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Click here to view profile Lester Carl Eury November 30th 1908 - February 5th 1980 Into the Life Hugh Eury's Funeral (Lester's brother) Top Row: Joseph Jr. Middle Row (L to R): Lawson and Craig Bottom Row (L to R): Paul, Lester, Leonard Lester Carl Eury was born on November 30, 1908, in Stanly County, North Carolina, to Josephus Sanford Eury and Rosa Agnes Hill. Lester spent his childhood in Stanly County, North Carolina. In 1910, he was living in Tyson Township, Stanly County. As he grew up, his family moved around the region, including residences in Center, Stanly County, in 1930 and Norwood, Stanly County, in 1935. On April 19, 1928, Lester married Queenie Victoria Mauldin in Chesterfield, South Carolina. Together, they had seven children. Lester registered for the military draft in 1940 while residing in Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina. He was too old to have served in active military duty during WW2. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Lester lived in various locations such as, Cabarrus County, in 1940 and Albemarle, Stanly County, in 1950. He later settled in Concord, Cabarrus County, where he spent his remaining years. Lester Carl Eury passed away on February 5, 1980, at the age of 71. His wife, Queenie, passed the following year in 1981. Their legacy continues through their children and extended family. Father: Josephus Eury Mother : Rosa Agnes Hill Brothers: Leonard , Hugh , Paul , Willie , Joe Jr , Edward , Lawson , Craig Sisters: Mary Velma , Nannie (died at age 2), Lela ________________ _______

Click here to view profile Dicey Dixie Duncan About 1800 - About 1860 Dicey Dixie Duncan was born around 1811 via census records and died around 1860. She was married to Thomas Granville Carver and had many children. She is buried in Lone Oak Cemetery with her family. ____________________ Husband: Thomas Granville Carver ____________________

Click here to view profile Lawson Campbell Eury December 22nd 1924 – September 13th 1973 Lawson and daughter Into the Life Lawson Campbell Eury was born on December 22, 1924, in Stanly County, North Carolina, to Josephus Sanford Eury and Rosa Agnes Hill. His mother, Rosa, passed away in August 1933, when Lawson was just 8 years old. He grew up in the Norwood area and worked in the textile industry. Lawson married Dorothy Jackson. Lawson Campbell Eury passed away on September 13, 1973, in Norwood, Stanly, North Carolina, from a heart attack. He was buried at Cottonville Baptist Church Cemetery in Norwood. Death Certificate Father: Josephus Eury Mother : Rosa Agnes Hill Brothers: Leonard , Lester , Hugh , Paul , Willie , Joe Jr , Craig Sisters: Mary Velma , Nannie (died at age 2), Lela ________________ _______ Hugh Eury's Funeral (Lawson's brother) Top Row: Joseph Jr. Middle Row (L to R): Lawson and Craig Bottom Row (L to R): Paul, Lester, Leonard

Click here to view profile Hugh Kennie Eury March 6th 1913 – March 7th 1969 Hugh Kennie Eury in his early years Hugh and Annie Eury Hugh and Annie Eury L to R: Hugh and friend Early Life Hugh Kennie Eury was born March 6th, 1913 in Cottonville, Stanly County, North Carolina to Josephus Eury and Rosa Agnes Hill. Hugh had many siblings; 8 brothers and 3 sisters. His mother died of ovarian cancer on August 16th, 1933. Hugh befriended Grace Estelle Tucker, and they had a child together in 1933, Malcom Ray Tucker. Shortly thereafter, Hugh married Annie Rachel Livingston after dating a short while. They both lived in Norwood, North Carolina at the time, just a couple blocks away from one another. Annie wrote the following: "We danced some together at a neighbors house on a Saturday night, after that, it went fast. We ran away and got married one morning with another couple on October 4th, 1933 in Chesterfield, South Carolina. I was scared someone would find out before we could get married, I was so young but we made it just fine. We had to sneak around to be together because my mother didn't believe in me dating. On our first date, he borrowed a car and we went for a ride. He soon proposed to me in the living room." They had 3 children together: Alvin (born 1934), James (born 1936), Carvin (born 1939). Hugh and Annie did not have a honeymoon, once they got back from Chesterfield, they lived in the countryside with Hugh's uncle, Willie Hill and his wife. The first placed they lived alone together was a two-room apartment upstairs of the Eddins family home on Cottonville Road in Norwood, North Carolina. They left Norwood for Concord, North Carolina in 1937. Father: Josephus Eury Mother : Rosa Agnes Hill Brothers: Leonard , Lester , Paul , Willie , Joseph Jr , Edward , Lawson , Craig Sisters: Mary Velma , Nannie (died at age 2), Lela ________________ _______ Child with Grace Tucker : Malcom Tucker Wife : Annie Rachel Livingston Children : Alvin Eury , James Eury , Carvin Eury Hugh holding his two sons, Alvin (left) and James (right) Hugh and Annie Eury L to R: Hugh and friend Ray Sparks Military On March 22nd 1944, Hugh enlisted in the Army. His enlistment number was 34964642 and he was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. His Enlistment term was "for the duration of the war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the president or otherwise according to law". This left Annie to take care of the three children in Concord while Hugh was in service. He served four months until ultimatley getting discharged in August of 1944 for an undisclosed "disease". Hugh and Annie Eury Hugh's WW2 Registration Card. He was listed as 6 feet tall and 185 pounds in 1940. Later Years When Hugh returned from the Army, he ran a small grocery store with his wife Annie. The store was directly beside their Concord home on Swink Street. Their home was a short walk away from Hartsell school where all of Hugh's children attended. L to R: Alvin, Hugh, Carvin, Annie, James Hugh working in his store L to R: Hugh and Annie standing in front of Hartsell School Top Row (L to R): James, Alvin Middle Row (L to