The Steele Brothers: Walter and Ellen Steele's Children and Grand Children

The 6 Steele Brothers

Easter Sunday about 1943 at the home of Wallace Steele, Spalding County, Birdie, GA

Young Steele Brothers? Date unknown.

Steele Brothers Left to Right -

Robert Butler b.3/8/1874 d. 3/18/1949

Wallace Lee b. 12/31/1882 d. 10/21/1946

Walter Grady b. 8//19/1888 d. 2/24/1946

Henry Keller b.1/11/1892 d. 5/2/1971

Morton Charlie b.11/19/1894 d. 8/29/1949

Tom Mitchell b. 1/16/1897 d.3/14/1948

Sisters not pictured -

Dora Eddie b. 7/13/1871 d. 11/2/1892 m. J.C. Hathaway 2/1/1891Griffin, GA

Minnie Annie b. 5/10/1877 d. 9/21/1967 m. 1/1898

Claudie b.3/24/1880 d. 1/15/1925 m. 12/24/1901

The Steele Brother's Wives

From left to right -

( Butler’s wife, Irene, d. 4-8-1942); Wallace’s wife: Gertrude “Trudy” Goodman; Grady’s 2^nd wife: Mahala Griffin; Keller’s wife: Helen Griffin; Morton’s wife: Myrtle Morris; Tom’s wife: Edna Earl Brown

The 9 Children of Mr and Mrs Walter Simeon Steele

1. Dora Eddie Steele b. Jul 13, 1871, d Nov 2, 1892. M. Feb 1, 1891 to J. C. Hathaway, Griffin, GA. After Dora’s death JC Hattaway move to South GA and had 3 or 4 children. One daughter, Dora, married George Moore. Her children: John, Ruby, Nancy, Elizabeth, Mary, Jane (Perdue) son Tim Perdue; and George, Jr.

2. Robert Butler Steele b. Mar 8, 1874 d. Mar 18, 1949, Griffin GA. M. Nov 5, 1894 to Irene Hammond b. 1-1-1876 d. 4-6-1942 buried Oak Hill Cemetery, Griffin, GA. They had 9 children: George Eddie, Eloise, Owen, Ida Lou, John, Lucy Mae, Charlie and Henderson. Butler was a carpenter. Butler and Irene raised 4 grandchildren: Anderson & Christine Smith; and, George Henry Adams, Jr and Martha Louise Adams, b. March 11, 1884, d. January 23, 1974, buried New Salem Baptist Church, Vaughn, GA. After son, George, died his widow and 4 children moved in with Irene and Butler.

3. Minnie Annie Steele b. May 10, 1877 d. Sep 21, 1967. M. Jan 2, 1898 to Homer Thomas Neal, b. 9-30-1900 d. 4-26-1939 One daughter, Ruby b. 10-20-1900 d. 6-15-1982. They lived in Albany, GA, and Washington, DC area with Ruby who was Dean of a Girls’ School.
All 3 buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Griffin, GA

4. Claudie Steele b. Mar 24, 1880 d. Jan 15, 1925. M. Dec 24, 1901 to John Cato. They had one daughter, Earl, married Paul Haynie. 3 sons: Jack, Paul and Charles. Charles Cato lived in Marietta with wife Ernestine.

5. Wallace Lee Steele b. Dec 31, 1882 d. Oct 21, 1946. M. September 13, 1904 to Margaret Gertrude Goodman “Aunt Trudy”. 2 sons: Leroy and Arch. Leroy married Cora. Adopted son, Don, Navy career and last known to live in Bonneau, SC near Charleston. Arch had 2 daughters, Lucy Bob and Peggy who lived with, their grandparents after the death of their mother. They had large peach orchards and always had a big Family Easter egg hunts and picnics at their home. Leroy died June 17, 1996 after a long battle with cancer. They all lived in the Bertie Community, near Griffin, GA. In 1949 brothers Arch and LeRoy Steele donated enough land to build the Birdie Clubhouse community center that would forever be used for a community center. They also agreed to sawmill the lumber to build the clubhouse. Members of the community donated trees for the lumber. Carl Steele donated a water pump for a well. The community came together to complete the project which is still enjoyed by the community today.

