Beatrice Ada Smith was the ninth child born to John Smith and Tommie Lee Harris-Smith. She was the last child born to this union. The family at that time lived in Lyra, Palo Pinto Co., Texas, which is now a ghost town.
John and Tommie Lee Harris-Smith produced nine children:
(1) Thomas Lee (2) George Taylor (3) Ida May "Kibby"(4) Mattie Panola "Poe" (5) Roy William (6) Charles (7) Jeannie Marie (8) Joseph B. (9) Ada Beatrice Smith.
Ada Beatrice Smith's father, John Smith was a native of Tennessee. I am told the Smith family were of Irish descent. Several members of the family had red hair.
In the early years John Smith earned his living mining coal, later he served as a constable in Blythe, California and also spent time farming. He was the fourth child born to William James Smith, a Civil War Veteran: Co. B, 48th Tennessee Infantry, and Mary Elizabeth "Lizzy" Pope-Smith on 31 October 1868, Nashville, Davidson Co.,Tennessee.
John Smith died on 14 October 1925, Loma Linda, San Bernardino Co., CA. He was laid to rest in Indio, Riverside Co., CA.
John Smith's parents produced eight children: (1) Alice, (2) Albert (3) Jason (4) *John (5) James B. (6) Mary E. (7) Edward L. (8) Thomas Smith.
Ada Smith's mother, Tommie Lee Harris-Smith was part Native American. My grandmother told me her father was part Cherokee, (he was from Georgia, where the Cherokee Nation once lived) however another family member stated Ada's brother, Thomas "Lee" Smith, mentioned our Native American heritage comes through Annie Sue Bills family line and the blood line is from four tribes: Apache, Comanche, Blackfoot and Cherokee.
When I was 12 years old, my grandmother showed me photographs of my Uncle Jim (James Elmer Munyon) as a young man. I actually didn't know whose picture I was viewing, when I remarked he looked like an Indian. Grandma's mouth dropped open as her cigarette headed to the floor. She wasn't happy to hear my remark and stopped showing me the family photos. Years later the movie Dances with Wolves was released. There's one particular scene in the movie where the camera focuses closely on the members of the tribe. As I sat in the theatre that night, I reached over, squeezed my husband's arm and stated: "Oh, my gosh, there's my grandmother, my Uncle Jim and Cousin Rich!" There's no doubt our family has Native American heritage and I'm proud of this fact! I called my Uncle Jim the next day to ask if he'd seen Dances with Wolves. He said, "No, why?" Because you're in it along with Rich and grandma...He laughed.
Tommie Lee Harris was born in Ripley, Tippah Co., Mississippi on 25 March 1872. and died on 7 February 1944 in Modesto, Stanislaus Co., California. She was buried in the Modesto Cemetery, Stanislaus Co., CA.
Tommie Lee's parents were George Harris, who was born in Georgia about 1845 and died before the 1880 Federal Census. It's believed he died in Texas. Location of his burial is unknown.
Tommie's mother was Susan P. Bills, aka "Annie Sue Bills." She was born 18 Jan 1851 Baldwyn, Lee Co., Mississippi to Alvin Wilson Bills and Malinda J. Burns. Annie Sue Bills-Harris-Butler-Kistler/Kesler died on 20 April 1939 in Mingus, Palo Pinto Co., Texas. She was interred in New Gordon Cemetery, Gordon, Palo Pinto Co., Texas.
According to Ida Smith-Bagley, Ada Beatrice Munyon's older sister, the Bills were of German descent. Annie's parents owned a store and a plantation with hundreds of slaves. The family built a school to educate their slaves. Annie's father gave each of his slaves 40 acres following the Civil War. My grandmother, Ada, also mentioned that the Bills family were Quakers.
In the 1910 Federal Census, John Smith's family was living in Parker Co., Texas. Ada Beatrice Smith was recorded as Belle Smith. The Southern families are well known for giving their children nicknames, however this name did not stick. During her life my grandmother was called Ada by some family members, while others would refer to her as Beatrice.
In 1913 the Smith family lived four miles away from the Brazos River in the town of Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto Co., Texas. On Friday the 13th of that year, the Guadalupe and Trinity Rivers left their banks, joined the Brazos River and the Colorado River to flood more than 3,000 square miles of land and caused the deaths of at least 177 people with massive property damage ($3,436,144 in the Brazos Valley alone). The flood caused the river to change course and now enters the Gulf of Mexico at Freeport. The Smith family lost their home in the flood, but fortunately no members of their family were lost. However, this event changed the course of my grandmother's mind set. She became superstitious, since the event had occurred on Friday the 13th. She became wary of black cats, umbrellas being opened in her house,and no member of her family was to walk under a ladder.
Ada Beatrice Munyon married James William Munyon on 3 March 1927 in Indio, Riverside Co., CA. This union produced four children: James Elmer Munyon, Betty Marceline Munyon, Georgia Ann Munyon, and Norman Walter Daniel Munyon.
Grandma was committed to having her family stay together. Whether grandad was mining in Indio or when hired as a crane operator for R.E. Hazard Construction, the entire family would move. The Munyon family lived in Indio, CA., Los Angeles, CA., Clarksdale, AZ, then back to Indio. They finally relocated to San Diego County. They first lived in Old Town and then in 1941 purchased a new two bedroom home in Pacific Beach, San Diego, CA. where they remained.
Following my grandfather's accident at work, grandma worked steadily. She was a hairdresser, but became a waitress in a bakery. The bakery would allow their employees to take home the day old breads, rolls, donuts and pastries. It was always fun to visit grandma and gorge ourselves on the tasty bakery goods sitting on her table.
I was the first grandchild and lived with my grandmother for the first three years of my life. She spoiled me and I loved every minute with her. I became interested in genealogy in 7th grade, but when I approached my grandmother for information, she wasn't forthcoming about what took place in her family. It's taken years to gather and collect the above information. Ada Beatrice Munyon was much loved by this granddaughter. My family search continues....
John and Tommie Lee Harris-Smith produced nine children:
(1) Thomas Lee (2) George Taylor (3) Ida May "Kibby"(4) Mattie Panola "Poe" (5) Roy William (6) Charles (7) Jeannie Marie (8) Joseph B. (9) Ada Beatrice Smith.
Ada Beatrice Smith's father, John Smith was a native of Tennessee. I am told the Smith family were of Irish descent. Several members of the family had red hair.
In the early years John Smith earned his living mining coal, later he served as a constable in Blythe, California and also spent time farming. He was the fourth child born to William James Smith, a Civil War Veteran: Co. B, 48th Tennessee Infantry, and Mary Elizabeth "Lizzy" Pope-Smith on 31 October 1868, Nashville, Davidson Co.,Tennessee.
John Smith died on 14 October 1925, Loma Linda, San Bernardino Co., CA. He was laid to rest in Indio, Riverside Co., CA.
John Smith's parents produced eight children: (1) Alice, (2) Albert (3) Jason (4) *John (5) James B. (6) Mary E. (7) Edward L. (8) Thomas Smith.
Ada Smith's mother, Tommie Lee Harris-Smith was part Native American. My grandmother told me her father was part Cherokee, (he was from Georgia, where the Cherokee Nation once lived) however another family member stated Ada's brother, Thomas "Lee" Smith, mentioned our Native American heritage comes through Annie Sue Bills family line and the blood line is from four tribes: Apache, Comanche, Blackfoot and Cherokee.
When I was 12 years old, my grandmother showed me photographs of my Uncle Jim (James Elmer Munyon) as a young man. I actually didn't know whose picture I was viewing, when I remarked he looked like an Indian. Grandma's mouth dropped open as her cigarette headed to the floor. She wasn't happy to hear my remark and stopped showing me the family photos. Years later the movie Dances with Wolves was released. There's one particular scene in the movie where the camera focuses closely on the members of the tribe. As I sat in the theatre that night, I reached over, squeezed my husband's arm and stated: "Oh, my gosh, there's my grandmother, my Uncle Jim and Cousin Rich!" There's no doubt our family has Native American heritage and I'm proud of this fact! I called my Uncle Jim the next day to ask if he'd seen Dances with Wolves. He said, "No, why?" Because you're in it along with Rich and grandma...He laughed.
Tommie Lee Harris was born in Ripley, Tippah Co., Mississippi on 25 March 1872. and died on 7 February 1944 in Modesto, Stanislaus Co., California. She was buried in the Modesto Cemetery, Stanislaus Co., CA.
Tommie Lee's parents were George Harris, who was born in Georgia about 1845 and died before the 1880 Federal Census. It's believed he died in Texas. Location of his burial is unknown.
Tommie's mother was Susan P. Bills, aka "Annie Sue Bills." She was born 18 Jan 1851 Baldwyn, Lee Co., Mississippi to Alvin Wilson Bills and Malinda J. Burns. Annie Sue Bills-Harris-Butler-Kistler/Kesler died on 20 April 1939 in Mingus, Palo Pinto Co., Texas. She was interred in New Gordon Cemetery, Gordon, Palo Pinto Co., Texas.
According to Ida Smith-Bagley, Ada Beatrice Munyon's older sister, the Bills were of German descent. Annie's parents owned a store and a plantation with hundreds of slaves. The family built a school to educate their slaves. Annie's father gave each of his slaves 40 acres following the Civil War. My grandmother, Ada, also mentioned that the Bills family were Quakers.
In the 1910 Federal Census, John Smith's family was living in Parker Co., Texas. Ada Beatrice Smith was recorded as Belle Smith. The Southern families are well known for giving their children nicknames, however this name did not stick. During her life my grandmother was called Ada by some family members, while others would refer to her as Beatrice.
In 1913 the Smith family lived four miles away from the Brazos River in the town of Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto Co., Texas. On Friday the 13th of that year, the Guadalupe and Trinity Rivers left their banks, joined the Brazos River and the Colorado River to flood more than 3,000 square miles of land and caused the deaths of at least 177 people with massive property damage ($3,436,144 in the Brazos Valley alone). The flood caused the river to change course and now enters the Gulf of Mexico at Freeport. The Smith family lost their home in the flood, but fortunately no members of their family were lost. However, this event changed the course of my grandmother's mind set. She became superstitious, since the event had occurred on Friday the 13th. She became wary of black cats, umbrellas being opened in her house,and no member of her family was to walk under a ladder.
Ada Beatrice Munyon married James William Munyon on 3 March 1927 in Indio, Riverside Co., CA. This union produced four children: James Elmer Munyon, Betty Marceline Munyon, Georgia Ann Munyon, and Norman Walter Daniel Munyon.
Grandma was committed to having her family stay together. Whether grandad was mining in Indio or when hired as a crane operator for R.E. Hazard Construction, the entire family would move. The Munyon family lived in Indio, CA., Los Angeles, CA., Clarksdale, AZ, then back to Indio. They finally relocated to San Diego County. They first lived in Old Town and then in 1941 purchased a new two bedroom home in Pacific Beach, San Diego, CA. where they remained.
Following my grandfather's accident at work, grandma worked steadily. She was a hairdresser, but became a waitress in a bakery. The bakery would allow their employees to take home the day old breads, rolls, donuts and pastries. It was always fun to visit grandma and gorge ourselves on the tasty bakery goods sitting on her table.
I was the first grandchild and lived with my grandmother for the first three years of my life. She spoiled me and I loved every minute with her. I became interested in genealogy in 7th grade, but when I approached my grandmother for information, she wasn't forthcoming about what took place in her family. It's taken years to gather and collect the above information. Ada Beatrice Munyon was much loved by this granddaughter. My family search continues....
Beatrice Ada Smith was the ninth child born to John Smith and Tommie Lee Harris-Smith. She was the last child born to this union. The family at that time lived in Lyra, Palo Pinto Co., Texas, which is now a ghost town.
John and Tommie Lee Harris-Smith produced nine children:
(1) Thomas Lee (2) George Taylor (3) Ida May "Kibby"(4) Mattie Panola "Poe" (5) Roy William (6) Charles (7) Jeannie Marie (8) Joseph B. (9) Ada Beatrice Smith.
Ada Beatrice Smith's father, John Smith was a native of Tennessee. I am told the Smith family were of Irish descent. Several members of the family had red hair.
In the early years John Smith earned his living mining coal, later he served as a constable in Blythe, California and also spent time farming. He was the fourth child born to William James Smith, a Civil War Veteran: Co. B, 48th Tennessee Infantry, and Mary Elizabeth "Lizzy" Pope-Smith on 31 October 1868, Nashville, Davidson Co.,Tennessee.
John Smith died on 14 October 1925, Loma Linda, San Bernardino Co., CA. He was laid to rest in Indio, Riverside Co., CA.
John Smith's parents produced eight children: (1) Alice, (2) Albert (3) Jason (4) *John (5) James B. (6) Mary E. (7) Edward L. (8) Thomas Smith.
Ada Smith's mother, Tommie Lee Harris-Smith was part Native American. My grandmother told me her father was part Cherokee, (he was from Georgia, where the Cherokee Nation once lived) however another family member stated Ada's brother, Thomas "Lee" Smith, mentioned our Native American heritage comes through Annie Sue Bills family line and the blood line is from four tribes: Apache, Comanche, Blackfoot and Cherokee.
When I was 12 years old, my grandmother showed me photographs of my Uncle Jim (James Elmer Munyon) as a young man. I actually didn't know whose picture I was viewing, when I remarked he looked like an Indian. Grandma's mouth dropped open as her cigarette headed to the floor. She wasn't happy to hear my remark and stopped showing me the family photos. Years later the movie Dances with Wolves was released. There's one particular scene in the movie where the camera focuses closely on the members of the tribe. As I sat in the theatre that night, I reached over, squeezed my husband's arm and stated: "Oh, my gosh, there's my grandmother, my Uncle Jim and Cousin Rich!" There's no doubt our family has Native American heritage and I'm proud of this fact! I called my Uncle Jim the next day to ask if he'd seen Dances with Wolves. He said, "No, why?" Because you're in it along with Rich and grandma...He laughed.
Tommie Lee Harris was born in Ripley, Tippah Co., Mississippi on 25 March 1872. and died on 7 February 1944 in Modesto, Stanislaus Co., California. She was buried in the Modesto Cemetery, Stanislaus Co., CA.
Tommie Lee's parents were George Harris, who was born in Georgia about 1845 and died before the 1880 Federal Census. It's believed he died in Texas. Location of his burial is unknown.
Tommie's mother was Susan P. Bills, aka "Annie Sue Bills." She was born 18 Jan 1851 Baldwyn, Lee Co., Mississippi to Alvin Wilson Bills and Malinda J. Burns. Annie Sue Bills-Harris-Butler-Kistler/Kesler died on 20 April 1939 in Mingus, Palo Pinto Co., Texas. She was interred in New Gordon Cemetery, Gordon, Palo Pinto Co., Texas.
According to Ida Smith-Bagley, Ada Beatrice Munyon's older sister, the Bills were of German descent. Annie's parents owned a store and a plantation with hundreds of slaves. The family built a school to educate their slaves. Annie's father gave each of his slaves 40 acres following the Civil War. My grandmother, Ada, also mentioned that the Bills family were Quakers.
In the 1910 Federal Census, John Smith's family was living in Parker Co., Texas. Ada Beatrice Smith was recorded as Belle Smith. The Southern families are well known for giving their children nicknames, however this name did not stick. During her life my grandmother was called Ada by some family members, while others would refer to her as Beatrice.
In 1913 the Smith family lived four miles away from the Brazos River in the town of Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto Co., Texas. On Friday the 13th of that year, the Guadalupe and Trinity Rivers left their banks, joined the Brazos River and the Colorado River to flood more than 3,000 square miles of land and caused the deaths of at least 177 people with massive property damage ($3,436,144 in the Brazos Valley alone). The flood caused the river to change course and now enters the Gulf of Mexico at Freeport. The Smith family lost their home in the flood, but fortunately no members of their family were lost. However, this event changed the course of my grandmother's mind set. She became superstitious, since the event had occurred on Friday the 13th. She became wary of black cats, umbrellas being opened in her house,and no member of her family was to walk under a ladder.
Ada Beatrice Munyon married James William Munyon on 3 March 1927 in Indio, Riverside Co., CA. This union produced four children: James Elmer Munyon, Betty Marceline Munyon, Georgia Ann Munyon, and Norman Walter Daniel Munyon.
Grandma was committed to having her family stay together. Whether grandad was mining in Indio or when hired as a crane operator for R.E. Hazard Construction, the entire family would move. The Munyon family lived in Indio, CA., Los Angeles, CA., Clarksdale, AZ, then back to Indio. They finally relocated to San Diego County. They first lived in Old Town and then in 1941 purchased a new two bedroom home in Pacific Beach, San Diego, CA. where they remained.
Following my grandfather's accident at work, grandma worked steadily. She was a hairdresser, but became a waitress in a bakery. The bakery would allow their employees to take home the day old breads, rolls, donuts and pastries. It was always fun to visit grandma and gorge ourselves on the tasty bakery goods sitting on her table.
I was the first grandchild and lived with my grandmother for the first three years of my life. She spoiled me and I loved every minute with her. I became interested in genealogy in 7th grade, but when I approached my grandmother for information, she wasn't forthcoming about what took place in her family. It's taken years to gather and collect the above information. Ada Beatrice Munyon was much loved by this granddaughter. My family search continues....
John and Tommie Lee Harris-Smith produced nine children:
(1) Thomas Lee (2) George Taylor (3) Ida May "Kibby"(4) Mattie Panola "Poe" (5) Roy William (6) Charles (7) Jeannie Marie (8) Joseph B. (9) Ada Beatrice Smith.
Ada Beatrice Smith's father, John Smith was a native of Tennessee. I am told the Smith family were of Irish descent. Several members of the family had red hair.
In the early years John Smith earned his living mining coal, later he served as a constable in Blythe, California and also spent time farming. He was the fourth child born to William James Smith, a Civil War Veteran: Co. B, 48th Tennessee Infantry, and Mary Elizabeth "Lizzy" Pope-Smith on 31 October 1868, Nashville, Davidson Co.,Tennessee.
John Smith died on 14 October 1925, Loma Linda, San Bernardino Co., CA. He was laid to rest in Indio, Riverside Co., CA.
John Smith's parents produced eight children: (1) Alice, (2) Albert (3) Jason (4) *John (5) James B. (6) Mary E. (7) Edward L. (8) Thomas Smith.
Ada Smith's mother, Tommie Lee Harris-Smith was part Native American. My grandmother told me her father was part Cherokee, (he was from Georgia, where the Cherokee Nation once lived) however another family member stated Ada's brother, Thomas "Lee" Smith, mentioned our Native American heritage comes through Annie Sue Bills family line and the blood line is from four tribes: Apache, Comanche, Blackfoot and Cherokee.
When I was 12 years old, my grandmother showed me photographs of my Uncle Jim (James Elmer Munyon) as a young man. I actually didn't know whose picture I was viewing, when I remarked he looked like an Indian. Grandma's mouth dropped open as her cigarette headed to the floor. She wasn't happy to hear my remark and stopped showing me the family photos. Years later the movie Dances with Wolves was released. There's one particular scene in the movie where the camera focuses closely on the members of the tribe. As I sat in the theatre that night, I reached over, squeezed my husband's arm and stated: "Oh, my gosh, there's my grandmother, my Uncle Jim and Cousin Rich!" There's no doubt our family has Native American heritage and I'm proud of this fact! I called my Uncle Jim the next day to ask if he'd seen Dances with Wolves. He said, "No, why?" Because you're in it along with Rich and grandma...He laughed.
Tommie Lee Harris was born in Ripley, Tippah Co., Mississippi on 25 March 1872. and died on 7 February 1944 in Modesto, Stanislaus Co., California. She was buried in the Modesto Cemetery, Stanislaus Co., CA.
Tommie Lee's parents were George Harris, who was born in Georgia about 1845 and died before the 1880 Federal Census. It's believed he died in Texas. Location of his burial is unknown.
Tommie's mother was Susan P. Bills, aka "Annie Sue Bills." She was born 18 Jan 1851 Baldwyn, Lee Co., Mississippi to Alvin Wilson Bills and Malinda J. Burns. Annie Sue Bills-Harris-Butler-Kistler/Kesler died on 20 April 1939 in Mingus, Palo Pinto Co., Texas. She was interred in New Gordon Cemetery, Gordon, Palo Pinto Co., Texas.
According to Ida Smith-Bagley, Ada Beatrice Munyon's older sister, the Bills were of German descent. Annie's parents owned a store and a plantation with hundreds of slaves. The family built a school to educate their slaves. Annie's father gave each of his slaves 40 acres following the Civil War. My grandmother, Ada, also mentioned that the Bills family were Quakers.
In the 1910 Federal Census, John Smith's family was living in Parker Co., Texas. Ada Beatrice Smith was recorded as Belle Smith. The Southern families are well known for giving their children nicknames, however this name did not stick. During her life my grandmother was called Ada by some family members, while others would refer to her as Beatrice.
In 1913 the Smith family lived four miles away from the Brazos River in the town of Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto Co., Texas. On Friday the 13th of that year, the Guadalupe and Trinity Rivers left their banks, joined the Brazos River and the Colorado River to flood more than 3,000 square miles of land and caused the deaths of at least 177 people with massive property damage ($3,436,144 in the Brazos Valley alone). The flood caused the river to change course and now enters the Gulf of Mexico at Freeport. The Smith family lost their home in the flood, but fortunately no members of their family were lost. However, this event changed the course of my grandmother's mind set. She became superstitious, since the event had occurred on Friday the 13th. She became wary of black cats, umbrellas being opened in her house,and no member of her family was to walk under a ladder.
Ada Beatrice Munyon married James William Munyon on 3 March 1927 in Indio, Riverside Co., CA. This union produced four children: James Elmer Munyon, Betty Marceline Munyon, Georgia Ann Munyon, and Norman Walter Daniel Munyon.
Grandma was committed to having her family stay together. Whether grandad was mining in Indio or when hired as a crane operator for R.E. Hazard Construction, the entire family would move. The Munyon family lived in Indio, CA., Los Angeles, CA., Clarksdale, AZ, then back to Indio. They finally relocated to San Diego County. They first lived in Old Town and then in 1941 purchased a new two bedroom home in Pacific Beach, San Diego, CA. where they remained.
Following my grandfather's accident at work, grandma worked steadily. She was a hairdresser, but became a waitress in a bakery. The bakery would allow their employees to take home the day old breads, rolls, donuts and pastries. It was always fun to visit grandma and gorge ourselves on the tasty bakery goods sitting on her table.
I was the first grandchild and lived with my grandmother for the first three years of my life. She spoiled me and I loved every minute with her. I became interested in genealogy in 7th grade, but when I approached my grandmother for information, she wasn't forthcoming about what took place in her family. It's taken years to gather and collect the above information. Ada Beatrice Munyon was much loved by this granddaughter. My family search continues....
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
