Descendants of Columbus Roland Thomason
Generation No. 1
1. COLUMBUS ROLAND1 THOMASON1 was
born 1855 in Huntsville, Alabama, and died 1920 in Probably Memphis,
Tennessee. He married ELIZA KATHERINE MCKINNEY1 Abt. 1875. She
was born 1855 in Huntsville, Alabama, and died 1946 in Memphis, Shelby Co.,
Tennessee.
More About COLUMBUS ROLAND THOMASON:
Fact 1 (2): Children:
Jesse (died at a young age); John Vincent; Mollie (her twin died at birth);
Maggie, Robert Albert; Kate & Minnie Louise; (Exact order of births
unknown)
Occupation: Carpenter
More About ELIZA KATHERINE MCKINNEY:
Fact 1 (2) 1: Traveled
around the countryside to help with the sick. Children helped at home while she
traveled.
Fact 1 (2) 2: Aunt
Frances & Annie Katherine Thomason told me Eliza Katherine McKinney
Thomason's mother was killed by the Tories during the civil war.
More About COLUMBUS THOMASON and ELIZA MCKINNEY:
Marriage: Abt. 1875
Children of COLUMBUS THOMASON and ELIZA MCKINNEY are:
i. JESSE2 THOMASON1.
More About JESSE THOMASON:
Fact 1 (2): Died at a
young age.
ii. JOHN VINCENT THOMASON1.
iii. (MOLLY'S TWIN) THOMASON1.
More About (MOLLY'S TWIN) THOMASON:
Fact 1 (2): Died at
birth.
iv. MOLLY THOMASON1, m. MCCALL1.
More About MOLLY THOMASON:
Fact 1 (2) 1: Cared for
her mother, "Big Mama"
Fact 1 (2) 2: Mollie's
nickname was "Fota" or "Foda"; ( I called her Aunt Fodie)
Fact 3 (2): Annie
Katherine's family lived with Aunt Fodie during the depression; Annie Katherine
said she had a nickle for lunch.
Fact 4 (2): Annie
Katherine Thomason said that Aunt Fodie went downtown (Memphis) to get the
commodity food. They used "Big Mama's" coupons because the coupons
were only given to the old people.
v. MAGGIE THOMASON1, m. COMPTON1.
2. vi. ROBERT ALBERT THOMASON, b. 1881.
vii. KATE THOMASON1, m. VASSAR1.
Notes for KATE THOMASON:
Sister to my
grandmother, Zack. Very friendly lady and funny. Lived in New Orleans. She and
Zack were close. She had a hard life.
Billie Fazakerly
Harrison
June 22, 2004
3. viii. MINNIE LOUISE THOMASON, b. 26 Jun 1895, Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee; d. 27
Oct 1968, Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee.
Generation No. 2
2. ROBERT ALBERT2 THOMASON (COLUMBUS ROLAND1)1 was born 1881.
He married ELLA MAE ADAMS1. She was born in Whiteville, Tennessee.
Notes for ROBERT ALBERT THOMASON:
Annie Katherine stated
that "her father could look at a stack of lumber and tell how many feet
were in it". She also said that "before he married, he went all over
the country working in various places even Alaska. He always sent money home to
his mother. He was 42 when he married Mother who was 20."
During the depession
he was out of work and Annie Katherine's family moved in with Aunt Fodie
(Robert's sister).
Annie Katherine's mother
was Ella Mae Adams of Whiteville, Tennessee.
Source: Annie
Katherine Thomason Wilson
Source: Frances Louise
Fazakerly McDaniel (Annie Katherine's cousin)
June 22, 2004
More About ROBERT ALBERT THOMASON:
Fact 1 (2) 1: Annie
Katherine, his daughter, stated "he could look at a sack of lumber and
tell how many feet were in it."
Fact 1 (2) 2: Annie
Katherine, his daughter, stated that before he married her mother, he went all
over the country working in various places, even Alaska; he always sent money hom
to his mother; he was 42 when he married Annie Katherine's mother, who was 20.
Occupation:
Construction Superintendent in Memphis and elsewhere.
Children of ROBERT THOMASON and ELLA ADAMS are:
4. i. ANNIE KATHERINE3 THOMASON, b. Abt.
1924.
ii. ROBERT ALBERT THOMASON, JR.1, m. MARY.
