Tribute to John Oxford Gandy - Butler Co., AL ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. ALGenWeb File Manager - Lygia Dawkins Cutts ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Contributed by Mildred S. Brown MAR 1999 Here is a tribute to John Oxford Gandy who married Mary Ann Queen Elizabeth Victoria Black of Butler County. Gandy moved his family to a small community in the northern most past of Escambia County, Fl. In 1973, the Florida State Legislature named the community Gandyville in his honor. Today, Gandyville is one of Florida's ghost towns. Very few housed remain in the community, but his daughter Elvira Gandy Crapps still lives on the old Gandy farm. I met her in 1998 for the first time. At the age of 92, she looked 60, Elvira was working raking up leaves that had fallen from the trees which lined her driveway. When asked if I could take her photo, she said, "No, my dear, I haven't had my hair fixed." Mildred Brown The following tribute was written the Billy Gandy Family of Gandyville, FL.: In Memory of John Oxford "Bopa" Gandy October 14, 1868 - January 27, 1977 The old home is standing, A statue to a fallen man. Pecan trees shade the porch as if Bopa is still sitting in his rocking chair. His pastures are still green, dotted with wild flowers and clover. The cows and goats roam free on the land. We pass the old home place daily, always looking to catch a glimpse of Bopa, his silver hair, handlebar mustache, and old wooden walking cane, but he isn't there. He was always clad in his over- ralls and black hat, sitting in his favorite rocker in the shade of his front porch. We miss the gentle smile, the soft chuckle of his laughter, the stories he used to tell. But every time we pass his old home place, We are reminded of his presence. We will remember him always. We miss you Bopa!!! ----- Please be advised that I made an error in the spelling of John Oxford Gandy's daughter's name. It should have been Elmira not Elvira. Sorry about the spelling. Mildred Brown