Through the research of Mike Deaterla, CG, a Jackson, Ohio resident, I have recently received copies of obituaries for my great grand uncle, Rowland “Bus” Williams, and his wife, Lorelle.

This obituary is of my great grand aunt, Lorelle Williams (Fite), and was featured in the 8/14/1991 edition of the Jackson, Ohio Journal-Herald:

Lorelle Williams, 86, a former resident of Locust Street, Jackson, died at the home of her son in Jackson on Tuesday.

Born November 20, 1904, in Jackson County, she was a member of the First Baptist Church, in Jackson.

She was predeceased by her parents, William D. and Fannie Baggers Fite; her husband, Rowland (Bus) Williams; one daughter, Judy Suarez; one sister, Fannie Wilcox; two brothers, Bill Fite and Loren Fite.

Surviving are one son, Dr. Robert A. Williams of Jackson; one brother, Dick Fite of Jackson; three sisters, Edna Tackett of Columbus, Margaret Shelton, Peggy Fite, both of Jackson; and three grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Mayhew Funeral Home on Thursday, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with Reverend Lee Morris officiating.

Burial will be in the Fairmount Cemetery.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Madrith Jean Williams (Williams) – Donald Edwin Williams (brother-in-law of Lorelle Williams)

My family and I recently returned from a trip to the Walt Disney World Resort outside of Orlando, Florida. Although the weather was a bit chilly, we had a great time. Among the highlights: visiting with 39 Disney characters, celebrating Jack’s birthday at the Whispering Canyon Cafe, and riding Soarin’ with Kaylyn. Click here to view the picture set.

Brian Davis

The Works of Charles Dickens Volume I

This collection of stories from the late English novelist, Charles Dickens, sits on desk in my parents’ home.  The volume contains some wonderful illustrations and the following stories: Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Our Mutual Friend, Great Expectations, Little Dorrit, and Martin Chuzzlewit.

After careful inspection, I found the book was published by P.F. Collier in 1880, and was most likely purchased by my maternal grandparents in Ashland, Kentucky during the years 1955-1957.  It’s had its share of wear-and-tear throughout the years.  Click here to view the picture set.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr.

Christmas with Santa Claus 1978

This is a picture of me, Brian Davis, with Santa Claus in December 1978.  Photo taken in Clinton, Iowa.

Brian Davis

Miller Family Picture

This picture was taken 6/6/1980 in Muskegon, Michigan at the 50th wedding anniversary of my great grand aunt, Florence Edna Miller (Waits), and her husband, Ernest.
Back Row (Left to Right): William R. “Skip” Forsberg Jr., Scott Wingeier, William R. “Bill” Forsberg Sr.
2nd Row from back (Left to Right): Earl “Bud” Mason, Barbara “Barbi” Forsberg, Patricia “Pat” Forsberg (Miller)
3rd Row from back (Left to Right): Martha “Martie” Essebaggers (Miller), Jane Mason (Miller), Ernest Miller
4th Row from back (Left to Right): Florence Miller (Waits), Michael “Mike” Mason, Richard “Rich” Essebaggers, Marci Essebaggers
Front Row (Left to Right): Mark Mason, Kurt Essebaggers, Julie Mason

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits/sister of Florence Edna Miller)

Ralph Scott “Duke” Williams Sr., my great grandfather, was born 4/19/1903  in Lancaster, Ohio.  He died 4/1/1975 from heart failure at the Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, Virginia.  Ralph was 71 years-old at the time of his death.

Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits), my great grandmother, was born in 1901.  She died 8/6/1958 at the age of 57 in Columbus, Ohio. 

They had one child: my grandfather, Ralph Scott Williams Jr.  Their gravesite is located in Maple Hill Cemetery in Stoutsville, Ohio.

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

Remington Model 511 Scoremaster

This Remington .22 Caliber Model 511 Scoremaster Rifle was originally owned by my grandfather, James Nead Davis.  He later gave it to my father, James Michael Davis, when he was a boy.  This rifle was produced in 6/1939, the model’s first month of production.  According to Remington’s website, there were approximately 381,267 of these rifles made.  The rifle was discontinued in 1963.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis

Williams Family Picture

The Williams Family (Left to Right): my aunt, Teresa Lynn Williams (Kaiser), my grandfather, Ralph Scott Williams Jr., my mother, Christine Williams (Davis), my grandmother, Madrith Jean Williams (Williams), and my great grandmother, Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits).  Photo taken approx. 1955.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams)

Margie Leaine Davis (Kirkpatrick), my great grandmother, was born 10/29/1908  in Bridgeport, Texas (northwest of Dallas/Fort Worth).  She died of peritonitis (abdominal inflammation), which was caused by an infection from an appendectomy.  Margie was 25 years-old at the time of her death, and had three children: Woody, James, and Annell.  Her gravesite is located at Forest Glade Cemetery in Mexia, Texas.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis – Margie Leaine Davis (Kirkpatrick)

Today is the 68th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.  I’ve posted the obituary of my great grand uncle, John Cameron “Jack” Parsons, which was featured in the 11/23/1989 edition of the Corpus Christi Caller-Times.  “Big Jack” was married to my great grand aunt, Erby Katheryn Parsons (Davis) and a Pearl Harbor survivor. He served with the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean War.  Erby was a “Rosie the Riveter”, a term used to describe the women who worked in the maufacturing plants during World War II, bulding munitions and materiel, in Fort Worth, Texas:

 John Cameron (Jack) Parsons, 73, died November 21, 1989 at his residence.

He was a member of the Lily Baptist Church of Lily, Kentucky.

Mr. Parsons had been a resident of Corpus Christi since 1953.  He was a veteran of WWII and the Korean Conflict and retired from the Navy with the following decorations: American Heart Defense Medal, American Theatre Medal and the Korean Service Ribbon.

He was the President of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Member of the Fleet Reserve Association in Flour Bluff, Member of American Legion Bill Roper Post #364, Past Commander of American Legion Gragg-Sherrill Post #248, and a member of the Mayor’s Veterans Council.

He is survived by his wife, Erby Parsons, his son, Jack Cameron Parsons, his daughter, Carolyn Jean Sullivan, all of Corpus Christi, two brothers, Bill Parsons of Fairfield, Ohio and Harold Parsons of Hamilton, Ohio, four sisters, Lucy Hopkins of Lily, Kentucky, Evelyn Martin of Oceanside, California, Doris Jean Grimes and Allie [illegible] of Hamilton, Ohio, one stepdaughter, Janice Pate of Mexia, Texas, 11 grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday evening, November 23, 1989 at the Everhart Chapel.  Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, November 24, 1989 at the Everhart Chapel with Chaplain Richard C. Hettish, Dr. Loren White, Rev. Richard D. Worden and Chaplain Abel Chapa officiating.

Members of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association will act as Honorary Pallbearers.

For those wishing to make donations, the family has designated the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Local Chapter #5, c/o A.J. Dunn, Treasurer, 3105 Seafoam, Corpus Christi, Texas 78418.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis – Sherman Harry Davis (brother-in-law of John Cameron Parsons)