Joe Inzer Griffin

M, b. 19 November 1915, d. 11 May 2004
  • Last Edited: 3 Sep 2009
  • Nickname: Polly Gilliland
  • (Child) Birth*: 19 November 1915; Hackneyville, Tallapoosa Co., Alabama
  • (Deceased) Death*: 11 May 2004; Birmingham, Jefferson Co., Alabama
  • (Interred) Burial*: 14 May 2004; Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Birmingham, Jefferson Co., Alabama
  • Biography*: Joe gave the following biographical information in a 5 Mar 1993 letter:
    Educated public schools B'ham, Al. Attended B'ham Southern 2 years. Graduated Auburn University 1938. Employed U.S. Government and served in U.S. Army 4 years - Left job in U.S. Government in 1954 and entered into real estate business and am owner of property at present, a small shopping center.

    And Joe's obituary adds a few more details:

    GRIFFIN, MR. JOE INZER, age 88, of Birmingham, AL, died Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at his residence. A graduate of Ensley High School and Auburn University, he was an Army veteran of World War II. Mr. Griffin was a deacon of Crestway Baptist Church where he was a member of Andrew Sunday School Class. Survivors include his wife, Pauline Gilliland Griffin of Birmingham; sister, Ann Griffin Newman of Sylacauga; four nieces; five nephews; and several great nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held on Friday, May 14, 2004, at 11 a.m. in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery with Dr. Jimmy Wilson officiating. The family will receive friends Friday, May 14, 2004 from 10 until 11 a.m. at Curtis and Son Funeral Home North Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Crestway Baptist Church, 3400 Crestwood Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35212, or to a favorite charity. Curtis and Son Funeral Home North Chapel will direct the services. <>
    Published in The Birmingham News on 5/13/2004.


    Cousin Charlotte (Griffin) Robertson, daughter of Emyl G. Griffin, remembers Joe: ". Joe was a funny, “extrovert” people-person. I remember him as always laughing and telling funny stories."

Sara Gene Griffin

F, b. 19 August 1918, d. 11 November 1989
  • Last Edited: 9 Jul 1999
  • (Child) Birth*: 19 August 1918
  • (Bride) Marriage*: 1 June 1938; Groom=Edward Dearborn Marston D. V. M.
  • Married Name: 1 June 1938; Marston
  • (Deceased) Death*: 11 November 1989; Manchester, Hillsboro Co., New Hampshire
  • Biography*: Joe Inzer Griffin gave biographical information about Sarah in a 5 Mar 1993 letter: Educated public schools B'ham, Al. Attended Auburn University and married before completing education.

Family: Edward Dearborn Marston D. V. M. b. 1 Jan 1916, d. 27 Jun 1998

Edward Dearborn Marston D. V. M.

M, b. 1 January 1916, d. 27 June 1998
  • Last Edited: 20 Jul 2013
  • (Child) Birth*: 1 January 1916
  • (Groom) Marriage*: 1 June 1938; Bride=Sara Gene Griffin
  • War*: between 1942 and 1945; LT COL US ARMY WORLD WAR II1
  • Biography*: According to Joe Inzer Griffin, in a 5 Mar 1993 letter, Edward received a D.V.M. and practiced veterinary medicine in Manchester, N.H. until retirement.
  • Death*: 27 June 1998; Manchester, Hillsboro Co., New Hampshire

Family: Sara Gene Griffin b. 19 Aug 1918, d. 11 Nov 1989

Citations

  1. [S499] U. S. Veterans Grave Sites, Online database at Ancestry.com.

Claude Porch Newman

M, b. 12 February 1912, d. June 1983
  • Last Edited: 1 Jun 2020
  • (Child) Birth*: 12 February 1912; son of Horace Thurston Newman & Annie Viola Solley
  • (Deceased) Death*: June 1983; Sylacauga, Talladega Co., Alabama
  • Biography*: Joe Inzer Griffin wrote 5 Mar 1993 that Claude "was operator and owner of several restaurants and now deceased."

