Cora Mae Fife

Cora Mae Fife

Cora Mae Fife Ward, 1892-1987

• Father: Oliver Robert Fife b. 8 April 1861, d. 16 April 1946
• Mother: Julia Frances Smith b. April 1858, d. 23 March 1927

• Cora Mae Fife was born on 29 February 1892 in Ellis County, Texas.
• She was known as Mae later in life.
• Oliver Robert Fife and Julia Frances Smith appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Livingston, Polk County, Texas. Other members of the household included Cora Mae Fife, Charlie R. Fife and Lottie Ola Fife. Also in the household were children Annie L. (age 15), Robert (13) and Leslie B. (2).
• Oliver Robert Fife and Julia Frances Smith appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Coolidge, Limestone County, Texas, at Aransas Street. Other members of the household included Cora Mae Fife, Charlie R. Fife and Lottie Ola Fife.
• She married Ross S. Ward, son of Oscar Zenella Ward and Martha A. Moore, on 31 August 1913 in Navarro County, Texas, by license issued the 30th, with Christian minister Batsell Baxter officiating.
• The following appeared on 22 October 1915 in The Corsicana Semi-Weekly Light: This morning, Sheriff Pevehouse and Deputy Sheriff Seaton arrested and jailed Berkley Burris, a young white man, on a charge of burglary and he is now in jail. In May last, the home of Ross Ward, who lives just beyond the Zion's Rest community was entered and a lot of household goods, consisting of silverware, clothing, bedding, etc., were taken. Burris had been living with a brother-in-law, Mike Rector, in the same community, and the Rector house was searched and the stolen goods recovered. . . . Burris, who is just off the county farm where he was sent for stealing goods from a box car last spring, says he took the things from the Ward home, but that the house was open when he went in and got them.
• The following appeared on 9 June 1916 in The Corsicana Daily Sun: Mrs. Ross Ward, who lives north of town, underwent a delicate and dangerous operation at the P. and S. hospital late yesterday afternoon, and her condition today is as favorable as could be expected.
• Ross S. Ward registered for the draft on 5 June 1917 in Ardmore, Carter County, Oklahoma, living in the Oklahoma oil boom town of Wirt, employed as a rig builder in the oil fields, married with dependent wife and child.
• Ross S. Ward and Cora Mae Fife appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Amarillo, Potter County, Texas, at 1510 Fillmore. Other members of the household included Mary Louise Ward.
• Ross S. Ward and Cora Mae Fife appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Amarillo, Potter County, Texas, at 413 East 11th Street. Other members of the household included Mary Louise Ward.
• The following appeared on 2 May 1932 in the Amarillo Globe-Times: Sixteen marriages and nine divorces were filed in Potter County for April, the records of the county and district clerks show.
       . . .
       In the 108th district civil court the following divorces were granted last month: . . . Cora M. Ward from Ross Ward. . .
• A snapshot was taken of Cora Mae Fife Ward and her little granddaughter Patricia Gay "Patsy" Carte, about 1936.
• Cora Mae Fife appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Amarillo, Potter County, Texas, at 709 Harrison Street. Also in the household was one young female lodger.
• She was self-employed at dressmaking in her home, according to the 1940 census.
• She officially witnessed the death of Oliver Robert Fife on 16 April 1946 at 709 Harrison in Amarillo, Potter County, Texas; at his residence.
• The following appeared on 16 April 1946 in The Amarillo Globe-Times: Oliver R. Fife, 85 years old, retired carpenter, died this morning at his home at 709 Harrison.
       He had been a resident of amarillo since 1915 and had lived in Texas 73 years, coming west from Tennessee when he was 12 years old. His wife died here in 1927.
       He was a member of the Church of Christ.
       He is survived by one son, T. R. Fife of Littlefield; and four daughters, Mrs. Mae Ward and Mrs. T. E. Tinkle, both of Amarillo, Mrs. Annie Prieste of Lodi, Cal., and Mrs. Albert Timmons, Valejo, Cal.
       Also surviving are 22 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
       The body is in state at the Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Home. Funeral Arrangements have not been completed, pending communication with relatives.
• According to a marginal notation in the Navarro County marriage book (August 1913, page 186), apparently a copy of the marriage record was, "Mailed to Ross Ward, Box 1001, Ruidoso, N. Mex, 1-30-58."
• The following appeared on 19 July 1962 in the Amarillo Globe-Times: At Amarillo Osteopathic: . . . Cora Mae Ward, 819 W. 13th. . . .
• Cora Mae Fife died on 13 August 1987 at age 95 in Potter County, Texas.
• She was interred at Llano Cemetery, Amarillo, Potter County, Texas.

• Last Edited: 31 Jul 2016