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@@discobikerAndRosie I dont penalize viewers. Members only videos are a small thank you for the people who sponsor this channel which pays for all of the research and video production. Have a blessed day.
When you said she was a master storyteller I wondered if she was your great or great-great grandmother. With no mention of she and her husband having children I guess not. Great story JD!
I can't believe the city's response was to concrete the grave. A cast iron cage set around it would have sufficed. It's a really sad ending to the story.
No matter if the city was right or wrong in covering her grave in concrete they should have made a marker for her. It is so wrong for them to have done that to her. She may be gone, but that doesn’t mean she needs to be forgotten.
They could have left one window, like shower glass you cannot see through or a pane of block glass they use now in building, to let the light in. No one is willing to give this poor dead woman her dying wish, Her husband spared no expense making it, Just a bit of repair work, and a few police citations probably would have stopped all the disrespectful gawking. Good night, I cannot understand my fellow human beings. so many times. SMH It would be cool if the town took over the care of the graveyard as an historic grounds. There is a right way, and a wrong way to do things. Think how pretty that hunk of concrete would be, if it just had one dark ruby colored window to let in the light. . Put a little placard telling her story, Then if tourists wanted to stop they would see respect done. Hopefully being respectful in turn.
My cousin went to Davidson College when I was about eleven and told me this story. It scared me back then but as a woman in my sixties now, it intrigues me! It's a shame that her widowed husband or her family there in Davidson didn't keep tabs on her grave: had she stayed sealed, she would've been turned into the mummy of the Appalachians instead of a skeleton! I think that the concerned folks of the city had no choice but to enclose it and leave the name off so the public mania would go away. My cousin thought that they should unseal the tomb and mark it again, quietly. I think that the family should mark her grave nicely now. She was having the nightmares because Tuberculosis literally drowns you and you can't breathe, even if you are standing or sitting up. She no longer has nightmares now but she gave plenty of sunshine and wonderful memories to the people of her day! The Sunshine Lady should now be remembered for all the good that she did. I believe she would appreciate that.
@@annabelleb.8096this explanation isn't pretty but it is what happens. It's a bacterial disease that that turns deadly when it affects the lungs. Basically, your lungs fill up with natural fluids, especially blood, so you can't breathe but it could also allow secondary infections, like pneumonia, to create the same effect. It was easily spread to other folks and once it got a good hold of one part of the body, it spread to other parts rapidly, which is why it was commonly called consumption. Be very thankful that this disease can now be tested for and completely cured with antibiotics! It's only deadly in third-world countries now.
That breaks my heart! Absolutely, they shouldn't have covered her sweet soul in concrete. They should have respected her wish, stain glass, yes, expensive. But would have still honored such a sweet soul. It makes me wanna do a fundraiser to reclaime Layla wish in her final resting place on earth. My tears are flowing!
When you do, I will take part with you!!! Its time the sun shine on her once again! What a disgrace to her the city did by leaving her in darkness....seems as though her nightmares did become her reality after all😢
She and her husband made a stunning couple and clearly loved eachother completely. I love that they read to her students aloud together when they were courting. Smart man, he knew the way to her heart was to make her students happy ❤️😊
Thanks for noticing that! As a classically trained musician myself, I thought the imagery of being trapped in a nightmare set to a Beethoven Soundtrack was pretty dark!
I can't stop watching these. I live in middle/west Tennessee, and I've never been to the east Tennessee mountains. I grew up in southern Wayne County,which is the largest county by land mass in our state. We had our our own steep hills and winding roads. We lived in an old homeplace that belong to my family for close to a hundred years ago. We were poor and my daddy got hurt turning logs at a sawmill. It was the late 1980's lol but we lived like it was 1880. We had 7 springs that we ran into a box and pipe to use that sweet water. We timed it at a gallon a second coming out of that pipe. That doesn't even count the water that went around our box and flowed under our spring pipe. It would fill up a five gallon bucket in 5 secongs. That was 30 + years ago. There are pear trees that have been there for as long as time can remember. My daddy had a garden and planted apple and more pear trees with a couple of hardwoods in the orchard. We had parties and reunions and fish frys and bean dinners cooked in a fired iron kettle that held 25 gallons of stew,soup,beans,or whatnot. It was heaven. My life hasnt been the same since i left that old farm house when daddy got to sick to take care of all the mowing and upkeep. It broke my Daddys spirit when we left there into an apartment. We were never the same. Our souls would be forever in that Cypress Inn Tennessee spring creek. I know mine has never left there. Thank you for your stories. They remind me of home. A place I can still visit and prolly even camp fir a few days. But that would not be long enough to cure the heartache I have from havinh to move from there. Our chicken,Henrietta wouldlay egfs in the dish drainer on the back porch. Laundry was hard cause we had to tote up five gallon buckets of water to fill our wringer washer.But in the summer it was a relief from the hot humid days! Lol Thanks for letting me share a few memories with you. I love your storytelling.
