Shared Photo: Lavern Austin

Question

This is a photo of my grandmother's younger brother,Lavern Austin . At the time of this photo, they were living in Fonda, Iowa. My grandmother (Vera (Austin) Johnson), who was only three years older than Lavern, entered him in a local contest for "the most beautiful child." She had asked her mother to do that, but her mother was too busy. So my grandmother took it upon herself to get him ready and take him there. I recall asking whether he'd won, and the answer was no. Sadly, Lavern passed away from diphtheria at the age of 5. My grandmother never really got over the loss of this sibling, and talked about him for the rest of her life.

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Answer 1

Thank you for sharing the wonderful photo of Lavern with us S. He looks like he was a happy child when the picture was taken, It is sad to learn that he was taken far too soon. Early dezaths are hard to adjust to. My Mother had a hard time talking about her brother who died of cancer at age seventeen.

Answer 2

Lavern truly was a beautiful child, and it is so sweet that your young Grandmother recognized that in her sibling.