Notes for ROBERT ALBERT THOMASON, JR.:
Wife: Mary; also
children; names unknown at present time. Lives in Owensboro, KY
Source: Frances
Fazakerly McDaniel; (Robert was her cousin, her mother's nephew)
3. MINNIE LOUISE2 THOMASON (COLUMBUS ROLAND1)1 was born 26 Jun 1895 in Memphis, Shelby Co.,
Tennessee, and died 27 Oct 1968 in Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee. She married GEORGE MITCHELL FAZAKERLY, SR.1 18 Jan 1916 in Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee2,
son of BRYAN FAZAKERLY and SOPHIA WEICK. He was born
04 Oct 1888 in Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee, and died 07 Mar 1936 in Memphis,
Shelby Co., Tennessee3.
Notes for MINNIE LOUISE THOMASON:
Minnie Louise Thomason
Fazakerly: Louise (ZACK): 1895-1968
Memories: Aunt Frances
said that she believed that Zack went to Messick High School and went as far as
the eleventh grade. After she was married, a neighbor's boy, Robert
"Jr." Bone, named Mrs. Fazakerly, "Zack". I have always heard her referred to as Zack
or Ms. Zack. Zack gave me a
"doll" quilt and a few doilies after Daddy died (believe they were in
a trunk there at his house) and Aunt Frances believes these must have
originally come from Zack's mother. Aunt
Frances said that Zack did not crochet.
I can remember visiting
Aunt Fota, Zack's oldest sister, years ago.
She had a little dog named "Frankie" that belonged to Aunt
Frances. Aunt Fota was very hard of
hearing. She had a wonderful
featherbed--the first I had ever seen or lain on.
Zack always bought
Easter outfits each year for me, Tommy, and Chris. The entire works. Shoes, gloves, coats, caps, hats, purse,
socks, dress, and suits. We looked great!
I loved going grocery
shopping with her because she would pinch off grapes, grab a plum, or other
produce for us to nibble on while she shopped.
I don't remember Zack ever carrying a purse: just a wallet and car
keys. I don't remember seeing her
wearing any jewelry either. She wore her
hair short and always neat. She did go
to a beautician for this. (May Dee Swindell was the beauticians name.)
I enjoyed staying with
her and the homes where she worked as house mother were usually very large and
elegant places. I remember in one of
these houses there was a large library with a huge pro trait of an angel guarding
a young boy and girl crossing a broken and hazardous bridge. That picture fascinated me and I, for some
reason, felt the children could have easily have been my brother, Tommy, and
myself. We went through some rough times
together.
Zack was an excellent
cook. She must have taught her children
also because they were excellent cooks, too.
She was responsible for the cooking that was done as house mother for
the business women that she looked after.
According to Aunt Frances, "Guess Zack did teach us a great deal
about cooking. A lot of it we just came
by naturally. We remembered the way she
cooked. She taught George and Willie to
make their bed and other household duties.
She always told them they might marry a girl that didn't know how to
keep house."
I also remember a
couple of trips she made with us to see her sister, Kate, in New Orleans. I vaguely remember "Aunt Kate" as
being a likable, funny person with a good sense of humor. I didn't like the Mardi Gras Parades, though;
they frightened me a little in spite of the candy and trinkets that were thrown
our way.
As a graduation gift,
Zack, had my high school diploma laminated.
When my children graduated from high school years later (and college), I
did the same thing for them.
When I was in nurses'
training and living in a dorm she would take me shopping for supplies
(practical items) that would last me for months. The early Saturday morning
trips with her to get hot doughnuts when we were young became addictive.
Unfortunately, Zack
was the one that found her son, my Daddy, the morning he died. She had gone to
visit him early Saturday morning. She
had to get help from a neighbor to get in.
Daddy was 49 years old. He died
June 21, 1968 and Zack died October 27, 1968.
She and Daddy were buried at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Memphis,
Tennessee. Zack was buried next to
Daddy. Aunt Frances said that "Zack
didn't want to be buried in the Fazakerly plot--she wanted to be buried by
Willie."
History: See the
enclosed notes from Aunt Frances about Zack and other family members.
