Minerd.com Biography of Howard Lee Kennedy Sr. and Wives Merriam Tate and Roxie Armenthea Mayle of Knottsville, WV

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Howard Lee Kennedy Sr.
(1896-1965)

Howard and Roxie

Howard Lee Kennedy Sr. was born in 1896 in the Webster community of Taylor County, WV, the son of Josiah and Ruth Ann (Minerd) Kennedy Sr.

Howard was tall and slender, with hair and eyes of light brown. He lived in Cecil in 1917, when he registered for the military draft during World War I. On his registration card, he marked his employment as a miner at the Elk Horn Coal Company's Ocean Mines and gave his racial background as "negro."

At age 22, in about 1918, Howard married his first wife, 18-year-old Miriam/Merriam Lucille Tate (1899-1982), a native of Ohio and the daughter of James and Adelia Tate.

They together produced five children -- among them Adelia Lucille Kennedy, Cornelia Kennedy, Rowena Hunt Clark, Ellouise Stark and Elizabeth Croston.

Howard and brother Jeff, left

When the federal census was taken in 1920, the Kennedys were childless and boarded in the home of Ernie and Lena Mayle on Camp Run Road in the Pleasant District of Philippi. That year, Howard earned a living as a driver in local coal mines.

The Kennedys relocated to Zanesville, Muskingum County, OH sometime between 1925 and 1928. The federal census of 1930 shows the family living on Kean Street in Zanesville with their four daughters ages 3 to 10 as well as 25-year-old nephew Howard C. Kennedy (son of Opha Cleophas Kennedy). The two Howards both were employed as ice pullers at the local ice plant. The census-taker marked them all as "negro."

By 1934, Howard and Merriam separated and eventually divorced. She later wed George Burke ( ? - ? ).

Howard returned to West Virginia and married his second wife, Roxie Armenthea Mayle (1908-1945), the daughter of Deskin and Lacy Ann (Parsons) Mayle. There was a 12-year age difference between husband and wife.

They resided in Knottsville, Taylor County and Galloway, Barbour County. Roxie did not enjoy being photographed, and the image here is the only known one.

Howard and Roxie produced a brood of six children of their own -- two sons named Howard Lee Kennedy Jr., Mary M. Mayle, Doretta Hale, twins Arlene Kennedy and Darlene Williams.

The Kennedy homeplace in Galloway, West Virginia

Howard and daughter Darlene

In 1940, the federal census shows Howard and Roxie making their home on Cecil Road in Knottsville, Taylor County, WV, with Howard working for the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Daughters Doretta (age five) and Mary (three) were under their roof at the time. Howard's employer, the WPA, was one of the vehicles President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the federal government tried to overcome unemployment during the Great Depression. It is widely considered one of the Roosevelt's largest and most ambitious undertakings of his "New Deal" to get the nation back on sound economic footing. Over the years, the WPA hired millions of out-of-work individuals to build public works projects, such as roads, bridges, retaining walls and buildings.

Two children passed away as infants -- twin Arlene of heart disease at age two months on Dec. 19, 1941, having been born weighing only 5 lbs.; and Howard Jr. in childbirth on April 27, 1944.

Tragedy struck the family again in December 1944, when Roxie was diagnosed with cancer of the uterus, just eight months after the birth of stillborn son Howard Jr. She declined rapidly and passed away the following month, on Jan. 31, 1945, with burial at Mt. View Cemetery in Moatsville.

Mt. View Cemetery, Moatsville

Her grave marker is seen here, as photographed in about 2007.

Her untimely death left Howard as a widower at the age of 48 with a number of young children to raise. He is seen at right, with his daughter Darlene, and wearing his coal miner's hard hat, apparently heading to or from work.

Howard married again, to his third wife, Agnes Robinson ( ? - ? ).

In 1954-1955, Howard's elderly cousin, Matilda (Minerd) Croston, daughter of William Minerd, came to make her residence in their home in the Simpson community of West Hill, on the outskirts of Grafton. She died there not long afterward, on Dec. 20, 1955.

At some point in time, Howard relocated to Eastern Ohio. Circa 1963, he made his home in Canton, Stark County, OH.

Son Howard "Sonny" and daughter Lucille at Roxie's grave, at the Mt. View Church Cemetery, 1960s. The church has since been dismantled.

Howard surrendered to the angel of death at about the age of 68 in 1965.

He and Agnes rest together in Fort Laurens Cemetery in Bolivar, Tuscarawas County, OH. Their graves are not known to be marked.

Former wife Miriam died in Cleveland on May 27, 1982. Her obituary in the Cleveland Plain Dealer said she was the "dear mother of Lucille Kennedy, Elizabeth Croston, Rowena Hunt, Ellouise Stark and Georgiana Quarles, sister of Lena Mayle, John and Willard Tate."