R): Hugh, Carvin, and Annie sitting in front of Hartsell School Hugh with his nieces Hugh Eury Hugh with currently unknown friends L to R: Annie and Hugh Eury Hugh's Vehicle Registration in 1951 L to R: Hugh and Annie Eury L to R: Ray Sparks and Hugh Eury Deed to Grocery Store on Swink Street L to R: Hugh and Annie Eury Hugh and Nieces Carvin's Death In 1958, Hugh and his family received devestating news that Carvin, Hugh's youngest son, had passed away in an automobile accident while overseas in Germany serving in the military at age 19. Obituary, December 18th 1958, Charlotte Observer, Page 12 Carvin in his military uniform Carvin and girlfriend Joyce Elaine Lee in Germany (Electoral Palace Fountain in Trier) a few months before Carvin's death L to R: James, Charles Vest (Carvin's friend), Alvin, Hugh Later Years After all of the children had gotten married and moved out, Hugh and Annie remained in Concord but moved to 31 Barbie Road to be closer to the children. Hugh got a job as a door-to-door salesman. His favorite dessert was strawberry shortcake, he loved to eat and ate just about everything. L to R: Hugh, Annie, Alvin L to R: Hugh and Alvin L to R: Hugh and Annie L to R: Hugh and Annie L to R: Hugh and Annie Hugh's Salesman Card L to R: Hugh and Annie L to R: Hugh and Annie Hugh's Rambler Death Hugh's Last Picture 1969 Hugh Eury died unexpectedly of a heart attack in his home on March 7th 1969. He will be remembered as a loving man who cared deeply for his family and was loved by all that knew him. He is buried beside his wife Annie at Carolina Memorial Park in Concord, North Carolina. L to R: Annie Eury, Martha Ann Deaton, James Eury, Hugh Eury (James' Wedding 1968) Hugh's Siblings at his Funeral Top Row: Joseph Jr. Middle Row (L to R): Lawson and Craig Bottom Row (L to R): Paul, Lester, Leonard Hugh's with his grandchildren Hugh Eury's Death Certificate

Click here to view profile Lucille Mary Jackson May 1st 1932 - June 7th, 2017 L to R: Harve Deaton, Martha Ann Deaton, Boyd Jackson, Lucille Jackson, Bobbie Jean Lewallen L to R: Lucille Jackson, Martha Ann Deaton L to R: Martha Ann Deaton, Lucille Jackson Lucille and Fred Gibson Growing Up in Banks Lucille Mary Jackson was born in Banks County, Georgia to Mittie Jackson. It was believed by most that Claude Jackson, husband of Mittie Ausburn, was the father of Lucille; however, after DNA testing, through the son of Lucille, it has been determined that Claude Jackson may not have been the biological father of Lucille, rather it was a man by the name of "Luther Huttie Watson". This was apparently known to a select few, including Boyd Jackson's son, Ronnie Jackson, who told me that Luther "Luke" Watson, was his biological grandfather and that his father, Boyd Jackson, always knew this. It is unknown why or how the relationship between Luther and Mittie came to pass, but it is speculated that Claude Jackson may have been unable to have children. She had one older brother, Boyd Jackson, and an older half-sister, Bertie Mae Ausburn. Lucille's mother, Mittie, became very sickly. With Claude working the farm, she wasn't able to take care of Boyd and Lucille by herself. Lucille's sister, Bertie Mae, would pick up Boyd and Lucille on Sunday afternoon and keep them at their house until Friday afternoon so they could go to school. So Lucille was essentially raised by Bertie Mae and her husband, Harve Deaton. Lucille became very close with her niece, Martha Ann Deaton, who was born on July 5th, 1941 to Harve and Bertie Mae Deaton. Lucille's mother died the next day on July 6th, 1941. Before she passed, she pulled Harve Deaton aside and asked him to take care of her children. Harve promised that he would take care of them as long as they would stay with him. Father : Luther "Luke" Huttie Watson Mother : Mittie Lou Ausburn Brother : Boyd Jackson Half Sister : Bertie Mae Ausburn ________________ _______ Husband : Fred Gibson Children : Roger Carroll Gibson, Eddie Randall Gibson L to R: Lucille Jackson, Bobbie Jean Lewallen, Bertie Mae Ausburn, Harve Deaton, Martha Ann Deaton Lucille in the 1940s Lucille's infants funeral Lucille's childhood home in Banks County, Georgia Top Row (L to R): Maud, Claude, Lucille Jackson Bottom Row: Harve holding Martha Ann Lucille with her two children Lucille married Fred Gibson on Dec. 4, 1948. They had three children, Roger Carroll Gibson, Eddie Randall Gibson, and Patsy Jean Gibson. Roger Carroll Gibson was born January 5, 1950 in Jackson County, GA. Eddie Randall Gibson was born February 17, 1952 in Jackson County, GA. Patsy Jean Gibson was born October 5, 1953, in Habersham County, GA, and died January 9, 1954 in Banks County, GA. She is buried at Damascus Church Cemetery, Banks County, GA. Lucille holding her child L to R: Lucille, Martha Ann holding Daryll Duncan, Roger Gibson Lucille holding her child L to R: Lucille, Fred, Roger, Randy Lucille and children Martha Ann Deaton and Lucille Gibson

Click here to view profile Martha Ann Deaton July 5th 1941- November 13th 2020 Martha Ann at three and a half months old Martha Ann Deaton with her aunt Lucille Jackson Top Row (L to R): Maud Ausburn, Claude Jackson, Lucille Jackson Bottom Row: Harve holding Martha Ann Claude Jackson and Martha Ann Deaton Martha Ann Deaton and father, Harve Growing Up in Banks Martha Ann Deaton was born in Banks County, Georgia on July 5th, 1941 to Harve and Bertie Mae Deaton. Growing up in the 1940s, nestled in the quiet landscapes of rural Georgia, my grandmother came of age in a world quite different from today's modern comforts. She fondly recounted stories of her upbringing in a simple wooden-built home. Her everyday life also bore witness to challenges that are now distant memories. The absence of indoor plumbing meant that a trip to the outhouse was a regular excursion. Toilet paper was a luxury not readily available in their wooden-built home, leading to an ingeniously simple alternative: newspaper. When Martha was twenty months old, her newborn brother passed away the day he was born. Kenneth Wesley Deaton arrived