Born March 29, 1881, Lula lost her mom, Martha nee Butler too young – only about 7 months old – so way too young to remember. Lula was just 16 when she married Henry Keatley on January 9, 1898, who was 12 years older. According to their daughter Betty, Henry was a kind man with a good sense of humor. They had eight children but one died at birth and a daughter Pansy died at age nine. Unfortunately Henry died at age 49 when their youngest child was only about 5 months old.
Lula was a young widow with a house full of children and so likely vulnerable. Maybe you can tell a little from the photos, that she had beautiful light blue/grey eyes that must have turned a head or two. According to rumors, Lula fell prey to a gentlemen named Stevens/Stephens. Some thought they married but I have found no record. As the story goes, Lula had inherited the home place in Speedway, Mercer, West Virginia, from her husband Henry, and it burned down in the early 1920’s. Lula received insurance money but Mr. Stevens/Stephens split with it. Some say he went to Texas and was not heard from again. That left Lula in poverty. She worked as a waitress but was dependent on the help and generosity of her children in her final years.
Lula died December 11, 1957 and is buried in Keatley Cemetery, Speedway, West Virginia.