Llora Cullum Pierce moved into this home at 4322 Hall Street in 1924 when she was 59, with her three children after her husband died after two years of ill health in 1923. Her husband was Rev. John Foster Pierce who taught at Southern Methodist University since 1920 after preaching all across Texas in various churches. He first became an attorney and then decided that being a Methodist reverend was his calling. For the last two years, he served as a junior paster at Oak Lawn Methodist during his illness.
Llora was the oldest surviving Cullum pioneer who came with her parents and her eight other siblings from their Civil war destroyed Plantation in Tipton County, Tennessee by stagecoach, boat, and then train to Dallas and settled on ten acres of Oak Lawn in the land just north of Turtle Creek all the way up to where Oak Lawn Ave is today. The Cullums also built several homes in that area close to the church for their growing families. Llora’s father was Marcus Hirum Cullum, who was the founder of the Oak Lawn United Methodist Church. Rev. Cullum started to hold services in 1872, outside under a huge oak tree at the current site, which gave the church and later, the area its name. The men of the church, armed with saws and hammers, erected the frame church building on the site. Pastor Cullum named the church Oak Lawn United Methodist. After 15 years, the brick sanctuary was built that still is standing today. All of the Cullum sons and daughters served the church with devotion, even after their father’s death. In addition, Llora’s brother, A.W. Cullum started a grocery store that became a regional grocery chain with the name Tom Thumb.
Llora’s son, George F Pierce, became the president of his Uncle Thomas M’s sporting goods store named Cullum & Boren. Her other son became a manufacturing agent in Dallas, and her only daughter, Ella Katherine married J. H. Webb in the Pierce’s Hall home and then moved to Rochester, NY. Llora’s neighbor, J.B. Rucker, hosted a supper reception for their wedding at their home at 4409 Rawlins on the night preceding the wedding. Llora was very active in her father’s church throughout her life serving as a Sunday school teacher and in the women’s club. She was a member of the Shakespeare Followers Club and had several events and receptions at her home. Llora later moved elsewhere in Dallas and lived until she was 90 years old and had her funeral in the church her father founded. She left eight grandchildren and 15 great children when she died in 1956.
Wow – amazing history. The Cullums lived right down the street on Vandelia. The lady that kept house for the Cullums was Nina Mae Bolden. I don’t know how but Nina Mae started working for my parents and ultimately raised me as my mother returned to working with my dad in his advertising agency. I thank the Lord daily for Nina Mae – she had so much influence in my life and upbringing.