The Oliver-Foy family tree: a notable Black family with Pekin connections

After the story of Nance Legins-Costley, past Pekin historical works have often retold the story of the marriage of Lloyd J. Oliver of Pekin, an African-American hero of the Spanish-American War. The 1974 Pekin Sesquicentennial volume retells this story on pages 154 and 175, though it repeats a mistake regarding Oliver’s Christian name, and the maiden name of his wife Cora, that dates back to Ben C. Allensworth’s 1905 “History of Tazewell County.” Allensworth misread Oliver’s first name as “Howard” instead of “Lloyd,” and misread his wife’s name as Cora “Hoy” instead of “Foy.” Despite that confusion of names, the marriage of Lloyd Oliver and Cora Foy is one of the best remembered events of Pekin’s African-American history, because the organizers of the 1902 Pekin Street Fair chose to honor Lloyd Oliver’s service to his country by making the marriage of this African-American war hero from Pekin a central event of the Street Fair, and thousands of people crowded downtown Pekin to witness the wedding and celebrate their union.

Lloyd James Oliver was born circa 1866 in Massachusetts, a son of Willis and Fannie (Walker) Oliver, and his bride, Cora Foy (c.1882-1963) was the youngest daughter of Jacob and Becca (Nelson) Foy of Kernersville, North Carolina. The public wedding of Lloyd and Cora, which took place Oct. 16, 1902, was included in the Pekin Street Fair festivities as a way to recognize Oliver’s service in the war. Allensworth described the event in his 1905 “History of Tazewell County,” pages 748-749:

“On Friday afternoon a wedding was performed uniting Howard J. Oliver and Miss Cora Hoy, colored people. The ceremony took place on the band-stand, and was performed by Squire W. F. Copes, in his usual happy manner. It is probably true that no greater assembly ever saw a wedding ceremony in Central Illinois than the one which witnessed this marriage. There was some trouble in getting the parties to the band-stand, so great was the crowd. The groom was six years in the United States Regular army, and was at El Caney, where his regiment relieved Roosevelt’s ‘Rough Riders’ at San Juan, during the Spanish-American War. He was one of six survivors of his company. [Street Fair] President [Thomas] Cooper was master of ceremonies and best man.”

Allensworth also commented that it is uncertain whether or not Cooper “saluted the bride in the usual manner allowable at weddings” – i.e., did Cooper, a white man, kiss the bride, a black woman? Allensworth says the witnesses closest to the bandstand reported that Cooper did not kiss Cora, but many others in the crowd insisted that he had.

In his essay, “The Black ‘Immune Regiments in the Spanish-American War,” Lieut. Col. (Ret.) Roger D. Cunningham relates that, “The soldiers of the Regular Army’s four black regiments — the 9th and 10th Cavalry and 24th and 25th Infantry — performed their duty without question. They deployed to Cuba and made significant contributions to the speedy victory, earning five Medals of Honor and twenty-nine Certificates of Merit for their gallantry under fire.”

Oliver served in one of those four regiments as just one of thousands of African-Americans who volunteered to serve their country in the Spanish-American War of 1898. According to Cunningham, many of America’s blacks hoped that their patriotic service might “gradually expand opportunities for racial equality.” Oliver’s heroic service evidently helped to endear him to Pekin’s white population, at least for the occasion of his wedding.

The year after his marriage, Oliver is listed in the 1903 Pekin city directory as “Oliver, Lloyd, porter Ed Joerger barber shop, r 116 Ann Eliza.” Two years later, the Pekin city directory lists him as “Oliver, Lloyd (colored), porter Joerger’s barber shop, r 120 Ann Eliza.” Oliver last appears in the Pekin city directory in 1907 as “Oliver, Lloyd, janitor Arcade bldg., r 120 Ann Eliza.” I have not found him in the 1910 U.S. Census nor any other records about him. It is unclear whether he had died by then, or rather that he and Cora had moved elsewhere seeking better opportunities than were afforded to African-Americans in early 20th century Pekin. Unfortunately, at this time Lloyd Oliver and his Oliver family genealogy are “brick walls” that I have yet to break through.

