Growing Up in Baywood in the 1910’s, 20’s, and 30’s, Part 3

Submitted by Sylvia Kelly Smith with the help of family members
    Sam graduated first in his 1929 graduating class with some of his neighbors, including two of the Fleniken boys.  This enabled Sam to receive some help with L.S.U fees as he went on there for classes—the year the stock market fell, heralding the beginning of the Great Depression.  Things certainly didn’t get better for families at that time.  L.D. graduated from Baywood in 1930 in the school’s last graduating class.  Even though he was older than Sam, L.D. and Tommie both had to stay out of school for a while to help out the family.  Then L.D.  was able to return to graduate after his little brother.
    Even though the Depression was upon them, Sam’s rank in his high school class helped provide him with fees to go to L.S.U.  He worked at jobs on campus to help pay his way.  His brothers at home also pitched in to be sure that “Little Brother” could get his higher education.  
    Lillie Mae didn’t leave her children’s college education to chance, either.  When Sam was ready to enter LSU, she took him to LSU and knocked on the president’s door and told him she had a son that wanted to start school but she did not have any money and she was wondering if he could help her.  He told her he would let him room (I think in the cow barn?) and give him a job (maybe feeding the cows).
    When Aunt Sis started there was also some type of accommodations made for her.  When one of the neighbor boys was ready to start his college studies (he was a boy about Sam’s age) Grandma also took him down to LSU and knocked on the president’s door and got him enrolled.  
    Sam and Sis both graduated from L.S.U. with help from Tommie and L.D.   Both Sam and Sis also worked various jobs at L.S.U. to help pay their fees.  Sam finished his Master’s Degree and was quite an entrepreneur in his time.  Among his many ventures, he was the first superintendent of the L.S.U Research Station in Franklinton, LA.  He started his own milk processing plant and sold milk products in the New Orleans area.  He began dairy cooperatives in Mississippi and Louisiana to help dairy farmers sell their milk.  Sis’s husband, Walter Peevy, finished his doctorate work and served as head of the Agronomy Department at L.S.U. in Baton Rouge for several years.
    Tommie and L.D. made their careers with the oil refineries in Baton Rouge.  
    This Smith family represents just one of the families of that era who had to overcome many obstacles to become part of the backbone of this great country.