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Note: Obituary in newspaper:
He was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Norris City, IL. Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Mabel Tway Singleton. He is survived by three children, and two sisters, Cora Lackey of Phoenix, Arizona and Beulah Scribner of Eldorado, Kansas. He was preceded in death by four sisters, Eunice Welty, Audine Hogoboom, Mabel Page and Strausie Page; and two brothers Charles and Okel Singleton.
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From an interview with Bob, with his wife Mabel, that she recorded in writing: Bob wrote some of it himself also.
"I am Robert H. (Bob) Singleton, born May 5, 1912 about 1/4 mile west from Economy in a stone house. The first place I remember living was the Fetrow place. The neighbor's hogs squealed and when I had to go out at night I was afraid of them.
I went to first grade at Turkey Creek, then through the eighth grade at Economy. One of the teachers built big swings there and when we played hide and seek we'd hide behind the tombstones in the cemetery.
The last day of school they had a big dinner and a program. Aunt Etta says I sang "Golden Slippers" but probably was at a pie supper as their kids didn't go to Economy. Aunt Etta mentioned it several times when we went to see them.
Opal Perry gave me a valentine that said "I Love You." May was in my grade and I studied and tried to keep up with her. I got a whipping for throwing a paper wad. There were five teachers that year. Two boys turpentine a dog and he ran into the schoolhouse and right over the teacher's desk and her lunch.
The only other whipping was from Dad for fussing over the pump handle with Cora. I had to cut my own switch, too. I remember playing with the Pollman boys when they'd come visit before they moved, and also Floyd and Glenn.
Broke my wrist coming in from milking. Charlie held me and Dad put it back, then Mother took me to Eldorado in a buggy to the doctor. He said they'd done a good job setting it. It bothers, though.
We still lived on the Batman place when Okel and Agnes started getting sweet on one another. One time when the water was over the bridge, I carried Strausie across first (I had boots on) and I never thought to change arms with Agnes and nearly dropped her in the water.
It was 2 1/2 miles to school - walking - driving old Flory to the buggy - in bad weather a team to the wagon with hay in the bottom, lots of good old school days.
I guess I was in the fifth or sixth grade when we moved up west of the Penn family. I helped dad in the field there. One time I was cultivating with two mules. I punched one with a stick and he kicked with both feet and broke the single tree smack in two.
I had my first cigar at Charley's and Eunice's shivaree, layed the stub up and smoked it the next day and did I get sick.
When we moved from there to the Cameron place - I drove a load and we crossed right through where the old Eldorado lake was about to be. The next day or so I went back for a load of grain (I think) by myself and I think returned the day after.
I remember mother singing church songs around home - it is when I first learned church songs, and sometimes Audine would play the old pump organ and dad would join in once in awhile - "When the Roll is Called up Yonder."
After the Cameron place, I remember what a time you girls had cleaning up the house where the batchelores moved from across from Templeton and what a time we had with an old sow that kept getting out. I finally got to where I could stand and throw rocks and pretty well guide her to the hole in the fence to squeeze back in.
Then I went to Minnesota to the C.C.C. - came back and worked some for Templeton - we moved to the hills and after a year or so started in the oil patch. Worked a year or so for the Nat. Refining Co. Got laid off and came to Ill. Had one heck of a time getting started here. Finally got on with the Kingwood, then the Adams Oil and Gas - Taylor Drilling Co. then Shell on August 2, 1942. I retired Aug. 2, 1969.
Mabel and I celebrated 50 anniversary in March with our three children and 7 grandchildren. We have lived in a town of 1500 popularion for 34 years. We are active in the Baptist Church and Senior Citizens. Our children live close enough we can see them often. We have enjoyed living and retiring in Southern Illinois. We visit sometimes with Okel's widow, Agnes, who lives in Evansville."
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