My Maternal Great-Grandmother

Do you ever feel a deep connection to an ancestor that you never met and only know from genealogy research and stories?  As an adopted child who knew very few members of her biological family, I have found a great curiosity in knowing my ancestors, and one in particular has captured my heart.  She's the one I most want to know and hug.  I feel that she would understand so much about me and my losses because of her own life experiences.  I want to try to tell some of her story here. 

Frances Arbella Howell
Born:  June 21, 1888
Birthplace:  Ashe County, NC

Husband:  Dell Mack McGuire (1880-1956)

Children:  Verna Lee McGuire Cline (1909-1995)

Mack Howell McGuire (1911-1956)

Anna Laura McGuire (1914-1978)

Idella Mae McGuire (1916-1993)

Claude Allen McGuire (1918-1996)

Robert R. McGuire (1922-1992)

James Monroe McGuire (1924-1978)

William Howard McGuire (1927-2010)

Parents:  Felix Howell and Rachel Narcissus Adams

Siblings:  Amos Wellington Howell (1880-1902)

Martha Naomi Howell Church (1882-1928)

Wiley Columbus Howell (1884-1945)

William Lee Howell (1885-1962)

Polly Anna Howell Waddell (1890-1966)

David Winston Howell (1892-1908)

Walter Raleigh Howell (1894-1897)

Winford Bryan Howell (1896-1910)

Willard Blair Howell (1899-1977)

Frances Arbella Howell McGuire was born on June 21, 1888 in Ashe County, NC.  Her birthday alone is already special to me as my husband and I were married on that date.  I was not aware of her birthday at the time of our marriage, but I hope she knows.  While I am the most sad that I have no pictures of Frances herself, I know that she loved her family because she preserved photos of her parents and siblings and children.  I also regret not naming a daughter after her.  I think Arbella is a lovely old English name meaning "yielding to prayer" and also has some sweet historical value as the name of the 12th Century granddaughter of William the Lion, King of Scotland, Arbella Stuart who was an English noblewoman once considered a possible successor to Elizabeth I, and the name of the flagship that carried Puritan settlers like Governor John Winthrop and poet Anne Bradstreet to Salem, Massachusetts in 1630.  

Frances was the daughter of Felix Howell and Rachel Narcissus Adams of Watauga County, NC.  She kept pictures of her parents and grandparents which are a treasure to have.  I do wonder if I have any of her characteristics because I know I look like my mother and my mother's mother who was Frances's daughter, Anna.  She may have also looked like her beautiful daughter, Idella.  Frances was the 5th of 10 children.  Frances’s younger brother Walter died on March 27, 1897 at not quite 3 years old.  He is buried in the Amos Wellington Howell Family Cemetery in Ashe County, NC.  In 1900, Frances was 11 years old living in Pine Swamp, Ashe County, NC with her parents and siblings Martha, Wiley, William, Polly Anna, David, Winford, and Willard.  In 1902, tragedy struck the family again when the oldest son Amos Wellington was shot and killed on November 6, 1902 while working as a Watauga County Sheriff’s Office.  He had attempted to arrest a man for murdering his father, and he was fatally wounded when the suspect opened fire.  Although the shooter fled to Wyoming, he was eventually apprehended in August 1903 and extradited back to North Carolina, but he escaped the Caldwell County jail and fled into the mountains.  On April 22, 1904, the suspect was shot and killed by a Watauga County Deputy Sheriff.  Amos was buried in the Amos Wellington Howell Family Cemetery alongside his younger brother Walter.  Frances's sister, Martha Naomi (Naomi is a family name on my husband's side with his Grandmother and sister carrying the name) married Allen Hamilton Church and raised five children before she died young at 45.  Her brother, Wiley Columbus, married Lula Sophiona Greene, and they had 11 children and lived in Montana.  Her brother William Lee married Sarah Fannie Goodman, and they had 6 children.  Her sister Polly Anna married Walter Guy Waddell, and they had 8 children together.  Her brother David Winston died at 16 on August 20, 1908 in Ashe County, NC although I do not know how he died.  He is also buried in the cemetery named after his brother Amos.  Brother Winford Bryan was a cute little guy and also sadly died young at 14 of unknown causes.   I just feel like this family suffered so much loss.  Brother Willard Blair was also a cute little guy and did live a long life.  He married Octavia Virginia Gobble, and they had two children together.  

