A Call Out of The Blue

I got a phone call out of the blue today after I got home from running errands. It was my first cousin once removed, Allen Lee Roberts. He is the son of Walter Ray and Anna Belle "Annie" (Carmack) Roberts. He was asking me questions about the Roberts family and also telling me lots of stuff about the Roberts and Carmack families. Also told me that he had pictures of my great-grandparents, Benjamin Franklin and Lucy Jane (Allen) Roberts. Boy was I excited. In the end we exchanged snail mail addresses and agreed to share all our information. He was excited when I told him that I had copies of his mother's obituaries and a picture of her tombstone. He had been asking me lots of questions about his mother because he didn't have much on her. Said he had sent off for Walter and Annie's marriage license and I told him I already had it and would be glad to send him a copy. Am really looking forward to seeing what information, pictures, etc. he sends me. Gotta get busy and send some stuff off to him as well. He also told me about the death of two of my cousins (see my previous posts) - Lois Maxine (Roberts) Reed and her son, Lesley Everett Reed. They died within two days of each other, Lois on 16 Mar 2010 and Lesley on 14 Mar 2010. He said that Lois had a trunk full of family information that she wouldn't share with anyone and that her daughter was going to locate the trunk and go through whatever was in it and send him stuff. Hope she follows through. Sure wish I could have recorded our conversation. Allen is 75 and will be turning 76 on 29 May 2010 and lives in Nathrop, Colorado. Between Allen and my cousin Becky Jamison I sure would like to make a trip out to Colorado!!!

Obituary: Lois "Maxine" Reed 9-19-1924 - 3-16-2010

Died peacefully, with family, in Carmichael, Calif. Maxine was the first born of six children in Barber County, Kansas in 1924 to Anabelle and Walter Roberts. She attended High School in Hazelton, Kansas. It was there that she met Lesley H. Reed, whom she married October 9, 1942 and moved to Portland, Maine, where he served in the military. In 1946 they moved to Maxwell, Calif. to join other family members; Les and Maxine lived most of their 57 years of married life in Maxwell where they owned and operated a small trucking company. Maxine began the service of driving handicapped children from throughout Colusa County to school in Colusa, which developed into a twenty-year career. Maxine was a homemaker and mother to her three children, Lesley "Sonny", Lois and Loretta. Maxine had a cheerful personality and was a kind and loving wife and mother. She reached out to help people. Musically inclined, she played the organ and enjoyed singing as well as dancing. She took great pleasure from embroidering gifts for family and friends, and doted on her dog, Pepper. Maxine was preceded in death by her husband, Lesley H. Reed in 1999, and her son, Lesley E. Reed, of Yreka, California, on March 14, 2010. Maxine leaves to mourn her passing her daughters, Lois Reed of Moscow, Idaho, Loretta Reed of Carmichael, California, daughter-in- law Nova Reed of Yreka, California; sister Dotty Moore of Pratt, Kansas; brother Alan Roberts of Nathrop, Colorado; and granddaughter Leona Ahles of Moscow, Idaho. A double memorial for both Maxine, and her son, Lesley, will be held Saturday, March 27, 2010, 2 pm at the Maxwell Baptist Church, 177 N. California Street, Maxwell, California. A double internment after the memorial will be held at the Maxwell Cemetery. Send Condolences at www.appealdemocrat.com

Obituary: Lesley E. Reed 9-26-1944 - 3-14-2010

Lesley died peacefully with his loved ones at his side. He was the first born of three children to Lesley H. and Lois Maxine Reed of Maxwell, California. Les married Nova Cobb on Aug 31 1968; they remained in Colusa County where Les drove trucks, a career he genuinely loved. In 1989, Les and Nova moved to Yreka, Calif. to manage the Oak Ridge Mobile Home Park. Les believed he was truly fortunate to find a second wonderful career where he had the opportunity to meet so many great friends and to keep himself busy with projects. Les was a man most would consider "bigger than life" and his gregarious and generous nature were only two of his special qualities. When not working around the park to keep it perfectly manicured and running smoothly or arranging get-togethers or lending a helping hand, he and Nova escaped to numerous great adventures in their camper. Always ready to go fishing, camping, boating, or sightseeing, they made the most of their 42 years of marriage. Lesley's amazing fight with cancer over the last two years made him a hero to those that loved him. He never complained of the pain and instead focused on making the best of what time he and Nova had left together. His concern for Nova was strong even to the end. Les leaves to mourn his passing his cherished wife, Nova Reed of Yreka, Calif., his two sisters, Lois Reed of Moscow, Idaho, and Loretta Reed, of Carmichael, Calif., numerous nieces and nephews, and more friends than anyone could count. A double memorial will be held for both Lesley and his mother, Maxine, who died two days after Les. The service will be held Saturday, March 27, 2010, 2 pm at the Maxwell Baptist Church, 177 N. California Street, Maxwell, California. A double internment after the memorial will be held at the Maxwell Cemetery. Send Condolences at www.appealdemocrat.com

