Billy Jay Branigan1,2,3,4

M, b. July 25, 1926, d. October 19, 2002
FatherJay Branigan1,2,5,6 b. December 27, 1892, d. October 7, 1979
MotherWillie Pearl "Billie" Johnson1,2,5,6 b. January 7, 1896, d. March 8, 1976
     His Social Security Number was 548-30-3780.2 Billy Jay Branigan married Peggy Ann Custenborder.7 Billy Jay Branigan was born on July 25, 1926 at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Co., Oklahoma.2,3 He married Helene Marie Green on April 8, 1970 at Las Vegas, Clark Co., Nevada.4 Billy Jay Branigan married Helene Marie Green on December 17, 1973 at Las Vegas, Clark Co., Nevada.4 Billy Jay Branigan died on October 19, 2002 at Madison, Jefferson Co., Indiana, at age 76.2,3

Census Records

1930Dwelling 16, District 124, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Co., Oklahoma5
1940Dwelling 359, District 25-17, Pauls Valley, Garvin Co., Oklahoma1

Family 1

Peggy Ann Custenborder b. July 12, 1931, d. June 24, 2010
Marriage*Billy Jay Branigan married Peggy Ann Custenborder.7 

Family 2

Helene Marie Green
Marriage*Billy Jay Branigan married Helene Marie Green on April 8, 1970 at Las Vegas, Clark Co., Nevada.4 
Marriage Billy Jay Branigan married Helene Marie Green on December 17, 1973 at Las Vegas, Clark Co., Nevada.4 

Citations

  1. [S3353] National Archives and Records Administration, 1940 United States Federal Census.
  2. [S5223] Social Security Administration, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007.
  3. [S5629] Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011.
  4. [S1491] Office of Vital Records Nevada State Health Division, Nevada Marriage Index, 1956-2005.
  5. [S118] National Archives and Records Administration, 1930 United States Federal Census.
  6. [S2433] Daily Oklahoman, The, From the Willie Branigan obituary in the Mar 12, 1976 edition.
  7. [S4206] Gray Family Tree, online http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/11125737/person/24059357766

Patricia Clara Branigan1

F, b. September 28, 1932, d. December 24, 1985
FatherJay Branigan1,2 b. December 27, 1892, d. October 7, 1979
MotherWillie Pearl "Billie" Johnson1,2 b. January 7, 1896, d. March 8, 1976
     Her Social Security Number was 445-30-8630.3 Her married name was Neugebauer.4 Patricia Clara Branigan married Dr. Marion Keith Neugebauer.4 Patricia Clara Branigan was born on September 28, 1932 at Oklahoma.5,3 She and Dr. Marion Keith Neugebauer were divorced in April, 1970 at San Diego Co., California.4 Patricia Clara Branigan died on December 24, 1985 at San Diego Co., California, at age 53.5

Census Records

1940Dwelling 359, District 25-17, Pauls Valley, Garvin Co., Oklahoma1

Family

Dr. Marion Keith Neugebauer b. December 25, 1925, d. March 23, 2006
Marriage*Patricia Clara Branigan married Dr. Marion Keith Neugebauer.4 
Divorce* Patricia Clara Branigan and Dr. Marion Keith Neugebauer were divorced in April, 1970 at San Diego Co., California.4 

Citations

  1. [S3353] National Archives and Records Administration, 1940 United States Federal Census.
  2. [S2433] Daily Oklahoman, The, From the Willie Branigan obituary in the Mar 12, 1976 edition.
  3. [S9] Unknown subject, unknown file number, SSDI, U.S. Social Security Administrations Death Master File.
  4. [S1493] California Center for Health Statistics, California Divorce Index, 1966-1984.
  5. [S451] Center for Health Statistics Department of Health Services, California Death Index, 1940-1997.

