HARRIET O. COBURN

On the 10th September 1864 at 17 years of age, Harriet O. Coburn, eldest daughter of Hansel and Mirian Hol Coburn of this county, died.

STERLING J. ROSS - Feb. 1865

Mr. Sterling J. Ross died at the home of his father-in-law, Rev. S. Box, of this county, on the 20th.  He had been sick for several months.

INFANT SON BURTON - July 1865

The third child of Mr. D.L. Burton, a little boy of eight years old, was buried along with his mother yesterday.

REV. J.P. PRITCHARD

Rev. J.P. Pritchard, who died at the residence of his son, William Pritchard, Feb. 11, 1890, was born of English parents in Charleston, SC, Sept. 1806.  During his infancy his parents returned to London, England, where he remained until his tenth year, when he returned, an orphan, to America.

In his Twenty-second year he was married to Miss Eliza Henderson, of Charlotte, NC, with whom he lived hapily until her death, Sept. 29, 1880.  Soon after his marriage he made a profession of religion and joined the Presbyterian church.  Two years later he nited with the Baptist church, of which he was a member until his death.  More than fifty years he was a faiithful minister of the gospel.

He moved to Texas in the year 1854.  One year later he came to Houston County.  He served the Crockett church as pastor a number of years, besides a number of other churches in this and Leon County.  Notwithstanding he was more than 83 years of age, he continued to preach ossasionally until his last sickness. 

Six children of 13 survive their father of who are, Mrs. John Miller, Mrs. Henry Leaverton, Mr. william Pritchard, Miss Tidy Pritchard, of Crockett; Mrs. Lummy Thomas, now a resident of Florida; and Dr. Tom Pritchard, pastor of First Baptist Church, Wilmington, NC.

JUDGE A.E. GOSSETT DEAD - 1890

It becomes our painful duty this week to record the death of Judge A.E. Gossett, an old and highly respected citizen of Crockett, which occurred Monday morning last at his residence near this city.

He was an old pioneer, having settled in Texas 56 years ago, and was a veteran in the war between Texas and Mexico, and at one time owned the land on which Crockett now stands.  He was, at the time of his death, 78 years old.

Mr. Gossett was a member of the Masonic Order and was buried on Tuesday morning by that fraternity.  All the business houses of the town closed and his remains were followed to the grave by a vast concourse of friends and relatives.  The Courier tenders to the widow and other bereaved relatives its sympathies in their loss.

OBITUARIES....Judge A.E. Gossett

Departed this life, Judge Andrew E. Gossett, at his residence near the town of Crockett at 5 o'clock a.m., on the 24th of March, 1890.

Judge gossett was confined to his bed about ten days with an attack of la grippe; relapsed, then bronchitis set up, and though all was done for him that medical skill could do, aided by the efforts of a kind and devoted wife and affectionate children, yet the grim monster, Death, had marked him for his victim and he had to go.

Judge Gossett was born on the 19th day of July 1812, in the County of Hardeman in the State of Tennessee.  He came to Texas in 1832, and located in Houston County, and was a patriot and lover of his country.  He aided in ridding the county of the savages who infested it and in beating back the Mexican hordes, and living to see the development and prosperity of that county.

As an honest man, he held many offices of trust.  He was the first sheriff of Houston County; subquently a justice of the peace, county commissioner for a series of years and then county judge.

Judge Gossett leaves a kind and devoted wife and four affectionate, grown children ... two of them the fruits of a former wife, who has been waiting "over the river" for him for a number of years, and two by his disconsolate widow .... and many friends who mourn their irreparable loss.

MRS. SALLIE J. HOOKS

Sallie J. Hooks, nee Smith, wife of R.S. Hooks, was born June 13, 1853, died at her home in the county March 16, 1890 after a short illness.  She was a faithful member of the M.E. Church South.  May we all live so as to meet her in that heavenly land.  May the Grace of God comfort the bereaved husband three precious little children.

H.W. BEESON DEAD - Apr. 1890

We are again called upon to record the death of another old and highly respected citizen, that of H.W. Beeson, which occurred at his residence three miles south of town on Tuesday evening at one o'clock.  Mr. Beeson, being 78 years of age, was one of the oldest citizens of the county, and had lived here upwards of fifty years.  He was buried at White Rockburying grounds on Wednesday evening.  Thus has passed away another old landmark.  Peace to his ashes.

