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Irma Craig
Some years ago there was a very popular television show entitled, "I
Remember Mama." Shirley Andrews could have written an episode for that
show because she remembers many of the stories her mama used to tell
her-and what fascinating tales they are because, you see, her mama was an
orphan-train rider. Before we relate this saga of Irma Craig (Shirley's mother),
let me tell you a bit about Shirley Andrews.
Born on a Cole Junction Bottoms farm, Andrew's early memories are of the
floods that came practically every year causing them to move to dryer ground
and then when the waters receded, having to dry out everything. "My
strongest memory at that time of my life was a smell-the smell of Lysol,"
Andrews recalls, "My mother must have used gallons of that disinfectant to rid
the house of the odor left by the water and mud." Another memory of that time
is of leaving the farm in a small boat with the family dog swimming along
behind.
In 1939, when Andrews was only 15 months old, her 42-year old father Robert
Schnieders died leaving her mother to raise their eight children, the oldest of whom was barely 15. Their farm
house had no running water, no electricity, and by financial standards, they were poor. "But," said Andrews, "As
Dwight Eisenhower used to say-we were poor but we didn't know it-because there was plenty of love in our family to
go around even to the youngest of the brood." Being so young when she lost her father and having no real
memories of him, she doesn't recall ever missing having him around, but she does recall that her family life was a
very happy one with the older children helping the younger ones and her mother's positive attitude giving a sunny
atmosphere over all. Andrews attended St. Peter's School-all 12 grades--nd went to work for the Missouri Division
of Welfare and later for what was then the Missouri Power and Light Company (now Ameren UE) where she stayed
for 19 years before retiring. She met her husband, Don, while still in school. She was one grade behind him and
they now have four grown daughters and seven grandchildren. One of her hobbies is bird watching.
more at this link and a pic
http://www.orphantraindepot.com/IrmaCraigStory.html
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