Charles Hillman Davison

Charles “Hillman” Davison was born on December 14, 1916, in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia. He was the first child of Charles Clement Davison Jr. and Elizabeth May Gheesling. Alongside Hillman, they had three other children: Mary Elizabeth Davison, Louise Davison, and Thomas Henry Davison. Hillman’s middle name likely honors his maternal grandfather, Joshua Hillman Gheesling.

Hillman is the step-great-grandson of my 1st cousin 5x removed, Mary Ann Southerland, who was married to James McCluney Davison Sr. My nearest common relatives to Mary Ann Southerland are Robert L. Hobbs Sr. and Mary Marion Caldwell, my 5th great-grandparents.

Hillman, born just one month before his parents’ first anniversary, spent his formative years in Anniston, Alabama. His father, a Baptist church minister, served as a camp pastor at the Baptist Home Mission Board within Camp McClellan. The 1920 census records their residence on East 15th Street, with both parents literate. Hillman’s sister, Louise, at three weeks of age, was a recent addition to the family. In March 1920, Hillman attended a friend’s fourth birthday party, where games were played, such as “Billy Whiskers,” a board game about a mischievous goat, contests were held, such as fishing for souvenirs in a miniature fishpond, and sweet treats—like birthday cake and ice cream—filled the day.

In 1922, Hillman’s father earned his Doctor of Theology degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The commencement ceremony took place on May 2 in Louisville, Kentucky. Considering this significant event, it is plausible that the entire family resided in Kentucky during that period.

On April 14, 1930, the Davison family lived on South Harris Street in Sandersville, Washington County, Georgia. As we know, Hillman’s father was a clergyman in the Baptist church. All four children attended school, although Thomas (aged 6) was unable to read and write. 

By 1935, the Davison family had relocated to Brunswick, Glynn County, Georgia. During this time, Hillman was likely attending college in Atlanta. In November 1935, Hillman joined a gathering of guests at his uncle Thomas Callahan Davison’s home to celebrate his uncle’s birthday. Another of Hillman’s uncles, Hal McCluney Davison, was also present. The home was adorned with an array of autumn flowers.

In 1936, Hillman attended the Georgia School of Technology (now known as Georgia Tech), with his home base listed as Brunswick, Georgia. The following year, he enrolled in the Georgia Evening College which served as the night division of the University System of Georgia’s Atlanta Extension Center. In July 1937, Hillman was honored at a steak fry hosted by Josephine and David Sanders at the country home of his uncle, Hal Davison, in Atlanta. Although the Atlanta Constitution reported his residence as Brunswick, it seems he was visiting his uncle. Finally, in May 1938, Hillman attended a formal dance as the guest of Miss Billy Sterrett, hosted by the Beta Chapter of the Psi Sigma Sorority at the Druid Hills Golf Club in Atlanta. 

In 1940, Hillman resided as a boarder at a lodge on 867 Peachtree Street NE in Atlanta, along with 28 other residents. The lodgekeepers were Lewis G. (aged 67) and Pauline Arnold (aged 50). Hillman worked as an estimation clerk for an electrical power company. Notably, the census record indicated that he had lived in Brunswick in 1935.

In October 1940, Hillman registered for the World War II draft in Atlanta. He still lived at the Peachtree Street home in Atlanta, and he worked for the Georgia Power Company on Decatur Street. Hillman listed his father, who lived at 710 Mansfield Street in Brunswick, Glynn County, Georgia, as the person who would always know his address. He was described as 5'8" tall, weighing 155 pounds, with blue eyes, blonde hair, and a light complexion.

WWII draft registration card (front and back)

Hillman, after receiving an education at Glynn Academy in Brunswick, continued his studies at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. On April 11, 1941, he enlisted in the United States (U.S.) Army Air Forces and became a member of Atlanta’s 128th Observation Squadron. At the time of enlistment, he was described as 5’6” tall (two inches shorter than when he registered in October 1940) and weighing 148 pounds. 

