Life After the War

Johnnie, true to the promises he made in his wartime letters, was determined to restore normalcy, and enhance the quality of life for both himself and Lucile upon his return from the war. They found comfort living in their home in Red Oak, a community situated in the City of South Fulton, Georgia, owned by Lucile’s father, Sam. This home held special meaning to Johnnie and Lucile. It was the very place where they had shared their lives before the war separated them, and during Johnnie’s absence in Italy, Lucile continued to reside there. 

Marston family home in Forest Park, Georgia

As children, Lucile’s sister Betty and niece Shirley were frequent guests, often staying over on weekends or for a day or two during the week. The youngest Stacks child, Melvin, and Kate Marston’s son, Bennie, also spent weeks with them during the summer months. Johnnie, too, shared many moments with this lively group during that time. 

In his letters, Johnnie frequently expressed his longing for children. By the close of 1945, his wishes were about to come true: Lucile was expecting their first child. Their daughter, Diane, arrived in 1946, followed by another daughter, Nancy, in 1952, and finally, their son, Randy, in 1959.

Johnnie, like countless soldiers, carried scars—both seen and unseen—from the war. Haunted by what he witnessed on the battlefield, back home, the fight continued for him—but this time from within. Johnnie suffered from PTSD. Prior to the birth of his children, he quietly struggled with drinking, the weight of his experiences pressing heavily upon him. However, with the unwavering support of Lucile, he found healing and gradually moved away from the ongoing battles within himself. His drinking became limited to social occasions, and eventually, he managed to quit altogether. Thankfully, this demon never disrupted their household.

Johnnie initially set his sights on becoming a mechanic. With the support of the G.I. Bill, he enrolled in mechanic classes, hoping to acquire valuable skills. Odd jobs helped him navigate financial challenges during this time. However, life had other plans for him. Although it remains uncertain whether he completed the classes, Johnnie never pursued a career as a mechanic. Instead, he found himself working as a pressman at the Gaylord Box Company in South Atlanta near Lakewood Park, starting in 1952. His role involved contributing to the production of corrugated boxes. To shorten his daily commute, Johnnie made the decision to move his family to Forest Park.

Johnnie working the forklift at Gaylord

In the early 1950s, Lucile worked as a seamstress at the Arrow Shirt Company. Later, in the early 1960s, she transitioned to a job at Crown Cork and Seal, where they specialized in producing bottle caps. She continued working there until approximately 1973.

Lucile (1956)

Johnnie (1956)

Around 1975, life took an unexpected turn for Johnnie. A seemingly routine task—retrieving mail from a neighbor’s steps—resulted in a fall that fractured his hip. The injury forced him into early retirement and from that point forward, Johnnie leaned on a cane for support. The retirement pay he received was modest, leaving him with limited resources. Lucile continued working part-time at the warehouses at Fort Gillem, a U.S. Army Post located in Forest Park, to ease the financial burden.

Johnnie was a man of many passions. His love for sports was unwavering, and he reveled in the excitement of both college and professional football games. His interests extended beyond the gridiron; he was also a devoted baseball fan. If not watching a game on television, you might catch him at an Atlanta Crackers or Braves game. His bond with Randy, his son, was unbreakable. Together, they shared countless hours watching games. He loved Nascar too. Richard Petty was his racing hero, and he made sure Randy experienced the thrill of the Atlanta 500 firsthand when he was just a wide-eyed 10-year-old.

Johnnie’s heart belonged to family. The Stacks—Leola, Betty, Shirley, and Elvie—were his neighbors, living on the same street in Red Oak before Johnnie and Lucile moved to Forest Park. Whenever he strolled through the neighborhood, he would stop by each of their houses, spreading warmth and laughter. On Valentine’s Day, he would surprise them with heart-shaped boxes of candy, a sweet gesture that reflected his caring nature. The bond among the Stacks siblings endured throughout their lives. They resided near one another, and each year, reunited in Red Oak on Mother’s Day for a family gathering.

Earl, Leola, Nell, Lucile, Betty, and Melvin Stacks

Stacks family reunion—Melvin, Leola, Earl, Nell, Mary, Lucile,
Geral, and Dorothy

Stacks family—Earl, Cecil, Dorothy, Lucile standing; Betty and Nell sitting

Stacks family—Betty, Leola, and Lucile

Melvin’s wife Margie and Earl’s wife Elvie

Leola, a widow living alone, held a special place in Johnnie’s heart. He would sit with her for hours, sharing stories and keeping her company. Lucile understood this bond and encouraged Johnnie’s visits. His playful spirit endeared him to everyone; he loved cracking jokes and being delightfully silly. Beneath the humor, though, was a kind and generous soul.

Leola