White Mills News

Kathleen and Floyd Booker where were married July 22, 1937. Floyd died Dec. 31, 1997.

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White Mills News Kathleen Booker 369-7101 MEMORIES. I have many memories of White Mills from the time I attended Lynnvale School. It was there that I met one of the other school bus drivers, Floyd Booker, who later became my husband. My uncle, Paul Tuttle, was driving our bus which came from Solway-Eastview to Lynnvale. Floyd asked my Uncle Paul who the “little blackhaired girl” on his bus was. He told him, “That is Kathleen Johnson, my niece.” It wasn’t long until he was driving his bus down to my house below Eastview. The courtship ended in marriage on July 22, 1937 in Big Clifty by a Methodist minister, Brother Dewitt, at his home. My aunt, Lorene Johnson, drove her car and took us to Big Clifty. My mother cooked the wedding supper, inviting close relatives. Floyd had just returned home from Idaho where he spent six months in the CCCs. He hired Bert Williams to drive his school bus while he was gone. 1937 was the year of the big flood. When Floyd drove down to see me, the river was up at White Mills. He said the water ran all over the floor of the bus. Water was up at Four Corners, so Floyd visited with us until the water went down. (Great!) After our marriage, we settled in White Mills, later buying the building we made our home and operated a grocery. Floyd drove his school bus and trucked, and I operated the grocery and watched two very small children, Lonnie and Barbara. My husband and I later sold the store and bought a farm. He and Roy Skees bought the Bob Morrison store and operated it for some time. We later sold where we lived and bought the Tabb Farm in White Mills. We had five children, three of whom are now deceased – Lonnie, Janet Knight and Barbara Sue Davis. This community has been a part of my life from July 22, 1937 when we married. I also recently lost our grandson, Eddie Davis. I have said it doesn’t seem right to lose three of my five children and still be here. Eddie is the only grandchild who is deceased. I am happy and thankful to be able to still live in my own home. I do depend on my daughters, Loretta and Kathy, and appreciate my neighbors, Bobby and Shirley Williams, who pick me up and take me to Center Point Baptist Church each Sunday. CONGRATULATIONS. I was pleased to read about a special friend, Betty Nall, who was recognized as Employee of the Month for June 2008 by The News-Enterprise. Congratulations! HARDIN COUNTY FAIR. I did well at the Hardin County Fair with 16 first place blue ribbons, 19 second place red ribbons, and 13 third place white ribbons. When I could drive myself, I used to load my car with entries and take off, but time makes a change in us. I have learned to depend on others. Kandy Davis Swanson and son, Chance, from California have been visiting Kandy’s father, G.A. Davis, at his home in Cecilia, after being called here after the sudden death of her brother, Eddie Davis. Kandy took Chance to the Hardin County Fair where they enjoyed looking at my entries. Pritchard Community Center was built on the lot where the Hardin County Fair used to be held. When it rain, water would stand everywhere. This is now a beautiful lot which is used for many activities. I enjoyed the program Hardin County sponsored a few y ears ago for war veterans to attend and be recognized. Edith Dupin was chairman of the program. WHITE MILLS DAY. Thanks to the Hardin County Independent for the picture of White Mills Day that showed a number sitting, including “yours truly.” We were seated around where the cake walk was being held and a number of delicious cakes were being won. Marsha May Singer was chairman for the cake walk; the cakes were donated. Congratulations to Casey Booker on being crowned Miss White Mills during White Mills Day. CHURCH BAPTISM. Center Point Baptist Church with Brother Robert Jewel held a baptism Sunday afternoon in the Nolin River at White Mills. It has been a few years since I attended the church baptisms, but I have attended many over the years. I also was baptized many years ago in the Nolin River at White Mills. SYMPATHY. Sympathy to Jerome Peerce on the recent death of his daughter Mona Claire Peerce Wood. I extend sympathy to the family of Mrs. Marvin Jones. She used to buy tomatoes and green beans from my garden. I have memories of The Hub and the Peoples Store on the square in Elizabethtown. Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Jones were managers of the stores. Two of our young daughters, Loretta and Janet, were near the same size with 1½ years difference in age. I dressed them like twins, making many of their dresses, but when we decided to purchase dresses alike, we could usually find one at the Peoples Store and one at The Hub. Sorry I haven’t kept up with the family.