SUSAN JANE SHELTON (1.5.6) is the daughter of William Shelton and Martha (Pace) Shelton.  Susan was born around 1845 in Alabama.  On October 3, 1868, Susan Shelton married Eldridge Sims in Jackson County, Alabama.  Eldridge was born in 1846 in Jackson County, Alabama and is the son of Matthew Sims and Mary Sims.  Eldridge and Susan Sims were the parents of seven children:

  Matthew W. Sims (1.5.6.1), b. 1869, Jackson County, Alabama
  Mary Ellen Sims (1.5.6.2), b. December, 1870, Jackson County, Alabama
  Martha E. Sims (1.5.6.3), b. February 14, 1873, Jackson County, Alabama
  Laura Patience Sims (1.5.6.4), b. April 14, 1875, Jackson County, Alabama
  Leverna Ann Sims, b. 1877, Jackson County, Alabama
  Minerva Isabelle Sims (1.5.6.6), b. June, 1878, Jackson County, Alabama
  James M. Sims, b. October 10, 1884

In 1870, Eldrige and Susan Sims were living with Eldridges father in Jackson County, Alabama.  In 1880, Eldridge and Susan Sims were living in Jackson County, Alabama.  Susan (Shelton) Sims was buried in South Pittsburg, Tennessee.  Leverna Venie Sims married Rob Kilgore (born 1877).  Rob and Venie Kilgore were the parents of four children:  -  Robert Kilgore, Jr., b. 1897,  -  Claude Kilgore,  -  Harvy Kilgore,  -  Clyde Kilgore.  Rob and Venie Kilgore lived in Atna, Tennessee.  On September 7, 1893, Minerva Sims married David Milton Gentle.  For additional information on the descendants of David and Minerva Gentle, see the sketch of David Milton Gentle (32.3.5.5).

James Sims married Cassie M. Bulman (born September 30, 1898 in Jackson County, Alabama) in Jackson County, Alabama.  James and Cassie Sims were the parents of one son:  -  Jimmie Sims.  Jim and Cassie lived in Sheffield, Alabama.  Jim was a conductor with Southern Railway.  James Sims died on April 10, 1966 and Cassie (Bulman) Sims died on June 11, 1967.  Both were buried in the Union Cemetery in Woodville, Alabama.

References:  1)  1870 and 1880 Censuses, Jackson County, Alabama;  2)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, February 4, 1986

MATTHEW W. SIMS (1.5.6.1) is the son of Eldridge Sims and Susan Jane (Shelton) Sims.  Matthew was born in 1869 in Jackson County, Alabama.  In 1900, Matthew Sims married Lucy Catherine Shelton (1.5.2.1.2) in Jackson County, Alabama.  Matthew and Lucy Sims were the parents of three children:

  Henry Sims, b. 1903, Jackson County, Alabama
  Martin Sims, b. Jackson County, Alabama
  William Thomas Sims (1.5.6.1.3), b. February 15, 1907, Jackson Co., Alabama

Matthew Sims died in Jackson County, Alabama and was buried in the Blue Spring Cove (Hall) Cemetery in an unmarked grave.  In 1910, Lucy (Shelton) Sims was living with her father in Jackson County, Alabama.  Lucy married a second time to Fate Lavon Hastings (born June 9, 1886).  For additional information on the descendants of Fate and Lucy Hastings, see the sketch of Lucy Catherine Shelton (1.5.2.1.2).

Henry Sims and his wife, Mary, were the parents of three children (all born in Boston, Massachusetts):  -  Janet Sims,  -  Barbra Sims,  -  Phyllis Sims.  Henry Sims died in Boston, Massachusetts.  Janet Sims died in Boston, Massachusetts.  Phyllis Sims married.  Martin Sims died in Jackson County, Alabama and was buried in the Blue Spring Cove (Hall) Cemetery in an unmarked grave.

