Toy Standridge
and
Ninevah Edwards
of Polk County Arkansas
Toy Standridge was born
September 30, 1891 or 1892, near Big Fork, Polk County,
Arkansas. He was the son of Isaac Newton Standridge
and Alice Eliza Tate. In June 1917, in Polk
County, he married Ninevah Nettie Edwards, the
daughter of Thomas Jefferson Edwards and
Malinda T. Heath. She was also born near Big
Fork. Toy Standridge died February 13, 1992. Ninnie Standridge
died April 20, 1977. Both are buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery,
Big Fork, Polk County, Arkansas, as is their still born son. Toy
and Ninnie Standridge had five children:
There is some confusion about the birthdate of Toy Standridge. The date was recorded as September 30, 1892, but is said to be incorrect, and should have been Sep 30, 1891. His tombstone, placed before his death, shows his birthdate as Sep 30, 1892.
After Toy and Ninnie Standridge were married they travelled by covered wagon to McCurtain County, Oklahoma, and farmed near Golden and Glover. Their first three children were born in that area. It seems that Toy Standridge received a notice that he was being drafted to serve in World War I and sold his interests in McCurtain County. The family then went to Polk County Arkansas so Ninnie Standridge and the children could stay with her parents, the Edwards, while he was away. The war ended not long afterward and Toy Standridge returned home without having seen action. The family continued to live with the Edwards for a time. The fourth child, Beatrice Standridge, was born in the home of her maternal grandparents in the community named Upper Big Fork.
Toy and his family later moved into a nearby house and farmed land owned by Jake Edwards, brother of Ninnie Edwards Standridge. This property was near Pleasant Grove (Upper Big Fork) cemetery. The children attended Big Fork School. Toy and Ninnie were living at Upper Big Fork when their last child and only son was born on June 4, 1929. The baby died during delivery.
The family's next move, about 1931, was to Ransom, a few miles south and east of Mena. This property was also owned by Jake Edwards. The children went to Ransom School. Edith Standridge attended school there until she was in the eighth grade, when she married John Howell. After the death of Jake Edwards, Toy Standridge bought the farm from Jake's widow, Ella Edwards. Toy and Ninnie Standridge remained at Ransom until sometime around 1960, when they sold the farm and moved to Mena.
Toy had retired from farming but certainly could not be considered "retired," as defined by "one who has stopped working." After moving to town he worked for awhile as a "handyman" at the hospital. Toy always had a garden of his own, and Ninnie loved tending her flowers. It seems the flowers must have loved her, too, because they bloomed profusely and the Standridge yard was a true show place. After he stopped working at the hospital, Toy did yard and garden work for "the old folks." (Keep in mind that he was in his 70"s, at least!)
After Ninnie Standridge died in 1977, Toy
continued to live in their house as long as he could. He was
still active, and still loved to hunt and fish. The writers of
this story have several fond memories of things that happened
during those years. (1) A non-stop driving
trip to Marietta, Georgia, to visit his daughter and son-in-law,
Madge and Joe Fite. Grandpa was probably the least worn of the
travelers in that station wagon when we finally arrived there in
the wee small hours of the morning. A day or so later, we all
went on to Rome, Georgia, where Grandpa and our daughter walked
their assigned section of a very large cemetery looking for
gravestones bearing the name of Tate, his
mother's maiden name. (2) Bringing Grandpa
Standridge home to Tulsa from Mena in an old Tom's Peanut Truck.
He ate his burger in the dark on the way to Tulsa and when we
finally arrived about 10:00 p.m., he stepped out, patted the
hood, and said, "thank you old truck." (3)
Then there was the time we were going to Hot Springs to the
races. Our friend, Freida was with us. First we went to
Seminole. John had arranged for us to have a plane ready there.
We flew to Russellville, Arkansas, where Beatrice Pool was
bringing Grandpa Toy to meet us, and then we were going on to
the races at Hot Springs. Well - our passenger was a little
late. He had gone turkey hunting about dawn and it took a little
longer than expected, so he was a bit late getting back to
Boot's house, so was a little late getting to the airport. But
he made it and we had a fine time at the races.
The stories we could tell about our Standridge grandparents and
the stories their other grandchildren could tell would fill many
pages. We can't enter all of those stories here. Even so, the
stories will live on and be passed from generation to
generation. Some of the stories are actually true! Their
descendants can read about their Grandpa Toy in back issues of
"The Mena Star," since
Grandpa seemed to get his picture in the paper often.
Toy Standridge was a gentlemen of the old school. Ninnie Standridge was a faithful, loving, and strong pioneer wife and mother. They were, and are, loved and respected by dozens of relatives and friends.
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Standridge
Voters Polk County |
Standridge Family Association |