Category Archives: VeteranBiography

Moore, Felix Madison

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Felix Madison MooreMOORE, Felix Madison, was born in Wayne County, Tennessee on 14 May 1889. He was the son of John Richard and Arletha DODD MOORE. His paternal grandparents were James M. and Katherine MOORE. His maternal grandparents were Berry and Mary CUMMINS DODD. Felix was a great-grandson of John B. MOORE and Eliza HAYES of Wayne Co., TN and Berry and Mary DODD of Winston Co., AL.

He married in 1918 to Sally Ethel BIRD who was born in September 1888 and died at age 90. She is buried at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Cypress Inn, Tennessee. Felix and Sally had seven children: Marie, b. 10 Sep 1920 in McNairy Co., TN; Margorie Louise, b. 10 Aug 1923, Stantenville, TN; Ruby Lois Josephine (named by her sisters) b. 28 March 1927 Wayne Co., TN; Felix Warner, b. 4 March 1930 Alcorn Co., MS; Vergie Ethelene, b. 18 March 1932, Michie, McNairy Co., TN; Winford Edsel, b. 17 Feb 1935, Michie, TN; and Wayland Edward, b. 3 Oct 1939, Wayne Co., TN.

Felix Madison MOORE died 3 August 1995 at age 106. He died at home at Cypress Inn, Tennessee and was buried at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Cypress Inn, with full military honors.

In March 1994, Mr. MOORE was honored as the oldest living World War I veteran in the state of Tennessee.

According to his discharge, he was a private and was discharged on 4 Dec 1918 at Camp Wheeler, GA. He is described on his discharge as 5″10″ tall, with grey eyes, black hair and a fair complexion.

Obituary: Wayne County News, Wednesday, August 9, 1995, page 1
Funeral Services Held Sunday For County’s Oldest Resident
On Thursday, August 3, Wayne County’s oldest resident and the State of Tennessee’s oldest surviving World War I veteran quietly passed away at his home in the Cypress Inn community.
Felix Madison Moore had served his nation in 1918 as an American “doughboy” in the “war to end all wars”. Several times honored and decorated in later life for his patriotism at the turn of the century, Private Felix Moore took off his uniform after Armistice in 1918 to put on the civilian togs of citizen, farm and father as he continued to serve his country for seventy-seven years after his call to arms.

Born May 14, 1889 in Lutts, he was the son of the late Richard and Arletha Dodd Moore. His father was a school teacher and farmer and his grandfather had served as an officer in the Union Army during the Civil War.
Mr. Moore married the late Selly Ethel Moore and the could had seven children. All of his children except his son, Warner, survive. In his final years, Mr. Moore made his home with his daugher, Marie Moore in a small home in Cypress Inn. He was a member of the Baptist Church.

In final recognition of Private Felix Moore’s position as senion veteran of a war era fast slipping into history, the Tennessee National Guard provided full military rites at the graveside burial service held Sunday, August 8 for the old soldier at Piney Grove Cemetery.

Funeral services held earlier that day at 3:30 P.M. at Shackelford Funeral Home Chapel in Collinwood with Emerald Bailey officiating.

In addition to his daughter, Marie, he is survived by two sons: Winfred Moore of New Albany, Indiana and Wayland Moore of Long Beach, California; three daughters, Marjorie Troutman of Torrence, California Joseph Roberts of Bartow, Florida; and Etheleen Garrison of Camden, Arkansas; eleven grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.

Merriman, Homer Virgil

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Homer Virgil MerrimanMERRIMAN, Homer Virgil, was born 16 September 1891 to Mr. and Mrs. James Harris MERRIMAN in Wayne County, Tennessee. His mother was the former Frances CYPERT of Wayne County. Homer’s mother died when he was only two years old, but he had many older brothers and sisters: Jim, Dave, Walter, Dodge, Tom, Lizzie, Roxie, Clara, Kate, and Jennie. Those brothers and sisters loved and raised Homer to be a fine young man.

James Harris MERRIMAN, the father, lived to be 84 years old in Wayne County, Tennessee.

