yerger, was a prominent man in the history of Mississippi. He became Chief Justice of the State and worked toward the state’s reconstruction after the Civil War. But I took interest in the quality of character that his wife upheld. A tribute to Malvina appeared in a Jackson newspaper after her death on Dec. 4, 1914.
For a southern woman to have passed through the bitter years of war, and the bitter years of sacrifice after the war, to have given up her beloved ones to fill the ranks of gray clad youths, and then to give up all else–home, land possessions, everything save honor and loyalty and love, meant that she had been burned as with fire, and in the case of Mrs. William Yerger, the fires had marvelously purified a nature already of the finest, and it seemed that the years since then, have in consequence, been one long season of benediction to the world about her, where her example has oftentimes encouraged those who have suffered loss and grief, and others the heavy burden–to think upon the life of this noble woman and thinking, it lift up the heavy heart and go forward with renewed courage and faith.
I wish I could go back in time to know her. Having such a strong woman in my ancestry comes with empowerment as well as responsibility. Maybe some small part of Malvina is in me, and with whatever fire may occur, I will be able to encourage love and honor and raise up the suffering.
Reflections on the Teche 
Seems Malvina lived through turbulent times with grace. Having this connection to the past is fascinating.
Malvina. An uncommon name for an uncommon person. This post got me thinking not only about her about her era and ours.
It is an inspirational story, especially for you, Margaret. It’s lovely that the cousin has gathered the stories of your ancestry. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
What a gift to read this kind of book about ancestors – not just names and dates but stories too.
I love this tribute to your great great grandmother. And yes, I think you may have inherited some of Malvina’spersonality. How lucky that a cousin shared this book with your dad and that you’re able to wander in its pages.
That book is a treasure. How exciting, Margaret, to read about your greats- . I love history especially when ancestors are involved! What a tribute to your great… great grandmother, Malvina — that thinking upon her life would “lift up the heavy heart” so they could “go forward with renewed courage and faith.”
It is a story that makes you want to know the heroine in person. I think empowerment and responsibility are a great heritage, and you are living out both.