Person Page - 31

     Harper Emmitt GOODROE was born on 13 August 1882 in Marion County, Georgia.¹

Harper married Mary E. BURT, daughter of Joel Eugene BURT and Mary Elizabeth PATRICK, on 2 January 1920.¹

Harper Emmitt GOODROE died after 1955.

     Kathryn GOODROE, daughter of Harper Emmitt GOODROE and Mary E. BURT, was born on 21 March 1921 in Buena Vista, Georgia.¹

Kathryn married Otis Robert WALLACE Jr. on 25 June 1944 in Tampa, Florida.

Kathryn GOODROE died after 1955.

     Otis Robert WALLACE Jr. was born on 29 July 1915.

Otis married Kathryn GOODROE, daughter of Harper Emmitt GOODROE and Mary E. BURT, on 25 June 1944 in Tampa, Florida.

Otis Robert WALLACE Jr. died after 1955.

     Nancy BURT, daughter of William BURT Sr. and Elizabeth HURT, was born on 24 October 1785 in Halifax County, North Carolina.¹

Nancy BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 1 February 1786, in the household of her father William BURT Sr. in District 2, Halifax County, North Carolina.²

Nancy married James KIMBELL, son of James KIMBELL Sr., circa 1810.

Nancy KIMBELL received a deed of gift from her father William BURT Sr. on 12 October 1819 in Halifax County, North Carolina. Both were residents of Halifax county. He gave her 5 shillings and Negroes Aggy, daughter of Nelly, Cisaa..ry, daughter of sd. Nelly,and Perciller, daughter of Patty. It was witnessed by Jesse Dupree and proven 10 Dec 1819 before J. J. Daniel JSL.³

Nancy BURT was named an heir in the will of William BURT Sr. dated 26 January 1824 in Halifax County, North Carolina. He listed her as a daughter, Nancy Kimbrell, and she received slaves.⁴

A Halifax county deed circa 1825 shows James KIMBELL of Morgan county, Alabama, granted James T. Kimball, Jr. power of attorney to recover the inheritance of his wife Nancy KIMBELL from the estate of her father William Burt, Sr., dec'd of Halifax county.⁵

Nancy BURT died on 4 January 1855 in Morgan County, Alabama, at age 69.¹ She was buried in Kimbell Cemetery.

     James L. HUBBARD, son of Eustace Bea MEDDERS, was born on 22 October 1932 in Bibb County, Alabama.¹

James L. HUBBARD died on 7 September 1978 in New Orleans, Louisiana, at age 45.

     Thomas W. HUBBARD, son of Eustace Bea MEDDERS, was born in 1939 in Bibb County, Alabama.

Thomas W. HUBBARD died on 7 July 1988.

     Opal Lee MEDDERS, daughter of James Walter MEDDERS and Nettie Nona BURT, was born on 4 October 1921 in Cedar Grove, Bibb County, Alabama.¹

Opal Lee MEDDERS appeared on a census, enumerated 15 April 1930, in the household of James Walter MEDDERS and Nettie Nona BURT in Beat 2, Bibb County, Alabama.²

Opal Lee MEDDERS died on 21 November 2006 in Mobile, Alabama, at age 85. She was buried in Pine Crest Cemetery, Mobile, Alabama.

     Florine LaMoyne MEDDERS, daughter of James Walter MEDDERS and Nettie Nona BURT, was born on 29 September 1925 in Cedar Grove, Bibb County, Alabama.¹

Florine married Emory John Minium.¹

Florine LaMoyne MEDDERS appeared on a census, enumerated 15 April 1930, in the household of James Walter MEDDERS and Nettie Nona BURT in Beat 2, Bibb County, Alabama.²

Florine LaMoyne MEDDERS died on 25 April 1995 in New Mexico at age 69. She was buried in Aztec Cemetery, Aztec, San Juan County, New Mexico.

     Nona LaShawn MEDDERS, daughter of James Walter MEDDERS and Nettie Nona BURT, was born on 9 October 1930 in Cedar Grove, Bibb County, Alabama.¹

Nona married Thomas Copley Davidson circa 1957.¹

Nona LaShawn MEDDERS died on 6 November 2003 in Bibb County, Alabama, at age 73. She was buried in Ada Chapel Bible Methodist Church Cemetery, Cedar Grove, Bibb County, Alabama.

