Sherman Davis Obituary

Sherman Davis

This obituary is of my great grandfather, Sherman H. “Johnny” Davis, and was featured in the May 6, 1992 edition of the Tyler (TX) Courier-Times:

Rites For S.H. ‘Johnny’ Davis Scheduled Thursday Afternoon

Graveside services for Sherman H. ‘Johnny’ Davis, 84, Tyler, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. George Richardson officiating. Arrangements are under direction of Memorial Funeral Home West in Tyler.

Mr. Davis died Tuesday at his home after a lengthy illness.

He was born June 9, 1907, in Mexia and lived in Tyler 36 years after moving from Corpus Christi. He was a member of First Christian Church. He was retired after 42 years as a superintendent with Arco Oil Co. and was an independent oil operator. He acquired the nickname “Johnny” when he worked in the Texas oil fields at the age of 13.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Davis, Tyler; two sons, Woody Burl Davis, Hilltop Lake, and James Nead Davis, Robstown; two daughters, Annell Hargrave, Houston, and Virginia Bauer, McAllen; a step-daughter, Nancy Nash, Kent, Wash.; a sister, Erby K. Parsons, Corpus Christi; 12 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and two step great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Paul Hargrave, Patrick Davis, Johnny Davis, Michael Davis, Allen Davis, Michael Hargrave, John C. Burrett and Bobby Ray Harris.

Family visitation will be 7-8 tonight in the funeral home.

Many thanks to Barbara Galbreath of the Tyler (TX) Public Library for providing a copy of the obituary.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis – Sherman H. Davis

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 maternal grandfather, Ralph Scott Williams Jr., and was featured in the July 1967 edition of On Stream, the Columbia Gulf Transmission Company newsletter:

RALPH S. WILLIAMS JR. DIES OF HEART SEIZURE

Ralph S. Williams Jr., Measurement Superintendent since January 1960, died Tuesday, June 20, in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Williams, 45, was attending an Advanced Management Course at the University of Virginia at the time of his death. He was playing golf during a classroom break when he suffered a heart seizure. He died early Tuesday evening at a hospital without regaining consciousness. Funeral services were held Saturday, June 24, in Lancaster, Ohio, his hometown. Burial was in Stoutsville, Ohio.

Surviving are his wife, Jean, two daughters, Teresa, 19, and Christine, 15, and his father, Ralph S. Williams Sr. of Columbus, Ohio.

Williams joined Columbia Gulf in 1954 as Measurement Engineer and later served as Corrosion Engineer and Transmission Engineer before his promotion to Measurement Superintendent. Previously he had worked for Texas Eastern Transmission Corporation and Ohio Fuel Gas Company.

He had served on committees of the American Gas Association, Southern Gas Association, Appalachian Gas Measurement Short Course and the Gulf Coast Gas Measurement Society of Houston. At the time of his death he was president of the Gulf Coast group. Members of that group, in a tribute, said, “Words cannot express the deep loss felt by our membership. Ralph’s knowledge of men and measurement, his dedication to his work and to his company and his many hours of extra commitment on behalf of our measurement science must not go without recognition. He will be missed at future gatherings of measurement men.”

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

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)

This obituary is of my 3rd great grandfather, George Milligan, and was featured in the 7/30/1907 edition of the Lancaster Daily Eagle:

DEATH OF OLR SOLDIER

Mr. George Milligan, aged about 60 years, a veteran of the Civil war, died today at his home in Oakland, after only a few days’ illness. He leaves a wife and five children to mourn. He was also a brother-in-law of Mrs. William Rogers of Lancaster. Mrs. Rogers will go to Oakland Wednesday morning.

The following appeared in the 8/1/1907 edition of the Lancaster Daily Eagle:

The following persons were called to attend the funeral of Mr. George Milligan, which was conducted this forenoon at 10 o’clock: Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Rodgers, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Cave, Mrs. Ned Wait, Mrs. Andrew Saum.

Many thanks to Charlotte Dittmar for her assistance in locating and mailing the final Lancaster, Ohio obituary. She has been an enormous help with my research.

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

Mary Louise Waits (Morris) Obituary

This obituary is of my 3rd great grandmother, Mary Louise Waits (Morris), and was featured in the 7/14/1922 edition of the Lancaster Daily Gazette:

Mary Louise, daughter of Henry and Lydia Morris was born Dec. 20, 1851 at West Rushville Ohio. Died at Drinkle July 10, 1922, age 70 years, six months and 21 days. She was uinted (sic) in marriage to Eli Waits October 28, 1869. To this union were born four sons, Perry, Clint, and Clay of Lancaster, William of Columbus and one daughter, Mrs. May Hedges. Four sisters, one brother, thirteen grandchildren, one great grandchild and a host of friends mourn her loss.

