Woody Burl Davis, my grand uncle, was born 9/26/1925 in Mexia, Texas, to Sherman and Margie Davis (Kirkpatrick.)  The oldest of four children, Woody served as a Private with the United States Marine Corps during World War II (see earlier post.) 

“W. B.” married Marjorie Ann Johnson and had three children: Judy Kay, Cheryl, and John.  He worked for the Mexia State School, a residential facility for those with developmental disabilities.  Woody passed away on June 22, 2001, in College Station, Texas.  He was buried in Point Enterprise Cemetery, located in Mexia.

I remember visiting the Point Enterprise Cemetery while living in College Station.  My wife and I took a short road trip to visit Woody’s gravesite and took the pictures just before sunset. 

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis (brother of Woody Burl Davis)

Today’s obituary is of my 2nd great grandmother, Mellie Waits (Milligan), and was featured in the 5/12/1952 edition of the Lancaster Eagle Gazette:

The death of Mrs. Mellie Waits, 71, widow of Harmon Waits, occurred Sunday, 3 p. m., in Lancaster-Fairfield Hospital, where she had been receiving treatment for the past week. She lived at 712 North Mt. Pleasant-av.

Surviving are two daughters: Mrs. Ralph Williams, Columbus, and Mrs. Ernest Miller, Muskegon, Mich.; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mrs. H. A. McCoy, Columbus.

Services will be conducted Wednesday, 2 p. m. in the Ray Wise Funeral Home. The Rev George W. Herd of First Methodist Church is to officiate, and burial will be made in Maple Hill cemetery, Stoutsville. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p. m. today.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits) – Mellie Waits (Milligan)

Harmon C. Waits, 68, died Wednesday, 7:30 p. m., in his home at 702 Eastwood-av, following an illness caused by a cerebral hemorrhage.

Surviving are his widow, Mellie; three daughters: Miss May Waits of the home, Mrs. Ralph Williams, Columbus, and Mrs. Ernest Miller, Muskegon, Mich.; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A son, Charles Richard, was killed in action in Germany, April 6, 1945, while serving with the Army as a tank gunner.

The deceased also leaves two brothers: William Waits, Columbus, and Perry Waits, Lancaster; and one sister, Mrs. May Hedges, Lancaster.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, 2 p. m., at the Ray Wise funeral home with the Rev. George W. Herd of First Methodist Church officiating.  Burial is to be made in Maple Grove [Hill] cemetery in Stoutsville.  Friends may call the the funeral home after 7 p. m. today.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits) – Harmon Clay Waits

Today’s obituary is of my 3rd great grandfather, Eli D. Waits, and was featured in the 5/14/1934 edition of the Lancaster Daily Eagle:

Taps Sound For Civil War Veteran

Eli D. Waits, 86, retired farmer, passed away at the home of his son, Herman [Harmon] C. Waits, 702 Eastwood avenue, at 2:45 a. m. today following a ten months illness of complications.

Three other sons, Perry R. Waits, Clinton M. Waits, of Lancaster and William H. Waits of Columbus, one daughter, Mrs. Mary L. Hedges of Drinkle, two half-brothers, William Hedges of Lancaster and Allen Hedges of Commercial Point survive.

Funeral services will be held from the Mills Memorial United Brethren church Wednesday at 10 a. m. with the Rev. P. E. Wright officiating.

Burial in Maple Hill cemetery at Stoutsville by Crites and Van Cleve, Stoutsville funeral directors.

The deceased was a Civil War veteran, serving in Company G, Regiment 88 of the Union army.

Friends may call at the home any time from 2:30 Tuesday to time of funeral.

Many thanks to Jane Mason (Miller) and Martie Essebaggers (Miller) for all of their contributions, including the picture of the Waits family home above.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits) – Harmon Clay Waits – Eli D. Waits

Thank you to all of the men and women of the Armed Forces who have protected us and continue to do so every single day. Always Remember. Never Forget.

Arlington National Cemetery

Hazel Adella Williams Obituary

Today’s obituary is of my great grand aunt, Hazel Adella Williams (Wilson), the wife of Ottis Ray (O. R.) “Doc” Williams (see obituary below), and was featured in the 3/10/1981 edition of the Lancaster Eagle Gazette:

Mrs. Hazel A. Williams, 83, of 603 E. Sixth Ave., died Monday in Lancaster-Fairfield County Hospital.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Order of the Eastern Star, M. Z. Kreider Chapter 145.

She is survived by her daughter, Mrs. William (Betty) Echstenkamper, Frankfort, Ky.; one son, William Fred Williams, Milton, Ohio; one grandson, William Ray Echstenkamper, Shelbyville, Ky.; one sister, Mrs. William R. (Ruth) Leyshon, Lancaster; one brother, Hiram Wilson, Lancaster; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, O. R. Williams, and one sister, Cassie Frey.

