It’s hard to read the words that have been engraved on the small autograph type book that is bound with a green cover and held together with a dark green ribbon. But if the book is held underneath a lamp just the right way, the words "My School Day Autobiography" come into view. Inside the book on the very first page is a picture of it’s owner, and underneath the picture the words "Hettie Reagan’s Book" were written in pencil. Each page of her little green memory book is filled with handwritten notes from her friends and acquaintances. Most of the entries were written in 1937 and 1938. A few were written in 1940. Hettie was just 26 years old and still single the year most of the entries were made. Here are the memories contained in her little book:
"February 6, 1937 Dearest Hettie, Be you married or be you single, it doesn’t make a bit of difference to me. You are a good sport any way. I’m glad that you could stand us and could live with us as long as you have. When you are at home taking your ease, think of me learning to cook all over again. Ava S. Brown"
"February 6, 1937 Dear Hettie: Always remember me as one of your friends. As for me, I’m sure I will always remember you. Always remember the time when we had such good singing at your house. I have enjoyed being with you for the past months and the good times we’ve had together. I wish you lots of success and happiness in the years to come. Love, Homer"
"February 6, 1937 Dearest Hettie, I will always remember you as a friend. I will ask you to remember me. Flowers may whither, Friends may die, Love ones may forget you, But never will I. In this book I claim a spot to write the words Forget-Me-Not. Your Friend, Katharine"
"Monday morning, February 8, 1937 Dearest Hettie, I will write in your little book of memories. Always remember me. I haven’t known you very long, but I’ve found out you are a sweet girl. Always remember the big singing one Saturday night and the serenading we gave you all. I wish you success and happiness and good luck through life. Mrs. Eddis Sells"
"March 8, 1937 Dearest Hettie: I am glad to write in your memory book and will always remember you as a true and loving cousin and ask you kindly to remember me. Always remember March 7 at Mr. Worleys and all the fun we had. When you are in some distant land, here is the writing of my hand, when my face you cannot see, just look at this and think of me. Your loving cousin, Effie Reeder"
"February 14, 1937 Dearest Hettie, I am glad to write in your memory book. I will always remember you as a friend and I ask you to remember me. May you ever be happy, May you ever be blest, In a lovely little cottage, with the one you love best. Your loving friend, Martha Conner"
"February 22, 1937 Dear Hettie, I am more than glad to write in your memory book. I wish you a happy life in the future and luck to you. I am your friend. Casto York"
"Livingston, Tenn. April 22, 1940 Dearest Hettie, I want you to always remember me as one of your friends who wishes you joy and happiness in the future. Always remember April 13 when the wind changed in five minutes time. ha ha Friends on earth are very few and should be very dear, if ever on earth you had a friend, her name is written here. Love, Delcie S."
"March 7, 1937 Dearest Hettie, As long as I live, I’ll never forget you. Love is a golden chain that locks our hearts together. If we never meet again, Let’s not forget each other. My hair is blonde, My eyes are blue, You may think I’m false, But still I’m true. Your friend, Mabel Mullins"
(No date) "Dearest Hettie, Always remember the good times we have had together. Remember what a time we had with sack dresses. May you ever be happy, may you ever be blest, in a cottage with the one you love best. Just your burlap sister, Delsia"
(No date) "Dear Hettie, Always remember the night we all went to Mr. Worleys. What a fine time we had wading the mud back. So when you can’t see my face, just look at this and think of me. Your friend, Pearl Leach"
"March 7, 1937 Dear Hettie, Always remember Christmas night at Mr. Maynord’s. What fun we all had. When in some far and distant land you see the writing of my hand, remember it was a friend sincere who left a kind memory here. Love and Happiness, Arzie R."
(No date) "Dear Hettie, Always remember me as a friend. Although I am small, I shall never forget you. Your little friend, Alene Down in the meadow written on a rock are these three words, forget-me-not."
