Published: July 27, 2009 07:40 am      

A special farmer’s daughter

WELLBORN NEWS

By Betty Barnes



This story began over one hundred and fifty years ago. The year was 1848. Outside of Wellborn, a 180-acre farm was homestead by Levi Johns. Levi was the great grandfather of Mrs. Helen McMullen Cribbs. She is the product of a long line of farmers. The main crops produced on this farm were tobacco, potatoes, hay and sugar cane. Corn was gathered and taken to a grist mill to be ground into grits. The grist mill was on Lake Jeffery Road in Wellborn. Livestock was also a major product raised to sell at the markets.

Helen’s grandfather, John Blaxton followed in these same footsteps to work this farm and continue the tradition of farmers. Years later, Helen’s father and mother, Lotie and John McMullen took over the running of this farm. Times were hard, the weather was bad; too much rain or very hot and dry. Helen had a close family of four brothers and one sister. The whole family was doing its part to keep the farm going. At the young age of nine, Helen’s sister left home, so it was now up to Helen to help her mother with the work, the cooking and canning of vegetables. Her mother taught her to love the art of sewing and quilt-making, at night by a kerosene lamp (this was before electricity). These early crafts became a part of her life, and she still loves sewing today.

The McMullen family attended the church nearest them which was the Mt. Olive Baptist Church. Horse and wagon was the only way to travel. Going home after dark in the wagon, the kids counted the stars and searched for falling stars. If it rained, the oilcloth from the kitchen table was used to cover up to keep them dry.

The nearest doctor was Dr. Barnett in White Springs. Sometimes when the McMullen’s went into White Springs to peddle their vegetables at Adam’s Store, they could smell Mrs. Barnett cooking breakfast. She would stop them and give them toast to eat. It was a special treat. The Adam’s Store is still standing in White Springs today. Dr. Barnett had morning office hours in White Springs and evening hours in Wellborn. If you needed the doctor, you would have one of the kids stand by the roadside until he came along. He usually passed about two o’clock in the afternoon on his way to Wellborn. When the doctor stopped about 30 times for calls, he would have the right to a cow of his choice. He would pick out a cow to pay for his services.

Helen went to school at the Dunellon School on the corner of 137 and 136, which went to the seventh grade. She was there for the 1939-1940 term, and then started at Wellborn school in September of 1940. Seven students were in her class.

As a teenager, Helen enjoyed having parties and playing games. When a young man returned home from service, she would have a party for him. All the neighbors would come to welcome him back home. A huge bonfire was built, peanuts were boiled, corn was roasted, cakes and cookies were made. Homemade ice cream was a must; no party was complete without it.

In 1943, Helen started writing to a young man away in the service. His name was Wilmer Cribbs and he was stationed in Greenland. Wilmer’s sister had given Helen the address and asked her to write to him. Helen and Wilmer were married November 16, 1946, and their first son was born on November 17, five years later. They have a total of five children: three girls, twins Sheryl and Shirley, and then Tereasa; and two boys, Stanley and Ronald. Helen and Wilmer now have eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

About 35 years ago, Helen started thinking of all the things she loved doing and decided to put it all together in one weekend. She loved making and selling crafts, cooking syrup, gospel singing, lots of family and friends, plenty of pancakes and sausages to eat – all for free. It came together Thanksgiving weekend. Can you imagine so much fun and good times going on all weekend every year for 35 years? Whenever you think of Miss Helen, you think of Thanksgiving weekend and smile from ear to ear. Helen is surrounded by so much love and a caring family. Four children, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren live on this farm and call it home every day.

Helen worked for Suwannee Valley Electric for 21 years. She is now retired and staying very busy. When I stopped by to visit, she had just put gallons of fruit juice in the freezer. Another day she will take it out and make her famous mayhaw, blueberry and blackberry jams and jellies. She is a special friend and I love her dearly. She is no doubt a one of a kind, special “Farmer’s Daughter.”