Dewayne Harrison. 41. Died April 7, 2008, Bowling Green, KY. Allen County native. Parents: David Roy Harrison, who survives and the late Estelle Carter Harrison. Wife: late Ruth Ann Sloan Harrison. Other survivors: son, Bradley Stinson: daughters; Carrie Stinson, Brittany Stinson: father, David R. and Ida Harrison: brothers; Bobby Joe and Penny Harrison, Roy and Tressa Harrison, Jerry and Theresa Harrison, Billy Joe and Kerry Harrison: sisters; Mary and Charles Caldwell, Joyce and Lanny Sloan, Wanda Harrison: half-brothers; Cordell Yates, Carl Yates. Predeceased by: brothers; David Harrison Jr., Carl Wayne Harrison: sister, Carolyn Doss. Burial: Crescent Hill Cemetery. Refer to: The Citizen-Times, April 17, 2008, Page 4 Submitted by: Mary Kathern Beadle Sweetpotato14551@Yahoo.Com
Joe M. DeWitt. 72. Died April 9, 2008, Scottsburg, IN. Crothersville, IN native. U. S. Marine Korean War veteran. Parents: late Emmett and Louise Mathena DeWitt. Survivors: wife, Janice V. Barger DeWitt: sons; Larry Jo and Merianne DeWitt, Barry and Karen DeWitt, Garry and Mary Jo DeWitt: stepdaughter, Marti Moore Judd: sister, Berna Stark. Predeceased by: first wife, Reba Johnson DeWitt: brothers; Dale DeWitt, Robert DeWitt, Ervin DeWitt. Burial: New Providence Cemetery in Austin, IN. Refer to: The Citizen-Times, April 17, 2008, Page 4 Submitted by: Mary Kathern Beadle Sweetpotato14551@Yahoo.Com
Pattie L. Pitchford. 74. Died April 3, 2008, Indianapolis, IN. Allen County, KY native. Parents: late Garland C. and Marie Morris Austin. Husband: late Joel E. Pitchford. Survivors: niece, Nancy Stinnett: great-nephew, Brent Stinnett. Shirley Brothers Washington Memorial Chapel, Indianapolis, IN. Refer to: The Citizen-Times, April 17, 2008, Page 4 Submitted by: Mary Kathern Beadle Sweetpotato14551@Yahoo.Com
Charlotte Ruth Keown Mathis. 47. Died April 8, 2008, Nashville, TN. Bowling Green, KY native. Parents: Raymond Keown and Mary Riley Keown, who survive. Other survivors: husband, Gary W. Mathis: son, Neal and Ashley Mathis: brothers; Stanley Keown, Riley and Ann Keown: mother and father-in-law, Willard and Elaine Mathis: sister-in-law, Sherry and Tony Martin. Predeceased by: grandparents; Stanley and Charlote Riley, Ellie and Ruth Keown. Burial: Fairview Cemetery No. 1. Refer to: The Citizen-Times, April 17, 2008, Page 4 Submitted by: Mary Kathern Beadle Sweetpotato14551@Yahoo.Com
Clytie Grissom. 90. Died April 9, 2008, Scottsville, KY. Allen County native. Parents: late S. W. Huntsman and Florence Evelyn Tracy Huntsman. Husband: late Thurman B. Grissom. Survivors: sons; Harlin and Betty Grissom, James Grissom, Gary and Vicki Grissom, Douglas and Doris Grissom, Wendell and Roselie Grissom: daughters; Diana McIntire, Brenda and Tommy Gunnels, Beverly and John T. Holder: daughter-in-law, Betty Jo Grissom: sister, Emogene and Charles Lyles. Predeceased by: son, Thurman "Tooter" Grissom Jr.: sisters; Lois Cassady, Beulah Morris: brothers; Aubrey Huntsman, Eulan Huntsman, Lucian Huntsman, Maxie Huntsman. Burial: Union Chapel Cemetery. Refer to: The Citizen-Times, April 17, 2008, Page 4 Submitted by: Mary Kathern Beadle Sweetpotato14551@Yahoo.Com
Roger Willoughby. 69. Died April 8, 2008. Allen County, KY native. Parents: late Rev. Charles Odell Willoughby and Elsie Margaret Horn Logsdon. Survivors: wife, Polly Eurella Twomey Willoughby: daughters; Patricia Lynn Brown, Christina and Michael Costello: stepdaughter, Beth Baldwin: son: Jeffrey Willoughby: sisters; Anita Jones, Anna and Sammy Isenburg: brothers; J. D. and Helen Willoughby, Glen and Nancy Willoughby, Carrol Willoughby, Danny and Margaret Willoughby, Randall and Betty Willoughby. Predeceased by: son, Roger Eugene Willoughby: grandson, Shannon Lee Hix. Burial: Durham Springs Church Cemetery. Refer to: The Citizen-Times, April 10, 2008, Page 4 Submitted by: Mary Kathern Beadle Sweetpotato14551@Yahoo.Com
