McCalla, AL Author Publishes Memoir

Outta the Blue, a new book by Helen Hyche-Freeman, has been released by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc.

Outta the Blue is a memoir that begins with Helen Hyche-Freeman's parents and grandparents during the Great Depression era, World War II, and the Jim Crow South. That period in history was hard for everyone, miserable for many, and unbearable for others, especially African Americans just coming out of slavery. The message in this book represents a part of history that many would prefer to forget but unfortunately, we are still learning lessons that were not learned at that time because many chose to forget, and the mindset just swept it under the rug.

The lives of black families from that period are rarely written about. There are many entries of struggle in this book that Helen either lived through and dealt with and/or overcame due to personal strength of character from God, perseverance, tenacity, the will to overcome, learning from mistakes and failures, God's guidance, protection, and presence, which have been constant in her life.

God is real. We must trust him, have faith in him, obey his commands, and repent of our sins. There are consequences for our sins that will fall on our lives, our children's lives, and/or our grandchildren's lives. That is a heavy price to pay for sins. We all deal with trials and tribulations in this life; even Jesus had trials and tribulations and he was perfect.

About the Author
Helen Hyche-Freeman was born April 8, 1949, in Samantha, Alabama to her parents Hezekiah Hyche and Louise Palmer-Hyche. She is the third child of nine siblings, five brothers, and four sisters, including herself.

After earning her Bachelor of Arts Degree at Stillman College, in Elementary Education, in May 1972, her teaching career also started that same year at Westwood Elementary School in Coker, Alabama.

A year later at age 23, she married Arlington L. Freeman, age 38, the only man she ever dated prior to getting married. That marriage lasted seventeen years. They had three children together, one son and two daughters. The marriage ended in divorce in 1991. Unfortunately, a few years later he passed away from a type of onset diabetes.

Ms. Hyche-Freeman went back to school after her divorce and earned her master's degree in Elementary/Early Childhood Education at Livingston University, a two-year college, now known as the University of West Alabama, a four-year college.

Helen has dated other men of interest but has never remarried and is content in her life with her relationship with God and His blessings.

After retiring from public education, Helen Hyche-Freeman volunteered with Meals on Wheels, The Food Bank, Thrift Stores, Soup Kitchen, Jimmie Hale Mission, HOA, AEA, Retired Teachers Association, Book Club, and Cemetery Improvement Project. She has made donations to Our Daily Bread and other Charity organizations.

Birdwatching is a favorite pastime, watching various species come to the bird-feeder in the Mimosa Tree in her backyard.

As Helen matures, she enjoys peace and quiet times, which are a treasured blessing.

Outta the Blue is her first book. It has been a labor of love and has been very therapeutic!

Outta the Blue is a 114-page hardback with a retail price of $37.00 (eBook $32.00). The ISBN is 978-1-6386-7116-9. It was published by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For members of the press, to request a review copy, visit our virtual pressroom at https://dorrancepressroom.com/outta-the-blue/ or to buy the book visit our online bookstore at https://bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com/outta-the-blue/