Individual Details
Bessie Violet BROWN
(7 May 1900 - 29 Oct 1985)
1 Jun 1900, Madison Co., MT ED 54 Sh 9A , family 188;
George Brown, 33, born July 1866, married 1 year, born VT, father born VT, mother born Canada. Farm laborer, unemployed six months, owned own home
Violet Brown, 19, born Jan. 1881, married 1 year, mother of one, still living, born MT, father born PA, mother born IA
Un-named daughter, 1/12, May 1900, born MT, father born VT, mother born MT.
15 Apr 1910, Meadow Creek, Madison Co., MT, ED 53 Sh 3A;
George N Brown, head, 43 (1866-67), marriage 1 of 10 yr., born VT father born VT mother born Canada (English), laborer - farm
Violett Brown, 29 (1880-81) marriage one of ten years, mother of 5, 3 living, born IA, father born PA, mother born IA
Bessie Brown, 10 (1899-1900) born MT, father born VT, mother born IA
Agnes Brown, 3 (1906-07) born MT, father born VT, mother born IA
Arthur Brown, 2 (1907-08) born MT, father born VT, mother born IA.
1 Jan 1920, Springville Twp. & Village, Tulare Co., CA. , ED 218. sheet 2B, line 69;
George N. Brown, 51 (1868), widower, born VT, both parents born U.S., laborer, general farm, can read and write, rents
Bessie V. Brown, daughter, 19 (1900) single, born MT, father born VT, mother born IA
Agnes C. Brown, daughter, 13 (1907), born MT, father born VT, mother born IA
Carl V.Brown, son, 11 (1908) born MT, father born VT, mother born IA.
1 Apr 1930, Strathmore Twp., Tulare Co., CA, ED 54-54, sh 5A;
Everette O. Duncan, head, 30 (1899-1900), 20 at first marriage, born CA, both parents born CA, Foreman on ranch. Can read and write. rents for $25, owns a radio
Bessie Duncan, wife, 29 (1900-1901), 19 at first marriage, born Montana father born Vermont mother born Iowa
Leora Duncan, daughter, 9 (1920-21), born CA father born CA mother born MT
Barbara J. Duncan, daughter, 2 (1927-28), born CA father born CA mother born MT
1 Apr 1940, 1531 Sunnyside Ave., Porterville, Tulare Co., CA, ED 43 Sh 1A:
Everett O. Duncan, head, 40 (1899-1900), born CA, completed 8th grade, in 1935, lived elsewhere in Tulare County, laborer - county road work
Bessie Duncan, wife, 39 (1900-01), born Montana, in 1935, lived elsewhere in Tulare County, completed 4 years of high school
Barbara J. Duncan, daughter, 12 (1927-28), born California, completed 7th grade
Patricia Anne Duncan, daughter, 7 (1932-33), born California, completed 1st grade
Same page as Archie and Leora Landers.
Obituary in Porterville Evening Recorder Oct 30, 1985. "Graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Home of Peace Cemetery for Bessie Violet Duncan, 85, who died Tuesday in Porterville after along illness.
The Rev. Barbara Fridlund of the Wholeness Educational Group of Porterville will officiate.
A native of McAllister, Mont., Mrs. Duncan had lived in Porterville 67 years. She was a homemaker and a member of the Methodist Church in Montana.
She is survived by two daughters, Barbara Fridlund of California Hot Springs and Patricia Neal of Fresno; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews and cousins.
The family asks contributions to the Heart Fund, P.O. Box 1189, Porterville, CA 93258 or the Cancer Fund, P.O. Box 288, Portervillle, CA 93258.
Arrangements are by Myers Chapel." Copy in possession of the author.
Following is the text of the funeral service by Barbara Fridlund:
"Beloved Children of God
We are here today to talk about the birth, life, and greater life of Bessie Violet Brown Duncan. We come together each bringing into this experience memories of past sorrows, some, still raw wounds. By the sharing of our love and support under the all filling love of the Christ among us, we heal old wounds and hasten the healing of new sorrows. In St. John we are told "Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Shall have life everlasting. Believest Thou this?"
We hear and love these words, but, somehow many of us, inside, doubt that He's really talking about us. Even though we are each created a spark of God, we somehow doubt that we are worthy, and therefore have a lifetime of lessons that strengthen our faith, until finally we arrive at the gates of death and are able to pass through to the greater life, believing, and entering it in peace. Such was the life of Bessie. When Bessie was only eighteen, her mother died during the influenza epidemic that ravaged the country. She then had to (and I suspect wanted to) help her father with the raising of her younger brother Carl and sister Agnes. The family moved to California to start over. In 1920, Bessie met Everett Duncan, and after a courtship of six weeks, they married. In 1921, their first child, Leora, was born. During this time, they lived with Everett's father and Bessie helped cook for large harvester crews. In the ensuing years Bessie and Everett had their own place and for a time Bessie's father, brother and sister lived with them. In due time brother Carl and sister Agnes each married and moved out on their own. Carl to later have two beautiful sons and Bessie and Everett, in 1928 and 1932, two more daughters. In the depression years that followed, they suffered great hardships, as did many others. However, Bessie's life was not all one of sadness, there were many joys. She had a great, English (that means a little slow) sense of humor. Once she saw the humor of a story or situation, usually involving family, she would often laugh until tears of joy ran down her face.