Obituary: Marilyn Jo Becker (Querry) 1948-2010

NORMAN, Okla. — Marilyn Jo Becker (Querry) died Feb. 24, peacefully at her home surrounded by her family. She fought her battle with sarcoma cancer with an enduring strength granted to her by God. She lost this earthly battle only to claim victory in Jesus. She was 61.

She was born on April 12, 1948, in Guthrie, Okla., the daughter of Kenneth Jay and Gwendolyn Marie Querry. Marilyn attended elementary school in Palco and junior high in Plainville. Her family moved to Great Bend, where she graduated in 1966. In Great Bend, she met her high school sweetheart and on Aug. 9, 1969, she married Robert Eugene Becker, son of Winnis and Evelyn Becker of Great Bend. She graduated from Kansas State University in 1970, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She began her teaching career in Abilene. In 1978, she and Bob moved to Ponca City, Okla., where she taught at Garfield and Liberty elementary schools. She retired from her teaching career in 2003 after 32 years of teaching.

She loved participating in her grandchildren’s activities, as well as creating artistic pieces, taking digital photography, scrapbooking, singing, playing the piano and traveling. She cared for all her school kids and loved teaching with her fellow teachers.

Marilyn had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal savior. She was committed to participating in church activities. She was dedicated to reading, studying the Bible and sharing the Gospel with others.

She is survived by her husband, of the home; son Michael Becker and his wife Amy (Gorczyca); daughter Jaime Bagg (Becker) and husband Chad; sister Karen Demory and husband Gerald of Bentonville, Ark., sister Kim Sheets and husband Will of Perry, Okla.; six grandchildren, Jonah, Maegan, Canaan, Ethan, Gabriel and Chloe; as well as her nephews and niece, Breen and Brad Haywood, Jay and Brandan Sheets and Maranda Wilson (Sheets). She left one uncle, Ray Gambill, and his children Mark Gambill and Rayma Brandt, and cousin, Janet Calvin. She was preceded in death by her parents; mother-in-law, Evelyn Becker, and brother-in-law Gary Becker.

Funeral services were held Saturday with burial at the Tonkawa IOOF Cemetery in Tonkawa, Okla. Following the interment, a memorial service was held at the Hartford Avenue Church of Christ in Ponca City, Okla. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Hope Ranch, 522 N. 14th, Box 233, Ponca City, OK 74601. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.andersonfunerals.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Anderson Funeral Home*
505 Thunderbird Road
P.O. Box 337
Tonkawa, OK 74653

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 28, 2010

Obituary: Greenbury King Strait

Greenbury King Strait, son of James and Rachel Strait, was born May 21, 1869, at Brownville, Nebraska, and passed away at his home near Coats on March 26, 1948.

In 1904 he was married to Miss Theresa Vogel. To this union three children were born: Marvin, Sylvia and Fay.

His Wife, Theresa, passed away in 1930.

One daughter, Fay, four brothers and four sisters preceeded him in death.

He leaves to mourn his passing one son, Marvin of Medicine Lodge; one daughter, Sylvia, of Coats; one brother, George R. Strait, of Madesta[sic], California; two sisters, Mrs. John McFadden and Mrs. John Bowman, both of Bazine, Kansas, and a host of relatives and friends.

The Pratt (KS) Union, 1 April 1948

Package In The Mail

I recently requested a copy of an obituary from the Pratt Co. Historical Society for my cousin, Fay Strait, who died 30 May 1941 in Coats, Pratt, Kansas. I was contacted by Marsha Brown, the curator of the Pratt Co. Historical Society Museum and she e-mailed me the brief obituary that was placed in The Pratt Union newspaper dated June 5, 1941. I got a subsequent e-mail from her stating that they had just received more newspapers and that she had found some more obituaries for Fay and wanted to know if I was interested in copies. She also asked me if I had ever seen the short family history that Mrs. Marvin Strait had written for the "Family Heritage Album" for Pratt County that was done in 1976 and would I like a copy of that as well. Of course, I couldn't contain my excitement and wrote back to her saying that I would love a copy of the obituaries and the family history.

