Rosa Elvira Ryles

Rosa Elvira Ryles was the daughter of James M. Ryles and Mary Frances Smith. She was born 1 December 1882 in Scott County, Arkansas, and was nicknamed "Rosie.". She married James Samuel Godwin in the Booneville District of Logan County, Arkansas, on 31 October 1901. Rosie was the daughter of James and Elizabeth Ryles of Ione. James and Rosie lived in Belva, Scott County, Arkansas when they married. James was 21 years old, and Rosie was 19.

Rosie always had a milk cow where ever she lived. She milked it twice a day, filtered the milk through cheese cloth, and would make her own butter. She also made clabbered milk. The milk was rich, like half and half. She would stake the cow in different areas of the yard and in a small area behind the smoke house, moving it every few hours to new grass.

James and Rosie had many visitors coming and going when they lived in Ratcliff. They were always being visited by someone. When severe storms came to the area, the widow ladies of the community generally came to their house to wait it out. The house was small, and only had four rooms. Anyone visiting after dark knew they had to announce their arrival. They would shout out as they approached the walkway to the house, as Rosie was known to sleep with a 41 caliber swing out cylinder under her pillow at night, and she was not afraid to use it. James and Rosie never turned anyone away. They took in everyone.

Rosie lived with her daughter, Reva Nell Wright, for many years after that in her home in Ratcliff. Rosie passed away in Nov. 1972. James and Rosie Godwin are both buried at the Caulksville Cemetery in Caulksville, Arkansas