Bio-Kennedy, SareptaMayle

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Sarepta (Kennedy) Mayle
(1873-1963)

Sarepta (Kennedy) Mayle was born in 1873 in the Webster community of Taylor County, WV, the daughter of Josiah and Ruth Ann (Minerd) Kennedy Sr.

She married Lewis A. Mayle (1858-1918). The ceremony took place in Barbour County on July 13, 1893. At the time of their wedding, Lewis was age 35, and Sarepta just 18.

Lewis had been married once before, to Mariah Elizabeth Dalton, and brought several children to his marriage with Sarepta -- among them Ollie B. Newman (age 16), Isaac Tillison Mayle (age 14), William "Esker" Mayle (age 10) and Cleophus "Clee" Mayle (age six). In fact, Sarepta was barely older than some of her step-children.

Sarepta and Lewis went on to have four known children of their own -- Lora Belle "Lorie" Mayle, Leona Mayle, Louise Croston and Clifford Lee Mayle. She also had a presumed step-granddaughter, Ethel Komindo.

When the federal census was taken in 1900, Lewis and Sarepta made their home in the Pleasant District of Barbour County, where Lewis was a farmer. The 1910 census shows Lewis and Sarepta living as farmers in the Knottsville District of Taylor County, WV, and living next door to stepson Isaac Mayle and brother John Kennedy. By that time, she had borne four children.

Lewis died in 1918, and is buried in the Pritchard Cemetery beside his grandson Dowdin Mayle.

The 1920 and 1930 censuses show Sarepta as a widow, with her making her home with married daughter Leona Mayle. She was a member of the West Hill Wesleyan Methodist Church.

Sarepta is said to have had a second husband, Arthur Mayle ( ? - ? ), but this is not confirmed.

Sarepta died at the age of 90, in 1963, at the home of her step-granddaughter Ethel Komindo of Webster, and was laid to rest in the West Hill Cemetery in Webster, Taylor County. It's possible that Sarepta had another stepson, W.E. Mayle, named in a family obituary in 1936.

Sarepta's grave at the well-manicured West Hill Cemetery

~ Daughter Lora Belle (Mayle) Mayle ~

Daughter Lora Belle Mayle (1894-1975) was born in Berrysburg. She married Melton A. Mayle (1891-1976) on May 30, 1914. They lived in Webster community near Grafton, where Melton was a school teacher and farmer.

The Mayleses had eight children -- Vernon L. Mayle, Opal Mayle, Annabelle Vaughn, Virginia "Loretta" Mayle, Rosetta Lee, Eleanor Mayle, Herbert Mayle and Wilbert Mayle.

They are mentioned in the 1986 book, A History of Taylor County, West Virginia, published by the Taylor County Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc. The book entry states that in 1966, the Mayles deeded 9.1 acres containing the West Hill cemetery (founded in 1911) to the Wesleyan Methodist Church, led by trustees Dorsey Maley, Vernon Mayle and Oscar Frum. According to the book, members of the church "may not watch television, dance, use tobacco, alcohol, go to movies or marry again until their spouses are dead. Members must also keep their arms covered. Women are not allowed to cut their hair or wear short dresses."

Lora passed away on April 19, 1975, and was survived by 25 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and two step great-great grandchildren.

Now widowed, Melton moved to Canton, Stark County, OH, to be near several of his adult children. He died suddenly in Canton at the age of 84 on June 2, 1976, just a year after his wife's passing. His remains were returned to Grafton for burial with his wife at the West Hill Cemetery.

Daughter Virginia "Loretta" Mayle (1926-2012) wed John Mayle ( ? -2011). They lived in Berkley, Oakland County, MI, a suburb of Detroit. The Mayleses had four children -- Deborah Mayle, Leroy Mayle, Violet Hurchanik and Dan Mayle. John passed away on Sept. 3, 2011. Loretta followed him to the grave just a little less than five months later. She died on Jan. 22, 2012, with her obituary published in the Grafton Mountain Statesman. Her remains were returned to Taylor County for interment in West Hill Cemetery. She left behind five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Daughter Annabelle Mayle wed (?) Vaughn.

Daughter Rosetta Mayle married (?) Lee.

West Hill Wesleyan Methodist Church, on or near land donated to the church by Melton and Lora Mayle

~ Daughter Clifford Lee Mayle ~

Son Clifford Lee Mayle (1897-1936), married cousin Leona Gale Mayle (1896-1942), the daughter of Charles Luther and Emily Jane "Emma" (Minerd) Mayle, and the granddaughter of William Minerd. Clifford and Leona lived in Cecil, Taylor County, where they were farmers.

They had nine children -- Hazel J. (Mayle) Mayle, Thomas Edward Mayle, Emma L. Mayle, Vonda L. Budd, Fredda Newman, Mable Mayle, Rosaline Dalton, Rosco E. Mayle and Maxwell "Mack" Mayle.

