Letha was the daughter of Francis Yeilding and Elizabeth Betsey Earles.

5 marriages:

1. James Monroe Williams on Sept 6, 1860 in Alabama. (killed in the Civil War on Dec 17, 1863)
2. Jacob A. Lowery (or Lourey) on Sept 29, 1864 Alabama
3. Silas Shirley Paris Arkansas Oct. 16, 1881 divorce Oct 4, 1884.
4. James Marion Smith b. Fannin Co., TX
5. William J. Epperhart m. Nov. 19, 1894 in Lamar, Texas

Letha's 5 of 7 children:

Note: In 1900 and 1910 census Letha claims to be a mother of 7 children. The 2 other deceased children are unknown.

1. Francis Marion Williams b. 1861 m. 1st Mary Martha Shirley on Aug 21, 1882. She died April 7, 1916. 2nd m. Ocie Cora Shirley on May 21, 1917 (niece of Martha) in Boonville, AR in a Baptist minister's home. They divorced.

2. Ellen "Ella" Mae Lowery b. December 1868 in Alabama Brookside, Blount Co., AL
1st married William "Willie" Ross Burcham in 1887 in Bokadasha, OK. Willie b. 07/06/1863 AR d. 04/03/1903 2nd married Leon S. Sewell in 1904 in OK Note: Leon b. abt 1883 (a younger man!) Ella d. 1916, prob. Oklahoma

3. Elmer Arthur Shirley b. Jan 15, 1883 Paint Rock, Logan Co. AR m. Florence Grace Pyle d. Sept 9, 1964 AR

4. Owen Parmer Shirley Mar 2, 1884 Paint Rock, Logan Co. AR m. Millie Johnson Haley d. Feb 19, 1956 Tranquillity, Fresno Co. California

5. Myrtle Edna Smith b. Jan 9, 1888 Muskogee Co, OK
m. William Earle Parkhurst abt. 1907
(They had only one son Guy Harold Parkhurst b. 1908)

Letha's Parents were Francis Yielding & Elizabeth "Betsy" Early of Blount, Alabama. Francis was born abt 1794 in North Carolina and Betsy was born abt. 1807 in South Carolina. Other Children : Martha Yilding, Martin Yielding, Jackson Yielding, and Perminta "Alabama" Yielding.
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Letha's Bio Timeline:

Feb. 20, 1844 Letha is Born in Brooksville, Blount Co., AL

Nov. 4, 1850 Census shows Letha is living with her parents and siblings in Blount Co., AL, age 6

1860 Census-living with her parents, Francis and Elizabeth Yeilding, her paternal grandfather Richard Yeilding and an unknown Charles Latham, Blount Co., AL. Letha is 15 years old.

Sept 6, 1860 marriage to James Monroe Williams, Letha age 16

Dec. 30, 1861 a son Francis Marion Williams was born in Blount Co., AL, Letha age 17

Dec 17, 1863 husband James Williams died in the Civil War, Letha age 19

Sept 29, 1864 Alabama Letha married Jacob Lowery in Alabama, Letha age 20

Dec 2, 1868 Ella Mae Lowery is born in Brooksville, Blount Co, AL, Letha age 24

1870 census Township 10 Range 28, Barbour, Alabama

In the 1880 Census, Letha was age 36, living in Newberg, Izard Co., Arkansas. She had 4 unknown children residing with her in addition to Francis Marion & Ellen. They were described as her son's & daughters. The last name of Letha & Ellen is spelled Louery. Children living with Letha-Mathilda Hays b. 1862 James Hays b.1871 Emily Hays b. 1873 Joseph Hays b. 1875

Oct. 16, 1881 married Silas Shirley in Paris, Logan Co., Arkansas, Letha age 37

Jan 15, 1883 Elmer Arthur Shirley is born in Paint Rock, Logan Co., Arkansas, Letha age 39

Mar 2, 1884 Owen Parmer Shirley is born in Paint Rock, Logan Co., Arkansas, Letha age 40

Oct 4, 1884 Silas and Letha Divorced

1884-1887 Letha married James Marion Smith. Letha age 40-43

Jan 9, 1888 Myrtle Edna Smith is born in Muskogee Co, OK, Letha age 44

Nov. 19, 1894 Letha married William J. Epperhart in Lamar, Texas, Letha age 50

In 1900, Letha is age 56, living with her 5th husband, her two step? children, and her daughter Myrtle Edna Smith from marriage #4 in Hartshorne, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory.
She says she is the mother of 7 children but the two children's date of birth is before her marriage to William Epperhart so they may be his children from a prior marriage?
The census records suggest their mother was born in Indian Territory, whereas Letha was born in Alabama.
Children-
Anna Epperhart b. Feb. 1891 Indian Territory
Bee Epperhart b. April 1893 Indian Territory

1900-1907 Letha divorced him (William went on to marry 3 more women after Letha) Letha age 56-63

1908 Letha is in the US Directory as L.L. Epperhart living at 324 E Broadway in Muskogee, Ok

1910 Census-Letha L. Smith, widowed Muskogee, Oklahoma
Age 65.

1911 I have a copy of the phone directory with Letha L. Smith widow of James) res 225, South C Muskogee, OK

1913 Letha is living at 712 S Boston in Muskogee,Ok. She is a music Supervisor source USDirectory

In 1914 Mrs. Letha Smith is living at 1306 Baltimore Ave in Tulsa, OK. She is the supervisor of music for the OK schools

1916 Letha L. Smith is back living with husband #4 James Smth at 420 W 5th in Tulsa,OK U S Directory

1923 Letha Smith is living a in Oklahoma City listed as a widow. US Directory

1925 Letha died at Myrtles Edna Minnick's home in OKC.
Oddly her obit does not mention her 3 living sons, Frances Marion Williams, Elmer Arthur Shirley or Owen Parmer Shirley all who were still living at the time of her death. OP was living in Watonga, Oklahoma 68 miles away at that time and certainly would have attended her funeral services.