Lemuel Standridge Sr.

The Uncle Lem Standridge in this article in the Russellville Courier is Lemuel Owen Standridge. He is the father of Howard Standridge, Granny’s Dad. He marrried Margaret Bair and had a houseful of children, including a set of triplets who all survived. Granny told that during the Civil War, he came across two dead soldiers and he and his daughter buried them. They were Union and later were dug up and moved to a proper location. Peggy Bair Standridge’s mother married a Blevins and came to AR. With the Blevins family. Lem’s sister Rhoda married Squire Blackie Blevins and it was probably his father she married. The Bair/Bear family were pure Irish.  Her  grandmother was a Houston from Ireland.  Lem’s mother was Elizabeth Owen, but her mother was a Howard. That’s why Huston Howard is used as first names in this family. 

We should never give up looking for family stories as there is always more if we keep searching.  Uncle lived another decade after he had these broken ribs. This horse accident did not kill him. He is buried in Sissom cemetery.  His stone says—To him we trust a place is given among the saints in heaven!

The other names are of interest too. John Hensley is the man that homesteaded at Rasberry Knob.  Right where some folks eat catfish today. Will Huff was married to John Green Chisum’s second wife, Sarah Elizabeth Frances Goswick. Will drowned trying to cross the Arkansas River by horse, no River bridge then. His Widow married John Henry Prince second, they had only one son Will Tom. He died in 1907. Thirdly, she married John Green. Sarah Elizabeth Frances was a strong woman. She lived until1954.

 

Grandma Harp

 Merle Haggard's Grandma Harp was Martha Frances Arizona Belle Villines Harp born in Boxley Valley, Newton County, Arkansas in 1876.  She married John Bohannon Harp in 1901. John Bohannon Harp was a grandson of our own Martha Jane Tate Harp and Elijah Bohannon Harp.  This makes Merle Haggard the Three Sister's 4th cousin.

A detailed story of Grandma Harp, aka Zone Vilines Harp, can be found here

Grandma Harp

This is our own Martha Jane Tate Harp, 3rd great grandmother of Merle Haggard, and sister to our 2nd grandmother, Ann Catherine Tate Maples.

Merle Haggard's song about Grandma Harp lyrics

[Chorus]
Grandma's maiden name was Zone Villines
There's ninety years to tell about in a few short lines
Born in Newton County down in Arkansas
Then in nineteen-and-one, she married Grandpa
We laid her soul to rest one Sunday morning
And everybody knew she'd done her part
Don't get set to hear no hidden family legend
Just a song about the life of Grandma Harp

[Verse]
Just think about the times that she lived through
And think about the changing world she saw
Now somehow she reared a decent family out of poverty
And for seventy years, she loved the same old Grandpa
To me, her passing brought a closing chapter
To a way of life that I loved within my heart
I just mean to say, I think we owe her something special
If just a song about the life of Grandma Harp

[Chorus]
Grandma's maiden name was Zone Villines
There's ninety years to tell about in a few short lines
Born in Newton County down in Arkansas
Then in nineteen-and-one, she married Grandpa
We laid her soul to rest one Sunday morning
And everybody knew she'd done her part
Don't get set to hear no hidden family legend
Just a song about the life of Grandma Harp

Zone Vilines Harp [Grandma Harp] and husband, John Bohannon Harp

Removed Cousins

Cousins 1x, 2x, 3x removed means

1x removed  is a generation above or below you.  Either way it is 1x or 1 generation difference.

2x removed is 2 generations above or below you.

3x removed means 3 generations above or below you.

OR

Cousin 1 genertion from you.

Cousin 2 generations removed from you.

and on, and on...

First cousin means you have a grandparent in common.  First cousin 1 removed would be your first cousin’s child.  First cousin twice removed would be a first cousins grandchild.  Second cousins share a great grandparent.

Refreshed Picture

 L to R: Back Row: John, Worthy, Melton, Jess, Myrtle

L to R: Front Row: Richard, Clara, Betty

Someone tried to make the photo clearer. You be the judge. Makes Betty look slimmer and younger!

Irene Chisum

My precious cousin is in the arms of our Holy Jesus.  I’m not sad for her as her earthly body was worn out. Do not weep for me for I have not gone. I am the memory that dwells in the heart of those that knew me. I am the shadow that dances on the edge of your vision. I am the wild goose that flies south at Autumns call and I shall return at Summer rising.

Irene (Chisum) Collins-Riddell, 86, of Pelsor, Arkansas, joined her Savior, Jesus Christ, in the beauty of Paradise on Friday, July 5, 2024, at her home.  Visitation with her family & friends will be Tuesday, July 9, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, at Humphrey Funeral Chapel in Russellville.  A Celebration of Life service will be Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at Falling Water Church, 1079 Upper Falling Water Road, Pelsor, Arkansas, with Rev. Scott Garrison and Rev. Robert Heflin officiating.  Burial will follow at Moore Cemetery, Forest Service Road 1203, at Ben Hur, Arkansas, under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service.

Irene was born March 5, 1938, in North Fork, Arkansas, to George Washington & Dorothy Lavada (Freeman) Chisum. At just 15 years of age, she married Howard Collins on July 8, 1953.  They spent 48 years together raising five children on the farm until his passing in 2001.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husbands Howard Collins and Paul Riddell; her siblings:  Arlie Chisum, Christine Humphrey, Paul Chisum, Carl Chisum, Harold Chisum, Wayne Chisum, and Bob Chisum; her grandson, Adam Cross; as well as many other cousins, in-laws, friends & family she deeply loved and cherished.

Irene is survived by her five children: Stanley (Sheila), Jan, Winnie (John), Anna Belle (JW), and Glen (Mel); 15 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren; 11 great-great grandchildren; and a host of step-children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her living siblings include Jack Chisum, Butch (Rose) Chisum, Eileen (George) Collins, Darlene (Wayne) McNutt and sisters-in-law: Elene Chisum, Gracie Chisum, Ruby Chisum, Donna Chisum, Pauline Harmon, Gwen Collins, LaVeda Collins, and Lucine Collins.

Irene spent her days as a homemaker raising her children. She loved everyone as her own and her home was always an open door for anyone who stopped by.

Irene loved gardening and canning. Among her canned goods, canning jellies were her favorite. She loved to give advice to her friends and family on how to can and garden. But most of all Irene loved spending time with the Lord. Irene was a founding member of Falling Water Church and Moore Church for a combined total of over 80 years.

 

Cindy Rudd

Cynthia Gayle Carpenter Obituary

Cynthia Gayle (Rudd) Carpenter of Alpena was born January 15, 1963, to Billie Joe and Cynthia Novella (Carmical) Rudd. Cindy passed away June 18, 2024, in Berryville at the age of 61.

Cindy enjoyed spending time with her daughter and grandchildren, her sisters and drinking coffee. She often expressed how ready she was to meet Jesus; she has made it to the finish line and has now made heaven her home.

She is survived by one daughter Shelby Vayle (Tallent) McDaniel.; grandchildren Michael Stetson McDaniel, Jr., Ryleight Faye McDaniel; sisters Jonell Gatlin, Francis Sue King, Mary Ellen Forney, Esther Faye Newberry, Barbara Jean Wade, Lorissa Dawn Rudd; along with a host of other family members and friends. Lifelong friend to whom she shared her daughter and grandchildren with Warren Tallent.

Cindy is preceded in death by her parents Billie Joe and Cynthia Rudd; brother Roger Daune Rudd; husband Terry Carpenter; previous husband and friend Mark Willey.

Marie

This is Alec, Beverley, Joann and Marie.
 Marie, Angie and Amber…long time past…