CHARTER MEMBERS

Belding, Herbert Coe

Mr. Belding was the first president of the Melting Pot. He was born 1 September 1909 on the J. Frank Hudson farm in Rootstown Township, Portage County, Ohio, four miles south of the county seat of Revenna, Ohio. His father was Clayton Winans Belding, born 25 September 1867 in Atwater, Ohio, whose trade was that of a buttermaker later in life at Rootstown, Ohio. His mother was Emma Blanche Coe, born on 15 February 1888 in Randolph Township, Portage County, Ohio. She was a school teacher and the daughter of Charles Porter Coe and Ina Davis Coe. His father was the son of Herbert S. Belding, and Francis Etta Winans. Clayton Winans Belding, Herbert's father, is buried next to his first wife, Clara A. Conrad, in Atwater township Cemetery, Portage County, Ohio. Emma Blanch Coe Belding is buried next to her father, Charles Porter Coe and her mother Ina B. Davis Coe, in Sand Hill (Hillside) Cemetery, Randolph Township, Portage County, Ohio. (From February 1978 issue)
He was the assistant county engineer for Portage County, Ohio, when he retired in 1971. He moved to Hot Springs where he was a manager of the Central City Liquor Store for several years and then returned to Ravenna in 1985.
Mr. Belding died 13 July 1986 in Ravenna, Ohio, and is buried in Hillside Cemetery in Randolph, Ohio.

Brown, Francis Emory

Mr. Brown, our treasurer, was born 27 August 1908, on his parents' farm, near Brown's Crossing, Baldwin County, Georgia. His parents were Robert Barron Brown and Virginia Pearl Rogers Brown, of Warrenton, Warren County, Georgia. Emory was the youngest son and had two brothers and one sister. He attended schools at Warrenton, Penfield, Oxford and Baxley, Georgia.

After living in Tampa, Florida, he went to Jackson, Mississippi, in 1927, and in 1929 he went to work for Pan-Am Sun Corporation (now Amoco Oil), and continued with this company for 42 years until he retired in 1971. During this time, he lived in Jackson, Mississippi, Birmingham, Alabama, Little Rock, Arkansas, New Orleans, Louisiana, Atlanta, Georgia and Memphis, Tennessee.

In 1934, Emory married Elizabeth Winn of Jackson, Mississippi; and they are the parents of one daughter, Betty Joy, now Mrs. W. L. Garland, who had two sons, Robert Lewis, born in Memphis, Tennessee, and Douglas Brown, born in Wichita, Kansas. They now live in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.  (From May 1978 issue)

We lost a dear and devoted friend on January 2nd when Emory Brown, one of the founders of the Melting Pot Genealogical Society, died suddenly while visiting his daughter in Houston, Texas.

A Southern gentleman, such as one seldom sees any more, Emory was a kind, considerate friend a dedicated student of his genealogical roots and of Southern and English history.  He was born...and grew up in the cotton fields 'midst the traditions of his beloved Southland.  He worked for more than 40 years for Standard Oil of Indiana in various capacities with its branch companies in Atlanta, Birmingham, New Orleans and Memphis and traveled widely throughout the Southeastern United States in that work.   When it came time to retire in 1971, he and his wife Elizabeth chose Hot Springs, the family home of her paternal grandfather, the late Dr. Combs.  Elizabeth preceded Emory in death last spring, but he had continued active among us in his genealogical studies and was always ready to help fellow members with any genealogical problem.  He will be sorely missed, and a book on genealogy will be placed in our library in his memory. (From February 1986 issue)

Bush, Lorena W.

Lorena Wootten was born February 10, 1901, in Alsa, Hunt County, Texas, to Clayton and Elma Cox Wootten. She was first married to Darrell B. Burnham and then Julius Ralph Bush.
She died November 11, 2001, and is buried in Carolan Cemetery in Logan County, Arkansas.

Clements, Margaret Blanche Johnson

Margaret Blanche Johnson  was born May 18, 1925, to Jefferson Franklin and Willie Elizabeth Hulsey Johnson, and was given the name Margaret by her proud brother, Jefferson Franklin Johnson, Jr., “Frank.”
Margaret graduated from De Queen High School as valedictorian of her class. After graduation, many of her male classmates joined the armed service during World War II. Margaret headed to Phoenix, Arizona, to work in the defense plant and do her share toward the war effort. She returned to De Queen before the end of the war. After the Allies defeated the Axis powers, Margaret attended a welcome home party at the country club for the returning servicemen. She was reintroduced to Enon Willice “Buster” Clements, and the two were married on May 18, 1946, Margaret’s 21st birthday.
She was one of the charter members of the Melting Pot Genealogical Society, past president of the Sevier County Genealogical Society, Paraclifta Chapter of DAR and past member of the museum board.
She passed away June 8, 2011, and was buried in Avon Cemetery in De Queen.
Margaret was predeceased by her husband, Enon Clements; her parents, Willie and Jeff Johnson; her brother, Frank; and her second-born daughter, Regina Faye Clements McKinney. She is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Sandra Lea and James Garland Hardage, Brenda Sue and Gary Neal Magee, and Marcia Ann Clements; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren; in addition to one brother-in-law; one stepbrother; three nieces; and one nephew.