On March 29, 1908, Frances married Dell Mack McGuire in Ashe County, NC, and the two raised their 8 children.  In 1920, Frances was 30 years old living with her husband Dell and children Verna, Mack, Anna, Idella, and Claude.  On July 31, 1929, Frances passed away at 41 years old from heart failure leaving her beloved husband and 8 children behind. Her youngest son, William, was only 2 years old and was lying beside her in the bed when she died.  Thankfully, once her husband had grieved for over six years, he remarried a wonderful woman named Ada who became a loving wife and mother to their children.  

The oldest daughter, Verna Lee, married Otha Hartsell "Hart" Cline, and they settled in Rowan and Cabarrus Counties and had two children, Charles Ray and Barbara Ann.  Sadly, Charles Ray passed away at only a few months old.  Their son, Mack Howell, joined the army in World War II in 1941.  He came home to marry Mae Mary Dancy and helped raise her 4 children from a previous marriage.  Daughter Anna Laura was my grandmother and probably stayed closest to her parents as she lived with them most of her life.  She did marry Barner James Allman when she was 27 and had two children, Ronald Dell and Connie Nell, although she and her husband divorced shortly after Connie was born.  She lived with her daughter Connie and Step-Mother Ada until her death in 1978 at 64 years old.  Daughter Idella Mae was a beautiful young woman who took on the primary role of caring for her father and younger siblings after their mother's death as her father did not remarry for over 6 years.  After talking to a McGuire cousin recently, I think Idella chose to commit herself to her family instead of settling down with a family of her own. I do have some memories of Idella coming to visit us and bringing me sweet gifts like a talking doll.  She aged gracefully, and I think I have some of her physical traits.  I love the picture of her surrounded by her young nieces and nephews and just looking so elegant and motherly.  I think she was a mother to many. She lived to be 77 years old.  Son Claude Allen shares a birthday, June 30th, with my daughter Mattie.  He married Ruby Faye Elder and raised six beautiful children, Frances Laura Neal, Steve Allen, Ruby Lavaughn, Gary Elder, Sharon Elaine, and Thomas.  I think my twin in life is his daughter Sharon as her picture as a child looks so much like me.  Son Robert R. married Ruby Phyllis Stancil and had four children, Robert W., Vicki Dianne, Danny L., and Richard E.  Son James Monroe married Clara Macie, and they had 3 children, James Anthony, Donna, and Carla.  He also joined the army to serve in World War II.   The youngest son William Howard married Katherine Elizabeth Tutterow, and they made a beautiful couple.  I also do remember them visiting me as a child.  They raised Katherine's children from a previous marriage.  

If there is one thing I will learn from my precious great-grandmother's too short life, it is to never take a moment for granted.  She died at the age I am now with young children like mine.  I want my children to remember me.  I want them to have lots of pictures to help them remember and treasure.  I hope that Frances is watching over us from heaven and smiles knowing we are remembering her.  I love you, Great-Grandmother Frances!  

My Maternal Grandfathers

In continuing this project I started with my grandmothers, I will try to do justice to my grandfathers although I never knew any of them.  The lack of older male role models in my life did always leave a empty place in my heart as I knew friends and relatives who had wonderful relationships with grandfathers.  My husband, especially, had some pretty special grandfathers.  Although I never had the opportunity to know mine, I did get to know one of my husband's pretty well for at least the last almost 20 years.  What I have learned from watching my husband's relationship with his grandfather and also from watching how he has been a father to our children has taught me a few things about some of the men who I missed out on knowing.  

My Biological Maternal Grandfather

Barner "Barney" James Allman

Born:  June 30, 1908

Mecklenburg County, NC

Died:  September 1, 1968

Mooresville, IN

Parents:  James Garner Allman & Carrie I. Mason

Siblings:  Flora Margaret, John Adam, Myrtle Mae, William Lee, Della Ruth, Ethel Ruby, Mary Lucille & Eunice Frances

Children:  Betty Allman, James Allman, Ronald Dell Allman & Connie Nell Allman

Although I never actually knew my grandfather as he had passed away more than a decade before my birth and had moved to Indiana and remarried before that.  It is understandable that my biological grandmother kept very few pictures to remember him, but I did find a few that depicted him as a loving father to my mother.  