Time passed, sister Agnes was killed in an automobile accident at the age of thirty-five. Soon after, her father, George Brown, died of Cancer. Daughter Leora married and after a few years Bessie was to enjoy her first two grandchildren, Sherri and Gary. She would delight in reciting their accomplishments, and interceding on their behalf with their mother. Daughter Barbara and Patricia married, and Bessie now had three sons-in-law, whom she dearly loved.
Patricia presented another grandchild, Debbie, and finally, after Bessie had almost given up, Barbara presented four more grandchildren, Nancy, Craig, Elaine and Jill. Then, to her great joy, her world expanded to include great grandchildren, Lisa, Scott and Adam, and later, Lance, Marie and Casey. All these people plus a few special cousins, made up the entire life of Bessie Duncan.
In 1975, her brother Carl died of cancer, three months later, her partner of fifty five years, Everett, died of cancer. In the past several years, her first born and her sister-in-law, Shirley, both died of cancer. All these events gradually took their toll on Bessie's health, The children, as is their right and the custom, gradually became involved with their own separate lives and the lives of their children. Bessie was often to comment that she had isolated herself from outside friends, but probably would have done the same, if given the opportunity to do it over.
The fear of being alone and of dying, that probably started when her mother passed on, became so overwhelming that it was necessary for Bessie to go to live in a convalescent home. She saw the need and signed herself in. There she had activities, people around her all the time, and received wonderful care and lots of love. It was there that she came to grips with the fear of death and was able to finally pass on in peace.
I would like to share with you a poem, author unknown, that somehow, to me is symbolic of Bessie's life.
"YOUR OWN STORY
Has anybody told you that every thought you think
Makes lines just like the little lines you write with pen and ink?
And thoughts of anger, fear, or hate will spoil the prettiest face
By making ugly little lines which nothing can erase.
But thoughts of love and kindness, and joyousness and cheer
Make very pretty little lines, all fine and firm and clear.
And by and by your face becomes an open story book
Which every one can see and read each time they chance to look.
So if you want to tell a story sweet and fair,
You must see that only good thoughts do any writing there.
-------------Author Unknown
in Mutual Moments"
The week before her death, I was privileged to see a truth and a great beauty. As I stroked her forehead and face, and held her hands, I was suddenly aware of her still beautiful skin, with the softness and freshness of a newborn child - and I saw the goodness, sensitivity, gentleness, purity, service and innocence of her life. I thought of Revelations
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!" - Revelation 14:13"
Bessie had achieved peace on her journey home to the Father, and would soon, as the psalmist promised, dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Let us pray:
Our Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the years we had Bessie and other loved ones on this plane with us. We give thanks for all the lessons we have along the way, that give us strength and courage. We thank you for Bessie and others like her, who encourage us to ever be more and to strive and grow.
We give thanks for Your presence and the presence of the Christ, who guarantees us safe passage through. You are there in the sunrise of our lives, you are the sunshine on our journey and there in our sunset.
For all the love, beauty and joys we are grateful...
And now, let us pray together the first prayer taught us by Christ.
Our Father, Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed by Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy Will be done,
On earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those
Who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the Kingdom
And the Power and the Glory
Forever and ever.
The Lord bless you and keep you, and make his face to shine upon you, and give you peace........Amen."
George Brown, 33, born July 1866, married 1 year, born VT, father born VT, mother born Canada. Farm laborer, unemployed six months, owned own home
Violet Brown, 19, born Jan. 1881, married 1 year, mother of one, still living, born MT, father born PA, mother born IA
Un-named daughter, 1/12, May 1900, born MT, father born VT, mother born MT.
15 Apr 1910, Meadow Creek, Madison Co., MT, ED 53 Sh 3A;
George N Brown, head, 43 (1866-67), marriage 1 of 10 yr., born VT father born VT mother born Canada (English), laborer - farm
Violett Brown, 29 (1880-81) marriage one of ten years, mother of 5, 3 living, born IA, father born PA, mother born IA
Bessie Brown, 10 (1899-1900) born MT, father born VT, mother born IA
Agnes Brown, 3 (1906-07) born MT, father born VT, mother born IA
Arthur Brown, 2 (1907-08) born MT, father born VT, mother born IA.
