Person Page - 8

     Dr. Theodore Jackson Bender Jr. was born on 4 March 1917 at Mobile, Mobile Co., AL.^1,2 He was the son of Theodore Jackson Bender and Mary Frances McCafferty. Dr. Theodore Jackson Bender Jr. also went by the name of Jack Bender. He married Agnes Gavin, daughter of James Phillip Gavin and Lucille Pigott, on 26 September 1943 at AR. Dr. Theodore Jackson Bender Jr. died on 9 May 2007 at Mobile, Mobile Co., AL, at age 90.² He was buried at Magnolia Cemetery, Mobile, Mobile Co., AL.²

From the Mobile Press-Register, 11 May 2007:

Theodore Jackson Bender, Jr. MD, 90, born March 4, 1917, a life long resident of Mobile, died Wednesday, May 9, 2007 following a brief illness.

Dr. Jack was an avid sportsman enjoying hunting , fishing and playing golf his entire active life. Dr. Jack was a sole practitioner for over 40 years, he retired in 1988 and prior to his death he was the oldest Orthopedic Surgeon in the State of Alabama. Dr. Jack Bender graduated form University of Alabama before attending and graduating from the University of Tennessee Medical School in 1943. He served in the armed forces in World War II, serving as a Captain in the Medical Corp, in the Pacific Theater and Korea. Dr. Bender began his private practice in Mobile, starting the Mobile Bone and Joint Clinic, located at 1457 Springhill avenue, in 1947. He was President of the Staff of Providence Hospital in 1960. He was a member of many Medical Association including: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics, American Society of Hematology, Society of Pediatric Research, American Pediatric Society, MASA; MSMC Clinical Orthopedic Society, American Board Orthopedic Surgery, American Academy Orthopedic Surgery, American College of Surgeons, President, Mobile Bay Area Orthopedic Society, President of Alabama State Orthopedic Society, Associate Professor, Orthopedic Surgery, and the University of South Alabama Medical School.

Dr. Bender was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore Jackson Bender and Mary Francis (McCafferty) Bender. He leaves behind and will remain in loving memory by his wife of 63 years, Agnes Gavin Bender; a daughter, Lee (Bender) Whaley of San Francisco, CA; five sons, Ted (Becky) Bender, Gavin (Margaret) Bender, Bob (Mary) Bender, Bill (Linda) Bender, and John T. (Andie) Bender; five grandsons, eight granddaughters and one great grandson.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. Dominic Catholic Church on Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Arrangements by RADNEY FUNERAL HOME, 3155 Dauphin St. Ext., Mobile, AL 36606.

     Thomas Benton Bender was born on 10 February 1919 at Mobile, Mobile Co., AL.^1,2,3 He was the son of Theodore Jackson Bender and Mary Frances McCafferty. Thomas Benton Bender married Rosemary McPhillips, daughter of Manning McPhillips and Hilda Druhan. Thomas Benton Bender died on 12 August 1979 at Mobile, Mobile Co., AL, at age 60.^2,3 He was buried on 14 August 1979 at Pine Crest Cemetery, Mobile, Mobile Co., AL.³

     Frank S. Henderson married Pearl Griffin Bender, daughter of Thomas Benton Bender and Mittie Cotton, circa 1894.¹

     John Douglas Henderson was the son of Frank S. Henderson and Pearl Griffin Bender.

     William Henderson was the son of Frank S. Henderson and Pearl Griffin Bender.

     Ruth Henderson was the daughter of Frank S. Henderson and Pearl Griffin Bender.

     Marie Henderson was the daughter of Frank S. Henderson and Pearl Griffin Bender.

     Frank S. Henderson Junior was born circa 1905 at AL.¹ He was the son of Frank S. Henderson and Pearl Griffin Bender.

     Elizabeth Budd Henderson was born circa 1908 at AL.¹ She was the daughter of Frank S. Henderson and Pearl Griffin Bender.