Funeral services will be Thursday, 1:30 p.m., in the chapel of the Frank E. Smith Funeral Home; the Rev. George S. Brown officiating; burial in Elmwood Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home Wednesday, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Ralph Scott Williams Sr. (brother-in-law of Hazel Adella Williams)

Waits Family Portrait

Picture of the Waits family taken approx. 1919-1920 in Ohio.  Pictured (from left to right): *Ralph Scott Williams Sr., Nellie Ruth Waits, William “Bill” Henry Waits, May Belle Waits (Hatch), Elmer Hedges, Grace O. Waits (maiden name unknown), Paul Allen Hedges, Perry Robert Waits, Lydia May Hedges (Waits), Nellie Rowena Hedges, Mellie Waits (Milligan), Charles Richard “Dick” Waits, Florence Waits, Harmon Clay “H. C.” Waits, Mary Louise Waits (Morris), Eli D. Waits, *Sallie Anna Wilcox (Waits), May Waits, Nellie Alberta Waits, Jennie Waits.

* Unconfirmed

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits)

O. R. "Doc" Williams Obituary

Through the kindness and generosity of Charlotte Dittmar, a Lancaster, Ohio resident, I have recently received copies of several obituaries from the local newspapers.  I will try to feature an obituary daily, until they are all posted.

Today’s obituary is of my great grand uncle, Ottis Ray (O. R.) “Doc” Williams, and was featured in the 6/2/1965 edition of the Lancaster Eagle Gazette:

O. R. ‘Doc’ Williams Dies; Longtime Furniture Dealer

O. R. “Doc” Williams, 71, of 603 E. Sixth Ave. and a longtime furniture and appliance dealer in Lancaster, died Tuesday 5 p.m. in Lancaster-Fairfield County Hospital.

He boasted more than 40 years experience as owner of his own business in various locations in the city starting in 1924 and was also an employee of the former Wiseman and Harpster and Helser stores.

During World War II, Mr. Williams was coordinator of civilian defense. His affliliations included First Methodist Church, U.C.T., Fraternal Order of Police Associates, Sheriffs Assn., Moose Lodge, K. of P. Lodge, Tri-County Sportsmen’s Club,Valley View Golf Club, state and county Democratic clubs. He served as assistant sergeant at arms in the Ohio House of Representatives 1959-1960.

Williams leaves his wife, Hazel; a son, William F. Williams, Tipp City, O.; a daughter, Mrs. William Echstenkamper, Frankfort, Ky.; grandson, William Ray Echstenkamper; a sister, Mrs. Essie Mast, north of Lancaster; a brother, Ralph Williams, Columbus.

Funeral, Friday 10:30 a.m., Frank E. Smith Funeral Home, Rev. George W. Herd officiating; burial Elmwood Cemetery. Friends may call at Smith’s after 7 p.m. today.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Ralph Scott Williams Sr. (brother of Ottis Ray Williams)

Micky and Beth Cross Wedding Picture

Many thanks to Beth Cross (Hargrave) for providing this photo of the Davis family, taken at her wedding to Micky Cross on 5/21/1977.

Front Row:  Steve Jackson, James Davis, Bobby Harris, Mike Davis (Brian Davis on knee), Johnny Davis, Allan Davis, Mike Hargrave, Paul Hargrave

Middle Row:  Pat Davis, Lynda Hargrave, Virginia Bauer (Davis), Georgia Davis (Barlow), Judy Kay Harris (Davis), Chris Davis (Williams), Annell Hargrave (Davis),  Anna (Hargrave family), Margie Hargrave, Beth Cross (Hargrave), Micky Cross, John Hatridge (groomsman)

Third Row:  Stew Bauer,  Dolly Jackson (McClinton), Ivan Neal Jackson Sr., Woody Davis, Margie Davis (Johnson), Mary Voight (Hargrave family)

James Isaac Kirkpatrick Military Headstone

James Isaac Kirkpatrick, my 4th great grandfather, was born 10/13/1827 in Tennessee.  He later moved to Cherokee County, Texas and married Martha Margaret Fulton there on 12/9/1949.  “Isaac”, as he was known, lived in Cherokee County the rest of his life.  He prospered as a farmer, and, according to the 1860 United States Federal Census, owned a 12 year-old female house slave.

Isaac served as a Private in the 17th Texas Cavalry (Confederate States of America) during the Civil War.  He passed away on 4/15/1912 at the age of 84 and was buried in Union Grove Cemetery in Jacksonville, Texas. 

To this point, I have been unable to locate any information on his lineage.  I hope to visit the Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research in the near future, with the hopes of uncovering more information.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis – Marjorie Leaine Davis (Kirkpatrick) – Woodie Tarrant Kirkpatrick – John Marion Kirkpatrick – James Isaac Kirkpatrick