Lottie Lavel Sweek

F, b. 19 April 1910, d. 13 June 1947
  • PARENTS*: She was the child of John Martin Sweek b 1860 OR - 30 Aug 1923 Grant Co OR & Alice Leona Williams 13 Jan 1877 GA - 6 Dec 1963 Grant Co OR.
  • Married Name: As of 18 November 1933,her married name was Gilliam.
  • (ofSp) Death: On 28 January 1938 when she was 36, her husband George died. She was left as the sole parent to: Rodney, Larry and Carl, who were aged 3 and 1. The Dalles Hospital.
  • Note*: Lottie Lavel Sweek had several children after husbands death that bore the surname GILLIAM. Keith Gilliam (later Keith Cork), Cherryl Gilliam (Sherman), Vennita Gilliam (Cox) & Veronnica Gilliam (who died at birth-twin of Vennita); never remarried - father of the twins is reportedly Wiley Reuben Taylor 3 Apr 1912 Wallowa, Wallowa Co OR - 9 Jan 1960 Del Norte Co CA.

Family:

George Francis "Gilley" Gilliam b. 4 Apr 1901, d. 28 Jan 1938

Children:

Rodney Francis Gilliam+ b. 13 May 1934, d. 26 Feb 2009
Larry Lee Gilliam b. 9 Feb 1936, d. 10 Jun 1986
Carl Calvin Gilliam b. 3 Jul 1938, d. 19 Apr 1973

Rodney Francis Gilliam

M, b. 13 May 1934, d. 26 February 2009
Charts:
John Gilliam/Elizabeth Murrell Descendants
  • (ofFa) Death: 28 January 1938 his father died The Dalles Hospital.
  • Milit-Beg*: He began military service on 20 July 1954 US Army Korean War.
  • Milit-End*: He ended military service on 20 June 1956.
  • Obituary*: An obituary appeared in the on Wednesday, 4 March 2009 Eugene, Lane County, Oregon.

Parents:

Father*: George Francis "Gilley" Gilliam b. 4 Apr 1901, d. 28 Jan 1938
Mother*: Lottie Lavel Sweek b. 19 Apr 1910, d. 13 Jun 1947
Foster Mother: Mary "Esma" Gilliam b. 12 May 1906, d. 27 Aug 1970

Larry Lee Gilliam

M, b. 9 February 1936, d. 10 June 1986
Charts:
John Gilliam/Elizabeth Murrell Descendants

Parents:

Father*: George Francis "Gilley" Gilliam b. 4 Apr 1901, d. 28 Jan 1938
Mother*: Lottie Lavel Sweek b. 19 Apr 1910, d. 13 Jun 1947
Foster Mother: Mary "Esma" Gilliam b. 12 May 1906, d. 27 Aug 1970

Carl Calvin Gilliam

M, b. 3 July 1938, d. 19 April 1973
Charts:
John Gilliam/Elizabeth Murrell Descendants
  • Note*: He never married.
  • Occupation*: He was mill worker.
  • (ofFa) Death: 28 January 1938 his father died The Dalles Hospital.
  • Obituary*: An obituary appeared in the Eugene Register Guard after 19 April 1973 Eugene, Lane County, Oregon.

Parents:

Father*: George Francis "Gilley" Gilliam b. 4 Apr 1901, d. 28 Jan 1938
Mother*: Lottie Lavel Sweek b. 19 Apr 1910, d. 13 Jun 1947
Foster Mother: Mary "Esma" Gilliam b. 12 May 1906, d. 27 Aug 1970

Thomas Burton "Burt" Hoover

M, b. 10 March 1904, d. 31 March 1964
  • PARENTS*: He was the child of Daisy Dean Kelsey & William Wesley Hoover (Co. Judge Wheeler Co.)
  • Occupation*: He was factory worker, then Postmaster for 29 yrs in Fossil.
  • Census*: He appeared on the census of 3 April 1930 at Fossil, Wheeler County, Oregon.