Willie Pearl "Billie" Johnson1,2

F, b. January 7, 1896, d. March 8, 1976
     Her Social Security Number was 447-24-0268.3 Willie Pearl "Billie" Johnson was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Pauls Valley, Garvin Co., Oklahoma.1 She was born on January 7, 1896 at Paris, Lamar Co., Texas.3,4 As of September 1, 1920,her married name was Branigan.2 She married Jay Branigan, son of Charity Gray, on September 1, 1920 at Oklahoma Co., Oklahoma.2,1,4 Willie Pearl "Billie" Johnson died on March 8, 1976 at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Co., Oklahoma, at age 80.3,4 She Services for Willie Branigan, 81, of 1336 SW 34, will be 10 a.m. Monday in Huntington Funeral Home with burial in Pauls Valley. Mrs. Branigan died Wednesday in her home following an apparent heart attack. A native of Paris, Tex., she moved to Oklahoma City about 1940. She was a homemaker and a member on Indiana Avenue Christian Church. She is survived by her husband, Jay; two sons, Bill J. Branigan, Pahrump, Nev., and Albert N. Beezley, Pasadena, Tex; two daughters, Mrs. Patti Neugebauer, San Diego, and Mary L. Thompson, Noble; 12 grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren. on March 12, 1976.4

Census Records

1930Dwelling 16, District 124, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Co., Oklahoma5
1940Dwelling 359, District 25-17, Pauls Valley, Garvin Co., Oklahoma6

Family

Jay Branigan b. December 27, 1892, d. October 7, 1979
Marriage*Willie Pearl "Billie" Johnson married Jay Branigan, son of Charity Gray, on September 1, 1920 at Oklahoma Co., Oklahoma.2,1,4 
Children

Citations

  1. [S7383] Mount Olivet Cemetery, Garvin Co., OK, online www.findagrave.com/.
  2. [S5538] Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, Marriage Index, 1889-1951.
  3. [S9] Unknown subject, unknown file number, SSDI, U.S. Social Security Administrations Death Master File.
  4. [S2433] Daily Oklahoman, The, From the Willie Branigan obituary in the Mar 12, 1976 edition.
  5. [S118] National Archives and Records Administration, 1930 United States Federal Census.
  6. [S3353] National Archives and Records Administration, 1940 United States Federal Census.
  7. [S5223] Social Security Administration, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007.

Peggy Ann Custenborder1

F, b. July 12, 1931, d. June 24, 2010
     Her married name was Branigan.1 Peggy Ann Custenborder married Billy Jay Branigan, son of Jay Branigan and Willie Pearl "Billie" Johnson.1 Peggy Ann Custenborder was born on July 12, 1931 at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Co., Oklahoma.1 She died on June 24, 2010 at Las Vegas, Clark Co., Nevada, at age 78.1

Family

Billy Jay Branigan b. July 25, 1926, d. October 19, 2002
Marriage*She married Billy Jay Branigan, son of Jay Branigan and Willie Pearl "Billie" Johnson.1 

Dr. Marion Keith Neugebauer1,2,3

M, b. December 25, 1925, d. March 23, 2006
     Dr. Marion Keith Neugebauer was buried at Fairview Cemetery, Fairview, Major Co., Oklahoma.3 He married Patricia Clara Branigan, daughter of Jay Branigan and Willie Pearl "Billie" Johnson.1 Dr. Marion Keith Neugebauer was born on December 25, 1925 at California.4,2,3 He and Patricia Clara Branigan were divorced in April, 1970 at San Diego Co., California.1 Dr. Marion Keith Neugebauer died on March 23, 2006 at San Diego Co., California, at age 80.4,2,3

Family

Patricia Clara Branigan b. September 28, 1932, d. December 24, 1985
Marriage*He married Patricia Clara Branigan, daughter of Jay Branigan and Willie Pearl "Billie" Johnson.1 
Divorce* Dr. Marion Keith Neugebauer and Patricia Clara Branigan were divorced in April, 1970 at San Diego Co., California.1 

Citations

  1. [S1493] California Center for Health Statistics, California Divorce Index, 1966-1984.
  2. [S3600] U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010.
  3. [S7412] Fairview Cemetery, Major Co., OK, online www.findagrave.com/.
  4. [S9] Unknown subject, unknown file number, SSDI, U.S. Social Security Administrations Death Master File.

