Zola Ophelia O'Berry Eiland (1888-1938)

Zola Ophelia O'Berry Eiland

Birth

9 Dec 1888

Spring Lake, Hernando County, Florida, USA

Death

20 Aug 1938 (aged 49)

Brooksville, Hernando County, Florida, USA

Burial

Lake Lindsey Cemetery

Brooksville, Hernando County, Florida, USA Add to Map

Plot

AD11B

Memorial ID

View Source

Domestic Violence Victim. Zola Ophelia was born to John and Emily O'Berry. She married Charles Eiland on March 15, 1908. Times were good for the couple and they were living well. Charles was a carpenter and although they did move fairly often depending on where he could find work he was making a good living for the family. They lived in Manatee, Hernando, Pasco, and Pinellas counties. While living in Pinellas County, Charles worked on building the Loews Don CeSar Hotel on St. Pete Beach. When the depression hit in 1929 they lost everything. They had all their money in the bank and lost it all. This tragedy would teach their children to distrust financial institution for the rest of their lives. To say Charles and Zola were devastated after having lost everything was surely an understatement. They both went into a deep depression and began to drink heavily. On August 17, 1938, the day after Charles' 51st birthday, he'd started drinking fairly early; not sure if Zola had been drinking that particular day or not. There was an argument and Charles stormed out of their home. Zola got back to her household chores and when she opened the back door to toss out the dirty dish water her husband was lying in wait and shot her. Neighbors called police and Zola was rushed to the hospital. Officers began the search for Charles. The neighbors had informed the officers that Charles had left the scene of the shooting on foot with his shotgun still in hand. A couple officers found Charles just blocks away from his home and when Charles seen them the chase was on. One of the officers yelled out ordering Charles to stop and drop his weapon. This order was shouted more than once and ignored. Charles continued running and jumped a fence and as he jumped down on the other side the deputy shot and killed him. Charles died instantly. Zola lived for a few more days in the hospital. She lived long enough to answer questions for law enforcement officers explaining in her words what had led to this tragedy.