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Generation: 1

  1. 1.  Living

    Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


Generation: 2

  1. 2.  Donald Earl McLemoreDonald Earl McLemore was born on 26 Jan 1940 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas (son of Vessie Earl McLemore and Velta Alnettie Rawson); died on 7 Sep 2016 in North Zulch, Madison County, Texas; was buried in Houston National Cemetery, Houston, Harris County, Texas.

    Notes:

    The following is excerpted from a cover story in "Services: The Magazine for the Building Service Contracting Industry" Volume XIV, Number 1, January 1999.

    PROFILE: BSCAI's New President Donald McLemore, CBSE McLemore Building Maintenance, Inc.

    Donald McLemore, CBSE, heads a major Southwest building service company. This year, he will lead the Building Service Contractors Association International. In this interview, McLemore describes his company, his philosophy, and his vision for BSCAI and the industry.

    How did McLemore Building Maintenance get started? I first arrived in Houston in 1964 with $35 in my pocket and no automobile. After several types of jobs, sometimes three at the same time, I settled down to the pick up and delivery of laundry and dry cleaning for almost five years. However, I had been raised in an entrepreneurial family, and was continually looking around for something I could do on my own. We looked at a washeteria, a fast food restaurant, a bar, a laundry, and a fishing marina. I told Torah Lee---I got married in 1966--that I could be the fishing guide and she could run the store and take care of the bait. She didn't seem to like that idea or the one about owning a bar. She said I would drink up all the profits. Early one morning I was picking up Dr. Walker's office laundry, and he was complaining about his cleaning service. I told him that I could do what he needed done if he would let me try. He gave me the job and a week later I had bought several other small accounts from another contractor. That was September 1, 1970. The first month's total billing was $513.50 but we did all the work so it was a pretty good profit. Married, two very young children, a brand new home, and on July 3, 1971, I gave up the laundry business and went into the janitorial industry full time. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make but one that I have never regretted.

    MBM is a family-owned and run business. What roles or positions do your family members fill? Torah Lea retired after 26 years in January 1997 but still comes in whenever we are short-handed. Keith, our oldest son, started sweeping floors in our warehouse 12 years ago, and has been the Houston Operations Manager for the past five years. Curtis, our youngest son, came on board five years ago in Special Services and is Director of Marketing and Sales today. Stephanie, Curtis's wife, is the MBM Office Manager. Evita, Keith's new wife, started as an assistant to the Human Resources Manager. Then there is Nina, my sister. She is the Executive Secretary and has been with us for 13 years. Of course, there are many others who are just like my kids whom have been here for years.....Last year's BOMA Building of the Year in Houston was cleaned by MBM for Trammel Crow. We clean and cut the yards on several hundred phone company buildings in three states. A chemical plant that is spread out over six thousand acres with 124 buildings...

    Obituary

    Graveside services for Donald McLemore, 76 of North Zulch, Texas, will be held at 10:45 A.M., Monday, September 12, 2016 at the Houston National Cemetery in Houston, Texas. A visitation will take place from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M., Friday, September 9th at the Madisonville Funeral Home in Madisonville, Texas. Immediately following the services on Monday, a reception will be held at 110 Fargo, Houston, Texas 77006.

    Donald Earl McLemore was born on January 26, 1940 in San Augustine, Texas to Vessie Earl & Velta (Rawson) McLemore. He was the owner of McLemore Building Maintenance, Inc. from 1970 to 2003 and a past president of Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI). Although Donald was retired, he continued raising cattle and working on his ranch, the Lazy M Ranch, which looked very much like a state park because of its pristine condition. Donald loved nature and feeding the deer and squirrels that made their home on the ranch. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandson and granddaughter. They each had their very own lake to fish in when they came to visit. Donald had lived in North Zulch for the past fifteen years, coming from The Woodlands, and he was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

    Donald passed away on September 7, 2016 at his home in North Zulch, Texas. He was preceded in death by both of his parents; brother, Edward Bruce McLemore; sister, Wanda Kay McLemore and daughter-in-law, Elvira McLemore. Surviving family members include wife, Torah Lea McLemore of North Zulch; sons, Keith Alan McLemore of The Woodlands and Curtis Eugene (Stephanie) McLemore of The Woodlands; sister, Nina Weimmer of Spring and grandchildren, Jake Ryan McLemore and Sarah Corinne McLemore.

