Sylvia Sheppard Bryant's Story --Part three: A Ray Of Sunshine In Sylvia's Life

If you missed parts one and two, here are the links:  

52 Ancestors 2015 Edition: #26 Sylvia Sheppard Bryant's Story --Part one


Sylvia Sheppard Bryant's Story --Part two: A Father Did The Best He Could.

I left off on part two mentioning that I believe Ethel French had quite the impact on my step grandmother Sylvia Sheppard's life. I came across the picture I have featured above and could imagine that little girl who had recently lost her mother writing something like this for the woman who took her in. 

A young girl needs a mother figure. She needs someone to emulate. Well, Sylvia Sheppard went on to become a school teacher when she grew up. I think she was inspired by someone truly special. That person was Ethel French.

What a surprise to come across an article such as this.

The Free Lance Star, July 13, 1979, Pg 19.

Did you happen to catch Mrs. Ora Churchill's memory of Ethel French. "She recalls that Mrs. French owned a hat shop at one time." I have a feeling that Ethel indeed knew Sylvia's mother, Mrs. Sarah Jane Sheppard. If you recall, I mentioned in part one of this series that Sarah Sheppard's occupation was a milliner or hatmaker.