Wednesday's Child ~ Anita Claudette Tarver

Anita Claudette Tarver (courtesy of Danny Peavey)

Anita Claudette Tarver was born on December 10, 1936 to the marriage of Claude Lawrence Tarver and Mary Ruth Watson.  She was a sister to Jerry Tarver.

Claudette attended Sicily Island High School where she was a member of the Tiger Cheerleaders. 

Sonic Booms over Catahoula Parish

Catahoula News - 1965

Who was Eliza Jackson Lucas?

Date of Death:  Jan 1938
Place of Death:  Ward 2, Sicily Island, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana
Marital Status:  Married
Age at Death:  66 years; 8 months; 28 days
Occupation:  Housewife
Birthplace:  Choctaw County, Alabama
Father:  Alexander Jackson
Father's Birthplace:  Alabama
Mother:  Eliza Jane Bowman
Mother's Birthplace:  Alabama
Informant:  Dr. Gordon
Attending Physician:  Dr. Charles J. Gordon

Who was C. R. Reagan?

Date of Death:  6 Oct 1931
Place of Death:  Ward 2, Sicily Island, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana
Marital Status:  Married
Age at Death:  60 years
Occupation:  Farming
Birthplace:  Franklin Parish, Louisiana
Father:  F. M. Reagan
Father's Birthplace:  Richland Parish, Louisiana
Mother:  Elizabeth Clark
Mother's Birthplace:  Pennsylvania
Informant:  D. M. Reagan

Who was Edward Albert Nugent?

 

Date of Death:  9 Apr 1928

Place of Death:  Harrisonburg, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana

Marital Status:  Married

Age at Death:  57 years; 5 months; 23 days

Occupation:  Millwright

Birthplace:  Louisiana

Father:  Mathew Nugent

Father's Birthplace:  Louisiana

Mother:  Adline Cryery

Mother's Birthplace:  Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana

Informant:  W. S. Fairbanks

Military Monday ~ John Wesley Ogden, Jr.

John Wesley "Wes" Ogden, Jr. was born on April 10, 1894 in Clarion, Pennsylvania to the marriage of John Wesley Ogden, Sr. and Sarah Ellen Shaw. 

He enlisted in the United States Army on June 4, 1917 and was honorably discharged on June 11, 1919 as a Bugler 1st Class, 305 Engineers Train in the 80th Division.

William Sterling Stutson Family

William Sterling Stutson was born in Adams County, Mississippi on February 10, 1839 to the marriage of Sullivan Stutson and Margaret Sterling.

On July 27, 1870 he married Elizabeth Edwards who was born on March 19, 1854 in Ouachita Parish.  William and Elizabeth made their home in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana where they raised six children.

William Sterling Stutson died on February 8, 1884 and Elizabeth Edwards Stutson died on November 28, 1933.  Both are buried in the Harrisonburg Cemetery in Harrisonburg, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.  Tombstone photographs are courtesy of Dorothy S. Tiser at FindAGrave.com. 

Family Recipe Friday ~ Pecan Layer Cake

From the kitchen of Mrs. R. R. Reeves, Sr. of Harrisonburg, Catahoula Parish:

Wednesday's Child ~ Jessie Mae Smith

"Weep not father and mother for me, for I am waiting in glory for thee"

Jessie Mae Smith was born on October 12, 1926 to the marriage of Earl Smith and Isabelle Evans.  She was the granddaughter of James Denman Smith and Margaret "Maggie" Luvenia Conn and the great niece of John Nix Conn. 

Who was James McGuffee?

 

Date of Death:  23 Jan 1930

Place of Death:  Ward 5, Harrisonburg, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana

Marital Status:  Married

Age at Death:  60 years

Occupation:  Farmer

Birthplace:  Mississippi

Father:  B. F. McGuffee

Informant:  L. L. McGuffee

Attending Physician:  P. W. Calliham

 

Who was Charley Hines Phillips?

