Wednesday Woman

 

Let me try out a new blog post theme for Wednesdays.  In these posts, I will share information about a woman in my family tree whom I admire, know a story about, or know very little about in the hopes I will learn more from my readers.  

I am starting this series with my great-grandmother, Emma Vermell Harrell Drake (1867-1935).  She was my father's maternal grandmother, but he never knew her.  I do not know much about her, but hopefully someone out there can fill in some blanks.

Emma Vermell Harrell was born September 4, 1867 in Emanuel County, Georgia, the oldest child of William Robert Harrell (1838-1908) and Catherine M. Odom (1841-1875).  Emma's mother died when she was just 8 years old.  Her father remarried 2.5 years later and had two sons with his second wife, Winford "Mimie" Barwick (1853-1939).  

She married William John Drake (1857-1927) when she was only 15 years old on July 30, 1883.  John was 10 years older than her.  He was a widower with a 2.5 year old when he and Emma married.  I don't know for sure, but I am sure Emma raised that daughter after the marriage. They lived in the Adrian area. John was a Methodist preacher, so therefore, Emma was a preacher's wife.  

John and Emma had 9 children:

* Hattie Lay Drake (1884-1912).  

Hattie married George Wesley Wise (1883-1962) and they had one child,

        - Minne Sadie Wise (1911-1996).  

Hattie passed away from typhoid fever.  Interesting twist in that her widower, George Wesley Wise, married Hattie's half sister, her father's daughter from his first marriage, Samantha Augusta Drake (1881-1966).  He needed help raising Sadie and Samantha agreed.  

* Kenneth Catherine Drake (1886-1973)

Kenneth married Joshua Franklin Howell in 1907 and moved to South Carolina.  They had 10 children:

- Bessie Lou Howell (1909-1991)

- Luther William Howell (1912-1978)

- Louise Vermell Howell (1913-1986)

- Eula Mae Howell (1915-2001)

- Katie Marie Howell (1917-2004)

- William Thomas Howell Sr (1919-1994)

- Johnnie Doris Howell (1921-? )

- Viola Catherine Howell (1923-2019)

- Joshua Franklin Howell (Jr) (1925-?)

- Joseph Henry Howell Sr (1927-2003)

* William Lovick Drake (1892-1912) 

Lovick died from typhoid fever, same as his sister, Hattie.  It went through the entire family and everyone else recovered.

* Nealie Vermell Drake (1895-1970)

My grandmother.  She married Lusion Keman "Loosh" Tapley (1870-1935) in 1914.  She was his third wife and raised his three sons after the death of his second wife, Mattie Schwalls (1877-1912). Nealie and Loosh had six children of their own:

- William Lamar Tapley (1915-1985)

- John Russell "Russ" Tapley (1917-1967)

- Hugh Dorsey 'Dorse' Tapley (1919-2007)

- Jack Dempsey Tapley (1932-1994)

- Irene Tapley (1925-2004)

- Gilbert Earl Tapley (1928-2008) - My father.

* William Robert Drake (1897-1927)

Robert was married to Fannie Gallens. He was murdered when there was an altercation between him and a drifter he and his friends were harassing.  The drifter shot Robert. 

* James Weldon Drake (1900-1977)

James moved to Florida and married Corrie Evelyn Nicols (1906-2005).  They had 3 children:

- Sarah Joyce Drake (1927-?)

- James Robert Drake (1931-?)

- June Carol Drake (1936-2000)

* Keland Lawton Drake Sr (1903-1972)

Lawton also moved to Florida.  He married Maude Helen Crews (1908-1999) and they had 1 child:

- Keland Lawton Drake Jr (1932-2010)

* Nancy Mary Ann Drake (1906-1931)

Nancy married Alvin Donaldson and they had one child:

- Alvin Donaldson (Jr)

* Martha Lou Drake (1908-1986)

 Marthie was another one who relocated to Florida.  She married Leamon Ellison (1906-1987) and they had no children.  

That makes 23 grand-children for John and Emma Harrell Drake.  

