03/29/2023
It all started with a dream…and some Rocking Chair Money. This is a story about the American Dream. Families that were born and raised in poverty, yet believed that we make our own destiny. They knew that their dream was achievable through a good plan and hard work. They would not settle for mediocrity.
Walter and Ruby Edwards were both born into poor families. Walter was particularly unfortunate as his father passed away when he was four and his mother was left to raise five children alone. They lived on a farm in Northern Alabama working as share-croppers. It was a difficult childhood. Ruby was born into a large family with strong values that farmed in the rugged hills of rural Tennessee. Although money was tight, both were raised with high ideals and believing in the American Dream.
When they met in 1946, Walter had just returned from war and moved to Tennessee to find work. Like most of the veterans, he didn’t have money or a job. Under the official title of the “Servicemen’s Readjustment Act”, the government gave money to veterans for recovery, relaxation and education. It was called Rocking Chair money. Walter would not use his money for recovery and relaxation, he planned to learn a trade. He wanted to be an electrician and used the money to attend electrical apprenticeship school. All his life, Walter knew what he wanted and he went after it. Eventually, he began a successful electrical contracting business. Walter was very successful in most all his endeavors. Still, being a true entrepreneur, he made mistakes along with way. He made a lot of money, lost money and gave more away.
Walter and Ruby Edwards both had a unique sense of giving and helping those that could not help themselves. We honor their memory.
