Arlie Mack Rhinehart

Arlie Mack Rhinehart, son of William Dearnald Rhinehart and Roda Elizabeth “Bettie” Sneed, was born on May 5 or 8, 1892 in Sevierville, Sevier County, Tennessee. He was the 4th of 5 children—Sarah “Malonia” Rhinehart, Ollie C. Rhinehart, James Daniel Rhinehart, Arlie Mack Rhinehart, Hattie Jane Rhinehart. Arlie was my great grand uncle with our nearest common relatives being his parents, my 2nd great grandparents.

The Rhinehart family. Arlie is the youngest boy should
is probably standing behind his father.

Following the trail to determine Arlie’s actual birthdate seems impossible. It starts with the 1900 census where the census enumerator recorded the date as May 1892. In both 1910 and 1920, the estimated birth year on Ancestry.com is 1893. Arlie’s World War I draft registration card has the date as 1893. In the 1940 census, it was listed as 1900. The Social Security Death Index lists his birth as May 8, 1892. And finally, his tombstone has the date May 5, 1891 engraved on it. These are the only records I have found to date. So, which is it? If anyone reading this has a record that can prove the date, I’d love to hear from you.

On June 11, 1900, the Rhinehart family lived in the 13th Civil District of Sevier County, Tennessee. Arlie’s parents had been married for 14 years. His mother was enumerated as having had five children, all of which were living. Arlie’s father was a farmer on a rented farm. His brother James, age 10, was a farm laborer. At age 8, Arlie was unable to read or write, nor was he attending school. Arlie lost his father at the young age of 15. William, young himself at 44, died in Tennessee on April 19, 1908. Arlie’s father was buried at Catons Chapel Cemetery in Sevierville. 

On April 29, 1910, Arlie, his widowed mother, and three of his siblings lived in the 13th Civil District of Sevier County. His sister Malonia, now married to Ashley Sutton, lived next door with her husband and daughter Georgia. Arlie’s sister Hattie married James “Stewart” Shields (my great grandparents) in 1909 and they both lived in the Rhinehart home. Arlie’s mother was a farmer on a rented general farm with Ollie and James both being farm laborers on the “home” farm. Arlie and his brother-in-law Stewart were both farm laborers. Everyone except his sister Ollie could read and write. Sometime after 1914, Hattie and her family moved to Whitfield County, Georgia. Their sister Malonia became seriously ill and needed help taking care of herself and her children so they too moved to Whitfield County. About 1915, Arlie married Huldie Cross, the date, her parents, and marriage location unknown to me. By the time their daughter Malonia “Lonia” J. Rhinehart was born on November 17, 1916, they had moved to Georgia. A week after Lonia was born (November 25), Arlie’s sister Malonia died in Georgia, probably Whitfield County. She was buried at Deep Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Dalton, Whitfield County, Georgia, leaving three young daughters behind, ages seven, three, and one. When Arlie registered for the World War I draft in Whitfield County on June 5, 1917, he noted that he had a wife and child who were solely dependent on him for support, claiming exemption from the draft based on these dependents. At age 24, Arlie was a self-employed farmer working in Dalton. He was short and stout, had blue eyes and dark hair. The Rhinehart family didn’t escape the war though. From October 1917 until June 1919, Arlie’s brother Jim Rhinehart served in the U.S. Army during World War I. Shipped to France, Jim served with the 318th Field Artillery as a Wagoner in the Supply Company.

On January 8, 1920, Arlie, Huldie, and Malonia lived at Red Clay and Hopewell Road in Cohutta, Whitfield County where Arlie worked as a general farmer. I can’t find a record to prove it, but Arlie and Huldie must have divorced between 1920 and 1930. 

Huldie and Malonia Rhinehart in the 1930 census (click to enlarge)

Despite extensive census record searches on both the Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org websites, I can’t find Arlie in 1930. I did find Huldie and their daughter Malonia living in Whitfield County’s Militia District 631 where Huldie was enumerated with her last name spelled Reinhardt and widowed. We know that Arlie was still living so I’m not sure what was going on there. Huldie lived two doors from my grandfather, Sam J. Holland, and his first wife Opal. Next door to Sam was Arlie’s future brother-in-law’s uncle, Milas O. Shields (Hattie’s brother). Arlie’s mother lived in the Upper Tenth District of Whitfield County with her brother George Sneed and his brother James lived in Sevierville. So, where was he? The record trail picks back up in 1933 when Arlie married Martha Jane Headrick, daughter of John LaFayette Headrick and Martha Rebecca Cotter, in Sevier County on April 15 in a ceremony performed by L. W. Clark, Minister. No children were born to this union. 

