Page 45 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2018- Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS

THE BELOVED

RECORD HOLDER OF

LOCKNEY, TEXAS

Every town keeps records. Many towns have
a record they’re proud of. But Lockney, Texas
(population - 1691) has a record unlike any
other. It’s their celebrated daughter, Lucy Dean
Record.
Lucy Dean has been a resident of the West
Texas town for 93 years. She was born there
in 1924 to C.H. and Mary Ida Rose. The Great
Depression hit soon after, and the Roses had to
work extra hard on their farm. Still, the couple
wanted their little girl to learn to play the piano. BY
Even though they lived in the country with no JANE
electricity, her mama washed and ironed for BROMLEY
families to earn money to pay for piano lessons.
Lucy Dean recalled all those white cotton shirts
her mother would hang on the line. “Often a C.L. 100% disabled. He was discharged, and the couple returned
sandstorm would blow in so fast, she couldn’t home to Lockney, but the young airman was unable to work. He
get them down quick enough, and would have looked healthy enough, but Lucy Dean remembers how much
to rewash them.” Later, the Roses opened the pain he suffered without people ever knowing. The accidental
Helpy-Selfy Laundromat in Lockney to bring injury prevented C.L. from regular employment but not from
in extra income. Their hard work paid off. having a full life.
Little Lucy Dean had a gift, and she began to
play for all kinds of events - school assemblies, He became a bus driver for Lockney ISD and then superintendent
weddings, funerals, church and public events - of all the buses for the largely rural school district. He also
every time she got the opportunity. Long before kept house and took care of their two children, Donna and
anyone ever thought of a playlist, she and Breck, so Lucy Dean could work. He had learned to cook as
her friend Mary Glen Huff were often asked a youngster and was really good at it. The Records enjoyed
to play the accordion and ukulele at parties. their unconventional life. One of
Some of the most frequent requests were for the many things C.L. Record is
“Alexander’s Ragtime Band” and “If You’ll Be most remembered for is driving the From son
M-I-N-E”. bus full of band members to area
football games. Lucy Dean always Breck Record:
After graduating from Lockney High School in followed him in the pickup carrying
1941, Miss Rose came to Texas Technological the equipment. They did that for “I am a court reporter,
College where she majored in Music. She met over 20 years, and many Lockney and my work needs to
and married her sweetheart, C.L. Record, in residents have fond memories (and be perfect. I learned
1942, just before he joined the Army Air Corps. good stories) of those road trips. from her example and
She switched over to Draughon’s Business Lucy Dean started teaching piano her words: ‘Practice
College because she wanted to help with the in 1946 and worked 8 to 12 hours a
war effort. day at their Record Music Shop and makes perfect.’ She
Studio. C.L. faithfully held the fort instilled in us, ‘Be the
C.L.’s three-year commitment to the military at home. He died in 1991, and Lucy best you can be. Always
was almost up when he became ill with an Dean remembers, “He was the most do your best.’” And
undiagnosed heart and lung condition. The pleasant person. He was loved by Breck added, “She is so
army surgeon confessed to a mistake that left everyone.”
humble and kind.”

Lubbock Senior Link 45