A few photos found of Betty Ruth Doak Lindsey

This photo is supposedly of her with her parents Everett and Mary Doak.  The other is with her Uncle Arthur Doak and one with her sister Lois.  Please correct me if I am wrong.  This is just an assumption as found in
"The Book".

                                         

Alexander Doak's granddaughter Betty Ruth Doak Lindsey passes at age 90.

Although we grew up a nation apart Betty Ruth has become a dear friend.  We have visited her in her home in Wilmington, Delaware on one occasion and then at her home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  My main purpose in visiting with relatives is to learn more about family history which I am very passionate about. She has visited on the phone at length to give me much of my knowledge of her father Uncle Everett and her grandfather Alexander Arthur Doak. To me Betty Ruth has the heart of a teacher.  She has a way of teaching you things you do not know. A couple of coincidences I will mention:  She has a son named John Jay Lindsey and I have a son named Jonathan Jay Lindsey. (Her son is deceased but her daughter- in law was kind enough to share with us her memorial service from which I will extract some of my favorite parts.) I have an older friend we visited and stayed the night there who lived in a nice retirement home in Hockessin,  Delaware which was the exact home Betty Ruth told me she had wanted to get into. She ended up in a retirement home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania which is a lovely part of the state and home of the Amish who ride in buggies, farm with horses and have no electricity.

Obituary Betty Ruth Doak Lindsey

Of Willow Valley Retirement Community, in Lancaster, Pa., passed away after a lengthy illness on November 30, 2011, at the age of 90.

Betty Ruth was born in New Jersey and grew up in Tyler County, West Virginia, where she held her first teaching position as the district music teacher.  She and her husband John raised their family in Wilmington, Delaware, where he was a DuPont employee.  Mrs. Lindsey graduated from West Liberty Teacher's College in West Virginia and the University of Delaware, where she also received her Master's Degree in Special Education.  Mrs. Lindsey taught 4th Grade and Special Education at Brandywood Elementary School in Wilmington, Delaware.  Betty Ruth had a great love of singing and classical music, and performed as a soloist, choir member, junior choir director and piano teacher, before retirement.  She and her husband, John moved to Willow Valley Retirement Community in 1998, where they made many dear friends.

Betty Ruth was predeceased by her son, John Jay Lindsey and her husband of 62 years, John B. Lindsey.  She is survived by her sisters, Mary Janice Neprash of Atlanta, Ga. and Lois Faunce, of Warminster, Pa.; her children Carol Davidson, of Wilmington, DE; Ruth Lindsey of Kapaau, HI and Bill Lindsey of Montara, CA.  She is survived by 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Excepts from the sermon:
"Beloved musician, friend, mother, grandmother.  This time and place are made sacred by our need to remember one so beloved who has left our midst."
"For Betty Ruth, teaching and performing gave her a passionate connection to life, and helped her to connect with others through a medium that touches the soul.  Music is the language of love and the language of faith; in fact "Music is love in search of a word."
"We give thanks for Betty Ruth's musical and loving spirit and for the legacy of caring she leaves in this world.  We give thanks for the light of love that persists through death and lives in human hearts."
"In the mystery that is life, let us hold fast to Love, Love which is conquered and stronger than death, which carries us to the eternal.  Love which continues in our hearts so that Betty Ruth will remain alive in us as we remember her and honor her.  Love is of God, for God is love."
"There are wonderful stories of a woman who loved life, loved music and loved to laugh. I learned of a woman who despite Polio of her  youth managed to share her love of music, even if she had to cross a swinging bridge in the wilds of West Virginia to teach her young pupils.  I learned of a loving marriage of 62 years to a man who spoiled her rotten, but with good reason it sounds to me."
"Let us rest in the knowledge that the veil has been removed.  Betty Ruth can finally know truth, and she can see God, face to face."
Love is eternal.

Enjoy some wonderful memories from Grandma Sylvia 1965 Christmas

Christmas day! I was sitting at my computer and noticed a letter from Grandmother Meacham. She is Alexander Arthur Doak's daughter, Sylvia. I'm not sure how it got there but thought some of you Meachams especially may enjoy some memories. Sat. Jan. 2nd 1965




Dear Pearl and all-

I have been taking down our Christmas & putting it away & there is not so much left of the old year only the thank you notes.