     Samuel Bennett Slade Hooks was born on 19 February 1907 at Washington Co., AL.² He was the son of Robert David Hooks Sr. and Isabelle Cecile Slade. Samuel Bennett Slade Hooks was also known as Slade Hooks. He married Aurelia Bender, daughter of Theodore Jackson Bender and Mary Frances McCafferty. Samuel Bennett Slade Hooks died on 15 December 1995 at Mobile, Mobile Co., AL, at age 88.² He was buried on 18 December 1995 at Harris-Hooks Cemetery, Wagarville, Washington Co., AL.³


from the Mobile Register, Sunday December 17, 1995 Mr. Samuel S. Hooks, Sr. -- A native of Washington County and resident of Mobile, died Friday, December 15, 1995 in a local hospital.


He was a retired Vice President of American National Bank, a member of St. Dominic's Catholic Church, mystic societies, skyline Country Club, Athelson Club and treasurer of Mobile Track and Field Association.


Survivors include his wife, Wilhelmina Hart Hooks; a son, Mr. Slade Hooks, Jr; a daughter Aurelia Hooks Benton; a stepson, Henry A. Schwarz, III; six grandchildren, Bennett Slade Hooks, III, Charles David Hooks, Patricia Ann Hooks, Roy H. Benton, IV, Thomas F. Benton and Aurelia B. Benton all of Mobile and other relatives. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Sunday evening from 6-8PM. A rosary service will be held at 7pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. Dominic's Catholic Church, Monday, December 18, 1995 at 9:30am. Interment will be in Belle C. Hooks Cemetery. Donations may be made to: St. Dominic's Catholic Church or the Salvation Army. Arrangements by Radney Funeral Home, Dauphin St., Ext., Mobile, AL.

     Agnes Gavin was born on 4 February 1922 at Jackson, Tennessee. She was the daughter of James Phillip Gavin and Lucille Pigott. Agnes Gavin married Dr. Theodore Jackson Bender Jr., son of Theodore Jackson Bender and Mary Frances McCafferty, on 26 September 1943 at AR. Agnes Gavin died on 30 January 2008 at Mobile, Mobile Co., AL, at age 85. She was buried on 1 February 2008 at Magnolia Cemetery, Mobile, Mobile Co., AL.

from the Mobile Register 2/1/2008:

A native of Memphis, and a long time resident of Mobile, died Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at her home at the age of 85. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Dr. Theodore Jackson Bender, Jr. Survivors include her daughter, Virginia Lee Bender of San Francisco, 5 sons, Theodore Jackson Bender, III (Becky) of Atlanta, Georgia, James Gavin Bender (Margaret), Robert Hardy Bender (Mary), William Griffen Bender (Linda), John Thomas Bender (Andie), all of Mobile; two sisters, Mary Lucille Sweeney of Chicago, Illinois, Nancy Gavin Warren of Memphis, Tennessee, and a brother, James Gavin, also of Memphis; thirteen grandchildren; one great-grand child, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Friday, February 1, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. with Mass following at 11:00 at St. Dominic Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Magnolia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Catholic Social Services, 400 Government Street, Mobile, Alabama. Arrangements by RADNEY FUNERAL HOME, 3155 Dauphin St. Ext., Mobile, AL.

     Rosemary McPhillips was born on 14 September 1920.¹ She was the daughter of Manning McPhillips and Hilda Druhan. Rosemary McPhillips married Thomas Benton Bender, son of Theodore Jackson Bender and Mary Frances McCafferty. Rosemary McPhillips died on 10 July 2005 at Mobile, Mobile Co., AL, at age 84.¹ She was buried on 13 July 2005 at Pinecrest Cemetery, Mobile, Mobile Co., AL.

Rosemary McPhillips Bender Hixon -- a native and lifelong resident of Mobile, AL died Sunday, July 10, 2005 in a local hospital at the age of 84. Mrs. Hixon was preceded in death by her first husband, Thomas Benton Bender, Sr. She is survived by her husband, Carl Hixon, Jr. of Spanish Fort, AL; her children, Thomas Benton (Dina) Bender, Jr., Barbara (Michael) Knight, Frances (Joe) Tonsmeire, David (Deborah) Bender, Rosemary (Frank) Terrell, Lucia (Sam) Hicks, Margaret Dixon, Carl Hixon, III, Celia (Michael) Delaney; one sister, Nell McP. Lott; two brothers, H. Manning McPhillips, Jr., and James D. McPhillips; twenty two grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, July 13, 2005 at 1:15 PM at St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM at the Marian Center. Interment will be in Pine Crest Cemetery. The family has requested that memorials be made to Catholic Charities, St. Ignatius Catholic Church or Little Sisters of the Poor. Arrangements by RADNEY FUNERAL HOME, 3155 Dauphin St., Mobile, AL.

     Frances Mathilde Bender was born on 12 February 1948 at Mobile, Mobile Co., AL. She was the daughter of Thomas Benton Bender and Rosemary McPhillips. Frances Mathilde Bender married Joseph Lewis Tonsmeire, son of Arthur Tonsmeire and Dorothy (?), on 6 November 1971 at Mobile, Mobile Co., AL. Frances Mathilde Bender died on 16 November 2014 at Lemhi, Lemhi Co., ID, at age 66. She was buried.¹

     Joseph Lewis Tonsmeire was born on 22 January 1948 at Mobile, Mobile Co., AL.¹ He was the son of Arthur Tonsmeire and Dorothy (?) Joseph Lewis Tonsmeire married Frances Mathilde Bender, daughter of Thomas Benton Bender and Rosemary McPhillips, on 6 November 1971 at Mobile, Mobile Co., AL. Joseph Lewis Tonsmeire died on 9 March 2007 at Lemhi, Lemhi Co., ID, at age 59.¹ He was buried at On a mountain top on his ranch, Lemhi, Lemhi Co., ID.

Fran and Joe were high school sweethearts, married in 1971 and moved to the Salmon Valley, Idaho, in 1972. They bought the beginnings of their ranch on Hayden Creek up the Lemhi River in 1973. They started Wilderness River Outfitters in 1972. Joe lived life to the fullest. Most of his days were spent in the outdoors, whether on wilderness adventures, working on the ranch, climbing mountains, riding the range or chasing an elk up many a mountain top. He loved the land and rivers deeply and was truly an adventurer. Joe's passion and love of wild mountains and rivers lead him to many exciting adventures in Idaho, Montana, Alaska, South America and New Zealand. Joe's other love was his beloved Hayden Creek Ranch. He took great pride in his beautiful ranch and never tired of taking care of his cattle herd and property, known to be a hardworking man of impeccable character. Joe was instrumental in creating both the Lemhi Regional Land Trust and Child Life Support Services, Inc. The Land Trust was created to help maintain Lemhi County's agricultural ranching base.

Following a bone marrow transplant in August 2005, Joe recoved to enjoy running most every trip offered by WRO in Idahoe, Montana and Alaska. Following his death, Fran continued to live on the ranch and work with Amy and Seth in the business. He was buried on a mountain top on his ranch. During his illness, Joe and Fran were introduced to the Children's ward at St. Luke's Hospital which lead to their foundation of Child Life Support Services, Inc., a nonprofit foundation with a goal of enhancing the lives of disabled children through nature based activities and programs. Following her death, Fran was buried beside Joe on their ranch.

A Poem for Joe by Amy:

With the pace of a mountain goat and the heart of Lion, he never stopped living - he'd rather die trying.
From the top of McKinley or thru raging falls, he's riding the range and shooting the stars.
The River it called and the trail it began, and the wind always whispered to this special man.
A figure of love, and passion and grace, blue dancing eyes and a smile on his face.
I wonder now what we should do or should say; I'll follow his tracks and cherish each day.
Well the River it called and the trail it began, and the wind always whispered to this special man.