On August 10, 1927 (just 2 months after their son, Robert, was murdered), John Drake, Emma's husband, got up in the middle of the night and went outside. When he returned, their son, James, accidentally shot his father, not realizing who it was until it was too late.  As he was dying John told that it was an accident, took the blame and therefore exonerated his son.

The story whispered in the family is that Emma was mentally "off." Crazy even.  I offer that she had good reason to be.  She lost her mother when she was very young. She lost 2 children to typhoid fever in 1912.  She herself had the fever and recovered. She lost a son to homicide in June 1927 and then her husband was shot and killed by their own son in August 1927.  

In addition, my grandmother evidently never saw or talked to her parents after she married my grandfather, Loosh Tapley.  I am guessing her parents were not thrilled with the 25 year age difference, that he had been married twice before, and he had 4 children from those marriages.  When I pointed out to my father that his grandmother, Emma, died three months after his father, he had no recollection of going to the funeral or his mother going.  He never met his grandmother.

Plus at least 3 of her other children moved away before Emma passed.  It would not be so easy to travel in the 1930's so I don't know how much she saw them.

So I would venture to say that Emma had to be a strong woman with a true faith that got her through all those hard things in her life.  She worked hard and was a faithful and loving wife and mother.  She deserves to be admired and honored.  

Tombstone Tuesday

 

Aubrey M Drake
1925-1981

buried at

Poplar Springs Methodist Church Cemetery
Adrian, Johnson County, Georgia,  USA

Amanuensis Monday

 This Monday, I have had transcribed a North Carolina deed dated May 22, 1750 between my 6th great-grandfather, Hosea Tapley (1691-1778) and William Short.

Tapley to Short

"North Carolina /

 

This Indenture made the twenty second day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven Hundred and Fifty Between Hosea Tapley of Northampton County in the said province _____

of the one Part and William Short of the said County _____ of the other Part Witnesseth that the said Hosea Tapley for and in consideration of the sum of Fifty Pounds current money of Virginia to me 

in hand paid by the said William Short before the sealing and delivery hereof the receipt whereof I do  hereby Acknowledge and myself contented and paid have given Granted bargained Sold conveyed and Confirmed and do by these present fully freely and absolutely give grant bargain sell _____ convey Confirm unto the said William Short his heirs and Assigns forever a Certain Parcel of land containing two hundred and twenty Acres being known by the name of great Island and little Island Alias 

Miller Island and Barks Island Situate in Marratoke River above the falls within the County of North ampton which land was granted to Rowland Williams by Patent bearing date the 18th day of June 

1741 and by the said Rowland Williams conveyed to me by a Deed proved upon record in the said County and was conveyed by me to the said Short by Deed and _____ of James McMancey 

and upon record in the said County bearing date the 13th day of December 1748 with all _____ _____ Commodities and Appurtenances to the said Islands belonging or Appertaining with the Reversion and Reversions remainder and remainders rents issues and profits thereof of every part and parcel thereof 

To Have and to Hold the said two hundred and twenty Acres of land and Premises hereby granted 

to the only sole proper use benefit and behoof of him the said William Short his heirs and Assigns  forever And I the said Hosea Tapley for myself my heirs Ers and Administrators do covenant and agree to said worth the said William Short his heirs and Assigns that the said Hosea Tapley at the time of the execution hereby and Lawfully possessed of all and every where the Premises hereby granted as an absolute Estate of Inheritance in fee Simple having in myself full Power and authority to sell and dispose of the same 

in manner as aforesaid and that the said Land and Premises is free and clear from all other Gifts 

grants bargains sales leases Mortgages and all manner of incumbrances whatsoever further the said Hosea Tapley my heirs Ers and Administrators the said land and premises with all  & every the Appurtenances unto the said William Short his heirs and Assigns will warrant and forever Defend by these presents against the lawful claims and demands of all & every person or persons whatsoever and shall and will at any time hereafter on demand give and execute such further and other conveyance or assurances for the better _____ the _____ granted premises unto the said William Short his heirs Erd and Assigns as by the said William Short his heirs or Assigns or their Council Learned in the Law 

can be reasonably _____ advised or required. In Witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and Seal the Day and Year above written.

