Record Book of Wills
in the County of Stoddard, Missouri
Book D Will 155

{This is a form page, the words written in italics are the handwritten words}

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of W.R. Black

In the Name of God, Amen:
I - W.R. Black - of the-City of-Bernie - County of-Stoddard -and State of-Missouri
being now in good health, strength of body and mind, but sensible to the uncertainty of life, and desiring to make disposition of my property and affaires while in heath and strength, do hereby make, publish and declare the following to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking and canceling all other or former wills by me at any time made.

First - I direct the payment of all my just debts, doctor bills, and funeral expenses.

Second - To my beloved wife, Sophia L. Black, I will and bequeath all my real estate and personal property of every description during her natural life, or so long as she remains my widow and in event she should see fit during the time she so remains my widow to sell any of the real estate for the purpose of maintaining and educating my children she is hereby empowered with full authority to sell said real estate and by her deed pass a fee simple title to the purchaser.

Third - To my beloved daughter, Fern Black I will and bequeath one dollar, to be paid her by the Executor of this will.

Fourth - To my beloved daughter, Norma Black, I make and bequeath one dollar to be paid her by the Executor of this will.

Fifth - To my beloved daughter, Flontina Black, I make and bequeath one dollar to be paid her by the Executor of this will.

It is my will that in event my beloved wife, Sophia L. Black, should marry, or at her death, any real or personal property belonging to my estate shall pass to my three beloved daughters.
Should my beloved wife, Sophia L. Black, remarry during the minority of any of my beloved daughters, it is my will that she be appointed guardian for such minors, and be required to give Bond for the faithful performance of her duties as such.

Last, it is my will that my beloved wife, Sophia L. Black be executor of this my last will and testament without bond.

In witness whereof I W.R. Black, have to this my last will and testament, consisting of two sheets of paper, subscribed my name, this the 23rd day of February A.D. 1922.
W.R. Black

Attestation of Will:
The foregoing instrument consisting of two pages was at the date thereof, signed and declared by the said W.R. Black to be his last will and testament, in the presence of us, at his request, and in his presence, and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
W.E. Edmond Bernie, Missouri
Icy Wheatley Bernie Missouri
/pg. 2/

State of Missouri
County of Stoddard

On this 16th day of January, 1923, before the undersigned M. Walker Cooper, Judge of the Probate Court, personally appeared Icy Wheatley who being duly sworn, says that to the best information and belief of affiant W.R. Black died testate at Bernie, Missouri on the 7th day of March, 1922 leaving as his heirs at law Sophia L. Black, widow; Fern Black, daughter; Norma Black, daughter; and Flontina Black, daughter.
Icy Wheatley

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 16th day of January, 1923.
M. Walker Cooper
Judge of Probate

PROOF OF WILL
STATE OF MISSOURI
County of- Stoddard In the- Probate -Court of Stoddard County, Missouri

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on this - 16th -day of- January -, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and- Twenty-three , before me - M. Walker Cooper, Judge - of the-Probate -Court, held in and for - the County of Stoddard -and State of Missouri, personally appeared -W.E. Edmonds and Icy Wheatley - who being duly sworn upon -their -oath, depose- - and say- -that - they -w - ere - present and saw -W.R. Black - sign the foregoing instrument, of date -February 23rd - 19 -22 - purporting to be - - the Last Will and Testament of h -im - the said -W.R. Black - and heard - him -publish and declare the same to be h -is - Last Will and Testament, and that at the time of signing the same, the said -W.R. Black -was of sound and disposing mind, and that th -ese - deponent -s attesting witness - es - subscribed their names thereto as witnesses to the same in the presence of the testat -or - and of each other, and at the request of the said testat -or - who was more than 21 years of age at the date of so declaring and signing said instrument.
W.E. Edmonds
Icy Wheatley

Sworn to and subscribed before me, -M. Walker Cooper, Judge -of the-Probate -Court, the day and year first aforesaid.
M. Walker Cooper,
Judge of Probate

CERTIFICATE OF PROBATE
STATE OF MISSOURI
County of-Stoddard -}In the-Probate -Court- of Stoddard County Missouri

I, - M. Walker Cooper, Judge - of the-Probate-Court-Stoddard -County, Missouri, having examined the foregoing instrument purporting to be - - the Last Will and Testament of - W.R. Black - deceased, and signed by said - W.R. Black - deceased, late of-Stoddard -County,- Missouri -and having heard the testimony of - W.E. Edmonds - and - Icy Wheatley - subscribing witnesses thereto, in relation to the execution of the same, do declare and adjudge said Instrument -is - the Last Will and Testament of said - W.R. Black - deceased, and the same is therefore - admitted to probate.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office this -16th - day of -January - 19-23
M. Walker Cooper,
Judge of Probate
/pg. 3/

LETTERS TESTAMENTARY
STATE OF MISSOURI
County of-Stoddard

To all to Whom these Presents shall come--GREETING:
Know Ye, That the last will and testament of -W.R. Black - deceased, late of-Stoddard -County, Missouri, hath, in due form of law been exhibited, proved and recorded, in the office of the -Judge - of the Probate Court of-Stoddard -County, Missouri, a copy of which is hereunto annexed; and Inasmuch as it appears that -Sophia L. Black - ha - s- been appointed execut -rix - in and by said Last Will and Testament, to execute the same, and to the end that the property of the said Testator may be preserved for those who shall appear to have a legal right or interest therein, and that the said Last Will and Testament may be executed according to the request and instruction of the said Testator, we do hereby authorize -her - the said - Sophia L. Black - as such Execut-rix -, to collect and secure, all and singular the goods and chattels, rights and credits, which were of the said - W.R. Black - at the time of h - is - death, in whosoever hands or possession the same may be found; and to perform and fulfill all such duties as may be enjoined upon -her - by said Last Will and Testament, so far as there shall be property and the law charge - her - ; and in general to do and perform all other acts which are now or may be hereafter required of -her - by law.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I -M. Walker Cooper, Judge - of the Probate Court in and for said County, have hereunto signed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court at office in-Bloomfield, Missouri-this - - day of - -, A.D. 19-
M. Walker Cooper,
By- Judge -of said Court.

EXECUTOR'S BOND, or Bond of Administrator with Will Annexed.
No Bond Required



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