As a falling blossom broadens the ripple on a pond,so does TIME expand our lineage.

My story begins on September 1, 1941 in Pampa, Texas, when I was born into the family of Jane and J.T. Stephens and their 7 year old son, James Michael (Mike). I can’t remember much about the early years of my life, but we lived on a farm and around cotton gins and compresses until I was 10 years old. I started to school at North Spade, Texas on my sixth birthday, much to my utter dismay. I think I cried every day that first year with a stomach ache. Poor Mike, an eighth grader at the time, had to sit by me on the bus every morning with me…

Well, any family as crazy as this one would have to have a resident “shrink!” That’s my role. I am a Licensed Professional counselor in Richardson, Texas, working through the school district, and in private practice. I received my train ing from Texas Tech University and East Texas State University. I have been in practice for five years, after spending several years as a classroom teacher. I am a single parent of two fantastic teenagers. Greg is a senior in high school, and plans to follow in his mom and dad’s footsteps to Texas Tech next year. He is an outdoor enthusiast, loving to snow ski and backpack in the…

Beavers, you know, have been known to cut down trees, darn up streams, erode mountainsides, and create ecological changes to entire regions. They are, at once (a) adorable, (b) opportunistic, (c) disruptive, and (d) most lovable. It is, therefore, entirely appropriate that the family being honored in this book, bear the name Beaver with all that it implies. My earliest memories of anything, are of life at my grand parents homes near Girard, Texas. I was especially close to my maternal grandparents, Ed and Minnie Beaver, spending many summers with them, even after my own family moved away from Girard. Finally, Granny (Minnie) came to live with our family part…

I was born June 21, 1913, at Girard Texas. My name was Iona Beaver, and the name, Jane, was added when I was in high school. I was the youngest child of Ed and Minnie Beaver, and the only one born in West Texas in the family of eleven children. My life was not always a bed of roses, being the youngest, growing up with so many brothers and sisters, but I soon learned to con my way about most everything. We had loving, but firm parents, who taught us to love God and keep His commandments. We learned honesty and integrity from their fine example of clean living. Although…

This story begins on June 16, 1961, with the marriage of Charles Daniel O’Neal to Nary Beth Craig. From this marriage came their first daughter. This is where my story begins. My name is Kimberly Jane O’Neal McInnis, twenty-two years of age. On August 14, 1962, I was born to Charles and Mary Beth O’Neal. My grandparents were Jess Thomas and Samintha Beaver Craig, and my great grandparents were Ed and Minnie Beaver. Although I never had a chance to know my great grandparents, I have heard many wonderful things about them. My life as a child was somewhat difficult, as I was born with a congenital heart condition. I…

My mind is flooded with memories as I begin to write my chapter for the Beaver Book. Some happy, some sad. but all precious memories. I, Mary Beth Craig O’Neal, was born to Samintha Beaver Craig and Jess Thomas Craig on November 2, 1943, in Paris, Texas. I am the third of their three children. I suppose my brother Larry, already having one little sister, just took another in stride. But Janie, not quite three years old, I have been told, ordered my mother to take me back to the hospital. Needless to say, I was not a welcome addition for her. In spite of her demands, I stayed. Janie…

What a neat idea to be able to sit down and write a chapter to be included in the book about the Beaver family. The thought of doing this seemed exciting, yet when I actually undertook the task, I found myself asking the Question, ’’Where do I possibly begin?” Life, at its simplest, is complex, and my mind became boggled with many memories and events that I so desperately wanted to recall and record in my chapter. After much deliberation, I finally decided to clear my mind and to start at the only logical place in my life – the beginning. I, Anna Jane (Janie), was born to Jess Thomas…

When I was asked to write something to be printed in the Beaver Book, I was truly honored, because my Mam-ma Samintha Beaver Craig has been one of the most inspiritational people of my life. I, Tonya Rene’ Craig Halbrooks, was born to Larry and Shirley Craig July 10, 1961, in Austin, Texas. Shortly after my birth we moved to Houston where my dad completed his work for a degree in Pharmacy. We then moved to Tyler where we live today. I have very fond memories of my childhood. I was born an only child, but I have always shared a closeness with my five cousins, Kim, Kelley, and Danny…