too early and wasn't strong enough to make it. He died on March 13th, 1943 and is buried at Damascus Cemetery. She attended Grady Elementary School from 1947 to 1950, located in Homer, Georgia. The school is no longer standing. She also regularly attended Damascus Baptist Church with her family. At some point in the early 1940's, the family decided to move to a new house a little closer to the church. This house was the only one that Martha Ann said she remembered in Georgia. In 1946, Martha's younger brother was born, Wayne Harry Deaton. Martha Ann's childhood home in Banks County, Georgia L to R: Martha Ann, Maud Ausburn, and Wayne Martha Ann with her dog L to R: Harve, Martha Ann, Bertie Mae Martha Ann in the early 1940s L to R: Martha Ann Deaton, Fred Gibson, Wayne Deaton Martha Ann Deaton (left) and friend L to R: Martha Ann, Harve, Wayne Father : Harve Wesley Deaton Mother : Bertie Mae Ausburn Brother : Wayne Harry Deaton ________________ _______ 1st Husband : Stephen Duncan Children : Daryll Duncan 2nd Husband : James Phillip Eury Children : Angela Eury 3rd Husband : George Nural Sheppard Martha Ann and father Harve Deaton Martha Ann Deaton feeding her little brother Wayne Bertie Mae holding Martha Ann in 1941 Martha Ann Deaton and cousin, Earl Deaton Martha Ann Deaton (right) and friend Meeting Molly Runningwolf Martha's uncle Reuben died in 1932 after getting hit in the head. It was speculated that the son of Molly Runningwolf was the one who did it; however, Molly Runningwolf took the blame and served 21 months in prison for it. In 1947, Martha's father went to Big Cove in Cherokee to find out who really killed his brother. Molly Runningwolf had thought he had come to kill her. In reality, he just wanted the truth. Molly begged him to believe her, explaining that it was not her or her son, but that it was a member of the Swayney family that did it. The meeting ended cordially. Harve brought along his wife Bertie Mae, his children: Fred, Martha Ann, Wayne, and his wife's half brother, Boyd Jackson. In the interview below, there is a audio recording mentioning the killing of uncle Rube. Click here to listen to Molly Runningwolf interview L to R: Bertie holding Wayne and Molly Runningwolf with her arms on Martha Ann Deaton L to R: Martha Ann, Boyd Jackson, Fred Gibson Recollections of Grady School written by Martha Ann Deaton "I loved Miss Margie Caudell. She taught me in the first grade. She was our neighbor and gave me a little feist dog when I was born. Her name was Penny and I had her until I was eleven years old. When the Damascus road flooded near the old covered bridge, Monroe Boling would bring "Miss Grace" on the tractor through the water and meet us on the other side. Then Dad and I would take her to school with us. In the middle of the classrooms stood wood heaters. One of the older boys that lived near the school always started a fire in both rooms. No one used the upstairs then. Miss Winnie taught grades 1, 2, and 3, and "Miss Grace" taught grades 4, 5, 6, and 7. Parents would bring veggies to school and Miss Winnie would cook them on the old wood heater. We brought a bowl and spoon from home so we had something hot to go with our bagged lunch. The big boys took turns drawing a cool fresh bucket of water." Martha Ann Deaton Grady School Picture Martha Ann Deaton with her aunt Lucille Jackson Grady School building in 2003 Mrs. Grace Boling Mrs. Winnie Brown Kessee Martha Ann Deaton with her grandaunt Maud Ausburn L to R: Lucille Jackson, Martha Ann Deaton, Geraldine Watson L to R: Martha Ann, Wayne, and Bobbie Jean Lewallen Martha Ann Deaton L to R: Harve, Wayne, Martha Ann, Bertie Mae L to R: Martha Ann, Bertie Mae, Wayne Martha Ann with her dogs (holding Penny) L to R: Lucille, Bobbie Jean, Bertie Mae, Harve, Martha Ann Jack Peyton In August of 2023, a seemingly routine decision led to a profound discovery that would reshape the understanding of one family's history. It all began when my mother decided to take a DNA test through Ancestry.com. Little did we know that the results of this test would unravel a hidden chapter in our family's past. As the test results arrived, we were met with a shock that left us bewildered. Contrary to our expectations, the DNA analysis revealed that we did not share any DNA connection with the "Deaton" family, despite our longstanding belief that we were firmly rooted in this ancestral line. Even more bewildering was the fact that we shared 0% DNA with many of my grandmother Martha Ann Deaton's first cousins, individuals who were assumed to be close relatives. We were at a loss for what to make of this unexpected turn of events. However, as we delved deeper into the test results, another name emerged as a prominent clue. We noticed a significant number of first cousin matches with individuals bearing the surname "Peyton." The name struck a chord for my mom and I because we have a photograph from 1941 depicting a man named Jack Peyton holding a baby Martha Ann. The photo I have of Jack Peyton holding Martha Ann Deaton (Writing on the back by Bertie Mae Ausburn) With newfound determination, we embarked on a quest to uncover the truth behind the connection between the Deaton and Peyton families. Our journey led us to uncover a crucial piece of evidence in the form of Jack Peyton's World War II registration card. It revealed that Jack Peyton had been the farmhand for Harve Deaton, Martha Ann's father, back in 1940. The card listed Bertie Mae Deaton, Martha Ann's mother, as someone who would always know Jack Peyton's address. With this newfound information in hand, our quest led us to the last living link in the chain, Jack Peyton's only son, Ronald Peyton. At the age of 77, Ronald was surprised to receive our call, as he had always known about the existence of a half-sister living in North Carolina. However, he had never known her name or her identity. Our call offered him the long-awaited answers he had sought for many years. To confirm the connection, we convinced Ronald Peyton to take a DNA test. The results of the test confirmed our suspicions, as it revealed that he shared 9% DNA (634 centimorgans) with my mother, which is consistent with the genetic relationship of a half-uncle. It became increasingly clear that Jack Peyton was likely the biological father of Martha Ann Deaton. The revelation of this hidden family secret left us with a profound sense of empathy for Martha Ann and Harve Deaton, who possibly lived their entire lives without ever discovering the truth. The circumstances of how Bertie Mae Deaton became pregnant by Jack Peyton remain unknown, buried in the annals of time, and lost to history. Jack Peyton is on the far right. Also shown are friends Hoyt Moss and Carl Maney Jack Peyton WW2 picture; where he earned a purple heart The Move to Cramerton The family eventually decided to move to Cramerton, North Carolina on March 10th, 1950. Martha's father, Harve, had already been working in the mill there because farming was not productive enough to support the family. While working in the mill, he was living with his friend, Garnett Smith. He was eventually offered a job to be the caretaker for the Cramer farm and a house came with the job; therefore, Bertie and the children made the full time move to Cramerton. Martha was almost 9 years old and this was the first house she had lived in with a bathroom, running water, and electricity. Harve was working directly for Rebecca Cramer, Stewart Cramer's third wife. Stewart Cramer was the founder of Cramerton and lived in the famous Maymont Mansion on the top of Cramer mountain. Harve took care of Rebecca's land, surrounding the mansion. In the mornings, he would give a daily report to Mrs. Cramer, often when she was sitting on the toilet. Martha Ann and Wayne loved to go up to the mansion and visit. Every easter, Mrs. Cramer would make them Easter baskets and in return they would take Mrs. Cramer's brother, Mr. Tinkham, a dyed easter egg. Before Rebecca passed in 1957, she told Martha Ann she could have any piece of furniture from the mansion that she wanted. She picked a dining room chair, which is still in good condition today. Martha Ann in her Cramerton Yard Martha and cousin at the New Cramerton Home L to R: Wayne and Martha Ann at the Maymont Mansion Pool L to R: Martha Ann, Boyd Jackson, Ronnie Jackson, Wayne Deaton L to R: Martha Ann, Harve, Wayne, Bertie Mae L to R: Wayne, Harve, Martha Ann Martha Ann Deaton Wayne Deaton Cramerton Presbyterian Church Camp in 1950 L to R: Wayne Deaton and Martha Ann Deaton Martha Ann on back porch steps L to R: Betty Louise Smith and friend Martha Ann Deaton L to R: Wayne Deaton, Ronald Jackson, Martha Ann Deaton L to R: Martha Ann Deaton and Betty Louise Smith L to R: Betty Louise Smith, David Smith, Martha Ann Deaton L to R: Martha Ann Deaton, John Henry Deaton (uncle), Wayne Deaton Cramerton High School 8th Grade Cramerton High School 9th Grade Family Struggles and Engagement Even though the quality of life had improved, life was still difficult for her and the family. On Christmas Eve of 1953, while attending a church dinner at Friendship Baptist Church in Belmont, the family got red measles (also known as rubeola). Everyone had gotten better except for mother, Bertie Mae. Her measles turned into spinal meningitis. She laid in the hospital and went into a coma for 42 days. When she awoke, she was never quite right again and suffered physically and mentally. This caused a lot of tension between Bertie Mae and her daughter, Martha Ann. She would frequently tell her daughter that she is her father's child and Wayne was hers. On January 16th 1957, the Charlotte Observer announced that Martha Ann and Tommy J Cabe were engaged. This is something she never told anyone so it was a shock to find this in the newspaper. I spoke to Tommy in August of 2023, he told me that they neutrally decided to break off the wedding due to them being too young at the time. There was a point where Martha had enough of Bertie being so mean to her. While Martha was ironing, Bertie had made a very rude remark to her. She had enough of it and told Bertie Mae off. This caused Bertie Mae to get a kitchen knife in attempt to attack her daughter. Martha said that she was so skinny and weak at that point due to her sickness, that she was able to simply take the knife away. Things did not get better for Bertie Mae; there were two instances where she had attempted suicide by drowning herself in the lake and Harve jumped in to pull her out. Harve had her committed to Broughton Mental Hospital on May 3rd 1954 and she was discharged on June 30th 1955. 1957 was a difficult year for the Deaton family. The tension between Martha Ann and her mother had heightened. Martha Ann, seeking solace, would frequently leave the house at night, reportedly visiting acquaintances from Baltimore Village, an African-American community in Cramerton. When I visited Baltimore Village on December 6th, 2023, locals who had resided there in 1957 instantly recalled Martha Ann's presence. On Sunday, June 16th 1957 at 9:15 pm, Martha's mother, Bertie Mae Deaton, got a .32 pistol and shot herself in the right temple outside of their garage. Martha was 15 years old at the time. Martha's brother Wayne saw Bertie Mae take the gun outside and she told him "Do your mother one last favor and go back inside the house.” Wayne rushed in and told Martha Ann and she replied "She isn't going to do it.” According to Roy Gibson (Fred Gibson's younger brother), a few weeks prior to her death, Bertie Mae wrote a letter and gave it to her half brother, Boyd Jackson. The letter read, "Make sure Blackie takes care of my flowers.” An African-American man whose father worked for Carothers Funeral Home, was supposed to be cleaning the hearse but instead took it out for a joy ride. This man and his four friends offered Martha Ann and her friend a ride. There was a routine traffic check but the man driving did not stop. This led to a high speed car chase with Martha Ann and her friend in the car. They ended up getting into a wreck. Martha Ann was 16 years old at the time while her friend