Beth McKeown Weblog

Navy Squadron Reunion

September 1994
Harry and I went to Hot Springs, Arkansas to his Navy squardron reunion. There were several men there that he hadn't seen for a long time. We both enjoyed it.
Hot Springs is an interesting town, going back to early 1900 and up to World War II it was famous as a place to go for health problems. The hot water was purported to heal and cure.
There was a high rise doctors' office, plus a hospital for Navy and Army personnel.
After Sulphur [sulfa] and Penicillin was discovered fewer people went there "to take the waters" and the Bath houses fell into disrepair. The National Park (Hot Springs) is trying to perserve them.
We stayed in the Arlington Hotel. It was famous during Hot Springs "heyday" and has been restored and is a great place to stay. 10 stories-We stayed on the 3rd floor-very convenient.

Georgetown Trip

March 30, 1995
I have just celebrated my 71st birthday. Mary and John Hallett [neighbors] invited us down to their beach house at Debordiu [De Bordieu] near Georgetown [SC] for the Georgetown tour of plantations and homes. We went down on Thursday, March 30th. Al and Carolyn Martin [neighbors] joined us. We enjoyed attending the tour on Friday.
After we arrived Thursday, we heard some planes going over and realizing they were old type, rushed out on porch and located them. There were 2 planes, one a B-17 [and] one a B-24. Harry had flown a B-24 during World War II so he was delighted to see one still flying. Someone in Stowe, VT had restored one to World War II standards and was taking it on its last public tour. Harry and Harry, Jr will go to Charlotte over the weekend to see it.
Mike and Robert had seen them fly over Columbia on Monday and they went out to the airport to see them. Also Harry, Jr. was in Columbia at a meeting in a high rise office, heard the planes and rushed to the window to get a glimpse.
Harry received his wings in 1943 so these planes are well over 50 years old.
March 23, 1944 was the date my Brother Authur Leroy McKeown was killed at Anzio Beach in Italy. Very few people know about that time except for those who had family members there. They [U.S. Army soldiers] were marooned on a small cresent [crescent] of beach with the Germans holding the high ground. They [U. S. soldiers] lived in Sand Caves. Arthur was a First Lt. and was sent in as a replacement and lived about 6 weeks before being killed by sharpnel while on a night reconasance [reconnaissance]. He had been married for a short time. He was 24 and lives in my mind as my handsome, happy brother. Had he come home, I feel sure he would have accomplished a lot and given much to this country. As it was he gave himself for this country. We, his family, still grieve at our loss.

Garden Club

April 5, 1995
I have been program chairman for the Dogwood Garden Club here in Fort Mill [SC] this year. Today we went to Landsford Canal for our tour. Landsford Canal was built to carry cotton to Charleston from the upcountry. Before [the] Civil War, it operated for a short time before the railroads came into being.
The dogwood trees in Fort Mill are in full bloom making our town into a Fairy town.

Jason's Graduation

April 7, 1995
Daughter-in-law Virginia Miller called today to ask how many invitations we needed to Jason Miller's high school graduation. He will be 18 on April 26.
Children grow up so quickly especially grandchildren. Jason was our first grandchild and a beautiful child (13 months later Jennifer was born and she was and still is a beautiful child).
Jason will go to Clemson [University, Clemson, SC] in August following his Grandfather, Father, and Uncle Michael, and his cousin Shondra Neumeister.
My sister Emmie Uldrick of Donalds, SC was in Chesnee, SC helping out at the Western Auto owned by she [her] and her husband George and son Joe. She tripped over a box and broke her hip. Had a hip replacement at Self Memorial Hospital [Greenwood, SC] on April 5 and is recuperating OK. She is now 72 years old.
72 doesn't seem nearly as old to me now as it did when I was 50.

B-24's

April, 1995
We were visiting Mary and John Hallett at the beach March 30th thru April 2nd.
While there we saw a B-24 and B-17 plane fly over. Checked and found out they were to be on display at Myrtle Beach- Columbia - and Charlotte the next week.
The next week both Michael and Robert found out the B-24 would be in Columbia. They went to see it and called Harry. He had flown one in Brazil (1943) to Ascension Island to Africa looking for submarines (German). He arrived in England (1944-45) and flew escort over convoys from English Channel out into the Atlantic. He was stationed at Exeter.
Harry,Jr. also saw the B-24 fly over Columbia while attending a meeting.
He and Harry went to Charlotte to see the last air worthy B-24.

