They met on a church hayride in June of 1930. Norine recalls, with a giggle, that she originally went with someone else. Apparently, there was a fight over her and she went home with Taylor. He started courting her that same week. Taylor insisted from the beginning that they were going to get married, but Norine was not so sure. They were married on October 31, 1930 and have been married 72 years. When I asked her what advice she would give newlyweds, she said the following: marriage is give and take, both people must share responsibilities, and be kind to each other no matter how mad you get.
Norine and Taylor left Staunton in 1942 and moved to Baltimore, Maryland. While in Baltimore, she worked for Bethlehem Steel as an inspector. The metal they made was used to make cans for K-rations. She worked here until 1944, when they moved to Norfolk, Virginia. In Norfolk, Norine worked in a sewing factory making navy uniforms. It was during this time that her youngest brother, Babe, was killed on Normandy Beach. She recalls vividly taking him to the bus station to leave for basic training. Norine says Babe knew he would never come back home. Norine recalls the use of stamps during World War 2 for gas, sugar, and soap powder. Around 1948, Norine and Taylor returned to Staunton and operated a gas station/store with Taylor's brother. .
Norine and Taylor never had children of their own, but adopted a son in 1951.
They owned a small store with Taylor's brother. This enabled Norine to spend more time with Marshall. Around 1954, Norine and family moved back to Norfolk due to problems with Marshall's biological family. They lived in Norfolk until 1973 when they returned to the Shenandoah Valley for good. Norine started keeping her grandchildren in 1968 when I was born. My sister followed in 1972. .
Norine says she always wanted to become a nurse, but had problems with her legs. This required her to wear braces and she was unable to be on her feet for long periods of time.
