4-282  INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES

VIRGINIA IDA MANSANORA SHELTON (3.5) is the daughter of William Martin Shelton and Martha Adeline (Shelton) Shelton.  Virginia was born on May 9, 1877 in Meg, Arkansas.  On September 30, 1894, Virginia Shelton married Oscar David Foster in Webb City, Franklin County, Arkansas.  Oscar was born on June 22, 1870 in DeKalb County, Tennessee and is the son of Stephen Moore Foster (born 1844, DeKalb County, Tennessee) and Mary Pearl (Patterson) Foster (b. 1844).  Oscar and Virginia Foster were the parents of eight children:

  Pearl Agnes Foster (3.5.1), b. May 26, 1895, Webb City, Arkansas
  Iva Mildred Foster (3.5.2), b. September 4, 1896, Franklin County, Arkansas
  Ambrose Webster Foster (3.5.3), b. September 29, 1899, Cecil, Arkansas
  Nellie Mae Foster (3.5.4), b. April 22, 1902, Franklin County, Arkansas
  Grover Cleveland Foster, b. April 22, 1904, Franklin County, Arkansas
  Ethel LaRue Foster (3.5.6), b. November 27, 1909, Paris, Arkansas
  Esther Ann Foster (3.5.7), b. April 8, 1912, Alma, Arkansas
  Martin Stanley Foster, b. June 30, 1917, Fort Smith, Arkansas


Oscar David Foster and Virginia (Shelton) Foster
ca. 1894
Courtesy of Lenita (Staley) Gutierrez


In 1900, Oscar D. Foster and his family were living in Logan County, Arkansas.  He taught school in Leona, Texas in 1910.  Later, Oscar attended Medical School in Little Rock, Arkansas and was a practicing medical doctor in Fort Smith, Arkansas when he died.  He bought a Maxwell car but was afraid to drive it.  His oldest son, Webster Foster would drive it for him.  Oscar Foster died of uremia on November 17, 1920 in Fort Smith, Arkansas and was buried there in the Oak Cemetery.  After Oscar Fosters death, Virginia Foster rented rooms and took in boarders.  She often worked as a midwife.  She would make the baby clothes and a night gown for the mother, if needed.  She would deliver the baby and stay two weeks to care for the mother and baby.

Virginia (Shelton) Foster married a second time to George Oscar Berry (born March 11, 1856).  They lived near Wister, Oklahoma for a few years, then they moved to Shawnee, Oklahoma in 1938.  George Oscar Berry died on April 3, 1944 and Virginia (Shelton) Berry died on July 13, 1951 in Shawnee, Oklahoma.  Both were buried in the Fairview Cemetery.  Grover Cleveland Foster died on September 14, 1918 at the age of fourteen and was buried in the Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  Martin Stanley Shelton died on October 19, 1918 at the age of one year and was buried in the Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

References:  1)  1900 Census, Logan County, Arkansas;  2)  Family Group Sheet by Harold Casey, 1980;  3)  Family Group Sheet by Virginia (Foster) Qualls, 1980;  4)  Letter, Ethel (Foster) Qualls to Harold Casey, 1985;  5)  “World Famliy Tree,” Volume 4, File 1222

MASTER PUBLICATION  4-283

PEARL AGNES FOSTER (3.5.1) is the daughter of Oscar David Foster and Virginia (Shelton) Foster.  Pearl was born on May 26, 1895 in Webb City, Arkansas.  On June 26, 1920, Pearl Foster married Albert Grayson (no middle initial) in Sebastian County, Arkansas.  Albert was born on January 21, 1894 in Bloomer, Arkansas and is the son of Enoch Boone Grayson and Rebecca Jane (Hughes) Grayson.  Albert and Pearl Grayson were the parents of eight children:

  Ralph Lawrence Grayson (3.5.1.1), b. April 29, 1921, Fort Smith, Arkansas
  James Foster Grayson (3.5.1.2), b. April 19, 1923, Fort Smith, Arkansas
  Albert Grayson, Jr., b. January 26, 1925, Fort Smith, Arkansas
  Howard Eugene Grayson (3.5.1.4), b. April 29, 1927, Fort Smith, Arkansas
  Anna Lou Grayson (3.5.1.5), b. June 22, 1929, Fort Smith, Arkansas
  Horace Ray Grayson (3.5.1.6), b. June 29, 1931, Fort Smith, Arkansas
  Doris Mae Grayson (3.5.1.7), b. June 29, 1931, Fort Smith, Arkansas
  Peggy Jo Grayson, b. September 17, 1932, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Pearl (Foster) Grayson died on July 23, 1934 in Fort Smith, Arkansas and was buried there in the Oak Cemetery.  In 1935, Albert Grayson married a second time to Ruby Tanner and they had three children:  Robert Lee Grayson (born December 9, 1935 in Fort Smith, Arkansas), William Hugh Grayson (born July 11, 1938 in Fort Smith, Arkansas) and Donald David Grayson (born March 27, 1941 in Spiro, Oklahoma).  Albert Grayson died on January 6, 1976 in San Jose, California and was buried in the Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  After World War II army service in Alaska, Albert “Junior” Grayson, Jr. worked in construction.  Around 1948, while working on a dam project in Oregon, he was married and a daughter was born to that union.  Junior and his wife separated around 1950.  Junior has not had contact with other family members since the fall of 1952.  Peggy Jo Grayson died on June 19, 1933 in Fort Smith, Arkansas and was buried beside her parents in the Oak Cemetery.