Arlie Rhinehart and Martha Headrick's marriage certificate, 1933

Arlie’s sister Ollie died in Sevierville on July 24, 1934 and was buried at Catons Chapel Cemetery in Sevierville.

On April 26, 1940, I found Arlie and Martha living in District 1109 of Catoosa County, Georgia. The census record notes that they had been living in the same house since 1935. Arlie was working a 40-hour week as a helper on a private farm. By the time the Chattanooga city directory was published in 1942, Arlie and Martha had moved there and lived with my mother and grandfather Sam Holland in a rental home at 1408 Fagan Street. Arlie worked as a helper for Smith’s Transportation Corporation, the same company Sam worked as a driver. Arlie and Martha eventually settled in a house a block from Mama and her father. Sam’s World War II draft registration card, dated February 16, 1942, confirms that Arlie lived in the same house as Sam. It was probably around this time my grandmother Daisy Shields Holland accused Sam of taking Mama across state lines and had him arrested. He didn’t; Mama was safely at home in Chattanooga. It was Arlie, Daisy’s uncle, that bailed Sam out of jail.

Chattanooga City Directory, 1942

Sam Holland's 1942 World War II registration card. You can see he lived at
1408 Fagan Street in Chattanooga and worked at Smith Transfer --
the same as Arlie.

Arlie’s mother Bettie died of breast cancer on July 23, 1945 at the age of 77 in Sevierville. She was buried two days later at Catons Chapel Cemetery in Sevierville.

In 1950, Arlie and Martha lived in a rented home at 1101 1/2A East 14th Street in Chattanooga. Arlie worked as a manager for Silver Fleet Motor Express. In 1955, they lived in a rented home at 509 East 16th Street in Chattanooga. Arlie worked at M. M. Hedges Manufacturing Company.

At age 64, Martha died at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga on October 13, 1961 of a possible heart attack contributed to by coronary artery disease. She also had cecum carcinoma, a form of colorectal cancer. Arlie was the informant on Martha’s death certificate. Martha was buried at Mattox Cemetery in Sevierville on October 15. Arlie and Martha lived at 1610 South Orchard Knob Avenue at the time of her death. 

Arlie’s brother James died in Sevier County on January 29, 1971. He was buried at Shiloh Memorial Cemetery in Pigeon Forge, Sevier County, Tennessee. His sister Hattie died in Chattanooga on April 11, 1982. She was buried at Nellie Head Memorial Baptist Cemetery in Catoosa County, Georgia.

Arlie lived a long life, dying in Chattanooga at the age of 93 on July 9, 1985. He was buried at Mattox Cemetery in Sevierville on July 12 in a service officiated by Tom Salmons. Arlie lived in Chattanooga for over 40 years and retired as a farmer. He was survived by his daughter, two stepdaughters, nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Tombstone photos by Tangled Web Weaver, Find A Grave ID 46967364.

