Leona Olive (Yelton) Ousley 1868-1909

This entry is from the J.J. Watts collection. John J. Watts hailed from Warren, Maine and moved to the northern Ozarks of Missouri sometime after the Civil War. He was a circuit-riding Baptist Minister and his territory covered Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas Counties and parts of Maries and Dent Counties. He established a cemetery, Watt’s Lawn, which is located 1 mile West of J Highway, near the Pulaski County-Phelps County line. This collection covers 1878-1912.

Mrs. Leona Olive, wife of Joseph S. Ousley, died at her home on Piney Feb. the 5th 1909, at 12.45 p.m., aged 40 ys., 4 ms., & 6 ds. Mrs. Ousley was born in Overton Co., Tenn., Sept. 29th 1868 and was daughter of the late Wm. R. and Nancy Jane (Johnson) Yelton and of a family of 9 children, 7 of whom survive death. I first visited this family on the 3d day of March 1894 and Mrs. Malinda beloved wife of Mr. Sherrill Dunham was taken at the age of 35 ys, 1 mo., & 15 ds. Her husband Mr. Sherrill Dunham only survived his wife from Mar. the 3d to May the 12th of the same year when he passed away, at the age of 37 ys., 5 ms., & 6 ds. The next to go was the beloved mother, Mrs. Nancy Jane Yelton, who died Aug. the 1st 1907, aged 72 ys., 8 ms., & 26 ds. Then the father Mr. William R. Yelton was called to go Dec. the 4th 1908 at the age of 76 ys. 3 ms., & 15 ds. And now again death has taken a beloved sister from this once happy family. On the 2d day of Jan'y 1888 she was united in marriage with Mr. Joseph S. Ousley and unto them were born 9 children, all living. In her fathers family the 1st Mrs. Louisa, now Mrs. Parker, wife of R.B.Parker of Birch Tree, 2d Wm. B. Yelton of Mill Creek, 3d Mrs. Viola Ousley of Birch Tree, 4th John R. Yelton of Cole Camp, 5th Erastus J.. Yelton of Rolla, 6th Mr. Burr L. Yelton of Mill Creek, and 7 Robert Stonewall of Mill Creek.