Showing posts with label Laura Sullivan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Laura Sullivan. Show all posts

Friday, July 30, 2021

Friday Photo: Laura Sullivan

My great-grandmother’s sister Laura Etta Jollett Sullivan died 30 July 1947.

I love that Laura had a calling card in her single days.
Now I wonder if my great-grandmother had one too.

Laura and Will Sullivan on their 50th anniversary

Wendy

© 2021, Wendy Mathias. All rights reserved.

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Sunday's Obituary: Laura and Will Sullivan

Sunday’s Obituary is a daily prompt at Geneabloggers asking bloggers to share old obituaries and other information about an ancestor.

From The Page News & Courier edition of 7 August 1947 page 8 column 1
Obituary Laura Jollett Sullivan The Page News & Courier edition of 7 August 1947 page 8 column 1  https://jollettetc.blogspot.com
Click on image
to enlarge
Death of Mrs. Laura E. Sullivan

Mrs. Laura E. Sullivan, 82, died at her home Wednesday evening about 10 o’clock after an illness of eight months.

She was born on May 30, 1865, a daughter of the late Franklin and Lucy Jollett, of Greene County. She was united in marriage with William J. Sullivan, who preceded her in death several years ago. She was a charter member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church which was organized in 1895, and was an active member of various organizations in the church until her health failed.

Her kindness and love won for her a place in the community and church that will always be remembered.

She is survived by the following daughters: Mrs. J. W. (Minnie) Breeden, Roanoke; Mrs. C. V. (Pearl) Strole, Shenandoah; Mrs. C. H. (Floral) Merica, Shenandoah; Mrs. L. G. (Elta) Farrar, Portsmouth, Va.; Mrs. F. S. (Leota) Racey, Dayton, Va; one sister: Mrs. Mollie Davis, Harrisonburg, Va.; six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews. Four brothers and four sisters preceded her in death.

Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock from the Evangelical United Brethren Church with her pastor, the Rev. P. W. Fisher, in charge, assisted by the Rev. L. A. Racey and Elder E. L. Cave. Burial took place in the United Brethren Cemetery.

Pallbearers were nephews of the deceased, Millard M. Davis, Russell Coleman, Owen Sullivan, Leonard Clift, Clyde Knight, and Alfred Roberts.

The ladies of the church carried flowers.

Those attending from a distance were: Mrs. A. H. Woodring, Martinsburg, W. Va.; Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Billingsley, Mr. and Mrs. Owen Sullivan, Gary Sullivan, Russell Coleman, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Karnes, Mr. and Mrs. Tommie Bern, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Secrist, Mrs. Julia Gilmer, of Washington; Mrs. A. L. Maiden, Mr. and Mrs. Lew Morris, Mrs. Mabel Shifflett, Mrs. Buey Snow, Mrs. Eugenia Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Roberts, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Knight of Stanardsville; Mrs. Bessie Aleshire, of Luray; Mrs. Irvin Monger and daughter, Betty, Mrs. Minnie Long, of Elkton; Mrs. Mattie Hensley and son, Stephen, of Dayton; Mr. and Mrs. Hill, Mrs. Marie Wilson, Misses Florena Swank, Carolyn Caricofe, Jane Keiler and Mildred Hanna, of Shenandoah College; Rev. and Mrs. John Sowyer, of Staunton; Dave Sullivan, of Swift Run; Mrs. Mollie Davis and daughter, Mrs. Violetta Ryan, of Harrisonburg; Mrs. Sadie Jollett and Mrs. G. A. Steppe and son, Jollett, of Dahlgren, Va.

Card of Thanks
We wish to express our deepest appreciation to our friends, neighbors and relatives for their many acts of kindness during the illness and at the death of our mother, Mrs. Laura E. Sullivan.
The Daughters
 
Obituary of William J. Sullivan  https://jollettetc.blogspot.com
Click on image
to enlarge

SHENANDOAH NEWS
Death of W. J. Sullivan

Funeral services for W. J. Sullivan were held from the Shenandoah United Brethren Church Sunday afternoon at two o’clock. Services were conducted by his pastor, Rev. Vernon Rogers, assisted by Rev. L. A. Racey and Rev. E. L. Cave. Interment was in the United Brethren Cemetery. The I. O. O. F. Verbena Lodge No. 42 attended the funeral in a body.

Mr. Sullivan, age 76, a well known Shenandoah city merchant, died unexpectedly of a heart attack Friday morning at 1:30 at his home. Mr. Sullivan had been a resident of Shenandoah for 55 years and for the past 38 years operated his grocery store in the northern end of Shenandoah. He managed his grocery until the time of his death.

