Sources |
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 5 Feb 2004.
Loy A. Ownby obituary
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 13 Dec 2010.
Christmas 'gift' a surprise for Carver family
by BOB MAYES
Mom Freda and daughter Leslie Carver still have the Santa outfit Baptist Hospital nurses dressed Leslie in when she was born on Christmas morning 1975. Leslie Carver, only a few days old, sits in a baby carrier near the family Christmas tree while wearing the Santa outfit hospital nurses dressed her in after her birth.
Freda Carver still has the little Santa outfit the nurses in the pediatric unit at Baptist Hospital in Knoxville dressed her daughter in when Leslie was born there 35 years ago this Christmas Day.
Mother and daughter still laugh at the story — which Leslie has heard repeated many times over the years — of the events of that day, that started at the family’s home in Gatlinburg.
“It was a surprise,” that she was a Christmas baby, Freda said. “We had opened our presents on Christmas Eve and I wasn’t feeling too good. Then my water broke and they took me away. They thought they were going to have to deliver on the way, but she waited until 7 the next morning to come into this world.”
Leslie was dressed in the Christmas outfit when the nurses brought her to her mom. But Freda was suspicious.
“They brought her in with that on and I thought there was something wrong with her feet,” she said with a laugh. I said, ‘Take it off so I can see that her feet are OK.’
“I’ll tell you this: She’s the best Christmas gift I’ve ever received.”
During her childhood, the family had its own way of separating Leslie’s birthday from Christmas. Christmas Eve was a small affair for just immediate family, with a few of Leslie’s closest friends invited. They had a cake and she opened her birthday presents.
The next day, was the big family Christmas, with a big dinner and everyone gathering around the tree to open presents — where Leslie got gifts for a second straight day.
“When I was a kid, it never bothered me that my birthday fell on Christmas because I felt like I got twice as much,” said Leslie who, although divorced, she still uses the last name Carver. “It was always communicated to me that I should really feel special because I was born on the day that is considered to be the celebration of Jesus’ birthday.”
A family tradition that started in during Leslie’s childhood and continues to this day is that of Freda giving Leslie a Christmas ornament each year with a number on it that commemorates how old she is.
“As an adult I don’t focus on my birthday and Christmas being on the same day,” Leslie said. “The biggest thing I like for Christmas now is getting a thematic cake — like one year I got a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and last year I got one that was ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas.’”
Has she ever wished that her birthday and Christmas didn’t fall on the same day?
“No,” she said with a smile. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. I was a Sunday school teacher for about a year and a half and (having the same birthday as Jesus) is a tall order to live up to.”
bmayes@themountainpress.com
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Groom's Name Bride's First Name Bride's Maiden Name County Date of Marriage File #
CLINTON ROBERT T LESLIE E CARVER SEVIER 09-21-1997 63330
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
272100 ROBERT TROY CLINTON LESLIE ELAINE CARVER
- [S131] Divorce Record.
Husband's Name Wife's First Name Wife's Maiden Name County Court Date of Divorce File #
CLINTON ROBERT T LESLIE E CARVER SEVIER CHANCERY 01-04-2002 02918
|