
In 1950, Chaney arrived at the grand-old house on Hampton Street, deep in the low-country of South Carolina, to work for my great-grandmother. In 1960, when my twin sister and I arrived, our great-grandmother sent Chaney next door to our grandparent's home to care for us. And there Chaney remained, year after year. She cooked and cleaned and fussed over us as if we were her own. She was family and we loved her. Chaney hummed when she ironed and starched the sheets. She made a savory macaroni pie and perfectly sweet iced tea. She called me "Miss Suzy." I simply knew her as "Chaney." I never knew her last name. No one did. Mama said, "No one thought to ask." And therein lies the pickle of my Southern roots.

Digital Art by Sue Viseth
In memory of Chaney, I found her last name by searching the cemetery directory of my hometown. She passed when I was a teenager, but I never knew her age. She will forever be timeless to me.
❤️
LikeLike
One of the most moving memoir I’ve ever read!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Crazy that we never thought to ask. We had a housekeeper when I was a child called Thomas. He is someone I will never forget, he was like a Father to me, but I don’t think we knew his last name.
Thank you for sharing this moving memoir to Chaney.
Oh and your art is fabulous, Sue!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Ally😊 I was so happy when I discovered Chaney’s last name! I’ve been working on my memoir for a few years and thought I’d share some excerpts here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds very interesting, are you going to publish it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do plan to publish, someday. I’m still editing 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Best of luck to you, Sue. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent, indeed Sue. I’m sure Chaney would be proud, being written about so poetically and so well more than 40 years after her death.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Bill. I’m hoping that by sharing excerpts from my memoir I might actually finish editing the manuscript 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Strategy. Go for it.
LikeLike
I appreciate how you capture the dichotomy of love and the boundaries and class. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Carl😊
LikeLike
A touching tribute to a woman who helped you become who you are today. Nicely written, beautiful image of her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Ally 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful tribute, Sue. Love the drawing as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Bella😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so sweet. It really does take a village, and I’m glad you had Chaney. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Joey!
LikeLike