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Obituaries from
Navarro County, Texas


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Beulah Faye (Copley) Slater
Jan 2, 1918 - Nov 5, 2015
 
Beulah Faye (Copley) Slater, 97, of Navarro Mills, passed away Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015 in Corsicana. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015 at Wade Funeral Chapel in Hubbard with Rev. Ricky Woodall officiating. Interment will follow at a later date in Dawson Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015 at the funeral home. Arrangements by Wade Funeral Home, Hubbard.

 

Notes:

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Beulah Faye (Copley) Slater, 97, of Navarro Mills, passed away Thursday, November 5, 2015 in Corsicana. Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Sunday, November 8 at Wade Funeral Chapel in Hubbard with Rev. Ricky Woodall officiating. Interment will follow at a later date in Dawson Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm Saturday, November 7 at the funeral home.

Mrs. Slater was born January 2, 1918 to George Wesley and Minnie Pearl (Sullivan) Copley in the Munger community between Hubbard and Coolidge.  She lived all of her life in the Munger, Hubbard, Spring Hill and Navarro Mills area and worked briefly at Miller Hat Factory in Corsicana. On December 28, 1935 she married Elvin Love Slater. Mrs. Slater enjoyed working outside and cooking and baking.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband and by five siblings.

Survivors include two sons, Don Slater and wife, Mary Ann of Navarro Mills and Ronnie Slater and wife, Mary Evelyn of Navarro Mills; three grandchildren, Steven Slater and wife, Prissy of Navarro Mills, Michael Slater of Navarro Mills and Kim Renfro and husband, Bud of Navarro Mills; four great-grandchildren, Jordan Renfro, Nick Renfro, Josh Slater and Mandy Slater and numerous nieces and nephews and other extended family member and friends.

The family requests that memorials be made to Navarro Mills Baptist Church, 1095 FM 667, Purdon, Texas 76679.

Notes:

  • Submitted by Karen Rost
  • w/o Elvin Love Slater; d/o George Wesley Copley & Minnie Pearl
    (Sullivan) Copley

Jodelle Marrs
Aug 17, 1945 - Nov 5, 2015

Jodelle Marrs, 70, of Red Oak passed away Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015 in Waxahachie. She was born Aug. 17, 1945 in the community of Union High, Navarro County to James Cuie Marrs and Nola Irene Freeze Marrs. She attended Landmark Baptist Church in Red Oak.

She is preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Alva Wayne Marrs.

She is survived by her siblings, Lavaene Ogden of Red Oak, Geraldine Watson of Corsicana, DeWaylen "Dutch" Marrs of Corsicana and Theda Marrs of Red Oak. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Visitation will be Monday, Nov. 9, 2015 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home.

Service will be held following visitation at 2 p.m. in the chapel at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home with Pastor Chad E. Spence officiating. Interment will be at Board Tree Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bobby Ogden, James Marrs, Joel Marrs, Brady Kylan Watson, Christopher Moorehead, Jeffrey Brown and Brady H. Watson.

Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society Navarro Unit at:
1000 W. 2nd Ave. Corsicana, Texas 75110.

Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home.

Notes:

Albert Edward "Eddie" Langston
Jun 9, 1972 - Feb 25, 2016
 
Albert Edward Langston, "Eddie" regretfully and unexpectedly departed from this earth on Feb. 25, 2016. Eddie, an Army veteran, was born on June 9, 1972 in Dallas to Albert Ellis and Dorothy Langston.

Eddie enjoyed listening to music, fishing and thoroughly enjoyed shooting guns. However, his greatest joy was spending time with his wife, family and friends. Eddie was the protector of those that he loved and also their biggest supporter.

Eddie was known by all for his hard work, eccentric wit, and warped sense of humor. Eddie will be missed by all that knew and loved him.

Eddie was preceded in death by his father Albert Ellis Langston who passed away in 2013.

Eddie is survived by his wife of six years, Aaron York Langston of Corsicana; his son, Allan Langston of Mount Vernon, Georgia; his mother, Dorothy Langston of Mansfield; his sister, Cheryl Arnett and spouse Darrell of Norman, Oklahoma; his brother, Kenneth Langston and spouse Jessie of Mansfield; nieces Heather Arnett and Lilith Langston; nephews Dustin Arnett and Jeremy Langston, and many more loving relatives and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday March 8, 2016 at Jeter and Son Funeral Home in Cedar Hill,332 Cedar St., Cedar Hill, TX 75104, 972-291-4500.

Interment to follow at 2:30 p.m. at the D/FW National Cemetery. There will be a come and go receiving of family and friends after the service at the home of Aaron Langston.

Memorials may be made to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) or the Salvation Army.

Notes:

Helen Maurice (Lafayette) Fowler
Apr 26, 1925 - Mar 3, 2016

Helen M. Fowler, 90, of Hillsboro was born on April 26, 1925 and passed away Thursday, March 03, 2016 at Town Hall Estates of Hillsboro.

She is preceded in death by her husband Ray Fowler and son Jack Fowler.

She is survived by daughters; Becky Jones and husband Bill, Vickie Henry and husband Jim, daughter in law Polly Fowler and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Resthaven Memorial Park, 5400 Hwy 31, Corsicana with Bro. Darrel Beggs officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Mission Hillsboro Medical Clinic, P.O. 971, Hillsboro, Tx. 76645.

Corley Funeral Home, Corsicana

Notes:

Richard Clayton Williams
Oct 7, 1959 - Feb 18, 2016

Richard Clayton Williams, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away at the age of 56. He passed peacefully in his sleep after a very short but sudden illness on Feb. 18, 2016 while at Methodist Hospital Dallas.

Richard was a volunteer firefighter since 1987 and was currently serving as chief of the Mildred Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a member of the Corsicana Emergency Corp since 2009. Richard has worked at Trinity ESC in Streetman for eight years, and in his spare time he loved riding with his brothers, sisters and friends of East Texas Bikers and We Ride to raise money for various worthy causes.

Richard is preceded in death by a daughter, Cecilla Nicole Williams, his mother Barbara Ann Williams of Duncanville, and father Richard Oliver Williams of Palm Coast Florida.

Richard is survived by his wife and soul mate of 28 years Sharon Williams, sons Chirstoper Wayne McGuire and wife Bobbi, Patrick Glenn McGuire and partner Corie McKinley, and Clayton Earl (Chip) Williams and partner Ariel Spears all of the Corsicana area. Grand kids Abby McGuire, Harlan McGuire, Emma McGuire, Marrissa McGuire, Skyler McKinley and Jayden McGuire. Brothers Thomas (Buddy) Williams and wife Toni of Georgetown and Andy Williams and wife Naomi of Caddo Mills and may numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation was held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday Feb. 22, 2016 and will be held again on Tuesday Feb. 23, 2016 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Funeral Service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016 at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home officiated by Richard's Uncle, Toby Williams of Nashville, Tennessee.

Burial will follow at Eureka Cemetery.

The family also ask that everyone please get your colonoscopy and cancer screenings. It could save your life.

Notes:

Mrs. Teele Ray "Gramma Jack" (Paddy) Jackson
Oct 22, 1915 - Feb 5, 2016
 
Mrs. Teele Ray Jackson went to meet her maker on Feb. 5, 2016. She was 100 years old on Oct. 22, 2016. She said she wanted to live to be 100 and was ready to meet her maker, and that she did.

On Oct. 22, 1915 she was born to Edward Sam Paddy and Rosie Lee Goins Paddy. Teele Ray was the last surviving member of her 11 siblings.

She moved from Athens to Corsicana in 1970. She operated a day care from her home and she baby sat for many doctor and lawyer families. The kids called her Gramma Jack.
She traveled all over the U.S. and made her yearly visits to South Carolina to visit her daughters, family and grandchildren.

She made quilts by hand, crafts and clothes for all her children. She lived in her own apartment taking care of everything until age 97. She then moved to Heritage Oaks West until her death.
She is survived by her daughters, Nancy (Underwood) Perham and husband Ray and Merlene (Underwood) Wallace and husband Billy; grandchildren, Beverly Graham, Karen Perham, Cheryl Wallace, Keith Perham (Susan); great grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Ashley Perham, Anna Perham (James Oates), Luke Edward Perham (namesake of Edward Jackson), Jackson Keith Perham (namesake of Gramma Jack).

She is preceded in death by her parents; her siblings; son, PFC Edward M. Jackson age 18 in Vietnam; Glen Graham a son-in-law; daughter, Raynell Graham and grandson Kevin A. Perham.
Condolences to Deacon Ray and Nancy Perham at OLR Catholic Church 3710 Augusta Rd. Greenville, South Carolina 29605.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Feb. 10th from 4 to 6 p.m. at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home. Graveside service will be 1 p.m. at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Athens.
Burial will be at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Athens.

Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home

Notes:

Diane (Coats) Lang
abt 1932 - Feb 8, 2016
 
Diane Coats Lang, 83 of Kerens, passed away Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 at her residence.
Memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 at the Kerens Presbyterian Church with Rev. Darla Blatnik officiating. Her ashes will be interned in the Kerens Cemetery at a later date.

She is preceded in death by her husband Walter Lang and two daughters, Donna and Pam Lang.
Mrs. Lang taught school in the Kerens ISD for many years.

She is survived by her grandson and wife, Walter Sr. and Deann Lang of Kerens.

Notes:

Ruby Jo (Lewis) Bennett
June 30, 1918 - Feb 7, 2016

Mrs. Ruby Jo Lewis Bennett, 97, of Dallas passed away on Sunday, February 7, 2016 at Golden Acres Nursing Home in Dallas, Texas. She was born on June 30, 1918 in Corsicana to Turner Eldridge and Virginia Lewis.

Following her retirement, she enriched the lives of her family and helped raise her grandchildren as well as all of her great grandchildren. She enjoyed making quilts and working in her yard up until she was 95 years old. This precious lady often did without to make sure her family was cared for. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and beloved grandmother. Although she is no longer with us in body, she leaves an indelible mark upon each of our hearts and for that we are most thankful.

She was preceded in death by her husband, W.D. Bennett; son, Larry Bennett; parents; sisters, Eloise Hagler and Robbie Price; and a brother, T.E. Lewis,

She is survived by her son, Bill D. Bennett and wife Pat of Mesquite; granddaughter, Connie Hale and husband Scott of Mesquite; grandsons, Kyle Bennett and wife Melissa of Sunnyvale and Brett Bennett of Commerce; great granddaughters, Darrianne Hale and Hallehannah Hale of Mesquite and Kaydee Bennett of Sunnyvale; great grandsons, Bennett Hale of Mesquite, Beau Bennett of Greenville, and Andrew and Daniel Bennett of Sunnyvale; brother, Clovis Lewis and wife Jo of Pasadena; sisters, Elizabeth Ann Johnson of Houston, Patty Jean Newton of Arizona, Nellie Sue Keen of Houston, Peggy Joyce Brown of Pasadena, Ginia Wray and husband Joe Paul of Houston and Johnnye Kay Tarabocchia and husband Bruno of Maryland; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation with the family will be held from 11 a.m. to Noon at the Resthaven Mausoleum Chapel. Graveside services will follow with Dr. Charles Wilson officiating.

Notes:

Larry Bunyan Bennett
Dec 9, 1946 - Feb 14, 2014

Larry Bunyan Bennett, 67, of Commerce, Texas, died Friday, February 14, 2014 in Hunt Regional Medical Center, Greenville. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Tuesday at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home Chapel, Greenville with Rev. Dyrle Phillips officiating. Graveside services will be 3:00 PM, Tuesday at Resthaven Memorial Park in Corsicana. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday at the funeral home.

Born in Corsicana, Texas on December 9, 1946, Larry was the son of W. D. Bennett and Ruby Jo Lewis Bennett. He was a carpenter and a Baptist.

He is survived by his son, Brett Bennett of Commerce.

Pallbearers will be Brian Rains, Alvin Starr, jimmy King, Herbert Matlock, Rocky Valley and Jim Dedman.

Notes:

Bernice Marie Turner
abt 1933 - Feb 3, 2016

Bernice Marie Turner, 82, of Corsicana passed Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016 at her residence. Funeral services are 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016 at the Mt. Olive Baptist Church located at 2105 East Jones Avenue with Pastor Alfred Cox, Jr., officiating. Interment will follow at Woodland Memorial Park. Arrangements by Ross and Johnson Mortuary.

Notes:

Hiram Dale Perkins
May 26, 1938 - Jan 31, 2016

Hiram Dale Perkins went to be with the Lord January 31, 2016. He was born May 26, 1938 in Athens to Hiram Perkins and Frances Lewis Perkins.
He was known to most as Dale, Dad or Papaw.
He began elementary school in Corsicana until his family moved to Arp in Smith County only to return to Corsicana in 1979 as manager of Purvis Bearing Service. He retired as a salesman from Purvis in 2005.
He attended Kilgore College and North Texas State College. He joined the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Fort Ord, California for active duty and returned to Texas as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve.

He was a member of Northside Baptist Church where he had been a deacon.
His favorite pastime was bird hunting and working his dogs.

He is survived by wife, Edna; daughter Melissa and husband Greg Brown of Ennis; son Clint Perkins of Corsicana; son Jeremy Perkins of Scurry; daughter Kari and husband Derek Robinson of Rice; grandchildren, Caroline, Audrey, and Ben Brown of Ennis; Mekelanie Martin of Beaumont; Alyssa Martin and BrynLeigh Perkins of Corsicana; Mahkayla Jacques and Isabella Perkins of Scurry; and Katelyn and Seth Robinson of Rice; sister Dana and husband Mike Gregory of Lindale and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be 1 pm Saturday, February 13, 2016 at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home Chapel with Brian Upchurch officiating.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the National Stroke Association 9707 E. Easter Lane Suite B, Centennial, Colorado 80112; [email protected]; 1-800-787-6537.

Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home.

Notes:

Maria De La Luz Davila
May 25, 1935 - Feb 3, 2016
 
Maria De La Luz Davila, 80, of Kerens passed away on Feb. 3, 2016 in Dallas. She was born on May 25, 1935 in General Trevino, Mexico to Reyes Benavidez and Maria Magdalena Saenz.

Maria our "Ama" loved watching her Novelas or watching television in general, as long as it was in Spanish. She enjoyed her "pan dulce" with "cafecito" in the mornings, and she was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and devoted to her husband our "Apa".

She lived for peace and harmony within the family and was always eager to hear the word of God. Infants and toddlers made her the happiest, above all she was a very happy soul. She was known for her sayings such as "peor es nada dijo el calvo", "Dime con quien andas y te dire quien eres", "Santo Cristo rendentor, and no te buigas porque es peor."

Maria is survived by her husband Amado Davila; her children, Maria De la Luz, Amado Jr Guadalupe, Javier, Eduardo, Margarita, Roberto, Alberto, Gilberto and Arnulfo; forty four grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her son Jesus Davila, granddaughter Maribel Villagomez and several siblings.

Visitation was held on Friday, Feb. 5, 2016 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Corley Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016 at
2 p.m. in the Corley Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating the service will be Armandina Davila. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.
Javier Davila, Roberto Davila, Golberto Davila, Eduardo Davila, Alberto Davila and Gerado Benavidez will serve as pallbearers.

Notes:

Charles Linden Rose
Nov 30, 1933 - Jan 15, 2015

 
Charles Lyndon Rose, Sr. age 81 of Mesquite went to be with his Lord Thursday, January 15, 2015. He was born November 30, 1933 in Corsicana, Texas to Herbert & Artie Rose. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, sister Shirley Carey, brother James Rose and great grandson Spencer Darden.

He is survived by his loving wife Marie Rose; four children Steven Newman & wife Suzanne, Brenda Newsome & husband Elbert, Patricia Howard & husband John and Charles Rose, Jr. & wife Kasey; eight grandchildren Malynda Darden, Erin Roberts, Jennifer Newsome, Ashley Moore, Steven Newman, John Howard, Jr., Morgan Rose and Whitney Howard; five great grandchildren; brother Ralph Rose; two sisters Vera Clarkson and Retha; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Notes:

  • Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams
  • s/o Herbert Lee Rose & Artie Ethel (Cox) Rose; grandson of Walter Lee Rose & Ida Bell (McAfee) Rose

Judy Marie (Starkey) Newland
Apr 8, 1947 - Oct 26, 2015

Judy Starkey Newland, 68, passed away Monday, Oct. 26, 2015. She was born April 8, 1947 in Anderson County to Jeffie and Ruby Starkey.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Carl Newland in 1992; parents, J.R. and Ruby Starkey; grandson, Drew Reynolds; great-grandson, Hagen Thetford; great-granddaughter, Saylor Newland and brothers, Albert Starkey and Donald Starkey.

