Funeral services for Jean Hoover, 70, of Canutillo were held Wednesday, June 13, at 10:30 a.m. at graveside in Spur Memorial Cemetery.

She died June 10 in Suntowers Hospital, El Paso, following a lengthy illness. Born Jean Wade on June 13, 1914 in Floydada, she married Ray Hoover in Roby on October 8, 1933. She spent most of her childhood years in Kent County. A homemaker, she has lived for the past 12 years in Canutillo. She was a member of the Methodist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Ray Hoover, Canutillo; six sisters, Jem Kelso, Goldwaithe; Billie Baxter, Mesilla, NM; Jo Chandler and Neyso Joy Forbes, both of El Paso; Pegeen Krabbenschmidt, Hillsborough, CA; and Jane Mowrey, Glendale, CA.

Pallbearers included Travis Hoover, Bud Hoover, Doyle Hoover and Ralph Brantner.

Source; The Texas Spur, June 20, 1985. Submitted by Lillian Grace Nay.

Funeral services for Mrs. A. Fry, 90, Spur, were held Monday [22 Jun 1959] in the Spur Church of Christ, C.V. Allen officiating. He was assisted by minister Robert Bankhead.

Mrs. Fry, a resident of Spur since 1948 died in Spur Memorial Hospital Sunday [21 Jun 1959] following a long illness.

Interment was in Red Mud Cemetery.

Survivors include two sons, A.A. Fry, Spur and R.E. Fry, Clayton, NM. She was preceded in death by her husband who died in 1929.

Sixteen grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren survive.

Pallbearers were Thedford Fry, Alex Fry, Dale Fry, Nelson Fry, Edd Fry and Eric Fry.

Source: The Texas Spur, Thursday, June 25, 1959.

Services for Thomas Carroll Williams, 69, were held at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church, Spur, with Rev. E. G. Lambright, pastor of the Smyer Baptist Church, officiating.

Williams died June 2, about 9:30 p.m. in Lubbock. Born, May 28, 1918, in Spur, he had lived the past 18 years in Smyer where he had served as school custodian. He was an Army veteran of World War II and a member of the Smyer Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Imogene Williams, Smyer; two sons, Tommy Williams, Smyer and Rickey Williams, Lubbock; one brother, Joe D. Williams, Abilene.

Burial was in Red Mud Cemetery with Campbell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

The Texas Spur, June, 1987.

NEWS ARTICLE

S. P. Fireman Killed when Hit by Train in Wellborn Mishap

A Southern Pacific fireman was killed Thursday [September 7, 1939] at Wellborn, near Navasota, when he was struck by a passing passenger train.

W. W. Wootan 37 of 1212 Quitman, was the fireman on a freight train that had pulled into a siding to allow a passenger train to pass. A Southern Pacific official said that Wootan apparently stepped from his engine into the path of the passenger train.

Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Leone Wootan; a daughter, Mae Lavelle Wootan, both of Houston; his mother, Mrs. Frank Wootan of Bremond; a sister, Mrs. W. R. Poore of Houston; a brother, Leslie Wootan of San Antonio and his grandmother, Mrs. Susie Corbin of Bremond.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am Saturday in the Fogle-West Chapel with Rev. E. S. Hutcherson, pastor of the Trinity Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Park Cemetery under the direction of Fogle-West.

Source: Houston Chronicle, Friday September 8, 1939, page 14. Submitted by Sally Pinkos Brantner.

W. W. Wootan 37, 1212 Quitman, Southern Pacific Railway fireman, died at 12:10 pm Thursday at Wellborn, near Navasota.

He had been employed by the Southern Pacific Railroad for 19 years. He was a member of Local 506, Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen. He was a member of Trinity Baptist Church.

Survivors are his Wife, Mrs. Leone Wootan; a daughter, Mae Lavelle Wootan, both of Houston; his mother, Mrs. Frank Wootan of Bremond; a sister, Mrs. W. R. Poore of Houston; a brother, Leslie Wootan of San Antonio and his grandmother, Mrs. Susie Corbin of Bremond.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am Saturday in the Fogle-West Chapel with Rev. E. S. Hutcherson officiating.

Active pallbearers: W. Appleby, Harvey Bell, Dave Ebersol, J. A. Talbert, Ralph Albertson, B. H. Roberts.

Honorary pallbearers: All employees of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Fogle-West directing.

Source: Houston Chronicle Obit Friday September 8, 1939 pg 1 second section. Submitted by Sally Pinkos Brantner.

Earl W Watson, 78, lifetime Houston area resident died January 10, 1993.

Funeral services 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Chapel of Colonial Funeral Home, Rev. T. Lamar Mathis officiating.

Interment: Grand View Memorial Park. Colonial Funeral Home 901 South Main, 472-4337.

