| The Johnson Family Book 2 -
Johnsons of St. George, Georgia
By Viva Jean Johnson Outterson
Chapter 6 pages 161-188 WILBERT AND AMANDA JOHNSON OF ST. GEORGE, GEORGIA In
1906 St. George was a developing community in the Big Bend Country of the St. Marys River, the eastern border of Georgia and Florida. Settlers were recruited from the north especially in the states of Ohio and Indiana. Wilbert Franklin Johnson, born on January 14, 1887, in Canaan, Ohio, came to the area with his father Monroe, mother Bertha, brother Earl and sisters Cora and  Amelia. With the rapid influx of people
looking for a new life, St. George became a prosperous community. In 1908, shortly after arriving in St. George, enterprising Wilbert started a grocery store business. His store was located on the east side of Route 23/121, one block south of the intersection of Route 23/121 and Route 94. This is across the street from the present St. George post office. The family made their home in the house that faced eastward, located directly behind Wilbert's grocery
store. Wilbert was very accommodating to customers and his grocery business thrived. Wilbert's business became very successful and as automobiles became popular, he added automotive services to his grocery operation. Between 1906 and 1918, St. George was a developing city and business center with an expanding population. But soon the lack of industry began to take its toll and the dynamics of the area began to dwindle. During the 1920s many families moved away
which severely restricted the city's resources to maintain the community. The people who remained could not afford the effort and money to continue to operate the city of St. George. With little hope for a future, the Legislature in 1924 repealed the city charter of St. George. On April 10, 1924, Wilbert married Amanda Johnson, born on May 16, 1897, in Hilliard, Florida. Hilliard is located a short distance from St. George on the Florida side of the
St. Marys River. Although Wilbert and Amanda had the same family name, they were not related. Amanda was the daughter of John Jackson Johnson, Jr. and Emily Tomlinson. The Johnson and Tomlinson families of Hilliard were early Florida settlers of the land across the St. Marys River. Amanda's father, John, was a large landholder in Hilliard. He died on September 29, 1915, and is buried in the Mill Creek Baptist Church
Cemetery. Upon Amanda's father death, a large part of his landholdings was divided among his adult children. The remaining land, which included the family homestead, remained in the custody of Amanda's mother, Emily, for the minor children. Anticipating her approaching death, Emily transferred the title of the homestead property and custody of the minor children to Alexander J. Johnson, brother of father John. Mother Emily passed away on August 23, 1921, and is interred with father John.
Amanda's siblings included Alexander Andrew, born on February 15, 1885; Arrie Belle, born on October 20, 1889; Duff Albert, born on March 19, 1891; Allie, born on November 17, 1892; Jackson "Jack" John, born on January 14, 1895; Gertrude, born on February 2, 1899; Lelia Walker, born on March 1, 1901; Sandol Emily, born on May 5, 1903; and Virue Callie, born on June 11, 1906. Amanda was living alone and employed as a clerk in Campbell's mercantile store in St. George when she met Wilbert.
Campbell's store was located on the present site of Canaday's store in St. George.  |
WILBERT FRANKLIN JOHNSON (ca.1920)  Wilbert and Amanda made their home with his parents in
the family home located behind Wilbert's grocery store in St. George. When they were first married, Wilbert had the responsibility of caring for his aging father and mother, Monroe, and Bertha. Monroe was a farmer but as he grew older many of the farm chores fell to Amanda and Wilbert in addition to the operation of their grocery store. By 1925, the population and business community of St. George had severely declined. Wilbert continued to operate the store
with fewer and fewer paying customers. Mother Bertha died on July 11, 1926, and is buried in the St. George Cemetery.
The depression of the late twenties and early thirties was a severe blow to the people of St. George. Few people had any money so Wilbert began to extend credit to the needy. Amanda and Wilbert became parents to a son who died at birth in 1930. The year 1931 was very eventful as Wilbert and Amanda became parents to a daughter, Viva Jean,
born on May 14, 1931. A fire that destroyed the family home followed this happy event. The family moved to a house located on several acres, located two blocks north of Route 94 and five blocks east of Route 23/121. The house no longer stands and the property has been divided into several small parcels. Wilbert and Amanda added to their family with the birth of a son, Wilbert "Frank" Franklin, Jr., born on April 2, 1933.