Barney with daughter, Connie

My Adopted Maternal Grandfather

General Jasper Ginn (yes, General was his actual first name)

Born:  September 30, 1918

Wayne County, NC

Died:  January 25, 1986

At home in Pikeville, NC

Parents:  General Jackson Ginn & Sallie Ann Howell

Siblings:  Beulah E., George Roy, Lonnie Jackson, Theodore Leslie, Eschol D., Ezekiel, Annie Bell, Eula Mae, Mary Lee, Carl D. & John Coy

Wife:  Glady Aileen Sullivan

Children:  Lena Gray, Mary Lindora, Sandra, Baby Boy, Jackie Carol & Henry Shelton

I won't re-tell the sad story of his passing again since I did that in my last post.  Instead, I will tell what I know of him from my mother.  My mother almost worshipped her father.  I could imagine from her stories and from his loving wife that he was a man worthy of knowing.  He was very well-known and well-loved in his community.  He was a faithful Christian who led my adopted father, his son-in-law, to become a Christian and later become a minister.  When my father was dating my mother, they would visit with my mom's parents on Sunday afternoons.  Apparently nothing stood in the way of my grandfather and going to church.  No matter who was visiting in his home, when it was church time, he would tell them he was leaving for church and if they wanted to stay, he would see them when he returned.  I also learned that my mother had been a daddy's girl since she was an infant.  My mother was actually what I call a "rainbow baby" as she was the fourth girl but fifth child after the loss of her older brother at birth.  I know that my grandfather particularly wanted a son so this loss was felt deeply.  Now that I have felt this kind of heartbreaking loss, I can appreciate what he probably felt.  I also had longed for a daughter after two sons, and I lost that beloved daughter.  My first rainbow was another son, and although it hurts a little to admit that I felt the tiniest pang of disappointment when hearing that my rainbow was another boy, I also know that the joy and love I felt when I finally got that sweet baby boy and held him in my arms was like no other joy I have felt.  I know that I have been specially bonded to my sweet Mattox since he was born.  He is just such a precious gift.  So I know that although my grandfather did feel a slight pang of disappointment when his "rainbow baby" was another girl, and he jokingly wanted to call her a boy name, he settled on the name Jackie and he babied her and spoiled her.  When her younger brother did arrive, she was so distraught with jealousy that she flung herself on the bed where he laid with her mother and was probably going to do something drastic when her father caught her and carried her away.  I know he gave her a lot of special attention growing up and that she often got herself out of the heavier outdoor farm chores because of that attention.  She was the most attached to her parents and did not want to leave home like her siblings.  She did finally venture out on her own to work in Washington, D.C. as a government civil employee and later met her husband, but after living abroad and in other parts of the country while in the military, they later settled on land gifted to them by her parents so she could live close to them again.  The hardest loss of my mother's life hit shortly after when her father suddenly and unexpectedly passed away.  I don't think my mother ever got over her grief.  She was already grieving the fact that she could not bear children.  Thankfully, God blessed her and her husband with the gift of an opportunity to serve at a Children's Home which I believe saved my mother from being permanently stricken with grief and depression.  She became a mother to a household of young girls, and she was a very loving and hardworking mother making that house into a beautiful home for everyone.  

You can also read about my husband's wonderful maternal grandfather here. 

My Maternal Grandmothers

My friend, Kiki, suggested we participate in this lovely challenge to share some stories of our maternal grandmothers as part of our genealogy preservation work.  I have actually always meant to write more about mine.  As an adopted child, I was not blessed to know my biological grandmothers, but I do have some photographs of them and know from my older brother and some other relatives that they were special.  

My Biological Grandmother

Anna Laura McGuire Allman

Born:  March 14, 1914

Watauga, NC

Died:  July 5, 1978

Salisbury, NC

Parents:  Dell Mack McGuire and Frances Arbella Howell

Step-Mother:  Ada Trivette McGuire

Siblings:  Verna Lee McGuire, Mack Howell McGuire, Idella Mae McGuire, Claude Allen McGuire, Robert R. McGuire, James Monroe McGuire & William Howard McGuire

Spouse:  Barner James Allman

Step-Children:  Betty Jean Allman and James Ray Allman

Children:  Ronald Dell Allman and Connie Nell Allman

Anna was a shy young girl who was very close to her family.  Her mother died when she was at the tender age of 15.  Her youngest brother, Bill, was only 2 at the time and was lying in the bed with his mother when she passed away unexpectedly.  I can only imagine the trauma this caused to the family.  Her oldest sibling was 20 and probably already out of the house.  Anna's sister, Idella, who was about 17 did take over many duties of the family matron.  Her poor father was left to care for his 8 children the best he could.  He later found a wonderful woman named Ada to love and care for him and his children.  Even after Dell's death in 1956, Ada lived on to care for her husband's children and grandchildren until 1979.  I know she was there to help care for my older brother, Paul, as a young child.  

Grandma Ada holds great-grandson, Neal, with daughter Anna and granddaughter Connie. 

Grandma Ada helps granddaughter Connie care for her first son, Paul. 

