Clifford William Thomas -- Clerk in the State House of Representatives

 

Clifford William Thomas

Clifford William Thomas was born on October 26, 1896 in Trigg County, Kentucky.  He was the oldest of seven children born to Bluford Ira Thomas and Alice Lula Vinson Thomas.  Ira Thomas was a prominent farmer of the Gracey community and a descendant of Starkie Thomas. Alice was a housewife and was a descendant of Cullen Thomas.  Clifford’s siblings were Henry Vinson Thomas, born in 1898 and married Artie Hembey; Mary Catherine Thomas, born in 1900 and married John William Stewart; Janie Thelma Thomas, born in 1902 and married Clifton Elliott Wright; Clyde S. “Sonny” Thomas, born in 1907 and married Mary Lillian Ladd; Inez Thomas, born in 1909 and married Archer Larkins Haydon and Lula Thomas, born in 1910 and married Marion Bell Ladd.

Instead of attending school in his home county of Trigg, Clifford attended and graduated from the Vanderbilt Training School for Boys in nearby Elkton, Kentucky.  The Vanderbilt Training School was a prep school founded in September 1892 and affiliated with Vanderbilt University.  However, the university relationship with the school was severed in 1914. At the time of Clifford’s graduation from the school on May 8, 1918, it was merely a private school but still retained its V. T. S. identity.

Following graduation from the Elkton school Clifford enlisted in the U. S. Navy on June 3, 1918 where he became an Apprentice Seaman.  He served over three years in the Navy and was discharged on September 30, 1921.

In January 1924 Clifford became the Assistant Clerk of the Kentucky House of Representatives in Frankfort after a spirited contest with his opponent from Crittenden County, Kentucky.  He continued to win re-election to the assistant clerk position until 1930 when he was nominated for the position of Chief Clerk for the House of Representatives.  On January 8, 1930, he was sworn into office by acclamation in the absence of Republican nominees.  In addition to serving in the clerk positions in the House of Representatives, Clifford served as the Journal Clerk in the Kentucky Senate for three terms.

Clifford’s involvement serving as the clerk positions in Frankfort caused him to want to serve as an elected official from his home town.  Relying on his experience in his various positions serving for the legislature in Frankfort, in August 1937, Clifford declared his candidacy as the State Representative for the ninth district of Trigg County in the Democrat primary.  He was opposed by three other candidates, Garland Cunningham, George L. Cunningham and Frank Ladd of Cadiz.  The Republican candidate was J. B. Alexander of Gracey, who ran unopposed.  Unfortunately, Clifford came in third in the race, effectively ending his political career.

In addition to his legislative and political career, Clifford worked in several other jobs during his life.  He worked for the Standard Printing Company of Louisville for a number of years and later with the Department of Revenue.  He also worked with the U. S. Postal Service from which he retired in 1970.  He also spent a lot of his time working with his father on their farm in the Gracey community.

In late April 1975 Clifford suffered a massive stroke and was sent to the St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville.  After ten days in Nashville, he was transferred back to the Trigg County Hospital in Cadiz where he died on May 2 at the age of 78. Clifford was single.  He was buried in the East End Cemetery in Cadiz.

Clifford in the Navy

Clifford's political ad

Clifford's tombstone

Clifford's military tombstone

 

LINEAGE: (Clifford William Thomas was the son of Bluford Ira and Alice Lula Vinson Thomas and the grandson of William Bridges and Nancy Jane Rogers Thomas and Henry Cullen and Mary Catherine Sumner Vinson.  William was the first child of Starkie and Mary Bridges Thomas.  Starkie was the fourth child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.  Henry Cullen was the first child of Thomas Allison and Emeline Thomas Vinson.  Emeline was the fifth child of Cullen and Elizabeth Futrell Thomas.  Cullen was the first child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)

Huel Early Thomas Edwards -- Bookkeeper

 

Huel Thomas Edwards

Huel Early Thomas was born on August 30, 1923 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.  She was the sixth of the eight children of Hugh Early Thomas and Georgia King Boyd Thomas.  Hugh was a farmer and both he and Georgia were natives of Trigg County.  Huel was a descendant of Starkie Thomas.

