LUMPKIN & ALLIED FAMILIES

Compliments of Randy Ball dated Aug. 2005

 My Grandfather (Lumpkin) was the founder of the dairy.  My mom Nettie Lumpkin grew up in Minden along with her 4 sisters (Rae, Helen,VereLee, Iris) and two brothers (Eugene and Billy).  Boy have I heard the stories over the years.  All 5 sisters and Billy put together a small book of their memories of growing up in Minden. Eugene's son, Jason, asked me to get in touch with you in order to submit some pictures for your website.
 
My moms name is Nettie - she married may dad Robert Leo Ball-now deceased. I am more than sure my cousins all have many pictures of Minden and growing up there.  It was my cousin Jason Lumpkin that wrote to me about finding a way to get some of his pictures posted on the Minden site.
 
I have been in the Houston area since 1980 - after I left Northwestern State University I came to Houston for work.
 
        

 Nettie and Iris taken a few months ago.

Here is a Early pic of Granddaddy Lumpkin and his wife Nettie Lee "Howard" Lumpkin

Here is a picture of my Grandparents -  Eugene Lumpkin - Founder of the original Sanitary Dairy 

They are buried n Fisher Louisiana
Her name was Mary Elizabeth Mead.
 

                                                                                         MY MEMORY OF MRS. LUMPKIN

I was browsing Minden Memories and saw the picture of Mr. Lumpkin, Billy and Herman Ratcliff. My father was Sam Culbertson, who was partners with Eugene Ratcliff in the Sanitary Dairy milk producing plant on Sibley Road. I've posted some of the Sanitary Dairy pictures and memories under the Industry section on the website, too, but there is one about Mrs. Lumpkin that I thought her family might enjoy.

When we moved to Minden in 1946 so I could begin first grade and so my dad could help out with the new milk plant, we bought a house on Sibley Road....1031, as a matter of fact. The house number is different now because Sibley Road has been divided, but is it the house that John Agan and his mother live in. Minden was my father's hometown, but my mother, a Texas ranch-raised gal, knew no one in town and was not a brave person about making new friends. So, my grandmother Culbertson, invited my mother to church, thinking it would be a good way to meet folks. In the mid forties, Minden was a small enough town that everyone pretty much knew everyone else. So, my grandmother was introducing my mother various people at First Baptist one Sunday morning and one of the ladies (whose name I won't divulge), one of the society matrons in Minden's upper crust, asked my mother where we lived. My mother answered, "On Sibley Road". The matron drew herself up, looked down her nose at my mother and said "Well Dear, I don't know anyone on Sibley Road." My mother was crushed and she cried when she relayed the story to my dad later in the day. Apparently, on Monday, my dad relayed the story, I'm sure in a bull-shooting session, to others at Sanitary Dairy. That afternoon, my mother received a phone call from an irate Mrs. Lumpkin. She said to my mother, "Jerry, that woman knows ME on Sibley Road and as soon as I get off this call to you. I'm going to call her up and REMIND her!" My mother assured Mrs. Lumpkin that it was ok, but thanked her for her concern. Before bedtime, the hoity-toity woman from church telephoned my mother to (1) apologize if she had spoken "thoughtlessly", and (2) to invite my mother for coffee the following day.

My mother idolized Mrs. Lumpkin thereafter, and rightfully so.

A small memory, but about a nice woman, a nice family with a proud heritage.

Submitted by Linda Culbertson Pound

Grandpa Lumpkin, Billy Lumpkin and Herman Ratcliff

Minden Herald, Friday May 6, 1938
 
Lumpkin Dairy Makes Record at Dairy Show
Local Dairy Herd Averaged More Than 20 Pounds of Butterfat
 
Lumpkin's Sanitary Dairy was among the 36 of the 51 dairy herds
tested in dairy herd improvement associations in Louisiana in
March that averaged more than 20 pounds of butterfat for each
cow, according to the report of E. W. Neasham, dairyman of the
LSU agricultural extension division, who is supervisor of the
associations.  Cows tested during the month numbered 2,292.
 