The Birdie Clubhouse - 1669 Birdie Road - Griffin, GA

6. Walter Grady Steele b. Aug 19, 1888 d. Feb 24, 1946. He had 9 children.

M. Nov 28, 1907 to Ola Rosebud Davis b. 11-25-1890 d. 7- 6- 1927 both buried Mount Carmel Methodist Church, Hampton, GA where they lived. They had lived in Fort Deposit, Lowndes Co, Baker Hill and Abbeville, AL. Grady worked for the L & N Railroad as a boiler man on the run from Atlanta to Etowah, TN. He later became interested in trees, forests and sawmills, which could have come about through Homer Neal, Minnie’s husband, who was in the turpentine business. He owned a sawmill operation which moved his family from one forest to another, moving 22 times in 18 years.
Grady was killed by a fire and explosion in their home near Lovejoy, February 24, 1946 when he attempted to put fuel oil in the home heater, but mistakenly picked up a can of kerosene from his truck, which exploded, killing him and burning part of the house. He was a very sweet nice man.

Grady and Ola’s children:
* Chester b. 12-19-1908 d. 2-28-1932, killed in a motorcycle accident in Highlands, NC buried Mount Carmel Methodist Ch, Hampton, GA

*Bessie Davis Steele b. 1911 M. Claude Clenney, lived in Eufaula then Montgomery, Al. They had 6 children: Betty, Shirley, Sara, Mary, Ray and Kendall. Betty Clenney Jernigan lives in Dothan, AL, Ray m. Delia and lives in Montgomery, AL, Shirley lives in Wetumpka, AL.

*Walter Smith “W.S.”, b. 1917 m. Clara Mae, Served in WWII, lived in Montgomery. He married Clara Mae and had 5 boys:

-Walter Ted Steele 2/26/1942

-James Edward Steele 7/18/1944, Steele of Alabama DOT 31 years, died on job struck by car

-Frank A Steele 8/17/1946, married Delaine Mann 9/23/1967. 2nd marriage Diane Patterson 11/25/1988.

-Jerry Linton Steele b. 11/6/1950 married Brenda Luna 6/3/1979, 2nd marriage Betty Conner 1972 ended in divorce. He moved to Colorado and married Brenda.

-Steven Thomas Steele 3/2/1956, 3rd generation tree business - Alabama Tree Service. married Jan Rawlinson 6/9/1979. Son: Scott Alden Steele 9/3/1983 Daughter: Lindsey Marie Steele 7/24/1989

* Angus b. 1922 d. 2010 was born in Roberta, GA, married Helen Parker; Retired from Ford plant in Hapeville, GA. His hobby was calling and teaching square dancing and riding a unicycle. 2 daughters, Nancy and Barbara, son David. He served in WWII. Helen published “Steele Away” June 30, 1996, a history of the Steele family.

* Warner Homer, b. 1923 in Butler, GA, d. 1960 m. Lucy. Served in WWII. Lived in Eufaula and Montgomery, AL. He died in a small plane crash and his wife, Lucy, died of cancer. 3 children: Grady Malcom (Chucky) m. Martha Goodman ; Catherine Ann(Cathy) m. Jan Taylor; Cynthia Jane (Cindy) m. Charles Irvin

Grady 2^nd marriage: Mahala Griffin b. 9-7-1907 d. 3-30-1998 bur. Mount Carmel Methodist Church, lived in Mount Carmel District, Hampton, GA. They married in Abbeville, AL. Grady had 6 children - Chester age 20, Bessie 17, W.S. 11, Angus 7 and Warner 5.

