Amos Leslie McLemore, Jr.

Notes:

Rolesville

Amos Leslie "Les" McLemore Jr. died peacefully on June 2nd, 2020, at the age of 91. He was born in Norfolk, Virginia, April 12, 1929. He was the son of the late Amos L. McLemore Sr. and Marie Cahoon McLemore, and step-mother Agnes Brown McLemore. Les graduated from Henderson High School in 1946, followed by a two-year tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, where he was discharged in 1948 as a Navy corpsman and a Veteran of WWII. He graduated from Wake Forest University in 1951, with a Bachelor of Science degree. He received numerous statewide awards and recognitions for his performance while employed by the State of North Carolina for over 30 years.

He was a member of Rolesville Baptist Church. He taught Sunday School and served on many committees as a life-long Baptist. He also served on both the Planning Board and as a Commissioner for the Town of Rolesville.

Les is survived by his wife of 63 years, Virginia Stainback McLemore, sons Amos L. McLemore III and Jonathan K. McLemore and his wife Barbara, granddaughter Jenna Brock McLemore, step-granddaughters Kristen and Stephanie Johnson and step great grandchildren Olivia and Aiden. He is also survived by his sisters, Agnes M. Dodd of Henderson, Nancy M. Moody (J.W.) of Henderson, Kay M. Scarborough of Virginia Beach, VA, Aunt Elsie Cahoon Riggs of Virginia Beach, VA, brothers-in-law Grady T. Stainback (Phyllis) of Henderson and Bobby Stainback (Peggy) of Franklin, VA and numerous nieces and nephews.

Due to the current circumstances surrounding COVID-19, a private ceremony will be held at a future date for members of the family. His remains will be entombed at the First Baptist Church Columbarium in Henderson.

Les touched the lives of many, and will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Rolesville Baptist Church Building Fund, 203 E. Young Street, Rolesville, NC 27571.

Arrangements are by J.M. White Funeral Home of Henderson.

Downloaded from the J W White website

Amos married Virginia Stainback before 1961. Virginia was born on 1 Jul 1932 in Vance County, North Carolina; died on 9 Sep 2023 in Rolesville, Wake County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Living

Notes:

Biographical information below was copied from his FindAGrave memorial page, created by David Ayscue III, a son-in-law:

Grew up in Cape Fear region of North Carolina. Very intelligent man, who was forced to quit school after 8th grade to help support his family. Became a bookkeeper/accountant for Swift Company meats for many years. Avid stamp collector and enjoyed walking. Raised four children: one son, Amos Leslie McLemore, Jr. (of first wife, who died in childbirth or soon thereafter - maiden name Beard?); and 3 daughters: Agnes McLemore, Nancy Brown McLemore and Kay McLemore (by wife, Agnes Vann Brown McLemore, d. 2005). Passed away of heart attack in 1985; loving wife Agnes passed away Feb, 10, 2005 at age 98.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1940 Census
North Carolina, Vance County, Henderson Ward 3
Enumerated April 15, 1940
SD 4 ED 91-5 Sheets 4B and 5A
91-R
McLemore, A L Head M W 37 M No H-4 NC North Fork McDowell West Va Bookkeeper Wholesale Produce
McLemore, Agnes Wf F W 33 M No C-1 NC North Fork McDowell West Va
McLemore, Leslie Son M W 11 S Yes 6 Va North fork McDowell West Va
McLemore, Agnes Dtr F W 8 S Yes 2 NC North fork McDowell West Va
McLemore, Nancy Dtr F W 6 S No West Virginia North fork McDowell West Va
McLemore, Lena K Dtr F W 2 S West Virginia

Amos married Virginia Marie Cahoon before 1928. Virginia was born on 23 Jan 1907; died on 28 May 1929 in Norfolk (Independent City), Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lived with his grandparents, Amos and Jemima McLemore, at the time of the 1880 census. Listed as Edward C on the 1900 census, and Claud E in 1910.

He was listed in the 1909-1910 Fayetteville NC City Directory as Edward C. McLEMORE, Clerk, A. J. BULLARD & Son....Home, 233 Davis Street

He was listed in the 1915-1916 Fayetteville NC City Directory as Edward C. McLEMORE, Agent, Life Insurance Co. of Virginia Res. 907 Person Street Wife: Lena

It appears they moved to Virginia prior to 1930.

Bonnie Seiler writes that his death was reported in the Virginia Pilot Newspaper on June 24, 1930. He apparently jumped from the upstairs window of his home and committed suicide.

