absolutely inspiring

so you may know, or you may not know, that I have a healthy interest in my own family history, genealogy and all of that. last year I was looking through one of the family Bibles and found an envelope containing a typed account of an older relative's childhood, that was told to his descendants via tape recording when he was quite old, and someone took the time to type it up based off of that account. I kind of thought that was awesome, so I decided to hold a similar type interview with my own 86 year old grandmother, Elnora DeBardelaben "Kit" Kelley, my last living grandparent and who is still very, very sharp (good genes, #winning). I told her I was coming home this past weekend and what I wanted to do. I did get some recorded bits of convo that I'll type up for my own records later, but by the time I got to her house she, in her typical organized/over-prepared fashion (I didn't get those genes I guess?), had already written up an account of one of my favorite stories, how she and my grandfather, Earl William "Bill" Kelley Jr. met (in Auburn!). What follows is pretty much her exact words as written out on paper; I only added a few things in brackets for clarity esp. re: dates.

In the summer of 1941 I visited my sister in Auburn. She was employed as a comptometer operator by Alabama Agricultural Association (Triple A), a US government agency. I liked everything about her lifestyle and working at a job I could learn to do. When my visit was over, I enrolled in a comptometer school in downtown Birmingham. I finished the course and in September I returned to Ensley High School to [then] complete my high school education in January 1942. That same week [that I graduated], I had a call from the comptometer school telling me I was needed in Auburn to work at the same office at which my sister had worked. I was ready and anxious to begin my career with Triple A. Mother and Daddy drove me down and a dormitory for working women had a vacancy (Wittel Dorm). It was a mile from the office where I would work. We met my roommate, unpacked, and my life in Auburn had begun.

In September [1942] I had a call from my cousin Shelly DeBardelaben, who was a Theta Chi, asking if I would share my room with his girlfriend from home the following weekend. She would be coming down for the fraternity dance. I was glad to say I would welcome her. His gracious comment was, “If I can ever do anything for you let me know.” I quickly replied, “Hey – get me a date for the dance.” He said, “Sure thing.” On Wednesday he called to ask if I would like to have supper at the fraternity house on Thursday evening and meet my date, Jessie Twilly, for the dance. I was looking forward to celebrating my 18^th birthday on [that] Thursday [Sept. 17^th], so this made it a special time.

When he came for me and introduced me to his fraternity brothers, I was pleased the way things were happening. Jessie’s roommate was Bill Kelley and he and his regular girlfriend would double date with us. Things went well at the dance on September 17, 1942. After that I was Bill’s girl. During the Christmas break I was at home in Birmingham and he came for me from his home in Carbon Hill. I stayed overnight in Carbon Hill and when we returned to Auburn we had many good times together. In March we were at home for spring break and his mother gave him some money to buy a ring for me. On our way back to Auburn we shopped in downtown Birmingham at Bromberg’s for an engagement ring, [and] chose a wedding date: Easter Sunday, April 25, 1943.

Because Bill had had ROTC at API, he had to answer a call to the draft board. He was able to choose the US Navy upon graduation from Alabama Polytechnic Institute in August 1943. His preparation to serve in the US Navy was at school in Chicago. In January of 1944, I flew to Chicago for a weekend and Bill and I were together for the last time until the war was over. He served as a supplier officer on LST 700 in the Pacific. A Jap dive bomber hit his ship and several men were lost and the ship lost power and food supplies were low. When he could make contact that they needed food the response was “Tell the men to tighten their belts.” He never forgot that!!

When the war was over he had many offers of jobs as to his degree in Engineering, but an established family business in his home town was what he wanted and enjoyed for many years as he raised and sent 3 sons to Auburn University. His love for Auburn and football made him a good recruiter. Saturdays in the fall were times to renew friendships and show his colors.

A couple of things...

she met him on her birthday! 

I liked how she completely omitted how exactly she stole him from the other girl. which was absolutely inspiring.

they knew each other 7 months before they were married!? I guess when you know, you know.