The big family
This picture from September 1978 shows me (Betty Jean Royster) at 13 on the right, my baby sister (Elaine Royster) at 9 in the middle, and my older sister (Annie Mae Royster) at 16 on the left. That day we felt like dress up. I dressed as a hunter, Elaine dressed as a man, and Annie Mae dressed as a construction worker.
I had eight brothers and five sisters. We didn’t have a lot of money, but we had a lot of love in our home. Our father, Ivery Joe Royster, was a construction worker. We farmed tobacco and planted three gardens. Our father and brothers built the house we’re standing in front of. We moved into it 1974, six bedrooms and, at last, indoor plumbing.
Our mother, Mary Ann Royster, was a homemaker who made sure we had hot food and biscuits on the table. Her fried chicken on Sundays was the best I have ever eaten. She made sure we had clean clothes. We had one of those ringer wash machines with the tub on the other side in a chair. And a clothes line outside.
Mom and Dad passed away and five of my brothers are deceased. My two sisters in the picture are deceased. I miss them all so much.
My husband, Dale Kernodle, and I put our home in the same spot in Caswell County where this house was. We raised our two children here. Eboni Kernodle is 25 and Dale Jr. is 19.
I thank God for wonderful parents.
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