Days of Our Fathers

Saturday, April 23, 2016

God Speaks through Dreams, Poetry, Music, and Strangers

by Katherine Haney Williams

God speaks to us in many ways including dreams, poetry, music, and strangers.

My sweet father-in-law died peacefully at his home on Tuesday morning, August 14, 2007, from emphysema. He constantly used an oxygen tank and did not leave his home for the last eleven months of his life. For the last four months, his three adult children lovingly cared for him twenty-four hours a day.

On Wednesday evening, April 25, 2007, his condition worsened; and we thought we were losing him. He was having so much trouble breathing. He chose not to go to the hospital or to the doctor since treatment would only prolong his suffering rather than “heal” him. The thought of losing him and not spending one more day with him was heartbreaking; but he was ready to go to heaven, and he wanted to die at home.

When he got a little better that evening, my husband and I returned home; and I went to bed around 1:00 a.m. At 3:50 a.m., I was awakened by a loud noise similar to a short ring of the telephone. My husband did not move a muscle nor indicate that he had heard anything. I had been dreaming about my father-in-law, and I thought it was important to continue the dream. I thought the dream was going to help my father-in-law in some way. I quickly went back to sleep and could see a page full of words. In the middle of the page, there was a fancy border around a paragraph of words in a pretty font. I tried hard to focus and read that paragraph. I could only read a name at the beginning of the paragraph.

I woke from the dream, got out of bed, wrote the name “Leslie Boohler” on a napkin near my bed, and went back to sleep. My clock radio woke me at 6:30 a.m. (April 26) playing “One More Day” which was played during my daddy’s funeral service five years earlier on May 6, 2002. I did not hear the DJs on the radio. I heard the song from the very first note.

“One More Day”

by Diamond Rio

Last night I had a crazy dream.

A wish was granted just for me.

It could be for anything.

I didn't ask for money

Or a mansion in Malibu.

I simply wished for one more day with you.

One more day, one more time

One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied.

But then again I know what it would do -

Leave me wishing still for one more day with you -

One more day.

First thing I'd do is pray for time to crawl.

I'd unplug the telephone

And keep the TV off.

I'd hold you every second -

Say a million I love yous.

That's what I'd do with one more day with you.

One more day, one more time

One more sunset, maybe I’d be satisfied.

But then again I know what it would do -

Leave me wishing still for one more day with you -

One more day, one more time

One more sunset maybe I’d be satisfied.

But then again I know what it would do -

Leave me wishing still for one more day

Leave me wishing still for one more day with you

One more day…One more day…

I got out of bed and searched unsuccessfully in the local phone directory for “Leslie Boohler” in the white pages and then in the yellow pages in the section for physicians. After work that evening, I unsuccessfully searched the Internet.

Two days later, I told my sister about my dream; and she suggested that the person might have written a poem. I had poems posted on an Internet website. I immediately searched the site for Leslie Boohler, but I did not find the name. Then, I searched for just the first name of Leslie; and I found “Leslie Booker” with a poem titled “Healing.” The poem was posted with a pretty font surrounded by a fancy border . . . just as the words in my dream.

Leslie Booker “Healing”

Journey on an unknown path. Many twists and turns. Still the heart yearns for a place of rest. Promises made - promises broken. Things of the heart still unspoken. Cause us to stop along the way. A voice within gently stirs us. Again and again we hear it say, “Come unto me and rest.” Put me to the test. Lay your burdens down and journey on.

The “Healing” poem seemed to tell me and my family that my father-in-law was ready for rest in heaven and that we should let him know how much we loved him. I searched further to see if Leslie Booker had posted other poems, and I found a poem titled “Chaos.” “Chaos” reminded me of my father-in-law’s struggle to breathe due to the emphysema and his use of an oxygen tank with its long, sometimes tangling tube that coiled and circled by his bed. This was his lifeline that allowed him to move slowly to other rooms in his home.

“Chaos”

by Leslie Booker

Whirling, twirling, swirling.

Winning, spinning, sinning,

Coils of torment

Circling faster.

Twining, binding,

Tangling, strangling,

Wrapping, trapping.

Cords bind tighter.

Breathing's lighter.

Air grows scarcer.

Light now dimmer.

Darkness hovers.

Pulls the covers.

I only know Leslie Booker from his or her two poems on the website. I wish this person could know how the poems helped my family during a difficult time. I have unsuccessfully tried to locate Leslie Booker.

My daddy was a dedicated Christian. He died at home in the country on May 4, 2002. My sister and I stood on each side of his bed the day before he died, and we briefly heard “angel music.” We heard the music at the same time, looked at each other, and immediately looked outside. There was nothing visual to explain the music. Our mother in the kitchen and our brother in the next room did not hear the music. We are convinced that Daddy had angels watching and waiting for him.

My sister suggested that my dream on April 26, 2007, might have been leading me to someone who had written a poem; because my sister’s daughter “dreamed” a poem the night before our daddy’s funeral. My niece wrote the poem down in the middle of the night and gave the poem to the minister before the funeral service began. The minister was stunned. He always read a poem at funeral services, but he had not found a poem appropriate for my daddy. The minister prayed and asked God to provide a poem. My niece’s poem was the answer to his prayer. Her poem was perfect for her granddaddy’s service. He was known lovingly by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as “D.”