Huel’s siblings were Edna Earl Thomas, born in 1911 and married Luther Bertram Hughes; Eliza Pearl Thomas, born in 1913 and married Thomas Aaron Dunn; Rosie Delle Thomas, born in 1915 and married Millard Otis Munger and then married Artie Ray Cunningham; Mary Elizabeth Thomas, born in 1917 and married William Forrest Mize; Louise Thomas, born in 1920 and married Douglas Hopson Thomas; Imogene Thomas, born in 1925 and married John Douglas Wetton; and Martha Nell Thomas, born in 1932 and married Charles Owen Bush.

Huel started school in the first grade at the Newstead School in Christian County.  She completed her grade school years at Walnut Grove School where she was the county champion speller in 1935.  She graduated from Hopkinsville High School in 1941.  After high school, Huel worked for four years with the Christian County AAA office.  Her family then moved to Cadiz, where she was employed at the Trigg County Farmers Bank.

On December 8, 1946, Huel married John Thomas “Toppy” Edwards in a ceremony officiated by Rev. Shirley Spahr, pastor of the Cadiz Baptist Church.  Toppy was born September 1, 1917 in Cadiz, Kentucky, the son of John Elbert Edwards and Lillian Long Prescott Edwards.  John Elbert worked in the freight industry and both he and Lillian were natives of Trigg County.

Toppy grew up in Cadiz and attended the Cadiz schools.  In his teenage years he worked in the local drug stores, at the White Eagle Restaurant in Cadiz and as a shoe salesman in Hopkinsville.  He then worked at Cunningham’s Service Station and he later became the owner of the business which was renamed Toppy’s Service Station. On August 26, 1942, he was inducted into the  U.S Army Air Force.  After receiving his basic training, he was stationed in Kimbolton, England. He was later transferred as an auto repairman with the Air Transport Command in North Africa with the rank of corporal.  Toppy was discharged from the military on November 14, 1945.

After his military service, Toppy returned to Cadiz and to the operation of Toppy’s Service Station.  On January 19, 1948 he became the agent for the Standard Oil Company in Trigg County, a position he continued for 29 years.  He then sold the position to the Chevron agent in Princeton, Kentucky.  He continued with Chevron until his retirement in 1989 with 40 years of service.  Huel worked as the bookkeeper for the Standard Oil Company during the years that Toppy was the agent.  She later worked as the bookkeeper for Thomas Fourshee Building Supply in Cadiz.

Huel and Toppy were the parents of two children, John Thomas Edwards, Jr., born in 1948 and married Mary Sue Thomas and Jeffery Steven Edwards, born in 1952 and lived for only one day.

Toppy died on October 9, 2009 at the age of 92 at his home in Cadiz.  He was buried in the East End Cemetery in Cadiz.  Huel died on January 10, 2024 at the age of 100 at Barkley Plantation in Cadiz.  She was buried in the East End Cemetery next to her husband.

Toppy

 

Huel and Toppy tombstone

LINEAGE”  (Huel Early Thomas was the daughter of Hugh Early and Georgia King Boyd Thomas.  Hugh was the sixth child of Robert Allison and Emma Nora Cunningham Thomas.  Robert was the fifth child of Stanley and Emily Ann Light Thomas.  Stanley was the second child of Starkie and Mary Bridges Thomas.  Starkie was the fourth child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)

Earl Wayne Cunningham -- Factory Worker and Carpenter

 

Earl Wayne Cunningham

Earl Wayne Cunningham was born on May 13, 1912 in the Oak Grove community of Trigg County, Kentucky.  He was the sixth of seven children born to Elmer Ellsworth “Ell” Cunningham and Rosa Lee Bridges Cunningham.  Ell was a farmer and had served as a magistrate for the Maple Grove community and Rosa was a homemaker.  Both were natives of Trigg County.  Rosa was a descendant of Cullen Bridges and Cullen Thomas.

