My first job was Secretary in a distributing company. W. C. Dudney and Son were the local distributors for Gulf Oil Company located in Texarkana, Arkansas, in 1957.

Was raised on a farm just north of DeQueen, Arkansas. We were poor moneywise, but had plenty food and worked really hard to raise crops. I was used to hard work and helped my father in the strawbeery business to help pay my way for higher education.

In 1950-511 had attended Capitol City Business College in Little Rock. After I finished school, I could not find a job because 1had no experience. So, I got married. I was married 4 years when my husband abandoned my self and our baby daughter. He left with one of my "girlfriends?" and went to Washington State.

1came to Texarkana and was staying with my cousin. She and her husband furnished me with a car and 1attended Texarkana College for a refresher course in business. The local employment office sent me out for an interview with Mr. Dudney and he graciously gave me the job.

This was my first job using my typing and shorthand 1had prepared myself for. The office manager was a very nice man, named David Merrel. He trained me in keeping books their way, and I took orders on the phone. Company had 5 delivery trucks to service 15 local service stations.

Both Mr. Dudneys were active in local service clubs, Chamber of Commerce andTexarkana Country Club. I had lots of personal correspondence for both of them. I built a lot of self-confidence in thiswork environment. They were all very good to me. I still appreciate it to this day.

Mr. Dudney Sr. was president of the Camelia Club and I remember a word he used in dictation that I had never heard before. "Nomenclature". I asked him what it meant, and he patiently explained it me and spelled it for me.

While I worked for them they decided to sell out and buy into another oil company. They built a brand new office and storage facility on the other side of town. It was quite an experience, having all new office equipment and furniture. The company that bought them out asked Mr. Dudney if I could stay on a while to train their office personnel all the dealers and office procedure. I was glad to get to my new office when this was completed.

In 1960 I remarried. After a few months I became pregnant, but it was complicated and doctor put me to bed. I felt guilt about my position at work and I knew they had another woman they could call in, so I resigned.

In 1962 I found another position with a large manufacturing plant. It was a very good job and I still had the self confidence I had built up on my previous job, so in 1968 they promoted me to office manager. This was a plant with approximately 150 employees. I held that position for 19 years and retired at the. age of 55 with 25 years service.

I am enjoying retirement, and I have lots of friends and fond memories of my working years.