Posted in the Sun Herald, Biloxi, Ms. Nov. 28, 2013. Page 4a

McCOMB -- Mildred Belle Martin Barron, regarded as Mississippi's last living daughter of a Confederate soldier, died Tuesday at her Amite County home after suffering a stroke. She was 106.

Barron had two daughters, Cherrie Randall, with whom she lived, and Patty Breckenridge. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Both daughters were very close to their mother."She had a little stroke last week," Randall said. "She could not talk. We knew things were not going to be good."

Barron was born Jan. 27, 1907, the sixth of seven children born to Nancy Moak and William "Whit" Laban Martin of Fernwood.

Whit Martin was 15 when he joined the Confederate Army, signing up with the 16th Mississippi Infantry Co. E. He participated in the Battle of Clinton, La.

Breckenridge said her grandfather's claim to fame was that he stole mules from the Yankee soldiers during the Battle of Clinton."He was really a drummer boy," she said.

Barron's life read like a history book. Not only was she one of only 16 known actual Daughters of the Confederacy in the nation, she was the great-granddaughter of Labon Bacot, the first sheriff of Pike County; the great-granddaughter of Andrew Moak, the first settler in Lincoln County; the oldest living graduate of McComb High School (Class of 1924) and the oldest living graduate of Mississippi Woman's College (Class of 1929), which is now William Carey University.

Barron was an English teacher for 27 years, before and after her marriage to Billy Barron, who died in 1994.

Randall and Breckenridge said their mother didn't think anything about the historical significance of her life."She was so sweet and humble," Randall said. "She didn't think anything about her was spectacular."

Barron's daughters believe their mother's positive attitude about life was what helped her live so long.

"She did not dwell on anything that had happened, any sadness, any losses," Breckenridge said. "Of course, she grieved, but she had the ability to keep going and think ahead and be positive in her thinking."

*****************************

CSRs found in Fold 3. Age was 25 not 15. Nothing said about being a drummer boy. Transferred to Washington Art. Dec. 27, 1861.

**********************

This is only a possibility. More research is required. From the CWSS. Is this the same as Washington Art.?

Martin, William L.
Regiment Name:Stanford's Company, Mississippi Light ArtillerySide:ConfederateCompany:Soldier's Rank In:PrivateSoldier's Rank Out:PrivateAlternate name:Film Number:M232 roll 25Notes: