Elma Matilda Bayless
Elma Matilda Bayless was born on 7 August 1901 in Ohio. Her parents were George Coleman Bayless (1859-1944) and Mary Adelina "Addie" Fleming (1871-1950). Her siblings included Della, William Lawrence, Bethel Mae, Alma Ellanora, Dewey G and Louella Edna Bayless.
On 28 February 1920, at eighteen, she married Carey Hall Francis. The Rev. W. C. Wamsley married them at his home in West Union. Carey had come home the summer before from nine months in France with an army bakery company. The marriage record names her parents as George Bayless and Mary A. Fleming, and his as John Francis and Louella Piatt.
They had eight children. Wyona Marie Francis was born and died in 1921. The others were Robert Melvin (1922), Geneva Naomi (1924), Bruce Parker (1926), Elsie Cora (1930), Anna L (1932), Mary Ellen (1940) and Samuel Oliver (1944).
Elma was widowed in 1962. She died in West Union, Adams County, Ohio, on 18 August 1976, aged 75. She is buried near her husband in Section 4 of West Union Cemetery, under a flat granite marker that reads ELMA M FRANCIS, AUG 7 1901, AUG 18 1976.
Children
Sources
Find a Grave, memorial 59009195, Sgt Robert Melvin Francis, West Union Cemetery, West Union, Adams County, Ohio, Section 4
Proves: Links Elma Matilda Bayless Francis (1901-1976) as the mother of Robert Melvin Francis.
Find a Grave, memorial 59009129, Elma Matilda Bayless Francis, West Union Cemetery, West Union, Adams County, Ohio, Section 4
Proves: Gives Elma's birth on 7 Aug 1901 in Ohio and death on 18 Aug 1976 in West Union, her husband Carey Hall Francis, and Robert Melvin among her eight children.
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Researched October 2026. Cite: Heirology, "Elma Matilda Bayless (1901-1976)", https://heirology.com/ancestors/elma-matilda-bayless-1901-1976-c08d0b.