Signed sealed and Delivered in presence of  
Robert Stuart, Chad Edwards Junior}

                                                                                                                Hosea Tapley and a seal

Northampton County ss / May Court 1750

The above written Deed from Hosea Tapley to William Short was acknowledged in open court in 
due form of Law and Sarah the wife of the said Hosea Tapley being privately examined & 
Voluntarily relinquished her right of Dower to the Land contained Herein which was ordered to be registered.

Seal J. Edwards Clerk"

Transcription by Gemini Google.  Even with AI's help and my proofreading, there are a few words that neither of us could make out.  If you can, please let me know!

"An amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates, or to copy what has been written. The term comes from the Latin phrase servus a manuensis (a slave belonging to the handwriting department or a secretary).

Historically, an amanuensis served several important roles:

• Dictation Secretary: Writing down letters, books, or legal documents as an author, official, or landowner dictated them aloud.

• Copyist: Meticulously handwriting or reproducing manuscripts, deeds, and historical records before the widespread use of typewriters and photocopying.

• Literary Assistant: Helping scholars, poets, or politicians manage their correspondence and preserve their works—historically common when authors had poor eyesight, hand injuries, or simply massive volumes of letters to send." - Google Gemini

Sympathy Saturday

    Sympathy Saturday will be where I share the obituaries and my condolences for members of my family tree who passed recently.  When you get to be a certain age, you begin to read the obituaries every day.  As the days go by, you read about more and more of your friends and family members who have died.  You compare their age to your own and get a jolt. "That could have been me." 

    For genealogists, checking obituaries and visiting cemeteries is as normal as breathing. I learn so much from an obituary, i.e., maiden names, parents' names; children's' and grandchildren's' names, funeral and burial locations, sometimes even a cause of death.  I want to learn these things not for any purpose but to put it on the family tree for future generations to see and learn about the family that went before them. I admit, most of these relatives I have never met, but I think it is important to share that they were here on this Earth, and they were important.

    So I am signed up with at least three funerals homes from Swainsboro, Vidalia, and Wrightsville to get daily notices of obituaries sent to my email.  Every day, I peruse them and with the help of the family tree, figure out who is related to me and add any new information to the tree. Some weeks there are several, and some weeks there are none. This week there are two who actually passed away a few months ago as I got behind on email for while. So I may be doubling up for a few weeks.

    Please join me in offering condolences to their families and holding them in the light.

Rita Tapley Marshall
April 20, 1942 - May 14, 2026
Waycross, Ware, Georgia, USA

Rita Tapley "Nanu" Marshall, 84, died peacefully in her sleep early Thursday morning (May 14, 2026) following a brief illness at Waycross Health and Rehabilitation.

She was born in Villa Rica GA, had lived most of her life in Marietta GA before making her home in Waycross for the past 8 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harley Eugene Marshall, a son Kevin Howard Marshall and her parents Carl Norman Tapley and Roberta Lee Tapley.

She was a member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church and the Adult Ladies 2. Sunday School Class.

Survivors include her son: David Marshall (wife Briana), a granddaughter, Isabela Marshall, and a grandson, Elijah Marshall all of Waycross; a sister: Cathy Miller (husband Art) of Magnolia Springs AL, and two nephews, Drew Miller of Magnolia Springs, AL and Ben Miller of Tallapoosa GA.

In lieu of flowers it is requested that donations be made to Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 7136 Central Ave, Waycross, GA 31503 or online at www.pvbcwaycross.org.

A committal service will be held at 3:00 PM Saturday (May 16, 2026) in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Villa Rica, GA.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday (May 26, 2026) at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the church Fellowship Hall.

Sympathy can be expressed by signing the online registry at www.musicfuneralhome.com.

Music Funeral Home of Waycross is in charge of arrangements.

Marcella Diane Nail Sapp
July 08, 1967 - June 01, 2026

Marcella Diane Sapp, 58, entered into eternal rest on June 1, 2026, at Community Hospice.

