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Mary Louisa Minard
(1906-1954) and

Henry 'Edgar' Maylee (1902-1964)

 

Mary Louisa (Minard) Maylee was born in 1906 in Barbour County, WV, the daughter of William and Elvira (Male) Minerd

She was a newborn at the death of her father. As a teenager, Mary Louisa resided with her married brother William in 1920 in the south district of Philippi. 

On Jan. 23, 1926, at the age of 22, Mary Louisa married her step-nephew, Henry "Edgar" Maylee (1902-1964), age 24. He was the son of Isaiah and Catharine Mayle of Barbour County and stepson of Hulda (Minard) Mayle.

The marriage certificate reads "Mary A. Miner," not "Mary Louise," and the informant for the document was Riley Collins. Edgar and Mary's last name generally was spelled " Maylee" during their adult married years.

 

Old coal mine in Clarksburg

 

Edgar and Mary produced a family of nine known children -- Nina Lee (Maylee) Mayle, Edna "Maxine" Kennedy, Ruth Gjerpen, Paul Mayle, Connie Maylee/Mahlee, Waldo Scott Mayle, Matilda "Tillie" Parriman and David Mayle.

In 1930, Edgar and Mary are shown on the federal census of Philippi, living near his brother Commodore Mayle. They later moved to near Clarksburg, Harrison County, where Edgar was a longtime coal miner, and "a Methodist by faith," said the Clarksburg (WV) Exponent.

The United States Census enumeration of 1940 shows the family still living in Philippi, with the census-taker recording their race as negro. That year, with the Great Depression having wrought its economic damage in the region, Edgar was unemployed.

When the federal census again was made in 1950, they lived in Despard, Harrison County, WV. Edgar had no occupation that year. They were classified as "white" as marked in the census record.

Obituary, 1964
Mary Louise died in Clarksburg, Harrison County, WV at the age of 50 on Oct. 16, 1954, at St. Mary's Hospital. The cause of death was uremia and chronic nephritis. She was laid to rest in Holy Cross Cemetery. 

 

Edgar outlived his wife by a decade.

He died under most unusual circumstances at Industrial near Clarksburg on Oct. 23, 1964, at the age of 62. He was "found dead in a ditch off route 50," reported the Clarksburg Exponent. He "was not shot... Maylee was found in the ditch in hunting clothes and lying on his gun. Shotgun shells were found in his pocket and papers and his hunting license indicated his identity. Sheriff L.L. Crawford's office investigated." The informant on his death certificate was daughter Nina Maley.

Edgar was buried with his wife in Holy Cross Cemetery in Clarksburg.

~ Daughter Nina Lee Mayle ~

Daughter Nina Lee Mayle (1925-2022) was born in about 1925 in Philippi, Barbour County, WV.

She relocated to Dayton, OH as a young woman. In 1950, she stood as maid of honor at the wedding of Truman L. Griswold and Betty Louise Smith in Dayton. Census records for 1950,, when she was the age of 25, show Nina to be sharing a home with the bride Betty L. Griswold and earning a living as a sales lady in a department store.

She lived in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH in 1964. 

Nina spent her final years in Oakwood, OH and died in Dayton on Feb. 16, 2022, at the age of 97. A terse notice of her death was printed in the Dayton Daily News.

~ Daughter Edna Maxine (Mayle) Kennedy ~

Daughter Edna "Maxine" Mayle (1926-2024) was born on May 16, 1926 in Philippi.

Said an obituary, she was "a beacon of love and selflessness" who "grew up in a lively household that would shape her into the remarkable woman she became."

Maxine entered into marriage with Merideth Kennedy ( ? - ? ).

The family of eight daughters whom they raised together included Jarvine Faulkiner, Pamela Stewart, Marsha Montgomery, Kathryn Robyn Discher, Debra Mayle-Stoll, Kim Holt, Nancy Lee Laramie and Kathryn Kennedy.

The Kennedys dwelled in Detroit in the 1960s. An obituary said that "she created a warm and welcoming home where all were greeted with open arms and a generous spirit. Her home was not just a structure but a sanctuary of comfort and joy for those who entered. Her interests reflected her vibrant personality; Edna was a true social butterfly, always ready to engage in conversation and share a laugh. Her love for flowers and gardening was evident in the beautiful blooms that surrounded her home, a colorful testament to her nurturing touch."

She liked to cook, entertain, organize her home and to dress well, "believing that a touch of elegance could brighten even the dullest of days."

She outlived two adult daughters, two sons-in-law and one adult granddaughter. Her final home was in Jackson, MI.

Edna was gathered away by the heavenly host at the age of 97 on Leap Day 2024. She was survived by 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. 

