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  Card; 1932 December 20, from Jack Little to Mabel Francis Gray

  Christmas Card from Midshipman Jack Little, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, to Mabel Francis Gray, Memphis, Tennessee, on 1932 December 20.

  The card states, "Christmas Greetings, The Regiment of Midshipmen." It features a picture titled, "The Constitution and The Java Engagement, (December 29, 1812)."

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  Card; 1934 November 23-24, Sewanee Military Academy, Jane Gray

  Dance card for Jane Gray from the Thanksgiving Dances at Sewanee Military Academy on 1934 November 23-24. She danced with Henry Boesch, Walter Wills, Bob Learned, John McCormack, Jack Thomas, and Billy Yates. The card also lists the numerous chaperons that attended the dances. Jane Gray was the younger sister of Mabel Francis Gray, both from Memphis, Tennessee.

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  Certificate; 1929 December 31, Delta Beta Sigma, Mabel Francis Gray

  Certificate from Delta Beta Sigma sorority initiating Mabel Francis Gray on 1929 December 31 into the Zeta Chapter at Memphis. It is signed by president, Billie Murray; vice-president, Virginia Knighton; and secretary, Josephine Lude. Delta Beta Sigma was a national junior sorority for high school girls. This was during her time attending St. Mary's Episcopal high-school in Memphis, Tennessee, where she graduated in 1933.

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  Certificate; 1931 April 4, Worden-Jefferson School of Music, Mabel Francis Gray

  Certificate from the Worden-Jefferson School of Music, awarded to Mabel Francis Gray on 1931 April 4, for completing a prescribed course in "Piano and Harmony." It is signed by teacher, Sallie Asheraft Leake. During this time, Mabel Francis was a high-school student at St. Mary's Episcopal School in Memphis, Tennessee.

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  Certificate; 1932 October 22, Delta Beta Sigma, Jane Gray

  Certificate from Delta Beta Sigma sorority initiating Jane Gray on 1932 October 22 into the Zeta Chapter at Memphis, Tennessee. It is signed by president, Frances Abbott Kyte; vice-president, Carolyn Moore; and secretary, Ann McDuffer. Delta Beta Sigma was a national junior sorority for high school girls. Jane Gray was the younger sister of Mabel Francis Gray, who was also part of the Delta Beta Sigma sorority.

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  Document; 1935 May 6-11, Instructions for the Court of the Memphis Cotton Carnival

  Document; Instructions for the Court of the Memphis Cotton Carnival on 1935 May 6-11.

  Excerpt: "You will leave the Saddle & Spur Club at 9:45 A. M. in buses provided by the Carnival at the Royal Barge which is moored at the foot of Georgia Street. The barge will transport you to Jefferson Davis Park, where you will disembark, lead by the American Legion Drum and Beagle Corp. The King and Queen will follow the Drum and Bugle Corp. After the King and Queen, the Pages will march, followed by the Cotton Princess and her escort, the Floral Princess and her escort and the princesses of the King and Queen, with their escorts in the order named. The remainder of the Court will follow the Princes and Princesses first and the Ladies-in-Waiting and their escorts next."

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  Letter; 1931 October 26, from E. J. Tobey to Mabel Francis Gray

  1931 October 26, Letter from E. J. Tobey, Fulton, Missouri, to Mabel Francis Gray, Memphis, Tennessee.

  Excerpt: "Bob Carnes and I pledged Phi Delta Theta and we sure are crazy about the boys We have a '____' house with sixteen bedrooms and the nice living room and dining room you ever saw but the 'lounge room' is the best place in the house. There is a radio, victrola, card tables, leather upholstered furniture and a swell pool table. I spend most of the time in there. This is a 'knock-out' school and we're crazy about it. I'm taking fifteen hours. Spanish, English, Chemistry, English history and Bible, and it's some course... We've had several dances since school opened and they sure have been good but honey, none of these 'Yankee Gals' compare with you (honest). I give anything to see you darling. It seems so long since I've seen you."

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  Letter; 1932 February 16, from "Sookie" to Mabel Francis Gray

  1932 February 16, Letter from "Sookie" to Mabel Francis Gray, Memphis, Tennessee.

  Excerpt: "Just a few days and you will be having a birthday - One long to be remembered 'Sweet Sixteen'... I want to wish you all the happiness and joy that could possibly come to a dear, sweet girl like you - and may you have many more and each one increase with good luck, success, and blessings of all kind."

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  Letter; 1932 October 19, from Jack Little to Mabel Francis Gray

  1932 October 19, Letter from Midshipman Jack Little, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, to Mabel Francis Gray, Memphis, Tennessee.

  Excerpt: "All you do is go to football games, play bridge and dance. All I do is study, go to football games, and drill. Incidentally I passed my physical exams and right now we are 3/4ths thru the monthly academic exams. We've had Steam, Physics, and Bull - Math tomorrow. I just got back from the Bull exam. When I did come back I found your letter - now I know why I was feeling so good. Saturday we go to play Princeton at Princeton."

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  Letter; 1933 October 18, from Luther to Mabel Francis Gray

  1933 October 18, Letter from Luther, Texarkana, Arkansas/Texas, to Mabel Francis Gray, Memphis, Tennessee.

  Excerpt: "Am sure that you are still enjoying school as you were when I last heard from you. I was sure glad you pledged Chi Omega, because it has a swell rating everywhere. Darling, I am still a hard working man, doing nothing but working and thinking of you. Am still living in hopes of seeing you someday. I hope that after your first year at school you won't give up D. B. S. and not show up at the convention in Monroe, because I hope to see you at least by that time."

