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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 Benjamin Ausburn December 25th 1869 – September 13th 1937 Benjamin Ausburn was born on Christmas day 1869 in Banks County, Georgia. He was a farmer. He had four children with Mary Caudell: Grant, Mittie, Essie, and Maud. After his wife, Mary, died in 1913, he remarried on July 25th 1921 to Harriet Hailey Lewallen (1877-1948). They did not stay married long. Harriet had a great big furry cat and she slept with that cat. Benjamin vowed that he would never sleep in the bed with a cat. Benjamin's grandson, Boyd Jackson, tells this story: Benjamin was the strongest man I had ever seen. Ben cut down trees with only an axe, never a saw. He could plow a mule all day long, stopping only for a glass of water that his granddaughter, Bertie Mae, would gladly take him. Father : Hugh B. Ausburn Mother : Mary Ann Murray ____________________ Wife : Mary Louise Caudell Children : Grant Wilmer Ausburn , Mittie Lou Ausburn , Essie Ausburn , Maud Lee Ausburn Moderee Sisk (1927-2017), great granddaugther to Hugh Ausburn (Benjamin's father) remembered Benjamin. She said that Benjamin often came over to help her family kill hogs. She called him Uncle Ben. He always picked up the hog and scalded it in a barrel. He always said he would kill the biggest hog anyone had on Thanksgiving day. Benjamin Ausburn ran the Ragsdale Gristmill in the early 1930s. The mill is still in excellent condition . I visited the mill in 2023 and owner, Dock Sisk, showed me around and took me inside the Mill house where the mill workers lived. It is very possible Benjamin lived inside there at some point. Ragsdale Mill built in early 1860s Ragsdale Mill House (Possible living place for Benjamin Ausburn) Benjamin sitting at a table Top Row (L to R): Bently Lewallen holding Bobbie Jean Lewallen, Benjamin Ausburn, Bertie Mae Ausburn, Claude Homer Jackson Bottom Row (L to R): Benny Euline Lewallen, Mittie Lou Jackson, Lucille Jackson, Boyd Jackson L to R: Benjamin, Mittie, Essie holding Bobbie Jean Stories Funeral of Benjamin Ausburn Benjamin's funeral. Daughter Mittie in front of his casket. Death Benjamin Ausburn in Homer, Georgia on September 13th 1937. He developed Sepsis due to Cellulitis in the Right Axillary Region. Benjamin's post-mortem picture is attached to the left. Benjamin's death certificate Benjamin's headstone This picture was taken when Ben Ausburn died. The 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 Every Picture I have seen of Benjamin Ausburn All Census Records

Click here to view profile John Starlin Deaton October 1865 – February 1908 John Starlin Deaton was born to Eliza Cantrell and an unknown father in Towns County, Georgia. Eliza gave John the last name "Deyton" in honor of her deceased husband, Joab M Deyton, who had died on July 22nd 1862, while in the service with Company D, of the 24th Regiment, of the Georgia Volunteers (CSA). Joab died of Fever in the hospital located in Richmond, Virginia. It is unknown who John's father at the time of me writing this, but hopefully the answer will become clear through a lot of DNA testing. (NOTICE: the spelling of Deaton varied throughout John Starlin's life, it is someitmes spelled "Deaton", "Deyton" or "Dayton") John Starlin had 3 half siblings, Silas L. Dayton born in 1861 who lived with his paternal grandparents after his father, Joab, died in Civil War. A sister named Martha Ann Deaton who was born in 1870. Her father was Jeremiah Marion Osborn. And another brother named James Wesley Dayton born in 1873. His father was Wyle Trusty. Father: Unknown Mother : Eliza Cantrell Half Brothers : Silas Dayton, James Wesley Dayton Half Sisters : Martha Ann Deyton ____________________ First Wife : R.L. Murphy Second Wife : Leutica Carver Children : Reuben Deaton , David Deaton , Isaac Deaton , Robert Lee Deaton Third Wife : Etta Icie Davis Ch ildren : Jo hn Henry Deaton , Jacob Leander Deaton , Harve Wesley Deaton Photographic enlargement of John Starlin Deaton Towns County, Georiga John Starlin Deyton grew up living with his mother Eliza Cantrell, grandmother Martha Cantrell, and sister Martha Ann Deyton. Who are all listed with him in the 1870 census. In 1880, John Starlin Deyton was living with his Eliza, Martha Ann, and James Wesley Dayton. Based on compiled marriages records in Towns County, Georgia. John Starlin married "R.L. Murphy" on March 21st 1886. Nothing is known about R.L. Murphy but the marriage apparently did not last long as John Starlin soon moved to Robbinsville, North Carolina sometime between 1886 and 1891. Click Here to View Records of Towns County, Georgia Marriages 1855-1900 Living in North Carolina John Starlin Deaton was prone to fighting and drinking, he was often known as "Fighting John Deaton", he was considered the strongest man in two different counties. It is said that he helped build the second ever courthouse in Robbinsville, NC and got into a fight with another worker. This made him the first case trialed in the new courthouse. A story told by Farley Deaton: (Grandson of John Starlin Deaton) John once made a bet in which his friends said they would give him a dollar for every foot he carried a metal railroad track. He ended up carrying it twenty feet and made twenty dollars. This is equivalent to over 700 dollars in 2023. Farley also told me that John Starlin was so strong that he picked up a giant concrete stone and moved it all by himself while working on the courthouse, leaving everyone in awe. This is a picture of the second courthouse in Robbinsville, North Carolina shortly after completion in 1895. It is unknown if John is in the picture or not. Second Marriage On August 8th, 1891, John Starlin Deaton married Leutica Candis Carver in Robbinsville, North Carolina. They were married by Justice of the Peace, TJ Wakefield. Witnesses were William Carpenter, R.L. Carver, and Elizabeth Carver. Through the marriage, John Starlin received two new stepchildren. Etta and Cena Davis, who were the children of Leutica and James Davis of Robbinsville. John and Tishie had four boys together. On April 28th 1891, Reuben Deaton. On November 25th 1894, David Deaton. On July 10th 1897, Isaac Deaton. On December 31st 1899, Robert Lee Deaton. Then in December of 1900, it is suspected that Leuticia died during childbirth, as she is buried in Lone Oak Cemetery with an "Infant Deyton" beside her. Justice of the Peace: Thomas Jefferson Wakefield The fate of John Starlin's step daughter Cena, is currently unknown. Is is suspected that she died sometime between 1900-1908. She was listed in the 1900 census and then suddenly disappears from all records with no named headstone. Mysterious Disappearnce of Cena Headstone of "Infant of John & Leutica Deyton" Headstone of Leuticia Deyton Third Marriage On December 23rd 1902, John Starlin married his stepdaughter, Etta Icie Davis. They were married by Justice of the Peace, W.M. Flemming. Witnesses were C.M. Pittman, B.C. Deyton, and John Deyton. They had their first child on February 14th 1902, John Henry Deaton. During a trip to the Graham County courthouse, I received John Henry's Delayed Birth Certificate. He had gone back to Robbinsville to obtain a birth certificate in 1943. It says the doctor that delivered the child was S.F. Howell. Dr Swinfield F Howell making his rounds Delayed Birth Certificate of John Henry Deaton On March 8th 1904, John Starlin and Etta had their second son together, Jacob Leander Deaton. On November 14th 1907, the youngest son of John Starlin and Etta was born Harve Wesley Deaton. Killing of John Starlin Deaton It is belived that John Starlin was shot and killed by his cousin, Grayson Garrett, near Hanging Dog, North Carolina. The story goes, "While clearing logs off a new ground with his son, Isaac, John Starlin was ambushed from behind and shot in the back of the head. Isaac Deaton followed the river all the way to Tellico Plains, TN to get help. He walked 13 miles and did not arrive until 7pm that night. When they returned it was too late and John Starlin Deaton had passed away." For a long time, no one knew who the killer of John Starlin Deaton was. One day, Isaac's son, Jurlon Deaton, was in the hospital. A nurse came into his room with tears in her eyes and confessed that her uncle, Grayson Garrett, had killed John Starlin. Apparently, Garrett was a good friend of John Starlin's. Garrett wanted a man killed in Georgia and one of Garrett's friends wanted to John Starling killed, so Garrett killed John Starlin and the friend of Garrett, killed the man in Georgia for him in return. John Starlin Deaton is buried in the Garrett Cemetery. He is understood to be one of the first people buried here. His original headstone was falling apart so it was replaced with a new headstone in the late 1990s or early 2000s. In a book called Coker Creek by Fred Brown, the author talks about Grayson Garrett and his life as an outlaw. He went to prison for killing another man. The author also mentions that stories were passed down that Grayson Garrett had also killed his cousin (he couldn't remember the cousins name), which would be John Starlin Deaton. Second Headstone of John Starlin Deaton in August 2023 First Headstone of John Starlin Deaton Picture from Coker Creek Book by Fred Brown William Grayson Garrett John Starlin's wife, Etta, packed up everything they owned onto a cart pulled by an ox to take her and her children all the way to Towns County, Georgia. Etta's half brothers, David and Robert Lee Deaton went with them too. They had to camp out over an open fire, while it tooks months to arrive in Georgia. They were welcomed by John Starlin's sister, Martha Ann Wheeler. Whom they lived with for a while until moving to Banks County, Georgia. It is understood that Etta did not talk about John Starlin in her later years. There is only one picture that exists of John Starlin, that my great grandfather, Harve Deaton, kept in his house for as long as he lived. This original picture and frame is now in my possession. It is a photographic enlargement that was retouched with artist’s crayon (circa ≈1900). Polaroid picture believed to have been taken sometime in the late 50s of the original photographic enlargement of John Starlin Deaton Half Sister of John Starlin Deaton, Martha Ann Deyton Wheeler All Census Records

Click here to view profile Craig Allen Eury February 6th 1927 – February 7th 1976 Into the Life Craig Allen Eury was born on February 6, 1927, in Stanly County, North Carolina. He was the youngest child of Josephus Sanford Eury and Rosa Agnes Hill. His mother, Rosa, passed away in August 1933, when Craig was just 6 years old. He grew up in the Norwood area and later enlisted in the U.S. Army on February 27, 1946, at Camp Pickett, Blackstone, Virginia. Craig served in Company F, 350th Infantry Regiment. His service number was 44083959. He was released from active duty on April 17, 1947, after completing his one-year enlistment. Craig married Anna Carroll Johnson on February 8, 1948, in Chesterfield, South Carolina. Craig passed away on February 7, 1976, in Tennessee. He was buried at Cottonville Baptist Church Cemetery in Norwood, Stanly County, North Carolina. Father: Josephus Eury Mother : Rosa Agnes Hill Brothers: Leonard , Lester , Hugh , Paul , Willie , Joe Jr , Lawson Sisters: Mary Velma , Nannie (died at age 2), Lela ________________ _______ Craig's WW2 Registration Card. In 1945, he was 5'10 and 145 pounds. Obituary Hugh Eury's Funeral (Craig's brother) Top Row: Joseph Jr. Middle Row (L to R): Lawson and Craig Bottom Row (L to R): Paul, Lester, Leonard Veteran Headstone Registration

