Helen Frances Williams, first little Princess born into the Maybelline Family, 1918

Helen Frances Williams (Huber,) was the first child born to Noel and Frances Williams on May 31, 1918.  The first baby girl born into the Maybelline Family she was a  little Princess while Tom Lyle's son Tom Jr certainly was it's Prince.  It was Helen's father Noel who loaned his brother Tom Lyle $500 to launch  Maybel Laboratories in 1915.   Noel was Vice President of the Chicago based company from 1917 until his death in 1951.

Helen was the only member of the Maybelline family who modeled for a Maybelline Ad before marrying and having a large family. Her beautiful deep set eye's were perfect for showing off Maybelline mascara and eye shadow during the late 1930s ,when Hollywood stars still insisted on glamor at all cost.  Helen was not only glamorous she was a natural beauty inside and out.

Very few members of the family actually worked for the Maybelline company and because of this there was no one prepared to carry on after Tom Lyle sold Maybelline in 1967 to Plough Inc.  At that time Tom Lyle and Tom Jr. could no longer handle the stress of a growing cosmetic company that continued to out sell every other eye make up on the market.

Read more about Noel and Frances and their role in the birth of the Maybelline Co., as well as their 4 children, Helen, Annette, Noel, and Dick Williams, in the Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It. 

I'm proud of my roots in Morganfield Kentucky, where Maybelline got it's start.

In all the research I did for The Maybelline Story,

 I found our family had quite a romantic past

My great grandmother, Susan Anna Alvey.  This picture was taken in 1877 when she was only 16 years of age and considered a great beauty. 

My great grandfather, Sheriff Thomas Jefferson Williams, was the local tax collector, and fearless when it came to doing the right thing. 

Susan Anna Alvey Williams, and Sheriff TJ, had six children, the most famous being Tom Lyle Williams, owner of the Maybelline Company.  When she died of the great flu in 1919, Sheriff TJ, kept the books for Tom Lyle during the early years of Lash -Brow-Ine, and Maybelline. 

My grandfather Preston and his little sister Eva, 1909.

The 500 acre family farm and homestead was over 100 years old by the time the Williams kids were born, and by 1916, the farm was sold, so the family could move to Chicago and help Tom Lyle with his little Maybelline Company.

TJ and Anna's third grandchild, and their son, Noel James and Frances Williams second child, Annette Williams, plays with the chickens in Morganfield.

The country story included the local post office, photography studio, soda fountain, and supply store. it even acted as a saloon, before Prohibition was passed in 1920.

Noel James', wife Frances, with their two girls, Helen and Annette, in Morganfield.  The family, now living in Chicago, worked for Tom Lyle and his Maybelline Company. 

Little Helen, with the chickens in Morganfield.

                   Little Annette in the chicken coop.

Sheriff TJ with his fourth grandchild, my father William Preston Williams, in 1924.  

Sheriff Thomas Jefferson with his son, Tom Lyle Williams, and his first grandchild, Tom Lyle Williams Jr. in Chicago, 1934.


Read more about Morganfield and the early days of Maybelline in my book The Maybelline Story.

Maybelline Roots, in Morganfield Kentucky.

Growing up loving Gunsmoke, my first glimmer of romantic thoughts, came in the form of Marshal Dillon an Miss Kitty.

In all the research I did for The Maybelline Story, I found our family had it's own romantic past, in the late 1800,  including a country Sheriff and his pretty lady.

Both being my great-grandparents. Sheriff Thomas Jefferson Williams and his wife, Susan Anna Alvey of Morganfield Kentucky were the real deal.

Susan Anna Alvey, in 1877 only 16 years of age was considered a great beauty for the times.

Sheriff TJ, as he was called, was also the local tax collector, and fearless when it came to doing the right thing.  He lost his right eye in a fight, and often teased his grandchildren by pulling it out and handing it them.  He'd laugh as the kids screamed and ran to their mothers, but never stopped getting a big kick out out the joke.

Susan Anna Alvey Williams had 6 children with Sheriff TJ, the most famous being Tom Lyle Williams, owner of the Maybelline Company.  She died of the great flu in 1919 leaving Sheriff TJ to help with the books in the early years of Lash -Brow-Ine, and Maybelline. 

On the farm as children, my grandfather Preston and his little sister Eva, 1909. 

The 500 acre family farm and homestead was over 100 years old, by the time the Williams kids were born.  By 1916, the farm was being sold, and the family moved to Chicago, to assist Tom Lyle with his little Maybelline Company.

TJ and Anna's third grandchild, and their son, Noel James and Frances Williams second child, Annette Williams, plays with the chickens before the farm was finally sold.

The country story wore many hats in the early day's, including being the local post office, photography studio, soda fountain, and supply store. How knows it may have even acted as a saloon at one time, before Prohibition was passed in 1920.

Noel James, wife Frances, with their two girls, Helen and Annette, in Morganfield, visiting the homestead.  The family was now prospering in Chicago, as the Maybelline Company continued to grow.

Little Helen, with the chickens in Morganfield.

                   Little Annette in the chicken coop.

Sheriff TJ with my father William Preston Williams, in 1924.  Bill was his fourth grandchild.

And finally the Big Three, Sheriff Thomas Jefferson with his son, Tom Lyle Williams, and his first grandchild, Tom Lyle Williams Jr. in Chicago, 1934.

It may not have been the Old West, exactly, but I have to say I'm pretty proud of my roots in Morganfield Kentucky, and having a real-life, gun-toting Sheriff, with a pretty little wife, as my great grandparents. 

Gunsmoke, still lives on in my heart, with wonderful memories of my earliest romantic fantasies and Miss Kitty is still the prettiest lady in the Old West.

Read more about Morganfield and the early days of Maybelline in my book The Maybelline Story.

Maybelline Princess turns out to be Maybelline model in late 1930's.

Helen Frances Williams (Huber,) was the first child born to Noel and Frances Williams on May 31, 1918.  The first baby girl born into the Maybelline Family she was a  little Princess while Tom Lyle's son Tom Jr certainly was it's Prince.  It was Helen's father Noel who loaned his brother Tom Lyle $500 to launch  Maybel Laboratories in 1915.   Noel was Vice President of the Chicago based company from 1917 until his death in 1951.

Helen was the only member of the Maybelline family who modeled for a Maybelline Ad before marrying and having a large family. Her beautiful deep set eye's were perfect for showing off Maybelline mascara and eye shadow during the late 1930s ,when Hollywood stars still insisted on glamour at all cost.  Helen was not only glamorous she was a natural beauty inside and out.

Very few members of the family actually worked for the Maybelline company and because of this there was no one prepared to carry on after Tom Lyle sold Maybelline in 1967 to Plough Inc.  At that time Tom Lyle and Tom Jr. could no longer handle the stress of a growing cosmetic company that continued to out sell every other eye make up on the market.

Read more about Noel and Frances and their role in the birth of the Maybelline Co., as well as their 4 children, Helen, Annette, Noel, and Dick Williams, in the Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It.