     Jon Foster Steele was born on 3 February 1972 at Mobile, Mobile Co., AL. He was the son of Jon Steele and Margaret Rose Ingate. Jon Foster Steele died on 6 June 2010 at New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., NJ, at age 38. He was buried on 7 June 2010 at Beth Abraham Cemetery, East Brunswick, NJ. Jon Steele, beloved son, brother and friend, passed away on June 6, after struggling with severe illness for many years. Jon was born in Mobile, Ala. on Feb. 2, 1972. In 1990, he graduated from Highland Park High School, where he discovered his lifelong passions for literature, art and music. Jon attended Sarah Lawrence College, Middlesex County College, and Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. Under the guidance of his teachers, Jon developed his natural talent as a photographer. At Rutgers, he served one year as photography editor of The Targum.

Jon lived most of his life in Highland Park, N.J., but also resided in San Francisco, Calif., which he loved for its beauty. Jon loved to travel, and had visited France and Israel, and many places in the U.S. Most recently, Jon traveled to Ireland with his stepfather David, and his brothers, Yosef and Dov. From his childhood on, Jon had a strong concern for social justice and empathy for the suffering of the oppressed and downtrodden, wherever they were. Jon was generous in sharing whatever he had with others.

Jon was predeceased by his grandparents, Paul and Vivian "Bibi" Steele of Fort Walton Beach, Fla. and Frederick and Margaret Ingate of Mobile, Ala. Jon is survived by his mother and stepfather, Margaret Ingate and David Simen; his brothers, Yosef and Dov Simen; his father and stepmother, Jon and Vieva Steele; his brother and sister, Matt and Annemarie Steele, and stepsiblings, Robbie and Laurie Olsen. Funeral services were held on June 7. Jon's family is grateful for the kindness extended to Jon during his life and the support given to them as they mourn his loss. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to NARSAD or a charity of your choice.

     Harrison Willard Babbitt was born on 31 March 1812 at Barre, Worcester Co., MA.^3,4,5 He was the son of Isaac Babbitt and Sarah Phinney. Harrison Willard Babbitt married Marilla Theresa Converse, daughter of Joel Converse Jr. and Abigail Colt, on 18 May 1848 at Auburn, New Hampshire.^3,4 Harrison Willard Babbitt died on 4 August 1885 at Barre, Worcester Co., MA, at age 73.^3,4 He was buried at Lincoln Cemetery, Barre, Worcester Co., MA.⁶

Harrison and Marilla were enumerated in the 1850 Worcester, Worcester Co., MA, federal census. He was an auctioneer, age 38, she was 24. There was only one child in the household, Clara 1.


Harrison and Marilla were enumerated in the 1860 Worcester, Worcester Co. MA, federal census. He was a peddler age 45, she was 42. Children in the household were Clara 11, Edwin 9, Frank 7, and Mary 4.


Harrison W. and Marilla T. were enumerated in the 1870 Barre, Worcester Co., MA, federal census. He was a farmer age 58, she was 43. Children in the household were Frank A. 16, Mary A. 14, Kate M. 9, Alfred L. 7, and Milton P. 3.


Harrison W. and Marilla T. were enumerated in the 1880 Barre, Worcester Co., MA, federal census. He was a farmer age 68, she was 54. Children in the household were Kate 19, Alfred L. 18, and Milton P. 13.

     Marilla Theresa Converse was born on 7 September 1826 at Lyme, Grafton Co., NH.^2,3,4 She was the daughter of Joel Converse Jr. and Abigail Colt.^2,4,5 Marilla Theresa Converse married Harrison Willard Babbitt, son of Isaac Babbitt and Sarah Phinney, on 18 May 1848 at Auburn, New Hampshire.^2,3 Marilla Theresa Converse married Harrison Wyman on 4 January 1888 at Hubbardston, Worcester Co., MA.⁶ Marilla Theresa Converse died on 5 January 1892 at Oakdale, West Boylston, Worcester Co., MA, at age 65.^2,3 She was buried at Barre, Worcester Co., MA.