Clifford suffered from nephritis, and died at the age of 39, just two days after Christmas in 1936. He is buried at Mt. View Cemetery in Barbour County.

Leona outlived him by just six years. She died of pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of 45 on April 9, 1942, near Grafton. Their son Maxwell of Grafton was the informant on her death certificate.

Daughter Vonda L. Mayle (1930-2003) was married but had no children. She lived in Canton, Stark County, OH, where she "was a member of Crystal Park Wesleyan Church of Canton," said the Canton Repository. She had "many nieces and nephews, which she was a grandmother or mother to them." She died on Dec. 19, 2003 at the age of 73 in Canton's Aultman Hospital "following a sudden illness," said the Repository. She was buried in Evergreen Cemetery following a funeral led by Rev. Winfield Mayle.

Daughter Mabel Mayle lived in Shinnston, WV.

Daughter Emma "Beanie" Mayle (1920-2004) lived in Canton. She married Roscoe "Jack" Mayle ( ? -1970). The Mayles had six children -- Evelyn Mayle, Everett Mayle, Hu bert Mayle, Barton Mayle, Donnie Mayle and Larry Mayle. Sadly, Jack died in 1970. Emma outlived her husband by almost 35 years. She "lived in Canton most of her adult life," said the Canton Repository, and was a "member of the Crystal Park Wesleyan Church of Canton. In her later years, she made her home with her single sister Vonda Budd Emma died in Canton at age 83 on March 1, 2004. Her remains were returned to Grafton for burial at Pritchard Cemetery, where generations of the family rest for eternity. At her death, she and Jack had produced 27 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren and "many loving great-great grandchildren," too numerous to count.

Son Thomas "Ed" Mayle resided in Aiken, SC.

~ Daughter Leona (Mayle) Mayle ~

Daughter Leona Mayle (1900- ? ) married (?) Mayle.

She lived in Pittsburgh in 1936 and in Baltimore, MD in 1960-1963.

Grafton's Main Street, looking west

~ Daughter Louisa (Mayle) Croston ~

Daughter Louisa Mayle (1903-1972?) married (?) Croston and made her home in Cecil, WV in 1936 and in the Detroit suburb of Southfield, Oakland Count, MI in 1963.

She is believed to have died in Southfield in February 1972.

~ Stepson Isaac Tillison Mayle ~

Stepson Isaac Tillison Mayle (1879-1948) considered himself white. He was a teacher for 50 years in Barbour and Taylor Counties. In about 1899, he married Margaret Mayle (1878-1939), the daughter of Simon P. and Amanda (Dalton) Mayle. Circa 1917, Isaac also was a coal miner for the Sterling Coal Company in Cecil.

Isaac and Margaret had seven children -- Bessie Leah Mayle (1898-1959), Gorman Mayle, Dowdin Mayle, Troy Mayle, Lulu Catherine Mayle, Hallen Mayle and Richard Mayle -- and at least 16 grandchildren.

Margaret died on April 5, 1939.

Isaac passed away on March 2, 1948, with burial beside his wife at Mt. View Cemetery in Barbour County. Isaac's obituary was covered by the Grafton Sentinel, and his and Margaret's grave marker, partially obscured by a fully blossomed rhododendron bush, is seen here.

Sadly, son Dowdin Mayle died a the age of 22 of pulmonary tuberculosis on June 28, 1926, with burial beside his grandfather Lewis Mayle at Pritchard Cemetery.

~ Stepson William "Esker" Mayle ~

Stepson William "Esker" Mayle (1883-1960) was born at Switzer, Barbour County. As an adult, he made his home near Grafton, Taylor County.

Esker married Ida Belle Mayle (1882- ? ), thought to have been the daughter of Simon Mayle. The marriage took place on Oct. 22, 1903, at the residence of Rev. Samuel A. Cleavenger. They had two known children -- William " Lemuel" Mayle and Roxie Wallo. The marriage ended sometime after 1910. Ida's fate is unknown.

On June 13, 1913, Esker married again, to Laura Agnes Kennedy (1898- ? ). Dell Dalton and Esker's brother Clee Mayle were witnesses.

Esker and Laura had nine more children of their own -- William "Harlan" Mayle, Josephine Kennedy, Arlene Mayle, Zelma Jean Mayle, Robert Mayle, Roscoe "Jack" Mayle, Dallas Leo Mayle, Carroll "Jimmy" Mayle, and Cozetta "Kate" Collins. They also helped raise a niece, Edna L. Mayle (born 1902).

When the federal census was taken in 1910, Esker and Ida, children Lemuel and Roxie, and niece Edna were counted as living in the Pleasant District of Barbour County. Esker's occupation was marked as a coal miner.