Enlightening information. Aunt Frances said that none of the three of them
(George, Willie, Frances) were born in a hospital. Aunt Frances was born in the house on Given
Av. Uncle George was born in Sangey, an
area that runs north off Walnut Grove Rd., east of Germantown. Daddy was born
in the Ellendale area, a community outside of Memphis, now incorporated into
the Bartlett area.
Aunt Frances also
wrote this about her mother, Zack,: "During the depression, Zack helped so
many neighbors on Given Av. By giving
them eggs, milk, butter, and vegetables.
I guess we were considered in better circumstances because we had cows,
chickens, a garden, even hogs. Zack
would bake bread for many years--so many of the neighbors remembered this--as
they could smell it baking. Most often
the neighbors would get some of it.
Also, during the depression, a neighbor next door wanted to go to look
for a job, but had no shoes and Mama bought him a pair. Ted Moyes, a neighbor on the street, credits
Mama with helping him to live--as he was ill--and she furnished him milk. Mrs. Crain, another neighbor, says Zack and
my Daddy were her best friends. Three
times she moved away from Given Av. but always moved back as soon as a house
was empty next to us. She lived in a
house on either side of our old house on Given Av. and directly across the
street. She still lives in the house on
the side of our old house on Given Av.
The following was sent
to me from Aunt Frances years ago, it lists Zack's parents and brothers and
sisters. Thomason:
Eliza Katherine
McKinney Thomason
1855-1946
Birthplace: Huntsville, Alabama
Occupation: Housewife
Nickname: Big Mama and Mama Thomason
History: Her mother was killed by Tories during the
civil war. Eliza Katherine traveled
around the countryside to help with the sick.
Columbus Roland
Thomason (Roland)
1855-1920
Birthplace: Huntsville, Alabama
Occupation: Carpenter
Nickname: Big Papa
Children:
Mollie Thomason McCall
(Twin sister died at birth); Cared for Big Mama; called "Fota"
John Vincent Thomason
Robert Albert
Thomason; b. 1881; Construction Superintendent in Memphis and elsewhere.
Maggie Thomason
Compton
Kate Thomason Vassar
Jesse Thomason (died
at an early age)
Minnie Louise Thomason
(Mrs. George Mitchell Fazakerly; Zack)
1920 or 1921 city
directory: Kate (wid C Rowland) res 666 Highland
1921 or 1931city
directory: Eliza (wid C Rowland) res 3324 Givens Av
Billie Lynn Fazakerly
Harrison
Granddaughter
January 1996
Update: January 30,
2003
Information from Annie
Katherine Thomason Wilson, daughter of Robert Albert Thomason, one of Zack's
brothers; (Aunt Frances' first cousin, Zack's niece).
Annie Katherine has a
brother named Robert Albert Thomason.
She called Zack, Aunt
Ease, because she couldn't say Louise
when she was young.
Annie Katherine (goes
by Katherine), about 3 years younger than Aunt Frances (b. abt. 1924). Stated that she was very fond of
"Willie" (my father.)
One of her hobbies
(and Aunt Frances') is using her embroidery machine (computerized no
less!). I believe she has two children.
Her e-mail is Couture2@bellsouth.net (Katherine Wilson)
She developed
seizures--grand mal & petit mal and was on medication until she retired. This
was belived to be due to a wreck when she was in her twenties. She also has MS.
Uses relaxation/meditation self therapy.
Some comments about
her family:
Annie Katherine sent
me some information and stated that her Grandmother Thomason told her that when
she was a child she saw a Tory kill her mother. She also said that "the
'Tories' from the mountains in Alabama would come down to scavenger food for
the Yankees but that the Yankees were good to them."
"Big Mama, (Annie
Katherine's Grandmother--Eliza Catherine Thomason) would go around the
countryside to help with the sick. This left Aunt Fodie and Aunt Mag to do all
the work at home. I guess that is the way things were done in the late 1800's.
The boys had to work the farm."
"Aunt Mag and
Aunt Fodie were going to a social and had laid out their long, starched
underpaints on the bed. Dad and Uncle John had been swimming and when they came
in, they put the girls underpants on. Can you imagine?"
Annie Katherine stated
that "her father could look at a stack of lumber and tell how many feet
were in it". She also said that "before he married, he went all over
the country working in various places even Alaska. He always sent money home to
his mother. He was 42 when he married Mother who was 20."
