Several weeks earlier, the Head family of Covington County was featured in this column. Since that time a couple of corrections and additional genealogy of the family has been contributed. Appreciation is expressed to Lee Onice Head Sr., a local descendant, for his assistance.

One update is the spelling of Elisha Head’s name which was incorrectly shown as Elisah. Other updates and additional family history are outlined in today’s story.

One of the descendants, Thomas Elisha Head III, has done research and became a member of the Sons of The American Revolution. He cites an earlier ancestor as William Head, born circa 1735 in Maryland and dying circa 1808 in Putnam County, Ga. William was married to Mary Williams, and they were the parents of James Head who was born circa 1775 in Lunenburg County, Va. He was married to Margaret Roberts, also a native of Virginia, and they were the parents of Richard Columbus Head (1810-1886) who married Rachel Harriet Bowling, both natives of Georgia.

Richard Columbus and Rachel Head were the parents of Thomas Jefferson Head who was born circa 1832 in Fayette County, Ga., and died there in 1892. Richard’s mother was Carolina A. Reeves, also a native of Georgia. They were the parents of Benjamin Carl Head, who was born circa 1857 in Fayette County, Ga. Benjamin was the ancestor who migrated to Covington County, Ala. He was married in 1878 in Spalding County, Ga., to Dora Burgay Kendall, daughter of Elisha T. Kendall (1839-1908) and Martha J. Burgamy (1842-1919).

Benjamin Carl and Dora Head were the parents of the following children: Sarah Ann or Annie Clara, b. 1879, d. 1935, m. James Oscar Freeman (1877-1942); Edgar Blakely, b. 1881, d. 1898, single; Grover Carl, b. 1885, d. 1940, m. Tishie (or Tessie) Dean (1892-1943); Carrie D. or Belle, b. 1889, d. 1936, m. 1907 John Pinkston Maynard (1879-1939); Ruby Winifred, b. 1894, d. 1982, m. 1915 Homer H. Gossett (1891-1970); and Thomas Elisha, b. 1896, d. 1958, m. 1918 Ida Kayte Champion (1897-1983).

The oldest daughter, Annie Clara, and her husband, James Oscar Freeman were the parents of one daughter, Grace (1903-1941). The son, Grover Carl Head, and his wife, Tishie, were the parents of one daughter, May Carol (1925-1927. Grover was involved with the farming operations of the large Head Farm. He became Kinston’s Postmaster in 1914. The daughter, Carrie Belle Head, and her husband, Homer H. Gossett, were the parents of a son, Homer H. Jr. (1917-1970).

The youngest son, Thomas Elisha Head, was married in 1918 to Ida Kayte Champion, daughter of W.W. Champion of the Town of Opp, Ala. It appears they lived in the Sanford community between Opp and Andalusia at the beginning of their marriage. When the 1920 census was enumerated, he was listed as having no occupation, but he was most likely involved in farming operations with his family. In the 1930 census, he was shown as being a foreman for a fertilizer company and having a home at 1313 East Three Notch Street. In 1940, he was serving as Covington County Sheriff, a career he continued until his death in 1958. Afterwards, his widow continued to reside in their house and served out his term of office. She also operated a florist and nursery business on a lot adjacent to their house.

Thomas E. Head was no stranger to law enforcement since his father served as Sheriff of Spalding County, Ga., for four years. He grew up in Griffin, Ga., where he attended school, and he later attended Mercer University. Upon graduation from college, he visited his sister in the Kinston community and liked the area. He settled there and soon met his future wife. His World War I draft card describes him as being of slender build with blue eyes and light-colored hair.

Thomas Elisha and Kayte Head were blessed with two children: Thomas Elisha Jr., b. 1919, d. 1960, m. Mary Lee Stone (1922-2000); and Marjorie Dowe, b. 1927, d. 1969, m. (1) George Martin (2) Charles Prestwood. Marjorie and her first husband, George Martin were the parents of a daughter, Sandra L. Martin.

Thomas Head Jr. was stationed in San Antonio, Texas, during World War II. Upon completing his time in service, he returned home to Opp, Ala. The date of his marriage is not known to this writer, but he was married to Mary Lee Stone, and their first child, Marsha Karen, was born in 1943 and died in 1946. Their second child, an infant son, was born and died on February 28, 1945.The next child, Sharon Lorraine, was born in 1946, and married James Richard Holmes. In 1948, Thomas Elisha III was born, and he later married Sybil Christine “Chris” Wilson. The youngest child, Lee Onice Sr., was born in 1950 and he was married to Sheila Gail Houston.

In 1956, the family moved to Louisiana where they resided for about four years until 1960. At that time, and following the passing of Thomas Elisha Head Jr., the family returned to Opp.

The daughter, Sharon Lorraine Head, was born in 1946 in Covington County, Ala. She was married to James Richard Holmes, and both are retired—she from Lockheed Martin, and Richard is a retired United Methodist minister. They are the parents of two children: James David Holmes, b. 1963; and Stephen Gregory, b. 1966.They currently have three grandchildren and one great grandchild. James David Holmes has a daughter, Noel Holmes Ward, who has an infant born in 2018, and Stephen Gregory Holmes has two children, Victoria and Matthew.

The son, Thomas Elisha Head III, was also born in Covington County 1948. He completed a degree in law and became a District Judge for Coffee County, Ala. He is currently serving as a Circuit Judge for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit in Alabama—Coffee and Pike Counties. He was married to Sybil Christine “Chris” Wilson who was born in 1951. She became a school teacher from which she has retired. They are the parents of five children who were all born in Montgomery, Ala.: Anna Ruth, m. Gregory Gavin Spence; Thomas Alan, m. Javen Rose Biddick; Jonathan David, m. Jordan Elizabeth Whetstone; Mary Catherine; and Lee Andrew.

Anna Ruth and Gregory Spence both have their Ph.Ds and are the parents of three children: Thomas Albert Oggs, Gavin Samuel Spence, and John Stone Spence. Thomas Alan Head is serving in the United States Coast Guard. Jonathan David Head is associated with ALFA Insurance Company. Mary Catherine Head is Assistant District Attorney of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit for Coffee and Pike Counties. Lee Andrew Head works in pharmaceutical sales.

The youngest son, Lee Onice Head Sr., was born in 1950 in Covington County, and he was about six years old when the family moved to Louisiana in 1956. Then in 1960, the family returned to Opp, Ala., when Lee was about 10 years of age. He later engaged in residential construction work and established his own business. His career in that industry spanned more than 40 years. He was married to Sheila Gail Houston, and they are the parents of the following three children: Shelley Grace, m. William “Bill” Ossenfort; Lee Onice Jr., m. Amanda Hart; and Lindsey Caitlin, m. (1) ? Ingram (2) John Hood.

Shelley and William Ossenfort are the parents of the following children: Ashley, Kali, Christian and William “Trey,” Lee Onice Head Jr. is a Lieutenant with the Andalusia Fire Department. He and Amanda are the parents of two children: Brennan Lee, and Sierra. Brennan is married and has one child. Lindsey Caitlin Head Hood has two children by an earlier marriage: Brodie Ingram and Jackson Ingram.

Appreciation is expressed to Lee Onice Head Sr. and his relatives for sharing updates and additional genealogy on the Head family, which served as the source for today’s narrative.

Anyone who might find an error in the above is requested to contact this writer, Curtis Thomasson, at 20357 Blake Pruitt Road, Andalusia, AL 36420; 334-804-1442; or Email: cthomasson@centurytel.net.