Many instances as I research and interview one person, it leads me to others that have interesting stories about growing up in Seadrift. Most times the person I interview suggests other relatives I should speak to and on several occasions my journey has taken me outside of Seadrift’s city limits. This was certainly one of them…
I had never visited Trinity Shores and as I drove into the parking lot, I wondered what awaited me. Inside the décor was inviting and a pleasant ambiance filled the corridors. I signed in at the front desk and it took me but a second to locate Bernice Cook’s apartment. Many of the resident’s doors had wreaths, angels or other cute arrangements on them. Bernice greeted me and quickly began chit chatting about her parents and great grandparents. It did not seem that we had just met minutes ago, but perhaps were long-time acquaintances.
Bernice was born on December 25, 1919 in Seadrift. “Dr. Ryon delivered me, he never forgot my birthday since I was born on Christmas Day,” she said proudly. I recall from previous interviews that the Ryon family moved to Seadrift in 1915. A book which I always reference, Seadrift Memories, was able to give me more insight once I got back to the house: Frank (Big Doc) brought his wife and two sons to live in Seadrift. Frank’s brother O. H. Ryon also came to Seadrift. Both men were doctors but Seadrift could only support one doctor so Frank became the town pharmacist while O.H. became Dr. Ryon and worked in an office in the back of the Ryon Pharmacy.
Bernice’s family roots extend to Illinois, Arkansas, Missouri and Kentucky; she elaborated in great detail about all of the various family members. There were so many it was difficult to keep up with. How wonderful it must be to have so many kinfolk.
Her grandfather, Robert Weaver was born in Titus County on March 27, 1850. Bernice remembers that he was in the American Civil War. Following the war, he became a farmer and moved to Calhoun County. “That was at the time the Hawes’ started the town; they lived on Matagorda Island.” Her grandmother Mary Ellen Lincoln was born on October 26, 1856. Robert and Mary Ellen married on October 11, 1874 and had six children. Bernice’s father, George Marshall Weaver was one of those children and was born in Eastland County on May 30, 1882. Her mother, Verdie May Buffington was born in Seadrift on December 29, 1896. George and Verdie May married in 1917. George worked at the ice plant in Seadrift.
Bernice Cook with one of her regular visitors, Frances
Bernice enjoyed life in Seadrift. She remembers her bus driver, Mrs. Madison. She would drive them half way, past Roemerville to catch a second bus to Port Lavaca. In 1935, she along with Martin Hill, Helen Steinberg, Lucille Coward Golke, Evelyn Maples and Meryl DeForest graduated from 11th grade in Port Lavaca. Bernice explained, “You see back then, we only had 11 grades.”
I learned an abundance about the families that made up Seadrift in its early years. Bernice remembers a world of facts and family trees. I’m sure I’ll be back soon to ask her questions about a particular subject. She made me laugh when she’d turn and ask, “Remember when…” Or she’d say, “You know the — family.” I would simply shake my head and she’d say, “I thought you were from Seadrift?” Having only spent several years in the small town, I’d have to say Bernice knows much, much more than I. Thank you to Bernice for your insight, I learned a mass amount of Seadrift’s history in just one afternoon. Till next time!
