Gomer at the End of the
Pavement
By Janice Boling
_____
____
____
Gomer was a snake catcher, beer drinker, and life of the party.
He was a regular at the End of the Pavement. Gomer had eyes like an eagle, loved the woods, and could make everyone laugh.
Raymond and Gomer cruising the square
Raymond and Gomer, life-long friends, were definitely two of the old-timers at the End of the Pavement.
Besides being the life of the party, Gomer liked to hunt, fish, ride the roads, and drink beer. He was an early riser and usually fell asleep before the party was over. Gomer liked to be the center of attention -- always getting something going -- good or bad. He was also a jealous man. That old green demon -- what misery it can cause!
Gomer married Gwen, his high school sweetheart. She gave him a daughter and a son. Now Gomer and Gwen have great grandchildren!
Samantha, Gwen, and Gomer
Gwen and Gomer were happy to spend time with their first grandchild at the End of the Pavement.
Ab, Gomer, and Trish
Ab, Gomer, and Trish were all smiles.
Father and son
Gomer loved being the center of attention. I never had to worry about him hiding from the camera.
Isaiah and Ab were smiling on this sunny day. Look at that little fellow. I remember when Ab was that age -- my how time flies. Now Isaiah is grown -- and a football player. Go Isaiah! We are all rooting for you.
Gomer's hands hold a worm - 1998
Gomer had big hands so this worm was a huge monster.
Gomer with hawk
Gomer came across this wounded hawk. I am not sure what happened to it -- but it probably died.
Gomer's glasses
Gomer wore his glasses for years with a hole in them. He didn't like to go to doctors for any reason -- not even eye doctors. None of us did. It was not unusual to see his glasses taped up, wired together, or hanging off his nose at an odd angle.
Hurricane Opal blew down a lot of trees in October 1995. Gwen, Richard, Gomer and some others surveyed the damage at the End of the Pavement. They did not replant trees, instead making a larger clearing with plenty of room for the Poker Palace and Gwen's trailer.
Gwen, Gomer, and Darrell
Gwen, Gomer, and Darrell access the damage. Lots of trees came down and the End of the Pavement was a mess for a while. There was plenty of firewood that year.
Trish, Gomer's daughter, was the girl with the pretty legs.
She looked quite content sitting there barefoot in the dappled sunlight.
Trish with glasses
At this time, Gwen and Gomer were split and Gomer was living at Gary's.
I was staying there most of the time, too. Gomer and I were together a couple of months but it didn't last. I don't know what we were thinking!
Terri and Gomer
Terri and Gomer were together for a while -- maybe a year. They looked happy on this day at the End of the Pavement.
Gomer, Trish, and Samantha -- Photo submitted by Trish Garrett
Samantha's memories
This is one of Trish's favorite photos from bygone days -- and I can see why. Look at little Samantha reaching for Gomer's hand. How very sweet is that?
Samantha has lots of memories of life at the End of the Pavement. She saw her Pawpaw Gomer knock himself silly with a horseshoe. And once the chickens flogged her little sister, Brook, aiming for her head. Thank God they didn't scratch her eyes!
Samantha remembers learning some important life lessons at the End of the Pavement. After stealing money from her Mawmaw Gwen for over a month, her grandmother decided enough was enough. Gwen went after Samantha with a switch -- which was what all our momma's used back then. Samantha thought she was going to die that day! She says she never ever stole anything after that episode. I believe her. I can see Gwen putting the fear of God into her teenage granddaughter.
Samantha says she is waiting for more stories -- waiting with popcorn ready.
Samantha, that is the best compliment ever.
Gomer and Ab at the End of the Pavement
Ab was probably about 13 or 14 in this picture. Gomer was very proud of his kids. I hope they knew it.
Father and daughter
Trish and Gomer enjoyed a cold one.
Gomer and Steve
Gomer was up to something. I bet Steve was in on it.
Trish and Samantha
Trish had two girls -- Samantha and Brook. They were Gomer's granddaughters and grew up at the EOP.
That was Samantha in the front with little Brook in the upper right corner.
Trish with baby Samantha
Looked like Samantha was teething.
Trish with baby Brooke
Brooke was happy with that bottle. What a sweet baby!
Gomer and Janice
Gomer and Jan enjoyed playing horseshoes and relaxing at Bill Bowers Cove. We had some great times in the Cove.
Photo by Brenda Flemming
Gomer calls the points
The points must have been really close for Gomer to examine the shoes this closely. I guess a lot of money was riding on it.
I don't know if gambling was illegal or not, but we never worried about getting into trouble. I guess it was because we knew gambling was going on all over the place -- not just at the End of the Pavement. There were bets on football games, pool games, poker games, and horseshoe games.
Sometimes the police would throw a game and drink a beer at the End of the Pavement. They put their money in the pot just like the rest of us. Gambling was something to do.
Sheriff Scott Stephens one told Gomer, "The only thing around here that would make me mad is if the beer was not cold."
Mary Ann and Gomer
Mary Ann came along at the perfect time -- they made a good-looking couple.
Mary Ann
Mary Ann came along just in time with her cute smile and sweet personality. She was just what Gomer wanted - a good looking woman that fit his lifestyle to a tee.
Mary Ann liked animals even more than Gomer! She hunted with him, went fishing with him, and gave him a whole new outlook on life. She even nursed him when he got sick. Thank God for Mary Ann.
Mary Ann and Gomer
They had flying squirrels and a bird.
Mary Ann was always raising orphaned animals and taking care of wounded ones. They even raised out baby chicks in their bathtub!
Gomer on crutches
I don't remember if Gomer had a broken leg or what, but this was the only time he ever wore tennis shoes!
I can see Gomer now with bad teeth, gumming a piece of meat, getting falling down drunk, and wiping grease on his baggy jeans.
I know it is a cliche, but God broke the mold after making Gomer. If you knew him, I am sure you agree.
What else comes to mind when I think of Gomer? Well for starters, he kept rattlesnakes and copperheads as pets along with dogs, pigs, goats, and anything but cats. He didn't like cats.
Bumper sticker
Most of the End of the Pavement regulars worked in the construction business. Hambone was known for using more nails in his framing than anyone else. Joe, well he could climb around on a roof like a monkey. Gomer could swing a hammer while downing a beer -- although one time he fell and broke his leg while doing that.
Some of the guys did other jobs. Raymond did some farming -- mostly growing collards for the market. Larry and Harry did a lot of trading. Frank was a truck driver. I waited tables and did all kinds of odd jobs. Everyone worked for the weekend.