Mary Isabella Conley

     Mary Isabella Conley was born on 31 March 1907 at Thayer, Fayette County, West Virginia.¹ She was the daughter of Charles C. Conley and Catherine Brady.¹

Mary was enumerated with Charles C. Conley on the census of 25 April 1910 at Cabin Creek, Kanawa County, West Virginina, as Mary Isabelle Conley. She is a single white female 3 years old born in West Virginia. Her father was born in West Virginia and her mother was born in Pennsylvania.²

Mary Isabella Conley was present at the death of Catherine Brady in 1912 at West Virginia.
Mary recalls: I remember her lying there with one leg hanging off of the bed. She was reading a letter her mother had written her. She handed me the letter and told me she was too weak to continue. Shortly after that she passed away with me, Vinnie, my father and some neighbors by her side.¹

Deirdre Jae Cooke: After the death of Catherine, Mary did not have much communication with her mother's family. In fact, eventually the family would lose all contact, with the exception of a visit from Barbara Brady later in Mary's life.¹

Mary was enumerated with Charles C. Conley on the census of 14 January 1920 at Scott District, Boone County, West Virginia, as Mary Conley. She is a single white female 12 years old born in West Virginia. She has attended school thispast year. Her father was born in West Virginia and her mother was born in Virginia.³

Deirdre Jae Cooke: In 1925 my great grandmother left her father, stepmother, brothers and sisters and moved to Clarksburg, West Virginia to live with her father's sister Lou. She began to work at a little restaurant named "Crystals" and them moved on to the "Hotel Waldo" where she cleaned rooms. Mary's Aunt Lou was very quarrelsome according to Frank Goebel. Frank was one of the individuals whom Lou allowed to board at her house. It was in Aunt Lou's boardinghouse where Mary met Frank and on the stairwell at "Hotel Waldo" where he proposed. In his proposal he mentioned that he wanted to take care of her and that he did not want to quarrel like her Aunt Lou. My great grandmother agreed and shortly there after the two were married. On November 17, 1928 the two married in the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Clarksburg, West Virginia.

After their small wedding ceremony the two spent only a few days together and Franklin Russel Goebel headed back to Carter County Kentucky to make a home for his new wife. Mary stayed behind to save a little money. On January 1 1929 Mary Goebel rode a train from Clarksburg, West Virginia to Kenova, West Virginia to reunite with her new husband. Frank waited patiently for the 5:00 am train to arrive at the Kenova station. Mary and Frank reunited and began theri new journey as one. The two rode in a streetcar, Mary's first trip in a car, to Ashland, Kentucky where they boarded a bus at 7:00 am to take the young couple to their new home.¹

Mary Isabella Conley married Frank Russell Goebel, son of John Pelham Goebel and Anna Goebel, on 17 November 1928 at First Methodist Episcopal Church, Clarksburg, Harrison County, West Virginia.¹

Mary was enumerated with John Pelham Goebel on the census of 24 April 1930 at Grayson, Carter County, Kentucky, as Mary I. Goebel. She is a 22 year old married white female first married when she was 22 year old. She was born in West Virginia and both of her parents were born in Kentucky. She is enumerated as a daughter-in-law.⁴

Mary was widowed by the death of Frank on 19 May 1974 On Sunday May 19, 1974 sadness overtook Mary Goebel, and her family, when Frank fell suddenly to the kitchen floor. Frank was rushed to the hopital. Mary was by his side, riding along in the ambulance. Great grandfather Frank was pronounced dead upon arrival. Mary was devastated her one and only love, her lifelong friend had passed away.¹

Deirdre Jae Cooke: The death of my great grandfather has saddened great grandma. Although I never knew my great grandfather or the two together I do know that they were in love. In fact, I do not think she has ever been the same. All of my life she has talked about how much she misses Frank and how she wishes the good Lord would take her so that she could be with him. I can see the love she has for papaw Frank.¹

Mary Isabella Conley was present at the death of Vinnie Conley on 30 April 1999 at Beckwith Branch, Carter County, Kentucky.¹

Mary Isabella Conley died on 29 November 2005 at Carter County, Kentucky, at age 98.

Deirdre Jae Cooke: She has seen the birth of fourteen great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. She has also seen her children diviorce and remarry. As well as her grandchildren and great grandchildren marry. But through all of these joys she has seen sorrow. In 1999 her sister whom had come to live with her after her husband's death, Vinnie Conley Newland, passed away in Mary's home on April 30, 1999 with family by her side. This loss was difficult for my great grandmother. My great grandmother has had her fair share of hardships herself. She has since become arthritic. Mary Goebel has given much love to her family. Not only has she given her baby fine curls or love of chocolate or even our nosey disposition, she has given us her love. For without the love and caring person that she is, she would not have raised such wonderful children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and even great great grandchildren and for that WE thank her.