Homer met Maudie S. SIMS a young lady in Wayne County, Tennessee. But his life was interrupted by World War I. In the year 1917 this young man went off to war. He was discharged in 1918 with a disability and an honorable discharge. Homer and Maudie married in a fine buggy in front of a church on Hardin Creek. They made their home on Hardin Creek. Homer farmed and had stock as many young couples at that time.

In 1927 this couple had a baby, unnamed, born at home. This was called a still birth and no reason was given as this happened in those days. Still on the farm in 1928, April 3rd a new baby boy was born to Homer and Maudie, named Virgil Harris. He was a healthy baby and kept them busy.

In 1935 this family of three moved to Waynesboro, Tennessee where Maudie still resides.

Dodge, Walter and ____MERRIMAN had a “D. E. MERRIMAN & Co.” feed store on the square. Homer joined his brothers in this successful business. For some 50 years this was the gathering place for young and old. Many crops were planted and harvested around the woodstove in the winter. Stories were told while tobacco was spit at the hot ashes at the stove door. They bought and sold cows, chickens, mules and billy goats. A real growing experience for the boys who would listen.

Virgil met and married Erma Lee VICKERY on 1 June 1952. They have a son, James Harris who was born 31 October 1953.

Homer retired in 1955 from the feed store due to his health. He led a quiet life at home until 8 January 1966. He passed away at his home with his family around him. A quiet funeral with many friends and a large family of nieces and nephews. He is buried at Shields Cemetery here in Wayne County. Homer’s grandson, James Harris, now has a beautiful daughter, JaNell and a baby boy named Daniel Harris MERRIMAN.

Meredith, James T.

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James T. MeredithMEREDITH, James T., service number 2873292, private, Co. I, 126th Infantry, USA. Was born Waynesboro, Tennessee and at enlistment was 24 years 4 months old and a farmer. He was described as 5’8″ tall, with blue eyes, light hair and a ruddy complexion.

Enlisted 28 May 1918, Waynesboro, TN. Served with the American Expeditionary Forces from 6 Aug 1918 to 17 May 1919. He was discharged at Ft. Oglethorpe, GA on 27 May 1919.

James T. MEREDITH was the son of Thomas Cass MEREDITH and Margaret A. KING. His siblings were Lovic, Owen, Brison, King, and Verdi.

After the war he was in Texas where his family had moved. He then came back to Milan, TN to the CCC Camp where he served in the medical department requisitioning supplies. Later he worked in Detroit, MI and then came back to Tennessee to farm. From 1846 to 1960 he owned a general store at Topsy and retired in 1960.

In 1943 he married Juanita SCHMITTOU.

James T. MEREDITH died on 5 June 1964 and was buried at the Durham-Edwards Cemetery, near Topsy, Wayne Co., Tennessee.

Melton, William Allen

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MELTON, William Allen, was born 14 May 1898 in Pinkney, Tennessee. He died 16 Nov 1965, Wayne County General Hospital, Waynesboro, Tennessee and was buried at Crossroads Cemetery, Wayne County, Tennessee. He served as a Private in the 9th Infantry, USA during the war. He was the son of James E. MELTON 3 Jan 1868 – 9 Jan 1930 and Caledonia Jane HOLT 2 April 1878 – 24 Oct 1954, both buried at Crossroads. He married Ruby Lorene THOMPSON on 27 Oct 1940. They had six daughters.

William Allen MELTON felt was was coming in 1915. He volunteered at age 17 and had some training. He stayed in the Army one or two years after the war ended and worked in Lufton, Texas. After leaving the Army he came back to Iron City and Wayne County.

Melton, Terry Cleveland

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Terry Cleveland MeltonMELTON, Terry Cleveland, World War I veteran, joined the Army in June of 1917. He was sent to Little Rock, Arkansas where he was placed in the infantry. He was sent to Nice, France and while in Nice, he developed bronchial

pneumonia and was sent to the hospital. He was discharged the later part of 1919 with a medical discharge.

