My Grandmothers Story

In 1921 Jack, Lena, L J, Desmond {5yrs. old} and Ruby {Lena's sister} migrated from Texas to Arizona. Jack built a 76 Union service station/store out at Mid-Way between Gila Bend & Centenel. They then sold it to G.R. & Ruby Shelton. Jack would start a business & get it established then sell out to one of Lena's sisters & brother-in-laws. This is how most of the Jackson girls got to Arizona from Texas.

Jack also worked as a Forman on Theba Farms west of Gila Bend. They lived in a cabin constructed out of railroad ties near the railroad. Later Jack built the Theba. Des remembered one Christmas at Theba, L J got a wagon and he got a doll. Jack then sold the business it to a family member. Then Jack bought a place from Azel Rudd & it was located 14 miles north of Gila Bend & 18 miles south of Buckeye. They named it the Cactus Lodge. (The old Rudd Place).

Somewhere between 1924 & 1927, Jack abandoned Lena and the boys. They were left out there in the middle of the desert and the boys were forced to become young men way before their time. There was no electricity or in door plumbing. They had to hall water from a neighboring farm. They had to keep fuel in the generators as well as learn how to maintain them as well as stock the groceries & pump gas. Des being the oldest also became sort of a father to L J. Times were rough.

Somewhere in here Lena became pregnant with Urban by Don Luce.

In 1938 times were scarce at Old Cactus Lodge after Jack left and there was a fela {Mr. Lonny} that drove the Milk route from Phoenix to Gila Bend three times a week, that would stop and give Lena Milk, Bread, Butter and Eggs. Lena’s Dad was living with her at the time. They could have possibly starved if it weren’t for the generosity of this man.

Lena left the Old Cactus Lodge in 1942 when she married Andy Angelopleous on February 10,1942 in Phoenix, Arizona. Andy was a short little Greek who owned a little grocery store at Paliverdi. No one really knew exactly why, unless it was some sort of business arrangement. Lena & Andy bought the Ella G. Gamble farm & equipment located at Perryville in 1943. Sale Price: Ten Dollars, and other good and valuable consideration.

The following is a list of the personal property that was included in the sale.

Two large Farm All tractors, one on rubber, one on steel wheels, with complete cultivation equipment One large offset disc harrow, one large float, One stalk cutter, One four row planter, One fine tooth harrow, One three bottom peace plow, One small four wheel trailer, One large four wheel cotton trailer, One small steel drag, One V shaped ditcher, One large Peerless pump and all wire, plow points and any other equipment now located on the promises and at the time of sale of the Southeast quarter of Section Thirty Three (33) in Township Two (2) North, Range Two (2) West of the Gila and Salt River Base and Meridian, Maricopa County, Arizona.

Lena and Andy Opened and operated the A. & G. Cafe in Gila Bend, AZ. They had a very successful business that catered to tourist as well as the Rail- Road workmen.

They sold out in Gila Bend and opened a restaurant in Redlands, Calif. and called it A & G as well. They also purchased an orange orchard (Orange Ranch) with a cute little white house located right in the middle of it and a huge Black walnut tree in the back yard.

Lena was raised in a strong Spirit Filled Christian home and even preached some as a young woman. In her early 20's she contacted Tuberculoses B and was sent to a home for Tuberculoses B treatment, which she overcame. It left her thin, which she remained until the day she died in 1977. Lena was elegant in appearance, about 5' 3" & Gray hair most of her mid and later life years. She wore a 7 1/2 Quad {A} shoe and wouldn't think of driving anything but a Cadillac. She worked hard all her life and had a wonderful sense of humor. She had a very infectious laugh.

In her last days while living in a nursing home, she had lost the " here and now" conversation but chattered on & on about her past while she was a child. Teri & Velvet had gotten saved in early 1977 and were concerned about her salvation. They came up with a scheme to see if Lena was secure in her salvation. Teri Looked up numerous salvation scriptures and called Velvet in Phoenix from Houston where she was residing at the time and gave the scriptures to Velvet with specific instructions. She was to go & visit Lena, read her scriptures then ask her if she was saved? Well Velvet did all that and when she got to the big question, this was Lena’s response " Do I know Jesus? He walks & talks with me in here every day! " Then she stuck her frail, thin little long finger out toward Velvet, looked at her with those light blue eyes & asked her, "Do you know Him”? Then she clicked back into the past and began once again with her gibberish.

Lena was barred in Ajo, AZ.