Grandma Ada was such a sweet and special lady.  

The oldest picture I have of Grandma Anna is this one with her in the middle in a wheel chair between her sister, Idella, and son Ronnie.  I am not sure what afflictions she suffered, but she is younger than her sister Idella who looks so young and hip here in the 70s.  I can remember a little of Aunt Idella.  I don't think she ever married or had children, but she was so beautiful and fun.  Just look at those gorgeous legs!  

Grandma Anna did look well and young here with her children, Connie and Ronnie, and Ronnie's first son, Neal. 

My Adopted Grandmother

(Granny is the younger child with her older sister Doris)

Glady Aileen Sullivan (she hated the name Glady)

Born:  June 19, 1917

Wayne County, NC

Died:  October 9, 2007

Wilson, NC

Parents:  Henry Gilbert Sullivan and Mary Ward

Siblings:  Kermit B. Sullivan, Doris Sullivan, Gilbert Sullivan, Edna L. Sullivan & Cedric E. Sullivan

Spouse:  General Jasper Ginn

Children:  Lena Gray Ginn, Mary Lindora Ginn, Sandra Ginn, A Baby Boy, Jackie Carol Ginn & Henry Shelton Ginn

Granny Aileen was such a special part of my life after I was adopted.  She filled so many empty places in my heart where grandmothers should have been.  We lived right down the road from her and were surrounded by her farm.  It was a great life.  I enjoyed walks to her house on the little farm paths, helping her with her yardwork, eating many meals at her table with the most delicious homemade delicacies, and even helping her in her chicken houses.  Oh that lady was busy!  I would worry about finding her in the hot chicken houses in the heat of summer and would often go in to check on her.  Of course, I had my nose clamped shut, but the smells never bothered her.  She said, "They smelled like money."  Haha!  Eventually, I believe she did lose her sense of smell altogether.  She was so feisty.  She was a wonderful Christian lady who would never say a bad word except the occasional "Sh" word that would slip out.  It was cute to hear from my little 4 ft. 6 (probably) granny.  She had a green thumb and could make anything grow.  Her yard was always so beautiful, and yes, she did it all herself until almost 90.  She drove a little white pickup truck most of my childhood until she decided it was no longer safe for her to drive.  She mostly just drove around our little town and to church.  We spent many a Saturday morning together as I would beg to go with her to eat breakfast with all her friends at our local Hardee's.  We would sit and talk and eat together for over an hour at least.  Mind you, this was an early Saturday morning for a young pre-teen.  She would always say, "Are you sure you can get up that early?"  Haha!  Then, sometimes, we would hit the yard sales that morning.  My Aunt Lena often joined us. Lena was Granny's oldest daughter, and they often seemed more like sisters at this stage.  Granny also loved to fish.  She did have a little pond on her property, but I was never sure it had anything but snakes and frogs.  Her best friend and sister-in-law lived down the road.  Granny and "Aunt Minnie" would often fish together at a larger pond down there.  Granny also enjoyed quilting and often hosted quilting parties at her house.  She taught me how to quilt although I never attained her level of skill.  She was a pro and could sew the tiniest stitches so straight, even, and fast.  I miss those evenings together and all the laughs and stories told of old times. 

We always gathered at Granny's for all the holidays.  Easter egg hunts at Easter.  Christmas Eve parties.  Thanksgiving.  The table was always full of the best food like her homemade chicken pastry, many layered chocolate cakes, and buttermilk biscuits.  Oh how I loved watching her hands work in the flour and buttermilk to make those perfect treats.  Dinner was often finished with some biscuits and syrup or molasses for sopping.  I was her youngest grandchild for a few years until my Uncle Shelton remarried and gave us a sweet new grandson, Dalton.  Dalton kept Granny young for years as she kept him daily while his parents worked.  I just loved this lady with all my heart!  

I never got to meet Pa as he passed before I was adopted, but I know he was the best father and husband.  His death was such a tragic story.  He was devoted to Granny until the end.  He had a known weak heart due to an inoperable blood clot.  He knew not to overdue it.  One Sunday after church, he and Granny went to the mall so she could get a baby gift for a church shower.  Upon leaving, it was pouring rain.  Granny went to get the car for them, but Pa realized too late that he had the keys in his pocket.  He ran after her to give them to her.  Later that day, he was suffering from extreme weakness and exhaustion from this event and went to sleep in his favorite chair. He never woke up.  Granny had to live many years without her beloved life partner, but she was a strong woman who never gave up.