In contrast, I have had great success in tracing Cora’s later life, and in researching and compiling the genealogy of Cora’s family the Foys. Research has revealed that Cora’s first husband Lloyd J. Oliver was not the only soldier in the family, but several men in Cora’s family were veterans of World War I, World War II, and the Korean War — and the husband of one of Cora’s great-nieces was married to a Tuskegee Airman who gave his life in 1944 in Italy. Other members of Cora’s family graduated college and became teachers, nurses, and, in one case, a medical technician. Here below is presented a summary “Ahnentafel” of four generations Cora’s family, bringing the Foy descendants down to the point where we reach living descendants. Persons who are known to still be living are not included in the following genealogical table:

First Generation

Jacob “Jake” Foy, b. March 1831 in North Carolina, d. in Kernersville, Forsyth Co., N.C., at some time after the 2 June 1900 U.S. Census but before 6 April 1905 on which date his 3 Sept. 1899 will was submitted to be proved after his death. His death mostly likely occurred in February or March 1905. Jacob’s wife was Rebecca “Becca” Nelson, dau. of Alexander and Sally (Jourdan) Nelson, b. Sept. 1843 in Stokes Co., N.C., d. 4 Oct. 1911 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C. Jacob and Rebecca had issue five (or four) sons and five (or six) daus. Jacob may have had a dau. prior to meeting Rebecca. Their cohabitation as man and wife was acknowledged before Judge William M. Vance on 4 Aug. 1866 in Forsyth County, North Carolina, and the court acknowledgement says their natural marital relationship began 29 Aug. 1864. Because Jacob and Rebecca were then enslaved, they were not legally permitted to marry until 4 Aug. 1866. Despite the acknowledgment’s statement, it is very likely that Jacob and Rebecca accepted each other as man and wife and began having children together even before 29 Aug. 1864. Jacob worked as a farm laborer and day laborer, and Rebecca worked as a cook. Jacob and Rebecca are both buried in Kernersville, N.C.

Children:

• Susan Foy, b. c.1854 in N.C., enumerated in the 1870 U.S. Census, age 16, with the family of Jacob and “Betsy” Foy in Kernersville, N.C. Susan may have been a dau. of Jacob born to a different mother, or may have been a younger sister of Jacob. No further information.
• Jack Foy, b. c.1861 in N.C., a factory worker in Kernersville, N.C., enumerated only in the 1880 U.S. Census, age 19, with his parents and younger siblings. “Jack” might be the same person as Jacob and Rebecca’s son William. No further information.
• William “Will” Foy, b. May 1863 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., N.C., d. 11 Dec. 1941 in Detroit, Wayne Co., Mich., bur. 15 Dec. 1941 in Detroit Memorial Cemetery, m. 23 Dec. 1896 in Bristol, Va., to Sallie Taylor, b. Nov. 1874 in Tenn., d. 10 July 1933 in Bristol, Sullivan Co., Tenn., bur. 13 July 1933 in Citizens Cemetery, Bristol, Va. William and Sallie had issue eight daus. and two sons.
• Jettie Foy, b. c.1865 in N.C., d. 19 June 1934 in Greensboro, Forsyth Co., N.C., bur. 23 June 1934 in Maplewood Cemetery, Greensboro, m. 3 April 1886 in Kernersville, Forsyth Co., N.C., to Clarkson Mack, son of Allan and Betsey Mack, b. c.1860 in N.C., d. ante 21 April 1910 at which time Jettie is listed in the U.S. Census as a widow with no living children. Jettie and Clarkson had issue two children, both of whom d. ante 21 April 1910.
• Miles F. Foy, b. c.1868 in Kernersville, Forsyth Co., N.C., d. 12 Jan. 1937 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., bur. 15 Jan. 1937 in Maplewood Cemetery, Greensboro, m. 8 Nov. 1894 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., N.C., to Letha A. Lane, dau. of Caroline Lane, b. March 1865 in Siler City, Chatham Co., N.C., d. 20 May 1938 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., bur. by her husband in Maplewood Cemetery. Miles and Letha had issue one biological child who died young, but they adopted and raised Miles’ nephew Eddie as their son.
• Minnie Foy, b. c.1869 in Kernersville, Forsyth Co., N.C., enumerated with her parents and siblings in the 1870 and 1880 U.S. Censuses; no further information.
• Nancy Foy, b. c.1873 in N.C., enumerated with her parents and siblings in the 1880 U.S. Census; no further information.
• John E. Foy, b. 10 Oct. 1874 in Kernersville, Forsyth Co., N.C., liv. Feb. 1959 in Yonkers, Westchester Co., N.Y., m. 7 Aug. 1917 in Gilmer, Guilford Co., N.C., to Cora Ada Daniels, dau. of George Fleming and Lizzie Daniels, b. c.1892 in Louisburg, Franklin Co., N.C., d. of influenza and pneumonia 10 Feb. 1920 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., bur. 11 Feb. 1920 in Maplewood Cemetery, Greensboro. Issue if any unknown.
• Margaret “Maggie” Foy, b. c.1877 in Kernersville, Forsyth Co., N.C., d. 6 Feb. 1959 in Toledo, Lucas Co., Ohio, bur. in Forest Cemetery, Toledo, m. 24 Dec. 1895 in Kernersville to Adam A. Shinn, son of Julius Cicero and Amanda “Mandy” (Reed) Shinn, b. 27 April 1873 in Concord, Cabarrus Co., N.C., d. 4 Aug. 1931 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co., Pa., bur. Greenwood Cemetery, Sharpsburg, Allegheny Co., Pa. Maggie and Adam had issue one son.
• Cora Foy, b. c.1882 in Kernersville, Forsyth Co., N.C., d. 21 July 1963 in Toledo, Lucas Co., Ohio, bur. in Forest Cemetery, Toledo. Cora m. 1st. 16 Oct. 1902 in Pekin, Tazewell Co., Ill., to Lloyd James Oliver, son of Willis and Fannie (Walker) Oliver, b. c.1866 in Massachusetts, a Spanish-American War Army veteran, worked in Pekin as a porter and janitor. Issue if any unknown. Cora m. 2nd. c.1919 to William M. Morehead, b. 14 July 1886 in Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C., d. 1 March 1964 in Toledo, Lucas Co., Ohio, bur. in Forest Cemetery, Toledo, worked as a laborer and a molder in a Toledo casting factory. Cora worked as a clerk and saleslady at Tiedtke’s Store in Toledo.
• Monroe Nathaniel Foy Sr., b. 5 March 1887 in Kernersville, Forsyth Co., N.C., d. Aug. 1981 in Yonkers, Westchester Co., N.Y., m. 2 Jan. 1910 in Guilford Co., N.C., to Roberta S. Lee, dau. of Andrew and Nancy Lee, b. c.1894 in N.C., d. 25 Nov. 1950 in Yonkers, Westchester Co., N.Y., bur. in Oakland Cemetery, Yonkers. Monroe and Roberta had issue one son and one dau. Monroe worked as an odd jobs laborer, a chauffeur for a private family, and a bank messenger.