Family:

Mary "Esma" Gilliam b. 12 May 1906, d. 27 Aug 1970

Children:

Albert "Lee" Hoover+ b. 15 Dec 1928, d. 13 Dec 2020
Dorothy Dean "Dotty" Hoover+ b. 31 Mar 1930, d. 2 Sep 2007

Albert "Lee" Hoover

M, b. 15 December 1928, d. 13 December 2020
Charts:
John Gilliam/Elizabeth Murrell Descendants
  • (Witness) Census: He appeared on the census of 3 April 1930 in the household of Thomas Burton "Burt" Hoover at Fossil, Wheeler County, Oregon.
  • Residence*: Albert "Lee" Hoover lived in 1994 at Fossil, Wheeler County, Oregon.
  • Obituary*: An obituary appeared in the Albert "Lee" Hoover, of Fossil, Oregon passed away on December 13, 2020, at the age of 91. Lee was born in Fossil on December 15, 1928 to the late Thomas Burton and Mary Esma (Gilliam) Hoover. The Hoover family has been part of the Fossil community for 150 years, arriving in Fossil six years before the establishment of the first post office in town in 1876. Lee spent most of his childhood living in, and later just over the hill from, the now abandoned mill town of Kinzua outside of Fossil. Lee's father worked in Kinzua as the postmaster and his mother taught school there before taking over postmaster duties upon his father's death. Lee worked many jobs as a young man in the former mill town, including delivering ice door-to-door from a horse-drawn wagon, driving the school bus, and later working in the sawmill. Lee and his future wife, Patsy Ruth Woods, met while they both lived in Kinzua. Patsy moved to Kinzua from Cato, Missouri in 1941 with her family. After Patsy completed high school, she and Lee were married in Kinzua on September 18, 1949. For over 71 years, Lee remained the devoted and loving husband of Patsy Ruth. Once married to Patsy, Lee worked in ranching and started his own small logging operation. Lee and Patsy purchased their first ranch along Butte Creek in 1949 where they lived for 9 years before relocating to Fossil. After a few years in town, Lee and Patsy returned to Butte Creek in 1964 when they purchased the ranch where they would remain and raise their family. The Hoover home, which is one of the last remaining "Kinzua Houses," was moved nearly 10 miles from the former town site of Kinzua to its present location in the fall of 1980. Lee was most at home on the Hoover Ranch, where he undoubtedly knew every speck of ground and many of his cows by name. Over the years, he raised a variety of cattle and harvested timber and hay on the ranch. In recognition of his sustainable management of the Hoover Ranch's forest resources, Lee was named the Outstanding Western Tree Farmer of the Year in 1978 by the American Forest Institute. Despite the demands of a growing family and a working ranch, Lee found time to serve his local community, including 15 years on the Fossil Administrative School Board and another 12 on the Educational Service District Board of Directors. He also enjoyed many years as an active member of the Fossil United Methodist Church and was even known to give a sermon now and then. Lee's public service extended to county government. He was elected County Commissioner in 1978. In January of 1982, he was appointed as Wheeler County Judge and was subsequently elected to the post in the fall of 1982 for a six-year term. Lee's service as County Judge followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, William Wesley Hoover, who was the first elected Wheeler County Judge and who played a major role in construction of the road connecting Fossil to Kinzua to support the newly-opened Kinzua Pine Mills. Through the years, the Hoover home has been a common and welcoming stopping point for family and friends, who always found an open door, a hot pot of coffee and, on a good day, a freshly-baked apple pie. Lee particularly enjoyed unexpected visits and conversations with strangers and friends alike. He was a fount of knowledge and a go-to source on topics ranging from animal husbandry and forestry to politics and the law. Lee was a devoted family man who leaves behind a strong, solid legacy. He relished in his family's many accomplishments and was a constant presence in their life milestones. In addition to his wife Patsy, Lee is survived by his daughter Susan Anne Humphrey and her husband James, his daughter Debra Ruth Stubblefield and her husband Daniel, his daughter Connie Lee Keith, his son William Wesley Hoover and his wife Cynthia, and his daughter Peggy Jo Logan and her husband Bryce; as well as 21 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild - with more on the way! Lee was predeceased by his son, Leslie Lee Hoover, and his grandson, Joshua Everett Logan. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 23rd at the Fossil United Methodist Church, 1004 Main Street, Fossil, Oregon 97830. Following current Covid guidelines, face masks and social distancing will be in place. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson's Resource of Oregon, 2145 NW Overton St., Portland, OR 97201 or to the United Methodist Church, PO Box 426 Fossil, OR 97830. after 13 December 2020.

