Who died before Jeannette was born? A Look at the Walls Family Ancestry

Who died before Jeannette was born? A Look at the Walls Family Ancestry

The question "Who died before Jeannette was born?" delves into the lives of individuals who preceded the prominent author Jeannette Walls and her siblings. Jeannette Walls, famous for her candid memoir The Glass Castle, was born in 1960. To understand who passed away before her birth, we need to explore the generations of her family tree, particularly focusing on her parents, Rex and Rose Mary Walls, and their parents.

Jeannette Walls' Parents: Rex and Rose Mary Walls

Jeannette Walls' parents, Rex Walls and Rose Mary Walls, were both very much alive when Jeannette was born. In fact, they were central figures in her tumultuous childhood, depicted vividly in The Glass Castle. Rex Walls, a brilliant but often erratic alcoholic, and Rose Mary Walls, an artist and aspiring teacher, were her parents and active participants in her life from her birth onwards. Therefore, neither of them died before Jeannette was born.

Grandparents of Jeannette Walls

To identify individuals who died before Jeannette's birth, we must look to her grandparents and earlier ancestors.

• Rex Walls' Parents: Jeannette's paternal grandfather was Calvin Walls. Information about his death is less readily available in public records and the memoir, but it is implied that he was deceased before Jeannette's birth. Her paternal grandmother was likely Velma Walls, though her life details are also scarce. It's highly probable that at least one, if not both, of Rex's parents had passed away before 1960, given their generation.
• Rose Mary Walls' Parents: Rose Mary's parents were Devoted Lily Smith and Stanley Smith. Both of these individuals were alive and played significant roles, albeit often in their own eccentric ways, in the lives of Rose Mary and her children, including Jeannette. However, it's crucial to note that while they were alive during Jeannette's early childhood, their own passing would have occurred at some point after her birth. Therefore, if we are strictly asking about death before Jeannette was born, we need to consider if they were already deceased. Publicly available information and mentions in the memoir suggest that while they were certainly influential figures, their deaths likely occurred later in life, meaning they were likely alive when Jeannette was born. The focus here is on those definitively gone.

The Concept of "Died Before"

It is important to distinguish between being alive during Jeannette's childhood and having died before her birth. While Rex and Rose Mary were undoubtedly alive, the question specifically asks about those who had already passed away. Based on generational timelines and the general context of family histories, it is highly probable that at least some of Jeannette's grandparents and great-grandparents were deceased before 1960. For instance, individuals from the generation of her grandparents would have been in their 60s, 70s, or older by the time Jeannette was born, making it statistically likely that some had already passed on.

Specific Individuals (Likely Deceased Before 1960)

While the memoir focuses on the immediate family's present struggles and adventures, genealogical research and the typical lifespan of previous generations strongly suggest the following individuals likely died before Jeannette Walls was born:

• Calvin Walls (paternal grandfather): It is very probable that Calvin Walls was deceased before Jeannette's birth.
• Velma Walls (paternal grandmother): Similar to Calvin, Velma likely passed away before 1960.
• Earlier Generations: Any ancestors from Jeannette's great-grandparents or further back would almost certainly have passed away before her birth, given the time periods involved.

The narrative of The Glass Castle, while a personal account, doesn't dwell on extensive genealogical details of ancestors who died prior to the main story's timeframe. The focus is on the immediate struggles and unconventional upbringing provided by Rex and Rose Mary Walls, who were very much alive and central to Jeannette's early life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do we know if Jeannette's grandparents died before her birth?

While the memoir The Glass Castle doesn't provide precise death dates for all of Jeannette Walls' grandparents, we can infer this based on generational timelines. Her parents, Rex and Rose Mary Walls, were born in the 1930s. Their parents, Jeannette's grandparents, would have been born in the late 19th or early 20th century. Given the average life expectancy of those eras, it is highly probable that at least some, if not all, of her grandparents had already passed away by 1960 when Jeannette was born.

Why doesn't the book mention ancestors who died before Jeannette's birth?

Jeannette Walls' memoir, The Glass Castle, is a highly personal account focused on her immediate family's experiences and her own journey. The narrative prioritizes the impact of her parents' actions and personalities on her and her siblings' lives. Ancestors who died before her birth, while part of her lineage, would not have directly influenced the events and challenges she describes in her childhood, thus taking a backseat in the storytelling.

Were Jeannette's parents alive when she was born?

Yes, absolutely. Jeannette Walls was born in 1960, and her parents, Rex Walls and Rose Mary Walls, were both alive and active in her life from the moment of her birth. They are the central figures of her memoir, responsible for her unconventional and often difficult upbringing.