Amazing story I remember family talked of Thanks 4 sharing our history. Being a native of Henderson Cty. So much history here . I remember the Davidson family .❤
Last wishes of a person should be respected. The city should have taken advantage of the tourism opportunity . The city could have raised funds to preserve the grave and to honor the lady. The money could have created money to cary on her legacy to help children.
I think some of her kinfolk need to think on the matter...now that the grave is sealed (and we know she is dead!), they could continue her legacy of sunshine by erecting an interactive memorial that tells of her desire to help others, to give a ray of sunshine into lives, and maybe direct others to organizations that help, or set up a foundation to help.....
I listened to your hero Paul Harvey most every day when I worked for my father. He (Paul) always had a way of telling his stories. You also are a great story teller. I'm always coming back to hear more. Thank you.
Me too, I worked in construction from the time I was about 15, all the workers would listen to Paul tell the news at lunch every day, no one talked at all when Mr. Harvey was talking, if you did, you'd get shoosh'ed . On the way home at 5pm, the entire truck was silent as we listened to Paul Harveys "rest of the story". He was a legend.
What a beautiful story JD! I’m torn between leaving the glass coffin as it was…..but, the concrete did protect it from moisture & prying eyes. Lelia was an inspiration for all of us! Blessings always! ✝️❤️😊
Thanks so much. I would have, as our beloved Paul Harvey never said, liked to have known the Rest of the Story of her family as the years rolled by. She sounds like she had a kindly but realistic upbringing that enhanced her natural compassion. I'm sure it was passed along.
I have argued "public good" in many a courtroom, but I disagree with myself for her grave. I suppose individual wishes can't be fulfilled in a public resting place. But I wish she could still be remembered and not bound by the darkness she so feared. Thank you, JD!
She hasn't been forgotten because you shared her story ❤ I want to be cremated and have threatened to haunt anyone going against my wish 😋 I have a much greater fear of being buried alive than burned alive 🫤 Great story JD 🥶👍
Well good afternoon JD, kinda slept in and the little lady has kept me busy ever since I got up from the breakfast table. So finally got a breather and here I am to enjoy another one of your great stories.
You're a superb storyteller, JD! Your voice really captures my attention. As far as whether the grave should have been left alone or not? I'm glad it was covered. Many people aren't interested in honoring or respecting the dead. Chances are vandalism would have been a concern. That being said, once a person passes on, they cannot see what's happening here on earth. Our souls instantly go to the destination we have chosen before we die. Either heaven if we've chosen Christ or hell if we've rejected Him. That's hard to hear, I know, but it's the biblical truth. This was a lovely story and I hope she's in heaven with the Lord. Thanks for entertaining us, JD. You're great at what you do!!!
@cathygail924 That is your opinion Cathy. Not everyone believes that souls immediately leave this earth and it’s possible hers lingers because her wishes were not honored. Hopefully she is at peace either way.
I received my 2 autographed books and T-shirt today. I love them and cant wait to start reading the stories. Thank you for all the hours of entertainment and education you have given us. It's much appreciated, and you are mighty good at it.
I believe something should be done. If we cannot honor a person‘s last wishes, we might as well not honor their wishes when they’re alive. As to which is shown on a daily basis across the world.
I think it's sad that her grave is unmarked. Why would they do that... to deter vandalism maybe? You've brought to mind my 6th grade teacher who read the classics to us everyday after lunch; Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn... Hemmingway, Jack London, Steinbeck, and still my favorite book "To Kill a Mockingbird." So sad many of these books have been banned.
Thank you, JD, for sharing another great story and for being a great storyteller yourself . I can understand wanting to carry out loved ones' last wishes . It's only my opinion, but I wouldn't want someone looking at my skeletal remains. Many thanks, JD . Have a blessed Saturday.
I just stumbled across your channel and I am so excited to go back through and watch all your older videos if they’re as informative and attention-grabbing as this one - had me hooked immediately. It’s a big plus seeing you cover our beautiful Appalachian areas full of rich history and captivating stories not known to most outside these rural parts.
Mornin' JD! Pray that you & your family...as well as my fellow listeners here in comments had a very wonderful & Happy Thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for here in the US and, as always, thank you for another wonderful tale of this lady of Appalachia! God bless! ~ Scott 💙🙏🏼
What an interesting story JD! So glad that I got to see this video. I try to watch everything that you produce for UA-cam. TB was a scourge back in those days and was as pandemic as other respiratory illnesses were. So glad that it can be treated with today's medicines and technology. Lelia's story and the photos captured my imagination and left me wanting to hear more of this historic time period.
