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Edgar & Mavis (Gaddis) Branson
Written by Maxine Gaddis Morris, sister of Mavis

Mavis and Edgar met in Rico, Colorado, when Mavis and Margie left Kansas City where they had been living with Alice and Eli and working there (Mavis was working for Hallmark Cards). Alice and Eli were going to a new pastorate so Mavis and Margie came to Colorado where we, Dad (Wade), Mom, (Elletta), Rowena, Dean and I (Maxine)) were living. Bea, Ira and kids also lived there.

Margie found work in the Harris Bank and Mavis heard of a job as housekeeper for Mrs. Pellet in Rico so she went there and was accepted. Mrs Pellet was running for State Congress against Mr. Akin of Dolores. Her slogan was "Take a Pellet and Stop Akin" .. she won. When she knew Mavis was dating Edgar, she investigated him and told Mavis he was okay. Edgar said when he met Mavis (by that time she was working in the Rico General Store) he knew he had to have some edge to get on the inside track with her, to keep ahead of the competition. So he bought a car. This seemed to do the trick and they were married sometime later.

When Marie was born at our home (Wade & Elletta Gaddis) in Dolores, old Dr. Lefurgey came to the house to deliver her. He was quite the old doctor and would be a great story in himself. He had started as a young Doctor in the early days riding horseback to the patients, Sometimes sleeping in a haystack along the way. He did surgery on kitchen tables and all those other things that the pioneer doctors did.

When Marie was born I happened to be home from school with a sore throat, but I came down stairs to see her, keeping well away from anyone. Edgar was completely overcome with everything. When he was sure Mavis was alright and they placed Marie in his arms the tears were running down his cheeks. I guess he had never seen a newborn baby before.. He couldn't get over the fact that she had tiny little finger nails and even eye lashes. His girls were always such a delight to him. I always thought he should have been an engineer. He just had that turn of mind.

Mavis impressed me with all her talents being able to do so many things - Rico Telephone Operator, (the switchboard in her living room), Rio Grand Southern Depot Agent, Rico, (the last agent in Rico), Manager of the Ricado Hotel, Rico, Owner of the Gypsy Motel, Durango, along with running a home and being a fabulous cook.

Of course, Edgar was always there helping out when he was home.

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