Photo of Rebecca Elizabeth "Lizzie" Boddie Ezell; LaSalle, Louisiana
Submitted by Pat Ezell
Date: Sept. 1999




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Rebecca Elizabeth "Lizzie" Boddie Ezell
She died of tuberculosis in 1925 during the nationwide TB epidemic. When it
was discovered that she had TB, her husband, Willie Ezell, sold out at the
store he was operating in Lake Arthur, and began preparations to take Lizzie
and their two children, Roy and Elizabeth, to New Mexico. At that time it
was thought that dry climates would help those suffering from TB. However
this was unsuccessful and Lizzie approximately 2 months after their
relocation to New Mexico. Willie and Elizabeth returned to Louisiana in
their car. Seventeen year old, Roy Ezell, was needed to accompany his
mother's body back to Louisiana on the train from Alberquerque. The entire
Methodist Youth Fellowship turned out to bid Roy farewell at the train
station and to offer him support in his upcoming journey. Willie returned to
the home of his mother, Martha E. Splawn and his sister, Rowena Ezell in
Jena, La. After a short stay with relatives, both children also returned to
the Ezell Homeplace in Jena to live with their grandmother, aunt, and
father. Willie Splawn Ezell lived for another 51 years as a widower, until
his death in 1976.