30. Joseph Clyde LESLEY
was born on 12 Jul 1896 in Independence County, Arkansas. He died on 28 Mar
1943 in Independence County, Arkansas. Clyde Lesley's daughter Geneva writes
that he was the light of her life and the life of the party. "I wish everyone
could have known him." He was a wonderful man and a great story teller.
While growing up, we would sit around the supper table and he would tell us
stories about things he did as a child. You never tired of listening to his
stories or hearing him laugh. I wish my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren
could have known him. He was loved by all.
His youngest daughter writes, "I can only remember about four different
days in my Daddy's life." I remember one day when Daddy was making sorghum
molasses for someone. He would dip the foam off the top and put it in a lid
that went on a gallon tin bucket. That was the best tasting molasses that I
ever ate. By the way, I have his sorghum pan that he used to cook-off sorghum.
One day we went over in the field to work and Daddy got sick. So he and I came
back to the house. I was hungry and he made us some hot cakes with sorghum on
top. I remember one day Daddy and Dale went to town around my sixth birthday.
They bought me a little gold colored tea set. I don't have any of it now, but
maybe sometime I will be able to find one. Then I remember the last day that
I saw him. He was sick and Bill Prier helped him out across the porch and down
the steps to the car. He went to the hospital. I loved him very much.
He was
married to Bertha Hester Adaline SMITH (daughter of John Marion
SMITH and Martha Jane SPIVA) on 11 Jul 1915 in Independence
County, Arkansas. Bertha Hester Adaline SMITH was born
on 31 Oct 1896 in Independence County, Arkansas. She died on 30 Oct 1978 in
Batesville, Independence Co., Arkansas. Hester Lesley was widowed at an early
age and faced her responsibilities with great courage. She was strong and could
be stern, but was always there with wise words of advice. Life was not easy
for her but she fought to make it as good as she could. She earned much respect
and admiration from all who knew her. She was totally independent until she
was stricken with a stroke at the age of 69. She was loved by all who knew her
and was greatly missed.
Her daughter Nancy writes, "There are so many good memories about Mother
that I can't write them all down." She was a wonderful mother. She was
both mother and father to me after Daddy died. She always put Tom and me first.
I guess she did the first four kids that way too. She had to work so hard to
make a home for us. She had worked in many homes in Batesville, cleaning their
houses, taking care of their children and their parents who were bedfast. I
can remember hearing her say that she hoped that she wouldn't have to be taken
care of in that way. But, as we all know, it did not happen that way. Bless
her heart. But one thing that I will always remember, is that Mother taught
me the Golden Rule; to always do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
" I will always love you, Mother." Joseph Clyde LESLEY and Bertha
Hester Adaline SMITH had the following children:
+34 i.
Juanita LESLEY was born on 11 Feb 1916 in Independence County, Arkansas.
+35 ii.
Geneva Clydella LESLEY was born on 15 Sep 1920 in Independence County, Arkansas.
+36 iii.
John Dale LESLEY was born on 6 Feb 1922 in Independence County, Arkansas.
+37 iv.
Lamorion Deloris LESLEY was born on 1 Aug 1925 in Independence County,
Arkansas.
+38 v.
Thomas Graden LESLEY was born on 23 Sep 1934 in Independence County, Arkansas.
+39 vi.
Nancy Jolene LESLEY was born on 11 Jan 1937 in Independence County, Arkansas.