Born on July 8, 1967, Marcella was the daughter of Velma Beasley Curl of Reidsville and Ben L. Nail of Collins. She was a 1985 graduate of Pinewood Christian Academy and knew from an early age that she was called to become a teacher. She attended Georgia Southern University, where she earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Early Childhood Education.

Marcella devoted her life to teaching and nurturing young minds. During her career, she taught in the Tattnall, Montgomery, and Wheeler County school systems. Although she never had children of her own, she lovingly considered her students to be her children. She poured her heart into the classroom and touched the lives of countless students and their families through her compassion, patience, and dedication.

A faithful member of First Baptist Church of Lyons, Marcella’s life was grounded in her Christian faith. Shortly after beginning her teaching career, she married the love of her life, William “Lee” Sapp of Lyons. Together they shared more than thirty-one years of marriage built on faith, love, laughter, and unwavering devotion.

In November 2004, Marcella was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor, a diagnosis that ultimately prevented her from returning to the classroom she loved so dearly. Through every challenge that followed, Lee remained faithfully by her side, honoring the vows he made before God. Despite the limitations imposed by her illness, Marcella and Lee continued to enjoy road trips and make cherished memories together for many years.

In January 2023, Marcella’s health declined further, leaving her bedridden. Yet even then, her mind remained as sharp as ever. She enjoyed talking on the phone with family and friends, sharing good food, and watching her favorite television programs. Though her earthly body endured many hardships, Marcella rarely complained. Those closest to her knew that if she voiced her struggles, it was in prayer. In her Bible, she had marked Psalm 143, a quiet testimony to the faith that sustained her through difficult days. Though she seldom shared her burdens with others, she faithfully carried them to the Lord in prayer.

Marcella will be remembered for her loving heart, her dedication to education, her quiet strength, and her steadfast faith in God. Her grace in the face of adversity was an inspiration to all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her stepmother, Kay Lively Nail; her brother-in-law, Dewey O. Batton; and her grandparents, Otis and Jessie Beasley and Frank and Eunice Nail.

Left to cherish her memory are her devoted husband of more than thirty-one years, William “Lee” Sapp; her beloved fur babies; her mother and stepfather, Velma and Gary Curl of Reidsville; her father, Ben L. Nail of Collins; her sister, Melissa Batton of Lyons; her brother, Brent Nail (MaryLynn) of Bishop; her niece, Laura Johnson of Lebanon, Tennessee; her nephew, Ben Johnson of Atlanta; her nephew, Garrett Nail, and her niece, Gracen Nail, both of Bishop; her great-nephews, Camdon Cody and Carson Cody of Lebanon, Tennessee; and numerous extended family members, former students, and dear friends.

A graveside funeral service celebrating Marcella’s life will be held on Saturday morning, June 6th, 2026, at 10:00 at Cedar Creek Primitive Baptist Church, 1199 Cedar Creek Church Road, Collins, Georgia. Pastor Brian Durden will officiate.

Pallbearers are Brent Nail, Garrett Nail, James Rogers, Joe Skeens, Ben Johnson, and Tommy Kennedy.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice Foundation, PO Box 2277, Vidalia, GA 30475, in Marcella’s memory.

Though she is no longer with us, Marcella’s legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the students she inspired, and the family and friends who were blessed to know and love her.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23

Written by her sister, Melissa.

Friday's Faces from the Past

 

John Morgan Swain
1855-1925

John Morgan Swain was born in Georgia, but spent the vast majority of his life in Florida.  I can tell this picture was more than likely taken in Florida as there are palm trees in the background.

Interesting tidbit about him and his wife, Sarah Ellen Anderson Swain.  They had 10 children, and they named 7 of them after U.S. states:

    Indiana (1876-1943)

    Idaho (1878-1951)

    California (1880-1951)

    Dakota (1882-1946)

    Minnesota (1884-1965)

    Connecticut (1887-1889)

    Arizona (1889-1891)

The story is that after Connecticut and Arizona died so young, John Morgan and Sarah Ellen were afraid they had jinxed themselves by naming all their girls after states. So their next child was born in 1892 and they gave her and the youngest two "traditional" names.  They all three lived to adulthood.  (And yes, they finally had a boy!)