- - - - - - - - - -                  - - - - - - - - - - -               - - - - - - - -
Minden Herald, Friday, July 15, 1938
 
Minden Dairyman Listed on Honor Roll in Dairy
Herd Test for May.
 
E. H. Lumpkin, owner of Lumpkin's Dairy, was named on the
honor list of dairymen whose herds averaged more than 20
pounds of butterfat at the recent dairy herd improvement
association meet at University, La.

Here is a pic of Grandpaw Lumpkin on the farm

Lumpkin kids -   girls left to right - Helen, Iris, VereLee , Nettie  and the boy is Eugene 

There is never a dull moment in this family -  you have to have a pretty thick skin to hang with Harry, Eddie and Jason  but each of them would give you the shirt off their backs.    Harry Lewis also has a younger brother - Hilary Lewis, we called him Blue -  that passed away around the same time as my brother Bobby.  I'm trying to find a picture of him.  He was always kind and fun to be around.
Harry and Blue (Hilary) are brothers and their mom is Iris (she's the one in the picture with my mom on the balcony)

The house was located on the Sibley Road.

 
Jason and Eddie are brothers - parents are Eugene and Mary Francis
 
Johnny and Leland are brothers -parents are VeraLee and Glen Grubbs
 
Herman , Joe , Don are brothers - Parents are Rae and Herman Ratcliff
 
Rae Lumpkin married Herman Ratcliff
Helen was only married for a short time (many years ago and she stayed single). His name was Cecil Brown from Tioga La.
VeraLee married Glen Grubbs
Iris married Bo Lewis
Nettie married Robert Leo Ball
Eugene married Mary Francis Kennon (Govenor Kennon Family)
Billy Lumpkin first married Betty Jean Davis. Their children's names are Chip and Jeff Lumpkin.The second wife's name is Kathy - but I do not know her last name - They had a son named Connor who would be about eleven years old now. (2005)  

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"Granddaddy Lumpkin had a neighbor whose bull kept breaking thru the fence and getting to his milk cows and the bull was of the beef variety, not milking stock. Granddaddy had it happen twice and told the neighbor to keep his bull at home. And on the third occasion he castrated the errant bull. The neighbor raised hell and it went to court and Granddaddy had to pay a find....Iris told me the story. YYYeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaahhh to Granddaddy.

Tell the ladies this story and see how excited they get. They mite be willing to climb for chinquapins!!

Also now that Jason has moved off Lumpkin Drive I hear they are going to rename it Olive Oil Lane...hahahaha."

From Harry


 

Lumpkin Clan

top row -  Herman Ratcliff - Billy Lumpkin - Hilry Lewis
2nd row - Joe Ratcliff
3rd row -- Harry Lewis *
4th row - Leland Grubbs
5th row  - Johnny Grubbs - Donnie Ratcliff
6th row - Bobby Ball

Jasper *Bow" Lewis was the father of Harry, Charles Hillary "Blu" Lewis.  Jasper Lewis was a resident of Minden. The two boys never lived in Minden. They also had a sister, Gail Lewis who died about 1948 at the age of 8.

 

THE DOG IN THE PICTURE IS  A BOSTON TERRIOR

Everyone except Bill and Herman were TERRIFIED OF THAT DOG mutt. You dreaded having to go to the back of the house unless you were with Bill. Sometimes you were lucky and he let you pass but it was seldom without a good chasing. Do  you remember that choice fig tree that was back there by the garage close to the porch? It was always full of rip figs because everyone kept their butt away.


SMART DOG

Jason you are lucky you never saw that dog. That is Bill holding him and it was Bill's dog. He is holding him cause if he weren't that dog would be trying to rip the seat out of your derriere and you were screaming and running for your life. His name was MUTT and the meanest dog in Minden if not the whole state. He lived under that back porch and in the screened area attached to the porch. It was his domain, he protected it, and you would keep away if you knew what was good for you. Only Bill and Herman could get near him.

