Mama was very kindhearted, generous, and sweet. She and my Daddy had got married about 40 years ago. Mama was 18 and Daddy was 25 when they got married. Aunt Eva, who was a waitress at a small restaurant named Beverly Joe’s, where my Daddy was the cook, introduced them. He wanted to date Aunt Eva at first, but she told him he was too young for her, and she had a younger sister she would like him to meet. My mother’s nickname was Line (pronounced Lean) short for Earline. My Daddy’s name was Willie Lee. He was named after his Daddy, so that made him a junior.

Mama was born in St. Louis, Missouri. She had a twin sister who had died shortly after being born. My Mama was one of fourteen children born to Robert and Ruby Phillips. My Daddy was born into a large family too. He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, one of 11 children born to Willie Lee, Sr. and Pinkie Walker. My Daddy had served in the Army overseas in Iwo-Jima. He was a cook in the Army.

My parents got married and had seven children: four boys and three girls. One of my brothers, Bobbie James, died when he was 4 years old from lead poisoning. Mama took it pretty hard, Daddy also. Shortly after Bobbie’s death, Mama began to have seizures. We never knew when one was going to occur. Mama began taking medicine to help control the seizures.

Daddy was such a hard worker. He worked three jobs, going from one to the other each day, to make ends meet. Daddy did not want Mama to get a job. He wanted her to take care of the house and be in the home for her family.

We were poor, but we never suffered for anything. We were never hungry and always had a home. My parents wanted their children to get a good education, which we did. We had fun growing up. We had a good life as children. We knew our parents loved us. As adults, we have come to realize how much they loved us, how unselfish they were, and what they sacrificed for their children to have better lives.

Mama and Daddy have passed away, but they laid such a strong foundation on which their children could build their lives. Both parents had such a strong work ethic, and had a never give up attitude to push forward to accomplish your goals. We truly miss Mama and Daddy, but they will always be in our hearts.