“The Shortest Name”

In memory of Robert Hardy Haney (1923-2002)

by Amy Shepard Stanfill

Everyone knows how it started,

Though we don’t really know why.

It is the shortest name,

But it seemed to fit just fine.

And for over thirty years, it has been spoken every day,

Mostly with a laugh, maybe a cry, even a sigh;

But the shortest name never grew hard to say…

Until today.

As we speak it now, it will forever remain

Not only the shortest name,

But the sweetest name in every way.

“D” – We will always love and miss you.

Written May 6, 2002

I truly believe that God speaks to us in many ways including dreams, poetry, music, and strangers. I wrote these memories in loving memory of my daddy, Robert Hardy Haney, of Jackson, Tennessee, and my father-in-law, Connie Marshall Williams Jr., of Lexington, Tennessee. I hope my memories will help others in times of sadness and loss of loved ones.

I wrote this story on August 31, 2007; and it was published by Main Street Publishing in 2010 in a book titled The Talent Among Us, Vol. X – Paradox.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Early on the morning of Sunday, May 24, 2015, I searched again for Leslie Booker; and I was thrilled to find her on Facebook as The Reverend Leslie L. Booker, author of Psalms for the 21^st Century, a book of religious, spiritual, and inspirational poetry based on her spiritual experiences. I then found her book listed on Amazon, and I was pleased to see “Healing” and “Chaos” in the table of contents. I knew I had found the Leslie Booker who wrote the special poems that have meant so much to me since 2007.

She and I connected through e-mails on May 30, 2015; and I shared my story with her. We live in different cultures with her an African-American from the northern United States and me a Caucasian from the southern United States, but we have a common bond as she has posted on Facebook: “We are all linked as one by our Creator.” Her message to me follows.

Dear Kathy Williams,

What a blessing to receive your email and testimony of how God led you to my poems and blessed you and your family through them! I will share your story today in a workshop I am doing on The Holy Spirit and the many gifts he gives us. I will be emphasizing the variety of gifts that we have and don't always recognize. God used your email to validate my focus today and the many promises He has made to me about Psalms for the 21^st Century. He has promised me that it will circulate the globe and minister to many in the process. Once again, He has shown me that there is no limitation to how this will be accomplished and that it is not dependent on me but on Him. I enjoyed your story as I read it and hope you will continue to share with others how God answers prayer and how he uses dreams, poetry, music and other mediums as vehicles to bless us. I look forward to our continued communication as we share our journeys. May God continue to bless you as you follow His leading.

Rev. Leslie L. Booker

We each must face the reality of losing loved ones. I watched my 89-year-old mother suffer after a fall on January 6, 2016. At first, I prayed for healing; but her condition worsened, and I had to pray for peace for her to end her suffering until her death on January 26.

My mother’s favorite Bible verse was Philippians 4:1 – For I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power. Her final days were strengthened through God’s love and through her family staying by her bedside to give comfort, to sing hymns and her favorite songs, and to tell her that she was loved.

On her final night, the lovely sound of her granddaughter-in-law singing was surely a blessing to her and to others in the palliative care unit as the nurses asked us to keep the door open for others to listen. The music floated down the hallway as if being carried on the wings of angels.

Jesus suffered and died for us, but he rose from the dead and is waiting for us in heaven. We must live our lives to honor Him and to prepare for the end of our own lives on earth so that we will one day join our loved ones in heaven and meet our Savior face to face. Listen for God as He speaks to us in many ways – including dreams, poetry, music, and strangers.

Katherine Haney Williams

Friday, August 21, 2015

Deaths at Wolf Creek Ordnance Plant during World War II

The Wolf Creek Ordnance Plant was constructed in 1941 to provide ammunition to England during World War II (1939-1945). The United States entered the war when Japan attacked the American naval fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941.

This facility was located in Milan, Tennessee, on the Gibson County/Carroll County line and was operated by Procter & Gamble Defense Corporation. The US Military operated Milan Ordnance Depot at the same location. The two facilities combined later and became the Milan Ordnance Plant. The facility was also known as Milan Army Ammunition Plant and Milan Arsenal.

Fourteen civilian employees were killed at the Wolf Creek Ordnance Plant in five separate accidents during World War II. These accidents occurred on June 30, 1941; July 31, 1941; February 13, 1942; March 2, 1944; and August 9, 1945. Many sacrifices were made during the war by citizens on the home front, and these men made the ultimate sacrifice.

June 30, 1941

Richard Ernest Milner was born August 12, 1912, in Beaumont County, TX. He died at age 28 years 10 months 18 days in the first fatal accident at Wolf Creek Ordnance Plant when he was crushed between a truck and a shovel loading sand on June 30, 1941, during construction of the plant in Carroll County, TN. The truck driver misunderstood a signal and backed up the truck which pinned Richard between the truck and the shovel. He was a truck foreman in the road division, working under W. E. Kirby. He had been in Milan for three months. He was buried in his hometown of Colmesneil, Tyler County, TX in Ebenezer Cemetery.

