Edna Muriel "Peach" (Pierce) Wright (1897-1968), Diabetic, 52 Ancestors # 6

The sixth ancestor in 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks project is my maternal great-grandmother, Edna Muriel "Peach" (Pierce) Wright (1897-1968).  She was known by her nickname of "Peach", presumably given to her by her father.

As I've researched her life, it's been relatively easy to document the major milestones of her life.  Previously, I've written about the facts of her life in an Exploratory Data post.  The stories that have been passed down have given a picture of a farm wife who was strong-willed and enjoyed everything from gardening to watching wrestling on television.

Peach with huge cabbage

Grandma Peach was also a diabetic. Being a diabetic means a restricted diet, and especially back in the 1950s it must have been interesting to manage.  According to my mother, Peach used to carry her own food when she went anywhere.

Peach's concerns about her health and the health of others in the family caused some strange behavior. 

One story that was passed down from her grandchildren was that she used to test the boy's urine to measure blood sugar levels before allowing them an ice cream treat.

Sweets were limited in the house, but Grandpa Virgil did manage to keep chocolate covered ice cream bars in the freezer, so he could sneak them without Peach finding out.  Being a diabetic himself, this was a no-no.

Some incidents of what might seem like peculiar behavior by Grandma Peach are actually grounded in her life experiences.  While lifestyle and diet can contribute to diabetes, there are also genetic factors.

Peach's mother had died of diabetic coma in 1906 (at age 37) when Peach was just 9 years old.  I'm sure that the loss of her mother to the disease weighed on her mind as she later dealt with her own diabetes and that of her husband, Virgil.

I've tracked some mentions of her being in the hospital at various times, shortly before her death, but treatment reasons were not generally mentioned in the hospital notes.

She died at Community Hospital in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana on March 3, 1968.  The official cause of death was pulmonary edema and congestive heart failure, but a contributing cause listed was diabetes melittus.

Edna Muriel Wright, death certificate, 1968

The 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge was created by Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small blog.  The premise is to write once a week about a specific ancestor - whether it be a story, a biography, a photograph or a research problem.

Virgil Wright (1894-1972), Funeral Ephemera, 52 Ancestors # 5

The fifth ancestor in my 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks project is my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972), who married Edna Muriel Pierce (1897-1968) in 1915 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.

When Virgil died on March 25, 1972, his funeral arrangements were handled by the Karl M. Kyle Funeral Home of 412 North Harrison Street in Alexandria, Indiana. Pieces of ephemera relating to the costs of the funeral reveal some interesting tidbits.

This receipt copy is dated March 26, 1972, the day after the death and clearly states my great-grandfather's full name as the name of the deceased, and contains my grandfather, William Wright, as the purchaser.

Cash Advances costs itemized on this receipt include: Clergy $15.00; Flowers $43.35; Musicians no charge; Grave Opening $90.00; Death Certificates $4.00 (4 at $1.00 each); Total with tax $174.20.

Service and Merchandise costs itemized on this receipt include : Service, including casket $1575.00; Vault $305.00.  Total for Services and Merchandise $1880.00.  Total Amount Due $ 2054.20. 

The receipt notes "Paid 4/12/72 $1799.20" and states a balance due of $255.00 with a note "To be paid by Social Security".

In the upper right hand of the receipt the total of $2054.20 is shown as being split out three ways payable by Clara High, Barbara Webster & William Wright - the three surviving children of Virgil.  Clara's portion was to be $599.73, Barbara's portion was $599.73, and William's portion was $599.74 - with the balance of $255.00 to be paid by Social Security.

This second copy of the receipts has the additional details that on 4/17/72 Social Security paid $255.00 and the bill is marked "Paid in Full" and signed by Karl M. Kyle.

These documents highlight that not only did Virgil's children split the costs of his funeral, but looking at these prices from a 2018 vantage you can get a perspective on inflation.

The funeral home is still in operation today in Alexandria under the ownership of Mike and Connie Owens.  Their website and history can be found at Owens Memorial Services.

Another document relating to Virgil's funeral is this Warranty Deed from the Alexandria Cemetery Association when Virgil purchased the funeral plot at Park View Cemetery.  He purchased the SW 1/4 of Lot 2 in Block 5 for $50.00 on March 21, 1969.  The document was signed by John and Beverly Noffze as Secretary and Vice-President of the Cemetery Association.

This deed has me a bit confused. Would this be just for his plot?  If so, why did he not already have it purchased when his wife died in March of the year before?  Or is this part of the plot behind Virgil and Edna, where my grandparents are buried?  It appears I have more to investigate in order to answer these questions.

Previously, I've written about the facts of his life in an Exploratory Data post

The 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge was created by Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small blog.  The premise is to write once a week about a specific ancestor - whether it be a story, a biography, a photograph or a research problem.

The Homemaker

The fourth ancestor in my 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks project is my paternal grandmother, Ruth Pauline (Haley) LeMaster (1911-1990).

Ruth was born 11 April 1911 in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana.  Her parents were Eli Weldon & Cora Belle (Metzner) Haley.  She was the sixth daughter of seven children in the family.

Ruth was raised on the family farm in Noble Township where she was enumerated in the 1920 & 1930 census.  Ruth was very close to her older surviving sisters.  I particularly remember aunt Vera and Carrie.

Ruth completed the eighth grade and graduated from the common schools of Noble Township.

On February 21, 1932, Ruth married Ord Wehrly LeMaster at the Mt. Zion Evangelical Church.  The ceremony was performed by her brother-in-law, Rev. Eugene C. Kunce.

Ord and Ruth began raising a family in rural Jay County and encountered some hard times.  According to newspaper reports, they lost their home and all of their possessions to a fire in February 1939, the second fire in three years.  The family had to move in with Ruth's parents for a time.

By the 1940 census, Ruth had three children: Paul, Idola and Juanita.  The family was living in the town of Portland, Indiana, renting a home at 507 E. Main Street.  Ruth had no occupation listed and her husband Ord was listed as a laborer at the Sheller Manufacturing Company.  The 1941 directory for Portland shows the family living at 507 E. Walnut.

1107 W. Water Street in 1947

By the time my dad was born in 1944 they had moved to 1107 W. Water Street in Portland, where they lived the rest of their lives.  Two more children came along as well, completing the family of six children born to Ord and Ruth.

Because I grew up about an hour away from Portland, most of my memories of grandma involve holidays and family gatherings such as Easter or Christmas.  I remember a lot of cousins packed into a tiny house but a lot of good food cooking.  I particularly remember the noodles she made, more like dumplings.  Food was always a big part of any holiday visit.

I remember that grandma sold Avon, and at least once when I was staying there I remember going with her to make deliveries.

When I was a senior in high school, a group of my friends and I decided to drive up to the Jay County fair.  I talked the group into stopping at grandma's on the way.  She was surprised to see us, but fed us all before we visited the fair.

1107 W. Water in the 1980s - how I remember the house

I was at college at Ball State when grandma really became sick with cancer.  I remember visiting her at the hospital a few times and I remember her being in a lot of pain and begging Jesus to come take her home.

Ruth died 1 February 1990 at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana.  The cause of death was listed as respiratory failure.  She was buried at the Mt. Zion Cemetery in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana.

I never talked about family history with grandma, I wonder what she would think of some of the history I've found out about her ancestors.

The 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge was created by Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small blog.  The premise is to write once a week about a specific ancestor - whether it be a story, a biography, a photograph or a research problem.