Melba Dupree and Margaret Ward have both written about their brothers Phil and James, plus Melba shared some other thoughts about the newsletter. What they wrote follows.

When we were pretty young, Mom gave us jobs to do around the house. We took turns washing dishes, standing in a chair to reach them. I can still see (in my mind) Phil leaning his head against the cabinet with one foot propped on his other one taking his time washing dishes. As he grew older he had outside jobs feeding the pigs and chickens and "Sister" (Melba) and I worked in the house helping Mom.

After we grew up and Sister and (Pictured at right is Phil, May, James, Elmer, Melba and Babe.) I went to work in Beaumont with the telephone company, Mom and Pop moved to Rodessa, LA, where Pop had been transferred. Phil and James were still at home with them and Phil went to work until he was drafted into the Army. By this time Pop had transferred to the Mobil refinery in Beaumont and Phil moved down here until he had to go into service. He was discharged about two months later (because he had curvature of the spine) and went to work at the Mobil refinery. It wasn't long until he met and married the pretty girl across the street from us—Joyce McDill.  (The next picture is Phil with an old Army buddy.)

Their first son, Michael, lived about five days and died due to a serious kidney infection Joyce had. In fact, they weren't sure Joyce would live, but she did live and we loved her like a sister. Later they had two more sons, Mark and Clint. Mark lives in Port Neches, Texas with his wife, Gerri and daughter, Jeanne. Clint lives in San Antonio with his wife, Susan, and two youngest daughters, Abigail and Rachel. His oldest daughter, Hannah is married and lives in San Antonio also. His son, Nathanial has just finished some training with the Army in Ft. Knox, KY and may have more training ahead of him.

Joyce had a heart attack in 1996 and lived just one day. I still miss her so much. Phil has had a real sad life since she passed away. I helped him as much as I could, paying bills for him and taking him wherever he needed to go until I fell and broke my hip in June, 2002. While I was in the hospital, they had to put him in a nursing home.

We have good memories of them and all the good times we had together. There's so much more I could write about them, but it would fill the newsletter. They were one special family in my life—one of many.

After Mom and Pop moved to Beaumont, James always liked to have a little job. One job, not so little, was going out to the rice fields to work when he was still pretty young. He caught a ride with some of the workers before daylight and was out there until about dark when he got home. This was when he was out of school during the summer. He would come in so dirty and tired. Later when he was about 13, he delivered groceries for Dutch who had a grocery store and meat market.

He played football during his high school years and was hurt many times. He was large for his age and the coach would always talk him into playing, even when we always tried to talk him out of it.

He was drafted into the service (the Navy Seabees) for two years—one year in Adak, Alaska and the next year in the Philippines. He went from extremely cold weather to an extremely hot place.

In December 1960, he and Carolyn Klock married (at left), so he brought another sister into our family and we love her very much. They have three daughters, Cherrise, Michele and Jana. Cherrise and her husband, Monte Thomas, both work and have two sweet children, Diane and Keith—fine children. Michele is married to Garland Sonnier and both work. They have one son Brian, who is a very fine young man. Jana is working part-time and is attending Lamar University.

We have taken many trips with them and really enjoy them. When Jana was a teenager she called them "Senior Trips" and I really think she enjoyed them as much as we did.

They have a really fine family and always enjoy each other so much. James and Garland fry fish (see next photo) sometimes and just grill hamburgers at other times. It's always good eating around their house. I know that because I have been with them many times.

I can't say we have the best family in the world, but this "Beaumont Bunch" as Donny calls us is one of the best anywhere.

Then we have some printers and mailers—Henry and Becky Hirasaki. I would be amiss if I failed to mention them. Also, I must mention all of the writers. If no one contributed, we could not have had such a nice newsletter. Words fail to express my thanks to all whom I have mentioned. I trust I left no one out. I have eagerly looked forward to each edition of the newsletter. So—“thank you, thank you, thank you” to all.

Now, I understand this will be my last chance to tell my stories from the past, so there are a few more memories I would like to re-live. So—where to begin? (Editor’s note: This article was written before Becky and Amy volunteered to take up the torch.)