Second Generation

William “Will” Foy, son of Jacob and Rebecca (Nelson) Foy, b. May 1863 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., N.C., d. 11 Dec. 1941 in Detroit, Wayne Co., Mich., bur. 15 Dec. 1941 in Detroit Memorial Cemetery, m. 23 Dec. 1896 in Bristol, Va., to Sallie Taylor, b. Nov. 1874 in Tenn., d. 10 July 1933 in Bristol, Sullivan Co., Tenn., bur. 13 July 1933 in Citizens Cemetery, Bristol, Va. William and Sallie had issue eight daus. and two sons. Will’s marriage record gives him middle initial as “M.,” but the 1920 U.S. Census gives his middle initial as “F.” He worked several jobs, including day laborer, restaurant manager, and hotel janitor.

Children:

• Mary Ellen Foy, b. 21 May 1897 in Bristol, Sullivan Co., Tenn., d. 12 Jan. 1979 in Detroit, Wayne Co., Mich., m. 11 May 1922 in Detroit to William Murray Bradley, b. 21 Sept. 1894 in Rogersville, Hawkins Co., Tenn. Mary and William had issue a dau. and a son.
• James Wilbur Foy, b. 2 Sept. 1898 in Bristol, Sullivan Co., Tenn., d. 19 April 1962 in Bristol, Va., bur. in Citizens Cemetery, Bristol, Va., m. 27 Dec. 1919 in Abingdon, Washington Co., Va., to Mary Connelly Greer, dau. of John L. and Emma (Jones) Greer, b. April 1896 in Abingdon, Washington Co., Va., d. 25 Jan. 1937 in Bristol, Sullivan Co., Tenn., bur. in Abingdon, Va. James was a World War I veteran who served in France. Issue if any unknown.
• Almeda Foy, b. 10 Jan. 1900 in Tenn., d. 13 April 1966 in Washington, D.C., m. 1st. in 1919 to Edward Ervin Cain Jr., b. 25 May 1896 in Rogersville, Hawkins Co., Tenn., murdered by beating 10 Oct. 1932 in Detroit, Wayne Co., Mich., bur. 13 Oct. 1932 in Detroit Memorial Park East. Almeda and Edward had issue two daus. Several years after Edward’s murder, Almeda m. 2nd. in the 1940s to Frederick Douglass Cheek, b. c.1897 in South Carolina. No issue.
• Osceola Foy, b. c.1903 in Bristol, Sullivan Co., Tenn., m. 27 May 1926 in Detroit, Wayne Co., Mich., to Sandy Augustine Cloud Jr., son of Sandy A. and Florence (Compton) Cloud, b. 2 Sept. 1896 in Big Stone Gap, Wise Co., Va., d. 30 Aug 1976 in Allen Park, Wayne Co., Mich., bur. Sept. 1976 in Joseph Garfield Long Sr. Memorial Cemetery, Wise County, Va. This was Sandy’s 3rd. m. No issue of this m. Sandy was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in Hawaii and later in France in World War I.
• Edward Clifton Foy, b. 19 May 1905 in Bristol, Sullivan Co., Tenn., d. 23 March 1968 at Mendocino State Hospital in Talmage, Mendocino Co., Calif., m. c.1925 to Ida (NN), b. c.1906 in Texas. Issue if any unknown. Edward was a U.S. Navy veteran and made money as a prize fighter in the boxing ring.
• Doris Alease Foy, b. 14 Jan. 1907 in Bristol, Sullivan Co., Tenn., d. 9 March 1999 in New York, N.Y., m. 1st. 11 Aug 1938 in Bristol, Va., to James Hampton Swann Jr., b. 25 Sept. 1907 in Bristol, Va., d. 12 June 1967 in Bristol, Va., bur. in Mountain Home National Cemetery, Washington Co., Tenn. Issue if any unknown. James was a World War II veteran. Doris and James div., and she m. 2nd. 7 June 1942 in Washington, D.C., to Harvey Wilburn, b. 14 Feb. 1907 in Atlanta, Fulton Co., Ga., d. 21 Jan. 1970. Issue if any unknown. Doris apparently m. 3rd. in 1981 to (NN) Roberts.
• Rebecca “Reba” Foy, b. 14 April 1909 in Bristol, Sullivan Co., Tenn., d. 21 Oct. 2003 in Detroit, Wayne Co., Mich.; m. 1st. 15 June 1929 in Detroit to James Harry McGregor, b. c.1908 in Tenn., issue if any unknown, div. 27 July 1937 in Detroit; m. 2nd. 5 Nov. 1953 in Lucas Co., Ohio, to Turner Powell, b. c.1916, issue if any unknown. Reba m. two other times, to (NN) Cooper and (NN) Drew, issue if any unknown.
• Agnes Foy, b. 3 April 1912 in Bristol, Sullivan Co., Tenn., d. 9 Aug. 2001 in Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio; m. 1st. c.1932 to Theodore Harry “Theo” Bourne, b. 17 April 1911 in Bristol, Va., d. 20 April 1970 in Bristol, Sullivan Co., Tenn., no issue, div. c.1933; m. 2nd. 13 Jan. 1934 in Lucas Co., Ohio, to Ira David England, b. 18 Dec. 1903 in Iola, Allen Co., Kans., d. 16 July 1969 in Toledo, Lucas Co., Ohio, div. c.1938, issue one dau.; m. 3rd. c.1939 to Rev. William H. McCoy, b. c.1905 in South Carolina, d. 17 March 1980 in Cuyahoga Falls, Summit Co., Ohio, div. c.1945, no issue; m. 4th. 21 Dec. 1946 in Franklin Co., Ohio, to Rev. Lee Roy Ligons, son of Addison and Millie (Jones) Ligons, b. 6 Dec. 1895 in Wake Co., N.C., d. 1 Feb. 1968 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio, bur. in Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio, no issue. Rev. Ligons was a U.S. Army World War I veteran.
• Marguerite Travera Foy, b. 3 April 1915 in Bristol, Sullivan, Tennessee, d. 2 Sept. 1991 in Detroit, Wayne Co., Mich., m. 1 Jan. 1943 in New Hanover Co., N.C., to Frank DeWitt Godden, b. 4 March 1913 in Fla. or in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, La., d. 3 Aug. 2012, bur. in Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, Riverside Co., Calif., issue if any unknown. Frank was a U.S. Army World War II veteran.
• Gladys Foy b. 28 March 1917 in Bristol, Sullivan, Tennessee, d. 8 Oct. 1918 of Spanish Influenza in Bristol, Sullivan, Tennessee, bur. 9 Oct 1918 in Citizens Cemetery, Bristol, Va.

