CARTER-JONES FAMILY POEM

We are family; 
to God, we say merci!
Carters and Jones-Jones and Carters,
they were the initial starters.
We look back over the years,
with pride, happiness, and tears.
Those who have gone before us,
they never gave up in disgust.
 
Our footsteps of service are seen;
our commitments are impossible to contravene.
We ask God to hold our hands,
because He gives all commands.
Look around, what do you see?
People, Carters and Jones, are leading by example, as to how life should be.

We sacrifice, toil, and strive;
we operate with relentless drive.
Like lions we roar, and 
like eagles we soar.
With humility go on and confess,
that each generation of Carter-Jones God does bless!

Copyright © 2002.  All rights reserved.

Written by Vicki Craig, Esq. 
 Fifth generation descendant

Ms. Craig’s poem was published in the 2002 Carter-Jones Family Reunion Souvenir Booklet.  The family reunion (held every two years in different cities) was in Atlanta, Georgia.  The extraordinary fortitude of her family is the essence of Ms. Craig’s poem.  Ms. Craig’s inspiration for this poem came from her grandmother, who hails from the Carter branch of the family tree.  Her beloved grandmother, a third generation descendant, was the oldest living member of the family.  At the time of her death, she was ninety-nine years old.


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In 2000, Vicki Craig's grandmother, Mrs. Clara Mitchell, a retired health care worker (born in 1907), was honored as an Invisible Giant by the National Voting Rights Museum & Institute (NVRMI) in Selma, Alabama, the same museum which inducted former President William Jefferson Clinton into its Hall of Fame on March 4th 2007.  Although Mrs. Mitchell was recognized for her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, there was no way recognition could not be given for the same diligence, commitment, and leadership exhibited by her for so many years in Selma, Alabama vis-a-vis involvement in community service and dedicated health care service, as noted during the program, enumerated in her biography, and evidenced by her numerous plaques, awards, and certificates which were vividly displayed during the program.  During the program, Mrs. Mitchell was honored with a Resolution from the Alabama State Legislature.  In addition, Mrs. Mitchell was honored with the key to the city of Selma by the Mayor.  Mrs. Mitchell has always been a very strong presence in the city of Selma and has always been revered as the matriarch of Vicki Craig's family.  The treasured program sponsored by the National Voting Rights Museum & Institute will always be a memorable event, especially for Mrs. Mitchell and her family.  We are proud to know that the efforts of Vicki Craig's grandmother and countless others led to the historic enactment of The Voting Rights Act of 1965 signed by President Lyndon Johnson on August 6, 1965.

                                                                                 Mrs. Clara Carter Mitchell
                                                                           Vicki Craig's beloved grandmother
                                      My grandmother’s life inspired me to write Letters to God.

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