She also said
"The one thing as a little child that I looked forward to the most was
when Aunt Ease (Zack) would drive up in her Chandler, a car, and I would jump
on the running board to see her and Frances Louise. That was a big day for
me."
"I remember
during the Depression we lived with Aunt Fodie because Dad was out of work and
there was no money. I had a nickle for lunch."
"The children on
the block would sit in the dark on the street curbs and tell ghost stories
while the adults sat on the porches and talked."
"Aunt Fodie would
go downtown Memphis to get the commodity food. It was only given to older
people so they had Big Mama's coupons."
(A couple of things I remember about Aunt Fodie: She kept
Aunt Frances' dog, "Frankie", named after Frank Sinatra.
Aunt Fodie was very
old when I knew her and I remember that she had a feather bed. We would go and
visit her with Zack. bfh)
(What I remember about
Aunt Kate: She lived in New Orleans; had a hard life but also had a great sense
of humor; very pleasant to be around. bfh)
Annie Katherine calls
Aunt Frances (her cousin) "Frankie".
(Zack had a cousin,
Claude Thomason, one daughter lives in Memphis. June 28, 2004, bfh)
More About MINNIE LOUISE THOMASON:
Burial: Memphis,
Shelby Co., Tennessee
Cause of Death:
Stroke; Age at death: 73
Fact 1 (2) 1: Her 3
children were reared on Given Av. in Memphis, Tennessee.
Fact 1 (2) 2: She was
called Louise, not Minnie. Nickname was
Zack.
Fact 3 (2): Dearly
loved her children and was affectionate to her grandchildren.
Fact 4 (2): Zack was
born in the Park and Highland area--reared in the Sangey area.
Fact 5 (2): Zack was
especially fond of her 1st grandchild, Joyce Ann.
Fact 6 (2): I remember
visiting her older sister, "Fota"; she had a feather bed--so soft!
Fact 7 (2): Zack
always woke up early. She never needed an alarm clock.
Fact 8 (2): Moved in
and lived with her daughter, Frances, before she died of a stroke.
Fact 9 (2): Zack had a
good sense of humor. Her sister, Kate, did also.
Fact 10 (2): Zack was
probably Methodist. She was buried by a methodist minister
Fact 11 (2): She
outlived one son, W. T. Fazakerly, by 4 months.
Medical Information:
History of high blood pressure.
Occupation: House
Mother for Girls Club S. S. #410-48-6141
Notes for GEORGE MITCHELL FAZAKERLY, SR.:
George Mitchell
Fazakerly, Sr.: 1888-1936
According to the
Memphis City Directories:
In 1915 Geo. Mitchell
Fazakerly was a dairyman for his mother and resided there.
In 1916 he is listed
as boarding with his mother. (Married Jan. 1916)
In 1917 his mother's
dairy is no longer mentioned. He is now listed under "Dairies":
"Fazakerly Geo M dairy east of Scott av and south of Elizabeth". This may have been near Given av. where they
eventually moved. Believe he may have still been boarding still with his mother
though no residence is shown.
In 1918 he is listed
as boarding with his mother but he is not listed under "Dairies"
anymore.
In 1919 I couldn't
find him in the directory.
In 1920 he is living
on Given Av. and is a salesman for George McKensie.
It would appear that
grandfather Fazakerly and Zack must have lived with Gangey for about three
years before moving into their home on Given, but more information is needed to
confirm this.
The Carter's next door
to my grandmother, Gladys Meshew Finch, said that they knew the
Fazakerlys. They said that George
Fazakerly was a handsome, good man, that did odd jobs. They said that he wanted his wife, Zack, to
move out to the country and farm; but, that she wouldn't.
George Mitchell
Fazakerly's daughter, Frances, said that her father was named after a well
known pediatrician, Dr. Tom Mitchell. Her cousin, William, believed that he
might have been named possibly after the Mitchell sisters--Mattie and
Addie--whose pictures were in Sophia's family album. Perhaps Dr. Mitchell and
the Mitchell sisters were related. In the process of researching the Fazakerly
family, I have come to wonder if Bryan had named his son after the man Bryan
worked for, George Mitchell, of the Mitchell and Hoffman Furniture Co., or if
this is just a coincidence. I'll accept
Aunt Frances' statement since she is so sure about it.