Jettie Foy, dau. of Jacob and Rebecca (Nelson) Foy, b. c.1865 in N.C., d. 19 June 1934 in Greensboro, Forsyth Co., N.C., bur. 23 June 1934 in Maplewood Cemetery, Greensboro, m. 3 April 1886 in Kernersville, Forsyth Co., N.C., to Clarkson “Clark” Mack, son of Allan and Betsey Mack, b. c.1860 in N.C., d. ante 21 April 1910 at which time Jettie is listed in the U.S. Census as a widow with no living children. Jettie and Clarkson had issue two children, both of whom d. ante 21 April 1910. Jettie worked as a domestic cook and laundress.

Children:

• (NN) Mack, d. y. ante 21 April 1910, mentioned as deceased in the 1910 U.S. Census, no other information.
• (NN) Mack, d. y. ante 21 April 1910, mentioned as deceased in the 1910 U.S. Census, no other information.

Miles F. Foy, son of Jacob and Rebecca (Nelson) Foy, b. c.1868 in Kernersville, Forsyth Co., N.C., d. 12 Jan. 1937 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., bur. 15 Jan. 1937 in Maplewood Cemetery, Greensboro, m. 8 Nov. 1894 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., N.C., to Letha A. Lane, dau. of Caroline Lane, b. March 1865 in Siler City, Chatham Co., N.C., d. 20 May 1938 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., bur. by her husband in Maplewood Cemetery. Miles and Letha had issue one biological child who died young, but they adopted and raised Miles’ nephew Eddie as their only child.

Children:

• (NN) Foy, b. c.1895 in N.C., attested in the 1900 and 1910 censuses, which show that Letha (Lane) Foy had given birth to only one child, but had no children living. That child must have been born about 1895, after Letha’s marriage to Miles F. Foy, but must have d. bef. the 1900 census.
• Edward Julius “Eddie” Foy Sr., b. 15 July 1891 in Durham, Durham Co., N.C., d. 16 Feb. 1955 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., bur. 20 Feb. 1955 in Maplewood Cemetery, Greensboro, N.C.; m. 28 Aug. 1912 in Gilmer, Guilford Co., N.C., to Juliette Pierce, b. 16 March 1895 in Guilford Co., N.C., d. 1 March 1982 in Greensboro, N.C., bur. in Maplewood Cemetery, Greensboro, N.C. Eddie and Juliette had issue five sons and six daus. Eddie worked as a cotton mill laborer, store clerk, janitor, porter, night watchman, and automobile mechanic.

Margaret “Maggie” Foy, dau. of Jacob and Rebecca (Nelson) Foy, b. c.1877 in Kernersville, Forsyth Co., N.C., d. 6 Feb. 1959 in Toledo, Lucas Co., Ohio, bur. in Forest Cemetery, Toledo, m. 24 Dec. 1895 in Kernersville to Adam A. Shinn, son of Julius Cicero and Amanda “Mandy” (Reed) Shinn, b. 27 April 1873 in Concord, Cabarrus Co., N.C., d. 4 Aug. 1931 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co., Pa., bur. Greenwood Cemetery, Sharpsburg, Allegheny Co., Pa. Maggie and Adam had issue one son. Maggie worked as a domestic servant, laundress, and maid.

Child:

• Cicero Shinn, a.k.a. Cicero Foy, b. 12 March 1897 in Guilford Co., N.C., d. Oct. 1968 in Highlands Co, Fla.; perh. m. 1st. Chaney (NN), b. c.1900 in N.C. (unless that was a different Cicero Shinn), issue if any unknown; m. 2nd. or 1st. 23 Feb. 1923 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., to Peaches Hargrove, b. c.1897 in N.C., issue if any unknown; m. 3rd. or 2nd. c.1929 to Clara (NN), b. c.1915 in Georgia, issue one dau.; m. 4th. or 3rd. 17 Dec. 1936 in Sebring, Highlands Co., Fla., to Leola Taylor, b. 21 Sept. 1908 in Bartow, Polk Co., Fla., d. 10 Dec. 1965 in Polk Co., Fla., bur. in Oak Hill Burial Park, Lakeland, Polk Co., Fla., no issue; m. 5th. or 4th. 23 Dec. 1942 in Wauchula, Hardee Co., Fla., to Lucille Jackson, b. 9 May 1917 in Georgia, d. Oct. 1971 in Florida, issue if any unknown.