Reference:  1)  Family Group Sheet by Howard E. Grayson, April 29, 1978

RALPH LAWRENCE GRAYSON (3.5.1.1) is the son of Albert Grayson and Pearl Agnes (Foster) Grayson.  Ralph was born on April 29, 1921 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  Ralph graduated from a Fort Smith high school in 1937.  He attended Arkansas State Teachers College (now University of Central Arkansas) from 1939 to 1941 and while there, learned to fly in the Civilian Pilot Training Program.  On December 6, 1941, Ralph Grayson married Jewell Juanita Best in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  Juanita was attending Central Baptist College in Conway, Arkansas.  Juanita resumed her college education at Memphis State University in 1965 through 1968 and was a teacher in the Memphis school system for five years primarily in the field of special education.

In 1941, Ralph was employed by the Civil Aeronautics Administration as an air traffic controller and worked in Charleston, South Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia.  He went into service in July of 1944 and attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia.  Ralph was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in April of 1945 and served in the Asiatic-Pacific theatre.  He returned to Atlanta in October of 1946 and transferred to Memphis, Tennessee in March of 1947.  Ralph and Jewell Grayson are the parents of four children:

4-284  INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES

  Ralph Lawrence Grayson, Jr., b. August 17, 1942, Newport, Arkansas
  David Best Grayson (3.5.1.1.2), b. November 16, 1943, Atlanta, Georgia
  Douglas Foster Grayson (3.5.1.1.3), b. April 28, 1948, Newport, Arkansas
  Anita Carol Grayson (3.5.1.1.4), b. December 14, 1949, Memphis, Tennessee

In 1950, Ralph received a Bachelor of Law degree (cum laude) from Southern Law University and practiced law in Memphis for sixteen years.  While practicing law, he continued his career with the Federal Aviation Administration and remained active in the United States Army Reserve from which he retired as a full colonel in December, 1978.  Ralph also served as a national officer, including national president, of the Air Traffic Control Association from 1959 to 1968.  In 1969, Ralph was selected to be one of twenty in the United States who implemented the automation of the air traffic control system during the period ending in 1979.  In January of 1979, Ralph was offered a position as research scientist at N. A. S. A. Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California, which resulted in his retirement from F. A. A. and relocation to California for three and one-half years.  In 1982, he returned to Memphis, Tennessee.

Ralph Grayson, Jr. graduated from Central High School in Memphis in 1959 as a National Merit Scholarship finalist.  He was selected as the outstanding R. O. T. C. cadet in the city and was cadet Lieutenant Colonel.  He attended Tulane University, Memphis State University and San Francisco State University.  In 1963, Ralph Grayson married Helen Frances Frankie Whitington of Memphis.  Ralph and Frankie Grayson both died in an auto collision on March 9, 1967 near Merced, California and were buried in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee.

References:  1)  Family Group Sheet by Howard E. Grayson, April 29, 1978;  2)  Letter, Ralph Grayson to Harold Casey, April 9, 1984

DAVID BEST GRAYSON (3.5.1.1.2) is the son of Ralph Lawrence Grayson and Jewell Juanita (Best) Grayson.  David was born on November 16, 1943 in Atlanta, Georgia.  David attended Memphis State University.  In 1963, David Grayson married Cheryl Green of Memphis and they have two children:

  Mandy Elizabeth Grayson, b. November 14, 1968
  Christopher David Grayson, b. December 29, 1969

David served in the Army National Guard from 1966 to 1969 and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in 1967.  David and Cheryl Grayson were divorced in 1975 and their children live with their mother in Germantown, Tennessee.  David married a second time to Linda Haley of Milbrae, California while they were in Sidney, Australia.  They now reside in Saddle River, New Jersey.  David and Linda currently have no children.  Davids career has been in sales and he is now President of Formfit-Rogers, Inc.  Linda graduated from Whittier College and she is now merchandise manager for the eastern United States with the May Company.  Both are headquartered in New York City.

References:  1)  Family Group Sheet by Howard E. Grayson, April 29, 1978;  2)  Letter, Ralph Grayson to Harold Casey, April 9, 1984

MASTER PUBLICATION  4-285

DOUGLAS FOSTER GRAYSON (3.5.1.1.3) is the son of Ralph Lawrence Grayson and Jewell Juanita (Best) Grayson.  Douglas was born on April 28, 1948 in Newport, Arkansas.  Douglas attended the University of Tennessee, Martin, Memphis State University and served four years in the United States Navy.  Douglas Grayson married Sandra Sue Potts of Memphis and they have one daughter:

  Cindy Grayson, b. September 28, 1970, Memphis, Tennessee

Douglas and Sandra Grayson were divorced.  Douglas Grayson married a second time to Mary Jane Tierney originally from Rochester, New York and they are the parents of one son:

  Phillip Grayson, b. April 13, 1977, Nashville, Tennessee

Douglas and Mary were divorced and Phillip lives with his mother in Rochester, New York.  On August 27, 1983, Douglas Grayson married a third time to Linda Jane Fricke and they currently reside in Menlo Park, California.  Douglas is employed in Cupertino, California as a computer specialist in the software development division of Four Phase Systems, a subsidiary of Motorola.

