Harriet Cornelia Leola “Leo” <I>Basinger</I> Staggs

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Harriet Cornelia Leola “Leo” Basinger Staggs

Birth
Bienville Parish, Louisiana, USA
Death
21 Jul 1924 (aged 16)
Sarepta, Webster Parish, Louisiana, USA
Burial
Sarepta, Webster Parish, Louisiana, USA Add to Map
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"Leo" was born on 2 February 1908 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana the eldest child of Maggie Ola Bullock and James "Frank" Basinger.

The family left Bienville Parish and moved to Benton, Bossier Parish, Louisiana. There on 6 May 1923, at the tender age of 15, she married James Rush Staggs, 26 years old. Within 5 months, the newlyweds were expecting their first child.

It has been told that James worshipped his "little wife" and loved her deeply. Unfortunately, this marriage would be short-lived but the love continued until James' death.

Leo died following child birth of her twin sons. She was only 16 years old. Her first twin son, Leon Rush Staggs, was stillborn and the second, Leo Riley "Sonny" Staggs, was raised by her parents as their own.

She got to see the twins before she passed away. Leo Riley wasn't expected to live, but his grandma, Maggie, would pray for his survival.

It was said that Leo's daddy, James "Frank", only 37 years old, was devasted over his eldest daughter's death, as was her husband.

One of my most treasured possession is the "love letters" written in 1924 between my great-grandparents when she was pregnant with the twins and he was incarcerated at the Minden Jail.

Note about date of death on headstone: Has 22 July 1925 on headstone, but death certificate has 21 July 1924.

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Grandmother, I never got to know you but God took you when he took the twin. God knew that great grandma Basinger would do a great job on raising daddy with her 13 children and yes your mother did a great job. She raised him as her own like you ask her to do. Your only grandchild, Shirley
"Leo" was born on 2 February 1908 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana the eldest child of Maggie Ola Bullock and James "Frank" Basinger.

The family left Bienville Parish and moved to Benton, Bossier Parish, Louisiana. There on 6 May 1923, at the tender age of 15, she married James Rush Staggs, 26 years old. Within 5 months, the newlyweds were expecting their first child.

It has been told that James worshipped his "little wife" and loved her deeply. Unfortunately, this marriage would be short-lived but the love continued until James' death.

Leo died following child birth of her twin sons. She was only 16 years old. Her first twin son, Leon Rush Staggs, was stillborn and the second, Leo Riley "Sonny" Staggs, was raised by her parents as their own.

She got to see the twins before she passed away. Leo Riley wasn't expected to live, but his grandma, Maggie, would pray for his survival.

It was said that Leo's daddy, James "Frank", only 37 years old, was devasted over his eldest daughter's death, as was her husband.

One of my most treasured possession is the "love letters" written in 1924 between my great-grandparents when she was pregnant with the twins and he was incarcerated at the Minden Jail.

Note about date of death on headstone: Has 22 July 1925 on headstone, but death certificate has 21 July 1924.

***********************************************************

Grandmother, I never got to know you but God took you when he took the twin. God knew that great grandma Basinger would do a great job on raising daddy with her 13 children and yes your mother did a great job. She raised him as her own like you ask her to do. Your only grandchild, Shirley

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