Seventh Generation

245. ROBERT DONALD "Don" HADEN⁷⁹ was born on 9 February 1939 in Ladonia, Fannin County, Texas.⁷⁹ He died of lung cancer on 20 March 2004 at the age of 65 in Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama.

Don Haden was born in a room his parents were renting in Ladonia, the winter of 1938-39. The house belonged to Miss Jess Stevens and was located at 206 Church Street. The Hadens were starting the produce business in Springdale, but it was seasonal and they had returned to Texas for the winter. There was little money. Lois knew the baby was coming and sent William to get her uncle, Dr. Sam Fry. He got to the car only to find it had no gas - his younger brother Robert had borrowed it for a date and returned it empty. So William had to hot-foot it to Dr. Fry's and they had to walk back - not too fast I'm sure given Dr. Fry's age. By the time they returned, Miss Jess had already delivered the baby boy. Dr. Fry signed the birth certificate as "Baby Boy Haden".

Selective Service System - Registration
11 Feb 1947 - by HIlda R. Fitzgerald
Robert Donald Haden of 510 Maple Drive, Springdale, Arkansas, was born 9 Feb 1939 in Ladonia, Texas. His mailing address was P.O. Box 247, Srpingdale - W. C. Haden of that address would always know his address. He was a student, Springdale, Arkansas, High School
Blue Eyes, Brown hair, 5'8", 145 lbs.

The Springdale News
25 Apr 1980
"From The Files"
Forty Years Ago - April 25, 1940
...R. C. Haden and sons, W. C. and Robert of Ladonia, Texas, who have bought and sold produce in Springdale for a number of years, arrived Tuesday for the 1940 season. They were accompanied by Mrs. R. C. Haden, and Mrs. W. C. Haden and little sons, Jimmie and Donnie...

Don died quietly and peacefully at 5:40 AM on a Saturday morning. A beautiful Spring day. He was both born and died in his home.

Robert D. "Don" Haden, age 65, a resident of Wetumpka died at home on Saturday, March 20, 2004 after a courageous battle with cancer. Memorial Service will be 11:00 AM Friday, March 26, at First United Methodist Church of Wetumpka with a time of visitation with the family to follow in the Family Life Center.
Mr. Haden attended the University of Arkansas and served in the U.S. Army Reserve. He was a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Haden had been in the retail propane gas business for forty years, in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama. He retired in 1996 as Vice President of Operations for Blossman Gas Co., Inc. of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, but continued to work as a consultant and teach safety classes for the propane industry until his final illness. He served as President of the Arkansas L-P Gas Association in 1971 and was a member of the Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama Associations through the years. He was the Year 2000 recipient of the Alabama Propane Gas Association's President's Award for Distinguished Service and Outstanding Support of the Alabama Propane Gas Industry. He was currently a member of the National Propane Gas Association's Technology & Standards Committee, serving on numerous Task Force groups within the committee.
Survivors include his wife, Kay McKim Haden of Wetumpka, son Steve Haden and his wife Melissa of Baku, Azerbaijan and their sons Dan, Joe, and Sam, son Stuart Haden and his wife Cathy of Lucas, Texas and their children Connor and Lindsay, daughter Susanna Vance and husband Chip of Jacksonville, Florida and their children Sara, Rachel, and Jack, and a brother William Ralph Haden of Omaha, Nebraska. His parents, Mr. & Mrs. William C. Haden of Springdale, Arkansas, and brother James C. Haden of Little Rock, Arkansas preceded him in death.
Don will be remembered as a kind and gentle man who touched the lives of all who knew him. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and friends.
Memorials may be made to the Montgomery Cancer Center, 4145 Carmichael Road, Montgomery, AL 36106, or the First United Methodist Church, 306 W. Tuskeena Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092.

ROBERT DONALD "Don" HADEN and KAREN KAY ADAMSON [Adopted name McKIM] were married on 26 February 1959 at First Christian Church in Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas. KAREN KAY ADAMSON [Adopted name McKIM], daughter of WEYMOUTH DONALD ADAMSON and JOSIE ELLEN COMSTOCK, was born on 4 January 1940 in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee.⁷⁹ She was adopted on 30 June 1947 in Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas.

