‘Miscellany’ Archives
Walkin”' the Talk
By Dallas Johnson “My love goes out to Muriel”'s family, friends and neighbors while together we hold this sacred moment. I”'m remembering my dear friend and mentor”'s grace, her boundless, loving heart, her tenacity and courage in standing up to the toughest of the tough, her audacity when she persisted in the halls of power until they took note and the tide began to turn, the twinkle in her eye, her sassy wit, her sage advice, her honesty in telling her life story, the truth that cut out of her lovely mouth, the way she respected and honored everyone she met, her glowing, soft skin, her strong hands, her shoulders that carried the weight of the world and made it look like pure joy, the open doors of her welcoming home on the corner which anchored our whole neighborhood, her readiness and enthusiasm to do whatever the moment called for, her sweet affection, her encouragement, her vision, her walkin”' the talk as she lived [...]
Muriel Barnes Simmons: Born June 2, 1939 ~ Borne to God January 15, 2013
Muriel grew up on the East Coast the only child of Rev. Robert Willington & Mamie Barnes, baptized at her father”'s church, Mt. Sinai Baptist at an early age. At age 9, tumors began to develop in her nose, chest, arms, and abdomen. Some were cancerous and some benign. She was diagnosed with “Thalassemia Disease>” As she grew older she inherited a blood disorder that originated in the Caribbean, similar to Sickle Cell Anemia; for which there was no cure. She also had Lupus, Epilepsy, and Parkinson”'s Disease. This left her believing that she could die at any time. Throughout her 63 year battle she has had over 26 surgeries, however this did not stop her from living to the fullest and providing the same for her family. She graduated from Dunbar High School and Morgan State College in Maryland. Muriel has spent time traveling from one end of the country to the other in support of her husband”'s U.S. Navy [...]
“Grandma was on the syllabus!”
Read an excellent article about Muriel and her Family by Jacquelyn Blake in Southside Pride in 2004 at http://www.southsidepride.com/2004/06/articles/snowcones.html By Dallas Johnson When I started my block club and asked Open Eye Theatre to present a puppet show, Muriel immediately agreed to host us in her yard. When I called to say Madeline Douglas and I wanted to interview her on video, she didn”'t hesitate. When I asked her to be in the Snow Cone Cart skit, she said, “YES!”. Every time I called Muriel, this is how the conversation would go. I”'d say, “Is this an ok time to talk? You sound under the weather”. She”'d respond, “My body”'s not cooperating with me lately, but I can”'t bother with that now. I know you”'ve got something going on, so tell me what you need me to do and let”'s get it done!”. When I shared frustration that I wasn”'t drawing a lot of people to my meetings and events, [...]
