Ollie Henry Priddy

L/R Seated: Rebecca Priddy Jones, Lenora Priddy Kent, Opal Priddy Sammons, Hazel Priddy Pipkin, Mary Kelly Priddy; Standing L/R: Ollie Henry Priddy, Jr.; George M. Priddy, Edward M. Priddy, Ollie Henry Priddy, Sr.

In 1901 O. H. married Mary Evelyn Kelley in Luray, Tennessee. The family moved to Hardeman County when O. H. became agent at Whiteville, in 1912. Here they reared a family of seven children: (1) Hazel Pauline (27 march 1902) married Elmer Pipkin; Their children were Henry Edward, Helen, Mildred, Geraldine, and Bill Hugh. (2) Mary Opal (11 April 1904) married Burnell Sammons. (3) Edward Murray (11 April 1907) married Thelma Dunbar, they have a daughter, Marilynn Rose. (4) Lenora Evelyn (7 November 1910) married first, Harold Wilson, their two children were Anita and Harold Jr. She married second, W. E. Kent. (5) Rebecca Louise (December 1913) married James Bryant Jones, they had a son James Bryant Jr. (6) George McAdoo (20 October 1918) married Josephine Haywood. They have a son, Bill (7) Ollie Henry Jr. (19 January 1923) married Isabelle Williams. Their children are Nancy, Jim and Paul.

O. H. was an active civic leader in Whiteville, serving as a member of the City Board, School Board, deacon in the First Baptist Church and was affiliated with the Masons, Woodmen of the World, and Eastern Star.

Their three sons saw active duty in World War II, Edward served in North Africa with the military police; O. H. Jr. with the infantry during the invasion of Normandy; George with the Navy in the Pacific.

When time for retirement came, O. H. was asked to remain with the railroad for the duration of the war due to the manpower shortage. He did so because he felt it was his patriotic duty.

He died in 1960 and his wife died in 1964. They were survived by seven children and sixteen grandchildren.

- Published by Burnell Sammons, Hardeman County Historical Commission, 1979. Contributed by George & Betty Fleet.