Chapter 30

                             MEMORIES OF ALIDA GUERNSEY ANDERSON

It was May 20, 1950, a week away from my high school graduation.  I came home from school and there was a note from my mother.

 Dear Jimmy,

  I decided to go to St. Louis and went to city with Lucile (Howell) this afternoon. Will be back Sunday night or Monday.  Can you buy a cake at A&A for your party, get it in the morning or noon.  I hate to leave you but think you will get along alright.  There is steak in the refrigerator and eat most of you meals out.  I will give you some money next week.  Feed Ted (our dog) tonight.

Love, Mom 

The next day, dear friend Waldo Porr, came to our house with the devastating  news of mothers death in a plane accident.  The day my world fell apart.  Even after 67 years, I find it very difficult to write about that day.  But as my cousin Dorothy Lee Mc Gregor said “the event would be of little reality for our children and grandchildren and should be told”.

Picture taken at the airport.  Left, Elmo Innes, Alida Anderson, Luella Caffey,  Minnie Innes.  Not pictured Pauline Guernsey.  My favorite picture of Alida Anderson.

My mother Alida in the seat next to the pilot.

Our uncle, Curt Guernsey wanted to do something especially nice for his sisters.  He invited Alida Anderson, Pauline Guernsey and Leulla Caffey to meet in Oklahoma City  and he would then have his pilot fly them  in his company plane to St. Louis to the wedding of their sister, Minnie Innes, daughter, Pat.  There was a little delay in leaving Oklahoma City because his regular pilot was ill and a substitute had to be found.  The flight to Missouri was uneventful. They arrived too late for the wedding, but were there for the reception.

Sisters picture taken the day of the wedding.  Seated left Alida, Pauline, Minnie, Luella.

 The next day they prepared to return home. Curt Guernsey Jr. wrote, “It was my understanding the pilot did not check the weather at the airport.  Obviously he was in a hurry to get back to Oklahoma City.  The pilot was given clearance to take off . In a few minutes after take-off the control tower called a warning of a potential thunderstorm, west of Lambert field and ordered them to return.  The tower got no reply, the pilot had obviously turned off the tower radio.   Twenty five minutes later the plane was hit by lightning  crashed and burned, Alida was thrown clear of the wreckage.”.

 For years and years, Curt prayed that God forgive him for his sister’s death.  All of us felt that God had nothing to forgive him for.  He was doing a loving kindness to his sisters. 

Dorothy Lee Caffey McGregor quoted our Great Uncle Charlie Guernsey often said, “ You don’t start payin’ for your raisin’ till you start raisin’ some of your own”.  Sometimes, Marjorie, Jim Lee, Bill, Gene and I thought the prices more than a little inflationary, but we would all agree that, on the whole, our children were well worth it.  Alida and Luella would have thought so, too.

There was a double service for Alida and Pauline at the Trinity Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.  Luella’s service was held at the First Baptist Church in Mangum.  Reverend Grindstaff said, “There is no need of an eulogy for one does not tint the rose nor add color to the rainbow….for she walked with God”.

More memories of Alida to follow.