Medical Personnel
George and Stella Earnshaw Earnshaw, Stella E. and George B. Stella Earnshaw worked for Dr. Charles Allen and as a nurse occasionally aided Bess W. and Margaret Truman. Mrs. Earnshaw, a native of Platte City, Missouri, provides information about the Gates and Wells families located in that area. 
Dr. Wallace Graham Graham, Dr. Wallace Wallace H. Graham, M.D. (October 9, 1910-January 4, 1996) was a colonel in the United States Army when President Truman chose him to be his personal physician and medical advisor. From that point in September 1945 until the death of Bess Truman, Graham was the Truman family physician. 
Trudy Johnson dressed as "Gumdrop" Johnson, Trudy Trudy Johnson was hired in October of 1980 and served as a night time nurse and companion to Mrs. Truman until June 1981. Interview (pdf - 1.56MB) 
Valeria LaMere LaMere, Valeria Valeria LaMere, first nurse and companion, later housekeeper, worked for Bess W. Truman from October 1977 to Truman's death in 1982. LaMere discusses Truman's birthday parties, daily routine, President Carter's visit in 1980, shopping with the Secret Service and local friends and visitors. Interview (pdf - 5.3MB) 
Robert Shemwell Shemwell, Robert R. Robert R. Shemwell, podiatrist, served the Trumans from 1954 until Harry S Truman's death in 1972 and Bess W. Truman's death in 1982. Interview (pdf - 72KB) 
Velma Simmons Simmons, Velma James Velma James Simmons was a nurse and companion for Bess W. Truman for sixteen months. Simmons discusses the meals she prepared for Mrs. Truman, the other nurses employed in the Truman Home, and visits by Margaret and Clifton Daniel. |
Did You Know?
Truman liked the Little White House in Key West so well that he spent 175 days there during his nearly eight years as president.