50 Years Ago

May 8, 1995
May 8, 1945, the war in Europe was finally over. It lasted 5 years.
U.S. entered Dec. 1941 - England had been at war over a year and by then Hitler had taken over most of Europe.
I was 17 when war started. Was 21 when over.
My brother Arthur was killed in March 1944.
My brother John Wallace McKeown, who was the only surviving son in our family and a farmer[,] could have had a deferment but felt an obligation to go. He had just passed his 18th birthday (I have a picture of him in uniform and he looks so young).
I called him tonight and asked where he was 50 years ago. He was in a halftrack unit and was sent into small towns to clear out remaining Germans. He remained in Germany in occupation force until 1946.
My father had done the same after World War I (supposedly "the war to end all wars"), yet in less than 20 years it happened all over again.
I wonder if we humans will ever learn to live in peace
The bombing of a government building in Oklahoma City, OK 3 weeks ago by an American citizen as revenge of some sort proves we are a lot further away from love for our fellow man than we thought (165 or more people were killed).
I called Johnny tonight to tell him how much I appreciated his sacrifice and the others who allowed us to live in freedom.

Memorial Day

May 29, 1995
During the next week, 5 of my Grandparents' great, great grandchildren will graduate from High School and go on to higher education.
Jason Miller and Tara Bennett to Clemson, SC -- Sean Larkins to U. of VA, VA - Mellissa Matthews to Auburn in AL - Heather Uldrick to Spartanburg Junior College.
My grandparents had very little education having been small children during the Civil War in the South. My mother finished High School, my father about 5th grade. Their ambition was for their six children to finish High School, which was ambitious considering that the country was in a great depression from the late 20's to late 30's. We all finished High School. I borrowed money and went to business shcool in Columbia. Pammie (youngest sister) went to Winthrop for a 2 year Business degree. Harry, Sr. finished Clemson after WWII.
Our children, plus nephews and nieces all had an opportunity to go to college and most finished at least 4 years.
It is great to see this generation maturing and planning to continue their education to prepare themselves for the future.
I wish each of them a happy and successful future.
Beth McKeown Miller

1995 Updates

January 2, 1996
I thought I would get around to writing more about 1995 but procrastinated so I will review the last months of '95.
Sister Emmie fell over her walking stick and broke her other leg while still recovering from hip replacement. By Christmas she was walking without a stick but is not entirely comfortable.
Sister Jessie had gall bladder surgery in mid summer. Had trouble with pancreas but as of to date it seems to be healing.
Sister Pam is mostly chair bound as the result of minor strokes or something and has to have assistance to walk and her speech is very slow and uncertain. She is the youngest of the five of us.
Brother Johnny has had some health problems but so far nothing serious.
I had gall bladder surgery Aug. 29. Laperscopic [laproscopic], stayed in hospital about 30 hours and came home. After 2 days at home my temperature went up. Went back to the hospital on Friday for 6 days with Bile duct leaking into stomach cavity. Was quite ill for 4 days mostly spent under pain medication so I don't remember much about it. Had a tube to drain this. Meantime the fluid there pushed my right lung out of place and I had mild pneumonia and fluid in the pleural cavity which had to be drained 10 or 12 times. Came home. Went back on Monday Sept. 11, for 1 day to have more fluid drain[ed] from chest cavity. Am doing okay now. Lost 12 # [pounds] which I guess was good.
Harry, my boys and daughters-in-law were great about looking after me. Also my neighbors and friends brought in meals- shopped for us and were wonderful and loving which helped us to cope.
We were and are ever so grateful for the compassion-concern and love shown us during this time.
I hope I will remember to return their kindness to others in need.
Christmas was a happy [time]. Robert was here for Christmas. Harry [Jr.]and family came over about 10 to exchange gifts. We went to his house for dinner at 6 o'clock.
Mike and Anne were visiting her relatives in Ohio so we will have a mini Christmas when they come up in January.
My only living Aunt (my mother's sister) called today. She is 81 and still very vital. We had a good visit and I will try to write down some of our conversation another time.
We hope and pray for a good year in 1996.
Beth McKeown Miller

