The Robert Crow Bassett Family - Family Histories

     Robert Crow Bassett, Sr., son of Thomas and Sarah Bassett, was born November, 1853 in Akansas. He emigrated to the territory of New Mexico, where he met and married Martha (Stafford) Slack, a widow, July, 1883. They moved to a farm on the Colorado River in McCulloch County prior to 1900 and shortly thereafter into Coleman County, settling in the Rockwood Community. Five children were born to this union, Leila J., November, 1883; Robert Crow, Jr., April, 1885; Mollie J., November, 1888; Prudence F., September, 1891; and Daniel S., February, 1895. All married and left Coleman, except Leila and Robert C., nicknamed Bob. Leila was the first woman in Coleman County to hold the office of County Tax Collector. She later married and now lives in Abilene. Robert C. Sr., was buried, according to legend, on the Stewardson Ranch in the southern part of Coleman County. Martha, his widow, moved into Coleman with her five children and supported the family as a music teacher. She died in 1908, buried in Coleman.

     Robert C., Jr., a member of the Baptist Church and a school trustee at Echo from 1923 - 1925, married Callie Dalpha Curry, daughter of John Thomas and Elizabeth Curry, August, 1908 in Coleman. They had six children: Lillian Lorene, February, 1911; Hazel Lucille, August, 1913; Bobbie Lee, August, 1915; Nannie Mae, July, 1918-died 1919; a boy, stillborn 1919; and Robert Thomas, June, 1921. (See Joel Curry). Robert C. worked diligently in providing for his family In 1911 he worked in building the railroad across the state. Later, he returned to Coleman and worked on the Dibrell Ranch at Echo. In 1931, he moved his family to the Rockwood Community and worked for George Garrett. In 1938, he moved to Coleman and built the Bassett Laundry, which he operated until about 1946. All his children were married, so he and Dalpha returned to their first love and purchased a farm at Rockwood, where they remained until his death in 1948. Dalpha died in 1969, both buried in Coleman.

     Lillian Lorene, born in Nacogdoches, married Benton Frazier Beeler, August, 1926. He was the eldest son of David A. and Mary Lucinda Beeler. (See David A. Beeler). To this marriage one daughter was born, Bettye Dean, December, 1934, married Walter B. Smith, youngest son of Rufus and Velma Smith, in January, 1952. They had three daughters; Cynthia, (Cindy), born October, 1953, married Foy Wayne Knowles, Jr. (see Foy Wayne Knowles), Jana D., born May, 1952, married Fred Knowles, son of Fred and Ima (Hubbard) Knowles, May, 1973. Lori S., born August, 1963, married Cameron Lewis, June 1980 Lillian Lorene attended schools at Echo and Independence. Transportation was by horseback and lunch was provided from a tin pail.

Hazel L., born in Hamilton County, married J. B. Brooke, son of Joe and Eva Brooke, in August, 1930. (See J. B. Brooke). Peggy J.'s children are Vonda, Glen, and Stacy. Shirly raised a daughter, Jeaney. James had two children, Brannon, adopted, and Cory. Great- grandchildren are Tammy, Shane, Jo Don, Brooke, Chris, and Heather.

     Bobbie Lee was born on the Dibrell Ranch, called the Lower Ranch at that time. She grew up in Camp Colorado, Echo and Independence Communities and attended all these schools. She also enrolled in Coleman High School in the fall of 1933 to graduate, but married, instead of going to school, Bob Pope, in December 1933. They had six children: Gloria June, born in June, 1936, Robert Dale, January 30, 1940, Glenda Gail, December 29, 1942, Kenneth, December 27, 1946, Patricia Helen, September 12, 1949, and Donna Lee, December 30, 1953. All the children were born in Coleman and delivered by Dr. Jennings, "Grand old Guy." All graduated from Coleman High School, except Robert Dale. He got a hanker'n to join the army; and was in the 101 Air Borne Co. for about 11 years, and got his high school diploma in the service. Bobbie Lee was divorced in 1964.

       (1) Gloria June married Travis Gordon, August 12, 1955, has two boys, David Glenn, February 28, 1962, and John Dale, September 9, 1967. Robert Dale married Susie Bruce while serving in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, August, 1960. They had three children: Kathy June, May, 1961; Robert Warren, March, 1963, in Germany; Constance Yvonne, August, 1964, in Henderson, Kentucky.

        (2) Robert was killed in Viet Nam, March 26, 1968, buried in Coleman with Honors.

       (3) Glenda Gail married Thurman Anderson, December, 1960, had two children, Monty Jack, July, 1962, and Robin Gail, August, 1964.\\

     (4) Kenneth married Linda Ruth, October 16, 1978, and has one daughter, Kimberly, August, 1981.

       (5) Patricia Helen married Houston (Butch) Overturff, December 15, 1972, has two children, Jill Rae, June 11, 1976, and Cody Mac, July, 1980.

     (6) Donna Lee married Larry Franke, May 29, 1971, has two children, Monica Raye, August 13, 1974, and Aaron Luke, July 17, 1980.

     Bobbie Lee married (2) Roy Glen Gardner, November 25, 1971. Bob Pope died July 30, 1983.

     Robert T., married Maxine Williams, daughter of Henry and Betty Williams, in 1938. They had two children, Ronald and Linda Kay.

pictures to be added

Martha Slack Bassett - 1890

Robert Grow Bassett, Sr. - 1890

R. C. Bassett Family- 1942, Top row: Lorene Beeler,
R. I. Bassett, Bobbie Pope, Bob Bassett, Hazel Brooke, Dalpha Bassett; Bottom row: Bettye Beeler, James Brooke, Peggy Brooke, Gloria Pope, Shirley Brooke