Blanche Hilda (Turner) Lawless (1929 - 2008)

Born 25 Feb 1929 in Martinsville, Henry, Virginia, United States

Ancestors

Wife of William John Lawless Jr — married 25 Dec 1949 in Martinsville Virginia

Descendants

Died 26 Nov 2008 at age 79 in Myrtle Beach, Horry, South Carolina, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jenny Lawless [send private message]

Biography

Blanche Hilda Turner was born 25 Feb 1929 in Martinsville, Virginia.^[1] The Turner's were met with tragedy several times with only 2 of Blanche's 4 siblings born to the family lived to adulthood. Blanche remembered fondly of her sister Louise, who only lived to 18 years.

Marriage

She married her childhood friend who would visit his grandparents in Martinsville from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bill Lawless , at Calvary Christian Church in Martinsville, VA, 25 Dec 1949.^[2] The young couple moved to Philadelphia, PA, but only for a short while. After the birth of her first child, Blanche and Bill moved back to Martinsville. They lived in Bill's grandparent's home. His mother had purchased the home from her siblings share (inheritance) and gave it to Bill.

Together Blanche and Bill raised 3 girls and 1 boy; she had one miscarriage (William John Lawless III). William III died at 20 Weeks of Blanches pregnancy and was buried in a doll dress believed to be of white at Roselawn Cemetery. The infant was exhumed later and placed in family plots were Bill and Blanche are now buried. “Mom was so incredibly upset then, remembering her own loss,” daughter Sue recalled.

Her husband Bill died months after he finished building a new home south of Martinsville, in 1983.

Residences

1930 and 1940 Martinsville, Henry County, Virginia.^[3][4]

1950 Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.^[5]

1960 - 2006 Martinsville, Henry County, Virginia, USA. ^[6]

2007 - 2008 Myrtle Beach, Horry County, South Carolina, USA. ^{[7] [6]}

Death

In her declining years, Blanche's daughter Sue lovingly cared for her. She passed away in 26 Nov 2008 with all four of her children beside her in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. ^[6][7]

Special Memories

“In her later years Mama joined the OES (Order of the Eastern Star). She loved that organization. She'd tell stories of how her parents were members back in the day. Mama was very active in that organization. She was a member of Calvary Christian Church her whole life and served many different roles in the church. Mama was the glue that held the family together. During sad times she was a pillar for us to lean on. She was the 'chief cook and bottle washer' of all times! She loved doing crafts too! Once for one of her clubs (UCT maybe) she made ear rings and tie pins out of clear marbles. When the marbles were boiling until they'd got hairline cracks inside the smell was quite distinctive. To this day if I smell something similar, I think of those marbles! Some of the beautiful Christmas ornaments she made still adorn my tree at the holidays. I really miss her.” As remembered by her daughter Jean Chetnik.

Her hands were always busy with playing her organ and making crafts of all types. In the late 1960's she was president of the local Arts and Crafts Club. No matter where she was, going to the beach or visiting her children and grandchildren, she knew where all the good craft stores were.

Blanche loved cooking for her family; from fried chicken, stew from leftover roast to fried apple pies, Yum - yum. She loved canning tomatoes, fresh from her garden, that made any recipe better. The funny thing is she said she didn't know how to boil water when she was married.

She had a fantastic sense of humor and could find something funny in the most mundane thing. Trips in the car always seemed to be quicker as she made up ridiculous stories of what she saw outside the window that would make anyone belly laugh.

Sources

• Special thanks to Sue Leon, Jean Chetnik Lydia Kent for their help in editing and writing memories.

1. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #113455032; Created by: Sam Eanes, added: 7 Jul 2013, Photo added by Sam Eanes.
2. ↑ FamilySearch.org: Virginia, Marriage Certificates, 1936-1988 for Blanche Hilda Turner and William John Lawless; citing Martinsville, , Virginia, United States, certificate 30243, Virginia Department of Health, Richmond..
3. ↑ FamilySearch.org: 1930 United States Federal Census for Blanche Turner in household of Ben P Turner; Martinsville, Henry, Virginia, United States; citing ED 12, sheet 4B, line 96, family 83, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2467; FHL microfilm 2,342,201
4. ↑ FamilySearch.org: 1940 US Census for Blanche Turner in household of Ben P Turner; Martinsville, Martinsville City, Virginia; image 27 of 40; NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012.
5. ↑ Ancestry.com, $: "1950 United States Federal Census," Blanche H Lawless, Ward 46, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States; citing ED 51-2684; line 14; NAID: 43290879. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, Record Group 29. National Archives at Washington, DC., roll 3803.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2} Accumulated stories and collection of the Fisher Lawless families, Jenny Lawless 13 February 2020
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} FamilySearch.org: United States Social Security Death Index for Blanche Hilda Lawless, 26 Nov 2008; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).

Turner-15467 was created by Jenny Lawless through the import of Turner Family Tree GEDCOM file on 18 Aug 2016.