"Where's Hubert?"
If Preston Hubert Potter could have a dime for every time this was
asked, he would have been a millionaire.
From the time he was a little boy to the day he passed away, family,
friends, acquaintances, and strangers from North Carolina
to Florida would ask in the
Everglades City FL community or on Goose Creek
Island, “Where’s Hubert?” The question got to be so famous in Everglades
City, that t-shirts were even made
proclaiming the question. His answer to
everybody’s question was, “Why do you want to know? I know where I’m at!” Hubert Potter departed this world in
November 2011 but his iconic question and answer is still whispered when his
name is mentioned. Hubert was born and
raised in Lowland NC, up the Prong Road
on his parent’s farm. Hubert went to
school in Hobucken, drove the school bus, played baseball and courted Joy Mae
Howerin throughout his teenage years.
After they were married and had started a family, they left Lowland for Everglades
City, FL where the shrimping
industry was booming. He made his home
in Everglades City
and raised his family there, where they continue to live today. After his retirement, Hubert and Joy Mae
returned to their home in Lowland and stayed there during the spring, summer,
and fall months, only to return to Florida
in the winter. In his retirement, he
worked with local farmers on their farms, attended every family gathering that
required his presence, and enjoyed being back “home” among his family. Since Hubert’s death, Joy Mae resides in her
home in Everglades City FL
surrounded by “her boys” and her grandchildren.
If you have a moment, drop Joy Mae a line, she’d love to hear from all
of her friends and family in North Carolina.
Joy Mae Potter
Everglades City FL 34139
As a child, a teenager and as an adult. When I pass the Potter Homeplace, I still look for Mr.Hubert and Mrs.Joy Mae sitting on the porch. There was always someone sitting around visiting on that porch. I can hear Mr.Hubert say, Hey Honey as he gave everyone a big hug. He was definitely "One of a kind" and will never be forgotten.
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