Sherry Lillian Crump
was born at Santa Fe Hospital in Needles, San Bernardino, California on March 4, 1947, a Thursday, at 2:35 AM. Her father, Phillip Collins Crump, was a 23 year-old fireman; her mother, Kathleen (Felty) Crump was a 19 year-old housewife. The Crump’s lived at 50-1 Vista Colorado, Needles, California. Sherry was their first born child. Sherry traveled after her high school graduation and stopped in Nashville, TN to visit her aunt; it was on a Saturday, April 2nd, that Sherry met Bill Ballew and they were like old souls that had found one another, again, after centuries of searching that their loneliness disappeared upon meeting once again and they married upon Bill’s return from serving overseas in 1968 on July 13th, 1968. While Bill was overseas, Sherry moved from Nashville to Sioux City, Iowa to live with Elaine Ballew, her future mother-in-law; they became great friends during the time. Julie was born to Bill and Sherry on August 9th, 1973; her brother, Nathan joined them on April 10th, 1976 (a bi-centennial baby as the USA turned 200). Sherry was the best of everything and we all miss her very much as she joined the Angels on July 18th, 1987.
Also born on March 4th were John Garfield, an actor, in 1913; Richard DeVos, the co-founder of Amway, in 1926; James Ellroy, a novelist (LA Confidential) in 1948; Paul W.S. Anderson, movie Director (Alien vs. Predator) in 1965; Portugal's Prince Henry the Navigator in 1394; Notre Dame Football Coach Knute Rockne in 1888; Casimir Pulaski in 1748; Bridge Player Charles Goren in 1901; Actress Paula Prentiss in 1939; Chastity Bono in 1969; Ivy Queen, a rapper in 1972.
Famous events of March 4th are: In 1881 James Garfield became the first President to use a telephone; The first US congress convened at Federal Hall in New York City in 1789; Vermont was admitted to the Union in 1791 as our 14th state; In 1519, Cortez landed in Mexico; In 1863 Idaho became a US Territory; First woman in Congress Jeanette Rankin of Montana began her term in 1917; the city of Chicago, Il was incorporated on Saturday, March 4, 1837 - the same day that Martin van Buren was inaugurated as President (succeeding Andrew Jackson).; In 1933 Franklin D. Roosevelt became the last President inaugurated on this date - March 4th used to be Presidential Inauguration Day before it was moved to January 20th.
Elaine Marie Murray
was born in O’Neill, Holt County, Nebraska, on Ground Hog’s Day, February 2, 1925 which was a Monday and the 33rd day of the year. Elaine Ballew was a 2nd Generation American, as her paternal grandparents had come from Ireland! They came from what is now Northern Ireland, the county of Antrim. Elaine was a late addition to her family as her sister, Kathryn, was 18 years older than her and her brother, Bill was 15 years older than Elaine. With her Irish humor, she'd remind us that it was a "lucky thing" that she arrived late but just in time for her three children (Billy, Carol and Patrick). Elaine was the first of her family to collage and graduate from a college; she graduated from St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing in 1946 at Sioux City, Iowa. She went to Council Bluffs, IA for her first employment and met Gilbert Ballew. They had three children, Billy, Carol and Pat. After the divorce in 1949, Elaine supported her family, often working two jobs. Through all the adversity, Elaine went the extra mile by paying for their parochial schooling. Elaine was a hard-working Democratic bread-winner. She was extremely religious and in time was allowed to distribute the Holy Eucharist at Mass. As a Registered Nurse, Elaine was recognized in the Iowa Nursing History for her services; although being humble, she was proud to receive this recognition and all of us were proud of her, too. My mother died on March 8th, 2002, just a couple of days past Sherry’s birthday.
Also, born on February 2nd were: Irish poet and novelist James Joyce in 1882 near Dublin, Ireland; Fritz Kreisler in 1875; Actress Joan Bennett born in 1910; Red Schoendienst in 1923; Ayn Rand in 1905; Actor Gale Gordon in 1906; Composer Burton Lane in 1912; Actor Robert Mandan in 1932; Comedian Tom Smothers in 1937; Singer-guitarist Graham Nash in 1942; Actress Farrah Fawcett in 1947; Model Christie Brinkley in 1953; Actress Holly Hunter in 1958; Scott Erickson in 1968.
Famous events of February 2nd include: In 1653 New Amsterdam becomes first American city to receive a charter of self-government (New York City); In 1876 the formation of the National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs in New York with 8 teams; In 1882 Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization was founded; In 1967 the formation of the American Basketball Association with 10 teams; In 1536, Buenos Aires, Argentina was founded by Pedro de Mendoza of Spain; In 1848, Mexico ceded California and New Mexico to the US, thus ending the Mexican War; In 1808, French forces occupied Rome and captured the Pope; In 1887, German farmers began the festival of GROUNDHOG’S DAY in Punxsutawney, PA.; In 1990, South African President F. W. de Klerk promised to free Nelson Mandela; In 1858, Thomas Crane Wales patented waterproof boots; In 1901 Army Nurse Corps organized as part of medical department; In 1914, Peter Baden-Powell founded the Cub Scouts in Sussex, England; In 1912, Frederick Rodman Law performed the first movie stunt by parachuting from the statue of Liberty; On Feb. 2, 1949 Golfer Ben Hogan is hurt in a car accident while returning from a golf tournament. His legs are crushed and he is told his golf career is over. 16 months later, he returns to win the 1951 U.S. Open after struggling to a tie on the last day of play that included walking for 36 holes. He wins a playoff shooting a 69; Actor Boris Karloff dies in 1969; Famous actor and dancer Gene Kelly died in 1996.
February 2nd is also known as Groundhog’s Day, the famous weather-predicting ritual; Legend says that if the Groundhog sees his shadow that the nation will have six more weeks of winter weather, if not, then spring is right around the corner. Punxsutawney Phil has become the most famous of these chubby rodents. German farmers began this festival in Punxsutawney around the year 1887.
Contact Bill Ballew via email: billballew@yahoo.com
