Durham 2nd Ward Stories

My Mother, 4 May 1925 - 27 August 2015 by Marie Savoy My mother was born Edna Marie Wright in Charlotte, NC on 4 May 1925. She was the 5 th of eight children born to her parents. She was quiet and shy until you got to know her. She grew up around family and so family was very important to her. My mother learned the value of work from her mother. While my grandmother raised children, she also worked long shifts in one of the cotton mills in Charlotte; maintained a huge garden of vegetables and flowers; and took her children to the Methodist church on Sundays. My grandmother taught my mother to cook and sew. In high school, my mother said she would stitch a skirt at night after her studies and then wear the new skirt to school the next day. Mother said her older sister always liked to borrow her clothes (this aunt was too busy with boys). This aunt said she even liked supper best when it was my mother’s turn to cook…hummm, boys. My mother went to school and loved to learn. Her favorite s

A memory of my mother, Louise Lawrence Rogerson Ken Rogerson, May 2020 When I was about 14 years old (pre-internet, pre-cell phone, pre-GPS, etc. etc.) I had an older friend who could drive. One summer night, we were out – driving around, getting ice cream (maybe or maybe not toilet papering someone’s home) and just having a good time. It was 1 am. I didn’t have a curfew, but I was NEVER out this late without agreeing with my parent’s beforehand that I would be. I hadn’t done this. I thought, “No big deal. I’m safe. Mark is a good driver. All will be fine.” And it was. I got home just before 3 am. I tiptoed into the house hoping to slip into my bedroom unnoticed. My mom was sitting in the living room. I thought my life was over. I thought she would be angry. I thought I would be grounded. But she just stood up, kissed me on the forehead and said, “I’m so happy you are home and safe.” Then she went to bed. The next day, my father was a bit angrier than my mom. During our discussion abou

My great great great grandmother, Maren Marthine Halseth, was such a strong woman of faith. She joined the church in Norway at the age of 17. She then came to the U.S. by herself, against the will of her parents, leaving her entire family behind. She crossed the plains, settled in Salt Lake, married my great great great grandfather and had 12 children (10 girls and 2 boys)! I can't imagine the faith it took to leave her family behind and travel to a country where she didn't speak the language or know a single person. Eventually, her father and siblings joined the church and came to Salt Lake as well. Her story is a beautiful example of faith and sacrifice.

William Grady William Grady is my 4th great-grandfather. He was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in 1817, the son of Irish immigrants. He lived in a number of places including Baltimore, Philadelphia, Virginia, and eventually settling in Montgomery County, Maryland. He was a school teacher in his early adulthood and then became the county surveyor in Maryland. That was an elected position. He also served one term as a Maryland Delegate.  In 1839, he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was well acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith, Orson and Parley P. Pratt, Lorenzo Snow and others. It is unknown the specifics, but he was not able to emigrate to Zion. He continued to try to live the life as a Latter-day Saint, serving as an Elder, and presiding over a branch. At his death, his obituary (published in the Deseret News in 1906), stated that "notwithstanding he had much opposition to contend with, even in his own family doing all in their power to hinde

My Grandmother--Helen Laurene Baldwin Rose (1918-2013) For this activity, I zoomed with my mom, Helen Diane DeShazo Rose, since we are apart during social distancing. Mom chose four short stories to recount about her mother, Helen Laurene Rose. (My middle name is Helen after grandma and mom.)  I loved listening to mom talk. She would laugh as she remembered the telling of these stories from her mother. It was also special to reminisce in May, as Grandma Rose was born May 14th and it's a time when we remember all mothers. Little Girl Stories Let's start with the library. Well, you know that mother loved to read and she loved books. She claims that she fell in love with the library when she was six years old.  There was a hole in the hedge behind her house. She climbed through that hole and there was the library. When she went in, the librarian said she could come in if she washed her hands and was always very good.  Mother loved going back to the library. She loved telling that

This story is about my mom Nellie Scalf. I am a convert to the church and my mom was pretty upset when I joined the church. She initially blamed Bill for “making” me join the church. He told her, “You don't know your daughter very well if you think I could make her join the church.” This happened just after we converted to the church. Several years passed and we went to visit my parents on a trip with our firstborn son. We told my parents what time we expected to arrive home. When we got home, the phone was ringing. Bill got to the phone and found out it was my mother. She was nearly in tears and said, “When you left, you took something with you.” Wow! That was really eye-opening for me. I never realized that she could feel the Spirit when we were at her home and then realize it left with us. My parents never did join the church in this life, but I know they softened from their initial reactions. Their temple work and that of my older sister are done along with many other ancestors

