A Mind-Altering Blow to the Head
At the age of seven, Nannie suffered a head injury that dramatically changed her personality and thought patterns. She was on a train heading to the south of Alabama to visit some relatives when the train came to a surprising halt, causing her to fly forward, headfirst, into a metal bar attached to the seat in front of her.
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The accident sentenced her to a life of sporadic blackouts, chronic headaches, and overwhelming feelings of depression and angst. Years later, she would blame her malicious acts on the blow to her head.