Audrey Rose Nightingale1,2

F, b. November 1, 1906, d. July 13, 1973
     Audrey Rose Nightingale was buried at Montecito Memorial Park, 3520 E. Washington Street, Colton, San Bernardino Co., California.1,2 Her Social Security Number was 552-12-5236.3 Her married name was Gray.1 She married Robert B. "R. B." Gray, son of Colonel Tomkins Gray and Ida Ann Ragsdale.1,2 Audrey Rose Nightingale was born on November 1, 1906 at Utah.3,4 She died on July 13, 1973 at Fontana, San Bernardino Co., California, at age 66.4,2 She Audrey R. Gray, 66, of 17640 San Bernardino Ave., Fontana, died Friday in her home. She was born in Utah and was a 37 year resident of San Bernardino County. Survivors include her husband Robert B; daughters, Mrs. Grant (Tannie) Owens of Fontana and La Vonne Leeton of San Bernardino; a sister, Mrs. Harold Brown of Azuza, two brothers, Arthur Nightingale of North Hollywood and William Nightingale of La Puente; and four grandchildren. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow at Montecito Memorial Park. on July 15, 1973.2

Census Records

1940Dwelling 196, District 36-128, San Bernardino, San Bernardino Co., California5

Family

Robert B. "R. B." Gray b. October 1, 1902, d. July 12, 1984
Marriage*Audrey Rose Nightingale married Robert B. "R. B." Gray, son of Colonel Tomkins Gray and Ida Ann Ragsdale.1,2 
Child
  • Ida La Vonne Gray6,5,2

Citations

  1. [S7415] Montecito Memorial Park, San Bernardino Co., CA, online www.findagrave.com/.
  2. [S7314] San Bernadino County Sun, The, From the Audrey R. Gray obituary in the Jul 15, 1973 edition.
  3. [S9] Unknown subject, unknown file number, SSDI, U.S. Social Security Administrations Death Master File.
  4. [S451] Center for Health Statistics Department of Health Services, California Death Index, 1940-1997.
  5. [S3353] National Archives and Records Administration, 1940 United States Federal Census.
  6. [S908] California Center for Health Statistics, California Birth Index, 1905-1995.

Linna Marie Rajala1,2

F, b. September 11, 1909, d. September 24, 1992
     Her Social Security Number was 547-03-7582.3 Linna Marie Rajala was buried at Hermosa Gardens Cemetery, 900 Meridian Street, Colton, San Bernardino Co., California.1 Her married name was Gray.1 She married Kenneth M. Gray, son of Colonel Tomkins Gray and Ida Ann Ragsdale.1 Linna Marie Rajala was born on September 11, 1909 at Montana.1,2,3 She died on September 24, 1992 at San Bernardino Co., California, at age 83.1,3,2

Family

Kenneth M. Gray b. October 3, 1909, d. March 27, 1967
Marriage*She married Kenneth M. Gray, son of Colonel Tomkins Gray and Ida Ann Ragsdale.1 

Citations

  1. [S2794] Hermosa Gardens Cemetery, San Bernadino Co., CA, online http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&GSln=ringer&GSfn=roy&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=76823442&CRid=8022&df=all&
  2. [S451] Center for Health Statistics Department of Health Services, California Death Index, 1940-1997.
  3. [S9] Unknown subject, unknown file number, SSDI, U.S. Social Security Administrations Death Master File.