Click here to view profile. Explore Fannie Mae Livingston's life story. (born 1893) Fannie Mae Livingston May 29th 1893 – January 15th 1984 Into the Life Fannie Mae Livingston was born on May 29, 1893, to Alexander and Mary Frances Livingston in Montgomery County, North Carolina. She was the oldest of six siblings. Fannie had three children: Bradley Livingston (born 1911), Annie Livingston (born 1918), and Erion Livingston (born 1924). Tragically, Eron passed away as a baby in 1925 from pneumonia. Fannie lived with her parents, siblings, and children in Troy, North Carolina, until 1927, when the family relocated to Norwood, North Carolina. Throughout her life, Fannie was a dedicated worker. While living in Troy she worked at the Capelsie Mill. In Norwood, she worked at Collins and Aikman Mill. The fathers of Fannie's children are believed to be members of the Poole family from Randolph County. Upon Fannie’s passing in 1984, her granddaughter Shelia, uncovered that Annie's father was Horace Poole . It remains unclear whether Fannie and Horace were ever in a relationship. Additionally, there is a longstanding rumor that Bradley's father was David Franklin Poole, Horace’s brother, though this has yet to be confirmed. Father: Alexander Livingston Mother : Mary Frances Singleton ________________ _______ Children : Bradley Livingston, Annie Livingston L to R: Annie, Lillie Mae, Fannie Mae (holding baby Erion), George Richardson, James Thomas, Betty (holding baby Frances), Nancy Jane Morton (Neighbor), Mary Frances Singleton, Abbie Gale Singleton, Alexander Livingston Fannie in Norwood with grandchildren, Alvin Eury, Rebeth Livingston, and Barabra Livingston Fannie's Birth Certificate Fannie Mae Livingston in Norwood holding her granddaughter Fannie's daughter, Eron, Death Certificate Homes L to R: Annie and Fannie at 228 Doody Avenue (1970s) L to R: Annie and Fannie at 228 Doody Avenue (1970s) Interview In February 2025, I met Ralph Livingston, Fannie’s nephew through her brother Carson. During our conversation, I made a shocking discovery—Ralph’s son, Gary Livingston, revealed that he had a cassette recording of an interview he conducted with Fannie in the 1970s. Click the box below to access the interview: Fannie Livingston Interview (1970s) Fannie lived in many homes throughout her life. In Troy she lived on Capelsie Road (now Livingston Lane). When moving to Norwood in 1927, the first house Fannie lived in was a mill village home that she shared with her parents, siblings, and children. The family had to move to several different houses within that same mill village due to frequent renovations. Fannie's last home was at 228 Doody Ave, Norwood, North Carolina 28128. (Pictures shown to the left) L to R: Annie and Fannie inside 228 Doody Avenue (1970s) Rare Fannie Livingston Footage from 1970s Fannie with daughter Annie Top Row (L to R): Alvin Eury, Roger Eury, Annie Livingston Bottom Row: Fannie Mae Livingston Fannie with grandson Roger Eury L to R: Fannie, Annie Fannie with granddaughter Angela Eury L to R: Fannie, Shane (Great Great Grandson), Cynthia Eury (Great Granddaughter), Annie (Daughter), Phillip (Great Great Grandson) Fannie's 82nd Birthday Fannie with daughter Annie L to R: Annie and Fannie at 228 Doody Avenue (1970s) L to R: Annie and Fannie at 228 Doody Avenue (1970s) Fannie at her home at 228 Doody Avenue celebrating 