Beaty’s Crossroads Alabama

People of the Crossroads

Based on evaluation of the 1930 Census for DeKalb County, Alabama, it is believed this picture was taken about 1940.

Emma Champion Honea, born 1871, widow of John Marion Honea, mother of Ernest R. Honea.

Ernest R. Honea, born 1895, a farmer, dairyman and syrup maker.

Imogene Honea, born  1925, daughter of Ernest R. and Gladys Tolbert Honea.

Paul Honea, born 1920, son of Ernest R. and Gladys Tolbert Honea.

Ted Smith, born 1919, son of  John B. and Chorlcie T. Smith

Barnard Honea, born 1924, son of Ernest R. and Gladys Tolbert Honea.

Leon Smith, born 1921, son of  Albert W. and Ada Smith.

Joseph Beaty, born 1906, son of Hiram and Mary Elizabeth Pinkham Beaty

John R. Stallings, born 1869, son of William and Susan Harmon Stallings

Clyde Honea, born  1929, son of Ernest R. and Gladys Tolbert Honea.

 

             The old folks say the sweet smell of the syrup cooking would fill the air and draw all the yellow jackets form all around.  These stinging painfull pest would be so focused on the crushed cane waste that they rarely bother the workers.

             The syrup was called Sand Mountain Sorghum.  Sorghum was an old world grass that was not only used for make syrup but harvested for its grain as well.  Many a child, in the day, would carry a little tin lunch bucket to school.  Inside would be a hot biscuit with home make butter and Sand Mountain Sorghum.

Joseph Matthew Beaty and Laura Avis Keith, about 1922.

             Joseph Matthew Beaty was born July 13, 1906 and died August 7, 1953.  He married Laura Avis Keith, October 30, 1927.  He was a skilled barber, carpenter, blacksmith, wilder, and cook.  He farmed, as well as, raised  laying and baking hens.

             Laura Avis Keith was born July 1, 1906 and died November 18, 1998.  She was the daughter of  John Lowry and Georgia Anna Brown Keith.