Mildred Priscilla (Philpott) Tackett (1915 - 1968)

Born 30 Apr 1915 in Seymour, MO

Ancestors

Wife of John Osbern Tackett — married 17 Mar 1948 in Warsaw, Missouri

Descendants

Died 25 Nov 1968 at age 53 in Springfield, MO

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Arleen Tackett [send private message]

Biography

Mildred Priscilla Philpott was born in Seymour, Missouri on April 30, 1915 to Joseph McDonald Philpott and Mollie Coleman Carrick Philpott. According to the State of Missouri Certificate of Birth, Mildred was born at 3:50 a.m. on April 30, 1915 She passed away November 25, 1968.

Mildred was the youngest child in the family. She was 17 years younger than Willa McKinley Philpott, her older sister.

In a few years, the Philpott family moved to the Webster County town of Marshfield, Missouri. Mildred was considered a tomboy by her older sister, Willa. It is believed they moved to Marshfield when Mildred was around 5 years of age. There are records where Willa joined the First Baptist Church on January 19, 1920. Mildred would have been 4 years old going on 5 years old.

In the 1920 United States Federal Census, Mildred Philpott is 4 years old living with her parents, Joseph M. Philpott, 50; and Mollie Philpott, 45; in Marshfield, Missouri in Webster County, Missouri. Also living in the household are Willa Philpott, 22; Jessie Philpott, 20; John Philpott, 18; Lois Philpott, 16; Joseph Philpott, 10; Mabel Philpott, 8; and Nellie, 7.

In 1928, Mildred's older sister, Maggie Lois Philpott, married Merlin Stokes at Ozark, Missouri. Lois was born September 15, 1903 so she was 11 years older than Mildred. Lois Philpott and Merlin Stokes were married May 1, 1928.

The Philpott family were Baptist and very active in their church. Mildred joined the First Baptist Church at Marshfield, Missouri and was baptized when she was fifteen years old on December 16, 1930.

In the 1930 United States Federal Census, Mildred Tackett, 15, was living with her parents in Ozark Township in Webster County, Missouri. Also living in the home were her parents, Joseph M. Philpott, 61, and Mollie C., 55. Other members of the household were Willa, 32; Jessie, 30; John, 28; Mabel, 18; Nellie, 17, and Lois Stokes, 26. Lois is Mildred's older sister who married Merlin Stokes and they have a son, R. Merline Stokes who is around 8 1/2 months old. Lois and the baby are living with her parents and family. Also in this home are a neice and nephew of Mollie. They are Bessie Kindrick, 17 and John W. Kindrick, 15. Their mother passed away and Joe and Mollie took them into their home to care for them. It was quite a large household with 11 members and a baby.

The year 1930 brought some problems to the Philpott's. Mildred's brother, John Philpott, worked at the bank in Marshfield, Missouri and there were court filings brought against some officers of the bank. John was an officer. The State of Missouri brought a case against John Philpott. John Philpott, officer of the bank, was arrested and put in jail in 1930 but he posted bond. The case continued until 1932 when it was resolved. The State of Missouri case against John Philpott was dropped on September 1932. According to family sources, as part of the deal, John was not to engage in the banking business after that.

Mildred graduated from Marshfield High School in 1933. That same year her older sister, Jessie Langdon, married Oren Langdon. They were married on November 23, 1933.

Mildred Philpott's older brother, Joe Philpott, born September 4, 1909, married Mildred Kime in Oklahoma in June 1934. Joe and Mildred Kime Philpott spent most of their married life in South America where Joe worked for oil companies. Until Mildred Priscilla Philpott married in 1939, Joe's wife and Mildred Priscilla both had the name Mildred Philpott.

After graduating from Marshfield High School in 1933, Mildred Priscilla Philpott started her life as a teacher. Many in her family were teachers. Willa Philpott, her oldest sister, went to Missouri University during the summers to get her college degree. At the time Mildred graduated in 1933, it was not required that a teacher have a college degree. Many taught with only a year or two of college.

For the 1935-1936 school year, Mildred Philpott was teaching at Liberty School at Seymour, Missouri. Her sister, Nellie Philpott, was teaching at Jameson School in Marshfield and another sister, Mabel Philpott was teaching at Center Point in Seymour, Missouri.

The year 1935 brought heartache to the Philpott family as Jessie Philpott Langdon was declared incompetent and sent to Nevada, Missouri in August 1935. Jessie Philpott Langdon would spend the next few years in and out of the Nevada Institution. Jessie was around 34 years old when she married. She and Oren Langdon had dated about 10 years but had just waited to get married, partly because of the economic times. They were only married about a year and a half when Jessie was institutionalized the first time.