Aunt Frances wrote
that when Zack and her father, George Mitchell Fazakerly, married (according to
the copy of the marriage certificate the date was January 18, 1916) they lived
with Gangey for awhile. They somehow had
money to buy their house on Given Av. along with some furniture, household
goods, and a car. (This may be where our half-sister, Joyce, got the idea that
Grandfather Fazakerly had money.) Perhaps this was money he managed to save
from working at the dairy, or perhaps, as Aunt Frances believes, some of the
money came from the sale of the dairy. It
is not clear just when the Fazakerly dairy was sold. Tommy and I both thought
we heard that the Klinke Bros. bought the dairy--but, Aunt Frances never heard
this story--so this may not be accurate.
Aunt Frances said the
following about her father: "He was very quiet--would not converse with
people--talked very slow and soft--I never heard him raise his voice--he would
sit for long periods of time thinking."
Aunt Frances also wrote: "I wanted to write this additional info
about my Daddy. He could build or make
anything. When electric refrigerators
first came out they did not have a way of making ice. Well, when they first made them with that ice
compartment, he went over to Sears and saw one--he came home and made an ice
compartment for our refrig. He soldered
some metal and made the trays and rest of the unit. Also, he went to Sears and saw the first
electric ice cream mixer. He came home
and some way or other hooked our ice cream freezer to Mama's washing
machine. This was the old type of washer
that had the ringer rollers on top.
Anyway, we had an electric ice cream freezer. Also, when he built the washroom out back for
Mama, he built a shower in it. He made the shower head out of a piece of metal
and punched holes in it for the water to come out. He was really a genius at this. Too bad life
got too hard for him to deal with."
George Mitchell
Fazakerly was an inventor with a creative genius; a hard worker with so many
talented skills. These talents were
passed on to his sons, George, Jr. and Willie. We'll never know just why he
committed suicide. Times were terrible
during the thirties and perhaps the struggle was just too much for him.
He was unemployed at the time and despondent. Also, the constant strain of trying to please
two very strong willed women, his wife, Zack, and his mother, Sophia couldn't
have helped matters any. For example, according to Aunt Frances, Uncle George,
(George,Jr.) told the story about Sophia having an opportunity to buy this
property at Highland and Poplar. She wanted her son, George, Sr., to go into a
real estate deal with her and buy this property--which was just vacant lots at
the time; but, Zack wouldn't let him invest the money (I believe I was told
about $5000--I don't know if this would have been his share to invest or total
amount coming from both George and Sophia).
Who knows how well off the Fazakerlys would be today if he had done what
his mother had wanted. Can you imagine
what that property is worth today?
There was a hand drawn
picture of George Mitchell Fazakerly and he was an attractive man. Daddy told
me that he reminded him of the movie star that played on a western series on TV
called the Lawman. I believe the star
was John Russell. Daddy was about
seventeen when his father died. (Uncle George, about 19 and Aunt Frances about
15.) What a terrible waste and
devastation for everyone that loved him. A tragedy like this can have such long
range effects on the immediate family and those of future generations.
Billie Lynn Fazakerly
Harrison
Granddaughter
January 1996
Notes from Oct., 04,
2005; Found the following on the Internet.
World War I Draft
Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Signed: June 05, 1917;
Shelby Co., Tennessee
George Fazakerly, age
28, born Oct. 04, 1888, Tennessee
Born: Memphis,
Tennessee
Address: Binghampton,
Tennessee (***post office address??)
Self Employed,
Dairyman, Binghampton, Tennessee
Married: Wife &
child
Exemption Claim:
Dependency (Dependents)
Description: Tall,
Blue Eyes, Brown Hair; Something (shoulders?) Medium
***The Internet has
the following listing:
Post
Office--Binghampton, 2481 Broad, Memphis, TN, 38112
Perhaps this is area
mentioned in George's Draft Registration.
***Oct. 04, 2005; I
sent an e-mail to Aunt Frances telling her about this piece of information.
(George Mitchell
Fazakerly is her father, my grandfather). She was glad to get this; It happened
to be his birthday!
