REAVES, Clarence Elmer, born 25 Dec 1898 Cypress Inn, Wayne County, TN, d. 8 August 1988 in an automobile accident in Lansing, Michigan. He enlisted on 
7 Aug 1918 and was discharged 15 Nov 1921. Service was in U.S. Navy. He was the son of Newton and Georgia REAVES of Cromwell Crossroads, Wayne Co., TN. His siblings were Oscar E., b. 1883; Lena B., b. Jan 1886, Vertie D., b. April 1888, Etta M., b. Jan 1891, Clura P., b. Aug 1893 and Walter M., b. Jan 1896, d. 1951.
RINEHART, John Alexander, service number 1835466, Fireman 
First Class, U.S. Navy. John Alexander RINEHART, better known as Jack RINEHART, was born 23 October 1895 in Decatur County, Tennessee. He was the son of James Eliha RINEHART and Leona Drucilla HARDIN. He parents died when he was very young. He, his sisters, Bessie Gideon RINEHART MOORE and Fannie (Margaret Frances) RINEHART STEELE and his brother, Thomas Grimes RINEHART were reared by their grandfather, Gideon HARDIN in Clifton, Wayne County, Tennessee.
Jack attended the public schools and was a graduate of Frank Hughes High School in Clifton.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 8 July 1917 and served on the U.S.S. Frederick as Fireman First Class until his discharge on 10 June 1919. During this service time he made thirteen trips to France and South America. Found among his memoirs was the Christmas Dinner Menu of 1917 while on board the U.S.S. Frederick.
Jack RINEHART married Lena Mae ROBINSON of Selmer, Tennessee on 10 May 1934. Their two children are Emma Leona (Emma Lee) RINEHART BOND and James Linley RINEHART. Emma Lee married James Curlin BOND on 2 January 1960, and James Linley married Willie Jean GRAVE on 3 September 1961.
His grandchildren number seven. James Curlin BOND Jr., and Margaret Lee BOND are deceased. Other grandchildren are Martha Linley BOND DOLINAK, Emily Alexander BOND, Kathryn Jean RINEHART, Nancy Lee RINEHART, and Laura Kate RINEHART. The two great-grandchildren are Stephen Thomas DOLINAK, Jr., and Margaret BOND DOLINAK.
After World War I, Jack worked for Ford Motor Company in Memphis, Tennessee and Sinclair Oil Refining Company in Selmer, Tennessee. At the outbreak of World War 2, he participated in the war effort by working at the Navy Yard in Charleston, SC and serving in the U.S. Coast Guard as a civilian volunteer. Following World War 2 he worked with the State Highway Engineers and a gas company.
Jack RINEHART died 11 July 1956 at the Veterans’ Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. He is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery at Selmer, Tennessee, his home for many years.
He was a long time member of the First Methodist Church and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a Mason.
To his family he shared a great love for his country and set an example of patriotism and loyalty. He was a loving and caring husband and father and A Friend To All. His friends were many and his love for Clifton and Wayne County never became less because of his residence elsewhere.
RICKETTS, Thomas Franklin, 1374343, Private Co. B, 114th MG BN, US Army. Was a native of Flatwoods, Tennessee. Was 23 years old when inducted on 21 Sep 1917. He was 5’6½” tall with blue eyes, dark hair and a ruddy complexion, and a farmer by trade. Served in England and Frances from 11 May 1918 to 20 March 1919. Was discharged honorably on 4 April 1919 at Fort Oglethorpe, GA. No other information available.
RICKETTS, Don Oscar, was a native of Wayne County, Tennessee born at Clifton in 1894. He was the second son and the fourth of six children born to his parents: Charles Samuel RICKETTS (1863-1937) and Willie Shannon HAWKINS RICKETTS (1862-1898). Don’t siblings were Cordelia RICKETTS (Mrs. H. M. JACKSON) born at Clifton in 1885, buried in Marianna, AR in 1965; John Pitts “Jack” RICKETTS, born at Clifton in 1887, buried at El Dorado, AR in 1968; Grace Leo RICKETTS (Mrs. Talmage J. OLD, Sr.) Born at Clifton in 1890, buried at Clifton in 1972; Ruth RICKETTS (Mrs. Wrenn PHELPS), born at Clifton in 1895, buried at Earle, AR in 1985; and infant brother James RICKETTS born and died in Clifton in 1898.