Monroe Nathaniel Foy Sr., son of Jacob and Rebecca (Nelson) Foy, b. 5 March 1887 in Kernersville, Forsyth Co., N.C., d. Aug. 1981 in Yonkers, Westchester Co., N.Y., m. 2 Jan. 1910 in Guilford Co., N.C., to Roberta S. Lee, dau. of Andrew and Nancy Lee, b. c.1894 in N.C., d. 25 Nov. 1950 in Yonkers, Westchester Co., N.Y., bur. in Oakland Cemetery, Yonkers. Monroe and Roberta had issue one son and one dau. Monroe worked as an odd jobs laborer, a chauffeur for a private family, and a bank messenger.

Children:

• Monroe Nathaniel Foy Jr., b. 2 July 1914 in Yonkers, Westchester Co., N.Y., d. Nov. 1983 in Yonkers, Westchester Co., N.Y., m. 27 Dec. 1937 in Roanoke, Va., to Willie Sheppard Keen, b. 20 Sept. 1914 in N.C., d. 9 Sept. 1989 in Rochester, Monroe Co., N.Y., issue one dau.
• Juanita C. Foy, b. 1918 in Yonkers, Westchester Co., N.Y., d. 26 Dec. 1930 in Yonkers, Westchester Co., N.Y., at age 12 after a short illness, bur. 28 Dec. 1930 in Oakland Cemetery, Yonkers, N.Y.

Third Generation

Mary Ellen Foy, dau. of William and Sallie (Taylor) Foy, b. 21 May 1897 in Bristol, Sullivan Co., Tenn., d. 12 Jan. 1979 in Detroit, Wayne Co., Mich., m. 11 May 1922 in Detroit to William Murray Bradley, b. 21 Sept. 1894 in Rogersville, Hawkins Co., Tenn. Mary and William had issue a dau. and a son.

Children:

• (Dau.) Bradley, b. 26 March 1925 in Detroit, Wayne, Mich., d. 27 March 1925 in Detroit, Wayne, Mich., premature birth, bur. in Rosland Park, Detroit.
• William Bradley, b. c.1931 in Michigan, enumerated with her parents and her Aunt Marguerite Foy in the 1940 U.S. Census of Detroit. No other information.

Almeda Foy, dau. of William and Sallie (Taylor) Foy, b. 10 Jan. 1900 in Tenn., d. 13 April 1966 in Washington, D.C., m. 1st. in 1919 to Edward Ervin Cain Jr., b. 25 May 1896 in Rogersville, Hawkins Co., Tenn., murdered by beating 10 Oct. 1932 in Detroit, Wayne Co., Mich., bur. 13 Oct. 1932 in Detroit Memorial Park East. Almeda and Edward had issue two daus. Several years after Edward’s murder, Almeda m. 2nd. in the 1940s to Frederick Douglass Cheek, b. c.1897 in South Carolina. No issue.

Children:

• Doris Almeda Cain, b. 20 May 1920 in Detroit, Wayne Co., Mich., d. 23 May 2005 in Hyattsville, Prince George’s Co., Maryland; m. 1st. 1 Dec. 1938 in Rogersville, Hawkins Co., Tenn., to William Alexander Jones, b. 8 May 1918 in Rogersville, Hawkins Co., Tenn., d. 24 April 1984 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Mich., div. 5 Aug. 1944 in Rogersville, Hawkins Co., Tenn.; issue one son; m. 2nd. in 1948 to Claude Douglas Spearman, b. 6 June 1921 in Tupelo, Lee Co., Miss., d. 1 Dec. 1993 in Washington, D.C., issue one son.
• Ruth Foy Cain, b. c.1921 in Detroit, Wayne Co., Mich., killed 12 July 1942 in Washington, D.C. Ruth worked as a practical nurse. Never married, no issue.

Agnes Foy, dau. of William and Sallie (Taylor) Foy, b. 3 April 1912 in Bristol, Sullivan Co., Tenn., d. 9 Aug. 2001 in Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio; m. 1st. c.1932 to Theodore Harry “Theo” Bourne, b. 17 April 1911 in Bristol, Va., d. 20 April 1970 in Bristol, Sullivan Co., Tenn., no issue, div. c.1933; m. 2nd. 13 Jan. 1934 in Lucas Co., Ohio, to Ira David England, b. 18 Dec. 1903 in Iola, Allen Co., Kans., d. 16 July 1969 in Toledo, Lucas Co., Ohio, div. c.1938, issue one dau.; m. 3rd. c.1939 to Rev. William H. McCoy, b. c.1905 in South Carolina, d. 17 March 1980 in Cuyahoga Falls, Summit Co., Ohio, div. c.1945, no issue; m. 4th. 21 Dec. 1946 in Franklin Co., Ohio, to Rev. Lee Roy Ligons, son of Addison and Millie (Jones) Ligons, b. 6 Dec. 1895 in Wake Co., N.C., d. 1 Feb. 1968 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio, bur. in Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio, no issue. Rev. Ligons was a U.S. Army World War I veteran.

Child:

• Marlene England, a.k.a. Marlene McCoy, b. c.1934 in Tenn. Attended Jesup W. Scott High School, Toledo, Ohio, in 1948. No further information.

Edward Julius “Eddie” Foy Sr., nephew and adopted son of Miles F. and Letha A. (Lane) Foy, b. 15 July 1891 in Durham, Durham Co., N.C., d. 16 Feb. 1955 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., bur. 20 Feb. 1955 in Maplewood Cemetery, Greensboro, N.C.; m. 28 Aug. 1912 in Gilmer, Guilford Co., N.C., to Juliette Pierce, b. 16 March 1895 in Guilford Co., N.C., d. 1 March 1982 in Greensboro, N.C., bur. in Maplewood Cemetery, Greensboro, N.C. Eddie and Juliette had issue five sons and six daus. Eddie worked as a cotton mill laborer, store clerk, janitor, porter, night watchman, and automobile mechanic. Eddie’s biological parents are uncertain. He was adopted by his uncle and aunt Miles and Letha, but it is unknown whether he was a biological son of one of Miles’ siblings or rather of one of Lethea’s siblings.

Children:

• Eddie Julius Foy Jr., born 25 June 1913 in N.C., d. 26 April 1965 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., m. 23 Oct. 1935 in Greensboro, N.C., to Novella Garrison, b. 9 Jan. 1916 in N.C., d. 1 Oct. 1979 in Greensboro, N.C., bur. 6 Oct. 1979 in Maplewood Cemetery, Greensboro, N.C., had issue one dau. and one son. Eddie also reportedly had issue a son by someone other than Novella.
• Annie L. Foy, b. 15 Dec. 1914 in Guilford Co., N.C., d. 3 Oct. 2001 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., m. 12 June 1947 in Seattle, King Co., Washington, to Albert Raymond Baker, b. 8 Jan. 1879 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas, d. 27 Nov. 1949 in a car crash in rural Seattle, bur. 3 Dec. 1949 in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Seattle. No issue. Annie, who was Albert’s 3rd. wife, was a nurse. Albert was a U.S. Army veteran of the Spanish-American War and World War I.
• Frances G. Foy, b. 18 Nov. 1916 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., d. of whooping cough 5 May 1917 in Greensboro Co., N.C., bur. 7 May 1917 in Union Cemetery, Greensboro, N.C.
• Miles Robert Foy, b. 17 Dec. 1917 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., committed suicide 2 April 1939 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., bur. 5 April 1939 in Maplewood Cemetery, Greensboro, N.C.