Lena Mae Whatley

F, b. 4 June 1905, d. 13 March 1999
  • Last Edited: 22 Oct 2013
  • (Child) Birth*: 4 June 1905; Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama
  • (Bride) Marriage*: 31 July 1924; Clay Co., Alabama; Groom=John Wesley DeVaughn
  • Married Name: 31 July 1924; DeVaughn
  • (Deceased) Death*: 13 March 1999; Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama
  • (Interred) Burial*: Lineville City Cemetery, Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama
  • Biography*: Mrs. J. W. (Lena Whatley) DeVaughn wrote, 4 Dec 1978: Yes, I, Lena Mae Whatley DeVaughn, was named for Lena Mae Amsler. I have a faint memory of her visit to Lineville.... I have played the piano for church for 51 years and continue to do so.... Before school age, I stayed with them (the William Henry Griffin's) more than I stayed at home. After I started to school, I visited them often. Their home was like home to me.

    From Eloise Samuels, 2013:
    "My Mother played and sang beautifully. She taught my sister and me, as well as kept us traveling to and from music lessons in the summers. To my knowledge, she was the only one in her family (Whatley) who appreciated music. She played the organ at Lineville Baptist Church until she married and she followed the same desire in our little country church as long she lived. Great Grandmother (Clarissa) Griffin had a great influence on her life and Mother emulated her as much as possible."

Family: John Wesley DeVaughn b. 30 Sep 1904, d. 1 Oct 1981

John Wesley DeVaughn

M, b. 30 September 1904, d. 1 October 1981
  • Last Edited: 9 Jul 1999
  • (Child) Birth*: 30 September 1904; Randolph Co., Alabama
  • (Employee) Employment*: farmer||
  • (Groom) Marriage*: 31 July 1924; Clay Co., Alabama; Bride=Lena Mae Whatley
  • (Deceased) Death*: 1 October 1981; Anniston, Calhoun Co., Alabama
  • (Interred) Burial*: 4 October 1981; Lineville City Cemetery, Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama1
  • Biography*: Mrs. J. W. (Lena Whatley) DeVaughn wrote 2 Jan 1979 that John Wesley DeVaughn's mother was a Peek. "I used to hear his Grandmother Peek talk and tell they came from Georgia then on to Alabama." The following obituary is from an unknown source: Mr. John Wesley DeVaughn (LINEVILLE RT. 1) Mr. John Wesley DeVaughn, age 76, of Rt. 1 Lineville, passed away Thursday, October 1, 1981, at Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center in Anniston, after an extended illness. Funeral services for Mr. DeVaughn were held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, October 4, 1981 at Benefield Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Gordon Taylor and Rev. Jim Arnall officiating. Burial followed in Lineville City Cemetery. Mr. DeVaughn is survived by his wife, Lena Mae DeVaughn of Lineville, 2 daughters, Mrs. Eloise Samuels of Borger, Texas, and Mrs. Elaine Mendenhall of Jacksonville, Alabama, 1 sister, Mrs. Lois Hodnett of Lineville, 2 grandchildren and 2 step grandchildren. Pallbearers for Mr. DeVaughn were Lee Jordan, Lewis Mitchell, Bobby Adamson, Lynward DeVaughn, W.N. McCollum and Shearl Bean. Mr. DeVaughn was a native of Randolph County but had lived for the past 49 years in Clay County, he was a retired farmer and carpenter and a member of New Harmony Christian Church. Benefield Funeral Home of Lineville in charge of arrangements.

Family: Lena Mae Whatley b. 4 Jun 1905, d. 13 Mar 1999

Citations

  1. [S303] Clay County Alabama Historical Society, Clay Co. AL Cemeteries.
    p 210; obituary.

Willie Clyde Whatley

F, b. 7 September 1909, d. 6 October 1910
  • Last Edited: 9 Jul 1999

Citations

  1. [S303] Clay County Alabama Historical Society, Clay Co. AL Cemeteries.
    p 217.

