Our Somers Family Heritage

Posted at Genealogy.com by Kelle Metz: Posted June 6, 2006 "I found this research by Rev. L.C. Lemons of the Ardens of Warwickshire England, which shows the marriage of John Lemon's grandson, John, youngest s/o Alexander Lemons, to Sarah, the youngest daughter of Catherine Arden Somers.  "Now here's the explanation of this marriage: "Alexander Lemons married the widow Catherine Arden Somers, wife of Captain John Somers (death 1803.) Catherine Arden Somers and her husband John Somers had 4 sons and 3 daughters, the youngest daughter was Sarah Somers. Alexander Lemons youngest son, John, and Catherine Arden Somers Lemons youngest daughter, Sarah, fell in love and married c 1813. John and Sarah Somers Lemons' first child, James Arden Lemons was born 1819 in Rockingham Co NC. In 1824 John and Sarah went to Wilson Co. TN where her brothers already had migrated to bounty land of 3860 acres which Captain John Somers had earned in Revolutionary War. "...I also ...

  Annie Somers Gilchrist is the daughter of James Somers , a younger brother to John Somers Jr. the eldest son of Capt. John Somers and Catherine Arden of Caswell County, North Carolina  and who is the patriarch of our branch of the Somers family.  Annie was born March 30, 1841 in Dresden, Tennessee and went to be with the Lord on February 2, 1912 at the age of 70 years. She married John A. Gilchrist in 1859. (Source:  Annie Somers Gilchrist (1841-1912) - Find a Grave Memorial ) Annie had a unique perspective on the War Between the States and wrote about her experiences in the novel   Katherine Somerville Or The Southland Before and After the Civil War.    While using fictional names, the novel tells us what life was like for her and her family during this turbulant period in our nation's history. Annie begins by recounting her idyllic childhood and what it was like to grow-up on a Southern plantation, referred to as "The Oaks." She also gives ...

  My niece shared this picture of my dad taken when we celebrated his 86th birthday last July.  He was laid to rest at Jefferson Barracks yesterday (02/07/2022) with full military honors.  Pastor Geoff Ingrum of Heritage of Grace Church in Columbia, IL presided over the service.  It was a beautiful day and Dad would have been proud of the service and respect shown to him.  Thank you to all who attended and those who kept us in their prayers.  Christ was honored and glorified. Amen.

  Jesse C. Somers  Thursday, January 27, 2022 in Cuba, MO.   Beloved husband of the late Peggy Geneva (nee: Wallace) Somers. Beloved father of Angela (Jeff) Wittman, step father of Terry (Linda), Kenneth (Valerie) Davidson; grandfather of 9, great grandfather of 16, great great grandfather of 1. Jesse was born July 28, 1935 in Neelyville, MO the third youngest of 12 children born to William Henry and Lillian May (nee: Weaver) Somers of Butler County, MO Jesse was a proud Korean War Veteran in the United States Air Force. Retired Chief Master Sargent in the Missouri National Guard. Jesse was much loved by all who knew him. He was baptized into the Christian faith in 1978 and a member of the Christian Church. Visitation at Kutis South County Chapel 5255 Lemay Ferry Road Monday, February 7, 9:30am until service at 10:30am. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to Alzheimers Association, appreciated. Source:...

Wallace Franklin Somers (1944 - 2020) Wallace Franklin Somers, 75, of Harviell, Missouri, passed away September 22, 2020 at his residence. He was born November 18, 1944 at St Louis, Missouri to the Paul and Lorene Pickard. On October 17, 2007 at Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He was married to Leah Johnson. She survives. Also Surviving are, His children, Kevin Michael Somers and wife Darlene of Matthews, North Carolina, Bryan Somers, Dawn Potter and Rebecca Siier. One sister, Velma Skates of Sand Springs, Oklahoma as well as two brothers; Paul Somers of Colorado and James Pichard of Alexandria, Virginia. His grandchildren; Joe Potter of Shelby Gap, Kentucky , Meagan Potter, Vero Beach, Florida, Sarah Fenimore (Richard), Jennifer Somers. Great grandchildren, Camden and Jayden and Brandon Potter. He is also survived by some special friends, Doug and Sandy Jones, Roy and Phyllis Stone and Irvin Kidd. He is preceded in death, by two sisters; Ruth Pennington and Phyllis Pickard. Mr. Somers had ser...