• Joseph Daniel Foy, b. 13 Dec. 1919 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., d. 6 Aug. 2000 in Kansas City, Jackson Co., Mo., bur. 14 Aug. 2000 in Salisbury National Cemetery Annex, Salisbury, Rowan Co., N.C., m. 1st. 6 Aug. 1940 in Greensboro, Morehead, Guilford Co., N.C., to Mary Wilhelmina DeVeaux, b. 23 April 1916 in Willington, McCormick Co., S.C., d. 12 June 1991 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., bur. in Carolina Biblical Gardens of Guilford, Jamestown, Guilford Co., NC., issue two daus.; m. 2nd. 5 Dec. 1954 in Dallas, Dallas Co., Texas, to Lucy Maye Jackson, b. 23 Sept. 1919 in Kaufman, Kaufman Co., Texas, d. 14 May 2018 in Dallas, Texas., no issue. Joseph was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army.
• Grace Theola Foy, b. 12 Feb. 1922 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., d. 5 June 1995 in Greensboro, N.C., m. 10 Jan. 1941 in Rockingham Co, N.C., to 1st. Lieut. Samuel Martin Bruce Jr., b. 7 Dec. 1915 in Crockett, Houston Co., Texas, killed in action 27 Jan. 1944 in Nettuno, Lazio, Italy. Samuel was one of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. Grace and Samuel had issue one dau.
• Hattie Etta Foy, b. 5 Jan. 1924 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., d. 8 Aug. 2002 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., bur. in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Greensboro. Hattie worked as a receptionist at a doctor’s office. Never married, no issue.
• Timothy Reynard Foy, b. 31 March 1926 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., d. 16 Oct. 1990 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., bur. in Maplewood Cemetery, Greensboro, N.C., m. 20 Oct. 1951 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., N.C., to Alice Louisa Lyerly, b. 18 Dec. 1922 in Winston-Salem, N.C., d. 4 Jan. 2011 in Winston-Salem, N.C., bur. in Evergreen Cemetery, Winston-Salem, N.C., div. 4 April 1961 in Guilford Co., N.C. No issue. Timothy was Korean War veteran of the U.S. Army and a high school biology teacher.
• Arthur Lewis Foy, b. 1 Aug. 1928 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., d. 14 May 1974 in Washington, D.C., bur. in Maplewood Cemetery, Greensboro, N.C., m. 1st. 20 June 1948 in Greensboro, N.C., to Zela Beverly Hazell, b. 28 April 1912 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., d. 11 Jan. 1965 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., div. 5 Sept. 1961 in Guilford Co., N.C., no issue; m. 2nd. 2 June 1964 in Arlington, Arlington Co., Va., to Annie Lee Howard, dau. of Harry and Mazie (Wadellington) Howard, b. c.1935 in Oak Ridge, Guilford Co., N.C., issue if any unknown. Arthur was a hospital medical technician.
• Cordia Mae Foy, b. 3 April 1930 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., d. 4 Feb. 2004 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., m. 31 July 1949 in Greensboro, N.C., to Weldon Johnson Jr., b. 16 July 1927 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., d. 11 July 1998 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., bur. 15 July 1998 in Carolina Biblical Gardens, Raleigh, N.C. Cordia and Weldon had issue one son.
• Beatrice E. Foy, b. 17 Oct. 1932 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., d. of rheumatic heart disease 17 Nov. 1935 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., bur. 19 Nov. 1935 in Maplewood Cemetery, Greensboro, N.C.