By the mid-thirties Wilbert's business was swamped with bad debts. People's inability to pay their grocery bills forced Wilbert and Amanda to close their store. Wilbert found work as a butcher at one of the other grocery stores and later at another. Amanda and Wilbert increased their family with the birth of a daughter, Lillian Walker, born on February 9, 1935. As a result of a tragic accident, their son Frank died on February 13, 1936, of severe
burns. He was buried with his grandmother Bertha and brother in the family plot in the St. George Cemetery. Wilbert and Amanda completed their family with the addition of another daughter, Norma Sandol, born April 15, 1938. THE GRAVES OF WILBERT, JR. AND INFANT BROTHER
With St. George on the decline and paying jobs and people fading away, Wilbert and Amanda retreated to the family homestead to work their farm. By 1940 St. George as a community had almost disappeared from the map. Few settlers remained and most of those who did were poorer than church-mice. What work was available was timbering and tapping pine trees for turpentine. The Johnsons were proud people and worked hard by doing odd jobs and working the farm, tilling the soil and raising animals
for food. Monroe, Wilbert's father, passed away on May 30, 1940, and was interred with his wife Bertha in the family plot in the St. George Cemetery. In the 1940s the roads in and out of St. George were not improved. They were soft, dry sand roads except as they passed through the swamp that surrounded the area. In which case they were muddy and sometimes covered with water. Heavy rains make the roads through the swamps impassable. Dry weather turned the sand roads into
deep, powdery quagmires that only the very skilled could navigate. Automobile traffic to surrounding towns was severely restricted which made St. George rather isolated. The isolation allowed the business of producing moonshine to develop. The town was still being serviced by the railroad twice a day and trains would stop if flagged down. The train provided limited transportation to Valdosta, Georgia to the northwest and point's north, and Jacksonville, Florida to the southeast. Money was scarce for Wilbert and Amanda and living was difficult. Perhaps for this reason, strong cohesive family bonds were forged among the family members. During the late forties and fifties Wilbert found employment with the state forest service as a firewatcher and Amanda worked in the St. George school lunchroom. Wilbert and Amanda's children Viva Jean, Lillian, and Norma grew-up in St. George and were graduated from the St. George High School.
Mother Amanda, suffering from a heart problem, died on November 16, 1964, and is buried in the family plot in the St. George Cemetery. The following is a copy of Amanda's obituary that appeared in the Tuesday, November 17, 1964, edition of The Florida Times Union. JOHNSON -- Amanda J. Johnson, 67, of St. George, Ga., died Monday in a Jacksonville hospital. She was born in Hilliard and had lived in St. George for
many years. She was a member of the St. George Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband, Wilbert F. Johnson; three daughters, Mrs. Viva Jean Outterson of Tampa, Mrs. Lillian W. Chesser of Jacksonville and Miss Norma Johnson of Jacksonville; four sisters, Mrs. Arrie Rowe of Hilliard, Miss Allie Johnson, Miss Lelia Johnson and Mrs. Gertie Peacock, all of Jacksonville; and five grandchildren. Funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the St. George
Baptist Church with Rev. George Wilkinson officiating. Burial will follow in the St. George Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Adkins Morticians of Folkston.
After Amanda's death, although all three daughters had moved away, Wilbert continued to live in St. George. An aging Wilbert worked each day assisting the town's postmaster but as his health began to fail, it was decided that he needed the care
provided in a nursing home. Wilbert spent his last days in a nursing home in Milledgeville, Georgia, where he died at the age of 84, on March 19, 1971. Wilbert is buried with his wife Amanda, their sons, and his father and mother in the family plot in the St. George Cemetery. The following is a copy of Wilbert's obituary that appeared in the Sunday, March 21, 1971, edition of The Florida Times Union.
JOHNSON -- Wilbert F. Johnson of St. George, Ga., died Friday in a Milledgeville hospital after a long illness. He was 84 and a retired postal clerk. He had lived in St. George for 61 years. Funeral services will be Sunday at 3 p.m. at the St. George Baptist Church with the Rev. George W. Wilkerson officiating. Burial will be in the St. George Cemetery. Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Viva Jean Outterson of DeLand, Mrs. Norma King of
Jacksonville, and Mrs. Lillian Chesser of Jacksonville; a brother, Earl M. Johnson of Pomona Park; and six grandchildren. Akins Morticians, Folkston, are in charge of arrangements.
