In 1944, Delton, Dorothy Nell and Ronny Springer lived in Big Spring, Howard County, Texas. This town is located in west Texas between Abilene and Midland. David Ray Springer was born there on May 13, 1944 at the Cowper Clinic. David's older brother was George Ronald "Ronny" Springer, who was 3 1/2 years old.
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| Delton, Dorothy Nell, Ronny 1944 Personal Collection |
David was born too early and lived on 6 hours. He died at 3:00 am on May 14, 1944.
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| Certified Death Certificate - Personal Collection |
Mother and daddy had moved from Dallas to Big Spring for a new job for my dad. Apparently, she confirmed her suspicions as to her pregnancy with an Initial Pregnancy Exam on March 1, 1944 at the Cowper Clinic.
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| Paid Statement for Initial Pregnancy Examination Personal Collection |
I am not sure when my mother made this entry in her Diary, but here is what she wrote: "May 13, 1943 - Saturday David Ray was born. He died May 14, 1943. It was Mother’s Day. Daddy was there. We were all so sad." [It was on Mother's Day, 1944, when David died.] That is the year that she told me, even though it was actually 1944.
As expressions of love and sympathy, there were flowers sent to the service and a Memorial Book created.
Mother and Daddy received several letters of Sympathy from family and friends.
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| Sympathy Letter from Aunt Manda - Mother's eldest maternal aunt |
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| Letter from friend named Jewell |
Of course, there was a Hospital Bill.
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| Personal Collection |
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| House where they lived October 15, 1944, Big Spring or Texas City Personal Collection |
I am not sure when they moved from Big Spring, but they next lived in Texas City, between Houston and Galveston. According to this note my dad wrote, they were back in Fort Worth by October 6, 1945.
Mother told me about this brother of mine when I started researching our family history. She never shared many details, but did regret that they had never placed a marker on David's grave. So, in July 1997, we initiated a process to have a marker made and placed on his grave. On August 27, 1997, the marker was placed and we received this letter.
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| Personal Collection |
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| Mount Olive Memorial Park, Big Spring, Texas |
This is just one infant death of many that have happened in the families of my ancestors. I hope we can all make an effort to remember these little brothers and sisters.
'Til Next Time!
#52Ancestors
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