She is survived by three children, Tina Reynolds and husband Wade of Frost, Joe Newland and wife Stacy of Corsicana and Jeffery Newland of Corsicana; step-children, Sidney Newland and wife Mary Lou of Corsicana, Jerry Newland and wife Lisa of Corsicana, Robert Newland and wife Kathy of Corsicana, Martha Trees and husband Richard of Red Oak and Dwayne Newland of Corsicana; one sister, Sandra Kohler of Palestine and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation with the family will be Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home.

Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home.

Notes:

Gloria (Davitt) Shaw
May 14, 1931 - Oct 30, 2015

Gloria Davitt Shaw, wife of Norman E. Shaw. was born in Nashville, May 14, 1931, to Evelina Kenner and Charles Davitt Jr.

A graduate of Ward Belmont Preparatory School and College. A past member of the First Presbyterian Church in Nashville, the Nashville Girls Cotillion Club, the Junior League of Nashville, the Ladies Heritage Association, the James K. Polk Memorial Association, Hillmeade Garden Club, the Book Club and the Colonial Dames of America in Tennessee.

She moved to Corsicana in 1968 with her husband Norman Shaw, where he became Executive Vice President of the Collin Street Bakery. She was a member and past president of Quintilian Literary Club and a member of First United Methodist Church. She served in the Pink Ladies Auxiliary, Food for Fitness and Meals on Wheels Program. She was on the board of Family Services, the House of Refuge and was active in Community Bible Study.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Evelina and Charles Davitt; her brother, Charles Kenner Davitt; and her daughter, Evelina Kenner Shaw Cantrell.

She is survived by her husband, Norman E. Shaw of Corsicana; and one daughter, Elizabeth Shaw Melton; two grandchildren, Craig Sterling Hodges of San Marcos and Alexander Melton of Corsicana; sister-in-law, Mrs. Charles Kenner Davitt; and niece, Margaret Ann Davitt of Nashville.

Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, at First Presbyterian Church, Stanford Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Endowment Fund of First Methodist Church, Corsicana, First Presbyterian Church, Nashville or the Charity of your Choice.

Arrangements by Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home, 201 25th Ave. N, Nashville, TN 37203.

Notes:

Clarence Amos Willhite
Apr 27, 1920 - Nov 2, 2015

Clarence Amos Willhite, 95, born April 27, 1920 in Pontiac, Michigan, went home Monday, Nov. 2, 2015. He was born in Michigan, and made his way to Alaska as quickly as possible through service in the Army/Air Force in the 1940's. Clarence stayed and worked Civil Service at missile sites and water treatment plant for 27 years. He retired, and earned a real estate license working at Dynamic Realty, then brokered for Busy Bee Realty; then drove a school bus for the Anchorage School District. He loved kids. When he aged out, he drove a bus for the tourist industry. A hard-working man, he married Patricia L. Steward and together, raised three children, Vicki, Bonnie and Scott. He attended every school concert, recital, tea party, style show and ROTC function. He served as chaperone on West High band trips to Fairbanks and band boosters for West and Dimond High.

He was an avid hunter, providing Caribou and Moose meat for his family.
As he aged, he spent summers in Alaska, parking his RV at the Senior Center and worked part-time as a grounds keeper. Winters, he traveled cross country visiting family and friends. As health and memory escaped him, an assisted living center near his daughter in Texas was his residence, but his sourdough heart never left the northern territory he helped build into the 49th state. Staff and residents are familiar with his many stories and affectionately called him "Mr. Alaska."

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Gladys; second wife, Patricia Lee Steward Willhite Goodnight; third wife, Doris June Willhite; brothers, Chester, James and Kenneth Willhite; great-granddaughter, Morgan Davis and numerous friends and in-laws.

He is survived by his daughter, Vicki Kaye Willhite Sims and husband Joe; daughter, Bonnie Lee Willhite Shugart and husband Merle; son, Scott L. Willhite and wife Allison; grandchildren, Aaron M. Sims, Kristi Sims Chandler and husband Joe, Amanda Shugart, Andrew Shugart and wife Heather, Scott Shugart and wife Cindy, and Kyle McAfee (Willhite); great-grandchildren Cassidy, Elizabeth and Emma Shugart, Reagan Shugart and Alexandra Chandler.

In lieu of a memorial or flowers, he would desire donations to the Youth and Children's programs at Northside Baptist Church at 2800 N. Beaton Corsicana, Texas sending kids to camp that cannot otherwise afford to go.

Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home.

Notes:

Curtis Lee Keeton
May 24, 1954 - Nov 3, 2015

Curtis Lee Keeton, 61, of Corsicana passed away at his residence Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. Memorial services are 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7,
2015 at the Sixth Avenue Baptist Church located at 125 South 5th Street with Pastor Allen Edwards officiating. Arrangements by Ross and Johnson Mortuary.

Notes:

Edwena "Eddie" (Griggs) Barnes
Nov 5, 1929 - Dec 25, 2015

Edwena "Eddie" Griggs Barnes, former resident of Corsicana and former member of Central Methodist Church, passed away December 25, 2015 in Huntsville, Texas.

Graveside Memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, March 12,
2016 in the Long Prairie Cemetery with Rev. David Montoya officiating.

Local arrangements are with Paschal Funeral Home.

Notes:

Bert Lunn
d. August 1909

Buried Here Today.

The remains of the late Bert Lunn, who died in Wichita Falls, Saturday, were buried here today., the funeral taking place from the Union depot.

The friends of the relatives living here deeply sympathize with them in their bereavement.

Notes:

Alfred Brown
1901 - Apr. 26, 1917

Alfred Brown, 16-year-old son of W. D. Brown, died at the family home near Winkler yesterday of pneumonia, and the remains were interred in the neighborhood cemetery this afternoon.

Notes:

INFANT Dyer
1916 - Mar. 1, 1917

Infant Died at Streetman.

The fourteen-months-old son of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Dyer of Streetman died there last night and the remains were interred this afternoon.

Notes:

INFANT Watkins
Died Oct 20, 1918

Infant Died at Barry.

An infant child of Lee Watkins died near Barry last night.

Notes:

Lem Mostella
1876 - Oct. 11, 1918

Died at Blooming Grove

Lem Mostella, aged about forty years, died near Blooming Grove today of pneumonia after a short illness.

Notes:

INFANT Blair
Died Jan 29, 1918

Died Near Corbet.

The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. John Blair of the Corbet community, died Monday night and the remains were buried in the neighborhood cemetery.

Notes:

James "Jim" McElroy
1863 - Dec 13. 1919

Remains Were Interred This Morning.

The remains of the late James McElroy reached here from Rusk yesterday at 7 p.m. and the funeral took place this morning from the Sutherland undertaking parlors at 10:30. The deceased was a member of the barber's union and of the volunteer fire department and three members of the volunteer fire department and three members of the barbers union, Barnett Brewster, Ernest White and L. S. Lee, and three firemen, George Campbell, Horace Carson and Julian Carter acted as pall bearers. The last sad rites were conducted by Rev. L. C. Howell and there were a number of beautiful floral offerings.

Notes:

James K. Polk Weaver
Jun 15, 1843 - Oct 6, 1915

BURIED IN CASGROVE.

Body Brought Here From Beaumont Yesterday.

The remains of the late Polk Weaver, who died at Beaumont Tuesday as the result of a pistol shot received there the day before, were brought here yesterday morning on the 5:30 Houston & Texas Central and were transferred to the Cotton Belt and taken to Corbet for interment, and burial took place at the Casgrove cemetery near there yesterday evening at 5 o'clock, the funeral taking place from the home of J. H. Ross, son-in-law of the deceased.

There was a large attendance at the funeral, a number from Corsicana being present.

Notes:

Catherine (Bryant) Weaver
Oct 13, 1848 - Sep 20, 1936

PIONEER NAVARRO COUNTY WOMAN WAS BURIED ON MONDAY

Funeral services for Mrs. Catherine Weaver, aged 87 years, widow of the late Polk Weaver, Confederate veteran, were held at the Cosgrove cemetery west of Pickett Monday morning. Mrs. Weaver died in Gatesville Saturday night where she had made her home the past several years. Mrs. Weaver was born, Oct. 13, 1846, and came to Navarro county when one year of age. She was the daughter of Billie and Nancy Bryant, pioneers of Navarro county. She had been a member of the Baptist church for many years.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Tom Allmon, Baptist minister of Dawson.

Mrs. Weaver and her late husband were married Dec. 25, 1869.

Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Maggie Ross, Corbet; Mrs. Julia Kelly and Mrs. Hattie Winfield, both of Gatesville; a son, Eugene Weaver, South America; 24 grandchildren and a number of great-grandchildren, and other relatives. Mrs. Weaver was an aunt of Constable W. B. Grantham of Corsicana, and Mrs. E. C. Huckabee of Corsicana.

Corley Funeral Home directed the funeral arrangements.

Notes:

Rufus P. Highnote
Dec 1858 - Apr 7, 1918

Dead Man Was Well Known in Navarro County.

Rufus P. Highnote, who was reared in this county, and for years was a well known character here, was killed at Healdton, Okla., Saturday night by Deputy Sheriff Bud Ballew of that place.

The deceased would have been sixty years old in December next. At one time, near twenty years ago, he was on the police force here, and in a noted pistol duel on Beaton street killed Bob Cubley, who was a deputy sheriff of this county.

The remains will reach Corsicana tonight and interment will take place at the Cosgrove cemetery, near Corbet, tomorrow, the funeral party to leave the Sutherland undertaking parlors at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning. The deceased had numerous relatives in this county and many friends.

Notes:

  • The Corsicana Daily Sun - Monday, April 8, 1918
  • Submitted by Diane Richards
  • 1st wife Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Austin) Highnote married before 1894 2nd wife Emma Lee (Bass) Highnote married May 5, 1896 3rd wife Ona Belle "Onie" (McCleary) Highnote-Sanders-Bolling married May 9, 1901 (Ona is buried in Prairie Point Cemetery s/o Napoleon Bonaparte "Bony" Highnote & Martheny "Martha" (Woodall) Highnote
  • Buried in unmarked grave beside parents.

---

Remains Interred Today

The remains of the late Rufus P. Highnote were interred in the Cosgrove cemetery, seven miles south of Corsicana, this morning, the funeral procession leaving the Sutherland undertaking parlor at 10 o'clock. Rev. E. T. Jones of Cook's School House conducted the services, and there was a large attendance, many from the country joining the procession that followed the remains from town at the grave, and there were many floral offerings.

Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Barrow of Hico, son-in-law and daughter of the deceased, arrived last night to attend the funeral.

Notes:

John Thomas Nichols
Jan 27, 1848 - Sep 29, 1919

Died Near Angus.

J. T. Nichols, aged sixty-nine years and eight months, died at his home near Angus, Saturday night.

Notes:

  • The Corsicana Daily Sun - Sep 29, 1919
  • Submitted by Diane Richards
  • Civil War 1st wife Mary (Watson) Nichols married May 7, 1865 2nd Sarah (Cobb) Hampton-Nichols married Aug. 25, 1867 3rd Leattia Ann Minerva (Dover) Nichols married Feb. 4, 1872 4th wife Cap (Johnson) Nichols married Feb. 7, 1892 5th wife Ida (Rivers) Nichols married Mary 4, 1907 6th wife Fanny Elizabeth (Simmons) Nichols married Apr. 14, 1904 (wives per Roots Web)
  • Cosgrove cemetery

Calvin N. White
Jun. 22, 1860 - Nov. 8, 1919

DIED SUDDENLY IN OKLAHOMA

Former Citizen Here Passes Away at Home of Son.

News reached here today that Calvin N. White, who lived in this county till recently had died suddenly at the home of his son in Texahoma, Oklahoma. The deceased was a brother of L. Q. White of Retreat, and the father of N. S. White and L. L. White of Powell, and has many other relatives in the county. The remains will be brought here for interment, but it is not known now when the funeral will take place.

Notes:

Cornelius Cecil "Con" Lucid
Feb 24, 1874 - Jun 25, 1931

CON LUCID, WELL KNOWN SPORTSMAN DIED IN HOUSTON

HOUSTON, June 26. - (AP) - Cornelius C. Lucid, 50, former National league baseball player, first coach of a Texas League club, and one time assistant coach at Rice Institute here, died yesterday after a short illness.

"Con" as he was known by hundreds, spent 16 years in baseball, seven of these he was in the majors. He received his education at Norte Dame.

In 1802 Lucid performed a feat that led to a berth in a major league club. Spokane's pitchers were all disabled as the club started a road trip. He took up the pitching duties, hurled 30 consecutive games on 30 consecutive days and won all of them.

Con Lucid was well known in Corsicana where he resided at one time and played baseball with one of the Corsicana league teams. He married Miss Ina Brooks, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. T. G. Brooks, pioneer Corsicana residents, and they have several children. Con was well liked and had many friends here who will regret to learn of his passing.

Notes:

  • The Corsicana Daily Sun - Friday, Jun 26, 1931
  • Submitted by Diane Richards
  • NATIONAL LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYER WHO PLAYED IN CORSICANA
    Born in Dublin, Ireland; h/o Ina (Brooks) Lucid; d/o Travis Green Brooks & Mary Elizabeth (Davis) Brooks buried in Oakwood cemetery; s/o Mary Dean per death certificate
  • Holy Cross Cemetery

Benjamin H. Oates
Apr 28, 1851 - Mar 23, 1917

PROMINENT CITIZEN DIES.

Mr. B. H. Oates Was President of Purdon State Bank.

Mr. B. H. Oates, president of the First State bank of Purdon, Texas, died at his home in Waco on March 23, 1917.

Mr. Oates was born in Cass, county, Texas, April 28, 1850. When quite a young man he moved to Mt. Calm, Texas, and resided there until several years ago when he moved his family to Waco to secure the benefit of the schools for his children.

Many of the old cattle men will remember Mr. Oates. He was a very successful cattleman and at the time of his death had accumulated an estate valued at $250,000. He was president of three banks, the First State Bank of Purdon, First State Bank of Mt. Calm, and First National Bank, Mt. Calm.

Mr. Oates never failed to give a helping hand to those in need and will be missed by many who were the recipients of his kindness.

The wife and friends have the sympathy of friends in this section. Mrs. W. C. Francis of Purdon, is a daughter of Mr. Oates.

Notes:

  • The Corsicana Daily Sun - Tuesday, April 3, 1917
  • Submitted by Diane Richards
  • 1st wife Mary E. (Miller) Oates married May 17, 1881 2nd wife Emma Julia (Hensley) Oats married Mar. 9, 1886 s/o William Oates and Sarah (Smith) Oates
  • Buried Mount Antioch Cemetery, Mt. Calm, Texas

Luther Velvin Abel
abt 1899 - Dec 5, 1917

Keene News.

The body of Velvin Abel who was killed in the U. S. Army was shipped in for burial Wednesday from Brooklyn, N. Y. He was on his way to Italy and was killed and a ship that was passing brought him back to land. He had made two trips across to Europe and back and in a letter he wrote home he said that he stayed in London one night when there were bombs dropped within a square of his room which shattered the windows where he was.

Notes:

Ura Virgil Ferguson
Mar. 1, 1886 - Jan. 18, 1919

Died in Waco Saturday Night.

Virgil Ferguson, who was reared near Corsicana, died at his home in Waco Saturday night of pneumonia, and the remains were interred there yesterday. The deceased is survived by his wife and two children. Mrs. Ferguson is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Varnell of Barry and the deceased was a nephew of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Sparkman of Corsicana, and they were all there to attend the funeral.

Notes:

  • The Corsicana Daily Sun - Monday, January 20, 1919
  • Submitted by Diane Richards
  • Oakwood cemetery, Waco, Tx.
  • h/o Lilias Pearl (Varnell) Ferguson married Dec. 8, 1907, Barry, Tx. s/o Robert L. Ferguson and Margaret (Chance) Ferguson

Lilias Pearl (Varnell) Ferguson
Jun 5, 1887 - Apr 4, 1965

Mrs. Ferguson Rites Monday

WACO, April 5 (Spl) - Funeral services were held Monday afternoon for Mrs. Pearl Ferguson, 77, who died Sunday, from the Wilkerson Hatch chapel with burial in Oakwood cemetery, Dr. Joe Weldon Bailey, Columbus Avenue Baptist church pastor, of which she was a member, conducted the services.

