willie jean

July 23 would have marked my mother's 85th birthday. Willie Jean Smith was born in 1926 in Trent, Texas. A few years ago I compiled a photo biography of my father and was asked by my niece to do one of her grandmother. This is the beginning -- the first steps in finding, identifying, scanning and putting photos together to commemorate a life well-lived. According to the notation on the back, this formal portrait was made at age 6 months at MaMaw Howell's house.

mother and daughter

Willie Jean was born to Ellis Willie and Burma Mae Smith. E.W. farmed with his family in Trent before moving to Lubbock by the 1930s. Baby Willie Jean joined a large family; her father and mother each had twelve siblings and there were cousins galore.

From the family album -- 1926