Pryor Scrapbook Bessie Mae, 2008

Dear Bessie Mae: When I was twelve years old, my family returned to Searcy, while Dad took some summer classes. The s chool provided housing for us, in the old Benson house, just across the street from the Pry or residence. I believe we were the last people to live in that building before it became the Art building. We were astonished with the luxury! I had a bedroom aJl to myself! There was a dishwashe r! I think there were 7 of us at the time. It wasn't long before I made friends with Jody Pryor and Chris Davis. The three of us went everywhere together. I think I spent more time in the Pryor home that summer, than I spent at home. I t was a summer of adventure, filled with pranks on c ampus and long hunting expeditions with BB guns. We caught a frog once, and crept up on a couple in t he Harding swing near the Benson house, dropping t he frog over the girl's shoulder. The poor girl was neglected for the rest of the njght, as h er boyfriend chased us all over campus. We returned home well after dark. I don't know what Jody and Chris told their parents, but mine wer en't too happy with me. I remember Jody's managerie. At the time, it included about 12 chickens, a snapping turtle that we caught in Gin Creek, and a y ard-long black Kingsnake that Jody and I caught near the old tennis courts across from his house (where the Benson Au ditorium sits now). We carried the snake to Dr. Sears for identification, as we did with many other animals that summer. I also remember, one time when Mrs. Pryor wasn't l ooking, taking a quick, furtive peak into forbidden te rritory: the front parlor where the girls from Regina would come. Boys weren't allowe d in there- at least, not without escort. The harp was a thing of great mystery, since I'd never seen a real harp before. Over the years, as I became a student, then a graduate assistant, then alumnus, our relationship changed, but there was always a gracious greeting in the Pryor home. I still get ushered past the parlor; because friends always visit in the kitchen. I've included pictures of mysel f and my wife (Twyla Mae) and our kids, Serena and James. When the pic ture was taken, James was a missionary with us in Ukraine, and Serena was atten ding Harding. She met her husband (Phil Harwell) th ere, and they live in Searcy with their two kids, Madeline and Jeremy. We live in Mempis now, at 729 N. Willett, Memphis, TN 38107. James and I work for FedEx, and Twyla works at H ancock fabrics. Thanks, Bessie Mae! Love you lots! Ralph Williams