References:  1)  1910 Census, Jackson County, Alabama;  2)  Letter, Virginia (Shelton) Kelley to Robert Casey, June 11, 1985;  3)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, February 4, 1986;  4)  Letter, Lorene (Hall) King to Harold Casey, March, 1986

WILLIAM THOMAS SIMS (1.5.6.1.3) is the son of Matthew W. Sims and Lucy Catherine (Shelton) Sims.  William was born on February 15, 1907 in Jackson County, Alabama.  William Bill Sims married Parliee Thurman.  Parliee was born July 15, 1907 and is the daughter of Janie (McDougle) Thurman.  William and Parliee Sims lived in Huntsville, Alabama.  William and Parliee Sims were the parents of two children:

  Kenneth Eugene Sims, b. April 8, 1933
  Joyce Sims, b. February 12, 1935

Parliee (Thurman) Sims died on September 22, 1966 and William Thomas Sims died in November of 1983.  Both died in Madison County, Alabama and were buried in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville, Alabama.

On January 24, 1953, Kenneth Sims married Yvonne Sharpe in Madison County, Alabama.  Yvonne was born on August 4, 1939 and is the daughter of George Albert Sharpe and Pearl (Winsett) Sharpe.  Kenneth and Yvonne Sims have three children (all born in Madison County, Alabama):  -  Sherry Sims, b. August 31, 1955,  -  Jennie Sims, b. February 27, 1958,  -  Phillip Eugene Sims, b. September 1, 1967.  On February 16, 1973, Sherry Sims married Toney Lester Swinford in Madison County, Alabama.  Toney was born on August 27, 1953 in Madison County, Alabama and is the son of Howard Lester Swinford and June (Wilbanks) Swinford.  Toney and Sherry Swinford have two children (born in Madison County, Alabama):  -  Tracy Lynn Swinford, b. May 16, 1975,  -  Leah Dawn Swinford, b. November 11, 1981.  On February 4, 1978, Jennie Sims married Richard Scott Olson in Madison County, Alabama.  Richard was born January 7, 1956 in Washington, District of Columbia and is the son of Ronald Olson and Rose (Luciano) Olson.  Richard and Jennie Olson have two children (born in Madison County, Alabama):  -  Richard Aaron Olson, b. March 3, 1981,  -  Christopher Scott Olson, b. July 22, 1981.

On February 6, 1955, Joyce Sims married Ray Byrne.  Ray was born on February 3, 1936 and is the son of Harold Byrne and Bertha (Hicks) Byrne.  Ray and Joyce Byrne have three children (born in Madison County, Alabama):  -  Michael Byrne, b. July 3, 1956,  -  Tina Byrne, b. June 9, 1959,  -  Bethany Byrne, b. June 17, 1966.  Ray and Joyce Byrne were divorced in October of 1966.  On June 1, 1977, Michael Byrne married Sherry Lynn Fish in Georgia.  Sherry is the daughter of Harold Fish and Ellen K. Fish.  Michael and Sherry Byrne have one daughter:  -  Lindsey K. Byrne, b. February 10, 1984.  On March 25, 1978, Tina Byrne married James Patrick Butler, Jr. in Madison County, Alabama.  James was born on April 3, 1958 and is the son of James Patrick Butler and Ruth (Pastwick) Butler.  James and Tina Butler have two children (born Madison County, Alabama):  -  James Michael Butler, b. January 30, 1981,  -  Nathan Alan Butler, b. November 13, 1985.

Reference:  1)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, February 4, 1986

MARY ELLEN SIMS (1.5.6.2) is the daughter of Eldridge Sims and Susan Jane (Shelton) Sims.  Mary was born in December of 1870 in Alabama.  Mary Ellen Sims married Huston C. Floyd (born July, 1860 in Alabama) in Jackson County, Alabama.  Huston Floyd’s sister, Sarah Callie Floyd, married Samuel Martin Shelton (1.5.10).  Huston and Mary Floyd were the parents of twelve children:

  David M. Dea Floyd, b. December, 1890, Merkel, Texas
  Essa Mae Floyd, b. April, 1893, Merkel, Texas
  Bowie H. Floyd, b. March, 1895, Merkel, Texas
  Fannie D. Floyd, b. June, 1898, Merkel, Texas
  Louis B. Floyd, b. 1902, Merkel, Texas
  Richard R. Floyd, b. 1904, Merkel, Texas
  Lucille Floyd, b. 1906, Merkel, Texas
  Paul Floyd, b. 1909, Merkel, Texas
  Dewey Floyd, b. Merkel, Texas
  Parel Floyd, b. Merkel, Texas
  Lillian Floyd, b. Merkel, Texas
  Hollis Floyd, b. Merkel, Texas

From 1900 to 1910, Huston and Mary Ellen Floyd were living in Taylor County, Texas.  Mary (Sims) Floyd and Hughes Floyd both died in Merkel, Texas.

