Ethel Hollis Shropshire was born in Memphis Tennessee to Thomas Jesse and Sarah Elizabeth Whitten Hollis. Early photographs of a smiling, happy Ethel belie the tragedy that would ultimately befall her.
In March of 1939, her husband Joe had her committed to Western State Hospital in Bolivar on a lunacy warrant. He then filed for divorce, citing abandonment. With the ink still wet on this fraudulent divorce decree, he married another woman. Charges of bigamy and fraud were brought against her husband, who ultimately was convicted of the fraud and spend several days at the Shelby County Penal Farm. But Ethel remained at Bolivar for the remainder of her life. She died in 1961 and was laid to rest. Her grave remained unmarked for years. Her brother William Hollis was laid to rest next to her, also in an unmarked grave. I recall putting flowers on both graves with my grandfather when I was a child.
I am thankful to my sister, Sherry McGee, for purchasing stones to mark the graves of both Ethel and Willlie. I hope that Ethel rests in peace.
In March of 1939, her husband Joe had her committed to Western State Hospital in Bolivar on a lunacy warrant. He then filed for divorce, citing abandonment. With the ink still wet on this fraudulent divorce decree, he married another woman. Charges of bigamy and fraud were brought against her husband, who ultimately was convicted of the fraud and spend several days at the Shelby County Penal Farm. But Ethel remained at Bolivar for the remainder of her life. She died in 1961 and was laid to rest. Her grave remained unmarked for years. Her brother William Hollis was laid to rest next to her, also in an unmarked grave. I recall putting flowers on both graves with my grandfather when I was a child.
I am thankful to my sister, Sherry McGee, for purchasing stones to mark the graves of both Ethel and Willlie. I hope that Ethel rests in peace.
Ethel Hollis Shropshire was born in Memphis Tennessee to Thomas Jesse and Sarah Elizabeth Whitten Hollis. Early photographs of a smiling, happy Ethel belie the tragedy that would ultimately befall her.
In March of 1939, her husband Joe had her committed to Western State Hospital in Bolivar on a lunacy warrant. He then filed for divorce, citing abandonment. With the ink still wet on this fraudulent divorce decree, he married another woman. Charges of bigamy and fraud were brought against her husband, who ultimately was convicted of the fraud and spend several days at the Shelby County Penal Farm. But Ethel remained at Bolivar for the remainder of her life. She died in 1961 and was laid to rest. Her grave remained unmarked for years. Her brother William Hollis was laid to rest next to her, also in an unmarked grave. I recall putting flowers on both graves with my grandfather when I was a child.
I am thankful to my sister, Sherry McGee, for purchasing stones to mark the graves of both Ethel and Willlie. I hope that Ethel rests in peace.
In March of 1939, her husband Joe had her committed to Western State Hospital in Bolivar on a lunacy warrant. He then filed for divorce, citing abandonment. With the ink still wet on this fraudulent divorce decree, he married another woman. Charges of bigamy and fraud were brought against her husband, who ultimately was convicted of the fraud and spend several days at the Shelby County Penal Farm. But Ethel remained at Bolivar for the remainder of her life. She died in 1961 and was laid to rest. Her grave remained unmarked for years. Her brother William Hollis was laid to rest next to her, also in an unmarked grave. I recall putting flowers on both graves with my grandfather when I was a child.
I am thankful to my sister, Sherry McGee, for purchasing stones to mark the graves of both Ethel and Willlie. I hope that Ethel rests in peace.
Family Members
See more Shropshire or Hollis memorials in:
- Forest Hill Cemetery Midtown Shropshire or Hollis
- Memphis Shropshire or Hollis
- Shelby County Shropshire or Hollis
- Tennessee Shropshire or Hollis
- USA Shropshire or Hollis
- Find a Grave Shropshire or Hollis