was 15; therefore, Martha Ann was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She was then sent off to training school. The town of Cramerton assumed that Martha and her friend were dating those black men. The local Ku Klux Klan heard about this and burned a cross in the Deaton's yard. Libby Gunter (Cramerton Local), vividly recalls that day. She told me that her dad was good friends with Martha's father, Harve Deaton, and when her father heard the news, he went to show him support; however, upon arrival in his truck with his daughter Libby, the KKK threatened to kill them if they didn't leave. Libby said it was the biggest cross she had ever seen and that the it was a very frightening moment. According to the recollections of several 2023 residents of Baltimore Village, Martha Ann had accused the men of rape, leading to their imprisonment. The men they mentioned to me were: Clifford Hill, Bobby Shanks, and AC Anderson Sensitive Content Martha Ann standing in the front yard of the Deaton household in Cramerton Martha Ann on the front steps of the Deaton household in Cramerton L to R: Martha Ann and Wayne Deaton Martha and Wayne at Kings Mountain U.S. Monument Charlotte Observer- January 16th 1957 L to R: Martha Ann Deaton, Odell Meeler, Elsie Meeler Martha Ann Deaton (Left) and her friend Betty Louise Smith (Right) L to R: Wayne, Bertie Mae, Martha Ann Deaton Page 1 of The Gastonia Gazette December 7th 1957 Cramerton High School Transcript L to R: Martha Ann Deaton, JoNell Deaton, Carrie Deaton, Ruth Deaton, Johnnie Deaton Bertie's Death Cramerton High School 10th Grade Martha Ann Deaton as High School Secretary St. Euphrasia School for Girls In 2024, it was discovered that the whereabouts of Martha Ann Deaton between 1958 and 1960 remained a mystery. There were no photographs, yearbook entries, or any evidence that she had been living in Cramerton with her father and brother during that time. Though she appeared in both the freshman and sophomore yearbooks of Cramerton High School, she was noticeably absent from the junior and senior editions. When family members were asked about this missing period in her life, they only recalled that she had been “gone,” but no one knew where. However, former classmates recalled hearing that she had been sent to a training school after what they vaguely referred to as “the scandal” involving the incident with the African American men. The first concrete clue emerged in 2024 when a request for her high school transcript revealed that Martha Ann had been transferred to a training school in 1957. This discovery led to further investigation, but official records provided no additional details. The breakthrough came when a family member uncovered an old photograph of a sign reading “St. Euphrasia Training School”—accompanied by a picture of Martha Ann from that same time period. St. Euphrasia’s Training School for Girls was founded in 1947 by sisters from the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd near Batesburg, South Carolina. While no official documentation has been found confirming her enrollment, the photographic evidence strongly suggests that this is where she was sent. It remains unknown whether her placement at St. Euphrasia Training School was court-ordered or arranged by her father. Picture found attached to St. Euphrasia School photo shown above Tragedy in 1960 Tragedy continued to loom. On February 13th, 1960, a man by the name of John Robert Kendrick was attempting to break into the screen door of the Cramerton home of Harve, Wayne, and Martha Ann Deaton. At about 1:30 am, Martha Ann alerted her father that she heard a noise outside. Harve quickly got his .32 pistol and shot John Robert Kendrick in the head. Kendrick fell on the steps, the police were called and he was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Charlotte, where he was pronounced dead. Kendrick lived at 553 Baltimore Street with his mother, Sallie, and step-father, Jessie Williams. Prior to this incident, John Robert Kendrick was sentenced to state prison on October 1953 for two counts of burglary. He was then transferred to Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro, North Carolina in April 1956 until being released. Harve was quickly acquitted for the killing as it was an act of self defense. This is something Martha Ann never spoke about. It is believed she was partly traumatized by this and scared it would bring shame to the family. According the residents in Baltimore Village, they believed that John Robert Kendrick was drunk at the time and had just wandered to the wrong house that night. They also mentioned he had serious mental problems. The Gastonia Gazette Thu, Feb 18, 1960 · Page 4 Gastonia Gazette February 13th, 1960 Page 1 John Robert Kendrick's Death Certificate Duncan Marriage In 1963, it was time for the Deaton family to leave Cramerton. Rebecca Cramer had passed away, and Martha's father, Harve, was wrapping up his work, as he no longer had anyone to serve. Before Rebecca’s passing, one of the Cramer children told Martha Ann that she could choose anything from the Maymont home—Stuart Cramer's estate at 600 Maymont Dr, Cramerton, NC—as a keepsake. Martha Ann selected two identical, uniquely designed dining room chairs. Unfortunately, one of the chairs was damaged in the mid 1960s, but the other remains in good condition and is still in my possession today. Given that President Herbert Hoover and Dwight Eisenhower attended parties at Maymont, it is possible that one of them once sat in this very chair. Martha Ann married her first husband, Stephen Benjamin Franklin Duncan, on December 8th 1962 in South Point Township, Gaston, North Carolina. Martha Ann was 21 years old, Stephen was 19. The best man was Harold Wayne Hanna (1931-2010). The matron of honor was Betty Jean Davenport Best (1928-2009). Mary Bollick Stowe Dellinger was the organist. Stephen became abusive and gave Martha a black eye on two different occasions. It is said that after the first one, Martha's father, Harve, gave him a warning. But after