    Madisonville Funeral Home in Madisonville, Texas is in charge of all arrangements.

    Copied from www.waltersfuneralhome.com

    Donald married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 3.  Living
    Children:
    1. 1. Living
    2. Living


Generation: 3

  1. 4.  Vessie Earl McLemoreVessie Earl McLemore was born on 12 Sep 1916 in Bronson, Sabine County, Texas (son of Vessie Eugene McLemore and Nina Ophelia Fuller); died on 30 Apr 1997 in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas; was buried on 2 May 1997 in Thomas Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas.

    Notes:

    As a young man, Earl and his brother Ray helped manage their father's ranch in Pearsall. Evon recalls a terrible drought at that ranch one summer. Her brothers told her that they had to use a blowtorch on cactuses to get enough water for the cattle.

    He has a military marker at his gravesite "PFC, US Army WW II"

    When he was shipped oversees during the war, he and Evon worked out a code so his family would know where he was stationed, because all correspondence was heavily censored. The first letter he sent to Evon was addressed to Mrs. R.O. Tisdale. The next letter, to Mrs. M.E. Tisdale. She knew he must therefore be in Rome. He was later moved elsewhere in Italy, but Evon said she never was able to figure out where because some of the letters came out of sequence, and others never made it home at all.

    The Sabine County Reporter
    May 21, 1997, page 12

    Earl McLemore

    Earl McLemore, 80, of San Augustine County died Wednesday, April 30, 1997, at Memorial Medical Center of East Texas in Lufkin

    McLemore was born Sept. 12, 1916, in Sabine County as a son of the late Nina (Fuller) and Vessie Eugene McLemore. He was a U. S. Air Force veteran of World War II, a farmer/rancher, and a member of the Rosevine Church of God.

    Survivors: wife, Velta McLemore of San Augustine County, sons, Donald McLemore of Woodland and Bruce McLemore of Tarkington Prairie; a daughter, Nina Weimer of Spring; two brothers, Lynn McLemore of San Augustine and Tommy McLemore of Houston; a sister, Evon McLemore of Lufkin; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

    Funeral services were held May 2 at the Wyman Roberts Funeral Chapel in San Augustine. Interment followed at Thomas Cemetery, San Augustine.

    Earl's oldest son Donald wrote the following article about his father for his company newsletter shortly after his father's funeral:

    In Memory of My Dad

    I remember the lessons well because they were taught without compromise, a deep sense of right and wrong and what was best for his family. Those lessons were sometimes harsh and hard for us kids to understand so we sometimes did the exact opposite from what Dad wanted. Now as I look back, I can see that may of those lessons took root regardless of what we did then.

    Dad was born September 17, 1916 into a family of five boys and one girl. His mom and dad were farmers/ranchers, not poor but certainly not rich. I was born in 1940 just after the Great Depression and I know the defining effect that period of time had on everyone. People that endured the depression were so afraid of not having enough that they saved every penny and did without things that we would not think twice about buying today. Due to that experience and the intense drive to be successful, the McLemores developed the reputation of being extremely tight with money and that lesson was passed on to their kids as independence. "With money you can be independent and not have to depend on your family or the government for support." I always said money would not be important to me. However, I see that same independent driven trait in every one of the McLemores today to some extent.