Arlie played a key role in my mother’s life during her early years. Mama and her father Sam Holland lived in Chattanooga, Tennessee when her mother Daisy (my Granny) left the family behind. Daisy was eventually declared unfit by the courts and Sam was granted sole custody of Mama. Daisy’s family were good people though and were there to help Sam raise my Mama. Daisy’s mother, Hattie Rhinehart Shields (a sweet woman we called Grandma Shields), was Arlie’s sister who lived in Tunnel Hill, Georgia, 25 miles from Chattanooga. Every weekend, Daisy’s brother Jim Shields drove to Chattanooga and brought Mama to Tunnel Hill with stay with her grandmother. Mama spent the summer months in Tunnel Hill as well. It was during the summer that Arlie and his wife Martha picked Mama up in their wagon and took her back to their house in Catoosa County for several days. Mama was only 6 or 7 years old at the time but remembers shucking corn. Some of the corn was taken to the grist mill for grinding into corn meal to make cornbread. Arlie had a different type of corn that was used to make popcorn. Mama remembers putting the kernels in a long-handled wire basket and shaking it back and forth over the fireplace until all the kernels popped. The fireplace was the only form of heat in Arlie’s house, he didn’t have electric heat. Apparently, the house didn’t have plumbing either. Mama said they saved the corn cobs for the outhouse to be used along with the Sears Roebuck catalog. Yes, she said they really did that. And then there were the pigs that Mama remembers helping Arlie feed. I’m sure corn was part of their diet. She remembers pulling ragweed and feeding it to them through the fence. She also remembers going to her Grandma Shields house and a group of men shooting a pig. The men tied the pig by its feet and hung it over an oil drum filled with water and then lit a fire underneath the drum to heat up the water. Once the water was hot enough, they dropped the pig into the drum for a short time, then pulled it out and scraped the hair off the skin. Mama, being a little girl, remembers this made her cry. The group of men most likely included Arlie, his brother-in-law James Stewart Shields (we called him Pappy), and brothers-in-law Jim and Paul Sam Shields. Once the pig was cleaned, they cut it up and hung it in the salt house for eating during the winter months, going in and cutting off what they needed for a meal. Mama remembers eating pork tenderloin with gravy and biscuits. 

Paul Sam Shields and Arlie Mack Rhinehart

Every Saturday, Arlie’s wife Martha baked a cake. Mama said Martha made her stay outside while the cake baked in the wooden stove. Martha didn’t want Mama jumping around in the kitchen and cause the cake to fall. I remember Mama used to tell us to not jump around the kitchen when she had a cake in the oven as well. After Mama married and had my oldest sister, she and my Daddy separated. Mama and my sister moved to Tunnel Hill and lived with Grandma Shields. During that time, Mama made an overnight trip to Chattanooga to look for work and stayed with Arlie and Martha. In the middle of the night, she realized the bed was infested with bed bugs so got up and sat on the front porch the rest of the night. Mama was probably grossed out at the time but giggled as she recalled the story to me.

One of Mama’s cousins recalled Arlie being a story teller and said he told the best stories from his youth. She remembers him telling stories of working in a quarry and the technique used to split granite.

Arlie’s middle name has been used in his maternal Sneed line for three generations: his uncle Mack Sneed (1874 – 1900), himself (Arlie Mack Rhinehart), and his nephew Loyal Mack Shields (1938 – 2010).

References

• Arlie M. Rhinehart obituary, Chattanooga Times, July 11, 1985.
• Arlie Rhinehart and Martha Headrick marriage certificate, Sevier County, Tennessee.
• Arlie Rhinehart, Social Security Death Index.
• Arlie Rhinehart, World War I Draft Registration Card, June 5, 1917.
• Chattanooga, Tennessee, City Directory, 1942, 1950, 1955.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com: accessed February 7, 2021), memorial page for James D. Rhinehart (16 Mar 1890–29 Jan 1971), Find a Grave Memorial no. 26112000, citing Shiloh Memorial Cemetery, Pigeon Forge, Sevier County, Tennessee, USA; maintained by Liz Olmstead (contributor 46772820).
• H. J. Shields, Georgia Deaths, 1919-98.
• James Rhinehart, U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010.
• Malonia Rhinehart Sutton tombstone, Deep Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, Dalton, Whitfield County, Georgia.
• Martha Jane Headrick, Delayed Certificate of Birth no. 511630, State of Tennessee, Dept. of Public Health, Div. of Vital Statistics.
• Martha Jean Headrick Rhinehart, Certificate of Death no. 61-25490, Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Statistics, State of Tennessee.
• Mrs. Ollie Matthews Certificate of Death no. 16503, State Department of Health, Division of Vital Statistics, State of Tennessee.
• Personal memories of Fay Lankford and Evelyn Jenkins.
• Personal visit to Nellie Head Memorial Baptist Cemetery, Catoosa County, Georgia.
• U.S. Federal Census, Civil District 13, Sevier County, Tennessee, 1900, 1910.
• U.S. Federal Census, Cohutta, Whitfield County, Georgia, 1920.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 1109, Catoosa County, Georgia, 1940.
• U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007.