it happened again, Stephen was ran off at the end of Harve's pistol. Before the divorce finalized, Martha welcomed her first child, Daryll, on December 11th 1963. Martha and her son Daryll moved back in with her father, Harve, who was living in Concord at the time. Stephen and Martha at the Wedding The Gastonia Gazette- December 9th, 1962 Page 23 Bridal shower hosted by Roxie Clark (A friend of Martha's who worked at the beauty shop with her) L to R: Mary Bollick Stowe (Organist), Albert Pressley Millan (Preacher), Harve Deaton, Martha Ann Deaton, Stephen Duncan, Betty Jean Best, Harold Hanna, Wayne Deaton, David Ross Dellinger (Singer) Harve Deaton with daughter Martha Ann Martha Ann with son, Daryll Duncan Stephen and his father, Manus Duncan Martha and Stephen's mother, Lillian Odell Duncan Harve Deaton with Grandson, Daryll Duncan L to R: Lucille Jackson , Martha Ann Deaton, Daryll Duncan, Roger Gibson Wedding Guest List Preacher AP Millen marrying Martha and Stephen Martha Ann Deaton on a Bison Martha Ann Deaton and son Daryll Duncan Martha Ann Deaton and son Daryll Duncan Eury Marriage One day after experiencing some issues with the sewing machine in the hallway of her fathers Concord farm house, Martha Ann, called Sears for a repair service. A man showed up in a Sears & Roebuck repair van. This man was James Phillip Eury. After quickly fixing the sewing machine, he asked if it would be acceptable for him to take Martha out on a date sometime. Martha agreed. When the first date was coming up, it just so happened that Martha's son Daryll, got sick and threw up all over the living room rug right before he got there. Martha wasn't going to go but her father Harve said, "Sis, I'll look after the boy, go out and have fun.” The rest was history as James and Martha were perfect for one another. They got married on December 27th 1968 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Things were going well and James bought a piece of land to build a house on. James and Harve had already started clearing the land to build, but when Martha got pregnant, they decided to buy a house already built at 129 Autumn Lane, Harrisburg, North Carolina. James and Martha welcomed their first daughter, Angela Renee Eury, on August 13th 1970. They also decided to accept a foster child into their home, Nora Biggers. The Eury's had a full house! L to R: Wayne, Daryll, Harve, Martha, James The Wedding of James Eury and Martha Ann Deaton The year was 1975 and James started to feel very sick. After going to the hospital, the doctors decided to do an exploratory surgery. During the surgery, there were complications and James went into a coma. James never woke up and died on November 17th 1975 from Hepatic Failure. Martha Ann was single yet again but this time with two children to care for. Top (L to R): Martha Eury, James Eury Bottom (L to R): Nora Biggers, Daryll Duncan, Angela Eury Martha and James with newborn daughter, Angela Eury. Voicemail of Martha Ann Deaton Martha Ann Deaton Eury with husband, James Phillip Eury Final Marriage and Later Years Getting over the death of James Eury was quite difficult for Martha and the family. He was a good man that was loved by everyone that knew him. Martha had plenty to occupy herself through the difficult times. She was working to support her two children and also volunteering on the Harrisburg rescue squad. While on the rescue squad, she met a man named Joe Miller Morris. He was born July 3rd 1929. Joe and Martha started dating and things became very serious until Martha decided to break it off before marrying. The children were devastated because they really liked him. It is unknown the reason for breaking it off but it may have been because she felt he had a mean streak to him. He always drove really fast in the ambulance and slung Martha around in the back. Joe ended up dying just four years later. Martha then began dating the captain of the rescue squad, George Nural Sheppard. He was born December 21st 1931 in Forest City, North Carolina. They got married on March 17th 1977. They were together for 41 years until his passing in 2018. Martha in the Rescue Squad Yearbook Now that Martha's family was stable, I wish I could say all the trials and tribulations were over; however, in early 1997, Martha discovered that she had stage four colon cancer. Around the same time, her father, Harve, passed away. Harve was buried on her birthday. A few years later, her younger brother, Wayne, died of heart failure. Despite all this, she was able to beat cancer and continue to persevere through the difficult times. I would like to say that the next 20 years were the best years of her life (2000-2020). This always reminds me that when you are upon bad times, sometimes the best thing to do is to wait it out. The bad times will pass and the best years of your life may still be ahead of you. Martha Ann Deaton died on November 13th 2020 near the beaches of North Carolina in Onslow County. She authored cookbooks and genealogy books. She loved crafts, cooking, canning, gardening, and sewing. Martha Ann was adored by her children and grandchildren. She will always be remembered as an exceptionally selfless and giving person. She is buried at the Salisbury National Cemetery beside her husband, George. George and Martha Sheppard Martha and George Sheppard celebrate Christmas with their children and grandchildren Every picture I have of Martha Ann Deaton All Census Records