    MBM has been in existence for almost twenty seven years. In all those years, I have come in contact with thousands of people, both rich and poor who did not have parents like we were lucky enough to have. They taught us the values that made this country great. I remember Dad's mom (Nina Fuller) saying in front of me one day when Dad was perplexed and seeking advice on how to handle a difficult situation "Earl, regardless of what he does or says it doesn't give you the right to do what is wrong." That phrase along with many others gave our lives direction, focus and nutured the development of character. What is amazing to me now is that it took me until I was in my mid thirties to begin to realize how fortunate my siblings and I were for having learned those lessons.

    Dad had four major heart attacks over a three and a half year period. Someone like myself would not have survived the first one. Less than ten percent of his heart still functioned when it finally quit working forever and yet he still did what he loved to do the most and that was to work. "An idle mind is the devils workshop" he used to tell mom when she thought he was working too hard.

    When word got out that Dad had gone on to meet his Maker, people from everywhere responded with cards, flowers, phone calls, donations, food and words of comfort to the family. My goal will be to try to pass on those I come into contact with a little part of my Dad.

    Vessie married Velta Alnettie Rawson on 27 Aug 1938 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas. Velta (daughter of Eugene Bryan Rawson, Sr. and Veva G. Garrett) was born on 20 Sep 1917 in Denning Community, San Augustine County, Texas; died on 20 Nov 2002 in Center, Shelby County, Texas; was buried on 22 Nov 2002 in Thomas Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 5.  Velta Alnettie Rawson was born on 20 Sep 1917 in Denning Community, San Augustine County, Texas (daughter of Eugene Bryan Rawson, Sr. and Veva G. Garrett); died on 20 Nov 2002 in Center, Shelby County, Texas; was buried on 22 Nov 2002 in Thomas Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas.

    Notes:

    Sabine County Reporter
    November 27, 2002. page 15

    Velta Alnettie McLemore, age 85, passed away at the Shelby Regional Medical Center in Center, Texas, on November 20, 2002. She was born to Eugene Bryan & Veva Garret McLemore on September 20, 1917, in Denning, Texas. Her husband, Vessie Earl McLemore preceded her in death, along with one daughter, Wanda Kay McLemore. She is survived by: Sons: Donald Earl McLemore & Wife, Torah Lea, of North Zulch, Texas; Edward Bruce McLemore of San Augustine, Texas. Daughter: Nina Ross Weimmer of Spring, Texas Brother: Frank Rawson of Orange, Texas Grandchildren: Keith McLemore, Curtis McLemore, Sandy Moulds, Samantha Bell & Brandy McLemore. Four Great-Grandchildren. Funeral services were under the direction of Wyman Roberts Funeral Home, San Augustine, Texas, and were held on Friday, November 22, 2002, 10:00 A.M. at the Wyman Roberts Memorial Chapel with burial following at the Thomas Cemetery.

    (Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, November 2002)

    Notes:

    Married:
    THOMAS CEMETERY, San Augustine County, Texas Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/tx/txfiles.htm Recorded May 13, 2006, by Bobby E. Britnell (bbritnell@centurytel.net and sister, Sandra G. Britnell. Thomas Cemetery is another of the many old cemeteries in San Augustine County, with burials dating from the mid-1800's. The cemetery is clean and well-kept, and still in use for burials. Hurricane Rita had downed some trees and limbs and caused some headstone damage; all that has been completely cleaned up. There are a number of broken headstones, some missing stones, and some with deteriorated and unreadable native stone markers.

    DIRECTIONS: From San Augustine, at the junction of US96 and SR21, go west toward Nacogdoches on SR21 about 5 miles to CR274 on the left; there is a sign on the right side for Thomas Cemetery. Turn left and go a very short distance to the cemetery on the right. (CR274 is a narrow dirt road).

