The following was written by the daughter of Leahman and Evelyne Barnes
Evelyne Virginia Hardy and Leahman Dewey Barnes were introduced by Tookie Taylor the boyfriend of Evelyne’s sister Dot. The met at a Drug store on West Jackson Street in Pensacola. Leahman was working for KO Grocery at Jackson and “E”Street in Pensacola. In 1936 Leahman went to work at Spearman Brewery until it closed. Evelyne and Leahman were married on September 19, 1936. Evelyne was afraid to tell her father so she would go home every night for over two week when they finally announced their marriage. Leahman served as an Electricians Mate in the United State Naval Reserve during WWII. Leaving both his wife and three children to live with her parents.
Many stories were told about the times during the war when the families all came together to support each other. Evelyne and her three children Ray, Patricia, and David all lived in the home with her father, mother, sister and her children. There was even a time when Leahman’s brother’s wives also lived with all of them. Because of this the older children all referred to the Daddies as Big Daddy (Evelyne’s father) Daddy Leahman, Daddy Steadman, etc. Many of the women including Evelyne worked in the airplane factories to support the war efforts, and then returned to careers as homemakers when the war was over.
After the war Leahman and Evelyne moved to Boston for awhile then back to Pensacola before moving to Portland Oregon. Their Fourth child, Jon, was born in Pensacola. Their daughter Sue was born while they lived in Portland. Leahman became very ill in Portland with Rheumatic fever and spent months recovering. During this time Evelyne’s parents came to Oregon to help out. Evelyne saw her father the last time when he left because he died shortly after.
After Leahman recuperated he was hired in California working for Myron Electric. He worked there until his heart attack in Nov 1965 and then he went back to Florida to die.
Their youngest child was born in California. Leahmanda was named after her father Leahmanda(ughter). Evelyne was found to have a growth on her right lung while she was pregnant with Leahmanda. The doctors advised her to abort the child and have the lung removed, she refused. Leahmanda was born prematurely when Evelyne started hemorrhaging and labor had to be induced. Six months after giving birth Evelyne underwent surgery to remove the tumor in her right lung. Because this was such a dangerous surgery Evelyne and Leahman had make plans for if she did not make it. They choose homes for each of their children in the event that Evelyne should die and temporally while Evelyne went through her surgery and recovery. Evelyne recovered and the family came together again.
Leahman and Evelyne were very socially active in California. Leahman was the Commander of the VFW post in Artesia California. Evelyne was busy working with her children and served on the PTA, School Board and other school events. She also was the President of the VFW Lady’s Auxially. When her three eldest children when all married and out of the house Evelyne became an Avon Representative. She was awarded many awards for top sales. Through the years they both remained active in the VFW.
Evelyne and Leahman grew up in a time when alcohol was a part of their social functions. Unfortunately this created a lot of problems for themselves and their children. Evelyne was Bipolar and with the alcohol many domestic quarrels were the result. So in their private life things were not as rosy as in their social life.
Leahman was well liked by his friends who all called him Barney. He loved to Bowl. The family would all go to watch him in his tournaments. There was always a house full of friends and family, for Evelyne and Leahman would have it no other way.
Leahman died on January 1966 with all his children and his brothers standing around his hospital bed. Evelyne was left with two children at home. Sue went to stay at with the oldest sister Patricia (who was widowed) and Leahmanda stayed home with Evelyne. Evelyne became ill in 1968 with heart problems. In 1970 before she could have surgery to fix the valves in her heart Evelyne was found dead in her bed.
Evelyne and Leahman had a total of six children and eleven grandchildren. They did not get to know the last grandchild but they were both great grandparents. They loved their children and their grandchildren. They loved their friends and their family. As written on the head stone of Leahman’s grave ….”Gone but not forgotten