Click here to view profile Paul Revere Eury April 5th 1916 – December 13th 1990 Into the Life Paul Revere Eury was born in Norwood, Stanly County, North Carolina, to Josephus Sanford Eury and Rosa Agnes Hill. He was raised in a large family with many siblings. He worked as a yarn mill doffer at Gibson Mill before enlisting in the U.S. Army in February 1942 from Cabarrus County. He trained at Fort Bragg and was later transferred to Camp Blanding, Florida. During World War II, Eury was deployed overseas in July 1942. He was captured by German forces and became a prisoner of war at Stalag 3B in Germany. A newspaper article from the Albemarle Press details a letter he sent to his father, Josephus, in which he described his experience as a prisoner, expressing hope for an eventual return home. Despite enduring harsh conditions, he wrote about thinking of home and life after the war. Eury was eventually liberated and returned to North Carolina. He passed away on December 13, 1990, in Albemarle, Stanly County, North Carolina, and was buried at Cottonville Baptist Church Cemetery in Norwood. Hugh Eury's Funeral (Paul's brother) Top Row: Joseph Jr. Middle Row (L to R): Lawson and Craig Bottom Row (L to R): Paul, Lester, Leonard Paul Eury's WW2 Registration Card. In 1940, Paul was 5'6, 195 pounds. Paul Eury during WW2 Paul Eury Father: Josephus Eury Mother : Rosa Agnes Hill Brothers: Leonard , Lester , Hugh , Willie , Joe Jr , Edward , Lawson , Craig Sisters: Mary Velma , Nannie (died at age 2), Lela ________________ _______

Click here to view profile Robert Lee Deaton December 31st 1899 – July 8th 1941 L to R: Marjorie, Lucille, Robert Lee Deaton Robert Lee Deaton holding his two children with his wife Robert Lee Deaton was born on December 31st 1899. He was the last son born to John Starlin and Leutica Carver Deaton. He married Marjorie Mae Taylor, born on October 19, 1900. They were married on November 9, 1922 in Toccoa, GA. and Marjorie moved to Toccoa lies in Stephens County. Robert Cherokee where he logged with Rueben Deaton, his older brother. While there they had a daughter, Lucille. Two years later the family moved back to Toccoa, GA where a son, David Lee Deaton, was born. They then moved to TN and lived on Robert's brother, Ike's, farm. While there he farmed, but Lucille, his daughter, remembers the good times she had with her Uncle Ike's children. They moved back to GA four or five years later. He operated his own taxi service. After Mittie Jackson died on July 6th 1941, Robert was at the funeral and said the words, "You never know when it's your time to go". He had a heart attack the day after the funeral while operating his cab. He died on July 8, 1941. He is buried at Fairfield Cemetery in Demorest, GA. Marjorie Deaton died May 16, 1948 and is buried beside her beloved husband. He is remembered by his daughter, Lucille, as a loving and devoted father. He also loved his aunt, Martha Ann Wheeler, and all his brothers. L to R: Robert Lee Deaton and son Dave Deaton Father : John Starlin Deaton Mother : Leuticia Carver Brothers: Reuben Deaton , David Deaton , Isaac Deaton Half Brothers : John Henry Deaton, Jacob Leander Deaton , Harve Wesley Deaton ____________________ Wife : Marjorie Mae Taylor Children : Lucille Deaton, Dave Lee Deaton Robert Lee Deaton L to R: Marjorie, Lucille, Robert Landmarks Robert Lee Deaton's house in Demorest, Georgia. Address: 444 Holley St Demorest, GA 30535 United States All Deaton brothers would gather here and tell stories. (John Henry, Harve Wesley, Jacob Leander, Robert Lee, Isaac) Robert Lee Deaton's Death Location. Coordinates: 34.60954° N, 83.52199° W When Robert Deaton had a heart attack while driving his cab, he ran into a lamp pole on the street. The lamp pole was removed and the concrete was redone which caused a different color in the sidewalk that is still visible as of 2024. Every Picture I have seen of Robert Lee Deaton

Click here to view profile Mary Velma Eury 13 July 1910 – 19 February 1974 Mary Velma Eury Into the Life Mary Velma Eury was born on July 13, 1910, in Stanly County, North Carolina, to Josephus Sanford Eury and Rosa Agnes Hill. She grew up alongside her many siblings and spent most of her life in Stanly County. In 1930, Mary was residing in Center Township, Stanly County. She spent many years working in the local yarn mills, a common occupation in the region during that time. She continued to live in Norwood, North Carolina, for the remainder of her life. On February 19, 1974, Mary Velma Eury passed away in Norwood. She was buried at Cottonville Baptist Church alongside most of her family. Mary Velma and her niece, Mary Mary Velma Eury 1960 Father: Josephus Eury Mother : Rosa Agnes Hill Brothers: Leonard , Lester , Hugh , Paul , Willie , Joe Jr , Edward , Lawson , Craig Sisters: Nannie (died at age 2), Lela ________________ _______

Click here to view profile Grant Wilmer Ausburn September 17th 1889 - September 20th 1968 Grant Ausburn was the son of Benjamin B. and Mary Louise Caudell Ausburn. He was born September 17, 1889 in Banks County, GA and died September 20, 1968 in Jackson County, GA. He married Daisy Pressley August 13, 1908 in Banks County, GA. She was the daughter of Jack and Sally Pressley. She was born March 25, 1891 and died September 29, 1979 in Banks County, GA. They are buried at Damascus Church Cemetery in Banks County, GA. Grant was a farmer. They had six children. They also raised two grandchildren, Rudolph and Ruby Nell Ausburn. Father: Benjamin Ausburn Mother : Mary Louise Caudell Sister : Mittie Lou Ausburn , Essie Ausburn, Maud Ausburn _______________________ Wife : Daisy Pressley Children : Dora Belle Ausburn, Plummer Ausburn, Hubert Everadge Ausburn, Mary Monteen Ausburn, Mary "Marie" Ausburn, Zinebell Ausburn This picture was taken when Ben Ausburn died. The Grant Ausburn family is well represented here. The children on the front row left to right are Ruby and Rudolph Ausburn, Boyd Jackson and Eulean Lewallen. The second row: Bertie Mae Deaton, Belle Ausburn, Vassie Lewallen, Montene Ausburn, Marie Ausburn and Bentley Lewallen. Back row: Hubert Ausburn, Harve Deaton, unknown, Daisy Ausburn, Duck Ausburn, unknown, Grant Ausburn, unknown, Ralph Lewallen and Claude Jackson

Click here to view profile Annie Starkey July 14th 1839 – October 20th 1913 An article in the files of the Polk County Historical Society Library, written by former county historian J. D. Clemmer, says Kit Lowery shot and killed Annie's father, John Starkey after an all day shooting match held on the north side of the Hiwassee River at the mouth of Spring Creek. " . . . after the day's match, they started home. Starkey and another one of the boys crossed the river first in the bateau. When they landed, Starkey yelled back across the river that he was not going to let Lowery across, to which Lowery declared he would shoot Starkey if he didn't come back for him" - and he did. John, Milly, and the children (Anna, Elizabeth, Malinda, Thaney and Mahaley E.) are listed as Duggans in the 1850 Polk Census, and then they all go by Starkeys from 1860 on. Why he goes by two different surnames is not clear. It says he was born in North Carolina. John's widow, Milly Clayton, daughter of Elijah Clayton and Betsy Webb Roach, appears in the 1860 census of Polk County, Tennessee with children Ann, Betsy, Mary, Thanie, Mahaly, James, Robert, and Florence. Names in the 1870 are Elizabeth, Malinda, Emeline, James, Robert, and Florence, so the middle name of the girls may be used here. Since the last child was born about 1855, we can conjecture that John was killed 1856-'58. There is no record that we know of as to where John is buried, but considering the difficulty in crossing the Hiwassee River in a boat with a casket, family, and mourners, it is assumed he is interred in the closest cemetery to where he lived, which would be the Hiwassee Union Cemetery, later called the Reliance Community, accessed without crossing the river. That burial ground is known to have at least 150 or more graves either marked with fieldstones and no names, or no markers at all. If other information becomes available we will gladly move the memorial, but feel it important that he at least has one. Note: The article says that Kit Lowery left that night and was never heard from again. The only Lowery who lived in that neighborhood appears to be a fisherman, Christopher and Matilda Lowery from Jefferson Co., GA who are in the Polk 1840-1850 census. Whether him or related is not known, but it did say he lived on the south bank of the Hiwassee on what was later called Hiwassee Beach, and there are remains of an old rock house right there on Lowry Branch. Annie passed away due to known reasons in 1913 and is buried in Lone Oak Cemetery in Robbinsville, North Carolina beside his wife, John, and son, James Thomas Davis . Fa ther: John Duggan-Starkey Mother : Millie Clayton ____________________ Husband: John Robert Davis Annie Starkey was born on July 14th 1839 to father John Starkey and mother Millie Clayton. Around 1863, she married John Davis and had many children together. Headstone of Annie Starkey Davis

Click here to view profile Reuben Deaton April 28th 1891 – September 1931 Rueben Deaton was the eldest son of Leutica Carver and John Starlin Deaton. He was born in April of 1892 in Graham County, NC. He married Lillie McDonald on March 25, 1913 in Graham County, NC. With her came Rube's new step-child. They later had a child of their own, Johnnie Starlin Deaton (February 7th 1915 - May 15th 1988). Rueben Deaton later married Calcina "Callie" Swayney, 1/8th Cherokee Indian. They had four children; however, only two survived to adulthood: Woodroe Deaton (February 20th 1928 - February 27th 2010) and Nellie Deaton (February 21st 1926 - July 31st 2020). Their first child was named "Lutitia Deaton", named after Rube's mother. She was born June 8th, 1923 and died December 24th 1923 at 6 months old of pneumonia in Swain County. Rube buried her on Christmas Day. They had another child, Charles Deaton, on May 4th 1925, he passed away May 12th 1925. Father : John Starlin Deaton Mother : Leuticia Carver Brothers: David Deaton , Isaac Deaton , Robert Lee Deaton Half Brothers : John Henry Deaton, Jacob Leander Deaton , Harve Wesley Deaton ____________________ Wife : Lydia McDonald Children: Johnnie Deaton Wife: Callie Swayney Children: Woodroe Deaton, Nellie Deaton Rube and wife Lydia McDonald pregnant with Johnnie, also with her son in 1915 L to R: Isaac Deaton and brother Rube Deaton When Callie Swayney Deaton died about 1924, Rueben took the children to Georgia. He left Nellie and Woodroe in the care of Margie and Bob Deaton, his brother and sister-in-law. They stayed there, with Rube visiting them, while remaining in Cherokee to work. When they were old enough, Woodroe and Nellie went to live at the school on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. In either 1932 or 1933, a large black car drove into the yard of Robert Deaton and several Indians got out. They informed him that Rueben had been killed. They took Robert Deaton back to Cherokee, NC to bury his brother. Brothers Harve and Isaac Deaton always said a member of the Swayney family killed Rueben. Jurlon Deaton quotes his father, Ike Deaton, as telling the following story. Rube was bad to drink and he went to sleep wherever he was at the time. He always slept with his head hanging off the bed. This particular night he was sleeping in another woman's house and someone came in and hit him in the head with a crowbar. In a newspaper article, Rube was accused by step-son for killing Callie Swayney. The body was exhumed and found that Callie had a crack in her skull. Rube's consequences for this are unknown. Callie Swayney's death certificate. Lutitia Deaton's death certificate. Charles Deaton's death certificate. Rube Deaton's WW1 Draft Registration Card Death Reuben died in 1932 after getting hit in the head. It was speculated that the son of Cherokee Indian, Molly Runningwolf, was the one who did it; however, Molly Runningwolf took the blame and served 21 months in prison. In 1947, Harve Deaton came to get answers to find out who really killed his half brother. Molly Runningwolf had thought he had come to kill her. In reality, he just wanted the truth. Molly begged him to believe her that it was not her or her son, but that it was a member of the Swayney family who did it. The meeting ended cordially. Harve brought along his wife Bertie Mae, children Fred, Martha Ann, Wayne, and his wife's half brother Boyd Jackson. In the interview below, there is a audio recording mentioning Molly Runningwolf's time in prison. Click here to listen to Molly Runningwolf interview Census Records