Big Daddy

The father of my Mom (Lady) was Benny Walker Redding (“Big Daddy”).

I never met Big Daddy. He owned a furniture store and was the funeral director in Owenton (in Owen County) KY. Big Daddy and his wife Lucy “Lute” Thompson Sherfy had nine children. One of the children (David) fell down a well and drowned when he was two. Lute died in the Flu Epidemic of 1918, when Lady was two. Big Daddy kept the five older children home with him but had to send his younger three children to live with relatives, while he worked to support them.

Lady went to live with some cousins: “Pa Henry” and “Mother Mae” in Georgetown, KY. They were a difficult couple to live with (always fighting), but she looked forward to her visits with Big Daddy. He lavished gifts on all his children, dressed them well, and made sure all of them got a good college education. even the girls (which was rare in those days).

As you can guess, Big Daddy was a VERY successful businessman. He was also huge (over 300 lbs), and died in 1935 (a year before Pa and Lady were married, and Pa only met him once). I have a portrait photo of him over my computer, and I've been told his eyes were brown (Lady was the only person in her family to have blue eyes). He definitely looks distinguished. I visualize him as having an outgoing and inclusive personality. He is the grandfather I really wish I could have met. The best word to describe Big Daddy is “Loving”.