SECOND GENERATION

2. Fred Douglas McBee ⁽¹⁾ was born on 2 Feb 1907 in Bear Creek, Yancey County, North Carolina. He died on 7 Nov 1990 in Gaston Memorial Hospital, Gaston County, Gastonia, North Carolina. Suffered a heart attack at the home of his son James Bruce McBee Sr. and died there but was announced dead at the hospital. [Danny A. McBee, November 1, 1998]. He was buried on 9 Nov 1990 in Gaston Memorial Cemetery, Gastonia, N.C.. He had Social Security Number 239-14-3634. He was a Retired textile worker. Last Will and Testament, File #90E1153, Film #90-9254 North Carolina, Gaston
County. I, Fred (NMI) McBee, a resident of Gaston County, North Carolina, do
hereby make, publish and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament and
hereby revoke all former Wills and Codicils heretofore made by me.
Item I
Family Status
I am married and my family consists of my wife, Dorothy Dedmon McBee, and ten
(10) children, namely, William Lee Jenkins, Billie McBee Payne, James Bruce
McBee, Gail Rebecca Bell, Buster Lee McBee, Larry Wayne McBee, Neal Patrick
McBee, Irene McBee Harden, Robert Lance McBee, and Danny Albert McBee.
Throughout this Will when I say "Wife", I mean my wife hereinabove mentioned
and when I say "children", I mean not only the children above named but also
any children born to or adopted by me hereafter.
Item II
Appointment of Fiducicaries
I hereby appoint Billie McBee Payne as Executrix of this my Last Will and
Testament. If for any reason Billie McBee Payne should not be able to serve
as Executrix of this Will, I hereby appoint Larry Wayne McBee as the Alternate
Executor in her place.
In no event shall any of my fiduciaries be required to post bond while serving
in their respective capacities.
Item III
Powers of Fiduciaries
By way of illustration and not of limitation and in addition to any inherent
or implied powers and to the powers set forth in North Carolina General
Statutes 28A-13-3(a), the powers enumerated in North Carolina General Statutes
32-27 are incorporated by reference and granted to my Executor, subject to the
restrictions of North Carolina General Statutes 32-26(b).
Item IV
Debts and Funeral Expenses
I direct that my funeral expenses including the costs of a suitable grave
marker, costs of administering my estate and all legal debts allowable as
claims against my estate be paid out of the general funds of my estate.
Fred McBee (Seal)
In the event that any property or interest in property passing under this
Will, or by operation of law, or otherwise by reason of my death, shall be
encumbered by a mortgage, deed of trust, or lien, or shall be pledged to
secure any obligation (whether the property or interest in property so
encumbered shall be owned by me jointly or individually), it is my intention
that such indebtedness shall not be charged to or paid from my estate, but
that the devisee, legatee, joint owner taking by survivorship, or beneficiary
shall take such property or interest in property subject to all encumbrances
existing at the time of my death.
Item V
Household Goods and Personal Property
I bequeath all my household goods and other tangible personal property,
including all of my personal effects to my wife, and if my wife predeceases
me, I bequeath such personal items to my children in equal shares, per
stirpes, except my grandfather clock I bequeath to CLARA MAE MCBEE.
Item VI
Residuary Estate
All the residue of the property which I may own at the time of my death, real
or personal, tangible and intangible, of whatsoever nature and wheresoever
situate, including all property which I may acquire or become entitled to
after the execution of this Will, including all lapsed legacies, and devises,
I bequeath and devise in fee to my wife, DOROTHY DEDMON MCBEE.
Item VII
Contingent Beneficiaries
If my said wife and I should die in a common disaster or under circumstances
in which the order of our deaths cannot be determined, or if she should die
within a period of six months after the date of my death, then all bequests,
devises and provisions made herein to and for her benefit shall be void and in
such an event I devise and bequeath all of my residuary estate, free of trust,
in equal shares, to my then living children, including the issue of any
deceased child, per stirpes.
Item VIII
Construction of this Will
In construing this Will, if I have used the words "executrix" or "executor"
interchangeably, it is my intention that all fiduciaries appointed by me
under this Will shall have the same and mutual powers and authority to
accomplish the ultimate purposes of this my Last Will and Testament,
notwithstanding any references otherwise to one or the other, whether in the
singular or plural, or in the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender.
The title or catchlines preceding the items, paragraphs or sub-paragraphs of
this Will are for the purpose of easy reference and shall not be considered a
part of this Will or in any way modify, amend, or affect the provisions of
this Will.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, FRED MCBEE, the testator, sign my name to this
instrument this 16th day of January, 1985, and being first duly sworn, do
hereby declare to the undersigned authority that I sign and execute this
instrument as my Last Will and that I sign it willingly, that I execute it as
my free and voluntary act for the purposes therein expressed, and that I am
eighteen years of age or older, of sound mind, and under no constraint or
undue influence.
FRED MCBEE (SEAL)

