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Continued: Velva Mae Morton, nicknamed "Rat", was the first child of Thord andSusie Lee Morton. In the Federal Census dated 14 Jun 1900, Velva Maewas un-named. She was listed as baby daughter, age 2/12th's. I havea letter in Mama's papers from the Department of Commerce, US CensusBureau, dated 21 Mar 1942, advising her to use this Census Record toestablish her date of birth as birth certificates were not issued atthat time. The birth of Velva Mae nor her siblings was recorded withthe states in which they were born, as it was not required by lawuntil after Nov 1912.
Thord and his family moved to Cairo, Alexander County, IL the yearafter Velva Mae's birth.
Velva attended school in Cairo, IL, Helena and Blytheville, AR,completing the eighth grade. Velva taught school in Joiner, AR sometime after completing her eighth grade studies, which was acceptableduring that time. In later years, she attended nursing school in St.Louis, MO and became a Practical Nurse. While teaching school inJoiner, AR, Velva lived with the Owens family and recalled theincident of one of the Owen's daughters being beheaded by her husbandwhile she lived there.
Velva met Willie Miller Hudson who was a boarder at Susie Lee andThord's boarding house in Blytheville, AR around 1914. He worked forthe Chicago Mill and Lumber Company at the time and lived and traveledbetween Helena, AR, Blytheville, AR and Greenville, MS based uponletters written to Velva. The Chicago Mill and Lumber Company alsohad Mills in both cities and others.
In a letter to Velva dated 20 Jan 1916, Willie listed two addresses inhis letter proposing marriage: 511 Belmar St., Helena, AR and Box184, Blytheville, AR. Willie's letter was written in pencil asfollows:
Helena, ARK,1-20-16
Miss Velva Mae Moton. Dear One, I received your letter and I was verysorry to know that you have been sick and I do wish when these fewlines reach your hands you will be somewhat better. How is yourmother and father this time? I hope they are well and in good health. Give them all my love and kiss little Booker "T" three times for meand also Prince and little Toot the baby (Verna).
Velva here is a question that I wish to ask you. I am tired of livingin this world by myself and I have got to the place where I want tomarry. You will be (16 years) old in April and I will be 21 inAugust. Now dear girl lets I and you get married. I believe I canmake a very nice living for I and you. I make pretty fair wages aday and if I had someone that would help me to take care of it, I meansome good lady with a steady head, I believe I could get along in thisworld much better. I have noticed you every since I and you have beenacquainted with each other and you seem to be alright in every respectand I believe you are a girl that will make a man a good wife if yoube given the chance. You know Velva, I have asked you long ago thissame question but you would not give me any straight answer and so nowI will ask you again. I tell you the truth Velva, I am in earnestabout what I say. I am tired of living like a hobo and want to livelike a gentleman.
Now Velva take your own time and think over what I have asked you andthen give me your answer. I will give you two weeks to think. If youand I do get married I will try to do all in my power to make youhappy and also a home. Now listen, I do not want to live inBlytheville, I would rather live in Helena. Velva I have not saidanything to your parents about this little affair. First I must getyour consent and then I will ask for you. Now please don't let thissurprise you in the least. Now if your parents get a hold of thisletter it will be alright with me because I am going to write them onevery soon anyway, at least just as soon as I receive your answer.
So now Velva, I will come to a close, looking to hear from you at theearliest date. Bye bye sweet heart. From your dear Willie M. Hudson
Willie and Velva were married 23 April 1917 in Blytheville, AR priorto Willie's induction in the US Army for World War I on 29 October1917 in Osceola, AR. His military training was acquired at FortSmith, AR. After his return from military service, they settled inBlytheville, AR and started a family in 1920.
In the 1920 Census taken on 3 Mar 1920, Velva and Willie were livingin Chickasawba Township, Mississippi Co., AR. Willie was listed as afarmer, 24 years of age; Velva's occupation was listed as none, age19. Willie listed his place of birth as Arkansas and his parent'splaces of birth as Georgia. Velva listed her place of birth asArkansas and the places of birth of her parents as Mississippi (Susiewas born in IL; Thord was born in MO). Velva Mae was about threemonths pregnant with her first child, Frencella Kathleen. Willie andVelva lived in Tilton and Appalachicola, FL for a time; returned toBlytheville, AR then Bragg City, MO before settling in St. Louis.
One child, a son, was stillborn in Blytheville, AR. There is norecord of this son's birth, death or the location of his burial. Twoother sons, Robert Curtis and Frederick Henry died in 1981 and 1985respectively. Four daughters and one son currently live in St. LouisCounty.
On 6 Oct 1927, Velva Mae and Willie were living at Route 3, Box 170 inBlytheville, AR. Velva was going to Toledo, OH soon, probably tovisit her brother Theodore.
On 22 Sep 1965, Marie Perkins, the daughter of a former neighbor, cameto live with Mama. Marie had been living in Indianola, MS and workedat the Main City Library in St. Louis.
Velva Mae was diagnosed as diabetic in Feb 1965. On 9 Dec 1969, VelvaMae was diagnosed as having a mature cataract in her right eye,advanced diabetic retinopathy, advanced hearing loss (right ear), andher left ear hearing was impaired also. She underwent surgery forthe cataracts around 4 Oct 1972 which was unsuccessful due to thediabetic condition. Her sight diminished to the point of legalblindness which she never accepted. Velva continued to put eye dropsin daily in hopes that her sight would be restored. At the time ofher death, Velva Mae was diagnosed as experiencing bouts of dementiaand would scream for periods of fifteen minutes to in excess of onehour.
Velva Mae Morton Hudson died at 4:45 AM at the Hilltop Nursing Home,Cool Valley, St. Louis Co., MO as a result of cardio vascularcollapse. Secondary causes were ASHD (Arteriole Sclerotic HeartDisease) and generalized AS (Arteriole Sclerosis). She was attendedby David L. Berg, D.O. Ellis Funeral Home conducted her services.Velva has a military headstone that she shares with Willie, listingher as his wife.
Newspaper Obituary: St. Louis Globe Democrat Newspaper, 21-22 Dec1974. Hudson, Velva M., Dec 20, 1974, beloved mother of Fred, Robert,Virgil Hudson; Frencella Evans, Mable Blair, Opal Simms and EloiseHunt. Dear grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin andmother-in-law. In state Sun, 11 AM, Ellis-West, 1905 Union, Funeralservices Mon., 11 AM, Ellis-West. Internment National Cemetery, Mon.,12:45.
Frencella remarked jokingly at Velva's funeral that she had moreex-son-in-laws present than sons I believe. John flew in fromSeattle, Charles Simms, Jerry Thompson, James Evans, Harold Brewsterattended and I believe Edgar Blair was there. I don't believe JohnHenry Banks was present. We all had a good laugh at a very sad timein our lives. All of Velva's son-in-laws seemed to be very fond ofher. At the time, all four daughters were single and Frencella andJoseph Bonner married on 22 February 1975, shortly after Velva died.
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