Friday, March 22, 2013

Celebrating Women's History: Lights, Camera, Action!

Blog Prompt for Day 22 from Lisa Alzo at The Accidental Genealogist
 If a famous director wanted to make a movie about one of your female ancestors who would it be? What actress would you cast in the role and why?

I have always thought that the life of my Great Great Grandmother Beulah Mae Price Roberts would make a great movie. From running away to get married, to loosing three sons during WWII, there would be plenty of comedy and drama for an entertaining and compelling story.



Beulah Mae Price Roberts (1897-1980)
1914
© Cheri Hudson Passey

Here are some of the events that could be portrayed in a movie based on Beulah's life:
  • At age 17 Beulah eloped with boyfriend, William Roberts, after pinching her baby brother to distract her mother so she could get out of the house.
  • Her father, Cam Price, disappeared when Beulah was about 22, never to be seen or heard from again. Rumors were that she knew what happened and never told.
  • From 1916 to 1928 she gave birth to 12 children.
  • Her last three children died as infants. One stillborn girl, and a boy and girl who only lived a few months.
  • While raising a large family and she also worked in the Cotton Mills of the Carolina's as a Spooler and Weaver. They lived in "Mill Housing".
  • All 5 of Beulah's sons served during WWII. Only 2 returned home. One survived the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
  • The Telegrams informing the family of her son's deaths came just weeks apart.
  • In 1948 the bodies of two sons were returned to the US for burial. One son's body was never found, but a headstone was placed as a memorial to him next to his brothers. She endured the funeral for three sons on one day.
  • The family was able to purchase a large piece of land to build a home in Camden, SC.Part of that land was given to the city to build a hospital. It is on Roberts Road,  named after the sons that gave their lives for their country.
  • Beulah's husband William died in 1959. She lived in her home in Camden, SC with her two unmarried daughters until her death in 1980. One of her granddaughters still lives there today.

Beulah Mae Price Roberts (1897-1989)
1970's
© Cheri Hudson Passey

 Who would I cast to play her? I was stumped until I asked my daughter Stephanie. She suggested Maggie Gyllenhaal. I took one look at her and knew why. Perfect casting.

Maggie Gyllenhaal
Photo Source:Wikipedia





© Cheri Hudson Passey

1 comment:

  1. Yes, I remember your post about pinching her baby brother so that she could get out of the house. What a dramatic life. 12 children, and the funeral for three sons who were WWII casualties in one day! A life of up highs and down lows.

    To me, her portraits in youth and age show a strong, strong face. Not the least shy and self-conscious. Just determined and sure of herself. Maggie Gyllenhaal could do that. A woman who conquers her self-doubt. I'm sitting here wondering how they would age Maggie G. for the camera. Great post.

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