JOHN M. BROWN

John M. Brown was born Dec. 11, 1843 and died March 3, 1890.  God has called him away from those whom he loved and who loved him.  God has called him home where suffering and pain will be no more, and now that he is gone I am sad and lonely and the dear husband is missed.

M.E. Brown

MAJOR JOHN SMITH

In the death of Major John Smith, Houston County loses one of its oldest and valuable citizens.  The deceased was a native of North Carolina, and moved to Texas previous to the war.  He located in Houston County on the Brinity River, or near there, and engaged in the planting business.  He owned one of the finest plantations in East Texas, and was regarded as one of the county's most successful planters.

For several years he has done nothing other than exercise supervision over some farming interests of his son-in-law, Capt. Jno. H. Wootters.

Major Smith was a gentleman after the old school bype - highly educated, intelligent, courteous, and patriotic.  He leaves but one child, the wife of Capt. J.H. Wootters, with whom he has passed the latter years of his life.

J.M. COLLIER

J.M. Collier was born in Georgia, Dec. 22, 1841.  At an early age he came to Tyler County, TX, with his parents, John and Jane Collier.

On June 24, 1872, he was married to Miss H.B. Laird.  In a short time it was his misfortune that the dearest to all the earth to him, must pay the debt we all owe, and he was left alone.  He then came to Houston County, and on Oct. 11, 1874 was married to Mary D. Kilgore who made him a loving and faithful companion until the day of his death.

In 1888 he joined the Missionary Baptist Church and lived a consistent life.

On the day of July 29th at 3 o'clock p.m., 1890, he lay in the cold embrace of death.  His family loses a devoted and affectionate husband, a loving father, the church a useful member, the Farmer's Alliance a faithful friend, the Masonic members a true brother, and the community an old, reliable citizen.  Mr. Collier will be greatly missed.

MRS. A.W. BLEDSOE

On the 27th of August, 1890,  at the home of Mr. Wm. Kennedy, near Coltharp, Mrs. A.W. Bledsoe died.  She had been a resident of theis county since 1856.  She was born in Franklin Co., GA, April 1, 1815, moved to Coweta Co., GA, in 1828 and was married 1838.  She leaves a husband who had been her companion over fifty years, and two daughters, and many friends to mourn her departure.  She was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

A.C. HAIL

A.C. Hail was born May 15, 1860 in Houston County and was killed by lightning in Palo Pinto County of the 15th of Sept., 1890.  He was the son of Robert and Cornelia Hail and was reared on Hickory.  Babe, as he was familiarly known among his friends, was a young man of strong attachments and devoted to his friends.  His sudden death but illustrates the truth of the saying that "No man knows the day or the hour."  He leaves quite a number of relatives and friends, who sincerely mourn his death and will remember him always for his genuine worth.

J.M. CAMPBELL

J.M. Campbell was born in Carrol County, MS, on the 22nd day of Oct. 1855 and died in Crockett Oct. 18, 1890.  He was married to Miss Winnie Lou Purvis in 1885.  The fruits of this marriage were three children, one of whom preceded him to the spirit land, two remain to buffet the rough waves of life as orphans.  he was buried by the Masons as he was a member of that order.

ILAR EUGENE WILLIAMS - October 1890

Ilar Eugene, son of E.A. and X.J. Williams died at the home of his parents, at Luray, this County, on the 9th instand, age four years.  Ilar was a bright little boy, loved and cherished by his parents and his brothers and sisters.

JAMES W. MOORE

James W. Moore was born on the 29th day of June, 1829, in Limestone County, State of Alabama, emigrated to Texas in January, 1856; was united in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Sallie Bell in the summer of 1857.  The fruits of that marriage were six children, all of whom, except one son, have preceded him to the spirit world.  He was married a second time to Miss Annie Cook, who had been raised by his aunt, Mrs. George, on the 15th day of Sept. 1869.  The fruits of this second marriage were nine children, and all of them and a heartbroken widow survive him.  When he was called to pass through the valley of the shadow of death he feared no evil.  He arranged all of his business with as much composure as one before lying down to sleep.  He instructed all his children one by one how to live and act, and gave his widow advice as to her future management of her temporal affairs, and then said all is well, and fell asleep in Christ near Livingston, in Polk County, TX, Oct. 27th, 1890.

He was licensed to preach in the Methodist Episcopal Church South, as a local preacher, 1858, and continued to preach until his health failed.  He was an ordained deacon.  He purchased a library of medical books and studied them closely, and practiced medicine extensively in Polk County for the last fifteen years of his life.

