The Adoption Reunion Chronicles — Aunt Ibbit and Uncle Willis

August 20, 2011

  Yesterday’s post chronicled my phone call with Uncle Willis who it turns out prefers for me to call him Charlie.

  Later on Saturday I received a phone call from Elizbeth.  She has always preferred to be called Ibbit (like Ribbit without the “R”).  When I answered the phone I heard a precious voice, deep southern accent and a “Hi Loretta”, “I’m your Aunt Ibbit”.

  She continued to chronicle the lineage of the family history.  She once again Heralded my name at birth as being Loretta Lynn Vone.  My birth father James Vone “a short skinny man” had indeed deceased in prison sometimes in the 1960’s. I did learn that he is buried at the prison.

  I found out that he was at the Penitentiary located in Millegeville, GA.  Now for those of you who are just joining my story, I not only know where this prison is, but I grew up very close by in Augusta, GA. To read the first blog post, please click here.

  I plan to call this facility on Monday to find out if they can verify my father’s information.

  Ibbit had three children of her own.  The oldest would have been 50 this year but she died in her 20’s of Asthma.  Her other daughter is also deceased but she didn’t really tell me any details about her life or death.

  She did tell me that she is now 70 years old and living in a home in Dalton, GA.  She has one surviving child, Tim who is 49 and at age 42 finished up his GED.  She also is illiterate and does not drive.(Dorthy also does not drive).  She depends upon her and her husband’s Social Security to make ends meet.

  She does go to church but stressed how ‘organized religion’ is not what she wants, she wants to worship the Lord.   They attend a “Living” waters church.  I know this is a precious place for her.  As a believer in Christ I so clearly see his hand guiding this entire process.

  I also got to speak with Tim, Ibbit’s only surviving child.  Who until Saturday August 20, 2011 didn’t even know his Aunt Dorthy had children.

  A late night phone call from Dorthy was a bit more difficult for both she and I.  I know that she has a bit too much time on her hands.  She had been thinking of Barbara and wanted to know more about her life and her death.  I told her what I could. 

  However, the bottom line is Barbara’s life was a life that ended with unfulfilled potential.  Cut short by an accidental prescription over dose. How the end of her life has affected me and more importantly precious Melissa.

  Unfortunately, Dorthy’s phone battery died and I left her one last voice mail before turning into bed.  Precious soul keeps  forgetting the time difference between us.  It gets late quickly.

   There are now better accounts of the three children that have now died, two boys and one girl.  Both boys died of renal failure and Aunt Betty of breast cancer.

  Ibbit likes crafts, and wants me to send her some pictures of our family.  Which I will be happy to do.  I plan to make some small hand made gifts to carry with me.

 I also plan to take a cup and saucer from my China. I have been collecting since I was a senior in high school. As a small gift to Dorthy.

  And yes, at times the information I am receiving is a bit over whelming. I pull my strength from the Lord and praise him for all the goodness he is blessing me and my family with.

  Friends, I am trying to get some media attention to our story.  Please if you know of a way to get this in the public eye, let me know.

  Have a great Sunday.  Hold tight to your family, don’t forget to tell them of your love for each of them.

  With Love,