    McLEMORE (Double headstone) Vessie Earl; b. Sept 12, 1916; d. Apr 30, 1997. Pfc US Army WWII Velta Rawson; b. Sept 20, 1917; d. Nov 20, 2002
    McLEMORE, Wanda Kaye; b. June 17, 1955; d. March 28, 1974

    Children:
    1. 2. Donald Earl McLemore was born on 26 Jan 1940 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas; died on 7 Sep 2016 in North Zulch, Madison County, Texas; was buried in Houston National Cemetery, Houston, Harris County, Texas.
    2. Living
    3. Wanda Kaye McLemore was born on 17 Jun 1955 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas; died on 28 Mar 1974 in Lamarque, Galveston County, Texas; was buried in Thomas Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas.
    4. Edward Bruce McLemore was born on 28 Nov 1956 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas; died on 16 Mar 2011 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas; was buried on 19 Mar 2011 in Thomas Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas.


Generation: 4

  1. 8.  Vessie Eugene McLemoreVessie Eugene McLemore was born on 1 Feb 1885 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas (son of John F. "Finn" McLemore and Rutha Triphene White); died on 21 Jan 1952 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas; was buried in Rosevine Cemetery, Rosevine, Sabine County, Texas.

    Notes:

    Vessie McLemore grew up on his parent's farm in the first precinct of Sabine County. The adjoining farm was owned by his Uncle, Henry Strickland White, Jr. The 1900 census indicates that Vessie, who was 15, could read and write, and that he has attended three months of school that year, as had his brothers Rufus and Earnest. His daughter Evon has a class picture of Vessie from around this period. Evon said that Vessie didn't have much of a formal education, and probably stopped attending school altogether around this time. Vessie's wife, Nina, told her granddaughter Melinda that he even taught school for a time, however Evon doubts that this was so. The 1940 Federal Census indicates he had graduated from the Seventh Grade. His wife, Nina, had made it through only Six years of schooling.

    When Vessie was 22, he married Nina Fuller,who was 16. On the 1910 Sabine County census they were shown living on a home farm in precinct six, near both Joe Fuller (Nina's father) and John and Jane Fullen (her mother's parents). Nina was shown as being the mother of two children, neither of them living. Nina's first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, and her next three babies died shortly after they were born. Her first child lived only 10 weeks. Evon said that Nina and Vessie's baby slept in their bed with them, as was the custom of the time. One morning when they woke up, the baby was dead. Tera Fuller, Nina's sister, reported that Nina always worried that she had somehow accidentally caused the babies death, maybe by rolling over it. Evon conjectured that the baby probably died of SIDS, which her mother had never heard of. The second baby lived only a day. In 1911, they had a third baby which also lived only one day. The three babies are buried side by side.

    In 1913, Nina and Vessie's son Percy was born. Over the next six years, the McLemore's had three more children, daughter Evon and sons' Earl and Ray. Vessie owned a store in Steep Creek, a sawmill village eight miles south of San Augustine. He also raised cattle. He regularly published a small advertisement in the 1918 Sabine County newspaper, offering a reward for any stray cattle returned to him. His brand was VM on the hip. He later adopted the "Running M" as his brand. Evon remembers her father buying a Brahma Bull, in an effort to improve his herd. Most of the ranchers in Sabine County didn't fence in their cattle, they allowed them to freely roam about to forage for food. Evon remembers people being afraid of the "Brimmer." He wasn't a particularly mean bull, he was just so different from the east texas scrub cattle that everyone raised. Tom McLemore, Evon Tisdale and Melinda Strong had a conversation in November, 2002 with Vance Hargrove that came around to the subject of Vessie's missing cattle. Vance was a neighbor of the McLemore's when they lived in Bronson, and a good friend of Percy's. He said that Vessie asked he and Percy one day to go looking for several cattle that were missing. They found evidence that some of the laborers in the nearby saw mills had been poaching from Vessie's herd. They told Vessie they had found cattle bones in the yards of some of the workers, workers who looked to be half-starved. Vessie said they probably were half-starved, and told the boys not to report their findings to the sheriff.

