DOROTHY MARIE MATTHEWS
Born October 9, 1928
Dorothy Marie
Matthews was born to Roy Francis Matthews and Gertrude Zetler on October
9, 1928, in Loretto, Lawrence County, TN - the oldest of five
children. She lived in Loretto, TN most of her youth and college years
until she married James B. Wesson. They lived in Ohio where Jim was
the head of the Math department at the University of Miami.
I REMEMBER - Written by Dot Wesson
Jimmy and Dot on their bike
Singing and music are among the good memories in the Loretto, TN home of Roy and Gert Matthews. She, of course, was a long-time organist and choir director at Sacred Heart Church as well as piano teacher to many young people in Loretto. It is less well-known that he played guitar, mainly country music, and sang. He especially liked Jimmie Rodgers pieces, but his yodel wasn’t strong! Occasionally they would sing together, popular music from their youth.
It was always a pleasure for the young Matthews children when Dad would sing. Sometimes he would accompany himself and at other time she would accompany at the piano. Pal ‘o Mine was his favorite. Mom would play from well-worn music sheets. Memories from some of the long days in the car on trips to North Dakota were their singing songs like Let the Rest of the World Go By and My Isle of Golden Dreams. There were songs in which we children would chime in. Let Me Call You Sweetheart and a great family favorite, Peggy O’Neil. You Are My Sunshine was another often-used number.
At one time, mom, Grace and Dot had several pieces of piano music for six hands. The piano bench could seat two and one would pull up a chair. Only rarely did we make it through a piece. Most of the time found us collapsing in laughter as some one got ahead – or behind. It was always a genuine pleasure. All of us, even Gene, spent time at the piano and we still occasionally get to do that to this day.
As soon as we were able to manage the old pump organ at church, Mom would encourage us to play at Friday night Benediction service. There would be various chois members with some younger people to sing. At times we would do Sunday evening service, but Sunday Masses were played by the organist.
A special joy to recall is the time we spent jammed together in the front porch swing during early summer evenings singing and swinging away.
It was always a pleasure for the young Matthews children when Dad would sing. Sometimes he would accompany himself and at other time she would accompany at the piano. Pal ‘o Mine was his favorite. Mom would play from well-worn music sheets. Memories from some of the long days in the car on trips to North Dakota were their singing songs like Let the Rest of the World Go By and My Isle of Golden Dreams. There were songs in which we children would chime in. Let Me Call You Sweetheart and a great family favorite, Peggy O’Neil. You Are My Sunshine was another often-used number.
At one time, mom, Grace and Dot had several pieces of piano music for six hands. The piano bench could seat two and one would pull up a chair. Only rarely did we make it through a piece. Most of the time found us collapsing in laughter as some one got ahead – or behind. It was always a genuine pleasure. All of us, even Gene, spent time at the piano and we still occasionally get to do that to this day.
As soon as we were able to manage the old pump organ at church, Mom would encourage us to play at Friday night Benediction service. There would be various chois members with some younger people to sing. At times we would do Sunday evening service, but Sunday Masses were played by the organist.
A special joy to recall is the time we spent jammed together in the front porch swing during early summer evenings singing and swinging away.
I REMEMBER - VERSE TWO - Written by Dot Wesson
During the time Jim and I lived in Virginia and Jim was in the doctoral program at UVA, we had several family guests. As would be expected, those visits included a trip to Washington, DC – mostly on Sunday because there were fewer people and much less traffic.
Grace and Joe, with Danette, Marvin, and Mike in tow were among those who came to Charlottesville. Two memories stand out for me from that visit
One was the trip itself – about a two-hour drive. Joe had borrowed his father’s new automobile and they followed us in the old red and white Buick ’55 which had a broken speedometer. At some point in the trip, the following car slowed and Jim finally pulled over. Joe came up and said, “Jim, I can’t go that fast. The car is making funny noises.” As it turned out, we were unintentionally exceeding the speed limit by some twenty or so miles per hour.