Taken in 1955 This photo was taken when Dad was stationed in Tripoli, Libya after joining the U.S. Air Force. He was 20 years-old. Dad was my first hero. Dad was a tough guy in his younger years and broke his hand while in the Air Force. He tells the story of going to the doctor and saying he broke it when he fell. The doctor replied that the guy he fell on was in the next room with a broken jaw. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dad has been living with my husband and me since August of 2018 and seems to be doing well considering his illnesses (Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Disease). A couple of weeks ago Dad told me he had asked the Lord to forgive his past sins. This confession of faith in Christ Jesus came out of the blue during a moment of mental clarity. Praise the Lord! May God bless those who have prayed for us or who are going through similar circumstances. In Lord Jesus Name, I pray. Amen.

Jesse (Jay) Somers - Early to mid 1950's. People often talk about standing for righteousness, but here is a story of my father literally taking a seat for what is right and good. Dad entered the Air Force in March of 1953 at the young age of 17 years. He tells the story of how hard it was for him to find work in his hometown of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, at the time. Prospective employers would tell him that they feared he would be drafted to serve in the Korean War when he turned 18 in July. So, Dad decided to join the Air Force instead of waiting for the draft. Dad was soon sent to a facility in Texas via a public bus. He remembers finding a seat in the very back and proceeded to relax and catch up on his sleep. Dad remembers crossing into Arkansas where public transportation was segregated. He tells of hearing the bus driver announce that all blacks were to move to the back of the bus. Dad stayed in his seat and the driver singled him out and ordered him to the front. Wel...

As recorded in the Somers Family Bible by Lillian (Weaver) Somers: Daisy Ellen was the third child of William Henry and Lillian Mae Somers, preceded by Cotna Lenoa  (10.18.1920 - 11.17.1920) and Mamie Irene (10.30.1921 - 2.14.2011). Clarence and Daisy Buhler Daisy Somers married Clarence Buhler on August 31, 1940. They had 7 children: Elsie Mae, Clarence, Jimmy, Paulette, Larry, Henry and Joey. Daisy Ellen went to be with the Lord on November 14, 1987 at 64 years of age. She was much loved by her family and is remembered as a godly woman and devout Christian. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fearet...

William Henry and Lillian Mae Somers oldest son "June" William H. Somers Jr. BIRTH: 22 Mar 1925 DEATH: 31 Jan 1969 William Sr. was a WWI veteran and his son William Jr served during WWII. William Henry Somers Sr . (Find a Grave) William Henry Somers Jr.  (Find a Grave)

Beloved Cousin  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121978365/sherilyn-g-weiler Sheri is the only child of Joyce and Harvey (Buzzy) Somers .  She was born June 24, 1958 and passed away on April 20, 2000. Sheri was married to Steve Weiler and they had one daughter, Christy. She is missed and loved by many.  Sheri had a love for adventure and life. I will always remember her beautiful brown eyes lighting up with laughter and joy when we played together as children.  I also remember sharing my Christian testimony with her a few years before her death and how she railed at me for becoming a Christian. Then when she became very ill with kidney failure due to Type I Diabetes, she graciously reassured me that she had made her peace with the Lord Jesus Christ and everything was "all right."  Sheri knew her health was failing and showed no fear of death. She had a true, saving faith and I look forward to our reunion in Heaven at the feet of ...

Left to right: Mamie Somers Shepherd, Lillian Mae Weaver Somers (mother), Daisy Somers Buhler, and Minnie Lorene Somers Pickard

Son of William Henry and Lillian Mae Somers. Taken from Jesse Somers private family photo collection. Wm. Henry Somers Sr. with son Clyde Freeman Somers Image Source: Find A Grave Memorial BIRTH  6 Mar 1931 DEATH  4 May 1962 (aged 31) BURIAL Williams Cemetery Corning, Clay County, Arkansas, USA Source:  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/100169851/clyde-freeman-somers Spouse: Beatrice Brown Somers Married  October 19, 1956 BIRTH  6 Aug 1932 DEATH  9 May 2007 (aged 74) BURIAL Williams Cemetery Corning, Clay County, Arkansas, USA Source:  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19499292/beatrice-somers *As recorded in Lillian Somers Family Bible ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Aunt Bea, Uncle Clyde and Bea's younger sister Geraldine Here's a cute story about Uncle Clyde and Aunt Bea as told to me by Wallace Somers: Before Aunt Bea and Uncle Clyde married she worked at a resta...