References:  1)  1900 and 1910 Censuses, Taylor County, Texas;  2)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, February 4, 1986

MARTHA E. SIMS (1.5.6.3) is the daughter of Eldridge Sims and Susan Jane (Shelton) Sims.  Martha was born on February 14, 1873 in Jackson County, Alabama.  Martha Sims married Henry J. Johnson in Jackson County, Alabama.  Henry was born on September 24, 1871 in Jackson County, Alabama.  Henry and Martha Johnson were the parents of five children:

  Viola Johnson (1.5.6.3.1), b. October 6, 1894, Alabama
  Ollie Johnson, b. January 26, 1900, Alabama
  Gladys Johnson (1.5.6.3.3), b. December 4, 1906, Alabama
  Dewey Johnson, b. June 24, 1909, Alabama
  Elton Johnson (1.5.6.3.5), b. October 6, 1911, Alabama

Henry Johnson died on November 1, 1940 and Martha (Sims) Johnson died on September 23, 1941.  Both died in Madison County, Alabama and were buried in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville, Alabama.  Ollie Johnson married Mattie Lou Brown.  Mattie was born on January 11, 1912 and is the daughter of Alfred Brown.  Ollie and Mattie Johnson had no children.  Ollie Johnson died on March 13, 1971 and Mattie Lou (Brown) Johnson died on September 17, 1978.

Gladys Johnson married Claude Shelton.  Claude was born on April 14, 1908 in Jackson County, Alabama and is the son of Thomas Riley Shelton and Eliza (Gold) Shelton.  For additional information on Claude and Gladys Shelton, see the sketch of Claude Shelton (1.5.10.7.2).  Dewey Johnson married Georgia West Lusk (born July 6, 1912).  Dewey and Georgia Johnson had no children.  Dewey Johnson died on November 17, 1978 and was buried in the Maple Hill Cemetery.  Georgia (Lusk) Johnson died on March 10, 1980.

Reference:  1)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, February 4, 1986

VIOLA JOHNSON (1.5.6.3.1) is the daughter of Henry J. Johnson and Martha E. (Sims) Johnson.  Viola was born on October 6, 1894 in Alabama.  On December 19, 1915, Viola Johnson married Dea Thomas Stewart in Jackson County, Alabama.  Dea was born on June 10, 1882 in Jackson County, Alabama and is the son of Dock Stewart and Millie (Houk) Stewart.  Dea and Viola Stewart were the parents of two children:

  Inez Stewart (1.5.6.3.1.1), b. August 15, 1918
  Cecil Stewart, b. October 17, 1921

Dea Stewart died on August 9, 1971 in Madison County, Alabama and was buried in the Maple Hill Cemetery.  On September 1, 1933, Inez Stewart married Smead Graham.  Smead was born on April 14, 1914 and is the son of Band Graham and Ruth (Gold) Graham.  For additional information, see the sketch of Smead Graham (32.3.9.7.2).  Cecil Stewart never married.  Cecil Stewart died in the United States Army during World War II on January 13, 1943 and was buried in the Maple Hill Cemetery.