Daddy got mad at his sister, Effie McBee, because she tried to talk him out of
marrying my mother, Dorothy McBee. It wasn't that she didn't like my mother
but Effie was afraid my dad, because he was crippled from polio, could not
support a family. Daddy moved out of the house where he was living with his
mother, sister Effie, and sister Belle. Daddy moved in with Aunt Hattie McBee
Grayson and her husband, Lum, for six to eight weeks. Daddy had bought up his
furniture before he married mother. They rented a house in the hollar on Pine
Street.
I found the 1920 Mitchell County, Grassy Creek Township, North Carolina Census
that lists Rube T. Beam, age 36, (born circa 1883), with wife Lillian, 21,
children Loyd, 5, Leslie (son), 4 years 4 months, Lonnie, 2 years 5 months,
and Lonas, 2 months old. Rube Beam is the man who taught my Daddy, Fred McBee
to make moonshine. My father told me about Rube Beam when I was a younger
man. I list this as a thought which ought not to be forgotten.
The following article appeared in the Gastonia Gazette, Wednesday, December
13, 1978: Mr. and Mrs. Fred McBee on their golden anniversary. McBee pair
honored on 50th anniversary: Fred McBee left his home in Spruce Pine to come
to Gastonia and work in the textile mills when he was 21 years old. And it
was here that he met Dorothy Dedmon, who worked at the Winget Mill. Their
friendship grew into a romance and they were married Dec. 5, 1928. Mr. and
Mrs. McBee were honored Sunday, Dec. 3, at a reception celebrating their 50th
wedding anniversary. Hosts were the couple's children, Mrs. Billie Payne,
Mrs. Gail Bell, Jack Jenkins, J. B. McBee, Buster McBee, Larry McBee, Pat
McBee, Robert McBee and Danny McBee all of Gastonia, and Mrs. Irene Harden of
Charleston, S. C. The event was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Danny McBee,
4131 Grissom Street. The table was covered with a yellow cloth overlaid with
white and was centered with an arrangement of yellow chrysanthemums. The
anniversary cake was made and cut by granddaughter Melanie Payne. Punch was
poured by granddaughter Tanja McBee. Mrs. Larry McBee kept the guest
register. Congratulatory letters were received from President Jimmy Carter,
Governor Jim Hunt, U. S. Rep. Jim Broyhill and U. S. Sen. Jesse Helms.
Approximately 125 guests called during the appointed hours. Mr. and Mrs.
McBee have 10 children, 30 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The following obituary was taken from the Gastonia Gazette, November 9, 1990:
FRED MCBEE - Gastonia - Fred "Daddy Fred" McBee, 83, 300 Wingate Circle, died
Nov. 8, 1990, at Gaston Memorial Hospital. He was a native of McDowell
County (Actually Mitchell, County), son of the late William A. and Pricie
Sparks McBee and husband of the late Dorothy Dedmond McBee. He was a retired
textile worker and a member of Masonic Lodge 369 (not a practicing Mason).
Survivors include seven sons, William Jenkins and James, Buster, Larry,
Patrick, Robert and Danny McBee of Gastonia; three daughters, Billie Payne of
Gastonia, Gail Bell of Miami, Fla., and Irene Hardin of Goose Creek, S. C.; 31
grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren. The
funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Bobby Smith and Robie Lee Walker at 3
p.m. Sunday at Yorkwood Church of God. Burial will be in Gaston Memorial
Park. Pallbearers include Jonathan McBee, Bruce McBee, Frankie McBee, Freddie
McBee, Todd McBee, and Tim Day. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9
at Ward Funeral Home.