I think the reason she didnt want to be buried underground was the fact that she had the nightmares. It also didnt help that peoole were often buried akive back then as well. As always, you are indeed a great storyteller! ❤
JD, This was an awesome wonderful story. The Sun Shine Lady grave should have NOT been covered with cement. They should have repaired it as soon it was in the beginning with the sun light could still be seen within the tomb, but not one could see inside. I think this was very disrespectful for the town to go against her wishes. The family had plenty of money to have it fixed. The original way And keep it that way to the end of time. Lola's last wish was destroyed. She done so much for so very many people. She went through hell before she died,, she had those horrible nightmares and im sure her family knew this and why didn't her husband stop this, maybe he was dead also. Really sad what they did to Lola's Grave. Thank you JD for sharing this with us. ❤
I bet that kid never cleaned another piece of glass. 😂 It was a sweet tribute to use glass, but after the immediate family passed away, covering it in concrete was smart. He kept his promise, like he should have. Great story JD
I bet he didn't clean another piece either. BTW, that line "you could have played checkers on his shirt tail... " was directly from a line my dad would use when he told stories bout how fast he ran in his stories from when he was a boy...
I have to say I understand her wishes, but maybe the city was right. Because I take away from it that though she might not have wanted to ever be in darkness she would have wanted to be a spectacle even less. Six in one hand half a dozen in the other. Another great story JD, and very well told.
Surely sounds crazy but i have lung problems too, it's not curable. Not easy for my hubby but he sometimes tells me, he want to make a mousoleum and give me in a glass coffin. Think it's very romantic in a way. This story was very interesting for both of us, thank you! Appalachian mountains sounds home to me, so one day i will live there! And as a former singer, i want to say your voice is very smooth and i want to listen more of your many stories! Best regards from Europe!
Good morning JD! What a story, maybe she was a little claustrophobic too. I don’t know, but I do know that when my husband’s doctor came into his room and told him that he only had 48 hours to live. My husband said I’m not afraid of dying, I just don’t want to pass in the night time. He passed in the daylight and I whispered in his ear about 30 minutes before he passed that it was morning. I have worked in the medical field for years and I have always been told that the hearing is the last thing that goes. I was praying he heard what I said. He was never afraid of the dark, but for some reason he wanted to pass in the daytime. I didn’t ask him why, I was in shock that he had less than 48 hours to live. I hope and pray that the light from God is her light and she is not afraid. Have a very blessed weekend everyone!
That's so sad...oh, and Paul Harvey is a hero of mina also. Hailing from Middle Tennessee, Hardin County. I love these stories!!!! I feel like a child again😊❤
Fascinating story... I feel much the same as Leila, to be buried but as well somewhat claustraphobic in small dark places. Someone needs to erect a beautiful cross with a picture of her embedded into it so that sunshine will once again continue to shine upon her as she once wished. 💜🙏 PS... hey JD, I was gifted a beautiful violin I always dreamed of owning. My next step will be learning to play it. If you happen to know of a particular YT channel for lessons I'd appreciate it greatly. God bless you my friend nobody can tell a story like you JD.🎩🎼🎻🪕
Congratulations on the violin. I can’t say that I’ve ever watched a UA-cam channel on how to play one since I actually went to college for 15 years and studied with world class professionals when it came to violin, but I bet there is an entire world of people teaching it online. I think it’s great that you’re going to start a journey learning it. The violin is such a beautiful instrument and extension of the soul.
I don't fear death. I know my Jesus is waiting. I don't want to die and leave my loved ones grieving. Death is but a promise of tomorrow, and we all must face it alone.
Again, thank you JD. She was a beautiful woman ! The council.. ??.. should at least have a grave marker for her. What were they thinking 🤔 Such a wonderful story 👵🏻❣️
It was a lovely story ☺️.. often times some have to do what they think is best, and concerning her grave, they probably felt it would have ended up damaged or opened somehow..the cover I guess is okay but on the stone,her name and dates and a little prayer should have been engraved, so future generations would know who is buried there.. I mean if they can remember and give outlaws the respect of a named headstone,then they should have her... thank u for sharing 😊
It is so sad to me that she thought her dead body was her. I believe she went into The Light when she passed from this earth. Wonderful of her husband though to do her bidding with the glass grave.
Great story and even better that it’s true. Sad ending though. The city could have respected her wishes AND protected her “grave” by encircling it with a wrought iron cage-like structure to keep vandals out. Someone from her family could then plant vines around it so eventually it would be covered with beautiful greenery to cover the “cage.” Just a thought. Thank you for reading this story. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and are enjoying your weekend.
Every story you tell goes over the top peaking my interest. My thoughts are that it's pretty sad that some people can't honor a dead persons last wishes. The city , I hope , had good intentions that would deter some goulish person from defacing or robbing her final resting place.
Bad decision on the city’s part. Everyone needs to be acknowledged, especially in death. What a beautiful idea to create glass prisms as part of her coffin top. Her wish did come true for many, many years until of course, it began to deteriorate. God bless you sweet Leila and your wonderful husband too. May you both rest in peace for the rest of eternity. ❤️🙏🏼❤️
It saddens me, but I do understand the city's decision. They could have opted for a marker with a photo of this beautiful woman etched upon it so the sun could continue to forever shine on her face and shield her from darkness. It only takes a bit of thought and care to do a good thing/the right thing. ❤
Oh gosh.... could you imagine.... as this lady & so many even today do... knowing from terrifying dreams that the end is nearing?! It seems throughout time... even til today... that the worst things happen to the best people. And MANY times vise versa with bad folks seeming to have the best luck or getting away with things that should (in our opinions) put 'em UNDER the jail! Oh well.... God knows my heart and soul and I feel content with where I stand with Him! 💙🙏🏼
I understand why the town was frustrated, but there were so many other things they could’ve done aside from completely covering her grave. I feel like this is such a disrespect to her and her legacy.