May heaven smile upon that widow and her large and responsible family.

H.W. Moore.

MRS. IRA WALL - Nov. 14, 1890

We learn with much regret of the death of Mrs. Ira Wall on Sunday last.  She leaves an infant and several small children.

FLORENCE PACE

Courier - Nov. 14, 1890

The Courier sympathizes with Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Pace in the death of their little daughter, Florence.

The little one had been quite sick for several weeks, but improved so much that the fond parents were buoyed up with hopes of her recovery.  But she was called home Wednesday morning and she was laid to rest Thursday in the Crockett Cemetery.

MRS. C.T. GREGORY

Courier - Dec. 19, 1890

We were sorry to hear of the death of the wife of C.T. Gregory who left here Nov. 20th for the Panhandle.  She died at Morgan City, TX Dec. 5th of black jaundice.  She was the sister of Mrs. J.F. Plyler and was buried at Morgan City.

MOLLIE COOK

Mrs. Mollie Cook, wife of Columbus Cook, living near Porter Springs, died at her home on Thursday, Jan. 22, 1891.  When small she was left an orphan with two younger sisters, and two small brothers in her care to raise.  She bore her affliction without a murmur, died perfectly happy. 

She was a member of the Methodist Church and a kind and affectionate wife and sister.  She leaves a year old son, a husband, and a host of relatives to mourn her loss.

LINNIE CLARK

Courier - May 8, 1891

It is with feelings of deep and sincere regret that we are called on to chronicle the death of Mrs. Linnie Clark, wife of Van Clark.

Death resulted on Tuesday last.  Mrs. Clark was the daughter of Duuncan Clark, a substantial and highly respected farmer on the Elkhart, and was married to W.V. Clark about eighteen years ago.  She was just esteemed fro her piety, and the Christian graces of her character.  Mrs. Clark was a amember of the Baptist Church, from which services were held, on Wednesday, last, conducted by the Rev. S.F. Tenney.  She leaves one child only, Miss Madie.

MARTHA SUSAN GLENN

Mrs. Martha Susan Glenn, nee Wallace, nee Holmes, was born Sept. 1, 1848, in Upshaw Co., GA and came to Cherokee County, TX in 1858.  Her father died very soon after coming to Texas and her mother followed a few years later.  She was left with her sister to battle with the cold charities of the world. 

She was married to Wm. Wallace in 1870 and three months thereafter was left a widow.  In 1874 she was again married to W.B.F. Holmes with whom she lived happily for seven years when she was left a widow with one daughter eight years old.  Together they struggled laboring to maintain themselves through what trials none can know but those who have lived the life of the widow and orphan.

Sister Glenn joined the Baptist Church at the age of sixteen and lived consistently a member of it until her marriage with Mr. Glenn when she joined the Methodist Church.  She died January 3, 1891.  The Lord sanctify her death to the good of those of her loved ones that are left behind.

ROBERT BEASLEY - Courier, Aug. 7, 1891

Though expected for some time, the death of Mr. Robert Beasley on Saturday last caused much regret on the part of the public, especially those who know the estimable good lady who married him a short time since.  Mr. Beasley came to Crockett about eight months agro from San Antonio for the purpose of restoring and regaining his health.  Consumption in its incipient stages had already begun its ravages and he grew weaker and weaker until he was forced to take to his bed and remain there.

From Mrs. Fannie Long, the lady with whom he boarded, he received the tenderest and the most careful nursing.  The disease continued to become aggravated.  About four months ago on his deathbed, so to speak, he was married to the lady to whom he had been affianced for some time, Miss Lizzie Frank.

She had him removed to Elkhart Wells, hoping for a change for the better by drinking these waters.  The best medical skill, and the most devoted nursing by faithful wife and friends could not stay the disease.  He was buried Sunday afternoon.  The sympathies of the Courier and the community go out to the true woman who most keenly feels the affliction caused by his death.

DUNCAN CLARK

Duncan Clark died in Crockett on Friday last after a sickness of two months or more.

Mr. Clark was a native of Alabama, about sixty-five years of age, and for a long time a citizen of Texas and of Houston County.  He was a substantial farmer living on the Elkhart.

Mr. Clark was a member of the Christian Church. 

His remains were laid to rest on Saturday afternoon last, Rev. Mr. Gaddy, conducted the services.  Mr. Clark leaves a wife and three sons, two of whom are grown and thrifty farmers.