Actually, my daddy, Fred McBee, never went by a middle name. An old black
lady named Mae Duck that helped his mother supposedly named him Douglas. Daddy told me this story when I was real young. My uncle, Lum Grayson, and Coley Evans took my
mother and father to York, South Carolina to be married. Mother tried to slip
away before but was caught by her mother, Mary Ellen Todd Dedmond. Daddy
bought himself a new suit of clothes from Lloyd Rose to marry in.

Fred McBee, age 3, is listed in the 1910 Grassy Creek, Mitchell County, North
Carolina Census, as a child in the household of his father William A. McBee,
42, married twice, and mother Pricie, 32. (Danny A. McBee).

William Albert McBee shows up in the 1920 Mitchell County, Grassy Creek, North
Carolina Census as head of household. William is 53 years old. Pricie, his
wife, is 42. Their children are listed as Vestie Swofford,26, (Vestie's name
is erased. Whomever was giving the census information didn't understand the
question and gave Vestie's name), Effie, 14, Hattie, 12, Fred, 11, Frank, 9,
Lance, 8, and Belle, 7. [Fred is listed as 11 years old. This would have him being born in 1909 which is the age and birthdate he went by for many, many years and this was listed
in the family Bible (in the possession of my brother Robert Lance "Bobby" McBee of Gastonia, North Carolina. [Actually my dad was born in 1907 as was clearly stated by the 1910 Grassy Creek, Mitchell County, North Carolina Census. I, Danny A. McBee, believe the older girls took this as their age so they would be just a little younger and passed these birthdates on to their other brothers and sisters].

My dad, Fred McBee, was preceded in death by my mother Dorothy Dedmond McBee by
four years. [Danny A. McBee, March 11, 2000].






He was married to Dorothy Dorthea Dedmond on 5 Dec 1928 in York, South Carolina.

3. Dorothy Dorthea Dedmond ⁽¹⁾ was born on 22 Feb 1904 in Salisbury, North Carolina. She died on 3 Jan 1986 in Gaston Memorial Hospital, Gaston County, Gastonia, North Carolina. She was buried on 5 Jan 1986 in Gaston Memorial Cemetery, Gastonia, N.C.. She had Social Security Number 243-24-8119. She was a Textiles/Housewife. Dorothy Dedmond was married 1st to Uley Jenkins circa 1921. They were only
together for a year or two. Uley wanted to move back to the mountains to be
with his family and young Dorothy wanted to stay in Gastonia, North Carolina
with her family. It is not known to me, Danny A. McBee, Dorothy's last child,
whether she and Uley ever divorced. She, later, December 5, 1928, married my
father, Fred McBee. Uley Jenkins remarried and had another family.

The following letter was written to Airman First Class Danny Albert McBee by
his mother while he was stationed in San Antonio, Texas at Lackland Air Force
Base during basic training. I will type the letter as she wrote it.
Sept 29.1967
Hi Danney a fue lines to let you no we ar all well Hop you the seam.
honey i woked up last night at 12 a clock thankin of you. and i prade for you
a long time. and i felt like you neded a little money so i am sendin you
some. i did not get to go to town to get the stamps you wanted. so you get
thim. I love you from mother

The 1910 Gastonia, North Carolina Census list Dorothy Dedmond McBee as Dorcas
D. Dedmon, age 6. This was the 13th Census, Crowders Mountain Township.

