"Today, December 10, 1992 is the birth date of my darling. As I sit here today, I am trying to recall a scene from 64 years past and a woman is giving birth to a baby boy. It was December 10, 1928. The mother's name was Violet Mae Blakeley and the father was James Louis Blakeley. The birth was at home in Wink, Texas with Great Grandmother [Mattie] Blakeley attending her. They named the baby Roy James Blakeley. Violet's mother passed away when she was twelve so she grew up without a mother. That is why Grandmother Blakeley was there with her instead of her own mother.

The day will be special in my heart for the rest of my life for the birth of this baby boy would in later years change my life forever. It would have such an impact on my life that I would be changed forever. You see I was not even born yet, not even thought of yet....seven years later I arrived; born at home to John Lewis and Edna Louise (Gideon) Ashton in Rotan, Texas. I am eternally grateful for having these two parent who loved me so much. I will not know love like this ever again since they have passed on.

At the age of 18 and 25 we were married after a three year romance. This love affair was to be one that took me from 'sheer ecstasy' to 'despair.'

Our three children will not be able to know how it was, for he is no longer here nor the father and mother. When his mother passed on it was like my last link to him and the past was gone; except, for my children and they will only know what I can tell them."

- "My Darling," Johnnye Blakeley, December 10, 1992.

Roy James Blakeley was born on December 10, 1928 in the newly found oil field town, Wink, in Winkler County, Texas. His parents were James Louis, born in McCaulley, Fisher County, Texas, and Violet Mae, née Vickrey, born in rural Collingsworth County, Texas.