My Life Story -by Kathleen Miller in 2000
I was born in Gilmer County, in a small community called Letter Gap, 7 miles from Glenville State College. My parents were Lloyd and Allie Westfall. I was the 7th child born in a family of 9 children, 6 girls and 3 boys. We lived on a large farm, over 400 acres and in a large 10 room house. My dad raised cattle. Also there were horses, cows, hogs, chickens, dogs, and cats on this farm. There was no end to the work involved, but I had a happy childhood on this farm growing up.
We went to a one room school all through the eighth grade, where it was common to have 38-40 kids in one room. Most of my teachers were women, with a few men teachers in grade school. We had to help work on this farm. We hawed corn, worked in the hay field, milked cows, and fed the hogs and chickens. My job on Saturday a.m. was to saddle and bridle my horse and go on the hill and salt the cattle. There were long troughs to put the salt in. When the cattle saw me, they would start coming.
After grade school, then I went on to Glenville High School and graduated with a good report. I told my Dad I wanted to go to College that fall, for I wanted to be a teacher. At the end of 2 years, I had a Standard Normal Certificate and started to teach in a one room school. That's a 2 year degree then. I had to board away from home. It was a great education to teach in a one room school. Kids were good, I had discipline and respect. Some kids were much larger than I was, but I had no problem with them.
While I was teaching at a one room school and staying at home with Mom and Dad, I was walking home one evening and met Brook. Brook was visiting his family, caught up with me, and carried my books home for me. He went to my parents' home and met them. I had heard about Brook, but had not met him. This was the beginning of a 2 ½ year courtship that led to our marriage on June 14, 1938, which has lasted for 62 years on June 14, 2000. He was working at Firestone in Akron then he got a better job at the AEP Company in Charleston, which lasted 35 years.
We got married in Ashland, Kentucky and we went on our honeymoon to Canada and Niagara Falls. We had a furnished apartment on Homer Street and that's when we started going to Emmanuel Baptist Church. Then we moved to Pennsylvania Avenue close to our friends, the Langfords. Beryl Langford was a State Policeman. We rented 2 ½ years only. We bought our lot and built our home in Dunbar, where we still live. Our pastor at Emmanuel was Rev. Cannon; he was our pastor for 6-7 years. I was saved and baptized by Cannon and joined our church. Brook had been saved and baptized earlier at a country church. He joined our church. We had earlier been going to a United Brethren Church, where my parents went.
That fall after our wedding, I signed up to start substitute teaching in Kanawha County. I taught 5 years in all. I already knew 2 or 3 principals I had gone to college with at Glenville State, met many more, I enjoyed teaching. In the summer when Brook got 2 weeks vacation we went on vacations for we both loved traveling. In 1942 our son was born. Brook wanted a boy. I wanted a girl. Then 6 years later I had a beautiful little blonde haired girl. She is a teacher and lives in Plano, Texas. Our son, Don, lives in Denver, Colorado and works at a post office in Denver.
I will always remember our 4th anniversary, for I spent it in McMillan Hospital with our little son. I spent a lot of time home with my two children enjoying their growing up and then vacations at beaches mostly. When our son was in Cub Scouts, I was a Den Mother, all that time. We met in our basement. Other volunteer work I did was teach Sunday School at our church in the junior department, when the Withers were here. I worked at the Friendship Force a good while, then we later went to Gilsenkirk, Germany with them on a trip. I also worked in the Elections for 20 years as a Republican clerk. I quit after my stroke 10 years ago. I also was very active in AARP work for 20 years. I was Vice President for 6 years and held other offices. I taught Lawrence Frankel exercises after I retired at our church gym with Baird Carpenter for 3 years and then quit to travel. I have a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education from Morris Harvey College, which is now the University of Charleston. I started back to teaching regular when Linda was 6 and Don was 12. I taught at Roxalana, Sattes, Ford and then I started regular at Grandview and taught 12 years there. I retired from Grandview.
