Beautiful Colored Female Portrait Wiley College 1927/1928 Reba Bess Galveston Tx

From the estate of Reba A. And discovered a small green suitcase. Filled with personal items that Reba entrusted to her friend Mildred Florance owner of the funeral home when she went home to Galveston.

Reba was in Galveston, Tx. In 1983 when she suffered a heart attack and passed.

Bess's family history goes back to 1813 on Ancestry. Thank you for preserving this wonderful piece of American history! Reba's father was active in many Fraternal Organizations: The Masons, Shriners, Odd Fellows all what many consider "Secret Societies". Graduated from Central High School in 1923. Graduated in 1928 with an AB Degree from Wiley College , Marshall, Tx.

With a concentration in mathematics. 12 years teaching high school mathematics in Oklahoma and Texas before accepting a position in the U. Army serving as Service Club Hostess of Camp Wallace and later Camp Polk in La.

When the United States entered WWII. While at Camp Polk, Serving as the Service Club hostess, Reba made many friends and she encouraged any of the soldiers to correspond with her and she would personally answer each and every letter that was mailed to her. We have seen many pictures From soldiers that were addressed to Mom Taylor where they would share their feelings about the war, troubles that they encountered and how they missed their families. It's as if Reba had stepped into the same line of work so to speak as her great-great-grandmother.

Helping others find their way and providing a brighter future for everyone. Taylor who was also in the service and after the war they moved to his home town of Blackstone, Va. Fort Pickett an Army base located near Blackstone Virginia was expanding and relocated the African-American residents to a property today known as Taylor's Bottom.

The Taylor's resided at 209 Sullivan Street. Reba split her time between Galveston Tx. With family and Blackstone, Va.

They became close friends with the Florances who lived on the next street over at 112 Taylor Street and owned Florance's Funeral Home on Church Street in Blackstone. Mildred Florance kept some personal items for Reba Taylor whenever she was traveling in a small apartment above her business for safe keeping.

Taylor was in Galveston when she had a heart attack and died. Mildred Florance must have forgotten that they had placed the items upstairs in an old green suitcase that no one would even think to check in for valuables, much less use as a suitcase. This appears to follow the book on Underground Railroad Coded Quilts "Hidden in Plain View". The funeral home finally closed and the building remained empty u.

R eady to add to your collection. Give to a very special friend. Donate to an African American History Museum (Wiley College). Or (That's right) add it to your own collection! Don't Miss This One!

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• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Culture: Black Americana
• Provenance: Ownership History Available