Memories of Florrie depict a strong mother and a teacher that was a leader in the community. Her daughter, Myra Jean, recalls tough times growing-up, however throughout their hardships Florrie devoted her life to caring for her two daughters (Myra Jean & Doris Vern), and other children of the community.
Although Mother had a career as a teacher, her father (nicknamed), "Big Daddy," was insistent upon her obtaining a college degree. She married daddy, Jack Hargrave (13 June 1936), and several years after that she returned to Commerce, TX to attend East TX State Teachers College. Daddy worked in the Louisiana oil fields while Mother completed her degree.
I remember living in a rooming house in Commerce when I was 2 years old. One winter day remains as vivid as though it happened yesterday It had snowed and Mother went outside to scoop some snow to make ice cream for me. When Mother returned, she slipped on the wet kitchen floor. I can still see her there on the floor with her broken glasses in her hands, crying; that is one of the few times I ever remember tears, as Mother never cried.
One year later we moved to Houston, and six years later, when I was eight, daddy left. No explanation, just gone. I remember Mother being hopeful of his return, but always strong in supporting the family by herself. She continued teaching and managing, somehow.
While living in an apartment, she offended the landlord, Mr. Block; she circulated a petition to stop him from evicting a young woman with 3 children. The young lady's husband had been convicted for robbery and sentenced to 99 years in prison. Mother did not believe his wife and children should be punished for his crime. Therefore, Mr. Block refused to have our apartment exterminated. Mother nailed tin can lids over the cracks to keep the rats out, and continued to manage. She never hesitated to stand-up for what was right.
Mother taught about 30 years in Houston. She taught first grade the entire time. The first year that schools were integrated, Mother's principal chose her as the most capable to teach the first integrated class. She loved every one of the children, and I know they loved her. She was so dedicated that she often remained in contact with parents for several years after the children had moved-on; she wanted to know how they were doing in life.
Mother washed all of our clothes and linens by hand when we were growing-up, as we never were able to afford a washing machine; I still ache seeing her bent over the bathtub on her knees. She believed comic books and movie magazines were a waste of money, so she taught us about saving, and after some time we had enough money saved to purchase our own set of World Book Encyclopedias. I was so proud as I walked to the post-office and carried the entire set home in two trips.
Mother found a two bedroom house in foster place that she could afford, so she borrowed the money for the down payment from a teacher friend, and we owned our first home. Doris Vern and I remember Mother sitting night after night sewing all of our clothes, including our evening gowns; which enabled us to go to all the finest spots in Houston. She never managed to go to any of those places, herself. She did manage to keep us from feeling poor. I always believed we were having a temporary inconvenience.
Mother was never able to tell me herself that she was proud of me, but her teacher friends told me how she used to place every article that I ever wrote on the school bulletin board. She was a woman who loved by her actions, not her words. We were indeed blessed to be her children.
Florrie Ruth Minter-Hargrave was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1968, her sister, Doris Evelyn Minter-Stewart has survived Breast Cancer since a full mastectomy in 1966, and Myra Jean Hargrave-McILvain is a recent survivor of breast cancer, after a full mastectomy in 2002. Please educate your daughters about prevention and early detection of breast cancer, as it may save a loved-ones life. There is a website that sends out monthly newsletters with educational information about breast cancer, it also advertises businesses that donate proceeds to breast cancer research, and some sponsors offer funding for underprivileged women to receive free mammograms on a percentage basis for every time that you visit the site. Please log-on and register at:
www.thebreastcancersite.com
(Interview with Myra Jean Hargrave-McILvain by Mark Morrow, July 2002).
Although Mother had a career as a teacher, her father (nicknamed), "Big Daddy," was insistent upon her obtaining a college degree. She married daddy, Jack Hargrave (13 June 1936), and several years after that she returned to Commerce, TX to attend East TX State Teachers College. Daddy worked in the Louisiana oil fields while Mother completed her degree.
I remember living in a rooming house in Commerce when I was 2 years old. One winter day remains as vivid as though it happened yesterday It had snowed and Mother went outside to scoop some snow to make ice cream for me. When Mother returned, she slipped on the wet kitchen floor. I can still see her there on the floor with her broken glasses in her hands, crying; that is one of the few times I ever remember tears, as Mother never cried.
One year later we moved to Houston, and six years later, when I was eight, daddy left. No explanation, just gone. I remember Mother being hopeful of his return, but always strong in supporting the family by herself. She continued teaching and managing, somehow.
