The Early Years
“I was born in Rexburg, Idaho, 18 Jan. 1921, to Zella Cantwell and George Washington Clements. My older sister Lila was born 13 Oct. 1918. My younger sister Minnie was born about two years after me. We were living in Butte, Montana. My father was working in the coal mines.
“Family trouble developed while we were still very young and my parents were separated. I do not know what caused the trouble between my Mother and Father. It is not too important at this time. What I would like to mention is the fact that neither of my parents were bitter. My Mother defended my Father and would not let us speak against him in childish anger or any other way. My Father spoke of her with much love and respect in his voice. Therefore, I never really felt like I was from a broken home, but as a child whose Parents stood as one and each with much love.”
This photograph shows Zella with all three girls. Minnie, the baby is sitting on Zella’s mother’s lap. Zella would send the girls away to live with George’s relatives while she stayed with her mother, Mary Alice Wood Cantwell.
The Star Café 