Date of Death:  18 Sep 1930
Place of Death:  Harrisonburg, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana
Marital Status:  Married
Age at Death:  64 years, 1 month, 28 days
Occupation:  Farmer
Birthplace:  Catahoula Parish
Father:  Alford Phillips
Father's Birthplace:  Georgia
Mother:  Hines
Mother's Birthplace:  North Carolina
Informant:  P Family
Attending Physician:  O.J. Richardson

Military Monday - James Wilmer Enright

James Wilmer Enright enlisted in the United States Navy on December 3, 1951.  He served his country in the Korean War and in the Vietnam War.  He was honorably discharged as a Master Chief Equipmentman (EQCM) on June 5, 1971.

James was born on January 24, 1932 to the marriage of Clarence Edward Enright and Julia Irma Stutson.  He was the brother of Clarence Edward, Jr., John Richard, Julia Eleanor, Charles Allen, and Thomas Leslie.

James married Hazel Berry and had the following children:
James "Jimmy" Wilmer, Jr.
Walter E.
Cheryl Ann
Pam

James Wilmer Enright died on October 11, 1972 and is buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery in Sicily Island, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.









Military Monday will be a recurring post every Monday to honor the past service of those who are no longer with us. If you have family members from Sicily Island or surrounding communities who served in any of the various branches of the military and would like to have them recognized on this blog, please email rootsfromthebayou@gmail.com.  Background information and photographs will be included in the post when your family member is honored.

The Family of Ota Gilbert Wynn, Sr.

Ota Gilbert "O. G." Wynn, Sr. was born in Prescott, Nevada County, Arkansas on April 18, 1885 to the marriage of Edmund Wynn and Lillie Hellums.

On February 2, 1913 he married Kate Ward in Nevada County, Arkansas.

Kate was born in Prescott, Nevada County, Arkansas on March 18, 1892 to the marriage of Henry Taylor Ward and Josephine Morgan.







From Our Island Heritage, Vols 2-3, 1977-78, compiled by Sophie Haley and Mickie Smith:

The Wynns arrived in Sicily Island in 1937 by way of Jena, Louisiana where they had operated a store for C. W. Wurster for many years.

Family Recipe Friday - Baked Grits

From the kitchen of Mrs. Roy Furr (Eunice Voss)

Family Recipe Friday will be a recurring post every Friday to honor some of the wonderful cooks from Sicily Island and surrounding communities.  If you have some old family recipes from ancestors who lived in Sicily Island and surrounding communities and would like to share them, please send them to rootsfromthebayou@gmail.com.  Any background stories you'd like to provide will be included in the post when your recipe is highlighted.

Wednesday's Child ~ Carl P. Garrison

Carl P. Garrison was born on December 14, 1902 to the marriage of Elam Garrison and Cornelia Kennard.  He was a brother to Eula, Parker and Cora.

Carl passed from this life on January 21, 1919 at the age of sixteen.  He is buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery in Sicily Island, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.

Record of Death:

Military Monday - James Calvin Price

Photograph is courtesy of Gayle Price Evans

James Calvin Price was born in Sicily Island on January 16, 1928 to the marriage of Richard Guy Price and Eura Lee Strahan.

He was a brother to Richard Guy "R.G.", Jr. and Margaret Lee.


James was a 1946 graduate of Sicily Island High School.

On February 9, 1949 he married Allene Higgins. 


 

Photograph is courtesy of Gayle Price Evans

In 1952, James enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country in the war in Vietnam.

James retired in 1974 as a Master Sergeant (MSGT) with 22 years of service in the United States Air Force.

Following his retirement, James and Allene, along with son, Jimmy and daughter, Gayle returned to Sicily Island.

Regardless of the many different places he was stationed during his military career, his desire was always to return to the Sicily Island he called "God's Country". 





James Calvin Price passed from this life on September 23, 2006.  Allene's passing was on October 17, 2011.  Both are buried in the Highland Park Cemetery in Sicily Island, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.

