Hannah Almira Lee Churches

Hannah Almira Lee, called Myra, was born on 4 December 1864, in Southfield, Oakland County, Michigan, to Charles Norton and Esther Jenks Lee.  Aunt Myra was the younger sister of my great grandmother, Effie Clarissa Lee, appearing fourth in birth order of her parents’ six children.

On 26 March 1891, in Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan, Aunt Myra married Robert Richard Churches, the son of Thomas and Harriet Roper Churches.    Aunt Myra and Uncle Robert were the parents of six children: Hazel (1897-1898), Roy Thomas (1901), Raymond Charles (1901) [twins], Baby Girl (1902-1902), Ivan Lee (1905), and Esther Harriet (1907).

On 2 September 1896, Myra’s younger sister, Ora, married Robert’s younger brother, George, making the tracing of the Churches line just a bit more complicated.

The Robert Churches played host to a few of the Jenks Family Reunions, and as is recorded on page 18 of The Reunions of the Jenks Family of Oakland County, Michigan – 1911-1927,  by Evelyn Seymour Jenks:

“The fifth annual reunion of the descendants of Laban Jenks, Sr., was held at the home of Robert and Myra Lee Churches in Southfield, August 14, 1915.  About 70 were present, a number being visitors.

The Home of Robert and Myra Churches, Southfield, Michigan

“The company were from Athens, Detroit, Grosse Pointe, Holly, Haslett, Lansing, New Hudson, Owasso, Onodago, Pontiac, Redford, Square Lake, Farmington, and Southfield.

“There were but two of Laban Jenks’ children’s families represented.  Those of his daughter, Mrs. Polly Jenks Case, and his son, Morris Jenks. ”

Uncle Robert preceded Aunt Myra in death on 5 May 1952.  She died on 8 June 1954.  Both died in Southfield, Oakland County, Michigan, and were laid to rest in the Southfield Cemetery in that city.