Born near Blooming Grove, she moved to Barry with her family where she graduated from high school and attended Mary Hardin-Baylor College in Belton.

She was married to the late Virgil Ferguson in Barry in 1908 and he was with the post office department in Memphis, Texas, before moving to Waco in 1915, where he was a rural mail carrier. He died in 1919.

Mrs. Ferguson resided in Denton from 1927 until she returned to Waco in 1945. She was a retired practical nurse.

Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Warl S. Woodall, counselor at Lake Air Junior High School; a son, Carl Ferguson, Victoria; four sisters, Mrs. John Walton and Mrs. Claude Williams, both of Barry; Mrs. Ralph Christie, Lufkin, and Mrs. Glynn Garrett, Lake Air Apartments; two brothers, W. F. Varnell, Seattle, Wash., and Ed Varnell, Italy; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Notes:

  • The Corsicana Daily Sun - Monday, Apr 5, 1965
  • Submitted by Diane Richards
  • Oakwood Cemetery, Waco, TX
  • Barry High School graduate
  • w/o Ura Virgil Ferguson married Dec 8, 1907 Barry, TX; d/o John James Varnell & Theodocia "Docia" (Williams) Varnell buried in Dresden Cemetery, Navarro county, TX.

Elijah Bates McDonald
Nov 20, 1917 - Jul 26, 1918

Death of Baby Boy.

The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. McDonald died last night and the remains were interred in Oakwood cemetery this afternoon, Rev. C. H. Booth officiating.

Notes:

Virginia (Earnest) Callens
Nov 12, 1853 - Jun 30, 1919

GOOD CHRISTIAN WOMAN DEAD

Had Been Resident Here for Nearly Thirty Years.

Mrs. Virginia E. Callens, widow of the late W. T. Callens, aged sixty-five years and seven months, died at the family home, 223 West Sixth Avenue at noon today after a weeks illness, and the remains will be interred in Oakwood  tomorrow afternoon at 5 o'clock after services a the home. The deceased had lived in Corsicana nearly thirty years. She was a member of the Methodist Protestant church and was recognized by all who knew her as a most exemplary Christian woman.

She is survived by seven children and six grandchildren. Her children are R. L. Callens, Miss Myrtle Callens, Mrs. E. L. Barnes, Mrs. Zelma Headrick, James Callens, Lell Callens and Guy Callens, all of Corsicana.

Two of her sons, James and Lell, only returned from overseas last week where they had been in active services in the American Army. Guy Callens reached Camp Merit, New Jersey, yesterday from overseas, and his mother received a telegram from him this morning notifying her of his safe arrival and only three or four hours after a telegram was sent him notifying him that his mother had passed away.

 Notes:

----

Remains Interred This Afternoon.

The remains of Mrs. Virginia E. Callens, who died near noon yesterday were interred in Oakwood cemetery this afternoon at 5 o'clock, after services conducted at the home by Rev. W. A. Sanders of Wortham. The pallbearers were Chas. Byrd, T. J. York, Clark Walton, B. H. Woods, J. E. Skinner and Monte Headrick. Many friends attended and there were many beautiful floral offerings.

Notes:

Leone McCuiston
abt. 1867 - Nov. 17, 1919

Died At Abilene.

Miss Leone McCuiston, aged 52 years, died in Abilene Sunday night and the remains were interred in Oakwood this morning at 10 o'clock. The deceased was a sister of Mrs. Vanna Howell of Corsicana, and of Mrs. A. F. Huskinson of Munday, Texas.

 Notes:

Mack Osborn Turner
Sep. 12, 1898 - May 9, 1923

NOTE: Single - Oil driller for Hughes - McKie Oil Company s/o N. B. Turner and M. E. (Adams) Turner (body was taken to Forest, Mississippi per article and death certificate.

Body was shipped to Forrest, Mississippi but he is listed on the monument in Oakwood

Single s/o Nathan Bryant Turner and Nannie E. (Idom) Turner



HUGHES-M'KIE GUSHER IS MASS OF FLAMES THIS AFTERNOON

AMBULANCE AND DOCTORS RUSHED TO SCENE; INJURED PLACED IN LOCAL HOSPITAL

A spark from a hammer or a rock as the control valve was being changed this afternoon at the Hughes-McKie gusher ignited the oil and gas from the monster producer and caused ten or twelve lives to be snuffed out with the twinkling of an eye.

Twelve are known dead in the big blaze at the Hughes-McKie well, and the number may reach 25 when the final check of the dead are made.

The bodies of five men had been recovered at 5:00 o'clock this afternoon. Two other charred bodies had been located near the well, but could not be reached so intense is the heat from the blaze.

Five other men belonging to the same crew are positively unaccounted vor. A roustabout crew of 20 men which came from Mexia this morning has not been accounted for. The crew was working in the near vicinity of the well when it caught fire.

At present the death list is as follows:

L. C. Cook, M. O. Turner, S. P. Allen, ___________Hicks, Jack Cooper, Fred Craig, L. P. Sheek, Dan Phillips, Jim Phillips, E. C. Cooper. Two other men the names of which have not yet been learned are said by the survivors of the crew to be still in the fire.

Those recovered are so badly charred that identification is impossible.

Mr. Simmonds, who was on the derrick floor with the crew, escaped by running. His clothing not being oil soaked did not ignite. A fifteen year old boy escaped with him.

Emmet Bird of Corsicana, and Travis Owen of Kerens, are the injured men brought to the hospital here. Bird stated to a Sun reporter that there were between eight and ten on the derrick floor at the time of the fire and that he thought he and Owen were the only two who escaped. Others say that at least twelve were killed. At the present there is no way of getting a complete list of the dead as the officials of the Hughes Company will have to make a check of the men working. This is being done now. One man stated that the remains of the dead men were where they fell when the blast occurred and as the well was still burning it would be impossible for some time to remove them.

The fire started about three o'clock while hundreds were in the vicinity of the well and it is almost a miracle that more were not killed. A number of automobiles near the well are said to have been destroyed by the fire.

Word of the tragedy was phoned to Corsicana with urgent calls that all available doctors, medical supplies and ambulances be rushed to the scene. The dead and injured were brought to Corsicana. The injured were placed in the Physicians and Surgeons Hospital.

According to an eye witness the crew was on the derrick floor changing the control head when suddenly there was a flash of fire followed by two other flashes, the fire shooting over 100 feet in the air. In a second everything within several hundred feet of the well was on fire. All the trees and shrubbery around the well were saturated with oil and the ground was quickly burned clear. A great pool of oil near the well also burned quickly. The well continued to burn and is now flowing wide open with the flames darting high into the air.

Officials of the Hughes Development Company are already on the ground and steps to extinguish the flames are now under way.

Great thick clouds of ink black smoke, belched forth as the high gravity oil was consumed by the flames. For miles around the location the heavy smoke clouds enveloped the countryside leaving the appearance that a menacing storm-cloud had suddenly descended which was so thick that the rays of the sun could hardly penetrate the gloom.

The cloud of smoke approached Corsicana from the southeast and as it slowly advanced upon the city excited phone calls started to reach the Sun office inquiring the cause. Thousands of Corsicana people climbed high points in the city watching the great cloud as it spread fan-like over the heavens while hundreds of others left for the scene of the conflagration.

The advance of this great big monster of smoke seemed to those who watched at a distance if they were charmed by some unknown power.

Notes:

--

RECOVER FOUR ADDITIONAL BODIES

RESCUER CLOTHED IN SUIT OF ASBESTOS DEFIES FLAMES BURNING WELL TO GET BODIES

Four additional bodies had been recovered from the big fire at the Hughes-McKie well at 3:30 o'clock Saturday. The bodies were brought from the fire zone by K. T. Kinley of Tulsa.

Mr. Kinley experienced oil field fire fighter, arrived in Corsicana, Friday. Clad in a suit of asbestos cloth lined with heavy duck, Mr. Kinley went within 20 feet of the burning crater, picked up the smoldering remains of one body and brought it out. It was wrapped in canvas cloth and brought to the Southerland Undertaking Parlors about 10 o'clock last night, in the roadster car of the Texas Railroad Commission by C. O. Rison, petroleum mechanical engineer. All that remains of this body is a portion of the trunk and head. The legs and arms are gone. There is no means of identification other than a possible chance by the teeth in the half burned away skull. A dentist is making an examination of the teeth with the slight hope of being able to identify the man.

Shortly after noon Saturday Mr. Kinley donned his fireproof clothing and waded in to the fury and succeeded in bringing out three more of the smoldering forms.

One of them is believed to be that of S. P. Allen, field superintendent. The watch taken from the crispy remains of the charred form which had been lying roasting in the inferno for 72 hours, is almost identified as Allen's. The timepiece had stopped at 2:55 o'clock, the hour of the big explosion. The other three bodies have not been identified.

This brings the total of dead bodies so far recovered up to eleven.

E. F. Edward of Mexia, employe of the Hughes Company and J. C. Richardson of Corsicana, assisted in recovering and bringing the body to town that was found Friday night.

Continues Work.
Mr. Kinley is now attempting to bring out other bodies which he had located in getting out the three recovered today.

N. B. Turner, W. J. Idom and J. Knox Huff, all of Noris, Miss., are in Corsicana making an effort to find the body of M. O. Turner which was recovered the day of the blaze. N. B. Turner is the father of the missing man.

According to information from Powell today Max Meisner, who has been reported on the list of dead is alive. It is reported from Powell that his father talked with the reported missing son over the telephone Saturday. Max Meisner is said to be working on a water well near Dallas. This would leave the total of known dead at 13.

Various and sundry rumors have been afloat that women and children by-standers perished in the fire, and that bodies of men had been found in a partly burned condition in and about the area of the well.

Mr. Rison of the Railroad Commission stated to newspaper men today that those reports are without foundation and untrue. He and officials of the J. K. Hughes Development company stated that the lives of no persons had been lost, except those previously reported, which were all employees of the company.

McClintock Here.
W. H. McClintock, experienced fire-fighter, who extinguished the Burton gusher which caught fire in the Smackover field, visited the well this morning in an advisory capacity with Hughes company officials. He expressed the opinion that the blaze could be extinguished with comparatively little trouble. He stressed the matter of preliminary preparation by destroying all stray fire in the area of the well to be able to keep it out once the big torch is steamed off.

Mr. Hughes stated this morning that he thought connections would be completed so that the water can be turned on tonight. He said the flow of water would be continuous for at least twelve hours. This will cool the ground about the heated crater and extinguish lurking sparks and smoldering blazes.

The twelve steam boilers are arranged like heavy artillery preparatory to putting over a big barrage into No Man's Land. Three big high-pressure pumps are growing running water from the creek into the several pipes.

With the ground clear of all waste fire and submerged with water to keep it cool, steam from three four-inch pipes will be trained on the crater simultaneously from three sides. The action of the steam is calculated to eliminate the oxygen.

Sheriff Walter Hayes took the situation in charge for police purposes today. The snakey trail road leading into the jungle has been closed to all cars and sightseers. Mr. Hayes has an officer station at several different places along the road to keep back the visitors.

The wind whipped to the north today, forcing the big volume of black smoke towards the south.

New derricks are under construction where several offsets will be drilled to the McKie Well. Teams are on the road bearing lumber and machinery to the various drilling sites.

Work of drilling out the cement plug in the Mitchell-Jones-Atlantic well started today. Drilling goes ahead at the Walsh test at a depth of 1,000 feet. Work also continues at the Trapshooter and the Petroleum Producers' Association well. A number of additional new locations are said to have been made within the last 24 hours, but no definite information can be learned concerning them as yet.

Notes:

---

ANOTHER BODY RECOVERED NEAR BURNING OIL WELL

POSSIBILITY OF TWO OTHER BODIES BEING NEAR FIRE

EXPECT TO TURN STEAM ON FIRE LATE TONIGHT OR EARLY TUESDAY

Another body has been rescued from the burning area of the Hughes-McKie oil well, 10 miles southeast of here, bringing the total number of the dead accounted for in the big blaze which started last Wednesday, up to 12. It is said at least one, and possibly two more bodies are yet to be brought out.

At 11 o'clock Monday morning K. T. Kinley, for the fifth time defied the heated flames of the gigantic blow torch and walked within a few feet of it and picked up what is left of one of the dead men. Only the skull, the shoulder blades, parts of the ribs and arm bones remains. The body was picked up almost at the edge of the derrick floor between the engine and the water pump. The only means of identification of the body is by personal trinkets, and overall buttons. Dick, Claunch, member of the night drilling crew, declared he believed the body to be that of M. O. Turner.

Kinley in going near the flames dons a full suit of asbestos cloth consisting of heavy lined overalls, coat, gloves, hood with mica windows for seeing, and perforated air inlets and boots.

The body recovered this morning was brought to the Sutherland Undertaking Parlors, where it is held pending possible identification.

Several crews of men grimy with smoke, heat and perspiration continue to work like Trojans in digging out drain ditches and laying steam pipes into the near vicinity of the blaze. Twelve big high pressure boilers are under steam, and men are testing out the fittings and machinery. Three high pressure pumps are going at full blast pumping water from Chambers creek only a few yards away.

Fire hose loaned by the Corsicana Fire Department, was brought into use Sunday and the ground about the flaming well was flooded. Steam constantly arises from the water as it comes in contact with the heated debris.

It was stated at the well today that it would not be possible to get the steam turned on before Tuesday morning, although some hope was expressed that might be done tonight.

In digging trenches into the burning zone men are protected by a dozen others bearing shields of corrugated iron, dampened by the water flow of the fire hose from the rear. Men Handling the hose are also protected with an iron shield held by trusty fellow-workmen.

Thousands of automobiles from various sections of the state flocked to the scene of the conflagration during Sunday. A danger zone was established and deputies of the sheriff's department succeeded in keeping back the curious crowds. No one except employes of the Hughes company interested oil men and accredited newspaper men were allowed to approach nearer than 500 yards of the well.

The spirit of the oil industry is typified by the hurrying workmen erecting new derricks almost within the shadow of the burning flame. A new derrick of C. L. Witherspoon, an off-set to the McKie was completed Sunday. The Sun Oil company's derrick, west of the creek is also complete. One has been completed by the U. S. Tex Company, and another is going up. The Gulf Production Company's new derrick is under construction today, and the Humphreys interests are erecting three new ones. One is on the Fair tract, one on the McKie and one on the Kent. The McMann Oil Company is also putting up two new derricks. Heavy traffic on the roads has continued every day since the McKie well came in. Lumber, machinery, boilers and every kind of equipment known to the oil field development has been transported to the various locations by the several big companies getting ready to drill.

Notes:

--

HUGHES-MCKIE WELL STILL BURNING�FOURTEEN KNOWN DEAD

THOUSANDS VISITED LOCATION OF GURNING WELL�CROWDS THRONGED THROUGH MORGUE VIEWING BODIES

Like an active volcano in eruption, belching forth terrific flames of burning fire constantly fed by the constant flow of oil and gas, the Hughes-McKie well in holocaust which has cost at least 14 men their lives, continues to gush forth its awful blaze at 3 o'clock today.

For twenty-four solid hours flames ranging from 30 feet to 150 feet have leaped high in the air in its spectacular capers. Red streaks of flame ascend as from a mighty nozzle, and disappear in the form of huge black clouds of smoke, which drift with the wind in a surging blast.

The wind switched from the southward during the night and the mighty smokestack releases its flow in the direction of Powell, leaving darkened elements in its wake.

Thousands hurried frantically to the fields during last night to witness the spectacular fire-works.

The well being situated on the east bank of the creek is surrounded by tall timber. A rough one-way traffic road forming a winding snake trail for two miles is the only means of vehicle access to the scene. The roads were choked with vehicle traffic within a short time after the fire started. This kept up all night.

The well has been fenced off and traffic barred on the narrow road to give the men full right of way in getting boilers to the location.

Every company owning equipment in the Powell fields has tendered the use of all available boilers and other equipment to extinguish the flame.

Men are working like Trojans to get the equipment in place. It will be necessary to use fire foam and steam from a dozen boilers.

The burned bodies of at least six men remain in the fire zone according to DeWitt Watkins, who is working at the well today. He stated to a reporter of the Sun this morning that five bodies could be seen near the well, and there was another one missing. He also stated he believed that one or two spectators perished.

Jim Ball foreman in charge of the work believes the final death toll will reach 18.

