The Stanmore Family History, Part 3

HENRY STANMORE Henry, the seventh child of Levi and Rosie Stanmore, was born January 26, 1912. He spent all of his childhood on the family farm and attended school in Queen City, Atlanta, Texas and Little Rock, Arkansas where he lived with his brother, Willie. Henry and Audrey Mae Washington, daughter of Jake and Mary Washington, Queers City were married January 19, 1935 in Queen City. Four children were born: Ophelia, Florence, Harold, and Mary Hose.

During World War II, Henry went to tittle Rock and began to work with his oldest bro¬ther, Willie, doing carpenter work. After returning to Texas he and his younger bro¬ther, Vernon, took carpentry as their trade. The first house he built was for Rev. and Mrs. V. L. Fifer off Highway 59 in Queen City. After Henry’s son, Harold, finished high school, he worked with them in carpentry. Henry united with Oak Grove Church at an early age. He has served as Superintendent of the Sunday School for 4? years, and as a deacon for ^3 years.

JOHN ASTOR STANMORE John Astor Stanmore was born July 15, 1914. He spent all of his childhood and young adulthood on the family farm in Queen City, Texas. At the age of 12, John joined the Oak Grove Baptist Church. He left Texas in 1935 and arrived in Washington, D. C. on his 21st birthday. John united with the Taber-nacle Baptist Church upon his arrival in Washington. His bride-to-be, Ezell Belcher, daughter of Thomas and Lovie Belcher of Big Sandy, Texas followed a few months later. John and Ezell were married in September 1935. Their children are Dorothy, John, Jr., Evelyn, Betty, Shirley, and Jerry.

His first job was at Hecht Company where Jim and George were already employed. In 19W, John went to work for the Federal Government. He worked his way to Chief in DESC Department at NIH in Bethesda, Maryland. In November 1976, John married Gwendolyn Jefferson. John is new retired from the Federal Government after more than 35 years of service. Ha is a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church, where he is an active member of the Usher Board and Men Club.

VERNON STANMORE Vernon, the ninth child of Levi and Rosie Stanmore, was born April 7, 1916. He was reared and educated in Queen City. He joined Oak Grove Baptist Church at an early age and served as a deacon for eighteen years. On August 7, 1937, he married Beatrice Johnson, daughter of B. D. Cole. Twelve children were born: Ersel, Vernell, Vernon, Jr., Floyd, Linda, Cathy, Jerry, Freddie, Charles, Beverly, Roger, and Kevin. Vernon was employ¬ed at Lone Star Army Depot in Texarkana during the construction of the plant. He worked there five years. Later he joined his brother, Henry, in carpentry and worked at this occupation until his death.

Even though Vernon received only an eighth-grade education he was determined that his 12 children be given the opportunity to receive a higher education.

Vernon passed away June 1970 and was buried in the Queen City Cemetery.

PANSY STANMORE WALTERS Pansy, one of the twin girls of Levi and Rosie Stanmore, was born April 4, 1917. Pansy and her twin sister, Blanche, were reared on the family farm in Queen City. Religion played a major part in the Stan-more family life. Some of Pansy’s earliest memories are those of her grandmother, Emily, who taught her first religious hymn, “Amazing Grace”.

In August 1927, Pansy joined the Oak Grove Baptist Church under Rev. G. W. Perkins. Pansy attended grammar school in Queen City and high school at Pemberton High in Marshall. On October 11, 1936, she married Eddie Lee Walters, son of Ed and Nancy Walters of Queen City, and they moved to Little Rock, Arkansas. Pansy and Eddie are the parents of five children: Carolyn Sue, Edna Mary, Linda Faye, David Wayne, and Dwight Lawrence.

Pansy joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church in 1939 and continues to serve there. She is a member of numerous clubs and organizations. Among them are: The Ascenders Club (a member for 28 years), Ministers, Deacons and Trustees Wives Club and she has served as Sunday School Teacher in the Cradle Roll Department for the last 25 years. Pansy is currently a member of the Board of the National Foundation of the March of Dimes—Pulaski County Chapter.

