When she was 8 years old, Earlene Kenney began taking care of her baby sister, Mildred Crider while their family of 9 struggled through the Great Depression. Now 82 years old and recently widowed, Earlene has found herself resuming the role of caretaker to the only sibling she has left. When a stroke and a heart attack left Mildred weak and unable to work, Earlene left behind her life in Cincinnati and returned home to St. James, Mo. to take care of her sister. Earlene helps Mildred with the everyday things, like driving to the doctor and buying groceries, but most importantly, she is a loving companion.
Mildred Crider (left) leans on her sister, Earlene Kenney on a Thursday morning in Mildred's St. James mobile home. "That meant the whole world to me when she showed up," Mildred says.
PHOTO BY TRAVIS DOVE / MPW.60