References:  1)  Family Group Sheet by Howard E. Grayson, April 29, 1978;  2)  Letter, Ralph Grayson to Harold Casey, April 9, 1984

ANITA CAROL GRAYSON (3.5.1.1.4) is the daughter of Ralph Lawrence Grayson and Jewell Juanita (Best) Grayson.  Anita was born on December 14, 1949 in Memphis, Tennessee.  Anita attended the University of Arkansas where she met her husband, Harry Parker Pete Daily, II of Fort Smith, Arkansas.  Pete and Anita Daily have four children:

  Heather Lynn Daily, b. September 23, 1969, Fayetteville, Arkansas
  Patrick Parker Daily, b. May 4, 1971, Fayetteville, Arkansas
  Corbin Grayson Daily, b. January 24, 1974, Tulsa, Oklahoma
  Laura Rebecca Daily, b. April 11, 1985, Denver, Colorado

Pete Daily has been in petroleum marketing since he received his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas and they now live in Denver, Colorado.

Reference:  1)  Letter, Ralph Grayson to Harold Casey, April 9, 1984

JAMES FOSTER GRAYSON (3.5.1.2) is the son of Albert Grayson and Pearl Agnes (Foster) Grayson.  Jim was born on April 19, 1923 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  On June 21, 1945, Jim Grayson married Helen Phyllis Dayton in Reno, Nevada.  Helen was born on December 5, 1924 in Saint Augustine, Florida.  Jim and Helen Grayson are the parents of one daughter:

  Virginia Lee Grayson, b. September 2, 1946, Seattle, Washington

Jim and Helen Grayson were divorced on November 13, 1968.  On December 28, 1982, Jim Grayson married a second time to Helen Pauline Penney Shockey.  Penney was born on August 31, 1930 in Long Run, West Virginia.  Penney has two children from a previous marriage.  Jim Grayson served in the United States Navy from November 23, 1942 to October 7, 1945 in Pacific theatre.  Jim is a Scottish Rite Mason, member of the Bahia Shrine of Orlando, Florida, member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a member of the American Legion.  For more than thiry years, Jim has worked as a steamfitter with much of his work at the Kennedy Space Center.  Jim is now retired and lives in Edgewater, Florida.

4-286  INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES

Virginia Lee Ginger Grayson received a bachelors degree from Florida State University and has taught elementary school in Florida and in the Atlanta, Georgia area for several years.  While teaching in Atlanta, Ginger received a Masters degree and the Education Specialist degree from the Georgia University system.  Ginger lives in Austell, Georgia.

Reference:  1)  Letter, Howard Grayson to Harold Casey, April 7, 1984

HOWARD EUGENE GRAYSON (3.5.1.4) is the son of Albert Grayson and Pearl Agnes (Foster) Grayson.  Howard was born on April 29, 1927 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  After army service during World War II, Howard attended Arkansas Tech at Russellville, Arkansas for two years and then received a bachelors degree from the University of Central Arkansas at Conway in 1951.  In 1955, he received a masters degree from Memphis State University.  Additional graduate work was pursued at East Tennessee University at Johnson City and at the University of Tennessee.  Howard worked for the Internal Revenue Service for twenty-five years until his retirement in 1979.  On December 6, 1986, Howard Grayson married Jane A. Hardt at the Fairfax Chapel, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.  After retiring from the Internal Revenue Service, Howard served as a Chief Warrant Officer-4, mostly on active duty in he United States Army Reserve.  He retired from the United States Army Reserve in April, 1987.  Howard and Jane Grayson now reside in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

References:  1)  Letter, Howard Grayson to Harold Casey, April 7, 1984;  2)  Letter, Howard Grayson to Harold Casey, December 15, 1986

ANNA LOU GRAYSON (3.5.1.5) is the daughter of Albert Grayson and Pearl Agnes (Foster) Grayson.  Ann was born on June 22, 1929 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  On August 7, 1948, Ann Grayson married Donald Rembert Adams in Sherman, Texas.  Donald was born on August 20, 1928 in Macomb, Oklahoma and is the son of Ray C. Adams and Ruby Maybelle (Thompson) Adams.  Donald and Ann Adams are the parents of two children:

  Ted Warren Adams, b. September 8, 1949, Shawnee, Oklahoma
  Janet Sue Adams, b. October 19, 1954, Ada, Oklahoma

Donald and Ann Adams lived in Shawnee, Ada, Lawton and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  Donald Adams worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone.  After Donald retired in 1978, Donald and Ann moved to Broken Bow, Oklahoma.  Ted Adams married Susie Braver and they are the parents of two children:  -  Jessie Ray Adams, b. October 5, 1976, Norman, Oklahoma,  -  Jay Phillip Adams, b. February 3, 1978, Norman, Oklahoma.

MASTER PUBLICATION  4-287

Janet Adams married Theodore Edward Zelasco, Jr. in Wichita Falls, Texas.  Theodore was born on August 28, 1949 in Houma, Louisiana.  Theodore and Janet Zelasco are the parents of two children (born in Houma, Louisiana):  -  Eric Edward Zelasco, b. October 14, 1978,  -  Adam James Zelasco, b. May 21, 1982.

References:  1)  Letter, Ann (Grayson) Adams to Harold Casey, October, 1980;  2)  Family Group Sheet by Donald R. Adams, October 14, 1985

HORACE RAY GRAYSON (3.5.1.6) is the son of Albert Grayson and Pearl Agnes (Foster) Grayson.  Ray and his twin sister, Doris May, were born on June 29, 1931 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  In 1949, Ray joined the United States Navy and served until his retirement in 1969.  Most of his naval service was as a member of a nuclear powered submarine crew.  In the early 1950s, Ray married his wife, Mickey, and they have five children:

  Kay Grayson, b. 1954
  Michael Grayson, b. 1956
  Nancy Grayson, b. 1961
  Linda Grayson, b. 1963
  David Grayson, b. 1964

Since his naval retirement, Ray worked for the postal service in the San Diego, California area and he and his family live in Poway, California.

