Starting from left to right is Dad,(born 1889), Mother,(born 1892), Frances (1911-2000), Laura (1913-1971), Raymond (1915-2004), Wheeler (1917-1967), Louis (1920-1996), Baxter (born 1926), Dixie and Benjy (twins born 1930; Benjy died 1975). As of December 2004, Baxter and Dixie are the only survivors.
Frances and Laura attended Appalachian College in Boone, N.C. for 2 years, after which they started teaching in the elementary school system. In this early era, North Carolina permitted the teaching in the school systems without a FULL college education. Frances taught school at the Valle Crucis public school starting in 1930. Laura taught 2 years at the "one room" Clarks Creek School, a couple miles from our house. ( 1932/1933 terms). In the mid 30s, both of them continued their education at Appalachian college in order to graduate with full teaching degrees.
Frances continued to teach school until 1939, at which time she enrolled at the New York Hospital ( Cornell University ) and took nurse training. She received her RN DEGREE in 1942. She taught nursing students at this facility until 1945. At this time she returned to North Carolina in order to HEAD UP a new nursing school division at Cabarrus COUNTY Hospital in N.C. Laura taught elementary education 33 years in Watauga County. Wheeler graduated from Appalachian College in 1939 and taught at our local high school at Sugar Grove for several years.
Dixie Rae graduated from the University Of N.C. (Woman's College)1952. She was a public school teacher in Southwest Virginia for several years. Benjy graduated from N.C.State University at Raleigh, N.C. in 1953.
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