Decatur Street
(Formerly Oak Lane)
Betsy Lee Gardens
Newport News, VA 23605

...Home Again


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My family lived here at 637 Decatur Street from 1955 until 1978. I left in 1968--Uncle offered me a deal I couldn't refuse. Dad left in 1964--God offered him a deal he couldn't refuse. And Mom finally left in 1978. Everyone else was gone, so Mr. King offered her a deal she couldn't refuse. This shot was taken from the back yard at 637 Decatur St., and that's me standing on the back steps. I remember it was a little chilly that day. Our next door neighbor, Mrs. Ayler Bryant, lived at 635 Decatur St. The house to the left was where Judy Mawyer lived, and the one next to it (not visible) belonged to my best childhood friend, Clarence Point.  Wesley Staude and Ken Taylor ranked second and third.  There were only three.

I remembered everything, every window pane...


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My Uncle Ernest is standing next to Grandfather's 1953 Chevy Bel Air, parked in our back yard at 637 Decatur St. I am shown here riding my purple Schwinn bike on Decatur St. Photo is looking west toward Jefferson Ave. Here I am riding my bike again, except this shot is looking to the east toward Marshall Ave. and Briarfield Manor.

...every word came back to me, the way it used to be...


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My Grandparents, Bessie and Fred Gibson, lived at 622 Decatur St., just down the street from us. My Grandfather owned this house from 1955 until 1969. My Grandmother passed away in 1965. This photo and the one on the left were taken after the front porch was enclosed.  Ken Taylor lived next door at 620 Decatur St. Here my Grandparents are standing on the front steps.  Photo was taken before the front porch was enclosed, probably in 1955 or 56.

...then I saw your face across the street, and my heart was home again.


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This house was where the Pools lived, Brenda (NNHS-63) and Janice (NNHS-66).  Their address was 629 Decatur St.


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Fred's Memories

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Last Updated: 22 Aug 2010