1 Jan 1920, Springville Twp. & Village, Tulare Co., CA. , ED 218. sheet 2B, line 69;
George N. Brown, 51 (1868), widower, born VT, both parents born U.S., laborer, general farm, can read and write, rents
Bessie V. Brown, daughter, 19 (1900) single, born MT, father born VT, mother born IA
Agnes C. Brown, daughter, 13 (1907), born MT, father born VT, mother born IA
Carl V.Brown, son, 11 (1908) born MT, father born VT, mother born IA.
1 Apr 1930, Strathmore Twp., Tulare Co., CA, ED 54-54, sh 5A;
Everette O. Duncan, head, 30 (1899-1900), 20 at first marriage, born CA, both parents born CA, Foreman on ranch. Can read and write. rents for $25, owns a radio
Bessie Duncan, wife, 29 (1900-1901), 19 at first marriage, born Montana father born Vermont mother born Iowa
Leora Duncan, daughter, 9 (1920-21), born CA father born CA mother born MT
Barbara J. Duncan, daughter, 2 (1927-28), born CA father born CA mother born MT
1 Apr 1940, 1531 Sunnyside Ave., Porterville, Tulare Co., CA, ED 43 Sh 1A:
Everett O. Duncan, head, 40 (1899-1900), born CA, completed 8th grade, in 1935, lived elsewhere in Tulare County, laborer - county road work
Bessie Duncan, wife, 39 (1900-01), born Montana, in 1935, lived elsewhere in Tulare County, completed 4 years of high school
Barbara J. Duncan, daughter, 12 (1927-28), born California, completed 7th grade
Patricia Anne Duncan, daughter, 7 (1932-33), born California, completed 1st grade
Same page as Archie and Leora Landers.
Obituary in Porterville Evening Recorder Oct 30, 1985. "Graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Home of Peace Cemetery for Bessie Violet Duncan, 85, who died Tuesday in Porterville after along illness.
The Rev. Barbara Fridlund of the Wholeness Educational Group of Porterville will officiate.
A native of McAllister, Mont., Mrs. Duncan had lived in Porterville 67 years. She was a homemaker and a member of the Methodist Church in Montana.
She is survived by two daughters, Barbara Fridlund of California Hot Springs and Patricia Neal of Fresno; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews and cousins.
The family asks contributions to the Heart Fund, P.O. Box 1189, Porterville, CA 93258 or the Cancer Fund, P.O. Box 288, Portervillle, CA 93258.
Arrangements are by Myers Chapel." Copy in possession of the author.
Following is the text of the funeral service by Barbara Fridlund:
"Beloved Children of God
We are here today to talk about the birth, life, and greater life of Bessie Violet Brown Duncan. We come together each bringing into this experience memories of past sorrows, some, still raw wounds. By the sharing of our love and support under the all filling love of the Christ among us, we heal old wounds and hasten the healing of new sorrows. In St. John we are told "Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Shall have life everlasting. Believest Thou this?"
We hear and love these words, but, somehow many of us, inside, doubt that He's really talking about us. Even though we are each created a spark of God, we somehow doubt that we are worthy, and therefore have a lifetime of lessons that strengthen our faith, until finally we arrive at the gates of death and are able to pass through to the greater life, believing, and entering it in peace. Such was the life of Bessie. When Bessie was only eighteen, her mother died during the influenza epidemic that ravaged the country. She then had to (and I suspect wanted to) help her father with the raising of her younger brother Carl and sister Agnes. The family moved to California to start over. In 1920, Bessie met Everett Duncan, and after a courtship of six weeks, they married. In 1921, their first child, Leora, was born. During this time, they lived with Everett's father and Bessie helped cook for large harvester crews. In the ensuing years Bessie and Everett had their own place and for a time Bessie's father, brother and sister lived with them. In due time brother Carl and sister Agnes each married and moved out on their own. Carl to later have two beautiful sons and Bessie and Everett, in 1928 and 1932, two more daughters. In the depression years that followed, they suffered great hardships, as did many others. However, Bessie's life was not all one of sadness, there were many joys. She had a great, English (that means a little slow) sense of humor. Once she saw the humor of a story or situation, usually involving family, she would often laugh until tears of joy ran down her face.
Time passed, sister Agnes was killed in an automobile accident at the age of thirty-five. Soon after, her father, George Brown, died of Cancer. Daughter Leora married and after a few years Bessie was to enjoy her first two grandchildren, Sherri and Gary. She would delight in reciting their accomplishments, and interceding on their behalf with their mother. Daughter Barbara and Patricia married, and Bessie now had three sons-in-law, whom she dearly loved.