Cline, Inez Evelyn Halsell

Mrs. Cline was one of the original founders of the Melting Pot Genealogical Society.

She was born 1 December 1923 in Possum Kingdom, Garland County, Arkansas, and died 2 May 1999 and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Hot Springs, Arkansas. She was the daughter of Floyd Halsell and Sadie Hall.

She was married to Frank Cline.

On the 27 May 1976, the Sentinel-Record stated that a course in genealogy would be conducted through the Garland County Community College with Mrs. Inez Cline, Hot Springs-Garland County Historian, as instructor.  The class lasted for nine weeks. At the end of the class, one of the students stated, "This class has been together nine weeks and I suggest we continue on; and since there is no genealogical society in this city or area, I propose we start one."  The proposal was accepted and Mrs. Cline suggested it be named "The Melting Pot."  The first meeting was held 9 September 1976 at St. Gabriel School in Hot Springs to elect officers.

Ms. Cline, with Bobbie Jones McLane, compiled the the three-volume collection Garland County, Arkansas Tombstone Records in 1969. In 1985, with Wendy Richter and Ms. McLane, she compiled the 1890 Census Reconstruction - Garland and Montgomery Counties, Arkansas. She also wrote two newspaper columns in the weekly Hot Springs News.  One was "Dear Mrs. Cline" and ran from 1968 until 1979.   She also had another column named "Other Days in the Spa."  They were  a compilation of genealogical newspaper columns, questions and replies, providing an easy to read look at the history and early residents of Hot Springs.  She also wrote, with Dr. Wendy Richter, They Can't Go Home: A History of Northwestern Garland County, Arkansas. These publications were just a fraction of her research.

She was also one of the founders of the Garland County Historical Society.  She served as editor or co-editor of The Record from 1963 to 1987.

Dillard, Frances Marcile Carson

Ms. Dillard was the first secretary and editor of the Melting Pot. She was born 15 December 1918 at Monticello, Drew County, Arkansas, the daughter of William Claude Carson and Millie House Carson. She attended Ramble School and Central Junior High School in Hot Springs, Arkansas; and, in 1931, moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she attended Alcott School, and graduated in June 1936 from Lakeview High School. She attended Moser Business College; and, in 1937, returned to Arkansas. She married Virgil Ray Dillard on 9 October 1938 at Malvern, Arkansas, in the Pastor's study at the Methodist church. She is a member of First Presbyterian Church at Hot Springs; and, while living in Garden Grove, California, was a member of the Garden Grove Community Church (the original walk-in drive-in church). Marcile is the mother of eight children: Ray Jr., Mildred Lynne, Robert Lawrence Diane Belle, Susan Kay, Virginia Ann, David Brian, and Victor Bruce. After living in California 14 years, the Dillards returned to Arkansas. "Marcy" has been a member of PTA, Cub Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout Leader, Area Chairman for March of Dimes, President of Hot Springs Chapter #80 United Daughters of the Confederacy, Vice-Regent of John Percifull Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, Secretary of the Melting Pot Genealogical Society, and has collected for all worthy fund drives many times -- including the Heart Fund, United Fund, Muscular Dystrophy, March of Dimes, Multiple Sclerosis, etc. She has held offices in the PTA, etc. Hobbies are genealogy, sewing, travel, collecting (all types from rocks to stamps, crystal, bottles, etc.) and attending horse races. She is now the grandmother of 13. (From February 1978 issue)
Ms. Dillard died 7 October 1993 and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Garland County next to her husband, Virgil.

Hart, James Marshall

Mr. Hart was born 24 May 1916 at Nashville, Arkansas. He is the son of William Patrick Hart and Clellie Ann Ball and a descendant of James Ball, Revolutionary War soldier. He served in World War II five years, overseas four years. He lost both parents at an early age and was reared by "Aunt Emma," his father's sister. After his discharge from the service in 1946, he bought the Credit Bureau of Hot Springs. On June 11, 1947, he married Lillian Vashti Noles. He retired early in 1969 for health reasons.