Source: Houston Chronicle, 1-11-1993. Submitted by Sally Pinkos Brantner.

DEAN WHITE

Funeral services for Ernest Dean White, 69, were conducted at 2:00 p.m. Sunday [January 13, 1985] at First Baptist Church in Bremond with Rev. Stan Ortner officiating. Burial was in the Petteway Cemetery near Bremond.

Mr. White passed away at his home in Bremond Friday morning [January 11, 1985].

Mr. White was born in the Post Oak Community and had lived in the Bremond area all his life. He attended White Rock School.

His parents were the late Robert Hanley White and Minnie Etta Brantner White.

He married Eunice Leamon 47 years ago.

He was a farmer and a member of First Baptist Church in Bremond.

Survivors include his wife, Eunice Leamon White of Bremond; son, Robert Leamon White of Bremond; three brothers, Leonard White, Ray White and Herman White, all of Bremond; two sisters, Vernese Jackson of Bremond and Maurine Bodiford of San Antonio; and two grandchildren, Russell and Amy.

Pallbearers were Rodger White, Ronnie White, Larry Bodiford, Billy Wayne Bodiford, William Jackson and Nester Leamon.

Peiskee Funeral Home of Bremond had charge of arrangements.

Source: Jerilyn Jones Yates, unidentified newspaper clipping, January, 1985. Transcribed by Sally Pinkos Brantner.

Vernese Jackson

Funeral services for Vernese Jackson, age 87, of Splendora were held at 1 pm on Sunday, August 15, 1999 at the Herds Prairie Church in the Petteway community. Brother Frank Downs of Marlin was the officiating minister.

Burial was in the Herds Prairie Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Terry Jackson, Monroe Coleman, Wesley Coleman, Robert White, Rodger White and Matthew Coleman.

Mrs. Jackson died Aug. 12th in the Cleveland Regional Medical Center [Cleveland, Liberty, Texas]. She was born on April 22, 1912 in Falls County. She was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Christ.

Survivors include a son, B. W. Jackson, Jr.(and wife Grace) of Angleton; a daughter, Nona Coleman (and husband George) of Splendora; two brothers, Ray White and Leonard White, both of Bremond; three grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Bremond Funeral Home was in charge of funeral arrangements.

Source: The Bremond Press via Jerilyn Jones Yates. Transcribed by Sally Pinkos Brantner.

Maurine Bodiford

San Antonio - Funeral services for Mrs. Maurine Bodiford, 69, were held January 25,1985, at 1:00 p.m. at the Harlandale Baptist Church. The reverend Bob Holbrook and Reverend Bob Krause officiated. Interment was in the Mission Burial Park South Cemetery in San Antonio.

Mrs. Bodiford, who resided at 418 West Dickson, passed away Tuesday, January 22, in Santa Rosa Medical Center [San Antonio].

Mrs. Bodiford was born August 30, 1915, in the Post Oak community. She was married to William M. Bodiford on December 15, 1930 at Bremond, Texas. He proceeded her in death on January 13, 1978.

Survivors include her two sons, Billy Bodiford and Larry Bodiford of San Antonio; a sister, Vernese Jackson, of Bremond; three brothers, Ray White, Leonard White and Herman White, also of Bremond; and four grandchildren.

Source: Sally Pinkos Brantner, unknown newspaper, january 1985.

Herman L. White

Funeral services for Herman Lee White, age 71, were held 3pm on Sunday, May 9, 1999 at the First Baptist Church in Bremond. Brother Stan Ortner, Brother J. R. Tapley, Brother David Schafroth officiated at the services.

Interment was in the Petteway Cemetery. Grandsons served as pallbearers.

Mr. White died on May 6th in Bremond. He was born in the White Rock community on September 21, 1927. He graduated as valedictorian of the class of 1944 of Bremond High School and attended A&M University. He married Mary Beth McKinney.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bremond where he served as song leader, superintendent of Sunday school, taught Adult Men's Bible Class and served as deacon for 20 years.

Mr. White will be remembered for many things. He enjoyed every aspect of his life. He enjoyed sports of all kinds but especially baseball. His farm and ranch were not only his livelihood but something that he enjoyed. His "hogs," though were his favorites. He raised poultry for 20 years and owned and operated a feed store for 30 years.

He was known for his love of talking to "folks". He never met a stranger. Mr. White had served as County Commissioner of Precinct 4 in Robertson County. While in that position he built the county barn on White Rock road that is still being used by the county.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Beth White of Bremond; two sons, Rodger White of Bremond and Johnathan (Jay) White and wife Barbara of Franklin; four daughters, Marietta Lawson and husband Homer of Axtell, Sue Yezak and husband Leon, Jr. of Marlin, Jan Hughes of Franklin and Farah Robinson and husband Bo of Bangs; two brothers, Royal R. White and wife Leota, and Leonard White, all of Bremond; a sister, Vernese Jackson of Sheppard; 15 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Peiskee Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Source: The Bremond Press, May 14, 1999. Transcribed by Jerilyn Jones Yates.

