Muddy Roads in the Seymore Community
United Two Young Lovers For Life

 

by: Kristi Fisher Beech

 

 

 

 

He lived down one of the muddiest roads in Hopkins County, going east of the Seymore Community, and she lived down one equally as impassable, going west. They first met on the school bus, in the seventh grade, as it would take them to and from school, from their homes south of Sulphur Springs.

 

 

 

 

 

Then, it was at lunch, across the street from Sulphur Springs Junior High School, at the "Kitten's Den," the popular hamburger hang-out, the relationship started, that would be everlasting. It was in September 1963, that Freddie and his friends were on one side of the street and Linda and her friends were on the other. One of Freddie's friends crossed the street and told Linda that Freddie wanted to "go with her." Back then, "going together" meant exchanging heart necklaces, with your names on them. Linda's answer was "Yes," and the story begins.

 

 

 

Freddie Fisher and Linda Lynch rode the school bus together for the next six years, with Linda never missing a day of school, just so she could see him. She dreaded the days, when his little sister would taunt her because Freddie was absent. Both of them were so shy, during junior high school, that they didn't talk much, but were in love nonetheless. The only trouble that either of them got in was on the school bus for "showing affection!"

During their sophomore year in high school, Freddie gave Linda an engagement ring. By the eleventh grade though, Freddie had quit school to help his family make a living by hauling hay, cutting wood, or milking cows at local dairies. He still came to see Linda at night, though.

Linda graduated at the top of her class of 1969, at Sulphur Springs High School, and she and Freddie got married just days later, on June 5, 1969, with the condition that they be back the next morning, in time to haul hay, in the hayfield.

 

 

 

 

They moved into their first home and paid rent of $5.00 per month, had no running water or bathroom, and layers of wallpaper holding things together, but life was good, for the young newlyweds. They were happy!

They hauled hay, cut wood, and worked on local dairies, living the simple life. Then, on August 1, 1970, they were blessed with a baby girl, Tammy. Life was really good now. Linda went back to work at the H.D. Lee Company and Freddie continued to farm. On April 21, 1973, a second daughter, Kristi, was born. Linda stayed home after that and helped Freddie with farming, as they raised their girls. Linda packed lunches every day and the girls and their parents all headed to the hayfield. The next several years were spent bailing hay, farming and dairying.

 

 

 

 

 

Many June 5th anniversaries were spent in the hayfield or on the tractor, but it was time spent together and they didn't mind!

There have not been many quarrels over the almost 47 years, but then again, when you have grown up together, worked together, and grown older together, there is not as much to "fuss" about! You just take the time every day to tell each other "I Love You" and life will always work itself out. That seems to be their attitude about everything and their secret to success.

 

 

Freddie and Linda Fisher, now live in Yantis, have two daughters and sons-in-law, Tammy and Tim Smolen and Kristi and Shannon Beech, and four grandchildren, Hailee Batchelor, Michael Smolen, and Dylan and Gracie Beech.

They continue to farm together and are still very much in love!

 

Freddie and Linda Fisher.

 

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