    A son of Enlow Birdwell relayed a similar story to Tom McLemore in September, 2007, at the funeral of Lynn McLemore. He recalled that Enlow had killed one of Vessie's cows and was taking it home to feed his family. He was caught in the act by Vessie. He confessed to what he had done, and said that he was only doing so because his family had done without for a long time, and were starving. Vessie told him to take the beef home and use it as he intended, but added, "let this be the last one of my cows that you steal." It was. When times became more prosperous, Enlow began raising a small herd of cattle of his own. He went to Vessie to borrow some money to get a start. Vessie gave him one of his checkbooks, and told him to simply use it as he needed, he trusted Enlow and knew together they could keep an accurate accounting of what he borrowed. Enlow often told his family that Vessie was the one who helped him get a start in life, and that he especially valued the trust he showed in him.

    Vessie's older children attended their primary grades in Sabine County, but had to commute to San Augustine for High School. Evon says that during the winter, she and her brothers boarded with the family of Dr. Davis, who lived nearby the school. In the late 1920s, the family moved to San Augustine. Evon remembers that her mother suffered another devasting miscarriage, which nearly killed her. A few years later, Nina's youngest children were born, son Tommy in 1931 and son Lynn in 1933. They lived in a house Vessie renovated just off Main Street, and had a small home farm. Evon remembers her father first built a garage, and they slept and cooked in this until he had finished with the house. Their home was still standing in 1997. Even the roof is the same one Vessie laid. It is now the second house on the left, on present day Whitton street. It is a block away from the local elementary school. Tom remembers an indigent Civil War veteran, in his late eighties, who his father took into their home. Tom vividly recalls the stories he told about the war each night at dinner.

    In the December 21, 1939 issue of the San Augustine Tribune, V.E. McLemore offered a $5.00 reward to anyone who found his dun muley cow branded "M" on the left loin. Around 1940, Vessie sold their house in the city, and bought some ranch land several miles outside of town.

    Vessie's brothers and sisters used to say, admiringly, that "Vessie could stand on the corner and make money." He was an industrious man, with a strong enterpreneurial bent. His first job was working in the sawmills, with his brother, Rufus. But Vessie hated working for others, and saved up enough money to buy a general store in Steep Creek. This was around the time of World War I. It was a rough part of town, and he had both black and white laborers from the sawmills as customers.

    The sheriff was a frequent visitor to the store. Evon remembers him always having a kind word and a piece of candy for her. He had a reputation for brutality however, and she recalls that he and a brother were eventually sent to jail after being convicted of murder. One day, the sheriff came to the store asking about a particular Negro laborer. Vessie said he hadn't seen him in days. The sheriff asked Vessie to call him the next time this man came in, telling Vessie he intended to kill him. Vessie went home and discussed the sheriff's threat with Nina, worrying about what he should do. In the middle of the night he got dressed, and tracked the man down in his home. He warned him of the sheriff's threat. The man pawned his pocket watch to Vessie, then and there, and used the money to flee town. He succesfully escaped the sheriff and was never heard of again. Vessie later gave the pocket watch to his son Earl. After Earl's death, his children gave this watch to their Uncle Tom, and Tom eventually passed this keepsake down to his eldest daughter, Melinda. It was a brass plated Studebaker watch from the South Bend Watch Company, and widely sold by mail order in the 1920's. These watches were sold on credit, and could be purchased with a down payment of $1. With the onset of the Depression, the company found itself with many delinquent accounts and was forced to close. (http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/histories/southbend.html)

    After the mill near Steep Creek closed, Vessie was also forced to close his store. His family feared that they'd soon be in the poorhouse. But Vessie continued to prosper. He worked as a rancher primarily, leasing and operating land in Pearsall, Garwood and in various sites throughout South and East Texas. He operated up to 20,000 acres at any given time. He also owned and operated a cotton gin and a meat processing plant. He involved his children in all these ventures. He was well known in the community for his willingness to extend credit or make loans to poor families, black or white. Tom McLemore recalls from looking at a lot of the notes he had drawn up that he charged from 6% to 10% compound interest. He was good fried to Will Wade, proprietor of the City Cafe, and W.J. (Wade) McClanahan, Deputy Sherriff of San Augustine.

