My beautiful Grandmother, Stella Anna DeSha (Thomas) abt. 1908-10. One of three daughters of Joseph Finegan DeSha and Harriet Mariah Beasley, Stella grew up on the family farms in Alachua County, attended schools in Waldo and Fairbanks, and taught school 1 year in Saluda/Orange Heights. Cousin, Bettee DeSha says in her book Eastside of Eden, that Stella also played organ in the Baptist Church in Waldo. Following her marriage to P.L. Thomas in 1914, she moved to Jacksonville, Florida where she raised her family and is buried. Stella was named "Anna" in honor of her Grandmother, Eliza Anna Parrish DeSha. In Latin, "stella" means "star". |