Her hobbies are horticulture, cooking, sewing, arts, and crafts. She operates a Day Care Family Home, BLANCHE STANMORE JOHNSON Blanche, a twin to Pansy, and daughter of Levi and Rosie Stanmore, was born April 4, 1917. She grew up on the family farm in Queen City. Emily, her grandmother, taught all of her grandchildren a hymn. Blanche’s hymn was “At the Cross”. In August 1927, Blanche joined Oak Grove Baptist Church under Rev. G. W. Perkins. She attended grammar school in Queen City. After gradua¬ting from the 7th grade, she wanted to live with her brother, Willie. She attended Dunbar High School. Later she went to live with her oldest brother. Rev. L. L. Stan-more in Beaumont, Texas. She graduated from Herbert High in 1936 with honors.

In 1938 she married Bennie J. Johnson, Sr., son of Dallas and Nettie Johnson of Queen City. They were the happy parents of three children: Nettie Jean. Janice and Bennie. Jr. They had seven lovely years together. Bennie J. died March 26, 1945 after year of illness. On May 20, 1945, Blanche and her three children moved to Little Rock to live with her oldest sister. Aliens. Later she bought a home.

She united with the New Hope Baptist Church where she served as Sunday School Teacher, Church Clerk and President of the Usher Board. In 1957, Blanche united with Second Baptist Church, where she is presently serv¬ing as Sunday School Teacher, Chairman of Finance (the first woman to hold the posi¬tion). Vacation Bible School Director.

On June 21, 1948, Blanche became employed by Southern Bell Telephone Company and a member of the C. W. A. Local 6508. After 21 years she became a pioneer. Blanche was the first Black President of Quapaw Council of the Telephone Pioneers of America, USA. She retired in 1979 and has done extensive traveling throughout the USA and abroad to Hawaii and Japan.

LULA MAE STANMORE NEAL Lula Mae, daughter of Lev! and Rosie Stanmore, was born June 29, 1920. She was educated and graduated from Junior High in Queen City. She was also a very good basketball player while in school there.

Lula Mae accepted Christ at the age of 11 at Oak Grove Baptist Church. On April 28, 1940 she married Thomas Henry Neal, son of Thomas and Delilah Neal of Little Rock, Arkan¬sas where they made their home. Later years they moved to Flint, Michigan where they now reside. Lula Mae graduated from North¬ern High School in Flint and later attended Flint Junior College. She is also active in the community and Christian Education. Her experiences include 19 years on the Usher Board; 20 years or more as a Sunday School Teacher; 40 years with the Missionary Society; 35 years Vacation Bible School; 20 years as Deaconess. Lula Mae has many-certificates for her years of work and services. Her hobbles are: horticulture, gardening, sewing, art, and crafts. Her greatest desire is to own a greenhouse.

Lula Mae and Henry are the parents of: Barbara Anne, Edith, Norma and Jill.

BERNCE STANMORE MONCRIEF PERKINS Bernice, the youngest daughter of Levi and Rosie Stanmore, was born April 18, 1921. at the age of eight she was baptized by Rev. G. W. Perkins in Oak Grove Baptist Church. Bernice attended public school in Queen City and graduated from high school in 1942. She was a great basketball player which is where Sidney and Doyle inherited their great talent.

In 1942 she moved to Little Rock, Arkansas where years later she met and married R. L. Moncrief. To this union seven children were born: Edward, Illena, Emily Jeanette, George Sidney and Doyle. She became a member of the New Hope Baptist Church upon her arrival in Little Rock. After moving out of the commu¬nity, she joined the Gospel Temple Baptist Church where she serves on the Usher Board.

Presently Bernice is married to David Perkins, and they make their home in Little Rock.

--by Florence Stanmore