THE GRAVES OF WILBERT AND AMANDA JOHNSON Viva Jean
Wilbert and Amanda's oldest daughter, Viva Jean, born on Ma y 14, 1931, was graduated from St. George High School in 1948. After graduation she found employment in Jacksonville working as a book keeper with the Jenkins Jewelry Company. She added to her education and employment skills by attending Massey Business College. In Jacksonville she met John A. Outterson who
was working in the men's department of a local department store. John was born in Binghamton, New York, on July 22, 1928, to Ethlyn McLean and Floyd E. Outterson. John's siblings included an older sister, Irene, who was born on June 25, 1927. John's father and mother divorced in 1932. John's mother left the country in 1938 and has not been heard of since. John's father remarried and provided John with four half brothers.
John worked at several odd jobs including working in a steel mill in Buffalo, New York. In 1944 he moved to Florida, living and working in Fort Pierce installing solar water heaters. Shortly after arriving in Florida John enlisted in the Marine Corps. After serving on active duty for three years, he re-enlisted and was transferred to an inactive status in the Marine Corps Reserve. John was working in Jacksonville when he met and courted Viva Jean. Viva Jean was
employed with Jenkins Jewelry Company in Jacksonville. On September 2, 1950, they were married. In June of 1950, the Korean War broke out and on October 5, 1950, John was recalled to active duty. Viva Jean continued her work with Jenkins Jewelry Company and later she took a much more responsible position with a large insurance firm, H. C. Hare Company. John was released from active service in November 1951. John and Viva Jean Outterson (ca. 1950) In 1953, John was admitted to the University of Florida where he completed his bachelor and master's degrees in education. Viva Jean was able to obtain an important position with the university as the bookkeeper for the University Bookstore and Print
Shop. During this time Viva Jean added to her education be taking accounting courses at the university. In 1957, John and Viva Jean moved to Houston, Texas, where John taught in the public schools and for the University of Houston. Viva Jean found a position as the company accountant for a large accounting firm, Brockstein, Toomim K Company. Viva Jean and John were blessed with a daughter, Valerie Jean, born on March 14, 1961. For the next
few years Viva Jean found her role as homemaker while John moved up the professional ladder. His assignments took them to Oklahoma State University, University of Tampa, University of Florida and Frostburg State University in Maryland. In 1968, the year that the family was at Frost-burg, Viva Jean was enrolled as a full-time student and before the family left Frostburg, she had acquired nearly fifty hours of college credit toward her bachelor's degree.
In 1969 the family moved to DeLand, Florida, where John had taken a position with Stetson University. Daughter Valerie attended public schools in DeLand. John's father died on September 8, 1970 as is buried in Johnson City, New York. Viva Jean enrolled in the teacher education degree program at Stetson and was graduated in 1971, with her bachelor's degree and teacher certification in elementary
education and secondary social studies and mathematics. She immediately accepted a position teaching in the Southwestern Seventh Grade Center in the Volusia County School System. Viva Jean continued her college studies and was graduated in 1973 with a master's degree in teaching with a major in social studies. Viva Jean taught geography and Florida history for 17 years at the Seventh Grade Center in DeLand. She and John at the age of 57 and 59, respectively, retired from teaching in 1988.
JOHN AND VIVA JEAN OUTTERSON (ca. 1993) After John and Viva Jean retired, they traveled extensively about the United States and Canada. They also made several trips to Europe that took them to East Germany, West Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Denmark, Luxembourg,
Netherlands, Belgium, England, Ireland and Scotland. Viva Jean and John also became deeply involved in civic affairs and political activities. Doing research and writing became a joint hobby. Viva Jean and John's daughter Valerie was quite successful in school. She was an honor student and held membership in the National Society, Spanish Honor Society, All County Band, All County Orchestra, Key Club and Student Government. In her
senior year in high school she was elected Student Government president. She was on the high school track team as a cross-country runner and served as drum major for the band in junior and senior high schools. During the last three summers of high school she worked as an instructor in a national drum major academy. Valerie was graduated from DeLand High School in June of 1978, and immediately enrolled in the University of
Florida. She was graduated from the University of Florida in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in economics. Valerie continued her education and in 1983 was awarded a master's degree in business administration with a major in finance. Upon graduation she became an account executive for Merrill Lynch brokerage firm, a position which took her to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and later to Roanoke, Virginia.
