Week 32 #52Ancestors: Sister

Laura circa 1911, age 17

Laura Emiline Sutton was the first child to be born in Fannin County, Texas to my Tennessee great-grandparents, Noah and Alley (Epperson) Sutton.  At the time she was the baby sister to Malissa Jane and Lewis Henry (my grandfather).  I imagine it was a cold winter’s day when she arrived on January 20, 1894 as Fannin County lies on the border of Oklahoma in northeast Texas. She would finally gain a younger sister in 1901 named Jessie Lorn and in 1906 Alva Leonard "Jack".  I like to look at the evolution of Laura from a child to a young woman as she could be a bit of a fashionista.

Left to right: Laura, Noah, Lizzie, Alley, Lewis, and Jessie Sutton

Family photo of Pete Henderson, Lizzie Sutton Henderson, Noah Sutton, Alley Epperson Sutton, Laura Sutton, children (left to right) are probably Zola Mae Henderson, Ethyl Henderson, Don Henderson, Jessie Sutton, and Jack Sutton taken circa 1910

Laura Sutton circa 1910

Laura Sutton circa 1911

Laura and two unknown girls

Sisters: Jessie and Laura Sutton

Laura the fashionista

Laura Sutton circa 1911

Laura married Paul Jones "PJ" Helton in 1911 at the tender age of 17 and life appeared to be happy as reflected in these photos.

Laura Sutton and PJ Helton

Laura Sutton, PJ Helton and unknown woman

Playful Laura and PJ

There is a photo I discovered and found it intriguing for a couple of reasons.  First of all, I realized that the unknown woman is my grandmother Trentie Leonard Sutton and the second reason is Laura’s dress looks like it could be a maternity dress. The photo was most likely taken in Bonham, Texas in the early 1920’s or perhaps even as early as 1916.  Unfortunately, Laura was never blessed with her own children but enjoyed the company of her nieces and nephews.

Trentie Leonard Sutton and Laura Sutton Helton circa 1920

Laura Sutton Helton and unknown toddler circa 1920's

Laura and another unknown child circa 1920's

The 1930 census shows Laura Helton widowed and living in Ranger, Eastland, Texas.  She was a boarder in the household of J.L. Hadley and worked as a sales lady for dry goods.  However, she was not a widow as P.J. was alive and well in the town of Econtuchka, Seminole, OK classified as a single man.  He was also listed as a lodger and worked as a repairman for a gasoline plant.  This town was about 28 miles from Wolf, OK where my grandparents were residing. My father mentioned that he thought Laura had lived with them or perhaps it was near them in Wolf. There is a photo that leads me to believe Laura and her cousin Zola visited Wolf, OK before her move.

Unknown boy (could be my father), Zola Mae Henderson, and Laura Sutton Helton

Laura remarried in 1933 to William Ray Todd and with that marriage she would have five stepchildren.  They were married until his death in 1961.

Family outting with Chester Kelley, maybe some Todd children, Laura Sutton Todd, Noah Sutton, Lizzie Sutton Henderson, Pete Henderson, William Todd, and Ray Henderson

When chatting with my dad about Laura, he thought she was adventurous as young woman.  Dad enjoyed talking to his aunts and decided to take me and Mom to Ranger for a visit in the early 70's.  Laura was in her late 70's and not in the best of health.  Jessie would have been in her early 70's and Zola Mae Henderson (their niece and Dad's cousin) would be in her late 60's.    

Jessie Sutton Kelley, Laura Sutton Todd, Lois Watkins Sutton, Paula Rue Sutton and Zola Mae Henderson

Laura died at the age of 81 on February 7, 1975 in Ranger just a few months before I graduated from high school.  My sister pointed out that February 7^th is the same month and day of death of her mother, Alley, and sister, Lizzie.  Amazing!

Perhaps this quote is fitting for Laura:

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough – Mae West