Brickhouse
Family Newsletter- the official voice of the Brickhouse Family Association
June 2004 - Volume
11, Issue 2
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In loving memory of G. Gordon Brickhouse April 3rd 1948 – March 8th 2004 |
BRICKHOUSE FAMILY
ASSOCIATION
Dear Brickhouse Family,
I apologize for the lateness of this edition of the newsletter. I know a lot of people needed the reunion information to make plans and reservations. We thank everyone for their patience and understanding.
With my father’s passing I have decided to take charge of the Brickhouse Family Newsletter. I can’t promise that we will be able to do two issues a year but we will have one each summer with the reunion information and any other bits of family news that you, the readers, would like to send in. Obituaries, births, or any other interest items are most certainly welcome. You can send these to the same address as my dad (251 Hall Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460).
Anyone who sent in information that did not appear in this newsletter, we apologize. Please resend and we’ll try to put it into the next newsletter.
Sincerely,
Janel Brickhouse Flor
In loving memory of Grady
Gordon Brickhouse
April 3rd 1948 – March 8th 2004
It was the summer of 1987 that I realized I had more family than I could ever have imagined. That was the summer my dad began to put on paper something that he had been working on for over 10 years, the Brickhouse Family History. There was so much information that he had to break down and buy an electronic typewriter with a memory chip. Our whole family spent many hours helping out with this first publication, typing, proofreading, and finally, putting the book together. At this point we didn’t realize how much this book would affect our lives.
The next year was the first Brickhouse family reunion. Dad couldn’t wait to tell us about the experience; about our relatives we had yet to meet. It was written on his face how proud he was of his family. He had more information now, more names to add, more photos to include, it was very exciting for him. And that began a tradition that has lasted for close to 20 years. The trips each year were something our whole family looked forward to, even when we couldn’t make it we would still ask my parents what had happened. My dad said each year, “I think this is the best reunion yet!”
Family history was just one of my father’s interests. I still smile when I think of him saying, “There isn’t much I don’t know, and what I don’t know isn’t worth knowing.” However he made certain if he were going to talk about a subject or start a project, thorough research would take place before he began anything. I would go into more detail but it would fill the entire newsletter to list the accomplishments he’s had in his lifetime.
The accomplishment I am most proud of however is that he was my father and set an example of a good Christian that anyone could hope to follow. His love for his family, concern for his children and grandchildren were always in the forefront of his mind. Even when his heart trouble began and eventually led to bypass surgery, his only thoughts were of us and that he didn’t want to leave before we were old enough to take care of ourselves. We used to talk about him going home to heaven, and as much as I didn’t want to hear it, I knew he was trying to prepare us for what was eventually to come. The morning that he died, my mother and I were crying, so saddened by the doctors’ words when suddenly a peace filled my heart. He had made the final journey, the one he had talked about, he was in a better place now. No more heart trouble, no more pain, no more sleepless nights. It has been difficult to carry on without my dad, but knowing he’s in heaven with Jesus helps me make it through the tough days.
I loved my father and will miss him always but I thank God for the time I got to spend with him. Watching him play with my daughter, the joy in his eyes as he shared a laugh with her, tickling her feet with his beard, these images will live on in my heart. Hearing him talk about the Lord, passing on his faith and beliefs to anyone who was willing to listen, he was a light for Jesus that all who met him could see. I know he’s in heaven now, still doing what he had done here on earth, praying for his loved ones, that God would protect them, watch over them, and bring them closer to Him.
I am sorry that I can’t make it to the reunion this year. I was really looking forward to it but August will be the 8th month of my high-risk pregnancy and I know if dad were here he would tell me to stay home. I’m thankful for getting to meet so many of you at the reunions, those happy memories I will keep with me forever. Thank you to everyone for caring enough to remember my dad with this year’s memorial service at the family reunion. It really means so much to us and it would mean so much to dad knowing that he touched your lives.
News from across the Nation:
HOUSTON, TX – Dorree Michele Remont married Michael Glenn Colson in Houston on June 28th, 2003. Dorree is the great-granddaughter of Elizabeth Brickhouse Johnson.
COLUMBIA, NC – The Tyrrell County Public Library has approved of placing a plaque in the Genealogy Room in memory of Gordon Brickhouse. This plaque will be presented to Mrs. Brickhouse at the Brickhouse Family Reunion in August.
BEAUMONT, TX – J. Earl Brickhouse was honored by the American Red Cross on the evening of May 1st, 2003, at the Harvest Club.
SAN FRANCISCO – The Mexico premier of the oil paintings of Robert L. Brickhouse, a contemporary realist were exhibited at RaLuz Gallery in Hotel San Francisco on September 23, 2003, in San Miguel de Allende.
NEW PORT RICHEY, FLA- Michelle Gandara, great granddaughter of Mary and Claude Brickhouse, has been accepted and is now attending Miami International University of Art and Design to pursue a career in Interior Design. Best of Luck Michelle!
Obituaries
PHOENIXVILLE, PA - Grady Gordon Brickhouse, 251 Hall Street, died the morning of March 8th, 2004 of a heart attack.
