Shelby's First Visit with her Sister, Becci

My visit to my sister was fun.  I was right, I had no problem picking her out as, though a stranger in many ways, so familiar also, not to mention, we look so much alike!  She has a really beautiful home sort of on the edge of the housing area so lots of big trees.  The house is formal, but Becci has decorated so that it looks sophisticated but still cozy and comfortable.  We had no specific plans, just did whatever we felt like and talked a lot.  My first evening there, we went into town where Becci showed me where she used to have her hair solon, and we had dinner at a cool microbrewery.  We visited Ft. Campbell, and Becci's favorite craft shop and she showed me around Clarksville.  It was funny how many things we do alike and have alike!  We both store things in the kitchen in glass jars, we wear the same size jeans, we are the same height and wear the same size shoes! Becci decorates with the same colors I would if I could, and has a great way of putting things together to come up with a great look in the house.  She also sculpts and does flower arranging, both with an expert eye.  Talent like that, I didn't get!  I didn't get to meet my brother-in-law as he was deployed to Iraq at the time, but I got to meet my nephew!  It was a relaxed and comfortable visit and I look forward to going back! 

Becci and Cheri have been found!  On Wednesday, March 9, 2005. Becci, now Becci Rogaliner, called directory assistance in Tucson asking for the phone number of my mom, her step mom, Donna Leamon.  They spoke for an hour and then Becci called me!  I returned her call as soon as I got home and we had an extended conversation.  We will have many conversations in the future but it was hard not to ask every question and tell all about our lives in the first sitting!  Sadly, Cheri passed away in 2001.  I've been searching on and off for them for years but without knowing where they lived and what their names were (assuming marriage, of course), I had no idea where to begin.  We are all thrilled to be a complete family and look forward to many years together!

10/29/05 - A friend just mentioned that this page did not fully explain why my siblings and I don't know each other.  My father and their mother divorced when they were very young and though our dad continued to see the girls for a short amount of time after that, he and his ex-wife were having difficulties in getting along.  For whatever unknown reason, he quit visiting.  His ex remarried and moved and he lost track of them.  To my knowledge, he never attempted to track them down.

This is the story the way I remember it.  My dad, John Alexander Leamon was married once before he met and married my mom.  His first wife’s name was Patricia Crawford.  They had two daughters, Becci and Cheri.  I think they were both born in Illinois , possibility Springfield .  I’m guessing that they are about 18 months to two years apart in age, based on the few photos I have.  I’m also guessing that they were both born in the early 50’s, definitely before 1955.

My dad, John, was born in Grand Rapids , Michigan on Dec. 30, 1927 .  He was adopted by Ruby and Orlando “Lee” Leamon when he was 10 months old.  He grew up as an only child and his father, Orlando was a professional singer but also worked at a newspaper.  Ruby worked briefly as a teacher.  Dad went into the Navy in 1944, but didn’t stay in long as he injured his hands.

Becci was the younger of the two girls, and had blue eyes and blonde hair and if I remember correctly worked as a hairdresser at some point in her adult life.  I also think I remember that she had been married several times by the late 80’s.  As an adult she had very blonde hair.  Becci had a beautiful daughter Amanda, who's nickname is Maendi and adorable grand-daughter, Tallulah.

Cheri was the older of the two, and though blonde and I think blue eyed as a child, grew up to have brown hair.  She had children, 2 or 3, and I think was only married once at the time she and Becci contacted my dad.

In the mid 80’s somehow Becci and Cheri found my dad, who at the time was living in Colorado Springs , Colorado .  They only spoke to him a couple of times, before he died, May 29^th, 1988 .  Cheri called and got my, then teenage brother who, not realizing who was on the phone, blurted out that dad was dead.  She hung up without another word and never called back.  We never got a phone number where either of them could be contacted.  Here are a couple of pictures.    

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