Mrs Nellie E. Becker

Who was Nellie E. Becker?

Mrs Nellie E. Becker was a 35 (thirty-five) year-old American second-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic. Born on June 19, 1876, in New Lexington, Ohio, she was a survivor of the infamous maritime disaster. Nellie’s journey on the Titanic was a pivotal moment in her life, forever altering her family dynamics and personal relationships.

Early Life and Background

What was Nellie’s family background?

Nellie E. Becker, born Nella Estella/Elizabeth Baumgardner, came from a modest American family. Her parents were:

John Albert Baumgardner (born 1851), a photographer
Clara L. Fulton (born 1856)

Nellie grew up with three surviving siblings:

Edith Mae (born 1878, later Mrs Edward McKinnon)
Ruth A. (born 1885)
Fulton Albert (born 1887)

The family resided in New Lexington, Perry County, Ohio, as recorded in the 1880 census.

How did Nellie’s life change after marriage?

On September 20, 1898, Nellie married Allen Oliver Becker, a Lutheran pastor from Berrien, Michigan. This union marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life, characterized by missionary work and frequent travels. The couple’s journey took them to India, where they settled in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. Allen worked as a missionary, while Nellie focused on raising their growing family.

Titanic Journey Details

What led to the Beckers’ fateful Titanic voyage?

In early 1912, a family crisis prompted the Beckers’ return to the United States. Their youngest child, Richard, fell ill, and doctors advised that he would have a better chance of survival in America. This medical emergency set the stage for Nellie’s Titanic journey.

Detail	Information
Embarkation	Southampton
Class	2nd Class
Ticket Number	230136
Fare	£39

Nellie boarded the Titanic on April 10, 1912, accompanied by her three children:

Her husband, Allen, remained in India, planning to join the family later.

The Night of the Disaster

How did Nellie and her children survive the sinking?

On the fateful night of April 14-15, 1912, Nellie’s maternal instincts and quick thinking played a crucial role in her family’s survival. As the ship began to sink, she gathered her three children and made her way to the upper decks. The family waited in one of the public rooms before attempting to board a lifeboat.

Ruth recalled climbing an iron ladder to a higher deck, possibly the ladder from B-deck second class promenade to A-deck first class promenade.

In a moment of concern for her children’s comfort, Nellie instructed Ruth to return to their cabin for extra blankets due to the cold. However, events unfolded rapidly:

Nellie’s two younger children were placed into Lifeboat 11.
Nellie scrambled to join them in the same boat.
She called out to Ruth, instructing her to board the next available lifeboat.

This split-second decision ensured the survival of the entire family, though it led to a temporary separation between Nellie and her eldest daughter.

Aftermath and Later Life

How did the Titanic disaster affect Nellie’s life?

The traumatic experience of the Titanic sinking had a profound and lasting impact on Nellie Becker’s life:

She spent several anxious hours aboard the rescue ship Carpathia searching for her daughter Ruth before their emotional reunion.
Nellie filed a claim of $2,184.20 against the White Star Line for loss of property.
The family settled in Benton Harbor, Michigan, awaiting Allen’s arrival from India the following year.

Post-Titanic Family Dynamics

Nellie’s personality reportedly became erratic after the sinking, with emotional outbursts whenever the disaster was discussed. This change in her demeanor affected her relationships with her children:

Her relationship with Ruth became strained.
She became estranged from her daughter Marion for unknown reasons.
In 1944, Nellie refused to attend Marion’s funeral.

What was Nellie’s legacy?

Nellie Becker’s life after the Titanic was marked by both resilience and complexity. She outlived her husband, who passed away on March 19, 1956. Nellie herself died following a heart attack in Berrien, Michigan, on February 15, 1961, at the age of 84 (eighty-four).

Her final actions reflected the complicated relationships within her family:

She left her estate to her son Richard, despite his financial irresponsibility.
Nellie excluded her daughter Ruth from the inheritance.
In a twist of fate, she named Ruth as the executrix of the estate, tasking her with ensuring Richard received everything despite receiving nothing herself.

Nellie E. Becker’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the long-lasting effects of the Titanic disaster on its survivors, shaping family dynamics and personal relationships for decades to come.