Minerd.com Biography of Elsworth and Sarah E. (Kennedy) Mayle of Philippi, WV

On Oct. 10, 1897, when he was 21, and she 17, Elza was joined in holy matrimony with Sarah E. Kennedy (1880-1956), the daughter of Andrew and Alice (Male) Kennedy. Officiating at their wedding in Barbour County was a local celebrity, Rev. Joshua S. Corder. During the Civil War, the preacher was widely credited with helping to save Philippi's famed covered bridge -- during the famed Jones-Imboden raids -- when he persuaded Confederate officers not to set it afire after they had filled it with flammable straw.

They bore nine children -- Alva Mayle, Vernis "Verna" Minard, Hazel Croston, Oscar Mayle, Icie E. Newman Parsons, Gladys (Mayle) Mayle, Jacob Mayle, Alvenia Croston and Genevieve Mae "Geneva" Croston.

Grafton Sentinel, 1956

When the federal census was taken in 1900, they lived as farmers near Elzie's parents in rural Philippi. The 1910 census shows the family living in Barbour County, having produced seven children, but with only four living. That year, they lived only a few doors away from Elzie's parents.

They resided at Moatsville and Meriden, Barbour County circa 1918. In 1918, he and his sons registered for the military draft during World War I. On the registration card, the draft board officer listed the 41-year-old Elzie as "Negro" and added, "Claims to be white but generally called colored." Elzie was unable to write his signature, and signed his name with an "X."

When the federal census was taken in 1920, the Mayles lived along Olive Hill Road near Philippi, in close proximity to the dwelling of Elzie's cousin George Riley and Sarah (Croston) Minard and their adult children.

The 1930 census shows the family in rural Philippi, living next to their son Alva and his young family. Elza's nephew, 19-year-old Andrew Newman, boarded in their home that year. The census taker marked the entire household as of the "Negro" race.

Mayle family church on Chestnut Ridge

In about 1946, after World War II ended, the Mayles moved to rural Webster near Grafton, Taylor County. There they remained for the next decade, and retired from farming.

Sarah passed away of uremic poisoning on June 27, 1956, at the age of 76, in Taylor County. She is buried in Welch Cemetery near Philippi.

After suffering from "a long illness," reported the Grafton Sentinel, Elzie passed away at the age of 89 on Jan. 10, 1966, at Broaddus Hospital in Philippi. Following a funeral held at the Chestnut Ridge Peoples Methodist Church, led by Rev Franklin Peoples, Rev. Johnny Simpson and Rev. Isaac Kennedy, he was laid to rest in the Welch Cemetery. At the time of his death, said the Sentinel, he was survived by three sons, three daughters, 30 grandchildren and 69 great-grandchildren, for a grand total of 105 living offspring.

Son Alva Mayle (1898-1989) was born on July 18, 1898. As a young adult, he worked as a farmer and was of medium height and build, and brown eyes and dark hair.

Alva married Loretta "Lory" Croston (1904-1970), daughter of John Wesleyan and Sabina "Bonnie" (Male) Croston.

During World War I, Alva was a laborer on the farm of his father's cousin, George Riley Minard, who was the son of Sarah (Minerd) Wright. In 1918, he registered for the military draft, and gave his race as "Negro."

Their known children were Virginia B. Wargacki, Ralph E. Mayle, Vanda Mae "Vandie" Mayle, Alvenia Croston, Alva Mayle Jr., David Allen Mayle, Gary D. Mayle and Opal V. Mayle.

Barbour Democrat, 1989

In 1930, they lived next to Alva's parents in rural Philippi. As the Great Depression dragged on in rural West Virginia, Alva secured work with the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA was one of the ways President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the federal government tried to overcome unemployment. It's widely credited as one of FDR'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.

When the United States Census again was made in 1940, the family remained in Philippi, with Alva providing road work labor for the WPA.

Later, they relocated to Hubbard, Trumbull County, OH. Said the Barbour Democrat, Alva was a " farmer and attended the Assembly of God Church in Hubbard." Loretta was a member of the Pentecostal Church in Youngstown.