On July 22, 1984, Valerie married Paul David Harkin, born on September 5, 1958, in Miami, Florida. Paul was the son of Edward Dillon Harkin and Rosemarie "Re" Martin of Setauket, New York, and Ponta Vedra, Florida. Paul's siblings are Patrick, James "Jim", Edward "Ted", and John. Paul was an honor graduate of Duke University, where he was graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1981 with a major in political science.
After graduation, Paul sold heart pacemakers for a national company and was quite successful. Later, the company transferred Paul to California where he did a thriving business.  PAUL AND VALERIE HARKIN
(ca. 1989)
Valerie and Paul were blessed with five children: Kyle John, born November 4, 1985; Elizabeth Ann, born March 28, 1988; Catherine Rose, born June 22, 1989; Kevin
Paul, born February 3, 1992; and William Edward, born December 22, 1993. Valerie and Paul made their home in Folsom, California, outside Sacramento. Valerie took a position with the brokerage firm of Dean Witter but later gave it up to devote her full time and attentions to being a homemaker. In 1988, Paul and Valerie formed their own company, Harkin Medical Corporation, merchandizing cardiac-pacemakers and other medical supplies. William, Kyle, Catherine, Kevin and Elizabeth Harkin (ca. 1998) Lillian Walker  Wilbert and Amanda's daughter, Lillian Walker,
born on February 9, 1935, was graduated from St. George High School in 1952. Prior to graduation, on December 29, 1951, Lillian married her high school sweetheart, James Walter Chesser. James was born on March 1, 1932, in St. George, Georgia. James was the son of Robert "Ridley" Allen Chesser, born on April 17, 1903, and Cornelia Justice, born on December 2, 1906.
JAMES AND LILLIAN CHESSER (ca. 1998) The Chesser family is an old and highly respected family and was one of the earliest settlers of Charlton County. Much local history has been written about the family. An island in the great Okefenokee Swamp on which this pioneer family established its
homestead is still called "Chesser Island." James' siblings included Freddy "Jack" Jackson, Louise, Linda Mae, Minnie Lee, Maggie, Robert Allen, Francis E. and Harold. James was graduated from St. George High School in 1950 and shortly after took a position with a motel operation in Folkston. On January 9, 1952, not long after James and Lillian's marriage, James was called for army service for the Korean conflict. He
served until he was honorably discharged in December 1953. After his military service, James and Lillian established their home in Jacksonville where James obtained a position with a truck-equipment firm. James and Lillian are parents to Belinda Darleen, born on May 25, 1953; James "Jimmy" Walter, Jr., born on October 14, 1954; Kathy Marie, born on August 22, 1956; and Gary Michael, born on October 31, 1961. All of their children were born in
Jacksonville, Florida. As James moved up the corporate ladder, Lillian attended to making a home for James and their children. James' father Ridley died on Saturday, July 13, 1968, and is buried in the Canaday Cemetery in Moniac, Georgia. The following is a copy of Ridley's obituary that appeared in the Monday, July 15, 1968, edition of The Florida Times Union. CHESSER -- Robert A. (Ridley) Chesser, 65, of Route 1, St. George, Ga., died
Saturday night at his home. Mr. Chesser was a native and lifelong resident of Charlton County. He was a member of the Moniac Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Cornelia Chesser; four daughters, Mrs. Louise Crews, Mrs. Linda Mae Burnsed, and Mrs. Minnie Lee Taylor, all of St. George and Mrs. Maggie Patterson of Millington, Tenn.; five sons, Robert Allen Chesser of Starke, Harold Chesser of Brunswick, Ga., James Chesser of Jacksonville,
Francis E. Chesser of Hilliard, and Jack Chesser of St. George; five sisters, Mrs. Vinnie Boyett and Mrs. Julia Lastinger, both of Jacksonville, Mrs. Kate Rider and Mrs. Vannie Clark, both of Folkston and Mrs. Edna Renshaw of St. George; two brothers, Ben Chesser and Harry Chesser, both of Folkston and 28 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. from the Moniac Baptist Church with the Rev. Grant Barber and the Rev. Gerald Harper
officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Arrangement by Adkins Morticians of Folkston.
