Joe and Lizzie Heath with Erma, Ruth and Dude (Lois) abt. 1909 or 1910
Family phot of Joseph Riley "Joe" and Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Fults) Heath with their children Erma Lee on left, Ruth in center, and baby Lois Lavonda (called Dude by later generations) on Lizzie's lap. Lois was born in 1909 and Lizzie died Dec. 24, 1910. Photo taken after Lois' birth and prior to Lizzie's death.
Elizabeth "Lizzie" Fults was the daughter of John Fults and Martha Syrena Smartt. The Fults family was from Tenn and had moved to Arkansas in the mid 1880s or very early in the 1890s as Lizzie's youngest brother was born in after their move about 1891.
Lizzie married Joseph R Heath Feb. 14, 1904 in Stone County, Arkansas. Joe and his family had also moved to Arkansas from Tennessee. He was 30 years old and Lizzie was 21 when they married. They had three daughters together: Ruth, Erma Lee and Lois Lavonda Heath.
Ruth never had children. Erma's children called Lois 'Aunt Dude'.
Lizzie Heath got sick with pneumonia and died Christmas Eve 1910. Joe never remarried and he raised his three little girls with help from his parents Lee and Sallie Heath.
After the "Gay Nineties", 1900 - 1909 was a quieter time
This decade began with a lot of changes: After 63+ years on throne, Queen Victoria died. William McKinley was assassinated and Teddy Roosevelt became President. Wilbur and Orville Wright flew the fir...