My great grandmother was Mallie Reba Phillips before she married my paternal great grandfather, Carver Houston Fowler. I used their names and personalities in my story called Carver’s Fall. LINK My great grandmother was sassy and born in 1894. Her youngest sister was born in 1915 and named Lula Mae Haverstock. I was lucky enough to know them all. My great grandfather died in 1976 and great grandmother in 1987– she was still raking her own yard at age 92 with a cane in one hand and a rake in the other. Her son, my grandfather, fussed at her all the time about it, but she didn’t care. She did what she wanted. 🙂 I like to think I get my spunk from her.
Great, great aunt Lula Mae died only 17 months after my great grandmother despite the age difference. Lula Mae was a spitfire. I always admired her as she was more than life-size in her stories and attitudes. She was a heavy smoker (probably why she passed at a younger age than her sister). She was a redhead and so glamorous even in her older years. Lula Mae served in the Army Nursing Corps in WWII and Korea. I remember listening to her talk and being fascinated by all she said. I’m sure she knew I was enthralled by her, but she always took the time to talk and laugh with us kids.
I bet you’re asking, “Why are you telling us all this, Jillian?” Well, I couldn’t decide on a name for my heroine for my NaNoWriMo story until my dad and I were talking about Lula Mae on Sunday and then it dawned on me, what better over the top character could I write than someone based on this lady who served with honor and distinction in two war zones? And who kept her joie de vivre despite all the things she’d seen and all the young men she helped save despite horrific injuries?
So, my heroine will share my great great aunt’s name and some of her personality traits–and will have served in the Army Nursing Corps.
Jillian Chantal 
All of this is so wonderful to me! The women who served never get enough recognition and certainly were never expected to have PTSD, which I imagine the nurses suffered. Few talked about their war experiences.I do love to hear other people’s stories.
I also think that it is wonderful that you knew so many family members. I was born to older folk. In fact, my mother’s oldest half-brother was born only four years after your great-grandmother.
Best of luck with this year’s work!
By: Tonette Joyce on November 4, 2021
at 10:08 am
Your family sounds like my husband’s- he’s the baby-his parents were 48 and 45 when he was born. He was an uncle before he was born as well- and his oldest brother fought in the Korean War – my hubs was born in 1957. My parents were both 18 when they married and they have long- lived relatives- especially my dad’s side- Most live into their 90s. I also knew my mom’s grandmother. I am super blessed to have been able to know them all. It’s rare, I know. Thanks for the good wishes. I am rocking on. Got to 8400 words this morning before work.
By: Author on November 4, 2021
at 11:08 am
Luckily, My great great aunt didn’t seem to have any PTSD. Or at least she didn’t exhibit any in front of us. I bet it was tough to see things they saw for sure.
By: Author on November 4, 2021
at 11:09 am
Yay! This is already shaping up to be a great NaNo story for you. Let’s see, it’s the 4th. 10,000 words in yet? Or over that? I envy you your speed during NaNo. And GREAT stories come from it.
By: Laurie Ryan on November 4, 2021
at 11:18 am
Aww, thanks for the compliment. I’m at 8400 as of this morning’s before work session. I’ll be doing some at lunch, so I’ll be knocking on the door of 10,000 soon. LOL – the hero has spoken to the heroine this morning so things are moving apace. LOL
By: Author on November 4, 2021
at 11:38 am