Obituary - Wade Lee Callender

Wade Lee Callender

MAY 27, 1926 – APRIL 15, 2018

Wade Lee Callender, age 91, died on April 15, 2018 in Houston, TX.

He was born on May 27, 1926 to Laura Louise Stewart and Paul Revere Callender in North Kingsville, Ashtabula County, Ohio.

During World War II, Wade served in the U. S. Navy as an Electronic Technician's Mate Second Class. Following his service, he completed his B.A. in Chemistry from The College of Wooster and received his Ph.D. in physical chemistry in 1951 from the University of Rochester. He retired from Shell Oil Company in 1988 with over 36 years of service in research and development. Following his retirement, Wade pursued his hobbies of lapidary and metal-smithing, designing and creating unique jewelry and artwork. He was a volunteer in the Art Department at the University of Houston and at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. He was active in genealogical research and an avid birder; he also appreciated National Parks, college basketball and fine food and wine with friends.

Wade was predeceased by his parents, his brothers, West Winslow Callender and Robert Paul Callender, the mother of his children, Loma Rebecca Davis Callender, and his sisters-in-law, Joan Cheshire Callender, Florence Cerbin Callender and Marilyn Joanne Dull Callender.

Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Mary David Baker; five children, W. Lee Callender and wife Shirley, Lynn S. "Red" Callender and wife Susan J. Siegel, Patricia A. Raedy and husband William C., Ross D. Callender, and Linda C. Pannock and husband Jürgen; four grandchildren, Valerie Rebecca Raedy, William Callender Raedy, Daniel Callender Pannock, Markus Callender Pannock; one brother, Dean Lynn Callender and his wife Mary Ann Fendley, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

An inurnment with military honors will be held at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, at 10:30 am on Friday, May 4, 2018.

An informal reception will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 pm on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at The Tuscany Ballroom & The Techniplex Conference Center, 4810 Techniplex Dr, Stafford, TX 77477.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Wade's honor may be made to The Medallion/Seven Acres, 6262 North Braeswood Boulevard, Houston, TX 77074 or a charity of your choice.

Funeral Home Services for Wade are being provided by The Settegast-Kopf Company@Sugar Creek of Sugar Land, TX.

Obituary - Rev. Dr. Robert Epting Howard Peeples

The Reverend Doctor Robert Epting Howard Peeples, 99, formerly of Estill, died August 2, 2017 at NHC HealthCare, Okatie, SC. Dr. Peeples was born January 13, 1918 in Estill, SC, son of the late Robert Rhodes Peeples and Margaret Folk Peeples. He graduated from Estill High School and received a B.S. Degree in Economics from the College of Charleston. He was employed by The Citizens and Southern National Bank prior to joining the Army during WWII where he served in the states and in India. Following the war, he attended the Virginia Theological Seminary and upon graduation was ordained as an Episcopal Priest and served the Georgia Diocese. He received his Doctorate of Divinity from American Ministerial Association. He was a member of the Georgia National Guard where he served as Chaplain for the 24th Division Artillery and later served as Chaplain for the Chatham Artillery. He was a resident of Hilton Head Island for over 60 years and was a member and former Vicar of The Anglican Church of the Redeemer. Dr. Peeples participated faithfully in local organizations and was instrumental in preserving many of the historical sites on Hilton Head Island. He was president of the Hilton Head Historical Society for 35 years and was a charter member of the Heritage Library and member of their Board of Advisors. He helped oversee the later merger of the Historical Society with the Heritage Library. He published many articles on island history, including Tales of Ante Bellum Hilton Head Island Families. These and other articles are preserved at the Heritage Library. He was a founding member and secretary of the Hilton Head Island Museum and a charter member of both the Hilton Head Art League and the Hilton Head Choral Society. Dr. Peeples did extensive research to preserve and share his family history and wrote A Miles Genealogy, A Family of South Carolina Planters which was published in the SC Historical Magazine. He was a member of the following organizations: The First Families of SC, where he served as president and Chaplain; The S.C. Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, where he served as State Chaplain and Chaplain of the Dr. George Mosse Chapter; The Huguenot Society of South Carolina; the Society of St. Thomas and St. Denis; The Hereditary Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors; The National Society of the Sons of the American Colonist; The Order of the Founders and Patriots of America; The Society of Descendants of the Colonial Clergy; and the Baronial Order of Magna Charta. He is predeceased by his wife of 66 years, Cora McKenzie Peeples, his brother, John Randolph Peeples, his sister, Ruth Peeples McNair, and his nephew, John Randolph Peeples, Jr. He is survived by nieces and nephews: David D. Peeples, Derbiana P. Bowers (Grover), Margaret "Marce" P. Warner (Robert), and Robert F. Peeples (Shannon). He is also survived by grand-nephews: Grover F. Bowers, IV, Hunter T. Bowers, Jacob P. Warner, Lawton P. Warner and Hamilton C. Warner and a grand-niece, Margaret E. Bowers. A graveside service will be held at Lawtonville Cemetery, Estill, SC, on Monday, August 7, 2017, at 2 PM directed by Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home of Hampton. Friends may visit with the family immediately following the service.