Previous to his retirement, James served as president of the Associated Credit Bureau of Arkansas in 1964 and was on the Board of the Associated Credit Bureaus of America, Midwest District for three years and the State Board for two years. In 1960-1961, he served as president of the American Collectors Association, the Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi unit, and was their Secretary-Treasurer for three years and vice-president for one year. He received a degree in Credit Reporting and Collection Management from the University of Kansas, at Lawrence, Kansas, in 1964. He is a former member of the Hot Springs Downtown Lions club, from which he resigned due to his health. (From May 1978 issue)

James passed away 21 September 1995 and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery with full military honors by Thaddeus H Caraway Post 2278, Veterans of Foreign Wars.

James was a Charter Member of the Melting Pot Genealogical Society and he and his wife, Lillian, were the largest single contributors to our library (at the time of his death) by donating copies of the books they published.  They indexed the first 20 years of The (Garland County) Record in The Tie That Binds, they published Foreign Born Residents in Garland County, Garland County Lands Records and the 1900 Census of Garland County.  Other publications include Montgomery County books on tombstones, Montgomery County Census Records 1850, 1860 and 1870 and Wills and Probate Records of Montgomery County.

Hart, Lillian Vashti Noles

Ms. Hart was born to Buckville, Arkansas, to Charley Butler Noles and Laura Estelle Howell. Lillian attended 13 different schools, some more than once, from kindergarten through the 12th grade in Arkansas, Arizona and California. She also lived in Texas and New Mexico.

On 11 June 1947, she married James Marshall Hart. She helped him until 1969 with the Credit Bureau of Hot Springs.

Lillian and James are the parents of two daughters, Marshalene and Donna Lynn. Marshalene married Donnie Lee Harris on 20 January 1967. They had two children -- Donnie Lee and Melisa Dawn. Mr. Harris died of leukemia 21 July 1974. Marsha then married Ernest Leroy Phillips. Donna Lynn Hart married Richard Neil Williams 1 March 1977. Both Marshalene and Donna Lynn are registered nurses. (From May 1978 issue)

Henebrey, Jan

Jackson, Anna Margaret Ashton

Mrs. Robert Norris Jackson (nee Anna Margaret Ashton) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 16 December 1915, the only child of Harry Price Ashton and Wilhelmina Joanna Prang. She was educated in the Philadelphia public schools, graduated in June 1933 from Germantown High School, and in June of 1937 from the Charles Morris Price School of Advertising and Journalism. From 1933 until 1939, her business career was as a secretary in the field of advertising. On 8 July 1939, she married Robert Norris Jackson, also born in Philadelphia on 23 December 1913. His career was with the United States Post Office as a letter carrier until he retired and they moved to Hot Springs in October of 1971. Peg retired from the business world until 1958 to help raise their four children -- Robert Norris Jr., Jean Elizabeth, William Harry, Ann Margaret. As of this date, all are married except William Harry, and there are eight grandchildren. While living in Pennsylvania, Peg was active during the years of raising her children in PTA, chaperoning school dances, Cub Scout Den Mother, Brownie Scouts and Girl Scouts, active in the work of Oreland Presbyterian Church, where she was a member, USO work and various other volunteer efforts. She resumed her business career in 1958; and, since moving to Hot Springs in 1971, she has been a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Garland County Historical Society, and Melting Pot Genealogical Society and is active in related affairs to these groups, including typing for this quarterly. (From February 1978 issue)

Jaycox, Alvena

Mrs. Jaycox was born September 15, 1929, in Wichita, Kansas, and was married to Jack R. Jaycox. She died August 1, 1981, in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Lee, Pat

Miller, Edna Rose

Necessary, Saphronia May "Tony" Elwell

Mrs. Necessary was born 7 August 1916 in Stuttgart, Arkansas, to George E. and Merle Guthrie Elwell.  She was a graduate of Hot Springs High School.  She married James Marin Necessary in Norton, Virginia, on 19 October 1937. They are the parents of four children:  James E., Nancy, Robert and Merle.

Tony (as she was known by the members of the Melting Pot Genealogical Society) was a member of Central Baptist Church, Order of Eastern Star, and one of the founding members of the Melting Pot Genealogical Society.  In 1977, the MPGS needed a place to house their library, and she allowed them to use her apartment building as the library.  She continued to volunteer at the library one Monday per month through the end of 2003.

Tony passed away 13 May 2008 at her home in Hot Springs.  She was predeceased by her parents; her husband; her daughter, Nancy Fay Necessary; and her sister, Ida Fay Campbell.  Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Merle and Kirby Webb; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Robert Necessary and James E. and Marilyn Necessary; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.  Her services were held 17 May 2008, and she was laid to rest in Crestview Cemetery.

Porter, Inez

Postlewate, Myra C.

