Ira Sherlene Story was born on February 20, 1930. Her mother and father both had siblings, but they both had very small families. They wanted to have a bigger family, but my grandmother’s mom lost 2 children before Sherlene. Sherlene was their last and only child. Growing up my grandmother knew she was loved deeply and a blessing to her parents.

When Sherlene was in her mother's womb, her 3 year old brother, Theronelester, died of a mastoid infection. They could not take her brother to the doctor, because there was no cure for it back then. Before Theronelester, her mother lost another baby at childbirth. Her mother was anxious the rest of her life from losing two children.

At 3 years old, my grandmother was diagnosed with the same infection that killed her brother. They took her to the hospital, and there was little chance for my grandmother to live. My grandmother's mother prayed to God, and said if He let her live, she would never ask for another thing again. A miracle happened, and the infection went away. Sherlene was extremely loved, protected, and cherished by her parents.

Sherlene was a straight A student in school. Her parents were very proud of my grandmother. They used to tell her she would be great one day. My grandmother grew up on a farm, but she was never expected to do any kind of yard work. They used to say it was “unlady like.” Sherlene did work around the house with her mother. Her mother often made her read books to further her education. She learned early on that education, and having a good job is an important necessity in life. Sherlene’s clothes were always sewn by her mother until she got married to my grandfather. Even when I was a younger, she made clothes for my sister and I! 

My grandmother was very popular in high school. She was a “football sweetheart” which is the same as being a homecoming queen today. She also enjoyed playing the piano, so she decided to have a side job as an organist at a church. Her family was very religious. On homecoming night, her father told her that if she went to the homecoming dance that she would have to resign her position as pianist at the local Baptists church. Following her faith and parents, she did not end up going to the dance.

My grandmother was salutatorian in high school. She went to Baylor University, majored in education and religion, and got her Bachelors of Arts. After graduation, she taught at Santa Rita Elementary school in San Angelo, Texas.  

She met my grandfather, Robert, her junior year in high school. She worked in the library, and my granddaddy would always come in to get a book from her. Finally, he asked her out. They were off and on for 7 years. Her freshman year in college, they broke things off because she was moving away, and he was going off into the army. During that time, my grandmother ended up getting engaged to someone else.

With the time my grandfather was gone, she was teaching in Odessa and working at a church as an organist. When my grandfather returned from the army, they picked up where they left off. She broke it off with the guy she was engaged with. Before returning to the states, my grandfather's friend made a bet that my grandmother would not marry him. Of course, my grandfather’s friend lost, and they got married on April 25, 1953.