Lumpkin Dinner

L-R,  (Adults first) Nettie Ball, Robert Ball, Herman Ratliff, Rae Ratliff, Helen Lumpkin, Eugene H. Lumpkin, Mary Mead Lumpkin, Vera Lee Grubbs, Glenn Grubbs, Bo Lewis, Iris Lewis, Mary Kennon Lumpkin, Eugene H. Lumpkin, Jr., Billy Lumpkin.

The children names are given, guessed of course, left and right. The baby Linda Ball, Johnny Grubbs, Harry Lewis, Gail Lewis, Bobby Ball, Herman Ratliff, Hilry Lewis, Joe Ratliff, Leland Grubbs, and Donnie Ratliff.


"How about scrunching down as low as you could in your chair, hoping that
Grandaddy Lumpkin wouldn't call on you to say the blessing.  That
experience scarred me for life."

Johnny Grubb

....................................................................................................................................

EUGENE LUMPKIN
Randy, when Billy was alive we talked about the five sisters' real mother, our grandfather W. H. Lumpkin's first wife, in his Ruston home. You may realize this but she died shortly after your mother was born due to complications from some type of female disease. I've forgotten the authentic medical name, but most women can quickly name the common disease today because of their familiarity. Back then so many medicines were not available to help cure diseases due to a lack of vaccine. About five years before Billy passed away, we were looking for a painting of your mother's real mother in his den. Billy said that if she would have been given a short of penicillin, she would have been cured and lived. Misfortunes happen for a reason. Although it is extremely difficult, we should try not to become angry, depressed, or judgmental when difficult time occur.

On a lighter note, when our grandfather E. H. Lumpkin was alive with his third wife, he still very much enjoyed going fishing. His third wife was Ms. Lily. Together the two of them often went freshwater fishing for mostly white perch in a small boat and motor. On the day that he died they were indeed fishing together. Our grandfather had just caught a sac-a-lait when he had his fatal heart attack. Ms. Lily, who must have been in her 70s, cranked up the boat motor herself and brought him to shore, but it was too late. His time had come and gone. I just pray that when the good Lord calls me home, I have the good fortune that my last dying breath here on earth will be passing a good time. Incidentally our father E. H. Lumpkin, Jr., had just gotten off the dance floor when he had his heart attack. What a way to go! We could only hope to be so blessed when out time is over.

This is Eddie and Jason's dad - Eugene Jr.

I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT YOUR ARE DOING.  MY PARENTS LEFT MINDEN IN 1949,  CAME TO  BOGALUSA, AND OPENED UP A ZESTO MALT STAND WHICH IS STILL SELLING MALTS, HOT DOGS AND CHILI BUNS.   IT'S LIKE A LITTLE LANDMARK OF THIS TOWN.  BACK IN THOSE DAYS BOGALUSA WAS REALLY ON THE BOOM.   I STILL HAVE PEOPLE TELL ME ABOUT THEIR HOT DOGS AND CHILI.  THEY WENT OUT  OF THAT BUSINESS IN 1962 AND OPENED  UP AN EQUIPMENT RENTAL STORE WHICH I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN ALL MY LIFE.  I'M 54 YEARS OLD AND I WAS BORN IN MINDEN.  I FEEL VERY GOOD ABOUT THAT.  MY BUDDIES AROUND HERE KNOW I CAME FROM NORTH LOUISIANA.
 
MY MOTHER GRADUATED FROM MINDEN HIGH IN 1941
MY DAD GRADUATED FROM MINDEN HIGH IN 1942. 
 
