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I know a lot about Roxie Ann Williams, well a lot, considering how many road blocks I encountered along the way to finding out. I first found her in a 1900 Census Baker County, Florida Census. She was listed as Rockie, but I feel sure that this is Roxie because her siblings match some of the siblings listed in her obit, which was listed in the Adel, GA newspaper. On this census, William Williams is listed as head b: Nov 1867, Ella is listed as wife b: May 1874. "Rockie" listed as daughter b: Feb 1893. The other children were listed as Ira M. age 11, b: Apr 1889, Jackson age 9, b: May 1891, Lee age 4, b: Jun 1895 and Paul age 2, b: May 1898. They were all born in Florida.
William Williams was a farmer. He was born in Florida and both of his parents were reported as born in Florida. The Williams family was a major family in Sanderson, Florida. I believe the connection between William Henry (our ancester) and the pioneering Williams family is Samuel. I am still trying to sort through the evidence I have just gathered.
William Williams' wife, Ella was a homemaker, age 26. She was also a native of Florida; both of her parents were reported as from Florida.
Jasper Madison Lewis b: 27 Aug 1887 in Pinehurst, Dooly County, Georgia. On June 5, 1917, he registered for the WWI draft. He was a resident of Lenox, Berrien County, Georgia, at the time. He was a Railroad agent/Operator. I have a picture of him at his desk at the depot in Lenox. The depot is no longer there. His employer was Georgia Southern and Florida Railroad.
Roxie and Jasper Madison Lewis married 23 Dec 1909, according to the family Bible. They were married in Moniac, Charlton County, Georgia, which for the life of me I can't figure out. I don't know how either of them got there, but I have heard that it may have been because Moniac was a place were you could get married fast. I'm working on getting Jasper's railroad employment records to see if maybe he got assigned to Moniac. In any case, I have the 1920 and 1930 Censuses for the Lewis family. Both show them living in Lenox, Cook County (formerly Berrien), Georgia. 1920 shows two daughters, Mildred, age 8 and Margaret, age 11/12, both born in Georgia. On the 1930 Census, Jasper is still an "operator" for the "railroad" Roxie is 36. Mildred is 19, Margaret, 11, and Jean is 8. The value of the family home was set at $3300. Jean was in college at the University of Georgia in Athens at the time. She went home to Lenox and within a day was joined by her best friend, Eunice (aka Jill). Jill took her down the road to her house, where Jean spent the night. She doesn't think Jean ever got over losing Roxie. The house was sold at some point (i don't have those records, but i don't think it could have been too long because Jasper died in 1955 in Quitman, where he and second wife, Ida Fields Roberts, moved after his retirement). Then it was sold once more. The third owners of the house still own the land. The bulldozed the house after an interior firse a few years ago.
I have pictures of several family members at the house. Roxie died 16 Dec 1941 in Milledgeville, Baldwin County, Georgia. Her story breaks my heart. I have her records form Milledgeville hospital. I've heard tale from several people that she was found in her nightgown one early morning in December. She had obviously run from their house to the dry goods store she owned and operated (i have a picture of her in this store). Jasper had her admitted to the hospital, where she was given shock treatment. She died shortly after admission of acute myocarditis...her heart gave out. I can make copies of the records and send them via snail mail if you want them.
The cemetery where she and Jasper are buried is easy to find. It is in Pinehurst, Georgia. I was driving South on I-75 from Lenox and I saw a sign that said Pinehurst next exit. I got off and stopped at the bank and asked directions to the Pinehurst Cemetery. They are buried in the Lewis family plot, which is not hard to find. It is either the first or second row away from the entry driveway into the little country cemetery. It is a beautiful place.
There is so much more, especially on William H. Williams and family. I will e-mail you with my contact info and maybe we can talk more by phone.
And yes, i would LOVE a copy of George Washington Lewis' death certificate.
-kim
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