Covington County Genealogy Forum

Members of the Oliver family who have lived in Covington County descend from James Joseph Oliver, born in 1831 in Georgia as the son of S.H. Oliver, also a native of Georgia. At some point the family moved to Alabama, and James served in an Alabama unit of the Confederate Army. He was a private in Company A, 14th. Alabama infantry Regiment commanded by Capt. Stephen Hodge.

During the early 1860s, James was married to Sarah H. Tucker. Since she was reared by her uncle, Coleman Tucker, she had adopted his last name. Actually, her birth father was a Hartin and probably died when Sarah was young. Her uncle, Coleman, later moved to Covington County as well and is buried in the Antioch Cemetery.

James and Sarah were living in Tallapoosa County when their first child was born in 1864. The y reared the following five children: Joseph Alexander, b. 1864, d. 1935, m. 1896 Theldra Edith Angelean Stacks; James Henry; Emma Othier, b. 1866, m. John Tucker; Simeon Hull, b. 1868, d. 1961, m. 1898 Onie L. Evans; and Sarah J. "Sallie," b. 1872, d. 1906, m. William Ellieb Stacks.

James and Sarah's family was living in Opelika of Lee County, in 1880. By 1897, they had moved to Macon County where James died in 1897. Two years later, in 1899, his widow, Sarah Oliver who still lived in Macon County, applied for a pension based on James' military service. She later made the move to Covington County with some of her children and lived until 1916.

It appears that at least three of these children along with their mother moved to Covington County around the turn of the century. The oldest son, Joseph Alexander, and his wife, Theldra, settled in the Carolina Community at some point. There he farmed and operated a gristmill. He and his wife reared the following children: Royal Berry, b. 1896, d. 1920, m. Maybelle Young; Nona Vister, b. 1898, d. 1976, m. Thomas Jefferson "Jeppie/Jep" Pope; Lula Virginia, b. 1900, m. James Oscar Jake Echols; and James Melton, b. 1903, m. Lecie Gertrude Helms. James M. was born after the family moved to this county.

In the next generation, Royal Berry and Maybelle reared the following children: Royal Murrel, b. 1921, m. ? Kilpatrick; Altha Pearl, b. 1923, m. Sanford Stokes; Reginald; and J.D. The families of Altha and Reginald moved to Texas and that of J.D. to Mobile.

Nona and Jep Pope reared the following children: William Lee, b. 1915, d. 1979, m. Annie Clyde Lassiter; Lillie Mae, b. 1917, m. Jimmy A. Douglas; L.E. "Elly," b. 1919, m. Lula Virginia Taylor; Mary Ollie, b. 1922, d. 1993, m. Robert E. Williams; Louise, b. 1924, m. Cecil E. Barnes; Annie Edna, b. 1926, m. J.T. Bryars; Frances Lynette, b. 1928, m. Joe Letham Douglas; Ruben, b. 1931, m. Marjorie Ann Heddon; Willia Jean, b. 1934, m. Joseph Henry Werner; and Vesta Maxine, b. 1936, m. Clarence Edison McDaniel.

Lula and Jake Echols reared the following children: Willie Clyde, b. 1921, m. (1) Agnes D. Demontt (2) Virginia Gail Turner (3) Hazel Ruth Toney; Edith Lucille, b. 1923, m. Ted Franklin Ramer; Esther Rae, b. 1925, m. Millard Ramer; Margie Lee, b. 1926, m. Otis Leon Jackson; Fannie Lou, b. 1928, m. Henry Newton Brown; Annie Mae, b. 1931, m. (1) Howard H. Helton (2) James Franklin Davis; James Everette "Bill," b. 1933, m. Jimmie Lou Youngblood; Ruby Faye, b. 1934, m. (1) Charles Earnest Jeter (2) James L.C. Jeter; Leroy, b. 1937, m. Mary Evelyn Thrasher; Harry Lavon, b. 1940, m. Patricia Verline "Pat" Griggs; and Ronald Dewayne, b. 1943, m. Marilyn Dianne Bailey.

J. Melton and Lecie reared two sons: Ralph Joseph, b. 1933, m. Aileen ?; and Danny, b. 1948, m. (1) ? (2) Betty ?.

Simeon Hull and his wife, Onie, settled in Opp and reared the following children: Arleavie "Sister," b. 1898, d. 1982, m. Bobbie Lee Guy; Exton Strawbridge Primeloth Derthrae, b. 1900, d. 1993, m. Wyalene Parrish; Dovie Lee, b. 1903, single; Bessie Mae, b. 1905, d. 1980, single; I. Della, b. 1908, m. Flournoy Whitman; James Spencer, b. 1910, d. 1973, m. Myrtle Foley; John Hollie, b. 1912, d. 1979, m. Johnie Lou Taylor; Arizona, b. 1914, m. D.A. Parrish; and Bonnie Lenora, b. 1917, d. 1943, m. Clark Edwards. Simeon and Onie were buried in the Pine Level Cemetery.

Sarah J. "Sally" and William E. Stacks also moved to Covington County and reared the following children: Esse Gremilla, b. & d. 1895; Ruth Evelyn, b. 1896, d. 1973, m. James Stancil Hutto; Wattie Elizabeth, b. 1899, d. 1958, m. James Claude Coursey; Edwin Sefton, b. 1902, d. 1941, Willie Blanch Powell; and Nina Vivian, b. 1904, d. 1985, m. (1) Bury Guard Brown, Sr. (2) Charles Henry Doll.

There were many other Oliver descendants in the next generation; however, the name has almost disappeared from the scene in Covington County. Of course, there are many who wear other names who continue to reside in the area. Appreciation is expressed to one of these, Paul Edwin Stacks, for sharing his Oliver family history records. Paul is a grandson of Edwin Sefton Stacks.

Anyone who might have corrections or additions to the above is requested to contact Curtis Thomasson at Route 9, Box 97, Andalusia, AL 36420 or Email: chthom@alaweb.com

QUERY: YON Family: Seeking information on two early settlers in Covington County. Levi and William Ruel Yon, sons of Jess Yon, are reported to have had the first contract for cutting and transporting timber from this area to Pensacola. The Levi "Yan" family was enumerated in the 1840 Census for Covington County. Anyone having information is requested to contact Pat Spears at Pfspears@aol.com