The Chamblees of Cass County

JOHN THOMAS CHAMBLEE

John Thomas Chamblee was born on January 31, 1843. (a twin to James E.) in Cherokee Co., Georgia. His parents were William Chamlee, born ca 1818, and Elizabeth Pugh who were married Sept. 27, 1841, in Cherokee Co.

Other children born to this union were: William F., Tilmon Thomas, Francis M., Henry Mark, Louvenia, and Mary F.

John T. and his twin brother, James E. both served in the CSA in Georgia and appeared on the roster as privates Aug. 31, 1861. James E. surrendered at Greensboro. N. C. April 26, 1865, and John T. was wounded at Ocean Pond, Fla. and sent to the hospital Feb. 20, 1864; roll for April 30. 1864 shows him absent and wounded.

John was married to Martha Hesentine Thomas Nov. 4, 1866, in Cherokee Co., Ga. Their first seven children, all born in Georgia, were: 1. Temperance Elizabeth, born Jan. 19. 1869, died July 10. 1964. married Galveston Moulder had 9 children. 2. William Wesley, born July 11. 1872, died March 1. 1954. married Lou Belle Johnson. 14 children 3. Mary Ellen, born April 15, 1875. died July 16. 1963, married Joseph Leonard Wiggins, 12 children. 4, James Ambrose, born Dee. 12, 1877, died May 27, 1933, married Minnie Lou Walker, 13 children. 5- John Thomas, Jr. (Tom), born July 28, 1880, died Apr. 9, 1957. married Ozella Sherman. 5 children. 6. Walter Francis, born Sept. 26, 1882, died Dec. 26, 1964, married Roxie Belle Walker, 12 children. 7. Henry Warner, born July 4, 1885, died July 22, 1898. buried Beech Creek Cemetery. Their 8th child, Jessie E. Judson Chamblee was born after arrival in Texas on Jan. 25. 1892. died Dec. 13. 1924. married Irene Thomas. 1 child.

John Thomas Chamlee related to his son, Tom, about their trip from Georgia. They came by rail boarding car in the year 1888. Tom told his daughter, Cleo, that it was quite an adventure for -Him, being only eight years old. Upon arriving in Cass Co., Texas John T. discovered “Red John” Chamblee ‘s Saloon and learned that they must be cousins although John T. had no “b” in his name. In exchange for a 5-year free lease on some land to be cleared, “Red John” convinced him to replace the “b” so they could claim close kin with him. He later bought 80 acres from “Red John” and they became very good friends, but John T. would never drink his whiskey!!!

John and Martha Hesentine raised their family here in Cass Co. and all their offspring married and lived in and near Atlanta. He died Aug. 28, 1904, and she died March 5, 1917. Both are buried in Beech Creek Cemetery, Cass Co., TX.

WALTER FRANCIS CHAMBLEE

Walter Francis Chamblee was born Sept. 26, 1882 in Cherokee Co., Ga. His parents were John Thomas Chamblee and Martha Hesentine Thomas.

At the age of six, Walter Francis Chamblee came with his parents in a rail boarding car from his native home in Georgia near Canton. He and his brothers cleared land after arriving here in Cass County in 1888 for “Red John” Chamblee. who they discovered to be a cousin to their father. In exchange for a free five-year lease of the land, “Red John” asked that they add the “b” back into their name (it had been dropped back in Georgia by an Uncle Tilmon Chamblee. Walter said they sure had to work hard Just for a “b”.

He later owned some of that same land and raised his family there.

Walter Francis married July 3, 1904, Cass County, Texas, Roxie Belle Walker, born Oct. 2, 1888, Ga. Her parents were Robert Lee Walker, (1868-1938) and Mary Ann Albertine Ingram (1855-1919).

Walter and Roxie Chamblee were the parents of twelve children, all of their names began with “A”. 1. Austin John, born June 1, 1905, died July 27, 1970, married Lizzie Mae Brown, had 5 children. 2. Arthur Lee, born Feb. 4, 1907, died Oct. 31, 1981, married Monnie Mae Griffin, 3 children. 3. Annie Mae, born Sept. 5. 1908, died Nov. 6, 1972, married William Albert Brown, 3 children. 4. Ada Hesentine, born Apr. 23, 1910, died Dee. 19, 1975, married Houston Taylor, 4 children. 5. Attison Conway, born Apr. 4, 1912, married Eloise Watkins, 2 children.

6. Addie, born Jan. 13. 1914, died Oct. 16. 1971, married Lewis Luttrell, 3 children. 7. Azelle J., born Nov. 25, 1915, married A. J. Roberts, 4 children. 8. Alice Jane, born Mar. 4, 1918, married Norman Richley Finlayson, 5 children. 9. Arline, born Feb. 23, 1920, married Wm. Howard Smith, 1 child. 10. Aline, born Nov. 14, 1921, married Norman Lee Parker, 1 child. 11. Walter Arlington, born Oct. 22, 1924, married Bobbie____, 4 children. 12. Roxie Addine, born Nov. 15, 1926, died Feb. 19, 1927.