This is a very interesting documentary on the Mulangene people ! After listening to the various theories, I like the first one offered where they escaped from Carthage. They definitely had a European look also African-American look and somewhat Indian look. I suppose we’ll never know the whole base truth, but they were certainly a beautiful people from the photos you showed ! I would love to have the music CD. Thank you
Support this channel by LIKING, COMMENTING and SUBSCRIBING. Support the costs of research and video production by clicking JOIN or THANKS or by visiting www.theappalachianstoryteller.com Thank you!
Thank you JD fore the story of The Sunshine Lady......God Bless
Old F-4 Shoe🇺🇸
@@discobikerAndRosie I dont penalize viewers. Members only videos are a small thank you for the people who sponsor this channel which pays for all of the research and video production. Have a blessed day.
@@steveshoemaker6347 Thank you Steve!
When you said she was a master storyteller I wondered if she was your great or great-great grandmother. With no mention of she and her husband having children I guess not. Great story JD!
I can't believe the city's response was to concrete the grave. A cast iron cage set around it would have sufficed. It's a really sad ending to the story.
My thoughts exactly.
yes!
I agree just seems down right wrong!
Her grave should be marked, at least. No one should be buried anonymously.
I totally agree!! It’s so sad how it was left
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They should restore it imo. She wanted the sunshine. She should have it.
Seriously!! 😢
Yes, it's so sad. They should at least mark her grave. ❤
No matter if the city was right or wrong in covering her grave in concrete they should have made a marker for her. It is so wrong for them to have done that to her. She may be gone, but that doesn’t mean she needs to be forgotten.
Thanks to JD she won’t be forgotten!❤
They could have left one window, like shower glass you cannot see through or a pane of block glass they use now in building, to let the light in. No one is willing to give this poor dead woman her dying wish, Her husband spared no expense making it, Just a bit of repair work, and a few police citations probably would have stopped all the disrespectful gawking. Good night, I cannot understand my fellow human beings. so many times. SMH
It would be cool if the town took over the care of the graveyard as an historic grounds. There is a right way, and a wrong way to do things. Think how pretty that hunk of concrete would be, if it just had one dark ruby colored window to let in the light. . Put a little placard telling her story, Then if tourists wanted to stop they would see respect done. Hopefully being respectful in turn.
The worst ending the city needs to make it right again.
Yes,I totally agree. That's just not right that poor thing
My cousin went to Davidson College when I was about eleven and told me this story. It scared me back then but as a woman in my sixties now, it intrigues me! It's a shame that her widowed husband or her family there in Davidson didn't keep tabs on her grave: had she stayed sealed, she would've been turned into the mummy of the Appalachians instead of a skeleton! I think that the concerned folks of the city had no choice but to enclose it and leave the name off so the public mania would go away. My cousin thought that they should unseal the tomb and mark it again, quietly. I think that the family should mark her grave nicely now. She was having the nightmares because Tuberculosis literally drowns you and you can't breathe, even if you are standing or sitting up. She no longer has nightmares now but she gave plenty of sunshine and wonderful memories to the people of her day! The Sunshine Lady should now be remembered for all the good that she did. I believe she would appreciate that.
That's interesting about tuberculosis. I didn't know that and it explains the nightmares.
@@annabelleb.8096this explanation isn't pretty but it is what happens. It's a bacterial disease that that turns deadly when it affects the lungs. Basically, your lungs fill up with natural fluids, especially blood, so you can't breathe but it could also allow secondary infections, like pneumonia, to create the same effect. It was easily spread to other folks and once it got a good hold of one part of the body, it spread to other parts rapidly, which is why it was commonly called consumption. Be very thankful that this disease can now be tested for and completely cured with antibiotics! It's only deadly in third-world countries now.
@ Thanks for the explanation. It's really amazing some people managed to recover from it back then.
What a wonderful lady who was lost in time but impacted many in a positive way. It's too bad that her final wishes could not continue to be followed .
What a beautifully told story about a beautiful caring soul. Thank you JD. ❤
Thank you Beth! Have a blessed day
Another great tale. I think the sun should shine on her again.
❤️
I don’t have much but I’d give some money to restore and protect her final resting site.
That breaks my heart! Absolutely, they shouldn't have covered her sweet soul in concrete. They should have respected her wish, stain glass, yes, expensive. But would have still honored such a sweet soul. It makes me wanna do a fundraiser to reclaime Layla wish in her final resting place on earth.
