Willie (my dad) and Helen (my mom) didn't get to perform their practiced parts in the Church Christmas Play that snowy winter's evening. They had been the obvious choice for the role of Joseph and Mary...not only did they interact great with each other, Willie was a strong tenor and Helen's soprano voice could be heard over the other young ladies. While in high school, they were both a part of the "Glee" club with dad singing in a men's quartet and mom singing solos. During the summer months, Willie was a part of Citizens Military Training in St Louis, Missouri that prepared him for what would come later in his life....the Navy. (Because of that training, when he enlisted in the Navy he was made a platoon leader over the other trainees and would take them through their drills.) Helen had become good friends with one of her teachers, Edith Hinck and on one of those lazy summer days, she made a trip to St Louis with Edith and her family to visit Willie. Those moments when they rehearsed for the play that Christmas season had prepared them for these moments. When Willie and Helen realized that they really enjoyed each others company, they wanted to spend as much time as they could together. They started sitting by each other in church and would spend hours sitting in the swing on Helen's front porch. Willie's visit's were cut short most evenings around 8pm with Eunice (my grandma) telling Helen it was time to come in. It was during one of those porch swing visits that Willie shared with Helen that Edith Hinck and Ray (one of his buddys) were gonna elope. He didn't really "ask" Helen to marry him then, but suggested that eloping might be something they would want to do. Helen agreed that they would elope with Edith and Ray. On Christmas Eve, when Helen left her home to spend the night with Edith, they met up with Willie and Ray and set out in search of a preacher to marry them. They went to Brother Homer Gunn's house, knocked on his door and he came out to the car. Helen and Willie exchanged vows in the back seat with the preacher, Brother Gunn sitting in the front seat with Ray and Edith as witnesses to the marriage. Then he turned to Ray and Edith and they exchanged vows with the newly married Mr and Mrs William Tollison as their witnesses. Brother Gunn tried to sign the marriage license, but the pen wouldn't write, he had to mail them to the couples later that week. Mr and Mrs William Tollison and Mr and Mrs Ray Langston went to Edith's home. Mrs. Hinck (Edith's mom) had no clue that the couples had just gotten married and was trying to figure out where everyone should sleep. They told her that they had gotten married, she said..."Well, I guess that changes the sleeping arrangements then!" On that special Christmas Eve, the sweethearts of Kewanee High, Willie and Helen Tollison slept in a double blanket between two feather beds...their wedding night. |  Author
Paula Tollison Andrews Maupin I am married to Bobby and live in the Nashville, TN area, working as Executive Assistant to both the Director of Sales and General Manager of FOX17, MyTV30 & CW58 television I have 3 wonderful sons and daughters in
love (Brad & Holly Andrews, Bryan & Stacy Andrews and Brandon
& Ashley Andrews) from Tulsa, St. Louis & Springfield
respectively. They have given me 9 precious grandbabies. (Joseph,
Cooper, Margo, Sloan, Jonas, Nora, Everett, Lawson and Blythe & Gma
loves them so much) I also have 2 great stepsons and daughter in love
(Jonathan & Kathryn Maupin and William Maupin) from Lexington,
Kentucky.
As a lady who's lived through both good & bad circumstances in my life, I've learned and continue to learn a lot of "life lessons". Along the way I have been inspired to be a better me. God is faithful in ALL circumstances and His love covers all. My hope is that you will be inspired to be who you were meant to be. I have been writing this blog about my mom and dad since September of 2011. You can find their story from the beginning by going to the Stories link. Happy Reading!!!   ArchivesMarch 2012 |
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