Living

Robert married Ruby Laverne Speights. Ruby (daughter of Mermond Leon Speights and Rutha Elvie McLemore) was born on 3 May 1919 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; died on 20 Jun 2014 in Texas; was buried in Hemphill City Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Sabine County Reporter 29 May 2002

Class of 1938

Hemphill High School's graduating class of 1938 held a reunion Saturday, April 27. Attending were, from left: Dalton Boyd, Harold Smith, LaVerne Speights Gellately, Edele Manual Arnold and Vernell Conner Thomas.

Obituary

Ruby Laverne Speights Gellatly was born May 3, 1919 in Hemphill, Texas and went to be with her heavenly Father on June 20, 2014, at the age of 95.

She is survived by her daughter, Dorine Gellatly Gordy of Houston; four grandchildren, Cheryl R. Gordy of Spring, Chrystie M. Gordy Vickery and husband, Jason of Richmond, Cheri E. Gordy Turney and husband, Justin of Spring, Bryan C. Gordy and wife, Heather of Porter; eleven great grandchildren; Caleb, Breanna, Andrew, Jacob, Bailey, Virginia, Griffin, Leslie Jo, Daniel, Robert and Julian; one nephew, Mark Hughes and wife, Cindy of Louisiana.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Robert Earl Gellatly; father, Mermond L. Speights; mother, Ruth Elvie Mclemore Speights; and two sisters, Ruth Dorine Speights Robinson and Johnnie Mae Speights Hughes.

Laverne lived and worked in Beaumont and Bevil Oaks for over 55 years and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bevil Oaks. She worked and retired from Jefferson County Health and Welfare in 1989 after 23 years.

Laverne always loved gardening and spending as much time with family and friends as she could. Her loving smile and open heart never met a stranger and she was always willing to help in any way she could.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. in the Hemphill Cemetery in Hemphill, Texas.

A gathering of friends and family will be held Monday, June 23, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home.

Copied from www.claybarfuneralhome.com

Notes:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K3FF-NBS
name: Don C Gellatly
event: Death
event date: 19 Sep 1976
event place: Houston, Harris, Texas, United States
gender: Male
marital status: Married
birth date: 21 Jun 1898
birthplace: , Texas
father's name: Claude Gellatly
mother's name: Ola Mason
certificate number: 76615
film number: 2243981
digital folder number: 005165872
image number: 00335
Collection: "Texas, Deaths (New Index, New Images), 1890-1976," Don C Gellatly, 1976

Don married Bena Norine Harris about 1918. Bena (daughter of Robert Earl Harris and Susan L. "Sudie" Pratt) was born on 24 Jul 1901 in Texas; died on 5 Jan 2000 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas; was buried in New Hope Cemetery, Milam, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

THE SABINE COUNTY REPORTER January 12, 2000

Bena Harris Gellatly, 98, of Milam died Wednesday, Jan 5, 2000, in San Augustine. Mrs. Gellatly was born July 24, 1901 and had been a lifelong resident of the Milam area. She was a homemaker and a member of New Hope Baptist Church. Survivors; daughters and sons-in-law, Claudia and Dan Polley of Sexton, Merle and Oscar Huff of Milam, and Bonnie and Larry Mobbs of Odessa, a sister, Elaine Brown of San Augustine; eight grandchildren a step-granddaughter; nine great-grandchildren; and four step great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband D.C. Gellatly, and a son, Robert Gellatly. Funeral services were held Jan 7 at New Hope Baptist Church near Milam with Bro. Jim Moss and Bro. Lou Dane officiating. Interment followed at New Hope Cemetery. Starr Funeral Home Inc of Hemphill, Directors.

Mermond married Rutha Elvie McLemore on 22 Dec 1913. Rutha (daughter of John F. "Finn" McLemore and Rutha Triphene White) was born on 4 Dec 1893 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; died on 19 Mar 1980 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Hemphill City Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The following obituary appeared in the 27 March 1980 issue of the SABINE COUNTY REPORTER HEMPHILL, TEXAS (Courtesy of Kay Parker McCary)

Ruth Speights

Funeral services for Ruth Elvie Speights, 86, of Pineland were at 2 pm March 20 in the Starr Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Hemphill Cemetery.

Mrs. Speights died at 12:45 am March 19 in Hines Nursing Home in Pineland.

She was a lifelong resident of Sabine County.