My tears are flowing!
Thank you for your kind words and your willingness to help, you are a beautiful soul.
When you do, I will take part with you!!! Its time the sun shine on her once again! What a disgrace to her the city did by leaving her in darkness....seems as though her nightmares did become her reality after all😢
Let the sun shine in
She and her husband made a stunning couple and clearly loved eachother completely. I love that they read to her students aloud together when they were courting. Smart man, he knew the way to her heart was to make her students happy ❤️😊
you got that right
Thank you for telling these stories. I enjoy every one of them. What a shame people could not let this lady rest in peace
Thank you Sylvia!
Thanks for sharing this story.
Her fear of darkness would have passed once her soul moved on.
Peace be with you all.
still her wish should have been honored
Moonlight Sonata was a nice touch for this story. You're a master of your craft JD
Thanks for noticing that! As a classically trained musician myself, I thought the imagery of being trapped in a nightmare set to a Beethoven Soundtrack was pretty dark!
The narrator is just phenomenonal.
Been binge watching his videos since the past 3 nights.
Best wishes from India.
Thank you so much, my friend
I can't stop watching these. I live in middle/west Tennessee, and I've never been to the east Tennessee mountains. I grew up in southern Wayne County,which is the largest county by land mass in our state. We had our our own steep hills and winding roads. We lived in an old homeplace that belong to my family for close to a hundred years ago. We were poor and my daddy got hurt turning logs at a sawmill. It was the late 1980's lol but we lived like it was 1880. We had 7 springs that we ran into a box and pipe to use that sweet water. We timed it at a gallon a second coming out of that pipe. That doesn't even count the water that went around our box and flowed under our spring pipe. It would fill up a five gallon bucket in 5 secongs. That was 30 + years ago. There are pear trees that have been there for as long as time can remember. My daddy had a garden and planted apple and more pear trees with a couple of hardwoods in the orchard. We had parties and reunions and fish frys and bean dinners cooked in a fired iron kettle that held 25 gallons of stew,soup,beans,or whatnot. It was heaven. My life hasnt been the same since i left that old farm house when daddy got to sick to take care of all the mowing and upkeep. It broke my Daddys spirit when we left there into an apartment. We were never the same. Our souls would be forever in that Cypress Inn Tennessee spring creek. I know mine has never left there. Thank you for your stories. They remind me of home. A place I can still visit and prolly even camp fir a few days. But that would not be long enough to cure the heartache I have from havinh to move from there. Our chicken,Henrietta wouldlay egfs in the dish drainer on the back porch. Laundry was hard cause we had to tote up five gallon buckets of water to fill our wringer washer.But in the summer it was a relief from the hot humid days! Lol Thanks for letting me share a few memories with you. I love your storytelling.
Thank you so much for sharing all those wonderful memories
Just beautiful inside and out. I never heard this story. I love the sunshine lady. Ty for sharing.
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
This was so amazing and heartbreaking at the same time. I am sure she is bathed in the brilliance of Gods glory. Oh am I loved Paul Harvey
❤️
Amazing story I remember family talked of Thanks 4 sharing our history. Being a native of Henderson Cty. So much history here . I remember the Davidson family .❤
Glad you enjoyed it
💜
Last wishes of a person should be respected. The city should have taken advantage of the tourism opportunity . The city could have raised funds to preserve the grave and to honor the lady. The money could have created money to cary on her legacy to help children.
I think some of her kinfolk need to think on the matter...now that the grave is sealed (and we know she is dead!), they could continue her legacy of sunshine by erecting an interactive memorial that tells of her desire to help others, to give a ray of sunshine into lives, and maybe direct others to organizations that help, or set up a foundation to help.....
She'd been gone a while, hadn't she? That the seals preventing oxidation held as long as they did is impressive. But it's sad.
Agree
Indeed, they should restore the tomb and place a metal fence around it.
Her bodily remains may be covered in concrete but her spirit/soul lives on in heavenly light 🥰🙏🏻
Kimball, thank you for that. I agree 100%.
Great story the city had no right to do that to that grave they just shows that some have no respect the dead 😢😢😢😢😢
17:35 Ok the Paul Harvey reference was awesome. Reminds me of listening to him with my Big Mama. God bless you!
Thank you for noticing that. Mr. Harvey was a hero of mine growing up and I tip my hat to him many times when telling these stories.
What an amazing story ! ❤️
Thank you Tammy!
Good story as always the town should put a marker on the grave so sad they covered it up God bless everyone
I listened to your hero Paul Harvey most every day when I worked for my father. He (Paul) always had a way of telling his stories. You also are a great story teller. I'm always coming back to hear more. Thank you.
Me too, I worked in construction from the time I was about 15, all the workers would listen to Paul tell the news at lunch every day, no one talked at all when Mr. Harvey was talking, if you did, you'd get shoosh'ed . On the way home at 5pm, the entire truck was silent as we listened to Paul Harveys "rest of the story". He was a legend.
