Virgil Hames

I have an old postcard photograph of Virgil HAMES and his dog Tige which was taken in Atoka, OK and mailed to Mrs. Ruth COLEMAN in Tribbey, OK on 18 Sept 1917. Virgil appears to be about 9 years old at the time and includes a note on the back from "Bettie" to "Dear Ruth" and notes that Virgil is "Uncle Fates boy". Based on limited research I was able to gather the following information regarding Virgil and his family:

Virgil Otis HAMES was b. 19 May 1908 in McComb, OK to parents Rufus Lafayette “Fates” HAMES (1881-1963) and Bettie Belle BICKNELL (1889-1966). Virgil married Margaret or Margarette Elizabeth MAXEY (b. 1911) on 27 Jun 1936 in Atoka Co., OK and they had a daughter. Virgil died 1 Jul 1946 and is buried in the Westview Cemetery in Atoka, OK.

His mother Bettie Belle BICKNELL was b. 27 May 1889 in Lexington, KY to William C. BICKNELL (1847-1936) and Bettie C. HARRIS (1851-1930) who were married 27 Jan 1876 in Irvine, KY. Bettie was one of 5 children born to this couple including Stella; Anna; Ella; William Stanley; and Bettie BICKNELL, all born between 1877 and 1889. Bettie married Rufus Lafayette HAMES in May 1907 in Pawnee Co., OK. Virgil was the only child born to Bettie and she died 30 Aug 1966 and is buried in the same Westview Cemetery as her son Virgil.

Ruth “Ruthie” Lee HAMES was a sister to Virgil’s father, and she was born 24 Jun 1893 in Izard Co., AR to parents Thomas Henry HAMES (1855-1932) and Frances Elizabeth RIGSBY (1861-1938) who were married 20 Jan 1879 in Howell, Australia. Ruth was one of 9 children born to this couple including Sanford J.; Rufus Lafayette; John Otis; William Desert or Disert; Millie E.; Ruth Lee; Fred Monroe; Julia Ann; and Earl Thomas HAMES, all born between 1880 and 1905. Ruth first married Wilson COLEMAN (1887-1920) on 22 Dec 1911 in Pottawatomie Co., OK and they had two children including Marie COLEMAN (b. 1913) and Laurene or Laverne Velma COLEMAN (1916-2007). Ruth’s second marriage was to Alexander “Alex” or “Zander” COLEMAN (1890-1964) and Ruth died on 3 Jan 1979 in Contra Costa Co., CA.

I’d like to get the photograph to a family member and would appreciate you contacting me if you are a member of this family or know someone who might be.

Thanks,
Shelley