In order to renew my teacher's certificate I either had to go back to school to get 6 hrs. or travel. I chose to travel. Brook was the only chauffeur. We went in 1962 out West to visit our son one week; he was in the Air Force. In Denver, we lived in a guest house for one week and went sightseeing during the day. We saw Pike's Peak and lots of other things there. Then I had to see 7 National Parks, Grand Canyon, Pikes Peak, Yellowstone, Brice and Zion in Utah and others. My educational trip had to be approved by the State Department of Education before and after. In 1967 I took a trip to the Southern States; D.C., Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia. In 1969 my trip was to Canada, New England and Nova Scotia. Each trip was 1 month long. I had earned 9 hours of college in the 3 trips, very educational, but tiresome. Linda went with us in 1962. Brook was a great driver.
When I was 60, with 26 years of teaching, I told my principal I was going to retire and for him to get another teacher. He told me that I was too young to retire and asked what I was going to do. I told him that I was going to travel and we really did! In 1973 we started with Ina Webb Travel Club on a 24 day trip to Seattle, Washington and other interesting states on a Greyhound bus. Keyster Greene was our bus driver and he was a good one! This trip included Canada which we traveled in 4 Provinces of Canada.
We took many interesting trips. We have visited all 50 states, the last one being Alaska in 1982, for a month on a Greyhound bus. We have also been in 17 foreign countries, our 40th anniversary we went on a Caribbean Cruise. We both loved to travel, but on December 20, 1990, I was sitting reading the paper and suddenly my paper fell and my right arm fell also, I had a stroke. I could still walk and talk, they called it mild, went to Dr. Linger next a.m. and on to the Charleston Memorial Hospital for 8 days. I was in the hospital over Christmas, the first time away from home on Christmas.
God was so good to us. He let us travel for 20 years after I retired until I had my stroke. That was the end of our travels. After my hospital stay and therapy for 8 days, I returned home. Brook was a wonderful nurse. He cooked, did laundry and all kinds of work while I was recuperating. We have a swell cleaning lady whom we have had for 10 years. She is special. I had a physical therapist first, then changed to an occupational therapist for 3 months, a man, came to our home two times a week. I was doing better and went to church activities and other things also.
Ten months after I had my stroke, I had to have surgery for breast cancer. I had been losing weight but nothing showed up in lab tests. I couldn't believe this was happening to me, so soon after my stroke. My Dr. Linger was almost sure it was cancer, but where? After a visit with Dr. Joe White, a specialist, he ordered another mammogram and sure enough, it was cancer. My Dr. got an appointment with Dr. Edward Tiley a cancer specialist, the best doctor in Charleston. He set up my appointment for surgery.
I was on my bed praying and asking God why he was sending this on me, when I wasn't over my stroke and couldn't cope with this so soon. I was scheduled for surgery at 8:00 next a.m. God told me "I will be with you" he said it twice, loud and clear, so I got up, dressed and went to doing chores. The next a.m., surgery went excellent after three days in Memorial I went home. Dr. Tiley was happy I did better than many women much younger than I was. Didn't have to have any treatments at all. He said I was smiling on my way to surgery. I have a checkup once a year, he said he didn't think I would ever have any trouble. I depend on God a lot and he is first in my life, my Drs. are 2nd and Family, which are so wonderful to me are next in my life.
On July 15, Saturday, here in the Fellowship Hall, God willing, we will have a birthday party. Brook will be 95 and I will be 90. It will be our 62nd anniversary. God still is in control. We depend on him. He will never leave or forsake us. We hope you all can come to our party 2-5 p.m., July 15th.
I was born in Gilmer County, in a small community called Letter Gap, 7 miles from Glenville State College. My parents were Lloyd and Allie Westfall. I was the 7th child born in a family of 9 children, 6 girls and 3 boys. We lived on a large farm, over 400 acres and in a large 10 room house. My dad raised cattle. Also there were horses, cows, hogs, chickens, dogs, and cats on this farm. There was no end to the work involved, but I had a happy childhood on this farm growing up.
We went to a one room school all through the eighth grade, where it was common to have 38-40 kids in one room. Most of my teachers were women, with a few men teachers in grade school. We had to help work on this farm. We hawed corn, worked in the hay field, milked cows, and fed the hogs and chickens. My job on Saturday a.m. was to saddle and bridle my horse and go on the hill and salt the cattle. There were long troughs to put the salt in. When the cattle saw me, they would start coming.
