Living

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

This is my great grandfather, and at birth his name was simply JV Kelley. My grandfather told me the following story about how his father came to be named:

"Papaw was named JV after his uncle John Van Kelley. When Papaw registered for the draft during World War II, the draft board would not take initial names. Many southern boys suddenly had to get names. Since Papaw knew he was named after his uncle, he naturally took the name John Van. But, that is not all. Many people born in the early 1900's did not have birth certificates. The draft board also made everyone get birth certificates. Papaw got a birth certificate, and it has John Van on it. On all official documents, he was John Van, but the family called him JV all his life. The men he worked with at the plant called him John."

Sincerely,
Rachel Kelley Franklin
rach_kelley@yahoo.com

John married Bessie Mae McDaniel. Bessie (daughter of Francis Richmond McDaniel and Louvella "Ella" Impson) was born on 3 Dec 1909 in Fairdale, Sabine County, Texas; died on 15 Jul 2004 in Liberty, Liberty County, Texas; was buried in Pine Hill Cemetery, Pineland, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Instead shown as Ella on the 1910 census.

Sabine County Reporter
July 21, 2004

Bessie Mae McDaniel Kelley

Bessie Mae McDaniel Kelley, 94, of Liberty died Thursday, July 15, 2004. Mrs. Kelley was born Dec. 3, 1909, in the Fairdale community of Sabine County as a daughter of the late Ella Louella (Impson) and Francis Richmond McDaniel. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1939 with an Associate's Degree in Education. Early career experiences included teaching eight grades in a one-room school house. She was an active Christian and served in various capacities including teaching in Baptist Churches throughout her life. Survivors: son and daughter-in-law D. Duane Kelley and Wanda Kelley of Liberty; daughter and son-in-law, Ella Mae and Robert HOLBROOK of Granbury; sisters Sarah HUDDLESTON of Granbury and Cleo HILL of Tyler; four grandchildren, Van Kelley and wife Sue of Brookings, South Dakota, Carolyn Kelley FRANKS and husband Watson of Vidor, Janey Kelley ROSS and husband Phil of Lake Jackson, and Mark HOLBROOK and wife Catherine of Granbury; 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great granchild. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, J.V. Kelley, brother R. L. McDaniel, and sisters, Edna WHITE, Winnie TATOM, Velma FORSE, Madge McDANIEL and Maida HARPER. Graveside rites were held at 3:30 p.m. Monday at Pine Hill Cemetery on FM 2024 in Sabine County following 10 a.m. services at the chapel of Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Beaumont. Forest Lawn Funeral Home of Beaumont, directors.