Copy of her e-mail
follows:
"It must be him -
Today is his birthday - I don't remember his eyes being blue - seems like they
were green - may be like mine - when I have on blue, eyes are blue - green,
eyes green -
anyway, thanks a
million for sending -somehow, I have
never thought about World War 1 going on when they were married - I sure wish
we had asked more questions when growing up - probably wouldn't helped, as we
knew better than ask questions - so many things I wish I knew more about
-"
Aunt Frances
(Frances Fazakerly
McDaniel)
1930 Census;
Tennessee, Shelby Co., T626--2278, Pg. 20B, Ed. 127, Image 0640 or 0040, Line
75
Geo. M. Fazakerly,
Res. Given Ave., Owns property, 3000, age 41 (age at last birthday), married,
(m. at age 28), no school since 1929, could read & write, b. Tennessee,
father b. Tennessee (incorrect, b. NY), mother b. Germany, Occ., Fish,
Wholesale, Owns, Veteran, no
Louise, 35, (married
at age 21), no school since 1929, could read & write, b. Tennessee, father
b. Alabama, mother b. Alabama
Geo Jr., 13, b.
Tennessee
Willie T. 11, b.
Tennessee
Frances L., 9, b.
Tennessee
(Neighbor Mrs. Crain
lived nearby # 3318 Given)
More About GEORGE MITCHELL FAZAKERLY, SR.:
Burial: Memphis,
Shelby Co., Tennessee
Cause of Death:
Suicide; Age at death: 47
Fact 1 (2) 1: An
attractive man. Very talented at making, building, or repairing anything.
Fact 1 (2) 2: Driver
for the family dairy; caught fish for market; carpenter; farmer; inventor
Fact 3 (2): His 3
children were reared in the Highland Heights area of Memphis on Given Av.
Fact 4 (2): George
Mitchell Fazakerly was 15 when his father died at age 49.
Fact 5 (2): His middle
name, Mitchell, came from Dr. Tom Mitchell a well known pediatrician
Fact 6 (2): Unemployed
and despondent; committed suicide; died at age 47.
Fact 7 (2): Struggled
through the depression. Had difficulty finding work. Wanted to farm.
Medical Information:
Died Saturday, March 7, 1936: Found the 11th. Funeral Friday Morning, 8:30
A.M.; Mass at the Blessed Sacrament Church at 8:00 a.m.; Buried at Forest Hill
Cemetery, March 14, 1936.
Occupation: Dairyman;
Self employed; Various jobs
Marriage Notes for MINNIE THOMASON and GEORGE FAZAKERLY:
See enclosed lists of
items purchased at Goldsmith's department store in Memphis, Tennessee dated
February 22, 1916. These items included
furniture and other accessories, many items, small and large, to help Zack
start housekeeping with. Note the total
of $323.96. (An example of prices in 1916: A Mahogany Dresser and Chiffonier
was $45.00.) Her silver plate pattern
was called 'George Washington' and made by the Alvin company.
Also Zack and
Grandfather Fazakerly bought a car April 17, 1925; a Chandler 20th century
sedan for $1550.00. See copy of the
bill.
Aunt Frances believes
that Rev. Louis J. Kemphner was a priest--possibly associated with Sacred Heart
Church.
Ages: George, about
27; Louise, about 20.
More About GEORGE FAZAKERLY and MINNIE THOMASON:
Marriage date: 18 Jan
1916, Married by Rev. Louis J. Kemphner, Minister
Marriage: 18 Jan 1916,
Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee4
Children of MINNIE THOMASON and GEORGE FAZAKERLY are:
5. i. GEORGE MITCHELL3 FAZAKERLY, JR., b. 07 Dec
1916, Sangey, Shelby Co., Tennessee; d. 21 Oct 1992, Abilene, Taylor Co.,
Texas.
6. ii. WILLIAM THOMASON FAZAKERLY, b. 05 Sep 1918, Ellendale, Shelby Co., Tennessee; d.
21 Jun 1968, Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee.
iii. FRANCES LOUISE FAZAKERLY5, b. 12
Feb 1921, Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee; m. FLOYD MCDANIEL, 26 May
1956, Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee; b. 16 Oct 1920, Parsons, Tennessee.
Notes for FRANCES LOUISE FAZAKERLY:
Frances Louise
Fazakerly McDaniel
Aunt Frances: A
wonderful and very attractive lady with a beautiful smile and a wonderful sense
of humor. Pleasant to be around.
