Flossie Dorsey

1901–1918. barnwell, south carolina

Flossie Dorsey was born in Williamsburg County, South Carolina. She worked as a house girl during her youth.

  • Father: Smart G. Snow

    Mother: Alice Grayson Snow

    Spouse: Unknown Dorsey

    Siblings: Jeremiah M. ""Jerry""

    Melvin

    Sallie

    Bentley

    Josephus ""Cephus""

    Charlie

  • Place of Death: County of Williamsburg, Township of Mingo

    Full Name: Flossie Dorsey

    Sex: Female

    Color or Race: Colored

    Marital Status: Married

    Date of Birth: January 4, 1901

    Age: 17 years, 9 months, 23 days

    Occupation: House girl

    Birthplace: Williamsburg Co.

    Father: S. G. Snow

    Birthplace of Father: Williamsburg Co.

    Maiden Name of Mother: Alice Grayson

    Birthplace of Mother: Williamsburg Co.

    Date of Death: October 27, 1918

    Cause of Death: Flu & Anasarca

    Informant: S. G. Snow, address: Morrisville, SC

    Place of Burial or Removal: Mill Pond

    Date Filed: October 30, 1918"

  • Flossie's official record attributes her passing to "flu and anasarca." This poignant entry places her death directly at the height of the devastating 1918 Influenza Pandemic (often called the Spanish Flu), which swept through the region in the autumn of that year with catastrophic speed, frequently striking down otherwise healthy teenagers and young adults.

    In medical terms, anasarca refers to severe, widespread swelling (edema) throughout the entire body caused by massive fluid retention in the tissues. In the context of a severe influenza infection during this era, anasarca typically indicated acute organ failure most likely kidney or heart failure brought on by the body's overwhelming, inflammatory response to the virus.

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