Timeline Thursday

Timeline of the life of 

Harry Earl Tapley Jr.
(1968-1986) 

Pretty timeline courtesy of ChatGPT.  

Please note that we don't do "half" in this family.  Harry Sr. was my brother and Harry Jr. was my beloved nephew.  

Wedding (Anniversary) Wednesday!

 

1988, Ancestry.com

Remer Willis 

(1918-1997)

and

Willie Mazie Caraway Willis 

(1923-1992)

Married April 2, 1938
in Vidalia, Toombs, Georgia, USA

"Mr. & Mrs. Remer Willis Mark Golden Wedding Anniversary

Mr. and Mrs. Remer Willis who reside on Taylor Springs Road were honored on April 2nd when they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. The affair took place at the home of a son, Wade Willis on normantown Road, with children of the couple including Mr. and Mrs. Larry Willis of Griffin; Mr. and Mrs. Donnie Willis of Newnan; Eudine and Royce Teuscher of Orlando, Fla.; Mr. and Mrs. H.T. Taylor of Marshall, Texas; and Mrs. Helen Willis Bass of Griffin as co-host with Mr. and Mrs. Wade Willis.

Both Mr. Willis and his bride of 50 years, the former Mazie Caraway, are natives of Toombs County.

They have 23 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Listed among guests attending the affair were: Bill and Bernice Winn, R.W. and Murline Willis, George and Jeanette Hadden, Joyce Fields, Donnie and Rachel Willis, Stephanie and Sherry, Larry and Faye Willis, Alechia, Nathan and Timothy, Eudine and Royce Teuscher, Chris, Greg and Brian, Wade and Helen Willis, Allen, Jack, Jason, Vickie Stephens and Cory, Janice Humphrey, Jamie, Jennifer, Harry & Betty Taylor, Mrs. S.L. Britt, Darrell & Connie Jones and children, Timothy, Rebecca and Amanda."

Tombstone Tuesday

 

Arthur Lee "Buck" Tapley Jr.
1922 - 1944

buried at

Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial
Nettuno, Citta' Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Lazio, Italy

Military Monday

 

Paul Wallace Smith
1928-1997

Cpl, U.S. Marine Corps, World War II

Sympathy Saturday

    Sympathy Saturday will be where I share the obituaries and my condolences for members of my family tree who passed recently.  When you get to be a certain age, you begin to read the obituaries every day.  As the days go by, you read about more and more of your friends and family members who have died.  You compare their age to your own and get a jolt. "That could have been me." 

    For genealogists, checking obituaries and visiting cemeteries is as normal as breathing. I learn so much from an obituary, i.e., maiden names, parents' names; children's' and grandchildren's' names, funeral and burial locations, sometimes even a cause of death.  I want to learn these things not for any purpose but to put it on the family tree for future generations to see and learn about the family that went before them. I admit, most of these relatives I have never met, but I think it is important to share that they were here on this Earth, and they were important.

    So I am signed up with at least three funerals homes from Swainsboro, Vidalia, and Wrightsville to get daily notices of obituaries sent to my email.  Every day, I peruse them and with the help of the family tree, figure out who is related to me and add any new information to the tree. Some weeks there are several, and some weeks there are none. This week there are two that actually passed away in the Spring. I got behind on email for while.

    Please join me in offering condolences to their families and holding them in the light.

