Posted: 7:43 PM - May 05, 2005
From The Clarke Times-Courier 05/05/2005.
Born at home in Clarke County, Louise Jones McKay grew
up on a dairy farm in Gaylord. She graduated from Berryville
High School and went on to college to earn a couple of degrees.
She wanted to join the State Department and go work in Latin America, but her plans changed because she got married to Burch McKay.
Before and after she became a mom to their four children-- Beverly, Branson, Caroline and Bryan -- she taught school in Clarke County for 23 years.
Today at a youthful 78, she is a widow. All of her children live within five miles of her farm that lies between Old Chapel and Millwood. Her son, Bev, is the chairman of the county's Planning Commission.
Louise says the best times with her husband and children were when they were working together.
“We all worked the farm and had a garden,” she recalls fondly.
“We worked at the fair. The kids grew up at the fair. They showed animals and worked at the food booth and did whatever needed to be done. Their daddy was a Ruritan member.”
Now, her six grandchildren bring her joy.
Granddaughter Alex, a senior at the high school, recalls how her grandmother picked her up from school every day when she was younger along with her cousins Emily and Andrew. Louise would take them outside to pick flowers and have picnics in the yard. She drove them down the back roads and taught them Clarke County's history. She’s wonderful, Alex says.
When Louise was asked what advice she’d give young mothers, she offered the following:
“Know who they’re with and what they’re doing at all times.”
Of course, “you think you did that but you find later that really didn’t happen,” she says laughing.
A Day for all moms
By Claudia Bigelow
The Clarke Times-Courier
By Claudia Bigelow
The Clarke Times-Courier
 Louise McKay |
She wanted to join the State Department and go work in Latin America, but her plans changed because she got married to Burch McKay.
Before and after she became a mom to their four children-- Beverly, Branson, Caroline and Bryan -- she taught school in Clarke County for 23 years.
Today at a youthful 78, she is a widow. All of her children live within five miles of her farm that lies between Old Chapel and Millwood. Her son, Bev, is the chairman of the county's Planning Commission.
Louise says the best times with her husband and children were when they were working together.
“We all worked the farm and had a garden,” she recalls fondly.
“We worked at the fair. The kids grew up at the fair. They showed animals and worked at the food booth and did whatever needed to be done. Their daddy was a Ruritan member.”
Now, her six grandchildren bring her joy.
Granddaughter Alex, a senior at the high school, recalls how her grandmother picked her up from school every day when she was younger along with her cousins Emily and Andrew. Louise would take them outside to pick flowers and have picnics in the yard. She drove them down the back roads and taught them Clarke County's history. She’s wonderful, Alex says.
When Louise was asked what advice she’d give young mothers, she offered the following:
“Know who they’re with and what they’re doing at all times.”
Of course, “you think you did that but you find later that really didn’t happen,” she says laughing.
©Times Community Newspapers 2005