Earl’s siblings were Myrtle Mabel Cunningham, born in 1898 and married Burnett Finley; Olive James “Ollie” Cunningham, born in 1900, and married Lillie Roberta Williams; George Clyde Cunningham, born in 1904 and married Robbie Bell Bridges; Carmon Aubrey Cunningham, born in 1907 and married Ora Noel and later married Belvie Ricks Dixon; Maureen Ell Cunningham, born in 1909 and married Grover Douglas “Bubby” Creamer; and Ivy Mavis Cunningham, born in 1915 and married Robert “Jack” Rowen, Jr.

Earl attended elementary schools at the Canton School and the Blue Spring School.  He was popular as he was one of the few young men who lived in a rural area and owned a bicycle.

On November 23, 1935, Earl married Lois Velma Page with Judge J. L. Blakeley officiating the ceremony in Cadiz.  Velma was born March 18, 1918 in Model, Tennessee.  She was the daughter of , John Ross Page and Maudie Ann Bircham Page.  John had served as postmaster in Canton, Kentucky and was a native of Trigg County.  Maudie was a native of Thebes, Illinois.

When Earl left elementary school he worked on his father’s farm in the Maple Grove community, a farm that he would later purchase.  He also worked for construction and maintenance of Trigg County roads and bridges.  In 1949 Earl was elected as a magistrate for the county’s second district and held that position for one term.  In 1954 the family relocated to Hazel Park, Michigan where Earl worked with the Chevrolet Division of General Motors. He retired from General Motors in 1981.

Earl and Velma were the parents of six sons, Earl Eugene Cunningham, born in 1937 and married Nola Jean Townsend; Darryl Page Cunningham, born in 1939 and married Joyce Loretta Pitt; Ronald Keith Cunningham, born in 1941 and married Gale Harren Burkeen and later married Alana Dawn Cornelius Sabatine; Gerald Lane Cunningham, born in 1943 and married Virginia Ruth McTaggart; Larry Louis Cunningham, born in1946 and married Sandra Elaine Roose; and Jeffery Clark Cunningham, born in 1961 and married Sheri Lynne Amici.

Earl died on January 8, 1996 at the age of 83 at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Clinton Township, Michigan. His body was brought back to Cadiz where he was buried in the East End Cemetery.  Velma died on July 26, 2004 at the age of 86 in the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor.  Her body was also brought back to Kentucky and she was buried in the Lawrence Cemetery in Trigg County.

 Velma Page Cunningham

Earl tombstone

Velma tombstone

LINEAGE: (Earl Wayne Cunningham was the son of Elmer Ellsworth “Ell” and Rosa Lee Bridges Cunningham.  Rosa was the seventh child of Cullen T. and Virginia Thomas Bridges. Cullen was the twelfth child of William and Mary Thomas Bridges.  William was the fourth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.  Virginia was the third child of Peyton and Sarah Ethridge Thomas.  Peyton was the third child of Cullen and Elizabeth Futrell Thomas.  Cullen was the first child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)

Marjorie Dean Thomas Darnall -- Factory Worker and Bookkeeper

 

Margie Thomas Darnall

Marjorie Dean Thomas was born on February 26, 1930 in Trigg County, Kentucky.  She was the oldest of seven children of Henry Cullen Thomas and Sarah Elizabeth Bridges Thomas. Henry Cullen was a farmer and cabinet maker. Both he and Elizabeth were natives of Trigg County.  Marjorie or Margie, as she was known, was a descendant of James Thomas, Cullen Bridges, Cullen Thomas and Starkie Bridges.

Margie’s siblings were Howard Douglas Thomas, born in 1933 and married Janice Gilkey and later married Norma Sue Bell; Virginia Ann Thomas, born in 1935 and married Lindy Earl Burrow and later married John Donald Motes; Johnnie Thomas and Ronnie Thomas, twins born in 1939 and died at birth; Carolyn Sue Thomas, born in 1942 and married Wilie Gordon Armstrong; and Donna Joan Thomas, born in 1945 and married Robert Wade Blane.

Margie grew up in the Maple Grove community and attended the local rural elementary school.  She went on to graduate from Trigg County High School.

