Ruby's's History (7)

J.V. was only 16 when be graduated from high school so it was hard to get a job. He worked for awhile in a filling station where Dr. Dixon office and memorial is. Then he went to Oregon to work in timber for Uncle Willie. He registered for Navy when 18 and went into Navy in 1942 for a little over 3 years. He was on a patrol boat but was never in any fighting. When he came home he built a station on the west side of Cement that later became Thornton Grocery. J.V. sold it to Marion and went with his wife to California where he did farm and dairy work. After about 3 years came back to Cement and worked around ever since. He and Bea live in the north and west part of town one block from where J.V. was born. They are both workers in the Baptist Church. He is presently employed at the Harrison Gypsum Plant south of Cement.

Verna went to school one year at A&M College in Stillwater, then went to Wichita, Kansas and worked in aircraft factory. She got the California fever like a lot of others and went out there and worked in the shipyards during the war. She met and married Max Paul who was also from Oklahoma. They came back here and with Betty they opened a cafe where the old Sim’s Cafe was on the east side of main street. Mrs. Keaton cooked for them and my daughter Myrtle washed dishes for them one summer. Betty went to California between her junior and senior years and worked in a glass factory and played basketball. After she graduated from high school, she went with Verna to California to work in the shipyards. She was in the cafe with Verna when she met and married Gene Hendricks, They followed the oilfield, living in a number of different places in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma, finally ending up in Purcell, Oklahoma. They bought an acreage just outside of Purcell and built their home. Gene passed away in May, 1980. Betty still lives in the home and works in one of the banks in Purcell.

After Donald graduated, he went to California where he worked in agriculture and a glass factory. In 1948, he came to Monahans, Texas and worked building gasoline plants. He lived with me for awhile, then he was transferred to Andrews where he met Altha Jackson. She had been at our house to a birthday party when her folks lived in Monahans for awhile. Never thought she’d end up as my sister-in-law. They lived in Arkansas for awhile, then several other cities in Texas, until they landed again in Monahans where he helped build houses.. During this time he lost his eye when a nail flew up and stuck in his eyeball. In 1953 they came back to Cement where he started his own trucking co. in 1954. For 26 years he operated there on the corner until he sold out in 1981. He built Blue Grass Kingdom Park south of their home where he has had Blue Grass Music Festivals for a number of years.

For years he has had a Christmas tree for the community and prepared over 500 sacks of treats. What he hasn’t given away he has taken to nursing homes and such places. He has been a big supporter of the Jane Brooks School for the deaf in Chickasha. He is really enjoying loafing since he sold out his trucking co. Seems odd to see him sitting in the drugstore chatting when I walk early in the morning. Dad passed away in the Anadarko Hospital, January 3, 1968 and was laid to rest in Cement Cemetery. Mother passed away in the Anadarko Hospital April 11, 1971 and laid to rest beside Dad in the Cement Cemetery. Junior passed away in Monahans Hospital January 17, 1977 while living with me. His body was flown back and laid to rest beside Mom and Dad.

What a reunion they have had in Heaven. I just hope as they look down on all we kids, grand kids and great grand kids that are here that they are satisfied with the way we are building on the heritage they left us.

This was published in the Souvenir Edition of the 80th birthday Celebration, Cement, Oklahoma, April 17, 1982.

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