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Family
Marriage: Children:
  1. Doris Elminah Waters: Birth: 6 Sep 1925 in Lawrence County, Alabama. Death: 30 Dec 2015 in Moulton, Lawrence County, Alabama

  2. Spencer Arlton Waters: Birth: 20 Feb 1927 in Lawrence County, Alabama. Death: 1 Apr 1999 in Moulton, Lawrence County, Alabama

  3. Abron Wayne Waters: Birth: 18 Sep 1928 in Lawrence County, Alabama. Death: 11 Apr 2005 in Moulton, Lawrence County, Alabama

  4. Jackson (Jack) Jeremiah, Sr. Waters: Birth: 28 Mar 1930 in Lawrence County, Alabama. Death: 13 Dec 2013 in Snead, Cullman County Alabama

  5. Person Not Viewable

  6. Naomi Waters: Birth: 20 Jul 1933 in Lawrence County, Alabama. Death: 25 Jul 1933 in Lawrence County, Alabama

  7. Willard Irwin Waters: Birth: 15 Jun 1934 in Lawrence County, Alabama. Death: 7 Dec 2012 in Trinity, Lawrence County, Alabama

  8. Person Not Viewable

  9. Shelton Oneal Waters: Birth: 26 Aug 1938 in Lawrence County, Alabama. Death: 27 Aug 2018 in Huntsville Hospital, Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama

  10. Wanda Lee Waters: Birth: 9 Aug 1940 in Lawrence County, Alabama. Death: 18 Jun 2018 in Trinity, Lawrence County, Alabama

