Names

     It is interesting to see where our names come from.  Many mothers use their maiden name as a first or middle name for a child.  The father's name is often used with another name; sometimes both names used and the child becomes a Jr. or II.

     On one family tree, cousin Elva's name  is from great Aunt Elva Jane, Agnes Vivian is from her Aunt Zola Vivian, and Uncle Rupert is from his Uncle Rupert Edwin.  Elbert's first name is from his father, Cecil Elbert Turner, and his name from George Elbert Light, an uncle born in 1880.  There was Iowa Catherine Vipperman Light (Elbert's great grandmother).  Everyone called her "Catty".  I like Iowa.  My daughter's name is Aleta Ellen--my middle name is Ellen, from grandmother Martha Ellen Turner Hollandsworth and her mother Sarah Ellen Martin Turner.  Aleta's daughter is Chloe Jean-Ellen Wood--both of her grandmothers' middle names.

     Aleta's name came from the Sunday comics--Prince Valiant.  His wife is called Queen Aleta--a beautiful blonde--reminds me of my daughter.  I was named for the daughter of one of the founders of Bassett Furniture Company.  My mother said she thought Avis was a pretty name and she was a pretty woman.  It is easy to help people remember my name when I say:  "Just like the car company, Avis Rent-a-Car--I'm #2, but I try harder".  Not long ago I heard on the news, that Hertz had dropped from #1 to #2--Enterprise Car Rental is now #1, and Avis, #3.  Oh well, I'm still trying--hard as I can.

Josiah Booth Conner

     My husband's middle name is Conner, his mother's maiden name is Conner--4th child of Josiah Conner and second wife, Sallie Wood.  Josiah was born on June 3, 1858, son of Daniel Conner and Anna McAlexander.  He married 1st Malinda Ellen "Ellie" Tuggle on January 8, 1879; he was 21, she was 17.  They had nine children:  Nannie Jane, Daniel Columbus, Sallie Lou, Lelia Etter, Posey John, Lena May, Loretta Anice, Marion Josiah, and Lucy Ellie.  Josiah and his family made their home on a large farm in the Lone Ivy section of Patrick County, Virginia.  The house was a white two-story with porches and pretty Victorian trim.  Ellie Tuggle Conner died on May 21, 1899, age 36.

     Josiah Booth Conner married 2nd Sallie Lou Jane Wood, nicknamed "Tippy", on June 13, 1901; he was 43, she was 25.  They had five children:  James Benjamin, Irby Elijah, William Jefferson, Gladys Elizabeth, and a baby that died at birth.  Miss Tippy died on August 20, 1914 in childbirth at age 38.

     Josiah married 3rd Mary Elizabeth Wood, Sallie's first cousin; both were 57 years old.  They had no children.  All children in the first and second families affectionately called her "Miss Mary".  Josiah Conner was a county supervisor for the Smith River District at the time of his death.  He had served in that capacity for many years.  He died on November 24, 1922, age 64, nine days after an accident near his home.  He was cutting a tree down.  It fell against another tree and knocked a limb off, which hit Josiah on the head.  He was semi-conscious during this time, singing hymns at times--then he got pneumonia.  Jim Cockram preached the funeral on the back porch on a very, very cold day.  Miss Mary died on September 22, 1937, age 79.