"Monday morning, March 8, 1937 Dearest Hettie, I am more than glad to write in your memory book. Remember when we were small and going to school. They taught the Golden Rule. But now our childhood days are past and we are grown up at last. We are still at home with father and mother and all so gay with one another. When I am far, far away and you read this, I am sure you will still say there has never been another boy just like my brother. Your brother, Thurman Reagan"
"March 8, 1937 Dearest Hettie, I am more than glad to write in your memory book. I will always remember you as a dear sister and I will ask you to remember me. Your brother, Sherlie Reagan"
"March 13, 1937 Dear Hettie, I will write in your little book to say that I will never forget you as long as live and I am asking you to always remember me. And Hettie remember Christmas night, what a good time we had. Remember that candy we ate. Remember me as a friend in Tennessee. Hettie, remember the night me and Beulah stayed all night with you out at Mrs. Brown’s, 15th of July, 1936. Just your friend always, Lillie Daniel"
"Double Springs Tennessee, March 27, 1937 Dearest Cousin, Here’s wishing you the very best of luck and success in all you undertake in life. May you ever be the same sweet friendly girl as you have been to me. Always remember me as one of your many cousins, and I hope as a friend. Love, Irene McBroom"
Monroe, Tennessee, September 14, 1937 Dearest Hettie: I am more than glad to write in your memory book and as one of your very best friends. I hope you will always think of me. I have always found you a very sweet and kind girl and I hope you will always continue to be that way. Always remember how we all enjoyed ourselves at Fellowship September 12, 1937 ha. Always a loving friend, Quannie Worley"
"April 22, 1940 Dear Hettie, I have known you a long time and always found you to be a good girl and hope you will always be. I hope you will always remember me and the good times we have had together. I sure will remember you. I hope you and Carvel will be happy the rest of your life. When this you see, think of me. Your best friend with love, Verdie"
"February 11, 1937 Dearest Sis: Just a few words to say I will never forget such a sister as you have been to me. I can truly say ‘I love you’ and although you may sometimes be far away, I will think of you often. Down in the meadow written on a rock, are these three words, Forget-Me-Not. Just a big-footed, blue-eyed sis, Alva"
"Sunday eve by the cook stove. Hettie, we have spent many nice times cooking but it always has been hard for me to digest the grub. Always think of me as a true, true pal not just a person. As ever, Carvel"
"Livingston, Tennessee, March 14, 1937 Dearest Hettie, I hope you will always remember our nice times that we have spent together and I hope our good times have merely begun. I will always remember the day we dug the bug out of the stump in your front yard. I hope we always remain true friends. Yours truly, W.C."
"Double Springs, April 17, 1937 Dearest Hettie, I love you in my heart, I love you in my liver, if I had you in my mouth, I would spit you in the river. Just your cousin from Double Springs, Love Rissie Nation"
"Double Springs, April 17, 1937 Dearest Cousin, Remember as a true friend of yours. The sea is wide and I can’t step it, I love you and I can’t help it. Just your cousin, Maril Nation"
"August 27, 1937 Dear Hettie, You I love since first we met, you I love and love you get, you I love and will forever, you may change, but I will never. Your loving friend, Rebecca Brannum, Byrdstown, Tennessee"
"August 31, 1941 Dear Hettie, Do you remember the fun we had about the old maid. Although I am a little girl, I ask you to remember me. Just like the clown, I am signing up side down. Your friend, Pauline Leach"
"August 27, 1937 Down by the river sitting on a rock, three little words, Forget-me-not. Flower will bloom, fade and die, some of your friends may forget you, but never will I. Your friend, Ollie Clark, Monroe, Tennessee"
"October 19, 1937 Dear Hettie, I will gladly write a few lines in your memory book. I think you are a cute girl and a good alto singer. When this you see in future years, you cast your smiles, perhaps your tears, then think of me who wrote this here, a real true friend somewhere. Be good till we meet again. Geneva G."
