This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.

---

Papa and Nanan
I want to share with you the memories that I have of two of the most wonderful people who ever lived. They are Lucie Eleanor Blanchard Whitfield and E. Van Whitfield who were my grandparents. My name is Horace Whitfield, Jr., and I am now seventy years old.
My Grandfather, E. Van Whitfield, was born on February 4,1876 at Nicholson, MS. His parents were John Francis Whitfield and Josephine Smith Whitfield.
Van worked in the family sawmill until he was 18, then became a surveyor. In 1900 he married Angeline Moran. They became the parents of four children. Luva born in 1901,
Horace born in 1902, Rufus born in 1905 and J.Y. born in 1908. Angeline died in 1914. I have very little knowledge of her life. In later years I was told that she was a wonderful mother and wife and taught her children well.
Van was elected Sheriff twice in Hancock County, MS and served as Circuit Clerk for four years (1912 - 1915). In 1916 he was elected Circuit Clerk Of Hancock County for the term 1916 - 1920. In 1920 he was reelected Sheriff for the term 1920 - 1923.
I am told that while serving as Sheriff in 1915, Lucie worked for him and they married on November 27,1915. Lucie was born on February 18,1890. They had no children born of their marriage. Lucie was 25 years old when she married Papa and became the step-mother of his four children.
When Lucie married my grandfather, Van, it was the best thing that ever happened to our family. I don't think there were many 25 year old girls who would have taken on the task of raising that many children. But she did, and soon had all of them treating her as if she was their real mother. They expressed their love for her and she in turn loved them and cared for them. They were a very devoted family.
My father died in 1934. He drowned trying to save his son, Jack. The depression was upon us, money was scarce, and there wasn't any work to be found. Lucie and Papa looked after my mother and her four remaining children.
All shared what they had. They operated a small dairy for awhile, but eventually had to close because their customers were unable to pay the milk bill. During these hard times they somehow managed to earn little money and help those in the family who were in need. They gave generously of their love, time and assets. They kept the family going.
All of our lives we have shared a deep and abiding love for Lucie and Papa. They shaped and molded our lives, teaching us to love God, our family, and to share with those in need.