George D. and Jake

 George D. and Jake, his beloved Austrailian Sheep Dog.

Leica M3, 50mm f2 Simmicron lens, Fujichrome film

 

George David Queener was larger than life. He was one of the most unforgettable characters I've ever met. 

George D., as he was usually known, came to Mclemore Cove in the northwest Georgia mountains in 1946, just out of the army, to work at Mountain Cove Farm. He had been a corporal, and was newly married to Mary Ellen, who was older than he, and had been, interestingly enough, a lieutenant. George's ambition was to be a cattleman, and to that end, he told Mary Ellen that he wanted to go to medical school so he could become a doctor and earn enough money to own cattle. With her characteristic common sense, she told him, "If you want to be a cattleman, go to work in the cattle business." 

Eventually, they were able to acquire a piece of property and put some cattle on it. Through years of scrimping and saving, going into debt when necessary to buy more land when it became available, they in time found themselves owners of the GDQ Ranch, with more than 800 acres and 350 head of purebred Polled Hereford cattle.

George D. and Mary Ellen Queener

and the old Chevrolet pickup George always called his

"good truck," even though he had newer ones.

Olympus OM2n, 35mm f2 Zuiko lens, Fujichrome film

 

 George D. was considered by many to be a hard man, and perhaps he was. But he sold us our land, and he was a good neighbor to us. Mary Ellen was one of the most gracious ladies I've ever known, but George D. was could be a bit obstreperous now and then. It usually ended when Mary Ellen looked at him and said, "Now, George D. . ." 

I guess he never forgot that she outranked him.

Photographs and text copyright 2021, David B.Jenkins.

I post Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week unless life gets in the way.

Soli Gloria Deo

For the glory of God alone

 

Tags: Dave Jenkins, photography, Leica M3, Summicron, Olympus OM2n, Fujichrome, McLemore Cove