Esker and Laura lived in Berryburg circa 1914. The 1920 census shows the couple, with six children under their roof. That year, Esker was employed operating a mining machine. In 1928, at the birth of son Dallas, they lived in the Mt. Airy section of Taylor County.

Said the Grafton Sentinel, "He was a coal miner and was employed for 25 years by the Simpson Creek Collieries Company, Galloway. He retired in 1948."

He died at the age of 75 on Jan. 14, 1960. The Grafton Sentinel reported that he "had been ill for one month, seriously ill since Tuesday." His funeral was held at the West Hill Wesleyan Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Murray Maley, followed by interment at Pritchard Cemetery. Pallbearers included Ronald Mayle, Lemuel Mayle Jr., Lowell Mayle, Bob Mayle, Charles Mayle and Delmas Kennedy. Mourners gathered afterward at the home of son Lemuel in Simpson, Route 1.

Daughter Roxie Mayle (1908- ? ) married (?) Wallo. She was deceased before 1960.

Son Robert Mayle (1911- ? ) lived in Canton, Stark County, OH in 1960.

Son William "Harlan" Mayle (1914-2009) married Evelyn Victoria Mayle in 1945. They had seven children and lived in the Knottsville community near Grafton. William, said the Grafton Mountain Statesman, "was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during World War II from 1942-1946. He was employed by the WV Dept. of Highways, Taylor County Court House and Builders' Service & Supply." He died at the age of 95 on Sept. 20, 2009, with burial at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Grafton.

Son Roscoe Mayle (1916- ? ) resided in Canton, Stark County, OH.

Daughter Cozetta Mayle (1918- ? ) married (?) Collins and lived in Flemington, Barbour County.

Daughter Josephine Mayle married (?) Kennedy and resided in Detroit in 1960.

Son Carroll "Jimmy" Mayle made his home in Canton, Stark County, OH.

Daughter Arlene Mayle married (?) Mayle and lived in Detroit.

Daughter Zelma Jean Mayle married (?) Mayle and in 1960 resided in Wilmington, DE.

Son Dallas Leo Mayle (1928 -1942) was stricken at age 14 with appendicitis. He underwent surgery in December 1941, just a week after our nation was plunged into World War II after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. After complications set in, he remained critically ill, and was treated at Davis Memorial Hospital in Elkins, Randolph County, WV. Tragically, he did not recover, and died on Feb. 23, 1942.Burial was in Mt. View Cemetery

~ Stepson Cleophus "Clee" Mayle ~

Stepson Cleophus " Clee" Mayle (1887-1966) was born on June 6, 1887. Clee married Nettie M. Kennedy (1887-1977), the daughter of Isaac Kennedy.

The Mayles had seven children -- Ervil Mayle, Marcellous "Marce" Mayle, Coy Mayle, Homer Mayle, Alma Mayle, John Harvey Mayle and Dennis Mayle.

They were members of the West Hill Wesleyan Methodist Church, and lived at Simpson, Barbour County.

Clee passed away in July 1966, possibly in Ohio. Details are not known.

Nettie spent her final years under the roof of her married daughter Alma Mayle at 3108 Long Avenue in Canton, Stark County, OH. She died in Canton's Timken Mercy Hospital on Dec. 30, 1977, at the age of 90. At her death, reported the Grafton Mountain Statesman, she had produced 45 grandchildren, 76 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

Son John Harvey Mayle (1916-1953), a coal miner for Poole Coal Company, was married to Velca (?), and tragically was killed in an automobile accident in Elkins, WV at the age of 37 on April 25, 1953. Said the Grafton Sentinel, John and a companion "were enroute home from a day in the mountains ... [and] were crushed to death beneath their pickup truck which skidded on a wet Elkins street and overturned."

Daughter Alma Mayle married John Mayle and lived in Canton.

Daughter Ervil Mayle ( ? - ? ) died before 2009.

Son Homer Mayle made his home circa 1977 in Galloway, Barbour County.

Son Coy Mayle (1922-2006) was born on Jan. 17, 1922. He married Roberta Croston ( ? -1981). They had six children -- Roger Lee Mayle, Robert Lee Mayle, John Mayle, James Arthur Mayle, Catherine Mayle and Violet Mayle. they resided in Galloway, Barbour County. Said a newspaper, Coy "was a retired coal miner with 34 years service. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and had played on several area baseball teams." Roberta died on Nov. 4, 1981. Coy survived her by 27 years. He passed away at the age of 84 on May 12, 2006, "following an extended illness." He was laid to rest in the Tim Mayle Cemetery. He was survived by 19 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Son Dennis Mayle ( ? - ? ) needs to be researched.

