Mama Carr

Minnie Mae Austin was born May 2, 1891 in Newton County, Arkansas, the ninth child of John F. Austin and Nancy Ann Trobaugh Austin. She married Thomas Henry Carr on March 31, 1909 and together they had 11 children. They moved to Oklahoma in a covered wagon with Katie, Treseye, and Irene and settled near Sallisaw, Ok. and later to Warner, Ok.

Henry was a share-cropper and a hard worker, but was also a womanizer and alcoholic. When Juanita, their youngest, was in grade school, she recalls a classmate telling her, ” Your Daddy visited my Mama last night and brought us candy. She remembers the feelings that evoked and the significance of that information. Minnie did not believe in divorce but did relent when Henry insisted so he could marry another woman. As a result, Minnie was a “single mom” much of the time and managed well with the little that she had and was able to feed and raise her large family.

She was known for making something out of nothing. The family all had to work hard in the fields except Ruth, who stayed and helped Grandma Austin with the cooking and Peggy who was not physically able because of having polio. Their food was from the garden, the hogs and chickens and a little cash money was made by raising cotton.

Minnie was known for her dried apples and would drive her horse and wagon around the country selling them to her neighbors. Juanita would ride with her and remembers listening to story after story as they rode in the wagon.  She was an accomplished seamstress and could turn a flour sack into a beautiful dress just by looking at a picture from Sears Catalog.  Minnie was affectionately called MAMA CARR by her family and was loved by all.

Matthew 25: 35-40 reflects her life and was requested by Juanita to be read at Mama Carr’s funeral.  Mama Carr had a compassionate heart and knew no stranger.  Neighbors would call for her when someone was very ill.  Juanita recallsl going with her on the sick visits and then being carried home on Mama Carr’s back.  She would deliver babies when a doctor was not available or the family was too poor.  She opened her home to the sick, the needy, and the orphaned. She truly reflected a Christ-like love for all people.

She suffered grief as only a mother can feel when she lost two babies in infancy and one she was raising, and then later her only son, Paul, was killed in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. A letter written to Paul’s commander reflects the anguish and pain she endured. For many years after his death, she would leave the front door unlocked, hoping the Navy had errored and “Brother” would come home.

Mama Carr loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren unconditionally and g ave us all wonderful memories to cherish. Some of us can remember taking our baths in the creek or in the “wash tub” in the middle of the kitchen with everyone using the same bath water. Remember the “snuff” she made for us by mixing cocoa and sugar. Remember catching lightening bugs in her yard and getting to sleep outside on her porch.  Remember the ghost stories, the laughter, the warmth of her hugs.  Remember her feather bed and her breakfast of hot tea and bachelor bread. Remember feeding the chickens and helping milk the cow. Remember her brown warm eyes as she watch us play .Most of all I remember her prayers, voiced loudly for the family she loved.

How blessed we are to have had her in our lives and the wonderful memories we share.