She was reared along
with her two brothers, George and Willie, on Given Av. in the Highland Heights
area of Memphis, Tennessee. She went to Central High School and not to Sacred
Heart like her brothers. She took a
secretarial course in high school and worked for the following film
companies: National Screen Service,
Monogram, Republic, Realart, Colonial, Paramount and Warner Bros. She was working for Warner Bros. when it
closed in 1971. During WW II, she quit
National Screen to go to Florida to work.
She never had any trouble getting work in the film business due to her
experience. After thirty years as a secretary for film studios in Memphis, Aunt
Frances retired; but, continued to work hard at home. Besides housewife duties, she also assisted
Uncle Floyd with their "side-line" lawn business. She handled the
phone calls and invoices for about 700 customers. Even after retirement, she and Uncle Floyd
were never idle.
Aunt Frances loves to
travel and she and Uncle Floyd take occasional tours. One of her favorite
places is Gatlinburg, Tennessee. She
likes to "people-watch".
Her brother, Bill
(Willie), died when he was 49 years old; but, Uncle George lived to be in his
seventies. Aunt Frances and Uncle George remained close through the years.
When I started this
family tree project back in the early seventies after my children were born,
Aunt Frances proved to be an invaluable source of information and help. She was
also very generous and thoughtful. She
sent me pictures of my great grandparents along with pictures of other family
members and a picture of the Fazakerly dairy truck. She sent me Daddy's initial ring he wore when
he was a boy; and, she sent me the small set of real china dishes that she used
to play with as a child. She also sent
me a Christening dress and slip that belonged to her father (or his brother or
sister). The dress was in excellent
condition and was about 84 years old when I received it in July, 1972. I have taken pictures of my children, Martha
Jane and Josh, in the dress. I need to
have these professionally enlarged and framed. The baby dress is safely packed
away and I hope to use it for my grandchildren.
Aunt Frances has always
been friendly and kind; but, I'll never forget the comfort and support I got
from her at my Mother's funeral in 1984.
Her calm quiet strength and gentle sense of humor pulled me and my
brothers through the rough ordeal.
I thank her for her
patience, for I know I have been "pestiferous" asking so many
questions about our family. I'm glad we
have been able to stay close through the years.
I could not have handled this family tree project without her help and
informative letters.
Billie Lynn Fazakerly
Harrison
Niece
January 1996
January 2003
Her first cousin, Annie
Katherine Thomason Wilson, calls her "Frankie".
Aunt Frances also had a
dog named "Frankie" (named for Frank Sinatra).
More About FRANCES LOUISE FAZAKERLY:
Fact 1 (2) 1: Aunt
Frances has a marvelous sense of humor.
Fact 1 (2) 2: Reared on
Given ave. in Memphis, Tennessee.
Fact 3 (2): She is very
attractive with a lovely smile. She is a Methodist.
Fact 4 (2): Inherited
$2000 from her Grandmother, Sophia.
Fact 5 (2): Fota's dog
"Frankie" was Aunt Frances' and it was named for Frank Sinatra.
Fact 6 (2): After
retiring continued to stay active and busy as a housewife.
Fact 7 (2): Also
assisted with lawn business. Phone calls and invoices for 700 customers.
Fact 8 (2): Loves
Gatlinburg. Enjoys "people watching" and walking.
Fact 9 (2): Loved
Florida and any thing to do with Florida. Liked to swim.
Fact 10 (2): Travels
and tours frequently with Uncle Floyd.
Fact 12 (2) 1: Retired
March 26, 1971. She enjoys sewing and crafts.
Fact 12 (2) 2: Very
close to her brother George; Visited him often; liked his wife Mary.
Medical Information:
History of high cholesterol; arthritis; colon cancer; heart trouble
Occupation: Secretary
for Film Studio Co.; Housewife
Notes for FLOYD MCDANIEL:
Floyd McDaniel
In all the letters I've
saved and re-read through the years, that I collected from Aunt Frances, I've
never heard anything about Uncle Floyd being ill; so, I'm assuming that he is
generally in excellent health. I know that with his job with Proctor and Gamble;
his interest in being a ham radio operator; and the incredible amount of work
it must have taken to operate his lawn business with about 700 customers; I
feel that it would be safe to say he is a very industrious person.
Uncle Floyd retired
from Procter and Gamble February 14, 1986.
