Mary Evelyn Gorham married Lester John York in Hempstead Co, Arkansas. She left home to elope with Lester in 1931 shortly after her mother, Ella May Loomis, suddenly died. (Her father Walter Rupert Gorham/parents buried in Friendship Cemetery, Hempstead Co. AR.) Mary was only 14 years old but gave her age as 3 years older when she married Lester. In about 1950 or before she divorced Lester in Prescott, AR, moved to Phoenix, AZ where he followed her. They remarried in CA but bought a home in Phoenix where Lester died in 1958 leaving her to raise 4 sons and 1 daughter. Mary suffered much hardship as she lost 3 boys while living in AR: David, James and Michael York. Her remaining children Harold Alvin, Chester Mark, Jerry Ross, Charles Dudley and Betty Ann York. Two sons had disabilities. She married Newell "Chig" Thomason in Phoenix, divorced after only a few years and eventually married Andrew Jackson Barrier about 8 years later. He died in Phoenix, AZ before her. Ultimately she moved to San Diego along with her son Charles York to live with her daughter. She died at home around Mother's Day leaving behind her children and 6 grandchildren: Carolyn, Mark, David (of Australia), Melina, Levi and Keith--also 2 great-grandchildren. She loved to be called Mary Jane by her special friend and love, Ralph Smeltzer; she was an avid Christian and church member of the Pentecostal Church in Phoenix, AZ; she enjoyed singing, she could play the piano, accordion, organ and guitar. She loved the outdoors, camping, walking, rock-hunting, going to the park, growing flowers, and readng. She was very talented with her sewing, quilting, macrame, cross-stitch and crochet. She was handy around the house and could fix most things herself. She once roofed her own house with roofing material. She was thrifty, loyal, kind, honest, never lied or used foul language. Above all she was a great mother and even more of a wonderful grandmother. She was forced to become independent working to support her children and teaching them great work ethic. Her ashes remain with her daughter and family as we find it hard to "let her go".
Mary Evelyn Gorham married Lester John York in Hempstead Co, Arkansas. She left home to elope with Lester in 1931 shortly after her mother, Ella May Loomis, suddenly died. (Her father Walter Rupert Gorham/parents buried in Friendship Cemetery, Hempstead Co. AR.) Mary was only 14 years old but gave her age as 3 years older when she married Lester. In about 1950 or before she divorced Lester in Prescott, AR, moved to Phoenix, AZ where he followed her. They remarried in CA but bought a home in Phoenix where Lester died in 1958 leaving her to raise 4 sons and 1 daughter. Mary suffered much hardship as she lost 3 boys while living in AR: David, James and Michael York. Her remaining children Harold Alvin, Chester Mark, Jerry Ross, Charles Dudley and Betty Ann York. Two sons had disabilities. She married Newell "Chig" Thomason in Phoenix, divorced after only a few years and eventually married Andrew Jackson Barrier about 8 years later. He died in Phoenix, AZ before her. Ultimately she moved to San Diego along with her son Charles York to live with her daughter. She died at home around Mother's Day leaving behind her children and 6 grandchildren: Carolyn, Mark, David (of Australia), Melina, Levi and Keith--also 2 great-grandchildren. She loved to be called Mary Jane by her special friend and love, Ralph Smeltzer; she was an avid Christian and church member of the Pentecostal Church in Phoenix, AZ; she enjoyed singing, she could play the piano, accordion, organ and guitar. She loved the outdoors, camping, walking, rock-hunting, going to the park, growing flowers, and readng. She was very talented with her sewing, quilting, macrame, cross-stitch and crochet. She was handy around the house and could fix most things herself. She once roofed her own house with roofing material. She was thrifty, loyal, kind, honest, never lied or used foul language. Above all she was a great mother and even more of a wonderful grandmother. She was forced to become independent working to support her children and teaching them great work ethic. Her ashes remain with her daughter and family as we find it hard to "let her go".
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