They met on a train 65 years ago and began a jouney which is still in progress and perhaps best describes the life of McAdams residents Bernard and Mary Landrum.
With the approach of Valentine’s Day the couple reminisced of the journey they have enjoyed together and shared their thoughts of longevity in marriage. Hard work and always having time for your family is what the couple said they have practiced and what they recommend for couples today.
The couple met riding aboard the Sunset Limited in California. He was serving in the military and was en route to a Naval base in San Diego while she was returning to her home in Richmond, Calif., after a visit with her grandparents in Arkansas.
They met in the dining car, ate lunch and supper together as they waited for their train connections to take them to their separate destinations.
A classic case of love at first sight was born in the train dining car and in the station while waiting for the next train. They parted with telephone numbers and addresses armed for a long distance courtship through the U.S. Mail during his deployment to Korea and Japan during the Korean Conflict.
After his military service was completed and marriage, the couple lived in Chula Vista, Calif., for several months before coming to Mississippi. He is a native of McCool. He worked for a time with Wamble’s Machine Shop before he joined his father in Landrum Sheet Metal and later with Iveys and then at his shop in McAdams for sheet metal contracts.
Having a longtime desire to farm, Landrum satisified that dream when he built six chicken houses on his McAdams acreage. Branching into the cattle business and further satsfying his farm dream, he bought 20 cows which grew to a herd of 100 cows.
Work with Ivey’s as a site manager took the Landrums to Oklahoma, Nebraska, Indiana and Long Beach, Mississippi for brief residences in each location.
For almost 20 years, Mrs.Landrum served as McAdams postmaster. She provided a service to residents of the area who needed help with banking and bill paying.
“We have had our ups and downs, but a good life,” and Mrs. Landrum. “Prepare for old age,” was his advice.
The couple’s children are Denise, Holly, Mary Ann and Sallie. They have four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
