[Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of articles in the Arborlawn Oral History Project, profiles of Arborlawn church family. This piece is based on an interview of the subject, Bobbie Younger, by Arborlawn member Susan Stevenson.]
By Susan Stevenson
From the time you enter Bobbie's apartment, you can feel the importance of family in her life. One wall is covered in pictures of Bobbie's granddaughter Meghan. There are family pictures on the furniture and each picture is special to her.
Bobbie grew up in Blanket, Texas - between Comanche and Brownwood. She and her family had a great life living on their dairy farm. During the Depression, they never felt hunger because there was always plenty of food. Whipped cream on desserts was frequent. Her mother had big gardens and there was meat available.
Her maternal grandparents struck oil on their property and shared their wealth with the children. They gave each child a ranch or a farm. That is how Bobbie's family obtained their dairy farm.
Bobbie does not remember a time when she was not active in church. The family was Baptist and they never missed an event. On Sundays, they attended Sunday School and church. Then they went to the evening service. During the afternoon, they were allowed to play. One of her special memories is having lunch at her grandparents' home. Because they had eight children, most lunches or dinners were held outdoors. Everyone brought dishes to share. Bobbie enjoyed playing with all of her cousins.
Bobbie was 10 when World War II started. Her father helped build Camp Bowie POW Camp in Brownwood. Her brother had a deferral because he was needed on the dairy farm. School was not a special time for her. Bobbie now knows that she is dyslexic. However, then the teachers only thought that she was not smart. Her granddaughter has dyslexia but has obtained help and is quite a good student.
Bobbie was immediately attracted to the love of her life, Charles Younger. There was an actual spark as he held her hand! She had her hand on a porch rail and you could see the spark! Charles had a job in Saudi Arabia in their oil fields. He was home for the summer. She met him right before he had to go back for one year. Charles knew that Bobbie was very special. He wrote her and proposed. They were married for 38 years when he died. They were so in love that it was evident to everyone. People said that their wedding was the most beautiful one they had ever seen. It was not the beauty of the flowers and dress, it was the look in their eyes. Charles only had eyes for her.
Bobbie had a very interesting married life. Charles worked for NASA developing the proper metals for space travels. This required them to move to Ohio. While they were there, they started a small Baptist church. They became discouraged because of a lot of bickering and joined a Methodist church. They moved back to Texas because of his job. During their marriage, Bobbie kept her family in beautiful clothes. She was an expert tailor who made her husband’s slacks and coats. He was always impeccably dressed. Bobbie also made clothes for her son. Failing eyesight in recent years has kept Bobbie from sewing.
When Charles had a heart attack and died, Bobbie was severely stricken. It took a year for her to begin to feel somewhat normal. Bobbie says that her marriage was the highlight of her life and she misses Charles terribly. Bobbie felt God speak to her during this time. He told her that he needed someone like her on earth. She doesn't know if she has fulfilled that wish. After talking with Bobbie, it is evident that taking care of her family was a very important part of that wish.
Today Bobbie enjoys playing bridge and cards. She loves visiting with granddaughter, Meghan, who attends Arlington Heights High School. Bobbie also faithfully attends the United Methodist Women meeting at Arborlawn United Methodist Church.
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