The Stanmore Family History, Part 2

LEVI STANMORE Levi, the oldest child of Levi and Rosie Stanmore, was born April 7, 1900. At a very early age he became a member of the Oak Grove Baptist Church. It was at the Oak Grove Baptist Church Where he Has ordained as a minister. Levi’s greatest interest was for a higher education. He attended public school in Queen City and then on to Bishop College in Marshall, Texas. He worked as a cook at night and the early morning while at Bishop College. Levi had time for sport so he played football and earned a scholar¬ship. While attending Bishop College he met and married Beverly McNeal of Marshall. To this union five children were born. They are Levi, Jr. (who died at 6 or 9 months), Rosie Lee, Mary Ellen, Willis Levi, and Callie Faye.

After Levi graduated from Bishop College, he still wanted a higher education. He attended Howard University in Washington, D. C, There he graduated with a PhD in in Theology.

Beverly became ill at the early age of 33 in Marshall, Texas where she died. Levi enlisted in the Army as a chaplain. Be¬cause of his educational background, he was a 1st Lieutenant, stationed at Ft. Benning, Georgia. He served overseas in the Philip¬pine Islands. He was discharged from the Army with honor as the first Black Captain. Levi returned to Texas where he taught at Butler College, Tyler, Texas. In later years he married Thelma Prater Woodard, a school teacher from Beaumont, Texas. Levi died in January 1953 and “as buried in Beaumont.

WILLIE STANMORE Willie, the second child of Levi and Rosie Stanmore, was born August 11, 1902. He grew up on his father’s farm and was educated during his early years in Queen City and Atlanta, Texas. Willis was baptized at the age of eleven at Oak Grove Baptist Church. In the fall of 1920, he went to Little Rock, Arkansas and finished high school at Philan¬der Smith College in 1925. When his mother (Rosie) passed away in 1925, he decided to return to assist his father with the young¬er sisters and brothers.

Willie studied for two years at Bishop Col¬lege and returned to Arkansas where he be-came an agent for the Universal Life Insu¬rance Company at Hot Springs, Arkansas. He also accepted a contract with John C. Claybrook as a farm agent and managed his farm for two years.

On December 28, 1929, Willie married Lil-lie Marie Alexander. During his marriage, he became a paint contractor and worked at several other things during the depression years. Willie and Lillie set up a wood mar¬ket (fuel) and sold to the community. Dur¬ing World War II they ventured into the restaurant business and small real estate.

Willie was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church for many years and later became a charter member of Emmanuel Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. E. C. Dyer. He was ordained a deacon by Emmanuel Baptist. In 195^ he joined Archview Baptist and be¬came Chairman of the Board of Deacons in 1956 and yet serves in that office. On Mar. 19. 1978, Willie became an associated mem¬ber of Oak Grove Baptist, Queen City, Texas where he wishes to be connected with this church for the rest of his life.

Willie and Lillie are now retired (Lillie a retired school teacher). Both of them enjoy fishing and light gardening.

Willie is the father of two children: Mavis who resides in Little Rock, ALLENE STANMORE BEASLEY Allene Arkansas, and Willie (deceased)., the oldest daughter of Levi and Rosie Stanmore, was born February 8, 1901. Allene attended public school in Queen City and joined the Oak Grove Baptist Church at an early age under Rev. Griffin King. After her mother (Rosie) passed, Allene helped rear her younger sisters and brothers. On October 10, 1925 she married McKinley (Mao) Beasley, son of Willie and Fannie Beasley of Queen City. In 1937 Allene and Mac moved to Little Rock, Arkansas to make their home. Mac passed away June 1, 1953 and Allene re¬mained in Little Rock until 1958 then she moved to Flint, Michigan where she now re¬sides with her daughter. Allene is a mem¬ber of Christ Fellowship Church. She is also a member of the Eastern Star Chapter #12. Her hobbies are sewing and crafts. Her chil¬dren are McKinley, Jr. (deceased), Erma Jean, Raymond (deceased), Troy and John J. AZELL STANMORE WRIGHT HGWELL Azell, the fourth child of Levi and Rosie Stanmore, was born January 28, 1906. She attended public school in Queen City and at that time high school students could teach in public school so she had the opportunity to teach in Queen City. She graduated from Bishop College after her children were born. She married Rev. J. W. Wright who pastored in Domino, Texas at the time. Three chil¬dren were born to this union: John D., Gwen¬dolyn and Lottie. Rev. J. W. Wright passed away February 1943 in California. Azell was also an agent for Universal Life Insurance. She married V. K. Howell in the late 40’s, an instructor at Wiley College in Marshall.

Azell lived a short but fruitful life. She lived only 47 years but is still remembered by all of us as a great woman. When Azell became ill, she went to Little Rock, to her older sister, Allene. She died on November 26, 1952 in Little Rock, Arkansas, and was buried in the Queen City Cemetery.

GEORGE STANMORE George, the fifth child of Levi and Rosie Stanmore, was born on January 26, 1908. He spent his childhood in the Queen City area. In 1932, George left Texas to join his bro¬ther. James in Washington, D. C. In May 1933, he went back to Texas for his bride-to-be. Jewel R. Hale, daughter of Martha Hale of Domino, Texas. Jewel and George were married on May 21, 1933. Three chil-dren were born: George Weldon, Gloria (deceased March 1981), Martha Nelle. George held a number of jobs from 1932 to 1944. In 1944 he joined the Pullman Company where he was employed until his death. Upon his arrival in Washington, he joined the Taber¬nacle Baptist Church. He was a member of the Usher Board and a Trustee. George was a hardworking man and also did various carpen¬ter jobs, in addition to his employment by the Pullman Company. George died on August 25, 1969 and was buried in Lincoln Cemetery Washington, D. C.

JAMES HAROLD STANMORE James Harold, the sixth child of Lev! and Rosie Stanmore, was born December 4, 1910. At an early age of 19 he married Ruby lee Johnson, daughter of Henry and Mattie John¬son of Queen City, Texas, on January b, 1930. In 1931 he left the farm to come to Washing¬ton, D. C. where an older brother, Levi, lived. After a few months, his wife and son joined him. In 1941 he met with a tragic accident and as a result his right leg was amputated. It was in the mid-40’s at Cen¬tral Union Baptist Church, where he served as trustee and deacon, he entered the minis¬try. After entering the ministry and comple¬ting his studies at the Washington Baptist Seminary, he was ordained. He preached his trial sermon and served as junior pastor there at Central Union. In 1948, he was called to the First Baptist Church, Capitol View, Maryland. While there, he was elect¬ed Moderator of the Southern Maryland Dis¬trict Association. In 1958 he learned of the need for a pastor at Emanual Baptist Church in Hamilton, Bermuda and there he served as pastor from 1958 to 1966. In 1966 he decided to go back home to Texas. It was there in 1968, while pastoring at Oak Street Baptist Church, Texarkana, Texas, he died. He died on April 28, 1968 in a place he loved so dearly—CHURCH.

James was buried in Queen City Cemetery.