Early Life
Katherine was born Kattie B. Screws in Barbour County, Alabama to Martha (née Upshaw; December 14, 1907 – April 25, 1990) and Prince Albert Screws (October 16, 1907 – January 21, 1997). When Katherine was four, her father changed his surname to "Scruse", and renamed his daughter to Katherine Esther. The younger of two daughters, Katherine contracted polio at two but survived the disease. Effects of the disease left her with a noticeable permanent limp. At four, Katherine's family moved to Gary, Indiana, a suburb outside Chicago. As a child, Katherine aspired to become a country singer but was dismayed to find that there were no notable black country stars. Katherine's parents divorced when Katherine was still a youngster. In high school, Katherine joined the local high school band. In 1947, Katherine met Joseph Jackson. After a year-long courtship that started after Jackson annulled an early marriage, they married in November 1949. In January 1950, they purchased a two-bedroom house in Gary. During the couple's early years, they sang together with Joe playing guitar. After Joe's dreams of a boxing career dashed, he settled for work at a local steel mill while Katherine gave birth to her ten children. (Marlon's twin brother, Brandon, died shortly after birth).
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