Veda L. Hinkle1

F, b. circa 1905
     Veda L. Hinkle was born circa 1905.1 As of April 10, 1947,her married name was Gray.1 She married Henry Everett Gray, son of William Coon Gray and Albina Virginia Swinney, on April 10, 1947 at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Co., Oklahoma.1

Family

Henry Everett Gray b. August 3, 1898, d. January 30, 1968
Marriage*Veda L. Hinkle married Henry Everett Gray, son of William Coon Gray and Albina Virginia Swinney, on April 10, 1947 at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Co., Oklahoma.1 

Citations

  1. [S5972] Unknown compiler, Oklahoma, County Marriages, 1890-1995.

Alonzo Sprague1,2

M, b. December 10, 1866, d. May 29, 1931
     Alonzo Sprague was buried at Clear Creek Cemetery, Springfield, Greene Co., Missouri.2,3 He was born on December 10, 1866 at Illinois.2,3 He married Lavona/Levona "Lavonie" "Voney" Gray, daughter of William Edward Gray and Mildred "Milly" Lester, circa 1914.1,4 Alonzo Sprague died on May 29, 1931 at Center Township, Greene Co., Missouri, at age 64.2,3

Census Records

1920Dwelling 285, District 55, Center Township, Greene Co., Missouri1
1930Dwelling 202, District 44, Center Township, Greene Co., Missouri4

Occupation

1920Track section hand1
1930Cabinet carpenter4

Family

Lavona/Levona "Lavonie" "Voney" Gray b. February, 1876
Marriage*Alonzo Sprague married Lavona/Levona "Lavonie" "Voney" Gray, daughter of William Edward Gray and Mildred "Milly" Lester, circa 1914.1,4 

Citations

  1. [S119] National Archives and Records Administration, 1920 United States Federal Census.
  2. [S6383] Missouri Death Certificates, 1910-1969, online https://s1.sos.mo.gov/Records/Archives/ArchivesMvc/
  3. [S6745] Clear Creek Cemetery, Greene Co., MO, online http://www.findagrave.com/
  4. [S118] National Archives and Records Administration, 1930 United States Federal Census.

Howard Jones1

M, b. circa 1917
     Howard Jones was born circa 1917.1 He married Juanita Gray, daughter of Walter Franklin "Frank" Gray and Ella May Broyles, on December 21, 1951 at Contra Costa Co., California.1

Family

Juanita Gray b. August 9, 1912, d. December 27, 2000
Marriage*Howard Jones married Juanita Gray, daughter of Walter Franklin "Frank" Gray and Ella May Broyles, on December 21, 1951 at Contra Costa Co., California.1 

Citations

  1. [S4041] California Department of Health and Welfare. California Vital Records, California, Marriage Index, 1949-1959.

Calvin Harkness Lester1,2,3,4,5

M, b. December 27, 1924, d. July 3, 1988
FatherLacy French Lester1,6,2,4,5,7 b. May 20, 1893, d. May 20, 1966
MotherLucy Jane East1,6,2,4,5,7 b. October 18, 1895, d. January 28, 1973
     His Social Security Number was 236-32-2951.2 Calvin Harkness Lester was buried at Lester Town Cemetery, Lester, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.3,5 He was born on December 27, 1924 at Lester, Raleigh Co., West Virginia; His obituary has a birth date of Dec 12, 1924.2,3,8,5 He married Merle Etta Lilly on June 7, 1944 at Raleigh Co., West Virginia.4,5 Calvin Harkness Lester died on July 3, 1988 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 63.2,3,5 He Calvin H. Lester, 63, of Lester, Raleigh County, died July 3, 1988, in a Beckley hospital after a long illness. Born Dec. 12, 1924 at Lester, he was a son of the late Lacey and Lucy East Lester. Mr. Lester was a retired welder for Bethlehem Steel and a member of the Lester Church of God. Survivors include his wife, Merle Etta Lilly Lester; two daughters, Linda Szymanski and Etta Berger, both of Baltimore, Md; a brother, Joe Lester of Lester, and four grandchildren. Services will be Tuesday at 3 p.m. at the Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel at Prosperity with the Rev. Herb Milam officiating. Burial will be in the Lester Cemetery. on July 4, 1988.5