July 31, 1941

Lewis Green Cantrell was born in DeKalb County, TN on June 28, 1911, to James Harley Cantrell and Mary Elizabeth Bing. He was listed as Louis on his death certificate and newspaper notice and Lewis on his grave marker. He married Eddie May Griffiths on April 4, 1936, in DeKalb County.

He was injured while working on heavy equipment as a mechanic helper for Ferguson-Oman Company at Wolf Creek Ordnance Plant on Thursday, July 31, 1941. This was probably during construction of the facility. He died Monday, August 4, 1941, in Clemmer Clinic in Milan, Gibson County, TN due to concussion of brain and hypostatic pneumonia at the age of 30 years 1 month 6 days. Burial was in Salem Cemetery in Liberty, DeKalb County, TN.

February 13, 1942

Solomon Rufus “Sol” Haney of Scotts Hill died on February 13, 1942. He was born February 6, 1888 or 1889, in Henderson County, TN, to Rufus Hardy “Rufe” Haney Jr. (1858-1930) and Sarah Elizabeth “Bettie” Taylor (1855-1897). His paternal grandparents were Rufus Hardy Haney Sr. (c 1801-c 1880) and Mary Bennett (c 1832-1874). His maternal grandparents were Jacob Taylor (1820-1872) and Minerva Francis Sheppard (1835-1906). His siblings were J. T. Haney (1877-1886), Mary Frances Haney Ervin (1879-1950), Mazie Azalee Haney Martin (1881-1951), William Wylie Haney (1882-1958), Nancy E. Haney Newman (1885-1957), Elvin Ernest Haney (1890-1970), Roy Laster Haney (1892-1973), Zula Edna Rosie Haney Mullis (1895-1957), and infant boy Haney (1897-1897). After his mother’s death, his father married Jennie Adeline Stevens Turner (1877-1956). His half-siblings were Luther Edward Haney (1906-1949), Myrtle I. Haney Morphis (1911-1975), Jennie Ruth Haney (1914-1990), and Raymond Rufus Haney (1916-2003).

Sol married Flossie Milam (1890-1976) in Henderson County on March 18, 1911. Their children were Arbon Thetus “Buck” Haney (1913-1984), R. D. Haney (1916-1916), Josephine Princess Haney Mitchell (1918-2007), W. D. Haney (1919-2010), and Walter Mack Haney (1924-2011).

Sol Haney died at Wolf Creek Ordnance Plant in Gibson County, Civil District 13, on February 13, 1942, at 12:05 p.m. Cause of death was internal injuries to skull and abdomen due to accidental crushing by a truck at Milan Ordnance Depot. Burial was held February 15 in Scotts Hill Methodist Church Cemetery in Taylors Crossing in Henderson County. Pafford Funeral Home in Lexington was in charge of services. At the time of his death, he resided in Scotts Hill, Henderson County, TN, Civil District 7.

His family was told that the truck driver’s foot slipped off the brake as the driver backed to the dock to pick up a load of ammunition. Sol was crushed between the truck and the building.

His death certificate has an incorrect birth year of 1893. The informant for the death certificate was Douglas Thompson Jaeger (Human Resources at Wolf Creek Ordnance Plant). In the 1920, 1930, and 1940 US census records, Sol was listed as age 30, 40, and 50 respectively for a birth year of 1889-1890. His grave marker shows birth year of 1889. His younger brother Ernest was born in July 1890. In 1942, Sol would have been 52-53 when he died rather than 49 as listed on his death certificate. At the time of the accident, Sol’s children’s ages were Buck, 28; Josephine, 23; W. D., 22; and Mack, 17. Flossie did not re-marry, and she lived with her children for the rest of her life.

March 2, 1944

Four civilian employees of Procter & Gamble Defense Corporation were killed and eighteen were injured at the Wolf Creek Ordnance Plant on Thursday, March 2, 1944, due to an explosion that occurred at 2:26 p.m. on line K. The men killed were Walton Eldridge Abernathy, 23, Huntingdon; Johnnie McWhirter Blackmon, 27, Medina; Aaron Thomas Blankenship, 24, Medina; and Theotis Davenport, 34, Milan.

The injured who were treated and retained in the hospital were Porter B. Graves, Alamo; Herbert Holt, Greenfield; Cecil Bolton, Jackson; J. W. Lusk, Milan; Robert G. Stokes, Sharon; Glen A. Everett, McKenzie; Loftin L. Boling, Alamo; William A. Derrington, Humboldt; and Edward Derryberry, Milan. The injured who were treated and released were Charlie Cupp, Sharon; Millard Reed, Trezevant; Sherman Climer, Humboldt; Tobie Roberson, Bradford; Ernest W. Kirk, Milan; William Horace Bradford, Dyer; Charles S. Corum, Greenfield; R. J. Bates, Newburn; and John Allen Hunt, Humboldt.

Walton Eldridge Abernathy was born February 24, 1920, to Arzie Thomas Abernathy (1889-1965) and Ivy L. Smith (1893-1985), all born in Carroll County, TN. Walton’s paternal grandparents were James Franklin Abernathy and Callie Bunn.