Dorothy Dedmond McBee's social security number was 243-24-8119.
Today, January 3, 1996, my mother, Dorothy D. McBee, has been dead for ten
years. I miss her as much today as I did then if not even more. She was a
very tender, loving, and caring mother. She loved her children with all of
her heart. I reflect back on the letter above where she says "I love you"
from mother. She loved each of us with the same love. She will not be
forgotten by those who knew her and loved her. She left a lasting impression
on each of us. I carry many of Dorothy Dedmond McBee's qualities around with
me each day. She will live in me and through me for all the days of my life
and then through her grandchildren. I know today that she is looking down on
each of us and waiting patiently for us to join her. Thank you mother for
your love and caring for all the years that you were with us. Your loving son,
Danny Albert McBee. [Danny A. McBee, January 3, 1996].

The following obituary was in the January 3, 1986, Gastonia Gazette: Dorothy
D. McBee - Dorothy (Mama Dot) Dedmond McBee, 81, 4129 Grissom St., died Friday
at Gaston Memorial Hospital. She was a native of Rowan County, daughter of
the late W. H. and Mary Todd Dedmond, was a housewife and member of Yorkwood
Church of God. Survivors include her husband, Fred D. McBee; three daughters,
Irene Hardin of Goose Creek, S. C., Billie Payne and Gail Bell, both of
Gastonia; seven sons, J. B., Buster, Larry, Neal (Pat), Robert, Danny McBee
and Jack Jenkins, Gastonia; three sisters, Gussie Enloe, Agnes Falls and
Martha Sams, Gastonia; three brothers, Mack Dedmond of Inverness, Fla., Cliff
Dedmond of Zephyr Hills, Fla., and Tony Dedmond of Jacksonville, Fla.; 33
grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by
the Revs. Bobby Smith and Roby Walker at 2 p.m. Sunday at Yorkwood Church of
God. Burial will be in Gaston Memorial Park. The family will receive friends
from 7 to 9 tonight at Ward Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Fred McBee, Robert
McBee, Bruce McBee, Jon McBee, Mike Bell, and Tim Day. (Danny A. McBee).

According to a conversation I, Danny A. McBee, had with my aunt Agnes Dedmond
Falls on July 4, 1996, my mother, Dorothy Dedmond McBee, wrote home to her
father William Haley Dedmond and told him she wanted to come home from the
mountains where she and Uley Jenkins had moved to. Her dad sent her the money
to come home. She and Jack (her son by Uley) caught a train and came home.
Uley later came back to Gastonia to get my mother to come back to the
mountains but she refused. Uley left and did not come back. (My brother Jack
would go to the mountains on occasion to see his father Uley). Mother and
Uley went to York, South Carolina to be married according to aunt Agnes
Dedmond Falls.

Following up information given to me by my aunt Agnes Dedmond Falls, I, Danny
A. McBee, found the divorce of my mother from her 1st husband Uley Jenkins.
I went to the Gaston County Courthouse in Gastonia, North Carolina. I found
the record in the Minute Docket - December Civil Term - 1928 (December 3,
1928): #2225. Dorothy Jenkins vs Ullie Jenkins - This cause coming on to be
heard - Jury chosen, tried, sworn and empanelled and the following issues were
submitted to the Jury: 1. Were the plaintiff and defendant duly married, as
alleged in the complaint? Answer: Yes. 2. Has plaintiff and defendant
lived separate and apart from each other for five years preceding the bringing
of this action and during that period has plaintiff been a resident of the
State of North Carolina? Answer: Yes.
North Carolina, Gaston County. Dorothy Jenkins vs Ullie Jenkins in the
Superior Court. JUDGMENT. This cause coming on to be heard and being heard
before his Honor, W. F. Harding, Judge present and presiding, and a jury at
the December, 1928 term of the Superior Court for Gaston County and the jury
having answered the issues in favor of the plaintiff and against the
defendant, as will appear in the record of said cause: It is therefore
ordered that the bonds of matrimony heretofore existing between the plaintiff
and defendant be and the same are hereby dissolved and the plaintiff is
granted an absolute divorce from the defendant and for the cost of this action
and for such other and further relief as she may be entitled to in law and
equity. W. F. Harding, Judge Presiding. (I found this information September
23, 1996. Danny A. McBee).

