Neill Arch McIntyre Obituary

Published in The Robesonian, March 20, 2009.

Neill Arch McIntyre, 86, of Fayetteville, died March 20, 2009, at
Campbellton Health Care in Fayetteville.
A graveside service will be 3 p.m. Sunday in Oak Ridge Cemetery in St.
Pauls, the Rev. David Canady officiating.
He was an Army veteran of World War II with Company B 105 Combat
Engineer Battalion. He earned five battle stars, a Presidential Unit
Citation and a Good Conduct Medal. In 1960 he was ordained as a Deacon
in Lebanon Baptist Church by Rev. Art Tatum and served in that
capacity in several churches in the Fayetteville area.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel; and a son, Jimmy.
Surviving are three daughters, Mary Breen and Alice Tyndall, both of
Fayetteville and Peggy Holcomb of Warner Robbins, Ga.; nine
grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by St. Pauls Funeral Home.

Neill Arch McIntyre (20 May 1922-20 Mar 2009)

Maggie’s Sisters—Johnson Teenagers

In a memorial book for Grandmother Maggie J. McIntyre, created by her oldest child, May-Rena McIntyre Rodin, there is a photograph c.1890s of three of Maggie’s sisters titled, Teenagers.

The description accompanying the photo identifies the Johnson Teenagers: Surena Jane (16), Lucy Mae (18), Mary Catherine. These ages are inaccurate because Jane is actually older than Lucy.

All three girls were born in the month of June, with Jane born in 1876. Mary came a year later in 1877. In three more years Lucy followed in 1880. [It would be six more years before Maggie, the youngest of the Johnson children, would be born.]

Johnson Teenagers: Surena Jane (16), Lucy Mae (18), Mary Catherine [Ages are not accurate]

Surena Johnson (Mrs. James) and 13th child, Maggie Alice (with ? dollie)

I recognize the foliage on the wall in back and the loosely strewn branches at their feet from studying another family picture. The above photograph resembles in background and dress one in which their mother Surena poses with little sister Maggie.

Because the mother and sisters are all wearing black I wonder if they were in mourning.

This is mere conjecture, but sister Sallie did die of of burns on 6 Sep 1897. Maggie would have been eleven at the time of Sallie’s accident and looks about that age here.

As I said the mourning idea is speculation but seeing these two  images together helps date the picture a little better. Assuming Maggie is 11, Jane would be 21; Mary, 20; and Lucy 17. Their mother Surena then would be 53.

Surena Jane Johnson (11 Jun 1876 – 10 Jul 1919)
Mary Catherine Johnson Mercer (25 Jun 1877 – 3 Mar 1944)
Lucy Mae Johnson DeVore (19 Jun 1880 – 10 Aug 1959)
Maggie Alice Johnson McIntyre (2 Jul 1886 – 12 Jul 1975)
Surena Humphrey Johnson (21 Oct 1844 – 22 Jan 1909)

Surena Jane Johnson

Another of Maggie’s beautiful sisters was Surena Jane Johnson.

Ninth child of James and Surena Johnson, she was born 11 Jun 1876 and died 10 Jul 1919 in St. Pauls, NC.

Surena Jane Johnson

photo label from Maggie’s memorial book: “Jane Johnson”

Maggie Johnson McIntyre, age 16. circa 1902

This photograph is undated, but there is a circa 1902 portrait of Maggie at age 16 taken in the exact setting, same chair.

Jane was 10 years older than Maggie, so if the two sisters were photographed at the same time, Jane would be 26 in this picture. There is no way to tell but one wonders.  The poses of the two women are nearly identical, and the dresses with their high necklines and belted waists reflect similar styles.

Jane never married. She died of pulmonary tuberculosis at age 43. As would be common in her era, the death certificate describes her occupation as general house work.

Surena Jane Johnson (11 Jun 1876 – 10 Jul 1919)

Attachment
Death Certificate of Surena Jane Johnson

Children of Mary Catherine Johnson Mercer

Mary Catherine Johnson Mercer was Maggie’s sibling.

In the memorial book for Maggie, created by her daughter May-Rena, there is a page with pictures of the Mary Catherine and J. L. (“Lonnie”) Mercer daughters. All of these photos are undated. Birth order and birthdates of the children are unavailable at this time.

Mary Johnson Mercer’s Children: Virginia, Vivian and Jewel

May-Rena particularly remarked how beautiful Jewel was. There are two images of Jewel. One shows her as a young girl with farm buildings in the background. In the second, she is a young woman.

Jewel Mercer. Aunt Mary’s daughter. So beautiful…Alma, GA

Another photo shows two of the girls, baby Virginia supported by older sister Vivian.

Virginia and Vivian Mercer. Aunt Mary’s daughters

No longer the baby, here is another image of Virginia Mercer.