At the birth of granddaughter Laura Ann Mayle in 1966, with the news announced in the Hubbard News-Reporter, the couple's home address was 3210 Applegate Road.

Sadly, Loretta died in a Youngstown hospital on Jan. 14, 1970, at the age of 66.

Alva survived her by almost two decades. He made his home at 228 East Liberty Street in Hubbard. At the age of 91, Alva died in Youngstown at the Northside Medical Center on Sept. 22, 1989. His obituary was published in the Barbour Democrat. Their remains were returned to Philippi to rest together in Welch Cemetery. At the time of Alva's death, he and Loretta had produced 20 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Daughter Virginia Mayle (1921-2004) was born on Nov. 16, 1921 in Philippi. Virginia served in the U.S. Navy. On Dec. 19, 1952, when she was age 31, she wed Adolph J. Wargacki ( ? -1989). They resided in Youngstown and later in Mineral Ridge, OH. They produced two daughters -- Joyce Waller and Jan Fye. Said a newspaper, she enjoyed flower gardening and helping others. Sadly, Adolph died on May 11, 1989, ending their marriage of 37 years. She survived him by 15 years and died in her Mineral Ridge residence at the age of 82 on March 10, 2004.

Son Ralph E. Mayle (1923-2000) was born on Dec. 3, 1923 in Philippi. On Sept. 13, 1943, when he was age 20, Ralph wed Naomi Mayle ( ? - ? ), daughter of (?) Mayle. Their three children were Bobby L. Mayle, Clynie Mayle and Regina Blythe. The family lived in Canfield, OH circa 1970-1989, where he was employed for 27 years with the Masury plant of General American Transportation Corporation (GATX). He enjoyed camping, hunting and travel. In 2000, their home was at 4736 South Turner Road in Hubbard, Trumbull County, OH. Afflicted with cancer, he died at home in Hubbard on July 8, 2000, at the age of 76. Burial was in the Jackson Cemetery in Coitsville, OH, with an obituary published in the Sharon (PA) Herald.

Grandson Bobby L. Mayle dwelled in Austintown, OH in 2000.

Grandson Clynie Mayle made a home in 2000 in Austintown, OH.

Granddaughter Regina Mayle married (?) Blythe. They relocated to Texas and were there in 2000.

Daughter Vanda Mae Mayle (1928- ? ) (or Vonda) was born in about 1928 in Philippi. She married Robert Justice Jr. ( ? - ? ). They made their home in 1970 in Hubbard. Vonda died sometime prior to 1989.

Daughter Alvenia (or "Alvina") Mayle (1933-1980) was born in 1933. She was united in matrimony with Calvin Eugene Croston (Feb. 5, 1924-1995), son of Hanson and Malinda (Kennedy) Croston of Meriden, Barbour County. During World War II, still single at the age of 18, Calvin lived in Meriden and earned a living through his labor for the Works Progress Administration (WPA). He stood 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighed 157 lbs, and had blue eyes, brown hair and a ruddy complexion. The family relocated to Youngstown, Mahoning Couinty, OH. The known daughters born to this union were Loenda Reedy Kimla, Alvenia Sue Mook and Daborah Walding. Sadness enveloped the family when Alvenia passed away in Youngstown on Nov. 18, 1980 at the age of 47. Her remains were placed into eternal repose in Welch Cemetery in Philippi. Calvin outlived his bride by 15 years and dwelled in New Middletown, Mahoning County. He joined her in death on Dec. 29, 1995.

Son Alva Mayle Jr. (1935-2008) was born on Aug. 11, 1935 in Philippi. In about 1953, when he was 18 years of age, he wed Phoebe Ashman ( ? - ? ), believed to have been the daughter of Fred and Maddie Jane (Braley) Ashman. Their union lasted for 55 years. The couple produced five children -- Terry Mayle, Larry Mayle, Darlene Juillerat, Donna Kropinak and Marilyn Veach. They resided in 1970-2008 in Hubbard, Trumbull County, OH, and the Youngstown Vindicator said he had "lived most of his life" there. Sadly, their two sons died young. Alva succumbed to the Angel of Death in Hubbard at the age of 73 on Sept. 30, 2008. An obituary was published in the Vindicator and the Sharon Herald. Burial was in Jackson Cemetery in Coitsville, OH. Phoebe outlived her spouse by a number of years and relocated to Florida.

