Dedication

To our father, Raymond Earl “John” Tillery, for entertaining us with stories from his childhood and for reminding us every time we talk to him how important family is.  Also, for the beautiful painting that graces the cover of this book.  We love you very much, Daddy. This book would never have existed if it weren’t for you!

To our great-aunt Bessie, the woman behind it all.  Thank you for sitting at our shoulder while we wrote your story and for being a ‘Whistling Woman” who lived a life that’s fascinated us from the time we were small children.