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That RC chose to rely on himself at sixteen is noteworthy: few reach this turning point so young, fewer still who are blind. Sixteen-year-old Ray Charles headed first to Orlando and then to Tampa. Within twelve months he was able to pay his way. Ray, however, wanted to earn his own money as a musician as soon as he could. Lena Mae and Fred Thompson took in fifteen-year-old Ray Charles and made him a part of the family, offering to buy him clothes and give him an allowance. RC made up his mind: he would go to Jacksonville, live with the Thompsons, and see what happened next (Lydon, 26). Augustine or Tallahassee maybe there he could make some money playing music. Louise said the Thompsons would take him in. May Jane Robinson told the boy about a friend of hers who worked as a maid in Jacksonville and lived with her sister and brother-in-law.
Ray returned to school after the funeral but he was soon in trouble and expelled. Retha died from cancer in 1945 she was only thirty-one. By the age of eight he had decided to be “ a great musician” and lapped up everything he was taught at school while also singing in a chorus and hanging out with other students who liked jazz. He had begun six weeks into term and poverty meant he got around barefoot and was teased for that, and for missing his mother.Īfter the first term, Ray settled in more and enjoyed his time. Initially, Ray did well in the classroom, but was unhappy. She could put RC on a train, the conductor would keep an eye on him, and a teacher from the school would meet him at the station in St.
#RAY CHARLES BLIND PLUS#
The state paid room, board, and tuition, plus train fare to and from in the fall and spring. In 1937, Retha made the decision to send her son to the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind. Retha insisted the boys help out from an early age, a practice she continued after Ray became blind. George drowned in 1935 and no t long after, Ray began having trouble with his eyes he was blind by the time he was seven. Bailey abandoned his family.īy the time he was twelve months old, Ray had a brother, George, and the boys were close. After a couple of months, Retha returned to Greenville with her baby, and Bailey’s wife, Mary Jane, helped with child care. She left the Robinsons after she got pregnant, because of the scandal. Retha was fostered by Bailey’s family in Greenville, Florida and made Robinson her surname. Ray Charles Robinson was born to Bailey Robinson and Aretha (Retha) Williams. Legendary African American singer and songwriter, Ray Charles (1930-2004), was in foster care at the age of fifteen for twelve months.
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