     Wayne Lesley WATTS, son of Charlie McCoy WATTS and Martha Jane KINNARD, was born on 25 April 1923 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama.¹

Wayne Lesley WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 16 April 1930, in the household of Charlie McCoy WATTS and Martha Jane KINNARD in James Beat, Bibb County, Alabama.² He was working for Belcher Lumber Company before 1943 in Bibb County, Alabama.¹

Wayne began military service at age 19 on 10 February 1943 in Warrior, Jefferson County, Alabama. He trained with the 87th Infantry Division at Camp McCain, Mississippi and Fort Jackson, South Carolina. As a replacement Wayne served in combat as a corporal in Co. L 157th Regiment, 45th Infantry (Thunderbirds) Division of the 5th and 7th Armies. He participated in the invasions of Anzio, Italy; Southern France and Germany. He was awarded five medals, among which are the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Prisoner of War. Wayne was wounded and captured during January 1945 at the Battle of Reipertswiller and held as a POW four months at Stalag XII-A near Limburg. He was also held at Marlag X-A near Hamburg and Marlag X-B near Limberg. He was liberated in May 1945 by 51st Scottish Highlanders. After the war he served in the Army Reserves as M/Sgt and in the Navy Reserves as Senior Chief Petty Officer.^1,3

Wayne Lesley WATTS was a manufacturing supervisor for T. C. I., Joslyn Manufacturing (metal fabrication), and retired from the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Mine Safety and Health MSHA. He is also an ordained Southern Baptist minister after 1945 in Bessemer, Jefferson County, Alabama.¹

Wayne married first Frances Lillian YOUNG on 3 February 1946 in First Baptist Church, Centreville, Alabama. She is the mother of Wayne's four girls. Her parents were George Houston Young [1900-1982] and Emma Sue Burt [1898-1984]. She was the daughter of John Wesley Burt of Perry County. Wayne's occupation at this time was mining.^1,4

Wayne married second Myrtle Christine Bigbee on 3 July 1977 in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Bibb County, Alabama. She was married previously to a Mr. Waldrop.⁵ He witnessed the burial of Mallory McCoy BURT on 3 February 1999 in Southern Heritage Cemetery, Pelham, Jefferson County, Alabama.

Wayne Lesley WATTS died on 27 October 2014 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, at age 91. He was buried in Mount Zion Cemetery, Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama.

His obituary appeared 29 October 2014 in the an unknown place , published in an unknown place , an unknown place . The Tuscaloosa News: TUSCALOOSA | Wayne L. Watts, age 91, of Tuscaloosa, formerly of Bessemer, Ala., passed away Monday, October 27, 2014.

He was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa. He was retired from MSHA. Mr. Watts was an Army veteran of WWII. He was a POW in the European Campaign, receiving two Purple Hearts and four Bronze Stars.

He was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Frances L. Watts and his daughter, Martha Sue Paschal. Wayne is survived by his wife, Dixie Watts; his stepson, Billy Colburn; his daughters, Sherry Morrison (James), Renetta Hawkins (Mark) and Rachelle Ray (Phillip); his stepdaughters, Becky Meany (Mickey) and Sharon Herrin; eleven grandchildren and sixteen great- grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Thursday, October 30, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Bessemer Brown Service Funeral Home with burial at Mount Zion Cemetery in Centreville. Bro. Leon Winters will be officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday, October 29, 2014 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to www.bessemerbrownfh.com. Bessemer Brown Service Funeral Home, directing.

     Eldridge Carter WATTS, son of Charlie McCoy WATTS and Martha Jane KINNARD, was born on 22 May 1919 in Bibb County, Alabama.¹ He was owner and operator of a freight truck. At various times he also farmed and worked for T. C. I. mining coal.

Eldridge Carter WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 7 February 1920, in the household of his parents Charlie McCoy WATTS and Martha Jane KINNARD in James Beat, Bibb County, Alabama. He was eight months old.

The Watts boys attended the Pleasant Hill School. The 6 Jan 1927 issue of The Centreville Press listed the school's honor roll, which included Eldridge Watts in the first grade, Pascal Watts in the third grade and Cecil Watts in the sixth grade.

Eldridge Carter WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 16 April 1930, in the household of Charlie McCoy WATTS and Martha Jane KINNARD in James Beat, Bibb County, Alabama.²

Eldridge Carter WATTS witnessed the burial of his grandfather George Weaver WATTS in Scottsville Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.

He enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1941, rising to the rank of sergeant. He served four and a half years in combat as part of the 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Division in the Pacific Theater. He was involved in the fighting on Attu, Kawelejin and Layte. He was wounded during the Battle of Okinawa.³

Eldridge married Mary Edith Johnson on 2 November 1945 in Bibb County, Alabama.¹

Eldridge Carter WATTS died on 20 April 1976 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, at age 56. He was killed in a truck driving accident.¹ He was buried in Memory Hill Gardens, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

     Charley Cecil WATTS, son of Charlie McCoy WATTS and Martha Jane KINNARD, was born on 28 April 1916 in Eoline, Bibb County, Alabama.¹ He was first employed in the lumber mills near home. He next worked as an engineer on river boats and later owned a tree surgery business in Tuscaloosa.

Charley Cecil WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 7 February 1920, in the household of his parents Charlie McCoy WATTS and Martha Jane KINNARD in James Beat, Bibb County, Alabama. He was 3 years, 9 months old.

The Watts boys attended the Pleasant Hill School. The 6 Jan 1927 issue of The Centreville Press listed the school's honor roll, which included Eldridge Watts in the first grade, Pascal Watts in the third grade and Cecil Watts in the sixth grade.

Charley Cecil WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 16 April 1930, in the household of Charlie McCoy WATTS and Martha Jane KINNARD in James Beat, Bibb County, Alabama.²

Charley married first Vera Mae Latham circa 1936. They later divorced.

Charley Cecil WATTS witnessed the burial of his grandfather George Weaver WATTS in Scottsville Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.

Charley was registered for the draft during World War II in 1940 while living in Jefferson County, Alabama. He was 24 years old and employed by W. A. Belcher. His residence at the time was Adger, Jefferson county. He was described as 5 foot 11 inch, 158 lbs., light complexion, with gray eyes and black hair. His next of kin was Vera May Watts.

Charley Cecil WATTS and Vera Mae Latham appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 4 May 1940 in Precinct 4, Belcher's Camp, Jefferson County, Alabama. The household was listed as Cecil C. Watts, 24-year-old blacker in a saw mill, and Vera Mae Watts, 20, his wife. They each had only a 6th grade education. They resided on Nancy Ann Bend Road. In 1935 they had ived in rural Bibb county.

Charley married second Christine Carter circa 1946.

Charley began military service at age 30 on 27 October 1946 in Alabama serving as a private in the U. S. Army of occupation in Germany. He was assigned to the artillery. He was released 10 Oct 1947.

He enlisted again 28 Nov 1950 for the Korean War and was released 25 Jan 1951.

Christine died on 24 June 1956 in Bibb County, Alabama, at age 30 from drowning leaving Charley Cecil WATTS as a widower.³

Charley Cecil WATTS died on 6 November 1991 in Brent, Bibb County, Alabama, at age 75.¹ He was buried in Camp Grounds Methodist Church, Samantha, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.

     Gesner Marie WATTS, daughter of Charlie McCoy WATTS and Martha Jane KINNARD, was born on 2 October 1928 in Bibb County, Alabama.¹

Gesner Marie WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 16 April 1930, in the household of Charlie McCoy WATTS and Martha Jane KINNARD in James Beat, Bibb County, Alabama.²

Gesner Marie WATTS died on 21 November 1994 in Brent, Bibb County, Alabama, at age 66.¹ She was buried in Haysop Baptist Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama. She is buried beside her second husband, Vanoy Caffee.

     Albert John Cleveland WATTS, son of John Cleveland WATTS and Mae Leah STEWART, was born on 15 May 1918 in Bibb County, Alabama.^2,3 Albert John Cleveland WATTS was known to friends and family as A. J. His occupation was saw milling.

A. J. WATTS appeared on a census, enumerated 8 January 1920, in the household of John Cleveland WATTS and Mae Leah STEWART in the Lomax Beat, Bibb County, Alabama.⁴

Albert John Cleveland WATTS witnessed the burial of his grandfather George Weaver WATTS in Scottsville Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.

Albert married Cora Kornegay on 2 May 1941 in Brent, Bibb County, Alabama. She was the daughter of Martin Van Buren Kornegay and Velma Smith.^2,1 He witnessed the burial of Mallory McCoy BURT on 3 February 1999 in Southern Heritage Cemetery, Pelham, Jefferson County, Alabama.

Albert John Cleveland WATTS died on 17 February 2001 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama, at age 82.^3,5 He was buried on 19 February 2001 in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.³