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“The library in the Bay, at that time, was a very small area located in the back of the building where I worked. Mrs. Haas had given us a list of classical books to read and I had checked out King’s Row. I read the book and returned it to the library. A short time later, Emile Gex, a young practicing attorney in Bay St Louis, checked the book out and when he brought it back, he was curious about a piece of paper he had found in the book,” Juanita explained. The piece of paper inside the book was actually a piece of a box that shampoo came in. It was stuck in the book like a little note, but nothing was on it. Emile was curious who had left that in the book and asked the librarian who had previously checked the book out? Miss Louise responded, “Her name is Juanita Love- less.” Emile replied to the librarian, “I don’t know that per- son.” The librarian said, “She’s the young lady who works up front in the Welfare Office.” Emile went up front in the building, peeked inside and in- troduced himself to Juanita and they chatted for about half an hour. At the end of the con- versation, Emile told Juanita he had an extra ticket to a foot- ball game in Gulfport the fol- lowing Friday, and he didn’t have a date. He said he was going with two other couples if she was interested, but Emile told Juanita not to respond right then. He told her to check him out and he would come back by the next day for her answer. He knew she wouldn’t want to go with a stranger. Shortly after Emile left, Mrs. Haas came back to the office and said, “Oh yes, he’s that nice, eligi- ble bachelor, who works just up the street. It’ll be fine.” Juanita went and had a great time. The next week, Emile came back by and said he had tickets to a boxing match. They went out with another couple and had another great time. By the third date, they went to a movie by themselves. “One hundred and one days later, we married. But that’s something I would never recommend to any- one. I never thought I would do it.” she said with a smile and laugh. “God brought us together,” she said with conviction. In 1969, just after Hurricane Camille had devasted the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Emile had heard about a new program being offered at Ole Miss in Urban and Regional Planning from his nephew who had just graduated from Ole Miss in the program. Emile was excited about the program and the job opportunities it might bring. “We can do this I told him. Emile had earned his law www.southernsenior.info 19