Mr. Sullivan took a keen interest in civic affairs, serving several terms on the town council and has been a member of the Board of Directors of the First National Bank for a number of years. He also served several terms on the Page County school board. Mr. Sullivan was a charter member of the Shenandoah United Brethren Church and for [?] years was Superintendent of the Sunday School.

On January 14, 1886, he was united in marriage with Miss Laura E. Jollett, who survives him. To this union were born five daughters, all of whom survive.

He is survived by the following children, Mrs. J. W. Breeden, of Roanoke; Mrs. C. V. Strole and Mrs. C. H. Merica, of Shenandoah; Mrs. L. G. Farrar of Portsmouth and Mrs. F. S. Racey, of Verona. Also six grandchildren survive. There are also one sister, Mrs. J. M. Billingsley, of Washington, and two brothers, Kennie Sullivan, of Shenandoah, and Dave Sullivan, of Greene County, surviving.

Active pallbearers were: Alfred Roberts, Lewis Jollett, J. T. Long, Monroe Owen and Hugh Sullivan, nephews of the deceased. The members of the Board of Directors of the First National Bank and the members of the I. O. O. F. Verbena Lodge carried flowers.

Wendy
© 2016, Wendy Mathias.  All rights reserved.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Wedding Wednesday: Sullivan Golden Anniversary

Wedding Wednesday is a daily prompt at Geneabloggers that invites bloggers to display their ancestors’ old wedding photos, wedding invitations, and wedding announcements.


Laura and Will Sullivan Anniversary 1936 https://jollettetc.blogspot.com
Doris Jean Strole, Laura and Will Sullivan, Jimmie Morris

A visit with my mother’s 2nd cousins Mary Lee Upton and Phyllis Carruthers, daughters of Elta Sullivan Farrar, solved the mystery of this photo. I had thought these were Sullivan grandchildren but they were not. The children were dressed to represent Laura and Will on their wedding day. The occasion was the Sullivans' 50th anniversary, an event that warranted detailed coverage in the local newspaper, The Page News and Courier


courtesy of
Mary Lee Upton
Golden Wedding

The adult Bible Class of the United Brethren Church, Shenandoah, Virginia, gave Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Sullivan a surprise celebration in honor of their golden Wedding anniversary at the church January 14, 1936.

The couple were met at the church door by a youthful bride and groom, Doris Jean Strole [niece of Pearl Sullivan Strole] and Jimmie Morrison [possibly Jimmie MORRIS, Laura’s great nephew], who escorted them to their seats to the strains of Mendelsohn’s Wedding March and sang “Put On Your Old Gray Bonnet.”

The choir then sang “Love’s Old Sweet Song.”

“Down By the Old Mill Stream” was beautifully rendered by Maxine Strole [g
randdaughter].

A reading, “Why We Go To Church,” was given by Miss Frances Knipple.

“When you and I Were Young, Laura,” was sung by the choir.

The couple’s Love Story was told, closing with Riley’s lovely poem, “That Old Sweetheart of Mine,” by Miss Fannie Louderback.

“Silver Threads Among the Gold” was sung by Mrs. Miller Davis and Mrs. Forest Racey [
daughter Leota].

A beautiful family Bible, a gift from the Sunday School, was presented with an appropriate speech by Rev. Lee E. Sheaffer.

Then everyone was invited to the basement, where refreshments were served. The tables were artistically decorated, carrying out the color scheme of white and gold in the bride’s cake, candles, and favors.

Rev. Sheaffer made a jolly little speech and called on many others who responded with cheer and good wishes to the couple. Mr. Sullivan expressed his thanks and appreciation for the happy evening.

Many merry jingles were sung and time passed all too quickly bringing the parting hour.

Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan (nee Miss Laura Jollett) were born and reared near Swift Run, Virginia.

They were married fifty years ago, by Reverend Garrison at the bride’s home near Swift Run, January 14, 1886.

Their four children are: Mrs. J. W. Breeden, Roanoke; Mrs. Lewis Farris [should be FARRAR], of Shenandoah, Mrs. Forest Racey, of Rockingham, and Miss Floral Sullivan at home. [there were 5 children – Mrs. Clyde Strole was omitted]

Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan have lived many years in Shenandoah where they are loved and respected by a host of friends.


Wendy 
© 2016, Wendy Mathias. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Tombstone Tuesday: The Sullivans

Tombstone Tuesday is a daily prompt at Geneabloggers that asks bloggers to include an image of a gravestone of one or more ancestors along with a brief description of the image or the ancestor.