I was surprised to get more paper and heading from you, as I have always use tablet paper & scribbled to you on that, & had thought I never would get any more, this is the last sheet left of a year ago.

Our Christmas was so calm we hardly knew we had Christmas, Gene started to open things about three a clock and by the time we usually gather around we had had it not even a card to read.

We had a 20 pound turkey dinner & still had almost a half side for gravy New year dinner & still have some.

All last week our T.V. was out & Mr. Balan from Culdesac made 7 trips over come to see the trouble then came back next nite with tube. Dec. 31st. David & Steven came got it & took the T.V. to town & got home by noon O.K.just more tubes. So then I phoned around for people to come to see the Parade & 2 ball games. Lois & Margaret Herndon were here. Davids, Garry & 2 little ones Darryll, Norma Jean. Some of Buds were here, came after dinner. Some of the children were here for dinner. They had a N year Party the nite before the kids with there sleds, played until 2 a clock N Year a.m. before they got started home. They couldn't watch T.V. Much for coasting, snow packed down & best they had ever seen it.

We are enjoying the winter, the hi. water every place was awful for so many.

I got my V. blinds up just 2 days before Christmas. I will hold these old ones for a while. There are 4 that are 32 inches, these have two ways of hanging, but I wondered if the length, wouldn't be too short for you. Thee windows, the window man took 2 for hauling away but the blind man wouldn't take them away for them. We do like our porch so much, door open most of the time. They won't fit any of my other windows.

I hope to get a letter off to Mike. I am glad he is where he is not in some of those war zones.

Garry didn't get home until last Tuesday. Got as far as Portland on his way home for Christmas, spent the nite with a friend. If he had of come on home would have gotten stranded, so spent Christmas with this friend also.

Uncle Geo. Phoned out yesterday to hear about our roads & weather. (Sun Shine) so he was here too. It seems a shame to have company & sit around in the dark, blinds all down watching T.V. I put on the dinner, had roast beef & plenty for all.

We all thought you had such a nice Christmas letter. I heard Dad remark about it 2 or 3 times. Greg as well as Dad & I will always remember 1964 the year we went to Texas.

I saw in something the other day that part of Texas one doesn't see any thing only ground & sky. It was Nov. of Ford Time. I wondered if you got it at the garage. Was going to put it in your Christmas then thought you probably got it, having all Fords.

Gene has to take a little calf to the sale to-day. It's mother died. They don't know why.

Sunday before Christmas I was out clean8ing off the snow around a little, & Kent came from the barn & helped, cleaned off all the walks of 10 – 12 inches. Then the winds & rain, real rain, & not a bit of snow was to be seen. & Thursday A.M. We had 6 to 8 inches again & beautiful again. Christmas day sun came up so beautiful. I got several snow pictures & walked over to Buds & took & saw there tree and new drapes & white walls. We had snow off and on since. We all love it that way. Hi water was awful. I wondered if you got any. No news. Thanks for the stationary.

Love all, Grandma

Pearl Meacham Celebrates 90th Birthday with Her Large Posterity

The church ground around the corner from her son Doug Meacham was the gathering place for so many of Pearl's posterity who came from as far away as Mt. Vernon, Washington. There were babies there that she had never seen before and so many little ones that it was truly a joyous occasion for her. It was a beautiful fall day so most of the activities were held outside.  The children enjoyed playing in the leaves and the boys and men played football and frisbee. Doug brought his great barbeque equipment and there was an abundance of food being it was potluck. Chris, Doug and Trudy Meacham's son delighted everyone with the surprise use of his pony, Lucky. The granddaughters enjoyed working on a quilt set up by Doug and Trudy.  The children doned costumes to present a quite unrehearsed play written about Pearl's great grandfather the 4th president and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The play took place at his 90th birthday and featured the song "How Can I Thank Thee" sung by Isabella Favero and "Well Done Thou Good and Faithful Servant" sung by Payton Kemp both great grandchildren.  Many children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren took part and though it was quite unrehearsed  it presented a reminder to us all of the wonderful miracles witnessed by our ancestors and to her posterity. The faith she has given us is a priceless treasure next to life itself.   It was a full afternoon with precious memories.