Virginia Mercer

There is one other loose photo showing Vivian Mercer (I photographed the photograph which is probably why it is out of focus).

Vivian, Mary’s girl (Mary was Grandma Maggie McIntyre’s sister)

Undated Photo, written in Maggie McIntyre’s handwriting: “Vivian, Mary’s girl” (Mary was Grandma Maggie McIntyre’s sister)

Mary Catherine Johnson Mercer

Undated photo: Mary Catherine Johnson Mercer

Sibling of Maggie Johnson McIntyre, Mary Catherine Johnson Mercer was born 25 Jun 1877 in St Pauls, NC.

On 21 Jan 1903 she married J. L. (“Lonnie”) Mercer. In the undated photograph below, May-Rena Rodin’s hand-written description places Mary Catherine in Alma, a small town in southeastern Georgia.

“Alma was founded in 1900 as a stop on the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. It was incorporated as a city in 1906 and designated seat of the newly formed Bacon County in 1914.”¹

Undated Photo: Mary Mercer – garden. Alma, GA

She died 3 Mar 1944 (Bacon County, Georgia) and was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Georgia.

Mary Catherine Johnson Mercer (25 Jun 1877-3 Mar 1944)

References
¹ Hellmann, Paul T. (May 13, 2013). Historical Gazetteer of the United States. Routledge. p. 216. Retrieved 25 November 2016.

McIntyre Children In St. Pauls, NC

May-Rena McIntyre (Rodin)

The oldest of the Maggie and Ira McIntyre children, May-Rena Rodin began first grade in 1922. She wrote poignantly in her autobiography about how much she enjoyed school. It is likely her mother Maggie made the dress she is wearing when this school picture was taken. A potted hyacinth sits on the desk behind her to create a warm portrait.

May-Rena McIntrye (Rodin) First Grade, St. Pauls Elementary

An eager first grader, May-Rena was a life learner. She enrolled in UNC-Pembroke during the last part of her life. While she was quite familiar with the typewriter, her teacher required all papers to be typed using a computer and submitted digitally for grading, something she never felt the need to do. Rather she concentrated on the content and her homeworks were marked down.

Detail: May-Rena (McIntrye) Rodin First Grade, St. Pauls Elementary

May-Rena was a member of the 1934 graduating class at St. Pauls High. She is seen kneeling at the far left, second row.

May-Rena’s Class of 1934, St. Pauls High School

On the back of the photo she has identified the names of the students in the graduation class. Unfortunately the photo was adhered to a photo album and damaged when removed, obscuring many of the names.

Partial list: (May-Rena). Then …Water Nance, Genella Little, James Seawell, Virgie brogan, Elizabeth Goodrich, My ..rette, Jea…, Jo…llis, Miss …Earle Elkins, Margaret Alford, J. E. M. White. My High School graduation class 1934.

May-Rena’s Class of 1934, St. Pauls High School (Back of photo)

Vera McIntyre (Beard)

Vera was the second daughter of Maggie and Ira McIntyre. Born on a Thursday in 1919 on Christmas Day at the house in St. Pauls, NC, she is a baby in this undated picture.

Vera McIntyre (Beard) – Baby

The back of the photo is inscribed simply, “Vera (Baby)” in what looks like Vera’s handwriting.

Vera McIntyre (Beard) – Baby (back of photo)

Vera had a gentle personality and a beautiful smile. Wearing a heart-shaped locket she looks happy in this updated photograph. The tight curls may have taken some effort. She lamented that she had straight hair, something that her children who grew up in the 1960s could not understand.

Undated photo:
Vera McIntyre (Beard)

Which of the McIntyre sisters is portrayed below is unclear. May-Rena’s daughter Stephanie thought it was Vera, and I, Vera’s daughter Susie, thought it was May-Rena. I have concluded looking at the bone structure of the face it is more like to be Vera. She sits outdoors hugging an array of dolls, probably in St. Pauls. There is a water tower in the background. In the middle distance it looks like a figure posed on a telephone pole. On the right a dog is peering out at the edge of the picture.

Vera (or May-Rena?) McIntyre With Dolls. Dog is watching on the right. Is that N.A. climbing up on the telephone pole in the back?

This is an undated photo of Vera from May-Rena’s collection.

Vera McIntyre Beard

This is a name card from Vera’s high school graduation on May 26, 1937. My understanding is that “Ellen” was not given her at birth, but May-Rena thought she should have a second name.

Graduation Name Card: Vera Ellen McIntyre

N.A. McIntyre

Neill Arch was the youngest and only son of Maggie and Ira. He was called N.A., although his mother often called him Junior.

N.A. McIntyre

N.A. looks quite handsome in this undated photograph, probably taken in St. Pauls where the family resided.

