September 19, 24, and October 7, 1940

We all take telephones for granted today, but in 1940, only 36.9 percent of households had a telephone. It’s apparent that neither Johnnie nor Lucile had access to a one, so he continued to communicate with her via postcards. In a postcard dated September 19, 1940, and postmarked in Atlanta, Johnnie told Lucile the exact day and time of his next visit to College Park.

Dear Lucile, 

Just a line to let you know that I am sure I will be down Saturday about three o’clock so don’t go off. Tell Dot and Nell and all hello and lots of love to you. 

Johnnie

September 19, 1940 postcard

Lucile must have been sick when Johnnie arrived on Saturday. He mailed her another postcard on September 24, 1940, postmarked in Atlanta, inquiring about her health … and her cow.

Dear Darling,

Just a line or two hoping you are better. Did any of that ice cream and fish make any one sick down there. I hope not. Did you ever sell your cow? Ha Ha. I expect to be down Wednesday nite if nothing happens so till then lots of love and tell Dot and Nell and all hello. 

Johnnie

September 24, 1940 postcard

As required by the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 passed by Congress on September 16, 1940, Johnnie knew he would be required to serve in the military for 12 months. Goodbyes can be hard on the soul, and Johnnie expressed his feelings about leaving Lucile for a year in a postcard dated October 7, 1940 and postmarked in Atlanta.

Dear Darling,

I am awful sorry about not seeing you Sunday. Please forgive me. I found out it is going to be hell for me when I leave for a year of military training with you near me when we parted Friday night. I didn’t sleep a wink all night long. 

So, lots of love. Johnnie. 

October 7, 1940 postcard

June 14 and 26, 1940

Over two weeks passed before Johnnie wrote Lucile again. In a postcard dated June 14, 1940 and postmarked from Atlanta to her College Park address, Johnnie referred to Lucile as having been sick. Perhaps that was why he didn’t make the trip to Red Oak.

Dear Lucile, 

I received your card and was glad to hear from you. I am sorry you had the sore throat. Bill said Hello to all of you. This card makes us even again so start writing. 

Lots of Love, Johnnie x x x 

 

June 14, 1940 postcard

Trouble was brewing between Johnnie and his friend Demp, who apparently was not following through on promises to give Johnnie a ride to Red Oak. Johnnie complained about Demp in a postcard dated June 26, 1940, postmarked from Atlanta to Lucile at her College Park address.

Dear Lucile, 

Please excuse me for not writing sooner. But I been expecting to be down there. I would have if it hadn’t been for Demp. He was supposed to pick me up at my house. We made a date to come down, three times the last two weeks, but I haven’t saw him yet. So, I just quit trusting him anymore. If I can I will be down there this weekend. Try to be up here Sunday. If I don’t show up down there. 

Love, Johnnie x x x x x 

June 26, 1940 postcard

May 20 and 28, 1940

Johnnie lived in Atlanta; Lucile lived in Red Oak, almost 14 miles away. He didn’t have a car, so had to depend on others for a ride, or walk, which he hinted at in a postcard dated May 20, 1940. The postcard was postmarked from Atlanta to Miss Lucile Stacks, College Park, Ga Route 1. He used a different term of endearment this time when he addressed Lucile.

Dear Darling, 

I am sorry, but I couldn’t get down Sunday. But I will be down there this weekend. Boy is my feet sore, Ha Ha. That the first time I have ever walk six miles for any girl, and for you I will do it again. 

Love, Johnnie x x x x x

May 20, 1940 postcard

Although he had good intentions, Johnnie apparently didn’t make it to Red Oak that weekend. On May 28, 1940, he sent an apology via postcard, postmarked from Atlanta to Lucile at the same address. Johnnie didn’t include a return address on this postcard.

Darling, 

I am sorry I wasn’t down there on the weekend. I didn’t have no way to come. But I will be there next weekend if I have to walk, so be good till I see you. 

With Lots of Love, Johnnie

 

May 28, 1940 postcard

January 3 and February 16, 1940

It was five months before Johnnie mailed another postcard to Lucile, at least that we know of. This one was postmarked January 3, 1940 from Atlanta and addressed to Lucile at the same College Park address as the previous postcards. Like people often do after a year changes, he wrote 1939, the old year instead of the new year, 1940.

