BACKMON, Viola Elaine

Photos Courtesy of California Historical Society, MSP 3800

Submit Remembrances


;
Last Name
 
BACKMON
Given Names
 
Viola Elaine
AKA's
 
Better known as
 
Date of Birth
 
3/23/1950
Age at Death
 
28
Place of Birth
 
Calhoun, South Carolina
Race
 
Black
Gender
 
Female
Religion
 
Family Tree
 
Birth Mother
 
Birth Father
 
Siblings
 
Partner
 
Children
 
Non-Temple Relatives
 
Body Identification Number
 
58-I [Last name misspelled as "Backman"]
Burial Location
 
Remains claimed by next of kin; burial location unknown
Source of Death Information
 
House Foreign Affairs Committee report; FBI document 89-4286-1302 (prepared 12/78)
Entry into Guyana
 
8/4/1977
Residence (US)
 
San Francisco, California
Residence (JT)
 
Dorm 4
Occupation in U.S./Skills, Talents & Interests
 
food processor (RYMUR 89-4286-X-5-a-26a); hospital cook, factory worker (PT occupation record)
Occupation in Jonestown (Temple Records)
 
Serving area (RYMUR 89-4286-E-2-A-1dddd)
Jonestown Roles (FBI Records)
 
Government Income
 
Discrepancies
 
House Foreign Affairs Committee report lists last name as "Backman"; passport name above
Remembrances
 
“She mostly went by Elaine, but once she told me she liked either name, I called her Viola, because it was such a pretty name, and fit her so well. I loved Viola. She was near my age, and we worked often together, in the kitchen at the SF Temple helping out, and on other projects. She had no relatives in Peoples Temple, or in Jonestown with her. She worked in Jonestown as a vegetable worker and a server. Tall, peaceful, calm and centered, I miss her wisdom still. RIP, Sister. ” - Kathryn Barbour