Mr. Hughes accompanied by J. S. Banks, his attorney, are at the well this afternoon checking up on the number of dead and missing.

Hundreds of spectators thronged in and out and lingered about the Sutherland Undertaking establishment all day Thursday eager to catch a glimpse of the charred bodies of a number of the working crew which perished in the big blaze Wednesday afternoon when the Hughes-McKie No. 1 well ignited.

Five of the bodies, charred and disfigured by the flames almost beyond recognition, were brought to the morgue early last night. They have been identified as follows:

W.A. PHILLIPS, Kerens.
W. A. HICKS, Wortham.
JACK COOPER, Corsicana.
FRED CRAIG, Roane.
L. P. SHEEK, Dallas.

The bodies of Travis Owen and Emmett Bird, both of Kerens, were brought from the Physicians and Surgeons hospital later in the night, Owen died at 7 o'clock and Bird died at 11:05 o'clock. These two men were dragged from the fire zone and hurried to Corsicana. Each lived only a few hours.

C. B. Keever, J. E. Keever, J. R. Ferris and Jesse Blair from the Keever Undertaking company at Ennis arrived early last night to assist in preparing the bodies for burial.

The bodies of S. P. Allen, field foreman; E. C. Cooper, driller; James Phillips, L. C. Coop, M. O. Turner, have not been recovered. Max Meisner and Charlie Walker are believed to have perished. The charred remains of four can be seen near the well. They cannot be recovered on account of the intensity of the heat.

Funerals This Afternoon.
Funerals for four of the victims of yesterday's terrible oil field holocaust took place this afternoon. The bodies of W. A. (Ban) Phillips and Travis Owen were taken to Rural Shade were both were raised; Emmett Byrd was interred in Eureka, his former home, and Fred Craig was laid to rest at Chatfield, which was his childhood home.

The ladies of Corsicana and the Chamber of Commerce covered each of the caskets with magnificent flowers.

The remains of L. C. Sheek were sent to Dallas this afternoon and the body of W. A. Hicks will be sent to Wortham tomorrow.

The roustabout crew of 20 men working in the vicinity of the well escaped. Several teamsters and tank men were passing in and about the premises and rushed to the aid of the burning men, but the blaze had swept the bottom before they could be reached.

A negro teamster succeeded in loosening his team from the material wagon and escaped with them. The wagon and its contents were consumed.

Tragic Spectacle.
The scene about the well presented a sad and tragic spectacle when the monstrous explosion came. Both the day and the night crew consisting of twelve men had just started work a short while before. Several bystanders near the well escaped with their lives by running. It is believed that more dead bodies are in the burned area in addition to the known dead.

Men ran in every direction in a frenzy and fell when overcome.

Jimmy Meeks, oil field scout for the Humble Oil & Refining Company; E. W. Quinlin, scout for the Simms Oil Company; Ellis Hammel, drilling contractor; and DeWitt Watkins, members of the roustabout crew, did heroic work in attempting to save the men from their awful death.

Heroic Rescue Work.
Bravely defying all danger at the risk of their own lives rushed headlong to the burning prostrate forms of the groaning men in death agonies in answer to their piteous cries for help and succeeded in bringing them out. The men breathed their last as they were being carried out of the gas, smoke and fire.

Jim Ball escaped with B. B. Simmonds, N. M. Dunman and Dick Pyle. As they made their exit from the timber, Ball turned back to assist Owen. He succeeded in getting him into the open but too late to save his life. Charlie Lewis of Corsicana ran to the assistance of Bird.

Piteous cries for water went up from the two dying men as the ambulance brought them to the hospital.

Meeks, Quinlan, Hammel and Watkins returned towards the well for the other perishing men, but were unable to reach them. Their bodies had been practically reduced to ashes in the blaze which had gained headway. Waste oil in the bottom covering almost an acre upon which large trees saturated with oil had become enveloped in the frenzied inferno.

Quinlan is a world war hero. A native of New York State, he served in the French Army during the early days of the war. Later he served with the Canadian forces.

Quinlan is the possessor of several war medals. He was awarded the Medalto Militaire; the Croix Guerre, and while in the British he service he was the first American to be awarded the Victoria Cross. He received several hard jolts in the war, in the rescue work Wednesday the fumes and smoke temporarily almost overcame him.

Phone Girls Busy.
Shortly after three o'clock a man called the Johnson Drug Store from the Commercial Hotel and communicated the first news that reached Corsicana of the terrible disaster. The caller at the same time told Miss Valsey Hubbard, the operator, that he wanted every doctor available to go to the scene of the McKie well. The call was immediately referred to the chief operator. She rang the Corsicana Surgical and Medical clinic and asked that the doctors be sent. The hospital and every drug store in town were called to assist in every possible way. The undertaking parlors soon dispatched ambulances toward the fire. Emergency telephone calls from Powell, Kerens and Corsicana came pouring into the central office running as high as 2,400 calls per hour.

Frantic calls from various individuals were made in effort to locate the families of the dead and injured men.

Public memorial services will be held at the gospel tent at 7:45 o'clock Friday evening under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce. Rev. Alonzo Monk, Jr., will withhold his regular revival services until after the memorial ceremonies.

The Chamber of Commerce today sent floral offerings to the families of the deceased. A suitable medal will be provided for the family of each man by the commercial organization in commemoration of their brave efforts towards the development of the oil resources of the county.

Among the members of the roustabout crew escaping are L. W. Wilkitz, E. W. Arnett, Whyne Short, J. W. Crosby, Jas. A. McDaniels, J. A. Story, Jim Ball, Ned Dumas, and Johnnie Kennon. The names of the other men have not been learned.

These men had been gathered up from various leases in the Mexia district and brought to assist in taking care of the well. The working record and the names of the men were in Mr. Allen's pocket, and none of the surviving members are able to give the names of all the men.

Superintendent Walker of the city schools of Henrietta, and wife, father and mother of Mrs. S. P. Allen, and father of Charlie Walker, arrived in Corsicana early today.

Station Agent Wyatt and daughters of Plano, friends of the Walker family are also here.

Mr. Allen's mother, and Miss Walker of Denton are also here. Miss Walker is a teacher in the Denton College of Industrial Arts. She is a sister of Mrs. Allen.

Notes:

----

MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR MEN WHO LOST LIVES IN OIL FIRE

Memorial services in honor of the oil field workers who lost their lived in the big blaze at the Hughes-McKie well Wednesday will be held at the gospel tent, Eleventh street and Seventh avenue at 7:45 o'clock Friday evening.

The ceremonies will be conducted under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce. Mayor J. S. Eubank and members of the city administration, presidents of the Rotary, Lions, Civic, Advertising clubs, the Retail Merchants' Association will occupy a place on the rostrum.

Every minister in town will take part in the program.

The ministers will conduct a prayer service. Hugh L. Hiett will sing.

Hon. Luther A. Johnson will make the address of condolence. Other speakers will take part.

 Notes:

----

FUNERAL SUNDAY FOR REMAINING OIL FIRE VICTIMS

MEN WHO LOST LIVES IN BIG OIL FIELD FIRE WILL BE BURIED HERE

Funeral services for S. P. Allen, Charles Walker, Jim Phillips, C. M. Cooper, E. C. Cooper and L. C. Cook, fire victims of the burning Hughes-McKie oil well, will be held at the First Methodist Church at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon, according to announcement made today by W. S. Banks, attorney for the J. K. Hughes Development Company.

Rev. Alonzo Monk, Jr., pastor of the church assisted by Rev. C. G. Vineer, pastor of the Church of Christ, will conduct the services.

The remains of the six bodies will be interred in one casket in a specially provided lot in Oakwood cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Hon. Luther A. Johnson, Mayor J. S. Eubank, R. J. Jackson, Sam J. Jackson, John C. Calhoun, R. J. Graves, J. L. Halbert and W. H. Hastings.

The smouldering remains of the six men were recovered from the fire area of the ill-fated Hughes-McKie well several days after it caught fire May 9. They have been held at the Sutherland Undertaking Parlors pending the possible recovery of another body believed to have been undiscovered in the debris.

Seven of the perish crew were recovered from the fire shortly after the blaze started. Each were positively identified, and have been buried.

Mr. Banks stated today that the six remaining bodies had been sufficiently identified as to justify giving out the name of each. He stated the official casualty list of the J. K. Hughes Development company places the number of known dead and accounted for at 13. The list is as follows:

S. P. Allen, L. C. Cook, M. O. Turner, Charles Walker, Travis Owens, W. M. (Ban) Phillips, Jim Phillips, L. P. Sheek, W. A. Hicks, C. M. (Jack) Cooper, E. C. Cooper, Emmett G. Byrd, and Fred E. Craig.

One report carried the name of Max Meisner as among the dead and missing. Mr. Banks stated today that communication had been established with Mr. Meisner, and the Hughes company is certain he escaped injury. The company had the fire area thoroughly scorched by men clad in asbestos clothing, and no other body was found. Mr. Banks stated the company feels certain that the bodies of all men who perished in the fire has been found.

The J. K. Hughes Development Company has planned to erect a suitable monument over the grave of the six men to be buried in Oakwood cemetery in remembrance of the total number of its employees losing their lives in the big fire.

A change of plans for extinguishing the fire at the burning well late yesterday appears to have been extended the time before the blaze is stopped. W. H. McClintock has assembled a rig of his own making and patent, which he is confident will put out the fire when brought into play, but so far the apparatus has not been applied. Work was suspended at the well at 5 o'clock Friday, and nothing was done during the night. A different apparatus containing a T-joint and valve gear model has been completed, and efforts are being directed towards apply it before the McClintock machine is used.

Rain last night rendered the creek bottoms and the roads leading to the field in a very muddy condition. Transportation out from town was slow early today, which operated to cause some delay in getting work under way Saturday morning.

Although the roads were very slippery, teams and heavy trucks were on the road with tons of materials for the various new locations for drillings.

A meeting of the stockholders of the Cor-Tex Deep Well Company was held at the well just south of town at 3 o'clock this afternoon. Plans for resuming operations at the test were thoroughly gone over. Several interested individuals attended the meeting and reports are that much enthusiasm is evidenced over the proposed new operations there.

The test south of Blooming Grove to be put down by Dr. Stubbs and Dunbar spudded in at 4 o'clock. Several went out from Corsicana to see the bit take its first plunge into the surface. A local photographer was present to take a view of the rig and the crowds assembled to see the new test stared.

Notes:

Wanda Dean (Fetter) Stouffe
July 28, 1930 - Mar 5, 2016
 
Mrs. Wanda Dean Stouffe, 85, of Corsicana passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Charlton Methodist Hospital in Dallas.

She was born on July 28, 1930 in Palmyra, Illinois to Adam and Victoria Fetter. She was a homemaker.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold E. Stouffe, Sr.; daughter, Brenda Stewart; parents, Adam and Victoria Fetter; sisters, Dorothy Pratt, Norma Williams, Mildred Smith, Patricia Fetter and Norene Fetter; brothers, Zane Fetter, Albert Fetter, and Clarence Fetter.

She is survived by her son, Harold E. Stouffe, Jr. and Gary Taylor of Lancaster; daughter, Tonda Stouffe of Jacksonville, Illinois; grandsons, Benjamin Franklin Stewart of Carrollton and Brandon Walker Stewart and wife Karr of Irving; great granddaughters, Jasmine and Jessie Stewart of Corsicana; great grandson, Jaylen Harris of Irving; sister-in-law, Mary Rita Joiner of Palmyra, Il; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends, Becky Steglich of Corsicana and Davon Trimble of Jacksonville, Illinois.

There will be no local services held.

Funeral arrangements are pending at this time with Buchanan and Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville, Illinois.

Corley Funeral Home.

Notes:

William Andrew "Buddy" Ross, Jr.
Aug 16, 1934 - Mar 14, 2016
 
William (Buddy) Andrew Ross Jr. of Frost, Texas passed away at Heritage Oaks West Retirement on Monday morning, March 14, 2016 at the age of 81.
He was born in Frost on August 16, 1934 to William Andrew Ross Sr. and Anetha Spikes Ross. Buddy married Jane Knight on June 10, 1956 in Frost.
He worked for Chattanooga Glass in Corsicana retiring in 1981 and was a rancher and cowboy in western Navarro County. He was a member of the Frost United Methodist Church and recently attended the Cowboy Church of Corsicana in the past several years when able.

He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Peggy Ross.

Buddy is survived by his wife of almost 60 years Jane Ross of Frost, children; John Paul Ross and wife Sherri of Frost and Amy Lester and husband Tom of Corsicana, Six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
He is also survived by a sister, Billie Edwards of Georgetown and several nieces and nephews and extended family members and friends.

Visitation will be held at Griffin - Roughton Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, 2016.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 17, 2016 at the Cowboy Church of Corsicana with Bro. Derek Rogers and Rev. Nancy Schusler officiating. Burial will follow at Dresden Cemetery with Clayton Harris, Chris McSpadden, Jim Bynum, James Hooser, David Hodge, Cliff Williams, Roy Downey and Chuck Dortch serving as pallbearers.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Hooser, Tom Lambert, Jimmy Wade Thomas, Glen Gullett and Clifford Williams.

Buddy was a loving husband, father and grandfather who lived the "Cowboy" image and was larger than life to those who loved him. He will be missed by all who knew him. Memorials may be made to the Frost United Methodist Church at 121 East North Front Street, Frost, Texas 76641.

Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home.

Notes:

Dianne (Horn) Atkeisson
Feb 21, 1947 - Mar 4, 2016
 


Dianne Atkeisson, 69, passed away in Dallas on Friday, March 4, 2016.

Dianne was born in Roswell, New Mexico to Bernis and Lois (Burleson) Horn on Feb. 21, 1947. She grew up in Roswell, New Mexico and graduated from Hagerman High School in 1965. She went on to Navarro College to receive her Associates Degree.

On July 22, 1983 she married Joe Atkeisson and they made their home in Corsicana before moving to Ennis in 2002.

She worked for the Ennis Independent School District for over fifteen years as a PIEMS clerk. She was a member of the Northside Baptist Church of Corsicana.

She is survived by her husband, Joe Atkeisson; son, Coy Mitchell and wife, Rose; daughters: Cindy Burden and husband, Don, Tracy Goff and husband, Jimmie and Becky Sherrin; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild and one brother, Jim Horn.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be held at 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 6, 2016 in the J.E. Keever Mortuary of Ennis.
A Celebration of her life will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, March 7, 2016 in the J.E. Keever Mortuary Chapel of Ennis where Danny Atkeisson will officiate.

Notes:

Dr. Joseph Francis McNally, Sr.
Nov 14, 1926 - Mar 4, 2016
Major USAF Medical Corps

Dr. Joseph Francis McNally, Sr was born Nov. 14, 1926 in Scituate, Rhode Island.

In the early morning hours of March 4, in his own bed and with his family about him, the Patriarch of the McNally family was welcomed home.

Dr. McNally was the only child born to his parents, Joseph Patrick McNally and Margaret Dempsey McNally, both first generation Irish- Americans with little formal education. Through their hard work and sacrifice, the American dream was realized in their son who graduated from LaSalle High School going on to Providence College and finally Georgetown Medical School achieving the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1952.

In 1947 he married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Grace Wolfenden, an only child herself.

In 1954, Dr. McNally joined the United States Air Force Medical Corps where he received training in Diagnostic Radiology and Radiation Therapy. At the same time, he discovered a lifelong love of flying, also training to be a Flight Surgeon.

He with his wife, Barbara, and with a steadily increasing number of children, were stationed first at Bryan Air Force Base in Texas, then at Fort Sam Houston/ Brooke Army Hospital, San Antonio, then overseas to Tachikawa Air Force Base, Japan from 1959-1962. They made many lifelong friends where ever they were stationed but always thought that Tachikawa had been the most rewarding. On returning to the U.S. Dr. McNally was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio where he was the Chief of Service. The next year he was discharged with honor from the Air Force having achieved the rank of Major.

In August of that year, he moved his family, now with eight children, to Corsicana to go into private practice with Dr. Bernard Rosen. He and his wife bought a small ranch which they named Sweetbriar and there, the McNally family flourished. It was there that Dr. McNally also discovered an interest in ranching, raising his prized Simmental cattle. Dr.
McNally sometimes jokingly said that he raised two crops at Sweetbriar--good cattle and good kids.

Dr. McNally was a fervent believer in Faith, Family and Education--in that order. He was a devoted Roman Catholic and instilled in his family the importance of Faith as the Bedrock of life. He supported many worthwhile causes generously and quietly through out his life.

