4-80  INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES

JOHN SHELTON, JR. (1.4) is the son of John Shelton, Sr. and Catherine (Messer) Shelton.  John was born on July 21, 1810 in Tennessee.  The marriages of John Shelton, Jr. are not clearly known.  It is believed that John was married twice, first to Manurva Harper and later to Isabel Bynum.  According to a Family Bible, one John Shelton married Manurva Harper on January 21, 1836 in Jackson County, Alabama.  This Family Bible also has a second entry that shows one Manurva Carline Shelton who died on December 1, 1854.  One would think that both refer to the same Manurva, but this would conflict with other evidence that John Shelton, Jr. married Isabel Bynum between 1840 and 1842.  According to the 1911 Arkansas Census of Confederate Veterans, John Allen Shelton was the son of Isabel Bynum, daughter of James Bynum and Susan Bynum.  Additionally, John Shelton, Jr.’s son, Isaac “Bynum” Shelton, is a clear indication that Isabel Bynum was Isaac’s mother also.  These two facts strengthen the case that John Shelton, Jr. married Isabel Bynum between 1840 and 1842.

It is not certain that Manurva Harper married John Shelton, Jr. or his father, John Shelton, Sr. (1).  John Shelton, Sr. could have married a second time to Manurva Harper as the Family Bible does indicate that the first wife of John Shelton, Sr., “Katharine Shelton,” died in 1834 which was prior to the Family Bible marriage date of 1836 where one John Shelton to Manurva Harper.  Manurva Harper could have been the sister of Mahala Harper who married Nathaniel Shelton (2), brother of John Shelton, Jr., in Marshall County, Alabama in 1839.  The fact that John Shelton, Jr. resided in Marshall County, Alabama in 1840 strengthens this connection.  If John Shelton, Jr. did indeed marry Isabel Bynum around 1840, then the death of Manurva Carline Shelton in 1854 is indeed a mystery to solved by future research.

According to Mildred Olive, Isabel Bynum was born in 1816 in Tennessee and is the daughter of James Bynum and Susanna (Childers) Bynum.  The 1870 census clearly indicates that John Shelton, Jr. was indeed married to Isabel by 1870.  The 1850 census lists a “Mary” Shelton living with John Shelton, Jr. which supports the family tradition account of “Mary” Isabel Bynum but the 1860 census lists “Cary” which would have to be transcribed incorrectly for “Mary.”  Isabel was previously married to a Mr. Evans and they had two daughters:  Susanna Evans and Belinda Syrene Evans (born January 15, 1835).  Mr. Evans died prior to Belinda’s birth and Belinda went by the last name of Shelton.

Susanna Evans married Jesse B. Easley and they had ten children:  Solomon A. Easley (born 1854), William C. Easley (born 1859), Idas V. Easley (born 1861), Matilda E. Easley (born 1862), James A. Easley (born 1867), John F. Easley (born 1868), Mary F. Easley (born 1870), Jessee J. Easley (born 1873), Lough J. Easley (born 1875) and Henry B. Easley (born 1877).  On August 22, 1852, Belinda Shelton married Cyrus William Wright (born October 17, 1831 in North Carolina) in Jackson County, Alabama.  Cyrus and Belinda Wright were the parents of seven children:  Jesse B. Wright (born 1853), John Edmond Wright (born 1854), Susannah “Tompy” Wright (born 1860), William Andrew Wright (born July 17, 1861), George Washington Wright (born December 29, 1865), James Cyrus Wright and Rosa Wright.  Belinda (Shelton) Wright died on November 11, 1912 and Cyrus William Wright died on June 17, 1918.


MASTER PUBLICATION  4-81

Mary Isabel (Bynum) Shelton
John Shelton, Jr.
ca. 1885
Courtesy of Mildred Olive


There is other evidence that John Shelton married twice.  In 1840, only one daughter and one son were listed in the Marshall County, Alabama census.  However, in 1850, four children were listed being born prior to 1840 (Isaac Shelton was listed born in 1839 but other information indicate that he was actually born on December 7, 1842).  It is believed that the Malinda Shelton who was listed in the 1850 census was actually Belinda Evans, daughter of Isabel Bynum.  Although proof is not substantial, it is believed that John Shelton, Jr. first married Manurva Harper and they had two children:

  Catherine Shelton (1.4.1), b. 1836, Alabama
  Levi Shelton, b. 1837, Alabama

It is believed that Manurva (Harper) Shelton died shortly after 1840 because the 1840 census lists John Shelton, Jr. with a wife but Isabel’s daughters are not listed in the family household.  This would mean that “Manurva Carline Shelton” who died in 1854 listed in the Family Bible could not be Manurva Harper who married John Shelton, Jr.  In 1840, John Shelton and his wife (born 1810 to 1820) were living in Marshall County, Alabama.  Between 1840 and 1842, John Shelton, Jr. married Isabel Bynum and they were the parents of at least five children:

  Isaac Bynum Shelton (1.4.3), b. December 7, 1842, Jackson County, Alabama
  John Allen Shelton (1.4.4), b. February 21, 1843, Jackson County, Alabama
  Mancy Matilda Shelton (1.4.5), b. August 17, 1845, Jackson County, Alabama
  James Shelton, b. 1845, Jackson County, Alabama
  Mary Ann Shelton (1.4.7), b. September 4, 1849, Jackson County, Alabama

In 1850, John and “Mary” Shelton were living in Jackson County, Alabama.  In 1857, John and Isabel Shelton, Isabel’s two married daughters, Bynum’s, Easley’s and Runnel’s families formed a wagon train and moved to Titus County, Texas.  In 1860, John and “Cary” Shelton were living in Titus County, Texas.  In 1870, John and “Isabel” Shelton were living in Franklin County, Arkansas.  In 1880, John and “Isabel” Shelton were living in Morris County, Texas.  John Shelton, Jr. (1.4) died in 1894 in Morris County, Texas and was buried in Titus County, Texas.  Levi Shelton was last found in the 1850 census of Jackson County, Alabama living with his parents and was not listed with his parents in 1860.  James Shelton was last found listed in the 1860 census of Titus County, Texas living with his parents and was not listed with his parents in 1870.  Family tradition states that James Shelton died in Titus County, Texas.

