Searching for parents of Mary Ellen (Della) PUGH (1892-1977); who married a Mr. Mahan; divorced; then married Henry Lee Cato (1889-1975). She was born in Garland Co, moved to Perry Co, thence Pulaski County. Any info on PUGH family appreciated.

My Great, Grandmother was Ludie (Nancy Louise Pugh) was a sister of Della Pugh. Their parents are George H Pugh and Sarah Jane Garrett. Sarah was first married to Josiah Taylor.
Linda

My grandmother is Irene Mahan Massaway, daughter of Della Pugh and Grant Harlan Mahan, Della's first husband which she married when she was I believe 12.

Mygrandmother is Irene Mahan Massaway. Her mother was Della Pugh Mahan Cato who lived in Roland, AR.

Do you know anything about George Pugh? I have a little info.
Interesting that Della married so young...my Great-Grandmother was young too...14.

I am sorry to say that I do not have anything on George. As a matter of fact, I don't have hardly anything on the Pugh's. I've just started working on this. My grandmother is 92 and has decided she would like to find out about her family. Please email me at michele@mbwebtech.com. I have a few questions I would like to ask, if that's ok, and I will call Della's daughter, Maggie (Margaret) and see if she knows anything. My grandmother was only with Della for a short time and with her age, has a hard time keeping facts straight. Good luck on your search.

I am studying the Mahan family and would like to fill in Grant's descendents. My ancestor is Grant's father, Henry's, sister.

My mother-in-law, Mary Ellen (Della) Pugh first married a "Mr. Mahan" at age 12; 4 children; Elizabeth died at age 2; never walked; spinal problem. Three more children: Henry, Mitty Irene, Audie (male); 'Mr. Mahan' deserted the family when Della was pregnant with Audie. She never lived with him again. She remarried to Henry Cato and took Audie with her; Henry & Mitty Irene stayed with the father. All are deceased except for "Irene" as she prefers. She is in a nursing home in North Little Rock AR; has Alzheimer's. I may have birth dates; contact me at 2catojc@bellsouth.net;

My grandmother is Irene Mahan. Her 96th birthday is the 25 of this month. She is living in a nursing home in North Little Rock. She does get some things confused, but some things are still clear and correct. When she was 18 months old, her mother gave her up. She never lived with her father, bounced around from father's family members and who ever could take her. When she was 12 yrs. old, she was living with a woman in a boarding house and her mother wanted her to go and live with her so she could go and work for her boarding house. My grandmother refused because she had no desire to be with the woman who didn't want her as a daughter but as an employee. When my grandmother was 17 she went to Michigan and started a new life where she met my grandfather. My grandmother is a beautiful woman. She is the most generous, and loving woman I know. My daughters and I are so blessed to be able have her in our lives.

This seems like a sad story all around. Irene's mother must have been very young when she married and when she had Irene. Perhaps she never grew up. It is wonderful to know that despite her hardships, your grandmother was a wonderful person. I am very glad that she has lived so long and that you have had a chance to enjoy being part of her life.