 |
| VIRGIE SUGGS |
Town Crier News Staff
Christina Suggs Lopez shared her memories of growing up the youngest of 10 daughters to Virgie Suggs and the late Nathaniel Suggs. Mr. Suggs passed away in 1995.
"Our parents moved to Whistleville near Lost Cane in the Manila School District." Christina said, "Our dad worked on the farm and our mother was a homemaker taking care of her family. I think my older sisters were the first African American students to attend Manila. My parents were determined their daughters would get the best education possible and nine out of 10 of us graduated from Manila High School. Our oldest sister went on to earn her GED."
Christina was the last one to graduate from MHS 1995. Her sisters are: Johnnie Suggs Williams (who passed away last year); Caffie Suggs of Manila; Robin Suggs of Manila; Mavis Suggs of Manila; Shelly Suggs of Osceola; Mildred Suggs McLawrence of Blytheville; Renee Suggs of Manila; Tina Suggs of Osceola; Helen Suggs of Manila; and Christina of Manila.
Their mother has some health problems but is still the foundation of the family. All of her daughters share in taking care of her giving them quality time to spend with their mother.
"We were poor but our parents sacrificed everything to raise us," Christina said. "We always had a roof over our head and plenty to eat. Our mother canned from a large garden they raised. They made sure our needs were met and provided many of our wants. We were all girls and we wanted make up and clothes. Being the youngest my older sisters helped me get more extras as they went on to get jobs."
Christina said their parents taught them respect for each other and respect for themselves.
"The good old days were special growing up in our large family," Christina said. "I miss having our parents solve our problems. When a problem arose Mom and Dad finished it. We were taught how to get along. Our family is still supportive of each other and remains a strong family thanks to our parents. Our mom taught us to be independent women and how to take care of ourselves. She taught us to cook, clean house, and show respect. She supplied us with strength to last our whole lives. She is still our example and the sweetest woman in the world. We were all raised in the same house by the same parents but we are each one unique."
Mrs. Suggs was blessed with 10 daughters. Even though she didn't have any sons, she is blessed with a grandson, Michael Chad who lives in Shaw, Miss. He is a college student. She has one granddaughter, Natalie, who died at the age of 7.
(Thanks to Revis Blaylock for permission to reprint this article)