After grade school, then I went on to Glenville High School and graduated with a good report. I told my Dad I wanted to go to College that fall, for I wanted to be a teacher. At the end of 2 years, I had a Standard Normal Certificate and started to teach in a one room school. That's a 2 year degree then. I had to board away from home. It was a great education to teach in a one room school. Kids were good, I had discipline and respect. Some kids were much larger than I was, but I had no problem with them.
While I was teaching at a one room school and staying at home with Mom and Dad, I was walking home one evening and met Brook. Brook was visiting his family, caught up with me, and carried my books home for me. He went to my parents' home and met them. I had heard about Brook, but had not met him. This was the beginning of a 2 ½ year courtship that led to our marriage on June 14, 1938, which has lasted for 62 years on June 14, 2000. He was working at Firestone in Akron then he got a better job at the AEP Company in Charleston, which lasted 35 years.
We got married in Ashland, Kentucky and we went on our honeymoon to Canada and Niagara Falls. We had a furnished apartment on Homer Street and that's when we started going to Emmanuel Baptist Church. Then we moved to Pennsylvania Avenue close to our friends, the Langfords. Beryl Langford was a State Policeman. We rented 2 ½ years only. We bought our lot and built our home in Dunbar, where we still live. Our pastor at Emmanuel was Rev. Cannon; he was our pastor for 6-7 years. I was saved and baptized by Cannon and joined our church. Brook had been saved and baptized earlier at a country church. He joined our church. We had earlier been going to a United Brethren Church, where my parents went.
That fall after our wedding, I signed up to start substitute teaching in Kanawha County. I taught 5 years in all. I already knew 2 or 3 principals I had gone to college with at Glenville State, met many more, I enjoyed teaching. In the summer when Brook got 2 weeks vacation we went on vacations for we both loved traveling. In 1942 our son was born. Brook wanted a boy. I wanted a girl. Then 6 years later I had a beautiful little blonde haired girl. She is a teacher and lives in Plano, Texas. Our son, Don, lives in Denver, Colorado and works at a post office in Denver.
I will always remember our 4th anniversary, for I spent it in McMillan Hospital with our little son. I spent a lot of time home with my two children enjoying their growing up and then vacations at beaches mostly. When our son was in Cub Scouts, I was a Den Mother, all that time. We met in our basement. Other volunteer work I did was teach Sunday School at our church in the junior department, when the Withers were here. I worked at the Friendship Force a good while, then we later went to Gilsenkirk, Germany with them on a trip. I also worked in the Elections for 20 years as a Republican clerk. I quit after my stroke 10 years ago. I also was very active in AARP work for 20 years. I was Vice President for 6 years and held other offices. I taught Lawrence Frankel exercises after I retired at our church gym with Baird Carpenter for 3 years and then quit to travel. I have a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education from Morris Harvey College, which is now the University of Charleston. I started back to teaching regular when Linda was 6 and Don was 12. I taught at Roxalana, Sattes, Ford and then I started regular at Grandview and taught 12 years there. I retired from Grandview.
In order to renew my teacher's certificate I either had to go back to school to get 6 hrs. or travel. I chose to travel. Brook was the only chauffeur. We went in 1962 out West to visit our son one week; he was in the Air Force. In Denver, we lived in a guest house for one week and went sightseeing during the day. We saw Pike's Peak and lots of other things there. Then I had to see 7 National Parks, Grand Canyon, Pikes Peak, Yellowstone, Brice and Zion in Utah and others. My educational trip had to be approved by the State Department of Education before and after. In 1967 I took a trip to the Southern States; D.C., Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia. In 1969 my trip was to Canada, New England and Nova Scotia. Each trip was 1 month long. I had earned 9 hours of college in the 3 trips, very educational, but tiresome. Linda went with us in 1962. Brook was a great driver.
When I was 60, with 26 years of teaching, I told my principal I was going to retire and for him to get another teacher. He told me that I was too young to retire and asked what I was going to do. I told him that I was going to travel and we really did! In 1973 we started with Ina Webb Travel Club on a 24 day trip to Seattle, Washington and other interesting states on a Greyhound bus. Keyster Greene was our bus driver and he was a good one! This trip included Canada which we traveled in 4 Provinces of Canada.
