The family sort of split after Mom left us. Sue went to live with Jim & Amber in Pensacola, Florida. She found a southern boy for a husband, Charles Jones from Atlanta, Ga. Victor stayed with Dad and they lived with Grandma, in Grandma’s house across the street from where my Mother passed away, in Harris. I went to work in the McCullough home, the town banker. I took care of their 3 year old son and did the cooking and cleaning. The hard work and long hours were blessed relief from the empty void left by the abrupt change in my life. Nights were long and tearful. Fond memories of home & family only made the lonesomeness unbearable. I finally found a ride with a family driving to California. We left the last of August 1939. I found security with Ann, who by this time had three little girls, Juanita Irene 3, Claudia Ann 2, Joan Marie 1. Here I went to work as a waitress, met many new people and began to live the life of a teenager again. Boyfriends were plentiful and life was gay and fun again. One special boy came into the picture- “A.M.” Wallace. He was two years my senior born 9 May 1919 in Vernon, Texas. We played tennis, danced on roller-skates, swam, “hot rodded” in his cut down 1928 Chevy roadster. We must have looked comical with white helmets barely protruding above the doors of the car. No hills were too steep nor too rough for us to tackle. My courage was false and after I trembled uncontrollably at A.M.’s dare devil stunts. No sound would escape my rigid lips only a frozen smile showed.

                 We were married 21 Mar 1940 at the home of Ann’s sister & brother-in-laws home, Edith & Al Wendts in Monterey Park, Los Angeles Co., Calif. Our first born Judith Ann was born 5 Nov 1941 in Wilman, Los Angeles Co., Calif. And weighed 8½ lbs. We lived in San Gabriel at this time. These were war years filled with anxiety and uncertainty. A.M. worked for Bethlehem Steel at San Pedro, Calif. Everyone drove with parking lights-were on “Dim-Out” conditions. Camouflage appeared everywhere-an unreal world of make-believe interrupted by practice air raid warnings. Those anxious moments, not knowing real from practice was spent in semi-darkness clutching my little bundle of comfort while Daddy tramped the streets looking for stray unshielded lights. These trying uncertain times were traded for long hours and hard work on a dairy in Northern Calif. Up at 4 A.M. and falling dead tired into bed before dark was not my choice of living. Judi grew strong and healthy, a joy to us as parents.

                 We left Northern California and moved to Fallon, Churchill Co., Nevada where we bought 30 acres. This was the turning point in our lives. We were introduced to the “Mormon Church,” after a year of investigating the church, teaching in Primary and Visiting teaching in Relief Society I was baptized 3 Dec 1950. I knew when the missionaries first came to our house, that this is what I had been looking for all my life. After my baptism our marriage seemed to drift until finally we separated. 

                 On May 1, 1965 a wonderful occasion, William Olen Watkins took me to the Oakland Temple where we were married for time and eternity.

                 I have been privileged to hold many positions in the church, WARD MIA President, Age Group Counselor, Teacher, STAKE and WARD activity counselor, two STAKE Missions with over 60 converts, Sunday School teacher, teacher trainer, genealogist of the Arcade WARD.

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Great Aunt Abbie mentions the Harris School in her Life Story. My grandmother Anna Mae McClary saved this photo, this school was very special to all the McClary children.