Terry Cleveland MELTON was born 12 November 1892 in Wayne County, Tennessee and was the son of Jim R. and Dora BREWER MELTON. He had three brothers and two sisters. He was married to Laura MERRIMAN on 20 January 1920. They had three children: Eli James MELTON of Columbia, Tennessee, served in the Navy seven years during World War II; Edith Nell MELTON BROMLEY of Savannah, Tennessee and Charles Ray MELTON of Toledo, Ohio, who served in the Marines during the Korean War for four years. Terry C. MELTON had five grandchildren.

Terry C. MELTON died 17 May 1960 and was buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Wayne County, Tennessee.

USS PrattsburgInformation from record of discharge: Terry C. MELTON was born Waynesboro, Tennessee and had blue eyes, brown hair, a light complexion and was 5’6½” tall. He was enlisted/inducted 28 May 1918 at Waynesboro, TN and served in the American Expeditionary Forces from 10 September 1918 until 14 April 1919. He was discharged at Ft. Oglethorpe, GA on 10 May 1919.

Pictured above is the USS Prattsburg. Terry C. MELTON sailed to France on board the Prattsburg in 1918.

Melton, Loyal D.

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MELTON, Loyal D., Service number 4430868, Private, 26th CompaLoyal D. Melton, wife and childrenny Engineers, was born West Point, Tennessee on 15 August 1896. He was inducted 28 Aug 1918 at Waynesboro, Tennessee and was discharged 31 Jan 1919 at Fort Oglethorpe, GA. He is described with blue eyes, light hair, fair complexion and 5’8″ tall.

Loyal MELTON was the son of William P. MELTON Jan 1873 – 30 April 1957 and Anna STUTTS Nov 1877- 19 Nov 1951, born of whom are buried at Cedar Crove Cem., Wayne County, Tennessee. He married Lucille BREWER on 12 May Loyal D. Melton and Buddies1918. Their children are Mary Edith MELTON THARP; James William MELTON; Reba Mae MELTON, Glenn Huston MELTON; Edward Gene MELTON; and Jimmy Ray MELTON.

Loyal D. MELTON died 6 September 1936 and is buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Wayne County, Tennessee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

McGee, James Daniel

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McGEE, James Daniel, born 1 January 1887, d. 2 June 1971, buried Pinhook Cemetery. Served with Co. C, 18 Infantry in the American Expeditionary Forces in Germany and France. He was a farmer. He married Elvia HUNT, b. 1900 in Hardin Co., TN. She presently (1992) lives in Waynesboro. Their children were Guy McGEE of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, Harold McGEE of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, Paul H. McGEE of Waterloo, Alabama; Jeannee McGEE DOCKERY of Sherman, Texas; Hettie Sue McGEE NEIMIEC of Sherman, Texas and Kaye McGEE HAGGARD of Waynesboro, Tennessee.

James Daniel McGEE was the son of Wiley D. McGEE, 20 Dec 1849 – 18 Nov 1926 and Hettie L. COPELAND, 27 Feb 1857 – 2 Feb 1925, both buried at Pinhook Cemetery, Wayne Co., Tennessee.

McFall, Walker Turner

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Walker Turner McFallMcFALL, Walker Turner, was born 11 May 1891 on Second Creek, Wayne County, Tennessee. His parents were James Monroe and Margaret Matilda McFALL. His paternal grandparents were James Duncan McFALL and Mariah Elizabeth PALMER. His maternal grandparents were Jim McFALL and Sarah Ann GILLIS.

Turner, as he was known, married first to Ollie Slinnie BEVIS on 12 April 1914. She was the daugther of James W. and Martha Jane BEVIS and was born 21 July 1899 and died 7 May 1917. Turner and Ollie had two children: Beulah Gertrude McFALL, b. 3 March 1915, d. 23 May 1915; and Cora Belle McFall, b. 18 April 1916. Turner married second to Ettie Belle STOWE on 19 April 1924. She died 12 Nov 1976. Turner and Ettie had three children: Waverly Rayburn McFALL who died 21 March 1990, buried Balentine Cemetery, never married; Eddie McFALL, d. 12 Nov 1976; and Andrew Griffin Bevis McFALL, b. 30 Dec 1933 and lives at Lutts, Tennessee.