References:  1)  Letter, Howard Grayson to Harold Casey, June 24, 1984;  2)  Letter, Howard Grayson to Harold Casey, July 12, 1987

DORIS MAE GRAYSON (3.5.1.7) is the daughter of Albert Grayson and Pearl Agnes (Foster) Grayson.  Doris Mae and her twin brother, Horace, were born on June 29, 1931 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  On December 17, 1950, Doris Grayson married Alexander Hamil, Jr. (born December 23, 1930).  Alex and Doris Hamil were the parents of two children:

  Alexander Hamil, III, b. April 21, 1954, Louisville, Kentucky
  Mark Ian Hamil, b. August 29, 1956, Louisville, Kentucky

Alex Hamil, Jr. was a Southern Baptist minister.  Alex Hamil, Jr. died on June 1, 1975.  Doris attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas and later graduated from Georgia College in Milledgeville, Georgia in 1969.  In 1972, she received a masters degree in education from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia and received the Education Specialist degree in 1976.  Since 1969, Doris has been a Biology teacher at Southwest High School in Macon, Georgia.  On December 26, 1979, Doris married a second time to Johnnie Lanier Wellborn and they live in Macon, Georgia.  Johnnie has worked for Proctor and Gamble for more than thirty-one years and is currently a plant inspector.

On November 10, 1974, Alexander Lex Hamil, III married Cheryl Darlene Johnson.  Cheryl was born on November 2, 1952 and is the daughter of Felton Johnson and Katherine Johnson of Macon, Georgia.  Cheryl was previously married to Craig Hendricks and they had one son:  Robert Kendall Hendricks (born November 10, 1970).  Robert Hendricks was adopted by Lex Hamil and his name was changed to Robert Kendall Hamil.  Lex and Cheryl Hamil are the parents of three children:  -  Alexa Darlene Hamil, b. April 5, 1977,  -  Melissa Diane Hamil, b. October 2, 1981,  -  Charles Alexander Hamil, b. November 7, 1983.  Lex and his father-in-law operate an auto repair shop in Gordon, Georgia, where they specialize in high performance cars.

4-288  INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES

In 1977, Mark received a bachelor of science degree from Shorter College in Rome, Georgia which he attended on an academic scholarship.  While at Shorter College, Mark was president of his fraternity and was selected for Whos Who Among American Universities and Colleges.  On June 3, 1978, Mark Hamil married Lynn Gilbert in Jacksonville, Florida.  Lynn received a bachelor of science degree from Shorter College in 1978.  In 1979, Mark received a masters degree in Education at Georgia Southern College in Statesboro, Georgia and an Education Specialist degree from Shorter in 1983.  Mark is the supervisor of Special Education in Glynn County, Georgia and Lynn is an accountant for the Jekyll Island, Georgia Authority.  Mark is a member of the Georgia Association of School Psychology and the Golden Isles Lions Club.  He is featured several times each year in local newspaper articles and speaks to college classes and civic organizations frequently.  Mark and Lynn Hamil are the parents of two children:  -  Scott Gilbert Hamil, b. February 27, 1984,  -  Arminda Brooke Hamil, b. November 21, 1986.

Reference:  1)  Letter, Howard Grayson to Harold Casey, June 24, 1984

IVA MILDRED FOSTER (3.5.2) is the daughter of Oscar David Foster and Virginia (Shelton) Foster.  Iva was born on September 4, 1896 in Franklin County, Arkansas.  In January of 1919, Iva Foster married James Martin Benge in Sallisaw, Oklahoma.  James was born in 1897 and is the son of David W. Benge and Polly Ann (Gardenhire) Benge.  James Martin Benge and his father, David W. Benge, were enumerated on the Final Rolls of the Cherokees by the Dawes Commission in 1902.  David (Roll number 3744) was listed as one-half Cherokee Indian and age 32 as of 1902.  James (Roll Number 3746) was listed as one-fourth Cherokee Indian and seven years of age as of 1902.  They were enumerated in the Sequoyah District, Akins, Indian Territory.  James and Iva Benge were the parents of eleven children:

  David Paul Benge (3.5.2.1), b. June 19, 1920, Akins, Oklahoma
  Ethel Marie Benge, b. December 8, 1921
  Floyd Benge (3.5.2.3), b. May 13, 1923
  Leo Benge (3.5.2.4), b. August 17, 1924
  Clayton Houston Benge, b. 1925
  Billy Ray Benge (3.5.2.6), b. August 4, 1928
  Maxine Benge, b. May 5, 1930
  Betty Rose Benge (3.5.2.8), b. August 28, 1933, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
  Glen Dale Benge, b. January 28, 1936
  James Martin Benge, b. May, 1938
  Donald Lee Benge, b. December 10, 1941

Iva (Foster) Benge died in 1950.