References:  1)  Family Bible of John Shelton in possession of Eva (Wininger) Shelton;  2)  1840 Census, Marshall County, Alabama;  3)  1850 Census, Jackson County, Alabama;  4)  1860 Census, Titus County, Texas;  5)  1870 Census, Franklin County, Arkansas;  6)  1911 Arkansas Census of Confederate Veterans, Page 111;  7)  Sketch of Cyrus William Wright, unknown author;  8)  Proctor Notes;  9)  “Bynum and Baynham Families of America,” by Robert W. Baird, Errata Page (208);  10)  Letter, Virginia (Shelton) Kelley to Robert Casey, October 30, 1985;  11)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Robert Casey, November 3, 1985;  12)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Robert Casey, January 14, 1986;  13)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Robert Casey, July 10, 1987

4-82  INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES

CATHERINE SHELTON (1.4.1) is the daughter of John Shelton, Jr.  Catherine was born in 1836 in Alabama.  Family tradition indicates that Catherine Shelton married a Mr. Clayton.  The 1880 census of Morris County, Texas list a Thomas Clayton (born 1832 in South Carolina) and Catherine Clayton (born 1838 in Alabama).  Catherine Clayton is believed to be the daughter of John Shelton, Jr.  Thomas and Catherine Clayton were the parents of at least four children:

  John A. Clayton, b. 1868, Arkansas
  Thomas Clayton, b. 1873, Arkansas
  Levi S. Clayton, b. 1876, Texas
  Sarah Clayton, b. 1878, Texas

References:  1)  1880 Census, Morris County, Texas;  2)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Robert Casey, January 14, 1986

ISAAC BYNUM SHELTON (1.4.3) is the son of John Shelton, Jr. and Mary Isabel (Bynum) Shelton.  Isaac was born on December 7, 1842 in Jackson County, Alabama.  On March 10, 1862, Isaac Shelton enlisted in the Confederate Army in Company N, First Texas Legion, Daingerfield, Texas.  Isaac was captured and later paroled at Davis Bridge on October 5, 1862.  Around 1865, Isaac Shelton married Mary Elizabeth (Coffman) Brown in Titus County, Texas.  Mary was born on December 7, 1845 in Tennessee and is the daughter of W. Barton Coffman and A. Frances (Butler) Coffman.  Mary was previously married to James Brown who was killed in the Civil War.  James and Mary Brown had one son:  James A. Brown (born on August 14, 1861 in Titus County, Texas).  Soon after Isaac and Mary were married, they moved to Arkansas but moved back to Texas by 1870.  Isaac and Mary Shelton were the parents of ten children:

  Martha Jane Shelton (1.4.3.1), b. July 2, 1866, Sebastian County, Arkansas
  John Barton Shelton (1.4.3.2), b. February 14, 1868, Franklin County, Ark.
  William Andrew Shelton (1.4.3.3), b. March 30, 1870, Texas
  George W. Shelton (1.4.3.4), b. July 9, 1872, Titus County, Texas
  Isaac Allen Shelton (1.4.3.5), b. February 3, 1875, Titus, County, Texas
  Lundy America Shelton (1.4.3.6), b. January 24, 1878, Morris County, Texas
  Mary Frances Shelton, b. November 29, 1879, Morris County, Texas
  Thomas Jefferson Shelton (1.4.3.8), b. November 6, 1881, Morris County, Texas
  Calvin Keester Shelton (1.4.3.9), b. January 15, 1884, Morris County, Texas
  Oda Columbus Shelton, b. April 1, 1886, Morris County, Texas

In 1880, Isaac and Mary Shelton were living in Morris County, Texas.  From 1900 to 1910, Isaac and Mary Shelton were living in Hale County, Texas.  Isaac Shelton died on December 22, 1913 in Hale County, Texas and Mary (Coffman) Shelton died on February 12, 1923 in Otero County, Colorado.  Both were buried in the Plainview, Texas Cemetery.  Mary Frances Shelton and Oda Columbus Shelton died in infancy.

MASTER PUBLICATION  4-83

References:  1)  1880 Census, Morris County, Texas;  2)  1900 and 1910 Censuses, Hale County, Texas;  3)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Robert Casey, November 3, 1985;  4)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Robert Casey, January 14, 1986;  5)  Letter, Lonnie B. Shelton to Harold Casey, January 28, 1987


Isaac Bynum Shelton
Mary (Coffman) Shelton
ca. 1902
Courtesy of Lonnie Shelton


MARTHA JANE SHELTON (1.4.3.1) is the daughter of Isaac Bynum Shelton and Mary Elizabeth (Coffman) Shelton.  Martha was born on July 2, 1866 in Sebastian County, Arkansas.  On November 1, 1888, Martha Shelton married Louis Henry Posey in Morris County, Texas.  Louis was born on October 20, 1860 in Bradley County, Tennessee and is the son of Benjamin F. Posey and Nancy B. (Etters) Posey.  Soon after their marriage, Louis and Martha Posey moved to Hunt County, Texas.  In 1901, they moved to Greer County, Oklahoma where they filed a land claim.  Louis and Martha Posey were the parents of four children:

  Alma Elizabeth Posey (1.4.3.1.1), b. August 3, 1889, Morris County, Texas
  Ora Lee Posey (1.4.3.1.2), b. August 26, 1896, Hunt County, Texas
  Willie Esther Posey (1.4.3.1.3), b. February 17, 1901, Hunt County, Texas
  Louis Henry Posey, Jr.(1.4.3.1.4), b. August 17, 1907, Greer County, Oklahoma


Louis Henry Posey
Martha (Shelton) Posey
ca. 1888
Courtesy of Mildred Olive


In 1900, Louis and Martha Posey were living in Hunt County, Texas.  Louis Posey, Sr. died on July 2, 1935 in Greer County, Oklahoma and Martha (Shelton) Posey died on July 25, 1943 in Ector County, Texas.  Both were buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Mangum, Oklahoma.

References:  1)  1900 Census, Hunt County, Texas;  2)  “History of Greer County, Oklahoma,” 1980, Pages 136 and 137;  3)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Robert Casey, January 14, 1986;  4)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Robert Casey, June 3, 1987

ALMA ELIZABETH POSEY (1.4.3.1.1) is the daughter of Louis Henry Posey and Martha Jane (Shelton) Posey.  Alma was born on August 3, 1889 in Morris County, Texas.  On December 22, 1907, Alma Posey married Joseph Benjamin Olive in Greer County, Oklahoma.  Joseph was born on December 21, 1879 in Cherokee County, Georgia and is the son of John Olive and Martha Angeline (Donehoo) Olive.  Joseph and Alma Olive were the parents of six children:

  Martha Thelma Olive, b. December 15, 1908, Greer County, Oklahoma
  Nora Ellen Olive (1.4.3.1.1.2), b. July 16, 1911, Greer County, Oklahoma
  Leona Mae Olive, b. April 30, 1914, Greer County, Oklahoma
  William Henry Olive (1.4.3.1.1.4), b. June 26, 1919, Greer County, Oklahoma
  Joseph Melvin Olive (1.4.3.1.1.5), b. August 29, 1921, Greer County, Oklahoma
  Mildred Vaudene Olive, b. March 30, 1924, Greer County, Oklahoma


4-84  INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES

Alma (Posey) Olive
Joseph Benjamin Olive
Wedding Photograph, 1907
Courtesy of Mildred Olive


Joseph Olive died on January 8, 1967 in Greer County, Oklahoma and Alma (Posey) Olive died on March 14, 1986.  Both were buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Mangum, Oklahoma.  “Thelma” Olive taught school in Oklahoma for 45 years.  As of 1986, Thelma is retired and lives in Big Spring, Texas.  On June 1, 1946, Leona “Lea” Olive married Chauncey Buchanan Long in Odessa, Texas.  Chauncey was born on January 23, 1918 and is the son of Charles C. Long and Clara (Peeples) Long.  Chauncey and Lea Long had no children.  Chauncey Long was a pipe line gauger and Lea (Olive) Long is a retired realtor.  Chauncey Long died on November 17, 1986 and was buried in the Trinity Memorial Cemetery in Big Spring, Texas.  Mildred “Midge” Vaudene Olive is retired from a career with Conoco, Inc.  As of 1987, Mildred Olive lives in Big Spring, Texas.

References:  1)  “History of Greer County, Oklahoma,” 1980;  2)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Robert Casey, January 14, 1986;  3)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Harold Casey, February 18, 1987;  4)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Robert Casey, July 30, 1987

NORA ELLEN OLIVE (1.4.3.1.1.2) is the daughter of Joseph Benjamin Olive and Alma Elizabeth (Posey) Olive.  Nora was born July 16, 1911 in Greer County, Oklahoma.  On July 7, 1935, Nora married Howard Eugene Russell in Greer County, Oklahoma.  Howard was born on February 3, 1912 and is the son of John William Russell and Jessie James (Land) Russell.  Howard and Nora Russell are the parents of two children:

  Delores Del Russell, b. March 22, 1941, Lawton, Oklahoma
  James Howard Russell, b. May 17, 1946, Mangum, Oklahoma

Nora is a retired school teacher and Howard works at a lumber firm in Ada, Oklahoma, where they presently live.  In 1959, Delores Russell married William Ronald Lanier.  Ron was born on October 12, 1940 and is the son of Buck Lanier and Bertha (Armstrong) Lanier.  Ron and Delores Lanier are the parents of five children:  -  Gina Denise Lanier, b. November 26, 1959, Big Spring, Texas,  -  Lisa Gaye Lanier, b. December 6, 1960, Big Spring, Texas,  -  William Gregory Lanier, b. December 13, 1962, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,  -  Michelle Monique Lanier, b. October 15, 1966, Stillwater, Oklahoma,  -  Angela Ellen Lanier, b. July 2, 1968, Huntsville, Texas.  Ron and Delores Lanier were divorced.  Delores presently lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Gina Lanier married Weldon Eugene Kilpatrick, son of Vernon Kilpatrick.  Weldon and Gina Kilpatrick are the parents of two children:  -  Brandon Scott Kilpatrick, b. November 13, 1981,  -  Caleb Eugene Kilpatrick, b. April 13, 1984.  Lisa Lanier married Stanley Wade Thomason (born June 23, 1961) and they are the parents of two children:  -  Tricia Nicole Thomason, b. March 17, 1980,  -  Trey Delmar Thomason, b. April 2, 1984.  Greg Lanier married Nancy Carol Browning.  Nancy was born on June 15, 1956 in Sulphur, Oklahoma and is the daughter of Kenneth O. Browning and Edith (Hood) Browning.  Greg and Nancy Lanier have one son:  -  William Devon Lanier, b. May 22, 1982.  Michelle Lanier died as an infant on October 18, 1966 and was buried in Sickles Cemetery in Sickles, Oklahoma.  Angela Ellen Lanier is single.  James Howard Russell is unmarried and lives in Ada, Oklahoma.

