I am a rarity = a native of Jacksonville raised in Dinsmore (a community on the northern outskirts of Jacksonville).  Until 1990, I had always lived within 9 miles of the home I grew up in!  

     Schools:   Kirby-Smith Jr. High, Paxon Jr. High (the 1st year it opened) and a graduate of Paxon Sr. High.  Paralegal  night courses at FCCJ Kent, Northside, and Beach campuses, but no degree.

     Work:   During my senior year 1960, I was in the Distributive Education class (business education classes) attended school 1/2 day and received credits by working 1/2 day; Chet Howarth was my home roomteacher.   
     I was sales clerk for the old Cohen Brothers store (Cohen Brothers became May-Cohen, then Dillards) on Hemming Plaza, downtown Jacksonville. 
    After graduation, I worked as receptionist/typist variously for Bill Rivers Trainers, Inc., Don Tullis Insurance and Kelly Girls Temporary Staffing.  
     Next I was hired by Axle Service, Inc. as an accounts receivable bookkeeper.  The company was (and still is!) located next to Paxon Shopping Center.
A 2-girl office, Mary Williams, accounts payable bookkeeper, became my very good friend who taught me all phases of accounting and payroll.  We were  responsible for 4 businesses.  This was "BC" time - Before Computers!  Bookkeeping, done by hand, a clunk Burroughs report writing machine, and the typewriter!  Those were the GOOD old days! 
     While I worked there, my sons Bobby (1963) and Brian (1972) were born.  Due to an unexpected C-section with Brian, I quit work for 2 1/2years. Then (to save my sanity!) I returned to work under Civil
Service, selected by Internal Revenue Service.  (Yes, regular, very nice people do work there!)
     I have been a file clerk, mail clerk, clerk- typist, machine report writer, terminal computer operator, Collection Division office collection representative, Associate Chief of Appeals secretary and Appeals Records Section Tax Examiner.  I also worked 8
months as collection agent at the Naval Air Station hospital, Blanding Blvd..
     I was a founding member of the Jacksonville Internal Revenue Secretaries Association (JIRSA) and served consecutively as committee chairman, Treasurer, Vice-President and President until 1990 when my grade series changed.
     For many years (it seems to take double time when you are take night courses) I was going to FCCJ for a Paralegal degree, until major health problems ended that hope. 
     In 1990, I was selected for Basic Instructor Training in Phoenix, AZ.  When I returned I found I had been selected as the Assoc. Chief's secretary.  During this time I was taking 2 night classes and working part-time after hours for a couple of large legal firms, and was President of JIRSA. 
     I had been struggling for several years  regarding my marriage.  In October 1990, I, made the decision to get a divorce.  It was final in 1991.  The boys and I moved to Arlington, living together for awhile, and then we each started our own lives.  They are both great guys I am proud of! and we keep in touch regularly!
     Bob, oldest, went  to Univ. of Florida and received a B.A.  He lives in Callahan, works in Jacksonville. 
     Brian, youngest, was in the Army, trained as correctional officer, works for the Sheriff's Office. 

     Hobbies & Interests:  I've always loved reading, so it seems natural that I write poetry and short stories (none published as yet). I enjoy painting and
drawing.  Love to travel, but don't get to go much.
     Dad died in 1975, Mom in 1999.  I'm  gather-ing genealogy information on both sides, Pennsylvania & W. Virginia for Mom and Georgia, North Carolina for Dad.
     My sister (Anna Grace Aldridge Shannahan Bisbee) and I attend my Dad's family's reunion in Adel, GA each year.  We are "secretaries" for the June Reunion   We realized , since only 2 of his sisters living, we needed to keep in touch with the cousins we had grown up with, and a 1-day reunion just wasn't enough time for that. 
     We started a "First Cousins' Reunion" held yearly, now in Sautee, GA., where we rent a lodge for Friday through Sunday for cousins with/without spouses-- no children--so we can get to know each other as
adults.  (There would be 82, if all could come!  A large family.)  
     Since 1990, I've tried to keep a current list of names, addresses, etc., of our whole Aldridge family.  However, our family, like everyone's, doesn't stay put.  Another challenge!
     So, this is how my life has been, each day filled, jobs competed, things left to do.  A positive attitude and a hopeful outlook have been a great help.  I don't take credit for that--I was born that way!  I look forward to each day and hope for health, contentment and a long
life to observe the world as it turns. As seen through my quirky eyes, it tends to be a funny, strange and sometimes wierd place!  

     Though I have left little to mark my place, it's been a good life.

I hope the memory of a smile and a laugh remain.