Dorothy D. Dedmond, age 16, is listed in the household of her father, William H.
Dedmond, age 50, in the 1920 Gaston County, Gastonia Township, North Carolina.
[Danny A. McBee, April 16, 1998]. Children were:

i. Billie Mae McBee (Private).
ii. James Bruce McBee (Private).
iii. Gail Rebecca McBee⁽¹⁾ was born on 14 Aug 1934 in Alta Pass, Mitchell Co., North Carolina. She died on 3 Apr 1991 in South Shore Hospital, Miami Beach, Fla.. She was buried on 7 Apr 1991 in Hollywood Cemetery, Gastonia, N. C.. She had Social Security Number 244-46-0352. She was a Textile mill supervisor. Gail was a very beautiful girl and woman. I remember her closeness when I was
a child. She and her husband, Junior, would take me home on the weekends on
occasion. I remember once she let me come stay with them when Junior was in
the Air Force. I didn't get to know Gail very well because she was 13 when I
was born. She married and moved away while I was still a child. I got to
know Gail very well prior to her death. I loved her smile. I loved her
spirit. She is gone now; but she will never be forgotten. (Danny A. McBee).

Gail's social security number was 244-46-0352. There may be pertinent information on her social security card application that would help with our genealogy. [Danny A. McBee, February 14, 1999].

The following letter was written to me, Danny Albert McBee, by my sister Gail Rebecca McBee Bell on December 26, 1990 from Miami Beach, Florida:

Hi Dan, Belinda & John,

Sorry I didn't get to see any of you anymore while I was home. It was a real hectic trip and I had too go in the hospital when I got back home. Sixteen days. Pneumonia again! Hope all of you had a Merry Christmas. Just couldn't get the Christmas spirit this year. Irene called me quite a few times while I was in the hospital. I'm down to 95 lbs. Nick is shoving pasta & everything down my throat trying to fatten me up again. The Doctor sent me home with oxygen so I feel much better. If I can just gain my weight back, I'll probably feel much better. I don't have to stay on the oxygen all the time, just when I need it. Billie called me last Sunday, said our Brother Bob had a bad scare about that place on his face. Have you heard from Him? Hope everything turns out o.k. and they can operate on it. Tell Wilma & Paul hello for me when you see them. Was hoping to see them while I was there.

Danny had a real nice Christmas. He still thinks Santa Claus is coming every night. I have to go back in the hospital the 4th of January for some radiation therapy. I dread it but he said He would only keep me a couple of days. My white blood count is high. Which scares me but I'm going to keep on Keeping on long as I can. These bouts with pneumonia has really taken something out of me and losing Daddy too. Believe it or not Dan, they stuck so many needles in my right arm while I was in the hospital, it helped my arthritis. At least I can hold a pencil and write now. I've lost Pat and Louise's address. When you see Him tel Him too get Louise too send it too me. Well, I'll close for now. Write when you can. Love, Your Sister Gail P. S. It's 80 degrees here today. Is it cold there?

To my knowledge, this is the only letter that I ever got from my sister Gail. I treasure it.
(Danny A. McBee, January 8, 2001).
iv. Buster Lee McBee⁽¹⁾ was born on 10 Jul 1936 in Alta Pass, Mitchell County, North Carolina. He died on 16 Oct 1998 in At home, Gaston Co., Gastonia, North Carolina. He was a St. Joe Paper Company. Buster was always a super dresser as a young man. He always looked sharp. He
was a Marine and I admired his toughness. He went into the Marine Corps as
a young man, 17 or 18. Buster had a strength about him that not many people
have. He is very intelligent. He will always hold a place in my heart. We
do not have much contact with each other. I love and care for him very much.
He reminds me of my dad in many ways. I hope that someday Buster and I can
be closer. (Danny A. McBee).

