When Alvin was a boy, his father grew very sick and was not able to work anymore. He had been diagnosed with tuberculosis. Without the extra income, Cora had to take care of her husband while scraping together money to keep a roof over their heads. She would often use her skills as a gifted seamstress and provide paying customers with her finished garments. In 1939, the elder Alvin passed away.
Fast forward to the Korean War. Alvin joined the United States Army in 1950. He was 23 years old, good-looking and strong. He loved his country and stepped up when his number was called. While he was serving, he made many friends, some of them life-long. As any person who is faced with certain death, Alvin would often relate to his fellow troops and recall good times and remember their loved ones. One of the jobs Alvin was responsible for was keeping the phone lines connected. He had several men down below him ready to shoot the enemy had they tried to shoot Alvin off the telephone pole.
When Alvin was honorable discharged in 1953, he came home to his mother, who was waiting for both sons with open arms (brother Paul was also in Korea.) Things soon began to quieten down and Alvin was able to settle into a routine, in which he always believed everyone must have one of. Alvin began his career in the cotton industry by working at a local cotton mill. Landis, North Carolina was a nice, quiet small town and Alvin was ready to put down permanent roots with a family of his own someday.
Some time later, he met a lady named Willene, who was affectionately called "Bill". They courted for awhile and eventually married. They were very happy and very much in love. They were in the process of adopting their daughter, Susan, when Bill became sick and passed away, in February 1956. Alvin was distraught and took Susan to Asheville. He believed they would take her away from him since his wife died.
Alvin found work at a laundry service. He met a divorcée there, named Maxine Searcy Huntsinger. She had a small son named Johnny. They became friends and enjoyed each other's company. They fell in love and were married in November 1956. Maxine, a mountain girl who had never really lived too far from her parents, agreed to move back to Landis with Alvin. She met Alvin's mother, sisters and brother, and began life as a Cook wife and mother.
Son Steve came in 1957; little Karen followed in 1958 and baby Randy in 1960. They were a happy family. Alvin loved his children so much and they adored their daddy. Alvin was so patient and kind to his kids. It was known that Maxine was the disciplinarian and he tried to get them out of trouble many times.
Cora, Alvin's mother, passed away in 1962. Alvin was terribly sad because he was so close to his mother. From that moment on, he made it a point to truly enjoy life, because it could be so easily taken from a person. He talked lovingly about his mother and what he could remember about his father. He was very close to his siblings, as well. In 1975, Alvin also lost his brother Paul. Now, it was just the three: Evelyn, Carrie and Alvin. They remained close until Alvin's death.
Alvin enjoyed his later years being a superintendent at Linn-Corriher and later, Cor-Linn Mills. He was very much loved by his employees and was given a "money tree" with paper bills given by everyone he worked with at his retirement.
Alvin had nine grandchildren at the time of his passing, and he adored each and every one. I consider myself very lucky to had been raised by both he and Maxine. I could understand and relate to how my mother, uncles and aunt adored Alvin so. You couldn't have wanted for a better father, husband, friend, or grandfather. He was truly one of a kind.
~Shasta
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