Zula Veachel Willoughby. 94. Died April 7, 2008, Bowling Green, KY. Allen County, KY native. Parents: late Abe Reynolds and Eva Conner Reynolds. Husband: late Jessie Ewin Willoughby. Survivors: sons; Kimble and Brenda Willoughby, David and Phyllis Willoughby: daughters; Bernice Ravencraft, Rachel and Roger Steenbergen, Chole and Ken Forsberg, Mycola and Robert Johns, Bettie and Chuck Johnson. Predeceased by sons; Dorris Willoughby, Wendell Willoughby: son-in-law, M. L. Ravencraft: sister, Odie Pearl Willoughby: brother, Chester Reynolds: daughter-in-law, Ann Mosby. Burial: Liberty Cemetery. Refer to: The Citizen-Times, April 10, 2008, Page 4 Submitted by: Mary Kathern Beadle Sweetpotato14551@Yahoo.Com
Joyce Raye Stinson. 63. Died April 1, 2008, Bowling Green, KY. Allen County native. Parents: late Johnnie William Stinson and Lena Esther Ford Stinson. Survivors: daughters; Pamela Rene Mansfield, Lena Evangeline Ventress: brothers; Dennis Stinson, Delford Johnson, Doyle Stinson, Kenneth Stinson, James Johnson: sisters; Amy Blankenship, Glenda Weaver, Arnell Brown, Faye Radford. Predeceased by: daughter; Linda Nell Huffine: sisters; Doris Lonas, Willie Graves: brothers; Hascal Stinson, Lawrence Stinson. Burial: Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. Refer to: The Citizen-Times, April 10, 2008, Page 4 Submitted by: Mary Kathern Beadle Sweetpotato14551@Yahoo.Com
Shirley Jane Linville Smith. 56. Died March 26, 2008, Indianapolis, IN. Allen County, KY native. Parents: Thomas and Anna Meador Linville. Survivors: husband, Lyman Gold Smith: daughters; Angela Vincent and her fiance, Fransico: Kimberly and Donald Powell: step-sons; Timmy and Loretta, Steven and Michelle, Michael and Jennifer Linville, Daniel and Monica Linville, Randall Linville: sisters; Patsy Spearman, Betty Sue Kinslow: brothers; Carlene and Barbara Linville, Tommy Linville, Ray and Dial Linville, Delbert and wife. Burial: Floral Park Cemetery. Refer to: The Citizen-Times, April 10, 2008, Page 4 Submitted by: Mary Kathern Beadle Sweetpotato14551@Yahoo.Com
Sheila D. Howe. 56. Died March 31, 2008, Alexandria, IN. Elwood, IN. native. Parents: late John H. Howe and Victoria McMahan Howe. Survivors: sisters; Carmen and Paul Gilliam, Betty Russell, Barbara Thurber, Peggy Hampton and companion, Porfirio Veliz, Charolette and Calvin Mercer: brother; Richard and Deloris Howe. Predeceased by: brother, David Howe: nephews; David Christopher Howe, Chris Howe. Burial: Starr Cemetery, near Alexandria, IN. Refer to: The Citizen-Times, April 10, 2008, Page 4 Submitted by: Mary Kathern Beadle Sweetpotato14551@Yahoo.Com
Leon Oliver. 80. Died March 31, 2008, Martinsville, IN. Allen County, KY native. Parents: late Roy Oliver and Lela Spencer Oliver. Survivors: wife, Dorothy Faye Reneau Oliver: son, Mark Oliver: daughters; Diana Fogleman, Suzan Oliver: sister, Edna Ard. Burial: New South Park Cemetery, Martinsville, IN. Refer to: The Citizen-Times, April 10, 2008, Page 4 Submitted by: Mary Kathern Beadle Sweetpotato14551@Yahoo.Com
Selma Rulene Brown. 61. Died March 31, 2008, Westmoreland, TN. Macon County, TN native. Parents: late Estell and Hattie (Roalin) Holman. Husband: Jerry Brown, who survives. Survivors: sons; Gerald (Brandy) Brown, Richard Brown: daughters; Crystal (Jimmy) Hickman, Karen (Scotty) Langford: brothers; Charlie (Dot) Holman, Ray (Ann) Holman, Billy (Raydell) Holman: sisters; Earlene Claiborne, Shirley (Donald) Brawner. Predeceased by: brother, Earl Holman: sister, Velma Rittenberry. Burial: Oakdale Cemetery. Refer to: The Citizen-Times, April 10, 2008, Page 4 Submitted by: Mary Kathern Beadle Sweetpotato14551@Yahoo.Com