published in The Island Packet on August 4, 2017

Lawton and Allied Families Reunion Information

Make Your Hotel Reservation Today!

Our 2017 Meeting will be April 21 and 22 in Charleston

Circular Congregational Church

150 Meeting Street,

Charleston SC 29401

We will meet on Friday evening and Saturday morning at the church. On Saturday afternoon we will go to McLeod plantation for a tour. Details will be announced in the registration mailing.


Charleston hotels fill up quickly in the springtime, and one can expect to pay a premium price for rooms wherever you stay in the area. We surveyed several hotel possibilities and local cousins actually visited some of them. The base price for a hotel room varies from about $140 to $ 200 per night depending on location and amenities. Check to see if you are eligible for a discount from AAA, AARP, etc. Some of these hotels offer free breakfast though we will be offering a brunch to begin the Saturday meeting. It’s important that you make your reservation now, because it’s “flower season” and all of the area hotels will fill up quickly.
.

Our Conference hotel is the Days Inn [Historic District - 155 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401]. It is located directly across from Circular Congregational Church and the most convenient. A room is about $200 (plus tax) per night, but one gets free parking with the room. The Days Inn will not reserve a block of rooms for us, but you can make an individual reservation on their website or call them at 844-204-1042


Parking: The church does not have a parking lot. If you stay in the conference hotel, parking is free. But if you select another hotel you will probably end up paying an additional $16 per day for parking in a garage near the church.


Options: Some hotels outside of the downtown area are slightly less expensive. These hotels are a 15-20 minute drive from the church and they give you some pricing options.

Comfort Suites 

2080 Savannah Hwy

Charleston / 29407

near West Ashley/Citadel Mall 

Phone 843-769-9850 

$200/night without taxes

Newer, larger rooms

Free Breakfast

Holiday Inn Riverview 

301 Savannah Highway 

Charleston / 29407

near Hospitals & West Ashley

Phone 843-556-7100

$189/night without taxes

Great View - on Ashley River

Breakfast Additional

Day's Inn Highway 17 North

261 Johnny Dodd Blvd

Mt. Pleasant / 29464

near Mt. Pleasant & Patriots Point

Phone 843-881-1800

$139/night without taxes

Comfortable but not plush

Free Breakfast

Check each hotel for AARP, etc. discounts. Room tax will probably be in the range of $ 15-25/night. Whichever you choose, book now!


After Hours: Last year some people suggested that cousins could enjoy an “adult beverage” Friday night to catch up and further discuss the family history. Russ Lawton suggests that this after-hours meeting be conducted at the Grand Bohemian Hotel at 55 Wentworth Street which is about 3 blocks from Circular Church. So I’m designating this location as our “official” after-hours meeting site.