On December 13, 1947, Margie married Joseph Lamont Darnall in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.  Joe was born on February 26, 1926 in Trigg County, the son of Joseph Nuck Darnall and Luella Dixon Darnall.  Joseph Nuck was the pastor of the Dry Creek Baptist Church for over 60 years and both he and Luella were natives of Trigg County. 

After they were married, Margie and Joe lived in an apartment in Cadiz and then settled in the New Hope community of Trigg County  Joe had attended Murray State College and had taught at several rural schools, including New Hope and Roaring Springs, on an emergency certificate during World War II.  He later became an electrician and plumber by trade.  In September 1972, he became the operator and manager of the Cadiz Water Plant.  Margie worked in various factories of clothing apparel and also worked as a bookkeeper.  Margie spent most of her time as a homemaker.

Margie and Joe were the parents of two children, Rita Jo Darnall, born in 1950 and married Roger Dale Dillingham and Freddie Wayne Darnall, born in 1955 and married Mary Elizabeth “Libby” Perry.

Margie died on July 12, 2007 at the age of 77 at her home in Cadiz.  She was buried in the New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery in Trigg County.  Joe died on March 6, 2009 at the age of 83 at his home in Cadiz.  He was buried in the New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery next to his wife.

Margie and Joe

Margie and Joe tombstone

LINEAGE: (Marjorie Dean Thomas was the daughter of Henry Cullen and Sarah Elizabeth Bridges Thomas.  Henry was the second child of Robert Henry and Ora Agnes Bridges Thomas.  Robert Henry was the third child of Carroll and Margaret Jane Reid Thomas.  Carroll was the second child of James, Jr. and Margaret Ethridge Thomas. James, Jr. was the sixth child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.  Sarah Elizabeth was the fourth child of Drew Manley and Lena Mae Guier Bridges.  Drew was the seventh child of Starkie T. and Elizabeth W. Lawrence Bridges.  Starkie was the second child of William and Mary Thomas Bridges.  William was the fourth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.  Ora Agnes was the fourth child of Cullen Thomas and Martha Ann Virginia Thomas Bridges.  Cullen T. was the twelfth child of William and Mary Thomas Bridges.  William was the fourth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.  Martha Ann was the third child of Peyton and Sarah Ethridge Thomas.  Peyton was the third child of Cullen and Elizabeth Futrell Thomas. Cullen was the first child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)

Rosie Delle Thomas Cunningham -- Clerk and Bookkeeper

 

 

Rosie Delle Thomas was born on March 1, 1915 in Trigg County, Kentucky.  She was the third of eight children born to Hugh Early Thomas and Georgia King Boyd Thomas.  Hugh Early. was a farmer and Georgia was a homemaker.  Both were natives of Trigg County.  Hugh was a descendant of Starkie Thomas.

Rosie’s siblings were Edna Earl Thomas, born in 1911 and married Luther Bertram Hughes; Eliza Pearl Thomas, born in 1913 and married Thomas Aaron Dunn; Mary Elizabeth Thomas, born in 1917 and married William Forrest Mize; Louise Thomas, born in 1920 and married Douglas Hopson Thomas; Huel Early Thomas, born in 1923 and married John Thomas “Toppy” Edwards; Imogene Thomas, born in 1925 and married John Douglas Wetton; and Martha Nell Thomas, born in 1932 and married Charles Owen Bush.

When Rosie was three years old, her family moved from Trigg County to Christian County, Kentucky.  While there she attended the Walnut Grove Elementary School and went on to  graduate from Hopkinsville High School in 1932.

After graduation, Rosie became a Practical Nurse working primarily in the care of newborn babies.  She then left that job and worked as a shipping clerk for ordinance at Camp Campbell (now Fort Campbell), Kentucky. It was while she was at Camp Campbell in 1943, that she met her future husband, Millard Otis Munger., who was a soldier at Fort Benning, Georgia.  Millard was sent overseas to Japan where he served until World War II ended.

On June 30, 1946, Rosie married Millard at the Cadiz Baptist Church parsonage with Rev. Shirley Spahr officiating. Millard was born on September 1, 1914 in Grass Valley, Oregon.  He was the son of Dewitt Clinton Munger and Olive Diantha Shimel Munger.  Dewitt was a native of Vermont and Olive was a native of Michigan. Dewitt was a farmer and he and Olive lived in Dufur, Oregon.