Carroll Dean Pearson. 77. Died April 6, 2008, Dover, KY. Scottsville native. U. S. Army veteran, Korean Conflict. Parents: late Vernon Pearson and Nettie Beulah Wilson Jones. Step-father: late W. A. Jones. Survivors: wife: Myrtle Pearson: sons; Richard W. Pearson, Thomas E. Pearson: step-son: William Lee Jones: half-sister; Sandra and Dale Herrington. Predeceased by: Grandson, James Carroll Pearson. Burial: Crescent Hill Cemetery. Refer to: The Citizen-Times, April 10, 2008, Page 4 Submitted by: Mary Kathern Beadle Sweetpotato14551@Yahoo.Com
For those of you who don't subscribe to the Ancestry.com weekly newsletter, the following is an article from this weeks edition. Allen County burned October 1902 and lost many critical records: Marriage bonds, Marriage Certificates, wills, court records, etc. Fortunately many records did survive. However, other surrounding counties also suffered from fires: Simpson, Macon Co TN (3 times), which can make researching many families complicated. Other counties didn't burn but have suffered loss of records through theft and overzealous court clerks looking for extra storage (Warren Co KY, Edmonson Co KY, Smith Co TN) Hope the following helps Sharon Tabor Burned Counties by Michael John Neill The courthouse burned. What do I do? Research in "burned counties" that have suffered a record loss may be possible, but it requires persistence and a willingness to turn over as many stones as possible. This week we take a look at some techniques that may be helpful. Get Beyond the Destruction Determine exactly what records were destroyed. Was it the entire courthouse? Was it a certain office in the courthouse? Were some records housed offsite and not destroyed? Do not assume that all county records were burned just because someone told you so, or because you read it on a message board or website. Were any records re-recorded after the incident? Deeds and other records of property ownership may have been recorded again after the fire. (Remember landowners generally kept the original deed; the courthouse has a copy.) For records that were created in the normal course of business after the destruction, keep an open mind. Pay particular attention to deeds and other documents where ownership of property might have been an issue, especially ownership before the fire. These documents may specifically mention former owners or imply who those owners were. Settlements of estate or some court records may mention events and relationships as they were before the records' destruction. Search carefully for estate settlements of any family members who died without descendants—even if the death was fifty or more years after the records were destroyed. These records could be located a significant distance from the burned county. The records of the disbursements from their estate may mention heirs and or relationships dating back a hundred years. Get Beyond the Immediate Family Researching the complete family becomes even more important during the time period of the fire as well. Some family members might have eventually lived in areas where records were not destroyed or might have left behind records with more detail. These documents may refer to individuals who lived in the "burned county." Since our search must necessarily broaden, it is imperative that a research log be kept so that records on a specific relative are not over looked. Search _the Family History Library Card Catalog_ (http://email.ancestry.com/cgi-bin13/DM/y/jtsJ0SrkKs0HHn0aXo0G1) for information on records in the county. The Family History Library has an extensive collection of microfilm and