Renee Loraine Hornsby

Renée

Renee´s mother, Lillian Loraine (Moore) Hornsby, was my sister. Renee´ always referred to me as Uncle V. V. I worked for Boeing on the Saturn V / Apollo Lunar Program from 1962-74, stationed in Huntsville, AL, 200 miles north of the Hornsby family home in Montgomery, AL. Sis and I grew up on St. Andrew Bay and in Panama City, FL, where Dad was Superintendent of the Gulf Oil terminal there. Over those years of "Going to the Beaches" from Huntsville we would always stop- trip mid-point - at the Hornsby´s. Leaving Boeing after Friday work, the stop was 9 to 10 PM but Sis and Sam had my favorite, ham or shrimp fried rice, waiting. They were both working incredibly hard; Sam at two jobs; one he loved, trying to improve his Santa Gertrudis cattle by breeding (mother nature was not cooperating in either blood line or weather) and Sis was doing interior design and decor, which she loved, having developed her skills in Japan where Renee´ was born. Joe and I tried to reciprocate their generosity by having Renee´ "up for the Summer" in Huntsville. A good break from everyone´s routine.

I had young bad memories from reading each summer in the PC News-Herald of tourist drownings at the Gulf and Bay beaches. I insisted on all our children being good swimmers. So our Club had two or three "voluntary" girl members each season + occasionally our son (best I remember now at 95). Usually with ice cream or burgers following practice. Renee´ spent several 6-8, or so, weeks periods with Joe and me over their mid teen years. We switched, enthusiastically, to their new location, San Andros Island, Bahamas-Sam´s new job with US Navy, AUTEC. Renee got a high quality home school education there in an adjacent trailer from my "No nonsense teacher" sister and with a willing, industrious student-proven by Renee´s later educational successes. Sis loved the beach, so what could be better?

I think Renee´ loved the tropics also and her mother expressed that joy in a short poem below. On their return to USA Sis & Sam built and spent many years at The House with the Red Doors on Tropical Trail, Merritt Island. Renee´ also enjoyed that home over many years, relinquishing it only when home ownership became home moaner-ship (to quote Samm & Patty).

Open With Care
                              
         A foggy morn
         A river of glass with sparkles
          White pelicans with golden bills
           Porpoises playing with mullet
          A blue sky with fluffy cotton balls
         A lazy green hammock
        A good book -- Mystery
        Peacocks on the roof
      Shadows on the grass
        Trees with orange globes hanging
        Thirty white sails
        And a rainbow sunset
        Venus waking and winking
        All from a Florida River shore!

                                 
Loraine Moore Hornsby
at The House with the Red Doors
                                c 1980s

Dear Brent and Veronica (and other family members that this may pertain to): I was stationed on Andros Island, Bahamas, on and off for some years, from 1973 - 1986. I knew Sam and Loraine Hornsby and then came to know Renee and a little about Sammy and his family as he was grown and out in the world. I want you to know that both Sam and Loraine, your grandparents, made it well known that they wanted a little girl and tried for many years and that they were so pleased when your Mother finally came along. Your grandfather absolutely thought your mother was the bee's knees. Your mother was an intelligent, high-spirited, had a great sense of humor, and was always trying to seek more and more education as she got older. She was bound and determined to get a higher degree. Well, she persevered and finally got her degree in Pharmacology and from there she took off. She fought the good fight and it was not meant to be. Please accept my condolences on your loss. Renee, RIP! God bless you. If I can ever be of any help, please do not hesitate to contact me. Regards, Carolyn Shaffer