Last Known Civil War Widow Dies in 2020 – Veterans Home Care

People Magazine recently reported the last known surviving Civil War widow veteran died December 16, 2020 at 101 in Marshfield, Missouri. Helen Viola Jackson, at age 17, married 93-year-old widower James Bolin. He fought for the Union Army in Missouri during the Civil War which ended in 1865.

Amazing as that sounds, Mrs. Jackson shared a logical reason why a 17-year-old would marry a man 76 years her senior.

According to People Magazine, she was one of ten children growing up during the depression and money was scarce. She met Mr. Bolin at her family church. Her father realized James Bolin needed care, so he volunteered his daughter to assist Mr. Bolin with household chores.

Eventually, James suggested that they marry. His rationale was that he had no money to pay for his much-needed care and if married, she could receive a military survivor’s pension after his death. So they quietly married at his home on September 4, 1936. Out of respect for Mr. Bolin, she kept her marriage secret from most people and continued to use her maiden name and live with her parents. After his death, she never claimed the pension in fear of her reputation and accusations of taking advantage of an elderly man.

However, according to her minister, in the final three years of her life, Helen decided to embrace her place in history as the last Civil War widow. Well-wishers began sending her cards and letters. She was honored by several Civil War organizations. She was even bestowed a spot on the Marshfield, Missouri’s Walk of Fame in 2018 by the town’s Cherry Blossom Festival committee.

Four Civil War Widows Lived During the 21^st Century

Four known Civil War widows lived to see the current millennium. Gertrude Janeway, Alberta Martin, Maudie Hopkins and Helen Viola Jackson. They were all born in the 1900s, all married between the ages of 17 and 21 to veterans between the ages of 81 and 93. These marriages occurred due to the possibility of receiving pensions as dependents of Civil War veterans. Some of these unions were in name only, while others lived together as married couples.

We Help Wartime Widows Everyday

This story caught the eye of many at Veterans Home Care. We’re a unique national home care agency headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. We strive to shed light on an available VA benefits for wartime veterans and their surviving spouses. Many widows and widowers are unaware that they are eligible. We hope this story creates awareness of this VA survivor’s pension that still exists.

Are You A Wartime Widow Who Needs Help At Home?

The VA’s Survivors Pension is a tax-free monetary benefit. If you’re a surviving spouse of a deceased veteran with wartime service, and your income and net worth meet certain limits set by Congress, you may be able to get this benefit. If you need help with your daily activities, you may qualify for additional Aid and Attendance funds.

The maximum Survivors Pension with additional Aid and Attendance funds is up to $1,244 per month as of December 1, 2020.

Claiming the Survivor’s VA Benefit

While Mrs. Jackson never claimed her benefit, we encourage all widows and widowers of wartime veterans to do so. Our veterans served and earned their VA benefits for themselves and their families. Widows are eligible even if their late husbands did not have a service-related death or injury. They’re eligible even if the veteran did not serve in combat or overseas. The benefit, often called “Aid and Attendance” can be used to help widows age more comfortably and safely at home. These funds can offset the cost of ongoing expenses such as: an in-home care aide, adult daycare, medical alert devices, incontinence supplies, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing care and more.

Contact Veterans Home Care about our VetAssist Program

If you would like to use your VA Aid and Attendance funds primarily for home care, adult daycare or the latest medical alert devices with smart home technology, complete our “Check Your Eligibility” form or call us today toll free 888-314-6075.

Our Condolences to Families of VetAssist Clients Who Passed Away in 2020

We become very attached to our VetAssist clients. Especially those like Mr. Warren who received home care through the VetAssist Program for seven years.

Army Veteran Albert Warren, March 30, 1934 – November 26, 2020

Albert heard about Veterans Home Care when was at Avante Rehab in Irving, Texas in 2013. A social worker there approached him at his dinner table one evening and asked if he had been in the military.  Daddy advised her that he had served in the Air Force in 1952-1956 during the Korean War. She then referred him to the VetAssist Program to help him receive VA benefits for care at home.

According to his daughter Patricia Snider, Albert met his wife Shirley and started dating her 1953 while he was stationed in Victoria, Texas.  They were married March 2, 1954 and by 1960 they had two daughters. Eventually they had two grandchildren and four great grandchildren.  The couple remained happily married for 65 years until Shirley passed away May 23, 2019. 

“This is the greatest story our dad had to tell during his time in the Air Force,” says Patricia. “Daddy was stationed in France for a time.  He was a tank mechanic.  No matter what, daddy was a hard worker in the military and always worked equally hard as a civilian. And his love for our mom never died.”
 
Patricia says her family will continue to recommend Veterans Home Care.  “Your organization has been a blessing for our family.  Everyone has always been so helpful and nice.  I’ve enjoyed working with VetAssist Case Manager Joseph Powell throughout the years. No matter what I called Joseph about, he always helped me and very quickly.”

Army Veteran Donald Mullis, July 31, 1939 – May 27, 2020

Another client we lost in 2020 is Donald Mullis of Ft. Meyers, Florida. Again, we marvel that in this family’s time of grief, they reached out to comfort us at Veterans Home Care.

Donald served in the Army from 1963-1965 and was in the reserves until 1969. He was a long time member of Elk’s Lodge #2596 where he enjoyed dancing.

Donald held several jobs in his lifetime but the thing he loved most was dancing.  Early in his life he received lessons from the Arthur Murray Dance Studio and he excelled at it. It was his passion.

Donald earned a VA pension with an additional amount called Aid and Attendance through his wartime service. Donald served stateside but was eligible for the pension because overseas service or combat duty is not required. When Donald needed care at home, his family contacted Abby Services-Homecare for Seniors and they referred him to the VetAssist Program. Our team at Veterans Home Care helped him get his paperwork and VA application filed and got his care started right away.

After their brother passed away, Donald’s two surviving sisters sent their VetAssist Case Manager Bevery Nichols this note:

“Thanks to you and the VetAssist Program, his last two years were much brighter.

“We are grateful to you, our case manager, and the entire team at Veterans Home Care for the help you provided for our brother, Donald.

His last two years were much happier because of this care. Thank you for your guidance and kindness throughout this time.”

Sincerely, his sisters, Karen and Kathy in Florida

To everyone who lost a loved one in 2020, we send our heartfelt condolences. Please know that many hospitals, faith-based organizations, funeral homes and others offer free grief counseling. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help as you mourn a loss.

Now that 2021 is here, we look forward to those we can help life safely at home in the new year. If you know of any wartime veteran or the surviving widow/widower of a wartime veteran who needs our help, please contact or call us at 888-314-6075. Happy New Year!