While living in an apartment, she offended the landlord, Mr. Block; she circulated a petition to stop him from evicting a young woman with 3 children. The young lady's husband had been convicted for robbery and sentenced to 99 years in prison. Mother did not believe his wife and children should be punished for his crime. Therefore, Mr. Block refused to have our apartment exterminated. Mother nailed tin can lids over the cracks to keep the rats out, and continued to manage. She never hesitated to stand-up for what was right.
Mother taught about 30 years in Houston. She taught first grade the entire time. The first year that schools were integrated, Mother's principal chose her as the most capable to teach the first integrated class. She loved every one of the children, and I know they loved her. She was so dedicated that she often remained in contact with parents for several years after the children had moved-on; she wanted to know how they were doing in life.
Mother washed all of our clothes and linens by hand when we were growing-up, as we never were able to afford a washing machine; I still ache seeing her bent over the bathtub on her knees. She believed comic books and movie magazines were a waste of money, so she taught us about saving, and after some time we had enough money saved to purchase our own set of World Book Encyclopedias. I was so proud as I walked to the post-office and carried the entire set home in two trips.
Mother found a two bedroom house in foster place that she could afford, so she borrowed the money for the down payment from a teacher friend, and we owned our first home. Doris Vern and I remember Mother sitting night after night sewing all of our clothes, including our evening gowns; which enabled us to go to all the finest spots in Houston. She never managed to go to any of those places, herself. She did manage to keep us from feeling poor. I always believed we were having a temporary inconvenience.
Mother was never able to tell me herself that she was proud of me, but her teacher friends told me how she used to place every article that I ever wrote on the school bulletin board. She was a woman who loved by her actions, not her words. We were indeed blessed to be her children.
Florrie Ruth Minter-Hargrave was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1968, her sister, Doris Evelyn Minter-Stewart has survived Breast Cancer since a full mastectomy in 1966, and Myra Jean Hargrave-McILvain is a recent survivor of breast cancer, after a full mastectomy in 2002. Please educate your daughters about prevention and early detection of breast cancer, as it may save a loved-ones life. There is a website that sends out monthly newsletters with educational information about breast cancer, it also advertises businesses that donate proceeds to breast cancer research, and some sponsors offer funding for underprivileged women to receive free mammograms on a percentage basis for every time that you visit the site. Please log-on and register at:
www.thebreastcancersite.com
(Interview with Myra Jean Hargrave-McILvain by Mark Morrow, July 2002).
Memories of Florrie depict a strong mother and a teacher that was a leader in the community. Her daughter, Myra Jean, recalls tough times growing-up, however throughout their hardships Florrie devoted her life to caring for her two daughters (Myra Jean & Doris Vern), and other children of the community.
Although Mother had a career as a teacher, her father (nicknamed), "Big Daddy," was insistent upon her obtaining a college degree. She married daddy, Jack Hargrave (13 June 1936), and several years after that she returned to Commerce, TX to attend East TX State Teachers College. Daddy worked in the Louisiana oil fields while Mother completed her degree.
I remember living in a rooming house in Commerce when I was 2 years old. One winter day remains as vivid as though it happened yesterday It had snowed and Mother went outside to scoop some snow to make ice cream for me. When Mother returned, she slipped on the wet kitchen floor. I can still see her there on the floor with her broken glasses in her hands, crying; that is one of the few times I ever remember tears, as Mother never cried.
One year later we moved to Houston, and six years later, when I was eight, daddy left. No explanation, just gone. I remember Mother being hopeful of his return, but always strong in supporting the family by herself. She continued teaching and managing, somehow.
While living in an apartment, she offended the landlord, Mr. Block; she circulated a petition to stop him from evicting a young woman with 3 children. The young lady's husband had been convicted for robbery and sentenced to 99 years in prison. Mother did not believe his wife and children should be punished for his crime. Therefore, Mr. Block refused to have our apartment exterminated. Mother nailed tin can lids over the cracks to keep the rats out, and continued to manage. She never hesitated to stand-up for what was right.
Mother taught about 30 years in Houston. She taught first grade the entire time. The first year that schools were integrated, Mother's principal chose her as the most capable to teach the first integrated class. She loved every one of the children, and I know they loved her. She was so dedicated that she often remained in contact with parents for several years after the children had moved-on; she wanted to know how they were doing in life.
Mother washed all of our clothes and linens by hand when we were growing-up, as we never were able to afford a washing machine; I still ache seeing her bent over the bathtub on her knees. She believed comic books and movie magazines were a waste of money, so she taught us about saving, and after some time we had enough money saved to purchase our own set of World Book Encyclopedias. I was so proud as I walked to the post-office and carried the entire set home in two trips.