Tombstone Laura and Will Sullivan  https://jollettetc.blogspot.com

Laura Jollett and Will Sullivan are buried in Coverstone Cemetery in Shenandoah, Virginia where they had lived for over 50 years. Three of their daughters are buried there too.

Tombstone Minnie Sullivan Breeden  https://jollettetc.blogspot.com
John Wesley Breeden is buried between his two wives:
Minnie Sullivan Breeden and Margaret Lucas
Coverstone Cemetery

Tombstone Pearl Sullivan Strole  https://jollettetc.blogspot.com
Pearl Sullivan Strole
Coverstone Cemetery

Tombstone Floral Sullivan Merica https://jollettetc.blogspot.com
Floral Sullivan Merica with her husband Cletus
Coverstone Cemetery

Tombstone Elta Sullivan Farrar https://jollettetc.blogspot.com
Elta Sullivan Farrar and husband Lewis
Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Chesapeake, Virginia

Tombstone Leota Sullivan Racey  https://jollettetc.blogspot.com
Forrest Racey is buried between his two wives:
Leota Sullivan and Hazel Gilmore
Mt. Hebron Cemetery Winchester, Virginia

Wendy
© 2016, Wendy Mathias.  All rights reserved.

Monday, July 4, 2016

James Franklin Jollett's Kids: Laura Sullivan

As part of my “Genealogy Do-Over” efforts AND to force myself to get crackin’ on my James Franklin Jollett book, Jollett Reunion, I will be researching and writing brief biographies of James Franklin, his wives, and his children.
 
Laura Jollett calling card  https://jollettetc.blogspot.com
Laura E. Jollett's calling card
courtesy of her granddaughters Mary Lee Farrar Upton
and Phyllis Farrar Carruthers
Child #3 of James Franklin and Lucy Ann Shiflett Jollett was Laura Etta, born May 30, 1865 in Greene County, Virginia. When she was 21, she married her childhood sweetheart, William J. Sullivan. Will’s sister Louisa had married Laura’s brother Burton Lewis just a few years before.

Laura and Will’s love for one another inspired their friends and family. On their 50th anniversary, their Sunday School class surprised them with a lavish anniversary party. Part of the program included a reading of their Love Story, written by one of the most popular school teachers in Page County, Miss Fannie Louderback. Three of the stories must have been memories shared with their children and family members over the years.

Supposedly Laura and Will, growing up on neighboring farms, played housekeeping games with Laura as wife and Will as husband. She claimed her favorite flower was Sweet William and his was the Laurel.

The simple life of students attending a country school is revealed in a story about how they enjoyed attending spelling matches. When a word was given to Will to spell, he responded, “L-A-U-R-A”; she blushed and hung her head.

Not long before they were engaged, Will came calling but apparently stayed too long for Laura’s father. When the clock struck ten, James Franklin called out, “Close the door from the outside, young man.” Laura handed Will his hat, and he sneaked a kiss.

Laura and Will were married in her home on January 14, 1886. The first three of five girls were born in Greene. By 1899, they were well-established across the mountain in Shenandoah, Virginia. Will was working as a drayman, an older term for someone who drove a flat-bed wagon pulled by horses or mules to deliver all kinds of goods.

The Sullivans about 1893  https://jollettetc.blogspot.com
Laura and Will Sullivan
daughters Minnie and Pearl
about 1893 or 1894

Will was as smart as he was ambitious. For a time, he was Assistant Secretary of the YMCA; in other words, he helped manage the comings and goings of those who worked there or stayed there on a temporary basis. He also became a respected retail merchant running his own store.
 
4 of the Sullivan girls about 1900 https://jollettetc.blogspot.com
Minnie Sullivan
Pearl, Elta, and Floral Sullivan
(about 1900 since Leota is not pictured)
Meanwhile Laura stayed busy as a mother of five daughters and as a volunteer with the Gleaners, a woman’s society in the United Brethren Church, where the Sullivans were charter members. She likely played an important role as “the woman behind the man” when Will stepped into the political arena. He served several terms on the town council and on the Page County School Board. He was a member of the Board of Directors at First National Bank.

Will died in 1942 and Laura in 1947.

