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Puckett Family Papers

The Puckett Family Papers consist primarily of correspondence from Beth Norvell Puckett to her husband, Lewis, who was stationed overseas with the U.S. Navy for over a year and a half during the latter part of World War II. The collection is rich in letters that document the single parent life that World War II thrust upon millions of women like Beth Puckett, who was left raising their two children, Sherry and Stephen, during her husband’s absence. The correspondence also documents the importance of extended family, which for Beth meant her parents, Joy and D.W. Norvell, who lived nearby and ran the D.W. Norvell Tent Manufacturing Company.

Beth Puckett
A photograph of Beth Puckett wearing a striped dress and seated in a wicker chair in the yard.
Beth Puckett
A photograph of Beth Puckett wearing a striped dress and standing in the yard.
Beth Puckett in the yard
Beth Puckett posing in their yard wearing a short-sleeved dress.
Beth Puckett in the yard
Beth Puckett posing in a new brown suit standing out in the yard.
Beth Puckett on the front porch
A photograph of Beth Puckett sitting on the steps of the porch on their house.
Letter from D.W. Norvell to Lewis Puckett
Letter written by D.W. Norvell to his son-in-law Lewis Puckett who was serving in the US Navy in the Pacific Theatre. Topics include working on projects around the house and updates on Lewis' son Stephen and daughter Sherry.
Letters from Joy Norvell to Lewis Puckett
Letters written by Joy Norvell to her son-in-law Lewis Puckett who was serving in the US Navy in the Pacific Theatre. Topics include updates on family members, encouragement, birthday celebrations, gardening, family routines, neighborhood gossip, selling their farm, and news of friends and acquaintances at home and abroad. Also included is a lyrics sheet for a song titled "Victory Starts in the Home."
Letters from Stephen Puckett to Lewis Puckett
A drawing of a house and flowers in the rain by Stephen Puckett, included with letters written by his mother Beth Puckett to his father Lewis Puckett while he was serving in the US Navy in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.
Lewis Puckett
A portrait of Lewis Puckett.
Lewis Puckett in uniform
A portrait of Lewis Puckett wearing his military uniform.
Lewis Puckett in uniform
A portrait of Lewis Puckett wearing his military uniform.
Lewis and Beth Puckett dining with friends
Lewis and Beth Puckett seated at a restaurant with another couple seated on the other side of the booth.
Lewis and Beth Puckett on the beach
Lewis and Beth Puckett pose sitting together on a blanket on the beach.
Miscellaneous correspondence to Lewis Puckett
Letters from several individuals written to Lewis Puckett who was serving in the US Navy in the Pacific Theatre. Topics include willingness to enlist (personally and observing others' attitudes), medical examinations, fire insurance records, updates on friends and acquaintances, school stories, inquiries into how Lewis was faring, encouragement, stories of life in the Army at Camp Campbell, golfing, and going to the movies. One of the accompanying envelopes features several nautical-themed doodles and drawings.
Puckett family
A view of the Puckett family home located on Simpson Street in Greensboro. The caption written on the photograph draws attention to a new paint job.
Sherry Puckett in the yard
Sherry Puckett posing in the yard of the family house.
Sherry and Stephen Puckett
Sherry and Stephen Puckett play outside in their yard with a tea cup and tray.
Stephen Puckett on his bicycle
A closer view of Stephen sitting on his bicycle.
Stephen Puckett on his bicycle
Stephen Puckett posing on his bicycle wearing an oversized coat.

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