My Trails into the Past

Effa L. Sullivan died on 29 April 1951 in Artesia, Los Angeles County, California. She was the wife of Jack C. Sullivan, my grandmother’s brother. Her obituary gives a little information about her: A rosary was recited at Holy Family Church in Artesia on 3 May 1951 and after a funeral mass on the next day, she was buried at Calvary Cemetery. Besides her husband, a sister, Mary McCord of Artesia, and a brother, Ira Wilson of Los Angeles, survived her. [1] However, what I do have is a copy of the eulogy recited at her funeral by Father O’Connor. She appeared to be very active in service to the parish and he recounted those activities. My guess the copy of the eulogy somehow made it to my grandmother and it was found her in papers. [2] "An Expression of Sympathy from the Priest and People of the Parish to Mr. Sullivan, to her Brother and Sister and Family.  We tender the sympathy of all our parishioners, and all the sisters of our school.  Mrs. Sullivan was known by all...

In papers I received from my grandmother, there were several letters of recommendation written for my grandfather. [1] These letters date in April 1944, just shortly after he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. [2] Likely, he was trying for a specialization in carpentry and needed these recommendations. Reading about what these important people wrote about my grandfather’s character and abilities is very interesting and also helpful in filling in his timeline. R. Y. Anderson, manager of the Clay Building Material Company of Stephenville, Texas, wrote on 8 April 1944: