Alyssa Ridenour: reporter@greenepublishing.com
Joan Holmes-Radford of Live Oak, Fla. was born on Feb. 15, 1943, mere moments after Valentine’s Day. She is the daughter of Robert “Bob” and Elizabeth (Faulkner) Holmes. When she was born, her mother was very ill, and Radford went to be with her aunt and uncle on her mother's side for several months. Her sister stayed with their grandmother on her father's side. Due to this early separation, Radford and her sister were unable to develop that closeness that many sisters have.
Radford grew up on over 2,000 acres of ranch land. She referred to her father as “THE county cowboy.” Radford helped her dad on the ranch, often moving cows from one pasture to the next. Her father followed the rodeo circuit in the area and was the announcer for the Branford area. Many people referred to him as the “only authentic cowboy they knew of” in the tri-county area. Radford enjoyed riding in parades with her father on whatever horse he let her claim as her own for the day. Her father also did minimal farming, was president of the fair committee for several years, president of the riding club and head of the Sheriff's Posse.
Radford spent all of her school years in Suwannee County Schools, graduating from Suwannee High School in 1961. Radford fondly recalled her school memories. She loved music and joined band in the fourth grade, which became a big part of her life in high school. She later found a love for singing, occasionally performing in assembly programs and local competitions. Radford took piano lessons during high school and played at Friendship Baptist Church. Also during high school and into her college years, she sang at the Suwannee River Jamboree with a local country band. After graduating from high school, Radford dreamed of a life as a move star or country singer.
Radford later attended North Florida Junior College (NFJC), where she also took band and started playing the saxophone. In addition to this, she sang in the choir with the Sentinel Singers. At one point, she had the unique opportunity to audition for the Ted Mac Show, a popular talent show that aired on national television. Radford recalled picking a song beyond her vocal capabilities and trying to do an interpretive dance with it. She then got her high heel caught between the floor boards and almost fell. She explained the experience as an “embarrassment.”
Radford then transferred to Florida State University (FSU), still dreaming of becoming a movie star or country singer. She even took a couple of vocal classes. At first, she did not know what she wanted to major in. The school was large, and she didn't know she had an advisor. However, she loved English literature and with a nudge from her professor, Opal Kaney, she claimed English as her major. Radford also found joy in debating with atheists on campus, leading her to claim philosophy as her minor. Towards the end of her time at FSU, she went to New York to work at the World's Fair. After a month, she returned to Live Oak.
After graduating from FSU, she found herself in need of a job, and the only option available in her small town was teaching. She began teaching freshman English and later moved to elementary education once her kids became school age. This allowed her to be near her children. While working in the education field, she happened upon her old elementary school love interest, Roberson. The pair began dating and later married. Within seven years, they had four children. After some complications, Radford and Roberson divorced.
Radford's children became involved in many extracurricular activities, including piano lessons, football, cheerleading and little league baseball. She enjoyed going to games and recitals to support her children. “I would say life was pretty good, except financially,” said Radford.
When her son, Barry, was attending Valdosta State University, she ran into an old classmate from NFJC, named Adams. They started dating and decided to get married.
About two years after the divorce, Adams had heart surgery and passed away due to complications. Radford, who still cared about him, wrote a song about his death and sent it to a production company. She was told it was a perfect George Jones song, and he was looking for submissions. However, that would have cost her hundreds of dollars that she did not have.
Her son, Barry, graduated from college and went on to work with Frier Corporation in Gainesville, Fla., where he met his wife. Radford earned her real estate license about two years before retiring from the education field. She then moved to Pensacola and worked in real estate for a while. After three and a half years in Pensacola, Radford returned to Live Oak.
Radford had four children: Melahn, Sherri, Mary Elizabeth and Barry; 10 grandchildren: Taylor, Kyler, Dara, Dillon, Dawson, Sydney, Claire, Avery, Hayden and Cami; and one great-grandchild, Barrett. Life was good, but tragedy was yet to strike.
On August 1, 2017, Radford's only son went into the arms of the Lord at 46-years-old, leaving behind his wife, daughters, mother and siblings. His death was sudden, leaving his family devastated. “God took him quickly and mercifully,” said Radford.
About three years after losing Barry, Radford wrote her first book: “Born for this Purpose.” She wrote the book for a few reasons. Firstly, she wanted to write for the sake of his memory, so that his testimony would reach from Heaven, down to Earth. She also wrote the book in hopes that her story would bring comfort to others who may have lost a loved one. In addition to this, she wanted to show the sovereignty of God and display his role in helping her handle grief.