Parents:

Father*: Thomas Burton "Burt" Hoover b. 10 Mar 1904, d. 31 Mar 1964
Mother*: Mary "Esma" Gilliam b. 12 May 1906, d. 27 Aug 1970

Family:

Patsy Ruth Woods b. 19 Feb 1932, d. 24 Nov 2021

Child:

Leslie Lee Hoover b. 19 Nov 1953, d. Nov 1953

Dorothy Dean "Dotty" Hoover

F, b. 31 March 1930, d. 2 September 2007
Charts:
John Gilliam/Elizabeth Murrell Descendants

Parents:

Father*: Thomas Burton "Burt" Hoover b. 10 Mar 1904, d. 31 Mar 1964
Mother*: Mary "Esma" Gilliam b. 12 May 1906, d. 27 Aug 1970

Family:

Verne LeRoy "Bill" Edwards b. 27 Apr 1926, d. 1 Apr 1974

Patsy Ruth Woods

F, b. 19 February 1932, d. 24 November 2021
  • PARENTS*: She was the child of Evelyn Rhuey Holliday & Francis Joseph Woods.
  • Obituary*: An obituary appeared in the Patsy Ruth (Woods) Hoover, of Fossil, Oregon passed away at her home on November 24, 2021, at the age of 89. Patsy was born on February 19, 1932, in Mineral Springs, Missouri to Francis J. and Evelyn R. (Holliday) Woods. Patsy's children have often told stories about Grandma coming to Oregon in a covered wagon. Patsy would correct them and tell of her dad working in Kinzua and sending money to Missouri until they had enough saved to ride in a covered truck from Cato, Missouri to Oregon. The Woods family settled in Wheeler County and eventually the now abandoned mill town of Kinzua outside of Fossil. In Kinzua, Patsy met and fell in love with Albert "Lee" Hoover, who would become her husband of 72 years. Anxious to get married and start her life with Lee, Patsy went to great lengths to meet her father's request to graduate high school before getting married, traveling to Portland to complete summer school and finish her studies early. Patsy and Lee were married in Kinzua on September 18, 1949. Once married, Patsy and Lee remained in Wheeler County living in and around the town of Fossil before purchasing the Hoover Ranch. To help make ends meet, Patsy took on additional work driving a school bus, working in the grocery and variety store in Fossil, and for a short time managing a small herd of sheep on the ranch. She later spent several years working as the secretary for the Oregon State University Extension office. She enjoyed working with local ranchers and supporting the youth of Wheeler County. Lee and Patsy were active members of the United Methodist Church in Fossil where for several years Patsy taught Sunday school. It was important to her that her kids were exposed to faith in God through the bible. Through the years, the Hoover home has been a common and welcoming stopping point for family and friends, who always found an open door, a hot pot of coffee and, more often than not, a freshly baked apple pie. Patsy welcomed friends and strangers alike in her home. One way she showed her love was to feed people. When one entered her threshold, they were commonly met with a "have you eaten yet?" followed by a list of what food was available. Patsy had a special touch with babies, and with five children, 22 grandchildren and a growing number of great and great-great grandchildren, ample opportunities to show her love to the littlest members of the family. Patsy relished her family and loved hosting large gatherings, particularly on Christmas Eve when she would make sure that Santa clause himself arrived with presents for each and every child and grandchild. Music was another staple in the Hoover household and in Patsy's own childhood. Patsy's father and brothers formed the "Woods Family Orchestra" and played dances and events across the county. Patsy picked up the piano and learned to play with a unique energy and enthusiasm that made her music infectious. She played by ear and could play along with just about any tune, adding in her own style and flair. Survivors include her brothers; Jerry Woods and Lonnie Woods; her sister Dixie (Woods) Pickering; her daughter Susan Anne Humphrey and her husband James; her daughter Debra Ruth Stubblefield and her husband Daniel; her daughter Connie Lee Keith; her son William Wesley Hoover and his wife Cynthia; and her daughter Peggy Jo Logan and her husband Bryce. Patsy also leaves 22 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Patsy was predeceased by her parents Francis and Evelyn Woods; her husband Lee; her brother Joe Woods; her son, Leslie Lee Hoover; and her grandson Joshua Everett Logan. A graveside service will be held on December 5, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Fossil, Oregon. Following the service, a soup supper will be served at the Wheeler High School gymnasium. after 24 November 2021.

Family:

Albert "Lee" Hoover b. 15 Dec 1928, d. 13 Dec 2020

Child:

Leslie Lee Hoover b. 19 Nov 1953, d. Nov 1953

Leslie Lee Hoover

M, b. 19 November 1953, d. November 1953
Charts:
John Gilliam/Elizabeth Murrell Descendants

Parents:

Father*: Albert "Lee" Hoover b. 15 Dec 1928, d. 13 Dec 2020
Mother*: Patsy Ruth Woods b. 19 Feb 1932, d. 24 Nov 2021