Walton married Mabel Williams in Carroll County in 1941. In the 1930 census for District 16 of Carroll County, TN, Mabel (age 5) lived with her parents, Lester (age 29) and Georgia Williams (age 30), and sisters, Delma Lee (age 9) and Evelyn (age 3). In the 1940 census for Carroll County, Mabel was listed as a daughter of Georgia Lee Williams, sister of Delma Lee and Evelyn, and the aunt of Ella Jane. Her father was deceased. She was 15 and was born circa 1925.

Walton’s usual occupation was farmer and crystallizer operator. At the time of his death, he resided in Huntingdon, Carroll County, Civil District 11. He died at 2:26 p.m. at Wolf Creek Ordnance Plant in Carroll County on March 2, 1944. He was 24 years 10 days. He was crushed by falling masonry and steel in the explosion. R. F. Dilday & Son Funeral Home in Huntingdon was in charge of services on March 4 with burial in Chapel Hill Cemetery in Gibson County.

He was survived by his wife; 18-month-old daughter, Patricia Anne Abernathy; his parents; two brothers, Everett T. Abernathy (1915-1963) and Hulon L. Abernathy (1925-1961); and a sister, Imogene Abernathy Nanney (1927-2006). Imogene was buried beside Walton in 2006; and they share a grave marker.

Johnnie McWhirter Blackmon was born February 28, 1917, in Gibson County, TN, to Edward Clinton Blackmon (1882-1960) and Rosa Lee “Rosie” McWhirter (1883-1963). Both of his parents were born in Gibson County. He married Mary Helen Lovell (1922-2007). Her parents were Henry Cleveland Lovell and Lena Blankenship. In 1940, John and Helen lived on Humboldt and Medina Road in Gibson County, Civil District 2. They were 22 and 18. His usual occupation was farmer. Johnnie and Helen did not have children.

Johnnie died at 2:26 p.m. in Area K at Wolf Creek Ordnance Plant in Carroll County on March 2, 1944. He was 27 years 3 days old. The cause of death was “body dismembered in explosion.” Hunt Brother Funeral Home of Humboldt was in charge of the funeral service at Mount Zion United Methodist Church in Medina, Gibson County, TN on Saturday afternoon, March 4, with burial in the church cemetery. At the time of his death, he resided in Medina, Gibson County.

Helen was also an employee at the Arsenal. Her second husband was Grady A. DeLancey (1902-1991). Helen died October 28, 2007, and is also buried in Mount Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Johnnie had five brothers and four sisters. They were Harvey Clint Blackmon (1907-1988), Mary Ellene Blackmon Ashmore (1914-1998), Martha Ann Blackmon Rannels (1910-2005), William Kinzel Blackmon (1912-1987), Eunice Blackmon Dykes (1914-2007), Homer Newman Blackmon (1920-1975), Rosa Pearl Blackmon Wall (1923-2010), Edward Earl Blackmon (1923-1923), and Edward Claxton Blackmon (1927-1970).

Aaron Thomas Blankenship (or Thomas Aaron Blankenship) was born March 18, 1919, in Gibson County, TN to Charles “Charlie” Blankenship and Elizabeth “Bessie” West. He married Freida Mae Barr on May 27, 1939, in Gibson County. They lived in Gibson County, Civil District 4, in 1940. His usual occupation was farmer.

His body was dismembered in an explosion at 2:26 p.m. at Wolf Creek Ordnance Plant in Carroll County on March 2, 1944, while working on “K” line making fertilizer. He was 24 years 11 months 16 days. Replogle Funeral Home in Medina was in charge of the 4:30 p.m. funeral service on March 3 at Medina Baptist Church with Rev. W. A. West officiating, and burial followed in Chapel Hill Cemetery in Gibson County. Pallbearers were Aubrey Smith, Roy Hargrove, William Parish, Bob Parish, Sweet Parish, and Hershel Allen.

Aaron Blankenship was survived by his wife; parents; daughter, Barbara Gail Abernathy; brother, William Blankenship; sister, Mrs. Albert Garton; and grandmother, Mrs. Elder Buttrey.

Theotis “Pud” Davenport was born November 17, 1910, in Gibson County, TN to William Martin Davenport (1878-1951) and Nancy Jane Fann (1883-1942). Theotis’ siblings were Mary Lou Davenport (1902-1904), Clyde Ellis Davenport (1906-1980), Gladys Davenport (1908-1992), Cleo Davenport Barnes (1912-1988), Henry J. Davenport (1916-1916), Estelle Davenport Hamm (1917-1999), Estelle’s twin Blondell Davenport Hurley (1917-2002), and James Buford Davenport (1919-1991).

Theotis married Gladys Sue Cantrell (1915-2010) of Gibson County; and they had two sons, Sidney Otis Davenport (1941-1945) and David Ray Davenport (1943-living). Sue became a cosmetologist and businesswoman. She moved to Nashville in 1951 when she married Roy Lee Puckett (1907-1967). She retired in 1981 and moved near family in Arizona where she died at the age of 95.