Walker Turner McFALL worked at a sawmill, helped build Wilson Dam at Florence, Alabama, bought a farm at Lutts and farmed and later sold it to his daughter, Cora BEVIS and moved to Cloverdale, Alabama where he was living when he died. Turner died 24 Jan 1961 at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital in Florence, Alabama and was buried at Balentine Cemetery, Wayne County, Tennessee. No information submitted on service.

McFall, Luther B.

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McFALL, Luther B., born July 1888, Wayne Co. TN, died at Sand Mountain, Alabama. He was the son of Marion and Parlee HINTON McFALL. Luther had son Raymon McFALL by Roxie REAVES. Luther then married Beulah Pearl ROBERSON, a sister to Luther Allen ROBERSON, and had three children: Clara Nell McFALL, Luther B. McFALL, Jr.; and Andrew McFALL.

After his marriage, Luther and Beulah moved to Georgia, then to Sand Mountain, Alabama where he died and is buried. Beulah is in a nursing home in Scottsboro, Alabama.

All the children by Beulah live there. Raymon lives in Florence, Alabama.

The following letter was published in the “Wayne Countian” in 1918. He was submitted by Charles A. BALENTINE.

“With The Colors”
“Camp Gordon, Atlanta, GA.
“To Local Board at Waynesboro:

“I thank the local board for their kindness for the night I spent in Waynesboro Tuesday night, for I love the Waynesboro people. I thank the people very much at Allen’s creek for the dinner they served Wednesday. We sure did enjoy it for we did not know at the time whether we would have anything to eat when we reached our camp or not. We took supper at Dickson and spent the night on the train, arriving in Atlanta at 6:10 a.m. Thursday, December 6. We spent our six hours and ten minutes in Atlanta, Ga; and at our first meal as soldiers at Campt Gordon December 6 at 1:30 P.M. We had beef, soup, potatoes and many other good things to eat.

“Come on, boys. This place is not so bad. All it lacks of being like home is mother and father. Of course we young people need not expect to stay at home always.

“We sure to have some fun at meal time. There are about one hundred and thirty in my company, and some have to wait until it comes their turn to get their meals or be waited on. But let me remind you, we have plenty to eat, good beds to sleep on and lots of cover. To-night we aim to have fire all night to keep our room warm.

“O I must not forget. Do not fail to help the Y.M.C.A. if you get a chance.” //s// L.B.McFALL

McFall, Lee David

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Lee David McFallMcFALL, Lee David, was born 26 May 1895 in Wayne County, Tennessee. He was the son of Pew and Mattie McFALL. He attended Johnson School in Wayne County.

On 5 June 1918 in Lauderdale County, Alabama, he was married to the former Cora PERKINS. Prior to his marriage he purchased a farm north of Waterloo, Alabama.

He was drafted at the age of 23 by the U.S. Army in Waynesboro, Tennessee on 10 June 1918. He served as a private first class in Company H, 322 Infantry. June 24, 1919 marked the date he received an honorable discharge from his service in the U.S. Army.

Following his discharge, he worked hauling crossties, cord wood, and farming. When construction began on the Pickwick Dam, he worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority. Later, he worked with the TVA mosquito control on Pickwick Lake.

Lee McFALL and his wife, Cora, had four sons and three daughters born in Waterloo, Alabama. Three of his sons served in the military, two in World War II and one in the Korean War. He had fourteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. While living in Waterloo, he was an active member of the local Church of Christ. At the age of 81, he died on 10 September 1976.

Information from discharge. Description: blue eyes, light brown hair, medium complexion and 5’7″ tall. Served overseas from 31 July 1918 until 18 June 1919. Was in the Muse Argonne offensive from 9 to 11 Nov 1918. Discharged at Ft. Oglethorpe, GA on 24 June 1919.