Mildred Eugenia Whatley

F, b. 21 April 1912, d. 30 October 1992
  • Last Edited: 20 Jan 2005
  • (Child) Birth*: 21 April 1912; Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama
  • (Employee) Employment*: Kerley Cleaners||
  • (Bride) Marriage*: 2 May 1930; Clay Co., Alabama; Groom=Julian A. Kerley
  • Married Name: 2 May 1930; Kerley
  • (Deceased) Death*: 30 October 1992; Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama
  • (Interred) Burial*: 1 November 1992; Lineville City Cemetery, Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama1
  • Biography*: Mildred was owner and operator of Kerley Cleaners in Lineville for a number of years. She wrote in a 23 Nov 1978 letter: I had my fortune read when I was young and she told me I did not have a good memory - Now I believe in fortune tellers so you can understand why I don't have much to write.
          Mrs. Kerley continued in a 7 Oct 1979 letter: My trip to Mrs. Teol [fortune teller] was during World War II and did not predict anything for me but told me lot I knew and you wonder how she could know. My husband did not believe in her and would say "one says things to her and she gets her lead from that" so I asked the other ladies that went with me not to talk at all after we got to her house that I was not going to say anything that would give her a clue. So she took me first and all I said to her was "Good Morning' and she took me into a room and asked me to sit near a table that she had some coffee grounds in a cup and she asked me to turn the cup of grounds over into the saucer - then she sat there and looked at them for a while - then she said you are married have two children and aren't they sweet.... Then she told me soft music could do more for my soul and heart than anything else. Told me I wanted my front porch changed. All this true. Then she told me about my brother being in Service, said he is in the Atlantic theater of war, and could have [seen by] the expression on my face as that was not right - but I did not say a word - then she said no I see him in the Pacific and his duty is under water (and he was in Submarine duty) she said he is the baby of the family, (I don't mean the baby child) but all of you love him as he was the only boy - this true. She said he will come home but will be in a very nervous condition and he was. And she said be kind to him as he will need it. This was true. This is about all she had to say to me....
          The following obituary is from an unknown source: Kerley LINEVILLE--Graveside services for Mrs. Mildred W. Kerley, 80, of Lineville, will be Sunday at 3 p.m. at Lineville City Cemetery with the Rev. John Gates officiating and Benefield Funeral Home of Lineville in charge.
    Mrs. Kerley died Friday at Lineville Nursing Facility. Survivors include a daughter, Miss Jeanette Kerley of Tampa, Fla.; and three sisters, Mrs. Lena Mae Devaughn of Lineville, and Mrs. Margaret Lee and Mrs. Sue Walker, both of Anniston. A Clay County native, Mrs. Kerley was owner and operator of Kerley Cleaners of Lineville for a number of years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Lineville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Clay County Rescue Squad.

Family: Julian A. Kerley b. 16 Jul 1910, d. 28 Aug 1962

Citations

  1. [S303] Clay County Alabama Historical Society, Clay Co. AL Cemeteries.
    p 211; obituary.

Julian A. Kerley

M, b. 16 July 1910, d. 28 August 1962
  • Last Edited: 20 Jan 2005

Family: Mildred Eugenia Whatley b. 21 Apr 1912, d. 30 Oct 1992

Citations

  1. [S303] Clay County Alabama Historical Society, Clay Co. AL Cemeteries.
    p 211.

Chalmus William Whatley

M, b. 6 January 1916, d. 5 October 1953
  • Last Edited: 20 Jan 2005

Family: Pauline Crow b. 24 Sep 1922, d. 1 Mar 2012

Citations

  1. [S303] Clay County Alabama Historical Society, Clay Co. AL Cemeteries.
    p 193 'A1 EM2 USNR WWII.'

