The Ditmore Family
Family Ties
The Ditmore and Pennington families lived near each other. There were 12 Ditmore children and 8 Pennington children. It is no wonder that several marriages took place between these two families causing numerous "double cousins". My grandfather's sister, Myrtle, married my grandmother's brother, Fred. Although the families lived close and intermarried, they were very different. The Ditmore's were a very tight knit bunch amongst themselves. Many saturday nights, they would all get together for a "hoe down". The Pennington's were less well off than the Ditmore's and were generally quiet and reserved. Great uncle Fred Pennington, husband of Myrtle Ditmore, was the local bootlegger and therefore frowned on by his wife's family. Uncle Fred even served prison time at Leavenworth for his dealings. Years later, a Ditmore nephew said he admired Uncle Fred more than anyone because he did everything in his power, regardless of the consequences to himself, to support his family during a difficult time in American history (the depression).
The ties between the Pennington and Ditmore's continues today. My 2nd cousin, Maxine, granddaughter of Myrtle and Fred is one of my closest family members, as well as my dearest friend. The picture to the right is Myrtle Ditmore Pennington, holding Maxine's father, Norval and Mable Pennington Ditmore holding my mother, Luella.
Fred Pennington, Glen Ditmore & Carl Ditmore
The Baseball Players
