Vintage Hollywood lives on through The Maybelline Story

Tom Lyle Williams and Emery Shaver, standing in front of TL's 
1934 Packard Victoria, parked in front of the Villa Valentino.

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo and remembering our generous and kind uncles, Tom Lyle  Williams and Emery Shaver...Left side, Jeff Welles, Donna Williams, Patty Welles.  Right side, Mary Ann Welles, Floyd Welles, Sharrie Williams.

1960s.  Uncle Emery at Christmas handing gifts.  Floyd and Jeff Welles right hand side of picture.

1960s. Family Christmas with Uncle Emery Shaver at the head of the table.

Excerpt from a letter written by Emery Shaver to his sister Betty during WW ll.

Villa Valentino

6776 Wedgewood Place

Hollywood, 28, California

Friday, Dec. 3, 1943

Dear Betty

Your plans for Christmas sound very practical, however, you must be sure that there are a lot of little, inexpensive games, books, toys, etc. to make the children feel that it is really Christmas.  It is difficult for them to properly appreciate the necessity for budgeting  especially at Christmas time and while I know they will be proud of any new clothes that they may get, yet the heart of childhood is in play, and the most absurdly cheap little distractions mean so much to them.  I am enclosing a check for one hundred dollars, which covers your allowance and my Christmas gift to you and the children.  May I suggest that you take one day to shop in town without the children and with someone who can help you with the packages, getting lots of little inexpensive trifles to please the Children.  Hope you can have a tree and the trimmings.  Remember how much joy we had as children on so little, but with the Spirit of Christmas strong and bright in keeping up the traditions.  It is high time that the children began to realize the true significance of Christmas, and I would impress on the religious meaning of the day, too.  Would it not be a good idea to let each of them have a little money with which to get a few little presents, so that they, too, can share in the joy of giving.

80 years ago, Williams and Shavers in 1923..... Maybelline's founder and owner Tom Lyle Williams right, with the Shaver family, Betty, Bud and Emery. Left, friend, Ches Haines and Tom Lyle's sister, Eva Williams.

Tom Lyle Willams and Emery Shaver shared their lives together for close to 50 years. Read all about it in The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It. Written by original Maybelline family descendant Sharrie Williams.

Thank you to Floyd and Jeff Welles for sharing pictures and letters from thier uncle, Emery Shaver, with me.