My second strong memory came much later in the day. So Grace and Joe could tour the Capitol without interruption, Jim and I kept the three younger Reeves’ outside. The kids were running about having a good time when I noticed a man sitting on a nearby bench. Being a responsible aunt (!) I said to Jim, “Let’s keep an eye on the kids. That man looks funny.” Some time later the man came up to Jimmy and asked, “Can you tell me how to get to the Capitol? My wife wants to go when gets out of here.” He was just one exhausted, lost tourist. I hope he never realized that I was protecting the youngsters from him. I can still here those three young piping voices, “More steps ! More steps . . .”
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Grace and Joe, with Danette, Marvin, and Mike in tow were among those who came to Charlottesville. Two memories stand out for me from that visit
One was the trip itself – about a two-hour drive. Joe had borrowed his father’s new automobile and they followed us in the old red and white Buick ’55 which had a broken speedometer. At some point in the trip, the following car slowed and Jim finally pulled over. Joe came up and said, “Jim, I can’t go that fast. The car is making funny noises.” As it turned out, we were unintentionally exceeding the speed limit by some twenty or so miles per hour.
My second strong memory came much later in the day. So Grace and Joe could tour the Capitol without interruption, Jim and I kept the three younger Reeves’ outside. The kids were running about having a good time when I noticed a man sitting on a nearby bench. Being a responsible aunt (!) I said to Jim, “Let’s keep an eye on the kids. That man looks funny.” Some time later the man came up to Jimmy and asked, “Can you tell me how to get to the Capitol? My wife wants to go when gets out of here.” He was just one exhausted, lost tourist. I hope he never realized that I was protecting the youngsters from him. I can still here those three young piping voices, “More steps ! More steps . . .”
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SLIDESHOW - DOT'S FAMILY
THE WESSON GRANDCHILDREN
SAMANTHA JANE:
The youngest of the four Wesson grandchildren is Sammi, Jim and Sarah's daughter, who lives in Rock Island, IL. She attends Montessari school and is an active and interesting three year old. She developped an interest in dancing when she was involved in a ppresentation of the Nutcracker. Sammi loves school, books, music and her cousins.
KALLI:
Kali is the other grand daughter. She is a good student, but she enjoys activities. She, too, has been in performaces at school. An outside interest is basketall. She's a guart with an interest in defense. Another intereest, in and out of school is art. Her father is frequently asked for art lessons. An athlete, a erformer, an artist; at least for the moment.
JACOB:
Jacob is the younger, and taller, grand son. Presently a fifth grader, he is a good student but his interest is in reading. He especially enjoys sci fi: the Narnia books, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. Theater is an area he enjoys and he has performed in school programs. He was cast as Santa in the school Christmas program, "Rocking Santa Clause", and gave a rollicking performance to the enjoyment of school mates, teachers and family.
JORDAN:
Jordan is athletically inclined. Football has given him a good deal of success. Having a good understanding of the game, he is used by his coaches at various positions. His coach has been on the coaching staff for a number of years. This team has played post-season games in several cities the past three years. For the past two years, Jordan has been a to student in the school geography bee, this year (2006) as a champion.
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The youngest of the four Wesson grandchildren is Sammi, Jim and Sarah's daughter, who lives in Rock Island, IL. She attends Montessari school and is an active and interesting three year old. She developped an interest in dancing when she was involved in a ppresentation of the Nutcracker. Sammi loves school, books, music and her cousins.
KALLI:
Kali is the other grand daughter. She is a good student, but she enjoys activities. She, too, has been in performaces at school. An outside interest is basketall. She's a guart with an interest in defense. Another intereest, in and out of school is art. Her father is frequently asked for art lessons. An athlete, a erformer, an artist; at least for the moment.
JACOB:
Jacob is the younger, and taller, grand son. Presently a fifth grader, he is a good student but his interest is in reading. He especially enjoys sci fi: the Narnia books, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. Theater is an area he enjoys and he has performed in school programs. He was cast as Santa in the school Christmas program, "Rocking Santa Clause", and gave a rollicking performance to the enjoyment of school mates, teachers and family.
JORDAN:
Jordan is athletically inclined. Football has given him a good deal of success. Having a good understanding of the game, he is used by his coaches at various positions. His coach has been on the coaching staff for a number of years. This team has played post-season games in several cities the past three years. For the past two years, Jordan has been a to student in the school geography bee, this year (2006) as a champion.
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