My Family Tree

KC Star, October 1919:
Miss Lela Myers Home From Overseas
"Miss Lela Myers has returned from overseas where she served two years under the direction of the Knights of Columbus. Miss Myers, with other girl performers, gave many concerts in England, Scotland, France and Germany. She left Kansas City in October, 1917. Miss Myers is at the residence of Mrs. Hattie Burke, 840 W 40th St." (she played trombone with Cora Youngblood Corson's Band)
[Kyle: I have many photos, letters, and memorabilia she kept from her tour. One photo in France labels all the girls:
Gladys Crank
Lela
Grace Acton
Simone Hamel
Cora Y. Corson
Alice Heath
Ida Mundell
Clairette Hamel
Ethel M Hiatt
The Hamel sisters later formed "Hamel Musical Misses".]
James P Gregory's documentary includes the tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9ov_w_UBpo

She wrote her mother on Apr 9, 1918 about the letters that Jim sent, and promises of love, "Anyway I have very peculiar feelings sometimes that there are very few who can be trusted, and really mean all they say." In these letters, she almost always refers to Jim as "Mac", and she says he refers to her as "Lee". He tells her to call him "papa" (perhaps hoping to be a father?)

residences:
born Capioma, Nemaha Co, KS (from Kansas Census)
1905 Arkansas City, Cowley Co, KS (from Kansas Census)
1915 Ottawa, Franklin Co, KS (from Kansas Census)
1917 Ottawa, KS (from Ollie's WW1 Draft Registration)

June 10, 1971
The Kansas City Times from Kansas City, Missouri · Page 26:
MRS. JAMES A. McROBERTS Mrs. Lela Marie McRoberts, 5647 Granada, Mission, died Tuesday at the Menorah Medical Center. She was born in Nemaha County, Kansas, and had lived in this area 60 years. She was a member of the Central Bible Church. During World War I she toured Europe with an orchestra to entertain troops. She leaves her husband, James Alexander McRoberts of the home; two sons, James A. McRoberts, Jr., of the home, and Loren McRoberts. Dallas, Tex.; a daughter, Mrs. Lee Davenport, Prairie Village, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the Newcomer Brush Creek Chapel; graveside services 11 a m. Monday at the National Cemetery, Ft. Leavenworth, Kan. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at the chapel. The family requests no flowers and suggests contributions to the Central Bible Church. Camp Del Haven, or the City Union Mission.

note by grandson: she was a very strict mother and grandmother, but seemed devoted to helping those around her. Most of my memories of her are cooking in the kitchen. Exceptionally devout Christian, she was very involved with Central Bible Church in KC, MO and other bible studies, and often brought it up in everyday activites. Altho we spent holidays and family gatherings at my grandparents' house, not many times were one or more of us kids there alone, considering we lived less than 5 miles away.