Hello,
My name is Nancy. I want to share a little about my parents and the history of Grandma’s House.
My mom, Opal, was born in 1924 in Marshall, Arkansas and grew up in the Morning Star area. There were nine children in her family. Her Father, Hugh, died in 1933 during the Great Depression which left her mother, Julie, and older siblings to provide for the family. Julie was a devout Christian and lived her life fully for the Lord. She was born in 1892 and passed in 1956. She lived to age 64 and was able to see all of her children grow into adulthood.
My father, Marion, was born in Marshall in 1926 and passed in 1991. He also grew up in the Morning Star area and was one of nine children. His father, Troy, was born in 1893 and passed in 1955. His mother, Clara, was born in 1903 and passed in 1990. They too were a strong Christian family.
My parents married in 1944 and soon after, my father joined the army. He fought in World War II. After his return from the war and after the end of the depression they moved north to follow work in the sheetrock business and settled in Indiana. During this time my mom gave birth to four children; three boys, and myself, one girl. They ended their marriage in 1966.
We always came to Arkansas for family vacations and during that time I developed a great love for this area. In 1972 I decided to move back to Arkansas to be around family, enjoy the mountains, and live the country life.
Soon after my move, my mother’s employer closed his business so she decided to sell her house in Indiana and move back to Arkansas. She bought the land where Grandma’s House is and chose to build her new home there. At that time the house next door was owned by her sister and was the school house in the early 1900’s. That is where all the children in the surrounding area attended school. Eighth grade was the highest education offered at that time in this area. My mom, dad, and all of their siblings went to school there. The part of the house with the high roof was the original one-room schoolhouse. In later years the rest was added on as a classroom. The cafeteria was a separate building that is no longer standing. If only those walls could talk!
My mom was a very hard-working, caring, and giving lady. After she bought the property she cleared the land and built her house with the hopes of her children coming home to visit.
She worked for many years at the nursing home in Marshall as well as provided health care in patient’s homes. She has touched the lives of many people through her work.
Her home has been a gathering place for many years for family, friends, and guests; sharing holiday meals, birthdays, reunions, and other special occasions. Mom always helped people and opened her home to those in need. She, like her own mother, was a strong Christian and had a great passion for the Lord. Her family was very important to her. Mom went to be with the Lord in 2007 with her family by her side.
We have chosen to continue her tradition of hospitality by sharing her home with families so you can enjoy the Buffalo River, Ozark Mountains and other surrounding attractions. We want to keep it affordable so many can be touched through this ministry. Ten percent of all proceeds from Grandma’s House is given to the Morning Star Baptist Church for missions and outreach.
We hope you enjoy your stay and we want you to feel like you truly have come home to Grandma’s House.
GOD BLESS
Grandma's House 