Son Marcellous "Marce" Mayle (1925-2011) was born on Sept. 3, 1925 in Simpson, Taylor County. He was married and had eight children -- Cellous "Bob" Mayle, Danny Mayle, Marce Lee Mayle, Mickey Mayle, Brenda Mayle, Stevie Mayle and Judy Mayle. As an adult, he lived in Flemington, Barbour County. Said the Grafton Mountain Statesman, he "worked for the B&O Railroad for many years and later retired from the WV Department of Highways. he was an avid sportsman, who enjoyed hunting in his free time." He died at the age of 86, in the Grafton City Hospital, on Nov. 19, 2011. Following a funeral led by Rev. David Maley, he was laid to rest in the Point Pleasant Cemetery in Barbour County.

~ Stepdaughter Ollie B. (Mayle) Newman ~

Stepdaughter Ollie Bell Mayle (1877-1922) wed David Mansfield "Mose" Newman (1868-1942).

They were married in about 1901 and moved to Moatsville, Barbour County, in about 1908. David was a farmer.

The Newmans had at least four children -- Hallie P. Newman, Opal A. Newman, Benford C. Newman, Delpha V. Newman and John E. Newman. When the federal censuses of 1910-1920 were taken, the family resided in the Cove District (Moatsville), where

At the age of 45, suffering from membranous cysts in her lungs, Ollie passed away on Nov. 10, 1922. David M. Newman signed her official West Virginia certificate of death. She was laid to rest at Valley Center.

Widowed, David remained on the family farm near Moatsville. The 1930 census shows him making his residence with 23-year-old son Benford (farm helper) and 20-year-old daughter Delphia.

Tragically, David died just nine hours after he was struck by a moving automobile on June 23, 1942, of a severe brain concussion and broken ribs and arms. He was age 75. He was buried in the "Old Dutch Cemetery" near Kasson, Barbour County. Daughter Opal was the informant on his death certificate.

Daughter Hallie Newman (1903- ? ) is believed to have married Floyd Bolner (1898- ? ) in Barbour County on Oct. 11, 1922.

Daughter Opal A. Newman (1904- ? ) was born on Oct. 22, 1904. She married Chenowish J. Mitchell (1914- ? ), son of Jesse and Corinda Belle Mitchell, on Feb. 15, 1946. Age 41 at the time of marriage, Opal was a decade older than her 31-year-old husband. They resided in Moatsville.

Son Benford C. Newman (1907- ? ) is lost to history for now.

Daughter Delpha V. Newman (1910- ? )

Son John E. Newman (1913- ? )

~ Lingering Questions ~

We are researching whether Sarepta had a step-daughter, Sophronia Mayle (1877-1964), who married Morgan Mayle (1874-1942), the son of Jonathan and Matilda (Varner) Mayle, and the grandson of Reese and Delilah Male. Sophronia's death certificate shows that her parents were Richard and Elizabeth Mayle, which conflicts with this theory, so the facts need to be researched more deeply.

Sophronia and Morgan were the parents of 12 children -- the above- mentioned Ethel Komindo as well as Harold Bliss Mayle, Holly Mayle, Frederick C. Mayle, Harley Brooks Mayle, Victor Mayle, Mazella (Mayle) Mayle, Forrest C. Mayle, Jonathan Richard Mayle (1910-1940), Wilmer A. Mayle (1911-1939), Ruby Mayle (1905-1929) and Grace Newman. Morgan was a self-employed farmer, and they resided at Moatsville. During World War I, at the age of 44, Morgan registered for the federal military draft, and gave his race as white. He was found dead in bed at the age of 69 on Dec. 11, 1942, with burial at Mt. View Cemetery.

Daughter Ethel Mayle married (?) Komindo and lived in Webster in the early 1970s.

Son Harold Bliss Mayle (1897-1977) was "employed by the coal mines for 15 years, and was a schoolteacher for over 30 years in the Preston and Taylor County Schools," said a newspaper. Circa 1971, he lived in Webster near Grafton.

Son Harley Brooks Mayle lived in 1971 in Detroit.

Son Forrest C. Mayle made his residence in 1971 in Canton, OH.

Daughter Mazella Mayle married (?) Mayle. In the early 1970s, they lived in Simpson, WV.

Son Holly Mayle lived in Dalton, GA in 1971.

Son Frederick C. Mayle resided in Miami, FL in 1971.

Son Victor H. Mayle made his home in Detroit in 1971.

Daughter Grace Mayle (1899-1971) married Alston Gordon Newman, resided at Philo, OH, and had four children -- Eunice Dalton, Meredith Newman, Robert Newman and Juaneta Newman. She was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church. As her health declined, Grace spent time at the Rosemont Hospital. She passed away at the Spencer State Hospital on Oct. 1, 1971. Her remains were returned to Philippi for burial at Welch Cemetery. Her obituary was published in the Morgantown (WV) Dominion Post.