Patricia presented another grandchild, Debbie, and finally, after Bessie had almost given up, Barbara presented four more grandchildren, Nancy, Craig, Elaine and Jill. Then, to her great joy, her world expanded to include great grandchildren, Lisa, Scott and Adam, and later, Lance, Marie and Casey. All these people plus a few special cousins, made up the entire life of Bessie Duncan.
In 1975, her brother Carl died of cancer, three months later, her partner of fifty five years, Everett, died of cancer. In the past several years, her first born and her sister-in-law, Shirley, both died of cancer. All these events gradually took their toll on Bessie's health, The children, as is their right and the custom, gradually became involved with their own separate lives and the lives of their children. Bessie was often to comment that she had isolated herself from outside friends, but probably would have done the same, if given the opportunity to do it over.
The fear of being alone and of dying, that probably started when her mother passed on, became so overwhelming that it was necessary for Bessie to go to live in a convalescent home. She saw the need and signed herself in. There she had activities, people around her all the time, and received wonderful care and lots of love. It was there that she came to grips with the fear of death and was able to finally pass on in peace.
I would like to share with you a poem, author unknown, that somehow, to me is symbolic of Bessie's life.
"YOUR OWN STORY
Has anybody told you that every thought you think
Makes lines just like the little lines you write with pen and ink?
And thoughts of anger, fear, or hate will spoil the prettiest face
By making ugly little lines which nothing can erase.
But thoughts of love and kindness, and joyousness and cheer
Make very pretty little lines, all fine and firm and clear.
And by and by your face becomes an open story book
Which every one can see and read each time they chance to look.
So if you want to tell a story sweet and fair,
You must see that only good thoughts do any writing there.
-------------Author Unknown
in Mutual Moments"
The week before her death, I was privileged to see a truth and a great beauty. As I stroked her forehead and face, and held her hands, I was suddenly aware of her still beautiful skin, with the softness and freshness of a newborn child - and I saw the goodness, sensitivity, gentleness, purity, service and innocence of her life. I thought of Revelations
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!" - Revelation 14:13"
Bessie had achieved peace on her journey home to the Father, and would soon, as the psalmist promised, dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Let us pray:
Our Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the years we had Bessie and other loved ones on this plane with us. We give thanks for all the lessons we have along the way, that give us strength and courage. We thank you for Bessie and others like her, who encourage us to ever be more and to strive and grow.
We give thanks for Your presence and the presence of the Christ, who guarantees us safe passage through. You are there in the sunrise of our lives, you are the sunshine on our journey and there in our sunset.
For all the love, beauty and joys we are grateful...
And now, let us pray together the first prayer taught us by Christ.
Our Father, Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed by Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy Will be done,
On earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those
Who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the Kingdom
And the Power and the Glory
Forever and ever.
The Lord bless you and keep you, and make his face to shine upon you, and give you peace........Amen."
Events
| Birth | 7 May 1900 | McAllister, Madison Co., Montana |  | ||
| Census | 1 Jun 1900 | Madison Co., Montana | |||
| School | 1910 | School census records list Bessie as born May 7, 1900, to George N. Brown Jr and Violet Brown. They lived in School Dist. 48 at McAllister, MT. - Madison Co., Montana | |||
| Census | 15 Apr 1910 | Meadow Creek, Madison Co., Montana | |||
| Census | 1 Jan 1920 | Springville, Tulare Co., California | |||
| Marriage | 24 Apr 1920 | Visalia, Tulare Co., California - Everett Oliver DUNCAN | | ||
| Census | 1 Apr 1930 | Strathmore Twp., Tulare Co., California | |||
| Census | 1 Apr 1940 | Porterville, Tulare Co., California | |||
| Death | 29 Oct 1985 | Porterville, Tulare Co., California | | ||
| Burial | 31 Oct 1985 | Home Of Peace, Porterville, Tulare Co., CA | |||
| Reference No | 206 |
Families
| Spouse | Everett Oliver DUNCAN (1900 - 1975) |
| Child | Violet Leora DUNCAN (1921 - 1984) |
| Child | Living |
| Child | Patricia Ann DUNCAN (1932 - 2015) |
| Father | George N. BROWN (1866 - 1943) |
| Mother | Violet Lydia VINCENT (1881 - 1919) |
| Sibling | Clara "Twin" BROWN (1902 - 1902) |
| Sibling | Clifford "Twin" BROWN (1902 - 1902) |
| Sibling | Agnes Christine (Babe) BROWN (1906 - 1940) |
| Sibling | Carl Vincent BROWN (1908 - 1975) |
Endnotes
1. Bessie Violet Brown Birth Certificate.
2. Duncan/Brown Marriage Certificate, Bk 6 Pg 459, Certificate No. 148.
3. Tulare County Death Records, Cert. No. 5400 01586.
4. CADI - post 1940.