MASTER PUBLICATION  4-85

References:  Letter, Mildred Olive to Harold Casey, February 18, 1987;  2)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Robert Casey, June 3, 1987

WILLIAM HENRY OLIVE (1.4.3.1.1.4) is the son of Joseph Benjamin Olive and Alma Elizabeth (Posey) Olive.  Henry was born on June 26, 1919 in Greer County, Oklahoma.  On April 23, 1939, Henry Olive married Betty Edwina Cook in Mangum, Oklahoma.  Betty was born October 18, 1923 in Greer County, Oklahoma and is the daughter of William Lanford Cook and Sadia Almeda (Dean) Cook.  Henry and Betty Olive are the parents of four children:

  Aneda Darlene Olive, b. May 24, 1940, Mangum, Oklahoma
  Brenda Colleen Olive, b. June 18, 1942, Altus, Oklahoma
  Clayton Donnell Olive, b. September 19, 1946, Altus, Oklahoma
  Ben William Olive, b. June 29, 1951, Mangum, Oklahoma

Henry is a retired truck driver and presently lives in Mangum, Oklahoma.  In 1961, Aneda Olive married Orphie Neathery, III in Mangum, Oklahoma.  Orphie was born on September 9, 1941 in Granite, Oklahoma and is the son of Orphie Neathery, II and John Bunny (Winchester) Neathery.  Orphie and Aneda Neathery are the parents of two children:  -  Jeffrey Stephen Neathery, b. January 7, 1962,  -  Constance Annette Neathery, b. July 10, 1965.  As of 1986, Orphie and Aneda Neathery live in San Antonio, Texas.

In 1958, Brenda Olive married Jerry Don Wilson in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  Jerry and Brenda Wilson are the parents of three children:  -  Darcia Lynn Wilson, b. April 3, 1962,  -  John Henry Wilson, b. July 25, 1967,  -  Clint Allen Wilson, b. April 18, 1970.  Jerry and Brenda Wilson were divorced and Brenda presently lives in Phoenix, Arizona.  On January 28, 1984, Darcia Lynn Wilson married Billy Henry and they have no children.  John Henry Wilson died on June 5, 1978 of cystic fibrosis in Mangum, Oklahoma and was buried there in the Riverside Cemetery.

In 1969, Clayton Olive married Eva Mae Whitehurst and they have one son:  -  William Donnell Olive, b. February 10, 1970.  Clayton and Eva Mae Olive were divorced.  As of 1986, Clayton Olive lives in Mangum, Oklahoma.  In 1969, Ben Olive married Deborah Dickess in Silver Spring, Maryland.  Ben and Deborah Olive have two children:  -  James William Olive, b. June 28, 1970,  -  Angela Kay Olive, b. December 18, 1972.  Ben and Deborah Olive were divorced.  On April 18, 1979, Ben Olive married a second time to Phillis Schwartz and they have no children.  As of 1986, Ben and Phillis Olive live in Hearne, Texas.

4-86  INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES

Reference:  1)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Harold Casey, February 18, 1987

JOSEPH MELVIN OLIVE (1.4.3.1.1.5) is the son of Joseph Benjamin Olive and Alma Elizabeth (Posey) Olive.  Melvin was born on August 29, 1921 in Greer County, Oklahoma.  On November 30, 1941, Melvin Olive married Velma Oleta Boyett in Greer County, Oklahoma.  Velma was born on May 23, 1922 and is the daughter of Claude Boyett and Mertie Risser (Nesmith) Boyett.  Melvin and Velma Olive are the parents of two children:

  Ruth Ellen Olive, b. June 25, 1943, Altus, Oklahoma
  Phyllip Michael Olive, b. November 4, 1947, Altus, Oklahoma

Melvin is a retired electronics engineer and lives in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma.  In 1961, Ruth Olive married Larry Bryant Pate in Sierra Vista, Arizona.  Larry and Ruth Pate have three children:  -  Troy Phyllip Pate, b. May 10, 1962,  -  Todd Bryant Pate, b. October 5, 1966,  -  Trent Clifton Pate, b. September 8, 1977.  Larry and Ruth Pate were divorced.  On January 1, 1976, Ruth married a second time to George Michael Caldwell in Houston, Texas.  Michael was born on March 11, 1951 in Asheville, North Carolina and is the son of Floyd William Caldwell and Anna Belle (Roberts) Caldwell.  Michael and Ruth Caldwell presently live in Russellville, Arkansas.  Todd Bryant Pate was killed in an automobile accident on December 1, 1986.

