The history of
The Russ House
Jackson County, Florida
by
Merritt Dekle
July 2000
All rights reserved!

Epilogue

In the South, story telling is a valuable part of our culture.....from the stories we grew up hearing from out relatives to the mesmerizing tales of Tennessee William, Eudora Welty, Carson McCullers and Anne Rice. There are so many rich stories out there to be told and there are many such stories that surround a house like the Russ House. Unfortunately, many of these stories die with our ancestors unless they are safeguarded in the minds of the next generation.

I ended up, at the ripe old age of 42 being the keeper of our family's history and all of the stories that went with it. It was ironic to have that role bestowed upon me, an irony made slightly bitter by the fact that there was no one left to listen to them.

I'd resigned myself, begrudgingly, to this fact, which was no easy task, and began to file these stories away in the dark attic of my memory. Until one day, a stranger knocked upon that door and asked me to tell her a story.....and the stories slowly emerged into the light once more.

That person, Betty Mae Smith, is responsible for these stories and this history finally being heard here. Without her passion for the past they would have eventually faded away. It has been a rewarding journey....one I think (hope) we've both enjoyed......and I will be forever greatful for her hard work and patience in creating this website. For all of her devotion to this project, she has earned a place in the history of the Russ House all her own. Thank you, Betty. I hope you will enjoy our efforts as well.

Thanks for dropping by.