DISCLAIMER: This family research was done by me and I accept responsibility for any errors.

Karen Kay's birth father was Weymouth Donald Adamson. "Ernie", as he was called, and JoEllen divorced when Kay was four. She was legally adopted at age six by Joe McKim and the birth certificate of record reflects that adoption.

My mother kept a copy of my original birth certificate #21901 - no longer obtainable.
Karen Kay Adamson, born 4 Jan 1940, at the General Hospital, Nashville, Davidson Co, TN. Mother's address was 127 9th Ave. S. Father: Weymouth Donald Adamson, age 23, b. AR, no employment. Mother, Jo Ellen Comstock, 23, b. AR, working as a cashier.

1940 Census. Ward 23, Nashville, Davidson, TN. ED 99-162, Sheet 3 B, Mrs. Oda Mai Britt was the enumerator. Taken 3 Apr 1940. Three families were living at 1617 Russell Street (so we had already moved from where mother was living when I was born). Google maps show that address to still be residential, bungalow-type wood frame houses. I'm not sure how the house would have been divided three ways. The owner, Maggie Davis, a widow age 66, and her unmarried sister, Mattie Boyd, age 67, lived there. Phillip & Irene Brown lived there. Mattie and Irene had given information to the enumerator. So much is wrong with my parents' listing that it's obvious whoever gave the data, didn't know them very well!
Ernie is listed unexplainably as Wm. F. Adamson, age 23 [he was 25], Clerk in a dry goods store. "Joe" Ellen, wife, said to be 22 [she was 24], and had worked as a waitress for 16 weeks out of the year. She had told me she did this while pregnant. I was listed as Kay "B", age 3 months. Since I was never called Kay until after JoEllen remarried in 1946, that's very strange. All of us were marked as born in Tennessee, but both Ernie & JoEllen were born in Crawford County, AR. They were said to have lived in the "same place" in 1935, but probably JoEllen was in college at Russellville, and Ernie living with his sister in Chester in Crawford Co. They were paying $10 a month rent, while Phillip & Irene were paying only $4 a month. Presumably they had a bigger apartment, or had to pay extra for a baby.

City Directories of Fayetteville, AR, are available online at Ancestry. Although my name is not specifically there, the advertisements are a trip down memory lane - I remember almost every place of business.
I found the family of a childhood friend. She was Patsy Kramer and lived upstairs in the apartment house next door when we lived with my grandparents on College Ave. Patsy's dad was a cook at a restaurant we frequently visited and he also did most of the cooking at home. Pork chops may have been his forte - I've never forgotten them. I had many sleepovers in that apartment. I had long forgotten the names of Patsy's parents and the name of the restaurant, but found them in the City Directory, 1951.
434 College Ave, N Jas K. Kramer
and another entry [prob 1947]
Kelly Kramer cook McBride Steak House r 434 N. College Av
-- Pauline r 434 N. College Av
Here was an entry for Mom and Dad in our apartment upstairs at my Comstock grandparents, 1947:
Jo Ellen McKim bkpr Cy Carney Appliance Co r 428 N. College
-- Jos. (Jo Ellen) slsmn Cy Carney Appliance Co r 428 N. College Av
They were both working for my great uncle Cy Carney at the time. A year later, we were living in Springdale and they had bought that branch of the business from Uncle Cy.

Newspapers online at Ancestry.com provide a glimpse into my youth!

Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, AR, Saturday, 14 Jun 1945, p.3
Carney-Coatney Wedding Solemnized
The marriage of Kathryn Lucille Carney, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cy Carney, and First Class Radioman Kenneth I. Coatney, U.S. Coast Guard, son of Mrs. D. W. Griffith of Rudy, was solemnized last night at 8 o'clock at the First Baptist Church.
The Rev. O. L. Gibson officiated at the double-ring ceremony. The bride was given away by her father, and her brother, Cy Carney Jr. of Rudy, served at best man.
The bride wore a white silk marquisette and taffeta wedding gown trimmed in seed pearls with tight basque bodice and flowing skirt ending in a long train. Her fingertip veil fell from a coronet of pearls.
Mrs. Doris Kenner of Muskogee, maid of honor, wore pink net with matching headdress and rosebud corsage.
Serving as bridesmaids were Mrs. Cy Carney Jr. of Rudy and Miss Jean Whayne of Hampton, both in pale blue net and carrying pink rosebud bouquets. Usherettes Bobbie Jean Delzell of Van Buren and Betty Long of Harrison wore blue net matching that of the bridesmaids.
The tapers on the pews and in the seven-branched candelabra were light by Misses Colleen Ellen Delzell of Van Buren and Bonnie Wilkinson of Fayetteville, who wre pastel yellow net with matching headdresses and blue sweet peas.
Flower girls, dressed in white net, were little Misses Betty Ann Delzell and Karen Kay Adamson, both of Fayetteville. All dresses of the wedding attendants were of the same pattern.
Mrs. Homer Crew played traditional wedding music during the ceremony, with Mrs. Jo Ellen Adamson of Fayetteville as soloist. Mrs. Adamson sang "Because" and "I Love You Truly"
Following the ceremony a reception was held at the house of the bride's parents, 221 E. Lafayette, for relatives and members of the wedding party.
Mrs. Cy Carney Jr. served at the cake and Miss Betty Long at the punch bowl. Mrs. Marjorie Glover of Little Rock sany several selections, favorites of the bride and groom.
Mr. and Mrs. Coatney left immediately after the reception for Mobile, Ala. where he is stationed.
Mrs. Coatney is a graduate of Fort Smith high school, attended Central College at Conway, and was attending the University of Arkansas at the last session. She is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, honorary music group.
Radioman Coatney recently returned from 12 months overseas.

Northwest Arkansas Time, published at Fayetteville, AR, 2 Aug 1948
Mr. and Mrs. K. M. Comstock and Mr. and Mrs. Joe McKim and daughter, Kay, spent yesterday at Tahlequah, Okla., at the home of Mrs. Comstock's sister, Mrs. David King. They were there to celebrate the 92nd birthday of Mrs. Comstock's father, John J. Hays of Van Buren. Thirty persons were present, including all four of Mr. Hays' children.

Northwest Arkansas Times, 10 Dec 1948
"Letters to Santa"
Dear Santa Claus:
I am 8 years old and I try to be good. Please bring a Dy-Dee doll, a bizzie Bee electric vacuum sweeper for children, a pair of house shoes, a pair of roller skates and don't forget to fill my stocking with nuts, fruit, and candy.
With all my Love,
Kay McKim
Springdale, Arkansas
P.O. I have moved from Fayetteville to Springdale. I live at 415 Johnson Street. I hope my letter is printed so I will know that you know I have moved.
[Note: I did not "believe" but I really wanted my name in print! I believe I did not get the doll or the sweeper.]

1950 Census. Springdale, Washington Co, AR, Hh 230
707 Crouch
Joe E. McKim, 32, b. AR, Manager, salesman, Liquid Petroeum Gas Company
JoEllen, wife, 33, b. AR, Office Manage, Liquid Petroleum Gas Company
Karen K., dau, 10, b. TN

Northwest Arkansas Times, 19 May 1950
"Springdale"
Six Springdale girls will appear on the program at Saturday night's dance recital by pupils of the Sue Garrett Keller dance studio. The program will be held at the high school auditorium at 8 o'clock under the sponsorship of the Springdale Lions club. The Springdale girls taking part will be Paula Cumimngs, Kay McKim, Cookie Hainbach, Rosemary Patrick, Gay Warren and Diana DeWese. The cast will include 80, and will be accompanied by Mrs. Emil Sonneman of Fayetteville. Mrs. Keller will be assisted in the production by Miss Orlan Symer, Miss Charlsie Roberts and Mrs. Toby Keller Jorgenson. Proceeds from the program will be used by the local Lions' Club for the nation-wide Lions project for aiding the blind.

