Bellville Times

Vannie Mae Driggers

Mae was born in Lovelady, TX around the time of the "Great Depression." Her
parents were Lee Riley and Mary Gaston Dyches. She had a sister, Ruby and a
brother, Morris, who died at the age of three.
Her family lived a hard life in the logging camps and roamed from place to
place to find food and shelter. They lived in tents until they were able to
build small shacks and settled in the Huntsville and Trinity area. Mae
recalled walking several miles and crossing a log footbridge before reaching
her small one-room School House, which often times was a home or barn.
Mae was baptized at the age of 16. She married early in order to get out of
the cotton fields. She was the oldest child and seemed to carry most of the
work responsibility. She worked alongside her Dad in overalls, just as hard
as any boy.
Later, she worked as a butcher at the A&P Markets  in Houston. There she
made only $20 per week. She married Charles Norman "Nick" Nicholson, father
of her only child, Normal Charlene.
Charlene married Raymond "Bubba" Janosky in 1990. Only July 19, 1994 she
passed away suddenly of a massive heart attack at the age of 36.
Since Charlene and Bubba wed, "Miss Mae" has been a large part of the
Janosky Family. She has made us both laugh and cry at the numerous stories
of her life.
Mae will be greatly missed by both family and friends, but we can be
comforted in knowing that she will finally be at peace in the arms of her
beloved Charlene.

Posted by Joy Neely