MASTER PUBLICATION  4-289

References:  1)  Family Group Sheet by Harold Casey, 1976;  2)  Letter, Esther (Foster) Moor to Harold Casey, June 5, 1979

DAVID PAUL BENGE (3.5.2.1) is the son of James Martin Benge and Iva Mildred (Foster) Benge.  Paul was born on June 19, 1920 in Akins, Oklahoma.  On February 1, 1945, Paul Benge married Jessie Mae Thompson in Norman, Oklahoma.  Mae was born on December 30, 1928 in Clinton, Oklahoma and is the daughter of Hugh M. Thompson and Minnie (Thompson) Thompson.  Paul and Mae Benge were the parents of four children:

  Minnie Joyce Benge, b. October 20, 1946
  Linda Elaine Benge, b. April 1, 1948
  David Quenton Benge, b. May 3, 1950
  Paul Monroe Benge, b. June 7, 1952

Paul Benge worked as a lineman, serviceman and spotter for Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company for thirty-two years.  Paul and Mae Benge live in Norman, Oklahoma.  Joyce Benge married Larry Dale Bledsoe in Norman, Oklahoma and they have three children:  -  Larry Richard Bledsoe, b. May 19, 1966,  -  Mark Andrew Bledsoe, (b. May 15, 1970 and d. in 1979 of luekemia),  -  Michelle Renae Bledsoe, b. September 3, 1978.  Linda Benge married Nick Gendice (born 1948) in Fairfax, Virginia.  Nick and Linda Gendice have one son:  -  Michael Paul Gendice, b. June 25, 1977.

David Benge and his wife, Sandra (born 1955), were married on July 8, 1972 in Norman, Oklahoma.  David and Sandra Benge have three children:  -  Travis Paul Benge, b. October 3, 1973,  -  Robert Thomas Benge, b. June 12, 1977,  -  Kimberly Ann Benge, b. July 12, 1980.  On December 17, 1975, Paul Monroe Benge married Becky Ann Dean (born 1950).

References:  1)  Information Sheet by Paul Benge, 1980;  2)  Family Group Sheet by Harold Casey, 1980

FLOYD BENGE (3.5.2.3) is the son of James Martin Benge and Iva Mildred (Foster) Benge.  Floyd was born on May 13, 1923.  On April 19, 1950, Floyd Benge married his wife, Jimmie Jean (born January 13, 1933), in Van Buren, Arkansas.  Floyd and Jean Benge are the parents of four children:

  Michael James Benge, b. January 27, 1951
  Sherrye Jean Benge, b. August 3, 1953
  Floyd Nelson Benge, b. November 18, 1958
  Julie Ann Benge, b. April 25, 1961

Floyd and Jean Benge live in Muldrow, Oklahoma.  On October 27, 1969, Sherrye Benge married Lucky Woffard.  In March of 1979, Floyd Nelson Benge married Patricia Ann Atkins.  On September 2, 1978, Julie Benge married Tony Bowlin.

Reference:  1)  Family Group Sheet by Harold Casey, 1979

4-290  INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES

LEO BENGE (3.5.2.4) is the son of James Martin Benge and Iva Mildred (Foster) Benge.  Leo was born on August 17, 1924.  On June 19, 1949, Leo Benge married Lois Wrinkler in Burbank, California.  Lois was born on March 7, 1933.  Leo and Lois Benge are the parents of three children:

  Kathy Louise Benge, b. June 18, 1952
  Terry Leon Benge, b. November 12, 1954
  Russell Scott Benge, b. August 12, 1960

Leo and Lois Benge live in Tujunga, California.  Terry Benge married Karen Ann Redmon.  Terry and Karen were divorced after three years having no children.  Russell Benge married Tama Bon Summers and they have one son:  -  Dale Scott Benge, b. August 27, 1979.

Reference:  1)  Letter, Esther (Foster) Moor to Harold Casey, February 22, 1981

BILLY RAY BENGE (3.5.2.6) is the son of James Martin Benge and Iva Mildred (Foster) Benge.  Bill was born on August 4, 1928.  In 1943, Bill Benge married Allie Mae Dabney (born January 1, 1925).  Bill and Allie Mae Benge are the parents of four children:

  Billy Ray Benge, Jr., b. May 22, 1950
  James Franklin Benge, b. October 20, 1952
  Mary Genese Benge, b. January 9, 1954
  Lawerance Martin Benge, b. December 18, 1959

Bill Benge lives in Lexington, Oklahoma.

Reference:  1)  Family Group Sheet by Harold Casey, 1979

BETTY ROSE BENGE (3.5.2.8) is the daughter of James Martin Benge and Iva Mildred (Foster) Benge.  Betty was born on August 28, 1933 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  On July 22, 1950, Betty Benge married Noble Edward Haddox in Sallisaw, Oklahoma.  Noble was born on June 11, 1930 in Bristow, Oklahoma and is the son of Eules Edward Haddox and Rosalee (Wylie) Haddox.  Noble and Betty are the parents of eight children:

  Brenda Rose Haddox, b. October 16, 1951, Sallisaw, Oklahoma
  Noble Glen Haddox, b. August 24. 1953, Hollywood, California
  Janet Marie Haddox, b. December 7, 1955, Burbank, California
  Leonard Edward Haddox, b. July 8, 1957, Glendale, California
  Judi Lynn Haddox, b. August 9, 1962, Glendale, California
  Joni Lee Haddox, b. August 9, 1962, Glendale, California
  John Howard Haddox, b. August 9, 1962, Glendale, California
  Andrea Eve Haddox, b. December 6, 1971, Sallisaw, Oklahoma

Noble and Betty Haddox live in Muldrow, Oklahoma.  Brenda Haddox married a Mr. Lasiter.  Janet Haddox married a Mr. Pate.  Judi Haddox married a Mr. Smith.  Joni Haddox married a Mr. Tucker.

