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What we’ve been up to on the farm

1. We still have faith in family. Work has continued to keep down overgrowth, and highlight the natural resources of the farm. Family, especially the younger generation have organized clean-up days on the farm.
2. The farm has now entered the high tech era. Family has collectively purchased a new tractor, for work around the property. An ATV was also purchased by family, to help with tours all around the farm.
3. Gatherings on the farm at Thanksgiving and July 4th will be enhanced with new items for enjoyment by all.
4. Repairs and maintenance of the farmhouse will be a major focus for all, in the near future
5. The Titus Stephens Historic Farm needs every family member to participate in its sustainability. All information is available-all dialogue is open and transparent-all help is appreciated

Jennifer Sullivan

It is with great pleasure that I share this story, and how I‘ve been inspired.

Upon reflecting over my life experiences, I realize I had the perfect upbringing, although by today’s standards it would not be ideal. My grandmother and great-grandmother raised 10 children on a farm in Georgia. I credit these two women for shaping my life. The love they conveyed, stays with me to this day. Even though we came from humble beginnings, we were rich. Our riches is not measured in monetary basis, but in love, kindness and joy. My cousins and I were blessed beyond measure, to have these two women nurture and care for us. We have all been able to stand out in the world because of our upbringing.

I will explain:

Our great-grandmother, Clemmie Holmes, had the most beautiful spirit of anyone i have ever known. I was so honored to be graced by that spirit during my formative years. I grew up on the farm during the Civil Rights Movement. It was a segregated society, and I remember speaking to my great-grandmother, who we called To-ma about this. I told her I didn’t like white people. Her response was ” Baby you have to love everybody, and don’t hate”. Our conversations about the issues of that time, and her insights, and answering of my questions gave such satisfaction. I know she lived through more than I in the south, but she continued to teach love and concern for everyone. Her character was one of peace, kindness and understanding. She tried to instill this in all of us. When I left Georgia, I sometimes reflected on my conversations with her. I am constantly comforted with who I am through her teachings. Even now, when I’m faced with difficult situations in my life, remembering her teachings has helped to center and guide me along.

My grandmother, Rubye was a great and caring woman as well. She was the disciplinarian of our family. We were not latchkey kids. Our dinner was always ready when we came home from school. My grandmother helped us with homework, and drove us to different school and church activities. She made all sorts of sacrifices for us.

We lived in the country in South Georgia. I remember lying in the grass and gazing at the clouds in the daytime, and trying to count the stars at night. There were beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Nature was all around us, and we were taught to respect it. We planted, harvested food and were never hungry.
My memories of my life on the farm are embedded and will always be cherished. My great grandmother, and grandmother did so many things to make our lives special and meaningful. Although marked by simple activities our holidays were full of gifts, decorations, food and togetherness. I know now that my life and upbringing was a blessed time. I would be so different had I not had these experiences and been influenced by this way of living.

The most profound point I want to make, is how the farm has remained in our family for over a century. The farmland is our meeting place where we connect to the love, dedication and sacrifices of our family. I did not realize the importance of this when I was younger, but I am fully aware now. The lessons of our farm and family; God and Grace is our legacy. It has sustained us all, and should always be emphasized.

The family accepts and respects our responsibilities to uphold and convey our legacy to the next generation and beyond.

As the task of chronicling the history of our centennial farm began, it became important to understand the journey our ancestors took to get here. The facts of history are not disputed, but how those facts intertwined with and played out in the minds and will of the people involved is a lesson for the generations.

The actual Titus Stephens farm began post civil war reconstruction, but the realness of the farm came during the lifetime of our family matriarch, Clemmie Holmes. She became the embodiment of the farm. It was her determination to cherish the land, and keep it forever intact in our family, that became a rallying chant for each generation. She spoke of the farm as a sanctuary for the family. No matter where we were, or what adversities we faced, we were welcomed to come home. The farm, our homeland was a place to gather strength, to find acceptance, and to be surrounded by God’s beauty and grace. It would become a self contained center of growth for the family.

Gathering together the facts of the farm’s history, and considering the persona of its matriarch, is where her three remaining grandchildren began their own journey. That journey formed a cohesive bond and a determination to encompass our entire family in the farm’s legacy. We reminisced and told stories that formed glimpses of our grandmother as she worked in the fields or tended to her livestock. We hear her hushed prayers in the early morning, and her melodic songs of praise in the noon day. We feel her loving touch of comfort whenever we’ve been hurt or distraught. She was the catalyst that helped us to know about forgiveness, love, humility and perseverance. We have concluded that these are the sure foundation of our family that must forever stand.

The continuance of our journey helped the three of us to know that we want to be for our grandchildren, what our grandmother became for us – the link between history and humanity. Although we have lived our separate truths and made our marks on the world, we have our foundation in the work and history of that small farm in southwest Georgia.