(Research):
Census Information:

1900 Federal Census
North Carolina, Cumberland County, Cedar Creek
Enumerated 21 Jun 1900 By Duncan Dowering
SD 4 ED 20 Sheet 19A Stamped 71
256-254
McLemore, Edward C Head W M Mch 1867 33 M NC NC NC Farmer
McLemore, Rena A Wife W F Nov 1868 31 M 12 6/4 NC NC NC
McLemore, Ralph C Son W M May 1888 12 S NC NC NC Farm Laborer
McLemore, Mettie A Dtr W F Nov 1890 9 S NC NC NC
McLemore, Sidney L Son W M Sept 1891 8 S NC NC NC
McLemore, Clebe N Son W M July 1894 5 S NC NC NC
McLemore, Annie Aunt W F Nov 1845 54 s NC NC NC

1910 Federal Census
North Carolina, Cumberland County, Fayetteville
ED 49
16 April 1910
McLemore, Claud E Hd M W 47 m 22 NC NC NC Bookkeeper Lumber Mill
McLemore, Lena Wife F W 42 Md 22 7/5 NC NC NC
McLemore, Ralph C Son M W 21 S NC NC NC Laborer Lumber Mill
McLemore, Sydney Son M W 18 S NC NC NC Wagon Driver Lumber Mill
McLemore, Clebe C Son M W 15 S NC NC NC Laborer Lumber Mill
McLemore, Amos L Son M W 7 S NC NC NC
McLemore, Elizabeth Mother F W 52 NC NC NC
McLemore, Dennis Brother M W 20 S NC NC NC Laborer Lumber Mill
McLemore, Duncan Boarder M W 40 We NC NC NC Grading Agent
Gray, Ira Boarder F W 10 S
Danaby, William M M W 33 Wd Kansas Eng Ire Hackdriver Livery Stable

1920 Census
Virginia, Norfolk, South Norfolk Town
Commerce Street 172-108-110
Enumerated 9 and 10 January 1920
SD 2 ED 150 Sheet 6B
McLemore, Edward Head W M 52 NC NC NC Carpenter House
McLemore, Lena Wife W F 51 NC NC NC
McLemore, Sidney Son W M 24 NC NC NC Salesman Pepsicola
McLemore, Lesley A. Son W M 16 NC NC NC Laborer Kicking Horses?
McLemore, Kathleen Dau W F 9 NC NC NC
Johnson, William Boarder W M 37 VA VA VA Carpenter Dry Dock

1930 Census
Virginia, Norfolk County, South Norfolk, ED 9
McLemore, Edward C 63 W M M @ 20 NC NC NC Watchman Lumber Mill
McLemore, Lena R 61 W F M @19 NC NC NC
McLemore, Ralph C 40 M @ 21 Carpenter House
McLemore, Sidney L 36 W M NC NC NC Watchman Boat
McLemore, Amos L 26 W M Wd NC NC NC Bookkeeper Wholesale House
McLemore, Kathleen 18 W F NC NC NC Machine Operator Laundry
McLemore, Ludonia 40 W F M @ 21 NC NC NC <---Ralph's wife
McLemore, Amos 11 months W M Virginia NC NC

Edward married Lena Atwood Beard on 8 Sep 1887 in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina. Lena was born on 3 Nov 1868 in Bladen County, North Carolina; died on 22 May 1933 in Cumberland County, North Carolina; was buried in Cross Creek Cemetery #3, Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Listed, in error, as Rena on the 1900 census. Date of death shown by Robert McLemore Butler both as 21 Mar 1933 and 22 May 1933. Not sure which is corrrect.

Alfred Rose shows her as the daughter of Isaac Calvin Beard and Athaliah Stellington Edge of Bladen County, NC.

Notes:

Married:
The 1910 census indicated she had 7 children in total, five of which were still living. It appears that the child that died was Johnny.

Notes:

According to Robert McLemore Butler, he was Pvt 2nd Co A 2nd Artillery Regt during the Civil War. He was born ca 1843 in Sampson County and the son of Amos McLemore (b. 1813). Lofton enlisted July 15, 1862 in Wake County. He was wounded May 2, 1863 at Chancellorsville, Va. Reported absent for the next 11 months due to wounds. Discharged April 24, 1864 due to phthisis pulmonalis affecting both lungs. The Cumberland Plough Boys website instead shows that he servied in the North Carolina Regiment, 2nd Company E.

http://ploughboys.org/tag/2nd-battalion-north-carolina-local-defense/page/2/

In 1869, Lofton was a witness, along with Zachariah ROYAL, to the Will of Zachariah ROYAL dated 28 Jun 1869. It was probated 12 Mar 1870. Zachariah's wife was Louisa ROYAL, and she was left the furniture, enough provisions for her support for one year and livestock...at her death to be divided equally between all five (5) children---Oliver ROYAL, Allen ROYAL, Rice ROYAL, Emely ROYAL and Nancy ROYAL. (Courtesy Robert McLemore Butler, who noted that Emily Royal was Lofton's wife).

After Lofton's death, his oldest sons, Edward and Amos, conveyed land they had inherited from him to their younger half brothers, O.B, Alvin and Dennis. As son Abner was not mentioned in the deed, it appears they may have died prior to its execution in 1910. Edward and and Amos's sister, Ida, was also not mentioned in the conveyence.