William “Beten” Overton

William “Beten” Overton, son of James Henry Overton and Nancy Sparks, was born in Georgia on August 31, 1871. Beten’s family lived in the Diamonds District of Lithonia, DeKalb County, Georgia in July 1870, so it’s possible he was born there but I haven’t found a record to prove that yet. As far as I can tell, there were 10 children in the Overton family—Joseph A. Y. Overton, Susan P. Overton, John Matthew Overton, Sarah Cordelia Overton, Cora Overton, Alger L. Overton, William Beten Overton, Jane Overton, Julia Overton, and one unknown child (mother Nancy’s obituary noted that she had 10 children). Beten would be my 1st cousin 3x removed with our nearest common relatives being Abijah Overton and Elizabeth Ann Rhodes, my 3rd great grandparents.

On June 18, 1880, the Overton family lived in the Philips District of DeKalb County, Georgia. His father was a miller, his mother worked at farming. Brother John and sisters Sarah, Cora, and Alger all three worked on the farm as well as attended school. At eight years old, it doesn’t appear Beten was attending school at that time with his siblings.

Overton family in the 1880 census (click to enlarge)

By the mid-1880s, the Overton family had moved to Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia. They were still living in Atlanta when the 1890s rolled around. In 1893, Beten and his family lived at 392 Decatur Avenue in Atlanta. By 1895, the family had moved to 341 E. Hunter Street. In 1896, Beten lived as a boarder at an Atlanta home located at 107 Waterhouse. During this decade, Beten worked as a trunk maker.

By June 2, 1900, Beten and his parents moved out of state and lived in Ward 1 of Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas. At age 28, Beten was the only child living at home. A male boarder named Eugene Teasley lived in the home with the family. Beten continued to work as a trunk maker while his father worked as a carpenter. He and his parents were all able to read and write. His mother Nancy was enumerated as having had seven children, all of which were living. At some point, Beten moved to Charleston, Tennessee (he was living there in 1904). Beten didn’t stay in Tennessee long though. By July 1907, he was living in Dalton, Whitfield County, Georgia, where he met his future bride, Martha “Mattie” Amanda Quillian, daughter of William Quillian and Jamie Tye. On July 11, the North-Georgia Citizen published a paragraph that mentioned the couple:

A fishing party, composed of Mr. Alex Shultz and Miss Maggie Joyce, Mr. Jack Farmer and Miss Sylvester Quillian, Mr. W. B. Overton and Miss Mattie Quillian spent the fourth very pleasantly on Conasauga river.

It’s here that Beten’s timeline becomes confusing to me. I find conflicting records for the marriage of Beten and Mattie. On November 21, 1907, the North-Georgia Citizen published a story detailing their wedding in a quiet ceremony on November 14, 1907 (the article doesn’t specify the church being located in Dalton, but that was most likely the case):

North-Georgia Citizen
November 14, 1907

Last Thursday evening Cupid found his way into the parsonage of the First Methodist church and Miss Mattie Quillian and Mr. W. B. Overton were his chosen ones, for a little wedding ceremony was performed by Rev. R. A. Edmondson, and the young couple went on their way rejoicing.

The marriage was a very quiet affair, being performed in the presence of only two witnesses, Misses Lucy Quillian and Cora Felker, the former being a sister to the bride and the latter a first cousin. The young people immediately left for their future home at Fillmore. The bride is a daughter of Mr. W. F. Quillian and is much admired by a large circle of friends in this county. The groom is a young farmer of Fillmore.

Yet on April 18, 1910, the census enumerator found Beten, Mattie, and their two children, William “Willie” Nolan Overton (age 5) and Gladys O. Overton (age 12/12), living in Civil District 6 of Hamilton County, Tennessee. This census record shows Beten and Mattie had been married for eight years, which would mean they married about 1902. That makes sense with Willie being born in 1904 (in Charleston, Tennessee according to his World War II draft card), but what about the 1907 news article announcing their wedding? This is the only marriage record I’ve found so far so am not sure what to think about this. I won’t speculate on anything, just sharing what I found. Whatever the case, Beten and Mattie settled in the Fillmore community of Dalton and apparently enjoyed a circle of friends. On January 23, 1908, they threw a party at their house that was reported in the North-Georgia Citizen on January 30:

Quite a number of young people met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Overton last Thursday night and enjoyed a party. Among those present were Misses Lucy and Sylvester Quillian, Lucy Longley, Louise Felker, and Mrs. G. G. Glenn, Messrs. George Jack and Sam Farmer, Jesse Armstrong and Henry Longley.

