In 1936 he saw a vision of the 1937 Flood which showed the Ohio River 32 feet above Spring Street, Jeffersonville. The Lord said, “Leave Jeffersonville and do the work of an evangelist.” But in deference to the wishes of his mother-in-law he put off obeying God. The Flood took place according to the vision.

Shortly thereafter his father died in his arms from strychnine administered by his doctor. Three days later his sister-in-law died. The Flood resulted in the death of his young wife Sister Hope pictured with Brother Branham on the next slide. Their nine-month-old daughter died four days later.