Sarah America Harper
"Sarah's main hobby was gardening. She loved to use fresh produce in her cooking, which she brought from the produce wagons that drove around the neighborhood. However, she tried to raise her own tomatoes and greens when possible. Sarah kept many potted plants in her house. It was a seasonal ritual to carry the plants outside for the summer and bring them in before frost. Sarah would give you a "yard tour" when you visited her during the warm weather. She planted many flowers and bushes in her yard and would proudly tell you about them."
Sarah America Harper, daughter of William Henderson Harper and Mary Roe, was born in McGlone, Carter County, Kentucky, on May 27, 1894. Sarah died November 29, 1980, in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky. She is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky.
Sarah had two marriages.
Sarah’s first marriage was about 1912 to John Roscoe Dickerson, son of William Dickerson and Hattie Hollingsworth. John Roscoe Dickerson was born on July 22, 1895, probably in Carter County, Kentucky. He died on October 31, 1918, in Grahn, Carter County, Kentucky, of complications from influenza. He is buried in Lee Cemetery, which may be in Carter County, Kentucky.
The children of this marriage:
Chester Allen Dickerson was born on July 14, 1913, in Carter County, Kentucky. He died on October 31, 1918, from complications of influenza. According to his death certificate, he is buried in Lee Cemetery.
Lucille Millie’s birth name was Millie Lucille. She changed her name legally as an adult. Lucille was born on December 25, 1914, in Carter County, Kentucky. She married Vincent Charles Banks (September 19, 1912 - September 1983) in Cook County, Illinois, ca. 1934. They had three daughters. Lucille died on June 25, 1996, in Willow Springs, Cook County, Illinois.
Jean D’s birth name was Vernetta Eugene, which she legally changed as an adult. Jean married twice. Her first marriage was to Richard Stuart in 1939 in Argo, Illinois. This marriage ended in divorce. Jean’s second marriage was to John Daniel "Jack" Rommel (April 17, 1916 to November 2, 1983) on August 3, 1946, in Willow Springs, Cook County, Illinois. Jean was born on November 17, 1917, in Carter County, Kentucky and died on August 1, 1993, in Louisville, Kentucky. Both Jean and Jack are buried in Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky.
Note: The surname Dickerson appears in may records as Dickinson and occasionally as Dickison. However, Lucille and Jean used Dickerson.
Sarah then married John Franklin Sturgill. John was the son of William Sturgill and Nancy Robinson. He was born on April 30, 1887, in Willard, Carter County, Kentucky. John worked for the Louisville Fire Brick Company. He died on April 1, 1955, in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Louisville.
John Franklin Sturgill's first marriage was to Florence Etta Middleton, which ended in divorce.
Sarah America HARPER and John Franklin Sturgill were married ca. January 1921.
The children of this marriage.
Agnes Bernadine was born on October 29, 1921, in Grahn, Carter County, Kentucky. Agnes married Samuel Kenneth Eaton, son of Samuel Aden Eaton and GenoWells Crady on January 15, 1938, in Louisville, Kentucky. Samuel Kenneth Eaton was born on May 4, 1918, in Louisville, Kentucky. They had two children. Agnes Bernadine died on December 20, 2004, in Louisville, Kentucky, and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery next to her husband, Samuel Kenneth Eaton who died on April 21, 1978.
Emma Darnella was born on December 6, 1922, in Grahn, Carter County, Kentucky, and died there on December 14, 1922. She is buried in Lee Cemetery, Carter County, Kentucky.
John Wendell Sturgill was born on December 29, 1923, in Louisville, Kentucky. John’s first marriage was to Zelma Mae Brown (ca. 1923 to August 18, 1985). After Zelma’s death, John later married Living Spouse. John served in the Korean War. John died October 19, 1992, in Louisville, Kentucky. Both John and Zelma are buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Louisville.
William Lester "Bill" was born on November 28, 1925, in Louisville, Kentucky. He married Living Spouse on April 12, 1947. Bill served in World War II. Bill died November 2, 1999, in Louisville, Kentucky, and is buried in Resthaven Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky.
Mary Marie was born on October 4, 1926, in Louisville, Kentucky, and died there on October 6, 1926. She is buried in Carter County, Kentucky.
Donald Joseph "Joe" was born on May 18, 1928 in Louisville, Kentucky. He had two marriages. His first marriage was to Eva NOE. The marriage ended in divorce. His second marriage was to Lucy Mullins (September 1928 to June 1994). Joe died on September 23, 1971, in Louisville, Kentucky. He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Louisville.
This photograph may have been taken sometime in the 1920s, possibly mid to late.
Sarah America Harper, "November, 1963".
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This photograph is the only one we are aware of that exists of my Grandmother, Sarah America Harper with her first husband, John Roscoe Dickerson, their son Chester Allen Dickerson, and their daughter, Millie Lucille (legally changed as an adult to Lucille Millie) Dickerson. Sarah is pregnant with their third child, Vernetta Eugene (legally changed as an adult to Jean D) Dickerson. We believe that this photograph was taken in 1917, possibly in the springtime. John Roscoe Dickerson and Chester Allen Dickerson both died on October 31,1918, from complications of influenza.
This is the gravesite of Sarah America (Harper) Sturgill, which is located in Evergreen Cemetary, Louisville, Kentucky.
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Submitted by: Barbara Carolyn Eaton
