My grandma
Dorothy Ridste Ross was Carole's sister and her best friend. Dorothy was born in
Montana in 1917 two years before Carole. They had a hard childhood...my
grandmother always told me stories during chores when I fussed over
pulling weeds in the garden or having to get up on my summer vacation
when the sun was barely rising itself. My grandmother was a very hard
worker, very devoted to her family and God. She was the most loving,
patient, and caring person I've ever known in my life. She was a true
role model and she was always teaching her children and grandchildren
the ways of life and that you should always have your head up and stay
positive in the hard times. Their mother Clara raised them alone and was
always working. She would have two jobs and also took in laundry on the
side to be ironed or altered. So being that she was also a hard worker
my grandmother Dorothy was responsible for Carole. She told me of having
to wash the diapers, help with the "extra" work her mom brought in, and
take care of the house and cook dinner. When I asked her what age she
was she said she was five!! I was blown away at my own age of seven that
she had so much to do ... she never made it sound that she was
complaining but that she had to do what it took to help the family
keep going.
Dorothy
raised Carole and there is no doubt she was the "second" mommy!! She
loved on her, played with her, did her hair, and would make special
clothes for Carole's dolls. I remember that my Grandmother said she had
gotten old socks that had been darned too many times and made a doll for
Carole. She was the little girl that loved dressing up and wanted many
things to say the least. They weren't allowed to go outside very much
when they were really young. When Clara was at work they had to stay in
and wait for her to come home. Then they would get some time until Clara
had to leave to go to her other job. Carole was talking by a early age
so her and Dorothy would make up stories. That was one of their favorite
thing to do. And as you all know Carole loved writing as well as my
Grandmother. Dorothy and Carole were best friends! My grandmother loved
and adored her sister. When she talked of Carole she had a smile on her
face and you could tell she was feeling her sister near by. I felt
growing up that Carole was not dead - she was alive in my grandmother's
heart and soul and she transferred Carole into my heart and soul.
Carole with her niece Diane Carole and brother-in-law Walter Ross in 1939
One
of the stories that is so Carole and shows how she knew she could win
my grandmother over is this...one day my grandmother and I were out
"tuning up the roses" as she called it. I just hated getting scratched
everywhere but when she sat down and took off her shoes she had a bunion
on her foot. She was rubbing it and I asked her "how she got that ugly
thing on her foot". She laughed and started to tell the story that it
was all Carole's fault and some was her fault for giving in to her
sister. Clara would let the children take turns buying new shoes and
Carole already had her turn so it was Dorothy's turn. Clara gave Dorothy
the money and told her to go straight there with Carole and come
straight home. When they got the shoe store Dorothy was looking for the
shoes that would be in the price range and Carole was all over the store
looking at the very expensive ones. She couldn't stand it that she
couldn't get another pare of shoes. So Dorothy found the pair she wanted
and tried them on and Carole was being "moppie" my grandmother would
put it so she asked her "what's wrong". Carole told her "she had to have
this shoes or she was going to die!!" So being the loving sister she was
Dorothy bought those pretty shoes for Carole. My grandmother had to put
her raggy shoes back on and wait for her turn to get shoes. Well her
feet grew and that's how she got her painful bunions but Dorothy
couldn't say no to Carole ;-)
Carole with her niece Diane Carole in 1939 and 1941
The sisters shared
everything including boyfriends. Dorothy actually met my grandfather, Walter
"Babe" Ross, when went out on a Carole. They eloped in 1935 and had four
children - Diane Carole (named after Carole), Walter "Buck", Sharon (my mom), and Bill. Carole was jealous of Dorothy's happy family life.
She used to say that Dorothy should give her one of the kids because she
had so many. Dorothy and Walter didn't like the Hollywood scene. At a
party Bing Crosby patted Dorothy's bottom and Walt punched him! Dorothy
was a selfless person, sister, mother, and grandmother. She had a spirit
and unique way about her. She had everyone's interest at heart and
always wanted the best. I believe that part of who Carole was and her
giving heart came from my grandmother. Dorothy and Carole were like one
soul and they always will be. My grandmother told me Carole was like her
baby! When Carole passed away it was very painful and heartbreaking for
Dorothy but she has always carried her memory on through her family.
I'm so thankful that she did that for me and for my children to see that
our family has relatives that are giving, loving, and wonderful. They
are the ones to inspire us and to freely be who we are made to be and we
can achieve anything!!!
~ Written by Tammy Powell, Carole's great-niece and Dorothy's granddaughter
Carole with her niece Diane Carole and nephew Buck Dorothy with her children