Mullins v. Simmons

These appeals concern a dispute over the construction of a deed. On May 18, 1908, P. J. Brown made a conveyance to his daughter which read in pertinent part as follows:

to Norcia B. Wysor during her natural life, and at her death

to her children, if any, and if the said Norcia B. Wysor shall die without issue, then to the next of kin on her fathers side ....

Norcia gave birth to a daughter, Laura, Norcia’s only child. Laura gave birth to a daughter, Lynn. Laura died in 1973, predeceasing her mother Norcia. Norcia died in 1979 survived by her granddaughter Lynn.

In 1956, Norcia, Laura, and Laura’s…