MFH: 25 October

Today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of my grandmother, Freda Irene Needs. Granny was born on 25 October 1908 in Lawrence Township, Washington County, Ohio. She was the youngest (of three) daughter and sixth (of seven) child of James Eldridge and Rena Belle (Fleming) Needs.
Freda Irene Needs, 1909

Granny attended the local schools in Lawrence Township and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1926. By 1928 she had trained to be a teacher secured her first teaching position at a one-room school (with eight grades!) in nearby Ludlow Township.
Lawrence Township school children circa 1915-1920. The smallest girl in the front row (third from the right) is Granny. The girl immediately behind Granny is her sister Gladys and the boy to Gladys' right is their brother Lloyd. The boy in the cap behind Gladys, peaking around her head, is their brother Clarence and the girl to his right is their sister Vesta.

Among Granny's students in the school in Ludlow Township were Florence and Glenda Schoen, my grand-aunts, sisters of my grandfather, Harry Schoen. Granny and Grandpa were married on 20 April 1940 at Marietta, Washington County, Ohio. At that time married women did not teach school, at least not in rural and small-town Ohio, so Granny quit teaching to raise her family.
Granny (Freda Irene Needs) and Grandpa (Harry Frederick Schoen) on their wedding day, 20 April 1940

Granny, Grandpa, and Dad, Marietta, Ohio, about 1941

In the 1960's, Granny went back to teaching again in the Marietta City Schools and continued until she retired. She also became active in the Daughters of Union Veterans, the Business and Professional Women's Association, the Retired Teachers' Association, the Catholic Women's Club, and, of course, in being the very bestest grandmother in the world.
Granny and Grandpa at the wedding of my parents, Marietta, Ohio, 1960

Granny and Grandpa, Marietta, Ohio, circa 1965

Granny with her sisters, Vesta Needs Semon Morris (1900-1995) and Gladys Needs Yost (1904-1987), circa 1975-1980

Granny died on 29 February 1992 at her home in Marietta, Washington County, Ohio at the age of 83 year, 4 months, and 4 days.

Although we did not talk much about genealogy (something I regret to this day), I get my love of the subject and my desire to continue working on my family history from Granny. I love her dearly and miss her every day.