Katie Freligh Timmons

She was predeceased by son, Michael A Wright, Daughter, Jacquelyn M. Ritchison and grand-daughter, Stephanie K. Warner.

The fifth of eight children, she has one surviving sister, Phyllis Sadler of Cumming, Georgia. She is also survived by her beloved husband of 58 years, Frank Timmons Sr, son-in-law, Dean Ritchison, daughter-in-law, Isabel Wright, Daughter, Kathy Warner and husband, Steve, son, Tim Timmons and wife, Lou Ann and son, Rick Timmons.

Also surviving are grandchildren; Ritchie Ritchison and wife Gay, Peggy Sue Ritchison, Lisa Michelle Wright, Jacob B. Warner and wife, Adrienne and their sons, Aiden and Liam, Michelle McGuire and son, Caleb, Ann Marshall and husband, Mark and their sons, Lance, Logan, and Rees; Julie Garcia and husband, Rick and their daughters, Devin and Aidyn, Alyse Trumbleyand husband, Justin and Courtney Timmons, Blake Timmons and Spencer Timmons. Katie is also survived by her dear friend and sister-in-law, Helena Timmons.

Katie was born in Detroit, MI on July 27, 1922. The family moved back to Indiana when she was just a few months old. Her mother and dad separated in 1934 when she was 12.

In Katie’s Words:

It was 1934 in November, starting to feel chilly in northern Ohio when ou mother packed up an old Model T and with five kids, herself, all our clothing and belongings including the utensils necessary for making cookies in case we didn’t make it all te way to Florida. My 18 year old crother drove, my older sister riding in the middle in case he had a seizure. He had epilepsy. Mother was up front too and my younger brother and sister and I were in back. The trip was awesome, literally. The tires back then had intertubes. If you had a flat, you’d take the tube out, find the leak and apply a patch, stuff it back into the tire, refill the tube with air and travel on hoping you’d go a few more miles before having to go through the ritual; again. After a couple of days we made it through Cincinnati and down to Kentucky, the only stop where we were inside for the night. We rented a small cabin. We had canned beans for supper heated up in an iron skillet; for breakfast, oatmeal, cooked in the same skillet and with no milk or sugar. Not good.

Backing down a mountain in the dark was somewhat of a thrill too. The car conked out just before we reached the top so my brother decided to back down the mountain in neutral. One peep out of any o us in the back would result in a slap. I won.

After a few more days on two lane highways we moved it through the Georgia, Florida state line and headed down old US 19. It’s situated close to the western edge of Florida and now and then we’d catch a glimpse of water. Our hearts were filled with excited anticipation when we finally reached Clearwater, drove over the causeway and onto Clearwater beach. Everything was so bright and light with an endless, wide expanse of white, sandy beach with one small cabana on it where they rented towels. The owners were kind enough to let us use a tent there kids had set up on the beach. We used that little tent for home about a week until our resourceful mother found us a little house to rent just outside Clearwater. She had $21 dollars left to feed us until she found a job.

Thanksgiving came just a few days after we moved in. What a feast! Our “turkey” we red smoked sausage, fried potatoes and bread. Even I, with my picky appetite relished that meal.

Mother found a job in a grapefruit canning factory and Laurel later worked there too. Their supervisor turned out to be the minister’s wife at First Christian Church in Clearwater. She had one of her sons pick us up for services each week. Laurel ended up married to the older one. She was 21 years old.

A year later we moved into a little house in Clearwater. There were a couple grapefruit trees in our backyard and the Lord gave us each day our daily bread. This was accomplished via one of his angels “Mr. Goodman” who had a bread delivery route. Having no money and no job, Mother kept track of every loaf he gave her and paid every cent when she remarried. I loved Clearwater. We could walk to the beach and I enjoyed the water and beautiful white sand so much. However, because work was ever more plentiful in St. Pete, we moved there in 1937 where I completed Jr. High. Larry, my older brother came down from Ohio and lived with us. He started hanging out with a pretty rough crowd and I got drawn into it too. You might wonder where Mother was…she was most of the time working as a “practice nurse” 20 hours a day. She tried to come home during her 4 hour break but had to walk all the way, blisters o her feet from ill-fitting shoes. At this time I met and married my first husband. I had overwhelmed Mother with argument and she finally broke down and allowed the marriage. I stood there

repeating my vows all the time wishing I could stop the whole thing. A 15 year old is not mature enough to make a decision that will affect the rest of her life. By age 21 I was the single mother of a girl and boy.

The next years I worked in a variety of low paying jobs to support my family.

In 1942, I moved to Springfield Mass., where I worked in the armory manufacturing M-1 rifles. I moved back to St. Petersburg, FL where I worked at McRory’s and Montgomery Ward for the next 11 years. In 1952, I met Frank and on April 4th 1953 we married. I was 30, he was 21. As of this writing, we have been married 58 teerrific years! This is a fact which when we married, was prophesied by no one.

Frank and I have five children. All of my children are great blessings to me. My husband, Frank, has no equal in kindness, affection and consideration. He has never spoken a cross or mean word to me, but always treated me with total courtesy and love.

If it is possible to have greater blessings than my sweet husband and children, then those blessings would be my wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In looking back over the past years of my life, I see so many mistakes I have made; really BAD CHOICES,part of which were due to my immaturity at the time, a large part due to selfishness. Through all, however, my conscience accused me and I’m so grateful for that. It helps me finally, to recognize my sins and to thoroughly repent. Thank you, Dear Lord. My unceasing prayer is that my children and grandchildren will accept the Lord Jesus Christ and live their lives according to his will.

Katie Timmons

Following the service for Katie, Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas will host “Katie’s Casseroles”. Please meet us there.