“Grandma, tell me a story from when you were little,” my 6-year-old, granddaughter Lily insisted. It was bedtime and she loved hearing stories, “real” stories. Lily’s longing for stories were specific; she wanted shared tales of when I was young, not the love story of when my husband, Joe, and I met. According to my son, Lily requests the same type of stories from him at bedtime. At this particular time, Lily’s parents had flown to the west coast to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary while I stayed with Lily and her 3-year-old, younger brother Ryan. This would be the first time their parents ever left them overnight much less for a five-day trip.

I believe when Lily asked me to tell a story, she wanted an account of my life she could relate to, laugh about, and “touch”, even though it may not have been a conscientious thought. Something about “real” family stories draw us closer, creating a connection from the past to the present and the possibilities of the pending future.

When Lily and her family came to visit me and Joe a few years ago, I asked her if she knew her parents’ names. She easily answered correctly knowing the names they called each other. Then I asked her if she knew my name. “Grandma!” she replied with great enthusiasm. I explained that is the name she called me, then told her my “real” name. I also told her I was not always a grandma, that I once was a little girl, too. This was quite a revelation to her, but I could see the threads of connection in her eyes.

Last spring, when Lily and her family came to visit and knowing how much she loved her Aunt Rachel, I told Lily the story of how Rachel (Olivia Rachel Neider) got her name, or rather, introduced Lily to who Rachel was named – my mother Olivia Farley (Anderson) and my maternal Grandmother, Rachel Gillie Henderson (Farley). I showed Lily pictures of my mother and grandmother, then told stories about them. When she returned in the summer, I showed Lily their pictures and asked who they were. She answered triumphantly and explained Rachel was named for them.

I knew my grandmother, Rachel Gillie Henderson (Farley), for just a short time. She died when I was seven, just a year older than Lily is now (Feb 2024). When I was about four, I remember walking into her closet unannounced. She was in the middle of dressing for the day. Seeing a significant discolored scar on Grandma Farley’s chest, I pointed to it and asked her what it was. I remember “feeling” her answer more than hearing her words. Years later I came to understand what I felt was the deep sense of loss of womanhood. My Grandmother had lost a part of her to breast cancer.

I never met my maternal grandfather, John “Dewey” Farley. He passed away before my birth. I don’t recall ever asking my Grandmother about him or how they met. But, through individual written histories and oral stories passed down, I have a glimpse of the love my grandparents had for each other. I hope to introduce my grandfather to Lily and share my grandparent’s stories the next time she comes to visit. So, to prepare, I thought I would write a portion of their love story and share it with you in celebration of Valentine’s Day.

Capturing A Love Story

On a beautiful day in the early autumn of 1917, Rachel with a few cousins and friends were sorting apples at the grading table in Grisso’s orchard. The Grisso’s had a large farm and a beautiful southern home set back not too far from the road. As farmer Ben Grisso and his brother-in-law, Dewey Farley, who was visiting from West Virginia, were out and about, Dewey spotted the group and was taken by the brown-eyed beauty amongst them.

“Who is she!” Dewey asked as he gestured toward Rachel.

“Why, that’s Squire Herbert Henderson’s daughter, Rachel,” Ben said. He could tell Dewey was captivated by this attractive young lassie; so naturally, Ben mentioned to his wife Ethel that her brother had inquired about Rachel. Knowing how Ethel loved to play the role of a matchmaker, he was certain she would be thrilled. Sure enough, within a short time, Ethel had arranged for Rachel to meet Dewey.

In Rachel’s words:

When I was 14 1/2 years old I met my husband John Dewey Farley. He was visiting his sister Ethel (Mrs. Ben Grisso). He was with Ben and asked him who I was, so Ben tells Ethel he was inquiring about me, she arranged for us to meet. (The Life and History of Rachel Henderson Farley – 9 March 1957)

Since Rachel was still quite young when they first met, and Dewey would soon leave Roanoke, Virginia for home, he decided he would keep the spark between them lit by writing Rachel letters.

[Dewey] left for home in a couple days. He wrote me a letter, we continued writing them. The next summer he came and spent two weeks with his sister. We had several dates. (The Life and History of Rachel Henderson Farley – 9 March 1957)

After nearly five years of dating long distance, waiting for Rachel to “grow up”, Rachel and Dewey married.

[T]his courtship went on for four years and a half, he was waiting for me to grow up.  I was 19 years old the 8th of May and we were married 14 June, 1922. [Dewey] was 24 yrs. old. (The Life and History of Rachel Henderson Farley – 9 March 1957)

My mother, Olivia, added to the story.

[Dewey] always loved Rachel very much and through their love for each other, we as their children had love for them and each other. (Life Story of Olivia Farley Anderson)

How Rachel concluded their love story.

We have much to be thankful for. . . We were very happy. Our children were obedient and well behaved. My friends and neighbors ask me how we raised such good children; we taught them the gospel the best that we knew. They loved it.  All of them have a testimony for which I’m, very thankful. It was by me their Dad became interested in the church. . . In 1947 we decided to take a trip west. . . We went to the temple in Salt Lake City, Utah, were sealed in the temple for time and eternity and had four of our children sealed to us. (The Life and History of Rachel Henderson Farley – 9 March 1957)

Although this simple tale of courtship and love of Lily’s great-great-grandparents may not capture her attention in the near future, I am certain through all the life histories written about them, I can find a few tales of when they were “little”. I hope you take the time to pass on your family stories to those of the next and future generations to create the connections that bring the generations closer together.

Note: Thoughts and ideas for this article also originated from Margaret F. Horspool Autobiography Part 1.

Shared Resources

Courage: I Think I Get It From Him

Personal Stories: Temple and Family History

Tell Your Story with Evalogue.Life

Media Library Videos

LDS Family History – This collection provides temple and family history instruction, missionary and leadership messages in the work of salvation, and personal stories.

Capture and Preserve Your Family Story – In this video, Elder Tad R. Callister relates how his grandfather missed an important meeting to watch him play softball and demonstrates how to use the My Family: Stories That Bring Us Together booklet.