Ellis Smallman - Happy 85th Birthday

     Eight-five years ago today on June 12, 1929 Ellis Smallman was born to John "Frank" Smallman (1897-1931?) and Ella Beatrice Ellis (1903-1980).  At a young age, following his father's death, he came to live with his aunt and uncle Hattie and Jimmy Dunbar on the Centerline Road in Alma.
     When Ellis and Carrie were first married they lived in the Jim Kinch House in Lauretta; then they moved to the Dunbar Homestead (where he was raised) where they lived for 30+ years and raised their family.  Ellis and Carrie moved back to the Kinch property in Lauretta in the early 1990's where they built their retirement home.
     Ellis holds the distinction of being Alma-Lauretta's oldest resident, closely followed by Wilbert Jeffery.

     Here's a great photo of Ellis with a bunch of men in front of his old barn being re-constructed.  Thanks Donna (Barbour) MacPhee for this 1964 photo.

     Happy birthday Ellis!!