Flying for business after World War II

Joseph Gibson (1900-1966), husband of Ina Mae Pierce (1903-1977), pauses on the boarding stairway of an American Overseas Airlines plane to allow his photo to be taken.

This is a publicity photo by the airline. On the back is stamped "American Overseas Airlines, Public Relations Department, Press Room, LaGuardia Field."

Gibson was one of the first American businessmen to fly to Europe after World War II, thus the reason for the publicity photo. He was a partner in Sweet's Foundry in Johnson City, New York. In a top-secret project, the foundry made casings for the atomic bomb during World War II.

1920s: Hazel Pierce

This photo of Hazel Lee Pierce (1905-1985) was taken in Cleveland, Ohio. Judging by the type of cars and Hazel's clothing, this photo was taken sometime in the 1920s.

Hazel's clothing shows that even the daughter of an Alabama farmer could keep up with the fashions of the times. Note the riverboat (or perhaps more correctly, a lakeboat) in the background. Perhaps Hazel was preparing to go on a riverboat trip.

Bonie Pierce: Painter and Carpenter

N.B. "Bonie" always kept busy working, looking for ways to make money to support his wife and nine children. And like most farmers, Bonie learned many skills besides just those needed to grow crops.

One-time neighbor Mallory Brannan recalled that “Mr. Bonie was a hard worker. He was a painter and jackleg carpenter. He went to Mobile to paint houses and do carpentry.” He did these sideline jobs especially during the winter months.

For a time Bonie worked as a painter for the Mobile County Public School System. In the above photo, Bonie is the man standing with his hands on his hips. He is surrounded by other painters for the school system, perhaps some of them are from Wilmer, too.

Photo courtesy of Lucille Pierce Hogancamp.

Raymond Pierce: Early 1930s

Raymond Lamont Pierce (1923-1981) and his brother-in-law, Don Vickers, pose for this photo probably taken in the early 1930s.

Note how neatly dressed Raymond is. Hat, coat, shorts, and shoes are all coordinated. Clearly his parents, N.B. "Bonie" Pierce and Julia L. Moody, cared about how their children dressed.

Don Vickers was the husband of Hazel Lee Pierce (1905-1985). Hazel was the daughter of Bonie and Julia. Don and Hazel owned a farm in Faunsdale, Alabama.

Graduation: Velma M. Pierce

Velma Moree Pierce (1913-1993) appears in a graduation robe above. Her dress can be seen peeking out from the bottom of the robe. The picture below shows her in the dress.

These are no doubt photos of Velma's high school graduation. But the photos do not appear to be taken in Wilmer, Alabama. For a time, Velma lived with her sister Ina Mae and Ina Mae's husband Joe Gibson in Indiana. So it is possible that she completed high school after moving to the North.

Beatrice Pierce, Laverne Brannan

These two photos are same. I liked the way they appeared together on the photo strip, so I kept them together rather than cutting them apart.

Beatrice Valara Pierce (1921-1993), left, walks with friend and neighbor Laverne Brannan. This photo was probably taken at Royal and Dauphin streets in downtown Mobile. This street corner at the Van Antwerp Building seems to have been a popular place to have your photo made.

Bea at the Filtration Plant: 1944

Beatrice V. Pierce (r.) poses in front of the newly constructed E.M. Stickney Filtration Plant, which was built next to her parents' property in 1944.

The young woman on the left and the baby in front of the doors are not identified.