Cicero Shinn, a.k.a. Cicero Foy, son of Adam A. and Margaret (Foy) Shinn, b. 12 March 1897 in Guilford Co., N.C., d. Oct. 1968 in Highlands Co, Fla.; perh. m. 1st. Chaney (NN), b. c.1900 in N.C. (unless that was a different Cicero Shinn), issue if any unknown; m. 2nd. or 1st. 23 Feb. 1923 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C., to Peaches Hargrove, b. c.1897 in N.C., issue if any unknown; m. 3rd. or 2nd. c.1929 to Clara (NN), b. c.1915 in Georgia, issue one dau.; m. 4th. or 3rd. 17 Dec. 1936 in Sebring, Highlands Co., Fla., to Leola Taylor, b. 21 Sept. 1908 in Bartow, Polk Co., Fla., d. 10 Dec. 1965 in Polk Co., Fla., bur. in Oak Hill Burial Park, Lakeland, Polk Co., Fla., no issue; m. 5th. or 4th. 23 Dec. 1942 in Wauchula, Hardee Co., Fla., to Lucille Jackson, b. 9 May 1917 in Georgia, d. Oct. 1971 in Florida, issue if any unknown.

Child:

• Earnestine Foy, b. c.1930 in Florida. Enumerated with her parents Cicero and Clara in the 1935 Florida State Census. No further information.

Monroe Nathaniel Foy Jr., son of Monroe Nathaniel Sr. and Roberta S. (Lee) Foy, b. 2 July 1914 in Yonkers, Westchester Co., N.Y., d. Nov. 1983 in Yonkers, Westchester Co., N.Y., m. 27 Dec. 1937 in Roanoke, Va., to Willie Sheppard Keen, b. 20 Sept. 1914 in N.C., d. 9 Sept. 1989 in Rochester, Monroe Co., N.Y., issue one dau.

Child:

• Juanita Catherine Foy, b. 16 Aug. 1944 in Yonkers, Westchester Co., N.Y., d. 2 April 2012 in Fairport, Monroe Co., N.Y., bur. 15 April 2012 in Williams Memorial Cemetery, Roanoke, Va. Juanita was a school teacher in Rochester, N.Y.. She never married or had children, but is remembered fondly by her family and students.