Klon Roy & Lena Lowder Burleson
Wedding Day Dec 8, 1922
Reflections
by: Mrs. Lena Lowder Burleson
Age: 94
On December 8, 1922, at the age of 18, I married into the Burleson family and became a "Burleson For Life." Blending into the Burleson way-of-life was not difficult because in our community, the majority of the people made their living off the land. Gathering, preparing, and preserving food went on year-round. Neighbors gathered to help neighbors with harvesting crops, clearing new land, cutting wood, making fencepost and pastures, killing hogs, making quilts, fruitcakes, applebutter, hominy and the list goes on.
Klon Roy's Line: R. Hurley, Isaac, Billie, Isaac Jr., & Isaac Sr.
Their children: Ruby Lois, J. Brice, Ted,
Johnny Paul, Hilda, and Klon Del Burleson
One Burleson activity that was new to me was foxhunting. Some of the men in the
family enjoyed the sport and maintained packs of foxhounds. There were many
tales that were told and repeated through the years about the antics of the fox
or dogs on those cold evenings by lantern light. My husband even ordered red fox
cubs to help stock the woods nearby. We see their healthy offsprings even today.
Burleson, like others in our community, furnished timber and helped build
community building, school gyms, and churches. Most of the families could be
found in a church on Sunday mornings. They were real neighbors in times of
sickness and especially with a death in a family. Serving in the military was a
tradition. Burlesons voluntarily joined the ranks especially in WW1 and WWII.
Today the Burlesons from our area have multiplied and some have taken the family
name far from Stanly County. Most have left the land to make livings in various
professions. Some have impressive degrees and titles behind their names and some
with honors too numerous to list. And yet, many family traditions has prevailed.
Burlesons have always been fond of family gatherings with much good food and
visiting. By attending such gatherings, descendants maintain a link to the past
and to each other. That is still going on here in Stanly County. As a result,
many Burlesons in our area have knowledge of their greater family and have an
appreciation of their roots.
As one of the senior Burlesons, I would encourage each of you to continue the
traditions begun by your families. Continue to meet and share information. Tell
the stories. Learn from each other and instill the pride of family in your
children. And, remember, our blessings are God Given.