He practiced Radiology for many years in Corsicana, finally retiring at the age of 72. He always considered the care of the sick to be a sacred duty and felt honored to have been called to serve as a physician.

The light of his life, his beloved redheaded wife Barbara, preceded him in death Sept. 15, 2011. His living legacy includes his eight children; Dr. Joseph F. McNally, Jr and wife Sandy of Corsicana, Maureen Barto and husband Bernie of Corsicana, Dr. Rosemary McCoy and husband Dr. Medford McCoy of Dallas, Jayne McNally of Watauga, Elizabeth Scirto and husband Mark of Tyler, Mark McNally and wife Nancy of Palmyra, Pennsylvania, John McNally and wife Marlene of Houston and Robin Colvin and husband Joseph of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He also had 23 grandchildren of whom he was so proud and 31 great grandchildren, the newest addition born only four days before his death- a little redheaded baby girl.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Visitation will be 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday March 10 at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home Corsicana, with the Holy Rosary to follow at 7 p.m. there.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 11, 2016 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Corsicana, with Father Jason Cargo officiating.

Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be sons and sons-in-laws, Joseph McNally Jr, Mark McNally, John McNally, Medford McCoy, Bernard Barto, Joseph Colvin and Mark Scirto.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to: James Collins Catholic School, Hope Center and or Mary Petersen Daycare Center.

Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home

Notes:

Albert Guerrero Ovalle
Feb 4, 1929 - Feb 19, 2016

Albert Ovalle, 87, passed away on Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, in Houston, after a brief stay in Methodist Hospital. He was born on Feb. 4, 1929, in Falls City, to Selso and Inez Guerro Ovalle.

Albert was a caring, wonderful Christian husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle with a big smile, a great sense of humor, and a quick wit. He was a quick learner and played the game of life well. He worked at Adam's Hat Factory, Compton's Grocery Store and retired from Safeway Grocery Store.

For the past several years, he spent much of his time with his kids and grandkids teaching them Spanish, playing dominos, checkers and watching football. He loved going to church, helping out, and playing with his bilingual dog Mac.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Miquela Ramirez Ovalle, whom he dearly missed; parents, Selso and Inez Ovalle; brothers, Daniel, Matilde, Domingo, Bartolo, and a sister, Henrietta Aguado.

He is survived by daughters Olga Ferrell and husband Doug Ferrell of Bellaire, Gloria Cillessen and husband Steve of Houston, and Sara Ovalle of Westminster, Colorado; son, Albert Ovalle, Jr. of Houston; grandsons, Douglas Ferrell Jr. of Bellaire, Bryan Cillessen, Michael Ovalle and wife Becky, Aaron Ovalle, and Stephen Ovalle, all of Houston; granddaughter, Nicole Cillessen of Houston; great-granddaughter, Miquela Ovalle of Houston; sister, Santana Ovalle of Corsicana; brothers, Christian Ovalle of Tyler, and Tom Ovalle of Corsicana; and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.

We will be always grateful to his wonderful caregivers Christine DeLaRosa and Malline Ragan; additionally, we are thankful for the kindness and care received from Methodist Hospital and Bayou Manor Rehabilitation Center in Houston, Texas.

Rosary will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 25, 2016 at Corley Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mr. Lewis Palos officiating. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 at Immaculate Conception Church with Father Jason Cargo officiating. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Albert Ovalle, Jr., Steve Cillessen, Bryan Cillessen, Doug Ferrell, Douglas Ferrell, Jr., and Aaron Ovalle. Honorary Pallbearers will be Michael Ovalle and Stephen Ovalle.

Following the interment, a reception will be held at Immaculate Conception Church.

Notes:

Della Louise (Turner) Ford
Apr 23, 1930 - Feb 25, 2016
 

On Thursday morning, Feb. 25, 2016 our mother, Della Louise Ford, who lived her life in the presence of Jesus, entered fully into His presence. Louise was born April 23, 1930 in the old Navarro Clinic on Collin St., in Corsicana.

Mother loved Christ and she served Him faithfully in churches throughout Texas, Maryland, and England. She served as President of WMU groups in the Baptist churches and she attended and served as Director of WMU for Colorado and Wyoming.

She loved Christ's people, especially those who were lost and the most vulnerable. She went on mission trips to the Philippines, Europe and Mexico. She served the Laotian congregation at Lake Highlands Baptist Church in Dallas, the families of the prisoners at the Hospitality Houses at Huntsville and Tennessee Colony, and single moms and their children in Corsicana.

She taught adult and children Bible studies in Sunday School, led in GA's and worked numerous years in Vacation Bible School. When she was a young mother, she had her children in worship every time the church met.
Normally she was the last to leave church on Sunday and Wednesday nights. Mother loved her family.
She was met Thursday morning in heaven by her husband Carey Ford, Jr., daughter Patricia, granddaughter Christi Adams, mother Ora Turner, dad Dellie Allen Turner, sister Mary Katherine Lewis, brother-in-law Truman Lewis, numerous aunts and uncles.

She is grieved by her children; Al and Tommie Ford, Kathy and Mark Tapscott, Linda and George Adams, Carey and Nancy Ford, and Phil Ford;
15 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and scores of family members and friends.

Visitation will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 with services following at 3 p.m. at Byrum Funeral Home in Lancaster.

Interment will follow at Edgewood Cemetery. Services officiated by Rev.
Jeff Fitzhugh.

Instead of flowers, the family asks that monetary gifts be donated to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering via First Baptist Church Corsicana or through another local Southern Baptist Church.

www.byrumfuneralhome.com

Notes:

Matthew Corbin Odom
Apr 14, 1990 - Feb 25, 2016

Matthew Odom of Corsicana, TX passed away on February 25, 2016 at the age of 25.

Matthew was born April 14, 1990 in Fort Worth, TX to David and Suzanne Odom.

Matthew was raised in Kerens, TX and had a love of AG in school.

He is survived by his parents David and Suzanne, sister Michelle Smith and beautiful niece Elizabeth Janelle Smith. He is also survived by his aunt and uncle Chuck and Patsy Weems and numerous cousins and friends.
Matthew is preceded in death by his grandparents, Homer Carroll JR.,and Bertie May Carroll, and L.J. Odom and Courtnea Odom.

A memorial graveside service is scheduled for Matthew at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at the Kerens Cemetery.

Notes:

Lloyd "Pops/Skeeter" Gargus
Nov. 24, 1942 - Nov. 3, 2015
 

Christian: Lloyd (Pops/Skeeter), as a beloved and obedient child of God, tried his best to live a righteous life and spread God's word found in his Bibles' worn pages. He read the Bible daily and shared what he had learned with those he loved. He was always asked to say grace which he could compose and recite like a poem; honoring the Lord in a way that will be dearly missed at family gatherings until we are all reunited in Heaven. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter� - Matthew 7:21.

Son/Brother/Father/Grandfather/Great-Grandfather: Pops would always make sure his children and grandchildren were taken care of, even when it meant going without. Family was of paramount importance to Lloyd, and he was very important to his family. He will surely be missed by his brother and sister, Richard and Mary Ann, as well as his children, Shelley, Michael, and Charla, and their families. He is now reunited with his mother and father, Polly and Gene, as well as his brothers, Tommy (who, because of his inability (as a toddler) to pronounce the word sweetheart, nicknamed Lloyd as Skeeter), and Phillip (a Silver Star recipient who made the ultimate sacrifice as an American). Many other family members and friends have preceded him in returning to the Lord's kingdom; last but not least his grandmother, Mary, who is surely filled with joy to be with him again. Pops had countless stories that he loved to tell about his family: one that comes to mind is from when Charla was very young. He was planting a small mulberry tree at his home in Mesquite and Charla asked him, "Daddy, why are you planting a tree?", to which he replied, "For shade". She pondered for a moment as she gazed at the pitifully small tree before asking, "You really think you will live that long?". "As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him" � Psalm 103:13. Patriot: Skeeter was a member of the American Legion and a true conservative who was proud to have had the privilege of serving honorably in the US ARMY. He passionately enjoyed defending our constitution, flag, and freedom. As well, he was fiercely proud to have had a son and grandson that served in the armed forces following in his footsteps. He found a great sense of relief earlier this year when his grandson Phillip, returned home safely from active duty with the USMC. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!" - Psalm 33:12-22. Cattleman: Lloyd had a soft spot for all animals. He was a loyal SPCA supporter and is already missed by his companions, Taz and Patch, as well as his cattle, who have already noticed something is amiss. He never failed to tend to his cattle, even when his health or the weather were not in his favor. "Then God said, Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground" - Genesis 1:26. Renaissance man/Philanthropist: Lloyd enjoyed learning about a wide variety of topics: cooking, science, history, and music, including different instruments like the hammer dulcimer, harmonica, and guitar. Along with his love of music, he delighted in round dancing, square dancing, and clogging. He liked to drive, ride or fly anything he could get his hands on. We can't remember a time when he did not own and ride a motorcycle going all the way back to the 1960's. Things are different now but, Shelley and Michael remember motorcycle rides with our father zipping down the highway with Michael in front on the gas tank and Shelley behind him holding on tight. Also, he was working on becoming fluent in Spanish so he could communicate better with immigrants around Frost. He was a friend to those who had very little, regardless of where they came from. He was extremely generous, tithed faithfully to several churches, and helped those in need anytime the opportunity presented itself. He was devoted to fellowship and helping those in need, not because it was the Christian thing to do, but because he followed his heart; and he had a very good heart. "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God" -Hebrews 13:16.

Lloyd is survived by children Shelley D'Ann Rasmussen and her husband Eric, Michael Phillip Gargus, Jr. and his wife Jessica, Charla Harriett Leal and her husband Marcus, grandchildren Kristopher Lloyd and Hope Ann Rusmussen, Kimberly Kay Hernandez and her husband Fernando, Sr., Michael Phillip Gargus, Jr., Dallas Ann and Audrey Jane Gargus Madison Louise Brenneman, Jace Matthew and Jesslynn Grace Gargus, Rebekah Nichole and Nathanael Maston Moises Leal, great grandchildren Fernando, Jr., Allison Marie and Madelyne Grace Hernandez, siblings MaryAnn Rainey and her husband Ken, Richard Ivan Gargus, aunts Mariemma Nelson, Betty Tronjo and Alice Fowler, uncle J. Lloyd Edward Loftis (whom Lloyd was named after) nephew James Eugene Gargus and his two loving dogs Taz and Patch.

He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas Eugene and Hattie Pauline Gargus, Sr., brothers Thomas Eugene Gargus, Jr., Roy Phillip Gargus, nephew Howard Edward (Eddie) Worthington, II.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 PM Friday, December 4, 2015 at the Dallas Ft. Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy., Dallas, Texas 75211.

Submitted by Diane Richards

Lloyd Gargus, age 72, of Frost, Tx. died on November 3, 2015. For a a complete obituary and to leave condolence for family please visit www.affoplano.com.

Notes:

  • Submitted by Alva Lynn Smith
  • 1st wife Lois Ann (Butler) Gargus married Apr. 9, 1962 2nd wife Janet. J. (Burt) Gargus married Feb. 19, 1971 3rd wife Joann (Sprague) Gargus 4th wife Paula J. (Stanley) Gargus married Jun. 2, 1986 s/o Thomas Eugene Gargus, Sr. and Hattie Pauline (Loftis) Gargus

Nikki Elaine (Mallott) Waller
June 19, 1949 - Feb 27, 2016

Nikki Elaine "Nana" Waller, 66, passed away into the loving arms of God on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 at her home in Dawson surrounded by her family.

Nikki was born on June 19, 1949 in Marion, Indiana to James and Deloris Mallott. Nikki grew up in California where she met the love of her life.

Nikki married Orval Waller, Jr., on Aug. 26, 1974 and they were happily married for 41 years.
in 1978 they moved their family to Dawson where they lived until her passing.

Nikki was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Dawson. She was active with the children's program, youth programs, and the choir.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Deloris Mallott; her brother, Daryl; her sister, Cynthia; and her son-in-law, Bobby Pruitt.

Nikki is survived by her husband, Henry Orval Waller Jr., of Dawson; her daughter, Aaron Allen and husband Charlie of Barry; her son, Hank Waller III and wife, Laura of Dawson; her son, Jason Waller and wife, Cynthia of Waxahachie; her daughter, Tanya Pruitt of China Springs; her son, Zachary Waller and wife, Tabitha of Dawson; her grandchildren, Nichole Hurford, Hollie Freeman, Jessica Waller, Chelsea Waller, Lucas Waller, Brent Waller, Daven Pruitt, Ryan Waller, Henry Waller IV, Tori Waller, Keaghan Pruitt, Marshall McNally-Waller, Madison Waller, and Mikayla Waller; her brothers, Steve Mallott and Brett Malott.

Nikki was blessed with ten great grandchildren which she adored. She also leaves behind several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews and a host of friends who played very important roles in her life.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at Wade Funeral Home.

Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at First Baptist Church, 407 N. Main St., Dawson. Rev. Steve Burleson will be officiating.

Burial will follow at Dawson Cemetery.

Arrangements made by Wade Funeral Home, Hubbard.

Notes:

Jack Banks Butler
May 5, 1940 - Feb 11, 2016
 
Jack Banks Butler went to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 11, 2016, at the age of 75. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, February 20, at 2:00 pm in the Sanctuary of First Methodist Houston, Downtown Campus.

A Christian since the age of nine, and Baptist for most of his life, he was an active member of Houston's First Methodist Church at his death. Jack was a Baptist deacon for 44 years, serving in this capacity and other areas of leadership in various churches. He was also a Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner for over 40 years. His cremains will be placed in the cremation garden at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston.

A lifelong Texan and longtime resident of Houston, he was born in Corsicana, TX, on May 5, 1940, the only child of the late Clark and Floy Butler. He is survived by Sandra, his wife of 49 years, and by three sons, Brian and his wife, Laurie, of Farmington, NM; Kevin and his wife, Cynthia, of Jewett, TX; and Daren of Bay City, TX. Also surviving him are two granddaughters, Kayla and Maranatha, and grandson, Brandon, along with other relatives and friends. Jack was a 1958 graduate of Corsicana High School and a 1962 graduate of Baylor University in Waco. His first career of banking, beginning in Corsicana, saw him obtain a graduate degree in banking from Southern Methodist University and led him to the presidency of two banking institutions. During those years he was an active church and civic leader, including serving as president of the Huntsville and Bay City Chambers of Commerce. Jack chose a second career at age 58 and went back to school for required preparation to become a chaplain. He then served full-time and part-time as both a Baptist and ecumenical chaplain at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for a number of years.

Jack's life was filled with so much meaning. A brilliant musician, God granted him a gifted ear and strong hands that played the piano - and especially the organ - with amazing beauty, excellence, and power. He was a committed steward of his marvelous gifts, using them as a regular church organist from age 15 through 72 (and part-time through the rest of his life), serving every major denomination during those years. In later years and on into retirement, Jack also brought joy and comfort through his beautiful piano playing, offering his gifts weekly in the MD Anderson lobbies and monthly for retirement home chapel services.

Though music was such a meaningful and integral part of his life, he treasured most of all his family, his friendships, and his Lord. He dearly loved his wife, his sons, their families, and a host of treasured friendships through the years, and he delighted in those relationships, giving so much of himself, his time, his smile, his laughter, and his wisdom. Above all, though, he loved his Lord, always yielding to the sovereignty of God, trusting in His ways completely without questioning, and blessing all who encountered him with his faithful witness and genuine love. He held the Scriptures close to his heart, seeking the Lord daily, and Psalm 1:1-2 was particularly meaningful to him, which is appropriate, as he sought each day to heed its call:

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor standeth in the way of sinners,
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Jack was a truly special gift from above, and he will be greatly missed.

If you would like to celebrate Jack's life and legacy with a remembrance, the family suggests First Methodist Houston, 1320 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002, Houston Hospice, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, The Salvation Army, or Houston's Star of Hope Mission.

Notes:

Hazel Aleene (Estes) Painter
Dec 22, 1941 - Feb 14, 2016

Hazel Aleene Painter, known as "The Bird Lady" quietly passed away in her sleep early Sunday morning, Feb. 14, 2016 at the age of 74. Now with her own wings, she is in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior after her long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Aleene was born Dec. 22, 1941 in Corsicana, to Basil and Tina "Tiny" Estes of Eureka.
Aleene attended Mildred school where after only two weeks in the 1st grade was moved up to the 2nd grade by her first grade teacher. From there she graduated Mildred High School in 1959 as Salutatorian of her senior class.

