Jean Williams Majorette Pictures

1941 Jackson High School Band Picture

1941 Jackson High School Band Picture

My maternal grandmother, Madrith Jean Williams (Williams), was a Jackson (OH) High School Band majorette during her senior year 1941-1942. I’ve included a portrait and a few newspaper clippings that appeared in the Columbus (OH) Citizen on 12/21/1941. In the above band pictures, Jean is on the far right. Many thanks to my mom, Chris Davis, and aunt, Terry Kaiser, for providing the portrait and newspaper.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Madrith Jean Williams (Williams)

This obituary is of my 2nd great grandmother, Bertha Williams (Rowland), and was featured in the 07/30/1912 edition of The Portsmouth (OH) Daily Times:

Mrs. Wm. Williams

Jackson, July 30 – The home of William Williams of Bennett avenue, was thrown into deep mouring [sic] Sunday morning. Mrs. Williams gave birth to a child Saturday morning, which expired about 4 o’clock in the evening of the same day. Mr. Williams is employed in one of the mines in Kentucky and Mrs. Williams’ illness not appearing dangerous, word was not sent to Mr. Williams until after the death of the child.

The death of the child and complications incident to child birth effected Mrs. Williams’ heart, so that she also passed away about 3 o’clock Sunday morning. Attempts to get Mr. Williams by phone was futile as he had started for home Sunday morning. He failed to make connections and did not arrive until midnight Sunday night. He had not learned of his wife’s death until he came home.

Mrs. Williams, who was formerly Miss Bertha Rowland, was about 30 years of age. She was a sister of Mr. Joseph Rowland, proprietor of the Gem theatre. A sister resides in Portsmouth, two brothers in Newport, Ky, John and George, and Ed Rowland, of Covington, Ky. Her parents died several years ago.

Left to survive are the husband and three children, Evalyn, Donald and Rowland.

Many thanks to bobbie1401 on ancestry.com for sending the obituary link.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Madrith Jean Williams (Williams) – Donald Edwin Williams – Bertha Williams (Rowland)

This obituary is of my first cousin twice removed, Judith Ann Suarez (Williams), and was featured in the 12/28/1988 edition of the Jackson, Ohio Journal Herald:

Judith Suarez

Judith Ann Suarez, 58, of Portsmouth Street, Jackson died Thursday at her home.

Born October 16, 1930 in Jackson County, she was the daughter of Lorelle Fite Williams of Jackson and the late Roland [sic] Williams.

Besides her mother, she is survived by two sons, Peter of Jackson and Jon of Platsburg [sic], New York; a daughter, Rebecca Christanne of Syracuse, New York; and a brother, Dr. Robert Williams of Jackson.

Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday at the Jackson Christian Church with Rev. Clayton Garland officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Mayhew Funeral Home.

Many thanks to Mike Deaterla, CG for his assistance in locating and mailing the obituary.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Madrith Jean Williams (Williams) – Donald Edwin Williams (uncle of Judith Ann Suarez)

Bertha Williams (Rowland) and Children Picture

The Williams Family (Left to Right): my great grandfather, Donald Edwin Williams, my great grand uncle, Rowland A. “Bus” Williams, my 2nd great grandmother, Bertha L. Williams (Rowland), and my great grand aunt, Evalyn R. Williams (Gahm). Photo taken approx. 1905 in Jackson, Ohio.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Madrith Jean Williams (Williams) – Donald Edwin Williams – Bertha Williams (Rowland)

This obituary is of my great grand uncle, Rowland A. “Bus” Williams, and was featured in the 6/22/1981 edition of the Jackson, Ohio Journal-Herald:

Funeral services were held today (Monday) at the Sperry Funeral Home for Rowland A. “Bus” Williams, age 77, of Locust Street, Jackson who died 11:15 p.m. Friday at his home following several years of failing health.

Born in Jackson, he was a lifetime resident of the community and was a retired salesman for Stiffler’s Stores. He also operated the shoe store at the South Street Clinic for many years and was a member of the Jackson Christian Church.

Son of the late William and Bertha Rowland Williams; he is survived by his wife, Lorelle Fite Williams; one son, Dr. Robert Williams of Jackson; one daughter, Mrs. Judy Williams Suarez of Syracuse, New York; brother, Donald of Minford; sister, Mrs. Theodore (Evelyn) Gahm of Jackson; and three grandchildren.

Rev. James Gleaves officiated the last rites. Burial was made in Fairmount Cemetery.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Madrith Jean Williams (Williams) – Donald Edwin Williams (brother of Rowland Williams)

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)