Vernie Grogan and His Cousin, Sarah Elizabeth Bates

As a child, Sarah Bates Lamanac (daughter of J.B. Bates and Lois Christine Sims) always watched over her cousin, Vernie Grogan. Vernie was the son of Tommy Grogan and Vada Bates. 

The Grogan Brothers, Stedman, Paul and Tommy with J.B. (Jay Bates)

The Grogan Brothers, Stedman, Paul and Tommy with J.B. (Jay Bates) in front of the Grogan Homestead. They all were friends growing up. Tommy became Jay's brother-in law when he married his sister, Vada Bates.

Bates and Grogan Cousins

The Bates and Grogan cousins having fun in front of 625 State Street.  Photographed is Janell Grogan, Katherine Grogan, Barbara Bates with Floyd Bates and Patricia Grogan in the front row. This is after Martha and Fred Bates moved and Vada and Tommy moved in when they moved to Atlanta.

Vada Bates and Tommy Grogan

Vada Bates was the daughter of Lem and Lillie Smith Bates. Vada married Tommy Grogan. This is a photograph of Vada with Tommy Grogan and their son, Vernie. This picture was taken at the Old Grogan Homestead located on Old Alabama Road now known as Wiley Bridge Road in Woodstock, Georgia.

Tommy Grogan is the son of Charlie and Leavy Grogan who owned this farm. Charlie died at age 42, leaving Leavy with seven small children. She sold the farm off in pieces until it was all gone trying to support the children. Many of the children were raised by relatives who helped out as much as they could.

Lillie Smith Bates grandchildren, Katherine Grogan and Jenny Bates

This is a photo of Lillie Smith Bates with her grandchildren, Katherine Grogan and Jenny Bates, in 1947.  Katherine Grogan is the daughter of Tommy and Vada Bates Grogan. Jenny Bates is the daughter of J.B. and Lois Sims Bates.  All the kids were barefoot in the pictures. They only had one pair of shoes a year. They had to pull them off after school and save them for Sunday. Many of the grandchildren grew up close to grandma.