On June 12, 1942, Hillman’s sister, Louise, was struck by a car driven by a 17-year-old young man at the intersection of Broadway and Dillingham Street in Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia. Despite an ambulance being called to rush her to the city hospital, Louise passed away during transport. Police reports indicated that she had “stepped from behind a car” when the accident occurred. Louise, a young woman of only 23 years old, had graduated from Bessie Tift College, a private liberal arts women’s college in Forsyth, Georgia, and worked as a recreational director at the Phenix City USO in Alabama. Their father, who served as a pastor, was associated with the Benning Park Baptist Church in Columbus. Louise was laid to rest at Greensboro City Cemetery in Greensboro, Greene County, Georgia on June 14.

Around 1942, Hillman was stationed at Williams Field in Chandler, Arizona, after being called up for aviation cadet training. His training included primary and basic training at Thunderbird Field in Glendale, Arizona, and the Marana Army Flying School in Marana, Arizona. Finally, he completed an advanced training course at Yuma Army Air Field in Yuma, Arizona, which served as an advanced training ground for army pilots during World War II. In June 1943, Hillman graduated from the Army Air Forces advanced flying school, receiving his Army silver wings. Following graduation, he was commissioned as second lieutenant and placed on active duty. He was then sent overseas, where he flew bombing missions from Italy.

Yuma Army Air Base, 1943, USAAF, public domain,
via Wikimedia Commons

On April 27, 1944, several newspapers mistakenly reported that Hillman, a pilot serving in the U. S. Army Air Forces, had been killed in action. These erroneous reports reached his retired parents, who resided in Milledgeville, Georgia at the time. Simultaneously, another newspaper—one that had already announced his death—stated that Hillman, stationed in Italy, was missing in action during a bombing raid over Austria.

June 5 brought a different twist: Hillman was no longer missing; he had been taken prisoner by Germany. During a bombing mission, German fighters shot off the tail of his B-24 plane on April 2. Despite their efforts to return to the Italian base, the crippled aircraft forced the crew to bail out over Austria.

Albanian troops found Hillman and handed him over to the Germans. He was subsequently transported to a base hospital in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. The journey was perilous—the troop train faced machine-gun fire from Partisans along the way. At the Spital prison camp, doctors removed shell fragments from Hillman’s shoulder and wrists. Tragically, he also lost sight in his right eye due to a shell fragment.

Hillman remained in captivity until his release in late May 1945. His parents, now living in Greensboro, Georgia, received the long-awaited news—marking their first contact with Hillman in six months. After a brief visit with his uncle Thomas Davison in Atlanta, Hillman finally made his way back home to his parents’ residence in Greensboro.

1945

The end of 1945 marked a joyous occasion for Hillman when, in early December, he became engaged to Mary Lou Denmark. Mary was the daughter of Rev. Daniel Walter Denmark and Margaret Mae Bowen, of Portal, Bulloch County, Georgia. A graduate of Portal High School and the Atlanta School of Commerce, Mary was employed at Fort McPherson, which served as the home of the Fourth Service Command Headquarters in southwest Atlanta. Meanwhile, Hillman was stationed at Northington General Hospital, a temporary Army hospital built of use during World War II, located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Mary Lou Denmark

Mary’s friends received invitations to attend a wedding shower hosted by Mrs. Charles C. Anderson in January 1946. The anticipation grew as the wedding day approached, and on February 1, 1946, the couple’s families gathered in Atlanta for the joyous event. The ceremony took place at the chapel of Glenn Memorial Church, where Hillman’s father, Rev. Charles C. Davison, officiated. Mrs. Reuben Tuck, from Covington, played the organ, while C. W. O. Williams was the soloist. Hillman’s brother stood by his side as best man. Mary’s matron of honor was Mrs. Charles C. Anderson, who had graciously hosted the January wedding shower. Dell Denmark, Mary’s brother, and Bob Sterrett served as usher-groomsmen. Following their vows, a reception was held at the home of Hillman’s uncle, Hal Davison. The Davison residence was decorated with white flowers, lush greens, and elegant white candles in silver candelabras. The centerpiece—a beautifully decorated cake—graced a lace covered table in the dining room.

Hillman’s wedding may well have been the last ceremony performed by his father, Charles, who passed away in Atlanta on May 17, 1946. Two days later, Charles was laid to rest at Greensboro City Cemetery in Greensboro, Georgia. His burial followed a service at First Baptist Church in Greensboro, where Revs. Charles H. Kopp and W. M. Barnett officiated.