Census Records

1930Dwelling 443, District 29, Trap Hill, Raleigh Co., West Virginia1
1940Dwelling 118, District 41-45A, Trap Hill, Raleigh Co., West Virginia6

Family

Merle Etta Lilly b. March 22, 1924
Marriage*Calvin Harkness Lester married Merle Etta Lilly on June 7, 1944 at Raleigh Co., West Virginia.4,5 
Children
  • Linda Lester5
  • Etta Lester5

Citations

  1. [S118] National Archives and Records Administration, 1930 United States Federal Census.
  2. [S5223] Social Security Administration, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007.
  3. [S4610] Lester Town Cemetery, Raleigh Co., WV, online http://www.findagrave.com
  4. [S996] West Virginia Division of Culture and History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/, From the Lester-Lilly marriage record.
  5. [S798] Register Herald, From the Calvin H. Lester obituary in the Jul 4, 1988 edition.
  6. [S3353] National Archives and Records Administration, 1940 United States Federal Census.
  7. [S2051] Raleigh Register, From the Lucy Jane Lester obituary in the Jan 30, 1973 edition.
  8. [S3706] 1926–1975, RG 147. The National Archives at Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia Records of the Selective Service System, U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947.

Donald Ray "Joe" Lester1,2,3

M, b. July 23, 1930, d. October 18, 2012
FatherLacy French Lester1,4,2,5,3 b. May 20, 1893, d. May 20, 1966
MotherLucy Jane East1,4,2,5,3 b. October 18, 1895, d. January 28, 1973
     Donald Ray "Joe" Lester was buried at Lester Family Cemetery, Joe Dirt Road, Lester, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.3 He was born on July 23, 1930 at Lester, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.2,6,3 He married Erma Juanita Basham on August 26, 1961 at Lester, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.2 Donald Ray "Joe" Lester died on October 18, 2012 at Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 82.6,3 He Donald "Joe" Ray Lester, 82, of Lester passed on Thursday, October 18, 2012, following a short illness. Joe was born the middle child of three sons born to the late Laci French and Lucy Jane East Lester on July 23, 1930, in Lester, WV. Joe had lived in Lester all his life; he was the last surviving member of his family for whom the town of Lester was named. Joe was a veteran of the U.S. Marines Corps from 1950 to 1953 having served in the Korean War. He worked as a coal truck driver at Ranger Fuel in Bolt. When we remember Joe, we will remember how he enjoyed doing mechanic work on cars, hunting, fishing but his greatest love was spending time with his family whom he dearly loved. Sadly his daughter JoAnn has preceded him in death. Those left to cherish his memories are his four surviving children, Linda Weeks and husband Jerry of Lester, Bonnie Spence and husband Terry of Beckley, Bobby Lester of Lester and Ray Lester and Goldie of Pine Branch, twelve grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Sons and grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family will be receiving guests from 6 to 9 on Sunday, October 21, 2012, at Melton Mortuary. Funeral services will be conducted at noon on Monday, October 22, 2012, at the Melton Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Mark Spence officiating. Burial will follow at the old home place on Joe Dirt Road on Route 54 in Lester. on October 21, 2012.3

Census Records

1940Dwelling 118, District 41-45A, Trap Hill, Raleigh Co., West Virginia1

Family

Erma Juanita Basham
Marriage*Donald Ray "Joe" Lester married Erma Juanita Basham on August 26, 1961 at Lester, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.2 
Children
  • JoAnn Lester3
  • Linda Lester3
  • Bonnie Lester3
  • Bobby Lester3
  • Ray Lester3

Citations

  1. [S3353] National Archives and Records Administration, 1940 United States Federal Census.
  2. [S996] West Virginia Division of Culture and History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/, From the Lester-Basham marriage record.
  3. [S798] Register Herald, From the Donald Ray Lester obituary in the Oct 21, 2012 edition.
  4. [S2051] Raleigh Register, From the Lucy Jane Lester obituary in the Jan 30, 1973 edition.
  5. [S798] Register Herald, From the Calvin H. Lester obituary in the Jul 4, 1988 edition.
  6. [S9] Unknown subject, unknown file number, SSDI, U.S. Social Security Administrations Death Master File.

