Emma Louise Layfield

Notes:

(Research):
The Sabine County Reporter
May 9, 2012

Myrtle Springs receives marker

An official Texas Historic Cemetery Marker was dedicated April 28, at Geneva Myrtle Springs Cemetery. The day was also the cemetery's annual homecoming......

The newly placed marker reads:
GENEVA MYRTLE SPRINGS CEMETERY

Situated North of the small, rural community of Geneva, the Geneva Myrtle Springs Cemetery serves as the primary resting place for pioneers, settlers of the area, and their descendants. Originally granted to Juan Ignatino Pifermo in 1794, the town of Geneva grew in the 1820s when pioneers began to settle there from the east. Geneva was first known as Shawnee village and later as Jimtown, after two early settlers of the are, Jim Halbert and Jim Willis. Originally surveyed for Daniel F. Renfro in 1838, the Geneva Myrtle Springs Cemetery is comprised of land granted by Levi T. ALLEN in 1879 for use as a church and cemetery. The Geneva Baptist Church was first located on the present day cemetery site, but later moved south of the area. In addition, a school was once located near the cemtery near Myrtle Springs, organized by William Thomas Arnold.

The general landscaping of the cemetery is traditional with brick, marble, sandstone, grantie, wood, and metal grave markers. The first marked grave is that of William J. JONE from 1888, but Bible records indicate that there were earlier unmarked graves, including that of Wiley William CROW (1845-1877). Among the many pioneer families interred at this cemetery, there are veterans of the Civil War, including Wiley CROW, Seth Marion LAYFIELD (1833-1906), and James T. MEADOR (1845-1933), as well as veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Iraq War. Burials for members of the fraternal organizations such as Woodmen of the World are present. Today, the Geneva Myrtle Springs Cemetery Association maintains and cares for the cemtery, while also serving the community of Geneva. Historic Texas Cemetery -2010.

Emma married Judge Daniel Cordray about 1898. Judge (son of Daniel C. Cordray and Louisa Melvine Williams) was born on 18 Apr 1862 in Georgia; died on 20 Dec 1920; was buried in Cordray Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The SSDI shows that he final benefit payments were in Milam, Sabine County, Texas. McCary indicates that his gravestone had a Masonic Symbol.

(Research):
Census Listings:

1930 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 1, Hemphill Town
Enumerated April 8, 1930
ED 202-21 SD 19 Sheet 2A Stamped 16
34-34
Cordray, Judge Head M W 28 M 23 Tx Tx Tx
Cordray, Eula Wf F W 21 m 17 Tx Tx Tx
Cordray, La Norma Dtr F W 1 6/12 Tx Tx Tx

Judge married Eula Mae Smith about 1926 in Texas. Eula (daughter of June Alvin Smith and Vessie Mae Brittain) was born on 19 Nov 1907 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 26 Jun 1985 in Nacogdoches County, Texas; was buried in Liberty Springs Cemetery, Milam, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JNQ2-JF2
name: Aremel Cordray
death date: 20 Jan 1972
death place: Lufkin, Angelina, Texas, United States
gender: Male
race: White
death age: 68 years
estimated birth date:
birth date: 25 Jul 1903
birthplace: Texas
marital status:
spouse's name:
father's name: Judge D Cordray
father's birthplace:
mother's name: Emma Layfield
mother's birthplace:
occupation: retired farmer
place of residence: 9 mi. E. of Hemphill on HW 83
cemetery: Hemphill Cemetery
burial place:
burial date:
additional relatives:
Informant Mrs. Lillian Cordray (wife)
film number: 2223552
digital film number: 4005466
image number: 02748
reference number: 07311
Collection: Aremel Cordray, "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1976"

Family/Spouse: Pattie Lillian Maund. Pattie (daughter of Harry Mellon Maund and Anna Eltona Bennett) was born on 15 Mar 1909 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; died on 23 Aug 2004 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Hemphill City Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

LaNorma Mae Cordray Easley was born on October 7, 1928 in the community of Time near Milam, Texas to Eula and Judge Cordray, Sr.

Mrs. Easley attended Hemphill High School where she graduated in 1946. She married the love of her life, Wilbern Easley on August 9, 1947. During their marriage of 73 years, LaNorma enjoyed the privilege of being a housewife and mother to their four children. She was known for her excellent cooking, including her chicken and dumplings, dressing, biscuits, cream corn, coconut cake and lots of other sweet treats. LaNorma loved gardening and found great joy in growing vegetables and her beautiful blooming flowers. Just like the gardening she enjoyed, she also loved watching her grandchildren grow and play. She was a member of New Hope Congregational Methodist Church. There she taught young children's Sunday School for years and was also a member of the Women's Missionary Society. She was in charge of the church telephone prayer chain for many years. LaNorma loved the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys and could be found rooting her teams along.

Her great joys were visiting with family and cooking for them. She could often be found reading her Bible and looking forward to the next church activity. Everyone knew they could always call on LaNorma to pray for them. She took care of her family and her loving husband right up till her final days. Mrs. Easley was the true epitome of the virtuous woman.

LaNorma is survived by her husband, Wilbern Easley; daughters, LaWanna Smith and husband, David of Nacogdoches, and Rebecca Wilson and husband, Gary of Angleton, Texas; sons, Price Easley and wife, Lucy of Tyler, Texas and Mark Easley of Nacogdoches; brothers, Judge Cordray, Jr. and wife, Linda of Logansport, Louisiana and Pete Cordray and wife, Shirley of Center, Texas; 9 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to all the caregivers at Texas Home Health Accent Care, especially Darian Herod, Teresa Rogers and our special caregiver, Eva Christopher.

The family strongly recommends the wearing of masks during the services for your protection and the protection of others.

The Sabine County Reporter, April 14, 2021, page 4

LaNorma married Morris Wilbern Easley on 9 Aug 1947. Morris (son of Audrey Gay Easley and Myrtle Lowery) was born on 27 Jan 1927 in Yellowpine, Sabine County, Texas; died on 22 Jul 2021 in Nacogdoches County, Texas; was buried on 27 Jul 2021 in Yellowpine Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]