What a beautiful story JD! I’m torn between leaving the glass coffin as it was…..but, the concrete did protect it from moisture & prying eyes. Lelia was an inspiration for all of us! Blessings always! ✝️❤️😊
Thanks so much. I would have, as our beloved Paul Harvey never said, liked to have known the Rest of the Story of her family as the years rolled by. She sounds like she had a kindly but realistic upbringing that enhanced her natural compassion. I'm sure it was passed along.
I have argued "public good" in many a courtroom, but I disagree with myself for her grave. I suppose individual wishes can't be fulfilled in a public resting place. But I wish she could still be remembered and not bound by the darkness she so feared. Thank you, JD!
Thank you for sharing your views on this story!
She hasn't been forgotten because you shared her story ❤
I want to be cremated and have threatened to haunt anyone going against my wish 😋 I have a much greater fear of being buried alive than burned alive 🫤
Great story JD 🥶👍
Thank you Kathy!
Your channel is the absolute best.
Thank you so much!
Well good afternoon JD, kinda slept in and the little lady has kept me busy ever since I got up from the breakfast table. So finally got a breather and here I am to enjoy another one of your great stories.
Thank you Keith, have a great weekend brother
So sad 😢. But probably the only way to truly protect the glass.
At least Her spirit is long gone from the Darkness that She feared.
❤ She is such a beautiful girl
I love the way you tell these stories. It’s a pleasure listening to them
Thank you 😊
You're a superb storyteller, JD! Your voice really captures my attention.
As far as whether the grave should have been left alone or not?
I'm glad it was covered. Many people aren't interested in honoring or respecting the dead. Chances are vandalism would have been a concern.
That being said, once a person passes on, they cannot see what's happening here on earth.
Our souls instantly go to the destination we have chosen before we die.
Either heaven if we've chosen Christ or hell if we've rejected Him.
That's hard to hear, I know, but it's the biblical truth.
This was a lovely story and I hope she's in heaven with the Lord.
Thanks for entertaining us, JD. You're great at what you do!!!
Thank you so much Cathy!
@cathygail924 That is your opinion Cathy. Not everyone believes that souls immediately leave this earth and it’s possible hers lingers because her wishes were not honored. Hopefully she is at peace either way.
@@estercobb3436i believe they can "linger and come and go watch over and protect us time to time"
@estercobb3436 correct, everyone is entitled to their opinion.
I received my 2 autographed books and T-shirt today. I love them and cant wait to start reading the stories. Thank you for all the hours of entertainment and education you have given us. It's much appreciated, and you are mighty good at it.
Thank you so much Donna! I hope you enjoy them!
Thanks for another wonderful story J.D. Sad that they couldn't find a better solution for her. Y'all stay safe out there 🙏
Thank you so much, brother. Hope y’all had a good Thanksgiving.
I believe something should be done. If we cannot honor a person‘s last wishes, we might as well not honor their wishes when they’re alive. As to which is shown on a daily basis across the world.
I think it's sad that her grave is unmarked. Why would they do that... to deter vandalism maybe?
You've brought to mind my 6th grade teacher who read the classics to us everyday after lunch; Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn... Hemmingway, Jack London, Steinbeck, and still my favorite book "To Kill a Mockingbird." So sad many of these books have been banned.
My fifth grade teacher read the same to us. Sounder and Old Yeller were also in the mix for us.
Why have these classic stories been banned?!
@@sharonrose1226 Because they contain "the N word" and discuss the mistreatment of blacks which white supremist deny happened.
@@sharonrose1226 I answered your question and YT took it down??? Let's try just saying "racism."
@ that’s ridiculous. Thanks for responding to my question.
Thank you, JD, for sharing another great story and for being a great storyteller yourself . I can understand wanting to carry out loved ones' last wishes . It's only my opinion, but I wouldn't want someone looking at my skeletal remains.
Many thanks, JD . Have a blessed Saturday.
Thank you Nonnie!
I just stumbled across your channel and I am so excited to go back through and watch all your older videos if they’re as informative and attention-grabbing as this one - had me hooked immediately. It’s a big plus seeing you cover our beautiful Appalachian areas full of rich history and captivating stories not known to most outside these rural parts.
Make yourself right at home, glad to have you here. Please share us out to your friends and family
Breaks my heart, thank you for your gift JD, i think they should correct this error in judgment, have a great day my friend 🧡 🍁✨️🙏
I appreciate you watching and hope you have a blessed day, my friend!
Great story JD with a sad ending. They should have buried her with an honorable service!❤❤❤
Thank you for this video.
You're welcome!
Mornin' JD! Pray that you & your family...as well as my fellow listeners here in comments had a very wonderful & Happy Thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for here in the US and, as always, thank you for another wonderful tale of this lady of Appalachia! God bless! ~ Scott 💙🙏🏼
Happy Thanksgiving to your family as well!