In December of 1964, Aleene met David Warren Painter on a blind date and were married four months later. They were happily married for over 50 years.

Aleene was a soft spoken and loving person. She saw everything beautiful in the world and was very caring for it. Some of her hobbies were gardening, nature walks, birding and rehabilitating wildlife. She, "The Bird Lady" of Navarro County worked with the county game warden and local animal shelter and would not only take in birds, but all wildlife. She would nurse all she could back to health and release the strongest back to the wild.
Some of her patients included a coyote pup, opossums and a buzzard.
While working as an accountant for Corsicana Cleaners she set up transportation of injured hawks and owls to a veterinarian in Palestine. When Corsicana Cleaner trucks had deliveries to Palestine she would box up the injured bird and get the drivers to drop it off. Eastern Bluebirds and humming birds were her favorites.

For several years she participated in a bird banding project with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department specifically for Eastern Bluebirds of Texas. Many bluebird nesting boxes were built and put up in Navarro County where she could watch them lay their eggs and raise their young.
Aleene is survived by her husband, David Warren Painter and their two children; Leslie McFadden and her husband Darrell, Kevin Painter and his wife Donna, all of Corsicana.

Aleene is affectionately known as "Memaw" to numerous nieces, nephews and her five grandchildren, Chase and Lacy McFadden and Ryan, Zak and Alan Painter.

She is also survived by her mother Tina Estes, three brothers; Donald Estes and wife Lou of Corsicana, Doug Estes and wife Sherena of Benton, Los Angeles. and Danny Estes and wife Connie of Corsicana.

She was preceded in death by her father Basil Estes and sister Janice Gotcher.

Visitation with her family will be at Corley's Funeral Home Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016 at Noon, immediately followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. officiated by Rev. Randall Evett.

In lieu of flowers, gifts or cards please give a hug to the ones you love and donate to the fight against Alzheimer's disease at the Alzheimer's Association Greater Dallas, 4144 N Central Expy #750, Dallas, TX 75204.

Notes:

Martha Lenora (Dawson) Kasprzyk
Mar 2, 1925 - Feb 14, 2016

Martha Lenora Dawson Kasprzyk left her earthly home to receive her eternal reward with her Heavenly Father on Sunday evening, Feb. 14, 2016. Born on March 2, 1925, Martha was a long-time resident of Corsicana, Texas, member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, and lived a rich and active life right up to the age of 90. She passed away peacefully at Navarro Regional Hospital on Sunday evening, a fitting day for a woman who liked vibrant colors like red and purple and loved people thoroughly as well.

Martha was born on March 2, 1925 in Port Gibson, Mississippi, the only child of John Weston Dawson and Carrie Sims MacGruder Dawson, where she learned to work and study, eventually becoming the Valedictorian of her graduating class in her beloved Sutherland Springs, Texas. She began a voracious interest in reading at an early age that stayed with her throughout her life. From her close relationship with her mother, and the necessity that The Great Depression created, Martha became adept at cooking, sewing, gardening, and working with her hands, all life-long loves of hers. In addition, she learned the importance of love and generosity, which are two things that Martha has been known for her whole life.

On Aug. 12, 1944, Martha married the love of her life, Ernest Anthony Kasprzyk, beginning a 56-year life with him, living in Mississippi, and many towns in Texas as he taught and administrated in multiple school districts and two junior colleges. Martha enjoyed telling the story of love at first sight when she first saw her tall, handsome future husband come striding in through the door. Often, she would say, "I saw that tall drink of water, and I knew I'd be marrying him." Not surprisingly, Martha usually got exactly what she wanted, and 56 years, five children, and five grandchildren later, she certainly achieved her goal. It was Ernest's employment as a dean at Navarro College that brought the Kasprzyk family to Corsicana, where she lived for over 40 years.

Martha always spoke of one of her most proud accomplishments, as being honored to be one of the original Rosie the Riveters in San Antonio during World War II. Working at Kelly Field became one of the most truly life-changing achievements for Martha. As one of the tiniest of the girls working there, she was able to crawl far up into the inside of and repair the planes in the airfields of San Antonio during the war. She was especially thrilled to be included as one of the inaugural members of the official Rosie the Riveter Museum in Richmond, California, where a number of her photos of the time spent at Kelly Field and her biography can be found. Amusingly, though, Martha never flew on an airplane, herself, as she had a healthy fear of flying. A proud member of The Greatest Generation, Martha enjoyed reminiscing about those times in San Antonio during the war and truly loved to speak to groups of adults and students about her experiences.

Later in life, she drew strength from being able to give generously to some of her favorite charities, most notably the exotic animal sanctuary, Tiger Creek, which takes in abandoned exotic animals and cares kindly for them. In addition, she loved her church and remained faithful to attend services as long as her body would allow her to. She enjoyed all the people with whom she came into contact, talked their ears off, never wanted to see anyone go wanting, and she made sure to keep her weekly hair appointment, where she met and maintained many lasting friendships. Martha never met a stranger, and she never minced words. Plainspoken and direct, her love for people came through, even when she was teaching a hard lesson or explaining a controversial point of view. Because of her humble upbringing, she wanted to help people all the time, so she became a sort of mother hen for her neighborhood, cooking, checking in, and even watching as many younger neighbors than her passed away, all the while, celebrating victories and special occasions and mourning losses of those close to her. Words like spit-fire, big-hearted, loving, generous, tenacious, and tough come to mind when describing her special life.

Martha is survived by her five children: Carol Jean Carter and husband, Nick, of Waco; Cheryl Ann Kasprzyk of Dallas; Mark Allan Kasprzyk and wife, Bobbie, of Dallas; Paul Anthony Kasprzyk, and wife, Jaton, of Mesquite; and David Michael Kasprzyk, and wife, Aimee, of Corsicana; as well as three granddaughters, Jenna Kasprzyk of Abilene, Sarah Kasprzyk of Denton, and Anna Kasprzyk of Corsicana; two step grandsons, Eric Liebel, and wife Ashley of Dallas; and Casey Liebel of Denton; and a brand new great-grandchild, Knox Paul Liebel, son of Eric and Ashley. She loved her pets throughout life, most notably of late, her constant companion, Shadow the cat. Finally, Martha loved her friend and caregiver, Pat Avery, like a daughter as well. Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Carrie and John, as well as her husband, Ernest.

Services for Martha Kasprzyk will be provided by Corley Funeral Home in Corsicana. The rosary and viewing in her honor will be held on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016 at 6 p.m. at Corley's at 418 North 13th Street in Corsicana, with Rev. Lewis Palos officiating.

The funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 3000 West Highway 22 in Corsicana with Father Jason Cargo officiating. Pallbearers include sons Mark, Paul, and David, step grandsons Eric and Casey, and neighbor, Mike Gamez. Honorary pallbearers include her son-in-law Nick, neighbor, Bill Burleson, and friend Jon Ed Ingham. Interment will immediately follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Corsicana.

The family asks that donations be made to Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary at 17552 FM Rd 14 Tyler, Texas 75706 in Martha Kasprzyk's name.

Notes:

Joy Louise "Babbaw" (Holt) Shults-Young
Aug 2, 1922 - Feb 21, 2016

Mrs. Joy Louise "Babbaw" Young, 93, of Corsicana passed away on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016 at Trisun Care Center in Corsicana.

She was born on Aug. 2, 1922 in Magnolia, Arkansas to Charlie and Ada Holt.
Jesus said "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these."

Joy Young's or Babbaw's true calling in life was taking care of the children. From her grandchildren to great grandchildren to her great great grandchildren, Babbaw could tell you multiple and detailed stories about every one of them with a gleam in her eye. God blessed her with a gift of patience, love and understanding with all the children she encountered. Words can't describe the tremendous role she played in providing guidance to many, and she was always there in a time of need.

Until her last breath, her mind was sharp and her thoughts clear. One of her many words of wisdom was to "go and do while you can, because there will come a day when all you have to hold on to are the sweet memories that you create."

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Charles "Dick" Young; infant grandsons, Danny Glenn and Michael Charles Williams; granddaughter, Melody Joy Skinner Gentry; and a great grandson, Heath Skinner.

She is survived by her daughters, Jackie Rogers and husband Dan of Corsicana and Janis Ware and husband Jim of Crowley; granddaughter, Cheryl Lively and husband Lance of Austin; grandsons, Chuck Williams and wife Gayle of Corsicana, Andy Sanches of Crowley and Mitchell Sanches of Azle; nephew Billy Jean Holt and wife Debbie of Mathis; seven great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren; brother, Charles Holt of Magnolia, Arkansas; sister, Charlene Holt of Crockett.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 at Richland Cemetery with Rev. Randall Whitt officiating.

Interment of her cremated remains will follow.

Memorial contributions may be made to Northside Baptist Church, 2800 N. Beaton, Corsicana, Texas 75110.

Notes:

  • 1st husband Andrew Jackson Shults married Apr. 5, 1941 2nd husband Richard Charles "Dick" Young; d/o Charlie Lester Holt & Ada Idellia (Hanry) Holt
  • The Corsicana Daily Sun - Thursday, Feb 25, 2016
  • Submitted by Karen Rost

Glenda Ann (Whittenburg) Bowling
Apr 22, 1953 - Feb 12, 2016

Glenda Ann Bowling of Blooming Grove, 62, lost her six year battle with leukemia and multiple myeloma on Friday, Feb. 12, 2016 at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. She was born April 22, 1953 in Corsicana and was a daughter of William Rufus and Barbra Effe (Smith) Whittenburg. She was raised in Purdon and attended school in Dawson, graduating from Dawson High School in the Class of 1971.

Afterwards Glenda worked for Liberty Mutual Insurance and later was employed for many years by Guardian Industries. In later years she also was employed by Lakes Regional MHMR Center in Corsicana. Even after her cancer diagnosis she continued to fulfill her employment duties, often undergoing chemotherapy treatments on her lunch hour and then returning to work.

Glenda was married to Terry Bowling on Nov. 30, 1996 and they celebrated 19 years of loyal and dedicated companionship during the times of good health and through the years of trials that cancer brought. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother and few things in life brought her as much joy as being with her grandson, Brandon. She was also a devoted dog lover and adored her "fur babies."

Known for her intense and unwavering loyalty to her family members and friends, she could always be counted on in any trial that life might bring to those she loved. Her favorite hobby was genealogy and she was also beloved by many of her distant cousins that she met while working on her family tree. And she enjoyed the friends that she and Terry met as they traveled to compete in cooking competitions around the state.

Most importantly, Glenda loved her Lord and Savior and was a devout Christian woman. As an adult she became a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Corsicana. Her faith did not waiver during the years she fought cancer and she understood that "to be absent from the body is to be face to face with the Lord." Her multitude of friends will remember her for her sweet spirit and her radiant smile which was freely offered to all she met.

Glenda is survived by her husband, Terry Bowling of Blooming Grove; her son Robert Ray "Bobby" Whittenburg and his wife Tammy of Corsicana; grandson Brandon Whittenburg of Corsicana; brother and sister-in-law Gaylon and Donna Whittenburg of Corsicana, her niece Brandi and nephew Jeff. She is also survived by her step-son, Brent Bowling and a host of other relatives. Her best friend, Cheryle Chaffin of Corsicana also survives as well as several of her fur babies.

Visitation with the family will be Monday, Feb. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Corley Funeral Home.
Services will be held in the Corley Chapel on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. with burial following in the Dresden Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Navarro County Humane Society.

Notes:

Joe Berry Lafayette Sims
Oct 22, 1856 - Mar 11, 1922

FORMER CITIZEN HERE DEAD.

Was Blacksmith at Eureka for Number of Years.

J. D. Sims, aged 65 years, and for many years a citizen of the Eureka community, died near Paint Rock, Tom Green county, last night of paralysis. The remains will reach here tomorrow morning and interment will take place in the Eureka cemetery tomorrow afternoon a 3 o'clock. The deceased is survived by his wife and ten grown children. The children are: Mrs. Cliff Ellington, Corsicana; Joe Sims, Osborne Sims, Virgil Sims, Emory Sims and Mrs. Ben Singleton for Eureka, Mrs. Will Davis of Kerens, Mrs. Melvin Coker of Mexia and Misses Ruth and Lenore Sims, who still live with their parents.

The deceased was a good citizen and had many friends who are pained to learn of his death.

Notes:

INFANT DAUGHTER Tekell
Died Jan. 21, 1922

Died at Tehuacana.

The infant daughter of L. O. Tekell and wife of Tehaucana, died there Saturday, and the remains were interred at Eureka yesterday. The child was the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Sullivan of Corsicana.

Notes:

Emmett George Byrd
Sep 19, 1897 - May 5, 1923

HUGHES-MCKIE WELL STILL BURNING�FOURTEEN KNOWN DEAD

THOUSANDS VISITED LOCATION OF GURNING WELL�CROWDS THRONGED THROUGH MORGUE VIEWING BODIES

Like an active volcano in eruption, belching forth terrific flames of burning fire constantly fed by the constant flow of oil and gas, the Hughes-McKie well in holocaust which has cost at least 14 men their lives, continues to gush forth its awful blaze at 3 o'clock today.

For twenty-four solid hours flames ranging from 30 feet to 150 feet have leaped high in the air in its spectacular capers. Red streaks of flame ascend as from a mighty nozzle, and disappear in the form of huge black clouds of smoke, which drift with the wind in a surging blast.

The wind switched from the southward during the night and the mighty smokestack releases its flow in the direction of Powell, leaving darkened elements in its wake.

Thousands hurried frantically to the fields during last night to witness the spectacular fire-works.

The well being situated on the east bank of the creek is surrounded by tall timber. A rough one-way traffic road forming a winding snake trail for two miles is the only means of vehicle access to the scene. The roads were choked with vehicle traffic within a short time after the fire started. This kept up all night.

The well has been fenced off and traffic barred on the narrow road to give the men full right of way in getting boilers to the location.

Every company owning equipment in the Powell fields has tendered the use of all available boilers and other equipment to extinguish the flame.

Men are working like Trojans to get the equipment in place. It will be necessary to use fire foam and steam from a dozen boilers.

The burned bodies of at least six men remain in the fire zone according to DeWitt Watkins, who is working at the well today. He stated to a reporter of the Sun this morning that five bodies could be seen near the well, and there was another one missing. He also stated he believed that one or two spectators perished.

Jim Ball foreman in charge of the work believes the final death toll will reach 18.

Mr. Hughes accompanied by J. S. Banks, his attorney, are at the well this afternoon checking up on the number of dead and missing.

Hundreds of spectators thronged in and out and lingered about the Sutherland Undertaking establishment all day Thursday eager to catch a glimpse of the charred bodies of a number of the working crew which perished in the big blaze Wednesday afternoon when the Hughes-McKie No. 1 well ignited.

Five of the bodies, charred and disfigured by the flames almost beyond recognition, were brought to the morgue early last night. They have been identified as follows:

W.A. PHILLIPS, Kerens.
W. A. HICKS, Wortham.
JACK COOPER, Corsicana.
FRED CRAIG, Roane.
L. P. SHEEK, Dallas.

The bodies of Travis Owen and Emmett Bird, both of Kerens, were brought from the Physicians and Surgeons hospital later in the night, Owen died at 7 o'clock and Bird died at 11:05 o'clock. These two men were dragged from the fire zone and hurried to Corsicana. Each lived only a few hours.

C. B. Keever, J. E. Keever, J. R. Ferris and Jesse Blair from the Keever Undertaking company at Ennis arrived early last night to assist in preparing the bodies for burial.

The bodies of S. P. Allen, field foreman; E. C. Cooper, driller; James Phillips, L. C. Coop, M. O. Turner, have not been recovered. Max Meisner and Charlie Walker are believed to have perished. The charred remains of four can be seen near the well. They cannot be recovered on account of the intensity of the heat.

Funerals This Afternoon.
Funerals for four of the victims of yesterday's terrible oil field holocaust took place this afternoon. The bodies of W. A. (Ban) Phillips and Travis Owen were taken to Rural Shade were both were raised; Emmett Byrd was interred in Eureka, his former home, and Fred Craig was laid to rest at Chatfield, which was his childhood home.

The ladies of Corsicana and the Chamber of Commerce covered each of the caskets with magnificent flowers.

The remains of L. C. Sheek were sent to Dallas this afternoon and the body of W. A. Hicks will be sent to Wortham tomorrow.

