Biography of Herbert K. Oates
by Loretta Oates Davis

Herbert Koseuth Oates (David Jethro Oates, David Cogdell, John, Jethro, Joseph, James) was born May 17, 1914, in Sampson County.  His father died six weeks later at age 59.  Herbert left the farm in North Carolina and moved to Richmond where his sisters Beck, Sadie, Lucille and Elma and brother Raymond already had jobs (probably in the tobacco factories).  As a young man, he worked for Virginia Dairy and for Richardson Lumber Company driving a truck from Tallysville to the mill in Richmond.  Herbert had dark hair and was a tall, well-built man.  He had excellent posture his entire life.

On July 12, 1936, in Fisherville, Maryland, at age 22 he married Mary Eugenia “Eugene” or  “Gene” Binns,  three months before her 21st birthday.  He had been introduced to Gene (as he called her) by his sister Sadie who lived in Quinton with her husband Bill Davis.  Herbert and Gene rented a room from Mrs. Crane at 2408 East Clay Street in Richmond.  Later they moved to Quinton and lived with Gene’s parents.

Herbert and Gene had a daughter:
Loretta Faye Oates was born November 6, 1938.

Herbert left his job at Philip Morris to join the Navy in 1941.  He was a gunner’s mate and spent time in San Francisco, Bermuda and Italy.  He was assigned to a PT Boat and told of how his ship was shot into two pieces.  After the war, he worked for Hamilton Paper (later changed to Manufacturing) Company in Richmond.  He and Gene divorced in 1951.

He remarried June 6, 1952, to Barbara Ann “Bobbie” Throckmorton.   Bobbie was born September 18, 1933, in Richmond.  She was the daughter of James Edward Throckmorton and Mary Ithama Harmon.

Herbert joined St. John’s Episcopal Church around the time of his second marriage.

Herbert and Bobbie had a son and five daughters, including a set of twins:
 Mary Catherine “Cathy” Oates was born July 6, 1953.
 Herbert David “Dave” Oates was born May 28, 1955.
 Judith Ann “Judy” Oates was born May 28, 1956.
 Lisa Carol Oates was born March 28, 1960.
 Janice Kay “Jan” Oates was born March 28, 1960.
 Joan Marie Oates was born December 28, 1963.

They lived in Richmond until 1971, then moved to a 119-acre site  in Caroline County, Virginia, where he built a house (pretty much single-handedly) and lived until he died (in a Richmond hospital) November 12, 1997.  He is the first person to be buried on his property.

Herbert had only six years of formal education, but was an intelligent man.  He had a great deal of common sense and good reasoning skills.  He could fix cars, raise crops and build houses—all while maintaining a job with sufficient responsibility and pay to amply care for his family.   He was left-handed and enjoyed a "cold brew", but I rarely saw him smoke.  He liked bowling, water sports, horses, hunting and fishing and won more than his share of card games.   He seemed able to get by with very little sleep.   He had a good disposition and a wonderful sense of humor.  He never fussed at me about anything and never complained.

Loretta Oates Davis