Paul sent all his money home to his grandmother, which allowed him to buy a house when he got back to the United States.
After the war in 1950, Paul was living with his parents and his brothers Jack, Wayne, and Robert. He working as a farmer, partly owning the farm he worked at. Paul’s wife, Gladys Viola White Shows, was born in Rankin County, Mississippi on September 15, 1932. Her parents were Buford and Katie White, and she was one of nine children. Her family grew up living and working on a farm.
Viola White Shows
Viola White Shows
Her father, Buford White, was born to John F White and Sarah E White on June 23, 1898. When he was eleven, he worked as a laborer on a farm and was able to read and write. The highest grade he completed was 4th grade. At 19, he registered for the World War I draft. He was described as being medium height, medium build, having brown eyes and dark hair. In 1930, he was still working as a farmer. Again in 1940, he was working as a farmer. He registered for the World War II draft in 1941, with the description of being 5’6”, being 140 pounds, have a dark complexion, and having brown eyes and black hair. Buford passed away on December 15, 1969. He is buried with his wife.
Katherine "Katie" Tucker was born on September 17, 1895, to John N and Amanda “Mandy” J Tucker. She had seven siblings. The highest grade she completed was 5th grade. She had nine children with Buford: Lonnie B White, J B White, Albert White, Mamie White, Benton White, Lucy M White, Viola White, Carline White, and James W White. She was a homemaker. She passed away on October 13, 1993, and is buried with Buford in Clear Branch Cemetery in Clear Branch, Rankin County, Mississippi.
Gravestone of Buford and Katie White
Viola was described as “one of the most loving happy go lucky person in the world.” She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Florence. Viola passed away on May 11, 2015.
Paul and Viola had two daughters, Linda and Janis. The couple was known to be, “the best two, happy, funny, and full of life.”
Paul and his Daughter Janis
Viola Reading to Linda
Paul and His Daughters, Janis and Linda, Building a Snowman
In 1954, Paul worked at Allen Construction in Florence, Mississippi, as an Assistant Department Superintendent.
In 1959, he was living in Florence, Mississippi with his wife, working as a ship clerk. He settled down after as a dairy farmer, working the farm with help from family members, especially younger ones eager to drive tractors.
Paul Shows
Once he made it back, he never spoke about the war to anyone.
Paul passed away on November 29, 2000.
Paul and Gladys are buried together in Florence Cemetery in Florence, Mississippi.