Theotis died at 2:26 p.m. at Wolf Creek Ordnance Plant in Carroll County on March 2, 1944, when he was crushed by falling masonry and steel in an explosion. The accident happened after his foreman, in a kindly move, changed him from second shift to first shift for two weeks before he was to report to the Army so that he could spend more time with his family. Theotis and Sue share a grave marker in White Rose Cemetery in Gibson, Gibson County, TN. He was 33 years 3 months 17 days.

August 9, 1945

Many people lost their lives on August 9, 1945, due to the conflicts of World War II. On this date, American airmen dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan. Thousands died from this bomb and from the bomb that was dropped three days earlier on Hiroshima, Japan.

In the town of Milan, TN a shell exploded on ammunition loading line “C” at 1:20 p.m. at the Wolf Creek Ordnance Plant. Seven men lost their lives and thirteen people were injured. They were civilian employees of Procter & Gamble Defense Corporation.

The seven deceased from the August 9, 1945, accident were William Emerson Maness, Jackson; John Dee “Penn” Gorman, Alamo; Floyd “Joe Billy” Mitchell, Bradford; Edward Andrew “Edd” Voorhies, Trenton; Frank M. Johnson, McLemoresville; R. V. Johnson, Lexington; and Frank Victor Bedwell, Lexington, TN.

The injured were: Fred Bray, Jackson; Roy C. McLemore, Spring Creek; Walter R. Oliver, Dresden; Richard Lutz, Humboldt; Marion H. Scarbrough, Trezevant; Hubert L. Goff, Lexington; Lillie M. Duncan, Huntingdon; Julion T. Rachels, Greenfield; Everett Carroll, Jackson; Lonnie H. Bullington, Atwood; Icy B. Goff, Scotts Hill; William C. Austin, Dyer; and Bryan Baker, Yorkville. The injured and deceased were taken to the hospitals on site. Some were pronounced dead in Carroll County and some in Gibson County. R. V. Johnson died in Henderson County twelve hours after the accident.

William Emerson Maness was born February 2, 1909, to Henry Leander “Lee” Maness (1888-1971) and Ollie Hester Hart (1887-1961), all born in Henderson County, TN. His siblings were Essie Mae Maness Walters (1906-1986), Essie’s twin Lessie Alice Maness Sumler (1906-1981), John Walter Maness (1911-1975), Ellis Gilbert Maness (1916-1972), and Irene Hester Maness Chumney (1920-1968). His grandparents were Emerson Ethredge Maness (1849-1928) and Nancy Elizabeth Bishop (1865-1944) and Leander H. “Shannon” Hart (1861-1948) and Alice Jones (1869-1908). William had an uncle also named William Emerson Maness.

He married Virgie Elizabeth Holloway (1908-1996) on November 15, 1925, in Chester County. They lived most of their married life in Luray and Mifflin on the Henderson County/Chester County line where they farmed. They moved to Madison County in 1941-1942 while he worked at the Milan Arsenal to help with construction, and Virgie worked at the Bemis cotton mill. Later, he was hired by Procter & Gamble to work on the production line. He and Virgie bought a farm in the East Union community of Madison County in February 1945. They were the parents of Rachel Louise Maness Haney (1926-living), Joe Neal Maness (1933-2010), and Gilbert Ray Maness (1937-living).

William died on August 9, 1945, at 1:20 p.m. in Carroll County from multiple shrapnel wounds. He was 36 years 6 months 7 days. Smith Funeral Home was in charge of his funeral service which was held at East Union Church in Madison County at 4:00 p.m. on August 10 with Minister R. E. Guy presiding, and burial followed in Hollywood Cemetery. Pallbearers were A. H. Hancock, J. W. Powell, Floyd Watkins, Cason Nichols Jr., James Thrasher, and E. J. Lomax. He was survived by his parents, siblings, wife, children (ages 18, 12, and 7), and his son-in-law Robert Hardy Haney who was serving in the US Coast Guard.

Virgie sold the farm they had purchased six months earlier, moved inside the Jackson city limits, got a job as a seamstress at a garment factory, and raised her two sons alone. She received $6,000 for the loss of her husband. Virgie lived most of her life alone, and she died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 87 years 10 months 30 days on September 4, 1996, after enduring Alzheimer’s. As of 2015, Virgie and William have a legacy of three children (one deceased), nine grandchildren (one deceased), sixteen great-grandchildren, and fourteen great-great-grandchildren.

Rachel described her father as a kind man and a hard worker with blue eyes and dark, wavy hair. She said that at the time of his death he was planning to work two more weeks at the Arsenal and then leave to farm full time since some employees were being too careless at the plant. He said that reject bombs were being re-worked on the production line.

John Dee “Penn” Gorman was born August 14, 1901, in Gibson County, TN to John Samuel Gorman (1846-1926) and Sarah Ann “Sallie” Betts (1858-1923). Penn married Alma Maie Cook (1903-1991) on July 26, 1924, in Crockett County, TN; and they had one son (b/d 2/3/1925). His siblings were William Thomas Gorman (1879-1945), unknown Gorman (1882-ante 1900), Della Beatrice Gorman Knox (1884-1981), James Henry Gorman (1887-1965), Kate Lee Gorman Avery (1889-1977), Louis (Lonnie) Homer Gorman (1897-1975), and unknown Gorman (b/d 1900-1910).

Penn died on August 9, 1945, at 1:20 p.m. in Milan, Gibson County from multiple lacerations and severe punctures of entire abdomen, chest, and head due to fragments from explosive bomb (military). He was 43 years 11 months 25 days. Funeral services were held at Quincy Methodist Church Friday at 4 p.m. by Rev. Frank Perry of Crockett Mills. Burial was in Quincy Cemetery with Ronk Funeral Home in charge. Alma married Charles Rainey Cates (1911-1965) in 1961.

Floyd “Joe Billy” Mitchell of Bradford, TN was born May 5, 1911, in Tennessee to Alexander Paul “Alex” Mitchell (1871-1948) and Sarah Ann Capps (1876-1928). Grandparents were Francis Marion Mitchell, Minerva Evaline Mitchell, John Stewart, and Effie Osteen. In the 1940 US census, Joe Billy was a 27-year-old farmer. His wife, Magdeline Stewart (1913-1953), was a 27-year-old farm laborer. Their only child, Johnnie Kenneth Mitchell (1938-living), was two years old. Joe Billy’s siblings were Bertie Lee Mitchell Palmer (1904-1988), Milburn F. Mitchell (1907-1966), David Mitchell (1909-1970), and Rachel Mitchell Sanders.

Joe Billy died August 9, 1945, at 1:20 p.m. in Gibson County due to a shell explosion at age 34 years 3 months 4 days. Magdeline was at work at the Arsenal when the accident happened. Joe Billy’s cousin, Sarah Elizabeth Mitchell Cates (daughter of Milburn F. Mitchell), said that Magdeline was “driven around” by Arsenal personnel before taking her home. Joe Billy and Magdeline share a marker in Shiloh Cemetery in Bradford, Gibson County, TN. She died three days after her 40^th birthday, and she was a machine operator in a garment factory.

Kenneth was six or seven when his father died, and he was at his aunt’s home when the accident happened. He learned of his father’s death when Joe Billy’s carpool co-workers stopped at his aunt’s home and gave them the news. Kenneth lived alone after his mother died in 1953. He graduated from Bradford High School. Kenneth is married with two sons, Johnny and David, and four grandchildren. He lives in Downey, California.

Edward Andrew “Edd” Voorhies of Trenton, TN was born January 5, 1883, in Lewis County, TN to William Edward Voorhies (1847-1929) and Ann Cothran. He was the grandson of Samuel William Voorhies (1823-1888) and Sophia Tucker Gullick (1823-1907) and the great-grandson of David Voorhies (1793-1874) and Elizabeth McBride (1798-1844) and James C. Gullick.

Edd married Gladys Devasure (1906-1986). They were the parents of three daughters and one son: Edythe Sue Voorhies Replogle (1925-1995), Bernice Voorhies (c 1928-?), Fay B. Voorhies (1931-?), and Fay’s twin Brown Ray Voorhies (1931-1983). After Edd and Gladys divorced, she married Russell Blasingim (her sister Sherman’s widower).

In the 1940 US census for Wayne County, Edward was age 57. His marital status was listed as married with a line through the M and 7 written beside the M which might have meant he was separated or divorced for seven months. His occupation was WPA road work. His four children lived in the household with him.

According to his death certificate, Edd died August 9, 1945, at 5:00 p.m. in Carroll County at the age of 62 years 7 months 4 days. His cause of death was “injury sustained from explosion” and “severe head injury.” His usual occupation was production operator. He was divorced. Burial was held in Banks Cemetery in Hohenwald, Lewis County, TN.

Frank M. Johnson was born January 21, 1887, in Oklahoma. He married Rae Putman on April 22, 1923, in Dyer County, TN. Rae was born February 17, 1904, in Reelfoot, Lake County, TN. In the 1930 US census for Crockett County, TN, Frank (age 50) was a laborer for the State Highway. Rae (age 26) was a seamstress. Their daughter, Sarah Rae Johnson (age 3), was born circa 1927 in Tennessee. In 1960, Rae was a saleswoman for Lowenstein’s in Memphis.

Neither a certificate of death nor an obituary has been located for Frank Johnson. According to his grave marker in McLemoresville Cemetery, he died August 9, 1945. At the time of his death, he lived in McLemoresville, TN.

R. V. Johnson of Lexington, TN was born December 26, 1907, in Henderson County, TN. His parents, Henry Strauder “Cuff” Johnson (1877-1960) and Laura Frances “Sissy” Henderson (1873-1964), were born in Alabama. R. V.’s siblings were Neva Mae Johnson Baggett Stout (1898-1971), Della Vay Johnson (1901-aft 1910), James Henry Johnson (1903-1991), R. V.’s twin U. V. Johnson (1907-1909), and Carl Edward Johnson (1915-1987).

