Forrest County Biographies   ELLA MAY MCGINLEY Ella Mae McGinley had two brothers, Patrick and Bernard McGinley and one sister, Annie McGinley, who married Warner Ray Lawson. Bernard died in 1944. Ella Mae was baptised, went to high school and married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She died of pneumonia at the age of 92, at Garden Park Hospital, Gulfport, Harrison, Mississippi. Edmond Fahey Funeral Home was in charge of the funeral, 110 Necaise Ave., Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. On 29 August 2005, Albert and Ella Mae's home in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi was completely destroyed, except for their grotto and a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This home was a place that held so many memories; family gatherings, fishing, I remember giving Ella Mae a hair perm in this house, my dad, Albert Lucian Mercier died in this house. It was a place where children and grandchildren found comfort. To visit this home was to reconnect with the past. [Submitted by Clair Mercier Talyai]   CYNTHIA MELISSA WARD MCGINLEY Cynthia loved to chew snuff on the end of a stick. Children loved her. She was known as "Big MaMa" by her grandchildren. It is said that Cynthia and Patrick met at a boarding house. Patrick McGinley and his cousin, Michael Doherty, came from Ireland and both married Ward sisters. Patrick married Cynthia Melissa Ward and Michael married Mary Alice Ward. Cynthia died at home, 412 Walnut St., Hattiesburg, Forrest, Mississippi. Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935 Name: P. B. McGinley Spouse: Melissa Ward Marriage Date: 13 May 1888 County: Perry [Submitted by Clair Mercier Talyai]   PATRICK BERNARD MCGINLEY Born in Malinbeg, Glencolumbkille, Donegal, Ireland. Arrived in Boston? Patrick, it is told, then went to Chicago, Ill, where he married. Patrick's first wife and infant died at childbirth. He then left Chicago and made his way down to Mississippi, where his cousin, Mike Doughtery, had established himself. He married Cynthia Melissa Ward and his cousin, Mike Doughtery, married Mary Alice Ward (Cynthia Ward's sister). He operated a general store on Francis Street, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. [Submitted by Clair Mercier Talyai]   ALBERT C. MERCIER Albert Charles Mercier was born on Tuesday, May 18, 1897. Albert Charles Mercier served in the army during World War I. Albert was stationed at Camp Shelby, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Albert met Ella Mae McGinley at a Nights of Columbus dance. After the service, Albert went to Pio Nono College. Albert returned to Wisconsin but his heart remained in Misissippi. He returned to Hattiesburg, Mississippi and married Ella Mae McGinley on June 26, 1922. They had 7 sons and 2 daughters: Albert Lucian, Patrick Bernard, Joseph Clement, Agnes Therese, Mary Claire, Adrian Gabriel, Damian Francis, Delphinis Francis and Michael James Joseph. From June of 1937 to June of 1942 the Mercier family lived in St. Paul, Minnesota. The family lived in Hattiesburg, Mississippi until 1960. Then, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, became home to Albert and Ella Mae. On August 29, 2005 their home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Albert Charles worked for the Postal Service and was a salesman for the National Catholic Extension Society, a Catholic magazine. Albert was past president of the WW I Veterans Association. He was a member of the Padre Pio Prayer Group and a past president of the Legion of Mary at Our Lady of the Gulf Parrish. He was a member of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. He was honored by Pope Pius XII by being named a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great. Albert was presented by Bishop Gerow with the insignia of Papal Knighthood of the historic Order of St. Gregory the Great, on July 22, 1956, the same day his son Rev. Joseph C. Mercier, celebrated his First Solemn Mass in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Albert and Ella Mae lived at 115 Bay Oaks Drive, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi in their later years. Albert and his sons enjoyed fishing and cooking their catch. Albert died on Monday, June 25, 1990, at Hancock Medical Center in Hancock County, at 93 years of age. At the end he suffered from bone cancer. Services were held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The Rev. John Scanlon and Monsignor Joseph C. Mercier officiated. Albert and Ella Mae McGinley Mercier are buried at Highland Cemetery, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. June 26, 1990, would have been Albert and Ella Mae's 68th wedding anniversary. [Submitted by Clair Mercier Talyai] HOME ©Genealogy Trails