At Two Years
[BP] Grace at about two years old (maybe 1911 or 1912). This might have been taken in Shreveport or in Belcher where the family lived then. This is possibly the earliest picture of Grace. She looks a little worried, sad, or annoyed, which was unusual. She said she giggled all of the time. Maybe all of the fuss bothered her.
Pine Island and Vicinity
[RP] The exact location of the 40 acre property purchased by John Joseph Dordan in 1897 for his family is somewhere within this area of northwest Louisiana, as were the Robertson and Huckabay family residences. But since I have not been able to determine precise location of the Dordan plot with certainty, it is not shown. The family referred to it as the "Pine Island" property, as it is by my Dad in some of the captions captured in this site. But it is likely that over time "Pine Island" came to refer to a larger area than the geographic region just northeast of Oil City that gave it's name to the Oil field that was established there in 1907. Helen Dordan Huckabay states that the property was "near Gilliam" in her memoir, which would probably locate it northeast of the Pine Island area circled. We also know that property was adjacent to Black Bayou, which runs towards Gilliam as can be seen. So it's likely that the property was located somewhere from the Pine Island are circled, along Black Bayou, up to a point in the vicinity of Giliam. Note the locations of the Pine Island (originally Baptist) Church, the Huckabay farm, and Monterey Lake are indicated.
The Three Sisters: Grace, Beatrice, Helen
[BP] These pictures were apparently taken at the Pine Island property in about 1921. L2R: Grace, Bea, Helen.
The Three Sisters
[BP] On the porch of the old house in Pine Island. L2R: Helen, Bea, Grace.
Beatrice and Grace
[BP] This picture was taken at the Pine Island home also, but a bit later (maybe around 1922). It appears they are in the yard of their home. L2R: Bea, Grace. [RP] They appear to be each holding a young cat - the only time they appear in the photographs we have.
Dressed to Party, 1929
[BP] This is a picture of Grace in her dress she got for the graduation parties and dances. She looks proud and happy. Must have been taken in 1929.
On a Country Picnic
[BP] Might have been taken at Pine Island or at Monterrey Lake where the Dordan family often went for Sunday picnics. Probably around 1942.
Starting Work at Barksdale AFB
[BP] Around 1942. Grace may have had this taken after she started working at the Base when she could afford it. She is really pretty here with her bright eyes. One of her bosses mick named her "Blackie", maybe for her back sparkling eyes.
At the Office
[BP] I don't know when this was taken. I think one of Grace's friends at her office took it.
At the Office
[BP] Taken at Barksdale AFB around 1942. Don't know the other girl, but the man is named Brommel.
The Three Sisters
[RP] The three sisters, maybe around 1945. L-to-R: Aunt Bea, Mom, Aunt Helen. As in most of the shots of this group, they appear to be cracking up over some inside joke. Photo courtesy of Gretchen Huckabay.
On Honeymoon in NO La
[BP] New Orleans, 1947. We made a little trip for our honeymoon. Grace posing by an old staircase - The Cabildo?.
On Honeymoon
[BP] Naturally we went to the French market for coffee. She really looks good here.
Picnic, 1947
[BP] Taken June '47 on a picnic with Spencer and Irene Pipes at Grand Ecore Park (near Nachitoches, La)
Sunday Outing with Huckabay Family
[BP] June '47 on a Sunday outing - Shreve Island Bayou. Grace tries out Huck's 22 rifle. With Huck, Helen, Gretchen, and Mike Huckabay.
Visiting Dad's Family in Shreveport
[BP] July '47, at Mom & Pop's house in Shreveport. Grace had a Coke, so I took a shot of her. It would make a good ad.
With Gretchen Huckabay
With Gretchen Huckabay
[BP] December '47 at Huck and Helen's in Barkdale Homes. Gretchen wanted Grace to hold her.
1947 Shreveport State Fair
[BP] October '47 at the State Fair in Shreveport. LTR (in front): Terry Pipes, Byron (nicknamed "Little By" at the time) Pipes, Mike Huckabay.
