Florence Bell Thompson was born on December 5, 1870. Her personality shines in a letter (undated) that she wrote to her sister-in-law Erin Augusta Owen Thompson, when Augusta had written to say that she was feeling blue:
"Dearest Gussie… Oh, my poor child, how very sorry I feel for you, but don't have the blues … just wait and I will be there to comfort you. I will scare all the blues away, for the blues and I are the bitterest enemies and can't stay in the same house. Oh I can hardly wait for next week to come, just to think I can go home… I just have so many things to tell you, I am just running over. I think I could talk a week without stopping… Don't tell anybody I am coming, I want to 'sprise' them. I am nearly crazy to see Birda and Etta. I don't know what I will do, I love them both so well, I don't know which one I love the best … Ever your sis, Florence."
Florence Thompson married Amandus Henry. The wedding took place on 10 June 1890 at the Thompson family's childhood home – now her brother Robert's house.
Florence got pregnant only two months after she got married. Nearing her full term, Florence was still "in the full enjoyment of perfect health." But the delivery was difficult; the baby died. And just a few hours later, Florence died. She was twenty-one.
A local newspaper said that "a thrill of sorrow ran through this community" with the news. Florence was buried in her wedding dress in the Gresham Cemetery at Mars Hill. Her uncle T. B. Larimore conducted the service. He wrote: "She was one of the brightest and best of the Mars Hill pupils. While yet but a little child, she consecrated her life to the service of the Lord … Now she is gone. 'A few more days – or years at most – and we shall all be gone. 'Are you ready?' Are we ready?"
– bio by Chris Hanlin
Florence Bell Thompson was born on December 5, 1870. Her personality shines in a letter (undated) that she wrote to her sister-in-law Erin Augusta Owen Thompson, when Augusta had written to say that she was feeling blue:
"Dearest Gussie… Oh, my poor child, how very sorry I feel for you, but don't have the blues … just wait and I will be there to comfort you. I will scare all the blues away, for the blues and I are the bitterest enemies and can't stay in the same house. Oh I can hardly wait for next week to come, just to think I can go home… I just have so many things to tell you, I am just running over. I think I could talk a week without stopping… Don't tell anybody I am coming, I want to 'sprise' them. I am nearly crazy to see Birda and Etta. I don't know what I will do, I love them both so well, I don't know which one I love the best … Ever your sis, Florence."
Florence Thompson married Amandus Henry. The wedding took place on 10 June 1890 at the Thompson family's childhood home – now her brother Robert's house.
Florence got pregnant only two months after she got married. Nearing her full term, Florence was still "in the full enjoyment of perfect health." But the delivery was difficult; the baby died. And just a few hours later, Florence died. She was twenty-one.
A local newspaper said that "a thrill of sorrow ran through this community" with the news. Florence was buried in her wedding dress in the Gresham Cemetery at Mars Hill. Her uncle T. B. Larimore conducted the service. He wrote: "She was one of the brightest and best of the Mars Hill pupils. While yet but a little child, she consecrated her life to the service of the Lord … Now she is gone. 'A few more days – or years at most – and we shall all be gone. 'Are you ready?' Are we ready?"
– bio by Chris Hanlin
