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Submitted: 11/5/17 • Approved: 11/6/17 • Last Updated: 11/9/17 • R1201039-G1201039-S3
1914 - 2011
She was born to Seid Sing Kiu and Chiu Pearl Bo in Canton, China, the youngest of seven children.
Because the Chinese at that time did not want to educate the girls, her youth was a happy, carefree time spent with many girlfriends. Marriages were arranged at a young age so she married Ping Fong in 1930. He was considered a most eligible catch because he was returning from America for his bride.
Her husband returned to the United States in late 1933 to arrange to have her join him. Their first child was born in 1934 in Canton. Finally, Mei Yen arrived with her young daughter in 1936. Being in a strange land with a strange language must have been frightening, but her optimism and determination were part of her strong personality, the pioneer spirit.
They settled in Brickeys, Arkansas and three more children were born. In 1947, they moved to Hughes, Arkansas where they opened and operated a grocery store. While helping in the store, she was able to acquire an amount of English that enabled her to pass the United States citizenship test in April of 1954.
Sadly, in September of that year, her husband passed away. She was left alone to raise four children. She was a devoted Mother and believed in the good old fashioned values, very firm, but fair. She loved to garden and raised many of her vegetables.
She remained in Hughes until all her children became educated, law abiding citizens. She later relocated to California and then to Utah.
She leaves behind many relatives. She was a most generous woman and admired by the younger generation as she helped a lot of them in their transition to America. She outlived all of her siblings, all of her peer group and three sons-in-law. She is survived by her four children, Carolyn Wooldridge (Jack, Bill, deceased),Ping S Lee (Arthur, deceased) ,Hing Wyness (John) and Ping Fong Jr. (Lucy), nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Having spent most of life with a deep void, she can be at peace now and join her husband and friends.
Graveside services will be held on January 4, 11:00 a.m. at Marianna Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to local food banks or a favorite charity.
Reception will be held afterwards at the KFC in Marianna.
Spouse:
Ping Fong (1909 - 1954)
Photo courtesy of sandycurry10@gmail.com
Contributed on 11/5/17 by hawkinsdonna48
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Record #: 1201039