    Vessie felt a strong committment to provide for his family. Before he died, he built a home for each of his eldest four children, as well as giving them each 50 acres of land. He left his homestead and 400 acre ranch, jointly, to his two youngest sons.

    When Vessie was in his forties, he was gored by a bull on the ranch. The wound was just under his left eye. He suffered from nearly incapacitating headaches for the rest of his life. In 1950, he had several massive strokes, and was unable to function normally after that. His wife nursed him at home until he died from a brain aneurysm in 1952.

    Although Vessie didn't have much formal education, he was an extremely intelligent man. Tom and Evon remember that he read widely. Vessie's daughter, Evon, was the first of the family to graduate from college. She attended Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, where she received a degree in education. She remembers coming home one weekend from college, and her father asked her to check something he had prepared. He had calculated the compound interest that was due on a loan he had made. She told him she didn't know how to do this. "What am I sending you to college for" he grumbled, "if they can't even teach you to calculate compound interest."

    His obituary was published in the local papers, as well as in the January 23, 1952 issue of the Houston Post.

    Written by Melinda McLemore Strong, granddaughter, circa 1995 and revised periodically

    (Research):
    Census Listings:

    1910 Census
    Texas, Sabine County, Pr 6
    Enumerated 11 May 1910
    SD 2 ED 133 Sheet 32A
    209-209
    McLemore, Vessie Head M W 24 M1 2 Tx US US Farming Home Farm
    McLemore, Nina Wf F W 18 M1 2 2/0 Tx Ga Tx

    1920 Census
    Texas, Sabine County, JP 6
    Enumerated 2 Jan 1920
    SD 326 ED 173 Sheet 1A
    Bronson Road
    2-2
    McLemore, Vessie E Head M W 34 M Tx Ga Tx Farmer
    McLemore, Nina O Wf F W 28 M Tx Ark Tx
    McLemore, Percy L Son M W 6 S Tx Tx Tx
    McLemore, Evaughan V Dtr F W 5 S Tx Tx Tx
    McLemore, Earl Son M W 3 3/12 S Tx Tx Tx
    McLemore, Ira Son M W 1 4/12 S Tx Tx Tx

    (Medical):artherio sclerosis, hypertension

    Vessie married Nina Ophelia Fuller on 7 Nov 1907 in Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana. Nina (daughter of Joseph Thomas Fuller and Viola "Ola" Fullen) was born on 15 Sep 1891 in Rosevine, Sabine County, Texas; died on 8 Jul 1980 in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas; was buried in Rosevine Cemetery, Rosevine, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 9.  Nina Ophelia FullerNina Ophelia Fuller was born on 15 Sep 1891 in Rosevine, Sabine County, Texas (daughter of Joseph Thomas Fuller and Viola "Ola" Fullen); died on 8 Jul 1980 in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas; was buried in Rosevine Cemetery, Rosevine, Sabine County, Texas.

    Notes:

    Nina Fuller was a striking. She was nearly six feet tall and slender. When she unwound her hair from the bun she usually wore, it cascaded down her back almost to her feet. She enjoyed gardening and quilting, growing most of her own vegetables. She was a thrifty woman. She continued to make her own soap from lye, pine rosin and "fat cracklings" even when she could just as easily purchased a bar at the store.

    Being the oldest daughter, Nina helped her mother daily with the household chores. She remembers that when she was quite young, her parents went to the State Fair in Dallas by horse and buggy. They came home with a washboard and a box of packaged laundry soap. Nina claims they were the first family in Sabine County to have a washboard, and remembers neighbors coming by on wash day just to see how it worked. The 1940 census indicates she had attended school for six years.

