Who’s Who & Abbreviations

Dec 27

Written By Sara Keeney

Who’s Who

Myrtle’s journals feature an extensive cast of characters. As we move through the years, I’ll add key players here.

Myrtle Gillis Seaver: Born August 2, 1934 | Galveston, TX

Henry Ray Seaver: Born February 11, 1934 | Kissimmee, FL

Peggy: Born July 2 1954 | Ft. Benning, GA

Tricia: Born November 19, 1957 | Wiesbaden, Germany

Ann Holbrook: Myrtle’s sister

Dady: Myrtle’s father, Arnold Rogers Gillis

Mama: Myrtle’s mother, Elsie Krause

Ray’s mama: Ottie Lee Koger

Ray’s dady: Eddie Seaver

Kathy: Ray’s youngest sister

Lewis: Ray’s brother

Betty: Ray’s sister

Mrs. Bass: Peggy’s first grade teacher, Myrtle cleaned house for her

The Sayers: Owned the house in Kissimmee Park that Ray, Myrtle, Peggy & Tricia lived in; spent most of the year up north, but when they came to Florida, the Seaver family had to move out and go stay with relatives

The Keeners: Neighbors that lived on Comanche Road; an older couple that was financially better off; they traveled regularly and would bring Peggy and Tricia little gifts from their travels

The Wares: Neighbors; lived most of the year in Kentucky and came to Florida for the winter; they may have had oil wells; Ray would bring them fish; Mr. Ware would give him $5 and say, “I’m going to see you straight one day, son.”

The Herndons: Next door neighbors

Destry: Peggy’s horse; named after the TV series Destry

Gypsy: Mr. Howell’s buckskin mare; she was one of the horses mistreated by Larry Harvey and Marion Johns during their crime spree on February 14, 1965; Mr. Howell allowed the family to keep Gypsy at their place

Lightening: Purebred Brahma bull; given to Arnold Roger Gillis by Cecil Whaley; Peggy and Tricia treated him as a pet when he was a calf but he grew up to be incredibly menacing to both humans and animals; he was eventually returned to Cecil Whaley

Missy: The family’s cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel and Poodle mix)

Pretty Boy: The family’s pet parakeet (budgie)