Debbie Smith Robertson
I will miss you, Cuz. We had great times growing up, especially when all of us grandkids stayed over Granny’s house on the weekend. Granny had ten grandkids by the time little Diane was born. So, it stands to reason that she had problems keeping us corralled at times. Horace was always the instigator, but you protected us by giving us the heads-up so we were always a step or two ahead of Horace. Granny was a short woman who couldn’t run very fast, so she kept the fly swatter and a yardstick close by to use as an extension of her arm. I can still hear the fly swatter flapping behind us to pop whoever she could. Tiner, you were always a skinny kid so you could outrun us all.
Tiner, you had an infectious laugh. When you laughed, it always made us laugh along with you. Daddy always had a soft spot in his heart for you. He always wanted a son, but it was only Jeanette and me in our family of four. Daddy loved to take you hunting and to football games. After we moved to Jefferson County, Daddy would pick you up to bring you to the house. Later that night, the two of you would go hunting, although illegally because you were riding around in the truck. One night the two of you came home and you were laughing so hard. You told us about the rabbit that was running in front of the truck. You aimed your gun and barely missed the poor thing. You laughed so hard as you told us the rabbit’s tail did a 360 circle in the air before taking off. I remember meeting you and Daddy at the football stadium to watch Godby and Wakulla play. Daddy loved boiled and fresh-roasted peanuts. You looked at me and said, “Watch Unc. After the first quarter and eating those peanuts, he’ll fly to the bathroom. I bet you a quarter.” I took the bet… and I lost. Sure enough, Daddy ran off in a hurry.
Mama and Granny always went fishing on Saturdays, so Daddy stayed at Granny’s to watch all of us because we would have a fish-fry when they got home with their huge mess of fish. We always played a game of football or baseball in the front yard. You loved trying to make us miss the ball, which aggravated the fire out of us. But it was all fun.
Daddy would never let anyone cut his hair except you. I remember Daddy would say, “Well, it’s time to see Tiner to get my two hairs on top cut.” Craig never wanted anyone to cut his hair either. When Craig needed a haircut, we had the best time talking and laughing in the barbershop. Afterwards, if the shop wasn’t busy we’d get a bite to eat.
Before signing off, I have to share this story that involved you and Ronnie. Uncle Ed had a brand-new truck. I don't remember whose idea it was to go to Barnacle Bill's on South Monroe Street. The story that you told me goes this way… The two of you had a bit too much to drink. Ronnie needed to back up out of the parking lot to pull out on South Monroe Street. Ronnie told you to tell him when he “had it” so he could back up. You were sitting in the cab, looking out of your passenger side window, or were supposed to be. You told Ronnie that he had it. So, bless his heart, Ronnie backed up unfortunately into the oncoming traffic. Needless to say, someone hit Uncle Ed’s truck. Ronnie yelled at you saying, “Man, you said I ‘had it.’” Your response was very simple….. “You sure got it now!”
Cuz, I will always love you and will miss you until we meet in heaven where I know you will be waiting for the rest of us. I know you and Daddy are telling tall tales together as well as having a great time with the rest of the family in heaven.