Overton family in the 1910 census (click to enlarge)

Sorrow entered Beten’s life when his mother Nancy died on January 17, 1910 at the age of 70 from a stroke of paralysis. Nancy had been living with Beten’s brother John in the Grove Level community of Dalton for several years. She was buried the next day at Grove Level Community Cemetery in Dalton, Whitfield County, Georgia. Her obituary noted that Beten lived in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee at the time of her death. As noted above, it’s already known from the 1910 census record that on April 18 that Beten and his family lived in Hamilton County, Tennessee in a rented home on Jefferson Street. Beten was still working as a trunk maker for a lumber company. Both he and Mattie could read and write. In 1912, they welcomed their third child to the family, a son they named Guy Speaker Overton. Sadly, Beten would not see his son, or any of his children, grow up—he died on November 9, 1913. Beten was buried at Grove Level Community Cemetery in Dalton. The North-Georgia Citizen published the following story on November 13:

Mr. B. Overton Died at Grove Level Sunday: Deceased Was Well Known and Respected Farmer, North-Georgia Citizen, November 13, 1913. Mr. B. Overton, a well-known and highly respected farmer of the Grove Level settlement, died at his residence Sunday morning. Mr. Overton was one of the county’s good, substantial citizens, and the fact that he was in the prime of manhood when death’s summons came, causes his demise to be doubly deplored among his acquaintances and friends. Monday afternoon, the funeral was conducted at Grove Level, interment being in the cemetery there. Mr. Overton is survived by his widow and two children.

Tombstone photo by Find a Grave contributor kellison1904, no. 47303298

Unfortunately, the obituary doesn’t say what caused Beten’s death at age 42, and I don’t find any other death record for him. His obituary also noted that he had two children, vs. three who were only nine, five, and one when he died.

References

• A Fishing Party, North Georgia Citizen, Dalton, Georgia, July 11, 1907
• Atlanta, Georgia, City Directory, 1885, 1895, 1896.
• Excellent Old Lady Died at Grove Level: Mrs. J. H. Overton Passed Away Early Monday Morning, North-Georgia Citizen, Dalton, Georgia, January 20, 1910.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com: accessed 24 January 2021), memorial page for William Beten Overton (31 Aug 1871–9 Nov 1913), Find a Grave Memorial no. 100879817, citing Grove Level Community Cemetery, Dalton, Whitfield County, Georgia, USA; maintained by kellison1904 (contributor 47303298).
• Guy Speaker Overton, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007.
• In Memoriam, Mrs. Nancy Overton, North-Georgia Citizen, Dalton, Georgia, March 31, 1910.
• Move to Conyers, North-Georgia Citizen, Dalton, Georgia, February 24, 1910.
• Mrs. J. H. Overton, Atlanta Georgian and News, Atlanta, Georgia, January 18, 1910.
• Mrs. Will Quillian Died Last Saturday: Beloved Resident of Near Pleasant Grove Passed Away, North Georgia Citizen, Dalton, Georgia, September 20, 1917.
• Overton-Quillian, North Georgia Citizen, Dalton, Georgia, November 21, 1907
• Party, North-Georgia Citizen, Dalton, Georgia, January 30, 1908.
• U.S. Federal Census, Civil District 6, Hamilton County, Tennessee, 1910.
• U.S. Federal Census, Civil District 6, Hamilton County, Tennessee, 1910.
• U.S. Federal Census, Conyers, Newton County, Georgia, 1860.
• U.S. Federal Census, Lithonia, Diamonds District, DeKalb County, Georgia, 1870.
• U.S. Federal Census, Little Rock Ward 1, Pulaski County, Arkansas, 1900.
• U.S. Federal Census, Philips, DeKalb County, Georgia, 1880.
• William Nolan T. Overton, U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947.

Joseph Benjamin Burnette Sr.

Joseph Benjamin Burnette Sr., son of Samuel Pride Burnett and Millicent Virginia “Jinnie” Overton, was born in Loganville, Walton County, Georgia on February 25, 1888. He went by Joe. Joe’s family was a large one with 14 children—John William Burnett, Thomas Terrell Burnette, C. B. Annbelle Burnett, Abijah Winkfield Burnette, Oscar Lee Burnette, Mathew E. Burnett, Laura J. Burnett, Frances Elizabeth Burnett, Mattie Lou Burnett, Benjamin Franklin Burnette, Virginia O. Burnett, Joseph Benjamin Burnette, Mollie Mae Burnett, and one unknown to me but recorded in census records. Joe is my great grand uncle with our nearest common relatives being his parents, my 2nd great grandparents.