Dale French Lester1,2,3,4

M, b. April 9, 1932, d. April 11, 1985
FatherLacy French Lester5,6,2,3 b. May 20, 1893, d. May 20, 1966
MotherLucy Jane East5,6,2,3 b. October 18, 1895, d. January 28, 1973
     Dale French Lester was buried at Slab Fork Cemetery, Slab Fork, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.1,4 His Social Security Number was 236-48-8014.7 He was born on April 9, 1932 at Lester, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.1,7,3 He married Kathleen Joyce Keene on January 31, 1963 at Sophia, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.3 Dale French Lester married Patsy Reed Walker on July 9, 1976 at Pembroke, Giles Co., Virginia.2 Dale French Lester died on April 11, 1985 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia, at age 53.1,4 He Dale F. Lester, 52, of Daniels, Raleigh County, died Thursday in Beckley hospital after a short illness. He was a miner and a UMW member. He was a Protestant and a member of Raleigh County Horseman's Association and West Virginia Horseman's Association. Surviving: son, Gary of Daniels; daughters, Mrs. Cheryl Hicks of Daniels, Cassandra Lester of Baton Rouge, Ala; brothers, Calvin and Joe, of Lester; two grandchildren. Service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Williams-Blue Ridge Funeral. Home, Sophia, with the Rev. Carlos Lewis officiating. Burial will be in Slab Fork Cemetery, Tams Mountain. on April 13, 1985.4

Census Records

1940Dwelling 118, District 41-45A, Trap Hill, Raleigh Co., West Virginia5

Family 1

Kathleen Joyce Keene
Marriage*Dale French Lester married Kathleen Joyce Keene on January 31, 1963 at Sophia, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.3 
Children
  • Gary Lester4
  • Cheryl Lester4
  • Cassandra Lester4

Family 2

Patsy Reed Walker
Marriage*Dale French Lester married Patsy Reed Walker on July 9, 1976 at Pembroke, Giles Co., Virginia.2 

Citations

  1. [S4027] Slab Fork Cemetery, Raleigh Co., WV, online http://www.findagrave.com
  2. [S5130] Virginia Department of Health, Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014.
  3. [S996] West Virginia Division of Culture and History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/, From the Lester-Keene marriage record.
  4. [S993] Charleston Daily Mail, From the Dale F. Lester obituary in the Apr 13, 1985 edition.
  5. [S3353] National Archives and Records Administration, 1940 United States Federal Census.
  6. [S2051] Raleigh Register, From the Lucy Jane Lester obituary in the Jan 30, 1973 edition.
  7. [S9] Unknown subject, unknown file number, SSDI, U.S. Social Security Administrations Death Master File.

Merle Etta Lilly1,2

F, b. March 22, 1924
     Merle Etta Lilly was born on March 22, 1924 at Fireco, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.1 As of June 7, 1944,her married name was Lester.1 She married Calvin Harkness Lester, son of Lacy French Lester and Lucy Jane East, on June 7, 1944 at Raleigh Co., West Virginia.1,2

Family

Calvin Harkness Lester b. December 27, 1924, d. July 3, 1988
Marriage*Merle Etta Lilly married Calvin Harkness Lester, son of Lacy French Lester and Lucy Jane East, on June 7, 1944 at Raleigh Co., West Virginia.1,2 
Children
  • Linda Lester2
  • Etta Lester2

Citations

  1. [S996] West Virginia Division of Culture and History, online http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/, From the Lester-Lilly marriage record.
  2. [S798] Register Herald, From the Calvin H. Lester obituary in the Jul 4, 1988 edition.