Monroe J. Vandiver [1869-1942] and Martha Etta [Hollimon] Vandiver[1869-1944].

Monroe J. Vandiver and Martha Ella ( Hollimon ) Vandiver were born in Lawrence County , Alabama . Monroe J. Vandiver was born ( July 2,1869 ) and Martha Ella ( Hollimon ) Vandiver was born ( April 3, 1869 ) . Martha Ella and Monroe J. were married ( 26 Feb. 1885 ) . They lived in Lawrence County, Alabama after their marriage.

They had the following children : James Gilbert Vandiver ( May 7,1889-Oct. 6, 1973 ) , Minnie Mae Vandiver ( Patton ) ( April 30,1893-Oct.11,1970 ) , Charles Monroe Vandiver " Charlie " ( Oct 3,1897-May 26, 1983 ) , Clyde Earl Vandiver ( March2,1903-Nov10,1989 ). Myrtle Alene ( Vandiver ) Thompson , ( September 26, 1906-Aug18,1988 ) , Claude Lee Vandiver ( December 29,1909-November3,1951) and Ila Pearl (Vandiver ) Griffin ( Feb 7,1913-Feb23,2002 ). They also had a infant Allie Vandiver , deceased .

Monroe J. and Martha Ella started their married life in Alabama . They decided to make a move and start a new life in Arkansas . They settled in Yell County, Arkansas about 1906 . They lived there where Monroe J. farmed near Riley Creek and ran a General Merchantile Store in near by Belleville , Arkansas . They stayed in the Riley Creek Community until 1924 , when they made a move to Garver County , Oklahoma . Another move was make in 1931 to Clovis , New Mexico . They lived the rest of their years in Clovis , New Mexico . They lived to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary. They had three more years together after their Anniversary . Monroe passed away in ( 1942) and Martha Ella passed away in( 1944 ) . They are buried together at Clovis Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Clovis , New Mexico . They were both members of the First Baptist Church of Clovis , New Mexico where their funerals were held. The Steed Funeral Home of Clovis , New Mexico was in charge of both services.

James Gilbert Vandiver was the oldest son of Monroe J and Martha Ella ( Hollimon ) Vandiver . He was born (7 th of May 1889 ) in Leaton , Alabama . James Gilbert meet and married Mattie Viola Mangum in Danville , Arkansas on May 12, 1907 . He was very active in community affairs . James Gilbert was a 32 degree Mason . He was a Member of Lodge No. 40 , Scottish Rites of Santa Fe , New Mexico and served as Master of the Masonic Lodge in Danville , Arkansas for several years.

James Gilbert Vandiver was born May 7, 1889 at Leaton , Alabama . James Gilbert moved to Clovis , New Mexico in 1933 . He owned and operated Clovis Mattress Factory for years at 315 East 1th Street in Clovis . He operated this business until his retirement in 1955 . Mattie and James had their home at 315 East Grand Street in Clovis , N. M. James Gilbert Vandiver died : Oct 6, 1973 at Clovis , N.M. He is buried at Clovis Memorial Gardens by Steed Funeral Home . Mattie and Gilbert had 12 children together .

Mattie Viola ( Mangum ) Vandiver wife of James Gilbert Vandiver was born : January 22, 1890 and died March 22, 1989 at Wichita , Kansas , at her daughter Bevie Vandiver Burnett's home , where she had made her home in the past years . Mattie was buried at Clovis Memorial Gardens Cemetery , Clovis , New Mexico . Services for Mattie were at 2pm. March 25 , 1989 . at Steeds Chapel , Clovis , N.M. with Dr. Herbert Bergstom officiating . The castket bearers were Richard Ruther , Bob Stephens , R.B. Bonney , D.D. Haytcher and Bill Simpson , also Jeff Parker and Eck Colson . On January 22, 1989 Mattie Viola had celebrated her 99 birthday with grandson Terry and June Burnett hosting the party and 5 generations were present . Mattie had lived with her daughter Bevie Burnett the past 8 years of her life. Present for her 99 th Birthday Party were 5 of her children , 24 grandchildern , 38 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren . What a wonderful celebration for Mattie Viola ( Mangum ) Vandiver . Her parents were William W. and Mary Emmaline ( Sharp ) Mangum .