~ Daughter Elizabeth (Kennedy) Croston ~

Daughter Elizabeth C. Kennedy (1922-1991) was born in 1922. Was her first name "Cornelia?"

On July 15, 1943, when she was 21 years of age, Elizabeth married 26-year-old Gwendyl Leon Croston (1917-2005), the son of Clarence and Olga (Ramsey) Croston of Akron, Stark County, OH.

Early in the marriage, when their son was born in 1944, the pair made a home in Cleveland. In time they appear to have moved to Fruit Farm Road in Amesville, near Chesterhill, Morgan County, OH.

The two children of this couple were George Leon Croston and Phyllis Harding.

Gwendyl served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He worked for many years for General Motors as a tool and die maker, and was a member of the Bethel Wesleyan Church of Bartlett, OH and of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Belpre, OH.

Sadly, Elizabeth died in 1991 at the age of 69. She was laid to rest in Mount Hermon Cemetery.

Mount Hermon Cemetery

Gwendyl outlived his bride by 14 years. He died at the age of 88 at The Arbors in Marietta on Nov. 30, 2005. Interment was in Mount Hermon Cemetery, following funeral services led by Pastor Mary Jane Newman and Rev. Eugene Ramsey, with assistance from the Morgan County Veterans Association.

Son George Leon Croston (1944-2022) was born on Aug. 16, 1944 in Cleveland. While he grew up in Cleveland, he loved to spend his summers working on his grandparents' farm in southern Ohio. Following high school graduation, during the Vietnam War, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. In June 1969, at age 24, he was united in matrimony with Sandra "Sandy" Mayle ( ? -living). The pair's marriage endured the ups and downs of a remarkable 52 years. They became the parents of three -- Garron Croston, Chris Croston and Beth Croston. The Crostons lived in Cleveland, where he was employed as a machine operator for many years at the Parma plant of General Motors Corporation. In his free time he liked to fish and hunt. George retired in 2001 at the age of about 57. At some point, George and Sandra purchased property in southern Ohio, dubbed the "Blue House," where they entertained family and friends. Sadly, he passed away at age 77, following two decades of retirement, on May 4, 2022.

Grandson Garron Croston ( ? - ? )

Grandson Chris Croston ( ? - ? )

Granddaughter Beth Croston ( ? - ? )

Daughter Phyllis Croston married Raymond Harding and resided in Cleveland.

Lucille Kennedy

~ Daughter Adelia "Lucille" Kennedy ~

Daughter Adelia "Lucille" Kennedy (1920-2001) was born on Dec. 12, 1920 in Galloway, Barbour County, WV.

As a young girl, by 1930, she relocated with her parents and siblings to Zanesville, Muskingum County, OH.

Lucille apparently never married. Evidence suggests that she made a living as a sewing machine operator in the textiles industry.

She lived in Cleveland, OH, in 1991-2001.

She succumbed to the spectre of death at the age of 80 on May 19, 2001. Her remains were lowered under the sod of Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland. Inscribed on the face of her grave marker are the texts "Beloved daughter sister" and "In God's loving care."

~ Daughter Rowena (Kennedy) Hunt Clark ~

Daughter Rowena Kennedy (1924-2013) was born on May 27, 1924 near Grafton, Taylor County, WV. She was married twice.

Her first husband was (?) Hunt.

They produced these children -- William D. Hunt, David R. Hunt and Daniel R. Hunt.

Later, she wed Robert E. Clark ( ? -2008).

For many years, Rowena lived in Powell near Columbus, Franklin County, OH. She spent more than 25 years as a registrar in the guidance department of Beachwood High School in Beachwood, Cuyahoga County, retiring in 1991. Said the Columbus Dispatch, "She was an avid fan of athletics and could be seen at all school sporting events. She loved the Ohio State Buckeyes and was a member of the Red Hat Society... [She] loved vacationing in Florida and was drawn by the Gulf of Mexico and the beauty of the sunsets."

She endured the death of her husband Robert in 2008.

In 2012, Rowena relocated to Englewood, FL, fulfilling a longtime dream. She died in a hospice there at the age of 88 on Feb. 1, 2013. Her obituary was published in the Columbus Dispatch.

Son William D. Hunt married Melanie and lived in Ohio.

Son David R. Hunt resided in Ohio.

Son Daniel R. Hunt wed Cathy and made their home in Rotonda West, FL.

~ Daughter Ellouise (Kennedy) Stark ~

Daughter Ellouise Kennedy (1927-2005) is believed to have been born on July 22, 1927 in Zanesville, Muskingum County, OH.

She married Wilson A. Stark (Dec. 21, 1925-2010).

They together produced one daughter, Deborah L. Stark.

The family resided for many years in East Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH.

Ellouise died on Oct. 18, 2005, in Cleveland.