Today, October 17, was a really sad day for me, Danny A. McBee. My nephew Fred Turner McBee called me at 6:15 a.m. this morning and informed me that my brother Buster Lee McBee, his father, had died the night before. I am deeply saddened at the loss of my brother. He will be missed by all of his brothers and sisters. The following is his obituary that was in the Gaston Gazette, October 18, 1998:

Buster McBee

GASTONIA — Buster Lee McBee, 62, 624 Honeywood Lane, died Oct. 16, 1998, at home.

He was a native of Mitchell County, son of the late Fred and Dorothy Deadman McBee, brother of the late Jack Jenkins and Gail Bell, Marine veteran of the Korean War, member of VFW Post 9337, retired welder from Warner and Swazey, Gastonia.

SURVIVORS: Wife, Clara McBee, the home; sons, Fred and Todd McBee, Gastonia; brothers, J.B., Larry, Bobby, Danny McBee, Gastonia, Pat McBee, Clover, S.C.; sisters, Billie Payne, Gastonia, Irene Hardin, Charleston, S.C.; grandchildren, Jessica and Matthew McBee, Gastonia

FUNERAL: 11 a.m. Monday, Greene Funeral, Service Southside Chapel, Rev. Bobby Smith

BURIAL: Gaston Memorial Park

VISITATION: 3-5 p.m. today, funeral home

MEMORIALS: Yorkwood Church of God, Stagecoach Road, Gastonia or Grace Baptist Church, 2200 Auten Road, Gastonia.

Buster apparently had a heart attack and died about 6:00 p.m. while at home alone. Clara Mae McBee, Buster's wife, found Buster when she got home about 12:30 a.m. the early morning of October 17, 1998. [Danny A. McBee, October 19, 1998].

I, Danny A. McBee, went to the courthouse on November 24, 1998 and got the Death Certificate of my brother Buster Lee McBee. It read as follows:

Buster Lee McBee, Male, Date of Death, 10/16/98, Social Security Number 242-50-1179, age last birthday, 62, date of birth, 7/10/36, Mitchell County, N. C., was decendent ever in armed services? Yes. Dead on Arrival. Taken to Gaston Memorial Hospital, Gastonia, Gaston County (pronounced dead). Married to Clara Hughes. Occupation: Welder, Textile Machine Manufacturing. Residence: Gastonia, Gaston County, North Carolina, 624 Honeywood Lane. Outside of city limits. Zip Code: 28056. Not of Hispanic Origin.
Race: White. Education: 12 [I, Danny A. McBee, do not agree with this. Buster may have gotten a GED but he never finished high school. Buster joined the Marine Corps when he was just a young boy. He quit school in about the 9th grade. Father's name:
Fred McBee. Mother's name: Dorothy Deadman (Name was not correct. Mother's maiden name was Dedmond. Dedmond was derived from the spelling of Deadman and Deadmon. However, her actual maiden name was Dedmond]. Informant's name: Clara Hughes McBee [wife]. Address: 624 Honeywood Lane, Gastonia, N. C. 28056. Immediate cause of death: Ischemic Heart Disease. Approximate interval between onset and death: Years.
Other significant conditions contributing to death but not resulting in the underlying cause given above as Immediate cause: Tobacco Abuse. No autopsy. Manner of death: Natural. Dr. Bruce Flitt determined cause of death. Method of disposition: Burial, Gaston Memorial Park, Gastonia, North Carolina, 28054. Greene Funeral Service, Scott Greene, handled the services. Bruce Parsons, Office of Register of Deeds, filed Certificate of Death on October 19, 1998 and signed by Scott Greene. Volume 149, page 128. Death Certificate number 0861896. [Danny A. McBee, January 22, 1999].

v. Larry Wayne McBee (Private).
vi. Irene Dale McBee (Private).
vii. Neal Patrick McBee (Private).
viii. Robert Lance McBee (Private).
1 ix. Danny Albert McBee.

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