After the death of Don’s mother in 1898, Don’s father married Minnie LEE of Clifton. Don then had two half-sisters: Nettie RICKETTS (Mrs. Charlie PHELPS) born at Clifton in 1900, buried at Earle, AR in 1986 and Halle RICKETTS (Mrs. Eugene AVERY) born at Clifton in 1916 and living at this writing in Memphis, TN.
Don O. RICKETTS spend the first twenty-one years of his life at Flatten. He completed his education at Frank Hughes College, located at Clifton and adjacent to the Charles S. RICKETTS’ homeplace. Don worked in his father’s store, a mercantile business in Clifton which serviced a large part of Wayne County through the store in town and a “rolling store” which Charles RICKETTS moved throughout the area. Don’s father composed and published two volumes of poetry during the 1920’s and ’30’s, using people and Wayne County scenes as his subjects. Don, too, tried his hand at descriptive writing while working at the store. But Don O. RICKETTS became restless.
Don had a strong desire to travel and see the world. He also ha a strong expressed desire to “…make Papa proud of me.” To satisfy both of these desires, Don chose to try a military career. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on 20 June 1916. He received Basic Training at Ft. Myers, Virginia and during the following four years he was allowed to travel extensively. He succeeded in making his father and his entire family deeply proud of him as he served most of his four-year tour in the army fighting bravely and honorably on the front lines of battle in France during the conflict recorded in history as World War I.
Don O RICKETTS returned to the states after the war with no visible wounds. However, his time spent in active combat had left scars on his mind and emotions which would prove to be incurable. He was a changed person. An earlier desire to be a writer returned, replacing his decision for an army career. And, for the time being, Don’s desire to “see the world” had been satisfied. He was ready to try civilian life.
SGT. Don Oscar RICKETTS (793847) was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army on 22 July 1920. He returned to visit Clifton, and then he went to Nashville to seek employment with “The Nashville Banner”. For months Don was satisfied. He was not married; he had few responsibilities; he was satisfied to be living in the home of his sister Grace and her family; and he liked his work. However, Don became restless. The desire to travel emerged again. He chose to try the military life once again.
Don O. RICKETTS enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a sailor until 1926. After his Basic Training, Don was sent with his ship to Hawaii for some Naval War Maneuvers. This was in 1926, and this was the assignment which brought to the surface Don’s irreparably damaged mental and emotional condition incurred years earlier in France. The 1920’s term for his condition was “shell-shocked”; a more modern term is “mental/emotional illness”. Treatment was started just after his 1926 discharge from the Navy; he was entered as a patient in one of the several Veteran’s Hospital ward where he would receive continuous medical and psychological treatment.
From 1926 to the time of his death at age of 65, Don Oscar RICKETTS lived in a hospital. The traumatic flashbacks to battles fought as a soldier on the front lines of World War I recurred periodically. Time between the flashbacks would be recorded as “normal”. A cure for his condition was not found; however, with the introduction of various tranquillizers, much misery was spared Don and other veterans who suffered mentally when re-living battle horrors. While being treated at Roanoke, VA in 1937, Don was notified of his father’s death. Soon thereafter, he was transferred to the Veteran’s Hospital in Murfreesboro, TN, closer to his relatives in Tennessee and Arkansas. Don was never able to reside outside the confines of a hospital ward. He died while still a patient, a victim of his war experience.
Don Oscar RICKETTS, veteran of both the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy received military rites on 27 April 1959, at services conducted at Jarrell’s Memorial Chapel with burial in the National Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee. Even though the name of Don O. RICKETTS does not appear on any of the World War I Honored Dead (killed in action) rosters, he was, in truth, a casualty of that terrible conflict. At the time of his death, Dr. W. C. WILLIAMS, Manager of the Veterans Administration Hospital on White Bridge Road in Nashville, wrote to Don’s brother Jack these words which in brief, tell of Don Oscar RICKETTS’ prime accomplishment in life:
” … may your faith and trust in God give you comfort and strength in your sorrow and may you find further consolation in the fact that he served his country when every available manpower resource was needed …”
Written by his nieces Margaret OLD RAINS and Adaline OLD HASSELL 15 Nov 1990.
RICHARDSON, Kennie, 1898-1918, killed in WWI. Was buried at Richardson Family Cemetery on the old Dan RICHARDSON farm near the Perry County line. Dan was Kennie’s brother.
