“Brother”

Gilbert Wilson Cherry 

When I was going through my own sobriety journey, Mammy was always there for me to talk, even though I hid my drinking from her for some time.  She gave me the letters that had been written to my great grandmother, Christine, from her brother, Gilbert.  These letters broke my heart, but also let me see a side of my family history that I could relate to in some way.  The letters gave me inspiration to keep going and the longing to know these two precious people more.  

Gilbert Cherry was born to Jack Odell and Stella Cassety Cherry on November 4, 1921 and died at the young age of 54 in October of 1976.  Christine Cherry was born on July 1, 1923 and she died in February of 1996.  Their younger sister, Margaret, was born in 1926 and died in 2019.  Later, Mammy’s Mammy Stella had two more boys, Robert (Bobby), Doug and Donald, who Mammy grew up with like cousins.  The oldest of the siblings had struggles they had a hard time overcoming, but they were so close and these letters show their devotion to one another.  

My Mammy felt the need to give me these letters, because they meant so much to me, but I believe that she knew she didn’t have much longer on this earth herself.  I heard so many stories from her about her Mama and her uncles.  Everyone called Gilbert, Brother, and I always thought that was his real name!  I felt like I was sharing in his pain, addictions and grief as I read through the letters.  I know what it feels like to have something take hold of your mind and body.  The tragic loss one experiences that brings a person to desperate actions, also points one to the way of salvation, if they are fortunate.  

I found, what I believe to be, the last letter written to my great grandmother from her sweet brother.  It was written on August 24, 1976.  He went to be with the Lord on October 7, 1976.  I hear that his sister, Christine, wailed when her daughter, my Mammy, had to give her the news.  Gilbert was close to his 55th birthday.  I can almost feel her pain.  This letter was written in Woodburn, KY from his home where he lived before he died.  Some of his letters were written from the Western State Hospital in Hopkinsville, KY.  I can only imagine the torment his mind went through to bring him to such a place.  He admitted himself for alcoholism. Western State Hospital (Kentucky) – Wikipedia

What I do know about “Brother” is that he was a kind man, he played guitar and sang well, he loved his kids.  I don’t know exactly how many kids he had with his wife, there are only three on record, but I do know that a couple didn’t make it.  I found that one sweet boy, also named Gilbert Wilson Cherry, was born in 1945 and died in 1946.  And a baby girl, named Cherry, was only here briefly in 1952.  The third was named Dinah and she lived from 1959-2022.  

I feel connected to my family I never really knew.  I knew my Great Grandma Chris as a sweet, older lady who collected porcelain dolls and loved her cats.  She would have the Christian Television Network, TBN, on during the day, if she wasn’t reading her Bible.  I want to know the woman, the girl, who lived before I was even thought of.  I only wish I had my Mammy here to tell me more stories, to share with her what I’ve discovered through research and writing. 

(The letter is typed exactly as it is written on paper)

Gilbert Cherry
Woodburn, KY
August 24, 1976
Time 2:20 AM

Dearest Sis,
Thought I would write you a few lines to let you know how everything is now. How are all of you doing? Good I hope. Well, we are all doing very well concerting ever-thing. I guess I don’t sleep any, that is very little. Well, you know that were talking about the DISABILITY SSI. Well, of course I worked about 13 months at Exceptional Ind. work shop, well, the fact finding judge passed it & said that I was partly if not total disabled so they sent me one check for $324.26. Then I get another letter from them an they said I would not draw a check ever month because my wife made to much money so I am going to keep fighting it until they come across what she makes has nothing to do with me. I can’t buy blood pressure pills or eye drops, they won’t pay for that kind of med, but they pay for my nerve med- VALIUM. I have taken 6.60 VALIUM tablets in the last 7 months, so now I am addicted to them. But something had to happen, you know. Sis, we live a way too far apart. I sure wish that we lived close together. Sis, I am not trying to upset you, but Moma sure looks very bad, but some better than she did about 4-5 months ago. I am very worried about her you know, Sis, about a year ago Moma weighed about 130 to 140 lbs, now the last time I weighed her she only weighed 113. She has been awful sick an now she is some better. Sis, don’t let this throw you, it did me and it almost cost me my life. You know how that I have told you about how things are going around here at home, then poor Moma was so sick I just thought WHAT was worth living for I couldn’t see you to help me through it so I bought 5 bottles of rubbing alcohol, took it right home and when I started drinking it I would mix it half & half with water, but then the last I knew I was drinking it straight from THE BOTTLE so that was the last I knew for about 3 days, when I came to I was in intensive care. I stayed in there 3 days and nights- BUT GOD was with me ever step of the way I know and that Dr. said one more would be the end. Of course I have not drank that much but I get so lonesome I could cry HANK WILLIAMS HA.

Well Sis, I was restored back in the church last Sunday, I aim to do better, but I know I will never be perfect. By the way, my HOSPITAL BILL was $1600.20 that is not counting Dr.’s-

Well, Sis, that is about enough of that. Now I want you to sit right down & write me a letter, never put it off. I plan to write often, I have much more to write but here’s the place where I had better stop for now.

Sure would like to see all of you, so let’s not let a day go by without praying to God, HE will help us. Let’s say a special prayer for poor Mom.
Sis, please write soon. Tell Pat & Gary to be real good & I will see all of you- Yes, tell Ann & family I sure would like to see them and may God Bless & Keep us Sis. You know I was sitting outside worrying, not working and able to work, now I have nothing & can’t get my RR Pension for 10 more years & I just thought ‘how sad’, self-pity. Well, I just thought as a Great Shining Light came to me & I know that God gave me the part of the Bible where Christ was talking to a great multitude of people and He said “Birds have nests & foxes have holes- but the Son of Man hath no place to lay His head.” Christ owned nothing, so I thought, ‘how silly can I get?’ I’ve a home, a place to stay, a stove & heat in the winter & compared to what Christ said, I AM RICH. Ha. After all, no one will tote anything with them when they leave this world.

So Sis, LOVE TO ALL & be sure to write soon & may God Bless & Keep us all.

From, your Bro Gilbert Cherry.

By the way, I may come out there some of these times & preach if I can save a few souls I will have gained something. I have read the Old Testament 3 times and the New Testament going on the 10th time.
Love to all xo xo xo xo

²⁰ And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Matthew 8:20

Brief Life History of Gilbert Wilson

“When Gilbert Wilson Cherry Sr was born on 4 November 1921, in Simpson, Kentucky, United States, his father, Jack Odell Cherry, was 25 and his mother, Stella G Cassety, was 16. He had at least 1 son and 2 daughters with Annie Verna Green. He lived in Robertson, Tennessee, United States in 1930. He died on 7 October 1976, in Woodburn, Warren, Kentucky, United States, at the age of 54, and was buried in Woodburn, Warren, Kentucky, United States.” (Gilbert Wilson Cherry Sr (1921–1976)

*more letters to come in future posts*