Dessie Lewis Claxton

December 27, 1941 - April 14, 2026

Dessie Lewis Claxton, age 84, of Swainsboro, died Tuesday morning, April 14, 2026, at Emanuel County Nursing Home after an extended illness. Funeral services were held Friday, April 17, at 11 a.m. at Union Primitive Baptist Church with Elder Sam Bowen officiating and Elder Will Martin assisting. Mr. Claxton lay in state one hour prior to service. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Family received friends Thursday, April 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Tomlinson Funeral Home. Pallbearers were his grandsons. Lewis was born December 27, 1941, in Swainsboro, to the late Elder William Claxton and Nannie Lou Hudson Claxton, and was a lifelong resident of Emanuel County. He was a truck driver for over 35 years and retired from Claxton Septic Service. Lewis was a very loving daddy who instilled in his girls at an early age to always take care of each other as well as others around them. He enjoyed gardening and was very passionate about fishing. Nothing made him happier than a string of “good eatin’ size” bream. Lewis’ greatest pleasure was sharing a meal with someone. He was a member of Union Primitive Baptist Church. Mr. Claxton is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Linda Watkins Claxton; stepmother, Sarah Hudson Claxton; brother, Harold Claxton; and special friend, Catherine Kirby. Survivors include his daughters, Lesa Edwards, Barbara Williamson, Jane Claxton and Betty (Shane) Blalock; bonus son, Roy (Linda) Smith; step-sisters, Judy (Russell) Moore, Barbara (Allen) Strickland and Jessie (Donnie) Garrett; brother-in-law, Glen (Tammy) Watkins; grandchildren, Steven (Leslie) Edwards, Matthew Edwards (Kelsi McElroy), Tyler (Holly) Williamson, Faith (Brandon) Page, Tammie (Chance) Callaway, Katelyn (John) Hooks, Bill (Nikki) Hackle, Ryan Blalock, Ashley Blalock, Kayte Blalock and Morgan Blalock; great-grandchildren, Dylan (Emilie) Edwards, Baylee Edwards, Ashton Edwards, Karson McElroy, Danni Lynn Williamson, Demi Williamson, Denver Williamson, Weston Page, Collins Page, Gannon Williford, Chandler Callaway, Karsyn Callaway, Madilyn Hooks, Tucker Hooks, Eli Hackle, Baylor Hackle, Ansley Crosby, Avery Crosby, Ava Crosby and Leah Osborne; special nieces, Karen (David) Underwood, Laura (Billy) Tompkins, Jill (Tom) Usher and Julie (Andy) Love. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Union Primitive Baptist Church, c/o Barbara Williamson, 114 Francis Ave., Swainsboro, GA 30401. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Emanuel County Nursing Home and Pruitt Health Hospice for taking such excellent care of their dad the past year. Tomlinson Funeral Home of Swainsboro was in charge of arrangements.

Linda Marie Claxton Scarboro

April 19, 1959 - May 10, 2026

Mrs. Linda Marie Scarboro, 67, of Swainsboro passed away Sunday, May 10, 2026, at her residence. She was born on April 19, 1959. in Swainsboro to the late Carvie Claxton and Alma Thelma Gregory Claxton. Linda was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Rex Scarboro; grandson, Christian Malphrus; sisters, Jeanine Sumner, Gloria Scarboro; brother, Carvie “Buddy” Claxton, Jr.

Linda was a simple gracious woman whose life was defined by service. Through her work caring for patients at PruittHealth, she offered compassion, dignity and warmth to those who needed it most.

Her quiet strength and steady kindness touched many lives and reflected the depth of her character. She carried a deep love for God and found peace in the beauty of nature where she felt closest to her faith. Those who knew her will remember her gentle spirit and humility and the way she gave of herself without hesitation. Her legacy is one of love, service and quiet grace.

Survivors include her daughters, Diane Craig of Aiken, SC, Samantha Scarboro of Twin City, Carol Scarboro of Swainsboro; grandchildren, Nathan Henry (Jessica), Courtney Carter (Shayla), Jamie Bush, Samuel Scarboro; great-grandchildren, Peyton Henry, Leliana Harris; brother, Glen Claxton of Atlanta; sisters, Mary Wilson of Kingsland, Patricia Radford of Augusta; several nieces, nephews and many friends.

Funeral Services will be on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Chapman Funeral Home with Reverend Mark Hardin officiating.

Interment will be in Bithynia Primitive Baptist Church cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to services.

Condolences may be made at www.chapmanfhofswainsboro.com.

Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Linda Marie Scarboro, 67, of Swainsboro.