"October 19, 1937 Dearest Hettie, I’m more than glad to write in your memory book. I am a true friend to you and will always remember you and I hope you remember me. I hope you a long and successful life and lots of fun in the future. May you be happy, may you be blest, may you live in a cottage with the one you love best. Your loving friend, Illa Belle Conner"
"May 15 Dear Hettie, I have looked these pages over and over to see what others had sayed about you. I will never forget when we had a good times together so I’ll never forget you as long as I live and please don’t forget me. Your cousin, Susie"
"May 15, 1938, Manchester, Tennessee Dearest Cousin, I am glad of the privilege of writing in your memory book. I can’t tell you how glad I was to see you this morning Hettie. I sure have missed you since I’ve been down here. I’ll never forget the good times you and I have had together. I’ll always remember you as a very dear cousin. Hoping I’ll get to see you again soon and don’t forget your cousin in Coffee County. Love always, Edna"
"Dear Hettie, I am glad to get to write in your memory book. Always remember me as a true friend. On this page I claim a spot to write these words, forget-me-not. And if these words you should regret, rub them out and me forget. Your friend, Magalene Johnson"
"March 13, 1940 Dearest Hettie, I am glad to write in your book of memories. You have been such a sweet girl to me. Remember the day at your home talking about the past when we was children. When you are married and living happy, think of me at home with Papy. Just lonely, Connie Reagan"
"Livingston, Tennessee, July 25, 1938 Dear Hettie, Always remember the fun we had one hot summer day. When we was teasing June about Biscuit Bill and every other old bachelor. Your friend, Ellen Holt"
"Allons, Tennessee, August 9, 1938 Dear Hettie, I have not known you long but I have learned to love you. I have sat and enjoyed hearing your sing several times and may you keep singing with truth. May your life be long and happy and your trouble be few. Your friend, Tina"
"February 11, 1936 Dear Hettie: I will write a few lines in your memory book. I am glad to say that I have had the pleasure of being with you occasionally for several years. I sure have enjoyed the friendliness you have always shown me and I hope we will always remain the best of friends. When days are dark and friends are few, Remember me and I will you. With best wishes for a happy future. Just L.L.C."
"August 20, 1937 Dearest Hettie, Although I haven’t known you long, I hope you’ll always remember me as a real friend, as I will you. Lovingly, Jenny"
"July, 1938 Dear Hettie, I have enjoyed knowing you and having you in my class this week. Glad to see your good interest and hope that in the future you will continue to: Study to shew thyself approved unto God a workman that needith not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 Madeline Stover, Artie, West Virginia"
"July 28, 1938 River is wide and I can’t step it, I love you and I can’t help it. Nellie Flowers, Monroe, Tennessee"
"Livingston, Tennessee, August 13, 1938 Dearest Hettie, I will gladly take the pleasure in writing in your little book of love. I have not known you for many years. At Miss Ava’s was when I first met you and I know you are a nice and good girl. And I know Carvel thinks so. Always remember me and I will you. When you are married and living happy, think of me at home with Papa. Ships sail on the ocean, trains run on the track, I love you Hettie and I will never take it back. A true and loving friend, Bonza Martin"
"Dearest Hettie, Always remember me as one of your friends. Remember the time you and Carvel set in front of me at church. Remember the time we sit with Shelby Jean on the bed and laughed. Love, Bee"
"May 30, 1939 Dear Hettie, When these lines you see, remember me and I will ever think of you. I wish you health, I wish you wealth, I wish you ever to be true. Your friend, Veachel Smith"
"June 12, 1939, Monday morning Dearest Hettie, If writing in memory books remembrances ensures, with greatest of pleasure, I’ve scribed in yours. When the golden sun is sinking far beyond the purple west, when of others you are thinking, think of one who love you best. Always remember June 11, Sunday evening. What fun we had about the calf race. Ha Your sister, Allene"
"Remember me where far, far off where jay birds die with the whooping cough. Your Aunt Ida"
"June 14, 1939 Dear Cousin, Down in the meadow, written on a rock, are these three words, forget-me-now. Glen Maynard, Akron, Ohio"
Hettie E. Reagan Keisling, born September 28, 1911, made her home in the Hatcher Hall community for many years. She was oldest of nine children whose parents were Benjamin F. Reagan and wife Webbie (Nation) Reagan. The names of her siblings were Herman Reagan, Thurman Reagan, Allene White, Alva Roberts, J.B. Reagan, and Sherlie Reagan. On July 4, 1942, she became the second wife of Emmet Burl Keisling. The yard of the home they shared in the Hatcher Hall community was always filled with colorful flowers every spring and summer that she lovingly cared for. Hattie died on August 31, 2000 and was buried in the Martin Cemetery in Overton County. Even though most of the entries in her little book of memories were written when Hettie was a young lady, she continued throughout her life to be very much loved and respected by everyone who knew her.