Since I learned of my father's Alzheimer's Disease in 2014, I've been blogging his memories/stories about his family and finding more information about our NA and Scottish roots. I remember researching our family with my cousin Sheri years ago (early to mid 1990's) and we couldn't get past Grandfather; he was part Native American and had hidden his family background... Or so he thought, because through the internet I've traced our line back to Scotland. It really is a noble heritage and one I hope to pass on to my sons. As it is believed that our Somers family roots originated in Scotland, I think it might be helpful for us to learn more of its forgotten Christian history. Here is a link to two brief videos that will eventually become a series of Scotland's Forgotten History. I hope you'll enjoy them and develop a love and connection to our Scottish heritage. It's one of bravery and heroism of a people who lived and died for the glory of ...

Great Grandfather Henry Francis Somers Indications are I'm Scottish through my mother's family line (the Lawson's) and the oral family history from my father's side handed down from my Great Grandfather Henry Francis Somers to his son, my Grandfather, William Henry Somers, and to my father, Jesse Cecil Somers, is that we are descended from both the Scots and the Cherokee.  So, I'm sharing these informative excerpts and resources for the Somers family researchers. The Cherokee Indian Nation (Scottish Tartans Authority) : It may seem strange to link tartan with some of the great tribes of north American Indians and you could be forgiven for querying the link. It is however, part and parcel of the legendary global spread of the early Scots adventurers who permeated all walks of life and all cultures. The modern appeal of tartan as a unique identifier with those adventurers - whether the links are by nature or nurture - is a fascinating phenomeno...

Mamie Irene Shepherd, daughter of William Henry Somers and Lillian May Weaver Somers was born October 30, 1921 in Thruman, Ark. She departed this life on February 14, 2011 at the Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing, and her church work.  On November 20, 1936 at Poplar Bluff, Missouri she was married to Rev. John B. Shepherd. He preceded her in death on May 5, 1996. She is survived by eight children, Luther E. Shepherd of Naylor, Missouri, John E. Shepherd, Neelyville, Missouri, Phillip Shepherd, of Doniphan, Missouri. Daughters, Lou Lundry, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Janet Shepherd Graham of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Thelma Eldridge of Pollard , Arkansas, Laveda Ellis of San Jose, California and Martha Shipman of Fairdealing, Missouri, and brother Jesse C. Somers of Poplar Bluff, Missouri.   Mrs Shepherd was preceded in death by her parents as well as 2 sisters, Lorene Pickard and Daisey Mae ...

My aunts - Minnie Lorene (Somers) Pickard, (11.07.1926 - 4.28.2006) and Mamie Irene (Somers) Shepherd, (10.30.1921 - 2.14.2011) - Photo taken 10.29.2000 One of my most recent memories of Aunt Lorene is attending Worship with her at a Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, Mo., while she sang this Baptist Hymn solo:

A story my father has often told me, which he learned from his father, is that our branch of the Somers family was involved in a "family split over religion" between two brothers.  I'm not certain which generation this happened during, or if it's just a family story handed down through generations that was elaborated on with little truth left in it. But, as my grandfather was not known to be a liar or inventor of tall tales, I believe it is based on fact. So, please bear with me as I give you my theory as to what might have happened. Great Grandfather Henry Francis Somers was a popular evangelist around the turn of the 20th century and into the early 1900's. He preached at tent meetings and outdoor revivals in the Southern Missouri and Arkansas area. How far his travels took him, I really don't know except they must have been extensive as Grandpa's half sister, Amanda Tidwell, told my father that Great Grandfather Henry was a circuit rider gone for ...

In the mid 1970's my dad traveled to Scotland while serving in the Air National Guard. When he returned home, I remember him telling me that while he was there, he visited Edinburgh Castle and found a book that contained the names of those who had served in the Scottish military hundreds of years ago... And much to his surprise, there were many named "Somers" listed in the book. Dad also tells the story of a bed and breakfast owner who spelled the Somers name correctly when he first checked in.  He was surprised because most folks want to add an extra "m" or spell it like the season. He complimented her for getting the spelling correct, to which she replied "Is there any other way to spell it?" These two events prompted him to do some family research while in Scotland and when he returned home, he was convinced the Somers family had roots there. Yesterday while researching the Somers family from Caswell, County, NC, I came across information ...