Here's how these Claxtons were related to each other:

Treasure Chest Thursday

     As I have shared on this blog, my maternal grandparents, Charles Morgan Tapley (1907-1973) and Ethel Irene Ranney Tapley (1913-1973) passed away the same day in November 1973.  (You can read about this here.)  I was only 6 years old.  I don't remember a whole lot about the time leading up to the funeral or the funeral itself.  I know a lot of people came to the house in Swainsboro, which is where my grandparents lived.  There were some I had never met, which seemed to have stayed in my memory the most vividly.  There were some I knew well.  And there was my Uncle Hugh.  He was my father's brother, and he was my favorite uncle.  I don't remember his arrival from Florida.  He was just suddenly there late in the evening.  The next day, he went to the flower shop to order flowers for the funeral, and for whatever reason, he took me with him.  I like to think that he could see I was overwhelmed with all the activity and people at the house.  I don't know for sure.  

    He made his selection for flowers, and I don't know if I was looking at this little flower bouquet in a wicker basket or not, but he bought it for me.  Please understand that this was so out of character for my Uncle Hugh.  He was notoriously tight with his money - it's a family joke that he squeaked when he walked.   So looking back, to me it meant that he saw a little girl's pain and loneliness (and of course I was his favorite niece) and wanted to give me something to hold on to in the coming days. 

    Little did he know that I have now held onto it for 53 years.  It has its own place of honor in my corner curio cabinet with all of my other precious family treasures.  When I look at it, I am reminded of the love between an uncle and a niece and the thoughtfulness that came out of that love.

    It may not be much to look at now, but it means the world to me.  Thank you, Uncle Hugh.

Wedding Wednesday

 

Newspapers.com, The Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery, Alabama,
Sunday July 24, 1960, Page 38

Reba Joyce McGhee

1940-2023

and

Richard Larry Ahlgren

1936-2005

married

July 16, 1960

Montgomery, Montgomery, Alabama, USA

Miss McGhee, Airman Ahlgren Exchange Vows

Miss Reba Joyce McGhee became the bride of Airman Richard Ahlgren, of San Diego, Calif., presently stationed at Sage at Gunter AFB, July 16 in the Chisholm Methodist Church.

The bride is the daughter of Mrs. L. B. McCormack, of Montgomery, and the groom is the son of Mrs. Ellen Livingston, of San Diego, Calif.

The Rev. Roy Gambler performed the double ring ceremony and nuptial music was presented by Miss Telsie Ellis, organist and Miss Joyce Robinson, soloist.

Given in marriage by her brother-in-law, E. E. Moore, of Montgomery, the bride wore a waltz length gown of white lace over silk taffeta. Her elbow length veil of illusion, fell from a tiara encrusted in pearls. She carried a bouquet of white carnations.

Mrs. E. E. Moore, sister of the bride, was matron of honor and only attendant. She wore a dress of pastel yellow chiffon over taffeta with a Juliet cap trimmed with a circular illusion veil. She carried a bouquet of white and orchid carnations.

Airman Jessie Dale, of Gunter, was best man. Ushers were Airman Jim Ingram and Airman John McFaddin, also of Gunter.

For the wedding trip to the mountains the bride changed to a yellow linen sheath with bone accessories.

The couple is residing in Montgomery. - Transcription provided by Google Gemini.

Tuesday Timeline

Time Line for the life of James Alonzo “Lon” Tapley

(1866-1919)