N.A. McIntyre, Jr

Though not old enough, N.A. joined the Army during World War II before graduating from high school. Many years later he earned a high school equivalency by completing General Educational Development (GED) requirements.

May Rena McIntyre Rodin (7 May 1916-2 Oct 2002)
Vera McIntyre Beard (25 Dec 1919-19 July 1974)
Neill Arch McIntyre (20 May 1922-20 Mar 2009)

 

Florida Years (1925-1929)

Between 1925-1929 the Ira McIntyre family moved from St. Pauls, NC to Florida. By this time Ira had become a skilled carpenter. In Orlando and surrounding towns Ira found work in construction in the waning years of the Florida land boom.

In a memorial book for Maggie, created by her oldest child, May-Rena McIntyre Rodin, there are several family photographs from this period. The first one shows Maggie as a young mother with two of her children.

May-Rena’s handwritten caption in the memorial book reads, “N.A. and May-Rena with Mother (dressed for church) at Maitland, Florida.”  In an added note she writes, “1926-1929 We lived in Maitland, Orlando and Orla Vista, Florida, where Dad was a Building Contractor for custom homes.  Dad loved Florida but Mom did not. MRR”

Memorial Book page: N.A. and May-Rena with Mother (dressed for church) at Maitland, Florida. 1926-1929, We lived in Maitland, Orlando and Orla Vista, Florida, where Dad was a building Contractor for custom homes. Dad loved Florida but Mom did not. MRR

This is a closer look at the same photograph. The family is dressed in white. Next to a planter of flowers, the children sit playfully on the porch as Maggie wearing a stylish hat, turns toward the camera. Her whole life Maggie always wore a hat to church.

N.A. and May-Rena with Mother (dressed for church) at Maitland, Florida. 1926-1929,

Possibly taken at the same moment, in this image the father Ira and the same two children lean casually against the front porch. Behind son N.A. is a sturdy swing and at the far end of the porch a rocking chair is silhouetted against the trellis.

[The furniture is iconic. A generation later I, Susie, remember happy times playing with siblings and cousins on our grandparents Ira and Maggie’s front porch in St. Pauls, NC. There the porch swing was located at the far left and oriented so it could fly freely through the opening at the end. We always tried to make it go higher and higher, until an adult would hush us and warn us to stop that.  There were also several solidly built rockers, crafted by Granddaddy, that leaned facing into the wall when not in use.]

N.A. Ira McIntyre, Sr with May-Rena and N.A., Jr

Middle child Vera, absent from the first pictures, poses below with May-Rena and N.A. by the gate. The girls appear to be holding books, possibly bibles, to carry to church.

May-Rena, Vera and N.A. MacIntyre (McIntyre), Gate at Maitland, Florida

Another time, also in Maitland, two images capture Vera and then N.A. at the front steps.

Vera MacIntyre (McIntyre), when in Maitland, Fla.

N.A. peeks out from behind a large container of fern and heart-shaped leaves, maybe elephant ears.

N.A. McIntyre, Jr. when in Maitland, Fla

In the last of this group of Florida images N.A. has traded in his short pants and is outfitted in a new suit. May-Rena wears a “moss necklace” and holds up a stem of flower or foliage in her raised right hand, while Vera watches.

Mary-Rena with moss necklace, Dad McIntyre, Vera and N.A. in new suit

In her autobiography May-Rena wrote:

…Maitland, Florida.  I liked the quaint community.  I spent many happy hours reading books from a beautiful stone library.

But employment lessened. Finally we packed to reach home in N.C. in August, 1929.

The family headed home to St. Pauls and into the Great Depression.

 

Neill Archibald Ira McIntyre (11 Feb 1889 – 23 Jun 1960)
Maggie Alice Johnson McIntyre (2 Jul 1886 – 12 Jul 1975)
May Rena McIntyre Rodin (7 May 1916-2 Oct 2002)
Vera McIntyre Beard (25 Dec 1919-19 July 1974)
Neill Arch McIntyre (20 May 1922-20 Mar 2009)

Early Childhood—May-Rena McIntyre (Rodin) Autobiography

Maggie and Ira’s oldest child, May Rena, wrote an autobiography covering the years 1916-1934, from her birth through high school graduation. Here is a transcription.

My Autobiography

I was born on May 7, 1916 at 3 p.m. in Dundarrach, N.C., the first child to Mr. and Mrs. N.A.I. McIntyre. The father was a rail-road worker, earning $1 per day. From my first weight 8 1/2 lbs., I grew larger, as babies have the tendency to do.  My first bad sickness came at nine months—measles.  Luckily I had the resistance with which to combat and win.