References:  1)  Family Group Sheet by Harold Casey, 1979;  2)  Information Sheet by Betty (Benge) Haddox, 1980

MASTER PUBLICATION  4-291

AMBROSE WEBSTER FOSTER (3.5.3) is the son of Oscar David Foster and Virginia (Shelton) Foster.  Webb was born on September 29, 1899 in Cecil, Arkansas.  On September 26, 1919, Webb Foster married Alice Josephine Mansell in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  Alice was born on August 20, 1901 in Booneville, Arkansas and is the daughter of William Markus Mansell and Willie Alzona (Miller) Mansell.  Alice had a twin brother.  Webb Foster graduated from Rudy Public School in Crawford, Arkansas in May of 1916.  He taught school in Atoka, Oklahoma in 1921.  Webb was a traveling salesman for the American Tobacco Company for a few years.  For most of his life, he was primarily a car salesman.  Webb and Alice Foster were the parents of eight children:

  Virginia Alzona Foster (3.5.3.1), b. November 19, 1920, Fort Smith, Arkansas
  Jack Webster Foster (3.5.3.2), b. May 31, 1923
  David Leo Foster (3.5.3.3), b. September 21, 1925
  Dorothy Ann Foster (3.5.3.4), b. September 5, 1927
  Mary Lou Foster (3.5.3.5), b. November 6, 1930
  Oma Lillian Foster (3.5.3.6), b. September 2, 1932
  Betty Jane Foster (3.5.3.7), b. May 31, 1939
  Nina Marie Foster (3.5.3.8), b. August 5, 1944

Ambrose Webster Foster died on December 21, 1956 and Alice (Mansell) Foster died on October 11, 1967.  Both died in Tulsa, Oklahoma and both were buried in the Tulsa Memorial Park Cemetery.

References:  1)  Family Group Sheet by Virginia (Foster) Qualls, 1980;  2)  Family Chart by Betty (Foster) Giesen, 1980


Ambrose Foster, David Leo Foster, Jack Webster Foster
Mary (Foster) Moore, Alice (Mansell) Foster
Betty (Foster) Giesen, Dorothy (Foster) Young
Virginia (Foster) Qualls, Nina (Foster) Pressley
ca. 1954
Courtesy of Virginia (Foster) Qualls


VIRGINIA ALZONA FOSTER (3.5.3.1) is the daughter of Ambrose Webster Foster and Alice Josephine (Mansell) Foster.  Virginia was born on November 19, 1920 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  On July 9, 1938, Virginia Foster married Homer Ernest Qualls (born September 11, 1917 in Shawnee, Oklahoma) in Chandler, Oklahoma.  Homer worked for Food Machinery Corporations chemical plant until he retired.  Virginia worked for the federal civil service as an accounting technician until she retired.  Homer and Virginia lived in Oakdale, California on a small acreage where they raised a few cattle and kept some horses for pleasure.  Homer and Virginia Qualls are the parents of five children:

  Thomas Webster Qualls (3.5.3.1.1), b. December 20, 1939, Ketchikan, Alaska
  Jimmy Otis Qualls (3.5.3.1.2), b. September 21, 1941, Shawnee, Oklahoma
  Danny Ray Qualls (3.5.3.1.3), b. November 30, 1944, Shawnee, Oklahoma
  William Wayne Qualls (3.5.3.1.4), b. November 23, 1951, Modesto, California
  Betty Jane Qualls (3.5.3.1.5), b. November 23, 1951, Modesto, California


4-292  INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES

Back Row: Jimmy Qualls, Thomas Qualls
Center Row: Bill Qualls, Homer Qualls, Virginia (Foster) Qualls
Front Row: Betty (Qualls) Ude, Danny Ray Qualls
ca. 1968
Courtesy of Virginia (Foster) Qualls


Homer Ernest Qualls died on April 30, 1987 at Oakdale, California and was buried ar Lakewood Memorial Park Cemetery in Hughson, California.

References:  1)  Letter, Virginia (Foster) Qualls to Harold Casey, March 27, 1984;  2)  Memorial Card, Homer Qualls, 1987

THOMAS WEBSTER QUALLS (3.5.3.1.1) is the son of Homer Ernest Qualls and Virginia Alzona (Foster) Qualls.  Thomas Qualls was born on December 20, 1939 in Ketchikan, Alaska.  On December 20, 1958, Thomas Qualls married Lona Kay Durfee (born August 10, 1940) and they have two children:

  Jeffrey Lin Qualls, b. November 5, 1959, Modesto, California
  Mark Alan Qualls, b. June 22, 1961

Thomas Qualls is in the construction business (house building) and is a building inspector for Stanislous County, California.  On February 14, 1978, Jeffery Qualls married Laura Schoenfelder (born February 28, 1961) in Modesto, California.  Jeffrey and Laura Qualls are the parents of three children:  -  Jeffrey Lin Qualls, Jr., b. December 20, 1978,  -  Jillian Kay Qualls, b. March 17, 1980,  -  William Joseph Qualls, b. January 12, 1984.

On September 3, 1984, Mark Alan Qualls married Lisa Marie Raster (born November, 14, 1964) in Reno, Nevada.  Mark and Lisa Qualls have one daughter:  -  April Lynn Qualls, b. March 27, 1985.

Reference:  1)  Letter, Virginia (Foster) Qualls to Harold Casey, March 27, 1984

JIMMY OTIS QUALLS (3.5.3.1.2) is the son of Homer Ernest Qualls and Virginia Alzona (Foster) Qualls.  Jimmy Qualls was born on September 21, 1941 in Shawnee, Oklahoma.  On January 20, 1962, Jimmy Qualls married Sandra Lynn Gomes (born January 24, 1944) in Oakdale, California.  Jimmy and Sandra Qualls are the parents of two daughters:

  Stacy Lynn Qualls, b. September 17, 1962
  Jamie Marie Qualls, b. March 26, 1968

Jimmy Qualls is a supervisor over the electronic division of a chemical plant and also teaches a night computer class at Modesto Junior College.  On June 20, 1981, Stacy Qualls married Perry Bell (born May 9, 1960) and they have two children:  -  Seth Franklin Bell, b. March 19, 1984,  -  Shelby Lynn Bell, b. February 22, 1986.

