A Love Story

This story was written by Jackie Greear Leffingwell, and is the third entry into the Best Family Stories contest.

          My mother, Ruby Lazenby, grew up in Wing, the third youngest child of Will and Lavinia Lazenby. She was one of seven girls and two boys.

          Even though she was raised in a rural area, pictures I’ve seen tell me that she was up on the latest fashion.  Her dark brown hair was styled with a little spit curl over her left temple, and she dressed her slim 5’2” frame in the latest flapper style.  Evidently, J. R. Turner was pursuing Ruby, but avoided the subject of marriage until he made his fortune.

         In the summer of 1930, at age 21, Ruby took the train from Arkansas to California for an extended visit with her married sister, Ollie Croney.

        In California, Ruby joined in with the activities of Ollie and her husband, Lloyd, and their circle of friends. She couldn’t help but notice a tall, handsome young man who was part of that group. At a little over 6’, he towered over her, even in her high heels, and his blue eyes and dark straight hair topped off the white shirt, tie, and blazer he liked to  wear.  His name was Homer Greear, and he was quiet and somewhat shy.  So Ruby, being the outgoing type, engaged him in conversation. One thing led to another, and they began dating. By the end of the summer, they were serious, but Ruby’s vacation was over, and it was time to return home to Wing. One evening before she left, still being the bold one, Ruby turned to Homer and asked “So, are we getting married, or what?”  With no hesitation, he replied “Sure we are.”

       So Ruby returned home, and Homer continued to live in his room in a boarding house in Upland, CA.  Meanwhile, he went to the local Ford agency and put in his order for a new Model A Ford, complete with rumble seat. In a month or so the car arrived fresh off the assembly line, and he took delivery – One of the first to come to Upland.

       But back in Wing, things were not going smoothly for the young couple. Her parents couldn’t be convinced that this “California Man” was right for their daughter. After all, they never met him, and her older sisters had married “local boys.”  But after much conversation and numerous letters back and forth, Ruby’s older sisters, Ora Carter and Irene Gillum, helped plead her case, and they finally gave in.

       So in the middle of December 1930, Homer left for a long, cold, solo trip to Arkansas, and he arrived in time to spend Christmas in Wing with Ruby and her family.

       On December 29^th, they were married in Yell County and spent their honeymoon driving back to Upland, where they lived the rest of their lives. Ruby passed away in early 2001, just a few weeks after they celebrated their 70^th wedding anniversary, and Homer continued on in an assisted living facility for three more years.

Jackie Greear Leffingwell

My name is Jackie, and I’m a native Californian. I retired as a secretary from our local hospital six years ago, and I enjoy reading, writing, crossword puzzles, computer games, and watching TV.  I’ve traveled throughout countries around the world, but I’m content now to stay home. I have a son and daughter, and two adult grandchildren.