Sampson County Deed Book Book 183, Page 554 Abstract of Deed Amos B. McLEMORE and Others to O.B. McLEMORE & others

State of North Carolina, Sampson County. This indenture made the 27th day of October 1906, by Amos B. McLEMORE and wife Katie McLEMORE of the town of Mooringsport, County of Caddo in the State of Louisiana, and E. C. McLEMORE and wife Lena McLEMORE of the town of Fayetteville and State of North Carolina of the first part to O. B. McLEMORE, Alvin H. McLEMORE and Dennis L. McLEMORE of the County of Sampson and State of North Carolina of the second part. Witnesseth: That the Said Amos B. McLEMORE and wife Katie, and E.C. McLEMORE and wife Lena of the first part for and in consideration which they may have bear for the said O.B. McLEMORE, Alvin H. McLEMORE, and Dennis L. McLEMORE and in futher consideration of one Dollar to them paid by the said parties of the second part....(do) convey...unto the said parties of the second part....all their right...in and to all the real estate of which Lofton H. McLEMORE, last of the County of Sampson, and State of North Carolina died....mor particularly designated as follows: First tract...being known as Boykin Land and is situated on the East side of Bearsking Swamp in Sampson County...adjoining the lands of Amos CRUMPLER and others and is that tract of land described in a certain deed made by W. H. Boykin to L.H. McLEMORE and recorded in Book 70, page 18....containing 70 acres more of less....Second tract, situated on the East side of said Bearskin Swamp in said county of Sampson, adjoining the Amanda FAIRCHILD and Lewis LEW lands and is fully described in a deed from W.E. PRIDGEN and wife to L.H. McLEMORE which deed is recorded in Book 37 at Page 478 of the said Register's office and said tract contains 109 acres more or less...Third tract, being composed of three separate tract is situated on the East side of the said Bearskin Swamp in the said county of Sampson, adjoining the land of S. B STEVENS, J.R. AUTRY and others and being the three tracts conveyed by deeds to L.H. McLEMORE by J.O. TEW and wife which deeds is duly registered in Book 91 at page 500 of the Registers office of said County of Sampson, to which record reference is hereby made for a description of said three tracts of land by meters and bounds said three tracts containing two hundred and twenty one acres more or less....

...In testimony whereof the said parties of the the first part have hereto set their hands and seals the day and year above written.. A.B. McLEMORE, Katie McLEMORE, E.C. McLEMORE, L.A. McLEMORE

...North Carolina, Cumberland County...Superior Court Clerk...attests that E.C. McLEMORE and Lena McLEMORE personally appeared...4 June 1910...

(Abstracted by Melinda McLemore Strong on 1 August 2005)

(Research):
Census Information:

1870 census
North Carolina, Sampson County, Little Coharie Twp, Dismal P.O.
McLemore, Lofton 25 M W Farmer $700 $500 N. Carolina
McLemore, Elizabeth 26 F W Keeping House N. Carolina
McLemore, Edward C 3 M W At Home N. Carolina
McLemore, Amos 1 M W At Home N. Carolina

1880 census
North Carolina, Sampson County, Little Coharie Twp, ED 199
McLamore, Loften W M 35 Farmer NC NC NC
McLamore, Nancy E. W F 22 Wife Can't R/W Keeping House NC NC NC
McLamore, Owen A W M 2 Son NC NC NC
McLamore, Amos W M 9 Son NC NC NC
McLamore, Ida L W F 8 Dtr NC NC NC

1900 Census
North Carolina, Sampson, Little Coharie, ED 96
McLemore, Lofton Hd W M Mar 1844 56 M 23 NC NC NC Farmer
McLemore, Nancy Elizabeth Wife W F Mar 1859 41 M 23 4/4 NC NC NC
McLemore, Ida Dtr W F Sept 1874 S NC NC NC
McLemore, Osker B Son W M Jun 1881 19 S NC NC NC
McLemore, Alvin Son W M May 1884 16 S NC NC NC
McLemore, Lofton D Son W M Jun? 1889 10 S NC NC NC
McLemore, Owen A Son W M Feb 1878 22 S NC NC NC
Shell, Nancy Nephew (sic) W F Mar 1825 75 S

Lofton married Elizabeth Ann Bullard on 18 Sep 1866 in Sampson County, North Carolina. Elizabeth (daughter of James Bullard and Sarah Elizabeth Jones) was born on 12 Feb 1843 in Roseboro, Sampson County, North Carolina; died on 15 Apr 1875 in North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Some researchers have shown that she and Lofton divorced, and that Elizabeth died in 1883. Bonnie Seiler, a descendant states that this is not correct. Her records indicated that Elizabeth died 15 April 1875.

Bonnie also notes that Elizabeth was marrid to George PARKER before she married Lofton Hayes McLemore. George was killed in the Civil War. Bonnie states that on the marriage record of Elizabeth and Loften Hayes she was listed as Elizabeth Parker, daughter of James and Sarah Bullard.

Notes:

Married:
On 18 Sept 1866, L.H. McLemore married Elizabeth BULLARD Parker. She was the daughter of James BULLARD and widow of George PARKER.

Diane McLemore Harrision, a descendant, shows Elizabeth with a date of death of April 15, 1875, and Lofton remarried and went on to have four more children with his second wife.

Some researchers have speculated that Lofton and Elizabeth divorced, as Elizabeth Bullard McLemore is said to be mentioned by name in the 1883 Will of her father, James Bullard. This is likely jsut a transcription error, as differing groups of descendants of Lofton and Elizabeth all have her date of death as circa 1875.