During the pastorale of Rev. Montgomery, thirty-eight years ago, she united with the Zion United Brethren Church. Since that time she has been an earnest Christian and a faithful consistent member of the church. She was a good neighbor and a loving mother and her departure saddens many hearts.

The funeral was held from the home and was largely attended, showing the esteem in which she was held. Rev. Chester E. Tulga was in charge of the services. Resolutions of apreciation (sic) and sympathy from the Ladies’ Aid Society were read.

Her body was laid to rest in the Stoutsville cemetery, there to await the morning of the resurrection.

We desire to thank those who so kindly assisted through the illness and death of our dear wife and mother, Rev. Tulga for his words of comfort and Mr. Crite the funeral director for his good service and kindess.

Mr. Eli Waits and children 7-14

Many thanks to Charlotte Dittmar for all of her assistance in locating and mailing all of the Lancaster, Ohio obituaries. She has been an enormous help with my research.

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

This obituary is of my great grand uncle, Charles Richard “Dick” Waits. At the time, he was the 90th Fairfield County, Ohio serviceman killed in action, and the 109th war death from that county since Pearl Harbor. The article was featured in the 4/20/1945 edition of the Lancaster Eagle Gazette:

Three Lancastrians Lose Lives At War

… T-5 Corporal Charles Richard (Dick) Waits, 25, husband of Mrs. Margaret Ann Waits, 111 North Pearl-av, and only son of Mr. and Mrs. Harmon C. Waits, 702 Eastwood-av. A tank gunner in an armored division of the Seventh Army, Cpl. Waits was reported by the War Department as killed in action April 6 in Germany.

T-5 Corporal Waits, who would have been 26 years old on April 27, has been reported by the War Department as killed in action April 6, somewhere in Germany. His wife is the former Margaret Ann Phillips, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ross Phillips of the Pearl-av address. For the past year, Mrs. Waits has been helping her sister, Mrs. Paul Hang (Betty Phillips) operate the Isaly Company store in Circleville during the absence of Paul Hang, formerly of Lancaster, who has been serving overseas. Twice wounded, Pvt. Hang has been returned to the States and is now visiting his family in Circleville.

Cpl. Waits entered the Army here December 9, 1941, received training at Fort Knox, Ky. and Camp Polk, La., in the Armored Force, then was at Temple, Texas, Camp Hood, Texas, receiving further instruction in tank and tank destroyer operation and maintenance, and also at Camp Pickett, Va. He sailed overseas in April, 1943, two years ago; arriving in North Africa where he served in the North African campaign.

Waits took part in the invasion of Sicily in July, 1943 and also in the invasion of Italy at Salerno in September, 1943, attached to a unit of the 45th Division, then a part of the U.S. 5th Army.

He also saw service at Cassino, Gela, Palermo and during the drive on Rome with the armored force. Last August Waits participated in the invasion of Southern France. He was in maintenance, then a half-track crew member, then a tank driver, and at the time of his death was a tank gunner attached to the 753rd Tank battalion of an armored division in the 7th Army, possibly in the Nuermberg (sic) sector of Germany.

Battalion Honored

Cpl. Waits and other members of the battalion had received the French Croix de Guerre, and the Vermillion Star recently for their outstanding operations with French units during a phase of the Italian campaign last year.

Prior to his induction T/5 Cpl. Waits was employed at the Sohio filling station, corner Broad and Chestnut-sts. He was a graduate of Lancaster High School, where he played football.

In addition to his wife and parents, Cpl. Waits leaves three sisters, Miss May Waits, chief telephone operator here, Mrs. Ernest Miller, Muskegon, Mich., and Mrs. Ralph Williams, Columbus.

The last letter Mrs. Waits received from her husband was dated March 30, from somewhere inside Germany.

I’d also like to mention the other two servicemen mentioned in the article:

First Lieutenant William S. Massey (5/9/1917 – 3/26/1945), 187th Glider Infantry, 11th Airborne, United States Army, died of battle wounds in the Philippines. He is buried in the Manila American Cemetery.

Corporal Kenneth Kinney Metcalf (8/15/1922 – 4/5/1945), 6th Division, United States Marine Corps, was KIA at Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands, 350 miles from Japan. He is buried in Forest Rose Cemetery in Lancaster, Ohio.

Through my many internet wanderings and various Ohio contacts, I had never been able to locate this newspaper article. Many, many thanks to Jane Mason (Miller) for locating and mailing a copy!

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits/sister of Charles Richard Waits)

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)

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)