Notes:

The following was written by Hosea's daughter, Melba Harding Black Cross in 1987 Hosea Black 1878-1942 Youngest Child of Silas Taylor & Mary Ann Reynolds Born in Jackson County, Section area. Not sure when he came to Lawrence County. He married Martha Jane Latham at Landersville Methodist Church in 1906. He was not listed in the household of Silas T. Black in the 1900 Lawrence County census. I have a brass disc that he kept n his key chain. He told me that he used it at the iron ore mine near Russellville, Alabama when he worked there as a “checker” before he married. He was a good father, an ideal one to me, a Christian in all his ways, a steward and a leader in the Methodist Church. He was a good citizen, a good neighbor, a good provider for his family, a good farmer, kind and just with his hands and tenants. About 1909 he moved from the farm near his father’s farm, about two miles west of Landersville to another farm he bought near his wife’s family about a mile north of Landersville, living on it till he departed this life in 1942. I am most grateful for my heritage, growing up in a small close-knit farming village surrounded by a loving family and caring neighbors, many of tem connected to the Latham’s by marriage. My Black “Kin” were in Lawrence County but not on adjoining farms as were the Lathams. The inscription we worded for our parents grave stone epitomized our feelings for them. Quote: “They leave memories forever treasured, not a single regret.” They were praiseworthy, they were progressive, neither had the opportunity to attend high school, nevertheless they were well-read. They even read our college text. Mama was reserved, lady-like, kind, friendly. Daddy was out going, jolly, a steadfast friend to many. He told me of younger days when he enjoyed dancing, singing, parties, marbles and “poling down the Tennessee River”. I remember his job in singing bass around the organ with all of us and in the big porch rockers with me. When his brother Thame and his family visited, I recall all of us singing all kinds of songs. Their visits were the highlight of the summer. He was a great hunter, a good checker player, a spinner of yarns. He loved to travel, one of the high points of life was traveling to New Mexico to visit his brother Tham’s family. He often visited his sister Nora in Jackson County at Langston. I recall the visit we made to his brother Orvil’s in Texas. I regret that I do not remember his other brother, Mark. His half brothers and sisters lived in Lawrence County. He visited them often

Buried:
Landersville Cemetery, Find A Grave Memorial# 37121586

Died:
Farmer/Carpenter

Hosea married Martha Jane Latham on 23 Aug 1906 in Landersville, Lawrence, Alabama, USA. Martha was born on 20 Jan 1888 in Landersville, Lawrence, Alabama, USA; died on 30 Sep 1951 in Landersville, Lawrence, Alabama, USA; was buried on 30 Sep 1951 in Landersville, Lawrence, Alabama, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Published in the Decatur Daily on 6/7/2006. Funeral for Melba Black Cross, 85, of Decatur will be today, June 7, 2006, at 11 a.m. at Courtland United Methodist Church with the Rev. A.G. "Buddy" Simmons, the Rev. David Nelson and the Rev. Scotty Letson officiating and Roselawn Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Courtland City Cemetery. Visitation will be today from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church. Mrs. Cross, who died Monday, June 5, 2006, at her residence, was born Sept. 22, 1920, in Lawrence County to Hosea Black and Martha Latham Black. She taught school in Lawrence County for 36 years. She was a member of Central United Methodist Church and a member of United Methodist Women. She was also a member of United Daughters of the Confederacy, Friends of the Library, AEA, NEA, Lawrence County Teachers Association and Kappa Kappa Iota. Mrs. Cross was a longtime volunteer for Decatur General Hospital. She was preceded in death by one sister, Annie Lee Martin and husband, Rush; one brother, Taylor Black and wife, Eula; and her parents. Survivors include her husband, Roland Cross; one niece, Martha Martin of Decatur; one great-niece, Becky Spivey and her husband, Mark, of Decatur; one great nephew, Greg Hill of Decatur; and after years of loving care, Jane Russell, Connie Pettey, Wanda Jones, Christy Jacobs, Tammy McWhorter and Linda Foreman, have blended into the family. Pallbearers will be Mark Spivey, Greg Hill, Harold Cross, Waylon Cross, Roger Hill and Phillip Cross. ********************************************************************** ************************** Melba Black Cross 1920 - I was born and reared in Landersville, Alabama. God has blessed my life. I recall a wonderful childhood with an indulgent family aid caring relatives and friends. I am thankful for a Christian heritage that influenced my decisions to become a Christian at the age of 12. I am a graduate of Lawrence County High School and of Florence State Teachers College. I was a teacher in Lawrence County for 36 years (in four different schools), upper elementary and junior high. I married Roland Cross, a Christian, a southern gentleman, of farming heritage. After serving in WWII he provided for us well by cotton farming and cattle. He was judged an excellent farmer by the county agent, fellow farmers, ginners and buyers. His interests are: hunting, fishing, travel and people (he is an avid advocator of escorted bus tours, we’ve been in every state save Alaska and Hawaii, every providence of Canada save Yukon and NWT from Laredo, Texas via Mexico City to Acapulco. He’s a member of Alabama Farm Bureau, Lawrence County Cotton Committee, Cattlemen’s Association and New Hope Baptist Church. We have had the pleasure of living in four houses that we planned and had built. (in Order) Springwood on Spring Creek Road, north of Courtland on a lot bought from Lynn Cross (brother). Lakewood a summer home on Smith Lake, Winston County. Pinewood built on the farm we bought on South Pike in Courtland and Idlepoint (present home) built on a lot in Point Mallard Estates in Decatur joining Roger and Martha’s lot. We prefer the farm. The country side is so beautiful, however, at our age we think it best to live in Decatur. We still own the farm and go there often in the fall. It is valley land extending to wooded foothills that show gorgeous fall color alone with the daily splendor of the sunsets. Through the years I’ve reaped the rewards of being an affiliate of various organizations: United Methodist Women Lawrence County Teachers Alabama Educational Association National Educational Association Kappa Kappa Iota, Beta Conclave United Daughters of the Confederacy, Alabama, Wheeler Chapter Decatur Concert Association Embroiders Guild, Cotton Valley Chapter Friends of the Library Valley Garden Club Decatur General Hospital Volunteers Cowbells of Lawrence County

