Tombstone Tuesday - Dorothy Eloise Bean

Eloise Bean

daughter of

J.M. & Ada Bean

Oct. 22, 1923

Feb. 14, 1925

Eloise was the sweet little daughter of John Monroe Bean and his [2nd] wife, Ada Burdette.

Born Dorothy Eloise Bean, this little one was born into a home already suffering the loss John's first wife [Blanche], to tuberculosis, and the death of one son, Samuel Maxwell Bean [died 16 Dec 1923] to whooping cough just shortly after her birth. Her older sister, Pauline, was ravaged with tuberculosis.

Pauline was enamored with her new baby sister, and the family did not appear to be aware that her closeness would indeed infect the child. Pauline was especially fond of cradling the baby and loving her she did so often. Pauline was 21 at the time of Eloise's birth.

When little Eloise contracted tuberculosis, one can only imagine the heartbreak of her mother, Ada, but also of rapidly failing sister, Pauline, who so loved the child.

Eloise died on Valentine's Day 1925. And Pauline lived but a short while longer, dying on 27 June that same year.

John Monroe Bean was my grandmother, and this little angel was my aunt.