Lettie (Rhudy) Cronise
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Lettie Mae (Rhudy) Cronise (1891 - 1991)

Lettie Mae Cronise formerly Rhudy
Born in Burkes Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, United Statesmap
Ancestors ancestors
Wife of — married 4 Oct 1916 in Burkes Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, United Statesmap
Descendants descendants
Mother of , , [private daughter (1920s - unknown)] and
Died at age 100 in Botetourt County, Virginiamap
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Profile last modified | Created 5 Dec 2017
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Biography

Lettie was born in 1891. She was a daughter of Levi Elijah Hawkins Rhudy and Nannie Isabel Mahood. She was born and raised in Burkes Garden.

Lettie was fairly well-educated for her day. She attended Burkes Garden Academy, Marion College and graduated in 1912 from Mont Amoena (Latin for Mount Pleasant) Seminary, a Lutheran school for girls, which existed from 1859-1927 in Mount Pleasant, NC. She also spent one year at Radford State Normal to earn her teaching certificate. The original teaching certificate, dated 20 July 1914, of Lettie Mae Rhudy was in the possession of Helen Cronise in 2011. It is titled ‘Elementary Professional Certificate” and indicates she was a graduate of Radford State Normal and was authorized to teach in public elementary schools for 4 years from 1 July 1914, dated 20 July 1914.

She taught school in Burkes Garden for two years before accepting a teaching position in Botetourt Co., VA where she taught for three years. Lettie Rhudy lived, as a boarder, at the home of Herbert Stevens (Uncle 'Hub') when she was teaching school in Botetourt Co. She met her husband, Curtis Cline Cronise, at Herbert’s place. Apparently Herbert’s home was large enough to accommodate a boarder and the school was near where the home was located. Lettie and Curtis were married at her home in Burkes Garden by Rev. Homer Anderson. She and Curtis settled on Cronise land in Botetourt Co., where they raised four children and farmed. Lettie lived there for the rest of her life. She had celebrated her 100th birthday about 6 months before she passed away in 1991. She thought it was quite an accomplishment to have seen Haley's Comet twice in her lifetime, once in 1911 and again in 1987. She was also able to claim to have seen both the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean's in her lifetime.

She and her husband are buried in the Wheatland Lutheran Church cemetery, where she was a member for 75 years.

At the time of her 100th birthday celebration in 1991, she had 12 grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. Lettie was also very interested in genealogy. She left behind several useful books and some correspondence on the subject.

