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The following was the eulogy speech I gave at my sister Lisa's funeral.
On a cold winter day in Millington, Tennessee, Lisa Marie Shaner was born to Dave and Polly Shaner. It was January 21st 1963. Lisa was the fifth and last child that Polly would deliver and she was considered “the baby!” It was a title she never gave up and would have fought with you to try to take that away. She relished the title of “The baby!” And “babied,” she was! She had two older brothers, Dave and me, and two older sisters, Brenda and Julie! Lisa was now the baby, or “life of the party” at our house… and she relished that title! She had it made in the shade, she had it so easy… and we let her know that!
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 March 31, 2021 by Erica A. Morris (article in honor of International Women's Month and dedicated to my father-in-law, G. Richard Morris, on his Birthday)
Many, many years ago, between the time period of the years 1880-1910 are said to have been the beginning of the Southwestern Rice Revolution in America. Although, many industrial and economic factors played a very important role in the ability to begin making these agricultural improvements, discoveries, and revolutionary way of life for the once thought to be unfarmable lands of the southeastern flatlands of Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas; it is stated in history to be attributed to more.  Arkansas’ oldest rice farm remains successful using latest technology.
By Ginger Rowsey | May 16, 2022 Every morning as Matt Morris approaches his farm shop, he’s greeted by a large sign detailing the rich history of his family farm. “The Arkansas Rice Industry Began on this Farm,” it reads, before describing the successes — and setbacks — of his ancestors. W. H. Fuller, a brother-in-law of Morris’ great-great grandfather, John Morris, first attempted to grow rice on the Lonoke County farm in 1897. He put in the first irrigation well in the Grand Prairie, but despite his efforts, that first crop failed.  Polly Hines Shaner was not one to back down from a challenge. It was part of her energy and it was a part of her spirit. My mom was such an endearing and warm-hearted human. She loved everybody and everybody loved her. She had 17 grandchildren. And if you asked any one of those grand-children they would have told you, that without a doubt, THEY were in fact, their grandmothers favorite grandchild! She just made everybody feel that way. She had many friends from the neighborhood and her church and all of them would have said the same thing, “I think I’m Polly’s best friend.” By Kara Shaner - Guest Writer
The great traveler, Ibn Battuta once said, “Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” Stories, who doesn’t love a great story? But what makes a great storyteller? Experience, passion, the ability to relate to an audience? When I think back to the best stories I’ve ever heard, I was captivated by the details and transported back to the event that transpired. Travel creates new experiences, transforming us all into storytellers. Stories that become our life’s narrative. The details of memories’ past and tales of generations to come.  When I first heard the name Kara Rogers, my youngest son Aaron, was calling home from college to say hello, but that was a guise for what he eventually got around to as the real reason he called. I suspected that something else was coming even though I did not know what that was.
Ashley is a pretty and sweet 2nd cousin of mine. Or, is she a 1st cousin once removed? She is the daughter of my 1st cousin Jennifer. Ashley has always had a love for all thing’s music. She is a guitar player, a mandolin player and plays the piano. Truth be known she could probably play anything she wanted to. And she sings! Did I say how good Ashley is at singing? She’s amazing!
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AuthorSteve Shaner is a professional story teller that delights in traveling to meet new and old friends. He can be contacted at shaner.steve@gmail.com. Archives
April 2023
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