One of our favorite pastimes was playing cards.  Granny would often come to our house in the evenings for card games.  She really loved laughing at me when I would get mad about losing.  Haha!   Mostly, we played Rummy although here it looks like a little game of Go Fish during a wonderful summer visit with my other Grandma from California.  Having both of my grandmothers together was a rare and special treat!  

Another rare snapshot of Granny at our house actually smiling at the camera.  I may have taken this one. 

And another beautiful candid smile from Granny at my wedding reception. 

 

One of Evan's first trips was to visit his Granny.  I just knew he had to know his Great-Granny ASAP.  

Evan was the only one of my children to get to meet Granny.  It breaks my heart. 

We got to celebrate Granny's 90th birthday in 2007.  Granny was actually still in great health and really always was. 

Granny sat with her younger sister Edna who was talking and pointing a finger at feisty Aunt Minnie.  I am thankful I took these photos of these ladies. 

Granny with her favorite youngest grandchildren, me and Dalton. 

Later that year, Granny decided she was lonely at home all day by herself now that Dalton was in school.  She moved herself into a local retirement home where she could always have company.  She enjoyed sitting in her chair doing her crossword puzzles.  I visited her many times that summer with baby Evan.  Sadly, she suffered a bad fall at this home while going to the bathroom.  She injured her hip and ended up in a nursing home.  When I visited her in the nursing home, she had declined so fast, and it broke my heart to see a woman who I knew to be so strong and active suddenly bedridden.  She was sleeping as a leaned over her and whispered into her ear that if she was ready to leave this world and go to her beloved husband, I would miss her but I would understand.  Yes, she passed shortly after, and I believe she heard me.  

Granny, I will always love you!  You gave this girl someone to look up to and admire.  I sit crying writing these words to you.  I hope you are smiling in heaven with your husband, children, and your great-granddaughter, Mattie.  

A Birthday Visit to Edventure

 For Maggie's continued birthday celebration, we took the kids back to Edventure Children's Museum where kids get to pretend to live in the adult world and explore their future.  A special addition to the museum this trip gave the kids a chance to experience some winter themed fun without the cold weather.  They all found something to enjoy from the 3 year old to the almost 15 year old.  

Miss Maggie enjoyed seeing Big Eddie for her birthday.  He's pretty cool!

They are ready for some fun!

First, they went to work in the grocery store. 

Cutest Publix employee ever!

Helping scan the groceries. 

And now to do some shopping of her own.  I was quite proud of her healthy choices. 

Just stay out of her way because she might run you over with her cart. 

Now for some pantry items. 

Busy girl now goes to work as a firefighter.  She just wants to do it all...and wear the clothes!

Climbing in the fire truck with the lights on.  Headed to the fire!

It's Maggie's turn to drive!

Grayson made a handsome fireman.

I just love him.  I could see him doing this some day because he is so brave and such a great helper to everyone!

Next, we traveled all the way to Snowville by dog sled.  Mattox was quite the musher. 

He gave Maggie a ride on his sled.  

Maggie wanted to help Mattox drive, but Grayson is content just to ride.  Haha!

These two made it to the South Pole.  Whew, I feel cold! 

Evan would not like the South or North Pole because he hates being cold.  Haha!

The boys enjoyed the snowball shooting game. 

And Maggie had to try too. 

The kids got to try snow tubing without the snow.  We definitely plan to do this one day soon.  

It's Maggie's turn.  I got more video than pictures of this one. 

Miss Maggie wants to be a hockey player. 

She wasn't afraid to go up against big brother. 

A friendly sibling rivalry game. 

Next up, the kids did a special news report.  Brody gave us a riveting weather report.  

He had a special co-anchor, Mattox. 

Evan gave us a special news report about Maggie's birthday and got her to sing a little "Let It Go." 

Miss Maggie moved on to drive a tractor on the farm.  

These two farmhands were too cute. 

Mattox and Maggie work hard in the pizza kitchen. 

Miss Maggie serves big brother lots of yummy food at her diner. 

Grayson prefers working in the tire shop.  

Climbing up to get onto Big Eddie. 

Mattox was going to explore big Eddie's heart. 

Maggie loved the younger kids' play area with a treehouse and slide. 

The boys tried working on a fishing boat. 

Maggie just enjoyed putting on some cool yellow rainboots. 

Mommy and Maggie enjoyed riding on big brothers' boat. 

Maggie got to fly a 747!

She had a really good co-pilot. 

I feel safe with this team flying the plane. 

Mattox goes through pilot training. 

And Brody does too. 

Grayson is already a professional pilot. 

And he has a special flight attendant helper. 

Last, Maggie took a trip to space!  She had an awesome birthday!