Just over a year later, Hillman and Mary started a new chapter of their lives, welcoming three children into their family. Their children included Richard Hillman Davison, Randal Charles Davison, and Cynthia Lou Davison.

In 1947, Hillman and Mary established their home at 882 Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta. Hillman, a skilled engineer, dedicated his expertise to his work. His service in the U.S. Army Air Forces concluded on June 7, 1946, where he held the rank of First Lieutenant.

On April 13, 1950, Hillman, Mary, and Richard resided in Atlanta. Hillman continued his employment at the power company, creating plans and contributing to the city’s infrastructure. Meanwhile, Mary devoted her time to their home and family. In a 1952 news article published by The Atlanta Journal, Hillman’s role as a field engineer with the power company was highlighted. Additionally, during the same year, he held the position of junior vice-commander within the Disabled Emergency Officers of the World Wars, a veteran group in the greater Atlanta area.

On December 27, 1968, Hillman’s son, Richard, exchanged vows with Mary Cartledge, the daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Samuel A. Cartledge, in a ceremony at the Decatur Presbyterian Church in Decatur, DeKalb County, Georgia. Following the ceremony, family and friends gathered for a reception at the Columbia Seminary Student Center, part of the Columbia Theological Seminary, an educational institution in Decatur.

In April 1969, Hillman served as a pallbearer at the funeral of Dr. Fraser L. Adams Jr. The burial ceremony took place at Westview Cemetery in Atlanta. Dr. Fraser was a highly respected dentist in the Decatur area.

Hillman passed away in Decatur from natural causes on January 3, 1975. He was 58 years old at the time of his passing. A funeral service was held at Spring Hill on January 5, where the Rev. Russell Case officiated. Hillman was laid to rest in section 37 of Crest Lawn Cemetery in Atlanta on January 7. 

Hillman continued to work as an engineer for Georgia Power Company up until his death. He was also a member of the Edison Electrical Institute and attended Candler Park Baptist Church. Hillman was survived by his wife Mary, daughter Cynthia, and sons Richard and Randal. He was also mourned by his mother Elizabeth, sister Mary, and brother Thomas. The mention of contributions to the cancer society in his obituary hints that his life was cut short by illness, but that is pure speculation on my part.