Born in Norfolk, Va., he was the son of the late Grady Francis and Sybil Brickhouse. He was survived by his loving wife of 32 years, June Brickhouse; two sons, Aaron Brickhouse and his wife Kimberly and Christopher Brickhouse; a daughter, Janel Brickhouse Flor and her husband Nicholas; two grandsons, Aaron and Seth Brickhouse; two granddaughters, Savannah Brickhouse and Nadia Flor; two sisters, Nancy Harsh and Francis Ewing; two brothers, Ray Brickhouse and Roger Brickhouse; numerous very special nieces and nephews; and many faithful friends.
BLACKSBURG, VA – (Written by Darlene Whichard) Warren M. Brickhouse died November 14, 2003 at the age of 82. He was born in Hickory, VA, February 5, 1921, to James Edward and Clarkie Ann Brickhouse. During WWII he served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a flight instructor. He was last stationed in last Vegas, NV where he married Emma and had two lovely daughters, Darlene and Carol Susan. In 1954 he graduated from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA where his son, Paul, was born. After graduation we all moved to Roanoke, VA where Dad worked at many jobs finally settling on ceramic tile and marble work. He started his own company and worked on many of the buildings in downtown Roanoke and surrounding areas such as the old Post Office, several schools, dorms and dining halls at Virginia Tech; even The Greenbrier Hotel in Hot Springs, WV. Dad was the only person around who had the equipment and expertise to cut and polish marble. Dad was truly an artist.
In 1999, for health reasons, he moved to a retirement community in Blacksburg. He did very well even though he struggled with diabetes, macular degeneration and heart disease. He participated in the Senior Olympics two years in a row winning medals for horseshoes and rifelry which was quite a feat since he had no vision in the left eye and limited in the right. In 2003 his health took a downward spiral and he never recovered.
Dad loved to travel when he could and visiting family allowed him the opportunity. He visited his son, Paul, in Seattle; sailed with him in Mexico and the Panama Canal; and visited his nephew, Earl, in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to name a few. But he especially loved his yearly trips to the Brickhouse reunions. He loved being with family and telling stories. Dad loved to tell stories. We miss him.
ANNISTON – Mitylene Bowman Brickhouse, 80, of Anniston, died June 2, 2004 at Regional Medical Center in Anniston.
Survivors include a daughter, Audrey Morris of Spring Hill, Tenn.; six sisters and their husbands, Norvelle and Bill Nestor of Anniston, Doris and Wallace Maddox, and Laura and Paul Beasley, all of Oxford, Nelda and Herbert Snider of Eastaboga, Wanda and James Bryce of Bowden, Ga., and Gail and Glen Duke of Valley; three brothers and their wives, Joe Milfred and Erdeal Bowman of Anniston, James Alton and Betty Bowman of Gadsden, and Howard E. and Faye Bowman of Cartersville, Ga.; two grandsons, Greg Morris and Mike Morris and his wife, Nancy; and two great-granddaughters.
Mrs. Brickhouse, an Odenville native, was a member of Can Creek Church. She was retired from retail sales. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Brickhouse, Jr.
Flowers will be accepted, or contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, CT Chapter, 185 Silas Deane Highway, Weathersfield, CT 06109-1219
ANNISTON – Edna Brickhouse Ritch, 90, of
Anniston, AL, passed away on March 13th, 2004. She is survived by a
sister, Martha Leusner and several nieces and nephews.
Seventeenth Annual Brickhouse Family Reunion
The Brickhouse Family Reunion will be held Saturday, August 21st at 10 AM in Columbia, NC at the Old Fire station (as in previous years). Lunch will be served at 12:00 pm courtesy of Lee Brickhouse/Brickhouse Inn of Columbia. Menu is as follows: NC Barbeque, Chicken/Pepper Savannah sauce over pasta, green beans, seasoned baked red potatoes, cole slaw, cornbread, rolls and for dessert, fruit cobbler, and Carolina fudge cake, all for $ 10.50 per person.
Mrs. June Brickhouse will have the Brickhouse Family History for sale in book form, CD Rom or DVD. Sarah Reynolds will also have commemorative T-shirts for sale.
After lunch a memorial service will be held for Gordon Brickhouse. Guest speaker for the service will be Rev. Joe Wynn, followed by family members paying tribute to Gordon. We will give the opportunity for anyone who wants to say a few words if time permits.
To purchase a ticket for this year’s reunion, please see final page or contact Sarah Brickhouse Reynolds: 1-252-796-4306
Note: Anyone wanting reservations at Lee Brickhouse’s two Bed and Breakfast’s (Brickhouse Inn and Red Wolf Inn) should do so ASAP for a $15.00 discount on their rooms: 1-252-766-3333
Other accommodations may be found in Edenton or with the Riverhouse Inn located in Columbia.
This newsletter brought to
you by:
Robert L Brickhouse
Louise Gandara
To anyone else who donated money, thank you for all your help and support!
If you would like to serve on the Brickhouse Family Reunion Committee, please contact Sarah Reynolds at 302 Levels Road, Columbia, NC 27925 or telephone (252) 796-4306.
In order to keep the reunions going, we need fresh ideas and people. Sarah has worked tirelessly for the past several years planning and doing the leg work. Volunteers are welcome!
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Janel Brickhouse Flor
232 Ann Street
Phoenixville, PA 19460
610-415-9537