We took many interesting trips. We have visited all 50 states, the last one being Alaska in 1982, for a month on a Greyhound bus. We have also been in 17 foreign countries, our 40th anniversary we went on a Caribbean Cruise. We both loved to travel, but on December 20, 1990, I was sitting reading the paper and suddenly my paper fell and my right arm fell also, I had a stroke. I could still walk and talk, they called it mild, went to Dr. Linger next a.m. and on to the Charleston Memorial Hospital for 8 days. I was in the hospital over Christmas, the first time away from home on Christmas.
God was so good to us. He let us travel for 20 years after I retired until I had my stroke. That was the end of our travels. After my hospital stay and therapy for 8 days, I returned home. Brook was a wonderful nurse. He cooked, did laundry and all kinds of work while I was recuperating. We have a swell cleaning lady whom we have had for 10 years. She is special. I had a physical therapist first, then changed to an occupational therapist for 3 months, a man, came to our home two times a week. I was doing better and went to church activities and other things also.
Ten months after I had my stroke, I had to have surgery for breast cancer. I had been losing weight but nothing showed up in lab tests. I couldn't believe this was happening to me, so soon after my stroke. My Dr. Linger was almost sure it was cancer, but where? After a visit with Dr. Joe White, a specialist, he ordered another mammogram and sure enough, it was cancer. My Dr. got an appointment with Dr. Edward Tiley a cancer specialist, the best doctor in Charleston. He set up my appointment for surgery.
I was on my bed praying and asking God why he was sending this on me, when I wasn't over my stroke and couldn't cope with this so soon. I was scheduled for surgery at 8:00 next a.m. God told me "I will be with you" he said it twice, loud and clear, so I got up, dressed and went to doing chores. The next a.m., surgery went excellent after three days in Memorial I went home. Dr. Tiley was happy I did better than many women much younger than I was. Didn't have to have any treatments at all. He said I was smiling on my way to surgery. I have a checkup once a year, he said he didn't think I would ever have any trouble. I depend on God a lot and he is first in my life, my Drs. are 2nd and Family, which are so wonderful to me are next in my life.
On July 15, Saturday, here in the Fellowship Hall, God willing, we will have a birthday party. Brook will be 95 and I will be 90. It will be our 62nd anniversary. God still is in control. We depend on him. He will never leave or forsake us. We hope you all can come to our party 2-5 p.m., July 15th.
My Life Story -by Kathleen Miller in 2000
I was born in Gilmer County, in a small community called Letter Gap, 7 miles from Glenville State College. My parents were Lloyd and Allie Westfall. I was the 7th child born in a family of 9 children, 6 girls and 3 boys. We lived on a large farm, over 400 acres and in a large 10 room house. My dad raised cattle. Also there were horses, cows, hogs, chickens, dogs, and cats on this farm. There was no end to the work involved, but I had a happy childhood on this farm growing up.
We went to a one room school all through the eighth grade, where it was common to have 38-40 kids in one room. Most of my teachers were women, with a few men teachers in grade school. We had to help work on this farm. We hawed corn, worked in the hay field, milked cows, and fed the hogs and chickens. My job on Saturday a.m. was to saddle and bridle my horse and go on the hill and salt the cattle. There were long troughs to put the salt in. When the cattle saw me, they would start coming.
After grade school, then I went on to Glenville High School and graduated with a good report. I told my Dad I wanted to go to College that fall, for I wanted to be a teacher. At the end of 2 years, I had a Standard Normal Certificate and started to teach in a one room school. That's a 2 year degree then. I had to board away from home. It was a great education to teach in a one room school. Kids were good, I had discipline and respect. Some kids were much larger than I was, but I had no problem with them.
While I was teaching at a one room school and staying at home with Mom and Dad, I was walking home one evening and met Brook. Brook was visiting his family, caught up with me, and carried my books home for me. He went to my parents' home and met them. I had heard about Brook, but had not met him. This was the beginning of a 2 ½ year courtship that led to our marriage on June 14, 1938, which has lasted for 62 years on June 14, 2000. He was working at Firestone in Akron then he got a better job at the AEP Company in Charleston, which lasted 35 years.
We got married in Ashland, Kentucky and we went on our honeymoon to Canada and Niagara Falls. We had a furnished apartment on Homer Street and that's when we started going to Emmanuel Baptist Church. Then we moved to Pennsylvania Avenue close to our friends, the Langfords. Beryl Langford was a State Policeman. We rented 2 ½ years only. We bought our lot and built our home in Dunbar, where we still live. Our pastor at Emmanuel was Rev. Cannon; he was our pastor for 6-7 years. I was saved and baptized by Cannon and joined our church. Brook had been saved and baptized earlier at a country church. He joined our church. We had earlier been going to a United Brethren Church, where my parents went.