while they do not film every piece of paper in the courthouse, there may other materials. Look for printed or published materials in their collection and then go beyond that to original records wherever possible. Get Beyond Relatives It is not just the extended family who should be researched. Pay special attention to neighbors, associates, fellow church members, and others with whom your ancestor might have been affiliated during his time in the county. Information on where they were from may help you locate where your ancestor was from as well. Get Beyond the County Search state and federal level records as completely as possible. Are there any wars that involved family members? Are there pension records from those wars and have they been accessed? They might mention your relative or provide clues as to his or her existence. Get Help Beyond Yourself Have local historical societies and genealogical societies been contacted for potential information in their collection? They may also be aware of "hidden" sources that were not destroyed, additional sources that have been located recently, or unique approaches for the area. A posting to the appropriate _county message board_ (http://email.ancestry.com/cgi-bin13/DM/y/jtsJ0SrkKs0HHn0lsu0Gk) or _a listserve_ (http://email.ancestry.com/cgi-bin13/DM/y/jtsJ0SrkKs0HHn0lsv0Gl) is an excellent idea. Have you searched any regional or nearby university archives? They may have unpublished manuscripts or other written material that may be helpful in your search. Try searching _WorldCat_ (http://email.ancestry.com/cgi-bin13/DM/y/jtsJ0SrkKs0HHn0fNm0Gt) for the county of interest to see what materials appear in the catalog. Bear in mind though that oftentimes a manuscript collection may be incompletely cataloged in WorldCat or not cataloged at all. Are there any published county histories or scholarly studies of the county that may shed light on certain families, migration patterns, etc.? Search WorldCat and see if local libraries have such materials. Also read genealogical journals that contain scholarly research articles. Sometimes these articles discuss families in burned records counties or provide background on methodology that is also effective in areas that have suffered a record loss. Have all church records been exhausted? In burned record counties, church and other private records become increasingly important and should not be overlooked. Church records should be accessed even if your ancestor was a member of a denomination that typically did not keep excellent records. If contacting the local church is unproductive or impossible, contact the regional or national archive of the denomination. If the time period is a little bit earlier, consider searching Revolutionary and War of 1812 pension records for others who settled in your ancestral area. Even if these records do not mention your ancestor specifically, they may provide general information on migration in and out of the area. In Conclusion Do not assume that what you have been told was destroyed was actually destroyed. * Research the entire family and ancestral associates * Look for records created after the record destruction * Learn the county history * Network with others working in same area * Contact local organizations and repositories for more information Research in burned counties is more difficult than in others--no doubt of that. But with an exhaustive search plan, it can sometimes be done. Get beyond the destruction to think of what other records and materials might have been created and learn how to use and access those records. Michael John Neill is a genealogical writer and speaker who has been researching his or his children's genealogy for more than twenty years. A math instructor in his "other life," Michael taught at the former Genealogical Institute of Mid-America and has served on the FGS Board. He also lectures on a variety of genealogical topics and gives seminars across the country. He maintains a personal website at _RootDig.com_ (http://email.ancestry.com/cgi-bin13/DM/y/jtsJ0SrkKs0HHn0ZSU0GO) . **************It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms and advice on AOL Money & Finance. (http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolcmp00300000002850)