Wilson survived her by five years, and passed away on Oct. 11, 2010. Burial was in Evergreen Memorial Gardens. His obituary was printed in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Daughter Deborah Lyn Stark (1951-2018) was born on May 25, 1951 in Cleveland. She was the mother of Kevin. Deborah trained as a nurse and for some years was employed as a licensed practical nurse by the Visiting Nurses Association. Sadly, at the age of 66, Deborah passed away on Jan. 18, 2018.

Mt. Airy school attended by the Kennedy children

~ Daughter Doretta ( Kennedy) Hale ~

Daughter Doretta Kennedy (1934- ? ) was born in about 1934 in Knottsville, Taylor County, WV.

She married Theodore "Rodney" Hale (Feb. 4, 1936-2019), the son of Theodore K. and Myrtle (Holbert) Hale.

They bore three children -- Mark Anthony Hale Sr., Cynthia Hairston and Karen Gilbert.

Doretta (left) with sisters Georgina and Lucille

Rodney labored as a blacktop hauler. The Hales made their home for decades in a mostly black community of residents along Coal Run Road in Zanesville, Muskingum County, OH.

Their home was without running water until 2004, when the City of Zanesville and County of Muskingum finally installed water pipes. A story in the New York Times, which pictured Doretta and Rodney, noted that "As some people here put it, the water seemed to stop 'where the black folks started'." In the Times piece, Rodney recalled many instances of racial discrimination over the years, such as being restricted to balcony-only seating at movie theatres, prohibited from eating at the counter of a restaurant, and being told to get off his school bus and walk because he was black and it was school board policy. (See "For a Recently Plumbed Neighborhood, Validation in a Verdict," New York Times, Aug. 11, 2008.)

In 2008, a federal jury awarded thousands of dollars in damages to the Hales and other families in their neighborhood for violation of their civil rights.

Said the Zanesville Times Recorder, "Rodney owned and operated his own business, Hale Trucking, for several years. He was passionate about his work and truly enjoyed his dump trucks. He was a member of the Wings of Hope Tabernacle. In his free time, Rodney enjoyed outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing [and] was also an avid gardener, known to keep beautiful plants. Rodney enjoyed playing the lottery each day."

At the age of 83, Rodney died on Nov. 5, 2019. Jointly leading his funeral service at the Wings of Hope Tabernacle were Jim Workman, Steve Hale and Terry Newman. The remains were lowered to rest under the sod of Woodlawn Cemetery.

Son Mark Anthony Hale Sr. (1957-2012) was born on Nov. 18, 1957 in Zanesville. On May 18, 1985, he was united in matrimony with Regina Hampton ( ? - ? ), daughter of Linda Hampton.. Two children in this family were Mark Anthony Hale Jr. and Devan Hale -- and three step-children -- Terrance Cree Dalton, Leanda (Mayle) Tabler and Tashia Walker. Mark was a longtime truck driver and was employed at Kokosing Construction of Fredericktown, OH. He was a member of the teamster's union and enjoyed NASCAR racing, fishing and hunting. He died of cancer at the age of 54, in Zanesville, on Sept. 3, 2012. He was laid to eternal rest in Woodlawn Cemetery in Zanesville, with ministers Steve Hale and Terry F. Newman together leading the rites in the Wings of Hope Tabernacle.

Grandson Mark Anthony Hale Jr. dwelled in Chillicothe, OH in 2012.

Granddaughter Devan Hale made her home in 2012 in Zanesville.

Step-grandson Terrance Cree Dalton put down roots in Zanesville.

Step-granddaughter Leanda Mayle was born on (?). She is the mother of Latish Eddy, Shianne Johnson and Jermond Mayle. On March 24, 2001, she was joined in wedlock with Russell Tabler Sr. (Feb. 23, 1962-2009), son of Clifford Harrison and Chloris Jane (Kennedy) Tabler. Four other children in the combined family were Mindy Tokie, Melissa Tabler, Russell Tabler Jr. and Kanye Tabler. They settled in Zanesville, where Russell earned a living through his work for Higginbotham Brothers. Grief swept over the family when, at age 47, Russell passed away at Genesis Morrison Hospice House on April 11, 2009. The Zanesville Times Recorder published an obituary. His funeral was conducted at the Pentecostals of Zanesville Church, led by Rev. Robert Filkins. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery. The widowed Leanda has remained in Zanesville.

Step-great-granddaughter Latish Eddy dwelled in McConnelsville, OH in 2009.

Step-great-granddaughter Shianne Johnson has resided in Zanesville.

Step-great-grandson Jermond Mayle was in Zanesville in 2009.

Step-step-great-granddaughter Mindy Tokie made her dwelling in 2009 in Zanesville.

