Narrative Summary
Interview with Paula Ross by Emily Johns
Paula grew up during a very interesting time in history—she was a teenager in Europe
during World War II. She considers herself to be mainly Evangelical, but was also Baptist for a
time. We spoke a lot about some of the memories she has and also her views about religion
overall.
Some of her favorite memories about religion were of the sisters from the churches. As a
little girl she had to go to the hospital. When she was recuperating the sisters were such good
friends to her. She remembers holding on to the end of their long skirts as they went around. One
time a sister led her into this box which went up and up and up—her first experience riding an
elevator. “It was the beginning of feeling trust towards people with knowledge; medical
education as well as religious education.”
Paula remembers very well the holidays she celebrated growing up. They involved
religion, especially Christmas and Easter. She remembers the Christmas tree being put up on
Christmas Eve. She and her sisters could not see the tree until her parents decorated it with
candles and lit them. When the children came in they would sing Christmas carols and recite
poems. After this, they were allowed to open their Christmas presents. Later they would eat their
meal of hotdogs, potato salad and hot chocolate! After supper the children would go upstairs and
say their prayers before falling asleep.
The day after Christmas everyone would have a feast. Most of the families would have a
traditional goose. “All meals started with a prayer, you didn’t just sit down and grab a drumstick
and run around.” Easter was much the same. There would be one day to prepare, one day with
the family, then one day where you could visit friends.
Missouri State University
Spring 2014
Religious Lives of Ozarks Women
2
When she was older a big deal was her confirmation which she had to take training for.
This took longer than it usually would because of the War there were a lack of teachers among
other things. When it was finally time for the confirmation there was a very large group. The
ceremony took place in her church, which was beautiful and also quite large for the size of their
town.
At one point she started going to the Baptist Church which was on Sunday afternoon
because the minister had to travel from a larger town. As the War went on it became harder to
find ministers, so the sisters came. They lived in a villa in town and people would always be
giving them cakes and such. Paula remembers them very fondly. When she was sick the sisters
would help take care of her (many doctors were away.) The sisters were important to the whole
community.
Eventually her family learned their town was going to be bombed by the Russians. Paula
and her sister planned to leave during the bombing, then return. They were able to get a ride out.
Her mother and her aunt were still there and planned to stay. The situation escalated and they
realized they had to leave. The German truck they got a ride on was the last one out of town.
Paula told me how glad she was when she learned that her mother had escaped. This was just
one of the coincidences during the War which makes her believe that there was something more
than just luck.
I think a good summary of our interview can be found in this quote, “To me that is
religion—to believe and to trust.”
Missouri State University
Spring 2014
Religious Lives of Ozarks Women