J.L. WILLIAMS

J.L. Williams, after a short illness, died on Tuesday night from pneumonia.  Drs. Beasley, J.L. Lipscomb, J.B. Smith, and J.L. Hall were all in attendance.

J.L. Williams came to Texas about twenty years ago and went into the law office of Nunn and Williams where he prepared himself for the practice of the profession.  In 1874 or 75 he was admitted to the bar and was engaged for awhile as a practicing attorney.

His remains were moved from his room where he died to the residence of his brother, Judge F.A. Williams, from which services were held on Wednesday evening.

He was secretary of the Lathrop Lodge, A.F. & A.M. and also of Trinity Chapter No. 4, and was buried with Masonic honors.

EPSIE LEE  CONNER

Died at Holly, TX, Nov. 1, 1891, Mrs. Epsie Lee Conner, in her seventeenth year.  We feel that we cannot refrain from saying something sacred to the memory of this sweet, dear woman.  May the Lord bless the grief-stricken husband in his loneliness and deep affliction, and bring him and his little one safe to where all will be as the angels.

RICHARD PENNINGTON, SR.

Richard Pennington, Sr., died at home near Daly, Houston Co., TX, Nov. 11, 1891.

Deceased was born in the state of Kentucky near Glascow, April 11, 1809, hence was, at death, 82 years and seven months old.

From Kentucky he went to Tennessee where he formed the acquaintance of and wedded Miss Polly Walling who was his faithful life companion, and survived him and is now far advanced in her seventy-eighth year.

From Tennessee they went to Missouri, remaining but a short time and came to Texas in 1839, living eight years south of Crockett on what is now known as the Beeson place.

Purchased and settled the homestead where he died, in 1847, and with his own hands improved his home where he reared and comfortably supported seven children, three sons and four daughters, all of whom survive him.

Doubtless it will be of interest to many to know that he was related to the noted Kentucky pioneer Daniel Boone.  His grandmother was the celebrated Boone's sister.

CAPTAIN JOHN H. WOOTTERS

It became my sad duty to record with you an event of more than ordinary significance in the death of our esteemed and beloved fellow citizen, Capt. John H. Wootters, who departed this life at his home in the town of Crockett on Thursday the 21st day of January, 1892.

He was born on August 12, 1839, in Queen Ann's County, Maryland.  In 1860 he immigrated to and settled in the town of Crockett, State of Texas.  In 1861, he volunteered his services and joined Captain E. Curry's Company, the first company raised in this county, and went with that gallant band of boys to the hottest of the fight.

At the close of the war he returned to his home and in 1867, intermarried with Berta, the daughter of Colonel John Smith, who had come from North Carolina and settled in Houston County in 1858.  he joined the Baptist Church at Daly and afterwards transferred his membership to the Baptist Church at Crockett.  He joined the Masonic Order at an early period, and was there esteemed for his good fellowship.

He leaves a widow and five children.  The eldest, Dr. John Smith Wootters, who graduated about a year ago and is now attending a third course in Philadelphia; one other bright boy, Leon Blum Wootters, five years old, and three bright and promising daughters, Ethel, Lucia, and Fannie, ages 14, 12, and 8.

The services were conducted by the Reverend Mr. Armstrong of Palestine.

So passed away one of Crockett's nobelest men.  He will be missed by the widow, the orphans, the poor, the friendless.

W.P. COLLINS

Even before the community had recovered from the shock of Captain J.H. Wootters' death, another of our most esteemed citizens passed away from among us.

William Pritchard Collins died of typhoid fever at the house of his brother-in-law, F.G. Edmiston on Sunday, January 24, 1892, at 6 a.m.

To his grief-stricken wife and to his sorrowing friends we tender our sympathy.

The deceased, who was born and raised here, was about thirty-five at the time of death.

Ten years ago he was married to Miss Virginia Smith.  About the same time he united with the Baptist Church.  By occupation a farmer, his life was active.

We can only say that another loss has been sustained by Crockett and its people which is and will be felt keenly.

May the name and memory of Will Collins remain with us fresh and green.