After Rosie and Millard were married, they settled in his home town, Dufar, Oregon, where Millard was employed with a building firm. After one year, they returned to Cadiz, where Millard operated the local Texaco Oil Station. He then went to barber college in Nashville and became a barber at Red Timmons Barber Shop in Hopkinsville.

Rosie and Millard were the parents of three children, Diantha King Munger, born in 1947 and married Clyde Gaylon Stallons; Donna Kay Munger, born in 1948 and married James Wayne Strelec and later married Francis Michael “Mac’ McDermott; and Millard Anthony Munger, born in 1952 and married Rhonda Jean Travis and later married Gina Lynn Williams.

Millard died unexpectedly on May 4, 1954 at the age of 39 of an apparent heart attack in Hopkinsville.  He was buried in the East End Cemetery in Cadiz.

After Millard’s death, Rosie and the children moved to her parents’ home in Cadiz. She was employed as a bookkeeper at W. C. White Lumber Company where she worked for six years and in 1960 married her second husband.

Rose married her second husband, Artie Ray Cunningham on October 10, 1960. Artie was born on October 12, 1910 in Trigg County and was the son of Dabney Carr Cunningham and Mary Josephine Cunningham Cunningham. Dabney was a farmer and he and Mary were natives of Trigg County. Artie worked as a carpenter and painter.

Artie died on May 2, 1970 at the age of 59 of an apparent heart attack at the Trigg County Hospital in Cadiz. He was buried in the Little River Cemetery in Trigg County.

Rosie died on May 13, 1993 at the age of 78 at the Jennie Stuart Medical Center in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. She was buried in the East End Cemetery next to her first husband. Although her name appears on the tombstone for Artie, she is buried next to Millard.

 Rosie and Millard tombstone

LINEAGE: (Rosie Delle Thomas was the daughter of Hugh Early and Georgia King Boyd Thomas.  Hugh was the sixth child of Robert Allison and Emma Nora Cunningham Thomas.  Robert was the fifth child of Stanley and Emily Ann Light Thomas.  Stanley was the second child of Starkie and Mary Bridges Thomas.  Starkie was the fourth child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)

James Samuel and Louise Light Lancaster -- Carpenter and Homemaker

 

Sammy and Louise Light Lancaster

James Samuel  “Sammy” Lancaster, Sr. was born on October 8, 1905 in Trigg County, Kentucky. He was the second of four children born to James Monroe Lancaster and Eunice Verna Lawrence Lancaster.  James Monroe was a farmer and both he and Eunice were natives of Trigg County.  Sammy was a descendant of Starkie Thomas.

Sammy’s siblings were William Henry Lancaster, born in 1904; Homer Lee Lancaster, born in 1909 and married Ruth Mae McQuithey; and Lucy Parthena Lancaster, born in 1911 and married Norris Thomas Bridges.

Sammy grew up in the Donaldson Creek community and attended the local rural schools.

On July 2, 1938, Sammy married Sarah Louise Light.  Louise was born on January 22, 1918.  She was the oldest of two daughters born to James Samuel “Jim” Light and Nettie Grace Cameron Light.  Jim was a farmer. Nettie worked as an operator of a cream station for a number of years in downtown Cadiz.  Both Jim and Nettie were natives of Trigg County.  Louise’s sister was Julia Catherine Light, born in 1922 and married James William Calvert.  Louise was a descendant of Starkie Thomas.

Sammy and Louise spent most of their lives living in Cadiz, Kentucky where Sammy worked as a self-employed carpenter, contractor and handyman.  Louise was a homemaker.