Walter and Roxie were good Christian parents and worked hard at raising their family by farming. They were active members of Smyrna Baptist Church and Walter served as trustee of Smyrna school at one time.

Walter died Dee. 26, 19&. Roxie died Nov. 15, 1926, in childbirth. They are buried in Smyrna Cemetery. All except six of their children are living at this time in or near Cass County,

AUSTIN JOHN CHAMBLEE

Austin John Chamblee was born on June 1, 1905. Atlanta, Cass County, Texas. His parents were Walter Francis Chamblee and Roxie Belle Walker. Austin’s father came to Cass Co. from Cherokee County, Georgia in 1888.

Austin attended Unity school in the Smyrna community and is said to have enjoyed and excelled in arithmetic. He was married August 7, 1923, in Cass Co. to Lizzie Mae Brown who was born Sept. 21, 1905, Cass Co. Her parents were William Mathis Brown (1873-1962) and Martha Ann Thomas (1879-1961).

Austin and Lizzie Mae were the parents of five children: 1. Paschal Jefferson, born July 1, 1924; married Mary Eloise Perry. They have two children and five grandchildren. 2. Lera Louise, born Mar. 11, 1927; married Roy Leonard Simmons, one child, and two grandchildren. 3- Martha Melbadene. born Sept. 7, 1931; married Lester Kennedy, Jr. Two children and three grandchildren. 4. Infant daughter born April 22. 1930 and died the same day. 5.Jerry Reagan, born May 10, 1941; married 1st. Juanita Joyce Sprayberry; 2nd. Dorothy Elizabeth Falkner.

Austin and Lizzie Mae were a hardworking, well respected, kind Christian couple. They were active members of Smyrna Baptist Church where they always believed in taking their family even if it meant walking several miles over dusty roads. Lizzie Mae’s first Monday morning task was to shine and polish their dusty shoes for the next Sunday.

Austin loved his family and was a good provider. He worked at most anything, farming, butchering, plumbing, oil-field work, and for a while, he worked at Red River Army Depot in Texarkana as well as Arkla-Gas Co. in Atlanta. He was a very generous man and would do anything to help others. He believed in honesty and fairness and striving to do the best job he could. He was most comfortable in his blue denim overalls and he delighted in a simple, unharmful prank for a laugh.

Friends and relatives always like to go to their house. Lizzie Mae was a good cook and many a late-night catch of fish enjoyed there; refrigeration was scarce, so they had to be eaten right away. Many times, when she cooked a cake for a special occasion she had to hide it, even so, the boys found one hidden in a suitcase one day.

Lizzie Mae has always liked all kinds of handwork including embroidery and crochet. Many of her items will be treasured by children and grandchildren and friends for years to come. She loves the pastel colors of springtime, especially green. Lizzie Mae is still living at age ?6 at her home in the Smyrna community.

Austin John died July 27, 1970, and is buried in Smyrna, cemetery.

LESTER KENNEDY, JR

Lester Kennedy, Jr. was born August 25, in Bloomburg, Cass Co., TX. His parents are Lester Kennedy, Sr. (1894-), and Onie Leather Hooper, born 1897, His parents were married August 8, 1914.

He has one sister, Frances Juanita, she married 1st. Pat Williams, who died November 17. I960, and 2nd. Floyd Stewart.

Lester, Jr. attended school at Cass. Rock Springs and at Bloomburg. He went to work at Red River Army Depot. Texarkana, at the age of 17. In 1944 he entered the army at Mineral Wells, Texas, and served on Iwo Jima and Saipan. He was discharged out of the army at San Antonio, TX. in 1946. He went back to work at Red River in Sept. 1946 and retired there on 29 December 1980.

Lester Kennedy, Jr. married Martha Melbadene Chamblee, Aug. 23, 1946, in Queen City by Rev. Burkhalter. She was born Sept. 7. 1931 in Atlanta. Her parents are Austin John Chamblee and Lizzie Mae Brown.

Lester and Melbadene are the parents of 1. James Roland, born Oct. 18, 1948, married Sandra Jean Holmes, Nov. i4, 1949. They have two sons: James Roland, II. born Sept. 7, 1972, and Adam Everett, born May 22, 1977.

Sandra Darlene, 2nd child of Lester and Melbadene was born Aug. 19, 1955, married David Wayne Stuckey, born Sept. 12, 1953. They were married on June 12, 1976. and have one son, Daniel Wayne Stuckey