Photograph is courtesy of Karen Klemm Pinckard at FindAGrave.com

Military Monday is a recurring post every Monday to honor the past service of those who are no longer with us. If you have family members from Sicily Island or surrounding communities who served in any of the various branches of the military and would like to have them recognized on this blog, please email rootsfromthebayou@gmail.com.  Background information and photographs will be included in the post when your family member is honored.

Who was Sallie Smith Coatney?

Date of Death:  1 Jan 1929
Place of Death:  Ward 5, Harrisonburg, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana
Marital Status:  Married
Age at Death:  about 65 years
Occupation:  Housekeeper
Birthplace:  Grant Parish, Louisiana
Father:  Henry Smith
Father's Birthplace:  Louisiana
Mother:  Emmeline Chevalier
Mother's Birthplace:  Louisiana
Informant:  W. H. Strickland

Who was James Nathan Sumerall?

Date of Death:  11 Jan 1939
Place of Death:  Ward 2, Sicily Island, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana
Marital Status:  Widower
Age at Death:  78 years
Birthplace:  Hancock County, Mississippi
Name of Informant:  Sylvester Sumerall
Attending Physician:  Charles J. Gordon

Sicily Island High School Commencement Exercises ~ 1932

Transcription:

Sicily Island High School presents The Annual Commencement Exercises, May 12, 1932

Invocation - Mr. Knight
Salutatory Address - Martin D. Woodin
Class Poem - Helen Pearson
Class Bibliography - Carrier Lee Dennis
Class Phrophecy - Myrtle Bennett
Piano, Cornet Duet - Mrs. R. Cordel, Mr. B. Edmonds
Class History - Esther M. Slade
Class Will - Albert E. Krause
Valedictory Address - Anna Crawford
Address - J. E. Lombard
Class Song - Anna Crawford, Mattie Tiffee, Ione Knight, L. Knight, A. E. Krause, M. D. Woodin
President's Address - Mattie Tiffee
Response - Nell York
Delivery of Diplomas - H. W. Wright
Benediction - Mr. Knight

Who was William D. Spencer?

Date of Death:  15 Apr 1934
Place of Death:  Ward 2, Sicily Island, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana
Marital Status:  Married*
Date of Birth:  22 Feb 1862
Birthplace:  Natchez, Mississippi
Father:  Joseph Spencer
Father's Birthplace:  Pennsylvania
Mother:  Louise Hopkins
Mother's Birthplace:  Long Island, New York
Name of Informant:  Jessie Spencer
Attending Physician:  Charles J. Gordon

*Buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery in Sicily Island alongside his wife, Emma K. Spencer (1876-1965)

Who was D. H. Gibson?

Date of Death:  5 Mar 1928
Place of Death:  Ward 5, Harrisonburg, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana
Marital Status:  Widower
Age at Death:  81 years
Father's Birthplace:  Alabama
Informant:  J. A. Gibson
Former or Usual Residence:  Enterprise

Catahoula Parish Policy Jury, 1964-1968

The above photograph was taken in New Orleans in the Spring of 1967.  Secretary of the Catahoula Parish Police Jury, E. Y. Peyton is seen receiving a check from a Bank in New Orleans.  The funds were used to build the Catahoula Parish Hospital.

Seated (left to right):  E. Y. Peyton - Secretary, Mr. Hunn - Bank, Harold Watson - Ward 3, and Bruce A. Edmonds - Ward 2

Standing (left to right):  Colvin Manning - Ward 6, George Hudson - Ward 6, Moody Tradewell, President - Ward 7, William Beck - Bonding Attorney, Oscar King - Ward 4, Shelby Mitchell - Ward 5, and Garlan Barron - Ward 1

Family Recipe Friday - Pulled Taffy

From the kitchen of Mrs. W. S. Peck, Sr. (Barbara Estelle Woodward):

Family Recipe Friday will be a recurring post every Friday to honor some of the wonderful cooks from Sicily Island and surrounding communities.  If you have some old family recipes from ancestors who lived in Sicily Island and surrounding communities and would like to share them, please send them to rootsfromthebayou@gmail.com.  Any background stories you'd like to provide will be included in the post when your recipe is highlighted.

