One of my goals for 2013 is to learn a little bit about Mendota beyond what I presently know. As I learn interesting things, I’ll share them. Here’s a start.

He looks like a gangster in this picture…a hillbilly gangster born and raised in Mendota, Virginia. I’m wondering who that car belonged to? I’m wondering what kind of car it is? My husband thinks it’s a Ford from the 1930’s.

His name was William T. Barker. Most people called him “W.T.”…or “Dub”. Mother called him “Bill.” I called him Daddy.

I haven’t seen that face for over 40 years as he died the summer I was 16, and at the time of his death, he was about 64 or 65 years old. As I look at his face, I’m looking to see if I favor him. I do not. I favor Mother.

However, I have his feet (ugly) and his sense of humor. Thanks Daddy! Not for the feet but for the sense of humor!