Jessie and Tommy, also known as Grandmommy and Granddaddy, first met at Union Elementary in the 1930’s in Hampton, Virginia. From elementary school to Phenix High School and then Hampton Institute, the “Home By the Sea” was the setting of their love story.
Granddaddy was a basketball player and majored in Mechanical Drafting. Grandmommy majored in English. After graduating college, Granddaddy got a job in New York and the high school sweethearts headed to the Big Apple and eloped. Grandmommy soon became pregnant and my young grandparents headed back to Hampton Roads and bought a house on Pembroke Avenue, the same home that I visited every summer from the time I was a baby to an adult.
Granddaddy became a postman. The boots he wore on his mail route everyday were bronzed and sat at the top of a shelf when you first entered the main room of the house. Grandmommy was a schoolteacher and guidance counselor and mailed me more cash than I probably deserved for every A and B that I earned on my report card.
They only had granddaughters—yes we are all girls—and some of us carried on the legacy of Grandmommy and pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority which made her beam with pride. Whether us girls were part of a sorority or not, we all spent summers in Hampton all together. During our summer giggles in the backyard, vacation bible school, and the living room back-to-school fashion shows, I witnessed those little things that you don’t think too much about until you learn what love is. The touch of an arm, silly bickering, constant reminders to take medication and the sweet nicknames. Granddaddy was always Tommy and Grandmommy was Snooksy. I never saw them apart.
Granddaddy loved sports and that was about it for hobbies for him. Somehow my grandmother convinced him to take up painting. One by one, paintings filled the living room, kitchen and garage. They created more than 40 originals including their prized, historic Hampton University waterfront where they met and fell in love.
For as long as I can remember, Grandmommy suffered from diabetes. I saw her for the last time in the hospital and she was still so strong, beautiful, and poised. She died from her illness in 1999. My father died less than a year later. For the next 10 years, Granddaddy cried every single time he saw me. No shade, but he used to stress me out! I didn’t get it. I didn’t want to talk to him because it felt too heavy.
But one of the last times that I saw him alive, we had a rare moment. I mean rare! He usually only talked about sports with me because I was a high school athlete like my dad, who was a quarterback, and my uncle who played tennis. Granddaddy connected with me through sports. He addressed me as “Girl,” in the loving Southern grandfather kind of way, and told me that he was sad because he knew how happy Grandmommy would be to turn on the television and see me. Today, Danielle “the adult” understands. Everything Granddaddy accomplished, fought for and loved, brought me into to this world. I am the legacy of his love for my grandmother.
I learned that love is more than just feelings. It’s commitment, dedication and seeing the future. Building something that you can pass on. Love is legacy. No relationship is perfect. I know my grandparents had their ups and downs but when Grandmommy was on her deathbed, she wasn’t alone. She was there with her husband, her children, and her grandchildren. That was the masterpiece that they spent a lifetime painting.
What masterpiece are you painting or a part of?
Leave a Comment
Sharon Lucas says
I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish. I’m glad I’m a speed reader because I sped through reading so quickly I couldn’t wait to hear the ending!
This was a beautiful love story which exemplifies what true love is composed of, what good stock is and what unconditional love is. Please continue to share more real stories such as this! I can’t wait to read the next one!
Danielle Nottingham says
Thank you Sharon! I will as much as I can!
Helma E. German says
Thoughly enjoyed reading this synopsis and it reminded me of the days when I grew up in the Berkeley section of Norfolk across the water from Hampton. I guess you could say their are similarities to the story and my upbringing and I also became an Alpha Kappa Alpha woman at Norfolk State!
Danielle Nottingham says
Skee-Wee! Love to hear that. Thank you for reading!
Janice says
This was beautiful. My masterpiece I’m working on is finally finding my voice and who God wants me to be.
Danielle Nottingham says
Amen to that Janice!
Shavawn says
Hello Danielle,
Your memory is beautiful! If I could change the names, I would have a similar story.
So many similarities in you story!!!! So many!!!
Danielle Nottingham says
Hi Shavawn! Crazy how I’m getting a lot of feedback about the story being similar. I love it!
Sharon S Lawson says
So true with parents. My parents have children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. All of us are educated and beam with their love. We took a family cruise and we had four generations all loving, supporting, and encouraging each other.
Danielle Nottingham says
Hi Sharon! Legacy is a big part of our culture. Thank you for reading.
Kecia says
Beautiful life story of the love shared
Danielle Nottingham says
Yes it was!
Evalyne says
Ok, this is the very first of these to bring me to tears. As aside, I am a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Pink teas Rose’s to your grandmother and my soror. I totally understand the different ways our grandparents found to connect with us. The way they expressed or shared their live and pride. I am thankful that I learned to recognize what their intentions were so that they didn’t feel as if I had outgrown my heritage. I feel that masterpiece is a work in progress. My desire is to leave visual moments that demonstrated my love and understanding for each of my sons and my grandchildren uniquely.
Thank you for this beautiful story. Your grandparents were a handsome couple.
Danielle Nottingham says
Evalyne! I’m so happy their story touched you Soror!! In the world of cellphones and social media, we forget how important it is to have something you can actually touch. Thank you for reading!
Linda mims says
Black heritage is so rich, Danielle, and I find that it’s the norm for most of our families. I’m proud to identify with what you’ve written. So far my masterpiece consists of educated, professional children who are never too busy for hubby and me (but we do entice them with home cooking). AND our 3 year old grandson who won’t let his grandfather out of his sight. Yours is a beautiful story!
Danielle Nottingham says
Linda, no one can beat home cooking so I don’t blame them! Aww, I love it. Thank you for reading!
Rita Cauthen says
What a beautiful and well written story story. Thank you for sharing.
Danielle Nottingham says
Rita, thank you for taking the time to read!
Jena Nottingham says
Danielle, this was an absolutely exquisite story. As your grandparents are no longer with us, I will frame and preserve this masterpiece in their honor as I know they would have done.
As a part of your masterpiece, I am so proud and blessed to be your mother and Tom was proud and blessed to be your dad.
Danielle Nottingham says
Thank you!
Marcelia says
Thank you for sharing the love story of your grandparents and the pictures. It was real, down to earth, loving and touching story.
Danielle Nottingham says
Thank you Marcelia! I happy you can tell it was from the heart.
Lexy says
This is really beautiful and I appreciate you sharing your story with us
Davitra Dewberry says
What a beautiful love story! Ironically I met you Hampton at a summer program and always knew you had the face for television. We shared some great memories with your dad at King’s Dominion and still have that VHS tape of us singing Weak by SWV. The story of your grandparents know true love exits and is a treasure if you find it. Thank you for sharing their story.
Danielle Nottingham says
Hey Davitra! OMG. I remember everything!!! I would love to see that VHS footage! I still have photos of us and your sister in that Hampton dorm. Thank you so much for reading this! xo
Linnea Blizzard says
Hello Danielle, this was such a beautiful piece! Your grandparents were gorgeous! I have lived in Virginia for over 40 years and their story and the painting took me right back to some of that time. I used to live not far from Hampton University. Condolences on the loss of your grandparents and your dad. I know they are beaming with pride as your mom previously stated.
Danielle Nottingham says
Linnea, I’m so happy to hear that! I had no idea how much this story would connect with others. Feeling blessed. Thank you for reading!
Linda Wright Lindsey says
Beautiful, beautiful story Soror!