Your cousin and friend,

Neale Hightower, President

The Lawton and Allied Families Association

135 Lamont Drive

Decatur, Georgia 30030

Obituary - Violet Blakewood Lux

Violet Julia Blakewood Lux
Violet was a "country girl" born in Lecompte, La., August 17, 1924, and raised in Avoyelles Parish at Kleinwood Plantation on Bayou des Glaises. She was a long time resident of Baton Rouge since her university years in the 1940's. She was 92 and recently moved to the St James Retirement Community where she loved her new apartment, renewing past acquaintances , going to physical therapy and the outings. Violet graduated from Bordelonville High School where she was active in sports, band (was their first Majorette), and 4-H. She was voted "Most Athletic". She attended Brenau College in Gainesville, GA on a Music scholarship and to gain some "polishing". She returned to begin Pre-Med studies at LSU and was part of the first class of women admitted in the LSU band . She met her sweetheart and future life partner, Turner Saunders Lux, Jr and when he was called to active duty during WWII in the Army, she joined the Navy Waves and was in their Singing Platoon in New York. After WWII ended they married on December 16, 1945 in Baton Rouge. The 1950's were consumed by raising three children and the start of care for Turner with his diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. But in 1958, Violet returned to LSU to complete her BS, then Masters in Education and 30+Specialist Masters in 1962. She worked as Admissions Counsellor at LSU prior to beginning a long teaching career. She taught Introductory Physical Science at Broadmoor Jr High and then entered the age of Computer Science being one of the first teachers in the state to teach the subject at Broadmoor High School. Violet was active socially through music and sorority and church clubs and activities. Highlights include : BR Music Auxiliary, Alpha Phi Fraternity Alum (serving in many positions, also chairing fundraiser "Lollipops Express" for the Heart Association), Camp Fire Girls Leader, PTA Pres. at Goodwood Elementary, the Red Hat Society, La. Teachers Assn. Violet was a devoted Baptist and participated fully in First Baptist Church ideals and activities. She loved to sing and was a long standing choir participant for over 60 years. Her mentorship roles have touched many young people through science education, music experiences, church activities and outdoor education, travel and canoeing. She is survived by daughter, Martha Lux Matthews and her husband, Jack Matthews, daughter, Laura Kelley P. Matthews, all of Queenstown, New Zealand; two sons, Turner Saunders "Sandy" Lux, III and his wife, Dana Todd Lux, and son, Turner Lux IV, Baton Rouge, and step sons, Caleb Todd and Lindsey of Brimmerton, WA, and Joshua Lesley, of Belle Chase; and her second son, James Bond Lux and wife, Nita Gregorie Lux, and daughter, Julia L. Lux, Baton Rouge, and their sons, James B. Lux, Jr, of Phoenix, AZ, Shelby G. Lux, of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Violet had one great grandchild, Scout Todd, of Brimmerton, WA. Violet was preceded in death by her dear husband, Turner S. Lux, Jr.; parents, Eldred Griffin Blakewood and Laura Lillian Bond Blakewood; brothers E.G. "Bubba" Blakewood, Louis J. Blakewood, and Laurie Blakewood; and sisters, Madgie B. Ducote, Lillian B.B. Jackson and Mary Eleanor B. Marshall. A visitation will be held Thursday, September 22, 2016 at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street, from 5:30 pm until 8:00 pm. Also Visitation Friday morning at First Baptist Church, 9:00-10:00am followed by Funeral services 10:00 am Friday, September 23, 2016, at First Baptist Church, 529 Convention Street, conducted by pastor, Rev. Oren Connor. A 1:00pm Burial will follow the services at Port Hudson National Cemetery. Special thanks to TNCC at OLOL, St. James Retirement Community and Friends, L.S.U. Speech and Language Department and to Dr. David Sledge, M.D. Memorial donations may be made to Cat Haven, Louisiana Baptist Children's Home, Multiple Sclerosis Foundation or The Heart Association.
Published in The Town Talk on Sept. 21, 2016

2017 Reunion Information

Greetings to all the descendants of Pierre Robert!

I hope this message finds our “dozens & dozens of cousins” all in good health and looking forward to cooler weather this fall. I’m excited to announce that plans are in the works for our next biennial reunion of the Pierre Robert Family Association in 2017.

For those of us who were together for the 2015 reunion, many cousins indicated that they would be happy to return to Alexandria, La., especially if the beautiful restoration of the Bentley Hotel would be complete. Owner Michael Jenkins and Jennifer (Robert descendant) have graciously offered to accommodate us at a reduced rate on guest rooms and to provide our meeting rooms at no charge! This historic hotel in downtown Alexandria, La. is situated on the banks of the Red River, so……….

Shall we gather at the river?

Rev. Pierre Robert Family Association

10th. Biennial Reunion

May 19, 20 & 21, 1017

Please mark your calendars with this “save the date” information; details of an exciting agenda will follow. Consider joining us for what promises to be a perfect “10” gathering! Your participation can make it happen. We welcome your suggestions, questions, input, etc. and any contact information on other descendants we may not be aware of.

Yours in family spirit,
Becky Descant
234 Lyles Road
Bunkie, LA 71322
rndd@att.net

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Claire Marie McEntire, granddaughter of Carmen Moncla Hiott and daughter of Marie Hiott McEntire, who was married on January 28, 2016 to Jeff Minneman of Atlanta, GA.

Reunion June 3 & 4

The Lawton and Allied Families Association Annual Reunion will be held at the First Baptist Church of Savannah, GA June 3 & 4, 2016. Activities begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and conclude on Saturday afternoon. For more information, please contact Association President Neale Hightower at nealeh1@bellsouth.net or visit the newly created Facebook page for Descendants of Captain William Lawton.