Lubbock, Texas, 1947
[BP] September '50 at our house in Lubbock, Tx. Grace wanted flowers planted everywhere.
Lubbock, Texas
[BP] Shots of the flowers in the back of the house at Lubbock.
Lubbock, Texas
(Same caption as prior)
Selma, Alabama, 1951
[BP] December '51, Selma, Alabama. Grace poses on the front steps BR (before Randy).
At Mama Dordan's Home in Shreveport
[BP] December '55, at Mrs Dordan's. We had a Christmas reception. Grace poses in her bright red skirt in the front yard.
Mom and Mike Huckabay, Laredo, Texas
[RP] Mike Huckabay and Mom pose on Dad's scooter out front of the house in Laredo. I think this was during the visit in May '55.
Laredo, 1956
[BP] June '56, Laredo, Tx. Someone loaned Grace a blond wig. Seems she actually believed blonds had more fun. But she just tried it on long enough to have her picture taken.
Laredo Texas
[BP] Here Grace is on Laura and James Lewis' barge fishing. As usual, she didn't catch anything. [RP] Sometime in the mid 60s, Huck Huckabay took us on a fishing trip south of Lafayette to a place where he said anyone, including Mom, was guaranteed to catch fish. He was right, and I think for the first time Mom reeled in a few - decent size bass, too. Everyone who went (including me) had fun.
Backyard Party, Laredo
[RP] June '55 at a backyard barbeque bash Mom and Dad hosted for their friends in the back yard of the Laredo house. You can see how much Mom loved it. Mom's good friend Laura Lewis is at the far left.
Society Page Coverage, Laredo
[RP] Also during the Laredo period: Mom gets press for a Lady's tea.
More Laredo Base Society
[RP] No notes from Dad, but this was in summer '56 in Laredo. Like the other shots taken in social settings show just how much Mom enjoyed them. I think she really enjoyed the role of a USAF officer's wife.
More Laredo Base Society
[RP] Also taken summer '56 in Laredo. Dad took his shot but left no notes.
More Laredo Base Society
[RP] No notes from Dad but I think this was taken in Laredo. Note Dad in the background with his camera gear, so he didn't take the shot. Mom looks taller than anyone else in the room.
At Laredo Officer's Club
[BP] May '56 at the Officer's Club, Laredo AFB. The women were having a luncheon, I think, so I went along to take a few shots. Grace was beautiful.
Ernest Harmon AFB Residence
[BP] (Newfoundland) Grace and Randy going into the back door after coming from Chapel.
Winter Clothing in Newfoundland
[BP] Grace poses on the front steps in her Eskimo jacket.
Dinner Party
[RP] December '57 in Newfoundland. This is a blow-up of a dinner party at our quarters. The full shot is in the other chapter.
Shreveport Home on Seneca Trail
[BP] May '60 at 601 Seneca Trail. I believe this was Mother's Day, and I'm really thankful I took the shots. Grace looks like a million.
Lake House Gardening
[RP] At the Monterey Lake camp in East Texas. Mom putting in her share. After all, it was "her" place - she was the one (as I understand) that inspired the entire effort to build the camp there.
The Three Sisters - A little Older and Wiser
[RP] Taken sometime in the early-mid 60s in the living room of our house on Seneca Trail. L2R: Aunt Bea, Mom, Aunt Helen. More than anything, the sisters were the focus of our family. There was always fun when they were together.
Performance Award at Barksdale
[BP] Barksdale AFB, 1966. Grace was awarded an Outstanding Performance certificate. Col Bosworth was one of her good friends. She still looks good here.
Performance Award at Barksdale
[BP] Barksdale AFB. I forgot the date on this. Grace looks tired tho. [RP] I think this has to have been taken later than the prior award shot ('66). There is a Barksdale paper clipping in Dad's book which states: "The honor is achieved only when the employee's performance in each aspect of his position is so outstanding that it deserves special commendation. Mom's cancer advanced very quickly in '67 and '68. So, I don't think she worked much longer after this shot was taken.