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References:  1)  Family Group Sheet by Virginia (Foster) Qualls, 1980;  2)  Letter, Virginia (Foster) Qualls to Harold Casey, March 27, 1984

DANNY RAY QUALLS (3.5.3.1.3) is the son of Homer Ernest Qualls and Virginia Alzona (Foster) Qualls.  Danny was born on November 30, 1944 in Shawnee, Oklahoma.  On July 23, 1965, Danny Qualls married Ruth Ann Mitchell (born June 27, 1947). Danny and Ruth Qualls are the parents of two children:

  Brian Wesley Qualls, b. June 13, 1966
  Tina Kay Qualls, b. September 11, 1968

Danny is in the construction business.

Reference:  1)  Letter, Virginia (Foster) Qualls to Harold Casey, March 27, 1984

WILLIAM WAYNE QUALLS (3.5.3.1.4) is the son of Homer Ernest Qualls and Virginia Alzona (Foster) Qualls.  Bill was born only eight minutes before his twin sister (Betty Jane) on November 23, 1951 in Modesto, California.  On April 24, 1971, Bill Qualls married Janice Lucille Tomasi (born May 1, 1954) and they are the parents of two children:

  Jennifer Anne Qualls, b. October 30, 1971
  Joseph Craig Qualls, b. January 18, 1974

Bill and Janice Qualls were divorced in 1980.  Both children live with their father.  On June 23, 1984, Bill Qualls married a second time to Christina Renee (Godbey) Conley in Reno, Nevada.  Christina had one daughter by a previous marriage:  Jennifer Renee Conley (born August 5, 1981), who lives with her mother, so they now have two Jennifers in the family.  Bill is a welder and does pipeline work, primarily on irrigation lines.

Reference:  1)  Letter, Virginia (Foster) Qualls to Harold Casey, March 27, 1984

BETTY JANE QUALLS (3.5.3.1.5) is the daughter of Homer Ernest Qualls and Virginia Alzona (Foster) Qualls.  Betty was born on November 23, 1951 in Modesto, California.  On October 31, 1970, Betty Qualls married James Kendall Ude (born May 23, 1949).  James and Betty Ude are the parents of two children:

  Mathew James Ude, b. July 13, 1971
  Kimberly Ann Ude, b. January 19, 1974

Betty is a receptionist for a doctor in the mornings and drives a school bus in the afternoons.

References:  1)  Family Group Sheet by Virginia (Foster) Qualls, 1980;  2)  Letter, Virginia (Foster) Qualls to Harold Casey, March 27, 1984

JACK WEBSTER FOSTER (3.5.3.2) is the son of Ambrose Webster Foster and Alice Josephine (Mansell) Foster.  Jack was born on May 31, 1923.  Jack Foster married Grace Courtney.  In 1946, Jack Foster married a second time to Sheila Phoebe Youd (born August 19, 1926) and they are the parents of one son:

4-294  INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES

  Ronald Jack Foster, b. December 4, 1947

Jack Foster is a retired union carpenter.  Sheila was reared in India and was a war bride.  Her parents were English and her father was an officer stationed in India.  Jack was in the United States Army when he met her.  Sheila worked for the United States Government.  Jack and Sheila were divorced in 1960.

On July 25, 1968, Ronald Foster married Rosemary Crosby (born November 19, 1949) in Sacramento, California.  Ronald and Rosemary Foster have two children:  -  Sara Jean Foster, b. December 24, 1975,  -  James Webster Foster, b. January 26, 1979.  Ronald works as a flight mechanic at the McClellen Air Force Base.  He has a teachers degree but earns more as a flight mechanic.

References:  1)  Family Chart by Betty (Foster) Giesen, 1980;  2)  “World Family Tree,” Volume 4, File 1222

DAVID LEO FOSTER (3.5.3.3) is the son of Ambrose Webster Foster and Alice Josephine (Mansell) Foster.  David was born on September 21, 1925.  On January 17, 1947, David Leo Foster married Earlene Price (born September 13, 1929) and they have one son:

  David Lynn Foster, b. June 29, 1948

David and Earlene Foster own the Chevrolet Auto Agency in Davis, Oklahoma.  They live on their ranch in Hennepin, Oklahoma and raise Beefmaster cattle.  On January 3, 1970, David Lynn Foster married Cynthia Lue Zumwalt (born November 7, 1949) in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  David and Cynthia Foster have one son:  -  Parker Huntington Foster, b. December 13, 1979.

References:  1)  Family Chart by Betty (Foster) Giesen, 1980;  2)  Letter, Virginia (Foster) Qualls to Harold Casey, March 27, 1984

DOROTHY ANN FOSTER (3.5.3.4) is the daughter of Ambrose Webster Foster and Alice Josephine (Mansell) Foster.  Dorothy was born on September 5, 1927.  On September 6, 1945, Dorothy Foster married Carl Clifford Young (born February 22, 1923) and they are the parents of four children:

  Imogene Joyce Young, b. February 14, 1948
  David Webster Young, b. February 28, 1950
  Barbara Ann Young, b. December 29, 1951
  Daniel Carl Young, b. September 30, 1958

Carl Clifford Young died on January 19, 1976.  Imogene Young married Carl Smith, Jr. (born September 23, 1945) and they have three children:  -  Jennifer Lynn Smith, b. December 18, 1969,  -  Tammy Jean Smith, b. July 8, 1971,  -  Edward Nahum Smith, b. August 6, 1984.  David Webster Young and his wife, Debbie (born August 17, 1953), have two children:  -  Mellisa Kay Young, b. December 29, 1976,  -  Jeffery Todd Young, b. November 6, 1978.