    She was a staunch member of the Rosevine Church of God. She truly believed in doing good works, and never turned away anyone in need. Her son Tom remembers that their home was on the "hobo circuit" during the depression. He often passed men asleep on a spare mattress in their garage on his way to school. She fed everyone who came to their door hungry, and made regular visits to the local nursing home to take food to friends and relatives.

    Nina Sue Wade, who was a backdoor neighbor to the McLemore family when they lived in town, recalls that her mother relied on her more experienced neighbors parenting advice. The Wade family had several young children, mainly very active boys, with Nina being the oldest. Mrs. Wade worked hard to keep her rambuctious children in line, to no avail. Mrs. McLemore advised her to ignore the minor infractions. Nina Sue recalled her mother often quoting a saying Mrs. McLemore told her, "When your children are young, they step on your shoestrings. When they get older, they step on your heartstrings." She would go on to advise her to cherish her children while they were young and full of spirit, because she would miss them sorely when they were grown and on their own.

    Nina McLemore was an independant woman, living alone in a house her brother Lonzo built for her after her husband died. She lived next door to her son Percy, and her grandson's Dental Office was directly behind her home. She was able to live at home and care for herself until she was in her mid 80's, when she went to live with her daughter Evon.

    Written by Melinda McLemore Strong, granddaughter, circa 1995 and revised periodically

    (Medical):cerebral arteriosclerosis

    Notes:

    Married:
    Nina's mother died six months after Nina's Fifteenth birthday. As the oldest girl, and second of eight children, all the day to day household tasks of caring for their large family immediately fell to her. To make matters worse, Nina's father had relatives who had moved to the fertile lower Rio Grande Valley to farm. They encouraged him to move down there as well. He had made several trips down to visit them, and to inspect land. Nina was desperately afraid of leaving her beloved east Texas.

    About this same time, Nina met Vessie McLemore met at a church revival. They enjoyed each other's company, and began secretly corresponding with each other. Vessie soon proposed, and in November 1907, they snuck across the river to Many, Louisiana and eloped. Nina had turned sixteen years old not quite two months earlier. Nina told her granddaughter, Melinda, that she and Vessie had only seen each other twice in person before their marriage. A photo exists that appears to be their wedding picture. Vessie is wearing a dark suit with a white shirt and white bow tie, and Nina in a white dress, with a large flower in her hair.

    Witnesses at their wedding were, H. E. White, presumably Henry Ernest White--Vessie's first cousin-- and A. McGown [likely either Albert or Andrew McGown, brothers who lived nearby the young couple in Geneva, Texas].

    The license was filed for record on 14 July 1908 in Volume 3, Page 272 of the Marriage Records of Sabine Parish, Louisiana by W. E. McNuly, clerk, oper J. J. McNuly, Deputy.

    Joe Fuller was not pleased with his daughters elopement. For at least several months after their wedding, the young couple avoided him. Rumors abounded that he might shoot Vessie on sight. Jan Tisdale, another granddaughter, remembers similar stories. Jan said that Nina's younger sisters were especially saddened by the hasty marriage. They lost both their mother and older sister in less than a year.

    Written by Melinda McLemore Strong, granddaughter, circa 1995 and revised periodically

    Children:
    1. Infant McLemore was born on 3 Dec 1908 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 17 Feb 1909 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Gravel Hill Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas.
    2. Infant McLemore was born on 10 Mar 1910 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 11 Mar 1910 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Gravel Hill Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas.
    3. Infant McLemore was born on 25 May 1911 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 25 May 1911 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Gravel Hill Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas.
    4. Percy Lavell McLemore was born on 11 Jan 1913 in Bronson, Sabine County, Texas; died on 30 Apr 1991 in San Augustine County, Texas; was buried in Liberty Hill Cemetery, Bland Lake, San Augustine County, Texas.
    5. Viola Evon McLemore was born on 6 Nov 1914 in Bronson, Sabine County, Texas; died on 18 Oct 2008 in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas; was buried in Broaddus Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas.
    6. 4. Vessie Earl McLemore was born on 12 Sep 1916 in Bronson, Sabine County, Texas; died on 30 Apr 1997 in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas; was buried on 2 May 1997 in Thomas Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas.
    7. Ira Ray McLemore was born on 1 Dec 1918 in Bronson, Sabine County, Texas; died on 14 Feb 1991 in Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County, Texas; was buried on 16 Feb 1991 in Liberty Hill Memorial Garden, San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas.
    8. Living
    9. John Lynn McLemore was born on 26 Dec 1932 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas; died on 13 Sep 2007 in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas; was buried on 16 Sep 2007 in Rosevine Cemetery, Rosevine, Sabine County, Texas.

