Three Cedar Trees ~ Ollie Hull Smith

Behind my grandparent’s home were three cedar trees, growing in a row.

I watched them grow over the years, always remembering what my grandmother told me about those trees.

Maude told me that the trees were her and her sisters. They had slowly become to symbolize her relationships with her sisters, I think. It was her way of keeping her sisters close to her side.

Each standing tall, side by side, weathering the storms of life.




The first one on the end, was tall and slim, towering above the other two. Proper and standing tall.

This tree was Ollie.

The next one was smaller, petite in stature. Perfect, but small.

That one was Buna.

The last one was rounder, more “fat” that the other two trees.

Grandma told me that this tree, was her. She would smile and chuckle a bit over the 'fat' part.

Maude Rose Hull Arrowood, my precious grandmother.

Those trees stood side by side for a number of years, watching the seasons come and go.

Winter’s harsh winds would blow, followed by the sweetness of spring. The seasons came and went, and so the years passed by. Those trees stood, sturdy, resilient, and side by side.

As the years passed, I would always check the trees, just to see how they were doing.
My grandmother was a "one of a kind" and I pray that she left just a tad of herself in me.

My grandmother passed in March of 1982.

Another sister has been laid to rest today. We mourn her loss.

She was another "one of a kind" lady.

Great Aunt Ollie has gone on to her rewards and resides now, among the angels in heaven.

She remained always, prim and proper as a lady should be, always such in the eyes of my grandmother. She adored her sisters.




She leaves behind a family that loves her dearly and will surely miss her.

The end of an era comes with the passing of our grandparents.

The world simply moves on.


Ollie married a young fellow named William Miller Smith on January 1, 1934.

William Miller Smith’s father was Edgar Birch Smith, born 1888, and his mother was Mary Pearl Suggs, born in 1887. They were all born in Rutherford County, North Carolina.

The 1930 census shows the Smith family living in Gastonia.

Edgar is 43 years old, Mary Pearl is 42, brother Walton is 18, and Miller is shown as age 16.

Edgar was a Barber by trade.

William Miller and Ollie Hull had two sons, Doug and Dave.

William Miller was injured in a automobile accident on September the 17th, 1937. He lingered for two days and sadly, finally succumbed to cerebral bleeding on Sept. 19, 1937.

He is buried with the other family members in Hollywood Cemetery, Gastonia.

Ollie was left alone to raise her two boys. She did a mighty fine job.

She was a sturdy woman with a strong will, no doubt, to raise those kids in the 1930’s, alone.
She was quick with a broad smile and enjoyed life to the fullest.

She lived a long, happy life and now she is in heaven greeting all those that went before her.

I am sad at her passing, but I am reminded of those cedar trees and now two of them are standing side by side once again. That makes me smile.

We will all meet up again, one day, and stand there in the shade of those sweet smelling cedars in heaven.


Rest in peace, Dear Aunt Ollie. We will miss you.