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The Farming Years |
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Rufus and Callie Fletcher,
Burton’s parents, were excellent farmers. At one time or another, they
grew corn, hay, tobacco, rye, watermelon and other crops over nearly 2,000
acres at the farm’s peak. The Fletchers also raised chickens and dairy
cows.
Rufus’s full name was Rufus
Burton Fletcher Sr. (1923-98). Though one of his legs was significantly
shorter than
the other since birth, resulting in |
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lifelong pain, he
worked hard his entire life.
In addition to
running the farm with Callie, which at one point employed 75
workers, he worked fulltime most of his life at Blanche Barbershop
in Lake City, Fla. Rufus is buried in Live Oak City Cemetery, Live
Oak, Fla.
Rufus was fond of
giving practical advice to Burton. “It’s not how much you earn; it’s
how much you save” and “If you borrow it, put it back exactly where
you found it,” were two of his favorites. |
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Rufus’s hard
work may have been unmatched, except, possibly, by Callie. She
was born Emma Callie Hunter. While Rufus was working at the
barbershop during the day, Callie had immense responsibilities
of raising children, running the farm, and homemaking.
She married Ray
Dowdy after Rufus passed away.
They reside west of Lake City, Fla. Callie was also a gifted
seamstress. She won awards in the Suwannee County Fair for
sewing expertise. After two victories, she
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stopped
competing so others would have a
chance.
Burton has two younger sisters: Emma Jean Jordan and Lena
Ethel Heeney, both nurses. Emma is married to Larry Jordan.
They reside in Wellborn, Fla., and have three children. Lena
and her husband, Jerome “Jerry” Heeney, live in Lake City,
Fla., with their two children. |
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