Walter Levi Pickens was my Paternal Great-Grandfather, born in McNairy County, Tennessee to J.W."James William" and Dilly/Della Beckham Woods Tankersley on August 27, 1880. His mother died shortly after his birth, perhaps as a result of childbirth.

He is noted first in the 12th Federal Census, Chickasaw Nation, Garvin County, Oklahoma with his father, step-mother Virginia and 4 siblings.

After his marriage in 1902 to Susie Modena Hawkins, Walter lived all his life in the Garvin and Lawton areas, working in the Farming industry.

He passed away in 1946 after an 11 month battle with Carcinoma of the Liver.

An affidavit from the Vaughn Funeral Home in Elmore City, Garvin, Oklahoma notes 'To whom it may concern: Listed below are the names of the children born to Walter and Susie Pickens of the Choctaw Indian Tribe. Roll No. 57. Earl Abner Pickens (deceased), Roy Wilson Pickens (deceased), Alice May Pickens Priest, Mildred Lee Pickens Mason, Calvin Lacey Pickens, Delvert Nile Pickens, Lloyd L. Pickens, Louis L. Pickens, Reford Orville Pickens, Univ Fratus Pickens, Neva Pickens Landers...signed by Evalyn P. Vaughn, Laura Mae Lindsey, Dallas Buzbee, Maud Fincher.'
State of Oklahoma, County of Comanche, Subscribed and sworn to before me this 4th day of June 1972. Personally appeared the persons whose signatures appear to the right, known to me to be the same identical persons whose signatures are written. Signed, Eata L. Sullivan, Notary Public."

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Walter Pickens in household of William J Pickens,
"United States Census, 1900"
Name: Walter Pickens
Event Type: Census
Event Year: 1900
Event Place: Townships 1-2 N. Ranges 1-2 W. Elmore town, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory, United States
District: 161
Gender: Male
Age: 20
Marital Status: Single
Race: Indian
Race (Original): In
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Son
Birth Date: Aug 1880
Birthplace: Tennessee
Father's Birthplace: Mississippi
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother of how many children:
Sheet Number and Letter: 2A
Household ID: 8
Line Number: 9
Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Affiliate Publication Number: T623
GS Film Number: 1241849
Digital Folder Number: 004119048
Image Number: 00440
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head William J Pickens M 45 Mississippi
Wife Virginia Pickens F 40 Mississippi
Daughter Annie Pickens F 8 Indian Territory
Son James Pickens M 6 Indian Territory
Son Thomas Pickens M 3 Indian Territory
Daughter Ethel Pickens F 2 Indian Territory
Son Walter Pickens M 20 Tennessee
Stepson John Robarts M 20 Texas
Servant Fird Bohanon M 24 Arkansas

Citing this Record
"United States Census, 1900,"FamilySearch Townships 1-2 N. Ranges 1-2 W. Elmore town, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory, United States; citing sheet , family 8, NARA microfilm publication T623, FHL microfilm 1241849.

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L W Pickens, "Oklahoma, County Marriages, 1890-1995"
Name: L W Pickens
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Marriage
Event Date: 23 Nov 1902
Event Place: , Carter, Oklahoma, United States
Age: 22
Race:
Birth Date:
Birth Year (Estimated): 1880
Marriage License Date:
Marriage License Place:
Father's Name:
Father's Titles and Terms:
Mother's Name:
Mother's Titles and Terms:
Spouse's Name: Susie Hawkins
Spouse's Titles and Terms:
Spouse's Age: 14
Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated): 1888
Spouse's Father's Name:
Spouse's Father's Titles and Terms:
Spouse's Mother's Name:
Spouse's Mother's Titles and Terms:
Reference ID:
GS Film number: 1313671
Digital Folder Number: 004533021
Image Number:

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Levi W Pickins
"United States Census, 1910"
Name: Levi W Pickins
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Census
Event Year: 1910
Event Place: Midland, Pontotoc, Oklahoma, United States
District: 259
Gender: Male
Age: 30
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Race (Original): White
Relationship to Head of Household: Head
Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Head
Birth Year (Estimated): 1880
Birthplace: Tennessee
Immigration Year:
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Sheet Number and Letter: 9A
Household ID: 154
Line Number:
Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Affiliate Publication Number: M1283
GS Film number: 1375283
Digital Folder Number: 004450118
Image Number: 01003
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Levi W Pickins M 30 Tennessee
Wife Susian M Pickins F 23 Arkansas
Son Earl A Pickins M 6 Oklahoma
Son Ray W Pickins M 1 Oklahoma
Sources
Citing this Record

"United States Census, 1910," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/

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Name: Walter Levie Pickens
Event Type: Draft Registration
Event Date: 1917-1918
Event Place: Garvin County, Oklahoma, United States
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 27 Aug 1880
Birthplace: , , United States
Nationality: United States
Affiliate Publication Title: World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards
Affiliate Publication Number: M1509
GS Film number: 1851776
Digital Folder Number: 005152245
Image Number: 05779

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Name: Walter Levi Pickens
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 22 Aug 1880
Birth Place: MacNary Cont, Tennessee
Father: Willin Pickens
Mother: Dillbeck Woods
SSN: 441163181
Notes: Jan 1939: Name listed as WALTER LEVI PICKENS

U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com

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Name: Walter Levi Pickens
Event Type: Draft Registration
Event Date: 1942
Event Place: Lawton, Comanche, Oklahoma
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 27 Aug 1880
Affiliate Publication Title: World War II Draft Cards (4th Registration) for the State of Oklahoma
Affiliate Publication Number:
Affiliate ARC Identifier: 576250
GS Film number: 4141310
Digital Folder Number: 004141310
Image Number: 01694

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The 1940 United States Federal Census

Name: Walter L Pickens
Age: 59
Estimated birth year: abt 1881
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Tennessee
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Lawton, Comanche, Oklahoma
Map of Home in 1940: View Map
Street: Lee
House Number: 309
Farm: No
Inferred Residence in 1935: Rural, Oklahoma
Residence in 1935: Rural, Oklahoma
Resident on farm in 1935: Yes
Sheet Number: 23B
Number of Household in Order of Visitation: 520
Occupation: Over Server
House Owned or Rented: Rented
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 10
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 8th grade
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 40
Duration of Unemployment: 36
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in Government work
Weeks Worked in 1939: 12
Income: 107
Income Other Sources: No
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Walter L Pickens 59
Susie Pickens 53
Louis Pickens 17
Reaford Pickens 12
Nera Pickens 8
Source Citation

Year: 1940; Census Place: Lawton, Comanche, Oklahoma; Roll: T627_3286; Page: 23B; Enumeration District: 16-23

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Walter Pickens
Tribe: Choctaw
Application Number: 579
Roll number: 1
Roll Description: Roll 01 - Master Index
Outcome: Overturned

Source: Ancestry.com. U.S., Native American Applications for Enrollment in Five Civilized Tribes (overturned), 1896 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA:

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Do You Know Me

Do you know me, as I know some of you? Yes, my ancestors, I feel that you do. You came to this country from places both far and near. You married, made homes, and had children to rear.

Your children had children, and theirs did too. Until over the years their families grew. You made it through droughts, the depression, and wars. Even the black plague knocked on some of your doors.

Through all of these events your bloodlines survived. My Grandparents had children, and then I arrived. Housewives, Farmers, and Laborers were you. You made a better place for me and my family too.

Your stories have not been lost, for they are still told, of the way you lived your lives until you grew old. This is how don't you see? That I have come to know you, and that you know me.

Author Randall S. Treadway

****Awaiting transfer of Unav's memorial to me so she can be linked with her family. Requests have been placed to the person who created her memorial.

Unav Fratus
Birth: May 28, 1925
Death: unknown
Note: Spouse of John C
Burial:
Bethany Cemetery
Bethany
Oklahoma County
Oklahoma, USA
Plot: Section 1-A
Created by: In Memory
Record added: Oct 15, 2009
Find A Grave Memorial# 43152703
Added by: In Memory #46905847