On June 7, 1974, Phyllip Olive married Susan Chappell Moore in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  Susan was born on February 3, 1954 in Edmond, Oklahoma and is the daughter of Harvey Lawrence Moore, Jr. and Shirley Ruth (Chappell) Moore.  Phyllip and Susan Olive have two children:  -  Matthew Phyllip Olive, b. April 8, 1977,  -  Michael Benjamin Olive, b. November 20, 1979.  Phyllip and Susan Olive presently live in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Reference:  1)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Harold Casey, February 18, 1987

ORA LEE POSEY (1.4.3.1.2) is the daughter of Louis Henry Posey and Martha Jane (Shelton) Posey.  Ora Lee was born on August 26, 1896 in Hunt County, Texas.  On April 27, 1919, Ora Lee Posey married Daniel Monroe Taylor in Greer County, Oklahoma.  Daniel and Ora Lee Taylor were the parents of three children:  

  Willie Monroe Taylor, b. May 11, 1920, Mangum, Oklahoma
  John Louis Taylor (1.4.3.1.2.2), b. April 30, 1925, Mangum, Oklahoma
  Martha Frances Taylor, b. March, 1929, Mangum, Oklahoma

Ora Lee (Posey) Taylor died on March 13, 1948 (the same day her grandson was born) in Newhall, California in an automobile accident and was buried in the Pacific Crest Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.  Monroe Taylor married Mary Frances Turner.  Mary was born on July 20, 1924 and is the daughter of Vic Turner and Ada Bell (Carter) Turner.  Monroe and Mary Taylor have one daughter:  -  Donna Faye Taylor, b. November 9, 1946, Winter Haven, Florida.  Monroe and Mary Taylor were divorced.  Monroe Taylor and his second wife, Steffanie, have no children.  Monroe is a retired construction superintendent and presently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.  In 1964, Donna Faye Taylor married LeRoy Moran.  Martha Frances Taylor died in May of 1930 from measles complications and was buried in Ladessa Cemetery in Greer County, Oklahoma.

MASTER PUBLICATION  4-87

Reference:  1)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Harold Casey, February 18, 1987

JOHN LOUIS TAYLOR (1.4.3.1.2.2) is the son of Daniel Monroe Taylor and Ora Lee (Posey) Taylor.  John was born on April 30, 1925 in Mangum, Oklahoma.  On July 11, 1943, John Taylor married Maona Callis in Odessa, Texas.  Maona was born on February 25, 1925 and is the daughter of Jesse W. Callis.  John and Maona Taylor are the parents of two children:

  Ramona Louise Taylor, b. June 6, 1944, Torrance, California
  John Louis Taylor, Jr., b. March 13, 1948, Newhall, California

John and Maona Taylor were divorced.  John is presently in the construction business in Dallas, Texas.  Ramona Taylor married Ira Essoe, II and they have three children:  -  Ira Essoe, III,  -  Tony Essoe,  -  Ramona Essoe.  Ira Essoe, II is employed by the sheriff’s department in Orange County, California.  Ira was shot while in the line of duty and uses a wheelchair.  Ira and Ramona Essoe currently live in Orange County, California.  Ira Essoe, III and his wife, Josie, have one daughter:  -  Jennifer Essoe.  Tony Essoe and Ramona Essoe are single.  John Taylor, Jr. has been married twice and presently lives in Sacramento, California.  John Taylor, Jr. is the father of two children:  -  Neshe Taylor (by first marriage),  -  Tia Taylor (by second marriage).

Reference:  1)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Harold Casey, February 18, 1987

WILLIE ESTHER POSEY (1.4.3.1.3) is the daughter of Louis Henry Posey and Martha (Shelton) Posey.  Willie was born on February 17, 1901 in Hunt County, Texas.  On June 5, 1918, Willie Posey married Charlie Edwin Bills in Mangum, Oklahoma.  Charlie is the son of E. C. Bills and Mittie Oneda Bills.  Charlie and Willie Bills were the parents of two children:

  Harvey Edwin Bills (1.4.3.1.3.1), b. December 30, 1920, Mangum, Oklahoma
  Audrey Oneda Bills (1.4.3.1.3.2), b. April 27, 1923, Clinton, Oklahoma

Charlie Bills was a plumber and electrician.  Charlie and Willie Bills were divorced and Charlie Bills has remarried.  Willie (Posey) Bills died on November 26, 1970 in Odessa, Texas and was buried there in the Odessa Cemetery.

Reference:  1)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Harold Casey, February 18, 1987

HARVEY EDWIN BILLS (1.4.3.1.3.1) is the son of Charlie Edwin Bills and Willie Esther (Posey) Bills.  Harvey was born on December 30, 1920 in Mangum, Oklahoma.  On December 1, 1940, Harvey Edwin Bills married Jimmie Florence Stone in Monahans, Texas.  Jimmie was born on July 11, 1925 and is the daughter of William Houston Stone and Bertha Elizabeth (Edgely) Stone.  Harvey and Jimmie Bills are the parents of seven children:

4-88  INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES

  Sherry Glynn Bills, b. October 30, 1941, Odessa, Texas
  Barbara Lynn Bills, b. July 14, 1943, Salt Lake City, Utah
  Carolyn Gwen Bills, b. September 9, 1944
  Krystal Lee Bills, b. September 2, 1946, Odessa, Texas
  Janis Star Bills, b. January 3, 1949, Odessa, Texas
  Jimmy Edwin Bills, b. January 10, 1950
  Paula Sue Bills, b. February 2, 1951, Sweetwater, Texas

Harvey Bills is a retired electrician and as of 1986, lives in Oregon.  Sherry Bills married Joe Allen Partain.  Joe was born on September 7, 1943 in Odessa, Texas and is the son of Leonard Thomas Partain and Wanda Jean (Anderson) Partain.  Joe and Sherry Partain have three children:  -  Thomas Edwin Partain, b. June 17, 1960,  -  Wanda Jean Partain, b. June 20, 1961,  -  Brenda Sue Partain, b. January 30, 1963.  Wanda Jean Partain married David Brumig.

