Person:Ella Grey (1)

Ella was widowed at 46. Ella was left destitute with 13 children to feed. Grandpa said they were so poor that he wore his sister's dresses and cut the heels off their shoes until he was 12. Three of her daughters, Mamie, Emma and Luella, died of the flu on 6 Feb 1920^[1], Forrest followed them 7 Feb 1920^[1]. Grandpa said he learned to drive the next morning going to fetch the doctor. Ella supported her family by taking in sewing and selling eggs. To her credit, many of her children went to college and became school teachers.

Her obituary read: "She had been such a grave inspiration to women who have held high positions in society. Women have sought her council in their problems. All these women have held Mother as a very dear friend and have shown special interest in her as a confident. Still younger girls are very fond of Mother (Ella). She would have been a great leader for girls in a girls' school, for girls love her and come to her for advice and comfort as her own daughters have . . . "^[2]

Footnotes

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 According to headstones in Balou Cemetery
2. ↑ Obituary in Colorado City newspaper

Images

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I5. Grandma

Notes

N1.	The 1871 in the family bible may be an 1872 or the census was taken near her birthday.