Happy Birthday Gracie!!!

Gracie Gilbert Smith is one of the top ten people I want to meet in heaven.  It is because my mom has such glowing memories of her.  I want to be the grandma to my grandchildren that Gracie was to my mom - fun, loving, genuinely interested, good listener, attentive, great cook, lots of smiles and laughter, parties, games, musical, and most important, true and faithful.  Here are just a few things that I have gleaned from my mom and from Family Search to try to piece together a short life sketch.  Gracie loved Murray Utah.  She was born there on March 12, 1880 and lived there her entire life.  She died on January 20, 1951 of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 70.  She was the seventh of 15 children.  She had a strong faithful family, the story of her grandparents joining the church and emigrating to Utah can be found here.  The first 9 children in Gracie's family were all girls, except a boy that was born right in the middle of those girls.  Unfortunately, he died at birth.  Friends of James Gilbert, Gracie's father, encouraged him to take a plural wife to try to increase the odds of having some boys. (In those days it was thought that the wife determined the gender of the baby.) He stuck with Mary Elizabeth and after eight girls they had three little boys, James, Chester, and Arthur.  The picture below of these three little boys show how cherished they were.  After the three boys they had two more girls and one boy to round out the fifteen.  Two of the three boys, Chester and Arthur, died six days apart in 1918, at the ages of 27 and 30.  Their father had already died, but their mom died a year later, perhaps brokenhearted at the loss.

Gracie's dad must have been a bigger than life guy.  He seemed confident, personable and successful.  He opened the Gilbert Store in Murray.   Just recently his journal has been uploaded to Family Search.  There are lots of tales of the weather, crops and livestock, but two stories interested me.  When new bolts of fabric arrived at the store, James would let Mary take three or four bolts.  These would be used to make dresses for all those girls.  From the picture below, they look well dressed (and matching).  James Gilbert would also let his children take free dips in the candy jar of the store whenever they would like.  You would think that was a dream come true, but they liked the penny candy that was sold in the store across the street.  They worked out a way to get the candy they liked.  They would take candy from their dad's store and either sell it on the street to get money for the candy they liked, or trade for it.  I guess the Gilberts were one of the first families in Murray to have a car. He would ride around with all those daughters, all of whom looked alike. 

Grace met and married Manasseh Smith who was 1 1/2 years her junior on October 22, 1902.   She was 22 and he was 20.  They had four children, two boys and two girls - Ilo Leslie, my grandpa and namesake for our Ilo, was her second child and second son.  Manasseh was on a mission when Ilo was born.  Gracie must have had some grit.  Her dad died on April 4, 1905 and she had Ilo Leslie on April 16, 1905, all when her husband Manasseh was on a mission.  Even though she had some family around it must have been a hard time with two small boys.  Gracie was musical and music was a priority.  We already know she played the piano for silent movies, but her obituary said that she was the first organist of the Murray First Ward.  Must have been notable to mention.  Manasseh was in the Tabernacle Choir, but Gracie was in the Murray First Ward Choir.  A picture of that choir is below.  She arranged for and encouraged my mom to take piano lessons from her daughter Clarice - a gift of music that has continued for many generations. Her obituary also said that she was a visiting teacher.  Impressive thing to have as a priority.  She was also a member of the Cottonwood Camp of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and President of the Religion Class.  I would love to know more about that.

I am not sure when the following story falls into the timeline, but I have always loved it.  Some of Gracie's sisters planned a surprise birthday party.  All the sisters were very very close.  One of them couldn't keep a secret and told Gracie about the surprise but instructed her to act surprised when she walked in the room.  Gracie planned a perfect response.  She walked in carrying pillows and then promptly fainted at the surprise, right on top of the pillows.

My mom grew up right around the corner from Manasseh and Gracie and my mom felt like she was the most important thing in the world to Gracie.  My mom would head to her house when she was happy or when she was sad or needed an escape.   Maybe because of the contrast of Bev's other grandmother - Serena Spencer Player - where everything was strict and you answered yes ma'm and were seen and not heard - Grandma Smith was a sweet haven for Bev.  She would sweep Bev into her arms and listen to every trouble, listen to every story and rejoice in every success.  Although Gracie developed diabetes as an adult, she loved sweets.  Probably started in her dad's store.  Being a diabetic didn't stop her from making wonderful desserts.  The dessert my mom mentions the most is Banana Cream Cake.  I'd like a slice right now.  When my mom and dad got married her parents, Les and Inez, were not able to  go to the temple.  Gracie was Bev's escort and Manasseh was the witness.  I think Gracie really liked my dad, Melvin J. Hodgkinson.  When my dad borrowed Ilo's new car while he was on a military break and Mel and Bev were dating, he got in an accident and totaled the car.  Mel, in total despair, headed straight to see Gracie who comforted him and told him everything was going to be o.k.  She died just a few years after my mom and dad got married.  Even though at her death she had children, in-laws and many grandchildren, I thought it was interesting that Mel, a grandchild-in-law was chosen to be a pallbearer. Happy Birthday Gracie - looking forward to meeting you!!!

Grace Gilbert Smith

The James Gilbert Family.  Athelia is in the inset because she had died by the time this picture was taken.  If you look  closely at the black fabric it looks the same on many of the girls.  My mom remembers that all those sisters had a couple of moles on their faces.  She said that Gracie didn't have one and that made her happy.

James, Chester and Arthur Gilbert

Gilbert Store.  Gracie's brother James is behind the counter.

Gracie and Manasseh with their oldest son Daniel Burdette

Murray First Ward Choir.  Gracie is in the middle of the front row of women.  Her in-laws Daniel and Caroline Smith are the couple on the right side - row four and Manasseh is at the top (must be a tenor), last one on the right, second to last row.