  11. Person Not Viewable

  12. Person Not Viewable

  13. Henry Waters: Birth: 5 May 1946 in Lawrence County, Alabama. Death: 5 May 1946 in Lawrence County, Alabama


Notes
a. Note:   These letters were in an envelope left by Elzie Shelton Waters. She also left her family a message. Written on the outside of the envelope were these words: "Please read this when I'm dead" Included is this message: Jan. 10, 1933 Please don't never destroy these letters when I'm gone, and please keep my children all together and be good to them, for the Bible says that the one who mistreat one of his little one just as well have a millstone around his neck and in the bottom of the sea. And you read these letters and you can see Grady loved me first and you truly cannot love again. Written by Elzie Waters--To whom it may concern
  Nov. 4. 1924 Bessemer , Ala. Monday Night Hello, My Darling Elzie, How are you by now? Fine I hope. As for myself am fine and dandy. Wonder what you are doing tonight? You know I am thinking of you. Say, Ben and me sure have been having a time, believe me. We were together Sat. and Sun. and Ben spent the night with me last night and we had more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Say, Darling, I haven't sent that ring yet. I just thought I'd wait and bring it to you when I come home, as you will be more proud of it then, won't you? And listen, I am getting every thing ready for us to come back down here and live in the house with Uncle Jim and Aunt Maude, as we won't have to buy much of anything and I will work on until spring and we will move back to the country and make a crop. Ben said he was going to write Viola and get her to come out there when we get married, as she sure would like to be there, which I guess she would. Well, Honey, I can't think of any thing much to write so I had better close for this time. Write real soon and a long loving letter to your loving little Grady W.
  Tuesday Night Bessemer, Ala. My Dearest Elzie, Thought I would answer your most loving and welcome letter I recieved yesterday. Sure was glad indeed to hear from my darling one more time. Wonder what my darling is thinking of just now? Of me and the future I hope. You said you had the blues. If I was there I believe I could cheer you up a bit, don't you? You said you didn't believe what I said about you being my wife, as you didn't know whether I loved you or not. Say, listen, I have loved only two girls in my life and the other is married long ago, so there is only one girl for me and that is you, the only girl in the world to me. Say, did I ever tell you any thing that I didn't do? If I have, hope you will forgive and love me more. I don't believe you would think I'd treat you in such a way that you would lose confidence in me. You said you knew that I meant what I said, you'd be the happiest girl in the world, Say, I guess you will be the happiest of all girls when you read this for I meant every word I said, for I love you better than any one on earth. I am making $15.40 a day and I believe I can take care of you and get you anything you want as far as money and love goes and where they don't go nothing won't. Say, if you believe you love me enough to be my wife and will be , I'll just let you set the date for the wedding to suit your self, but the sooner the better for me, as I need you with me every day and hour. Say, I just wish I could look in your eyes tonight as you read this. Say, don't tell anyone about nothing until it happens, and we will surprise them all. With love to you Grady Thursday Night, 1924 Trinity, Ala. My Dearest love, I will try my very best to ans. your sweet letter recieved to day, and you know I had rather get a letter from you than any one. Wonder how you are enjoying yourself tonight? Fine, I'll bet. For (me) I've got the headache so bad I can hardly see. Sure wish I could see you to night. I believe I feel more like talking, than writing. For I'd rather talk anytime than to write, but as you're not here, I'll have to do the best I can. You said you hope I was thinking of you. Dearest, my thoughts are all of you. How can I not think of you when I love you so well? Yes, Grady, you have always been true to your word as far as I know. And I hope you always will be, as that is the way I mean to be to you. And if you love me as well as you say, you can't be no other way. You said for me to set the date for our wedding. How about Nov., isn't that soon enough? About the fourth Sunday in Nov.? If that don't suit you, now, you set the date, as it don't hardly matter to me, but thought I could be ready better by that time. Yes, I'll keep it a secret for it will be a big surprise to some. Will, I guess it's time for all little girls like me to go to bed, don't you? Will close with oceans of love to