Survivors include three daughters Mrs. Dorine Robinson of Pineland; Mrs. Laverne Gellatly of Beaumont and Mrs. Johnnie Hughes of Shreveport, La; one sister Mrs. Emma Cammack of Hemphill, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Notes:

(Research):

Census Listings:

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Milam Pr. 4
Enumerated 20 and 21 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 71 Sheet 11A
188-188
Gellatly, Claude D Head W M Apr 1873 27 M Tx Tx Tx
Gellatly, Oly A Wf W F Nov 1878 27 M 5 2/2 Tx Tx Tx
Gellatly, Carl J Son W M Oct 1895 4 S Tx Tx Tx
Gellately, Doney Son W M Jun 1898 1 S Tx Tx Tx
189-189
Gellatly, Peter Head W M Jan 1840 59 M 35 Tx Scotland Scotland
Gellatly, Josephine Wf W F Oct 1846 m 35 7/4 Ala Ala GGa
Gellatly, Robert Head W M Jany 1870 29 M 2 Tx Tx Ala Farmer
Gellatly, Ada Wf W F Apr 1878 22 M 3 2/2 Tx Ga Ga
Gellatly, Cecile E Dtr W F Dec 1897 S Tx Tx Tx
Gellatly, Rodney Son W M Sept 1899 S Tx Tx Tx

David married Abbie Ola Mason before 1895. Abbie (daughter of James G. "Governor" Mason and Susannah "Susan" Halbert) was born on 28 Nov 1875 in Isla, Sabine County, Texas; died on 4 Jan 1918; was buried in Mason Cemetery, Milam, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):

Census Listings:

1910 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 4
Enumerated 25 Apr 1910
SD 2 ED 134 Sheet 5A Stamped 155
65-66
Mason, James G Head m W 71 M1 46 Tx Ala Ala Farmer
Mason, Susanna Wf F W M2 46 11/7 Tx Ala Ala
Mason, Carey H Son M W 22 S Tx Tx Tx Teacher Public School
--/67
Gellatly, Abiola Head F W 31 Wd 5/4 Tx Tx Tx
Gellatly, Carl Jr. Son M W 12 S Tx Tx Tx
Gellatly, Don SOn M W 10 S Tx Tx Tx
Gellatly, Thelma Dtr F W 8 S Tx Tx Tx
Gellatly, Mason Son M W 6 S Tx Tx Tx
Neil, Austin J Nephew M W 19 S Tx Tx Tx Laborer

Notes:

(Research):
Census Information:

1910 Census
Texas, Sabine County
Enumerated 26 April 1910
SD 2 ED 134 Sheet 134 Sheet 5B
Harris, Robert E 42 m1 20 Tx Ala Miss
Harris, Sudie L 38 M1 20 8/7 Tx Al Tx (First Wife)
Harris, Earl P 19 S Tx Tx Tx Farmer
Harris, Mabel V 17 S Tx Tx Tx
Harris, Wallace D 11 S Tx Tx Tx
Harris, Bena A 8 S Tx Tx Tx
Harris, Daisy L 5 S Tx Tx Tx
Harris, Marie 3 S Tx Tx Tx
Harris, Robert W 1 S Tx Tx Tx

1920 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 4
Enumerated 21 through 26 January 1920
SD 326 ED 171 Sheet 14B
Harris, Robert E Hd 52 Wd Tx Alabama Mississippi Merchant Dry Goods
Harris, Mabel Dtr 27 S Tx Tx Tx
Harris, Wallis Son 20 S Tx Tx Tx Farmer
Harris, Lucille Dtr 15 S Tx Tx Tx
Harris, Marie Dtr 13 S Tx Tx Tx
Harris, Windell Son 11 S Tx Tx Tx
Harris, Elaine Dtr 2 6/12 Tx Tx Tx

Robert married Susan L. "Sudie" Pratt on 1 Jan 1890 in Sabine County, Texas. Susan (daughter of Drayton Pratt and Mary Benena J. Low) was born on 30 May 1871 in Texas; died on 11 Jun 1911 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Speights Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):
Census Listings:

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Precinct 1
Enumerated 4 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 68 Sheet 1A Stamped 92
4-4
Speights, John W Hd W M Oct 1856 M 16 Tx Miss Miss Farmer
Speights, Sallie Wf W F July 1865 34 M 16 5/5 Tx Ga Tx
Speights, Tom G Son W M Feb 1885 15 S Tx Tx Tx Farm Laborer
Speights, Dora E Dtr W F Feb 1886 14 S Tx Tx Tx
Speights, Orin W Son W M Feb 1887 13 S Tx Tx Tx Farm Laborer
Speights, Mermod L Son W M Dec 1891 8 S Tx Tx Tx
Speights, Buford A Son W M Jan 1898 2 S Tx Tx Tx

John married Sallie Wilson on 20 Jan 1884 in Sabine County, Texas. Sallie (daughter of William Cregg Wilson and Bethie "Bettie" H. Lawhorn) was born in Jul 1865 in Texas; died about 1904 in Texas; was buried in Speights Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Some researchers show that they also had a daughter named Emily Ann that died young.

In an article dated September 12, 1963 about Susan Arnold Nichols, Virgie Speights stated that on one trip home "they stopped by the home of a cousin, out on Palo Gaucho Creek, Dr. Johnny Speights and his wife, Sally Wilson Speights." Susan was the daughter of Jim Arnold, and granddaughter of Hanna Davis and J. M. Arnold. He was also a godson of Cadwaller Davis and Amelia Lee. (Speights, Old Timers of Sabine County, p. 21).

