Module 5: Graded Assignments Article from “Treasures of the Unity Archives.” The sons of Charles and Mrytle Fillmore
The Fillmore’s had three sons: Lowell Page, Waldo Rickert, and John Royal. All three would eventually work for Unity in very different ways.
Lowell was the eldest son and even though he was a consummate writer he did not go on to higher education like his other two brothers. He was driven, much like his parents and started working at a very young age of 10 years old, in Unity mailroom. I could identify with this as I was 12 when I began working.
Lowell was named after poet and The Atlantic Monthly editor James Russell Lowell. Lowell was a writer and editor of the popular Weekly Unity for more than 60 years. Because of his writings he made a great impact on the Unity movement.
He became the president of the Unity School in 1933, leaving time for his father Charles to travel. He was described as healthy and having lots of vitality. Much was expected of him by both of his parents. He remained active in Unity until 1975 when he made his transition.
Rickert was the second son, and he was named after Ralph Waldo Emerson. He had quick wit and people liked him. At a very young age the Fillmore’s noticed he had artistic talent. He received his education in London and Rome. He became quite an architect and was responsible for the buildings there at Unity.
John Royal was Fillmore’s third child. I took a deeper dive in his life other than just this article had stated about him. Mrytle had wanted a girl for a whole year they called him baby and did not name him. When he was seven, he was a very large child and weighed 100 pounds. He was teased and the children called him baby elephant. By the time he was in high school he was 300 pounds. He was said to be very indulged by his mother and could manipulate her. He went to the University of Missouri and played football. He would on many occasions get kicked of where he was living but Mrytle would always believe his stories of how it was someone else’s fault. He was very dependent on her for money and usually got it.
He was in very poor health in his adulthood. He took a wife at 31 years old and married a very young woman. She too was in poor health and died soon after the birth of their only child. John died at 33 years old, just a few years after his wife. John had diabetes, atherosclerosis, and high blood pressure.
These stories of John were relayed by Rev. Tom Witherspoon in 1981 in his lectures and writings. He found personal things in Mrytle’s things to substantiate these stories. He authored Myrtle Fillmore: Mother of Unity, had been editor of Unity Magazine (1976-84), and served spiritual communities in Florida and California.
I think it was important to know that even though the Fillmore’s believed in healing and living a long and healthy life, they could not change the ways of nature in their young daughter in-laws passing nor effect John’s not taking care of himself. In this I could understand being a parent how each of your children are individuals and you cannot predict their path or change it for them. Only they have the power to do that no matter what they are exposed to and what they are taught. I found compassion for both Fillmore’s in building a movement and dealing with the human side of their adult children’s lives.
I very much enjoyed reading about the personal lives of the Fillmores. I had not been aware of John before reading your post. John’s middle name, Royal, was a foreshadowing of his life and revealing of his relationship with his mother. His parents and siblings were so driven and successful I wonder if John felt like he grew up in their shadows. Very interesting.