I recently retired from my job as bookkeeper at an  optometrist office in Kentucky after 20+ years at the same office.

Until moving to Michigan in November, 2005 I still attended the same "family church" where my mother became a charter member in 1941 and Daddy followed her shortly afterward.  I can't remember a time when I was not keenly aware of God and wanted to go to church and Sunday school.  Before my mother and dad started going to church, I attended the nearby FreeWill Baptist Sunday school.

Click on picture to enlarge

This is one of my SS cards; amazing that it survived that long!

Until November 2005 I also still lived where I was born and reared.  I had moved away a couple of times, but gravitated back home.  The hills called me back irresistibly, but I guess this Michigan move is permanent.  But I still have "blue blood"!

Every morning, Mother stood me in a chair and put the finger curls in my hair.  At least for more than the first six years of my life, until Violetta came along and Mother had to divide her time between us.  We had household help at times and sometimes it became their job to twirl the curls before I left for school.  (I'd like to have that kind of service now!)

Ah! for those carefree days again!

Before you know it, it's 8th Grade graduation time.

I think I have the names right. 

Back from left:  Bobby Hamby, Jackie Belcher, Bill Griffin, Sophia Haley, Eloise Kiser, ? Byrd, Grover Taylor (Principal), Charles Anderson, Vivian Williams, Mae Tucker, Tom Baker, Danola Greer, Barbara Whitaker

Front Row:  Ronnie Swindall, JoAnn Farley, Rheta Gay Parks, Williams Blevins, Jo Mullins, Patsy Bates, Paul Hendrix, Delores, Belle Potter, Arnold Williams

Some youthful pictures.

I don't remember this occasion, but I think I was in bout the 8th grade.

(click to enlarge pictures below)

And get a load of this hair!  A product of my sister-in-law, Ona, who was brave enough to tackle the hip length tresses.  Pity the poor folks who had to sit behind me in church!

Days of the "Beehive"

Later, more conservative!

More Pictures

Click on picture to enlarge

Though I have no children of my own, I was able to help with the "care and feeding" of three step-children.  They are grown now and have children of their own.  Some pictures are available on my "Next Generations" page.

Following the snow plow over Continental  Divide at Rabbit Ears Pass, CO

Delores measuring snow wall

B.J. (Butkins, Jr.)

Baby B.J.

He adopted me from the time he was six weeks old.  As a baby, he sat outside my bedroom door and cried if he couldn't get in.

My little buddy for 15 years.  I miss him very much!

(His "father" was a "doctor" from Tennessee)

"Rusty"

Wal-Mart's toys can't compare to the fun of having catnip tucked in the toe of old pantyhose!

Rusty's half sister

"How could that bird be so fast!?  Oh well, I'll just be a flower."

Some of my dolls

Some are Jenkins High and UK cheerleaders.

The early years

Delores and T.C. Whitaker

Married 21 years.  T.C. died 2/1/73

Brothers

Pat & T.C. ~~  T.C. & Farley

Siblings

Helen (Whitaker) Mullins, T.C. & Lura (Wynn) Phelps

Below:  Helen & Clyde Mullins' Daughter, Clydette, and family

(Left to right) Frazier & Clydette Huddleson, their daughter and new bride, Elizabeth and her new husband, Tim Feldbruegge.  Frazier & Clydette's son, Michael, is on the right.  Tim is from Wisconsin but he & Elizabeth live in Chicago where they both work.  Frazier, Clydette and Tim live in Ohio.

"Long ago"

Grandmother Farinda Robbins, T.C. and Mother

Click here for more of my family