He started his lawn business in 1968. After retiring from Procter and
Gamble, he worked full time in their lawn business until they sold it.
Uncle Floyd is an
attractive man and easy to be around.
Gregarious, kind and good with children.
A very active person. He and Aunt
Frances go on many tours and trips together.
Growing up, I didn't
get to spend a lot of time with Aunt Frances and Uncle Floyd, but I thoroughly
enjoyed the times I did. I have enjoyed
communicating with them through the years.
Billie Lynn Fazakerly
Harrison
Niece
January 1996
More About FLOYD MCDANIEL:
Fact 1 (2) 1: Had lawn
business for years with about 700 customers. "Mac's Lawn Service".
Fact 1 (2) 2:
Attractive man. Easy to be around. Good with Children.
Fact 3 (2): Attends the
Graham Heights Baptist Church.
Fact 4 (2): Hobby: Ham
Radio Operator.
Fact 5 (2): Has two
children. Floyd D. McDaniel and Bonnie E. McDaniel Smith.
Fact 6 (2): He has five
Grandchildren.
Occupation: Lab
Technician at Procter and Gamble; Lawn Business; Retired
Marriage Notes for FRANCES FAZAKERLY and FLOYD MCDANIEL:
Uncle Floyd and Aunt
Frances were married May 26, 1956 in the chapel at McLean Baptist Church in
Memphis, Tennessee. It was a very small
wedding with only a few friends present.
They went to Biloxi, Mississippi and New Orleans, Louisiana on their
honeymoon.
Ages: Floyd, 35;
Frances, 35.
More About FLOYD MCDANIEL and FRANCES FAZAKERLY:
Marriage date: 26 May
1956, I remember Aunt Frances' wedding shower when I was abourt ten years old.
Marriage: 26 May 1956,
Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee
Generation No. 3
4. ANNIE KATHERINE3 THOMASON (ROBERT ALBERT2, COLUMBUS ROLAND1)6
was born Abt. 1924. She married NORBERT G. WILSON6.
Notes for ANNIE KATHERINE THOMASON:
Annie Katherine was
named for: Eliza Catherine McKinney (McKenny?) and Ella Mae's mother.
Source: Frances
Fazakerly McDaniel
June 22, 2004
More About ANNIE KATHERINE THOMASON:
Fact 1 (2) 1: Called
Zack, her aunt, (Minnie Louise Thomason Fazakerly) Aunt Ease because she
couldn't say Aunt Louise when she was young.
Fact 1 (2) 2: About
three years younger than her cousin, Frances Louise Thomason, born 1921.
(Zack's niece)
Fact 3 (2): One of her
hobbies is using her embroidery machine
Fact 4 (2): Annie
Katherine stated that that when her grandmother went around the countryside
caring for the sick, Aunt Fodie (Mollie) & Aunt Mag (Maggie) would do all
the work at home. The boys worked the farm.
Fact 5 (2): As a
child, Annie Katherine looked forward to was when "Aunt Ease" (Zack)
would drive up in her Chandler car and she would jump on the running board to
see her and her cousin, Frances Louise.
Medical Information:
History of MS; uses relaxation/meditation self therapy; History of Seizures in
the past
Children of ANNIE THOMASON and NORBERT WILSON are:
i. JEAN ELLEN4 WILSON, m. ESCHEDOR.
Notes for JEAN ELLEN WILSON:
Lives in Michigan; 4
children; names unknown at the present time.
Source: Frances
Fazakerly McDaniel
ii. NORBERT G. WILSON, JR..
Notes for NORBERT G. WILSON, JR.:
Died early this year I
believe (2004); Believe he was in his 60's. Cancer; bfh
Never married.
Source: Frances
Fazakerly McDaniel
5. GEORGE MITCHELL3 FAZAKERLY, JR. (MINNIE LOUISE2 THOMASON, COLUMBUS ROLAND1)7 was born 07 Dec 1916 in Sangey, Shelby Co., Tennessee, and died 21 Oct 1992 in Abilene, Taylor Co., Texas. He married (1) AILEEN EVELYN NARON8 19 Nov 1943 in Monroe, Ouachita Co., Louisiana. She was born 03 Jan 1923 in Charleston, Tallahatchie Co., Mississippi. He married (2) MARY VIRGINIA CARROLL8