Photo used with permission of Andrew Holstein,
Find A Grave member 48890459

References

• Atlanta, Georgia, City Directory, 1947.
• Atlantians’ Nephew is Held by Germans, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, June 5, 1944
• Births, Richard Hillman Davison, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, July 28, 1947.
• Births, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, July 28, 1947.
• Brief News from Georgia Cities, The Columbus Ledger, Columbus, Georgia, April 27, 1944.
• Brunswick, Georgia, City Directory, 1941.
• C. Hillman Davison, U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-2016, Georgia Evening College, Atlanta, Georgia, 1937.
• Charles (Charlie) Hillman Davison obituary, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, January 5, 1975.
• Charles C. Davison obituary, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, May 19, 1946.
• Charles Clement Davison, Baptist Biography, vol. 3, pp. 102–105, edited by Balus Joseph Winzer Graham, Index Printing Company, 1923.
• Charles Clement Davison, U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918.
• Charles Davison Wins Army Wings, The Columbus Ledger, Columbus, Georgia, June 28, 1943.
• Charles H. Davison obituary, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, January 5, 1975.
• Charles H. Davison, U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946.
• Charles Hillman Davison (1975), U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1861–1985.
• Charles Hillman Davison, U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940–1947.
• Columbia at a Glance, Columbia Theological Seminary; https://www.ctsnet.edu/about-us/columbia-at-a-glance/. 
• Cynthia Lou Davison, Marriage Return no. 84-024039, Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Health-Division of Vital Records and Health Statistics, 1984.
• Dana G. Davison, obituary, The News and Observer, Raleigh, North Carolina, January 22, 2015.
• Davison Baby, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, September 13, 1954.
• Denmark-Davison Plans Completed, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, January 31, 1946.
• Denmark-Davison, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, December 9, 1945.
• Dr. and Mrs. Davison Give Delightful Birthday Supper, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, November 17, 1935.
• Dr. Fraser L. Adams Jr. obituary, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, April 12, 1969.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/173643946/fraser_lee-adams: accessed June 1, 2024), memorial page for Fraser Lee Adams Jr. (5 Apr 1902–11 Apr 1969), Find a Grave Memorial ID 173643946, citing Westview Cemetery, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Ladybug (contributor 47122697).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/207118553/charles_hillman-davison: accessed May 30, 2024), memorial page for Charles Hillman Davison (14 Dec 1916–3 Jan 1975), Find a Grave Memorial ID 207118553, citing Crest Lawn Cemetery, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Andrew Holstein (contributor 48890459).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/73301189/mary_louise-davison: accessed May 31, 2024), memorial page for Mary Louise Davison (17 Dec 1919–12 Jun 1942), Find a Grave Memorial ID 73301189, citing Greensboro City Cemetery, Greensboro, Greene County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Samuel Taylor Geer (contributor 46925792).
• Fort McPherson, New Georgia Encyclopedia, Georgia Humanities, University of Georgia Press; https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/government-politics/fort-mcpherson/. 
• Georgia Pilot Killed, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, April 28, 1944.
• Georgia State University; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_State_University. 
• Gheesling-Davidson, The Macon Telegraph, Macon, Georgia, January 9, 1916.
• Hellams Heads Veteran Group, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, December 4, 1952.
• Lieut. Davison Mission in Action, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, April 27, 1944.
• Local Woman Killed by Car, Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, Georgia, June 13, 1942.
• Lt. Davison Home After Imprisonment, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, June 28, 1945.
• Lt. Davison, Freed, Returning Home, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, May 21, 1945.
• Lt. Hillman Davison Missing in Action, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, April 28, 1944.
• Margaret Washburn Has Lovely Birthday Party, The Anniston Star, Anniston, Alabama, March 22, 1920.
• Marine Corps Air Station Yuma; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Corps_Air_Station_Yuma. 
• Mary Cartledge Marries Richard Hillman Davison, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, January 13, 1969.
• Mary Davison Obituary, Legacy, Savannah Morning News; https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/savannah/name/mary-davison-obituary?id=29544437. 
• Mary L. Davison Struck by Auto, Dies Last Night, The Columbus Ledger, Columbus, Georgia, June 13, 1942.
• Milledgeville Flier, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, April 27, 1944.
• Miss Denmark to be Honored, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, January 18, 1946.
• Miss Denmark to Become Bride, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, December 9, 1945.
• Miss Mary Lou Denmark to Wed Lt. Charles Davison, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, December 9, 1945.
• Missing in Action, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, April 27, 1944.
• Mr. Charles (Charlie) Hillman Davison burial notice, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, January 6, 1975.
• Mr. Charles C. Davison obituary, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, May 19, 1946.
• Nephew of Atlantans is German Prisoner, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, June 5, 1944.
• New Arrivals, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, July 25, 1947.
• Northington General Hospital Property, Circa 2000, Tuscaloosa Area Virtual Museum; https://tavm.omeka.net/items/show/830. 
• Pastor Davison Dies in Atlanta, The Columbus Ledger, Columbus, Georgia, May 19, 1946.
• Personals, Margaret Washburn Has Lovely Birthday Party, The Anniston Star, Anniston, Alabama, March 22, 1920.
• Personals, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, June 24, 1945.
• Psi Sigmas Plan Dance Thursday, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, May 11, 1938.
• Shower is Planned for Miss Denmark, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, January 21, 1946.
• Society Events, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, July 24, 1937.
• Society in Brief, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, January 31, 1946.
• State Briefs, The Macon Telegraph, Macon, Georgia, April 29, 1944.
• Tift College; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tift_College. 
• U.S. Federal Census, Anniston Ward 5, Calhoun County, Alabama, 1920.
• U.S. Federal Census, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, 1940.
• U.S. Federal Census, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, 1950.
• U.S. Federal Census, Sandersville, Washington County, Georgia, 1930.
• Vintage Board Game of Billy Whiskers, All About Fun and Games, Jenny Kile; https://allaboutfunandgames.com/vintage-board-game-of-billy-whiskers.
• Were Those Trips Necessary? He Can Ask Himself Now, The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, September 30, 1952. 