  3. 10.  Eugene Bryan Rawson, Sr. was born on 13 Oct 1897 in Verda, Grant Parish, Louisiana (son of Warren Harper Rawson and Ella M. Prestridge); died on 31 Mar 1968 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas.

    Notes:

    (Research):Census Listings:

    1920 Census
    Texas, San Augustine County, JP #2
    Enumerated 21 Jan 1920
    SD 326 ED 177 Sheet 15B
    289-289
    Rawson, Eugene Hd M W 22 M Tx La La Farmer
    Rawson, Veva Wf F W 22 M Tx Tx
    Rawson, Velton Dtr F W 2 1/12 S Tx Tx
    Rawson, Junior Son m W 9/12 Tx Tx


    1930 Census
    Texas, San Augustine County, JP #2
    Enumerated April 19, 1930
    ED 203-4 SD 19 Sheet 7B
    4/21-30
    #118-118
    Rawson, Eugene B Hd M W 32 M@18 La La La Farmer
    Rawson, Veva Wf F W 32 M@18 Tx Tx Tx
    Rawson, Velta A Dtr F W 12 S Tx Tx Tx
    Rawson, Eugene B. Jr Son M W 10 S Tx Tx Tx
    Rawson, Francis Son M W 9 S Tx Tx Tx
    Rawson, Garrett P Son M W 7 S Tx Tx Tx
    Rawson, Doris Dtr F W 5 S Tx Tx Tx

    Eugene married Veva G. Garrett on 16 Aug 1916 in Ratcliff, San Augustine County, Texas. Veva (daughter of James Garrett and Mattie Gilbert) was born on 27 Oct 1897 in Ratcliff, San Augustine County, Texas; died on 13 Aug 1968 in Orange County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  4. 11.  Veva G. Garrett was born on 27 Oct 1897 in Ratcliff, San Augustine County, Texas (daughter of James Garrett and Mattie Gilbert); died on 13 Aug 1968 in Orange County, Texas.

    Notes:

    She was a sister of Vivian Garrett, and a descendant of Jacob Garrett, who was Alcade of San Augustine in the 1830s.

    Children:
    1. 5. Velta Alnettie Rawson was born on 20 Sep 1917 in Denning Community, San Augustine County, Texas; died on 20 Nov 2002 in Center, Shelby County, Texas; was buried on 22 Nov 2002 in Thomas Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas.
    2. Eugene Bryan Rawson, Jr. was born on 11 Apr 1919 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas; died on 12 Nov 1998 in Orange County, Texas.
    3. Francis "Frank" Rawson was born on 20 Jul 1921 in Denning, San Augustine County, Texas; died on 13 Aug 2013 in Orange, Orange County, Texas.
    4. Garrett Prestidge Rawson was born on 11 Jun 1923 in Texas; died on 2 Aug 1978 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas.
    5. Living
    6. Daniel Neal Rawson was born on 5 Jun 1928 in Denning Community, San Augustine County, Texas; died on 3 Nov 1929 in Denning Community, San Augustine County, Texas.
    7. Mary Elizabeth Rawson was born on 16 Aug 1932 in Denning Community, San Augustine County, Texas; died on 1 Nov 1986 in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia.