Laura Belle Short was. the 1st of 3 daughters born to George Wm."Will"Short and Lucy Jane Plemings Short.Born 9 March 1891 in Indian Territory Oklahoma.
Her Mother died 1 January 1895 after or during giving birth to her 3rd daughter.
Her father having a newborn and 2 girls under age 5 soon married Sarah Alice"Sasha" Gray who went on to care for the 3 girls as well as add many half siblings to the family she and Will raised.
Laura first married on 13 August 1906 to James Fortner said to be Choctaw residing in Adamson Oklahoma Indian Territory.Marraige recorded at Pittsburgh County Oklahoma Dated 15 August 1906 signed by Laura ,James ,Laura's father George Wm.Short one unknown witness and the minister.
One child was born of this marraige a son
Born 6 September 1907 in Adamson Indian Territory Oklahoma.
Laura's second marraige to Clayborn Benjamin Ratliff known also as Jake or Ben Ratliff occured in Hughes County Oklahoma on 26 August 1908.
The record signed again by George Wm.Short,Laura, C.Ben Ratliff and county clerk of court.
Laura and Ben whom during these years was known better as Jake and is the name on at least 1 child born to them the youngest son.Most likely it is on the birth record of the older of the 3.
Willie Lee "Bill"Ratliff 1910-2005 later known as Ratiluff due to running away from home a year to young to join the Navy.Only meant as a temp.misspell to avoid being sent back home.But used the spelling the rest of his life.
Maybelle Ratliff Gray 1913-1995
Marion Bota Ratliff 1914-1989.
Laura is in 1930 Census records living in Oklahoma with the surname of Hardin as head of house with her 2 youngest children also listed with Hardin as last name.
In 1932 she enrolls Maybelle Ratliff,Marion Ratliff and Violet Caig Ratliff daughter in law in school in Enid Oklahoma.
In 1940 again cencus records show Laura B Hardin living in Pima Graham Arizonia with son Marion and his wife.
I can find no marraige record for a Mr Hardin or for Mr.Baker to date.
Im still researching in hope of finding that info.Laura is said to have arrived in Las Animas in 1943 from Fort Smith Arkansas rather than Pima Graham Arizona.3 of her sons children were born between 1932&1938 with 2 more in Las Animas 1943 and 1948.
I feel she lived at times with or very near her youngest son.And often stayed in close contact and recieved visits from all her children before her passing 11 July 1967.
She is said to have been a member of Las Animas First Baptist Church.
She was said to last reside in a local nursing home.Where she was at the time of her death with her daughter by her side.
Cause of death listed as Uremia or kidney failure better known as end stage renial disease present day.
No complications or contributing cause from secondary healh issues is mentioned.
Laura rests in the Bent County Las Animas Cemetary in a plot she purchaced and personally paid in full $50.00 for sometime prior to her passing.
She was preceded in death by both her parents Will & Lucy Short and step mother Sarah Alice Gray Short.
Maternal Grandparents Colonel C.N. & Caroline Thompson Plemings
Paternal Grandparents
James H Short and
Phoebe Paralee Shipman Short Brown.
She left to mourn her and forever honor her in memory
Son
James H Fortner and wife Eleanor of Del Ray Beach Florida.
Son
Willie L."Bill" Ratiluff and wife Fern as well as grandaughter Shirley Lee Ratiluff of Medford Oregon.
Daughter
Maybell Ratliff Gray, husband Ed and grandaughters Halliebelle & Edna Faye Gray also of Medford Oregon.
Son
Marion B Ratliff and wife Violet of Newport along with. Grandaughters Roybelle Ratliff Phillips of Spokane Valley Wa.Billie Jean Mc Carthy of Corvalis Oregon, Lee W Ratliff and Debby Ratliff Woods both of Newport Oregon and one grandson Marion James Ratliff of Tacoma Wa.
2 sisters both of Oklahoma
Mollie Short Camaron & Pearlie Mae Short Gray
Several half siblings,great grandchildren and many neices and nephews.