January 29, 1917 we left the little railroad shanty to go to St. Pauls.  We lived in a great yellow house on Main Street until our home was finished down on South Second Street by dad. At last we moved home.  At twenty six month, I had the misfortune to eat candy containing ground glass.  This illness I never quite recovered from until lately, tho’ with good medical care I was soon up.  The next year, however, I was again confined to my bed desperately ill from the effects of the glass.  This time, Rosser, my Dr., predicted that I should not be completely well until I was fourteen.  His words proved true.  I was in and out of medical care for several years.

Whooping cough was my next disease, lasting from February until August 1918.

My only sister and only brother were born, in 1919 and 1922 respectfully, both in our St. Pauls Home.  They’re a source of delight for me.  But I’ve never understood my brother, who is quite a different type from my sister.

At six years of age I started to elementary school.  I learned the first school lesson to love my teacher, Miss Ashley.  I liked going and studying.  I went thro’ the second grade quite as rapidly, my teacher being Miss Mary McGoogan.  Miss Louise Steele, I’ve always remembered for her deep sincerity and companionship as a third grade teacher.

May-Rena (McIntrye) Rodin First Grade, St. Pauls Elementary

August, 1823, Vera and I had Scarlet Fever for 28 days.  The bed-confinement hurt me worse than sickness.

Time had changed my father’s trade.  He was a skilled carpenter with regular, fairly well-paid jobs during our Scarlet Fever siege.  Having heard of the “boom” in Florida, he secured both a house and employment in Orlando, where we moved in 1925.

[Text incomplete for next sentence]
I failed to
year because of frequent    more changes

in my school.  The 18th of January [I] was moved to a sub-division, Orlo Vista, for two months.  The next two we spent in Orlando.  Summer brought a further move to Winter Park for three months.

Mother’s goitre caused her so much distress and suffering that we retuned to her special Dr. in Fayetteville, N.C. to await the serious operation found so necessary.  Success accompanied it, fortunately, and after two month, we motored to Maitland, Florida.  I liked the quaint community.  I spent many happy hours reading books from a beautiful stone library.

But employment lessened. Finally we packed to reach home in N.C. in August, 1929.

I entered the seventh grade that fall. Fortunately I shall have completed the whole of my High School course at one school, St. Pauls High.  Tho’ we had many ups and down the last five years, we stuck to N.C. quite faithfully.

St. Pauls High School Class of 1934. May-Rena is second row, far left.

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Editor Notes

This autobiography covers years 1916—1934, beginning with May-Rena’s birth and ends with her anticipating high school graduation, which she achieved in 1934.  At that time the high school in St. Pauls ran through 11th grade.

Timeline

This is a general timeline of May-Rena’s early childhood based on her autobiography.

May 7, 1916 born in Dundarrach, NC
January 29, 1917 moved to St. Pauls, NC
1922 began first grade
1925 moved to Orlando. 18th of January (1926?) moved to Orlo Vista (two months).  Orlando  (two months).  Summer in Winter Park (three months).
Returned to NC for 2 months
(Late autumn 1926?) Moved to Maitland, Florida. (In memorial book for her mother, May-Rena mentioned living in Maitland, Orlando and Orla Vista from 1927-1929)
Returned to N.C. in August, 1929
Fall 1929 entered 7th grade
Spring 1934 graduated high school

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May Rena McIntyre Rodin (7 May 1916-2 Oct 2002)

Attachment: My Autobiography. May-Rena McIntyre (Rodin). circa 1934. (PDF)

Young McIntyre Children With Ford Touring Car

In the undated photograph below Maggie and Ira’s young children, Vera, May-Rena and N.A., stand in front of a new car. May-Rena identified the vehicle as “Dad’s bought-new Ford touring car.”

Dad’s Bought-New Ford Touring Car. Vera, May-Rena and N.A. observing.

May Rena McIntyre Rodin (7 May 1916-2 Oct 2002)
Vera McIntyre Beard (25 Dec 1919-19 July 1974)
Neill Arch McIntyre (20 May 1922-20 Mar 2009)

Young McIntyre Children

Maggie and N.A. Ira McIntyre married on 25 Mar 1914. They had three children: May Rena, Vera and Neill Arch (known as N.A.).

In the undated photograph below the young children stand in what May-Rena described as the collard patch.

Undated photo. Vera, N.A. and May-Rena MacIntyre (McIntyre) in the collard patch at St. Pauls home

My mother Vera used to talk about walking home from school for lunch (there was no cafeteria) and all Grandma would have for her to eat was a pot of collards. Mama said it used to make her so mad.

May Rena McIntyre Rodin (7 May 1916-2 Oct 2002)
Vera McIntyre Beard (25 Dec 1919-19 July 1974)
Neill Arch McIntyre (20 May 1922-20 Mar 2009)