The roustabout crew of 20 men working in the vicinity of the well escaped. Several teamsters and tank men were passing in and about the premises and rushed to the aid of the burning men, but the blaze had swept the bottom before they could be reached.

A negro teamster succeeded in loosening his team from the material wagon and escaped with them. The wagon and its contents were consumed.

Tragic Spectacle.
The scene about the well presented a sad and tragic spectacle when the monstrous explosion came. Both the day and the night crew consisting of twelve men had just started work a short while before. Several bystanders near the well escaped with their lives by running. It is believed that more dead bodies are in the burned area in addition to the known dead.

Men ran in every direction in a frenzy and fell when overcome.

Jimmy Meeks, oil field scout for the Humble Oil & Refining Company; E. W. Quinlin, scout for the Simms Oil Company; Ellis Hammel, drilling contractor; and DeWitt Watkins, members of the roustabout crew, did heroic work in attempting to save the men from their awful death.

Heroic Rescue Work.
Bravely defying all danger at the risk of their own lives rushed headlong to the burning prostrate forms of the groaning men in death agonies in answer to their piteous cries for help and succeeded in bringing them out. The men breathed their last as they were being carried out of the gas, smoke and fire.

Jim Ball escaped with B. B. Simmonds, N. M. Dunman and Dick Pyle. As they made their exit from the timber, Ball turned back to assist Owen. He succeeded in getting him into the open but too late to save his life. Charlie Lewis of Corsicana ran to the assistance of Bird.

Piteous cries for water went up from the two dying men as the ambulance brought them to the hospital.

Meeks, Quinlan, Hammel and Watkins returned towards the well for the other perishing men, but were unable to reach them. Their bodies had been practically reduced to ashes in the blaze which had gained headway. Waste oil in the bottom covering almost an acre upon which large trees saturated with oil had become enveloped in the frenzied inferno.

Quinlan is a world war hero. A native of New York State, he served in the French Army during the early days of the war. Later he served with the Canadian forces.

Quinlan is the possessor of several war medals. He was awarded the Medalto Militaire; the Croix Guerre, and while in the British he service he was the first American to be awarded the Victoria Cross. He received several hard jolts in the war, in the rescue work Wednesday the fumes and smoke temporarily almost overcame him.

Phone Girls Busy.
Shortly after three o'clock a man called the Johnson Drug Store from the Commercial Hotel and communicated the first news that reached Corsicana of the terrible disaster. The caller at the same time told Miss Valsey Hubbard, the operator, that he wanted every doctor available to go to the scene of the McKie well. The call was immediately referred to the chief operator. She rang the Corsicana Surgical and Medical clinic and asked that the doctors be sent. The hospital and every drug store in town were called to assist in every possible way. The undertaking parlors soon dispatched ambulances toward the fire. Emergency telephone calls from Powell, Kerens and Corsicana came pouring into the central office running as high as 2,400 calls per hour.

Frantic calls from various individuals were made in effort to locate the families of the dead and injured men.

Public memorial services will be held at the gospel tent at 7:45 o'clock Friday evening under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce. Rev. Alonzo Monk, Jr., will withhold his regular revival services until after the memorial ceremonies.

The Chamber of Commerce today sent floral offerings to the families of the deceased. A suitable medal will be provided for the family of each man by the commercial organization in commemoration of their brave efforts towards the development of the oil resources of the county.

Among the members of the roustabout crew escaping are L. W. Wilkitz, E. W. Arnett, Whyne Short, J. W. Crosby, Jas. A. McDaniels, J. A. Story, Jim Ball, Ned Dumas, and Johnnie Kennon. The names of the other men have not been learned.

These men had been gathered up from various leases in the Mexia district and brought to assist in taking care of the well. The working record and the names of the men were in Mr. Allen's pocket, and none of the surviving members are able to give the names of all the men.

Superintendent Walker of the city schools of Henrietta, and wife, father and mother of Mrs. S. P. Allen, and father of Charlie Walker, arrived in Corsicana early today.

Station Agent Wyatt and daughters of Plano, friends of the Walker family are also here.

Mr. Allen's mother, and Miss Walker of Denton are also here. Miss Walker is a teacher in the Denton College of Industrial Arts. She is a sister of Mrs. Allen.

Notes:

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MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR MEN WHO LOST LIVES IN OIL FIRE

Memorial services in honor of the oil field workers who lost their lived in the big blaze at the Hughes-McKie well Wednesday will be held at the gospel tent, Eleventh street and Seventh avenue at 7:45 o'clock Friday evening.

The ceremonies will be conducted under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce. Mayor J. S. Eubank and members of the city administration, presidents of the Rotary, Lions, Civic, Advertising clubs, the Retail Merchants' Association will occupy a place on the rostrum.

Every minister in town will take part in the program.

The ministers will conduct a prayer service. Hugh L. Hiett will sing.

Hon. Luther A. Johnson will make the address of condolence. Other speakers will take part.

Notes:

--

FUNERAL SUNDAY FOR REMAINING OIL FIRE VICTIMS

MEN WHO LOST LIVES IN BIG OIL FIELD FIRE WILL BE BURIED HERE

Funeral services for S. P. Allen, Charles Walker, Jim Phillips, C. M. Cooper, E. C. Cooper and L. C. Cook, fire victims of the burning Hughes-McKie oil well, will be held at the First Methodist Church at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon, according to announcement made today by W. S. Banks, attorney for the J. K. Hughes Development Company.

Rev. Alonzo Monk, Jr., pastor of the church assisted by Rev. C. G. Vineer, pastor of the Church of Christ, will conduct the services.

The remains of the six bodies will be interred in one casket in a specially provided lot in Oakwood cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Hon. Luther A. Johnson, Mayor J. S. Eubank, R. J. Jackson, Sam J. Jackson, John C. Calhoun, R. J. Graves, J. L. Halbert and W. H. Hastings.

The smouldering remains of the six men were recovered from the fire area of the ill-fated Hughes-McKie well several days after it caught fire May 9. They have been held at the Sutherland Undertaking Parlors pending the possible recovery of another body believed to have been undiscovered in the debris.

Seven of the perish crew were recovered from the fire shortly after the blaze started. Each were positively identified, and have been buried.

Mr. Banks stated today that the six remaining bodies had been sufficiently identified as to justify giving out the name of each. He stated the official casualty list of the J. K. Hughes Development company places the number of known dead and accounted for at 13. The list is as follows:

S. P. Allen, L. C. Cook, M. O. Turner, Charles Walker, Travis Owens, W. M. (Ban) Phillips, Jim Phillips, L. P. Sheek, W. A. Hicks, C. M. (Jack) Cooper, E. C. Cooper, Emmett G. Byrd, and Fred E. Craig.

One report carried the name of Max Meisner as among the dead and missing. Mr. Banks stated today that communication had been established with Mr. Meisner, and the Hughes company is certain he escaped injury. The company had the fire area thoroughly scorched by men clad in asbestos clothing, and no other body was found. Mr. Banks stated the company feels certain that the bodies of all men who perished in the fire has been found.

The J. K. Hughes Development Company has planned to erect a suitable monument over the grave of the six men to be buried in Oakwood cemetery in remembrance of the total number of its employees losing their lives in the big fire.

A change of plans for extinguishing the fire at the burning well late yesterday appears to have been extended the time before the blaze is stopped. W. H. McClintock has assembled a rig of his own making and patent, which he is confident will put out the fire when brought into play, but so far the apparatus has not been applied. Work was suspended at the well at 5 o'clock Friday, and nothing was done during the night. A different apparatus containing a T-joint and valve gear model has been completed, and efforts are being directed towards apply it before the McClintock machine is used.

Rain last night rendered the creek bottoms and the roads leading to the field in a very muddy condition. Transportation out from town was slow early today, which operated to cause some delay in getting work under way Saturday morning.

Although the roads were very slippery, teams and heavy trucks were on the road with tons of materials for the various new locations for drillings.

A meeting of the stockholders of the Cor-Tex Deep Well Company was held at the well just south of town at 3 o'clock this afternoon. Plans for resuming operations at the test were thoroughly gone over. Several interested individuals attended the meeting and reports are that much enthusiasm is evidenced over the proposed new operations there.

The test south of Blooming Grove to be put down by Dr. Stubbs and Dunbar spudded in at 4 o'clock. Several went out from Corsicana to see the bit take its first plunge into the surface. A local photographer was present to take a view of the rig and the crowds assembled to see the new test stared.

Notes:

Mary (McCalpin) Shields
Oct 28, 1896 - Jul 26, 1919

Died in Oklahoma Yesterday.

Mrs. Mary Shields, wife of Will Shields, aged twenty-years, and who was reared near here, died in Oklahoma yesterday and the remains will reach here tonight, and interment will take place in Oakwood tomorrow morning, after funeral services at the First Baptist church, at 10 o'clock, conducted by Rev. B. F. Ellis of Kerens.

The Corsicana Daily Sun - Monday, July 28, 1919 - Submitted by Diane Richards

Funeral This Morning.

The remains of the late Mrs. Mary Shields, wife of Will Shields, who died in Oklahoma Saturday reached here last night and the funeral took place from the First Baptist church at 10 o'clock this morning with interment in Oakwood. Rev. B. F. Ellis of Kerens officiated, and Thomas Ware, Herbert Soape, Walter Stewart, H. C. Nash, Louis Tidd and Thos. Pritchard acted as pall bearers.

Notes:

--

In Loving Memory of Mary Shields.

On the morn of July 26, 1919 at 6 o'clock the spirit of Mrs. W. R. Shields departed to be with God who gave it. She was at the time of her death with her sister, Mrs. B. H. Fesmire, at Clinton, Okla. Am sure all was done that loving hearts and learned physicians could suggest, but God needed her with Him. She leaves to mourn her early departure, a broken hearted husband, a dear little girl two years old, a sister and a brother, besides a host of friends; for her friends were limited only by the extent of her acquaintances. To know her was to love her. The writer was denied the privilege of being with Mary during her last few months fo suffering, but my thoughts and prayers were continually with her, and while it was God's will to take her we must be resigned, knowing "He doeth all things well." Mary was a devout Christian, a member of the Missionary Baptist Church; a devoted wife and mother, and a most estimable woman, and we will all remember her long and fondly. Her greetings were always cordial, and while modest and beautiful, there was that in her calm face to draw all to her, for she was the embodiment of true womanhood. Her neighbors were her best friends and those who worked with her in the church were devoted to her.

We all knew that Mary was very sick, but when the message came, "Mary is Dead," it was a shock. It seemed as if her husband's cup of sorrow was filled to overflowing when he reached Corsicana in the night of the 28th, when little Katherine begged "Daddy" so pitiful for "Mother," and he could only show her the pale face of her dear mother as she lay in the casket.

Mary and W. R. Shields were married on the 28th of October, 1913, thus leaving them less than six years to enjoy together the pleasures that seemed to lie out before them. I am sure that Mary was prepared to "render her account," when the call came, and was willing to go, but in a letter to the writer a short while before her death she expressed a desire �if it was God's will that she could be spared to raise Katherine - as she needed a mother so bad.

Mary was laid to rest on the morning of the 29th of July in Oakwood cemetery in Corsicana, by the side of her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. McCalpin; to await the resurrection morn. The sorrowing friends have the loving sympathy of a friend who loved Mary.

MRS. E. W. O'DANIEL

Notes:

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In Memoriam.

In loving remembrance of Sister Mary Shields (Nee McCalphin).

Sister Mary Shields, the wife of W. R. Shields was born October 28, 1896, and departed this life July 26, 1919 at the home of her sister, Mrs. B. H. Fesmire, at Clinton, Okla.

She leaves a heartbroken husband a sweet baby girl two and one half years old, to mourn her loss. Her remains were laid to rest in Oakwood cemetery by the side of her mother and father July 29th, surrounded by many sorrowing relatives and weeping friends to await the resurrection morning. The funeral services were conducted by Elder B. F. Ellis of Kerens. She was a member of Providence Baptist Church and a faithful Christian. The departure of this sister leaves a sorrow over the home, the church and the community, which nothing but time and faith in Christ can remove. As a church, our heartfelt sympathy is given to Brother Willie, and pray that God will bless and strengthen him that he may grow stronger in the Lord each day. No words of ours are sufficient to comfort the bereaved in that lonely home. The church at Providence needed her, but we will try to think of her gain and not our loss. When Christ shall come to bid the dead rise the redeemed will be caught in the air, her grave will open and Mary will rise and answer the roll call up there.

Resolved, that a copy of this be spread in the Church records and a copy be sent to the Baptist Progress, and also a copy be sent to the Semi-Weekly Light.

MRS. B. B. FULLWOOD,
MRS. ETTA JOHNSON,
MRS. H. G. BURLESON,
Committee.

Notes:

John Thomas Crook
Jan 15, 1868 - Mar 24, 1919

Died Near Here Yesterday.

John T. Crook of Ratliff, Houston county, aged 51 years, died yesterday afternoon at 3:15 at the home of his sister, Mrs. J. F. Watson, near the Orphans Home, and the funeral took place from the Watson home this afternoon with interment in Oakwood cemetery and Rev. B. W. Vining officiated. The deceased had never been married and had been in ill health for many years. He is survived by the following sisters and brothers: Mrs. J. F. Watson, Corsicana; Mrs. Tucker Baker, Neame, La.; District Judge J. M. Crook, Durant, Okla.; R. E. Crook, Meridian, Miss.; A. B. Crook, Houston, and Geo. W. Crook, Crockett.

Notes:

Mary Violet (Smith) Crook
Oct 8, 1841 - Oct 8, 1937

AGED WOMAN DIED AT HOME DAUGHTER HERE LAST NIGHT

Funeral services for Mrs. Violet B. Crook, aged 96 years, who died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Lillie B. Underwood, Friday night about 11 o'clock, were held Saturday afternoon at 4 o'clock from the Sutherland-McCammon Funeral Chapel, 420 West Sixth Avenue, with burial in Oakwood cemetery. The rites were conducted by Rev. E. T. Miller, pastor of the First Baptist church..

Mrs. Crook had resided here for more than 30 years. She had been ill for some time.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Underwood and Mrs. Tucker Baker, both of Corsicana; three sons, Robert Crook, Mississippi; George Crook, Crockett and Barry Crook, Houston, and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Notes:

Latha Jane (Liles) Shipwash
Sep 18, 1860 - Oct 8, 1919

DIED IN AUSTIN WEDNESDAY.

Remains Were Interred in Oakwood This Morning.

Mrs. Latha J. Shipwash, aged fifty-nine years, died in Austin Wednesday, and the remains were brought here yesterday afternoon by G. L. Russell and wife, her son-in-law and daughter, whose home is in Austin and the funeral took place at 10 o'clock this morning from the home of W. W. Lansford, 1116 West Twelfth Avenue Rev. R. A. Crosby officiating. Interment was in Oakwood.

Notes:

Mary Jane (unk) Robinson
Mar 16, 1840 - Jan 23, 1919

Died Here Last Night.

Mrs. Mary J. Robinson, aged seventy-nine years, died at 9 o'clock last night at the home of her son-in-law, W. R. Presley, on South Sixteenth street, after a long illness, and the funeral took place at 2:340 this afternoon from the home, with interment in Oakwood.

Rev. Ilion T. Jones officiated at the funeral and Luther A. Johnson, Robt. Stell, Neill Johnson, J. M. Pugh, Cal E. Kerr and B. L. Finch acted as pallbearers. The deceased is survived by three children, Mrs. R. W. Presley of this city, and two sons, D. P. Robinson, Kansas City; and Isaac Robinson of Oklahoma.

Notes:

John Henry Schomerus
Jul 4, 1871 - Aug 29, 1919

JOHN SCHOMERUS DEAD.

Former Citizen of Corsicana Died in Houston.

John Schomerus, formerly a citizen of Corsicana, died in Houston today, according to word received here this morning.

The deceased was 47 years of age at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife, two sisters, Mrs. Roy Canady and Mrs. W. T. McElwee of Corsicana; and one brother, Douglass Schomerus of Iola, Kansas.

Mr. Schomerus lived in this city for many years, being in the restaurant business for some time, and has hosts of friends among Corsicana residents.

The funeral will take place from the H. & T. C., station here tomorrow afternoon at 4:55 p.m. The following will act as pallbearers: A. Weidman, John Redden, Dee Molloy, Jack Hays, Fred Allison, Ed McCarver, and John Atkins.