82nd birthday L to R: Annie and Fannie at 228 Doody Avenue (1970s) L to R: Fannie and Martha Ann Deaton L to R: Fannie and great grandaughter, Angela Eury Death Fannie Mae Livingston passed away on January 15th, 1984 from bladder cancer at her home. She lived to be 90 years old. When I asked people about Fannie, I often got the same response that she was a "Pistol", in that she had a strong personality. Born at a time when women had limited opportunities outside the home, she defied societal norms by becoming a lifelong mill worker. The textile industry was grueling, with long hours and physically demanding labor, yet Fannie remained dedicated to working, demonstrating her immense independence. Everyone seemed to have a lot of respect for her and admired her greatly. At the time of her death, she had four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Click here to view profile Charlotte Ann Parsons July 20th 1857 - 1913 Into the Life Charlotte Ann Parsons was born July 20th, 1957 to Duncan Livingston Parsons and Miranda Poole in Montgomery County, North Carolina. On January 19th, 1887, she married David Zebedee Poole. Charlotte's grandparents were Zebedee's great grandparents. They had four children together: Johnsie A Poole (born 1888), Annie Belle Poole (born 1889), David Franklin Poole (born 1993), Horace Ceaser Poole (born 1895). Charlotte, died in 1913 due to an unknown cause (Death Certificates weren't required in NC until a few months after Charlotte passed). She is buried at Parsons Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery in Candor, Montgomery County, North Carolina. Father: Duncan Livingston Parsons Mother : Miranda Poole ________________ _______ Husband: David Zebedee Poole Children : Johnsie A Poole, Annie Belle Poole, David Franklin Poole, Horace Ceaser Poole Charlotte's Headstone at Parsons Grove United Methodist Cemetery

Click here to view profile Fred Gibson October 14th 1926 – July 15th 2010 Fred Gibson was born on October 14th 1926 in Banks County, Georgia. He was raised by Dicey Jane Lawrence and Owen Gibson; however, his biological father was Harve Wesley Deaton who had him out of wedlock. He married Lucille Jackson on December 4th 1948. They had 3 children: Roger, Randy, and Patsy Jean; however, Patsy Jean died at the age of 3 months. Fred passed away on July 15th 2010. Father: Harve Wesley Deaton Mother: Dicey Jane Lawrence Half Brother: Wayne Deaton , Roy Gibson Half Sister: Martha Ann Deaton , Edith Gibson, Florene Gibson ____________________ Wife : Lucille Jackson Children : Roger Gibson, Randy Gibson Fred and his wife, Lucille Gibson Fred and his son, Roger L to R: Lucille, Fred, Roger, Randy Fred and his two sons L to R: Martha Ann Deaton, Fred Gibson, Wayne Deaton L to R: Maud Ausburn and Fred Gibson

Click here to view profile David Deaton 25 November 1894 – 30 March 1921 David Deaton was born in November of 1894 in Graham County, NC. He was the second son of Leutica Carver and John Starlin Deaton. After his father died he went with his half-sister, Etta Carver Davis Deaton to Martha and James Wheeler's home in Towns County, GA. In the 1910 Census of Towns County, GA, he is listed as still living in the home with them. We have no knowledge of the year he left there. Harve Wesley Deaton, his half-brother, said he developed Tuberculosis and moved to New Mexico for his health. Photographic enlargement of David Deaton and friend. I have the original picture of this in a frame. Fa ther : John Starlin Deaton Mother : Leutica Carver Brothers: Reuben Deaton , Isaac Deaton , Robert Lee Deaton Half Brothers : John Henry Deaton, Jacob Leander Deaton , Harve Wesley Deaton ____________________ David Deaton is on the far right. It is unknown who the other men are.

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Click here to view profile Hazel Deaton Hazel Deaton was born on March 10th 1928 in Banks County, Georgia. Everyone loved Hazel, as she was very outgoing and intelligent. Hazel drowned when she was only thirteen years old. She was at a school picnic and the children were playing at the edge of the water at Soque River. A girl (Sarah Jane Haslett) was swept under the water by a swift undercurrent, and a boy (Gordon Foster) went in to help her. He was swept under. Hazel, being an excellent swimmer, went in to save them. All three died on May 19, 1942. Father: John Henry Deaton Mother : Cora Jane Lawrence Sister : Ruth Deaton, Johnnie Deaton Brother : Stark Deaton ________________ _______ March 18th 1928 - May 19th 1942 Savannah Morning News, 5/42 Hazel Deaton L to R: Hazel, Stark, Cora, John Henry, Johnnie, Ruth Hazel Deaton Hazel's Death Location (Habersham Mill 2024) Newspaper Clip when Hazel was in Second Grade Last Book Hazel Read Hazel's Handwriting

Click here to explore the life of Horace Poole from Randolph County, North Carolina in the 1900s! Horace Ceaser Poole November 11th 1895 - December 27th 1988 Into the Life Horace Ceaser Poole was born on November 11th, 1895 to David Zebedee "Zeb" Poole and Charlotte Ann Parsons in Candor, North Carolina. He grew up in Cheek Creek Township in Montgomery County, North Carolina with his 3 siblings. His mother, Charlotte, died when Horace was 17 years old due to unknown cause (Death Certificates weren't required in NC until a few months after Charlotte passed). Horace worked at the Russell and King saw mill as a young adult in Candor, NC. In 1918, Horace Poole and his cousin, Fannie Mae Livingston, had a child named Annie Rachel Livingston. It is unknown if Horace and Fannie were in a relationship. Horace's grandmother, Flora Livingston, was Fannie's aunt. Horace did not meet his daughter, Annie, until 1984, after Fannie had passed away. Shorty after Annie's birth, Horace was inducted into the military on August 25th, 1918. He served at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, which was a training center and demobilization camp during World War I. Father: David Zebedee Poole Mother : Charlotte Ann Parsons ______________________ Child with Fannie Mae Livingston : Annie Rachel Livingston 1st Wife : Minnie Ella Harris Children : Verta Mae Poole, Ethel Elenor Poole, Roy Kenneth Poole, Alma Elizabeth Poole 2nd Wife : Dorothy Everheart WW1 Service Card Horace (middle) and his sisters, Annie Belle Poole (left), Johnsie Pool (right) Horace (left) and his brother-in-law, Oliver Pressley Harris (right) Horace's WW1 Registration Card Horace's Birth Certificate Minnie Ella Harris Montgomery Herald: February 9th, 1922 - Page 1 Horace Poole's 91st birthday with his wife, Dorothy Everheart Annie and father Horace Poole WW1 P assanger List First Wife On January 17th 1922, Horace Poole married Minnie Ella Harris in Troy, North Carolina. They had four children together: Verta Mae Poole (born 1924), Ethel Elenor Poole (born 1926), Roy Kenneth Poole (born 1928), and Alma Elizabeth Poole (born 1931). Minnie passed away in 1957 from uremia due to pyonephritis. Second Wife Horace Poole second marriage was to Dorothy Everheart, whose previous husband was Minnie's brother, Bethel Letlow Harris. Horace stayed married to Dorothy until his passing in 1988. Meeting daugter Annie Out of respect for her mother, Fannie Mae, Annie never met her father, Horace Poole, while her mother was alive. However, in 1984, after Fannie’s passing, Annie’s granddaughter, Shelia, set out to find him. When they finally met, the reunion was cordial, and Annie was able to meet her half-sisters as well. Though she had spent most of her life without knowing him, this meeting brought her a sense of closure and connection to a family she had never known. Annie and father Horace Poole

