Before I came into existence on August 18, 1963, in
Columbus, OH, events on my father’s side of the family had already occurred
that would shape my very identity as a male. Ecclesiastes 1:5 says this about
the passing of time: “One generation goes its way, the next one arrives,
but nothing changes - its business as usual for old planet Earth.”[i]
My paternal grandparents, Robert Ray Lee and Stella
Vergie Young, married at a young age. The happy couple had a child in Smith
Creek, KY, on September 8, 1935.
By the time that child, my father, Robert Eugene (Gene),
was around three months old Robert Lee and Stella’s marriage had gone sour, and
the couple had divorced. In the meantime, Stella had fallen in love with her kind,
shy employer, the widower Clarence Kinker, and his three children (Elaine,
James, and Joy).
She was the children’s nanny. Eventually, Clarence and
Stella married, and my ancestors became an early version of the1969 -1974 TV
sitcom, The Brady Bunch (with all the
family blending).[ii]
Clarence was the only consistent father figure Gene knew (since his biological
father was not in the picture). Here is a fun fact. Family lore tells me that I
am a direct descendent of the confederate general, Robert E. Lee.
My father brought that last name to his marriage to my
mother (Janice Lou Eagle) and my siblings, Kim (middle) and Jim (youngest). Now
you know how I got such a unique last name. (My sparkling personality is just
an added bonus to knowing me.)
Psalm 78:4 proclaims: “We’re not keeping this to ourselves, we’re passing
it along to the next generation – God’s fame and fortune, the marvelous things
He has done.” Like many people my life has been full of
unexpected twists and turns.
The Heavenly Father has always known me (and the effects
of my heritage) better than I know myself.[iii] The Almighty has been
faithful in helping me to see the other side of all my challenges. I’m a
survivor,[iv] and God is good all the
time. Do you agree with my conclusion?
[i]
All verses are taken from The Message
unless otherwise noted.
[ii]
Thanks to my second cousin, Albert Young, for helping me to clarify this family
history information. Albert was a good friend of my father’s. (He was able to
answer family myths I’ve wanted answers to for a long time.)
[iii]
Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before
you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you….”
[iv]
Theme song title for the Reba TV
series
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