Tag: Mildred

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Family History

Dear Santa

You don’t expect a person you remember only as an adult to also have had a childhood. Below is an exhibit that my mother, Mildred Mitchell Smith, really was a child.

Here is a letter she was sending to Santa when she was about 9 1/2 years old.

A letter to Santa – 1923

Notice the penmanship. She has some nice details in the first letter I. Her capital Cs are sort of fancy too. I can tell you, her signature improved quite a bit over time.

Her desires were simple — even for 1923! Well, she does ask for a BIG baby doll.

I love this woman with all of my heart.

Categories
Family History

Who’s Milt-tred?

This is a case of someone writing the way things sound. Milderd? Really? By the way, here’s the correct lineup: Back Row (L to R) – Roger Corey (Pat’s husband), Patricia Halterman Corey, Robert Halterman, Keith Halterman. Middle Row (L to R) – Nanette Halterman Pond, Mildred Mitchell Halterman Smith, Jacqueline Halterman (Keith’s wife). Front Row: Guy Smith.

This photo was taken after the funeral of Mildred Smith’s sister Maude Mitchell Halterman on Monday, September 28, 1964. It was taken out in front of “Aunt Libbie’s” house.

On that day, Mildred, my mother, was experiencing waves of grief from the loss of her sister. I remember that day being pretty fun. I enjoyed getting the attention of the older relatives. They would pat me on the head and say, “Oh what a handsome young man.”

Here’s a link to Maude’s obituary from the October 1, 1964 Iron County Record.