Minnie Mae ( Vandiver ) Patton was born ; April 30 , 1893 in Alabama . She died :October 11, 1970 in Danville , Arkansas . She meet and married Burl Patton of Riley Creek , Yell County , Arkansas . Burl Patton was born : Nov 13, 1890 and died July 16, 1970 . They are both buried in the Russell Cemetery near Belleville , Arkansas . They lived on Riley Creek most of their lives and were farmers . Minnie Mae and Burl Patton had 2 girls and 4 boys together .

1. Ray Patton ( 1909-1998 ) . Ray was born at Riley Creek Yell County , Arkansas . He meet and married Lorena Madden of Belleville , Yell County , Arkansas . They lived in Arkansas until about 1945 when they moved to Clovis , New Mexico . Ray passed away in 1998 at Clovis , New Mexico . Ray and his wife Lorene Patton have a daughter living and also grandchildren.

4. Herman V. Patton ( 1920-1998 ) was born February 4, 1920 in Riley Creek , Yell County , Ark. He meet and married Melba ( Moudy ) Patton of Belleville , Arkansas . Herman and Melba had two children together , a son and daughter . Both of their children are living . Herman V. Patton died ( Oct. 25 , 1998 ) at Russellville , Arkansas .Herman lived most of his life in the Riley Creek and Belleville , Arkansas area. He served our country in the U.S. Army .

Charles Monroe Vandiver " Charlie " was born : October 3, 1897 at Belleville , Arkansas . Charles Monroe died : May 26 , 1983 at Clovis or Portales, N.M. where he was living at the time of his death . Charles Monroe was married , August 9, 1914 to Alice ( Smith ) Vandiver . They had 6 children ( in 2003 ) only two girls left living . Charles Monroe Vandiver was buried on May 30 ,1983 after a 10am.Service at Wheeler's Starlighr Chapel Funeral Home , Portales , N.M. with minster Elder Jeff Harris . The music at services was by the Church Singers . Pallbearers were Earl Vandiver , Fred Chandler , Jay Stevens , Gene Sherman , Kenneth Kenzie and Gene Pershall . He was buried at the Texaco New Mexico Cemetery , Texico , New Mexico .

Charles Monroe Vandiver 's wife Alice ( Smith ) Vandiver passed away July 1987 in Clovis , New Mexico . Alice spent several years in a nursing home in Clovis before her death in 1987 . She was buried July 25, 1987 at Texico , New Mexico in the Texico New Mexico Cemetery next to her husband Charles Monroe Vandiver .

1. Naomi ( Vandiver ) Black ( 1916-2003 ) , was living at the Sunrise Golden Age Nursing Home in Clovis , N.M. at the time of her death , Mar 3 ,2003. Naomi was married to the late Runt Black of Clovis , New Mexico . They were divorced . Naomi was buried in the Texaco Cemetery in Clovis , New Mexico . There were no children of Naomi and Runt Black .

2. Freda ( Vandiver ) Mays ( 1920-1997] . Freda was married twice . #1. Thomas Boman and # 2 . Charles May . Freda died after a long illiness . Her first husband Tom went to war , was in the service ( Army ) . Tom was killed in the bombing of Pearl Harbor and it was several years before Freda remarried . Freda had one daughter with Tom Boman . Freda is buried at Weatherford , Texas .

3. Odell ( Jim ) Vandiver ( 1922-1994 ) . Odell was born in Yell County , Arkansas . He meet and married a Jewel Vandiver . Odell was a veteran of WW11 . Odell (Jim ) Vandiver is buried at the Pioneer Cementry , Graham , Texas . Odell and Jewel Vandiver had 3 or 4 children together . They lived in Graham , Texas most of their married life . They are both buried at Graham , Texas in the Pioneer Cementery .