You might notice the “e” on Burnette comes and goes. That’s a common thing. We have the same issue with Lankford and Langford. I try to use what I find most in records but really, it could go either way whether a person spelled their last name Burnett or Burnette. Sometimes they use both versions of the name. Either works. 

On June 6, 1900, the Burnette family lived in the Buncombe District of Walton County, Georgia. Joe, along with his brother Benjamin, were both working as farm laborers. Their father Samuel was a farmer so they were most likely working with him. Joe’s uncle, Abijah Burnette, lived next door, along with his wife Eugenia and daughter Rebecca. The census enumerator noted that Joe’s mother Virginia was the mother of 14 children, 12 of which were living. Census records provide the names of 13 of those children, which leaves me with the one unknown noted above. Of the 13 known children, I’ve been able to track all but two—Mathew and Annbelle. Both are listed in the 1880 census records and then I find no other record for them. 

On April 25 1910, Joe and his family lived in the Broken Arrow District of Walton County. He worked as a wage hand on a farm. This census record is a puzzle for me. At age 22, Joe was still at home with his parents. The only other person in the home was a 27-year-old widowed “daughter” named Lula M. My research shows that all of the Burnette girls were married except for Mattie Lou by then. Born in 1881, Mattie would have been 29 years old in 1910. But with the name Lulu it makes me think it was her. Bottom line is I’m not sure what’s going on here. This obviously needs more research! Joe’s mother died in Georgia on January 10, 1916. Virginia was buried at Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Loganville. Later that same year, Joe’s oldest brother John died in Liberty Grove, Lawrence County, Tennessee on November 28. John was buried at St. Truitt Cemetery in Liberty Grove. Joe registered for the World War I Draft in Walton County on June 5, 1917. At the time, he was living near Loganville. He listed his occupation as a self-employed farmer. He was single and noted that his father was dependent on him for his support. Joe was of medium build and height, had blue eyes, and light brown hair. The registrar who signed Joe’s draft card was Henry Allen Jones, who happened to have a connection to Joe. Henry was the nephew of wife of brother meaning he was the son of Henry Clayborn Jones Jr. who was the brother of my great grandmother Elizabeth Jones. Elizabeth was married to Thomas Terrell Burnette, Joe’s brother. On June 16, 1918, Joe married Lucinda “Lula” R. Weathers, daughter of Thomas Hamp Weathers and Aurora Abbott, in Walton County, Georgia. Joe and Lula had 7 children together over a 13-year period—John William Burnett, Joseph Benjamin Burnett Jr., Harold Lee Burnett, Benjamin Richard Burnett, Robert Lee Burnett, Dorothy Mae Burnett, and Ernest John Burnett.

Joe and Lula's marriage certificate

On January 15, 1920, Joe, his wife Lula, son John and sister Mattie “Lou” lived in the Lindley District of Walton County. Joe was a farmer on a general farm, renting the land they lived on. Joe’s father Samuel died in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia on September 2, 1926. Samuel was buried beside his wife Virginia at Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Loganville. 

On April 9, 1930, Joe and his family lived on a rented farm in the Richardson District of Walton County. The census enumerator noted that Joe was 32 and Lula 18 when they married. He was unable to read or write.

On April 29, 1940, Joe and his family lived on Dial Mill Road in the Gum Creek District of Newton County, Georgia. The census enumerator noted that in 1935 they lived in Walton County. Joe and sons John, Joe Jr., and Harold were all laborers on a farm. Joe’s income at the time was $300. When Joe’s son Robert registered for the World War II draft on February 7, 1945, he listed Joe as the person who would always know his address. At the time, Joe lived at Route 3 in Loganville.

Lula and Joe Burnette

Joe's wife Lula died on August 26, 1952. She was buried at Bay Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Loganville on August 28. Her birth year was incorrectly listed on her tombstone as 1906.

