7 February 1935 Letter from Florence Smith Thomas to her niece, Lois May Smith Hendrick

Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by Robert S. Hendrick, 11/2006

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Materials from the Personal Collection of Dr. Robert S. Hendrick, Jr.
Transcribed and submitted by Robert S. Hendrick, Jr.

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7 February 1935 Letter from Florence Smith Thomas to her niece, Lois May Smith Hendrick

Florence Eleanor Smith (9 Nov 1870 – 11 Apr 1957) was the daughter of long-time 
Union Parish Recorder William Callaway Smith (6 Nov 1828 – 23 Dec 1880) and 
Elizabeth Amy Manning (4 Nov 1837 – 15 Nov 1879). William C. Smith had moved 
with his father John Smith from Dallas County Alabama to Linville about 1840. 
Smith was elected as the Union Parish Recorder in the early 1850s and served 
until his health declined in the latter 1870s. Florence's brother James M. Smith 
served as the Clerk of Court for Union Parish from 1879 through 1900, and later 
held statewide office himself.

Florence was writing to her niece, Lois, the daughter of James M. Smith, Sr. The 
letter refers to the recent death of Lois' step-mother, Eva Slayton Smith.
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								Thursday
Dear precious Lady,

   Tho’ not with you in person, we are certainly with you in spirit today as friends 
place the body of dear Sister Eva in its last resting place beside that of precious 
Bud.

   Wish I were there to be a comfort to you as we usually think and feel very much 
alike.

   Memmie [L E Thomas] and I regret so much that we cannot be with you. He, of course, 
was not strong enough to travel nor was he really well enough for me to leave him, 
even now, the least little thing could give him a set back.

   He is really relieved that the Gr. Lodge adjourned and that he stood up fairly 
well under the strain. Want him to take things easy for a while.

   Lady, we shall all miss Sister Eva sadly but we must unselfishly think of what 
a glorious release from over taut nerves it must be for her.

   She was just as good as one could possibly be and I’m sure her precious soul 
has entered into a rich reward. You, Doctor and Jamie did every thing you could 
to make her happy and haven’t the least cause for regret on that score. Just as 
soon as you feel like traveling come on down and make us a long visit and be with 
the children also. The change will do you good. With a heart full of love to you, 
Jamie and the dear ones from Memmie & myself.  Write me everything as soon as 
you feel like it.

					Devotedly,

					Yayee




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