On November 16, 1964, Lillian lost her mother Amanda. She is buried in the St. George Cemetery. Lillian's father Wilbert died on March 19, 1971, and is buried with his wife Amanda. James and Lillian's children attended the public schools in Jacksonville. Their three older children were graduated from Jacksonville Ribault High School and found
employment in Jacksonville. In 1976, with their youngest children, Kathy and Gary, Lillian and James moved back to St. George where they constructed a home. James commuted each day to his work with the truck-equipment company in Jacksonville. Their youngest child, Gary, attended St. George High School and was graduated from there in 1979. James' mother Cornelia, who died on February 6, 1981, is buried in the Canaday
Cemetery with her husband Ridley. The following is a copy of Cornelia's obituary that appeared in the Saturday, February 7, 1981, edition of The Florida Times Union. CORNELIA CHESSER, 74, Moniac, Ga. died Friday. She is survived by four daughters, Maggie Patterson, Macclenny, Minnie Lee Rhoden, St. George, Ga., Linda Mae Burnsed, Glen St. Mary and Louise Crews, Folkston, Ga.; five sons Harold, James and Jack, all of St. George,
Francis, Hilliard, and Allen, Starke; two sisters Minnie Howell, Blackshear, Ga. and Mattie Rouse, Waycross. Services will be at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the Moniac Baptist Church with burial in the Canaday Cemetery. John M. Brinkley, mortician is in charge.
James became very successful with the General Truck Equipment of Jacksonville and is currently parts manager for the firm. Upon returning to St. George, both James and
Lillian became quite active and involved in the leadership activities of the St. George Baptist Church. All of their children are married and Lillian and James have ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In 1970, Lillian and James' daughter Belinda "Darleen" found employment with the Springfield Bank in Jacksonville. On November 26, 1971, she married Stephen Dale Crane in Jacksonville. Stephen, born on October 17, 1951, is the son of Ruth Smith
and Robert Crane of Yulee, Florida. Stephen's siblings include Douglas, Jeffrey Allen and Deborah Jean. Stephen has been very successful in business and has been with the Stebbins Engineering and Manufacturing Company for over twenty years. Darleen and Stephen are parents to Brian Stephen, born on March 19, 1973; Kristi Marie, born on March 17, 1974; Amy Nicole, born on August 1, 1975; and James Robert, born on May 7, 1982. Darleen and Stephen's daughter Kristi married Mark Goldsmith and they
have been blessed with two children, Jade Mikalla, born on May 27, 1995, and Jared Mikel, born on January 22, 1997. Stephen's employment has taken the family from one corner of the country to another, serving in Jacksonville, Florida; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Carthage, New York; Seattle, Washington; and currently in Greenville, South Carolina.  |
JAIME, DEBORAH, ANGELA AND JIMMY CHESSER (ca. 1999) Lillian and James' son James "Jimmy" on June 25, 1976, married Deborah A. Dryden. Deborah was born on July 18, 1955, in Jacksonville to Lula Bailey and Benjamin Dryden. Her only sibling was a brother, Benjamin, Jr. Soon after graduating from high school, Jimmy found employment with Sears, Roebuck and Company and he has
been with the company ever since. Deborah has worked as a substitute teacher and with the Chemical Mortgage Company in Jacksonville. Currently, she is employed with the First Union Bank Company in Jacksonville. Jimmy and Deborah are parents to Angela Michelle, born on July 21, 1979, and Jaime Renee, born on June 23, 1980. Both girls are currently attending the University of Florida. Lillian and James' daughter Kathy from 1976 to 1981 lived in St. George with her
parents after her high school graduation in Jacksonville. She commuted to Jacksonville each day to her job with Prudential Insurance Company. Later she made her home in Jacksonville. After twelve years working with Prudential, Kathy transferred to the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Health Insurance Company of Florida in Jacksonville. Kathy on October 22, 1988, married Phillip Wayne Dove in Jacksonville. Phillip was born on
October 12, 1961, in Lynchburg, Virginia, son of JoAnn Hill and Donald Dove. Phillip grew-up in Wisconsin with his only sibling, Beth. He served in the navy for over four years and upon his discharge he gained employment with Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Phillip and Kathy became parents to Kenneth Wayne, born on April 7, 1991, and Danielle Marie, born on January 13, 1997. After working for Blue Cross/Blue Shield for over eleven years, Kathy resigned to become a full-time homemaker for her young