Northwest Arkansas Times, 26 May 1951
"Springdale"
Mr. and Mrs. Joe McKim and daughter, Kay, are spending their vacation visiting Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, Salt Lake City and other interesting points in route to the West Coast. Jerriann Jones, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Jones, who is a friend of Kay, is accompanying them on their trip.

Northwest Arkansas Times, 8 Jun 1951
"Springdale"
Mr. and Mrs. Joe McKim and daughter, Kay, attended commencement at the University of Oklahoma at Norman, Monday night of last week when Ira Comstock, brother of Mrs. McKim, was graduated with a BBA degree

Northwest Arkansas Times, 6 May 1952
Mrs. Bohart Presents Pupils in Recital
Twenty pupils from the music studio of Elizabeth McGill Bohart were presneted in a recital Sunday, at the First Christian Church.
Those appearing were Celia Bea Cross, Evelyn Jean Duggan, Mary Kate Sonneman, Liada Westfall, Barbara Ann Duggar, Pamela Bohart, Rose Mary Austin, Linda McFarland, Gail Blossom, Nancy Howard, Betty Sue Blossom, Shannon Bohart, Kay McKim, Pat Barron, Delayne Cassat, Karen Kennedy, Sue Gearhart, Ann Kennen, Betty Ann Delzell, and John Howard Morris.
[I believe the names are listed in the order of appearance which was from the beginners to the most accomplished.]

Northwest Arkansas Times, 17 June 1952
"Springdale"
This week Kay McKim will represent the Christian Church at Chi Rho Camp at Lake Fort Smith for the junior high group of young people.

Marriage License. 24 Feb 1959. Washington Co, Arkansas - Marriage to be 26 Feb 1958, officiated by a Minister. Robert Donald Haden, 20, b. 9 Feb 1939 in Texas, Student. Karen Kay McKim, 19, b. 4 Jan 1940 in Tennessee.
Paul C. Davis, County, Clerk.

Northwest Arkansas Times, 21 Feb 1962
"Students at U.A. Make All A List"
....a total of 61 full-time students ...named to the fall semester honor roll ....list includes
Karen McKim Haden of Springdale

Northwest Arkansas Times, 19 April 1972
"How Time Flies"
10 YEARS AGO
Kay McKim Haden, mezzo-soprano will be represented in recital next Wednesday in the Fine Arts Concert Hall. Her pianist will be Mary Ruth Alexander.

Springdale News
7 March 1984
"From the Files"
Twenty-Five Years Ago
....Miss Karen Kay McKim, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe McKim, became the bride of Robert Donald Haden, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Haden, Feb 26 in the First Christian Church....

There is a long-standing tradition in my family that we have "Indian blood" supposed to be through my maternal grandfather. None of my research indicates this is likely. However, in my paternal line there is a reported Indian lady - again it's tradition not proved by documentation. Early DNA tests indicated nary a drop of Native American heritage. However, as the years go by, I've had additional testing and the results have become more sophisticated. There will continue to be refinements and adjustments. There is the tiniest possibility but my personal results remain inconclusive. 23andMe suggests (speculatively) that I have .1% East Asian/Native American heritage - two of my children also picked this up, but not the third, suggesting that it is through my heritage and not their father's, although that isn't certain either and he also is by tradition supposed to have Indian heritage (not proved but possible re unidentified wives). Ancestry picks up as a trace region as southern Asia (India, etc.) which is not the same as East Asian/Native American, as stated clearly by 23andMe and I find all of Ancestry's results suspect. FamilyTree DNA picks up no heritage in Asia, but shows all as British Isles, western Europe, Scandinavia. Geno2, National Geographic's Genographic Project shows only the southwest Asian region - the Middle East extending to India on their map - which is expected, since my mtDNA haplogroup, T1a1, is out of the Middle East. Interestingly, Geno2 shows me with a fairly large percentage (35%) of Meditteranean heritage which is very different from the other companies, but they reference those of German descent which I know I have, as having similar heritage.

ROBERT DONALD "Don" HADEN and KAREN KAY ADAMSON [Adopted name McKIM] had the following children: