I grew up in south Memphis next door to my grandparents, John and Harriette Bolly.  My aunt, uncle and three cousins, also lived next door, on the other side.  I was the oldest of the three Downs girls.  With my two sisters and our cousins, I played all over the hill at the corner of Alice and Prospect and worked to prepare food from Grandpa’s garden for canning. 

We were always fascinated with Grandpa’s few stories about Switzerland.  He came to this country alone when he was about 13 years old.  Grandpa was very much like Mr. Bolman in True Friends.  He worked at the cemetery and  was an avid gardener, often digging and planting at night by the light of a lantern.  Sometimes, to the embarrassment of his family, he slept outside on the ground.  Some of my favorite memories are delving into Grandpa’s white bag to see what books he brought me from the library every week.  He’d ask the librarians for books a girl my age would like.  I don’t know how many times I read Little House in the Big Woods and Little House on the Prairie.

Grandpa took my cousin and me to lectures at the Goodwyn Institute downtown. That’s when I first became interested in life in other countries.  That interest continued in my work with internationals in Memphis and the ESL classes I taught.  I now work with a group of church women to make quilts to give needy people around the world for warmth and shelter.

After Frank and I were married and had four children, I started college  to become a teacher.  During my time with Memphis City Schools, I received my Master’s Degree and Library Certification from the University of Memphis.  I’ve taught every grade, one through eighth, and was an elementary school librarian.  My favorite part of teaching was reading aloud to my classes and talking about books.

"My Garden"

Frank and I have been married for most of our lives, and our children, Frank, David, Joyce, and Paul, are all we could ever wish for.  We are also proud of our grandchildren, David, Jennifer, and Bryant, and our daughters-in-law, Nancy and Becky.

As a Master Gardener, I volunteer at Memphis Botanic Garden and help landscape new houses for Habitat for Humanity.  An ideal day for me is a day of writing with a few breaks to enjoy my garden.