family. Lillian and James' youngest child Gary was graduated in 1979 from St. George High School. While in high school, Gary worked part-time in a Jacksonville K-Mart store and later with his father for the General Truck Equipment Company in Jacksonville. After high school, Gary became a full-time employee of the truck-equipment company. On April 28, 1984, Gary married Angela L. McKenzie in Jacksonville. Angela was born on
February 2, 1963, in Brunswick, Georgia, daughter of Ruth Carolynlee Hickox and Doris Edward McKenzie. Angela grew-up with her brothers, David and Riley, and her sister Beth in Nahunta, Georgia. Angela found employment with Sam's Club in Jacksonville in 1981. Gary and Angela are parents to Phawn Angelica, born on March 12, 1991, and Gary Michael, Jr., born on June 25, 1997. After many years, Gary and Angela are still employed with the General Truck Equipment Company and Sam's Club
respectively. Norma Sandol  Wilbert and Amanda's daughter, Norma Sandol, born on April 15, 1938, was graduated from St. George High School in 1956. Shortly after graduation Norma found employment with the Prudential Insurance Company in Jacksonville, Florida. Norma made her home with her aunts, her
mother's sisters, in Jacksonville so as to be closer to her work.
Norma married Hugh Graham King on November 20, 1965, in Baldwin, Florida. Hugh "Graham" was born on November 3, 1920, in Gordon, Houston County, Alabama, the son of Kathryn Graham and Grady W. King. Graham's siblings include Mrs. Margaret Beckham of Newton, Alabama; Mrs. Lucia Driggers of Dothan, Alabama; and Mrs. Miriam Suggs of Huntsville, Alabama. Graham's father
Grady was a farmer who had vast landholdings near Dothan, Alabama. At the time of Graham and Norma's marriage, Graham was engaged in heavy equipment and cross-country trucking operations. Later, he divested himself of that business and developed a retail store in Jacksonville. Graham and Norma became the owners and operators of the H K N Sewing Store, merchandizing sewing machines, vacuum cleaners and other household appliances. Norma and Graham are parents to
their only child, son Howard Graham, born on January 8, 1967, in Jacksonville. Upon his father and mother's passage, Graham inherited a large tract of farmland in Alabama near Dothan. In 1977, Norma and Graham sold their store in Jacksonville and moved to Dothan where they established a much larger retail appliance store. The store was operated to a large extent by Norma and became very successful. Graham, in addition to duties in
the store, worked long hours to develop his landholdings into a highly productive peanut farm. As Graham's farming became more and more successful, he increased his landholdings and distributed his crop plantings to include soybean and canola bean crops. With the success of the appliance store, Norma and Graham felt the need to expand their store operation so in the 1990s they constructed a very large retail appliance store and warehouse on the major arterial drive around Dothan. Success
followed Norma and Graham both in the performance of the new store and in Graham's expanded farming operations. Norma and Graham's son Howard worked with his father and mother in the store and contributed greatly to its success. He was an honor student in high school and continued his education by attending and graduating from the Wallace Junior College in Dothan. Upon his graduation, Howard entered Auburn University, located in Auburn, Alabama.
While attending the university, Howard met, courted and married fellow student Stefanie Gay Faris in Auburn on April 16, 1989. Stefanie was born on September 10, 1968, in Opelika, Alabama, the only child of Gail Shuman and Earl Steven Faris. HOWARD AND STEFANIE
BENJAMIN, NORMA, GRAHAM AND SYLVIA KING (ca. 1997) Both Howard and Stefanie were graduated from Auburn University in 1990, Howard with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and Stefanie with a bachelor's degree in nutrition. Howard and Stefanie are parents to Benjamin Faris, born on November 29, 1989, and Sylvia Kathryn, born on December 28, 1991. After graduation from Auburn, Howard
accepted a position as an electrical engineer with the ADTRAM Company, located in Huntsville, Alabama. Stefanie turned her attentions to making a home for Howard and their young family and later to home schooling their children. In late 1998, Howard and Stefanie moved their family to Dothan to assist in the operation of his mother and father's enterprises. Index |
