Enjoying Junior High

The Carpenter family moved to Pueblo, Colorado where Leona finished her years in elementary school and received this certificate of completion on 2 June 1939.

Certificate issued 2 June 1939

She was in the 8th grade in 1938-39

and the 9th grade in 1939.

She obviously took part in Western Days at Risley Junior High!

Leona Carpenter - 2nd row, far left

I love this picture of Leona and her dad.

Leona with her father, Ream Carpenter
14 years old - 1939

Elementary School Days

Although she was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, Leona's family moved to and from Colorado several times during her elementary school years, as her father followed work.

In March, 1934 while living in Cañon City, Colorado, Leona was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Elder Arthur Chapman, a missionary from Heber City, Utah.

Elder Arthur Chapman

 She spent some of her early school years at Washington Elementary School in  Cañon City.

E. Leona Carpenter - front row, center
Fifth grade

She looks a little older in this picture - probably 6th grade.

Leona Carpenter - middle row, 3rd from right

Leona was obviously a good student in Edna Wheeler's 6th grade class, as evidenced by this report card.  Not only did she have straight A's, but Mrs. Wheeler consistently gave her check marks for "Excellent attitude and progress".  A model student! 

6th grade report card - Washington School

1937 - 11 years old

November 17, 1943

68 years ago a young girl boarded a war time train filled with troops in Pueblo, Colorado and rode to Seattle, Washington to meet her own special soldier.  Because Lou was only 20 and Leona was still 17, she carried with her letters of permission from both of their mothers, just in case they got married before they reached the legal age.  

A few days after Leona's arrival in Seattle - and 3 days after her 18th birthday so she didn't have to use her letter of permission, they were married and began their long and happy life together. 

Leona - Lou
November 17, 1943

Happy Anniversary! 

You can read Lou's account of the wedding here 

and Leona's side of the story here. 

The Birthday Girl

Birthday Celebration - 1996

A rare photo of the Carpenter women together
Pinkie - Tootie - Leona

Happy Birthday to You!

To read the post about Leona's birth, click here

Military Service Remembered

Radio School Graduate - 1st tour of duty
2 August 1943

Leaving the family behind - 2nd tour of duty
18 August 1950

For the years you served 

and the sacrifices you made

- a Veteran's Day thank you.

To read about Lou's military service,  click the military service

link in the labels column to the right

Little girl Leona

In my process of sorting and processing pictures of Leona's family, I've discovered a few more photos of her early years.  I hope that before too long, I will have some narrative to accompany these pictures, but for now, enjoy this cute little girl!

*   *   *   *   *   *   *

I've posted this picture before, but I wanted to include it again in this series of posts.  The other woman is Florence Carpenter, wife of Ream's brother Ralph, with her daughters Mae, Maxine and Betty.  I love this picture of Tootie as a very attractive young mother, just 17 years old.

Baby Leona and her mother, Lorene Carpenter (back left)
early 1926

This picture of Leona and her younger sister, Charlotte, needs a professional restoration, but if I wait to post this until that's done, we may never enjoy it!

Charlotte, about 6 months old - Leona, 3 years old

Leona's grandmother, Mary Parker Carpenter, died when Leona's father, Ream, was 16 years old. Ream's oldest sister, Effie, who was 12 years his senior, took over the mothering duties - especially after Ream married and had children.  She adored her two little nieces and happily took the role of doting grandmother in Grandma Mary's absence.

"I and 2 dolls"
Leona - Aunt Effie - Charlotte
about 1930

Remember this post about the family resemblance?  

Leona, about 7 - Lorene, about 24
circa 1932

People will not look forward to posterity 

who never look backward to their ancestors

- Edmund Burke