1866 Age 0	Birth	23 August Mississippi, USA
1868  Age 1	Birth of Sister	Ida Tapley was born on 07 April. Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi, USA
1870 Age 3	Census	Hinds County, Mississippi, USA Residence Post Office: Clinton
1874 Age 7	Birth of Sister	Fannie Lee Tapley was born on 26 July Mississippi, USA
1877 Age 10	Birth of Sister	Mary Jo Tapley was born 11 May. Mississippi, USA
1880 Age 13	Census	Liberty Grove, Hinds, Mississippi, USA
1891 Age 25	Marriage	Lon married Lida Chapman on 21 November Raymond, Hinds, Mississippi, USA
1893 Age 26	Historical Event	Women’s Suffrage in New Zealand. In 1893, New Zealand became the first country to give women the right to vote.
1894 Age 27	Death of Sister	Mary Jo Tapley passed away on 20 July Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi, USA
1894 Age 28	Birth of 1st Child	Durwood Vivian Tapley, a son, was born on 12 November in Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi, USA
1896 Age 29	Birth of 2nd Child	Robert Deland Tapley was born 17 Mar in Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi, USA
1898 Age 31	Historical Event	Spanish-American War.  The Spanish-American War was fought between 25 Apr - 12 Aug 1898. Revolts in Cuba against the Spanish had been closely watched by the Americans for some time and with the sinking of the battleship Maine in Havana harbor, the war broke out between Spain and the U.S.  The war was primarily fought in Cuba, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. The Treaty of Paris was signed in August 1898 in which the U.S. gained temporary control of Cuba and colonial authority over Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines for a payment of $20 million to the Spanish.
1899 Age 32	Death of Father	John Tapley passed away 20 Aug. Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi, USA
1900	Census	Hinds County, Mississippi, USA
1901 Age 35	Historical Event	William McKinley Assassination.  President William McKinley was shot twice on 06 Sep in Buffalo, New York by Leon Czolgosz, an  anarchist. The President was attending the Pan American Exposition. Initially McKinley seemed to be healing from his wounds but took a turn for the worse and died on 14 Sep. He was succeeded in the Presidency by his  Vice President, Theodore Rosevelt.
1902 Age 35	Death of Child	Infant Tapley passed way 26 Jan.
1903 Age 37	Historical Event	Wright Brothers First Flight. On 17 Sep in Kitty Hawk, Dare, North Carolina, USA, Brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright are generally credited with inventing and building the world’s first airplane which they flew successfully.
1907 Age 40	Criminal Offense	On 17 May, Lon shot and killed H.W. Taylor, a Chemist, in Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi, USA
1908 Age 42	Historical Event	Ford Model T Manufactured. Between 17 Sep 1908 - 1927 in Detroit Michigan, The Ford Model T was the first automobile mass produced on assembly lines with completely interchangeable parts. It was the automobile that opened up travel to the common middle-class. The innovation of the assembly line was revolutionary.
1909 Age 42	Death of Wife	Lida Chapman passed away on 04 July. Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi, USA
1911 Age 45	Marriage	Lon married Fannie Carroll on 15 Oct. Utica, Hinds, Mississippi, USA
1912 Age 45	Historical Event	RMS Titanic Disaster. Built in Belfast, Ireland, the RMS Titanic was the largest passenger steam ship of the time. The ship was built using the most modern technology and was largely thought of as unsinkable. The Titanic left on its maiden voyage on 10 April. On the night of 14 April, shortly before midnight, the Titanic hit an iceberg; it sank a short 2 hours and 40 minutes later. 1,517 of the 2,223 people on board were killed, due to the lack of lifeboats available, making the sinking of the Titanic one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in history.
1914 Age 47	Historical Event	World War I took place between 28 Jun 1914 - 11 Nov 1918 in Europe and was a conflict involving most of the world’s powers. The beginning of the war was sparked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria Hungary. The world quickly formed into alliances, The Allied Powers (United Kingdom, France, The Russian Empire, and later the U.S.) fought against the Central Powers (The German Empire, The Austro-Hungarian Empire, The Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Bulgaria). Over 70 million military personnel fought in the war including 60 million Europeans. More than 15 million people were killed, making WWI one of the deadliest conflicts in history.
1914 Age 48	Death of Sister	Fannie Lee Tapley passed away 02 September Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi, USA
1914 Age 48	Birth of Child	Frances Tapley, a daughter, was born on 12 November in Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi, USA
1919 Age 52	Death	James Alonzo “Lon” Tapley died on 05 January in Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi, USA at his home at 503 Fortification Street.

As you know from my Thriller Thursday post about Lon, he is my 2nd cousin, 3x removed. You can read that post here.