Royal Ray White

Funeral services for Royal Ray White, age 77, were held at 11am on Friday, January 14, 2000 in the Peiskee Funeral Home Chapel.

Interment was in the Post Oak Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were nephews, Billy Wayne Bodiford, Russell White, Robert White, Ronald White, Rodger White and Johnathan White.

Mr. White died Jan. llth in Marlin. He was born on April 4, 1922 in the White Rock community. He was the son of Robert H. and Minnie Brantner White. He graduated from Bremond High School in 1939.' He was a sergeant in the Army Air Corps. He was a Baptist.

After years of service he retired as a lineman from Southern California Edison Power Company, where he was a member of the union. When he returned to Bremond he enjoyed his cattle and working on his ranch.

Survivors include his wife, Leota Blaine White of Marlin; two sons, James White of Marlin and Steven White of Culver City, California; one brother, Leonard White of Bremond; and other relatives.

Source: The Bremond Press, January 21, 2000. Transcribed by Jerilyn Jones Yates.

Prentis Eugene Williams -- Feb. 2, 1953 - July 13, 2001

BREMOND Services for Prentis Eugene Williams, 48, of Bremond are set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the Herds Prairie Church in Cuttaway, Texas.

Donald Fulton of Rosebud, Texas, will officiate. Burial will be in Herds Prairie Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Bremond Funeral Home in Bremond.

Mr. Williams died Friday in Falls Community Hospital.

He was born in Waco and was a warehouse supervisor.

Survivors include his parents, Q.T. and Geneva Williams of Bremond; two sisters, Evelyn Highnote of Grapevine, Texas, and Vanita Grant of Watagua, Texas; two nieces and two nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Source: The Bryan-College Station Eagle, July 14, 2001, provided by Sally Pinkos Brantner.

Mrs. Mattie Jane Rankin, wife of T.G. Rankin, of the White River community, passed away at her home about seven o'clock Tuesday morning after an illness of about eight weeks. She had been suffering of hypertension of the blood for some time and the direct cause of her demise was not announced at press time.

Funeral arrangements had not been completed at noon Tuesday, but is was supposed the funeral would be at Red Mud Baptist Church and interment would follow there sometime Wednesday afternoon.

Mrs. Rankin, whose maiden name was Miss Mattie Jane Wilson, was born at Salem, South Carolina, November 14, 1865. She came to Texas in an early day and the family made settlement in the eastern part of the state. She and Mr. Rankin were married in Leon County November 28, 1889. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in November 2 years ago. They moved to West Texas and settled in White River community November 14, 1913, where they have resided since.

The deceased is survived by her husband, T.G. Rankin; two daughters, Mrs. Ada Springer of Brownfield and Mrs. Ida Rankin Rucker of Spur; two sons, Melvin and L.L., both of Spur; one sister, Mrs. Emma Rankin of Brownwood; and one brother, Bert Wilson of El Campo, Texas.

Mrs. Rankin became converted early in life and affiliated with the Baptist church in which organization she held membership until her demise. She was always an ambassador for the right, and her daily walk of life had its influence for good.

Last minute word informs the Times that the funeral will be held at 2:00 o'clock Wednesday (today) afternoon with Rev. H.L. Burnan officiating.

Chandler Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements and interment.

Source: Dickens County Times, December 25, 1941. Transcribed by Becky Hodges, September 2004.

Note:
Died Tuesday, December 23, 1941.
Buried Wednesday, December 24, 1941.
Her grave marker has birth year 1866.

JOHN ATTIS “BILL” WILLIAMS

John Attis Williams (called "Bill"), b August 2, 1915, d October 5, 1983 in Marlin, Texas, was a son of William Luther and Mary Lee (Madry) Williams, was married on July 15, 1936 to Viola Ruth Jones, b June 27, 1919, a daughter of Waldron C. and Mary Imogene ("Jenkins") Jones.

"Bill" and Ruth lived at Alto Springs; he was a Deacon in the First Baptist Church at Kosse. He was a farmer and rancher, and was the community "Santa" at Christmas. Ruth resides at Alto Springs in 1986.

They had two children: Geneva Faye Williams, b June 16, 1940-married August 6, 1960 to John Earl Curtis. They live at Huntsville, and have three children: Gerald Allen, Randy Earl, and Pamela Kay Curtis.

Jack Arnold Williams, b December 17, 1946-married December 18, 1965 to Elizabeth Ann Holland. They live at Huntsville, and have Jacqueline Rene and Jennifer Michell Williams.