Notes:

Finn's middle name could have been Fenton (based on a poll tax receipt from Jasper) or Finerel (based on the middle name of his son, Rufus) or Finn, as he was commonly called.

At the time of the 1880 census, he was widowed, and living in the home of his in-laws with his young daughter.

He was a farmer. On the 1900 Sabine County census, he is shown in household 22, next to the Henry S. White family, his wife's brother. Household 36 is that of Thomas E. McLemore, his half brother.

Finn died in at the home of his son, Vessie McLemore. Vessie and Nina had been caring for him. Granddaughter Evon remembers she and some cousins going out into the woods to gather wildflowers for him while her father built a coffin. Her father and his brothers took the coffin by cart to the Gravel Hill cemetery a few days later.

(Research):Census information:

1880 Census
Census Place:Precinct 3, Jasper, Texas
Source:FHL Film 1255313 National Archives Film T9-1313
Page 14 Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace
J.F. MCLEMORE Self M W W 25 Texas Occ: Laborer Fa: AR Mo: GA
Vilona MCLEMORE Dau F S W 7 M Texas Fa: Texas Mo: MS
Frances WIGLEY Self M M W 69 GA Occ: FarmerFa: VA Mo: VA
Sarah WIGLEY Wife F M W 67 SC Occ: Keeping House Fa: SC Mo: SC
Martha WIGLEY Dau F S W 31 MS Occ: At HomeFa: GAMo: SC
Alexander WIGLEY Son M S W 25 Texas Occ: Printer Fa: GA Mo: SC

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Pr 1
Enumerated 5 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 68 Sheet 2A Stamped 93
22-23
McLemore, John Head W M Dec 1853 46 M 17 Ga NC NC Farmer
McLemore, Ruth T Wf W F Dec 1859 40 M 17 7/6 Tx Miss Miss
McLemore, Vessie E Son W M Feb 1885 15 S Tx Ga Tx Farm Laborer
McLemore, Rufus F Son W M July 1886 13 S Tx Ga Tx Farm Laborer
McLemore, Earnest Son W M May 1887 13 S Tx Ga Tx Farm Laborer
McLemore, Mellie Dtr W F Feb 1891 9 S Tx Ga Tx
McLemore, Ira Son W M Jan 1896 4 S Tx Ga Tx

1910 Federal Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 1
Enumerated 16 Apr 1910
SD 2 ED 131 Sheet 1B
Milam Road
12-13
McLemore, John F. Head M W 51 M2 26 Ga Ga Ga Farmer
McLemore, Ruth T Wf F W 50 m1 26 8/7 Tx Ala Miss
McLemore, Ernest E Son M W 20 S Tx Ga Tx Farmer
McLemore, Mellie M Dtr F W 19 S Tx Ga Tx
McLemore, Elvie R Dtr F W 16 S Tx Ga Tx
McLemore, Ira W Son M W 14 S Tx Ga Tx Laborer Farm
McLemore, Emma L Dtr F W 9 S Tx Ga Tx

John married Rutha Triphene White on 11 Dec 1883 in Sabine County, Texas. Rutha (daughter of Henry Strickland White, Sr and Mary Etta "Polly" Vardeman) was born on 27 Dec 1859 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; died on 11 Jun 1939 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Gravel Hill Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

According to her obituary, Ruth White McLemore "slipped in her home in Hemphill, and fractured her left thigh on June 2nd. She was carried to . . . hospital in Jasper (and then) transferred here to the home of her son, Mr. V.E. McLemore of San Augustine, where she passed away on June 11, 1939. She was born December 27, 1859 at Hemphill. She joined the Baptist church when a young girl and was a faithful Christian worker all of her life. She married to J.F. McLemore on December 13, 1883 and was the mother of eight children, four boys and four girls. Six children survive: namely V. E. McLemore, San Augustine; Earnest and Ira McLemore, Miss Mellie McLemore, and Mrs. Herman Commack of Gravel Hill, and Mrs. Mermon Speights of Hemphill. She is also survived by seventeen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. In addition to relatives, local people attending the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. T.F. Read, Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Jacks, Mr. and Mrs. John D. Clark, Mr and Mrs W.F. Stephenson, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Burkhalter, Mrs. Rosalie Polly, W.L. Polly, Mr. and Mrs. Rob Horn, Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Mitchell, Mrs. E.M. Boyett, Theo Boyett and others."

Melinda McLemore Strong has a maroon and white quilt made by Ruth circa 1880. At Ruth's death, the quilt was passed on to her daughter Millie. Millie added a calico border to the quilt edges which had apparently frayed. At Millie's death, the quilt was passed to her older brother, Vessie McLemore. After Vessie and Nina died, Evon McLemore Tisdale used the quilt. She later gave it to her niece, Melinda McLemore Strong.

(Research):Triphene is a "pseudo-classical" name, often whimsically given to the third child in a family.