Page 16 - McCastle Family Program Booklet 2017.indd

The San Diego Family Salutes
the 45th McCastle Family Reunion
In Remembrance of David & Alberta McCastle and Family
March 18, 1905 - November 1, 1979
David McCastle was born in Gethsemane, Jefferson County, Arkansas to Brink McCastle and Dora Simms-McCastle on March 18, 1905. He was the first- born of three children. David
McCastle spent his childhood there with his sister, Aretha, and brother, George.
David worked with his brother, George McCastle, as farmer with their grandfather, George McCastle, on his land in Gethsemane. Later David worked for Arkansas Power and Gas Company for three years.
David, at the age of 19, met Alberta G. Patterson and the couple was married on February 29, 1924 (leap year). David and his wife, Alberta, were blessed to have ten healthy children: Elmira Doris, Lee Wesley, Lloyd Cleveland, Elsworth (Billy), Martha Jane, Carl Edward, Alonzo (Pap), Doris Ann, Minnie Faye, and William E.P. McCastle.
In 1955, he worked at a cotton gin during the seasons and cultivated farm lands in Madera, California during the off-seasons. David McCastle, as a front lineman maintenance engineer for the cotton gin, developed new and improved fittings for many of the cotton gins throughout County of Madera, California. The family moved to Otay in San Diego County in 1958 where David McCastle worked in the mechanical and construction trades using his skill and ingenuity including electrical, plumbing and demolition.
In the late 1960’s David retired. That’s to say, IF he ever really did settle into “retirement”. David’s many skills often led him into part-time work. He was an outgoing person who was eager to assist by working whenever he had the opportunity to help someone. David had such a large family that work was never really done for him post-retirement. He spent much of his time raising his grandchildren and great-grandchildren enabling and nurturing them and contributing significantly to their mental, social and physical well-being.
April 10, 1908 - November 23, 1973
Alberta G. Patterson was born
April 10, 1908. She was the
second child of three born to
Elmira Charleston-Patterson
and Solomon Patterson as the
younger sister of Minnie and the
older sister of Tyree. Alberta Patterson received her formal education at Oak Grove Rosenwald Middle School in Altheimer, Jefferson County, Arkansas. The school she attended is now Oak Grove Baptist Church.
At an early age, Alberta found the love of God in her life and lived it. Blessed to have ten healthy children, her husband David and 7 of their children relocated to Madera, California. She and her family followed her husband, David, and relocated to Otay, California, for off-seasonal work in the fall and spring. Alberta actively became involved in the community, sewing dresses and making church robes and was an active participant in the local PTA’s wherever they lived. Amazingly, she found time to nurture her children with a reverence and respect for God. She met each of her children’s needs and was truly proud of their unique qualities.
Alberta had a wealth of knowledge about the McCastle Family history. Our mother was loved and respected by our entire family as well as her community. She was known “mother McCastle” for the role she played, not only in our lives, but in the lives of so many others. Her wisdom, knowledge of the Bible and the contribution of her love throughout the McCastle family far exceeds anything that we could have ever expected to experience in our lifetimes.
Alberta G. McCastle was a mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grand mother, great-great- grandmother to all of us who followed and will continue our family legacy.
“Immortality is to live your life doing good things,and leaving your mark behind.” —Brandon Lee—
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