Reference:  1)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, February 4, 1986

ELTON JOHNSON (1.5.6.3.5) is the son of Henry J. Johnson and Martha E. (Sims) Johnson.  Elton was born on October 6, 1911 in Alabama.  Elton Johnson married Selma Stephens in Madison County, Alabama.  Elton and Selma Johnson were the parent of one son:

  Kenneth Johnson, b. 1932, Madison County, Alabama

Elton Johnson died on October 17, 1955 and was buried in the Maple Hill Cemetery.  On December 2, 1952, Kenneth Johnson married Betty Rutland in Madison County, Alabama.  Betty was born on September 26, 1932 in Madison County, Alabama and is the daughter of Murphy Rutland and Rossie (Moyers) Rutland.  Kenneth and Betty Johnson were the parents of four children:  -  David Johnson, b. August 18, 1955,  -  Susan Johnson, b. January 6, 1958,  -  John Johnson, b. October 23, 1960,  -  Jennifer Johnson, b. February 21, 1965.  Kenneth Johnson died on February 13, 1977 and was buried in the Maple Hill Cemetery.  On August 12, 1978, David Johnson married Karen Stone, daughter of John Stone and Nell Stone.  David and Karen Johnson have two children:  -  Adam Johnson, b. July 25, 1980,  -  Andrew Johnson, b. August 12, 1981.  Jennifer Johnson married Steven Boyd Gentle (32.3.5.2.2.1.7.2).  Steven is the son of Lelve Carter Gentle, Jr. and Mona (Huggins) Gentle.

References:  1)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, February 4, 1986;  2)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, January, 1987

LAURA PATIENCE SIMS (1.5.6.4) is the daughter of Eldridge Sims and Susan Jane (Shelton) Sims.  Laura was born on April 14, 1875 in Jackson County, Alabama.  On May 15, 1902, Laura Sims married Isaac Robert Gray in Jackson County, Alabama.  Isaac was born on March 15, 1881 in Jackson County, Alabama.  Isaac and Laura Gray were the parents of five children:

  Ida Gray (died at birth)
  J. Houston Gray, b. December 1, 1906
  Clayton Gray
  Autis Robert Gray (1.5.6.4.4), b. November 29, 1910, Alabama
  Charlie Wade Gray (1.5.6.4.5), b. March 6, 1913, Alabama

Laura (Sims) Gray died on December 3, 1954 and Isaac Gray died around 1969.  Both died in Jackson County, Alabama and were buried in the Peters Cove Cemetery.  After the death of Lauras sister, Isabelle, Laura raised Isabelles son, William Grady Gentle.

Houston Gray married Cora Lee Gentle (32.3.8.3.2.3) in Jackson County, Alabama.  Cora was born on March 7, 1916 in Jackson County, Alabama and is the daughter of Jeremiah Gentle and Esther (Harrison) Gentle.  Houston and Cora Lee Gray have one daughter:  -  Jeanette Gray, b. around 1932 in Jackson County, Alabama.  Houston Gray died on September 20, 1974 in Jackson County, Alabama and was buried in the Peters Cove Cemetery.  Jeanette Gray married Thomas Bragg, Jr.  Thomas was born in Madison County, Alabama and is the son of Thomas Bragg.  Thomas and Jeanette Bragg have two children:  -  Diane Bragg,  -  Thomas Houston Bragg.  Thomas and Jeanette live in Lim Rock, Alabama.  Diane Bragg married Jim Cook and they have children.  Jim and Diane live in Athens, Alabama.

Clayton Gray married Julia Johnson in Jackson County, Alabama.  Clayton and Julie Gray live in Lim Rock, Alabama.  Clayton and Julie Gray have four children:  -  Edwin Gray,  -  Billy Eugene Gray,  -  Robert “Bob” Gray,  -  Linda Gray.  Edwin Gray married Debra Brown and they have no children.  Billy Gray and his wife, Venna, have three children:  -  Ricky Gray,  -  Warren Gray,  -  Terresa Sheryl Gray.  Billy and Venna Gray live in Scottsboro, Alabama.  Bob Gray married Helen Morris and they have one son.  Linda Gray married Sonny Certain.