Dear Lucile, 

I haven’t much to say, except I hope to see you Friday night if nothing happens. Tell Dot, Dent sent his love and I will give you my when I see you again. Tell Nellie I bring her a boyfriend. 

All my love, Johnnie

January 3, 1940 postcard

By February 1940, things must have started getting serious between Johnnie and Lucile. In a postcard dated February 16, 1940, he addressed her for the first time with a term of endearment. This postcard is addressed to Lucile at the same College Park address.

Dear Sweetheart, 

Just a line to let you know I haven’t forgot you and thanks for the valentine. I am coming down Thurs evening if I have to walk this weekend. You just don’t know how much I miss you. 

So, Lots of Love, Johnnie

February 16, 1940 postcard

New love begins - July 25 and August 4, 1939

The first correspondence from Johnnie to Lucile was a postcard postmarked from Atlanta on July 25, 1939. It was addressed to Miss Lucile Stacks, College Park, Ga Route 1. There was no return address on the postcard.

Hello, 

Just a line to let you know I haven’t forgot you and I will see you soon. 

Johnnie

P.S. Tell Dot and Nellie hello.

Johnnie's first known postcard to Lucile, July 25, 1939 (click to enlarge)

Johnnie mailed another postcard on August 4, 1939, again postmarked from Atlanta and addressed to Lucile at the same address. Johnnie included a return address of 48 Weyman Avenue, Atlanta, Ga on this postcard.

Hello down there, 

Hoping to see you Sunday week. Demp is still here. But Jimmie left last week. I have been working pretty hard all this week. Please write me to let me know you are getting this card. 

Johnnie 

 

August 4, 1939 postcard

Early family life

The fifth child of John Henry Marston Sr. and Hattie E. Prather, John Henry Marston Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia on February 23, 1920. At the time, his parents lived on Woodward Avenue near Grant Park in Southeast Atlanta. Johnnie’s parents already had three children—daughters Louise and Kate and a son named William. Another son named Curtis, born in 1917, did not survive infancy and had died in 1918. His mother had three additional children after Johnnie—Evelyn, born in 1922, and twins Nellie and Ned, born and died in 1925. 

Johnnie and his sister Evelyn (ca. 1925)

Johnnie's grandfather, also named John Henry Marston, was a carpenter by trade but also a musician. He played tuba in Atlanta concert bands that included “the Atlanta Zouave Band, the Wedemeyer Band, the Fifth Regimental Band, the Elks Band, Capital City Band,” and even twice with John Philip Sousa.

Johnnie's grandfather, John Henry Marston (ca. 1942)

Johnnie attended the sixth grade at Lee Elementary School in Atlanta during the 1934–35 school year. Although he only missed six days during the school year, he struggled with Social Science, Arithmetic, and Language. It wasn’t enough to hold him back though and he was promoted to the seventh grade at the end of the school year. Johnnie quit high school after only two years. Little did he know at the time that he would soon become part of the greatest generation to serve in the United States Armed Forces during World War II. 

Sixth grade report card, Lee Elementary School, 1934-35 school year (click to enlarge)

In 1938, the Marston family lived at 653 Boulevard NE, Apt. B4 in Atlanta. His father worked as a dental technician near Grady Stadium in downtown Atlanta. His mother was a housewife.

Johnnie

Johnnie was 19 years old in 1939, the year he met his future wife Lucile Myrtle Stacks, a pretty young woman living with her parents in Red Oak, Georgia, near College Park. He met Lucile through his friend Dent, a driver for the Coca-Cola Company. Dent delivered Coca-Cola at a country store near Lucile’s house. He met Lucile and her sisters during a delivery and thought enough of them to go home and tell Johnnie he should go meet them as well. Johnnie did and it wasn’t long before he asked Lucile for a first date—to a picnic.  

Lucile was the 5th child of 11 born in College Park, Georgia to Sam William Riley Stacks and Leola Edith Lemons on April Fool’s Day in 1922. Her father worked at the family sawmill in Red Oak. The family consisted of six girls—Frances, Nell, Lucile, Dorothy, Mary, and Betty; and four boys—Cecil, Earl, Geral, and Melvin. In addition to being sisters, Lucile and Nell were lifelong friends.

Lucile