5. Edward Harold ( Ed) Vandiver ( Oct 11, 1918-Jan 12,1997 ) . Edward was born in Enid , Okla. and died in Hobbs , New Mexico . He was in the Hobbs , New Mexico Health Care Center when he died . He had ( Cancer ) . He married Foy ( Newman ) Vandiver on ( December 18, 1954 ) in Clovis , New Mexico . His wife Foy also passed away in 2002 . She had been in a nursing home . She had Aldheimer's disease . They had moved to Hobbs , New Mexico in 1989 from Portales , New Mexico where he had worked for dairies in eastern New Mexico . Edward was a Baptist . Edward was also a mechanic and born deaf . Edward's funeral was 1pm. Jan 15, 1997 at Chapel of Hope , Hobbs Funeral Home . Services by Rev. Gavin Vaugh, officiating . Burial was in Praire Haven Memorial Park . At the time of his death he was survived by his wife Foy ( Of the home ) two daughters , Diana Vandiver McNabb and husband , Betty Vandiver Homan and husband Don Homan of Hobbs , New Mexico. At the time of his death he had one brother , Opal Vandiver and wife . Sisters , Naomi ( Vandiver ) Black of Clovis , New Mexico , Freda ( Vandiver ) Mays , Fort Worth , Texas and sister Janelle ( Vandiver ) Pershall and husband Harold Pershall of Kingsman , Arizona and 5 grandchildren. The Pallbearers were , Steve Butter , Don Homan ,Dennis Shearer , Kevin McNabb and Howard Mc Nabb , Brandon Homan and Henry Daniel Homan . They are both buried together at Prairre Haven Memorial Park .

Clyde Earl Vandiver was born : March 2, 1903 at Marlow , Oklahoma and died : November 10, 1989 at Vernon , Texas . Clyde Earl married Dorothy ( Flood ) Vandiver . Clyde and Dorothy had a son and daughter together . They made their home in Vernon , Texas . Clyde Earl Vandiver died November 10 , 1989 at Vernon Texas and his Funeral Services were held Novenber 13, 1989 at Sullivan Funeral Home with Rev. E.E. Chappell officiating . Rev. Chappell was the Pastor of the East Side Baptist Church . Burial was in the East View Cemetery , Vernon Texas . The music played for the services by Mrs. Mozelle Chappell organist was " The Old Rugged Cross " and " Going Home " . The pallbears were Paul Cellar , Don Goble , Joe Bacon , Jack Rogers , G. R. Stowe and George Baker . All arrangements were handled by Sullivan Funeral Home .

Dorthory ( Flood ) Vandiver born ( Oct . 23 , 1910 ) , wife of Clyde Earl Vandiver died , (August 6, 1985) at Vernon , Texas . Her Services were held a 10am. at Sullivan Funeral Home on August 8 ,1985 . Rev. Rick Vandiver ( grandson ) and Rev. Al Turner officiated .The music was " The Old Rugged Cross " and " Going Home " . Dorthory's burial was at the East View Cemetery at Vernon , Texas by the Sullivan Funeral Home . The pallbearers were , Paul Culler , Freddie Guggisberg , Wayne Kendricks , Jack Rodgers, Don Goble and G. R. Stowe .

Myrtle Alene (Vandiver ) Thompson was born : September 26 , 1907 ) in Belleville , Yell County Arkansas and died : August 18, 1988 at Paris , Texas . Myrtle Alene married Bruce Thompson ( 1902-1969) . They are both buried at Texico Cemetery , Texico , New Mexico . They lost two infants that are buried in front of their graves . The babies died at birth . In later years they adopted a niece Velma Vandiver , who is the daughter of the late Claude Lee Vandiver and Laura Belle [ Kinzie ] Vandiver . The child became their daughter, Velma [ Vandiver ] Thompson .

