Pinkney Dolphus Willis Biography

Pinkney Dolphus Willis

Pinkney Dolphus Willis was born in Franklin County, AL on 28 Feb 1871, to John Lewis Willis (1832-c1900) and Mary Elizabeth "Polly" Vest (1837-1944). Pinkney married Frances Arrie Beasley, the daughter of Robert Lee Beasley and Luvicie Lucinda Beasley. (they were first cousins, maiden name is correct) She was born in Lawrence County, AL on 3 Mar 1873. The marriage between Pinkney and Arrie took place in Corinth, MS on 30 Nov 1894. Pinkney and Arrie settled in Tipton County near the turn of the century. The fourth child, my great grandmother, was born in Covington. This union produced ten children:

1. Vicie Edna Willis (15 Sep 1895-17 Nov 1989)
2. Claudia R. Willis (18 Feb 1897-19 Oct 1898)
3. Robert Lee Willis (18 Oct 1898-14 Apr 1971)
4. Mary Madie Willis (13 Sep 1900-22 Jul 1962)
5. John Louis Willis (30 Jan 1903-28 May 1958)
6. Charles Willis (15 Mar 1904-15 Mar 1904)
7. Willie Alves Willis (30 Jun 1905-13 Aug 1905)
8. Henry Willis (1907-1907, stillborn twin to Charlie)
9. Charlie Willis (1907-1907, stillborn twin to Henry)
10. Carrie Frances Willis (7 Feb 1909-16 Feb 1982)

Frances Arrie Beasley Willis died on 11 Mar 1909, after the birth of her last child. She is buried at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery in Covington, near her sister, Elizabeth “Bettie” Annie Beasley Edwards and her father, Robert Lee Beasley who served in the Civil War (CPL CO K 55 REG ALA INF CSA). The Willis family were members of this church, according to the Church Attendance Roll of 1909.

After the death of Arrie, Pinkney remarried to Pearl Shelby on 9 Aug 1914. Her maiden name is unknown, as she brought to this union a child from a previous marriage. The marriage of Pinkney and Pearl produced three children:

1. Newman Willis 1918-??
2. Dollie Willis (Simms) 1915-??
3. Mildred Willis (Harper) ca 1920-ca1970

Pinkney died 22 Oct 1935 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Memphis, TN from Colon Cancer. He was buried in the O'Bryan Burial Plot in Munford Cemetery, his tombstone marked as "P. D. Willis".