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  Letter; 1934 April 20, from Watson to Mabel Francis Gray

  1934 April 20, Letter from Watson, Helena, Arkansas, to Mabel Francis Gray, Memphis, Tennessee.

  Excerpt: "I got a notice from the jewelry house in New York today that they would ship the ring tomorrow or the next day. Shall I send it right on up, or wait until I come up myself? I hope you will like it. You see, I am taking it for granted that you will want it. Why should we wait? Can't we go ahead with our plans on next Friday nite just the same as if it were September? It could be done you know. I won't be satisfied until I KNOW that you are mine completely. I love you so much that I haven't been able to think of anything else since the other nite when you said that you would marry me. As the old saying goes 'If this is wrong please, God, help me to be worse than bad'. I have never been so happy or rather so blissful in my whole life. I think that when you said that you loved me that was the peak of my life's achievement. It was the utmost that I had ever wished for. If only you were here to be with me tonite then everything would be perfect. My family are very muchly pleased with everything that we have planned so far...'five minute interlude'...I just got thru talking to you over the 'phone and if there was ever anyone any happier than I am, I am sure that there was something wrong with them."

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  Letter; 1934 August 16, from Bill to Mabel Francis Gray

  1934 August 16, Letter from Bill, Uniontown, Arkansas, to Mabel Francis Gray, Memphis, Tennessee.

  Excerpt: "By the way have you seen the little Broadfast girl lately. Since I left then I have thought about it, and I decided that I wasn't exactly nice to her. You came into the picture though and I didn't have my mind on anyone else. I guess that accounts for my sudden rudeness. I'm not naturally rude really. Except sometimes I can't cut classes when people want me to. I have thought about how mad you were and about how mad I got when you hit me in the face with your purse. I wish I were there so that you could make me mad again right now. It is so much fun making up don't you think? Gosh but I'm bored to death around here. I'll bet you all are having a big time up there in the city while I have to just pine away for you way off here in the sticks."

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  Letter; 1934 February 25, from Charles to Mabel Francis Gray

  1934 February 25, Letter and dance invitation card from Charles, Knoxville, Tennessee, to Mabel Francis Gray, Memphis, Tennessee.

  Excerpt: "Frances, I know I've known you a long time, but it was only last night that I realized that you are the sweetest girl in the world. When we were both going to high school, I was crazy about you, but I didn't know how to tell you so. Perhaps I was rather dumb, and then again I didn't know whether you cared a thing for me or not. It was probably all my fault anyway. You don't know what that kiss meant to me last night. More than I can ever say. I'm wondering if it meant anything to you. I'll remember it as the first time I've ever kissed you and one of the big things in my life. It must have meant that you liked me just a little bit. Does it? I'm sorry I haven't written you more than I have, but I think that we can only profit by our mistakes. If you are willing, I know on my part, that I want to write you and hear from you as often as is possible."

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  Letter; 1934 June 9, from Stewart to Mabel Francis Gray

  1934 June 9, Letter from Stewart, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, to Mabel Francis Gray, Memphis, Tennessee.

  Excerpt: "Please pardon this rude note, but I have a friend who possesses a very powerful short wave transmitter and receiver here in Knoxville. He connects with Memphis every Sunday, and so don't be surprised to receive a relayed message from me some Sunday night around the hour of six. The message would be sent from here to an amateur receiving station in Memphis and the obliging Memphis operator would telephone the note to you at home. Sounds crazy, doesn't it? You're right, is is crazy. But it is unique, and I may attempt to say 'Hello' or something thru the dot and dash system. What do you think of it???"

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  Letter; 1934 October 9, from John Waldrup Brown to Mabel Francis Gray

  1934 October 9, Letter from John Waldrup Brown, Knoxville, Tennessee, to Mabel Francis Gray, Memphis, Tennessee.

  Excerpt: "Did you get the sweetheart pin I sent you? I hope you liked it. You haven't even written to tell me that you liked it or not. Sweetheart, it's hell living up here by myself - away from you, I haven't had a date nor a drink since I left. That's more than you can say (meaning a date). I am tired of school already. I have to get up at seven every morning whether I have a class or not, for I take breakfast regularly at 7:15... Well, honey, I must close now and go to school."

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  Letter; 1935 September 27, from Vance to Mabel Francis Gray

  1935 September 27, Letter from Vance, Nashville, Tennessee, to Mabel Francis Gray, Memphis, Tennessee.

  Excerpt: "We pledged twenty thru of the best boys in the freshman class including Wils and Billy McKee. Too bad we couldn't get Johnny Dobbs, but he was all ready hell-bent on going Beta - we pledged the two who are by far the best of the three. Decided against the remainder of the Memphis boys - of course this is entirely secretive. My pictures are ready but didn't have a chance to go by for them today. However will do so immediately and send you one if you swear not to expect much. I'm patiently waiting for yours - hope you'll be fast. Our magazine is coming along fine. Will have an issue out by October 15th. Enough of that, darling, I'm wondering what you've been doing with yourself lately - hope you've been at least a little bit true."

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  Stationary; Rothschild Dance Art Studio, Jane Gray instructor

  Stationary belonging to Jane Gray, instructor, at Rothschild Dance Art Studio located at 1268 Linden Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee, circa 1930s. Jane Gray was the younger sister of Mabel Francis Gray, both from Memphis, Tennessee.