by Linda Stewart, 30 March 2020
Poem by Pat Paschall, 24 February 1978
Papaw Paschall farms his land, With strong will and calloused hand. In the heat of day with sweating brow, He works his field with his old plow. He plants his crops of milo and corn, To feed the pigs his sows have borne. With sun and rain his grain will grow. And with the harvest he will know, That the year he’s spent has been worthwhile, The shelves are filled, and so he smiles. As he gives thanks to the Lord above, For all the blessings on those he loves. He never failed to do his best, With the seven children with which he’s blessed. Now in that home on a hill, Evening comes and all is still. With book in hand he goes to rest, In that chair he loves the best. With sleeping eyes he nods his head, Before a fire with embers red. Oh, how sweet to watch him sleep, This man I love-this man complete. Even now I see him there sound asleep in that old chair.
William Lee Paschall (ID= K8882), (Jonathan Franklin, John Christmas, Michael Wood, Thomas, William), was the son of Jonathan Franklin Paschall and Sarah Alice Flowers. Lee was born on 4 February 1897 in Perry Co., TN, died on 13 June 1983 in Gibson Co., TN, and was buried in the Walnut Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Gibson Co., TN[i]. He married Ida Lee Webb on 2 February 1919 in Crockett Co., TN[ii]. Ida was born on 27 February 1898, died on 22 December 1952, and was also buried in the Walnut Grove Baptist Church Cemetery[iii]. Their seven children were Marion Alene, William Frank, Max Albert, Johnnie Lee, Joline, Bobby Gene, and John Robert[iv].
[i] Social Security Death Index: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88009362, accessed 30 Mar 2020
[ii] Crockett County TN Marriage Records, Jan 1916-Sept 1919: Vol. 15, Page 597, Lee Pascal
[iii] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88009441/ida-lee-paschall, accessed 30 Mar 2020
[iv] Year: 1920; Census Place: Civil District 8, Dyer, Tennessee; Roll: T625_1738; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 28: Year: 1930; Census Place: District 6, Gibson, Tennessee; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 0009; FHL microfilm: 2341981: Year: 1940; Census Place: Gibson, Tennessee; Roll: m-t0627-03892; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 27-21