Son David Allen Mayle (1939- ? ) was born in 1939 in Philippi. He relocated to Ohio as a young man. There, he wedded Alice Orr ( ? - ? ), daughter of Ralph Orr Sr. of Hubbard. The couple bore three known daughters -- Deborah Jean Mayle, (?) Mayle and Laura Ann Mayle. David made his home in Hubbard circa 1966-1989 with an address of 2401 Hubbard Road circa 1966.

Son Gary (or "Jerry") D. Mayle ( ? - ? ) married Phyllis ( ? - ? ). They lived in 1970 in Youngstown and in 1989-2008 in Hubbard.

Daughter Vernis Jane Mayle (1900-1988) was born in 1900. She married a cousin, Grover James Minard (1890-1977). A veteran of World War I, he was the son of George Riley and Sally (Croston) Minard. Click on their bio link for more.

She entered into marriage with Columbus A. Croston (March 15, 1900/1902-1943), son of Elijah and Charity (Collins) Croston. Columbus was 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighed 150 lbs. and had brown eyes and clack hair.

Seven known children borne by the couple were Trucillia Oney Mayle, Larkey Croston, Leland Elsworth Croston, Coleen Miner, Annie Weaver, Melvin Columbus Croston and Winfred Lee Newman.

Columbus was tall and of medium build and made a living in young manhood as a coal miner in Meriden. At age 18, he was required to register for the military draft during World War I. At that time, he was engaged in mining, working for his father in Meriden. The registration agent wrote on Columbus' card: "Claims to be white but generally called colored."

The pair dwelled in Philippi including the small community of Adaland. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1940, Columbus was employed as a road laborer by the Works Progress Administration, as was his brother-in-law Alva Mayle.

When again needing to register for the military draft during World War II, Columbus reported that he dwelled in Philippi and worked for Jim Stutter of Hall, WV in the employ of the Works Progress Administration.

Sadness cascaded over the family when Columbus died of a gunshot wound at the age of 41 on March 22, 1943. Details behind the tragedy are not yet known. His remains were lowered into the sacred soil of Welch Cemetery.

Hazel only lived for a year as a widow. She surrendered to the spirit of death in 1944. No cause of death is known, and no West Virginia death certificate has been found.

Daughter Trucillia Croston (1924-2000) was born on Nov. 19, 1924. She first was united in matrimony with an older cousin, James "Jim" Mayle Sr. (Nov. 11, 1900-1964), son of Franklin Howard and Zelle Zora (Dalton) Mayle of Clemtown, Barbour County. He had been married once before, on Feb. 20, 1927, to Myrtle Virginia Kennedy (1909-1969). The combined family included known sons David Mayle and James T. Mayle. The family relocated to Canton, Stark County, OH. Sadly, James died on Aug. 11, 1964, the same year as their son. Interment was in Evergreen Memorial Gardens in nearby Louisville, OH. Trucillia survived for another 36 years and appears to have wed again to (?) Oney ( ? - ? ). She remained in Canton but may have made final home in Columbus, OH. Death swept her away on Nov. 27, 2000. A short death notice was published in the Akron Beacon Journal.

Daughter Larkey Croston (1927- ? ) was born on Aug. 24 or Sept. 21, 1927 in Philippi. As a 14-year-old, on Oct. 25, 1941, she was joined in wedlock with Winfred/Winford Newman (March 24, 1922- ? ), son of Delbert and Ada (Croston) Newman of Meriden. The wedding was held in Meriden, by the hand of Rev. D.B. Taylor. Because the bride and groom were underage, their parents signed their legal consent to the union. The Croston and Newman families were close -- Larkey's cousin Sygurnie Croston wed Winfred's brother Neshion Newman, and another cousin Enoch Mayle married Winfred's sister Dosha. Winfred stood 5 feet, 9 inches tall, weighed 135 lbs. and had brown eyes and brown hair. Three sons in this family were Winfred Lee Newman, Robert Dwayne Newman and David Mayle. In June 1942, with World War II aflame, he was required to register for the military draft. He disclosed that he was unemployed and resided with Larkey in Meriden. The Newmans are believed to have relocated between 1947 and 1951 to Ohio, settling in Canton, Stark County. There, Larkey appears to have passed away in July 1985.

