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Lowell Oakes Knew His History

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Especially his family history.

I love, love, love to find stones like these. Lowell put seven generations of his paternal ancestry on the back of his granite tombstone. Even though a good genealogist would not take this information as the gospel, it is a great starting point. And I firmly believe it could provide a casual passerby with a spark of desire to find out more about their personal history.

Gene Oakes was born in Montezuma, Georgia in 1948, the eldest son of Luther Avery Oakes, Jr.  He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam era, and spent the last 16 years of his life in Jacksonville, Florida.  His 2006 obituary states, "He will always be remembered as a man who dearly loved God, family, Jaguar football, history, lighthouses, genealogy, collecting hot sauces, traveling with family and sitting on his porch to watch the birds." Sounds like a cool dude.

Son of
Luther Avery Oakes, Jr.  Jan 15, 1916 - Jun 16, 2009
Luther Avery Oakes, Sr.  Sep 25, 1888 - Mar 11, 1956
Malachi Smith Oakes  Apr 11, 1863 - Aug 10, 1940
William Thomas Oakes  Nov 15, 1822 - Jun 2, 1897
Jonathan H. S. Oakes  Abt 1790 - Abt 1859
Isaac Oaks  May 13, 1760 - Abt 1845
John Oaks  Abt 1735 - Unknown
(click to enlarge)

Both Lowell and his father rest in Pinehurst City Cemetery at Dooly County, Georgia. Luther's personal story has a solemn wow factor to it. L.A. Oakes, a sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, was a survivor of the Bataan Death March as well as a 3 1/2 year Japanese Prisoner Of War.


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The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"

So I answered, "O Lord God, You know."

Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!' Thus says the Lord God to these bones: 'Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live...'" (Ezekiel 37:1-5, NKJV)