Kennie’s parents were Johnny Lee RICHARDSON (they called him Little John) 1851-1917 and Eliza Jane (CARROLL) RICHARDSON 1854-1949. They are both buried in the Richardson Family Cemetery.
Johnny Lee’s parents were Calvin RICHARDSON, b. 3 Aug 1824 and died 16 Aug 1902; and Jane (TINNON) RICHARDSON, b. 1829, d. 1898. Calvin was a private in Co. F, 2nd Tennessee Mounted Infantry, USA during the Civil War. Calvin and Jane are both buried in the Harder Cemetery on Cedar Creek in Perry County, Tennessee
Calvin’s parents were John RICHARDSON (1776-1879) and Mary Polly (HORNER) RICHARSON (1802-1880). John was a private in the 2nd Regiment of Mounted Gunman, Tennessee Vols in the War of 1812. Both are buried in the Richardson Cemetery on Cyprus Creek in Perry County, Tennessee.
Submitted by Jackie HOLT with special thanks to Mr. Don RICHARDSON of Perry Co., TN for all his help and information.
RICH, Walker, service number 1309039, Private Co. I, 117th Infantry, U.S. Army. Soldier was born 6 Jan 1896 Wayne Co., TN, d. 27 June 1894, Savannah Hardin Co., TN.
He was son
of Robert Harvy RICH and Mattie Isabell MOORE. Soldier served with the American Expeditionary Forces from 10 May 1918 to 14 Feb 1919. Was a prisoner of war. He is described as 5’8″ tall with blue eyes, brown hair and a ruddy complexion. He was 23 when he was inducted on 21 Sep 1917 at Waynesboro, TN. He was discharged 13 Dec 1919 at Ft. McPherson, GA following recuperation at USA Hospital #6.
Walker married first to Florence RIPPY and they had two sons. They divorced and he remarried and had mor children names not submitted. First wife, Florence RIPPY RICH married second to Millard MORROW. No other information available.
REATHERFORD, William, service number 4252673, Private, Quartermaster Corps. Soldier was 21 7/12 years old at enlistment on 6 September 1918 at Waynesboro, Tennessee. He was born at Lutts, Tennessee and was a farmer. He was 5’10½” tall with blue eyes, dark hair and dark complexion. He served with the American Expeditionary Forces from 7 October 1918 until 19 October 1919, in France. He returned to the US on 28 Oct 1919 and was discharged at Camp Gordon GA on 12 Nov 1919. No other information available.
RAY, Fred H. service number 3496528, Private 17th Company, 5th Reg. 157th Depot Brigade. Fred H. RAY was born 1 March 1892 at Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. He was inducted into the service 24 June 1918 at Waynesboro. He was honorably discharged on 27 Jan 1919. He married 13 Dec 1927 to Eva BATTLES and had the following children: James who died at 6 months of age; Frances INMAN, Dorothy RICHARDSON, Charles Fay RAY, Kenneth Earl RAY, and Glenda STRICKLIN.
Fred was the son of Eaton and Nancy RAY and had a brother, Frank, (above) who also served in World War I. Fred died 10 Jan 1946 at the VA Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee and was buried at Prater’s Chapel Cemetery, Wayne Co., Tennessee.
RAY, Frank, served as a private and was inducted from Waynesboro, Tennessee on 25 June 1918. He was honorably discharged on 25 Sep 1919. Fred H. RAY, below, was his brother and also a veteran of World War I. They had other brothers and sisters: Bettie, Dona, Edgar, Alvin W., Clary, Edy, Altie, Bob, Linsey and Grady, Emma, Jane. Their father Eaton RAY was the son of Henson RAY and Rachel CASEY. Henson was the son of Eaton and Rachel ROBINSON RAY.
Frank RAY was born 15 Jan 1895 and died 10 March 1971. He is buried in Memory Gardens, Waynesboro, TN. He was born and raised on Morrison Creek, Wayne County. He was a farmer and worked for the Wayne County Highway Department. He never married.
RAY, Charles W., service number 1855741, Private Battery E, 115th Infantry, US Army. Inducted 12 Nov 1917 Waynesboro, TN, and was described as 25 years old, a native of Waynesboro, Tennessee. He was 5′ 8½” tall with brown eyes, brown hair and fair complexion. He served in England, France and Luxemburg. He was in the Battle of the Argonne Forest, the Muse Offensive and the St. Michel Offensive. He returned to the US on 28 March 1919 and was discharged on 14 April 1919 at Fort Oglethorpe, GA. No other information available.