That fall after our wedding, I signed up to start substitute teaching in Kanawha County. I taught 5 years in all. I already knew 2 or 3 principals I had gone to college with at Glenville State, met many more, I enjoyed teaching. In the summer when Brook got 2 weeks vacation we went on vacations for we both loved traveling. In 1942 our son was born. Brook wanted a boy. I wanted a girl. Then 6 years later I had a beautiful little blonde haired girl. She is a teacher and lives in Plano, Texas. Our son, Don, lives in Denver, Colorado and works at a post office in Denver.
I will always remember our 4th anniversary, for I spent it in McMillan Hospital with our little son. I spent a lot of time home with my two children enjoying their growing up and then vacations at beaches mostly. When our son was in Cub Scouts, I was a Den Mother, all that time. We met in our basement. Other volunteer work I did was teach Sunday School at our church in the junior department, when the Withers were here. I worked at the Friendship Force a good while, then we later went to Gilsenkirk, Germany with them on a trip. I also worked in the Elections for 20 years as a Republican clerk. I quit after my stroke 10 years ago. I also was very active in AARP work for 20 years. I was Vice President for 6 years and held other offices. I taught Lawrence Frankel exercises after I retired at our church gym with Baird Carpenter for 3 years and then quit to travel. I have a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education from Morris Harvey College, which is now the University of Charleston. I started back to teaching regular when Linda was 6 and Don was 12. I taught at Roxalana, Sattes, Ford and then I started regular at Grandview and taught 12 years there. I retired from Grandview.
In order to renew my teacher's certificate I either had to go back to school to get 6 hrs. or travel. I chose to travel. Brook was the only chauffeur. We went in 1962 out West to visit our son one week; he was in the Air Force. In Denver, we lived in a guest house for one week and went sightseeing during the day. We saw Pike's Peak and lots of other things there. Then I had to see 7 National Parks, Grand Canyon, Pikes Peak, Yellowstone, Brice and Zion in Utah and others. My educational trip had to be approved by the State Department of Education before and after. In 1967 I took a trip to the Southern States; D.C., Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia. In 1969 my trip was to Canada, New England and Nova Scotia. Each trip was 1 month long. I had earned 9 hours of college in the 3 trips, very educational, but tiresome. Linda went with us in 1962. Brook was a great driver.
When I was 60, with 26 years of teaching, I told my principal I was going to retire and for him to get another teacher. He told me that I was too young to retire and asked what I was going to do. I told him that I was going to travel and we really did! In 1973 we started with Ina Webb Travel Club on a 24 day trip to Seattle, Washington and other interesting states on a Greyhound bus. Keyster Greene was our bus driver and he was a good one! This trip included Canada which we traveled in 4 Provinces of Canada.
We took many interesting trips. We have visited all 50 states, the last one being Alaska in 1982, for a month on a Greyhound bus. We have also been in 17 foreign countries, our 40th anniversary we went on a Caribbean Cruise. We both loved to travel, but on December 20, 1990, I was sitting reading the paper and suddenly my paper fell and my right arm fell also, I had a stroke. I could still walk and talk, they called it mild, went to Dr. Linger next a.m. and on to the Charleston Memorial Hospital for 8 days. I was in the hospital over Christmas, the first time away from home on Christmas.
God was so good to us. He let us travel for 20 years after I retired until I had my stroke. That was the end of our travels. After my hospital stay and therapy for 8 days, I returned home. Brook was a wonderful nurse. He cooked, did laundry and all kinds of work while I was recuperating. We have a swell cleaning lady whom we have had for 10 years. She is special. I had a physical therapist first, then changed to an occupational therapist for 3 months, a man, came to our home two times a week. I was doing better and went to church activities and other things also.
Ten months after I had my stroke, I had to have surgery for breast cancer. I had been losing weight but nothing showed up in lab tests. I couldn't believe this was happening to me, so soon after my stroke. My Dr. Linger was almost sure it was cancer, but where? After a visit with Dr. Joe White, a specialist, he ordered another mammogram and sure enough, it was cancer. My Dr. got an appointment with Dr. Edward Tiley a cancer specialist, the best doctor in Charleston. He set up my appointment for surgery.
