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

Gregory Isaiah Meacham Returns as a Missionary

Gregory Isaiah Meacham returned February 19, 2010 from a 2 year mission to bring people to Christ.  He served in the Colorado Springs mission.  He is the youngest of 27 grandchildren of George and Pearl Meacham.  George is Alexander Arthur and Emma Elizabeth Doak's grandson.  They are a missionary family.  Listed below are the children, grandchildren and spouses who have served as missionaries.  The young men served for 2 years and the young women served for 18 months at their own and families expense. The eldest of George and Pearl's son's Michael Arthur Meacham served in the Bavarian German mission. Douglas Jay Meacham served in the Western States Mission in Colorado, Texas, New Mexico.  Gregory Patten Meacham served in Ireland and The Isle of Man. Roger Merritt Meacham served in the Independence mission in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Sons in laws David Edwin Lindsey served in the North British Mission.  Steve Bills served in the Columbia Mission in South America.
     The grandchildren that served were Douglas Scott Meacham in the Seattle - Vietnamese Mission. Christopher Meacham in the Birmingham, England Mission, Nathanial Meacham in the Austria Mission, Kirsten Lindsey went to a  French Speaking Montreal Canadian Mission, Lauralee Meacham the Charlotte North Carolina Mission. David Patten Lindsey was in the St. Louis Mission.  Jonathan Jay Lindsey served in Knoxville Tennessee Mission.  Elizabeth Ann Lindsey was in the Buenos Aires South Argentina Mission, Taylor Meacham was in Brazilian Mission, Jon Bills served in the Equador Mission,  Benjamin Adam Lindsey served in the Durban South African Mission, Craig Joseph Lindsey was in the Washington D.C. South Mission.
   The spouses to the grandchildren that served missions are Travis Reber in the Spain Mission and the Canary Islands, John Kemp in Japan,  Laurie Meacham served in Birmingham Mission, Nicholas Favero in the Spanish Speaking Texas Mission, Bret Barben  in the Hawaiian Mission, Shannon Meacham  in the Maryland Mission, Ryan Jensen in the North British Mission, Ben Campbell served in the Las Vegas South Mission, Seth Redford in the Montevideo Uruguay Mission.  I will add various photos later as I get them.

Our dear Aunt Irma Elizabeth Meacham See passes on.

  

Biography

Irma E. ‘Meachie’ See

Born March 30, 1920 in Clarkston, Washington

Died December 23, 2010 in Santa Barbara, California



Mrs. See (Meachie) was born in Clarkston, Washington and grew up nearby in Lapwai, Idaho where her parents, Merritt and Sylvia Meacham, farmed. Being the only girl in the middle of six brothers, she confessed that she was very much a tom-boy in her younger days, and her fondest memories were centered around her lifelong love of horses.

Shortly after earning her degree from the University of Portland in 1942 she married the love of her life, Bud See. Meachie then spent much of the war years moving around from base to base while her husband served as a flight instructor in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

After the war the See family made their home in Pendleton until 1967, when they moved to the Willamette Valley. Twenty one years later the Sees returned to enjoy their retirement in the log home they built near Long Creek, Oregon. After Bud’s death in 2001, Meachie continued to live in their mountain retreat on her own, sometimes having to sled her groceries ½ mile from the end of the plowed road to the cabin. These last years in the mountains were a testament to her love of the great outdoors that was instilled in her as a young girl.

Meachie enjoyed a life filled with church and family as well as a professional career as a registered nurse. Her professional career began in Pendleton in the ‘40s as a public health nurse for Umatilla County and extended well into her retirement years as a volunteer at Mountain Home Air Force base.

The legacy she has left to her family and friends is that she was a woman of disciplines, the greatest of which was her relationship with her lord Jesus Christ. She truly was the woman described in Proverbs 31.

Meachie passed away on December 23rd in Santa Barbara, Ca. where she had resided for the past year at the home of her daughter, Katie. She was preceded in death by her son Tom and husband Bud. She is survived by her other children Rob, Bud Jr., Katie, nine grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.





Graveside Service

Friday January 7, 2011, 10:00 AM at Willamette National Cemetery