Obituaries of the Byrd L. Gay Family, Randolph, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/obits/blgay.txt ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb Project policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ALGenWeb Archives File Manager Carolyn Golowka, -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted by William Fischer, Jr., February 2001 [These deaths, in such short order, influenced the Roanoke city council on 21 Feb 1920 to institute a ban on public gatherings until the influenza epidemic had subsided. Schools, churches, and theaters were closed.] THREE DEATHS IN SINGLE FAMILY ------------------------- One of the saddest instances of mortality afflicting one family is reported from Beat Five, this county [Randolph], the case being in the family of Mr. Byrd L. GAY [4 Jul 1867--15 Feb 1920]. Within one week the father and mother and a married daughter died of pneumonia, superinduced by influenza, while three children in the home are ill of the latter disease -- Willie HEARD, W. J. [possibly W. J. “Dub” GAY, 24 Aug 1900--5 Nov 1978] and Miss Alice GAY, the latter having developed pneumonia and being in a serious condition at this writing, Monday [16 Feb 1920]. The readers of The Leader will recall that in the last week’s issue mention was made of the fact that the remains of Mrs. [W.] Garvey KENT [Oma GAY, 9 Feb 1903--8 Feb 1920] were brought through Roanoke Monday [9 Feb 1920] afternoon from Atlanta, where she had died as a result of flu and pneudonia [sic - pneumonia]. Her mother, Mrs. B. L. GAY [M. E. GREEN, 17 Jan 1870--16 Feb 1920], had gone to Atlanta to attend her, and after returning home soon developed the same disease. Mr. GAY was then stricken down and died at six o’clock Sunday morning. The faithful wife and mother succumbed at nine o’clock Monday morning. She was a daughter of the late Mr. A. J. GREEN [2 Oct 1837--19 Aug 1919]. Mr. and Mrs. GAY were among the most prominent and useful people of the Omaha community and their death is a calamity not only to their family, but to their neighborhood. The funeral of both was held at Big Springs church Tuesday [17 Feb 1920] at noon, just one week from the hour that the funeral of the daughter, Mrs. KENT, was held at the same place. In addition to the cases reported in the immediate family we learn that there are a number of cases in the connection and in the community at large. Later. -- News is received this morning that Alice GAY [6 Jan 1906--18 Feb 1920] is dead, this being the fourth member of the family to die within ten days. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 18 Feb 1920, p.1] ------------------------ NUMBER DEATHS NOW IS SEVEN ------------------------ Last week the Leader reported the record of the reaper, Death, in the home of Mr. Byrd L. GAY, near Omaha. It will be recalled that at the time The Leader went to press Mr. and Mrs. GAY and two of their daughters had died within ten days, and that other members of the family were then ill of the same disease that caused the fatalities recorded -- influenza. The night of Wednesday, on which the paper was published, Mrs. Willie [GAY] HEARD [25 Oct 1894--19 Feb 1920, wife of O. P. HEARD], a married daughter of the deceased couple, and a small child [probably Ellis GAY, 15 May 1918--20 Feb 1920] of their son, [D.] Zollie GAY [5 Dec 1889--13 Apr 1963], passed away. The following day [19 Feb 1920] came the news of the demise of Mrs. A. J. GREEN [Mary Ann GREEN, 11 Mar 1843--20 Feb 1920], mother of Mrs. B. L. GAY, and widow of the late “Uncle Jack” GREEN [see earlier vitals]. Uncle Jack and his good wife, who died at the age of 77 years, were among the very best people of our county. The distressing and almost unparalleled number of deaths in this family connection has called forth the warmest sympathy of their neighbors and their friends throughout the county. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 25 Feb 1920, p.1] ------------------------ EIGHT DEATHS IN B. L. GAY FAMILY ------------------------ Wehadkee, March 29. -- Last Saturday the sweet spirit of Mrs. Perry WEBB [Cedie GAY, 1892--27 Mar 1920] took its flight to the better world. Mrs. WEBB had been ill several weeks with influenza and pneumonia and was thought to be better, but other diseases set up, which she could not overcome. She received death as a welcome guest. The deceased was twenty-eight years old and was much loved by all who knew her. Mrs. WEBB was the oldest and last daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. B. L. GAY. This makes eight members of the family to die in [the] past seven weeks. Only three brothers are left. Mrs. WEBB joined the Baptist church when young and lived a devoted Christian [sic] [life]. She leaves a husband and one little boy. Funeral services were conducted at Big Springs Sunday by her pastor, Rev. W. T. OVERTON. The bereaved family has the warmest sympathy of many friends. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 31 Mar 1920, p.8]