Person:George Adcock (6)

Biography of George Alman Adock

George Alman Adcock was born on March 26, 1905, the 5th of eight children to John Berry Adcock and Loretta Jane Gray. He was born and raised in Bernice, Union Parish, Louisiana. Union Parish was a very poor parish in northern Louisiana. George's father was a photographer and piano tuner. (He was the only one allowed to tune the pianos at the First Baptist Church in Minden, Louisiana. That was about 45 miles south of Bernice.)

Growing up in Bernice, George lived in a large two story house where his father had his photography studio. As a high school student, George once broke several ribs in a football game, but would not tell his mother. He was known to have helped a blind man to drive by being his eyes from the passenger seat.

When he was old enough, he started working with his brother, William, in the telephone company in Bernice. Later he moved to and worked for the Southern/South Central Bell Telephone Company in both Shreveport, Louisiana and Minden. During WW ll, he was the only one to service all the phone lines in Minden - management, installation, and repair. His few assistants kept being called up by the Army. "Mr. George" became a member of the CWA/CIO telephone workers union. He was also a member of the "Telephone Pioneers." He retired in 1969 as a test deskman after 40 years, 8 months, and 16 days of service with the telephone company in Minden.

On July 1, 1933, George married Mattie Lee Long in Shreveport. At the same time she lived and worked in Minden, he lived and worked in Shreveport. The oldest son, George Alman, Jr. (MD) was born in Shreveport in 1932. The family finally moved to Minden sometime in late 1935 or early 1936. The second son, John Grey (misspelling of "Gray") (Educator), was born in Minden in 1936. Ray Don (Rev.) was born there in 1939.

Both George and Mattie Lee were active members of the First Baptist Church of Minden where the family attended. George was a loving, doting papaw, spoiling all the grandchildren with trips to the Gibson's store for toys and candy. He had a beautiful warm smile, and was hands on with even the youngest infant. He loved to play dominoes with his neighbor across the street almost daily. He always beat me when I played with him. Proof that practice makes perfect. George loved fried fish, cornbread, and ice cream. Watermelon was always good on a picnic. Once he stuck all the forks into one finished slice and accidentally threw that slice into the lake. He would always help Mattie Lee after a meal by washing the dishes and then mopping the kitchen floor. He always gave her a kiss when finished.

He loved giving Christmas gifts, though most were bought at the last minute. George was a heavy smoker from the age of 16 until he was in his 60's. Fearful of lung cancer, he was diagnosed with emphysema. He never touched a cigarette after that. Later he suffered from bladder cancer and then lung cancer. He passed away on December 17, 1977, survived by his wife, three sons, and seven grandchildren. He was dearly loved and highly respected in Minden by all who knew him.

(Courtesy of Dottie Adcock 2012)

1. ↑ Union, Louisiana, United States. 1910 U.S. Census Population Schedule: Thirteenth Census of the United States, NARA Microfilm Publication T624. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration)
   P 6B.

   John B Adcock, Photographer, E.D. 0136
   John B Adcock, M age 39, b. AL; Loretta Adcock, F age 32, b.TN; Willie S Adcock, M age 12, b. TX; Maggie L Adcock, F age 9, b. LA; Henry T Adcock, M age 7, b. LA; George A Adcock, M age 5, b. LA; Hazel L Adcock, F age 3; L Fannie Adcock (mother) F age 57, b. AL

2. ↑ Union, Louisiana, United States. 1920 U.S. Census Population Schedule: Fourteenth Census of the United States, NARA Microfilm Publication T625. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration).

   John B Adcock, Photographer, E.D. 129
   John B Adcock, M age 49, b. AL; Laretta J Adcock, F age 41, b.TN; Margaret L Adcock, F age 18, b. LA; Henry T Adcock, M age 17, b. LA; George A Adcock, M age 15, b. LA; Hazel L Adcock, F age 12, b. LA; Christine L Adcock, F age 7, b.LA; Mabel V Adcock, F age 6, b. LA

3. ↑ Webster, Louisiana, United States. 1930 U.S. Census Population Schedule
   P 27A.

   George A Adcock, M age 24, b LA, boarder

4. ↑ ^4.0 4.1 Webster, Louisiana, United States. 1940 U.S.Census Population Schedule
   P 3A.

   Adcock, George, E. D. 60-13C, Minden, Webster Louisiana, Construction Man
   George Adcock, M age 35, b. LA, Mattie Lee Adcock, F age 32, b. LA, George Almon Adcock, M age 5, b. LA; John Gray Adcock, M age 3, b. LA; Ray Don Adcock, M age 1, b. LA

5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} Find A Grave.

   George Alman Adcock

6. ↑ ^6.0 6.1 Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index: Death Master File, database. (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service).