Individual Details

Frank Lee WEST

(21 Aug 1915 - 16 Dec 1984)

Frank Lee West 1915-1984 was born to Willie Maxine Furr 1898-1930 and George R. Sullivan who were married on 29 Nov 1913 in Monroe county, Florida.  Frank Lee West was, by this marriage, named George Sullivan Rolande, Jr.  Willie Maxine was the younger sister by 10 years of Carrie L Furr-they had different mothers but the same father, William Ransom Furr 1857-1937.The story goes that Willie Maxine gave the child up to her sister Carrie and her husband, Lee Frank West. The child was then officially adopted and raised by this couple and renamed Frank Lee West. The first time that Frank Lee West appears is in the 1920 Knox county, Tennessee census at age 4 1/2 with Carrie and Frank and he is listed in that census as Frank Lee West, Jr. He then appears next at age 19 in the 1935 Hillsborough county, Florida census living with the parents of Carrie and Willie Maxine, William Ransom Furr and his wife Augusta. Augusta is the mother of Willie Maxine. There are many other Frank Lee West's in the records to confuse the issue but the cited sources are certainly him. The story goes that Wille Maxine was very young when she had this child and that she aspired to a career of acting. She had the chance to join with James J. Amick and perform in his numerous vaudeville houses with him. Therefore she gave up the child to her older half sister so she could persue this goal of acting. She later marries James Jackson Amick.

Events

Birth21 Aug 1915Knoxville, Knox County, TN
Death16 Dec 1984Atlanta, Fulton County, GA
Soc Sec No263-03-5318
Adoption

Families

FatherGeorge R. SULLIVAN (1896 - )
MotherWillie Maxine "Willie Max" FURR (1898 - 1930)
FatherFrank Lee WEST (1889 - )
MotherLiving

Endnotes