At age 72, Joseph passed away at his home in Loganville on May 6, 1960 after a long illness. His funeral was held on May 8 at Bay Creek Church in Loganville with Rev. E. L. Crowe and Rev. Jack Savage officiating. Following the service, Joseph was buried in the church cemetery. He was survived by his daughter Dorothy; sons Johnny, J. B., E. J., Harold, Ben, and Robert; seven grandchildren; and sister Mollie Burnette Allen. 

References

• Harold Lee Burnett, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007.
• Jinnie Burnett tombstone, Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Loganville, Walton County, Georgia.
• Joe and Lula Burnett tombstone, Bay Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Loganville, Georgia.
• Joe Burnett and Lula Weathers marriage license, Walton County, Georgia, 1918.
• Joseph Benjamin Burnett, World War I Draft Registration Card, June 5, 1917.
• Joseph Burnette Buried Sunday at Bay Creek Church, Walton Tribune, May 11, 1960. 
• Obituary, Mrs. Lula Weathers Burnett, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, August 28, 1952.
• Robert Lee Burnett, World War II Draft Cards Young Men, February 7, 1945.
• Sam P. Burnett death certificate no. 25551, Bureau of Vital Statistics, State of Georgia.
• U.S. Federal Census, Broken Arrow, Walton County, Georgia, 1910.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 0101, Buncombe, Walton County, Georgia, 1900.
• U.S. Federal Census, Gum Creek, Newton County, Georgia, 1940.
• U.S. Federal Census, Harbins, Gwinnett County, Georgia, 1880.
• U.S. Federal Census, Lindley, Walton County, Georgia, 1920.
• U.S. Federal Census, Richardson, Walton County, Georgia, 1930.
• U.S. Federal Census, Subdivision 96, Newton County, Georgia, 1870. 

Baby Boy Brooks

Baby Boy Brooks, son of William Henry Brooks and Florence Lee Lankford, was born about April 1911 in Oglethorpe County, Georgia. He was the 8th child of 13—Ollie Von Brooks, Leila Mae Brooks, Waver Brooks, Benjamin Franklin Brooks, Weldon J. Brooks, Calvin Brooks, Jessie “James” Brooks, Baby Boy Brooks, Nancy Annie Elizabeth “Lizzie” Brooks, Evie L. Brooks, Ruby Iona Brooks, Alvin Thomas Brooks, and Nettie Lou Brooks. Baby Boy Brooks would be my 2nd cousin 3x removed with our nearest common relatives being Charles L. Lankford and Miss Moore, my 4th great grandparents.

On April 22, 1910, the Brooks family lived on Lexington Road in Woodstock, Oglethorpe County, Georgia. Was this where they lived when Baby Boy Brooks was born? According to his youngest sister Nettie, this baby was born a boy between James and Lizzie and never named. Nettie said the baby never cried so her parents did not name it, probably expecting it to die. He lived three months and four days with his death taking place in Oglethorpe County between July 5 and 7, 1911, probably at home. The Oglethorpe Echo published a death notice on July 14, 1911:

The grim reaper visited the Salem neighborhood twice toward the close of last week and left sorrowing friends and grief-stricken relatives. Taken were infants, one a child of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Adkins and the other of Mr. and Mrs. William Brooks.

Unfortunately, I don’t know where Baby Boy Brooks was buried. I checked the book Cemeteries of Oglethorpe County, Georgia (Second Edition) published in 2002 by Historic Oglethorpe County, Inc. but he’s not listed. Several family members are buried at the Salem Baptist Church Cemetery in Lexington, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, including his brother Ollie who died in 1918. If the baby was buried there, he might be in an unmarked grave, but I really don’t know.

Nettie and Ruby were the last of the 13 children to pass away—Ruby in 2018 and Nettie in 2020. Baby Boy Brooks was not included as a predeceased sibling in either obituary. 

References

• Death notice, Oglethorpe Echo, July 14, 1911. 
• Obituary for Nettie (Brooks) McKinley, McCommons Funeral Home; https://www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com/obituary/Nettie-McKinley.
• Obituary for Ruby Iona (Brooks) Dent, McCommons Funeral Home; https://www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com/obituary/Ruby-Dent.
• Personal memories of Nettie Brooks McKinley via P. Moon.
• U.S. Federal Census, Bairdstown, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1900.
• U.S. Federal Census, Woodstock, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1910, 1920, 1930.