the only boy for me. Answer real soon and a long loving letter. Yours with love, (Elzie S.) Fairfield, Ala. Sept. 2, 1924 Hello My Darling, Wonder what you are doing to night? Thinking of me I hope. As for myself, I am fine and dandy and thinking of you, only you know I didn't realize how much I did love you until I had to tell you Goodbye Sat. Eve. Say, Ben just give me your letter today. It sure was a surprise to me to get a letter so soon, but, I wish I could get another to night. Say, Darling, you all this world to me. If I was to lose you, I guess I would die. Say, Ben has told me a lot you said and if half he said is so, there is no one on earth like you for me. It may be like you said about Dottie, but I can't see it that way, as you are the one girl of my life. Say, if I were to ask you to be my wife, what would you say? If it was no, I would die and it wouldn't be a natural death. Well I will close for this time. Hoping to hear from you soon. As ever, Your loving Grady 1240 MacDonald St. Bessemer, Ala. BURIAL: "Obituary - Moulton Advertiser", June 10, 1982, Pg. A3 Funeral services for William Grady Waters, 82, Trinity rt. 3, who died Wednesday, June 2, at Lawrence County Hospital, were Friday, June 4, at Elliott Funeral Home Chapel. Dwight Nesmith officiated, with burial in Moulton Memory Gardens, Elliott Funeral Home directing. Survivors include his wife, Elzie E. Waters, Trinity; eight sons, Spencer A. Waters, Wayne Waters, and Jackson Waters, all of Moulton; Verbon Waters, O'Neal Waters, and Larry Dwight Waters, all of Trinity, Paul Waters, Decatur; three daughters, Doris (Mrs. G. W.) Compton, Mt. Hope; Faynell (Mrs. Joe) Darnell, Bogar, Texas, and Wanda Lee (Mrs. Curtis) Hill, Trinity; one brother, Ernest Waters, Trinity; three sisters, Eva (Mrs. Richard) Gray, Moulton; Nettie Melson,and Minnie Bell Garner, both of Decatur. 42 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren. Sons were pallbearers. He was a lifelong resident of Lawrence County and a retired farmer and millwright worker of Local 1274 of Decatur for more than 30 years. (It was at my Grandmother's request that her sons be Pallbearers for their Father. Donna Waters Evans)
  MARRIAGE: "LAWRENCE COUNTY, ALABAMA MARRIAGE BOOK", Book "R" 1925, November 22 - Marriage License issued for Grady Waters and Elzie Shelton by W. R. Jackson., Judge of Probate of Lawrence County, Alabama. Marriage performed by S. C. Lentz on November 23, 1924.
  MARRIAGE: MARRIAGE: To any of the Judges of said State, any Justice of the Peace of said County, any Ordained or Licensed Minister of the Gospel, or any Person Legally Authorized Know ye, That these are to authorize you, or either of you, to solemnize the Rites of Matrimony between Grady Waters and Elzie Shelton of said County, agreeably to the Statute in such cases made and provided; and youare moreover required to return this license to the office of the Judge of the Probate Court of said County within one month, under the penalty prescribed by law. Given under my hand, this 22nd day of Nov., 1924 W.R. Jackson, Judge of Probate I certify that I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the above named parties on the 23 rd day of Nov., 1924. S.C. Lentz, J.P.
  Census: 1910 LAWRENCE COUNTY, ALABAMA - Pinhook Beat # 8 Grady Waters, Male, 11, GA, In Household of parents
  Census: 1930 LAWRENCE COUNTY, ALABAMA - Precinct # 10- Morris Chapel District -Enumerated May 10,1930 - Supervisor's District # 40-18 - Enumerator's District # 1 - Sheet # 10 A - Household # 214 William G. Waters. Male, Owns Property, 30, Age at 1st Marriage 25, GA, GA, GA, Farmer, Farms 211 Acres Elzie O., Female, 22, Age at 1st Marriage, 17, AL, GA, AL Dortha O., (Doris), Female, 1 & 6/12, AL Spencer A., Male, 3 & 1/12, AL Andrew (Abron), Male, 1 & 6/12, AL Jeremiah J., Male, 1/12, AL (Lived beside his father-in-law, Absalom J. Shelton) Property: Grady and Elzie Waters purshased 40 acres on September 25, 1925 from W. S. Beam and wife, Martha for $1500.00. This land was bounded on the North side by lands now or formally belonging to Mart Shelton and on the East by land formerly belonging to W. J. Waters, and on the south by lands fromerly belonging to C. E. Pitt.
  1940 LAWRENCE COUNTY, ALABAMA - Morris Chapel and Caddo Precinct 10 - Enumerated April 15, 1940 - ED# 8 - SD# 40-21 - Sheet # 12A - Household # 190 Grady Waters, Male, 42, GA, Farm Operator Elzie, Female, 32, AL Doris, Female, 14, AL Spencer, M, 13, AL Wayne, Male, 11, AL Jackson, Male, 1O, AL Verbon, Male, 8, AL Willard, Male, 5, AL Fay Nell, Female, 3, AL Oneal, Male, 1, AL
