One Day She'll Darken by Fauna Hodel
with J. R. Briamonte
with J. R. Briamonte
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Pat on her way to Sunday school in Sparks with her friends. Jimmie Lee, Big Mama and Aunt Rosie always made sure that she went to church services, most often with Reverend Webb.
Jimmie Lee enrolled Pat at the Kate Smith Elementary School just a few blocks from where they were living. Homer walked her to school most days. Pat was very proud of her Pappa. She is second row, right side.
Big Mama lived in Los Angeles and was the matriarch of the family. Pat stayed with her while Jimmie Lee tried to earn a living in Sparks, NV. Even after her death, Pat felt protected by her spirit.
Yvette with her father, Bobby Ward. After he and Fauna divorced, Yvette stayed with her mother.
This is the first photo that Fauna viewed of her biological mother, Tamar. She is with her 4 other children, Peace, Joy, Love and Fauna II. Fauna II is holding her son, Star.
Fauna with Jimmie Lee just before she passed away. Their uncompromising love kept them together until the very end.
Fauna at age 3 or 4 was known to everyone as Pat. Although her white skin, blond hair and light colored eyes were obvious to everyone, as she grew older her birth certificate played an important roll in her ability to fit into her Black community.
Homer Faison, a.k.a. "Poppa", had a strong influence on Fauna. He kept her grounded when the atmosphere surrounding Jimmie Lee became too chaotic.
Fauna, aka "Pat", with her first daughter, Yvette. At this time she was married to Bobby Ward.
Dorothy, on left, is Tamar's mother. Effie, on the right, is Dorothy's mother. Fauna's ancestors are descendants of Millard Fillmore. This is one of the reasons that Dorothy was so adamant about not allowing a baby of mixed race to be in their midst.
Fauna's two daughters, Rasha and Yvette, now both married, remain best friends and close to their mother.
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