Daughter Jarvine Kennedy ( ? - ? ) - On Christmas Eve 1966, she was united in matrimony with Hayward James Faulkiner (July 30, 1943-2021). He was the son of Roy and Dorcas Faulkiner of Moatsville, WV. One son borne of this union was Rodney J. Faulkiner, MD. Interestingly, Hayward's brother Carvel V. "Cobb" Faulkiner married Jarvine's cousin Arlene B. Mayle of the family of Charles Luther and Emily Jane (Minerd) Mayle. The Faulkiners settled in Washington Township near Troy, MI, with Hayward earning a living for many years as a die maker for Chrysler Corporation. He loved to fish and hunt and made annual deer-and-turkey hunting trips to his native West Virginia. Said an obituary, "Hayward had a generous heart and loved his family, always finding ways to bless." Sadly, he died at home at the age of 78 on Oct. 11, 2021. Rev. David Holt, of Clearwater, officiated the funeral rites. His remains were lowered under the sod of White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery in Troy.

Daughter Pamela Kennedy ( ? - ? ) was joined in wedlock with (?) Stewart. Her home in 2021 was in Ypsilanti, MI.

Daughter Marsha Kennedy ( ? - ? ) entered into marriage with (?) Montgomery. She relocated to Cincinnati. 

Daughter Kathryn "Robyn" Kennedy (1962-2019) was born on Jan. 14, 1962. Robyn exchanged marital vows with Raymond "Butch" Discher ( ? - ? ). The brood of offspring they raised together included Courtney Discher, Ryan Discher and Crystal Discher. They endured the untimely loss of their daughter Crystal. Sadly, she died at the age of 57 on June 28, 2019. Funeral services were held in Madison Heights, MI. In an obituary, the family asked that any memorial donations be made to the cause of ovarian cancer.

Daughter Debra Mary Kennedy ( ? - ? ) has been twice-wed. Her first spouse, whom she married on Nov. 11, 1972, was Larry V. Mayle (June 1953-2009), son of Victor and Lorena (Faulkiner) Mayle of Detroit, of the family of Lewis and Sarepta (Kennedy) Mayle. Their union endured the ebbs and flows of 36 years until the separation of death. The Mayles lived in Michigan and were the parents of Rebecca Mary Lilly and Steven Mayle. Larry was employed for 36 years by Ford Motor Company. In about 1997 relocated to Chelsea, MI. He liked to fish and hunt deer. They belonged to the Vandercook Lake Bible Methodist Church. Sadly, at the age of 55, Larry died on June 6, 2009 "in his wife's arms," said an obituary. Pastors Christopher Hilling, John Kennedy, and Martin Laramie jointly led the funeral rites. His remains were placed under the sod of Oak Grove East Cemetery in Chelsea, Washtenaw County, MI. Later, Debra tied the knot with Donald Stoll ( ? - ? ) and made her home in Chelsea, MI.

  • Granddaughter Rebecca Mary Mayle (1978-2015) was born on Oct. 23, 1978 in Wayne, MI. On June 10, 2000, when she was 21 years of age, she was united in holy matrimony with Tim Lilly ( ? - ? ). The two daughters they bore together were Adrianna Rose Lilly and Lauraina Marie Lilly. The Lillys dwelled in 2015 in Addison, MI. Reported the Jackson (MI) Citizen Patriot, "Rebecca was strong in her faith and she was a member of Bird Lake Wesleyan Missionary Church. She worked as a Registered Nurse for 15 years and loved cooking, reading and being a Caregiver. She was a wonderful wife and mother who adored her husband and two daughters and would always put her family and others first." They were plunged into grief when Rebecca diied at Allegiance Health in Jackson on Dec. 9, 2015. Her funeral service was conducted at Bird Lake Wesleyan Missionary Churcy in Osseo, led by Pastor Troy Bolen. The remains were lowered into the sleep of the ages in Leonardson Cemetery in Pittsford.

    Great-granddaughter Adrianna Rose Lilly (2003- ? ) was born in about 2003 and grew up in Addison, MI. She was 12 years of age at her mother's untimely death. 

    Great-granddaughter Lauraina Marie Lilly (2006- ? ) was born in about 2006. She spent her early years in Addison, MI and at her mother's death was nine years old.

  • Grandson Steven Mayle wed Tanjala. As of 2009, they were in Hudson, MI and by 2015 had moved to Blind River, Canada.

Daughter Kim Kennedy ( ? - ? ) tied the marital cord with David Holt ( ? - ? ). The pair planted themselves in Coldwater, MI.

