Brittany Nickell
Dorothy was my grandmother, mother, and best friend. She went with us wherever we went, always sent a card on birthdays, holidays, and "just because". She has a beautiful singing voice and sang in church choir throughout her life. She loves God, her family, and Elvis Presley! My grandma's homes were always decorated with the king, from clocks, to a guitar, and framed pictures. She cooks amazing breakfast and grew up in Leesville, Louisiana, proud of my deep Louisiana roots. She lived in a house on Blue Lake Drive where she and her husband, Floyd Spurgeon, raised her children Tina, Johnny, and my mother Tammy. Tina, mother of Chris and Keith Windham, and Chelsea Jones. Johnny, father of Zachary and Riley Spurgeon. The family was always together in the best and tough times, our land was fertile and vast, we had at least 2.2 acers to roam. Grandpa Spurgeon had built this house, along with a grand brick gazebo, furnished with brick ovens in the walls. I was little then and he had since past, I remember the gazebo fondly. Once I had come across one of Grandmas dogs in one of the opening of the oven, finding a dozen puppies cuddled around her! On the property, Chris and Keith kept rabbits for 4-H and sometimes I would help feed them! Watermelons and honey suckles, mulberries and figs, blackberries and razzberries lined the property. My grandmother had a blessed home and land, which she raised a good family with. Dorothy enjoyed cooking meals, hosting parties, singing, dancing, and her favorite bird is a humming bird. She makes THE BEST banana pudding! Always kind and caring, she was there for me and my siblings when my parents had to be away on work. I am grateful to be her granddaughter and will always remember our song, "You are my Sunshine" - I pray today because of this strong, funny, beautiful woman. She was one of the great blessing in my life and remains so today. I always remember the "good times" and smile when I think of you. In her honor, re-purchasing my grandparents land is in my sights. Along with my great-grandmas property in Leesville, Vernon, Louisiana. I want to keep these special places in our family for 7 generations to come, for it is rightfully our land, and land is precious these days. As long as we keep it in our family name, our ancestors will be proud.