Embree's and More

THOMAS EMBREE AND VELMA WILLIAMS

I was only 8 when Grandpa Tom died, I remember us going there to Log Cabin Road, "Jackson Holler" every evening when Daddy got off work when his father was dying in 1961. Us kids had to stay out of the big room, but I remember a huge rock fireplace on the far wall, and Grandpa Tom in a bed in front of the big window that looked out toward the road. He had been in a mining accident that crushed one of his legs, which had to be partially amputated. Later either cancer or gangrene from that injury/surgery was the cause of death.

I remember playing outside those evenings with Grandpa Tom's and Lucy's kids, the Alexander kids, the Satterfields and many more whose parents were "sitting up" with Grandpa Tom.

In my genealogy search, talking to ones who knew him, I've found out Grandpa Tom had a liking for "moonshine" after Velma and son Delbert died. That's allright with me, we all have to find our ways to deal with life sometimes.

MY GRANDPARENTS

Tom Embree, was born Oct. 1895 in Jackson County, Ky. He died March 1961 and is buried at PILOT KNOB CEMETERY, BEREA, KENTUCKY
He was son of John Embree b. 1861, Estill Co. Ky. and Lilley D. Rose Embree b. 1859, Jackson Co. Ky.
He married Velma "Valmie" Williams abt. 1910. Tom and Velma would have both been 15 years old at the time they were married.
Velma was born February 6, 1895, she died April 4, 1931, according to gravestone date. She is buried in the Cates Cemetery at Owsley Fork, Madison County, Ky. She was the daughter of George Williams b. 1836 Germany and Susie Cates Johnson Williams b. 1865, probably Madison Co. Ky.

My father, Guy, was born 1914 in a cabin at Owsley Fork, Big Hill area. I don't know if Velma and Tom were living there, or it could have been Gr. Grandma Susie's cabin, which was at Owsley Fork, Madison Co. Kentucky. There is nothing left but an electric pole now where her cabin stood. Berea College bought much of the property there in about 1975 and created Owsley Fork Reservoir for water supply to Madison and Jackson Counties.

CHILDREN OF TOM AND VELMA EMBREE

Delbert Embree b. 7-11-1913 d. 8-26-1934 (Delbert died at age of 21 from moonshine poisoning, he made it home, but wasn't taken to doctor. By the time someone took him to doctor, it was too late to save him) Buried in Cates Cemetery, next to his mother, in Owsley Fork, Madison County.

Guy Embree b. 11-22-1916 d. 2-29-1995 m. Elizabeth McHone b. 11-12-1915 d. 12-26-1969 Madison Co. Ky. Elizabeth is daughter of Walker W. McHone and Lula Barrett McHone. All are buried in Pilot Knob Cemetery, Berea, Kentucky.

John Wilson Embree b. 7-25-1917 d. 10-13-1995 m. Laura Cruse, Madison Co. Ky. Laura was daughter of James and Rosie Cruse. They moved to Ohio and raised family. Uncle Wilson and Aunt Laura are buried in Clinton Co. Ohio.

Luther Ray Embree b. 3-31-1919 d. 9-28-1987 m. Ella Mae McHone (sister of Elizabeth McHone Embree) {Uncle Ray lived in Madison County, died in Fayette Co. at University of Kentucky Hospital} both are buried in Pilot Knob Cemetery, Berea, Kentucky.

Geneva M. Embree b. 4-29-1921 d. 11-25-2000 m. Basil M. Keeney b. 8-14-1917 d. 4-22-1999 {Basil was from Cabin Creek, West Virginia} Both buried in Cates Cemetery, Owsley Fork, Madison Co. Kentucky. They are buried next to their first child who died as infant, Velma Alice Keeney, named for both their mother's.