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Roy and Cora Andrews met in Value, Oklahoma, while Roy was working on the railroad. In December 1913, they married in Clarksville, Oklahoma. To this union, seven children were born: Willie (Jack), Lulla, Sam, Margrett, Argrett, Charlene and Calvin. In 1942, Roy and Cora relocated to Chandler, Arizona.
Argrett recalls that, “My father was a self-made man … His work was farm work, but he also was a trader of his own rights. Being a farmer, he grew everything, and when I say everything, I mean everything. All the fruits and food we had to live off of, he raised it himself. He had his own stock … In those days, people really didn’t know what they had. They just had what was given to them, or what they could afford. His dress code was: starched overalls, white shirt and Stacy Adams shoes and a white Stetson hat. That was his attire.”
Argrett remembers as a child, her parents were a playful couple. Their home was known as the community house, where all the kids gathered and played games. Cora made tea cakes for everyone, and Roy made gingerbread. Argrett remembers asking the children to choose which dessert was the best. She also recalls the family sitting down for dinner together and her dad or mom blessing their food.
The Andrews family had a gospel quartet. They traveled around the local area in Oklahoma by horse and buggy when they could not borrow a truck from her dad’s Caucasian friend. Argrett stated that her family was loving, caring and highly respected throughout their community. Her father was a deacon and her mother a missionary at Mt. Zion Baptist Church; their lives were centered around the things of God.
According to Argrett, her mother was a strong disciplinarian, and her father would tell them “I’ll tell Cora on you.” The children were not allowed to go anywhere without a chaperone. She stated that her parents had high expectations, and the children did what was expected without a word or delay. Argrett thanks the Lord to this day for having very good parents. Argrett submitted a pie recipe, and Ken submitted a recipe for potato salad.
Told by Ken Andrews
Recipes
Ken & Regina Andrews’ Southern-Style Potato Salad
Vinegar Pie