Buried:
Courtland Cemetry

Melba married Roland Cross on 19 Dec 1952 in Lawrence County, Alabama, USA. Roland was born on 10 Apr 1917 in Courtland, Lawrence, Alabama, USA; died on 25 Oct 2006 in Decatur, Morgan, Alabama, USA; was buried in Oct 2006 in Courtland, Lawrence, Alabama, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Decatur Daily - September 25, 1979 Mrs. Annie Martin MOULTON -- Funeral for Mrs. Annie Lee Black Martin, 70, of Rt. 1, Town Creek, who died Monday at the Moulton Nursing Home, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Elliott Funeral Home Chapel, Revs. Jimmy Glenn and O.D. Bowling officiating, with burial in the Landersville Cemetery, Elliott Funeral Home directing. Survivors include her husband, Rush K. Martin, Town Creek, one daughter, Mrs. Roger Hill, Decatur; two grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Roland Cross, Courtland; one brother, Taylor Black, Moulton. Pallbearers will be Jimmy Waldrop, Earl Malcolm Jr., Harold Lovis Martin, Ronnie Joe Martin, Jack Wilson, Willard Dewayne Blankenship and Farrell Little. Mrs. Martin was a member of the Landersville Methodist Church. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 9 tonight. ********************************************************************** ********** Melba Harding Black Cross wrote the following about her Sister in 1987 Annie Lenora Black Martin 1908 - 1979 Annie Lee was a good sister, she finished Lawrence County High School, choose not to attend college. She was gregarious, spirited, and vivacious. She loved music, singing, dancing, sports, high school basketball, swimming, horseback riding and reading. She married Rush King Martin, farming heritage, born and raised in Lawrence County Alabama in Mount Hope. They had one daughter, Martha Ann, and two grand-children. They bought a farm a few miles north of Landersville. They lived all of their life save a few years during WWII when Rusk was employed as a firemen at Air Bases and Fields in South Carolina and Florida. She was a faithful member and organist at Landersville Methodist Church for years. She taught a Sunday School Class. She was a member of the Lawrence County Homemakers Club. Our family gatherings were never again as jolly without her.

Buried:
Landersville Cemetery

Died:
Moulton Nursing Home, Age: 70

Family/Spouse: Rush King Martin. Rush (son of Edward King Martin and Neoma (Neomie) Green) was born on 7 Nov 1909 in Lawrence, Alabama, USA; died on 22 Aug 1986 in Lawrence County, Alabama, USA; was buried in Aug 1986 in Landersville, Lawrence, Alabama, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: James Porter Harrison. James was born on 20 Apr 1913 in Lawrence County, Alabama, USA; died on 12 Sep 1948 in Lawrence County, Alabama, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

TAYLOR BLACK, 87, retired teacher MOULTON-Funeral for Taylor Black, 87, of Moulton will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Elliott Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Reding officiating. Burial will be in Landersville Cemetery. The family will receive friends tonight from 6 to 8 at the funeral home. Mr. Black died Monday at Decatur General Hospital. A retired teacher, he was born Nov. 18, 1907, in Lawrence County. He is survived by one sister, Melba B. Cross of Decatur. Pallbearers will be George Douthit, Mark Spivey, Greg Hill, Tommy Joiner, J. Burns and Tommy Burns. DECATUR DAILY - December 27, 1994 *********************************************************** The following was written by his Sister, Melba Harding Black Cross in 1987 James Taylor Black 1907 - I’m using a copy of an article from the Decatur Daily, printed a few years back, for Taylor’s biographical sketch. Please pardon the following personal thoughts. To me and other family members, he is and was ideal. Today at 80 he is known and respected for his business acumen and his gentlemanly traits. He paints lovely country landscapes, collects and restores antiques - guns, trunks. He’s still a checker and snooker champ. In younger days he owned horses and dogs and loved to hunt and ride. He met and married Eula McCaghren when she came to Landersville to teach. He could not have chosen a better wife. She aids and abets him in all his interest. She is known for the bountiful table she sets and old-time southern food. They, as we did, enjoyed spoiling Annie Lee’s child and grandchildren. Being a small family, we have celebrated holidays, etc. as a group all these years, till family members began to depart this life. One year Marha gave Taylor and Roland humorous “business” cards. She knkew them well. Taylor’s read: Taylor Black Moulton, Alabama Junk Bought Tennis Arranged Antiques Sold Snookers (Monday Night) Trunks Restored Sharpshooter Stocks Played Certified Checker Champ Muzzle Loaders Pictures Painted P.S. Eula was born and raised in Lawrence County, Alabama, Speake Community.

Buried:
Landersville Cemetery

James married Eula McCaghren on 29 Mar 1930 in Lawrence County, Alabama, USA. Eula was born on 28 Feb 1903 in Jackson, Alabama, USA; died on 23 Nov 1989 in Moulton, Lawrence, Alabama, USA; was buried in Nov 1989 in Landersville, Lawrence, Alabama, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living Douthit. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living Hill. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living Spivey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]