Son Leland Elsworth Croston (1930-1992) was born in about 1930. Evidence suggests that he surrendered to death in May 1992, with a brief death notice appearing in the Akron Beacon Journal.

Daughter Coleen Croston (1933-2000) was born in about 1933. On Sept. 25, 1954, she entered into the union of marriage with a cousin, Clifford Miner Sr. (1928-2020), son of Samuel and Mary Virgie (Newman) Miner of the family of George Riley and Sarah Ann "Sally" (Croston) Minard. See the Minard-Miner biography for more.

Daughter Annie Croston (1936- ? ) was born on May 16, 1936. She married (?) Weaver. Circa 2000-2002, Annie was in Canton, OH. As her health declined, she was admitted to Aultman Hospital, Canton, where she passed at age 66 on May 25, 2002.

Son Melvin Columbus Croston (1939- ? ) was born in 1939 in West Virginia. He was joined in wedlock with Betty Jane ( ? - ? ). Together they became the parents of Florence Marie Croston and Melvin Columbus Croston Jr. The family made a residence in Canton in 2000.

He was united in matrimony Murlenis "Sissy" Mayle (May 30, 1915-2004), daughter of Bulger and Angeline May (Mayle) Mayle. Rev. W.H. Albert officiated, with the ceremony taking place on June 7, 1931 at Nestorville. Oscar was age 21, and Murlenis 16.

The Mayles together produced a family of four children -- among them Hartsel Mayle, Anna Mae "Annie" Lantz, Ronnie L. Mayle and Bartsel Mayle.

Sadly, their son Hartsel (or "Hartzell") Mayle died in Barbour County at the tender age of three months, five days on Aug. 16, 1932, caused by bronchial pneumonia.

When the federal census enumeration was made in 1940, the couple dwelled in Philippi. Oscar was employed at that time as a railroad laborer. Living next door were his parents on one side and his married sister Icie and her husband Wince Newman on the other.

Oscar died at Aultman Hospital in Canton on Nov. 1 or 9, 1981. His remains were returned to Philippi for interment at Welch Cemetery.

Murlenis outlived him by 23 years, and outlived all of her children. During that time, said the Grafton Mountain Statesman, she was a "nurses aide and attended the Canton Free Will Baptist Church."

She passed away on March 3, 2004, at the age of 89. Her funeral was held at the Pentecostal Church of Ford Run, led by Rev. David Maley of the Webster Wesleyan Methodist Church, after which time her remains were placed at rest at Welch Cemetery. An obituary said she was survived by four grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Daughter Anna Mae "Annie" Mayle (1934- ? ) was born in about 1934 in Philippi. She wedded (?) Lantz ( ? - ? ). They were the parents of Robert J. Lantz.

Son Ronnie L. Mayle (1942-1984) was born on Aug. 23, 1942. He lived in West Virginia in 1960 but spent his adult years in Canton. We are looking into whether he wedded Cynthia K. ( ? - ? ) and divorced in Canton in October 1969 after two years of marriage. He may have married a second time, at the age of 32, on Oct. 6, 1973 in Canton, to 22-year-old Cinderella G. Boyd (1951- ? ). Sadly, as his health failed, he was admitted to Canton's Aultman Hospital. There, he expired at the age of 42 on Sept. 21, 1984. The body was transported back to Philippi for burial in his parents' lot in Welch Cemetery.

Daughter Icie E. Mayle (1910-1992) was born on Feb. 7, 1910 in Moatsville, Barbour County.

She was married twice. Her first husband was Winson "Wince" Newman (1906-1954), son of Richard and Minerva Ann (Croston) Newman. The ceremony took place in Barbour County on Dec. 2, 1927, when Icy was age 17, and Wince 22. Rev. Fred Decost performed the nuptials at his home in Grafton Route 6.

The two families were close, as Icie's cousin Samuel Miner -- son of George Riley Minard -- married Wince's sister Mary Virgie Newman.