Pauline Crow

F, b. 24 September 1922, d. 1 March 2012
  • Last Edited: 31 Jan 2018
  • (Child) Birth*: 24 September 19221
  • (Bride) Marriage*: circa 1941; Groom=Chalmus William Whatley
  • Married Name: circa 1941; Whatley
  • Married Name: 1959; Gruber
  • (Bride) Marriage*: 1959; Principal=William Carl Gruber1
  • Death*: 1 March 2012; Cardwell, Dunklin Co., Missouri1
  • Obituary*: say 2 March 2012; Pauline Crow Whatley Gruber, born September 24, 1922, and was sixth of nine children of A.B. and Susie Mitchell Crow, of Marion County, Alabama.

    She died March 1, 2012, in Horn Lake, MS.

    Pauline graduated from Brilliant High School in Brilliant, AL. She served in the US Navy (WAVES) during World War II. She graduated from ASU and moved to Missouri and taught school until she retired and then she moved to Memphis, where she lived the rest of her life.

    Pauline married Chalmus William Whatley in 1945. She had one child, Robert Chalmus Whatley. Mr. Whatley died in 1953.

    She married William Carl Gruber in 1959. Mr. Gruber died in 1987.

    Her only child, Robert Chalmus Whatley, and seven siblings predeceased her.

    She is survived by two grandchildren, Ashley Whatley and Robbie Whatley and his wife Sarah, two great grandchildren, Riana and Lillian Whaltey, one brother, Dr. Asa Crow and his wife Wanda of Paragould, AR, several nieces and nephews, two sisters in law, and her ex-daughter in law, Belinda Hale.

    Services were held graveside at Cardwell Cemetery in Cardwell, Missouri1

Family 1: Chalmus William Whatley b. 6 Jan 1916, d. 5 Oct 1953

Family 2: William Carl Gruber b. 9 Jun 1901, d. 14 May 1987

Citations

  1. [S3] FindAGrave.com, .
    Memorial ID 90224249.

Sallie Margaret Whatley

F, b. 4 May 1918, d. 22 May 1997
  • Last Edited: 9 Jul 1999
  • (Child) Birth*: 4 May 1918; Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama
  • (Bride) Marriage*: 13 February 1936; Millerville, Clay Co., Alabama; Groom=Charles Hamby Lee
  • Married Name: 13 February 1936; Lee
  • (Deceased) Death*: 22 May 1997; Anniston, Calhoun Co., Alabama
  • Biography*: Mrs. Charles (Margaret Whatley) Lee wrote 18 Nov 1978: What spare time I have from my routine of house work, my hobbies are sewing and reading health books. When I was 48, I was beginning to go down a little and I started having signs of arthritis. I got me a medical encyclopedia and studied it. I'm a great believer in preventing illness rather than curing it. I think eating the wrong things and drinking the wrong things and taking drugs and lack of exercise brings on diseases.... All Americans overeat. I don't ever have any signs of arthritis.
    Margaret wrote in a 12 Aug 1979 letter: I myself am afraid of accidents more than anything. I fell and broke my right wrist about 6 yrs. ago. I learned to do lots with my left hand I didn't think I could ever do. I had gone to the drugstore about a block from the house to mail a letter. I was in too big a hurry. I go at everything in a hurry.
    In a 1 Jul 1983 letter Margaret Lee wrote: I weigh 108 & I'm 5 ft. 3... When I get upset it takes my appetite and I can't eat.
    In a 2 Jun 1986 letter Margaret Lee wrote: Charles & I had our 50th wedding anniversary on Feb. 16th of this year. It really was on the 13th but Barbara & Rosemary gave us a tea at Barbara's home. About 30 or 40 attended. It was all very nice & everyone seemed to enjoy it so much.

