My Sweet Loving Grandma
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Elizabeth "Lizzie" was the fifth child born in Indian Territory to James McAnally "Mack" and Nancy "Nannie" Alberty Messer.
Granddaughter of Moses and Ruth Dougherty/Daugherty Alberty; John and Rebecca Messer.
Great-Granddaughter of Jacob and Agnes Sanders Alberty; Christian Sargent Messer.

Siblings: George Patten; Ruth Rebecca;Lawson;Charles Anderson and Lucinda. (Lawson died in childhood).
Also Rachel and John Henry Messer. (Half-sister and half-brother).

"Don and Lizzie's" love story........
Lizzie's family lived on Twist Mountain and Don had family ties with the Twist family. When Don showed interest in Lizzie, she was forbidden to see him by her father. Don asked Lizzie to marry him and if the answer was yes, as a signal she would leave a rock on a designated log. During the day, she made her decision and as much as she feared her father, she loved Don Akin. She placed a rock on the log and gathered a few belongings in a bag. While the family was eating supper, Lizzie quietly went to meet her future husband. Don was waiting with horses, however they were so afraid of being caught, they walked for about 30 minutes before finally riding away. Lizzie's father was so angry, she was forbidden to ever come home again. About three years later, her mother became very sick and requested that Lizzie be allowed to come and bring her granddaughter Ethel. Lizzie was allowed to visit and bring the baby; however Don was not allowed on the property and waited for his family at the bottom of Twist Mountain.

Don Akin (age 27) of Oak Grove and Lizzie Messer (age 18)of Oak Grove were united in marriage Feb 28,1908, by Minister M. J. Wilkie, Gospel Baptist Church of Barron, Adair County,OK.

13 children were born to this union: Ethel,John,Helen,Mack,Owen,J.C.,Kathleen and Wilma.
(Died at birth or childhood -Ruth,Woodrow,Orville,and unnamed twin sons).
She told us "that she thought having babies would get easier, but it never did".

Don and Lizzie lived in the Dutch Mills, Ark, Rose,OK and Watts,OK areas before locating near Westville. The Akin's homeplace was located in the Wright's Chapel community, 6 miles southeast of Westville. Their home was located on a hill that overlooked Wright's Chapel School. A clear creek ran around the base of the hill.

Lizzie was a Christian woman. One of her favorite hymn's was Saved by Grace....

"Some day the silver cord will break,
And I no more as now shall sing;
But, oh, the joy when I shall wake
Within the palace of the King!
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—Saved by grace.

Some day my earthly house will fall;
I cannot tell how soon 'twill be;
But this I know—my All in All
Has now a place in heav'n for me.
Some day, when fades the golden sun
Beneath the rosy tinted west,
My blessed Lord will say, "Well done!"
And I shall enter into rest.
Some day: till then I'll watch and wait,
My lamp all trimmed and burning bright,
That when my Savior opens the gate,
My soul to Him may take its flight."

Granny always loved cats and usually had at least two or three. She had a rule, "that her cats were not to be bothered."

Lizzie loved her family and enjoyed writing and keeping in touch through the mail. She saved letters and cards received from her loved ones. The letters from her three sons, (Mack, Owen, & Jake) serving during WWII, helped her during this difficult time. Owen once wrote on the outside of an envelope "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". The Akin's children always let their Mama know how much they loved her and their Papa.

Don and Lizzie Akins were married 56 years, until his death in 1964.

She will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother,great-grandmother and aunt.

Cherokee - Lizzie is listed on the 1890 and 1900 CN census, Going Snake as Elizabeth "Lizzie" Messer. Dawes Roll: Card # 1397;Miller Roll: 18815.



"Saved by Grace" written by Fanny J. Crosby, 1820–1915.