Udall family Memorial Day reunion at Greenwood Cemetery
Uncle Brad Parkinson (bro-in-law of my paternal grandfather) spoke to the kids before the ceremony about their ancestors. He said he would join David K, King, and John Hunt Udall in the cemetery soon and leave the freedom of our great country in the kids' hands.
Every year the meeting starts with the hymn "High on a Mountain Top" which was written by Leah Smith Udall's (my grandfather's step-mom) grandfather. A few people spoke about our ancestors. As always, we spoke about King, who was a military leader. His family was happy that he was "safe" stationed in the US, training troops. Unfortunately, he was holding a microphone in a lightning storm, telling people to hustle into shelter. Life is unpredictable.
My cousin Nick spoke about serving a mission in England and meeting the descendants of the missionaries who taught our great great grandfather, David Udall. He and his wife, Eliza, immigrated and on the boat Eliza got so sick and lost so much weight that her wedding ring fell into the ocean.
I was amazed and overwhelmed at the strength of their testimonies.
My mom is Sybil's favorite person ever, although David is a close second.
Descendants of Nicholas and Sybil Udall
Claire Elizabeth and Sybil Maria de los Angeles sitting by the grave of their namesake.
Elijah by his namesake, Iris' father Eli.
Eli and Ada Swain are also buried in the Phoenix Greenwood Cemetery. They are the parents of my Grandma Iris Swain Lillywhite. Mom told stories of Eli's childhood. Robert Henry Swain, Eli's father died when Eli was 11 years old. Eli had to stop school in the 3rd grade and to help support his family. {{Upon hearing this, Claire said, "Isn't that illegal?" Brainwash them early; She knows that if she drops out she will go straight to the slammer.}}
Eli learned to do very difficult things and to work hard. Ada Swain graduated from Brigham Young Academy and taught school in Heber, where Eli was living. Ada and Eli fell in love and bore 7 children, all of whom served missions. Their three sons served in the military. Ada and Eli served in the temple for 13 years and had a great love affair all their lives.
Afterwards, the twenty-five immediate family members drove to Garcia's Mexican Restaurant. As we walked into the restaurant, Iris and Claire said, "We are famous!"
Next stop: City of Mesa Cemetery where Grandpa Mitchell Lillywhite's mother and father are buried together. Another sweet story of courtship in the Mormon Colonies in Colonia Morelos during the Mexican Revolution. Great Grandpa Mitchell W. Lillywhite co-owned and ran a flour mill and Great Grandmother Ethel Romney taught school. Mitchell an Ethel rode on horseback across the border to Douglas Arizona where Grandpa Mitchell Vernon was born (as an American citizen). Shortly after, the Lillywhites moved to a small farm in Mesa Arizona, where Mitchell W. caught an infectious disease and passed away. Great grandpa Lillywhite's mother Mary Margaret Mitchell Lillywhite, a midwife, came to live with Ethel and baby. Mary is buried next to Ethel.
Another great pioneer ancestor Lee and Lilly Webb are also buried here, but we were unable to find their headstones. They are the parents of Grandma Sybil Elizabeth Webb Udall.