Barbara Bills married Richard Herbert Glass.  Richard was born on December 28, 1931 and is the son of Herbert Glass and Ione Glass.  Richard and Barbara Glass have three children:  -  Richard Herbert Glass, Jr., b. November 28, 1965,  -  Charles Harvey Glass, b. July 20, 1968,  -  Cosandra Marie Glass, b. June 20, 1970.  Barbara married a second time to Byrd Morrison.  Carolyn Gwen Bills died on September 11, 1944 in San Diego, California and was buried in the Odessa Cemetery in Odessa, Texas.

Krystal Bills married Charles Michael Flanders.  Charles was born in Temple, Texas and is the son of Howard Flanders.  Charles and Krystal Flanders have three children:  -  Mikki Lynn Flanders, b. February 9, 1969,  -  Christopher Michael Flanders, b. March 17, 1969,  -  Deanna Marie Flanders, b. June 30, 1970.  Krystal married a second time to John Leich.  Mikki Lynn Flanders married Darryl Degelman and they have two children:  -  Matthew Degelman, b. 1984,  -  Nina Marie Degelman, b. 1985.

Janis Bills married Michael Rodgers Duffin.  Michael is the son of Rodger Duffin and Patricia Duffin.  Michael and Janis Duffin have two children:  -  Michael Donald Duffin, b. March 15, 1968,  -  Steven Allen Duffin, b. June 1, 1970.  Jimmy Edwin Bills died on January 11, 1950 and was buried in the Odessa Cemetery.  Paula Bills married Stanley Klingersmith (born in Sheolta, Pennsylvania).  Stanley and Paula Klingersmith have one son:  -  Eric Richards Klingersmith.

Reference:  1)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Harold Casey, February 18, 1987

AUDREY ONEDA BILLS (1.4.3.1.3.2) is the daughter of Charlie Edwin Bills and Willie Esther (Posey) Bills.  Audrey was born on April 27, 1923 in Clinton, Oklahoma.  Audrey Bills married Harold Leo Harrold and they have one daughter:

  Rosa Marie Harrold, b. November 13, 1940, Odessa, Texas

MASTER PUBLICATION  4-89

Harold and Audrey Harrold were divorced.  On June 6, 194l, Audrey married a second time to Arthur Clay Rowe in Odessa, Texas.  Arthur was born on September 23, 1920 in Texarkana, Texas and is the son of William Clay Rowe and Ada (Willims) Rowe.  Arthur and Audrey Rowe have three children:

  James Clifton Rowe, b. May 27, 1943, Odessa, Texas
  William Edwin Rowe, b. May 5, 1946, Odessa, Texas
  Randel Lee Rowe, b. July 21, 1948, Odessa, Texas

Arthur Clay Rowe was killed in an oil field accident on May 11, 1953 in Ector County, Texas.  On April 19, 1954, Audrey married a third time to George Ellis Jeffcoat in Carlsbad, New Mexico.  George is the son of Henry Holton Jeffcoat and Verdie May (Neal) Jeffcoat.  George and Audrey Jeffcoat are the parents of two children:

  Patricia Irene Jeffcoat, b. January 30, 1956, Lubbock, Texas
  Mark Steven Jeffcoat, b. October 9, 1958, Odessa, Texas

George and Audrey Jeffcoat were divorced.  Audrey (Bills) Jeffcoat presently lives in Odessa, Texas.  On March 15, 1959, Rosa “Marie” Harrold married Charles A. Reynolds in Odessa, Texas.  Charles was born on January 29, 1936 in Sanger, Texas and is the son of Charles Allen Reynolds and Euna Lee (Mercer) Reynolds.  Charles and Marie Reynolds have three children:  -  Vanessa Jean Reynolds, b. February 14, 1960, Odessa, Texas,  -  Nancy Shirlene Reynolds, b. April 21, 1961, Odessa, Texas,  -  Kenneth Dean Reynolds, b. May 15, 1962, Odessa, Texas.  Charles and Marie Reynolds were divorced.  Marie (Harrold) Reynolds lives in Arkansas.  Vanessa Reynolds married Richard Harding and they have one son:  -  Joshua Bernd Harding, b. August 15, 1980.  Nancy Reynolds married Craig Deutsch and they have one son:  -  Adam Daniel Deutsch, b. December 6, 1986.  In December of 1986, Kenneth Reynolds and his wife, Stacy, were married.

On April 10, 1964, James “Cliff” Rowe married Enola Gay Cowin in Odessa, Texas.  Enola was born on August 27, 1946 and is the daughter of Perry Melvin Cowin and Lillian Pauline (Tipton) Cowin.  Cliff and Enola Rowe live in Odessa, Texas where James is a building contractor.  Cliff and Enola Rowe have two children:  -  Byron Scott Rowe, b. February 24, 1965, Odessa, Texas,  -  Audra Pauline Rowe, b. September 5, 1969.  On August 10, 1984, Byron Rowe married Sherry Lynell Joines in Odessa, Texas.  Sherry was born on September 30, 1964 in Snyder, Texas and is the daughter of Bobby Richard Joines and Nell Ray (Crawford) Joines.  Byron and Sherry Rowe have no children.

On December 17, 1967, William Rowe married Linda Elaine Dunkle.  William Edwin Rowe was killed in Vietnam on March 21, 1969 and was buried in Westminster, California on April 8, 1969.  Randel Lee Rowe is single.  Patricia Jeffcoat married Howard Lee Miller.  Howard was born on June 24, 1943 and is the son of Howard Miller and Beatrice Miller.  Howard and Patricia Miller have one daughter:  -  Natalie Joann Miller, b. March 22, 1973.  Mark Jeffcoat is single.

Reference:  1)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Harold Casey, February 18, 1987

4-90  INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES

LOUIS HENRY POSEY, JR. (1.4.3.1.4) is the son of Louis Henry Posey and Martha Jane (Shelton) Posey.  Louis was born on August 17, 1907 in Greer County, Oklahoma.  On October 20, 1929, Louis Henry Posey, Jr. married Lois Aline Ashley in Mangum, Oklahoma.  Lois was born on August 27, 1908 in Clovis, New Mexico and is the daughter of Cecil Ashley and Willie Godera (Haste) Ashley.  Louis and Lois Posey were the parents of four sons:

  Louis Henry Posey, III (1.4.2.1.4.1), b. October 7, 1930, Mangum, Oklahoma
  Gene Paul Posey (1.4.3.1.4.2), b. January 1, 1935, Mangum, Oklahoma
  Donald Glenn Posey, b. March 4, 1937, Odessa, Texas
  Ralph Carlton Posey, b. December 3, 1939, Mangum, Oklahoma

Louis Posey, Jr. was an electrical contractor in Odessa, Texas.  Lois (Ashley) Posey died on February 2, 1977 in Odessa, Texas and Louis Posey, Jr. died on February 27, 1980 in Odessa, Texas.  Both were buried in the Odessa Memorial Cemetery in Odessa, Texas.  Donald Posey died unmarried on October 26, 1986 in Odessa, Texas and was buried in the Odessa Memorial Cemetery.  On May 16, 1958, Ralph Posey married Joyce Ann Anoris in Monahans, Texas.  Joyce was born on July 3, 1941 in Fairmont, West Virginia and is the daughter of Joseph Michael Anoris and Margaret Alice (Stevens) Anoris.  Ralph and Joyce Posey live in San Diego, California and have one daughter:  -  Cynthia Rene Posey, b. December 14, 1960.

Reference:  1)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Harold Casey, February 18, 1987

LOUIS HENRY POSEY, III (1.4.3.1.4.1) is the son of Louis Henry Posey, Jr. and Lois Aline (Ashley) Posey.  Louis was born on October 7, 1930 in Mangum, Oklahoma.  In 1953, Louis Posey married Edna Faye Chatwell.  Faye was born on May 5, 1938 in Big Spring, Texas and is the daughter of William Ervin Chatwell and Edna Myrel (Nelson) Chatwell.  Louis and Faye Posey have two children:

  Debora Kay Posey, b. February 23, 1954, Odessa, Texas
  Robert Louis Posey, b. February 5, 1955, Odessa, Texas

Louis and Faye Posey were divorced.  On May 16, 1957, Louis Henry Posey, III married a second time to Flo Jean (Owen) Bardwell in Odessa, Texas.  Jean was born on February 23, 1930 in McCamey, Texas and is the daughter of Bun L. Owen and Flossie Farell (Littlejohn) Owen.  Louis and Jean Posey have one daughter:

  Judy Ann Posey, b. November 26, 1962, Odessa, Texas

Louis Henry Posey, III died on November 20, 1964 in San Angelo, Texas and was buried in the Odessa Memorial Cemetery.  On June 26, 1976, Debora Posey married Terry Charles Browning in Odessa, Texas.  Terry was born on April 16, 1954 in Odessa, Texas.  Terry and Debora Browning have three children:  -  Amanda Rose Browning, b. January 8, 1979,  -  Charles Duke Browning, b. February 26, 1982,  -  Beau Gardner Browning, b. August 15, 1984.  Terry and Debora Browning were divorced and Debora presently lives in Odessa, Texas.  On January 14, 1984, Judy Posey married George Resendiz, son of Jesse Resendiz of Odessa, Texas.

MASTER PUBLICATION  4-91

Reference:  1)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Harold Casey, February 18, 1987

GENE PAUL POSEY (1.4.3.1.4.2) is the son of Louis Henry Posey, Jr. and Lois Aline (Ashley) Posey.  Gene was born on January 1, 1935 in Mangum, Oklahoma.  On June 5, 1955, Gene Posey married Betty Corene Curtis in Odessa, Texas.  Betty was born on April 23, 1936 in Breckenridge, Texas and is the daughter of Dwayne Bradley Curtis and Ruth Eleanor (Morrow) Curtis.  Gene is with the Texas Highway Patrol and lives in Post, Texas.  Gene and Betty Posey have two children:

  David Wayne Posey, b. June 15, 1956, Odessa, Texas
  Patricia Lynn Posey, b. March 30, 1960, Odessa, Texas

On September 12, 1981, David Posey married Kathryn Lynn (McDonnel) Rutherford in Odessa, Texas.  Kathy was born on August 13, 1955 in Sweetwater, Texas.  David and Kathy Posey have no children and they live in Odessa, Texas.  Patricia Posey married Michael Lawrence Lofgren (born February 18, 1960 in Boston, Massachusetts).  Michael and Patricia Lofgren live in Amarillo, Texas and have two children:  -  Jason Roy Lofgren, b. December 20, 1977,  -  Rachel Renee Lofgren, b. December 27, 1982.

Reference:  1)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Harold Casey, February 18, 1987

JOHN BARTON SHELTON (1.4.3.2) is the son of Isaac Bynum Shelton and Mary Elizabeth (Coffman) Shelton.  John was born on February 14, 1868 in Franklin County, Arkansas.  John Shelton married Samantha Gibson and they were the parents of three children:

  Claude Edgar Shelton, b. July 31, 1892, Hale County, Texas
  Willis L. Shelton
  Lillie Shelton

Reference:  1)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Robert Casey, January 14, 1986

WILLIAM ANDREW SHELTON (1.4.3.3) is the son of Isaac Bynum Shelton and Mary Elizabeth (Coffman) Shelton.  William was born on March 30, 1870 in Texas.  William Shelton married Ima Arizona Lemaster (born 1873).  William and Ida Shelton were the parents of four children:

  Everett Shelton, b. 1904
  Evelyn Shelton, b. 1907
  Orville Shelton
  Ima Ruth Shelton

In 1910, William and Ida Shelton were living in Hale County, Texas.

