Spouses: Ella Mae Lucas; Bertie Marie Wilson
Children: Arthur Melvin Wilkes; Jessie Louise Wilkes; Maxie Mae Wilkes
Sometimes used the pseudonym "Ray Arthur." Family history was that he used a different name to hide the fact that he had killed a man in Mississippi in the 1930's. It was said that he could not join the Masons if that fact about him became known. Generally speaking, he was Arthur Melvin when his parents described him (as in censuses) and he used Ray Arthur when it was convenient for him. I once got a statement from one of his brothers that he was definitely Arthur Melvin and the brother had no idea why "Art" sometimes used a different name. Additionally, consider the first names of all six children born to Mack and Jessie, in order: Arthur, Bertha, Claude, Doyle, Even, and Fountain. Alphabetical.
Children: Arthur Melvin Wilkes; Jessie Louise Wilkes; Maxie Mae Wilkes
Sometimes used the pseudonym "Ray Arthur." Family history was that he used a different name to hide the fact that he had killed a man in Mississippi in the 1930's. It was said that he could not join the Masons if that fact about him became known. Generally speaking, he was Arthur Melvin when his parents described him (as in censuses) and he used Ray Arthur when it was convenient for him. I once got a statement from one of his brothers that he was definitely Arthur Melvin and the brother had no idea why "Art" sometimes used a different name. Additionally, consider the first names of all six children born to Mack and Jessie, in order: Arthur, Bertha, Claude, Doyle, Even, and Fountain. Alphabetical.
Spouses: Ella Mae Lucas; Bertie Marie Wilson
Children: Arthur Melvin Wilkes; Jessie Louise Wilkes; Maxie Mae Wilkes
Sometimes used the pseudonym "Ray Arthur." Family history was that he used a different name to hide the fact that he had killed a man in Mississippi in the 1930's. It was said that he could not join the Masons if that fact about him became known. Generally speaking, he was Arthur Melvin when his parents described him (as in censuses) and he used Ray Arthur when it was convenient for him. I once got a statement from one of his brothers that he was definitely Arthur Melvin and the brother had no idea why "Art" sometimes used a different name. Additionally, consider the first names of all six children born to Mack and Jessie, in order: Arthur, Bertha, Claude, Doyle, Even, and Fountain. Alphabetical.
Children: Arthur Melvin Wilkes; Jessie Louise Wilkes; Maxie Mae Wilkes
Sometimes used the pseudonym "Ray Arthur." Family history was that he used a different name to hide the fact that he had killed a man in Mississippi in the 1930's. It was said that he could not join the Masons if that fact about him became known. Generally speaking, he was Arthur Melvin when his parents described him (as in censuses) and he used Ray Arthur when it was convenient for him. I once got a statement from one of his brothers that he was definitely Arthur Melvin and the brother had no idea why "Art" sometimes used a different name. Additionally, consider the first names of all six children born to Mack and Jessie, in order: Arthur, Bertha, Claude, Doyle, Even, and Fountain. Alphabetical.