  Property: "LAWRENCE COUNTY, ALABAMA DEED BOOKS", Deed Book 12, Page 386 1925, September 3 - Grady Waters purchased 40 acres of land from W. S. Beams and wife, Martha, for $1500, located Section 9, Township 6, West, in Lawrence County, Alabama "WARRANTY DEED" W. S. Beam & wife, Martha to Grady Waters Filed October 3, 1925 Recorded in Deed Book "12", Page 386 Consideration: $1500.00 - Paid Grant, bargain, sell and convey to said Grady Waters, his heirs and assigns, the following described real estate in County of Lawrence, Alabama, to-wit: SE-1/4 of NW-1/4 of Section 9, Township 6, Range 6 West Grantee to assume a mortgage now on the lands herein described. To have and to hold unto said Grady Waters, his heirs and assigns forever. Covenant - seized in fee - free from encumbrance - good and lawful right to sell and convey - warrant and agree to forever defend. Release and quit claim by wife of dower and homestead. General joint and separate acknowledgement September 3, 1925, before J. A. Thornhill, Notary Public of Morgan County, Alabama.
  Property: "LAWRENCE COUNTY, ALABAMA DEED BOOKS", Deed Book 28, Page 48 1942, February 23 - Grady Waters purchased 40 acres from C. E. Pitt and wife, Lillian, for $900, located in Section 9, Township 6 West. "WARRANTY DEED" THE STATE OF ALABAMA, LAWRENCE COUNTY Know all men by these Presents, That we, C. E. Pit and wife, Lillian Pitt for and in consideration of $900.00 Nine Hundred Dollars to us paid in hand by Grady Waters, the reciept whereof os hereby acknowledged, do grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said Grady Waters the following described property, to-wit: The SW-1/4 of NW-1/4 Section 9 Township 6 Range 6 West containing 40 acres more or less situated, lying and being in the County of Lawrence and State of Alabama. To have and to hold the same unto the said Grady Waters his heirs and assigns, forever. And we are lawfully seized in fee simple of said premises; that they are free from all incumbrances, and that we have a good right to sell and coney the said property; that we will, and our heirs, executors, and administrators shall warrant and defend the same to said Grady Waters, his heirs, executors, and assigns, forever, against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever. Given under our hands and seals this 28 day of February, A. D. 1942 C. E. Pitt Lillian Pitt THE STATE OF ALABAMA, LAWRENCE COUNTY I, W. T. Hill, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County certify that C. E. Pitt and his wife Lillian Pitt whose names are signed to the foregoing conveyance, and who are known to me, acknowledged before me on this dat that, being informed of the contents of the conveyance, they executed the same voluntarily on the day the same bears date. Given under my hand this the 28 day of February, A. D. 1942. W. T. Hill Justice of the Peace THE STATE OF ALABAMA, LAWRENCE COUNTY I, W. T. Hill, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, hereby certify that on the 28 day of February 1942, came before me the within named Lillian Pitt, known to me to be the wife of C. E. Pitt, who being examined separate and apart from the husband touching her signature to the foregoing conveyance, acknowledged that she signed the same of her own free will and accord, and without fear, constraint, or threats on the part of the husband. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 28 day of February, 1942. W. T. Hill Justice ofthe Peace STATE OF ALABAMA, LAWRENCE COUNTY I hereby certify that the within Deed was filed in this office for record on the 3 day of March, 1942, Deed Book 28 of Deeds, on Page 480 and examined, and $1.00 privilege tax paid on same as required by law. Isaac Johnson, Jr. Judge of Probate Recording Fee $.75 Deed Tax $1.00 Stamps $1.10 _____________ $2. 85 PD. Property: "LAWRENCE COUNTY, ALABAMA LAND RECORDS" Warranty Deed STATE OF ALABAMA LAWRENCE COUNTY Know all men by these presents, That in consideration of Ten and no / 100 ($10.00) Dollars and other good and valuable considerations to the undersigned grantors Grady Waters and wife, Elzie Waters in hand paid by Virgil Emery Nelson and wife, Gracie Mae Nelson the reciept whereof is acknowledged we the said Grady Waters, and wife, Elzie Waters do hereby grant, bargain, sell , and convey unto the said Virgil Emery Nelson and wife, Gracie Mae Nelson as joint tenants, with rights of survivorship, the following described real estate; situated in Lawrence County, Alabama, to wit: A tract of land lying in the SW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 9, T 6 S, R 6 W, LAwrence County, Alabama and described as follows: Beginning at the NW corner of said SW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 and run thence N 88 degrees 13' along the north boundary line of said quarter-quarter a distance of 519 feet to a point; thence S 1 degree 47' E a distance of 15 feet to a point right-of-way line of a county road, the true piont of beginning of the tract herein