Chapter 4, Down Home Farewell Summary

Stacey drives Cassie, Moe, Little Willie and Clarence to Jackson on Monday morning. Clarence joins the Army and goes to Camp Shelby for training. Cassie has mixed feelings about Jackson, the capital city of Mississippi. She does not like the size of the city, being accustomed to rural living. However, she realizes that living in the city is necessary to work on her education, and her Jackson neighborhood offers family and convenience.

The car gives the group of young people the ability to visit their homes every weekend, and this cuts down on homesickness. Shortly after Thanksgiving, the Reverend Charles Gabson dies, thus prompting the group to return home for the funeral. Clarence arrives on an overnight pass, and many people from the surrounding communities also congregate to give their final respects. The group discovers that Sissy...