Myrtle Alene ( Vandiver ) Thompson 81, died at St Joseph Hospital Thursday, August 18 , 1988 at Paris , Texas . Services were held at 4 pm. Friday , Aug. 19 , at Fry and Gibbs Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev, Randall Scott officiating . Graveside services and burial was in Texaco , New Mexico at 2pm on August 20, 1988 . Mrs. Thompson was born , Sept. 26 th 1907 in Arkansas , a daughter of Monroe Jackson Vandiver and Martha ( Hollimon ) Vandiver . She attended Arkansas schools and married Bruce Thompson on Feb . 22, 1929 . He died Aptil 20 , 1969 . They had moved to Clovis ,N.M. and lived there until 1957 , when they moved to Paris , Texas .They returned to Clovis , New Mexico in 1965 . After husband's death Myrtle moved back to Paris, Texas . She was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church . Surviving are a daughter , Velma Hodges of Paris , Tx. ; two grandchildren , Stephen Hodges and Debbie Hodges , two great-grandchildren , Matthew Hodges and Laura Lynch ( who was born three weeks after Myrtle passed away , one sister Ila Pearl ( Vandiver ) Griffin , Alma , Ark and brother Clyde Earl Vandiver of Vernon , Texas . Myrtle and Bruce Thompson are both buried in Texiaco Cementry , Texico , New Mexico .

Bruce Thompson age 66 died Sunday morning Aug.. 1969 in Clovis , Curry County , New Mexico . Mr. Thompson had been a resident of Curry County since 1925 . He was a retired farmer . He is survived by his wife , Myrtle Alene of the home ; a daughter Velma Hodges of Paris , Texas ; the brothers , Clyde of Clovis ,Clifford of Amarillo , Tex. and Richard of Pampas , Tex. Three sisters , Susie Cresco , Amarillo , Texas , Lucille Jarrell of Salinas , Calif. and Merle Huey of Belen, Texas . Funeral services were held on Tuesday at 2pm. in the Charles V. Steed Memorial Chapel with Rev. Earl Landtroop , officating assisted by the Rev. Hoyt Welsh . Pallbearers are George Davis , Leonard Freeman , Guy Belvins , Robert Hart , R. H. Moody , and Woodrow Woodard . Burial was at the Texico Cementry , Texico , New Mexico.

Claude Lee Vandiver was born : December 29 1909 in Belleville , Arkansas . Claude Lee Died : Nov 3, 1951 in Clovis , New Mexico . He is buried in the Clovis Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Clovis , New Mexico . Claude Lee was only 41 years old when he died of colon cancer . He had been sick about 8 months before he died . Claude Lee 's funeral was Sunday November 5, 1951 at 2pm. at the Steed Funeral Home of Clovis , New Mexico with Rev. Edward Storm officiating . Burial at Clovis Memorial Gardens of Memories. by the Steed Funeral Home . He was survived by his second wife Lorene Cooper Vandiver , and a daughter of 9 yrs old. Other surviviors at time of his death were Minnie Mae ( Vandiver ) Patton of Belleville , Arkansas , Myrtle Alene ( Vandiver ) Thompson of Clovis , New Mexico and Ila Pearl ( Vandiver ) Griffin of Clovis ,New Mexico and three brothers , Charles Monroe Vandiver of Fort Worth , Texas , James Gilbert Vandiver of Clovis , New Mexico and Clyde Earl Vandiver of Vernon , Texas . Pallbearers were Clyde Meadors , Layton Woody , Clyde and Virgil Thompsom ,Arlington Priest and Guy Blevins .

Claude Lee Vandiver married Laura Belle Kenzie Born : December 18 , 1917 in Clovis , New Mexico . Laura Belle was the daughter of Frank Kenzie & Alene Della ( Fry ) Kenzie of Clovis , New Mexico . They married in July 1941 in Clovis New Mexico . Laura had a child , a daughter , Velma Vandiver born Oct. 17, 1942 . Laura Belle died Octomber 24 , 1942 when her daughter Velma was only 7 days old . Laura Belle is buried at Clovis Memorial Gardens with her husband Claude Lee Vandiver . After her death Claude Lee married a second time to Lorene Cooper Vandiver .