Sammy and Louise were the parents of eight children, Sarah Grace Lancaster, born in 1939 and married William Earl Britt; Lucy Elizabeth Lancaster, born in 1941 and married Thomas L. C. Parker, Jr. and later married James Harrell Littrell and then married Joe Lacy Lancaster; James Samuel Lancaster, Jr., born in 1944; Mary Louise Lancaster, born in 1947 and married Lonnie Eugene Calhoun; Rose Nell Lancaster, born in 1948 and married Robert Francis Reinitz; William Monroe Lancaster, born in 1950 and married Brenda Sue Sholar Wallis; Betty Jean Lancaster, born in 1951 and married James Harold Fuller; and Thomas Eugene Lancaster, born in 1953.

Sammy died on December 1, 1986 at the age of 81 at the Trigg County Hospital in Cadiz.  He was buried in the East End Cemetery in Cadiz.  Louise died on April 25, 1992 at the age of 74 at her home.  She was buried in the East End Cemetery next to her husband.

Sammy and Louise tombstone

LINEAGE:  (James Samuel Lancaster, Jr., was the son of James Monroe and Eunice Verna Lawrence Lancaster.  Eunice was the second child of James H., II and Lucy Thomas Lawrence.  Lucy was the eighth child of Stanley and Emily Ann Light Thomas.  Stanley was the second child of Starkie and Mary Bridges Thomas.  Starkie was the fourth child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)

(Sarah Louise Light was the daughter of James Samuel and Nettie Grace Cameron Light.  James was the fourth child of John J. and Emeline Catherine Thomas Light.  Emeline was the seventh child of Stanley and Emily Ann Light Thomas.  Stanley was the second child of Starkie and Mary Bridges Thomas.  Starkie was the fourth child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)

Stonnie Ray Parker, Jr. -- Resident Engineer

 

Stonnie Ray Parker, Jr.

Stonnie Ray Parker, Jr. was born on August 23, 1947 in Trigg County, Kentucky.  He was the oldest of three children born to Stonnie Ray Parker, Sr. and Edith Marie Sumner Parker.  Stonnie, Sr. was a farmer and a captain for the Kentucky State Penitentiary. Marie was a descendant of Perry Thomas.

Stonnie Ray’s siblings were Toni Renia Parker, born in 1962 and died at birth and Teresa Elaine Parker, born in 1964 and married Kerry Eugene Outland.

Stonnie Ray grew up in Trigg County and attended Cadiz Graded School and went on to graduate from Trigg County High School in 1965.  He attended Murray State University for three years before transferring to the University of Kentucky where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in civil structural engineering in 1970.

On Christmas Day, December 25, 1965, Stonnie Ray married Richard Belenda Ellis at a ceremony conducted by the Rev. Charles Hightower at the Cadiz Christian Church in Cadiz.  Belenda was born on October 2, 1949 and was the daughter of Richard Lee Ellis and Evelyn Griffith Ellis.  Richard was a native of Trigg County and Evelyn was a native of Caldwell County, Kentucky.  This marriage ended in divorce.

After graduation from college, Stonnie Ray was employed by the State of Kentucky, Department of Highways in Lake City, Kentucky as a structural engineer.  He had become a resident engineer for the department and one of his projects was to oversee the construction of Interstate 24 through Western Kentucky.

On Saturday afternoon, August 11, 1973, Stonnie Ray was riding a motorcycle on Highway 139 about three miles north of Cadiz.  As he was approaching a curve, Stonnie Ray suddenly lost control and the motorcycle skidded for some distance and then left the highway and struck a tree.  Emergency vehicles were dispatched to the scene and Stonnie Ray was rushed to the Trigg County Hospital. Stonnie Ray died approximately 45 minutes later at 4:30 p.m. at the hospital from his injuries.

Stonnie Ray, Jr. was 25 years old at the time of his death.  He was buried in the Trigg Memory Acres cemetery in Cadiz.

 Stonnie tombstone

LINEAGE: (Stonnie Ray Parker, Jr. was the son of Stonnie Ray, Sr. and Edith Marie Sumner Parker and the grandson of Eulis Otho and Cordie Rene Futrell Sumner.  Eulis was the second child of William Lowery and Mary Jane Thomas Sumner.  Mary Jane was the seventh child of Rufus King and Alvie Adeline Dunn Thomas.  Rufus was the fifth child of Perry and Elizabeth Josephine Bridges Thomas. Perry was the third child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)