On April 1, 1937, Jessie and Oren Langdon had a baby boy, Joe Oren Langdon. Joe Oren Langdon had Downs Syndrome but the family did not realize that immediately when he was born. They gradually realized he had some problems and possibly because Jessie's health was so poor, they did not realize the extent of Joe Oren's problems. Willa, the oldest sister of Mildred, never married and she helped take care of Joe Oren as well as all the family members that could. Joseph McDonald Philpott and Carrie Coleman Carrick Philpott were getting older and unable to do as much for their family. Willa and Nellie never married and lived in the family home.

Jessie Philpott Langdon was committed to the state hospital August 6, 1935 by reason of insanity. Records show she was paroled in October 13, 1935. Records also show she was discharged in August 18, 1937. Her son, Joe Oren Langdon, would have been four months old at this time. She was again judged to be insane February 17, 1941 and sent to Nevada by order of the court where she was discharged November 18, 1942. She died on October 17, 1943, a Sunday morning, at her home in Marshfield. She had almost been married 10 years and Joe Oren Langdon, her only son was 6 years old. The death certificate indicated there was a brain tumor. She was 44 years old.

Between the years of 1935-1940, with Jessie Philpott Langdon ill, and her young son requiring care, the Philpott family had a lot to handle. The parents, Joseph McDonald Philpott and Mollie Coleman Carrick Philpott, were aging and not doing very well themselves. They lived in the family home. Willa and Nellie always maintained their residence there even when Nellie would be working in Springfield during the week. All the girls lived at home until they married.

In 1938, Mildred Priscilla Philpott started teaching at Prospect School near Niangua, Missouri. She boarded with the Ezra Newton family. Mildred ate supper with the family at night. Another county school, a short distant away was Macedonia School. The teacher there was Elrey Cantrell. During the school year, Mildred and Elrey sometimes had their schools play each other in a ballgame. Elrey and Mildred dated several months. Elrey Cantrell was a nice-looking young man. Elrey's dad was named John and he thought a lot of Mildred. Occasionally, Elrey would come to the Ezra Newton home and he and Mildred would go out to eat. Mildred walked with the children of he Newton's to school every day. Mildred was considered a good teacher.

Mildred Priscilla Philpott and Elrey Cantrell were married March 25, 1939 in Ozark, Missouri. They were married by the Rev. A. S. Hanks. this is recorded in Book 15 Page 373.

Mildred's sister Mabel Philpott, married John Brixey on April 1939. Mabel was born February 25, 1911 and was 4 years older than Mildred. The sisters married within a month of each other.

Elrey Cantrell and Mildred Philpott Cantrll married when the school year was completed. After they married, they started work on building a house on 40 acres in Niangua. This was close to the Washington School. Later this land was owned by the widow of Everett Cantrell. Elrey Cantrell and Mildred Philpott Cantrell had 40 acres. Elrey Cantrell got enough building on the house to satisfy Mildred that he really intended to build a house. Some have felt he never intended to finish it. Elrey's mother would get money from Mildred. Mildred helped Elrey's parents. Elrey Cantrell's relatives liked Mildred.

In the 1939-1940 school year, Mildred Philpott Cantrell taught at Oak Hill School in Marshfield, Missouri.

In the 1940 United States Federal Census, Mildred Philpott Cantrell, 24, is shown living with her mother, Mollie, 66. Mildred's father, Joseph McDonald Philpott, had passed away March 1, 1940. Elrey, Mildred's husband, is 22 years old and living in the household with his mother-in-law and sister-in-laws, Willa, 42 and Nellie, 27. This are living in Ozark Township in Webster County, Missouri.

In the 1940 U. S. Federal Census, Elrey lists his occupation as Salesman. He lists his income at $300. This census was probably taken after Elrey and Mildred left for Kansas City to live. Elrey lists his highest grade in education as 1 year of college.

In the 1940 U. S. Federal Census, Mildred, 24, lists her occupation as teacher. It lists her highest grade completed in education as 2 years of college. She lists her income as $640.00.

When Elrey and Mildred Philpott Cantrell married, they had names picked out for their children. They were working on building a house on 40 acres in Niangua, Missouri. Elrey had signed up to play in the baseball league in Marshfield. It just happened that Ozzie Tackett,who would be Mildred's second husband years down the road, was also playing on one of the teams in the league. However, before Elrey had a chance to play one game, he and Mildred moved suddenly to Kansas City, Missouri

It seems that Elrey Cantrell had some problems at his school in the 1939-1940 school year. In an article dated May 9, 1940 in The Marshfield Mail it was stated that they moved to Kansas City, Missouri on a Sunday morning. It also stated that Elrey Cantrell had employment with the Monumental Life Insurance Company. This was the insurance company that John Philpott, Mildred's brother, worked at in Kansas City. Probably Elrey and Mildred wanted to leave the Marshfield area immediately and her brother helped them find employment in Kansas City.

Mildred Piscilla Philpott married Elrey Cantrell March 25, 1939. Living with Elrey was not easy. Friends report that Mildred had a car when she married Elrey. One time he took her car and ran off. Along with problems in her marriage at this time, her parents were not well and her sister, Jessie, struggled with problems with incompetency. Between 1940 and 1944, Mildred lost both of her parents and her sister, Jessie Philpott Langdon. Her father, Joseph McDonald Philpott passed away March 1, 1940. Her mother, Mollie Carrick Philpott passed away March 29, 1942. Her sister, Jesse Philpott Langdon, passed away October 17, 1943. Elrey Cantrell divorced her.

When Mildred lived in Kansas City, Missouri, according to family members, she worked at the Defense Plant there and made ammunition.

On December 10, 1942, Elrey Cantrell and Mildred Priscilla Philpott Cantrell were divorced. Mildred did not contest the divorce and kept the name of Cantrell until she remarried. They were divorced in Kansas City, Missouri. In court records they are listed as No. 99,582. Elrey Cantrell was the Plaintiff and Mildred P. Cantrell was the Defendant. Elrey appeared in person in court but records show that Mildred, although summoned, did not show up and Elrey won by default. Evidence was submitted to the court and court finds the allegations in Elrey's petition are true and he is the injured and innocent party and entitled to relief. The court decrees that the bonds of matrimony are to be dissolved and the Plaintiff (Elrey) be forever free from the obligation thereof. It was also ordered that Mildred Philpott Cantrell was to pay the court costs and that the execution issue was against the Defendant (Mildred).

Even though the court ruled in Elrey Cantrell's favor in the divorce, family and friends sided with Mildred. Elrey's family members would say they never blamed Mildred. Mildred had helped Elrey's mom and dad. Some of the comments were: "Mildred got a raw deal when she married Elrey", "Mildred was a wonderful person and all the Cantrell's liked her", "Elrey's dad thought a lot of her", "One time Elrey took they money they had and ran off and Mildred had a hard time for awhile." One time he ran off and left her with no vehicle (and it was her car)! Mildred was pregnant for a brief period but lost the baby. It does not seem that Mildred had many happy moments with Elrey Cantrell after they were married.

After being divorced December 10, 1942, Mildred Philpott Cantrell came back to Marshfield in 1944. However, she never took her maiden name back. She continued to use the name Cantrell until she married John Osbern Tackett in March 1948.

Not long after Mildred returned to Marshfield, she was in Springfield and saw Verrena Burchfield at the O'Reilly Hospital. Mildred thought everyone was aware of the divorce. During the 1940's, divorce carried a certain stigma to it. Verrena had not been aware Elrey and Mildred had divorced and Mildred said: "I guess news doesn't travel as fast as I thought it did".

For the 1944-1945 school year, Mildred taught at St. James School. She taught at St. James School from 1944-1946. She stayed with her sister, Mabel Brixey, and her husband John, while she taught at St. James School.

Mildred continued to teach at country schools. She was fortunate to have a car. Many did not own cars. Gladys Schmidt and Mildred Cantrell used to go to Pleasant Hill Church on Wednesday evenings together. Mildred would stop and get Gladys and then go get Mabel and they would go to the Prayer Meeting. Mildred was the only one who had a car.

Mildred Philpott Cantrell taught in rural schools around Marshfield, Missouri for several years. In 1948 she was working at the Webster County Courthouse in the County Superintendent of Schools Office. Her boss was O. L. Carter. She married John Osborn Tackett on March 17, 1948. They went to Warsaw, Missouri in Benton County to get married. They were married by the Judge of Magistrate.

Mildred and Ozzie announced their marriage after they came back from Warsaw. Many were very surprised. They told that they had married January 11, 1948 in Warsaw, Missouri and that they had been married awhile. They also announced that they would be leaving for Independence, Missouri where they were going to make their home. Ozzie quit his job at Andrews Café and Mildred quit her job with the Superintendent of Schools. They went to Independence but decided they didn't want to live there. They came back to Marshfield very soon.

The announcement of Mildred Cantrell and Osborn Tackett's marriage appeared in The Marshfield Mail on April 1, 1948. The stated their marriage date was January 11, 1948 but the marriage license states March 17, 1948. They wanted others to think they had been married a few months. The article states also that a group of their friends charivaried the couple one night and "Oss" received the customary dunking in the pond. The Charivari was given on a Tuesday night, March 30, 1948.

Mildred Priscilla Philpott Cantrell and John Osbern Tacket were both Marshfield residents, had graduated from Marshfield High School and were known and well liked. Ozzie worked at Andrews Café in Marshfield. He had worked there since high school. He had served in the Navy from June 1942 until October 22, 1945. He had been a cook in the Navy.

Ozzie lived in a little house across from what is now Rapid Roberts in Marshfield, Missouri on Jackson Street. This is east of what was Jim and Wayne's service station. He lived with his mother and walked to work just a few blocks away.

Ozzie was considered the life of the party. People would say "You couldn't make him mad". He taught Ralph Eyler how to play poker. He was the best man at Ralph and Effie Eyler's wedding. There is a picture of him in a suit at that wedding. Charles Masemone worked at the lumber yard and owned a vehicle. He let others use it when they wanted and it was more or less a community car. Ozzie took that car whenever he wanted and might drive a group to Springfield. Ozzie never owned his own car until he married Mildred and she had one.

Ozzie Tackett lived with his mother and helped provide for her. He had sent money back to her when he was in the Navy. Ozzie did not have a car. He loved sports. He played in high school and also played on the city's leagues every year. He was also known as a "ladies man" and many were surprised when he got married.

Ozzie and Mildred Tackett moved to a little apartment above a business on the Marshfield Square when they married. Because Ozzie had quit his job at Andrews Café thinking they were moving to Independence, Missouri, he was looking for work.

Ozzie found work on April 1, 1948 working at the Cat and Fiddle in Springfield, Missouri. He worked until April 30, 1948 and around the end of April or First of May 1948, Ozzie bought one-half interest in The Marshfield Café from Clyde Hargus. An article in The Marshfield Mail, May 6, 1948 issue states that Ozzie was part owner. Ozzie was part owner for about a year from May 1, 1948 until May 6, 1949.

Obituary from The Marshfield Mail, newspaper in Marshfield, Missouri 65706 in November 1968:

Headline was Mildred Tackett Dies Suddenly

Funeral services were held this Wednesday for Mrs. Mildred Tackett, 53, a retired school teacher here who died at 7:50 p.m. Monday at Springfield's Burge-Protestant Hospital where she had been a patient one day. Mrs. Tackett reportedly had suffered a stroke.

Survivors include one son, John, and one daughter, Susie, both of the home; two brothers, John Philpott of Kansas City and Joseph Philpott, Mountain Home, Arkansas and four sisters, Miss Willa Philpott, Mansfield, Miss Nellie Philpott, Springfield, Mrs. Mabel Brixey, Marshfield, and Mrs. Louis Stokes, Mesa, Arizona.

Funeral services were at 2 p.m. this Wednesday in Barber-Edwards Chapel with the Rev. L. L. Rodgers and Rev. Nelson Morgan officiating. Burial was in Marshfield Cemetery.

Escorts were Howard Minor, Carl Terry, I. L. "Bid" Young, Carl Young, Jim Pope and Jim Morgan.

From Memorial of Barber-Edwards Chapel:

Memorial for Mildred Pricilla Tackett (Pricilla is spelled this way on memorial)

Born: April 30, 1915 Passed Away: November 25, 1968 Services: Barber-Edwards Chapel November 27, 1968 2:00 P.M.

Ministers: Rev. L. L. Rodgers Rev. Nelson Morgan

Final Resting Place: Marshfield Cemetery

Escorts: Howard Minor Carl Terry I. L. "Bid" Young Carl Young Jim Pope Jim Morgan

Personal note: Mildred Philpott Tackett passed away November 25, 1968. She was leaving her house in order to go babysit. She collapsed in the driveway and was taken to the hospital where she laid all day unresponsive. She passed away in the evening. John Tackett, her son, was in college at Southwest Missouri now Missouri State University; Susie was working for a lawyer, Jim Pope. Thanksgiving was Thursday, November 28, 1968. Mildred's funeral was the day before Thanksgiving.

Sources: The Marshfield Mail, newspaper in Marshfield, Missouri, November 1968 Memorial from Barber-Edwards Chapel

United States Federal Census

• Arleen Tackett, firsthand knowledge. Click the Changes tab for the details of edits by Arleen and others.