52 Ancestors — Florrie Lankford

Florrie Lankford (1943)

Florrie Lankford, daughter of Wade Hamilton (or Hampton) Lankford and Ada Blanche Culbertson, was born February 28, 1896 in Penfield, Greene County, Georgia. There were 13 children in this family according to her sister Lila. I find records for nine—Florrie Lankford, Corrie Mitchell Lankford, John Reed Lankford, Mozelle Elizabeth Lankford, Clyde R. Lankford, Katie Lankford, Ernest Cleveland Lankford, Lila Mae Lankford, and Julius Lankford. The other children must have died in infancy.

On June 1, 1900, Florrie’s family lived in Schull Shoals, Greene County, Georgia. The census enumerator listed her as Flora. Florrie’s father was a farmer. The enumerator recorded her mother as having had eight children, three of which were living. There were three children living in the home at the time—Florrie and her brothers Corrie and John. The record shows that Florrie’s parents had been married for 10 years. This makes no sense though as her mother Ada was enumerated as 22 years old (born July 1877) in this census record. That would mean Ada was 12 years old when she married Wade.

On April 22, 1910, Florrie and her family still lived in Schull Shoals. The census enumerator recorded her parents as having been married for 20 years and her mother as having had of 11 children, 7 of which were living—Florrie, Corrie, John, Mozelle, Clyde, Katie, and Cleveland. Her mother was enumerated as 38 years old in this census record which would be 16 years older, not 10, than she was in 1900. There was a 43-year-old male named W. B. Boswell living in the home as a boarder. Her father was still farming. Florrie’s brother Julius was not listed in the 1910 census so I assume he was born and died sometime between June 1900 and April 1910. He was buried at Penfield Cemetery in Penfield.

Penfield Cemetery

Florrie married Henry Bernard Cody, son of Andrew Cody and Camilla Oliver, in Clarke County, Georgia on August 17, 1913. The Athens Banner reported the marriage on August 19, 1913: “Lankford-Cody—Married at the Young Harris Methodist parsonage on Sunday, August the seventeenth, Miss Florrie Lankford to Mr. Henry Cody, only a few friends witnessing the ceremony which was impressively performed by the Rev. S. R. England. They have a number of friends who extend to them many wishes for happiness.” Together Florrie and Henry had five children—Bermond Hamp Cody, Ralph Royce Cody, Doris Cody, Roland Luther Cody, and Russell Lewis Cody. Roland and Russell were twins.

Henry Cody and Florrie Lankford marriage license

Just two years after her marriage, Florrie’s brother John died of heart disease at their Athens home (348 Hiawassee Avenue) the morning of August 17, 1915. John was just 16 years old. The family was still in mourning when one month later Florrie’s mother Ada died at the same home on September 13, 1915. The Athens Daily Herald carried her death notice on September 14, 1915: “LANKFORD, MRS. W. H.-Died yesterday afternoon at about 5:30 o’clock at the family home at 348 Hiawassee avenue, aged 37 years. She is survived by her husband and seven children. The funeral and burial services occurred this morning at 10 o’clock at Woodville, Ga.” Note that the death notice stated that Ada was 37 years old. Considering that the 1910 census record had her as 38 years old, it’s clear that there’s an age discrepancy here. Unfortunately, there was no birthdate on Ada’s tombstone and I haven’t found a death record. Both Ada and her son John were buried at Penfield Cemetery in Penfield (not Woodville). The death of Florrie’s mother left her father alone to raise seven children, including a two-year-old.

Florrie was still living in Athens in 1918—the Athens Daily Herald reported that her sister Clyde was in Athens visiting Mrs. Henry Cody on August 21, 1918.

Barden Strickland, Florrie (Lankford) Strickland,
Lucile King, and Ernest Cleveland Lankford

In January 1920, Florrie and her family were enumerated twice in census records. On January 5, Florrie, Henry, and sons Belmond and Ralph lived with her widowed father and five siblings—Mozelle, Clyde, Katie, Cleveland, and Lila—on Bryant Street in Athens. Henry was a weaver in a cotton mill. As I looked at this census record, I realized that they lived next door to the James B. Brewer family. James had a son named Fred, whom Florrie’s sister Clyde would eventually marry. By January 20, Florrie and Henry have moved to a rental home on Hiawassee Avenue in Athens and were enumerated for a second time. This was a different house number than the one her parents lived in in 1915. Henry was a laborer in a cotton mill. Their oldest son was enumerated as Berriman.