MY GRANDPARENTS ON THE KENNON SIDE WERE WILLIAM P. KENNON AND EMILY ROSS KENNON.  MY GRANDPAW WAS A FIRST COUSIN OF FORMER GOVERNOR  ROBERT F. KENNON.   THAT'S HOW WE ARE KIN.    I RELATE A GOOD BIT WITH MIKE, ED AND ROBERT, JR. KENNON.  ROBERT, JR. IS IN BATON ROUGE.  ED IS IN SHREVEPORT  AND MIKE IS MINDEN.  MY MOTHER HAD TWO SISTERS, JANIE KENNON FRANK AND JOYCE KENNON DAVIS.  SHE HAD TWO BROTHERS,  WILLIAM  (BILLY ) P. KENNON, JR,  AND EDWARD ROSS KENNON.
 
BOTH OF MY GRANDPARENTS ARE BURIED IN THE MINDEN CEMETERY. THEY HAD PLOTS NEXT TO EACH OTHER.  BOTH OF MY PARENTS ARE BURIED HERE IN BOGALUSA, LA.  MY MOTHER PASSED IN 2002 AND DADDY IN 1974.
 
THEY DID BOTH GO TO A CLASS REUNION IN LATE 60'S.  I KNOW THEY WENT TO JOHN BENTON'S HOUSE FOR SOME GATHERING.
 
I SENT RANDY BALL A BUNCH OF PICTURES OF MY FATHER AND MOTHER, ALSO SOME SERVICE PICTURES OF MY FATHER AND SOME FAMILY PICTURES OF US.  RANDY WILL BE FURNISHING THESE PICTURES FOR Y'ALL IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
 
IF YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS, DON'T HESITATE TO ASK.  IN THE MEANWHILE  I'M GONNA  RELATE THIS TO THE "BOGALUSA MEMORIES."  THEY SHOULD DO SOMETHING LIKE YA'LL HAVE DONE,  WHICH IS VERY GOOD AND INTERESTING
 
                                       

                                                                      MY THANKS,
                                                           
                                                           JASON E. LUMPKIN SR.

 


 

Look what I found !!!!!!
Eddie Lumpkin, Randy Ball, Jason Lumpkin
looks like 3 moneys !!!!!

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GRANDPAW LUMPKIN had a delivery route for his milk and those that could not pay he just gave them milk. I am sure they then became long time loyal paying customers when they could afford to pay.

Randy

Robert Leo Ball

My Dad grew up in Alexandria and lived there most of his life. 

Nettie Lumpkin

Early years with mom and dad, Bobby and Linda (Robert L. Ball & Nettie Lumpkin Ball.

  Randy Ball and mom Nettie Lumpkin

 Randy Ball, his sister - Linda Ball Brocato and mom (Nettie Lumpkin)

Melissa's Wedding

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                     IN LOVING MEMORY

               Bobby having fun

          Robert "Bobby" Ball 1945-1998
 

This is a picture of my brother - Bobby Ball 

he's deceased now -

he was also my best friend.

General Comment- I loved reading about the Lumpkin family.  I just wanted to add that Bobby Ball was in school with me at East Side for a few years.  He was a great athlete.  I just wish he could have been part of our class through high school and that championship football team.   I had the pleasure of seeing him and getting to know him as an adult prior to his untimely death in 1998 when he lived in Shreveport.  I was shocked as I am sure many were.    Thanks for this biography of a great family. 

Submitted by Eve Baskerville

Bobby and Randy Ball

Bobby had a accident and had 2 hematobins on the brain from a fall.  They tried to operate to save him but were not successful.
Bobby was born on 2/27/1945
He graduated from Menard HS in Alexandria La
He Graduated from La. Tech
He loved all sports.
He was a pilot and flew both Commercially and for Private.
 
I believe my family moved from Minden when Bobby was around 12 years old to Alexandria.

