Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie" Blankenship

HAIRSTON.org ID#609, b. 20 February 1880, d. 16 March 1923
Father*John Blankenship1 b. a 1862
Mother*Sena Higdon2 b. a 1855
Birth*Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie" Blankenship was born on 20 February 1880 in Louisiana. Cemetery marker and death certificate indicate 1881 as birth date. But, she is listed in 1880 census dated 1 June 1880.3,4 
She was the daughter of John Blankenship and Sena Higdon.1,2 
Census 1880Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie" Blankenship appeared on the 1880 census of John Blankenship on 1 June 1880 in Ward 5, Union, Louisiana; John Blankenship 18 (parents born in Alabama), wife Sena 25 (widow of Mr. Taylor) step-sons; Benjamin Taylor 8, Allen Taylor 6, Travis Taylor 4 and Robert Taylor 3 and John and Sena Blankenship's new daughter Mary, born in February 1880. - FSL #005160734, 304/856.2

Marriage*Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie" Blankenship married Augustus G. Smith, son of James Kesiah Smith and Charlotte Ruth Grisham, on 6 February 1896 in Ouachita, Louisiana.3,5
Census 1900Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie" Blankenship appeared on the 1900 census of Augustus G. Smith on 23 June 1900 in District 92, West Monroe, Ouachita, Louisiana; G A Smith 28 (a carpenter), Mary E Smith 20 wife (married for 4 years), Stacy B Smith 2 daughter, Ora M Smith 12 daughter.3
Census 1910Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie" Blankenship appeared on the 1910 census of Augustus G. Smith on 16 April 1910 in Ward 6, District 56, Houston, Harris, Texas; Augustus Smith 39 hardware proprietor, wife Mary Smith 30, dau. Stacie Smith 12, dau. Ora Smith 10, dau. Verbenia Smith 5 and Augustus's brother-in-law Joe Blankenship 26.6
Residence*Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie" Blankenship lived on 16 February 1922 in 160 Forrest Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia. 
Death*She died on 16 March 1923 in Baptist Hospital, Ft. Worth, Tarrant, Texas, at age 43; Death certificate FSL #4166824, image 963.1,4
Burial*She was buried in Section Chapel Hill, Public Lot 4, Grave 196, Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee. "OUR MOTHER - MARY E. SMITH -FEB. 20, 1881 - MCH. 16, 1923" Note: Birth date is incorrect, should be 1880 - she is listed in the June 1, 1880 Federal Census.7

 

Family

Augustus G. Smith b. 20 Aug 1871, d. 18 Dec 1931
Children

Sources (www.HAIRSTON.org)

  1. [S51] Death Certificate.
  2. [S1880] 1880 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  3. [S1900] 1900 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  4. [S3234] Texas Death Certificates 1903-1982, Ancestry.com.
  5. [S3110] Louisiana Marriages Records, 1851-1900, Provo Utah, Ancestry.com.
  6. [S1910] 1910 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  7. [S256] Interment Records, Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.
Last Edited28 Jul 2026