Mary Frances Jollett Davis, Laura Jollett Sullivan, Sallie Jollett Clift 1923 https://jollettetc.blogspot.com
My grandaunt Velma Davis Woodring
captioned this photo "The Three"
Top: Sallie Jollett Clift
Seated: Mary Frances Jollett Davis and Laura Sullivan

Laura Etta JOLLETT (30 May 1865 Greene Co, VA – 30 Jul 1947 Shenandoah, Page Co, VA) and William Jackson SULLIVAN (13 Jan 1866 Greene Co, VA – 22 May 1942 Shenandoah, Page Co, VA) married 14 Jan 1886 Greene Co, VA
  1. Minnie Belle SULLIVAN (21 Feb 1887 Greene Co, VA – 5 Jan 1952 Harrisonburg, VA) and John Wesley BREEDEN (15 May 1880 Rockingham Co, VA – 8 Aug 1961 Harrisonburg, VA) married about 1905
  2. Lula Pearl SULLIVAN (9 Jun 1891 Greene Co, VA – 29 May 1986 Annandale, VA) and Clyde Vernon STROLE (4 Feb 1893 Page Co, VA – 198 Mar 1951 Harrisonburg, VA) married 11 Jun 1913
  3. Floral Mae SULLIVAN (4 Mar 1895 Shenandoah, Page Co, VA – 14 Feb 1987 Chesapeake, VA) and Cletus Homer MERICA (23 Feb 1899 Elkton, VA – 11 Oct 1971 Elkton, VA) married 16 Sep 1941 Verona, VA
  4. Elta Gladys SULLIVAN (3 Aug 1899 Shenandoah, Page Co, VA – 14 Jan 1991 Chesapeake, VA) and Lewis Granville FARRAR (6 May 1898 Shenandoah, Page Co, VA – 13 Nov 1970 Portsmouth, VA) married before 1920
  5. Leota Clarice SULLIVAN (24 Dec 1901 Shenandoah, Page Co, VA – 26 Jan 1981 Winchester, VA) and Forrest Sheldon RACEY (9 Jun 1902 Hampshire Co, WV – 8 Jun 1988 Winchester, VA) married 3 Dec 1930 Page Co, VA

Wendy
© 2016, Wendy Mathias.  All rights reserved.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Sunday's Obituary: James Franklin Jollett

James Franklin Jollett was my great-great grandfather.  I have heard that he was a sentimental man who would cry when you came to visit and cry when you left.  His granddaughter Vessie Jollett Steppe said he would hold the grandchildren on his lap, cut apple slices for them while teasing and playing with them.  Look at those little cheeks -- doesn't he look like a sweet man?

17 Nov. 1836 Greene Co, VA -
3 Jun. 1930 Augusta Co, VA

During the Civil War he was traveling by train delivering Union prisoners to a camp. One of the prisoners began to cry as they passed his home, and he said he'd do anything to see his family again. Grandpap Frank told the prisoner he was going to step outside to take a smoke. When he came back in, the prisoner was gone. Hmm. You don't suppose ....

Here is his obituary:


James Franklin Jollett of Harriston, Augusta County, a brother of the late Rev. John W. Jollett, of Jollett, this county [Page], and the father of Mrs. A. J. [Emma] Coleman, Mrs. W. J. [Laura] Sullivan, Mrs. D. B.[Victoria] Breeden, Mrs. Sallie Clift, and Mrs. W. B.[Mary] Davis, of Shenandoah, this county [Page], passed away at his home at 2 a.m., on Tuesday in his 94th year.  He had been in declining health for some time on account of the infirmities of age, but was confined to his bed for only a few days before the end, which came peacefully.


In previous years the News and Courier has reported a number of family gatherings held to celebrate successive birthdays of this remarkable old gentleman, who retained his faculties and his capacity to enjoy life far past the allotted time of man.  He was ninety-three years old last November.  Mr. Jollett was a man of marked Christian character, who drew constant joy and inspiration from his religion, and was a devout and useful member of the Brethren church during his long, useful life.  He was born in Greene county and during his earlier manhood moved to Augusta, where he operated his little farm near Harriston for many years, enjoying peace and contentment and the highest regard of his neighbors.  His first wife [Lucy Ann Shiflett Jollett] was from Greene county, the second wife [Eliza Coleman], now his widow, from Augusta.  All of his children are from the first union.  To the list of those at Shenandoah are to be added B. L. Jollett, of Greene County, U. S. Jollett, of Baltimore, and Mrs. Leanna Knight of Nortonsville, VA.  There was a general exodus of all the Shenandoah relationship to attend the funeral which was held from the Brethren church at Harriston and was attended by all of the children.


Source:  The Page News & Courier - edition of 6 June 1930 page 1, col. 2