References:  1)  1910 Census, Hale County, Texas;  2)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Robert Casey, January 14, 1986

4-92  INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES

GEORGE WASHINGTON SHELTON (1.4.3.4) is the son of Isaac Bynum Shelton and Mary Elizabeth (Coffman) Shelton.  George was born on July 9, 1872 in Titus County, Texas.  George Shelton and his wife, Addie Shelton (born 1881 in Arkansas), were the parents of at least five children:

  Walter Shelton, b. 1898
  Earl Shelton, b. 1901
  Elmer Shelton, b. 1904
  Mary Shelton, b. 1907
  Pearl Shelton

In 1910, George and Addie Shelton were living in Palo Pinto County, Texas.

References:  1)  1910 Census, Hale County, Texas;  2)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Robert Casey, January 14, 1986

ISAAC ALLEN SHELTON (1.4.3.5) is the son of Isaac Bynum Shelton and Mary Elizabeth (Coffman) Shelton.  Isaac “Bud” Shelton was born on February 3, 1875 in Titus County, Texas.  Bud Shelton and his wife, Minnie Shelton, moved to the West Coast in the early 1900’s.  In 1916, Bud and Minnie Shelton were living in Lindsay, California.

Reference:  1)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Robert Casey, January 14, 1986


Isaac Allen Shelton
ca. 1892
Courtesy of Lonnie B. Shelton


LUNDY AMERICA SHELTON (1.4.3.6) is the son of Isaac Bynum Shelton and Mary Elizabeth (Coffman) Shelton.  Lundy was born on January 24, 1878 in Morris County, Texas.  On July 21, 1907, Lundy Shelton married Myrtle Leona Lemaster at Plainview, Texas.  Myrtle was born on May 16, 1887 near Alvord, Texas and is the daughter of Seman Dallas Lemaster and Martha Lenora (White) Lemaster.  Lundy and Myrtle Shelton were the parents of eight children:

  Mary Elizabeth Shelton, b. May 23, 1908, Plainview, Texas
  Ellwood Isaac Shelton, b. May 26, 1909, Plainview, Texas
  Dorothy Myra Shelton, b. April 6, 1914, Sayre, Oklahoma
  Lundy Allen Shelton, b. March 4, 1917, Sayre, Oklahoma
  William Andrew Shelton, b. February 18, 1920, Sayre, Oklahoma
  John B. Shelton, b. July 17, 1923, La Junta, Colorado
  Lonnie B. Shelton, b. October 27, 1925, La Junta, Colorado
  Edwin Leo Shelton, b. February 27, 1928, Tulia, Texas


Lundy America Shelton
ca. 1958
Courtesy of Lonnie B. Shelton


MASTER PUBLICATION  4-93

In 1910, Lundy and Myrtle Shelton were living in Swisher County, Texas.  Lundy Shelton was a rancher and a farmer for most of his life.  In 1934, Lundy Shelton moved to Slaton, Texas where he owned and operated a laundry.  In 1945, Lundy and Myrtle Shelton retired and moved to Lubbock, Texas.  Lundy Shelton died on May 8, 1960 and Myrtle (Lemaster) Shelton died on January 28, 1973.  Both were buried in the Resthaven Memorial Cemetery in Lubbock, Texas.

References:  1)  1910 Census, Swisher County, Texas;  2)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Robert Casey, January 14, 1986;  3)  Letter, Lonnie B. Shelton to Harold Casey, January 28, 1987

THOMAS JEFFERSON SHELTON (1.4.3.8) is the son of Isaac Bynum Shelton and Mary Elizabeth (Coffman) Shelton.  Thomas was born on November 6, 1881 in Morris County, Texas.  Thomas Shelton married Sarah Wasson (born 1881 in Arkansas).  Thomas and Sarah Shelton were the parents of three children:

  Beulah Inez Shelton, b. 1905, Texas
  T. J. Shelton, b. 1908, Texas
  Wasson Shelton, b. 1911, Texas


Thomas Jefferson Shelton
ca. 1900
Courtesy of Mildred Olive


From 1910 to 1920, Thomas and Sarah Shelton were living in Hale County, Texas.  Thomas Jefferson Shelton died on May 5, 1943 in Hale County, Texas.

References:  1)  1910 and 1920 Censuses, Hale County, Texas;  2)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Robert Casey, January 14, 1986

CALVIN KEESTER SHELTON (1.4.3.9) is the son of Isaac Bynum Shelton and Mary Elizabeth (Coffman) Shelton.  Calvin was born on January 15, 1884 in Morris County, Texas.  Calvin Shelton married Ella Evelyn Hoyle (born 1887 in Missouri).  Calvin and Ella Shelton were the parents of three children:

  Ella Marguerete Shelton, b, 1914, Texas
  Beulah Helen Shelton, b. 1916, Texas
  Tommie Shelton


Calvin Keester Shelton
ca. 1900
Courtesy of Mildred Olive


In 1910, Calvin and Ella Shelton were living in Swisher County, Texas.  In 1920, Calvin and Ella Shelton were living in Hale County, Texas.

4-94  INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES

References:  1)  1910 Census, Swisher County, Texas;  2)  1920 Census, Hale County, Texas;  3)  Letter, Mildred Olive to Robert Casey, January 14, 1986