Who was William L. Cameron?

  

Date of Death:  31 Mar 1923

Place of Death:  Ward 2, Sicily Island, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana

Marital Status:  Widower

Age at Death:  71 years

Informant:  W. S. Peck

 

Who was Steven Peter Poole?

Date of Death:  14 Jan 1927
Place of Death:  Ward 5, Harrisonburg, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana
Marital Status:  Married
Date of Birth:  19 Nov 1847
Occupation:  Farmer
Birthplace:  Catahoula
Father's Birthplace:  Catahoula
Mother's Maiden Name:  Humble
Mother's Birthplace:  Mississippi
Informant:  Rex Poole
Attending Physician:  P. W. Caliham

Who was Martha Manning Herlong?

Date of Death:  11 Jan 1929
Place of Death:  Ward 5, Harrisonburg, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana
Marital Status:  Married
Age at Death:  82 years; 5 months; 13 days
Occupation:  Housewife
Birthplace:  Catahoula
Father:  James Manning
Informant:  N. H. Herlong

Wednesday's Child - Thomas J. Winstead

Thomas J. Winstead was born on December 19, 1889 to the marriage of Thomas Jefferson Winstead and Nettie Juanita Moore.  He was a brother to Berta A. Winstead Knight.

Thomas died on April 9, 1896 and is buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery in Sicily Island, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.

"Our darling one hath gone before to greet us on the blissful shore."




Wednesday's Child will be a recurring post each Wednesday in remembrance of those who passed from this life before reaching the age of twenty.  If you have family members from Sicily Island or surrounding communities who died before reaching the age of twenty and would like to have them recognized on this blog, please email rootsfromthebayou@gmail.com.  Background information and photographs will be included in the remembrance posts.

 

Military Monday - Walon Marcus Seal, Jr.

Courtesy of Derene Seal

Walon Marcus Seal, Jr. was born on February 15, 1926 to the marriage of Walon Marcus Seal, Sr. and Addie Mae Cooper.


He was a brother to Bernard Cooper, Billy Pat, Lester Earl and Samuel Seal.

Walon enlisted in the United States Navy on December 1, 1943 and served in WWII on the U.S.S. Buttress and the U.S.S. Ponaganset.  He was honorably discharged on April 22, 1946 with the rank of Coxswain (COX) from the United States Naval Reserves.






Muster Roll of the Crew of the U. S. S. Buttress (PCE-878):

Muster Roll of the Crew of the U. S. S. Ponaganset (AO-86):

Application for Headstone or Marker:

Military Monday will be a recurring post every Monday to honor the past service of those who are no longer with us. If you have family members from Sicily Island or surrounding communities who served in any of the various branches of the military and would like to have them recognized on this blog, please email rootsfromthebayou@gmail.com.  Background information and photographs will be included in the post when your family member is honored.

Sicily Island Football ~ The Beginning

On December 2, 1947 the Sicily Island Rotary Club met and unanimously adopted a resolution regarding the establishment of a football program at Sicily Island High School.  The Rotary Club's resolution was based on their willingness to "undertake and guarantee to furnish a playing field and full equipment for 25 high school boys". 

Below are copies of the Sicily Island Rotary Club's letter to the Catahoula Parish School Board, the School Board's response to the Rotary Club, and a sketch of the school property with the football field included. 

Transcription of the Sicily Island Rotary Club letter, dated December 3, 1947:

Dear Sir:

The School Board members and Superintendent Aubrey Brooks brought to the attention of the Rotary Club in Sicily Island the fact that the School Board had voted and appropriated funds to place an additional teacher in the Sicily Island School and that the teacher could be a football coach.  As you know, the Rotary Club is interested in getting a football team started in the Sicily Island High School.

