Ethel
Gnanammal was the eldest daughter of Mr.Yesuprakasam Daniel and Mrs.Laura
Pooranam Daniel. Laura
Pooranam was the eldest daughter of Mr.J.Joseph eldest son of
Rev.J.Joshua, second Pastor of NAGERCOIL Home Church, and Mrs.Mary Joseph
daughter of Rev.Samuel Zachariah, first Pastor of Neyyoor Home
Church. She had her school
education in the Mission Schools at NAGERCOIL.
She
got married to Joseph Swamidhas David son of Mr.S.Joseph and
Mrs.Thyriamuthu Joseph of NAGERCOIL.
He also had his education at the Mission Schools in NAGERCOIL. On completion of his studies he
joined as a clerk in a Tea Estate at Coonoor and soon rose to the position
of Head Clerk. But he left
this job and took up other employment atBangalore. After retirement the family
settled in NAGERCOIL.
They
were blessed with five daughters - Grisilda Thyrium, Matilda Laura, Sylvia
Jothi Bai and Sophia Kamala Bai the twins, and Vasantha Rani Bai - and
three sons - Oliver Eric who passed away at the age of two years,
Dharmaraj and Oliver Davidson.
Ethel
Gnanammal was a kind and
friendly lady deeply religious and brought up her
children in a good Christian atmosphere. She had an extra ordinary power of
memory which she retained till her last days and could recognise people
from their voices. After the
marriage of all the children they shifted their residence to
Maravankudiyiruppu and settled in their own house.
Mr.J.S.David
passed away at the age of 84 years in 1986 at Maravankudiyiruppu and was
interred at the NAGERCOIL Home Church Cemetery. Ten years later Mrs.Ethel
Gnanammal David entered her eternal home at the age of 92 years and was
also interred at the Home Church Cemetery, NAGERCOIL. Incidentally she was blessed
with the longest life of more than 92 years among the descendants of
Rev.J.Joshua.