When I went to my mailbox today there was a package in it from Marsha. I was so excited I could barely wait till I got into the house. But lo and behold and much to my surprise, there was more in the package than Fay's obituaries and the family history written by Mrs. Marvin Strait.

There was also these two wonderful pictures. The first one is of Theresa Strait and her children Fay and Marvin. The second one is of Mary and Marvin Strait and his sister, Fay. They are absolutely priceless!
But, it didn't stop there. She had also included two obituaries for Theresa Strait (my great grandaunt); an obituary for Greenbury King Strait (my great granduncle) and husband of Theresa (Vogel) Strait; one for Sylvia Strait (their daughter); one for James Marvin Strait; (their son) and one for Mary M. Strait (James Marvin's wife). That was way more than I had asked for!!

I am so thankful for wonderful people like Marsha Brown! I will share what she sent me in future posts.

Tombstone: Jon R. Keller

Fort Custer National Cemetery
Augusta, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Martha Elizabeth Pearl "Pearl" Bradley and Linzie Sheldon Roberts

10 January 1906

Gifford, Macon, Missouri

My First Name

I have been told that I was named after my dad's stillborn sister, Nola Katherine. She was born and died on 19 Jan 1933 in Olmitz, Barton, Kansas. I actually don't know if that story is true or not. I would like to think that I might also have been named after my great-grandmother, Duretta Catherine (Shumaker) Allen. She was born 3 Apr 1846 in Fairfield Co., Ohio and died 6 Jun 1917 in Illinois Bend, Macon, Missouri. The difference is, however, that my name is spelled Kathryn.

Nadine Pearl Roberts

This is my favorite female ancestor picture. It's a picture of my mother, Nadine Pearl (Roberts) Smith. She was 18 months old at the time. This picture was taken 14 August 1923.

My Favorite Female Ancestor

I have several female ancestors who are my favorites: Emma Delphenia (Baldwin) Smith, Emma Cornelia (Strait) Becker, Lucy Jane (Allen) Roberts and Janie Ellen (Moore) Bradley Davis. These gals are all my great-grandmothers. Another favorite is my great-great grandmother Duretta Catherine (Shumaker) Allen. But the one female ancestor that perplexes me the most, right now, is my great-great grandmother Permelia Rebecca (White) Roberts.

Why does she perplex me? Because it's difficult to find information on her. What I do know about her is that she was born 27 Jan 1825 somewhere in Ohio or possibly New York. She married Daniel Sheldon Roberts, 27 Sep 1846 in Athens Co., Ohio. That is confirmed by the fact that I was able to find their marriage license. Supposedly she died sometime in 1867, somewhere in Illinois and is buried somewhere in Illinois. There is also a theory that Permelia died 7 Jan 1893 in Adams Co., Illinois. If this is true then she and Daniel would have had to have gotten a divorce, because Daniel married his second wife, Almyra Camelia Snow, 3 Nov 1867 in Knox Co., Missouri.

I found Permelia and Daniel in the 1850 census for Carthage Twp., Athens, Ohio and the 1860 census for Jackson, Anderson, Kansas.

I found information on Permelia's birth in bible records received from Clara Belle (Roberts) Beason and Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Roberts) Parry. I have not been able to find any information on her death or burial. Also, have not been able to identify who her parents were.

Permelia and Daniel were the parents of ten children: James E. W., George Washington, Erastus Edward "Rass", Benjamin Franklin, William Henry, Florence Addie, Anna Amanda "Mandy", Sarah Jane, Daniel Lewis and Mary Ettie. There is some question as to whether Sarah, Daniel and Mary are actually their children even though the bible records list them. If they are and Permelia died sometime in 1867, then she would have had to have died between 13 May 1867 when Mary Ettie was born and 3 Nov 1867 when Daniel married his second wife. It could be that that was why Daniel re-married so quickly, because he had so many small children in his household. The 1870 census for Houston Twp., Adams, Illinois does not list Sarah, Daniel or Mary in the household of Daniel and Almyra Roberts. So, either the three children died before the 1870 census or Daniel and Permelia in fact were divorced and she took the three children with her. I have not been able to find Permelia in the 1870 census or any other census records since 1860.

At this point in time I am stymied on where to go next to find out more about my perplexing great-great grandmother, Permelia.