Grady and Mahala’s children:

*Thomas Edgar Steele b. 8-30-1929 in Abbeville, AL d. 3-6-2013, U S Army service, Doctor of Chiropractic, Hampton, GA. m. Doris Womble 1960, Their children: Dr. Robert “Bob” Earl Steele b. 11-25-1943 m. Lani; Dr. Linda Sue Steele Denham b.11-16-1948 m. Barney; Dr. Timothy“Tim”Neal Steele b. 1-21-1956 m. Laurie; Thomas “Tommy” Jeffery Steele b 3-21-61. Thomas is buried at Mount Carmel United Methodist Church Cemetery, Hampton, GA.

*Paul Steele b. 1931 or '32 m. Carolyn, builder, lives in the Mount Carmel area of Henry County, GA

*Earl Steele b. 1935 or '36 m. Nanette, served U S Army, lives in Mount Carmel area of Henry Co, GA.

7. Henry Keller Steele b. Jan 11, 1892 d. May 2, 1971, cotton farmer, lived in Luella and Hampton, GA. M. Nov 17, 1912 to Helen Louise Griffin b. 9-7-1895 d. 8-14-1989, both buried Berea Cemetery Hampton, GA. 9 children:

* Sara Louise Whiddon 1913 – 2003 1^st M. James McRae. 2^nd M. 1938 Jimmy Whiddon 1913 – 1989.They had 3 daughters: Daughter: Sally Stamps Whiddon Sutton b. 1944 M. Michael Armour. M. Mickey Sutton b. 1937, her children: Michael M. Carrie; and son, Russell. Daughter: Betty Elizabeth Whiddon Parker b. 1947 m. Chester K or Chess Parker; Daughter: Jane McRae Whiddon, b. 1946

*William Keller –b. Feb 21, 1921 d. Nov 1, 1943, age 22. William was killed In WW2 in Noumea, New Caledonia, South Pacific, near New Zealand. He was helping put out a fire near the docks where a merchant ship was loading ammo for 2 weeks for the campaign against Japan. The family was not notified, because the story was classified until 1976. His sister found the story on the internet and an eye witness to the fire. The Army buried him Sept 23, 1949 at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri. (See page "What Happened To William Steele)

*Frank Carson b. 9-9-1923 in Griffin, GA. d. 5-14-1992 m. Annie Marian Harper b. 9-9-1923 or 1925. Carson is buried at Haisten at Eastlawn Memorial Park, McDonough, GA. He was CEO of McDonough Equipment, famous for “Snapping Turtle” lawn mower. Marion had a florist in McDonough.

Carson’s children: Dr. Frank Carson Steele, Jr; Jerry Steele, Stanley Stewart Steele

Son: Dr. Frank Carson Steele, Jr. b. about 1949 Griffin, GA, retired. M. Joan (div.) Dr. Steele’s children: Sons: Card, Brent b 1984, Daughter, Dr. Colin Steele b.1981.

Carson’s son:
Jerry Steele b. 1951 1st M. Sherry Sons: Justin and Chase 2^nd M. Ashley.

Carson’s Son: Stanley Stewart Steele b. 1959 1^st M Beth Moore, children: Adam, Samantha “Sam”, James Carson “JC”.
Stanley Stewart Steele of McDonough, GA died at age 55 on April 17, 2015. He loved spending time with family and friends, flying and boating. He was a pilot with Delta Connection for 18 + years. He is survived by his wife, Jodi Lynne Steele of McDonough;
Children: Adam Steele of Sarasota, Fl., Riley, Raylen and Renleigh of McDonough; mother, Marian Harper Steele of McDonough; brothers, Dr. Frank Steele of McDonough and Jerry Steele of McDonough, several nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held at Haisten Funeral Home with Rev. Allen Mayes officiating.

