Page 62 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2023 - Online Magazine

70years A ‘BIG DEAL’ for
70

the Bighams

of Marriage: of New Deal

by granddaughter Cari Hughes: Director of Nursing for Primrose Retirement Communities

started her career at the local post
office. The couple welcomed their
first child, a son, Steve, in 1953.
By 1958, Burly and Fern had three
children—sons, Steve and Bill and
a daughter, Belinda. Together,
with three children in tow and
one on the way, they picked up
from Lefors and moved their
family to Lubbock, chasing the
football, basketball, track,
boxing, volleyball, cheer, ready-built industry. The family
FHA, newspaper staff, student of seven was soon complete
government, and just about with the birth of two more
all the activities offered in the daughters, Cindy in 1958 and
small community at that time. Lori in 1963. While in Lubbock,
The two graduated in 1952—in the house moving business grew
urly and Fern met while a class of 33 students. Following successfully, and Fern was able to
be a housewife while the children
attending Lefors (TX) graduation, Burly and Fern attended New Deal ISD.
BHigh School, southeast of got married in an intimate but
Pampa. Fern recalls the first time crowded service held in the home Though a housewife, Fern did
she saw Burly while sitting in her of Fern’s parents. They became not spend much time at home
English classroom. She looked one of three couples from the during those days, as she found
up and saw a “tall, dark and class of 1952 to marry their high herself heading up the New Deal
handsome young man standing school sweethearts that year. In Athletic Boosters, alongside her
in the doorway.” It was then that fact, all three couples are still dear friend, Barbara Anglin.
she knew that Burly was the one great friends who continue to Together the two ran concession
for her. Burly, too, was drawn keep in contact with one another stands, drove cheerleaders to and
to Fern, stating that “she was a and who recently reconnected in from games and were known to
different kind of looker.” He, of August of 2022 to catch up on life. be at any and every function in
course, translated this to mean Amazingly, all three couples lived the community, supporting their
that Fern was good-looking. Burly to celebrate their 70th wedding children.
and Fern dated throughout their anniversaries this year!
Junior and Senior years. The family also made up a big
After the wedding, Burly part of Sunrise Church of Christ,
Burly and Fern participated continued to work for the family where Burly served in leadership
in many activities while business, WK Bigham and Sons for many years. Many enduring
attending Lefors, including House Moving, while Fern and cherished relationships

62 Lubbock Senior Link