Philippi Republican, 1954

They resided in rural Philippi and were farmers, and bore seven known children -- Richard Newman, Cleophas "Clovis" Newman, Elizabeth Mayle, Bernice Mayle, Geneva Mayle, Fronia Mayle and Luwanna Newman.

Wince suffered a massive heart attack at home and died on Oct. 22, 1954, leaving Icie a widow at the age of 44. His death was ruled to have been due to "natural causes." Interment was in Welch Cemetery.

Later, she wed Donald Parsons ( ? - ? ). They lived in Philippi circa 1989, when she was named in the Barbour Democrat obituary of her brother Alva.

Son Richard Newman (1929- ? ) was born on Nov. 29, 1929. He was joined in wedlock with a cousin, Freda Earlstine Mayle (1932-1998), daughter of Clifford and Leona (Mayle) Mayle of the family of Emily Jane (Minerd) Mayle. Click the link for more.

Daughter Elizabeth Ann Newman (1936-2024) was born on Jan. 12, 1936. On July 16, 1952, when she was 18 years of age, she entered into marriage with Cletus Mayle (Sept. 24, 1932-2001), originally from near Philippi and the son of Clyde and Zonsa (Croston) Mayle. Their union held fast over the ebbs and flows of 49 years and five months until the separation of death. Together, the couple produced a brood of six -- Boyd Keith Mayle, Ronald Cletus Mayle, Charlotte Minard, Mark Mayle, Icie Yvonne Croston and Craig Mayle. Cletus earned a living over the years as a farmer and construction laborer and held a membership in the Construction Laborer's Local of Canton, OH. Grief cascaded over the family at Cletus' passing on Jan. 27, 2001 as a patient in Clarksburg's United Hospital Center. An obituary in the Clarksburg Exponent gave the cause of death as "an extended illness." Elizabeth endured for another 22-plus years as a widow. Said an obituary, she "was a former employee of Mercy Hospital in Canton, OH, Alderson-Broaddus College, and she also was a caregiver for numerous people whom she cared for in their homes. Elizabeth’s happy times was gardening, tending to her flowers, canning vegetables, also cooking for her family and anyone who came by. Elizabeth was an active member of the Pentecostal Church of Ford Run [and] was known and often called the mother of the church, being the oldest mother member." Death swept her away on June 4, 2024. An obituary gave the headcount of her surviving offspring as 14 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral rites were conducted in the family church, jointly officiated by Pastor Jacob Smithmyer and Pastor Anthony Mayle, with burial in the Mayle Family Cemetery.

Daughter Bernice Newman (1940-2000) was born on March 30, 1940 in Barbour County. When she was 16 years of age, on Aug. 11, 1956, she was united in holy matrimony with Donnie Mayle (Sept. 6, 1937-2011), son of Sell and Essie (Croston) Mayle. They lived in Cleveland circa 1958, where their son Donnie was born. Later, they returned to Philippi before migrating again to Canton. They bore three children -- Donnie Curtis Mayle, Anthony W. Mayle and Aundrea Stutler. Donnie's passion in life was restoring houses, and he was a member of the Ohio Laborer's Local 1015 for more than three decades. "Donnie was a man of great character and a friend to everyone he met," wrote a relative. "He was the most selfless of people, always putting others' welfare before his own. He helped people whenever he could, not wanting any recognition for his efforts." Sadly, Bernice died on July 6, 2000, ending a marital union of 45 years. Donnie wed again on April 8, 2006 to Edith (McCray) Henline. After a long battle with lung cancer, he died at the age of 73 on Sept. 4, 2011. Burial was in Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

Daughter Fronia Newman ( ? - ? ) entered into marriage with a cousin, Rev. Menelus Mayle (1940-living), son of Rev. Okey and Rosalee Margaret (Adams) Mayle of the family of William Stephen and Ruth Ann (Minerd) Mayle.

Daughter Luwanna Jane Newman (1949- ? ) -- sometimes spelled "Luwanda" -- was born in 1949. She married a cousin, Jeffrey Wayne Kennedy, of the family of Osa Bell "Ocie" (Minard) Kennedy. Click the link for more.

