David Burney Fox

Fox Home in Laurel, MS
Fox Home near Ovett, MS
D. B. Fox Lima-Shay Locomotive
Autobiography of Helen Hand Fox
D. B. Fox--Depression Years
D. B. Fox Brass Coins
D. B. Fox Sawmill
Burney and Helen's wedding-original copy
Burney and Helen's wedding-transcript and comments
David Burney Fox (PIC) was born 11 NOV 1865, in Louisville, MS, son of Nathan Jackson Fox and Eliza Levissa Love. His early training was in Louisville with his schooling taking place in his father's and mother's boarding school. He began his business career as a bookkeepper for his brother's mercantile business in Enterprise, MS.

Mary Helen Hand (PIC), daughter of Alexander Trotter Hand and Eliza Mary Frances O'Ferrall was born 18 AUG 1871 in Clarke Co., MS. At the age of about 8 or 9 years, she went to Chatfield, MN, to be raised by her mother's brother and his wife, Frank and Amelia O'Ferrall. There she lived a life that was unavailable in the post Civil War South. She attended the best schools of the area, graduating in 1889 from St. Mary's Hall in Faribault, MN, having become talented in art and music. Following graduation, she visited her family in Miss, near Enterprise. While there she met David Burney Fox. It was said that 'it was love at first sight.' They were married 9 FEB 1891 at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Enterprise.

Shortly after Burney and Helen married, the Enterprise store shut down, and Burney took jobs as bookkeeper for several sawmill firms in Miss. and Ala. Around the turn fo the century, Burney went into the sawmill business in Jones Co., MS, and the family moved to the country, near Ovett. Over the years the business expanded, and the family moved to Laurel, MS, so that the children could receive an education better than available in the country. The family would live in Laurel during the winter school months, and move back to their country home for summer.

David Burney Fox passed away 4 SEP 1931 and is buried at Lake Park Cemetery in Laurel, MS. After his death Helen kept house in the country for her son, Francis Fox, who continued to operate his father's timber business. Helen Hand Fox passed away 12 FEB 1962 and is buried next to her husband.

The children of David Burney Fox and Mary Helen Hand are:


  1. Nathan Jackson Fox, b. 31 OCT 1892 in Enterprise, MS, d. 8 JAN 1893 in Stateline, AL.

  2. Francis O'Ferrall Fox, b. 18 APR 1894 in Enterprise, MS, d. 22 SEP 1968 in Laurel, MS, m. 19 APR 1925 Julia Nell MacGowan (div.).

  3. Laura Blanche Fox, b. 28 FEB 1896 in Stateline, MS, d. 7 JUN 1985 in Laurel, MS, m. 3 DEC 1922 Ernest Henry Jones b. 6 OCT 1899. d. 24 SEP 1960.

  4. Helen Bernice Fox b. 19 NOV 1897 in Yellowpine, AL, d. 22 MAY 1972 in Cleveland, MS, m. 23 DEC 1926 Albert Grady Spinks b. 5 MAY 1890, d. 12 SEP 1970.

  5. David Burney Fox, b. 19 NOV 1897 in Yellowpine, AL,, d. 21 APR 1978 in Laurel, MS, m. 1) 1924 Myrtle Connell b. 1899. d. 28 MAY 1927. m. 2) 28 SEP 1929 Norma Hall b. 25 AUG 1908. d. 7 JUL 1988.

  6. Dorothy Fox, b. 23 MAY 1900 in Yellowpine, AL,, d. 28 JUN 1989 in Laurel, MS, m. 22 FEB 1931 Julian Askew Green b. 25 SEP 1896 (div.).

  7. Estelle Love Fox, b. 20 DEC 1901 in Yellowpine, AL,, d. 6 MAY 1993 in Cleveland, MS, m. 1) 24 JUL 1921 Spencer Roby Sproles (div.). m. 2) 29 DEC 1926 Berry Knox White (div.).

  8. Lester Hand Fox, b. 25 JUL 1907 in Ovett, MS, m. 1) 19 SEP 1928 Hildagard Marian MacCully b. 1907 d. 26 NOV 1930. m. 2) 16 APR 1932 Sarah Jane Deloach b. 12 APR 1910, d. 30 APR 1990.

  9. William Henry Fox, b. 28 JUN 1909, in Ovett, Ms, d. 12 DEC 1977 in Charleston, SC.
    m. 21 DEC 1940 Ruth Foster Alston b. 10 MAR 1911, d. 12 FEB 1972.