Florrie’s family lost three immediate members during the 1920s making it a very sad decade. They were living at 188 Park Avenue in Athens when on April 12, 1922, her 14-year-old sister Katie died of cholera. Four years later Florrie’s sister Mozelle Lankford Blaine died of a ruptured appendix at St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens on February 21, 1926. She was 24 years old and had been married less than four years. Mozelle’s death certificate shows that she died on the 21st yet her tombstone records the date as the 4th. And then just over a year later, Florrie’s father died on May 10, 1927 from bronchial asthma (contributed by cardiac hypertrophy) in Athens. All three were buried at Penfield Cemetery in Penfield.

Florrie and Henry lived in Athens in 1928. The Athens City Directory recorded Henry as a salesman. The address was listed as 139 Miles.

On April 15, 1930, Florrie and her family lived in a rental home on Oneta Street in Athens. Florrie did odd jobs at home to bring in extra money and Henry was a winder in a cotton mill. They were still living in Clarke County, Georgia on April 1, 1935 but had moved to Penfield by 1940 according to census records.

On April 15, 1940, Florrie, Henry, and their three children—Doris, Roland, and Russell—lived in Penfield. For some reason, the census enumerator did not write Florrie’s first name on the census record. Seventh grade was the highest grade that she had completed. Florrie was a lunch room cook and Henry was unemployed. They lived four houses away from my grandfather’s step-brother, Homer Crawford Callaway, and five houses away from my great-grandmother, Alice Beman Lankford Callaway and her husband Robert Dawson Callaway.

Florrie’s husband Henry died at home in Penfield on October 23, 1943 after a short illness that started at work in the plant of the Union Manufacturing Company at Union Point, Greene County, Georgia earlier that week. Henry was buried at Penfield Cemetery in Penfield. He was 51 years old at the time of his death.

Florrie apparently moved to Brunswick, Glynn County, Georgia shortly after Henry’s death. About 1945, Florrie married James Barden Strickland Sr., son of James P. Strickland and Frances W. (last name unknown to me). Barden was born in Cherokee, Colbert County, Alabama but had lived in Brunswick for most of his life. He had previously been married to Margaret Conn and they had at least three children—James Barden Strickland Jr., Doyce T. Strickland, and Walter Otis Strickland. I’ve been told Barden had children from a previous marriage(s) but I haven’t researched them so have no details to provide now.

Florrie and Barden lived at 601 Dartmouth Street in Brunswick in 1951 according to the Brunswick City Directory. They still lived there in 1953 and 1957. Barden was a painter for R. J. Myers. She still lived on Dartmouth Street in 1958 and 1960. The 1957 and 1960 city directories listed a middle initial of “E.” Years later, Florrie’s daughter Doris would restore the house on Dartmouth Street. Florrie founded Cody’s Restaurant in Brunswick about 1954 which she ran with the help of her son Bermond.

Florrie’s brother Cleveland died in Brunswick on November 4, 1975. He was buried at Palmetto Cemetery. Less than two years later, Florrie’s husband Barden died in Saint Simons Island, Glynn County, Georgia on July 20, 1977. And three years after Florrie lost her husband, she lost her son Russell when he died unexpectedly at home in Brunswick on June 27, 1980. He was only 53 years old. All three were buried at Palmetto Cemetery in Brunswick.

Palmetto Cemetery

Florrie died at her home on Darmouth Street on September 24, 1984 after an extended illness. Florrie had been an active member of her Brunswick community. Not only did she run Cody’s Restaurant for 30 years, according to the obituary that ran in The Brunswick News “she was a member of the First Baptist Church of Brunswick, the American Legion Auxiliary, Marshes of Glynn Chapter 243 Order of Eastern Star and the Bethlehem Shrine Number 4, Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem.” Florrie was survived by her daughter Doris, son Bermond, sisters Clyde and Lila, 9 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She was buried at Palmetto Cemetery in Brunswick with her family.

Strickland/Lankford graves, Palmetto Cemetery