THIRD GENERATION

9. William Alfred THOMAS was born on 27 Jul 1867 in Union Co., Georgia, USA. William's birth is based on his age given in the 1870 census, 1880 census, and the his family bible maintained as part of the Gregory family records. He appeared on the U.S. Census in 1870 in Union Co., Georgia, USA.⁽⁵⁾ It was in this census that William was first located living with his parents at the age of 2. He appeared on the U.S. Census in 1880 in Hayesville, Clay, North Carolina, USA.⁽³⁾ In this census William is living with his parents in Hayesville, Clay Co. NC. at the age of 12, this census also shows his middle initial "A", helping to confirm his identity. He appeared on the U.S. Census in 1920 in Cullman Co., Alabama, USA. ⁽⁶⁾ William is not found in any census information after the 1880 census until the 1920 census of Cullman Co. AL. Here he is listed as Head of Household at age 52. Other family members listed were, his second wife, listed as "Annie" (Cleo Pounders) at age 19, daughter "Novia L." age 10, and youngest daughter, "Rubie" at age 1. It should be noted that Cleo Pounders actual age is unconfirmed. The marriage record for Dec 1918 listed her as age 20, and the family bible does not list year of birth. Further research is needed to locate Cleo as a child in earlier census information to confirm age.

He died on 4 Jun 1943 in Manila, Mississippi, Arkansas, USA.

William remarried shortly after his first wife died of the flue, during the 1918 flue epidemic, in October 1918, leaving him with Ruby as an infant in need of care. Family information passed on indicates that this second marriage caused ill feelings between William and his two older children, and this strife may have been due to Cleo's young age when William married her.

Mary Elizabeth SMITH died on 13 Oct 1918 in Alabama, USA. ⁽⁷⁾ (Family Bible) William Alfred THOMAS and Mary Elizabeth SMITH had the following children:

18 i. Mitchel THOMAS was born on 30 Dec 1897 in Lumpkin Co., Georgia, USA. ⁽⁷⁾ He died on 2 Feb 1898 in Lumpkin Co., Georgia, USA.⁽⁷⁾ Information is from the family bible.
19 ii. Everlen (Olie) THOMAS was born on 25 Jan 1899 in Lumpkin Co., Georgia, USA. ⁽⁷⁾ She died on 27 Nov 1976 in Alabama, USA. ⁽⁷⁾ Information is from the family bible.
20 iii. Freeman THOMAS was born on 16 Aug 1901 in Lumpkin Co., Georgia, USA. Information is from the family bible. He died on 16 Mar 1960 in Cullman Co., Alabama, USA. ⁽⁸⁾ He was buried in Cullman Co., Alabama, USA.⁽⁸⁾
21 iv. Maybell THOMAS was born on 1 May 1905 in Jefferson Co., Alabama, USA. ⁽⁷⁾ She died on 3 May 1905 in Jefferson Co., Alabama, USA.⁽⁷⁾ Information is from the family bible.
22 v. Novy Lee THOMAS was born on 10 Nov 1909 in Blount Co., Alabama, USA. ⁽⁷⁾ She died on 11 May 1964. ⁽⁷⁾ Information is from the family bible.
+23 vi. Ruby Jewel THOMAS.

He was married to Cleo POUNDERS on 25 Dec 1918 in Phil Campbell, Franklin, Alabama, USA. ⁽⁹⁾ The Family Bible of William A. Thomas provides us with the marriage page showing W.A. Thomas and Cleo Pounders were united in Holy Matrimony at the W.A. Thomas house on the 25th day of December 1918 in the presence of O.L. Hedden and others. Performed and signed by O.L. Hedden.
This lead to the marriage license issued in Franklin Co., AL. on 24 Dec., 1918 by A.W. Heargett, and recorded as performed on 25 Dec., 1918 by O.L. Hedden M.G.. The license shows Miss Cleo Pounders as 20 years of age, 5' 4" tall, 130 lbs, native of Alabama, residence being Phil Ala. (Phil Campbell, Franklin, AL.), and Mr. W.A. Thomas being 51 years of age, 5' 11" tall, 165 lbs, native of Georgia, occupation of farmer, this being his second marriage, and also residing in Phil Ala. Both individuals listed their religion as Protestant. Cleo POUNDERS was born on 28 Aug in Franklin Co., Alabama, USA. ⁽⁷⁾ Based on notes made by Patricia Bodily while talking to Cloye LuVell {Thomas} in 1995, "Ruby's step mother died in Lepanto, Arkansas, at age 43, from Asthma.", would provide an estimated birth year of 1897. Marriage record states her age as 20 in 1918 - birth calculated to be 1898. Family stories indicate that she may have been as young as 16 in 1918 - birth 1902.........
She died on 27 Oct 1940 in Lepanto, , Arkansas, USA. William Alfred THOMAS and Cleo POUNDERS had the following children:

24 i. Joseph Ceburn THOMAS was born on 5 Jan 1920 in Cullman Co., Alabama, USA. ⁽⁷⁾ He died on 26 Dec 1980. ⁽⁷⁾
25 ii. Flosey Ellen THOMAS was born on 28 Oct 1922 in Cullman Co., Alabama, USA. ⁽⁷⁾
26 iii. Cloye LuVell THOMAS was born on 27 Apr 1927 in Lauderdale Co., Alabama, USA. ⁽⁷⁾
27 iv. Hubert William THOMAS was born on 22 Nov 1929 in Franklin Co., Alabama, USA. ⁽⁷⁾ A half brother to Ruby, he disappeared about 1957. He is reported as having 2 children, 1 boy and 1 girl in Racine, Wisc. It is said that the state took the children after a divorce.
-notes made by Patricia Bodily while talking to Cloye LuVell {Thomas} in 1995.