Barbara Young married Charles Michael Walker (born June 4, 1954).  Mike and Barbara Walker have two children:  -  Michael Bryan Walker, b. June 17, 1974,  -  Christopher Brandon Walker, b. December 3, 1976.  Daniel Young and his wife, Sharon (born December 13, 1963), currently have no children.

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Reference:  1)  Family Chart by Betty (Foster) Giesen, 1980

MARY LOU FOSTER (3.5.3.5) is the daughter of Ambrose Webster Foster and Alice Josephine (Mansell) Foster.  Mary was born on November 6, 1930.  On November 22, 1963, Mary Lou Foster married James Opal Moore (born October 9, 1920) in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Jim and Mary Lou Moore are rearing two children of Jims brother, R. C. Moore:

  Bonnie Moore, b. 1968
  R. C. Moore, Jr., b. 1973

Jim and Mary Lou Moore live in Southwest City, Missouri.

Reference:  1)  Family Chart by Betty (Foster) Giesen, 1980

OMA LILLIAN FOSTER (3.5.3.6) is the daughter of Ambrose Webster Foster and Alice Josephine (Mansell) Foster.  Oma was born on September 2, 1932.  Oma Foster married Eugene Franklin Taylor (born December 9, 1928) and they have one daughter:

  Alice Elaine Taylor, b. October 20, 1952

Oma married a second time to Donald Keith LeBaron (born October 5, 1922).  Alice Taylor married John Lee Rich (born November 4, 1942) and they have three children:  -  Heather Marie Rich, b. February 15, 1972,  -  Patricia Elaine Rich, b. June 25, 1974,  -  Donald Lee Rich, b. November 10, 1975.  John and Alice Rich were divorced in 1975.  Alice married a second time to Jerry Lee McNatt (born December 11, 1949) and they have one child:  -  Jeri Christian McNatt, b. July 12, 1977.

Reference:  1)  Family Chart by Betty (Foster) Giesen, 1980

BETTY JANE FOSTER (3.5.3.7) is the daughter of Ambrose Webster Foster and Alice Josephine (Mansell) Foster.  Betty was born on May 31, 1939.  On June 30, 1956, Betty Foster married John Alden Giesen (born April 2, 1935) in Winnemucca, Nevada.  Jack is the Coordinator-Director of the Tulsa Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship Program for Carpenters Local Union Number 943.  He took this position in January, 1973.  Previously, he was a union carpenter for sixteen years.  Betty has worked as office manager for a large appliance company and for H & R Block.  She has also been accountant-secretary for the apprenticeship program (same as Jack) since November, 1973.  Jack and Betty Giesen are the parents of two daughters:

  Jacqueline Anne Giesen, b. June 20, 1957
  Susan Elizabeth Giesen, b. August 30, 1959

Jackie Giesen graduated in the top five percent of her class at Edison High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  She was a cheerleader and newspaper editor in her senior year.  She is now a paralegal to the head of the financial department of a large property company.  Jacqueline Giesen married Duane Mitchell.  On May 7, 1983, Jacqueline Anne Giesen married a second time to Bobby DeWayne Edwards (born June 9, 1958 in Sallisaw, Oklahoma) in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Jackie and Bobby Edwards are the parents of one son:  -  Jason Kyle Edwards, b. November 8, 1986.

4-296  INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIES

Susan Giesen graduated from Tulsa High School where she was active in the pep squad, synchronized swim and the school newspaper.  She worked for the head of the Financial Department at Oklahoma State University.  Susan is presently office manager for Refractory Anchors in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  On August 20, 1983, Susan Giesen married Jack Gerard DiBernardo (born May 7, 1959 in Mineola, New York) in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Jack and Susan DiBernardo are the parents of three children:  -  Jessica Anne DiBernardo, b. October 8, 1984,  -  John DiBernardo (twin), b. January 25, 1987,  -  Jacqueline DiBernardo (twin), b. January 25, 1987.

References:  1)  Family Chart by Betty (Foster) Giesen, 1980;  2)  “World Family Tree,” Volume 4, File 1222

NINA MARIE FOSTER (3.5.3.8) is the daughter of Ambrose Webster Foster and Alice Josephine (Mansell) Foster.  Nina was born on August 5, 1944.  On September 17, 1963, Nina Foster married Alvin Clyde Granger (born October 7, 1938) and they are the parents of four children:

  Scott Allen Granger, b. August 7, 1967
  Mark Ambrose Granger, b. November 30, 1968
  James Keith Granger, b. March 24, 1970
  Tara Marie Granger, b. January 20, 1974

Alvin and Nina Granger were divorced in 1978.  In January of 1979, Nina married a second time to Wendell Wesley Presley (born 1953).  Wendell had three children by a previous marriage:  Danny Rae Presley, George Anna Presley and Arron David Presley.  Both Wendall and Nina work for the Conoco Oil Company in Ponca City, Oklahoma.

Reference:  1)  Family Chart by Betty (Foster) Giesen, 1980