Bowie County Citizens Tribune/DeKalb News Aug. 16, 2000 Used with Permission By Kathrina Lehrman of the Tribune Staff Billy and Dorothy Sheridan had an exciting time on Saturday. Billy and his family were reunited with two nieces after 54 years. The Sheridan's own the Buffalo Gap Ranch. It opened in September 1996 and is home to many exotic pets, such as zebras, camels, and buffalo just to name a few. Billy and Dorothy Sheridan have been residents of the area for 33 years. Fred and Bessie Sheridan, originally of County Line Community, raised a traditionally large family. Their children included Billy, Faye, Harold, Alvin, Marvin Lester, Clyde, Richard, J.C., Marshall, Jimmy, Joe, Reba, Bea, Wanda, and twins Doug and Dan. When the twins were 6 months old, their father passed away, so Bessie raised the children alone. With such a large family, their home was usually the pivot point for everyone. Their home was always open to anyone because of their close-knit family. Fifty-four years ago, Marvin Lester Sheridan divorced and his wife and tow children (Barbara Louise and Caroline Elizabeth) moved away. Marvin Lester remarried and his son Ronnie was born. Unfortunately, Marvin Lester was killed in a tractor accident. Due to the circumstances, everyone lost touch with the mother and two nieces. Faye Sheridan, a resident of San Jose, Calif., decided to take it upon herself to locate the missing girls and hit the jackpot. She knew that her brother Billy Sheridan was exactly four days older than Barbara Louise, but no idea what their last name was or even the state they lived in. So, armed with the birth dates and their names, she began her search. Her first attempt didn't bring forth any results, other than a list of names and addresses of several Barbara Louises across the United States (none of which included the right one). But she persisted. She hired Julia Rollins of Austin. Before she knew it, she was having a tearful phone reunion with Barbara Louise. The girls were overjoyed to hear from their family, and arrangements were made to reunite the family as quickly as possible. On Saturday, the nieces and their Aunt Faye flew into Tyler and then drove into New Boston to Buffalo Gap Ranch for a reunion with the family. They were also able to meet their half brother, Ron, whom they didn't even know existed. Barbara Louise, who was about 6 years old when they left, could barely speak because she was so overcome with emotion. "It is overwhelming and exciting," she said. Caroline Elizabeth was around 3 years old when they left. She does, however, have a few vague memories. "There was a big table in the farm house kitchen, and a huge bedroom with beds all lined up against the wall. This has been an incredible time for me," she said. Their uncle Billy, who hosted the reunion, said, "I am so happy to see my nieces, but I am also sad to think that though the years, they might have needed us and we weren't there. We missed a lot of years together. We will all be busy catching up now".