Family: Charles Hamby Lee b. 4 May 1916, d. 2 Feb 1989

Charles Hamby Lee

M, b. 4 May 1916, d. 2 February 1989
  • Last Edited: 9 Jul 1999
  • (Child) Birth*: 4 May 1916; Attalla, Etowah Co., Alabama
  • (Groom) Marriage*: 13 February 1936; Millerville, Clay Co., Alabama; Bride=Sallie Margaret Whatley
  • (Deceased) Death*: 2 February 1989; Anniston, Calhoun Co., Alabama
  • (Interred) Burial*: 4 February 1989; Lineville City Cemetery, Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama
  • Biography*: Mrs. Charles (Margaret Whatley) Lee wrote 19 Mar 1979: His [Charles Lee's] people were in Etowah Co. and they drifted from Tenn. & Ga. to Attalla, Ala....
          In a 20 Mar 1979 letter, Margaret Lee continued: Charles' mother & daddy both had been married before. Charles only has one full sister and no brothers. Mr. [Will H.] Lee and his first wife had 4 sons, no girls. His sons were named Douglus, Jim, Arnold, & Robert E. Mr. Lee's first wife died when these boys were very small. Mr. Lee, Charles' daddy was born in Morganton, Ga, about 15 miles below Chattanooga [TN].... Mr. Lee's boys are all dead but Robert [Chattanooga, TN].... He was a brick mason. He is in his late 70's or 80 I guess now.... Mr. [Robert] Lee's daddy & mother were buried at Morganville... it must be Morganton, Ga. Robert said the cemetery was only 15 miles from his home. Mr. [Will H.] Lee's daddy came from Virginia.... Mr. [Will H.] Lee had 3 sisters, Elizabeth (Lizzie), Amanda, & Ellanor(?) & Ellen. Mr. [Robert] Lee's sister, Elizabeth married a Griffin... Amanda married a Shattuk.... Mr. [Will H.] Lee's sister, Amanda, adopted Arnold.... She gave Arnold the Shattuk name but by blood he was a Lee. Anyway, Arnold had a son named Leslie.... This Leslie (Lee) Shattuk traces back and he found out he was a 6th cousin to the Robert E. Lee."
          In a 4 Nov 1990 letter, Margaret Lee wrote: I hope some day you get to go to Cheaha Mountain. Charles helped build the tower there when he was in CCCamp back in the early 30's....
          Margaret Lee wrote in a 18 Nov 1978 letter: My husband has arthritis real bad, but still works... He can't eat with his right hand.... He takes lots of aspirin. He's been taking this new drug that just came out, but he doesn't like it....
          Margaret Lee wrote 3 Jan 1979: My husband, Charles, works at Anniston Ordinance Depot at Bynum, been there nearly 30 yrs., government work, I think he plans to retire early this year.
          In a 19 Mar 1979 letter, Margaret Lee wrote that her husband liked to fish and might do that when he retired.
          In a 20 Oct 1979 letter Margaret Lee wrote: Charles went to Chandler Mountain up above Attalla in Etowah Co. to get some tomatoes to sell. He did that last year late in the Fall after all the tomatoes are gone from gardens through here.... He usually sells them on weekends for about 3 or 4 weeks. He clears about $100 from Thurs. to Sat.... He really enjoys it, it gives him something to do. He says nearly all the people that stop are Clay Co. & Randolph people.... He has a ball talking to them all. Charles is a great talker and full of wit.... He will go to the mountain every week until the weather gets too cold and the tomatoes freeze.
          The following obituary is from an unknown source: Lee Services for Charles Hamby Lee, 72, of 30 W. 28th St., Anniston, will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Gray Brown-Service Mortuary chapel with the Rev. Wally Ruud and the Rev. Bill Barnes officiating. Burial will be in Lineville City Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-9 tonight at the funeral home. Mr. Lee died Thursday at his home. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Margaret Whatley Lee of Anniston; two daughters, Mrs. Barbara Wallace of Anniston and Mrs. Rosemary Wentz of Douglasville, Ga.; a sister, Mrs. Billie Jo Scott of Attalla; a brother, Robert E. Lee of Chattanooga, Tenn.; and two grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Arnold Brooks, A.P. Griffin, George Mendenhall, Joe Hayes, Bill Walker and Kenneth Brown. Mr. Lee was an Attalla native and a Calhoun County resident for the past 28 years. He was a member of Alexandria Masonic Lodge 208, a World War II veteran and a retired employee of Anniston Ordinance Depot. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Attalla.

Family: Sallie Margaret Whatley b. 4 May 1918, d. 22 May 1997