Mabel WHITNEY

Mabel Whitney I was born December 13, 1910 in St. Thomas, Clark County, Nevada, a tiny baby who would fit in a quart cup. In those days there were not any modern devices for saving premature babies. I was not expected to live, thanks to Lovina Syphus Whitney, my dearest little grandmother, she saved my life more than once. My Mother, Nellie Hughes Whitney, died on 24 July 1912, at the age of 20 years. Again my dear Grandmother came to my rescue and took me at the age of 1 year 6 months. She had raised her family of eight. My Father married again in 1914. But Grandmother raised me to 16 years. At this age I went to Overton, Nevada for my 1st year of High School. I had a good time and my cousin Clara Perkins Logan and Aunt Ellen Perkins were wonderful to me. There I was in many programs and the main number in the program. In 1928 I went to Las Vegas High School. I spent the first year with some Blake family. Here I was unhappy. 2nd half of that school year I spent at Aunt Isabell and Uncle Stole Whitney's ranch, It was much better there. We rode back and forth to school, but I didn't mind that. In May of 1929 I went to a ranch where my father and step L were. It was good to be with a family and young people. We had fun there although things were quite bad, I mean financially. My Father went to Goodsprings and got a job in a mine and when school was out, moved us all over. I had never seen a mining town before and it was quite a shock to me. Every thing was dry and very little vegetation. Tin roofs, wandering roads, no flowers, and donkeys all over and the wind blew practically all the time, but I learned to love this 1itt1e town and it holds only the fondest of memories. This same summer of 1929 I met Raymond Kemple. He was a -mechanic at Jimmie Downs Garage in Las Vegas. So we didn't see much of each other. I went around with the gang around there but some how whenever Ray was in Goodsprings we managed to get together. This summer our crowd got together and we all went to Los Angeles and into Old Mexico, out on the ocean to the gambling boats, and back up to Fresno. We had a very good time. It was my first big city, ocean, and etc. Ray didn't go. School started again and I was sure determined to go. I had decided to be a professional nurse. My Father got me a train ticket from Goodsprings to Las Vegas. When I arrived there I didn't know where I was going to stay or just what I'd do, so I just started down Fremont Street and soon I met my cousin, Clara. She took me home with her. The next day I found a job at a restaurant. This was good luck as the 1930 depression was almost up with us. I found a room to rent for $20.00 and got $9.00 to $1O.00 from the Clark County fund for out of town people. I had to pay $20.00 a month for my root, and bought all my clothes and things out of what was left. 1 shall always feel that my Father neglected his duty as a parent for he never gave me any aid of any kind. Never wrote to me or came to see me. How did he know if I was getting along or not! In about February of 1930 Ray decided I was to be his best gal, and it didn't make me feel one bit bad. We had a wonderful time and I was so proud to be his girl. In July 25, 1930 we were married in Las Vegas, by Judge Orr. We had a wonderful honeymoon. At last there was someone who really loved me and really cared what happened to me. Everything was wonderful. One can never know how lonely it is not to be truly wanted and to be taken care of only because the people felt it is a responsibility. I have never known the love girls should have. With Ray I knew only happiness, although we have had it rough financially. We were married in the starting of the depression. To me it never seemed as though we were poor. Everything had a sparkle and a future and it was fun. In 17 Feb 1932, God sent us our first child, a lovely perfect baby son. As time went by we had eight lovely sons and perfect in every way. We sure had a rough pull raising them and giving them the material things in life. But I believe we were all happy. I know I was. Now we lived in Goodsprings just about 1/2 of our married lives. We spent 2 years at Goldroad, Arizona. In January 1942 we roved to St. George, Utah. On 27 May 1931, my husband was baptized into the LDS Church. My goodness I was happy. And on January 1936, we went to the House of the Lord and were sealed as husband and wife for time and all eternity. Also our two sons, Raymond and Clifford were sealed to us. That the family may be eternal is one of the priceless gifts to man. In 1936 I was put in as President of the Relief Society in Goodsprings. I served for one year and was released as we moved to Arizona. I taught Sunday school for 2 1/2 years, and was a Relief society Visiting Teacher for 3 years. I was a Primary Secretary for one year, and was released when Tommy was born. I was a primary Teacher. In 1948 I was set apart as Junior Sunday School superintendent in which I served until 1956. I enjoyed this work very much. I love my Church positions and callings. As a Relief Society Visiting teacher I love my partner, Sister Martha Hatch and the people who I visit. On 12 March 1956 my whole world crumbled down and life has lost all its sparkle when they told me of the sudden unexpected death of my beloved husband. It seemed as though our lives were so r before us yet. We had so much fun planned and our whole future held nothing but happiness. I am so thankful for the precious 25 years we had and the glorious privilege of being his wife and Mother to his Sons. I hope and pray my life here will be short until I can join him. I love my sons but I don't want to burden them in any way. Again I am alone, but I have our 8 loving devoted sons to look after me. I am thankful for them. ------------------------------------------ Aus: Find A Grave Birth: Dec. 10, 1910 Saint Thomas Clark County Nevada, USA Death: Sep. 10, 2001 Saint George Washington County Utah, USA Family links: Spouses: Earl Bulloch Mackelprang (1907 - 1986) Clayton L Bollschweiler (1907 - 2007) John Raymond Kemple (1907 - 1956) Clarance Webb (1905 - 1982) Children: Thomas LeRoy Kemple (1945 - 1997)* *Calculated relationship Burial: Saint George City Cemetery Saint George Washington County Utah, USA

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