A community grocery store in Goodbee, west of Covington on US Hwy. 190, was well-known for its service, its promotions and its owner. In addition to grocery supplies, it featured a dance pavilion, a service station and later a restaurant. Its owner, a Navy veteran, wanted to provide a place for families and especially teenagers to gather and have fun. It all began in 1959.
The Country Boy One Stop in Goodbee, 1975
Text from the above article is below:
The Story of Country Boy One Stop, Goodbee, LA
"You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy." This is an old saying which might be said of old "Country Boy" Johnny Meyers, who along with his wife, Mrs. Lois Meyers, own and run the Country Boy One-Stop service station and store in Goodbee.
It you haven't heard of Country Boy Meyers, let me introduce you. He was born in Richardson Town, Bogalusa, and while young moved to Waldheim where he was raised by his grandmother, Miss Matilde Meyers. His grandmother is affectionately known as Aunt Mattie. His being raised In the country where he could leisurely see the squirrels scamper up bird-filled trees caused him to love the country to such an extent that he has never been able to lose it.
That is why after seeing most of this world as a Navy Gunner from the deck of a merchant ship and seeing the life in the big cities, he finally came back to God's country which gives him great peace of mind --Goodbee.
It seems strange, in a way, that Country Boy as a youth not quite 18, decided to Join the Navy after being landlocked, so to speak, in Waldheim. But he is used to doing unusual things, especially, after doing some serious thinking for 21 days aboard a raft after being torpedoed In the Mediterranean during the last war.
Country Boy came to our attention by one of our loyal readers. He told us that he was providing a supervised recreation area adjacent to his station in Goodbee for the teenagers so that they could not only have a place to have dances in the newly-constructed dance pavilion but also provide a place for young, growing boys to learn boxing, weight lifting and other types of body-building sports.
Country Boy Meyers is a special deputy sheriff which enables him to keep things well under control, however, the presence of a badge is not needed by him because of his friendly but "I -stand -for -no -foolishness" attitude.
Country Boy Meyers revealed his philosophy when he said: "We have over 25 kids who come here from time to time -- they enjoy the recreation facilities we have provided. We have set up a dance pavilion, which has a modern Music Box, and also supply athletic equipment such as punch and boxing bags and weight lifting equipment.
"I believe that these kids want a place to play, and they want to mix with children of their own age in a pleasant, clean place. If you see a young boy in a bar, it is not because he wants to be there, but because he thinks he can meet others of his own age."
County Boy continued: "I believe it's better that the children meet in a place such as ours where they can be supervised instead of permitting them to meet under circumstances which can lead to trouble." One of the things which he hopes to encourage the kids to learn is boxing. He plans to teach young kids how to box and protect themselves, and in the future he hopes to put on boxing matches every Friday night.
Perhaps his desire to see young boys develop physically is because of the fact that his physique and strict training of his grandmother he was able to endure the rigors of an ounce of food and rainwater while on a raft for 21 days when his ship was sunk by a submarine surface attack.
For his conduct during this action he was awarded the Silver Star, and his citation reads:
"For gallant and intrepid conduct as a member of the United States Navy Armed Guard aboard the SS Patrick J. Hurley during an attack on the vessel by an enemy submarine on the night of September 12, 1942. In a surprise attack, launched by the enemy at very close range and in which the Patrick Hurley suffered severe damage almost immediately, Meyers courageously faced withering machine-gun fire to man his 20 mm. gun, scoring numerous hits on the submarine before fire, smoke and casualties forced him to cease firing and abandon ship. His courage and conscientious devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
"All my friends call me Country Boy," said Meyers, "and I guess I'll always be a Country Boy at heart."
St. Tammany Tribune January 6, 1961
His one year message on Sept. 9, 1960
Click on the images to make them larger and more readable.
The Country Boy Dance Pavilion was a popular gathering place for young people in the area.
The Country Boy One Stop hosted holiday events.
A special deal was four dozen eggs for a dollar.
It also sold boots, guns and ammo.
The Country Boy trademark became well known.
In 1963, the old store was totally renovated and updated.
John Meyers Obituary
John "Country Boy" Meyers, Jr. passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2009, at the age of 84. He was the father of Alice Bennett and Adrienne Willie; the brother of Joyce Daul, Gloria Malosivich and Jewel Meyers; and grandfather of eight, great-grandfather of twenty and great-great-grandfather of six.
For the past 31 years he had been a resident of Folsom. He was the owner of Country Boy One Stop in Goodbee, LA. A United States Navy veteran, he served during World War II, receiving the Silver Star. He was also a member of the Covington Masonic Lodge #188. Interment was in New Hope Cemetery in Folsom.