described; thence from the true point of beginning continue S 1 degree 47 ' E a distance of 328.9 feet to a point on the northerly right-of-way line of the New Moulton-Decatur Highway; thence N 56 degrees 5' E along said northerly right-of-way line a distance of 618.55 feet to the point of intersection with the south right of way line of a county road; thence S 88 degrees 13' W along the south right-of-way line of said county road a distance of 524.2 feet to the true point of beginning; lying in the SW 1/4 of the Nw 1/4 of Secytion 9, T 6 S, R 6 W and containing 2.0 acres. And being a part of the land conveyed by Deed fron C. E. Pitt and wife, Lillian Pitt to Grady Waters dated 2/28/1942 and Rec. Deed Book 28 at Page 480 and a survey and plat thereof dated 10/9/1961 is attached hereto and mada a part hereof. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD Unto the said Virgil Emery Nelson and Wife Gracie Mae Nelson as joint tenants, with right of survivorship, their heirs and assigns forever; it being the intention of the parties of this conveyance, that (unless the joint tenancy hereby created is severed or terminated during the joint lives of the grantees herein), and in the event one grantee herein survives the other, the entire interest in fee simple shall pass to the surviving grantee, and if one grantee does not survive the other, then the heirs and assigns of the grantees herein shall take as tenants in commom. And we do, for ourselves and for our heirs, executors and admnistrators, covenant with the said grantees, their heirs and assigns that we are lawfully seized in fee simple of said premises; that they are free from all encumbrances; that we have a good right to sell and convey the same as aforesaid; that we will, and our heirs, executors, and administrators shall warrant and defend the same to the said grantees, their heirs, and assigns forever against the lawful claims of all persons. In witness, whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals this 16 day of October, 1961. Grady Waters Elzie Waters Witnesses: James P. Miller Gen. Ack. taken on 10/16/1961 before James P. Miller, N. P. Lawrence County, Alabama
  Property: "LAWRENCE COUNTY, ALABAMA LAND RECORDS" Warranty Deed STATE OF ALABAMA LAWRENCE COUNTY Know all men by these presents, That in consideration of Ten Dollars and other valuable considerations Dollars to the undersigned grantor or grantors in hand paid by the Grantees herein, the reciept whereof is acknowledged, we Grady Waters anf wife, Elzie Waters (herein referred to as grantors) do grant, bargain, sell, and convey unto Larry D. Waters and wife, Phyllis E. Waters (herein referred to as Grantees) for and during their joint lives and upon the death of either of them, then to the survivor of them in fee simple, together with every contingent remainder and right of reversion, the following described real estate situated in Lawrence County, Alabama, to wit: A certain tract of land lying in the SW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 9, Township 6 South, Range 6 West, Lawrence County, Alabama and described as follows: Beginning at the Northeast corner of the SW 1/4 of the NW 1/4, section 9, Township 6 South, Range 6 West; thence South 88 degrees 9 ' West along the North boundary line of the SW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 a distance of 7.34 feet to a point on the South right of way line of Alabama ahighway No. 24; thence South 55 degrees 41 ' West along the said South right of way line of Alabama Highway No. 24 a distance of 299 feet to the true point of beginning; thence continuing along the same line a distance of 210 feet to a point; thence North 55 degrees 41' East a distance of 210 feet to a point; thence North 34 degrees 19' West a distance of 210 feet to the point of beginning, and containing one (1) acre, more or less. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD Unto the said Grantees for and during their joint lives and upon the death of either of them, then to the survivor of them in fee simple, and to the heirs and assigns of such forever, together with every contingent remainder and right of revision. And we do, for ourselves and for our heirs, executors and administrators, covenant with the said grantees, their heirs and assigns that we are lawfully seized in fee simple of said premises; that they are free from all encumbrances; that we have a good right to sell and convey the same as aforesaid; that we will, and our heirs, executors, and administrators shall warrant and defend the same to the said grantees, their heirs, and assigns forever against the lawful claims of all persons. In witness, whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals this 27th day of September, 1975. Grady Waters Elzie Waters Witnesses: Guy Shelton STATE OF ALABAMA LAWRENCE COUNTY I, Bobby P. Evans, a Notary Publis in and for said County, in said State, hereby certify that Grady Waters and wife, Elzie Waters whose names are signed to the foregoing conveyance, and who are known to me, acknowledged before me on this day, that, being informed of the contents of the conveyance they executed the same voluntarily on the day the same bears date. Given under my hand and official seal this 27 day of September A. D> , 1975. Bobby P. Evans, Notary Public
