HFMS Fond Memories

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"Raise your glass to Absent Friends"

~ Deanna Smith Scotland of Jiggernaut

Arnold Wesley Liles

by Andy Longo

When I joined the folklore society in 1987, the members included folk musicians, story tellers, and listeners. Among the storytellers was a very memorable one, Wesley Liles.

This excerpt from his obit, tells you a little more about him "ARNOLD WESLEY LILES, born June 7, 1927 in Homewood, Alabama to Ethel Dawson and Arthur Louis Liles, passed away on March 2, 2004 in The Woodlands, Texas at the age of 76. He loved storytelling, canoeing and bluegrass music. Wesley was an Army veteran of WWII. He was a retired employee of Stewart & Stevenson and worked part time for Southwest Paddlesports. He was involved with the Folklore Society, Tejas Storytelling Association, National Storytellers, Houston Canoe Club, Cee Banders Radio Club in Birmingham, Al., Outdoor Nature Club and the VFW. "

Wesley had a droll sense of humor. He would tell stories that would appear at the onset as humorous anecdotes from his recent experiences. However, they would soon morph into tall tales that ended in droll conclusions accompanied by a toothy smile from Wesley. At his memorial service there were speakers that I can easily recall. One was a childhood friend of Wesley's son. He recounted fond memories of sharing canoe trips with the Liles family and of Wesley's stories from that time. The other memorable story was recounted by Wesley's daughter. One should understand that Wesley suffered mini strokes as his health was ebbing. At times, he would lose his orientation. When his wife and children would come for a visit in the hospital, his wife would always ask, "Wesley, do you know who I am?". Thus on one occasion, Wesley asked his daughter to remain as the family left his hospital room. He then told his daughter, he was growing concerned about her mother, and he stated with a toothy grin, "she does not know who she is!" His daughter knew that part of Wesley was indomitable.

Cal Perry

Charles and Georgia Oden

by Andy Longo

When I joined the Houston Folklore and Music society in 1987, Charles and Georgia were regular attendees to the Monday night meetings held first Monday of each month in the Unitarian Universalist Church at 5200 Fannin St.

Charley was a retired railroad worker, and he loved to tell stories of his experiences working on the railroad. His career began during WWII. He also told stories relating to his and Georgia’s life during the early years of their married life. He served for many years as the Secretary-Treasurer of the HFMS. Board meetings were held at Charles and Georgia’s home, and he typed up the minutes of the meeting on a desktop computer as the meeting progressed. He did tax work to supplement his retirement so he was well prepared to take on the role of treasurer. Charley would write stories for the meeting and read them to us, stopping to elaborate here and there. When he wrote a story for the CPR, he always ended it with the telegraphers code of “73” which meant “best regards”.

Georgia would usually accompany Charles to the meetings, and she would at times, correct or add to his stories. On one occasion, his story was a written apology to us required because Georgia did not agree with something she felt was offensive in one of his earlier stories. The membership, however, had no issue with the cause of the apology.

After Georgia’s death, Charley moved to Dallas to be close to family. Christine Hartman and I exchanged correspondence with him from time to time. On one occasion, Charley met Yvette and I at a restaurant and went over a large folder he had prepared as part of writing his memoirs.
Charles Keith Oden, Nov 1918 - Nov 2015 ... 73

CHARLES LANE OLIVER & Lucy GOLDSMITH

by Andy Longo (June 2018)

Lately, I have had Lane and Lucy Goldsmith cross my mind. The two were long time active members of the Houston Folklore and Music Society. Lane was a long time journalist for a local newspaper. Here is an excerpt from his obituary:

"[he] died Thursday, Aug. 28, 2003 at the age of 90 at St. Lukes Episcopal Hospital from complications due to heart failure...Lane Goldsmith was born Feb. 23, 1913 in Quitman, Texas, where he was the oldest of six children. Before his newspaper career, he farmed cotton, he worked in an oil rig shop as a handyman, and sold oil leases. He was a 1937 Journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where he worked on the Daily Texan. He worked at newspapers in Wichita Falls and Houston including the Houston Press, the Houston Post and the Houston Chronicle, from which he retired in 1978 after 26 years with that fine institution. Goldsmith worked on the Chronicle's copy desk and for many years was responsible for Page 1 layout. He was a Lt. in the U.S. Navy during World War II, a member of the Masonic Order, the Houston Press Club, He was a founding member and past president of the Houston Folklore Society, of which he was an active member until his death. He was a member of the North Harris County Dulcimer Society, the Bayland Ragtimers, and enjoyed building musical instruments such as dulcimers and guitars and some of the instruments were successful. In addition to being an avid Astros fan, he read enough books to fill a library. He was unbeatable at Scrabble and Forty-two and was a crafty songwriter. During his lengthy retirement, he traveled the world with his wife of 59 years, Lucy Elizabeth, including Ireland, England, Wales, Sweden, Denmark, Peru, Alaska, New Zealand and Canada. He leaves behind five children who enjoyed his wit and intelligence..."

Lane would often sing songs that were popular in the days of my parents. One of his favorites was"The Man Who Ride A Mule Around the World". Another was one that I found the sheet music for in the stack of sheet music that my parents kept in the back of my dad's workshop, "Adul Abulbul Amir". It is characterized as a "music hall" song. Lucy often sang for us accompanied on her Martin ukulele. Yes, it was a Martin.
Lane and Lucy took many vacations with their extended family. On one such, they rented a house boat on Lake Powell. Each night, they would tie up onshore for the evening. Having other musicians in their family, there must have been some wonderful campfires.
In his latter years, Lane completed a guitar made from available scrap wood and hardware about his household. He put aside his fine Martin guitar and would bring this guitar to the song circles. At the time, I did not understand this. Having completed a homemade guitar for myself, reasons have become clear.
I found online that Lucy is now 97 years of age. Lane lived to be 90. The society was blessed by their contributions

Steve Baltzell

In 2016 we bid farewell to our friends, HFMS members, and dedicated HFMS Board of Director members, Steve and Debra Baltzell, when they moved to Kansas City. We received the devastating news that Steve passed away on June 15, 2017 after a brief illness. Steve was an active member of HFMS for many years. He and his wife, Debra hosted many Pickin’ Parties at their home, and served on the Board of Directors. His warm heart and dedication to causes he believed in, as well as his wonderful music, are greatly missed.
At the June Pickin’ Party, the announcement of Steve’s passing resulted in the heartfelt singing of “He Was a Friend of Mine”, and we closed the event with “May the Circle Be Unbroken” in Steve’s honor.