Effie Josephine (Pratt) Grimes (1888 - 1977)

Born 7 Jan 1888 in Tolosa, TEXAS

Ancestors

Wife of William Henry Grimes — married 27 Oct 1912 (to 3 May 1941) in Talpa, TEXAS

Descendants

Died 6 Aug 1977 at age 89 in New Braunfels, Comal, Texas, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Carol Thompson [send private message]

Biography

Effie Josephine (Pratt) Grimes was born on 7 Jan 1888 in Tolosa, TEXAS, daughter of Jobe Thomas Pratt (1859 - 1939) and Mrs. Mary Ann Wood (1869 - 1965).

Her siblings were:

1. John Bell Pratt (1886 - )
2. Willie Alice Pratt (~1891 - 1944)
3. Edith Ruby (Pratt) Price (1896 - 1978)

Effie married William Henry Grimes (born in Owenaville, Bell County, TEXAS on 1 May 1888; died in Talpa, Coleman County, TEXAS on 3 May 1941) on 27 Oct 1912 in Talpa. Their children were:

1. Dale Eugene Grimes (1913 - ~2001)
2. Mrs. Billie Joe (Grimes) Rudd (1920 - 2002)
3. James Pratt Grimes (1922 - 1974)
4. Donald Allen Grimes (1924 - 1988).

Effie died on 6 Aug 1977 in New Braunfels, Comal, Texas, United States aged 89.

Personal Notes:
Here are my scant memories of Grandma Grimes: the contrast is unfortunately sharp: Grandma Grimes was my mother’s (Billie Joe Grimes Rudd) mother, whereas my father’s (Billy John Rudd) mother lived right next door to us since my earliest memory. Grandma Grimes lived in Talpa, TEXAS…..literally out in the middle of the vast, vast expanse of TEXAS…..that translates for us three city raised children as ‘no-where.’ Crude, primitive, unpleasant, dusty, bathroom a horrifying experience, water that had to be pulled up in a massive heavy steal bucket from a well/cistern outside of the house! Visiting Grandma Grimes was a minute by minute nightmare….especially at night. Her snoring literally shook that house. I vividly recall my parents trying desperately to get us kids into bed and asleep before Grandma Grimes turned in for the night! And there were bugs….and snakes were a possibility. I have crystal-sharp memories of hearing the adults talking at night, when we kids were supposed to be asleep…..the rattlesnakes that Effie Josephine Pratt Grimes had killed, right outside of that backdoor. The selfsame back door through which I had to pass to use the outhouse facility! And the water tasted funny…..metallic…. And taking a bath was….off-putting, standing, being washed….I don’t remember a bathtub, but surely there was one. I was scared of her, obviously, scared of everything….a true city child. I was the oldest, the flaming red head, used to being the attention center. I just remember being totally intimidated, scared witless by those Talpa surroundings except when daddy took us fishing at a nearby lake. Our car didn’t have air conditioning; I think very few did in those days….early 1950s. But I don’t recall being too hot, windows down, the breeze cool even in the depths of the TEXAS summer. I remember sitting on Grandma Grimes’ lap….there was a small pencil eraser sized hole in her chin…..that both fascinated and focused me…her touch was gentle, as I recall….but she smelled funny…tobacco. She used snuff…..a lot….and spit into a jar….revolting. We visited her there in Talpa, summers’ fairly frequently but I recall mother putting me on a railroad train, riding …….being picked up to visit Grandma Grimes by myself, a summer adventure. Mother told me that she, Effie Josephine Pratt Grimes, her mother, taught her to value reading, higher education; helped her develop creative skills, love of country, value Christian ideals. By the time I became ‘aware,’ Effie had hands, gnarled by arthritis, a gene for which she must have passed down to her daughter Billie Joe Grimes. In her later years, she sought employment in the Talpa school lunchroom. She became the legendary ‘lunch lady’ beloved by generations of students there. According to all accounts, she was a magnificent cook! She sold her Talpa home by herself. But in a dispute with the new owner, an out building which held family photo albums, deeds, birth and death records, family Bible, was burned to the ground…..a tragedy to this day. Billie Joe and Bill Rudd moved her to New Braunfels to be closer to assistance. She died peacefully there August 6, 1977. But in testament to her esteem, old friends still living in the Talpa area, took her body, per her wishes, to be buried in the Talpa Cemetery next to her beloved husband William 'Bill' Henry Grimes. Carol Rudd Hutto Thompson, her granddaughter.

Research Notes

Original Information
Effie Josephine Pratt, siblings John Bell Pratt born 1886, Willie Pratt born 1892, and Edith Pratt born 1896, all born in TEXAS ^[1] Effie is listed in the 1900 US Federal Census ^[2] She was living at home with her parents in 1910^[3] Her parents are listed as Joseph (?) and Mollie, with children John 24, Effie 22, Willie 18, and Edith 14. William Henry & Effie Josephine Pratt Grimes, along with three of their four children are living in Coleman County, TEXAS in 1940 ^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ US Census 1910, Coleman County, TEXAS
2. ↑ 1900 US Federal Census, Wharton County, TEXAS, sheet #1;8757 daughter of Joseph (?) and Mary Pratt, with siblings John, Willie, and Edith 2.
3. ↑ 1910 US Federal Census, Coleman County, Valera, TEXAS 6591, lines 18-23
4. ↑ 1940 Federal Census, Coleman County, TEXAS , sheet #14A, lines 18-22

• Personal notes: Carol Elizabeth Rudd Thompson, granddaughter