Winnie Carter

Epperson Children Winnie Carter

This book is a logical continuation of the book, Orval and Therese Epperson, because it follows the lives of their children, Joan, Billy, and Tirzah. It is divided into three parts; Childhood, War Years/Married Life, and Finding Billy/Later Years. The lives of the two sisters, Joan and Tirzah, are told in their own voices, and the life of Billy, the second oldest, is told through newspaper articles and his early letters because he died at such a young age.

After their childhood, the three siblings go in different directions. Billy joins the Army Air Force as a bombardier and, through his letters, we see a twenty-something grow to manhood. Joan begins work in New York after being selected as the Editor in Mademoiselle College Edition. She meets Lieutenant Colonel Jim Giles, and their married life begins with joint careers. Tirzah begins college in St. Louis and meets fellow student, Dick Federer, author, pianist, and eternal romantic. Soon their marriage produces eleven children. Her busy life is dedicated to her family and her faith.

In the final part of this book, the search for Billy continues through declassified military records with hope of finding the Pansy Yokum aircraft. Joan and Tirzah recall family stories and write personal poems. The book ends with tributes from their children and grandchildren.