Sicily Island Teachers, 1951

From the 1951 Sicily Island Yearbook, El Tigre:

Top Row:  Mrs. Henry Peniston (Georgia Westbrook) and Mrs. G. S. Cotton
2nd Row:  Mrs. Lois Christiansen and Mrs. John Peniston (DeLeta Furr)
3rd Row:  Mrs. Eva Mount (McKay) and Mrs. Reba Vincent
4th Row:  Mrs Anita Oliphant (Bondurant) and Mrs. Irma Enright (Stutson)
5th Row:  Mrs. William Vaught (Eva Chisum) and Miss Darris Chambers

Tiger Football, 1953

 

From the 1953 Sicily Island Yearbook, El Tigre:

Top photo:  Coach Joe Raymond Peace with Co-captains, Thurman (L) and Vaught (R)

Bottom photo:  

1st Row:  Coach Peace, Miller, Gillespie, Wiggins, Cupit, Martin

2nd Row:  F. Thurman, Alford, Henslee, Felter, Mount, L. Evans

3rd Row:  Coney, Dampier, Enright, C. Thurman, Fairbanks, R. Evans

4th Row:  Vaught, Garrison, Knotts, Pearson, Keenan

Family Recipe Friday - Icebox Cake

Family Recipe Friday will be a recurring post every Friday to honor some of the wonderful cooks from Sicily Island and surrounding communities.


From the kitchen of Clara Lucille Steele Ogden:

If you have some old family recipes from ancestors who lived in Sicily Island and surrounding communities and would like to share them, please send them to rootsfromthebayou@gmail.com.  Any background stories you'd like to provide will be included in the post when your recipe is highlighted.

Jim and Lena Steele McLelland

James A. "Jim" McLelland was born on October 23, 1870 in Texas.  In 1895 he married Lena Rhoda Steele who was born on December 22, 1877 to the marriage of Francis Marion "Frank" Steele and Lucinda Chisum.

After their marriage, Jim and Lena made their home in Limestone County, Texas until moving to Sicily Island prior to 1910.  Lena's brother, Isham Alfonso Steele, had made his home in Sicily Island about twelve years earlier and Lena decided she wanted to move to Sicily Island as well.  Jim was content to stay in Texas and did not want to relocate.

The story goes that Lena told Jim she was moving to Sicily Island whether he moved with her or not.  Jim remained adamant that he was not moving.  Lena would not yield.  She packed her belongings and asked Jim to take her by wagon to the train station.  Jim, believing she would not go through with her plans, agreed to take her to catch the train.  Lena's belongings were loaded on the train and at the very last minute, Jim jumped aboard with nothing but the clothes on his back. Over the years, Lena would often tell this story and Jim would only smile; never denying the circumstances under which he became a resident of Sicily Island.

Jim would later represent Sicily Island as a Policy Jury member for Ward 2 from 1934 to 1936.  He also served as the second vice-president of the Truck Grower's Association formed in 1909 by the farmers of Sicily Island.

Rice Belt Journal, Calcasieu Parish - 7/16/1909 (courtesy of Chronicling America)

Jim and Lena lived on Highway 8 in the house pictured below:

Who was Thomas Benton Harrell?

Date of Death:  20 Aug 1932
Place of Death:  Ward Two, Sicily Island, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana
Marital Status:  Widower
Date of Birth:  1860
Place of Birth:  Missouri
Name of Informant:  J. M. Harrell
Attending Physician:  Charles J. Gordon

Who was Varilla Sumrall?

 

Date of Death:  24 Mar 1921

Place of Death:  Ward Two, Sicily Island, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana

Marital Status:  Married

Date of Birth:  1859

Name of Informant:  John Lucas

 

Who was Josephine Saphira Price?

Date of Death:  13 Sep 1928
Place of Death:  Ward 5, Harrisonburg, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana
Marital Status:  Widowed
Date of Birth:  5 Aug 1858
Occupation:  Housewife
Birthplace:  Louisiana
Place of Burial:  Spring Ridge Cemetery