Ila Pearl ( Vandiver ) Griffin was born :Feburary 7, 1913 at Belleville , Yell County , Arkansas . She was the last child born to Monroe J. Vandiver and Martha Ella ( Hollimon ) Vandiver. Ila Pearl died : Feburary 23 ,2002 at Crawford County Memorial Hospital , Van Buren , Arkansas . Ila Pearl's funeral was Feburary 26 ,2002 at Van-Alma Edwards Funeral Home , Van Buren , Arkansas . Her burial was next to her husband Clarence Lee Griffin born: August 7,1908 at Moran, Texas . They were married ( October 2, 1933 ) at Clovis , New Mexico .Pallbearers for Ila Pearl's funeral were James Kenneth Winborn , Jeff Kimes , both husbands of granddaughters Cynthia Winborn and Brenda Smith , also great grandsons , Cory Bray ,Aaron Bray , Scott Kimes ,Derek Kimes and Jay Winborn. Honorary Pall Bearers were deacons of Trinity Baptist Church of Alma ,Arkansas where she was a member .

Ida Pearl ( Vandiver ) Griffin and Clarence Lee Griffin were married ( October 2 ,1933 ) and had been married for 53 yrs at the time of Clarence Lee's death . Ila Pearl had ran resturants in Clovis and Texico , New Mexico for several years . Ila was a homemaker , head cook for the schools in Alma , Arkansas until her retirement . Ila had a bad stroke and broke her back in 1997 . Ila had to go into an assisted living home shortly after her stroke. She lived there until her death in 2002 .

Clarence Lee Griffin was a cook, tractor mechanic for Case Massey Tractors for years . Clarence Lee held a Golden Eagle for Massey Harris and Doctor of Motor's honor from the Minnapolis , Moline Tractor Co. He was ordained as a Decon of the Trinity Baptist Church . Clarence Lee was the oldest son of Silas Spencer Griffin 111 and Lillie May ( Durham ) Griffin . Ila Pearl and Clarence Lee Griffin had two children together . A daughter Pearlie Lee Griffin b/d on November 1, 1934 at Clovis , New Mexico . Pearlie Lee Griffin was buried at Texico Cemetery after funeral services at the First Baptist Church . The Steed funeral Home took care of all the arrangements. They had another daughter born in 1937 who is still living .

Ila Pearl ( Vandiver ) Griffin & J.J.Hollimon

Ila Pearl ( Vandiver ) Griffin and Jessie James Hollimon were first cousins.

Remembering a wonderful couple that I meet in my life . I didn't get to know Ila Pearl and Clarence Lee Griffin until the late 1970's . I got to know them thru my father and Step-mother in the late 1970's on a vacation trip home to visit with my father and his wife ( Moma Kate ) , who I grew to love . My father had worked so hard in his younger years that he didn't have alot of time to visit with his family. Working on this family tree has been a great experience for me. It's like I have learned about a family , that I am apart of , that I never really knew before . Ila Pearl ( Vandiver ) and Clarence Lee Griffin opened their home and hearts to me and my family . We shared many visits over the years and became very close . Ila and my father Jessie James Hollimon were first cousins. When my father was a young man , he had left his home in Alabama to come to Yell County , Arkansas to work for his Uncle Monroe J. Vandiver and his Aunt Martha Ella ( Hollimon ) Vandiver , the parents of Ila Pearl ( Vandiver ) Griffin . That move from Alabama brought him to the place where he meet his future wife , Ida Mae ( Reed ) Hollimon . Jessie and Ida Mae married before he left for service in World War 1 . Ila and Clarence Lee were not living in the area when I was growing up.

Ila Pearl and Clarence Lee moved to Arkansas in April of 1959 from Clovis , New Mexico . My father had made contact with them after he had married his second wife , Claire E. ( Ford ) Hollimon . On our vacation trip home to see my father , he told me about Ila Pearl and Clarence Lee Griffin and that we had a dinner invitation to meet them . I was very happy to meet them as I had never meet any of the Vandiver side of Daddy's family tree . Each year we came home to visit , we spent some time visiting Ila and Clarence . Ila wrote letters and cards all thru the years to me and stayed close to Jessie James and Claire Hollimon . After Claire died both Ila and Clarence looked out and keep in close contact with Daddy . That was such a special blessing to me , as I lived so far away in those years . When my father passed away in 1984 , they opened their house to me and my family to stay thru all those trying days of arrangements and the funeral . I will never forget their kindness and love . Notes : from Rebecca 's Journal .