The Keller and Helen Steele Family

*Joseph “Joe” Walter b. Jan 8, 1919 d. Jul 22, 1990, M. Virginia Lucile Mulkey b. May 2, 1923 d. Nov 4, 2004. They are both buried Berea Church Cemetery, Hampton, GA

Son, Artie Steele m. Margie Jackson Jones, 2 sons: Jeff Jones and Jimmy Jackson Jones

*Frances Eloise b.1925, M. James Murray or Jim Ridgeway b Feb 9, 1922 d. Oct 7, 1999. 2 daughters:

Eloise’s Daughter: Judith Ann Ridgeway Winans b Dec 24, 1951 M. Charles Winans. Judith Ann’s children: Elizabeth and Bill. Eloise’s Daughter: Karen Martha Ridgeway Perry b. June 7, 1954 M. David Perry b. 1949, Karen’s son: Justin.

* Carl Ray, b. April 24, 1927 Hampton, GA. M. Feb 7, 1953 to Ruby b. July 30, 1932 Fayetteville, GA.

Daughter: Sherry Ann Steele Chappell Wicks b. Oct 3, 1953 Columbus, GA. 1^st M. Randy Charles Chappell 1952 -1972. Their Children: Andrew Tobias “Toby” Chappell b. Feb 11, 1975 Ayer, Mass.; Davis Charles Chappell b. Jan 11,1981 Griffin, GA. 2^nd M. May 10, 1991 Daniel Jeff Wicks 1955 -1991. Their Children: Daughter: Bonnie Wicks Rathburn, M. Rob Rathburn, Their children: Tyler and Ashley Rathburn. Son: Daniel Wicks b. 1979, Daughter: Ivey Wicks b. 1980. Son: Michael Keller Steele b. 1959 Griffin, GA.

*Julian “Jack” Harper b. 1-15-1930 Hampton, GA d. 1-11-2002 buried New Salem Baptist Church, Vaughn, GA. 2^nd M. Shirley Peeples. Daughter: Glenda Peeples, Maddox, Bearden b. 1953 M. Calvin Bearden, 4 children: Robby Maddox Bearden, Yvonne Maddox Bearden Perdue, Shane Bearden, Amanda Bearden Edge 1980 – 1999. Son, Larry Peeples b. 1958 Griffin, GA, 1^st M. Rhonda Chance Peeples. Daughter: Dawn Patrice Peeples + Hutchens. 2^nd M. Angie Couch + Peeples. Daughter: Gail Peeples Patton.

* Marcia Ann b. 1933. 1^st M. 1953 George Byron Hawkins Jr. b. 1925. Daughter: Dana Marie Hawkins Ducey b. 1954 M. Patrick Michael Ducey, 2 children: Lauren Renee Ducey b. 1983 and Zachary Reid “Jack” Ducey b. 1959 Son: Dr. George Byron Hawkins III b. 1957. Son: Richard Carmichael “Ricky” Hawkins b. 1959 1^st M. Gina Hawkins b. 1959, their son: Ryan Anthony Hawkins b. 1986. 2^nd M. 1985 Joseph R. Pennington b 1941

*Helen Martina “Tina” b. 1935 M. Roy Melton Greer. Son: Robert “Bob” Thomas Greer b. 1961 1^st M. Dee Greer, daughter Chelsa Greer M. Ryan Ivey. Daughter: Ivey. Tina’s Daughter April Martina Greer b. 1965.

8. Morton Charlie Steele b. Nov 19, 1894 d. Aug 29, 1949 at 2:30 pm Griffin, GA, age 55. M. December 2, 1917 Myrtle Ethylene Morris Steele b. Aug 25, 1896, d. Feb 13, 1998, age 101 ½. He was a farmer and carpenter. They both were born in Henry County and lived in Spalding, Henry and Clayton Counties, GA. Both are buried at Liberty Hill Baptist Church, Hampton, GA. They had 7 children:

* Robert Merrill Steele b. Sept 18, 1918 d. Apr 14, 1973, buried at Liberty Hill Baptist Church, Hampton, GA. He served in the CCC's in North Georgia. He had a plumbing business in Ocala, FL, previously married to Gene Carroll, 11-8-1944. Later moved back with his mother on the farm.

