One in Ten

I like nothing better than telling my life story to my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. The humor and the hardship has given them faith and strength through generations.

I''m one of ten children born to the late Booker T. Washingtonand Georgia D. Kilpatrick Washington, their sixth child from Thebes,Arkansas. July 18, 1934 was the date of my birth. At the time Thebes had a population of 500 and was located in Ashley County.

Bayou Bartholomew has made a strong impact on my life.Hollering and screaming echoed across the plantation. Neighbors heard it for miles and came from all directions in wagons, on horseback, and foot.

Not knowing what to expect, they carried clubs, hoes, shovels and a few had shotguns. The whole countryside sounded like a warzone.

Beginning in 1879, Bayou Bartholomew changed the lives of the King,Gee, Kilpatrick, and Washington families.