Source: "Families of Falls County," Complied by the Falls County Historical Commission. Transcribed by Theresa Carhart. Courtesy Gerrie Jones Yates.

George Vernon White, Jr., 91, passed away peacefully in New Braunfels, Texas on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.

George was born January 19, 1918 in Robertson County (Hammond), Texas to George Vernon, Sr. and Mary Lee Wiley White. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Julia Rose Luther, and brother Wiley Bates White.

He graduated from Bremond High School and married his sweetheart, Erma Faye Brantner, on April 26, 1935. They celebrated 74 years of marriage.

George was a World War II Veteran, having served in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps from 1943-1945. Following the war, he spent 48 years in the petroleum industry as a landman working for Marathon Oil Company, Midwest Oil Corporation, and as an Independent. He was a charter member of American Association of Petroleum Landmen and a member of Pioneer Oil Producers Society.

He and Faye resided 25 years in Midland, Texas prior to retiring in Panorama Village, Texas in 1976. In 2008, they moved to Victoria, Texas and then to New Braunfels in 2009. George was an avid golfer, fisherman, outdoorsman, and historian. He devoted much of his time to volunteering in his community and was an active member of the Beacon Sunday School Class and First United Methodist Church of Conroe.

He is survived by his wife Faye of New Braunfels; daughter, Cathy White Brunicardi (Greg Decker) of Weesatche, Texas; three grandchildren, Emily Catherine New (Robert Mercado), Tally White Tripp, and Matthew Carlos Brunicardi; two great-grandsons Robert Alfred and Ari Lucero Mercado, all of San Antonio, Texas.

A memorial service is planned at Landa Park in New Braunfels with interment of ashes at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio at a later date. In memoriam contributions may be made to Cal Farley’s, P. O. Box 1890, Amarillo, TX 79174-0001; Wounded Warrior Project, 7020 AC Skinner Pkwy., Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256; or a charity of your choice.

Condolences may be sent to Faye White and Family, P. O. Box 300, Weesatche, TX 77993.

Source: Conroe Courier Obituaries via Houston Community Newspapers Online, October 7, 2009. Submitted by Tally White Tripp, granddaughter.

John Elmer Wright, 87, of Crosbyton, and formerly of Spur died Thursday, September 24, 2009. Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, September 26, at First Baptist Church in Spur with Rev. Tommy Henderson officiating. Interment will be in Spur Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Campbell Funeral Home.

Elmer was born November 24, 1921 in Cleburne [Johnson County, TX], to Asa and Ella Mae Oliver Wright. He was a WWII US Army veteran. He married Louise Smith August 30, 1975 in Dickens. He worked as a custodian at Spur ISD for 23 years before his retirement, and was a member of the VFW and First Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five sisters, and three brothers.

Elmer is survived by his wife, Louise of Spur; one son, J.C. Wright and wife Connie of Grand Prairie; one daughter, Gale Compton of Grand Prairie; two step-sons, James Pevehouse of Brackettville and Jerry Pevehouse of Williams, Ariz.; one brother, Paul Wright of Seguin; three grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials to South Dickens Senior Citizens Center, 210 Burlington, Spur, TX 79370.

Source: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Saturday, September 26, 2009 via Dickens County Rootsweb.

Martha Thomas

Mrs. Martha A. Thomas, wife of D. E. Thomas, after a prolonged illness was called to her reward February 25 [1917]. For the past two years she and her husband had made their home with their daughter, Mrs. John Luce.

Mrs. Thomas was born Feb. 1, 1843 in Louisiana and came to Texas 66 years ago. She made a profession of religion at a camp meeting in Hunt county and joined the Methodist Church in 1872.

The 7 living children with their father were with her in her last days of sickness. Mrs. Pritchett, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. John Luce, R. E. Thomas all of Spur, and J. L. Thomas of Hunt County, Mrs. W.A. [Goss] and M.E. Goss of Abilene are the seven living children.

Our sympathy goes out to all of these as well as to the other relatives and friends. At a ripe old age God has seen fit to carry another from this world of sorrow and suffering to her reward.

Source: The Texas Spur, March 2, 1917 via Dickens County RootsWeb.

Tommy Williams 63, passed away on January 15, 2012 in Lubbock, Texas. He was born on March 22, 1948 in Clayton, New Mexico to Carroll and Imogene Fry Williams.

Tommy is survived by one brother Rick [Ricky Dodson] Williams of Lubbock, Texas. Tommy was preceded in death by his parents Carroll and Imogene Williams.

Graveside services will be on Wednesday January 18, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Red Mud Cemetery with Gail Graves officiating under the direction of Campbell Funeral Home in Spur, Texas.

Source: Campbell Funeral Home online, via Barbara Vernell Fry Sheets (aunt).