Myra was born September 11, 1914, and was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was married to Wilkie Postlewate, and they were the parents of Jack Postlewate, Jerry Postlewate, Marilyn Postlewate Henderson and Jeannie Postlewate Shepherd. She died December 3, 1997, in Henderson, Nevada, and is buried in Crestview Cemetery, Hot Springs.

Rodgers, Nada F.

Siwa, Hilda Prichard

Hilda Prichard was born October 31, 1905, and was married to Theophil James Siwa. She died December 11, 2000, and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Hot Springs.

Steele, Dorothy

Stevens, Arthur

Arthur Stevens was born April 15, 1901, in Mount Ida, Arkansas. In 1923 he established the Hot Springs Stevens, Inc., and was a member of National Park Christian Church, South Hot Springs Business Association, and a charter member of the Lions Club and Melting Pot Genealogical Society. He had been a director for the Chamber of Commerce and a Dale Carnegie instructor. He was the first president of the YMCA on Quapaw Avenue and a board member of Ouachita Memorial Hospital.
Mr. Stevens died May 6, 1986, in Hot Springs leaving one son and one daughter and five grandchildren. He is buried in Greenwood Cemetery. (photo courtesy of a daughter-in-law)

Stonebraker, Mrs. T. H. (Joanne)

Talley, Pearl E.

Whittington, Richard R.

Richard "Dick" Whittington was born January 16, 1919. He married Christine Doyel October 28, 1948. He died July 14, 2000, and is buried in Whittington Cemetery, Montgomery County.

Williams, Gertrude Mae "Trudy" Sherry

Mrs. Williams was born 27 May 1922 in Little Rock, Arkansas. She is the daughter of Richard Joseph Sherry and Gertrude O. Loyd. She attended Lee and Forest Park Elementary Schools, Pulaski Heights Junior High and Little Rock Central High, where she met her husband, Kenneth R. Williams. They were married 21 July 1940 on the anniversary of her parents' marriage, at Douglassville Methodist Church, by Rev. Curtis W. Williams, uncle of the groom. A son, Tommy Ray Williams was born in Little Rock; and a daughter, Barbara Dean Williams was born in Norfolk, Virginia, while Kenneth was serving in the U. S. Navy. 

Trudy worked as a saleslady, as a florist designer and Avon representative. Kenneth and Trudy were members of the Pulaski Heights Methodist Church in Little Rock. Trudy has been a Cub Scout den mother, Brownie leader, Girl Scout leader, mother advisor for Pulaski Heights Rainbow Assembly, member of Chapter 389 Order of the Eastern Star, E.H.C. Club, Garland County Historical Society, AARP, Lakewood Auxiliary, Board of Garland County Council on Aging, Advisory Board, Companions' Program. She also gives instructions in fabric painting. A charter member of the Melting Pot Genealogical Society, Mrs. Williams served as the Melting Pot librarian in 1979 and as president from 1980-1985, and vice president from 1988-1989.

Trudy died in Destin, Florida on November 3, 2010 at the age of 88.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband of over 50 years, Kenneth R. Williams, and a daughter Barbara Dean Gay. Trudy was a world traveler who taught classes in genealogy as well as doing her own family research and loved arts and crafts of all sorts. She was active and served as past president of Destin Florida Senior Organization and president of her Destin Florida Home Owners Association. After Hurricane Opal hit Destin, Trudy helped feed the displaced residents and emergency restorative workers.  She is survived by her son Tommy R. Williams and his wife Linda of Destin, Florida, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was buried at Oakland Cemetery in Little Rock.

Williams, Kenneth R.

Kenneth R. Williams was born 30 May 1920 and was the husband of Gertrude Mae "Trudy" Williams. Mr. Williams served in the US Navy during World War II. After the war, Kenneth worked for National Old Line Insurance Company until he retired.  He served as the quarterly exchange chairman from 1979-1980 and 1982-1983. He died 19 June 1992. He is buried in Oakland Cemetery in Little Rock.

Young, Maxine Davidson

Maxine Davidson was born September 1, 1915, at Abilene, Texas, to James Kellis and Ruby Faye Hale Davidson and was married to James L. Young, Jr. They were the parents of three children: James L. Young III, Robert D. Young, and Kerry Lee Young Brawner. As one of the charter members of the Melting Pot Genealogical Society, Mrs. Young served as corresponding secretary from 1980-1987 and librarian from 1988-1991. She died at her home in Hot Springs October 3, 2002, and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Hot Springs.

Young, James Laurence

James Laurence Young, Jr., was born August 1, 1915, at Brandon, Texas, to James L. and Ruth Elzira Millard Young, Sr. and was married to Maxine Davidson. He had worked as an U.S. Forest Service land surveyor and assistant state land surveyor. He died at his home in Hot Springs August 28, 2003, and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Hot Springs.