~ IN MEMORY OF MY FATHER ~

Robert Thomas "Tommy" Nipper

b 14 Oct 1918 Chuckaluck, McMinn CO, TN
d 27 Mar 1995 Athens, TN buried McMinn Memory Gardens, McMinn CO, TN

The above photo was taken during WW II aboard the US Navy supply ship called LSM 54 on which my father was stationed as Boatswain's Mate. My mother, for whom his poem below was written, has indicated which sailor is my father by writing in pen on the old photo. She also added an arrow idicating the chief officer and wrote the ship's name. At that time, Daddy could no longer write because of palsy, but he always pointed out the second sailor to his chief's left because of the monkey he held and kept aboard ship. Recently, Susan Foley identified her father-in-law as standing second to the left of the sailor with the monkey. He is Donald P. Foley died in 1984 in Chicago, IL. He was once bitten by the monkey; I recall my father telling about that.

Daddy wrote this poem as he stood a lonely all-night watch during the war. Mama lovingly and carefully kept this poem in a very old purse for years until she inherited her grandmother's trunk where she put it. In the last few years of her life, she and Daddy gave me this poem written on notebook paper in his own handwriting. At my request, Rev. Leonard Arnold, read this poem as part of my father's funeral service. Daddy never expected that -- much less that his poem of love and tribute mailed to his wife so long ago, would be placed on the internet. It is placed with admiration this day, 13 July 2001, as a memorial tribute to him. My understanding of patriotism came first-hand from him. I can still hear him singing, Anchors Away! So, when laid to his final rest, I wept and wished him "a happy voyage home!"

"The Person I Most Admire" by Shane Ratledge

Public Domain, but please include this site in your sources

Homespun
Graphics
by
Sandra Ratledge

All you kinfolks, put some mail in that old box!

This site is dedicated to the memory of my mother,
Beulah Cline Nipper, a beautiful product of the Knobs.