My maternal grandmother was the last of my grands to pass. She was a quiet, unassuming and very demure Christian woman who was devoted to her family and her faith. Pictures of her family, and the bible, were front and center on the shelf she had by the dining room door. She had a modest, old house in a not-so-great neighborhood in Gainesville, FL, which was home-base when we visited from Virginia, and later, from Wyoming. She was sweet to her core, and died the year I graduated high school (1988).
My maternal Grandfather was a large, imposing man, whom I only vaguely remember, as he died when I was very young. Unfortunately, stories about him from multiple cousins, aunts & uncles, and my older sister paint him in a very bad light. He was extremely overbearing, abusive, and generally nasty human being. He beat my mother's sister mercilessly before she had reached her teen years, a psychological burden she carries to this day, in her 90s. I'm glad I wasn't exposed to that side of him, being a toddler when he died.
My paternal Grandmother was another very sweet lady (to me), always with something simmering on the stove, and always trying to stuff her grandchildren until they popped. My memories of her are a bit fuzzier, as she passed when I was 13. She lived alone in a house that's likely condemned or torn down by now, with her little Pomeranian, "Tina", whom I loved. It was just a few blocks from my maternal grandmother's house in Gainesville. I was amazed to find just weeks ago that she's immortalized on the internet:
https://peoplelegacy.com/hattie_breeden_dampier-3Z4i1r. They didn't complete their research, as my dad, nor his sister are listed under "children". Unfortunately, I've heard some pretty dark stuff about her too. My dad, and his sister told lots of stories of abuse coming from her. Merciless beatings and general hatefulness. Hard to imagine from the woman I knew.
My paternal Grandfather died before I was born. All I really know about him is that he attempted suicide twice during their marriage. I think I can understand why.