What an interesting story JD! So glad that I got to see this video. I try to watch everything that you produce for UA-cam. TB was a scourge back in those days and was as pandemic as other respiratory illnesses were. So glad that it can be treated with today's medicines and technology. Lelia's story and the photos captured my imagination and left me wanting to hear more of this historic time period.
Great story.
Glad you enjoyed it!
JD. You are an amazing storyteller. I can picture the people your talking about!!
Thank you so much!
Keep these wonderful stories coming, my friend!❤
I sure will!
I think the reason she didnt want to be buried underground was the fact that she had the nightmares. It also didnt help that peoole were often buried akive back then as well. As always, you are indeed a great storyteller! ❤
Thank you 😊
WV here. I love your stories and narration! Thanks for making them!
Thank you Veronica!
Great story. Thank you and God bless.
Thank you for sharing this story with us! ✌🏼😊
My pleasure!!
Love the stories
Thank you Sissy!
I think her final wishes should have been respected. Sad tale but thanks for sharing.
That was a beautiful young woman , especially for those times .
Once again, great video brother. Thank you for taking us on your adventure for history and time and kudos. To paul harvey the great story teller
Makes me happy that folks remember Mr. Harvey
Respect Sunshine Lady
Live forever ❤
JD, This was an awesome wonderful story. The Sun Shine Lady grave should have NOT been covered with cement. They should have repaired it as soon it was in the beginning with the sun light could still be seen within the tomb, but not one could see inside. I think this was very disrespectful for the town to go against her wishes. The family had plenty of money to have it fixed. The original way
And keep it that way to the end of time. Lola's last wish was destroyed. She done so much for so very many people. She went through hell before she died,, she had those horrible nightmares and im sure her family knew this and why didn't her husband stop this, maybe he was dead also. Really sad what they did to Lola's Grave. Thank you JD for sharing this with us. ❤
Thanks again!!
Any time!
Thank you, JD. Great story, sad ending. She should at least have a memorial stone erected. ❤
I bet that kid never cleaned another piece of glass. 😂 It was a sweet tribute to use glass, but after the immediate family passed away, covering it in concrete was smart. He kept his promise, like he should have. Great story JD
I bet he didn't clean another piece either. BTW, that line "you could have played checkers on his shirt tail... " was directly from a line my dad would use when he told stories bout how fast he ran in his stories from when he was a boy...
@TheAppalachianStoryteller that's the first time I'd heard that. I like it. I can't say things my dad used to say on your channel 🤣.
I have to say I understand her wishes, but maybe the city was right. Because I take away from it that though she might not have wanted to ever be in darkness she would have wanted to be a spectacle even less. Six in one hand half a dozen in the other. Another great story JD, and very well told.
Great story. What love can do. I like the glass coffin. But they shouldn't have covered it. And left anonymous.
Surely sounds crazy but i have lung problems too, it's not curable. Not easy for my hubby but he sometimes tells me, he want to make a mousoleum and give me in a glass coffin. Think it's very romantic in a way. This story was very interesting for both of us, thank you! Appalachian mountains sounds home to me, so one day i will live there! And as a former singer, i want to say your voice is very smooth and i want to listen more of your many stories! Best regards from Europe!
Good morning JD! What a story, maybe she was a little claustrophobic too. I don’t know, but I do know that when my husband’s doctor came into his room and told him that he only had 48 hours to live. My husband said I’m not afraid of dying, I just don’t want to pass in the night time. He passed in the daylight and I whispered in his ear about 30 minutes before he passed that it was morning. I have worked in the medical field for years and I have always been told that the hearing is the last thing that goes. I was praying he heard what I said. He was never afraid of the dark, but for some reason he wanted to pass in the daytime. I didn’t ask him why, I was in shock that he had less than 48 hours to live.
I hope and pray that the light from God is her light and she is not afraid.
Have a very blessed weekend everyone!
💜 💜 💜
Great story 👏
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
That's so sad...oh, and Paul Harvey is a hero of mina also. Hailing from Middle Tennessee, Hardin County. I love these stories!!!! I feel like a child again😊❤
Thank you!
Fascinating story... I feel much the same as Leila, to be buried but as well somewhat claustraphobic in small dark places. Someone needs to erect a beautiful cross with a picture of her embedded into it so that sunshine will once again continue to shine upon her as she once wished. 💜🙏
PS... hey JD, I was gifted a beautiful violin I always dreamed of owning. My next step will be learning to play it. If you happen to know of a particular YT channel for lessons I'd appreciate it greatly. God bless you my friend nobody can tell a story like you JD.🎩🎼🎻🪕
Congratulations on the violin. I can’t say that I’ve ever watched a UA-cam channel on how to play one since I actually went to college for 15 years and studied with world class professionals when it came to violin, but I bet there is an entire world of people teaching it online. I think it’s great that you’re going to start a journey learning it. The violin is such a beautiful instrument and extension of the soul.
@@TheAppalachianStoryteller Thanks JD, looking forward to it. God Bless 💜🙏
@@TheAppalachianStoryteller Thanks JD... 😉
JD you were right I have never heard that story. It was a good history lesson Than you. I enjoyed it ❤
Thank you Carol!