Kathleen Davidson Pruitt, Plano, KY. 95. Died March 19, 2008. Warren County native. Parents: late Tommie Davidson and Zula Goad Davidson. Husband: late Murrell Pruitt. Survivors: daughter, Sue and Bobby Greathouse; sister, Mildred Lyles. Predeceased by: daughter, Joyce Pruitt Strain: sisters; Virginia Pearson, Elizabeth Kinser, Jean Howard: brothers; Stanley Davidson, Thomas Davidson. Burial: Plano Baptist Church Cemetery. Refer to: The Citizen-Times, April 3, 2008, Page 4 Submitted by: Mary Kathern Beadle Sweetpotato14551@Yahoo.Com
Perley Mae Davidson. 64. Died March 28, 2008, Bowling Green, KY. Kennett, MO native. Parents: late Charles Columbus Farmer and Noda Evelyn West Farmer. Survivors: sons; Billy and Marlene Davidson, Anthony Davidson and his fiancee, Christy Dover: daughter, Heather Davidson: brothers; Bud Farmer, William and Eloise Farmer, Frankie and Patty Farmer: sister, Mary and Jerry Sweighart. Predeceased by: brothers; Dewey Farmer, Charles Farmer: sisters; Opal Bonet, Peggy Ann Farmer. J. C. Kirby and Son Lovers Lane Chapel. Cremation. Refer to: The Citizen-Times, April 3, 2008, Page 4 Submitted by: Mary Kathern Beadle Sweetpotato14551@Yahoo.Com
Floyd Edsel Murley. 72. Died March 27, 2008, Bowling Green, KY. Allen County native. Parents: late Johnny Murley and Hattie Gettings Murley. Survivors: wife, Nell Sisco Murley. Predeceased by: brothers; Stanley Murley, Harvey Murley: sisters; Stella Cleary, Chleo Huffman. Burial: Fountain Run Cemetery. Refer to: The Citizen-Times, April 3, 2008, Page 4 Submitted by: Mary Kathern Beadle Sweetpotato14551@Yahoo.Com
Jimmy L. Russell. 60. Died March 28, 2008, St. Thomas Hospital. Monroe County, KY. native. Parents: late Sidney Russell and Emily Dismon. Survivors: wife, Doris Jordon Russell: daughter, Sherry Russell Melton: brothers; Thomas Russell, Joe Russell, Charles Russell, Carl Russell, Mortie Russell: sisters; Ella Mae Jackson, Alma Lee Phillips. Predeceased by: halfbrothers; Elzie Russell, James Creek. Burial: Union Cemetery. Refer to: The Citizen-Times, April 3, 2008, Page 4 Submitted by: Mary Kathern Beadle Sweetpotato14551@Yahoo.Com
Robert Morris Couch Jr. 45. Died March 25, 2008, Westmoreland, TN. Austin, TX native. Parents: Anneliese Thomas Couch and the late Robert Morris Couch, Sr. Other survivors: son, Perry Couch: brother, David and Jere Couch: sisters; Rose and Jerry Houdashell, Sylvia and Lionel Barrow, Dorothy and Burt Timmons, Debra Couch. Predeceased by: nephew, Burt Timmons, Jr. Burial: Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Refer to: The Citizen-Times, April 3, 2008, Page 4 Submitted by: Mary Kathern Beadle Sweetpotato14551@Yahoo.Com
Lonnie Gaddis. 58. Died March 22, 2008, Bowling Green, KY. Arkansas native. Parents: late Maxine Gaddis. Other survivors: father, Raymond Gaddis and his wife, Patti: sons; Jarrod and Candi Gaddis, Jeremy Gaddis, Zachary Gaddis: stepdaughters; Jackie Lynn, Suzie Hardin: sisters; Carolyn Lafavor, Terri Trinh, Leigha Gaye Cook: brothers; Jason Gaddis, John Peyton Gaddis. Burial: Crescent Hill Cemetery. Refer to: The Citizen-Times, April 3, 2008, Page 4 Submitted by: Mary Kathern Beadle Sweetpotato14551@Yahoo.Com