References:  1)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, February 4, 1986;  2)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, October, 1986

AUTIS ROBERT GRAY (1.5.6.4.4) is the son of Isaac Robert Gray and Laura Patience (Sims) Gray.  Autis was born on November 29, 1910 in Alabama.  In 1956, Autis Gray married Virginia Holcomb (born in Jackson County, Alabama) in Jackson County, Alabama.  Autis and Virginia Gray have two children:

  Elaine Gray, b. April 1, 1957, Jackson County, Alabama
  Autis Robert Gray, Jr., b. April 13, 1958, Jackson County, Alabama

Autis Gray, Sr. died on February 15, 1959 and was buried in the Peters Cove Cemetery.  After Autis Gray, Sr. died, his son, Autis Gray, Jr., was raised by Mary (Gentle) Dean.  Elaine Gray married Charles Emberton.  On May 9, 1980, Autis Chip Gray, Jr. married Belinda Garmon (born Gadsden, Alabama) in Gadsden, Alabama.  Autis and Belinda Gray have two children:  -  April Michell Gray, b. Gadsden, Alabama  -  Berinda Diane Gray, b. February 20, 1983, Gadsden, Alabama.

Reference:  1)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, February 4, 1986

CHARLIE WADE GRAY (1.5.6.4.5) is the son of Isaac Robert Gray and Laura Patience (Sims) Gray.  Charlie was born on March 6, 1913 in Alabama.  On April 1, 1932, Charlie Gray married Veda Olene Hastings (1.5.2.1.2.5).  Veda was born on September 23, 1916 in Jackson County, Alabama and is the daughter of Fate Lavon Hastings and Lucy Catherine (Shelton) Hastings.  Charlie and Veda Gray have two children:

  Edna Faye Gray, b. December 30, 1934, Jackson County, Alabama
  Charles Victor Gray, b. February 21, 1944, Madison County, Alabama

In 1954, Edna Faye Gray married Riley Nolan Hunter in Madison County, Alabama.  Riley and Edna Hunter have three children (born in Madison County, Alabama):  -  Jeffrey Nolan Hunter, b. April 2, 1956,  -  Lisa Gay Hunter, b. February 4, 1959,  -  Gina Lynn Hunter, b. November 30, 1962.  In June of 1980, Jeffrey Hunter married Cynthia Marrow in Madison County, Alabama and they live in Huntsville, Alabama.  Cindy was born in August of 1962 and is the daughter of Earl Marrow and Nell Marrow.  Jeffrey and Cindy Hunter have two children:  -  Brandon Jeffrey Hunter, b. August 7, 1983,  -  Brian Nolan Hunter, b. March 17, 1986.  On August 22, 1981, Lisa Hunter married James Edward Adair in Madison County, Alabama.  James was born on February 25, 1958 in Jackson County, Alabama and is the son of James Adair and Frances (Renfroe) Adair.  On November 23, 1982, Gina Hunter married Jerry Smith (born Jackson County, Alabama) and they have two children:  -  Nathan Wade Smith, b. August 24, 1984,  -  Sarah Lynn Smith, b. March 27, 1986.

On November 28, 1969, Charles Victor Gray married Jo Clements in Fayette County, Alabama.  Jo was born on July 20, 1949 in Fayette County, Alabama and is the daughter of William Edgar Clements and Olene (Oakley) Clements.  Charles and Jo Gray have two children:  -  Kevin Charles Gray, b. June 30, 1971, Madison County, Alabama,  -  Lara Beth Gray, b. November 25, 1975, Madison County, Alabama.

Reference:  1)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, February 4, 1986

AMANDA CAROLINE SHELTON (1.5.8) is the daughter of William Shelton and Martha (Pace) Shelton.  Amanda was born in 1848 in Jackson County, Alabama.  On September 14, 1866, Amanda Shelton married James A. Bryant (born 1846 in Tennessee) in Jackson County, Alabama.  James and Mandy Bryant were the parents of at least six children:

  David Bryant, b. 1868, Alabama
  Martha Bryant, b. 1870, Alabama
  Sarah Bryant, b. 1873, Alabama
  Mary Bryant, b. 1876, Alabama
  John Bryant, b. 1878, Alabama
  Jim Bryant, Jr.

From 1870 to 1880, James and Mandy Bryant were living in Jackson County, Alabama.  Jim Bryant, Jr. married a Miss Woods.

References:  1)  1870 and 1880 Censuses, Jackson County, Alabama;  2)  Shelton Notes, author unknown;  3)  Shelton Notes, Cloyd Caswell