home could be shifted simply by rearranging a room. “It was such a great feeling
to know that I had made a difference,” she said.
Brenda’s mother, Millie Wilson Tyre, was born in 1915 and was forty-years-old
when Brenda was born. The experiences of the early 20th century left its mark
on a generation, but for Millie the world was as beautiful as you were willing to
work to make it. Millie not only knew how to survive with little, she knew how to
make the little so beautiful you hardly took notice of what you didn’t have. “She
was a wonderful homemaker and made
decorating look effortless,” said Brenda.
“She helped both her family and my
father’s family survive during hard times.
She was so frugal, it was incredible what
she could do with a dollar. With $40 a
week, she would tithe, buy groceries, our
clothes, and everything else we needed.”
When Brenda’s mother decided it was
time for the family to move, her father
said, “We would need a down payment
to do that,” certain the discussion would
end there. Brenda’s mother pulled out
the $5000 she had saved with only that
$40 a week and after taking care of
everything else.
While Brenda rearranged furniture
and brought new life into the homes of
relatives, Susan learned to lay block,
work with wood, and even run wire. “I
didn't have many friends because I was
so introverted, and we moved around
a lot,” said Susan. “My father got into a
little real estate. He would fix something
up and make it beautiful and then we
would move on to another house. He
had a knack for interior design. But just
about the time I got up the nerve to say
BELOW The French Flea
has a little of everything
from furniture to art and
decorative items. They
even sell homemade
macaroons.
100 Toombs County Magazine