In the 1930 US census for Henderson County, R. V. was a 22-year-old farmer. He and his new bride, Bessie A. (age 16), lived with his parents. Others in the household and their relationship to head-of-household Henry Johnson were Carl E. (son, age 15), Willie F. (grandson, age 12), Mitchel (grandson, age 10), and Robbert J. (grandson, age 7).

R. V. married Nora Owens on December 5, 1936, in Henderson County. In the 1940 US census for Henderson County, R. V. was a 32-year-old farmer. His household included Nora and their children, Laura Bell Johnson (age 2) and James Henry “Bud” Johnson (age 2 months).

According to his death certificate, R. V. died in Henderson County on August 10 at 1:35 a.m. from injuries sustained in the August 9 accident at Wolf Creek Ordnance Plant. His age was 37 years 7 months 14 days. The cause of death was “shock” due to “shell explosion” and “multiple shrapnel wounds about lower extremities.” His usual occupation was public work at Wolf Creek Ordnance Plant.

Burial was in Antioch Cemetery in Lexington, Henderson County, TN. He shares a tombstone with his wife, Nora Mae Owens (1912-1990). The inscription includes their names, dates, and “Asleep in Jesus.”

When James Henry “Bud” Johnson died May 2, 1992, his obituary included two sisters: Laura Roe of Jackson and Audry Middleton of Lexington. It is not known to this writer whether or not Audry was a daughter of R. V. Johnson.

Victor Frank Bedwell was born July 25, 1909, in Henderson County, TN. According to a divorce decree, his bonds of matrimony with Flossie Wood were “absolutely and forever dissolved” in the Henderson County Circuit Court on June 17, 1940. He married Cozette Johnson in Henderson County on June 22, 1940.

The informant for Victor’s death certificate was Arthur W. Johnson. Victor’s father was listed as unknown and his mother was listed as Ada Daws or Davis. A family website listed his parents John Harrison Bedwell (1881-1968) and Etta Mae Bedwell (maiden name unknown, 1888-1961) and brother George L. Bedwell (1913-1984). In the 1920 census, Victor was listed as son of John (head of household). Eddie (wife of John) and George (son of John) were also in the household.

Victor died August 13, 1945, at 11:36 p.m. in Gibson County, TN from injuries in the August 9 accident. He was 36 years 0 months 19 days. The cause of death was pneumonia due to “puncture wound rt chest” and “multiple shrapnel wounds about body.” At the time of the accident, he lived in Lexington, Henderson County, TN. His usual occupation was defense worker at shell loading plant. His wife was Couzetta Bedwell, age 24. Pafford Funeral Home in Lexington was in charge of funeral services. Burial was in Antioch Cemetery in Lexington on August 16, 1945.

Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Robert L. “Bob” Stump Jr. was born February 13, 1915, to Robert L. Stump Sr. and Louise Johnston and raised in Valdosta, GA. He served his country during World War II as Chief Medical Officer of the Milan Ordnance Center as a civilian employee of Procter & Gamble in Milan, TN. Eight physicians worked under him. He and his wife Marian lived in a government house on the military reservation, and he had the same perks or privileges as a captain in the Army. Dr. Stump was thirty years old when the terrible accident happened in Milan on August 9, 1945.

In a phone interview on March 13, 2013, Dr. Stump explained that production line C produced cluster bombs. A cluster bomb was one large case which held 250 small bombs. Employees would pack a bomb and latch it closed.

He was at Clemmer Clinic in Milan when the accident occurred. He was called immediately to go to the Arsenal. He said there were terrible injuries. His name is listed as the physician’s signature on the death certificates for the men who died August 9-13, 1945. However, Dr. Stump said the signature on the certificates is not his actual signature. Therefore, an assistant must have signed for him.

The plant and the hospital on the property were shut down when the armistice was signed. Everyone was sent home and told to return two days later. Employees began being laid off.

He said the other explosion (1944) involved another chemical that was used to make TNT.

Dr. Stump currently lives in Valdosta, GA where he celebrated his 100^th birthday on February 13, 2015. His wife died circa 1999. They had three children, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Dr. Stump said that he has had a good life.

Carroll County Historian

Rachel Williams McKinney is the County Historian for Carroll County. Mrs. McKinney’s husband, William Franklin “Billy” McKinney (1917-1994), was a Procter & Gamble mechanic on production line C. He was not scheduled to work on August 9, 1945. Billy and Rachel were planting in their garden when they heard the explosion. They thought the noise was probably “ground burn” or “burning ground” from burning off chemical waste. They were both very upset to learn that he lost friends and co-workers in the accident. Rachel said the accident happened when a mechanic working above the production line accidentally dropped a tool onto the production line.

World War II Ended

On August 14, 1945 (USA time), Japan announced its surrender; and World War II officially ended on September 2, 1945. As the world rejoiced that the war had ended, widows from the Milan accidents were left to find jobs, learn to drive or find transportation, find care for their young children, and continue the best they could.

May we always remember the sacrifices of the brave men and women who worked on the home front during World War II.