Ran onto a couple of old Photos

The pictures  are taken of the casket of Emma Elizabeth Doak at her funeral.  She was buried at College City so that is likely where the photo was taken.  The second picture is of the congregation of the church perhaps at Ukiah, California where Rev. Doak built a church.

The Lotion Finally Came

The lotion finally came. While working in the temple I met a nice lady who was putting on her hand lotion.  She said she uses Jergens lotion to remind her of her aunt. She said it was not easy to find.  I smiled and thought that I wasn't so bizzar after all.  I had, myself, searched to find the Baby Magic lotion without much success.  I also wished to keep Aunt Clara in my memory. The lotion was found at last at Drugstore.com. With this dry Nevada weather the supply will come in handy.

Auntie Clara Meacham passes away on Father's Day

Clara was born August 10, 1918 near Nezperce ID to Harry John Hill and Marion Eliza Dussel Hill.

She, Clara Mary Meacham, passed away on June 19, 2011 due to a heart attack. It was quite fitting she pass on on Father's day.  She always wanted to keep that a special day with the family together.  She had said goodbye to her children and grandchildren who were visiting for Father's day with noone knowing it was her time to go that evening.  Her death was peaceful and unexpected.

Clara attended grade school at the Fletcher School near Craigmont ID, the same school where she received  her first teaching position. Clara graduated from Nezperce ID High School in 1936 and from North Idaho Normal School in 1939. Clara taught school at Fletcher, Potlatch ID and Lewiston.

She married Howard (Bud) Doak Meacham on August 23, 1942. They were married in the Hill family home in Nezperce ID by his grandfather, the Reverend A. A. Doak. Family members recall Alexander Arthur Doak, Bud's grandfather, looking at the couple and remarking that this marriage was going to last.

Bud and Clara farmed, ranched and raised their family in the Tom Beall area near Lapwai ID. She was a member of the First Christian Church, 4-H leader, Sunday School teacher, Boy Scout den mother and substitute teacher for the Lapwai School District.

They moved to Clarkston in 1979. Clara was active in PEO - Chapter BR and the Clarkston Tau-Delta Book Club.

Clara is survived by one daughter, Patty and husband George Patton; three sons, Kent and wife Mary, Bruce and wife Robin and Barry and wife Sherri; 11 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Hazel Olson.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband Howard (Bud) Meacham in 2006, her parents and a brother, Cecil Hill.

Clara was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. The great-grandkids loved the endless supply of little square cookies. Although she couldn’t swim, she made sure all of her grandchildren had swimming lessons and learned to swim. Every Christmas Clara hung a Christmas stocking for each member of her family and at age 92 she had 58 stockings hung.

The Chapter 31 in Proverbs certainly describes Auntie Clara. "Her children arise up and call her blessed: her husband also, and he praiseth her." Auntie Clara's life was centered around her family.  She had a way of making others feel special and especially loved the children. They were always" too cute"  to her. I really appreciated her passing down cousin Patty's clothes as a child and the times she welcomed me and other cousins into her home. She tried to keep us busy. One time we were just idling our time away in childish play and she got me to baking cookies.  She helped Patty and her friend learn to sew and they were always making matching dresses.  Patty's skills in sewing and thinking of others have been passed down to bless the lives of so many.  She often gave 80th birthday parties for family members which was a special gesture and a fun reason to get together. Auntie Clara had a fragrant smell of  Baby Magic, her favorite lotion, long after she had babies in the house. She was an excellent housekeeper and cook and she was an example to the rest of us.

At her request, no services will be held. Interment will be at the Vineland Cemetery in Clarkston WA.

The family suggests memorials may be made to the Northwest Children’s Home 419 22nd Ave Lewiston ID 83501.

CLARA MARY MEACHAM, 92 CLARKSTON