Item Detail
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Anderson, Rachael Holbrook
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MSS SC 241
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Rachel Holbrook Anderson was born 6 December 1903 in Raymond, Alberta, Canada to Alsina Elizabeth Brimhall and Lafayette Hinkley Anderson. She was the second of eleven children and the granddaughter of George H. Brimhall, the former BYU President, and Lafayette Holbrook, the mayor of Provo. Soon after Rachel's birth, her family moved to Provo, Utah. She married Robert Clair Anderson on 26 May 1926. Rachael was very involved in her community and in the L.D.S. Church. She was a teacher in Idaho and enjoyed substitute teaching in Utah. She served as President of the Band of Mothers, Chairman for the State Girl's Committee, and Era Director. She was a piano teacher to youth, served on the Stake Primary Council, and served as the Vice- President of the PTA. She was very involved in politics and served as the President of the Utah Federation of Women's Republican Clubs. She was also the co-author of two patriotic dramatic pageants called "Liberty Speaks" and "Our Flag and This Land," which were shown all throughout Utah. She and her husband had six children, one of whom died infancy. Rachael died on 17 June 1946.
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The collection is a typewritten transcript of the funeral services of Rachael Anderson, which was conducted in Manti, Utah, on June 19, 1946. It contains both laudatory and biographical information. It is very well organized and contains every detail about the funeral, including the words of the music, the speakers, and the prayers. This transcript gives the reader a glimpse into the life of Rachael and the great legacy she left for those she abruptly left behind at the age of forty-three. Her daughter, Jane Anderson, begins the funeral by relating a dream she had in which she was forewarned of her mother's death. Of this dream, which occurred five or six months before Rachael died, Jane writes, "I believe the dream eased the shock, caused me to feel that mother went for some wise and perhaps great purpose, and that we must go on to accomplish life's purposes." Herald R. Clark, a friend of the family, spoke about Rachel's great heritage and the qualities of honesty, intelligence, and charity that she possessed. He also spoke about the influence that she had upon the young women with whom she worked in church callings. Following his remarks, Bishop John Kelly, spoke of the love he had for Rachael. This love developed when she taught school in Idaho and stayed with his family for a few months. Mrs. Leo J. Foley, the Secretary to the Utah Federation of Women's Republican Clubs, spoke next about her gratitude for Rachael's service in Utah. She was followed by Vernon Romney, Republican Chairman of Utah, who praised Rachael for being full of poise, grace, and leadership. The concluding speaker, President William G. Barton of the South Sampete Stake, spoke of Rachael's spiritual gifts of love, obedience, and kindness. A letter from Will and Jennie Knight is contained in the collection, as well as the graveside prayer, given by Charles G. Brathwaite.