Laurices Station

 Laurice and Luther Ray

When we lived in Sopchoppy in the 50’s and 60’s, Laurice and Floride Roberts Standard Oil Station on the outskirts of town on HWY 319, was one of two places to get gas or have your vehicle or tractor worked on by Johnny B, the black mechanic. The snapshot inserted is of my father, Luther Ray, who passed away in 2011, and Laurice with his dog. Laurice died in 1997 and Floride in 2008.

Someone commented on Old Florida, that the people of Sopchoppy were unfriendly. If so, it’s only because all the people I knew as a boy are buried out in West Florida Cemetery, and all the unfriendly have moved in from Tallahassee.

I think there were few towns like Sopchoppy in the 50’s and 60’s that epitomized Mayberry more.