Step-step-great-granddaughter Melissa is married to or a companion of Ronald Tabler. They have made their homeplace in Zanesville.

Step-step-great-grandson Russell Tabler, Jr. is married to or a companion of Marlena. As of 2009, they were in Zanesville.

Step-step-great-grandson Kanye Tabler both of Zanesville

Step-granddaughter Tashia Walker relocated to Columbus, OH.

Daughter Cynthia Hale ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). Circa 1993, she married Lynn Edwin Hairston (Nov. 24, 1950-2009), also known as "Linus B. Gatsby" and the son of Obediah and Arlethia Hairston. Their union endured for 16 years until the separation of death. The seven children in this mixed family were Lynette Hairston, Lynn Hairston II, Blayne Chandler, Levi King, Stan Hendricks, Javon Harper and Leon Draughn. Cynthia was trained as a nurse and was employed in the Zanesville area. She was quoted by name in the 2008 New York Times article about the family's clean water access problems. Lynn devoted his life music, family, and friends, said the Zanesville Times Recorder. He was employed as senior events coordinator by the Longaberger Homestead, the famed basket manufacturer and tourist complex in Dresden, OH. In his free time, he entertained on the piano, keyboard, harmonica and vocals, traveling extensively with Greyship Daviz, a funk rock and disco band. With Greyship, he recorded the hit single "Traffic, Bumper to bumper." He is known to have also recorded with the band Destination Blues. Said the Times Recorder, he "grew up singing in church for the Lord. Linus always was the entertainer by hosting parties and cookouts." He held a membership in the Zanesville Esquire Club and was active with "Forever Dads." The family was hurtled into anxiety and mourning when Lynn was diagnosed with cancer. He died at the age of 59 on Dec. 3, 2009. Together, Rev. Steven Hale, Rev. Clifton Killpatrick and evangelist Mrs. Goolsby led the funeral service. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Granddaughter Lynette Hairston ( ? - ? )

Grandson Lynn Hairston II ( ? - ? )

Grandchild Blayne Chandler is married to or a companion of Robert VanAllen.

Grandson Levi King is wed to or a companion of Melanie Trost.

Grandson Stan Hendricks ( ? - ? )

Grandson Javon Harper ( ? - ? )

Grandson Leon Draughn tied the knot with Ashley.

Daughter Karen Hale tied the marital cord with Grover Gilbert ( ? - ? ). The pair migrated to Virginia.

Mary and Bretsel Mayle

~ Daughter Mary Margaret (Kennedy) Mayle ~

Daughter Mary Margaret Kennedy (1937-1991) was born on April 5, 1937 in Galloway or Knottsville, Taylor County, WV.

On Sept. 3, 1954, at the age of 17, she entered into marriage with 24-year-old Bretsel Gillespie Mayle (Oct. 31, 1930-1995), the son of farmers Gillespie and Geneva Mayle of Moatsville, Barbour County.

They resided in Louisville near Canton, Stark County, OH and bore a brood of two sons -- Gary Mayle and Michael Eugene Mayle.

Mary was a "nursing technician with the Timpkin Mercy Medical Center with 27 years of service," and retired in 1989, said a newspaper. "She was a member of the Crystal Park Wesleyan Church."

Sadly, they grieved at the untimely death of their son Michael in 1981 in Canton.

Mary died at the age of 54 on Dec. 3, 1991. Her remains were returned to the Philippi area for burial at the Prichard Cemetery at Clemtown, Barbour County. Rev. Winfield Mayle conducted her funeral service.

Bretsel outlived his wife by nearly four years. He passed into eternity in Canton on Sept. 20, 1995.

Son Gary Mayle ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). He entered into marriage with married Mary (?). The couple has made their residence in Canton over the years.

Son Michael Eugene Mayle (1956-1981) was born on Nov. 13, 1956 in Ohio. He and Amber Parsons ( ? - ? ) are believed to have been married on April 7, 1979. They resided in or around Canton. Sadness cascaded over the family when, at the age of 24, he died in town on Sept. 6, 1981. The cause of his untimely passing is not yet known. His remains were transported to West Virginia to sleep for the ages in Pritchard Cemetery in Clemtown. An obituary appears to have been printed in the Massillon Independent.

~ Son Howard Lee "Sonny" Kennedy Jr. ~

Son Howard Lee "Sonny" Kennedy Jr. ( ? - ? ) was born in (?).

He lived in Hartford, CT in 1991.

By 2013, he was in Riverview, FL.

~ Daughter Darlene (Kennedy) Williams ~

Daughter Darlene Kennedy ( ? - ? ) was born in (?).

She married George Williams.

They lived in Zanesville in 1991.

Sisters from Howard's 1st marriage. L-R: Lucille Kennedy, Ellouise Stark, Elizabeth Croston, Rowena Clark.