Heathcock Genealogy Database - Person Sheet
Heathcock Genealogy Database - Person Sheet
NameMary Bell Lay , GG Aunt
Birth1861, Lavernia, Wilson Co TX
FatherDaniel Bryan Lay Sr. (1821-1901)
MotherElizabeth Duck (ca1827-1884)
Spouses
Birth1858, Clinton, Greene Co AL
Death2 Nov 1941, Elgin, AZ Age: 83
FatherWilliam Wills (1824->1900)
MotherDemaris C. Steel (1833-)
Marriage1 Dec 1879
ChildrenIra Lay (1880-1956)
 May Belle (1883-1883)
 Constance (1887-1969)
Birth4 Jul 1856
Death31 Jan 1928, San Antonio, Bexar Co TX Age: 71
Marriage1 Dec 1895, Fannin Co TX245
Notes for Mary Bell Lay
Lived at Ladonia, Fannin Co, TX, at the time probate was filed in her mother’s estate in 1887.283

Bell and Sim appear to have separated sometime after that because Bell married Luther Redner in Fannin Co in Dec 1895 and was listed with him in the 1900 census, along with 15-year old Luther and 13-year old Constance. Sim Wills’ parents are listed with an 18-year old grandson, Ira Wills, presumably the son of Sim and Mary Bell.

She appears to have died before June 28, 1918, as she was not mentioned in the obituary of her brother, Francis Marion Lay.229
Notes for Simeon “Sim” Maxwell (Spouse 1)
1880 Census, Pct 4, Fannin Co TX

Name Age

Willis Wills 57 head married physician AL KY KY
D. A. Wills 47 wife married housekeeper AL GA GA
S. M. Will 22 son married works on farm AL AL AL
M. B. Wills 18 dau married housekeeper TX KY KY
John A. Steel 13 nephew single AL AL AL

Simeon Maxwell Wills, 86, a resident of Elgin, who had resided in Arizona for the past 39 years, died yesterday in a local hospital. He was a retired miner. There are no survivors. Funeral arrangements are in charge of the Arizona Mortuary.286

SIMEON WILLS287

Simeon Maxwell Wills, S6, a mining operator, widely known in Southern Arizona, died here yesterday at a local hospital. He was born in Clinton, Ala., and had been In the mining business in Arizona 39 years. Mr. Wills was a member of the Baptist church in Elgin, where he made his home. Funeral arrangements, in charge of the Arizona Mortuary, are pending arrival of relatives.
Notes for Luther Frederick (Spouse 2)


1900 Census of Ladonia, Fannin Co TX

Name Age

Luther Redner 43
Belle Redner 38
Luther Redner 15
Connie Redner 13



Luther was killed in 1928 when he was struck by an automobile.
Last Modified 17 Oct 2020Created 21 Apr 2022 using Reunion for Macintosh
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