Mother found a two bedroom house in foster place that she could afford, so she borrowed the money for the down payment from a teacher friend, and we owned our first home. Doris Vern and I remember Mother sitting night after night sewing all of our clothes, including our evening gowns; which enabled us to go to all the finest spots in Houston. She never managed to go to any of those places, herself. She did manage to keep us from feeling poor. I always believed we were having a temporary inconvenience.
Mother was never able to tell me herself that she was proud of me, but her teacher friends told me how she used to place every article that I ever wrote on the school bulletin board. She was a woman who loved by her actions, not her words. We were indeed blessed to be her children.
Florrie Ruth Minter-Hargrave was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1968, her sister, Doris Evelyn Minter-Stewart has survived Breast Cancer since a full mastectomy in 1966, and Myra Jean Hargrave-McILvain is a recent survivor of breast cancer, after a full mastectomy in 2002. Please educate your daughters about prevention and early detection of breast cancer, as it may save a loved-ones life. There is a website that sends out monthly newsletters with educational information about breast cancer, it also advertises businesses that donate proceeds to breast cancer research, and some sponsors offer funding for underprivileged women to receive free mammograms on a percentage basis for every time that you visit the site. Please log-on and register at:
www.thebreastcancersite.com
(Interview with Myra Jean Hargrave-McILvain by Mark Morrow, July 2002).
Although Mother had a career as a teacher, her father (nicknamed), "Big Daddy," was insistent upon her obtaining a college degree. She married daddy, Jack Hargrave (13 June 1936), and several years after that she returned to Commerce, TX to attend East TX State Teachers College. Daddy worked in the Louisiana oil fields while Mother completed her degree.
I remember living in a rooming house in Commerce when I was 2 years old. One winter day remains as vivid as though it happened yesterday It had snowed and Mother went outside to scoop some snow to make ice cream for me. When Mother returned, she slipped on the wet kitchen floor. I can still see her there on the floor with her broken glasses in her hands, crying; that is one of the few times I ever remember tears, as Mother never cried.
One year later we moved to Houston, and six years later, when I was eight, daddy left. No explanation, just gone. I remember Mother being hopeful of his return, but always strong in supporting the family by herself. She continued teaching and managing, somehow.
While living in an apartment, she offended the landlord, Mr. Block; she circulated a petition to stop him from evicting a young woman with 3 children. The young lady's husband had been convicted for robbery and sentenced to 99 years in prison. Mother did not believe his wife and children should be punished for his crime. Therefore, Mr. Block refused to have our apartment exterminated. Mother nailed tin can lids over the cracks to keep the rats out, and continued to manage. She never hesitated to stand-up for what was right.
Mother taught about 30 years in Houston. She taught first grade the entire time. The first year that schools were integrated, Mother's principal chose her as the most capable to teach the first integrated class. She loved every one of the children, and I know they loved her. She was so dedicated that she often remained in contact with parents for several years after the children had moved-on; she wanted to know how they were doing in life.
Mother washed all of our clothes and linens by hand when we were growing-up, as we never were able to afford a washing machine; I still ache seeing her bent over the bathtub on her knees. She believed comic books and movie magazines were a waste of money, so she taught us about saving, and after some time we had enough money saved to purchase our own set of World Book Encyclopedias. I was so proud as I walked to the post-office and carried the entire set home in two trips.
Mother found a two bedroom house in foster place that she could afford, so she borrowed the money for the down payment from a teacher friend, and we owned our first home. Doris Vern and I remember Mother sitting night after night sewing all of our clothes, including our evening gowns; which enabled us to go to all the finest spots in Houston. She never managed to go to any of those places, herself. She did manage to keep us from feeling poor. I always believed we were having a temporary inconvenience.
Mother was never able to tell me herself that she was proud of me, but her teacher friends told me how she used to place every article that I ever wrote on the school bulletin board. She was a woman who loved by her actions, not her words. We were indeed blessed to be her children.
Florrie Ruth Minter-Hargrave was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1968, her sister, Doris Evelyn Minter-Stewart has survived Breast Cancer since a full mastectomy in 1966, and Myra Jean Hargrave-McILvain is a recent survivor of breast cancer, after a full mastectomy in 2002. Please educate your daughters about prevention and early detection of breast cancer, as it may save a loved-ones life. There is a website that sends out monthly newsletters with educational information about breast cancer, it also advertises businesses that donate proceeds to breast cancer research, and some sponsors offer funding for underprivileged women to receive free mammograms on a percentage basis for every time that you visit the site. Please log-on and register at:
www.thebreastcancersite.com
(Interview with Myra Jean Hargrave-McILvain by Mark Morrow, July 2002).
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