Harrison and Marilla were enumerated in the 1860 Worcester, Worcester Co., MA, federal census. He was 45, she was 42. Children in the household were Clara 11, Edwin 9, Frank 7, and Mary 4.

from the Barre Gazette:

"The announcement of the death of Mrs. Wyman, formerly Mrs. Harrison Babbitt, was a surprise to her many friends in this town, where she had been visiting only a short time before her death. It seems that she was taken with the illness that proved fatal shortly after leaving here, and while visiting at her daughter's (Mrs. Bradley) at Oakdale. The funeral services were held in the Congregational Chapel, in this place, on Thursday of last week, with the attendance of a considerable number of her friends and former neighbors. Rev. William. A. Converse, a brother of the deceased, of Piermont, N.H., was present at the services, with his wife. He, with a sister, who was not able to attend, are now the only surviving members of a family of twelve. Mrs. Wyman was a woman greatly devoted to her children, and her life illustrated the home virtues. She was a person of much thought, an could express herself readily, both in conversation and with her pen. Not a few of her poems have been published." Christian Observer: "Marilla Theresa Converse, widely known as a contributor to our columns, over the initials of "M.T.B.," and wife of the late Harrison W. Babbitt of Bare, Mass., died, Jan. 5th at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mary A. Bradley, in Oakdale, Mass. "She was born in Lyme, N.H., Sept 7th, 1826, and in her childhood became a Christian, and learned to love the Christian Observer, published by cousins in a far away State, for which she frequently contributed both prose and poetry in later years. "Abby M. Converse (C.M.A.), her eldest sister, wrote for the Observer many years ago. After her death, through a remarkable experience, the sister's mantle fell upon Marilla, and she immediately began writing. "She was married to Harrison W. Babitt. May 18th, 1848, and for nearly forty years led a most devoted home life at Worcester and Barre, Mass. "Into that home were born four sons and three daughters. In early manhood one son was called from the family circle. The other children survive her. With all the home devotion she still found time to lay a sympathizing hand on the brow of the sick, to close sightless eyes, to pray with and comfort bereaved ones, and labor earnestly for church, charitable and missionary work. "Mr. Babbitt died, August 4th, 1885, at Barre. Two years later she was married to Dea. Harrison Wyman of Hubbardston, Mass., in whose home she sincerely devoted her life till his death August 30th 1891. "The poem, "Waiting," which we print on the first page this week, was found in her writing desk after her death. It was among the last, if not the latest, of her poems."

     Edwin Converse Babbitt was born on 26 November 1850 at Worcester, Worcester Co., MA. He was the son of Harrison Willard Babbitt and Marilla Theresa Converse.

     Frank Allen Babbitt was born on 15 July 1853 at Worcester, Worcester Co., MA. He was the son of Harrison Willard Babbitt and Marilla Theresa Converse. Frank Allen Babbitt died on 25 August 1870 at Barre, Worcester Co., MA, at age 17.

     Mary Alice Babbitt was born on 19 November 1855 at Worcester, Worcester Co., MA. She was the daughter of Harrison Willard Babbitt and Marilla Theresa Converse.

     Kate Maria Babbitt was born on 7 October 1860 at Barre, Worcester Co., MA.¹ She was the daughter of Harrison Willard Babbitt and Marilla Theresa Converse. Kate Maria Babbitt married Hiram Newton Cudworth on 5 May 1891. Kate Maria Babbitt died on 15 February 1945 at Moore Co., NC, at age 84.¹ She was buried at Sagamore Cemetery, Bourne, Barnstable Co., MA.¹