Notes:

--

Funeral Largely Attended.

The remains of the late John Schomerus reached here from Houston Sunday afternoon at 4:30 and the funeral took place from the Union Station immediately after the arrival of the remains, and interment in Oakwood cemetery followed. There was a large attendance and many beautiful floral offerings. Rev. J. M. Mulen, pastor of the First Christian Church officiated.

Notes:

  • The Corsicana Daily Sun - Tuesday, Sep 2, 1919
  • Submitted by Diane Richards
  • s/o George E. Schomerus and (sister Minnie Canady's death certificate says Hattie (Rather) and sister Martha McElwee's death certificate says Wilhelmina�1880 census says Ricka)

William A. McLean
1844 - Aug 31, 1919

Confederate Veteran Dead.

W. A. McLean, a Confederate veteran, 75 years old, and who came to Navarro county more than forty years ago, died at the P. and S. Hospital Sunday and the veterans Camp Winkler buried his remains in Oakwood yesterday afternoon. He had no family, and no known relatives. The deceased made his home about Barry and in other neighborhoods of the county and had many friends among those who knew him.

Notes:

Maggie (Williams) Marion
May 12, 1885 - Jan 29, 1919

TUPELO.

Since my last writing death has claimed one of our best women, the wife of J. D. Marion. She is missed by her neighbors and many friends for who she was always ready to lend a helping hand especially in the sick room where she was so tender and kind. She being a member of the Methodist church here, was a true Christian and a great worker in all lines of church work. She was a Sunday School teacher till her health failed. Everything that loving hands and medical skill could do was done for Maggie, as so many of us called her, for it seemed that she was needed so much to mother her two little daughters, but such is happening all through our lives and we don't understand but we will some day. The young husband and relatives have the sympathy of a host of friends.

WIMP.

Notes:

---

Died Near Tupelo Tuesday night after a long illness with tuberculosis, and the remains were interred at the Edens Cemetery near Hester at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

The deceased was the daughter of Tom Williams, of Eustace, Henderson County, and was reared in that county. She was a sister-in-law of Mrs. Tl. H. Bowden of Tupelo, Mrs. Will Sheets of Chatfield and Mrs. L. K. C. Fluker of Hester. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Bell of Chatfield and the remains were laid to rest in the presence of a large concourse of friends.

Notes:

---

Died Near Tupelo.

Mrs. J. D. Marion died at Tupelo last night after a long illness with tuberculosis, and the remains were interred at the Edens cemetery near Hester at 2 p.m. today.

Notes:

Mary Elizabeth "Bettie" (Alderman) Meredith
Feb 21, 1836 - Mar 22, 1919

DIED IN GALVESTON.

Husband Practiced Medicine in This County Many Years.

Mrs. Meredith, widow of Dr. T. J. Meredith, who was for many years, a physician here, at Dawson and at Rice, and who was buried here thirty years ago, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. A. D. Brown, in Galveston, Sunday night at the ripe old age of 83 years, and the remains were interred in Oakwood Cemetery this afternoon, the funeral taking place from the Sutherland Undertaking parlors, with Rev. B. W. Vining officiating. The deceased is survived by these children: Mrs. A. D. Brown, Galveston; Mrs. L. L. Boyd, Mayfield, Ky., and T. S. Meredith of McLeod, Okla., and by one sister, Mrs. P. J. Harrison of Purdon.

Notes:

Joseph Edgar Millender
Dec 19, 1840 - Mar.28, 1918

Died in Houston.

Joe Milner, who formerly lived in Corsicana, and worked for the Drane Co., died in Houston this morning. The deceased was a cousin of J. N. Walling of Corsicana. His wife died while he lived in Corsicana and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery. Five children, three sons and two daughters, survive.

Notes:

Julia Ann (Trotti) Isbell-Seelig
Jan 4, 1833 - Jul 19, 1919

Venerable Lady Passes Away.

Mrs. Julia Seelig, aged nearly eighty-seven years, died Saturday night at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Dr. Harper, on North Beaton street, and the remains were interred in Oakwood yesterday afternoon at 5 o'clock. Rev. C. H. Booth officiated. Edgar Metcalf, Mrs. Henry Robbins, Mrs. J. L. Dockum and Jack Haslam sang, and Messrs. Harry Sedgeley, Claude Allen, Grover Jennings, F. P. Harger, E. T. Wilson and C. F. Foster acted as pall-bearers. There were many beautiful floral offerings. Besides her daughter, the deceased is survived by two sons, W. J. Seelig, of Corsicana, and S. W. Isbell of Louisiana. The deceased was a native of Tallahassee, Florida, but had lived in Texas since 1846, and her last husband the father of W. J. Seelig, was a veteran of the Mexican War. The deceased had lived in Corsicana since 1876. She had led a quiet, sweet spirited Christian life through all of these years, and was loved by all who knew her and her memory will last as a sweet savor in the minds of all who knew and loved her.

Notes:

Sevalia/Savalia (Penny) Till
Jun 19, 1896 - Feb 2, 1919

Died Near Here

Mrs. Sevalia Till, aged twenty-three years, wife of A. E. Till, died at the family home near the brick yards yesterday afternoon of blood poison, and the remains were interred in Oakwood at two o'clock this afternoon. The deceased is survived by her husband.

Notes:

Mary Leitha Walton
May 1, 1894 - Jun. 3, 1919

Funeral Took Place This Afternoon

The funeral services of the late Miss Leitha Walton took place from the family home two miles north of town at 3 o'clock this afternoon. The services were conducted by Rev. C. H. Booth, and eight young ladies, members of the Sunday School class of Mrs. Geo. E. Jester, to which the deceased belonged acted as the honorary pallbearers, they were Misses Ethelmae Tatum, Hazel Davis, Florence Holman, Florence Blackburn, Annie Franklin, Ethel Roughton, Mary Trimble and Frances Harwell, and the active pall bearers were Clarence Pittman, Suttle Roberts, Percy Blackburn, Percy Williams, Lender Walton and Neal Walton.

There were many beautiful floral offerings.

Notes:

Mary Louisa (Petty) Walton
Nov 19, 1840 - Oct 6, 1919

DEATH OF OLD RESIDENT.

Highly Esteemed lady passed Away Last Night.

Mrs. Jas. A. Walton, formally Miss Mary Petty passed away at 2 a.m. this morning.

Mrs. Walton, though not confined to her bed but a few days, has been a painful though patient sufferer for more than twelve years as the result of a fall that fractured her hip and rendered her unable to walk without the use of a crutch.

She was a most consistent member of the Methodist church and lived and died in the faith of her blessed Redeemer.

She was universally loved by all who came in contact with her pure unselfish Christian life. Mrs. Walton was one of the oldest living residents of the county, having come here with her parents from Tennessee in 1849. Then but a few log and board houses marked this place as a settlement.

Her brother J. S. Petty was the second child born in Corsicana and is the only member of the family now living, of a family of eleven children. She was just ten years old at that time.

Mrs. Walton has read, either daily or weekly, some Navarro county publication regularly for forty years and regardless of being a shut in was perhaps one of the best posted persons in the county on recent as well as earlier events.

She was the mother of the following children: Mrs. Low Pittman, Mrs. Emma Walton, George W. Walton, T. J. Walton, W. W. Walton of Corsicana and M. M. Walton of Yoakum, Texas.

The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock, from her late residence, 629 North Tenth Street with interment at the family cemetery, three miles northeast of Corsicana, and Rev. C. H. Booth will officiate.

Notes:

Elizabeth Estes
Apr 19, 1916 - Dec 21, 1919

Remains Interred Here Yesterday.

Elizabeth, the 3 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Estes of Roane died at family home there Saturday night after a long illness and the remains were brought here yesterday and interment took place in Oakwood at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Funeral services were conducted at the home by Rev. B. W. Vining, assisted by Rev. Carlson of Roane.

Notes:

--

In Memory of Elizabeth Estes

On Saturday, Dec. 20, 1919, the stainless soul of Elizabeth Estes wafted its way to the spirit world beyond, and was laid to rest in Oakwood cemetery Dec. 21.

We extend our deepest sympathy to the bereaved ones but weep not as those who have no hope, for we have a hope of meeting her in a sweet bye and bye, where parting comes no more and where God will wipe all tears from our eyes.

Could she speak to us from the glory world we are sure she would say, �not unto me but unto Jesus' name be glory given, because he has prepared for me this sweet delightful home.: From a natural standpoint we view her death as untimely; from a spiritual standpoint, we view it as being perfect. Harmonious with the will of Him who doeth all things well. How true it is that we never know the real value of our loved ones, until they are weighed on the balances of death.

Her life to us was an open book, and the record she left is "better than pearly marble slabs, or shafts of flinty stones." Her name was as fair and radiant as the stars in heaven, her character as pure and as spotless as the driven snow.

Oh, how she will be missed, how dark and sad seems the way for the bereaved ones; their hearts are torn and bleeding, their burdens seem almost more than they can bear. It is all for a little while and then great everlasting happiness comes to reign for ever and ever.

Little Elizabeth only bloomed for a short while in this great wide world. She being only 9 years old when her heavenly Father called her up there to dwell with Him and other loved ones. But weep not dear ones, but look to God for aid, for it takes much sorrow and many sufferings to prepare for a better world.

Oh, it is so sad to know she is gone and it is so lonely without her. A place is vacant in their home which never can be filled. May God guide their footsteps in the way of righteousness, and keep their minds free from the thoughts of sin; as again they can meet little Elizabeth and other loved ones in that beautiful home where there is no sad parting to come, for we don't know what minute this life will be ended and we should be prepared to meet death at any time, whether it be soon or late.

She was attended by a good physician s ever fought death, or watched with anxiety at the bedside of a patient. She was tenderly nursed by those whom one writer has been pleased to call "Earth's Angels." The day of the burial is a sadly remembered day to us all. There was a large concourse of surviving relatives and friends, and the floral offerings were many and beautiful.

Our dearest schoolmate is dead
And her dark head
Is ever now before our eyes.
In fancy we can see her still
Lying by the window sill
Any yet in the grave she lies.

We listen for her lips
The sweetest words to lisp
But we listen all in vain.
The kind words so sweet
She never will repeat
No, she will never speak again.

Our beloved one is now in her grave
Angels watch over her
God will take care of what He gave
We will not despair
For we will see her
When we meet her over there.

Oh when we meet her
Oh when we greet her
In the land that knows no pain
When we see her holy face
Lift to us in sweetest grace,
Never more we'll part again.

A FRIEND.

Notes:

May (Shanks) Hollan-Ayers
Jun 23, 1885 - Nov 2, 1919

Died Yesterday Morning

Mrs. May Ayers, wife of W. L. Ayers, died at the family home, 502 East Tenth avenue, at 5 o'clock yesterday morning, and the remains were interred in Oakwood at 10 o'clock this morning, Rev., B. W. Vining officiating, and G. W. Little, Robt. Mayo, B. H. Hale, P. H. Magie, J. F. Taylor and G. W. Blue officiating. The deceased is survived by her husband and three children.

Notes:

  • The Corsicana Daily Sun - Monday, Nov 3, 1919
  • Submitted by Diane Richards
  • 1st husband Frazier Hollan married Jul. 30, 1901 (son Clifford Burns Hollan's death certificate says Benjamin F. Hollan) 2nd husband Wilson L. Ayers married Jul. 6, 1918 d/o John Thomas Shanks and Ardelia Elizabeth (Burns) Shanks bured in Hillside Cemetery, DeWitt, Tx.

Neal Smith Hamilton
Jun. 28, 1850 - Nov. 6, 1919

Funeral Was Well Attended

The remains of the late N. S. Hamilton who died at his home here on Thursday night were interred in Oakwood this morning at 10 o'clock. Funeral services at the house were conducted by Rev. B. W. Vining, and were conducted at the grave by the Odd Fellows. A large number of friends were present and there were many floral offerings.

Notes:

---

VENERABLE CITIZEN DIED

Had Been a Resident of Navarro County Fifty Years.

N. S. (Gov.) Hamilton, who would have been seventy years of age at his next birthday, died at his residence here last night at 7:30, after a long illness. The deceased had been a resident of this county for near fifty years, and was well known and had many friends. He was a man of fine native sense, an much mother wit, and of strong person conditions. He is survived by his wife and four sons, Hon. Dexter Hamilton of Corsicana, Judge R. H. Hamilton of Port Lavara, C. C. Hamilton, of Dallas; and Jamie Hamilton of Texarkana.

The funeral will take place tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock from the family home, 1562 West Fifth Ave. and will be under the auspices of the Odd Fellows.

Notes:

Lucy McElwee
Mar 28, 1861 - Oct 27, 1919

REMAINS INTERRED TODAY.

Funeral of Miss Lucy McElwee Was Largely Attended.

The funeral services over the remains of the late Miss Lucy McElwee were held at the family home, 1035 West Fourth Avenue at 4 o'clock this afternoon Rev. J. C. Mullins of the First Christian Church officiating, and Messrs, J. R. Webb, Cal E. Kerr, G. E. Mitchell, O. E. Hyndman, A. Weldermann, Ike Levy, R. R. Molloy and T. P. Kerr acting as pallbearers. A large concourse of friends followed the remains in their last resting place and there were many beautiful flowers placed about her bier.

Notes:

Frances Adele Kanter
Sep 8, 1912 - Aug 13, 1919

Death of Little Girl.

Frances Kanter, the little afflicted niece of Mrs. Scott Bagby, and granddaughter of the late Mrs. N. B. Bruner, died at the P. and S. Hospital yesterday afternoon after several days illness with scarlet fever. The remains were interred in Oakwood at 11 o'clock this morning. The mother of the little girl died here some years ago, and its father, who is a citizen of Germany, and who served through the late war with the German army, but who is still alive, is still in Germany.

Notes:

Lelia Bell (Hollan) Lake
Jul 13, 1894 - Jan 15, 1919

Died Here Last Night.

Mrs. Lelia Lake, wife of Hub Lake died at the family home on West Eleventh Avenue, last night of pneumonia following influenza. The deceased was twenty-six years old and is survived by her husband and two children. The remains were interred in Oakwood this afternoon at 2:30, Rev. R. A. Crosby officiating.

Notes:

  • The Corsicana Daily Sun - Thursday, Jan 16, 1919
  • Submitted by Diane Richards
  • w/o Leslie Claud "Hub" Lake married Dec. 23, 1911 d/o James H. "Jim" Hollan & Lula Bell (Jones) Hollan-Berryhill (Lula is buried in Athens City Cemetery)
  • (some sources say Holland)

Alma A. Holland
Aug 27, 1892 - Jan 10, 1929

MAN DIED SUDDENLY AT LULING; BURIAL CORSICANA SUNDAY

The body of Alma A. Holland, aged 38 years, who died suddenly in Luling Thursday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock, arrived in Corsicana at an early hour Saturday morning and the funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock with interment in Oakwood Cemetery. Mr. Holland formerly resided in Corsicana.

Mr. Holland had been sick with the flu but had gotten up when he was stricken with a heart attack and died almost instantly.

Surviving are two children, mother, Mrs. Ben Berryhill, Athens, several half-brothers and other relatives.

Sutherland Undertaking company will have charge of the funeral.

Notes:

  • The Corsicana Daily Sun - Saturday, Jan 12, 1929
  • Submitted by Diane Richards
  • (Some sources say Hollan & others say Holland)
    h/o Ella (Brown) Hollan married May 31, 1910 s/o James H. "Jim" Hollan & Lela Bell (Jones) Hollan-Berryhill (Lela is buried in Athens City Cemetery)

--

ALMA A. HOLLAND BURIED HERE; DIED AT LULING THURSDAY

Funeral services for Alma A. Holland, aged 36 years, who died in Luling, Texas suddenly Thursday afternoon at 3:50 o'clock, were held Sunday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock with interment in Oakwood cemetery. The body arrived in Corsicana Saturday morning. He formerly resided in Corsicana.

Mr. Holland had been ill with influenza but had gotten up when he was stricken with a heart attack and died almost instantly.

Sutherland's Undertaking company had charge of the funeral.

Surviving are two children, mother, Mrs. Ben Berryhill, Athens, and several half-brothers.

Notes:

James David McNeel
Apr 3, 1876 - Dec 2, 1919

Died At Petty Chapel.

J. D. McNeel, aged forty-three years, died in the Petty Chapel community Tuesday night and the remains were interred in Oakwood yesterday afternoon. The wife and several relatives survive.

Notes:

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