Harry's 75th Birthday

July 31, 1996
I haven't written anything later [lately]. 1996 is over half over and I don't know where it went.
Harry, Sr. had his 75th birthday July 2. We had all the boys and their families here on the Sunday before to celebrate. They each wrote him a personal letter of appreciation for his life and what he had meant to them. A most emotional moment.
Jennifer graduated from High School in May and will go to Clemson U. in August. Jason has finished his freshman year there. I am glad they will be there together this first year for Jennifer.
Harry and I went to Emporia, KS to an Edlerhostel in April. It was great week. Study was on the plains of the Flint Hills. We learned about ranching and land usage. Met many nice people.
I was 72 in March- Harry, Jr. 46 in May. Jason 19 in April. Virginia 46 in May - Jennifer 18 in May - Mike was 43 in July. He has been married 3 years July 24.

Family Updates

September, 1996
Jason and Jennifer went to Clemson late in August. She is adjusting OK to be being away from home.
Jason is a sophomore and is living in an apartment on campus with 3 other boys.
I hope they both have a sucessful year.
Mary Alice Lee McKeown had surgery. Was a little scared about cancer but it looked OK.
Lanie [Miller] Wages [Harry, Sr's older sister] isn't well. Short term memory loss. I hope is improves. Storm "Fran" left Fayetteville without power on Thursday.

New Hope ARP Church

October, 1996
On September 29, New Hope ARP Church in Fairfield county celebrated its 200th anniversary. (I remember attending the [1]50th.)
Michael, Anne, Robert, Harry [Sr.] and I attended. Sisters Jessie and Emmie with their husbands were there. Brother John and wife, Mary Alice, were also there. Pam who is not well was in the hospital. Her children Steve and Emmy were able to come.
The last time we had all been there and sat near the front was for Daddy's [John Stevenson McKeown] funeral in [1978].
Johnny welcomed everyone and several area ministers and former ministers were there.
The church is barely holding on as so many rural folk have moved away. However with donations from former members, the cemetery and church are in good condition. The builders of the church were forward looking in that the sanctuary and balcony can seat over 200.
We had dinner on the grounds.
Afterward, our family went to front steps for pictures. Mike said he wanted to make an announcement. He told us he and Anne are expecting a baby in May. We were all delighted.
Harry and I had been married there 49 years ago so felt it was a good omen to hear of a new grandchild while there.
We left the Saturday after that to go to Grand Island, Nebraska to an Elderhostel. We left our car at the airport and flew US Air to Kansas City, MO- by US Air Express to Lincoln, NE. Rented a car and drove to Grand Island on Sunday. We rode about 200 miles around the country side. We enjoyed seeing all of the corn fields - sorghum - soy beans - cows - and a little town settled by the Danes called Daneborg. Pretty houses very much like Denmark. Also a town called St. Lebory where they grow wonderful watermelons and beautiful pumpkins.
Classes started Monday at the Stulk Museum. We were kept busy all week studying about the immigrants (mostly Germans who settle Grand Island). Also those who continue[d] west over the Oregon trail, Morman trail, etc. to go to west coast (California - Utah & Oregon & Washington state).
Also studied about Indians, Mountain men, and cattle drives.
Cooked a meal out on [the] prairie as the immigrants would have. Hauled all supplies out in hand carts like some of the Mormans used on theie trip west.
The museum has a good display on the era from wagon trains to present time.
The have moved in original building and made a replica of a Railroad town complete with railroad & cars.
Railroad towns were established about 10 to 15 miles apart so that all settlers could drive to a town after doing morning chores and get home in time to do evening chores.
The people who traveled west and settled these small towns were indeed a rare breed. The women had an especially lonely time on Homesteads. They were isolated on the Plains - no trees to break the scene and the wind blew almost constantly. Enough to drive one to distraction. No doctor - no neighbor to help for childbirth & sudden illness.
We saw the modern part of area one day when we traveled by bus to a working corn farm - then to a farm where the owner grew Long horn cattle, pigs, Thoroughbred horses and Draft Horses.
Then we went to see the Pioneer seed process. Learned more about how seed corn is grown and processed than I can recount. It is a very exacting and scientific process.
Then we went to a feed lot where the cattle are fattened for market. Again a very scientific process. The grain is hammered, mixed precisely with other products and fed twice a day so much per cow.
At the end of that day we were entertained by the Mayor of Grand Island at a downtown reception. By the time we arrived back at motel we collapsed and slept soundly until 7 AM.
On day we put up an Indian tent as the Indian women would have. They did it in 10 minutes. It took us longer. I was surprised at how warm it was. The wind didn't penetrate it at all.
By Saturday morning we hated to leave our new friends. All in all it was a very good experience.

Sister Pam's Health

November 8, 1996
We came home found that sister Pam's health was deteriorating. She has a neurological problem called Progressive Supernuclear Palsy of the brain. It began, as we are now aware about 5 years ago, and has been progressive. Falls, loss of ability to speak in complete sentences - eyesight problems.
Harry and I went to mountains for 2 days to see the fall leaves. When we came home Pam was in hospital - stayed 2 weeks and went home. Back in a week later with a kidney infection - home for a week then had a fall and broke her good arm - been in hospital a week now. Has to have all food pureed as she cannot swallow liquid or solid food. Someone has to feed her.

Pam's Health (update)

November 19, 1996
Steve [Bennett, oldest child of Pammie] called tonight to say his mother has pneumonia. Treating it with antibiotics. If that doesn't help we will know that it is part of her problem.
I will go to Chester tomorrow to see her.
It hurt to see the youngest one of us so ill. We lost Arthur at age 24 in war. Pam is 69 and has been a caring - giving person [,] like our Mother. She has been a Blessing. I pray she will not suffer too much.

Thanksgiving 1996

November 23, 1996
We are looking forward to have [having] all 3 children and families here for Thanksgiving. I am trying to do a little each day so there won't be too much to do Thursday.
Harry helped me to clean refrigerator and enlarge table to accommodate 9 people.
We had a great day Thanksgiving Day. Everyone was well and enjoyed visiting with each other.
I cooked a wild turkey (just the boned breast) on the smoker, along with a standing rib roast and vegtables. Turkey turned out very good in spite of my concern it would be tough & dry.

McKeown Christmas Lunch

December 8, 1996
Today the decendents of John Stevenson McKeown and Emmie Margaret Beam McKeown had their annual family gathering at the home of Ruby Frances McKeown (Pammie) Bennett and Emmy Susan Bennett [Pammie's daughter] outside of Chester, SC. Those attending were Jessie Mckeown Matthews and her husband Luther Wylie Matthews of Jackson, MS. They were a surprise as we had no indication they would come. Emmie McKeown Uldrick, George E. Uldrick and their children - Joseph [Joe] , Margaret, Jane and their children came. [Uldrick children, spouses, and children:] (Joe and Debbie, Heather and her husband Jason, Courtney and Laura -- Margaret and husband John Farner, Mike Turner and Jane Marie Turner -- Jane and Kim Sagara and sons Ben & Joe) I was with Harry and our children, Harry, Jr. and Virginia, Michael and Anne, and Robert. Pam's son Steve from New York and John W. McKeown and Mary Alice McKeown and their son Eric and wife Kelly was [were] there. Also Jim Bennett's children Tara & Josh and his widow Kim was [were] there.
Sister Pam who has been hospitalized for most of the last few months was allowed to come home for the day. She is the youngest of the family at 69. She has developed a neurological disease called Progressive Supernuclear Palsy. No known cause but over the last 5 or so years she has been showing signs of depression, falling for no discernable reason, small black outs.
She has now lost her sight almost -- cannot stand or walk without help nor comunicate well -- can't swallow liquids and will eventually develop loss of all motor & cognitive ability. Very sad and so hard on her children, especially Emmy.
I am glad we could all be together Sunday. In a way it was a celebration of Pam's life as she was always the giver, concerned for the welfare of all the family.

[NOTE: This is the last entry in Beth McKeown Miller's handwritten journal. She died suddenly in her sleep only three months later, on Saturday, March 8, 1997. Her sister, Pammie, who was so sick and for whom Beth was so concerned, outlived her by nearly two years, dying on December 20, 1998.]