Barry's Genealogy Diary

This online genealogical diary is hosted by Barry T. Self. It is primarily for information pertaining to the SELF surname, more particularly for descendants of John J. and Lydia Avaline Waters Self, who were married in Union County, GA in 1851. Barry Self is the SELF proclaimed family genealogist and historian, having spent over 20 years researching this Self line. This diary is dedicated to preserving and sharing the findings of his research.

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Location: Madisonville, Tennessee, United States

I am married to a wonderful and sweet wife, Svitlana, who is from Ukraine and we have a beautiful daughter, Lydia Elizabeth. I have worked in the funeral business since 1988 and thoroughly enjoy researching my family roots.

Friday, June 09, 2006

LANNIE SELF MAHAFFEY HAS DIED

I learned earlier this week that my friend, Lannie Self Mahaffey, passed away September 24, 2005. She was 100 years and 4 months old. I called Lannie’s granddaughter, Beth Patterson, just to check on Lannie and learned of her death. Lannie was a great asset to my Self Family research. I first became acquainted with Lannie when she was living at the Branan Lodge, a retirement lodge, in Blairsville, Georgia. This was in 1993 if I remember correctly. She was 88 years old then and had a good memory of the family history.

Lannie was born May 25, 1905 at Choestoe, near Blairsville, in Union County, Georgia. She was the daughter of James B. and Sarah Frady Self. James B. Self was the son of John and Margaret (Peggy) Daniels Self. I believe John was the son of Francis and Hester (Ester) Brown Self and that Francis was a son of Job P. Self.

Lannie’s father had two families. He was married twice (to sisters) and had children by both of his wives. The following information is from a letter I received from Lannie in 1993.

“My dad’s name was James B. Self but (was) called Jim for short I suppose. Jim Self did marry Telitha Frady first (and) they had four children, two girls and two boys. Their names were Norman, Joe, Lou & Ila. The first four have all passed away now. Talitha died when the children were very small. Later dad married her sister Sallie and I am the oldest of 7 children. (I am 88 yrs) all the last children have passed away except one of my sisters and she lives in Ohio. My dad died at 84 yrs. around 1950 in Copperhill, Tenn. with his first oldest son & was buried down there. I don’t remember the name of the church and cemetery. My mother passed away at my house in 1964 and was buried near where I lived. I had four children and (they) were all away when my husband died…” “ I had three sons & one daughter. She was an R.N.. She was killed in a car wreck in 1980. And one of my sons 57 years old passed away last December with cancer.” “ I think my dad’s father’s name was John (and) mother Peggy.”

I last saw Lannie on June 28, 2004 while on a visit to Blairsville. She was a resident at the nursing home in Blairsville. She was 99 at the time. Lannie did not feel well the day I was there, so I was not able to get her to talk much. I got to meet Lannie’s grandson, Charles Trulove, the next day. We had a great visit and Charles was able to give me more information about Lannie.

Lannie’s four children were Cline, June, Billy and Don in no particular order. Her husband’s name was Plomer Mahaffey. He and Lannie married on July 31, 1927 in Union County, Ga. According to Charles Trulove, Lannie was raised near Self Mountain, near Blairsville. Her family lived there until she was about 12 years old. This corresponds with information Lannie had given me previously. According to Lannie, her family moved from Choestoe when she was about 12 to a place near Shady Grove Methodist Church. This is where they attended church. Years later, they moved to Lower Young Cane. Lannie was living there when she got married. Lannie taught school at one time at Gaddistown, just out of Blairsville, before she was ever married. She and Plomer married and raised their family in a house on Skeenah Gap Road. It is located on the right, a few hundred feet off the Blue Ridge Hwy. The two-story, white house was built around 1920 and all the Mahaffey children were born there. Mr. Mahaffey used to have a chicken house there and an egg business. A truck would come by on a daily basis and pick up his eggs.

I was fortunate to have met and known Lannie Mahaffey. I will be forever grateful for her help in piecing together our family histories. I have not positively been able to determine just how our two Self families are connected yet, even though I know we are, but one day I will get it documented and a lot of the credit will have to go to Lannie for her assistance.

To view the obituary of Lannie Victoria Mahaffey, go to www.cochranfuneralhome.com, select the obituaries tab at the top and then select to search memorials by last name. Type in Mahaffey for the last name and Lannie’s name will appear. Click on her name and the obituary with a really nice photo of her will appear.