Was it salpiglossis? I loved those as a child and I can see where it would capture the memory of a 6 yo. Unfortunately they don't do well for me now :(
kathy

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:874190}}

If it only got about 9" tall it's definately not a four o'clock.

Hi,southgeorgiaboy
your memory served you very well, yes, it is four o'clock, it looks like this, http://www.rodthebod.com/liana/images/four%20o%20clock.jpg
Just go ahead and search "four o'clock" , you will find a lot about it.
Here is few I found:
http://blueridgeseeds.com/index.php?cPath=23_28&osCsid=661aa140b26eb535b5eee18fb07aa828
http://msucares.com/news/print/sgnews/sg02/sg020819.html

FYI

I live in Lewisburg, WV. My neighbor has a bush growing beside his house, in full sun. It has been there at least since the early 1900's. In spring it has small white blooms. In fall it gets clusters of tiny, dark red berries. The leaves are small and smooth. It dies out in winter. All types of bees SWARM it in summer, as well hummingbirds. I have never seen another like it. My Dad is 85 and has never seen one. He says this one has been there as long as he can remember. Hope someone can help! Thanks.

It sounds like a Nandina that's in a microclimate. See if images of Nandina are a match for you.