BENJAMIN HEAVENER
Benjamin Heavener, age 89, was born on November 25, 1891 to John Taylor and Liza Jane Heavener, in Hartford, Arkansas (Sebastian County). He graduated from Mansfield High School. Zella Heavener, age 91, was born in Dayton, Arkansas on December 16, 1889. Benjamin and Zella were married on January 11, 1911. He farmed until 1914, then at the age of 23, he became a barber, working 32 years in Mansfield, Arkansas. Benjamin and Zella moved to Waldron in 1947 and Benjamin continued to barber for 24 more years, a total of 56 years. He retired January 1, 1970. They have both resided in Pinewood Nursing Home in Waldron since 1972. They have five children, three of which live in Waldron - Ruby Redding, Reba Christian and Billy Harrison Heavener. A daughter, Ruth Presson, Longview, Washington and a son Edward Alan Heavener in Longbeach, California. Mr. and Mrs. Heavener are Southern Baptist. Mr. Heavener said he had been banking with the Bank of Waldron since 1944. Mr. Heavener recalled a little story that stood out in his mind all these many years. He said he purchased his marriage license at the county seat of Greenwood, Arkansas on January 6, 1911 from Deputy Clerk Robert McConnell (the elected Clerk was Ezra Hester). Mr. Heavener's bride-to-be was Zella Irene Pettus. Deputy McConnell had a girlfriend named Zellar Tucker, and in making out the marriage license form, Deputy McConnell erroneously put his girlfriend's name in one blank space where Zella's name should have been, and he put Zella's in another. Zella and Benjamin were married January 1911 by a Methodist Minister Rev. R.A. Grubbs. Rev. Grubbs executed his portion of the license, sent it back to Greenwood to be entered on record and then was mailed back to Mr. Heavener. Nobody noticed that the name was incorrect for 11 years after marriage. However, the elected clerk, Mr. Hester, did get it corrected and paid all the expense involved.
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Copyright 2009 by Delaine Edwards.
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