Sources

  • "Virginia Births and Christenings, 1584-1917," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X5KG-SQ7 : 5 December 2014), Lettie May Rhudy, 01 Jun 1891; citing Burkes Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, reference p 330; FHL microfilm 2,048,445.
  • "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MPGB-MR9 : accessed 5 December 2017), Lettie M Rudy in household of Levi E H Rudy, Clear Fork, Tazewell, Virginia, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 98, sheet 10B, family 171, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1650; FHL microfilm 1,375,663.
  • "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XR37-WCW : 5 December 2014), Curtis Cline Cronice and Lettie May Rhudy, 04 Oct 1916; citing Burkes Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, reference P241 L175; FHL microfilm 34,214.
  • Tazewell County, Virginia Marriage Register No. 3, p. 241 (FHL Film 4284960, Image 669); 4 October 1916, Burke’s Garden, Curtis Cline Cronise, 28, of Botetourt Co. and Lettie Mae Rhudy, 25, of Tazewell Co.; Groom’s parents: John & Nettie C. Cronise; Bride’s parents: L. E. H. and N. I. Rhudy; m. by R. Homer Anderson; Residence: Botetourt Co., farmer.
  • "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJJG-4TY : accessed 5 December 2017), Lettie M Cronise in household of Eustice C Cronise, Buchanan, Botetourt, Virginia, United States; citing ED 59, sheet 2B, line 66, family 27, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 1880; FHL microfilm 1,821,880.
  • 5 June 1920 Federal Census, Buchanan District, Botetourt Co., VA; Household # 26/27; John A. Sisson, head #1, rents, 29; Bessie B., 24; Ada C., 1 year, 11 months; Curtis C. Cronise, head #2, owns free, 31; Lettie M., 28; Andrew R., newborn; Nettie C., mother, 55; Bessie C., 21, sister; Aubrey E., 18, brother.
  • Botetourt County, Virginia Deed Book S, p. 463-464; 21 November 1927, Curtis C. Cronise and Lettie M. Cronise, his wife, and Emory C. Cronise and Bessie L. Cronise, his wife, to Thomas S. Trevey and Elsie A. Trevey, his wife, all those three certain lots, tracts, pieces or parcels of land and premises, situated, lying and being in the Buchanan Magisterial District of Botetourt County, Virginia, which was conveyed to the said Curtis C. Cronise and Emory C. Cronise by Frank E. Cronise, widower...
  • April 10, 1930 Federal Census, Buchanan District, Botetourt Co., VA; Household #200/201; Nettie Cronise, head, owns, 62, widow; Curtis C., 42; Lettie, daughter-in-law, 39; Andrew R., 10; Helen E., 8; Emily P., 3 years, 11 months; Curtis L., 1 year, 10 months.
  • Botetourt County, Virginia Deed Book Z, p. 524-525; 22 February 1938, Nettie C. Cronise (otherwise known as Mrs. Nettie A. Cronise) widow of John A. Cronise to Curtis C. Cronise and Lettie M. Cronise, his wife, for and in consideration of the sum of $2750.00, and for the further consideration of the parties of the second part agreeing and undertaking to keep and maintain said party of the first part for the balance of her natural life, and pay all of her expenses (except her doctor’s bills, burial expenses and the pay of a trained nurse should one become necessary), all of that certain tract or parcel of land which was conveyed to Mrs. Nettie A. Cronise (otherwise known as Mrs. Nettie C. Cronise) by Benjamin Haden Jr., Special Commissioner in the chancery cause of Mrs. Nettie A. Cronise et als vs. Elsie A. Trevey, by deed dated January 16, 1924.
  • "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRYD-SLC : accessed 8 February 2017), Curtis C Cronise, Buchanan Magisterial District, Botetourt, Virginia, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 12-9, sheet 5A, line 29, family 82, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 4249.
  • 25 April 1940 Federal Census, Botetourt County, VA, Buchanan Mag. Dist., Road 639 ; Wheatland Rd.], Household #82; Curtis C. Cronise, lives on farm valued at $2500, 52, Operator, Farm; Lettie M. Cronise, 49, wife; Rhudy Cronise, 20, son; Helen E. Cronise, 18, daughter; Emily P. Cronise, 13, daughter; Curtis L. Cronise, 11, son; Nettie C. Cronise, 72, widow, mother; Linnie Dalton, 39, divorced, boarder, house maid [caretaker for Nettie]. Note: Nettie was bedridden following a stroke.
  • 1950 Federal Census, Botetourt County, Virginia; Household # 269, Curtis C. Cronise, 62, farming; Lettie R. Cronise, 59; Rhudy A. Cronise, 30, farming help; Thelma M. Cronise, 24; Darlene V. Cronise, 2; Lorraine C. Cronise, 21, farming help.
  • Death Certificate #34756, Curtis Cline Cronise died 26 December 1964, age 76; Place of Death: Residence, Route 1, Fincastle, VA; Father: John Cronise; Mother: Nettie Stevens; Date of Birth: 12 February 1888; Spouse: Lettie Rhudy; Informant: Mrs. C. C. Cronise; Occupation: Farmer, Farm owner; Burial: 28 December 1964, Wheatland Cemetery, Botetourt Co, VA.
  • Teaching certificate in possession of Helen Cronise.
  • Botetourt County, Virginia Deed Book 170, p. 223-226; 12 February 1965, Whereas, the said C. C. Cronise (Curtis C. Cronise) died intestate, a resident of Botetourt County Virginia, residing on said land, on December 26, 1964, owning said 60 acres tract of land and a one-half undivided interest in the said 70 acres tract of land and owning no personal property of any consequence and owing no debts, leaving for his sole and only heirs at law the said Lettie M. Cronise as his widow, she being 74 years of age, Rhudy Cronise and Thelma Cronise, his wife; Helen Stultz, widow; Emily McGuire and James S. McGuire, her husband; and Curtis L. Cronise and Connie Cronise, his wife, convey to Lettie M. Cronise, for and during her lifetime, all their right, title and interest in the said two tracts of land aggregating about 130 acres...
  • "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J24K-F48 : 19 May 2014), Lettie M Cronise, 23 Aug 1991; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
  • Death Certificate #91-031070; Lettie Rhudy Cronise died 23 August 1991, age 100, Botetourt Co., VA, Fincastle; Date of Birth: 1 January 1891 Virginia; Residence: Fincastle, Botetourt Co., Route 1, Box 339, 24090; Father: Levi Elijah Hawkins Rhudy; Mother: Nannie Mahood; Caucasian, Widow; Spouse: Curtis Cline Cronise; Occupation: Teacher; Informant: Curtis L. Cronise; Buried: Wheatland Lutheran Church Cemetery, Fincastle.
  • Botetourt County, Virginia Will Book 43, p. 469; 30 September 1991, Virginia, In the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of the County of Botetourt on the 30th day of September 1991, Inventory of the estate of Lettie Mae Rhudy Cronise.
  • Botetourt County, Virginia Deed Book 403, p. 753-756; 3 March 1992, Andrew Rhudy Cronise and Thelma Cronise, husband and wife; Helen Stultz Cronise and Malcolm Lee Cronise, husband and wife; James S. McGuire and Emily Cronise McGuire, husband and wife; Curtis Loraine Cronise and Connie Leffel Cronise, husband and wife, the heirs at law of Curtis C. Cronise who died intestate December 26, 1964 and Lettie Mae Rhudy Cronise who died intestate August 23, 1991, to Warren L. Stevens and Son, Incorporated, a Virginia Corporation, 130 acres.
  • Botetourt County, Virginia Will Book 45, p. 234-236; 10 September 1992, Virginia, In the Circuit Court of Botetourt County, Estate of Lettie Mae Rhudy Cronise, deceased; First and Final Accounting; The undersigned, Curtis L. Cronise and Helen S. Cronise, qualified as Administrators in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of Botetourt County, Virginia, on the 30th day of September, 1991 and files their first and final accounting showing all the assets coming into their hands on the date of qualification for the estate of Lettie Mae Rhudy Cronise, and the disbursements and distributions made thereof...




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DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Lettie by comparing test results with other carriers of her mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondrial DNA test-takers in the direct maternal line: It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Lettie:

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