Mother was only about 17, and he was maybe about 19 when they became girlfriend and boyfriend. This may have been her first real boyfriend. He probably grew up in the Iron Duff community where mother had always lived.

Maybe they came to know each other at the Davis Chapel Methodist Church where mother attended. Maybe they originally met in grammar school …we will never know.

He wanted to see more of the world than this little mountain farming community, so he joined the U.S. Navy to “see the world,” as was written on the Naval recruiting posters of that time. He began to widen his horizons as the Navy took him to many places, but he did not forget the pretty auburn haired girl that he left (more…)