First, my brother, Phil (picture at right). Presently, he is in a nursing home. But it hasn’t always been that way. Too let you know where he falls in the family tree, our mother and dad, May and Elmer Ward, had three children in 3½ years. In birth order: Myself, Margaret (Babe) and Phil. The three of us were very close, not only in age, but, also, in work, fun, fellowship, etc. We even slept in the same bed for many years. Our aunts and uncles lived in our home and there was a shortage of beds. Poor Babe—she was sandwiched in the middle. However, I don’t remember any complaints. Just one, big, happy family. Phil was known as “Junior” until after he was married. He said he didn’t want to be called “Uncle Junior” by his nieces and nephews; so he asked us to please call him “Phil”. His name was actually Elmer Fieldon Ward, Jr. So he chose Phil for short, from his middle name. This was a very difficult transition for me. You see, “Junior” was a part of deep affection on my part. “Phil” was a complete outsider with no connection to me—a stranger. But since I wanted to comply with his request, I struggled to make the change and finally mastered it.

Phil was married at age twenty to a lovely girl who lived across the street. In 1943, we moved to the neighborhood. Phil went into the military service right away. After a short time he was discharged due to a physical problem. Joyce McDill was the lovely girl I mentioned earlier. She was beautiful. She loved to roller skate on the sidewalks of the houses on the block. Phil managed to meet Joyce and the rest is history. They were married in her home in January, 1944.

Their first child was a little boy who lived only five days. But God blessed them with two more healthy children—Mark first and then Clint. Mark has two children and Clint has four. Joyce and Phil were happy grandparents. Both sons provided well for their families and are now retired.

The Lord saw fit to take Joyce home in August 1996. We have missed her greatly. Since all of us were retired, Phil, Joyce, Babe, Dutch and me, we took many trips together in their Suburban, which was comfortable for all of us. After her death, Phil’s health began to fail. He struggled to keep going by walking at the mall, visiting and eating at the senior center, and going places with his friends. But finally, the time came when he needed more help. He has been in Oakwood Manor since 2000.

Now, I have another brother, James Arthur Ward. He was born in March, 1934 when I was nearing the age of thirteen. There had been no babies in our home for almost 9½ years. He was the joy of our life. We still were in the depression years when there were not too many extras. James was our new “play-pretty”. We all loved him greatly.

With the rest of us being older, he was still the kid at home after we found jobs and went to work. By this time WW II had begun and jobs were opening up. Phil (with Melba at right) had gone to work at the Mobil Refinery here in Beaumont, Texas where we were living. Babe and I had gone to work for Southwestern Bell. Each week when we received our checks, James was given $1.00 from each of us. You can see, he had the opportunity to be very spoiled. But he just didn’t seem to spoil. Mom said on washday his money was still crumpled up in his pockets. He was always a very good boy with a great love for his family. He still displays that love today by the many phone calls he makes to check on us and the visits he makes to all of our homes.

James grew to the height of 6’3”. So you can see, he was a big boy. In high school, he was on the first string of the South Park Greenies. Every Saturday, he was black and blue all over. He had many injuries from playing football. Today, he has terrible back problems with many surgeries behind him. He has lost several inches of his height. I can’t prove this, but have always felt it stemmed from old football injuries.

James after finishing high school,  went to work at the Mobile Refinery. He was given a military leave of absence to serve in the navy. After serving his tour of duty he returned to his job he had left behind. He later retired from Mobile in 1993.

He met a lovely young lady by the name of Carolyn Klock. They were married December 10, 1960. She has been a wonderful sister-in-law all these years. When there is sickness or sadness—as all families have—she and James are always there to support. They are the first to arrive at the hospital when an emergency arises. They are always cooking and carrying food to assist when there is a need. And I can’t tell you the number of times I have been invited to their home for a wonderful meal. Most of the time it is for fried catfish. James has his burner under the patio and he really knows how to fry fish. Other times, they may have something on the grill.

Carolyn has a wonderful sense of humor which she passed down to her daughters. They have three girls. First, there is Cherrise who is married to Monte Thomas. They have two precious children, a daughter, Diane, who is about 1½ semesters from her degree in accounting and a son, Keith, who will be graduating from high school this year. Michele is next. She is married to Garland Sonnier. They have one son, Bryan, who is graduating from high school this year, also. Jana is the youngest daughter. She is working and attending Lamar University. Jana can keep you laughing nonstop. She can also tell you anything you want to know about nutrition.

Since James’ retirement, we have made many great trips together. We are planning a two-week trip to the Smokies this year in October. We will be in both Tennessee and North Carolina. We are excited about the trip since it has been a while since we have gone anywhere. James, Carolyn and family have been an added blessing to the Ward clan.