Randy

 .........................................................................................................................................................................                                                        

                                           MINDEN CEMETERY G-2

Mary Helen Louise Lumpkin 25 Apr. 1916 - 5 May 1999

Eugene H. LUMPKIN, SR. 29 Apr. 1883 - 1 Oct. 1959

Mary E. Lumpkin 18 May 1895 - 10 Jan. 1956

Vera Lee LUMPKIN Grubbs was born 14 February 1915 - 30 January 1991

Glen Nelson Grubbs was born 2 November 1914 - 6 July 1992

Kennon, Edward Ross 26 Mar. 1912-1 Sep 1987 SF1 US Navy WWII

Kennon, Emily ROSS 6 Mar 1894 - 7 Jan. 1969

KENNON, William Penn, Sr. 7 Aug. 1889 - 20 May 1974

KENNON, William Penn, Jr. "Billy" 8 Feb. 1919 - 17 Aug. 1978

FRANK, Janie KENNON 20 Aug 1909 - 4 May 1981

"LEWIS, Barbara G. "Gail" 7 Jul 1944 - 14 Mar 1944

LEWIS, Charles Hilry "BLU" 4 Aug 1938  - 4 Oct 1998

BABY LEWIS, Mark Edward 19 Oct. 1959 - 22 Oct. 1959

...........................................................................................................

Herman Ratcliff

Randy, you probably know all this but will relate anyway.
 
The original Sanitary Dairy was a family affair begun in the early 30's. I remember it around 1940 when it was a very modern operation--automatic milking machines, about 20 stalls and 10 more added later, boiler room for steam to pasteurize the milk. (I was not allowed in that room because I mite contaminate the process--only Granddad, Mamma and Eugene)
 
The picture of me and Bill in Babies Friend is early 40's. The dairy had home delivery around town. I do not recall the transportation mode, but believe it was still a family task.
 
The dairy was all Jersey milk.
 
Sometime in the 40's a partnership (Grandad, E. H. Hinton, J. K. Gladney, Sam Culbertson, maybe one other ) was formed. Marcus Wren came in later, and is still alive. A new Sanitary Dairy was built at corner of S. Main and Sibley Rd (Compress Hill-cotton Gin and compress plant located here. I faintly remember Bill and I riding in the mule drawn wagon loaded with Granddad's cotton. We were in the wagon immersed in the cotton. And would quickly jump down before the huge(3-4 ft diameter) vacuum pipe would start sucking cotton. But I digress from Lumpkin/Sanitary Dairy. Milk from Jersey cows was trucked in, pasteurized, homogenized and whatever. And business boomed.
 
I just realized that all of this is probably in the sister's story. Your Mother and Iris could provide more accurate dates.
 
My 2 bros and I worked summers there and made most of college money.
 
Herman

GARDENS OF MEMORY

Row 4,  Gardens of the Lord's Supper, Section 1

Herman I, Ratcliff 29  Oct 1905 - 18 Dec. 1968 Double Marker Rae M. 

 

Charles was not only a long time employee of Sanitary Dairy but was the Manager when sold to ?Beatrice? We, and Tommy Ashcroft, spent many horsing -around- hours there during summers. L-R, Charlie Miller, Patsy Smith, Herman Ratcliff and Alman Adcock.
 
Charles Dad was one of the co-founders.

Herman

 The Dairy always supported Minden High School by placing adds in the school annuals. This photograph was probably taken around 1952 or 1953. L-R, Herman Ratcliff, Marcus Wren and Sally Ann Powell at Sanitary Dairy.

Note: Marcus Wren was one of the co-owners.

Pictures from the School annual (Grigs) Compliments of LeVerne Langheld Kidd

                                                   IN LOVING MEMORY

     

Dr. William M. "Billy" Lumpkin 04-21-1934 (SSDI) -05/21/1994  MHS Graduate 1952

                  

Pictures from the Minden High School Grig (Compliments of Rowland Ivy, Class of 1952)

Billy married Betty Jean Davis. They were the parents of two sons. Chip who is deceased. He remarried to Kathy whose last name is unknown to the compiler. They have a son named Connor who was about eleven years old in 2005.