Lincoln County, West Virginia (1948) “I’ve never met a family as remarkable as yours.” Pastor Perry said, as he wrapped his hands securely around a second cup of coffee. He felt as though he was beginning to know the family.  “I never went without. The whole family held onto us kids as tight as they ...

The tragedy unfolded a week before my sister’s birthday. Momma had bought Mavarine the Molly doll that she so desperately wanted, but the following weekend proved to be some of the hardest days of our lives. One minute we were having fun, celebrating as a family, then within a matter of seconds, she was gone. ...

The way Jesus changed Melda’s life was somethin’ I’d never seen before. I never could look at her without smiling. This girl’s beauty always took me by surprise. I never knew what love was until I met her. The past year has brought us closer together. Though, getting her to trust me wasn’t easy. She ...

1933 The morning sunrise always captured my attention. The brightness and warmth of the sun brought peace to my soul. Time surely flew by. Before we knew it, another year passed. A lot of life and its changes took place. Mr. Lemaster was so good to all of us. As the oldest brother, I saw ...

“What was life like after Melda’s father passed away?” asked Pastor Perry, his body frozen as he listened to Gordon tell the story. Melda went through so much at such a young age. He wondered how the family made it through such a devastating loss. “Their life became pretty interesting, to say the least.” Gordon ...

My dad worked harder than anyone else I knew. Life on the poor farm wasn’t easy, but he always wore a smile through the most tiring of days. Daddy always carried himself with a sense of joy and pride for his family while never wanting us to feel like we were on a poor farm, ...