* Dorothy Ethylene Steele Coombs b. July 11, 1920 in LosAngeles, CA, M. Hugh English 10-7-1939, one daughter, Vivian English Palmer. Vivian's child: Chanda. 2^nd M. to Quiqq Hollingsworth 11-10-1962 College Park, GA. 3^rd M. Skip Coombs. Died October 20, 2016 in Jackson, GA.

*Mary Frances Carter b. Jun 19, 1925 d. Dec 13, 2009, buried Moody Memorial Gardens. Frances retired from Nabisco after 40 years. M. Oliver Carter 6-8-1946, Atlanta, GA. Oliver died August 10, 2016 in Williamson, GA.

* Margaret Inez Waller b. Sept 28, 1927, M. Frank Thompson 6-12-1948 at Lakewood, GA, had 4 children: David, Don, Judy and Jane. 2^nd M. Chuck Waller. Margaret lives in Stockbridge, GA.

* JoAnn Meaders b Feb 22, 1931 M. Conrad Meaders 11-23-1950, Atlanta, GA. 2 children: Anthony lives in St Johnsbury, VT and Iris lives in Sandy Springs, GA.

*Charles Thomas Steele b. Dec 30, 1932 d. June 15, 2002, Roberta, GA, buried in Amarillo, TX. M. Nell Howard. Career U S Air Force jet engine mechanic, Northrop Aircraft, Saudi Arabia and Lockheed, Marietta, GA.

*Barbara "Bobbie"Jean Steele Williams b. Nov 1, 1939. Retired business woman. Served in U S Naval Reserves. M. George Atwood, 2 children: Barry Keith and Lisa Jean. 2^{nd M} Howard Worley; 3^rd M. Roy Williams; they live near Savannah, GA

9. Tomas Mitchell Steele b. Jan 16, 1897 d. Mar 14, 1984, Hampton, GA. in 1925 M. Edna Earl Brown b. 7-23-1907 d. 2-18-1997, both buried Berea Church Cemetery, Hampton, GA. Saw miller, farmer and real estate investor. Henry County Commissioner. Developed Lake Cindy named for his granddaughter. Lived in AL, FL, and Lovejoy, GA.
Son: James "Jim" Mitchell Steele. b. 1931. d. April 29, 2014 M. Geneva, Children: David, James and Cindy.

Jim Mitchell Steele 79 of Hampton, GA died April 29, 2014. He was preceded in death by son, David Mitchell Steele. Jim served in the Army National Guard and retired after 30 years as an over the road truck driver. He was a member of Berea Christian Church, a former member of the Woodmen of the World and the Jaycees, former Henry County Commissioner for District 2, worked for the Census Bureau over 7 states and he was a farmer. Survivors include his children, Cindy Steele-Kilen and James T Steele of Hampton; granddaughters, Kristianna, Andrea and Monica Kilen and Christy Steele; great grandchildren, Hunter, Kimber and Kaleb Tidd. A memorial service was held Sunday, May 4, 2014 and burial was at Berea Cemetery in Hampton, conducted by Haisten Funeral Home of McDonough.

Information sources:
"Steele Away" by Helen Parker Steele, June 30, 1996; "First Families of Henry County Georgia" by the Genealogical Society of Henry & Clayton Counties, GA, Inc. and family knowledge and The Steele Family Bible.

The Morton and Myrtle Steele Picture Album

Oldest son Robert Steele and wife Gene, Ocala, FL

The Morton & Myrtle Steele Family
L - R Margaret, Dorothy, Myrtle & Morton Steele, Frances
Jo Ann, Bobbie Jean, Charles

Myrtle Steele Sunday Family Gathering
Front - Robert, Frank & Margaret Thompson holding baby David, ? ? JoAnn, Dorothy
Front Bobbie Jean, Grandmother Lela Irwin, Vivian
Frances,