Daughter Nancy Lee Kennedy (1948-2021) was born on Oct. 25, 1948. Nancy as a young woman was employed by Hardware Springs in Detroit and the Rawsonville plant of Ford Motor Company in Ypsilanti. On May 14, 1983, she married Rev. Dr. Martin Laramie ( ? - ? ). Their nuptials were held in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Their only child, Heather Lee Laramie, died in infancy. Said an obituary, "Nancy had a true servant heart... [and] enjoyed cooking and baking, which came in handy as a minister’s wife. She stood beside her husband in ministry, throughout their married life. She loved attending revival services, worshiping and praising God [and] enjoyed singing with her sisters for special church events." She also was famous in the family for hosting sleepovers for her nephews and nieces involving pancake breakfasts. The pair eventually settled in Peoria, IL. Sadly, at the age of 72, Nancy passed away on Sept. 24, 2021 as a patient of the Order of St. Francis (OSF) Richard L. Owens Hospice Home. Rev. Dan Plemmons of Rochester, MI led the funeral service. Interment was in White Chapel Memorial Park in Troy.

Daughter Kathryn Kennedy ( ? - ? )

~ Daughter Ruth Ann (Maylee) Gjerpen ~

Daughter Ruth A. Maylee (1929-2002) was born on June 27, 1929. 

At the age of 20, in 1950, she dwelled with her parents in Despard, Harrison County, WV and worked as a sales lady in a variety store. 

She married Lawrence (?) Gjerpen (1925-1987), believed to have been the son of Otto and Inga (Larsen) Gjerpen.

Circa 1964, they made a home in Bethesda, MD. 

Lawrence died in May 1987 in Gaithersburg, Montgomery County, MD.

Ruth outlived her husband by 15 years. She passed away in Gaithersburg on April 6, 2002.

~ Son Paul Maylee ~

Son Paul Maylee (1933- ? ) was born two days before Christmas 1933 in Philippi, Barbour County, WV

In 1950,, when he was 17 years of age, he lived with his parents in Despard, Harrison County, WV, and earned a living shining shoes in a shoe repair business. 

Paul is known to have lived in 1964 in Chicago. 

~ Daughter Connie (Maylee) Parriman ~

Daughter Connie Maylee (1935- ? ) was born in about 1935 in Philippi.

She grew up in Despard, Harrison County, WV and dwelled in her parents' home in 1950. 

Connie was united in holy matrimony with (?) Parriman ( ? - ? ).

The couple dwelled in Miamisburg, OH. 

~ Son Waldo Scotty Mayle ~

Son Waldo Scotty Mayle (1938-1988) was born on Aug. 20, 1938. 

Waldo relocated to Dayton, OH as a young man, making his residence at 326 Cambridge Avenue.  

In April 1956, at age 18, he joined the U.S. Navy and relocated to California. He resided in 1964 in Gardena, Los Angeles County, CA.

When he was 21 years of age, on Feb. 6, 1960, he was joined in wedlock with Rebecca Rose (Francis) Short (Nov. 17, 1940-2005), originally from Tulare, CA and the daughter of W.M. and Christine (Carskadon) Francis. Their wedding ceremony was held in Clark County, NV. 

Rebecca was the former wife of William Leroy Short (1939-1957) and as such brought stepson William Short into the union with Waldo.

Together, they became the parents of an only daughter, Christine (Mayle) Bridges. 

Waldo died in the Los Angeles area on Aug. 10, 1988.

Rebecca outlived her spouse by 17 years. She moved from Los Angeles to Post Falls, ID in about 1990 and stayed there for the remaining 15 years of her life. Her mother and brothers Carey Francis and William Francis all lived in Post Falls.

At the age of 64, Rebecca passed away at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene, ID on Sept. 12, 2005. Her obituary was published in the Coeur d'Alene Press.

Stepdaughter Christine Bridges made her residence in Los Angeles in 2005. 

Daughter Christine Mayle wed (?) Bridges. She is believed to be the mother of Kevin/Keven Mayle. Christine made her residence in Los Angeles in 2005. 

~ Daughter Matilda (Maylee) Parriman ~

Daughter Matilda Maylee (1943- ? ) was born in about 1943. 

Her early years were spent in Despard, Harrison County, WV.

She married (?) Parriman ( ? - ? ).

They resided in Miamisburg, OH. 

~ Son David Jackson Maylee ~

Son David Jackson Maylee (1945- ? ) was born in about 1945 in or near Harrison County, WV.

He served in France with the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. 

Research is underway to determine if he lived in Grafton, WV in the mid-1990s and died on Feb. 21, 1995.

 

Copyright © 2004-2009, 2014, 2020, 2024 Mark A. Miner