At the age of 19, she married 21-year-old John "Henry" Mayle (1912-1994) on March 20, 1933, at Philippi. He was the son of Taze and Mollie (or "Millie") E. (Kennedy) Mayle. The wedding was performed by Rev. M.C. Harris, a minister of the gospel in Philippi.

When the federal census enumeration was made in 1940, the Mayleses resided in Philippi, with John working as a farm hand and Gladys as a janitress in a welfare office..

Sadly, Gladys was diagnosed with cancer of the uterus. She died after a year of suffering at the age of 31, on Sept. 19, 1944. She was laid to eternal rest in Welch Cemetery.

John Henry married again, to one of his first wife's cousins, Genevieve Collins (1924-1987), daughter of Thomas and Cansetta (Minard) Collins of the family of George Riley Minard. See the Minard bio for more.

On Feb. 10, 1936, in nuptials held in Philippi, the 21-year-old Jacob married 19-year-old Permelia Jones (or "Permeila") (1917- ? ). She was the daughter of John W. and Fannie (Newman) Jones. The wedding was performed by C.C. Hedrick, a minister of the gospel.

Jacob lived in Grafton circa 1947 before relocating to Canton, Stark County, OH, where they were in 1966-1989. In 1989, Jacob was mentioned in the newspaper obituary of his brother Alva.

Son Jacob Mayle Jr. (1947-2010) was born on Oct. 29, 1947 in Grafton. He wedded a distant cousin, Cynthia "Sue" Miner (1948-living), daughter of Ernest and Wilma Jean (Newman) Miner of the family of Charles William and Amanda (Male) Minard of Philippi. See the Minard biography for more on this couple.

On May 17, 1942, at the Chestnut Ridge Church, she wed Ralph Elbert Croston (1922- ? ), son of Claudis and Cansora Croston. She was age 19, and he 20, at the time. The ceremony was led by Rev. Fred Decost. Because they legally were underage, Geneva's parents, and Ralph's mother, had to give their consent to the union.

The Crostons produced a brood of five children -- Lavana Maenetta "Bonnie" Croston, William Croston, Gerald Dewayne Croston and Pearl Ann Clark. Sadly, daughter Lavana became ill of bronchial pneumonia and died in infancy, at the age of nine months, 29 days, on Oct. 8, 1943, with burial in West Hill Cemetery.

At some point, Geneva is believed to have wedded or been in a relationship with Cecil Norris ( ? - ? ).

Circa 1966, Geneva made her home in Cleveland, and by 1989, she had moved back to Grafton. Her residence in the late 1980s was in the home of her son William at 238½ West Main Street in Grafton.

She died at the age of 73 on Dec. 9, 1996 at Grafton City Hospital, "following an extended illness," reported the Grafton Mountain Statesman. She was survived by 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was laid to rest in the Welch Cemetery, following a funeral led by a cousin, Brother Isaac Kennedy, of the Pentecostal Church of Ford Run.

Son William Ellsworth "Billy" Croston (1947-2019) was born on April 8, 1947 in Grafton. He resided in the community for decades. William is believed to have married Violet ( :? - ? ). They produced a family of children -- Beth Ann McKinney, Billy Croston and Lukie Croston. Among his interests were motorcycle riding, playing cornhole and collection Native American jewelry. The couple eventually separated. Sadly, William died in the River Oaks Nursing Home in Clarksburg at the age of 72 on Aug. 20, 2019.

Son Gerald Dewayne Croston (1954-2024) was born on Sept. 28, 1954 in Grafton. He tied the marital cord with Carol Ann Weaver ( ? -living). A trio of offspring born into this family were Alison Masturzo, Sabrina Humphreys and Gerald Croston II. The Crostons dwelled in Lima at one time and then for years in Canton. Grief blanketed the family when Gerald was gathered away by the grim reaper at the age of 69 on June 27, 2024. An obituary said he would "always be remembered as a loving Father and Grandfather." Brother Anthony Myers presided over the funeral services. Interment of the remains was in Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

Daughter Pearl Ann Croston wed George Clark. She lived circa 1989-2019 in Jacksonville, FL.