Joseph Lafayette Bohannon Family - Family Histories

     Joseph Lafayette Bohannon was born in Boaz, Marshall County, Alabama, June 23, 1872, to Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Bohannon, one of ten children. He taught school for a while in Alabama, before coming to Bell County, Texas in 1898. His brothers, D. P. (Dave), Robert (Bob), and Riley also came to Texas, living near Killeen for awhile, moving later to the Colorado City and Slaton area. Joe married Mildred Louisa Crawford, July 23, 1902 in Killeen, the daughter of Charles Sinclair and Mildred (Dennis) Crawford, born January 14, 1883, one of seven children (see Miss Jennie Crawford). In 1902, Joe, Mildred, and children (Ben, Virginia, and Marshall Neil) moved to Tom Green County. Two children were born there, Raymond Franklin, April 24, 1905, and Charles Elbert, December 6, 1906.

     The Bohannons and Crawfords moved to Coleman County in 1908, living first, west of the Folk school, later moving to Brown Ranch, where Elbert died of diphtheria, being the second person buried in the Brown Ranch cemetery in 1912. Five more children were born in the Brown Ranch area; Erma Lurline September 17, 1909, Robert Ernest, December 31, 1915, Thomas Edwin July 25, 1917, Travis Beach, December 23, 1919, and Clifton Durwood (Buster) (September 29, 1923-October 6, 1932), buried at Brown Ranch. Joe and his family moved to Coleman around 1924, buying a farm where the auction ring is today, moving in 1929 to the Bowen area and farming there until moving to Coleman in 1946. Joe died September 21, 1947, Lou, April 6, 1971, both buried at Brown Ranch, where her mother, Mildred (Dennis)
Crawford (1845-1921), brothers, Joseph Benton (1867-1931), Marshall Neil (1878-1970), Eddie Hall (?-?), and sister, Martha Virginia (1871-1959) "Miss Jennie, and sons, Elbert and Durwood are buried. More on children:

     (1) Raymond F. married Lucy Bell Watters, December 20, 1934 (see Tommy Watters).

     (2) Erma Lurline married Cecil Merle (Dub) Kemp, February 18, 1929, son of the W. H. Kemp's who lived south Coleman. They have two sons: (2a) Billie Joe, May 20, 1931, in Coleman, now living in Ft. Worth, (2b) Bonnie Merle (Kayo), July 12, 1949, while living in McCamey. Kayo lives in Abilene. Cecil and Lurline moved back to Coleman. Cecil died January 27, 1972, buried at Coleman.

     (3) Robert Ernest married Myrtle Lenora Thompson, April 28, 1948, the daughter of Will and Ada (Windham) Thompson of Silver Valley (see Moses Thompson). They lived at Bakersfield, Pecos County, from 1948 to 1982, returning to Coleman to live. They have one son, Jerry Lynn, January 8, 1953 in Fort Stockton, now living in Houston.

     (4) Thomas Edwin married Dorothy Hubbard, July 21, 1941, the daughter of Dolph and Flora Hubbard of Coleman. They have three daughters: Linda Joe (Burkman), born December 21, 1942; Carolyn Sue (Smith), February 3, 1947; and Sandra Kay, September 21, 1952. Linda Joe lives in Ft. Worth; the others live in Abilene.

     (5) Travis Beach (December 23, 1919-January 24, 1971) married Estelle Jackson, October 12, 1941, the daughter of Clint and Vera (Ray) Jackson of Coleman (see Luther Doyle Glasson). The children, Vera Jean (Tate) and Travis Ray, live in the Ft. Worth area and Deborah Elaine Bigham) lives in Coleman. Travis was a veteran of World War II, Co. B 142nd Infantry and worked for Lone Star Gas in Coleman before his death. He is buried in Coleman.

pictures to be added

The Bohannons: Raymond, Joe, Lurlene, Lou