The South community and the family for which it was named were introduced in last week’s column.

Today’s writing will be a continuation of the next generation’s genealogy.

The earliest ancestor to Covington County and the namesake of South was William E. South, a native of South Carolina.

William E. South’s children and grandchildren were identified before, so the next generation will be outlined at this point.

The grandchildren of the oldest son, William Thomas South, will be presented first.

William Andrew South was married to Mary Jane Kervin (1878-1958), daughter of James and Mary (Ballard) Kervin. They had the following children: Martha Jane, b. 1893, d. 1973, m. 1909 Lee Walden (1887-1963); Rhodie Bama, b. 1893, d. 1984, m. William Robert Barganier (1890-1971); Mary Eva “Evie,” b. 1899, d. 1991, m. 1918 Claude South (1897-1975); W. Knighton, b. 1902, d. 1928, m. 1921 Beulah Lee; Harlie Axie, b. 1904, d. 1993, m. 1920 Thomas Jackson Cox (1898-1998); and Rass G., b. 1906, d. 1981, m. Alma Lee (1909-1991).

William Andrew died at 40 years of age when he was thrown from a horse, so Mary Jane was left to rear their young children.

Most of these families resided in the area north of Red Level.

The next son was Marion Lawrence South who eventually settled in west-central Florida.

He and Mary Eudora “Dora” (Parker) were married in 1891 in Red Level. T

hey reared the following children: Smithie Jeanette, b. 1893, d. 1973, m. 1907 Joseph Milton Schofield (1888-1955) (2) Jesse James Watson (3) Milton Hamilton Burgess (4) Wesley Williams; Frances Mary Axie, b. 1895, d. 1942; m. 1910 William A. Lee (1890-1971); W.T.H., b. 1897, d. 1900; Pinky J. Sr., b. 1900, d. 1949, m. (1) 1919 Flossie Boyette (2) 1937 Maggie Weeks (1910-1990); Lela Belle, b. 1903, d. 1991, m. 1916 John Lee Holloway (1900-1981); Katie Emily, b. 1905, d. 1991, m. (1) 1923 Andrew Jackson Brown (2) 1942 Elmer Merel Allen (1887-1949) (3) 1951 Thomas Andrew Wade; and Daniel Lance, b. 1909, d. 1963, m. 1929 Nancy Lee Fowler (2) Lois ?.

The oldest daughter, Martha Emmaline South, and her husband, James Newton Gorum, lived north of Red Level and reared the following children: Handy, b. 1898, d. 1930, m. 1921 Lizzie Ella Bush; James Horace, b. 1902, d. 1932, m. Burtha Halford; Thomas Benjamin, b. 1903, d. 1968, m. 1923 Eula Mae ?; Cora M., b. 1905, m. ?; and Comer, b. 1911, d. 1995, m. Minnie L. ?.

At their deaths, Martha and James Newton were buried in the Gorum Cemetery.

The next son, Thomas Simpson “Simps” South, and his wife, Rhodie Louisa “Liza” Kervin, daughter of James and Mary (Ballard) Kervin, reared the following children: Ola Mae, b. 1899, m. Jim Dean; Merle Estelle, b. 1902, d. 1972, m. 1920 James K. Sowell (2) 1927Aubrey Lee Payne (3) 1944 James Clark; Hattie, b. 1905, d. 1987, m. Posey Parker; Orlean L., b. 1908, d. 1990, m. 1936 Lottie Bell Berry; Minnie Lee, b. 1911, d. 1985, m. J.A. Curry; and Gladys, b. 1913, d. 1981, m. Elbert Caraway. Simps and Liza lived in the Red Level area.

They were divorced in 1929, and Simps then married Lonnie Armanta Williamson, daughter of William and Leona (Beasley) Williamson, that year in Okaloosa County, Fla.

She had previously been married to a Spivey.

The next daughter, Dollie Susana South, was married to William Doss Kervin, son of Morris and Eliza (Pouncey) Kervin.

They reared the following children: Madison Deason, b. 1901, d. 1988, m. 1921 Rosalena Guidy; William Riley, b. 1913, d. 2002, m. Minnie Mae Dean; and Morris Watson, b. 1919, d. 1992, m. Helen Faye Lee.

In 1893, William Doss homesteaded 159.68 acres of land in the Pigeon Creek Township.

At their deaths, Dollie and William were buried in the Kervin Cemetery, which is located adjacent to the Welcome Church in the Pigeon Creek community.

The next son, Julius “Samps,” was married in 1899 in Covington County to Sarah Jane Kervin, daughter of R. and Sarah (Spears) Kervin, relatives of the James Kervin family.

They eventually resided in Escambia County, Florida, and reared the following children: Kate, b. 1902, d. 1985, m. Berry Powell; Donnie Eva, b. 1898, d. 1981, m. 1919 Ernest McCraney; Irene Daisy, b. 1908, d. 1998, m. 1923 Eddie Castleberry; Ruth, b. 1915, d. 1999, m. Jackson Harrell; and Corene, b. 1913, d. 1979, m. 1925 Comer B. Wiggins. At their deaths, Samps and Sarah Jane were buried in the Kervin Family Cemetery.

The next son, Noah Alex South, was married in 1904 to Leark Belle Ficklin, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Whiddon) Ficklin.

They resided in Wilmer in Mobile County and reared the following children: Mizell, b. 1905, d. 1990, m. Eula Lee; Sara Lucille, b. 1907, d. 1958, m. Harry Pierce, Sr.; Luther, b. 1911, d. 1975, m. Alice Stonecypher; and James T., b. 1917, d. 1964, m. Vonceil ?.

The next daughter, Lydia Nancy “Liddie” South, was married in 1905 in Covington County to Thomas Kervin, son of James and Mary (Ballard) Kervin.

(This is the third marriage in this family of a South sibling marrying a Kervin sibling.)

This family lived and farmed in the Red Level area.

They reared the following children: Vannie F., b. 1906, d. 1983, m. Simeon C. “Sim” Clark; Winnie A., b. 1907, d. 1986, m. Freeman Caraway; Lemmie R., b. 1911, d. 1980;; Essie, b. 1913, d. 1920; Jimmie T., b. 1915, d. 1979, m. Vada Williamson; Mamie, b. 1916; and Infant, b.&d. 1922.

At their deaths, Liddie and Thomas were buried in the Pigeon Creek Cemetery.

The youngest daughter, Beady Exer South, was married in 1908 in Covington County to Leonard Stacy Rhodes, son of Francis and Ida (Graham) Rhodes.

They moved to California and reared two children: Robert, b. 1901; and Ruth, b. 1903.

Additional genealogy has been compiled and is available on later generations of this family.

The majority began their lives in the South and Pigeon Creek communities, and a significant number have continued to reside in the area.

The primary source for this writing was the research and records of Pamala Celeste Nolan whose ancestors lived in the South community.

Appreciation is expressed to her for her diligent research and sharing her results on the South family.

Anyone who has any correction to the above or additional information on this family is requested to contact this writer, Curtis Thomasson, at 20357 Blake Pruitt Road, Andalusia, AL 36420; 334-222-6467; or e-mail: cthomas son@centurytel.net.