I was on my bed praying and asking God why he was sending this on me, when I wasn't over my stroke and couldn't cope with this so soon. I was scheduled for surgery at 8:00 next a.m. God told me "I will be with you" he said it twice, loud and clear, so I got up, dressed and went to doing chores. The next a.m., surgery went excellent after three days in Memorial I went home. Dr. Tiley was happy I did better than many women much younger than I was. Didn't have to have any treatments at all. He said I was smiling on my way to surgery. I have a checkup once a year, he said he didn't think I would ever have any trouble. I depend on God a lot and he is first in my life, my Drs. are 2nd and Family, which are so wonderful to me are next in my life.
On July 15, Saturday, here in the Fellowship Hall, God willing, we will have a birthday party. Brook will be 95 and I will be 90. It will be our 62nd anniversary. God still is in control. We depend on him. He will never leave or forsake us. We hope you all can come to our party 2-5 p.m., July 15th.
I was born in Gilmer County, in a small community called Letter Gap, 7 miles from Glenville State College. My parents were Lloyd and Allie Westfall. I was the 7th child born in a family of 9 children, 6 girls and 3 boys. We lived on a large farm, over 400 acres and in a large 10 room house. My dad raised cattle. Also there were horses, cows, hogs, chickens, dogs, and cats on this farm. There was no end to the work involved, but I had a happy childhood on this farm growing up.
We went to a one room school all through the eighth grade, where it was common to have 38-40 kids in one room. Most of my teachers were women, with a few men teachers in grade school. We had to help work on this farm. We hawed corn, worked in the hay field, milked cows, and fed the hogs and chickens. My job on Saturday a.m. was to saddle and bridle my horse and go on the hill and salt the cattle. There were long troughs to put the salt in. When the cattle saw me, they would start coming.
After grade school, then I went on to Glenville High School and graduated with a good report. I told my Dad I wanted to go to College that fall, for I wanted to be a teacher. At the end of 2 years, I had a Standard Normal Certificate and started to teach in a one room school. That's a 2 year degree then. I had to board away from home. It was a great education to teach in a one room school. Kids were good, I had discipline and respect. Some kids were much larger than I was, but I had no problem with them.
While I was teaching at a one room school and staying at home with Mom and Dad, I was walking home one evening and met Brook. Brook was visiting his family, caught up with me, and carried my books home for me. He went to my parents' home and met them. I had heard about Brook, but had not met him. This was the beginning of a 2 ½ year courtship that led to our marriage on June 14, 1938, which has lasted for 62 years on June 14, 2000. He was working at Firestone in Akron then he got a better job at the AEP Company in Charleston, which lasted 35 years.
We got married in Ashland, Kentucky and we went on our honeymoon to Canada and Niagara Falls. We had a furnished apartment on Homer Street and that's when we started going to Emmanuel Baptist Church. Then we moved to Pennsylvania Avenue close to our friends, the Langfords. Beryl Langford was a State Policeman. We rented 2 ½ years only. We bought our lot and built our home in Dunbar, where we still live. Our pastor at Emmanuel was Rev. Cannon; he was our pastor for 6-7 years. I was saved and baptized by Cannon and joined our church. Brook had been saved and baptized earlier at a country church. He joined our church. We had earlier been going to a United Brethren Church, where my parents went.
That fall after our wedding, I signed up to start substitute teaching in Kanawha County. I taught 5 years in all. I already knew 2 or 3 principals I had gone to college with at Glenville State, met many more, I enjoyed teaching. In the summer when Brook got 2 weeks vacation we went on vacations for we both loved traveling. In 1942 our son was born. Brook wanted a boy. I wanted a girl. Then 6 years later I had a beautiful little blonde haired girl. She is a teacher and lives in Plano, Texas. Our son, Don, lives in Denver, Colorado and works at a post office in Denver.
I will always remember our 4th anniversary, for I spent it in McMillan Hospital with our little son. I spent a lot of time home with my two children enjoying their growing up and then vacations at beaches mostly. When our son was in Cub Scouts, I was a Den Mother, all that time. We met in our basement. Other volunteer work I did was teach Sunday School at our church in the junior department, when the Withers were here. I worked at the Friendship Force a good while, then we later went to Gilsenkirk, Germany with them on a trip. I also worked in the Elections for 20 years as a Republican clerk. I quit after my stroke 10 years ago. I also was very active in AARP work for 20 years. I was Vice President for 6 years and held other offices. I taught Lawrence Frankel exercises after I retired at our church gym with Baird Carpenter for 3 years and then quit to travel. I have a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education from Morris Harvey College, which is now the University of Charleston. I started back to teaching regular when Linda was 6 and Don was 12. I taught at Roxalana, Sattes, Ford and then I started regular at Grandview and taught 12 years there. I retired from Grandview.
In order to renew my teacher's certificate I either had to go back to school to get 6 hrs. or travel. I chose to travel. Brook was the only chauffeur. We went in 1962 out West to visit our son one week; he was in the Air Force. In Denver, we lived in a guest house for one week and went sightseeing during the day. We saw Pike's Peak and lots of other things there. Then I had to see 7 National Parks, Grand Canyon, Pikes Peak, Yellowstone, Brice and Zion in Utah and others. My educational trip had to be approved by the State Department of Education before and after. In 1967 I took a trip to the Southern States; D.C., Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia. In 1969 my trip was to Canada, New England and Nova Scotia. Each trip was 1 month long. I had earned 9 hours of college in the 3 trips, very educational, but tiresome. Linda went with us in 1962. Brook was a great driver.
When I was 60, with 26 years of teaching, I told my principal I was going to retire and for him to get another teacher. He told me that I was too young to retire and asked what I was going to do. I told him that I was going to travel and we really did! In 1973 we started with Ina Webb Travel Club on a 24 day trip to Seattle, Washington and other interesting states on a Greyhound bus. Keyster Greene was our bus driver and he was a good one! This trip included Canada which we traveled in 4 Provinces of Canada.
We took many interesting trips. We have visited all 50 states, the last one being Alaska in 1982, for a month on a Greyhound bus. We have also been in 17 foreign countries, our 40th anniversary we went on a Caribbean Cruise. We both loved to travel, but on December 20, 1990, I was sitting reading the paper and suddenly my paper fell and my right arm fell also, I had a stroke. I could still walk and talk, they called it mild, went to Dr. Linger next a.m. and on to the Charleston Memorial Hospital for 8 days. I was in the hospital over Christmas, the first time away from home on Christmas.
God was so good to us. He let us travel for 20 years after I retired until I had my stroke. That was the end of our travels. After my hospital stay and therapy for 8 days, I returned home. Brook was a wonderful nurse. He cooked, did laundry and all kinds of work while I was recuperating. We have a swell cleaning lady whom we have had for 10 years. She is special. I had a physical therapist first, then changed to an occupational therapist for 3 months, a man, came to our home two times a week. I was doing better and went to church activities and other things also.
Ten months after I had my stroke, I had to have surgery for breast cancer. I had been losing weight but nothing showed up in lab tests. I couldn't believe this was happening to me, so soon after my stroke. My Dr. Linger was almost sure it was cancer, but where? After a visit with Dr. Joe White, a specialist, he ordered another mammogram and sure enough, it was cancer. My Dr. got an appointment with Dr. Edward Tiley a cancer specialist, the best doctor in Charleston. He set up my appointment for surgery.
I was on my bed praying and asking God why he was sending this on me, when I wasn't over my stroke and couldn't cope with this so soon. I was scheduled for surgery at 8:00 next a.m. God told me "I will be with you" he said it twice, loud and clear, so I got up, dressed and went to doing chores. The next a.m., surgery went excellent after three days in Memorial I went home. Dr. Tiley was happy I did better than many women much younger than I was. Didn't have to have any treatments at all. He said I was smiling on my way to surgery. I have a checkup once a year, he said he didn't think I would ever have any trouble. I depend on God a lot and he is first in my life, my Drs. are 2nd and Family, which are so wonderful to me are next in my life.
On July 15, Saturday, here in the Fellowship Hall, God willing, we will have a birthday party. Brook will be 95 and I will be 90. It will be our 62nd anniversary. God still is in control. We depend on him. He will never leave or forsake us. We hope you all can come to our party 2-5 p.m., July 15th.
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