Clarence H. Dillard and Gertrude F. Dillard v. Maryland Turner Dillard

The issue in this case is whether the appellee, Maryland Turner Dillard, was the wife of Clarence D. Dillard, a federal employee, at the time of his death, July 8, 1958. If so, she then became his widow within the meaning of the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Act of 1954 1 and, as such, became entitled to the proceeds of his life insurance. It is not controverted that appellee’s marital status, on July 8, 1958, depended on the validity and effective date of a Virginia decree of absolute divorce granted to the insured May 14, 1958, on the ground of appellee’s desertion. She contends…