During National Ice Cream Month, we remember folks known for their homemade ice cream.
July is National Ice Cream Month, so we’re remembering folks who were known in their communities or among family and friends for their fabulous frozen concoctions. Here are a few people who loved to make homemade ice cream.
Cattle rancher William R. Henderson Sr. “was never too busy to catch a pollywog, help fill the bird feeder, or take a nephew snipe hunting,” his family wrote in the obituary published in the Star-Herald of Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
Those familiar with “snipe hunting” will appreciate immediately that Henderson was someone who liked to play.
“After a long day of work he loved nothing more than a bonfire in his driveway, complete with hotdogs and marshmallows… followed by homemade ice cream he churned, surrounded by youngsters, in the basement.”
Clifton Harwood Birchard Sr., an optometrist from Pennsylvania, “enjoyed canning, making jellies, and making grape nut ice cream,” according to his obit in the Binghampton Press and Sun-Bulletin.
Other activities he enjoyed:
“He especially looked forward to opportunities to play piano duets with others during church services as well as pulling out the old pump organ onto the deck for Sunday evening church hymn sings in the summertime.”
Retiree Mabel Marylee Johnson “became a foster grandparent at the Seaford Head Start, Seaford School District and Small Wonders Day Care,” according to her obituary published by NewsZap of Delaware.
“She enjoyed little ones and they enjoyed her as well.”
Johnson also loved to shop and cook and was an avid baker, “locally known for her homemade ice cream and peanut brittle.”
Lila Hazel Johnson Stephens lived most of her 105 years on farms Comanche County, Texas. Stephens “was an expert cook who could prepare a magnificent meal from meager beginnings,” according to the MyWestTexas obit.
“Her chicken fried steak, cream gravy, mashed potatoes, blackeyed peas, fresh peeled and sliced tomatoes, and homemade ice cream were without equal.”
Albert Douglas Winecoff “always welcomed everyone into his home.”
“Albert enjoyed churning homemade ice cream, frying chicken and fish, and serving cold watermelon to his guests,” per his obit in the Concord and Kannapolis (North Carolina) Independent Tribune.
Clark D. Akers was a car salesman and former B-17 pilot from Calhan, Colorado. He especially “enjoyed making his secret recipe homemade ice cream for family gatherings,” his family recalled in his obituary published in The Gazette of Colorado Springs.
“Clark recently passed his secret recipe to his grandson, Kip, and his ice cream maker to his granddaughter, Jenny. We’ll be expecting dessert soon kids!!!”
This post was contributed by Alana Baranick, a freelance obituary writer. She was the director of the Society of Professional Obituary Writers and chief author of Life on the Death Beat: A Handbook for Obituary Writers before she passed away in 2015.