Henry Fayette Ferrin was born 10 March 1837 to Joseph Merrill and Chloe Paddock Ferrin in Dorset, Bennington, Vermont. In 1840 the family had settled in Watertown along with other cousins from New England. Mary E. Frazier was born 11 June 1837 to Thomas Jefferson and Angeline Bailey Frazier in Ticonderoga, Essex, New York. They married 8 October 1857 in St. Paul, Minnesota. After attending the Watertown public schools, Henry succeeded his father in the marble/stone cutting business at age 16. Local histories named this the oldest stone business under one management in New York state. "The premises occupied are large and commodious and a full force of marble cutters, sawyers and polishers are busy at all time. Mr. Ferrin is enterprising, progressive, and well merits the success he has achieved.” An undated business card of his stated, "H. J. Ferrin's Marble Works, #2 White's Block Public Square, American and Italian Marble Monuments and Tomb Tables.” One undated and un

Memories of My Grandmother      When I reflect on memories of my grandma, my mind goes to small moments shared in her home. Good food and conversations in the kitchen, singing around the piano while she played, and observing her quiet dedication to caring for her parents and my grandpa when their health was poor. Heaven has always felt close when I am in her home.      Peggy Mathews is a loyal, tenderhearted, and devoted woman. She loves God and has dedicated her life to serving Him and His children. My grandma has a gift for connecting with others. When I was serving as a fulltime missionary, she sent me a letter every single week while I was away. In the age of email, receiving an actual letter meant a great deal to me. I felt incredibly special that she set aside time each week to let me know that I was in her thoughts. She has always made an effort to strengthen each individual relationship with all her children and grandchildren.      I am so grateful for this wonderful woman who

Horace Edward Deaver was born in 1925 and drafted in the army before finishing high school. He went to Germany and was shot a couple of times. He worked as a mechanic with his family and met the missionaries in eastern NC in the 1940s. He and my grandma were baptized about 70 years ago. He eventually baptized his father. He was faithful in the gospel his whole life. He is a great example to me. He taught me how to tie with my left hand and baptized me about 30 years ago. He helped pay for me and my brother to go on a mission. He used to tell me the closer I sit to the pulpit, the more likely I am to make it to the celestial kingdom. I still don't understand his logic, but Laura and the kids like to sit close despite me wanting to sit as far back as possible. My youngest child Charlie shares his middle name and even though he died last year, his faithful example will always help me to strive to be a better person.

In Tarboro, North Carolina, live nine valiant women, we’re told whose planning and tireless service have wrought wonders great to behold! They needed a church house so badly, a place that their small branch could meet, but to raise enough money to build one seemed an impossible feat. This fact didn’t daunt their brave spirits. They knew though their members were few, that somehow they’d find a solution. They did! – In a hot Brunswick Stew! These nine valiant women of Tarboro, with labor, ingredients, and skill, stirred up a stew so delicious their customers can’t get their fill. They sold it from doorway to doorway for fifty or twenty-five cents. Since none could resist its aroma, their following soon grew immense. They cooked up one stew, then another, so tasty, they just couldn’t lose. Three thousand, yes, three thousand dollars grew out of those good Brunswick Stews! And now there’s a roof on their chapel, so when people say, “Can’t be done”, just point to those women of Tarboro who

My mother- Katherine Miriam Burke- was born in 1914 in Jersey City, NJ. Both her parents- Jim & Hannah- were Irish Catholic and she was very proud of her heritage. She was the youngest of three- brother Tom & Sister, Esther who died at age eight of the Spanish Flu Epidemic. My mother was very young at the time and never spoke about her sister's death. Katherine was a sensitive child, good student and especially loved reading, poetry, words. She had a good, quirky sense of humor. I certainly inherited her love of books & reading, resulting in my becoming a book seller/collector/avid reader years later. She had a good heart- was very generous and sensitive to the needs of others. She won a scholarship to attend "Normal School" (aka teachers' college)- "Kay" had always dreamed of being a school teacher. When her mother insisted she attend secretarial school instead, she asked the local (Catholic) priest to intercede and the decision was reversed. Th

My grandmother Helen Graham met Franklin John Van Buren in Iowa on the steps of the Quaker Church on her first day home from college. It was 14 June 1925 and they went on a blind in his new car, a Chevrolet coupe. Helen's mother asked why she was going with that old (23), bald man. Helen was 18. She also questioned his ability to support her. She told her mother she wasn't marrying him for his money. On 12 Sep 1925 (his birthday) she got her diamond when he proposed while they were sitting in his car. They were married Thanksgiving day sitting in the car with the preacher, Howard Cope, standing by the open door. From that time on Van always gave her a rose for each year they had been married and they celebrated their anniversary on Thanksgiving. In April there was a heavy snow storm and Van said, “I don't have a job and I hate the cold, let's go to Texas", where Helen's folks had just moved to earlier in the month. He traded his coupe for an old Maxwell. They h