Life Was Hard, But the Food Was Delicious

Allen and Virginia

Allen and Virginia were married in 1939. He was 22 and she was 15. At first they lived with Allen’s family, which included his Uncle Fulton Midgett, Fulton’s wife Mattie and Granny Midgett, Fulton’s mother and Allen’s grandmother.

Allen’s father, Amberst, and mother, Agnes, with baby Thelma Head, Agnes' daughter

His  grandmother’s house had been Allen’s home since he was a boy. Allen’s father, Amberst, had died when Allen was only six months old. Allen’s mother, Agnes, who was working as a hotel cook and was required to live at the hotel, was unable to take care of Allen. 

R.F. Fulton Midgett, Allen’s uncle

As a result, when Allen was small (some say when he was 16 months, some say about three years), his Uncle Fulton rode his horse to bring Allen to live with his grandparents, Sarah “Granny” Midgett and William Abbott Midgett.