I don't fear death. I know my Jesus is waiting. I don't want to die and leave my loved ones grieving. Death is but a promise of tomorrow, and we all must face it alone.
Agree. Me too.
Wow!
Tragedies that tear at the very fabric of our soul, you should write that one down to keep.
Thank you so much for noticing that phrase. I put a lot of thought behind each phrase.
Hi JD AS USUAL WOUDERFUL STORY THE SUNSHINE LADY SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST A HEADSTONE TO REMEMBER HER SAD THAT HER LAST WISHES ARE ADIRED TOO
Again, thank you JD. She was a beautiful woman ! The council.. ??.. should at least have a grave marker for her. What were they thinking 🤔
Such a wonderful story 👵🏻❣️
It was a lovely story ☺️.. often times some have to do what they think is best, and concerning her grave, they probably felt it would have ended up damaged or opened somehow..the cover I guess is okay but on the stone,her name and dates and a little prayer should have been engraved, so future generations would know who is buried there.. I mean if they can remember and give outlaws the respect of a named headstone,then they should have her... thank u for sharing 😊
Good morning and happy Saturday! I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.
It is so sad to me that she thought her dead body was her. I believe she went into The Light when she passed from this earth. Wonderful of her husband though to do her bidding with the glass grave.
Wow ,what a story.
JD and Sarah hey I pray 🙏 y’all had a great Thanksgiving Amen 🙏
Look up “Sunshine Lady” by the Gathering Dark. Steve DuRose wrote a beautiful song about her story.
id love to hear it
🔥
@@TheAppalachianStoryteller ua-cam.com/video/nq9G_CoXFtU/v-deo.htmlsi=P-dZiQ2fG6D5qJXE
ua-cam.com/video/nq9G_CoXFtU/v-deo.htmlsi=3Fvr6uWrgkH7iluq
Good story JD.
Thank you Pam
Great story and even better that it’s true. Sad ending though. The city could have respected her wishes AND protected her “grave” by encircling it with a wrought iron cage-like structure to keep vandals out. Someone from her family could then plant vines around it so eventually it would be covered with beautiful greenery to cover the “cage.” Just a thought. Thank you for reading this story. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and are enjoying your weekend.
Thank you, that’s what makes this channel authentic- the stories are true
I enjoyed the story very much. What a sad ending. I think they could of come up with a better way to cover her grave site. ❤😊
😢 they shouldn't have done that. We would never know if it wasn't for your stories ❤
I did my best to make sure Lelia isn't forgotten
It's ok... she's always in the Light now.
I like to think so too
Storyteller great read… a lovely lady…the city done the right thing. they just still put a name marker for her!
As a floridian that spnds much time in the sun on my kayak. I love the idea of a glass block top! The city should have kept her final wishes!
Every story you tell goes over the top peaking my interest. My thoughts are that it's pretty sad that some people can't honor a dead persons last wishes. The city , I hope , had good intentions that would deter some goulish person from defacing or robbing her final resting place.
This story title sounds hopeful for a happy story so I’ll listen to it next.
Dang Hendersonville 😮😢
I’m surprised I’ve never heard this story. She died 2 weeks before my dad was born in those mountains.
Bad decision on the city’s part. Everyone needs to be acknowledged, especially in death. What a beautiful idea to create glass prisms as part of her coffin top. Her wish did come true for many, many years until of course, it began to deteriorate. God bless you sweet Leila and your wonderful husband too. May you both rest in peace for the rest of eternity. ❤️🙏🏼❤️
The interest would have died down.
One of my biggest pet peeves is people's final wishes not being carried out or destroyed.
MARK THE GRAVE!!!
It saddens me, but I do understand the city's decision. They could have opted for a marker with a photo of this beautiful woman etched upon it so the sun could continue to forever shine on her face and shield her from darkness. It only takes a bit of thought and care to do a good thing/the right thing. ❤
Oh gosh.... could you imagine.... as this lady & so many even today do... knowing from terrifying dreams that the end is nearing?! It seems throughout time... even til today... that the worst things happen to the best people. And MANY times vise versa with bad folks seeming to have the best luck or getting away with things that should (in our opinions) put 'em UNDER the jail! Oh well.... God knows my heart and soul and I feel content with where I stand with Him! 💙🙏🏼
I understand why the town was frustrated, but there were so many other things they could’ve done aside from completely covering her grave. I feel like this is such a disrespect to her and her legacy.
This is a very interesting documentary on the Mulangene people ! After listening to the various theories, I like the first one offered where they escaped from Carthage. They definitely had a European look also African-American look and somewhat Indian look. I suppose we’ll never know the whole base truth, but they were certainly a beautiful people from the photos you showed ! I would love to have the music CD. Thank you
Leila needs a marker. The concrete can’t be undone but she needs a marker. Thank you for telling her story so she is not forgotten