Sources

Tennessee death certificates:

DC #12673 signed June 30, 1941 – Richard Ernest Milner – died June 30, 1941

DC #17872 signed August 4, 1941 – Louis Green Cantrell – died August 4, 1941

DC #5056 signed February 14, 1942 – Solomon Rufus Haney – died February 13, 1942

DC #4781 signed March 15, 1944 – Walton Eldridge Abernathy – died March 2, 1944

DC #4778 signed March 7, 1944 – Thomas Aaron Blankenship – died March 2, 1944

DC #4779 signed March 7, 1944 – Johnnie McWhirter Blackmon – died March 2, 1944

DC #4780 signed March 4, 1944 – Theotis Davenport – died March 2, 1944

DC #15778 signed August 11, 1945 – William Emerson Maness – died August 9, 1945

DC #28927 signed April 30, 1946 – John Dee Penn Gorman – died August 9, 1945

DC #16202 signed August 18, 1945 – Floyd “Joe Billy” Mitchell – died August 9, 1945

DC #28948 filed July 12, 1946 – Edward Andrew “Edd” Voorhies – died August 9, 1945

DC has not been located – Frank Johnson – died August 9, 1945

DC #16553 signed August 23, 1945 – R. V. Johnson – died August 10, 1945

DC #16208 signed August 14, 1945 – Victor Frank Bedwell – died August 13, 1945

Divorce decree: Bedwell

FindAGrave.com memorials and tombstone photos:

Virtual cemetery http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=vcsr&GSvcid=294322

Richard Ernest Milner, memorial #45585254, photo by Stacy Mills Gore

Lewis Green Cantrell, memorial #94189024, photo by Harriet W. Berry

Rufus Solomon Haney, memorial #67075517, photo by Keith Haney

Walton E. Abernathy, memorial #47678060, photo by Anonymous

Johnnie M. Blackmon, memorial #10785417, photo by Rosemary Eubanks

Aaron T. Blankenship, memorial #104465379, photo by Sarah Jones

Theotis Davenport, memorial #25323295, photo by Joyce Osborne

Victor Frank Bedwell, memorial #67894500, photo by Amanda Jowers and Joy Beth Campbell

John Dee Gorman, memorial #24184964, photo by Cristie Wright

Frank Johnson, memorial #137625246, photo by Mary Ann Gray, Ties that Bind

R. V. Johnson, memorial #67869858, photo by Nicki Coffman

William E. Maness, memorial #70970425, grave marker photo by Kathy Haney Williams

Floyd Mitchell, memorial #36705286, photo by Annette Capps Holmes

Edward A. Voorhies, memorial #91019968, photo by Cheryle Luzack

Marriage records: Bedwell, Blankenship, Haney, Maness

Obituaries in The Jackson Sun:

March 3, 1944 – Johnnie M. Blackmon, Aaron Blankenship

August 10, 1945 – William Maness, J. D. Penn Gorman

Interviews via phone and/or e-mails in 2013-2015:

Dr. Robert L. Stump, Jr. of Valdosta, GA (Chief Medical Officer at Wolf Creek Ordnance Plant)

Rachel Williams McKinney (Carroll County, TN Historian)

Keith Haney (grandson of Solomon Haney)

Rachel Maness Haney and Gilbert Ray “Gil” Maness (daughter and son of William Maness)

Johnnie Kenneth Mitchell (son of Floyd Mitchell)

Sarah Elizabeth Mitchell Singleton Cates (relative of Floyd Mitchell)

Diane Reasons (daughter-in-law of Penn Gorman’s niece) and Randy Gorman (great-nephew)

Brenda Pollard Scoville (researched Abernathy, Cantrell, Davenport, Johnson, and Voorhies)

Rosemary Wall Eubanks (niece of Johnnie Blackmon)

Newspapers:

The Jackson Sun, June 30, 1941 – submitted by Jimmy Wilkins, TN Room Volunteer, JMCL

The Jackson Sun, March 2-6, 1944; and August 9-12, 1945

The Lexington Progress, August 17, 1945, from Crossing the Dark River, Henderson County, Tennessee, Obituaries 1827-1950 by Brenda Kirk Fiddler

The Milan Exchange, March 2 and 9, 1944, and August 9, 1945

Yesterday’s Tennessee:

http://www.tnyesterday.com/yesterday_henderson/wolf_creek/WOLF_CREEK.html

United States census records: Bedwell, Blankenship, Davenport, Gorman, Haney, Maness, Voorhies

Wolf Creek Ordnance Plants: http://brentcoleman.tripod.com/index-building.html

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Jackson Sun, August 9, 1945 (afternoon delivery on the day of the accident)

Four other victims died from injuries in this accident after this paper was published.

The Jackson Sun, August 10, 1945

The 7^th victim from the August 9 accident died August 13 after this paper was published.

This article was researched and written in memory of my grandfather, William Emerson Maness (1909-1945).

~ Katherine Haney Williams ~

The final resting places for the fourteen men who died at Wolf Creek Ordnance Plant during World War II
(Thank you to the photographers who are credited below each photograph.)

United States Army Ammunition Plant ~ Milan Arsenal

Milan, Gibson County/Carroll County, Tennessee ~ 2013

Remember the brave men, women, and children who sacrificed

on the home front during World War II. Thank you.

~ Katherine Haney Williams ~