Letters from the Past: Words and artwork set the scene for book signing

Over 2,000 pages of letters like these between Dick and Jo Flowers were the inspiration for local author Dee Dee Hall's novel, 'A Gal Named Jo.' The book details the events of the summer of 1944, as seen through the eyes of Jo Flowers. Hall and her siblings found the letters after their mother's death. The box of letters had survived two house fires, but was still kept private by their parents. [Click to enlarge]

As nurturers, providers and leaders of the household, many parents are clearly defined to their children simply as mothers and fathers. The details of their past dreams and personal stories are often lost to the generations who follow.

Dee Dee Hall was blessed with the opportunity to see her parents from a different perspective when she and her siblings discovered over 2,000 pages of personal letters sent back and forth between her parents in their first few years of marriage. She now shares her parents' story with the community they served within the pages of "A Gal Named Jo", a novel based on those letters.

On Thursday, March 18, a reception, book signing and art exhibit of the many works of Hall's parents will be held at the Learning Resource Center on Dyersburg State Community College's Dyersburg campus. The event will take place from 6-7:30 p.m.

Hall's parents are the late Dick Flowers and Jo Sigman Flowers. Both talented artists, the couple served the Dyersburg community in a variety of ways - most notably through Flowers Photography Studio, which they ran together for over 40 years.

Hall's novel gives local residents a more personal look at her parents, taking the reader back to the summer of 1944 when the couple was separated by a world at war. The story is told through her mother's eyes and words, with Hall expertly sharing the promise and resilience of young love.

Hall, who currently lives near Reelfoot Lake, was raised in Dyersburg. A member of Dyersburg High School's Class of 1971, she invites old schoolmates, neighbors and friends of the family to attend the event honoring her parents and their many talents.

Local residents may get to know the late Dick and Jo Flowers in a unique way when they visit the DSCC LRC for an art exhibit of the couple's work or read 'A Gal Named Jo,' the new novel by the couple's daughter, Dee Dee Hall. The Flowers served the Dyersburg community for over 40 years as they ran Flowers' Photography Studio together. [Click to enlarge]

Along with a copy of the book, Hall will donate a painting her mother created of Mark Twain for permanent display at the DSCC LRC. Other works of art created by her parents will be exhibited, as well.