  Timeline: 1899, August 6 - Born in Carrollton, Carroll County, Georgia 1910, May 10 - Grady had moved to the Bankhed Forest area of Lawrence County, Alabama on Cheatham Road with his Parents 1918, September 26 - The family moved from the mountain to the foothills and lived on what is now County Road # 95 where Check Ellis later lived. This road runs from Hwy. 36 and past Elam Creek. 1924, September 2 - Living in Bessemer, Alabama with his Uncle Jim & Aunt Maude, working in Birmingham building a Steel Mill (Copies of Letters) 1924, November 24 - Married Elzie Shelton and they went back to Bessemer, where he worked, and lived with his Uncle Jim and Aunt Maude (Copies of Letters) 1925, September 3 - Bought 40 Acres from W. S. Beam & wife Lillian. (This property was near the homeplace of William J. Waters and near where Hollis Shelton now lives. Wanda Lee and Curtis Hill bought the homeplace and built a new home.) 1934, January 20 - Abstractor's Certificate, Issued to Grady Waters (Abstract # 35,123.) 1942, February 23 - Bought 40 Acres from C. E. Pitt & wife Lillian. This land in located on the Moulton-Decatur Hwy. It is where Verbon now lives. 1942, February 28 - Transfer of Title for land from C.E. Pitt to Grady Waters & wife, Elzie (Mortgage Book # 299, Page 585) Mortgage Paid in Full - September 26,1961 1950, May 6 - Transfer of Title to Lawrence County, Alabama by Grady & Elzie Waters 60 feet from centerline of road for right of way (Deed Book # 43, Page 343) 1954, April 9 - Mortgage of 11& 2/10 acres Section 9, Township 6, Range 6 to Bank of Moulton for $637.25 by Grady & Elzie Waters (Mortgage Book # 391, Page 491-492) Mortgage Paid in Full - October 10, 1961 1954, December 25 - Owned and operated a store in Lawrence County, Alabama. This store was across the road from where they lived on Alabama Highway 24. (I am looking into finding the business license they should have had to run it, to find out when they began operating it and again when they stopped.) 1955, June 25 - Transfer of Land, 2 acres, from Grady & Elzie Waters to Thomas Parker for $600.00 (Deed Book # 55, Page 508) 1959, August 24 - Mortgage to Bank of Moulton by Grady & Elzie Waters of 11 & 2/10 acres for $1273.25 (Mortgage Book # 430, Page 223-224) Mortgage Paid in full - October 10, 1961 1961, October 16 - Deed for sale of 2 acres from Grady & Elzie Waters to Virgil Emery Nelson & wife, Gracie Mae Nelson for $10.00 (Deed Book # 28, Page 480) 1975, September 27 - Deed for 1 acres from Grady & Elzie Waters to Larry Dwight Waters & wife, Phyllis E. Waters for $10.00 (No Source Given)
  DEATH: "SOCIAL SECURITY DEATH INDEX" Name : Grady Waters Date of Birth : August 6, 1899 Date of Death : June 1982 Last Benefit Recieved : 35673, Trinity, Lawrence County, Alabama Social Security Number : 422-14-2237 State Issued : Alabama
  Military: �WORLD WAR I DRAFT REGISTRATION CARDS�; Lawrence County, Alabama; Men From age 18 to Age 48 required to Register; Huntsville Library; Huntsville, Alabama; April 2004 Registration Card Serial #: 1441 Order #: 775 Full Name: William Grady Waters Permanent Street Address: RFD # 5, Moulton, Lawrence, Ala. Age In Years: 19 Date of Birth: August 6th 1899 Race: White U. S. Citizen?: Native Born Present Occupation: Farming Employer�s Name: William J. Waters Place of Employment: RFD # 5, Moulton, Lawrence, Ala. Nearest Relative: Mrs. M. E. Waters Relationship: Mother Address: RFD # 5, Moulton, Lawrence, Ala. Signature: William Grady Waters Register�s Report Height: Medium Weight: Medium Color of Eyes� Gray Color of Hair: Light Signature: W. F. Simms, Register Date of Registration: Sept. 12, 1918
  Sources: �TRINITY R 1 NEWS�, Moulton Advertiser, Published April 24, 1924 Parts of�.. Health at this community is very good at present. The farmers are getting ready to plant their crops. A wagon load of people from Conway went to Oak Grove Easter and reported a very nice time. Ben Compton from Huntsville spent the week end with home folks at Conway. E. M. Shelton and family near Decatur spent the day with A. J. Shelton Sunday. Ask Esley Shelton how he likes to plow old shine and hear him say fine as long as she don�t kick. Grady Waters has got his little tin lizzy in running shape. Look Out.


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