Click here to view profile Harry Wayne Deaton July 29th 1946 – August 29th 2001 R to L: Harve, Wayne, Martha Ann, Bertie Mae R to L: Martha Ann and Bertie Mae holding Wayne in Banks County, Georgia Wayne Deaton was born on July 29th 1946 in Banks County, Georgia to Harve and Bertie Mae Deaton. Wayne grew up with one older sister, Martha Ann, whom he was very close with. Wayne also had an older brother who passed away the day he was born. Kenneth Wesley Deaton arrived too early and wasn't strong enough to make it. He died three years before Wayne was born on March 13th, 1943 and is buried at Damascus Cemetery. Until the time Wayne was around 3 years old, the family lived in a wooden home near Damascus Church Cemetery at coordinates 34.43498° N, 83.44093° W. As of 2024, the house is nothing but rubble. The house where Wayne was born in Banks County, Georgia Father : Harve Wesley Deaton Mother : Bertie Mae Ausburn Sister: Martha Ann Deaton ________________ _______ Wife : Karen Ruth Byrd Children : Susan Lynn, Cynthia Dawn, Wendy Renae, Andrew Wayne R to L: Wayne, Bertie Mae, Molly Runningwolf, Martha Ann Wayne in Harve Deaton's A model coupe On March 10th, 1950, the family moved to Cramerton, North Carolina. Wayne's father, Harve, was already working there in the mill because farming was not productive enough to support the family. While working in the mill, he was living with his friend, Garnett Smith. When he was eventually offered a job to be the caretaker for the Cramer farm, a house came with the job; therefore, Bertie Mae and the children made the full time move to Cramerton. Wayne was almost 4 years old and this was the first house he had lived in with a bathroom, running water, and electricity. Move to Cramerton R to L: Wayne, Harve, Martha Ann on their front porch in Cramerton 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. Both 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. Even though the quality of life had improved, life was still difficult for the family. It was 1953, during a church dinner at Friendship Baptist Church in Belmont when the family got red measles (also known as rubeola). Everyone had gotten better except for mother, Bertie Mae. On Christmas Eve, she was sent to Charlotte Memorial Hospital. Her measles had turned into spinal meningitis. Wayne was 7 years old and said, “I guess Santa Claus won’t come this year". Bertie Mae loved Wayne and demonstrated her love for him, so this all was very hard for him. Christmas Eve night, he went to bed, a very sad little boy. When he was asleep, Wayne's sister, Martha Ann, started searching in her parents’ room and at the bottom of the wardrobe, she found a watch meant for her, a gift for Harve, but nothing for Wayne. Martha's heart dropped. Then looking under the bed, there were several boxes of toys. Martha said she never forgot how excited Wayne was when he got up early and saw that Santa Claus had come. Bertie 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. Wayne's mother was sent off to Broughton Mental Institution after she tried to drown herself in the river on numerous occasions and being pulled out by Harve. She was committed on May 3rd 1954 and discharged on June 30th 1955. R to L: Boyd Jackson, Ronnie Jackson, Wayne Deaton Wayne and sister Martha at U.S. Monument in Kings Mountain R to L: Wayne, Bertie Mae, Martha Ann Harve and Wayne at their Cramerton Home Wayne and dog, Tonnie, at his new home in Cramerton Wayne at Cramerton Home Wayne playing Indians Wayne in front of Georgia Home Wayne went to Cramerton High School and then finished at Midland High. He was an extremely talented pool player. In his later years, he told his sister, Martha Ann, that the first girl he ever kissed was Louise Gillen (Carrie Deaton's) daughter. R to L: Wayne, Boyd Jackson, Ruth Jackson, Martha Ann On Sunday, June 16th 1957 at 9:15 pm, Wayne's mother, Bertie Mae Deaton, got a .32 pistol and shot herself in the right temple outside of their garage. 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.” Bertie Mae was buried at Friendship Baptist Church. Wayne and friend, David Smith Wayne and father Harve in early 1960s. Sensitive Content Wayne's high school graduation Marriage and Later Life L to R: Martha Ann Deaton, Fred Gibson, Wayne Deaton R to L: Wayne, Harve, Daryll Duncan, Martha Ann, James Eury Wayne and his Family (Early 1970s) Wayne married Karen Ruth Byrd in Swain County, NC, on March 25, 1967. Karen's parents were Carrie and Eugene Byrd. Wayne went to Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO where he earned a BA in Theology. He had four children: Susan Lynn, Cynthia Dawn, Wendy Renae, Andrew Wayne. He was pastor of Gethsemane Baptist Church. Wayne died August 29, 2001 while waiting for a heart transplant at Duke Medical Center, Durham, NC. He is buried at Cabarrus Memorial Gardens in Cabarrus County, NC. Wayne is remembered as a devoted brother, loving husband, proud dad, adoring grandfather, special uncle, faithful friend and dedicated pastor. Wayne and Karen's Wedding