Anna Bell Gomes was born on January 15, 1890, in Lee, Florida, to Francisco  GOMES D’sa (1855-1931) and Laura Etta YOUNG (1875-1955).

Anna’s father, Francisco “Frank” GOMES
Anna’s mother, Laura Etta YOUNG Gomes

SIBLINGS

SPOUSE

Anna Bell Gomes married Torovia (Bebo) Jose PADILLA in Lee, Florida, on December 7, 1905.

CHILDREN

Their children are listed (not verified) as:

  • Laura Bell was born in 1906.
  • Janie was born in 1909.
  • Juanita Olivia was born in 1910.
  • Jesse Thomas was born on July 13, 1917
  • John Bernard was born on May 9, 1919.
  • Julius Warren was born on July 25, 1921.
  • Andrew L. was born on November 24, 1927.
  • Anna Jean was born in 1927.

RESIDENCES

Lee County, Florida

Anna Bell Gomes lived in Punta Rassa, Florida, in 1900.

In 1910 she lived in Boca Grande with her parents and siblings. 

In 1920, Annie lived with her husband and children “near the mouth of Spring Creek” in Bonita Springs, Florida. Her father lived nearby.

In 1930 and 1935, the family lived in Cayo Costa, Florida. Annie’s father and some of her siblings lived nearby.

In 1940, they lived on Ballard Rd in Lee County, Florida.

In 1950, Annie lived with her son, James on Ballard Rd in Lee County, Florida.

In 1954, Annie lived at 2411 Diego in Fort Myers, Florida.

LOSSES

  • Her father Francisco passed away on June 20, 1931, in Fort Myers, Florida, at the age of 76.
  • Anna’s sister Edna passed away on July 26, 1936, in Fort Myers, Florida, at the age of 21. Edna and her husband, Silas were killed when their car was struck by the Atlantic Coast Line train. Their son, Joseph, age 3, survived the crash.
  • Her husband Torovia (Bebo) Jose passed away on March 17, 1948, in Fort Myers, Florida, at the age of 67. They had been married 42 years.
  • Her mother Laura Etta passed away on September 23, 1955, in Fort Myers, Florida, at the age of 80.
  • Her sister Florinda Marie died in a car accident on July 26, 1964, in Palm Beach, Florida

GERMAN U-BOAT

In 1942, her brother, King GOMES, was aboard a boat between Key West and Cuba that was torpedoed by a German U-boat. See transcript of the letter and read the story about the American vessel, Gertrude being torpedoed by a German Uboat. 

American fishing boat boarded and torpedoed by a German Uboat in the Florida Straits in 1942

DEATH

Anna Bell Gomes died on April 25, 1965, in Fort Myers, Florida, when she was 75 years old. Annie was laid to rest in the Fort Myers Cemetery, Fort Myers, Lee County, Florida. Plot 2nd North Addition, K3-19. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45591808/anna-bell-padilla

SOURCES: 

Florida, County Marriage Records, 1823-1982; Fort Myers, Florida, City Directory, 1954; U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; Florida Death Index, 1877-1998; U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; 1900 United States Federal Census; 1910 United States Federal Census; 1920 United States Federal Census; 1930 United States Federal Census; 1935 United States Federal Census; 1940 United States Federal Census; 1950 United States Federal Census; News-Press Fort Myers, Florida 22 Sep 1960; News-Press Fort Myers, Florida 26 Apr 1965 

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