Francis Webb Garrett

  General Notes:

Family story as told by Ruthie Adkins Hill to this researcher (her son-in-law) in July 2007:
Francis was dating Alec Tyree, a friend of Ben Adkins (Ruth's husband) ... Alex's sister, Dibbs Tyree (probably Elizabeth L. Tyree from census records), was a friend of Ruth Garrett. Alex went to the Naval academy where he met Bob Williams. They came home to Danville for a visit where Bob met Francis. Bob's sister ended up married to Alex (see research notes on Francis Garrett). Dibbs married a guy by the name of Balboni.

  Research Notes:

Interesting notes on Dibb's brothers Alexander Kelly Tyree and John Augustine Tyree Jr.:
Obituary in The Washington Post, Thursday, May 25, 2006; Page B06
Alexander K. Tyree
Submarine Commander
Alexander K. Tyree, 90, a World War II submarine commander who became a math professor at the University of Mary Washington, died of lung cancer May 10 at Shell Point Retirement Community in Fort Myers, Fla. He was a former Fredericksburg resident.
Capt. Tyree was born in Page, W.Va., and grew up in Danville, Va. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1936 and served on the cruiser USS Salt Lake City from 1936 to 1939.
One of the youngest submarine commanders in the Navy during World War II, he commanded three submarines, including the USS Bowfin. The Bowfin was one of nine submarines -- known collectively as "The Hellcats" -- that successfully navigated through the almost impenetrable minefields of the Tsushima Strait. The subs severed Japan's last lifeline with the Asian mainland by destroying what was left of its merchant fleet.
For his achievement, Capt. Tyree was awarded his second Navy Cross. The Bowfin is a national historic landmark at Pearl Harbor.
After his 30-year career in the Navy, which included several duty assignments in Washington, he settled in Fredericksburg and received a master's degree in math education from Duke University in 1967. He taught math at what was then Mary Washington College from 1967 to 1979.
His first wife, Susan Tyree, died in 1984. His second wife, Gloria Tyree, died in 2001.
Survivors include his wife of three years, Ethel "Willi" Tyree of Fort Myers; three children from his first marriage, Nancy Fee of Basye, Va., Rosa Lee Glass of Camden, Maine, and Alexander K. Tyree Jr. of Fargo, N.D.; a brother; a sister; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.


The John A. and Nannie Tyree family can be found in the 1930 Federal Census for Danvile, Virginia living at 216 Virginia Avenue and the 1920 Census in the Lee District of Fauquier Co., Virginia. John was a Physician.

The SSDI records:
Alexander K. Tyree SSN: 224-52-1407 Last Residence: 33908 Fort Myers, Lee, Florida Born: 28 Aug 1915 Died: 10 May 2006 State (Year) SSN issued: Virginia (1956-1957) and his wife Suzanne Tyree SSN: 701-03-7053 Last Residence: 22401 Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg City, Virginia, United States of America Born: 29 Mar 1916 Died: Nov 1984 State (Year) SSN issued: Railroad Board (Issued Through) (Before 1951)


Alex's sister, Elizabeth Tyree:
The SSDI records:
Elizabeth T. Balboni SSN: 226-18-7000 Last Residence: 22901 Charlottesville, Albemarle, Virginia, United States of America Born: 23 Aug 1917 Died: 4 Nov 2000 State (Year) SSN issued: Virginia (Before 1951)
Louis J. Balboni SSN: 172-07-6392 Last Residence: 22901 Charlottesville, Albemarle, Virginia, United States of America Born: 14 Oct 1908 Died: 9 Jun 1998 State (Year) SSN issued: Pennsylvania (Before 1951)


Obituary in The Day (serving Eastern Connecticut, Waterford), Saturday, April 17, 2004; Page B1 & B4
Retired Vice Admiral John A. Tyree dead at 92 ... born in Blackston, VA in 1911 to Dr. John Augustine Tyree Sr. and Nanny Grinnan Kelly Tyree and raised in Danville, VA.

Francis married Capt. Robert Jay Williams, son of Jay Carl Williams and Rose Marie Butler, on 12 Aug 1939 in Danville, VA. (Capt. Robert Jay Williams was born on 12 Nov 1913 in Spokane, Washington, died on 25 Oct 1969 in Bethesda Naval Hosp., Bethesda, MD and was buried on 29 Oct 1969 in Highland Burial Park, Danville, VA.)