JOHN ALEXANDER BRICKER passed away at age 84 on Sunday, the 16th of December 2007, in Dallas, Texas from complications from Alzheimer's disease. He graduated from Lamar High School in 1941, attended Rice Institute, served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, and graduated with a BBA from the University of Houston in 1948. During his professional career he worked as a personnel administrator for a succession of firms, including Shell Oil, Texas Gas, T.E. Mercer Trucking Company, Brown & Root, the Pace Companies, Jacobs Engineering and the Rymkus Consulting Group. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Lucy Quinby Bricker. He is survived by his two sons and their families: John A. (Pete) Bricker, Jr., his wife Diane Wende Bricker, and their son Noah Quinby Bricker; and Randolph K. Bricker, his wife Kathy Karlin Bricker, their daughter Hayley Lauren Bricker and their son Jace William Bricker. In the last year of his life he was lovingly cared for by the devoted staff of the Special Care Unit of Presbyterian Village North in Dallas, Texas, and by his physician, Dr. Lisa Clark. A funeral service will be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 22nd of December, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive. The interment will take place, via an escorted cortege, at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Avenue in Houston. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Bricker's name to the Presbyterian Village North Foundation, 8600 Skyline Drive, Dallas, Texas 75243.

Hartley, Morgan Alonzo

HOUSTON COUNTY COURIER  March 23, 1972  Vol. 83, No. 12   p.13

Mr. Morgan A. Hartley, 85, of Crockett, passed away Tuesday, March 14, in the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Beaumont.

Mr. Hartley was a lifetime resident of Houston County.  A veteran of World War I, he was a member of the American Legion.  He was a member of the Christian Church, and of the Knights of Pythias.

Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, in the Waller Chapel, with Rev. Allie Woodard officiating.  Interment was in the Hagen Cemetery.

Survivors include a son, Elwin Hartley of Silsbee; a granddaughter, Mrs. Gloria Ann Moore of Beaumont; a grandson, James E. Hartley of Port Arthur; also several nieces and nephews.  Waller Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Hartley, John M.

CROCKETT COURIER, Crockett, Texas, Thursday, January 13, 1927,, Vol. XXXVII – Number 51, p. 3

Mr. J. M. Hartley died at this late home six miles west of Crockett on the San Antonio highway Thursday [Jan.6] morning.  Death followed an attack of heart trouble.  Mr. Hartley was 76 years old. 

Funeral services were conducted at the graveside at Hagen cemetery, near the Hartley home, by Rev. W. B. Worthington Friday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, interment following.

 Mr. Hartley had made his home west of Crockett for many years, and was well and favorably known by the people of Houston County.  He was a member of the Christian church.  He leaves three sons, Amos M., Morgan A. and George Hartley, all of Crockett, and two daughters, Mrs. Ab Turner of Lone Oak and Mrs. Joe Clapp, who formerly lived in Hill County, but had recently moved to another county.

 In the passing of Mr. Hartley, Houston County loses another of its old-time citizens, whose loss is to be very much regretted.  The Courier extends sympathy to the bereaved relatives and friends.

Shaw, Elizabeth C.

The Crockett Courier  August 14, 1947   Vol. LVIII, No. 33   

Last page (no page numbers):

Mrs. Elizabeth Shaw

Mrs. Elizabeth C. Shaw, 88, died at her home in Lovelady August 10, 1947.  Services were held at 4 p.m. August 11 at the Church of Christ, with Rev. Fred Conner, minister of the Church of Christ of Lovelady, officiating.  Interment was in the Antioch Cemetery.

Survivors:  one son, R. A. Shaw, Lovelady; four daughters, Mrs. Carl Speer and Miss Cora Shaw, Lovelady; Mrs. H.E. Flagg, Longview, and Mrs. V. V. Bailey, Refugio;  two sisters, Mrs. J. J. Tomee, Raymondville, and Mrs. C. D. Hines, Frankston; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild.

Arrangements were by the Callaway Funeral Home.

The Crockett Democrat   Thursday, August 21, 1947, Vol. VII, no. 40, p. 3:

Funeral Services for Mrs. Elizabeth Shaw Held at Lovelady

Mrs. Elizabeth C. Shaw, 88, died at her home in Lovelady August 10, 1947.  Services were held at 4 p.m. August 11 at the Church of Christ, with Rev. Fred Conner, minister of the Church of Christ of Lovelady, officiating.  Interment was in the Antioch Cemetery.

Survivors include one son, R. A. Shaw of Lovelady; four daughters, Mrs. Carl Speer and Miss Cora Shaw, both of Lovelady; Mrs. H.E. Flagg of Longview, and Mrs. V. V. Bailey of Refugio;  two sisters, Mrs. J. J. Tomee of Raymondville, and Mrs. C. D. Hines of Frankston; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild.

Pallbearers were Lee Perry, V. L. Word, A. B. Millikin, John Shaw, Milton Gimon, and Austin Speer.

Arrangements were by the Callaway Funeral Home.

Shaw, Cora E.

The Houston County Courier,  Thursday, April 6, 1978

Column entitled “News of Lovelady” , p.3

Our community was saddened by the death of Cora Shaw, a former native of Lovelady, who resided at Whitehall Nursing Home.

DEATHS, p.15

CORA EVELYN SHAW

     Cora Evelyn Shaw, age 94, passed away Friday, March 31, in Whitehall Nursing Home.

Born December 14, 1883, she was a lifetime resident of Houston County and a member of the Church of Christ of Lovelady.

    Funeral services were held Sunday, April 2 at 2 P.M. in Callaway Memorial Chapel with Mr. Calvin Phillips officiating.  Interment was in Antioch Cemetery near Lovelady.

    Survivors include:  one sister, Vivian Bailey of Corpus Christi; three nephews, O. G. Speer of Houston,  Hugh E. Flagg of Longview, Pat Bailey of Houston; several grandnieces and a grand-nephew.

    Pallbearers were Hugh Flagg, O. G. Speer, Pat Bailey, Sherrell Shaw, Woodie Hambrick, and Virgill Standley.

    Callaway Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Della Susan Mangum

      The funeral services for Mrs. Della Susan Mangum were held Tuesday morning at ten o’clock at the First Baptist church, Rev. A. S. Lee, having charge of the services.  Interment followed in the Crockett cemetery, a large number of sorrowing relatives and friends attending the funeral.  The floral offerings were large and beautiful.  Pall bearers were: Johnson Arledge, D. C. Kennedy, D. O. Kiessling, B. L. Satterwhite, J. L. Arledge and C. L. Edmiston.

      Mrs. Mangum’s death occurred at 3:15 o’clock Sunday afternoon in the Baptist sanitarium at Houston, where she had been taken for an operation a few days before.  Her remains were returned to this city Monday afternoon on the Sunshine, and tenderly conveyed to her late home in west Crockett, a large number of sorrowing friends escorting the remains from the depot to the home.  She was born in Navarro county, Texas, in 1883, and was 39 years, 3 months and 12 days old at the time of her death.   She was the wife of Geo. A. Mangum of this city, and the mother of four children, one son and three daughters, all of whom survive.  She was a Maccabee and an active member of the First Baptist Church, and always took great interest in church work, teaching a Sunday school class and conducted the Sunbeam service in the afternoon and attended both the morning and evening worship regularly.  Rev. Lee paid glowing tributes to her in his eulogy, telling of her great assistance to him as pastor of her church, saying that never once had he called on her to do church work when she was not ready and willing to respond. 

      Services were also conducted at the Folge & West undertaking parlors at Houston, conducted by Rev. L. L. Sams of Humble, who was for a number of years pastor of the church here, and who went to Houston especially to conduct the service.

      Mrs. Mangum realized from the first that she could not survive the operation, and before it, she requested the reading of the 23^rd Psalm and the Lord’s prayer, and on Friday preceding the operation on Saturday, she wrote a letter to her husband, requesting that it be not opened until after her death.  The following is the letter, the last words on earth from a kind and loving wife and mother to her loved ones:

      “I am thankful for our Father, God, Lord and Jesus Christ.  I am thankful for his great love and tender mercy.  I am thankful he sent his only begotten son, that those who believe in him should not perish but have everlasting life.  I am thankful for this beautiful world, the running brook, the lovely trees, the beautiful flowers, and the song birds that gladdens the sign of the moon; the heart of the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.  We love Him because He first loved us, for my trust is in Him.  I do not fear,  I leave my life in His hands, His will be done.  I am thankful for my old sweet Hubby.   Many times I failed to demonstrate my love, for I was always true blue.  Misfortunes and reverses seem to come, although this has made my life closer to my Saviour, and he has never one moment failed me.  I am thankful for my rose in God’s garden beyond the skies.  God understands and does all for the best.  I live in hopes of walking in that garden with my loved ones.  I am thankful for my only son – brave, manly, tender-hearted and sweet, for he is going to be a great man in God’s Kingdom some day I feel.  I am thankful for my three sweet, smart, tender-hearted  little girls, always so willing to do for mother.  I love them all alike – cheer up.  I am thankful for such a dear, sweet, sacrificing Christian mother and father, and a Christian home, for such dear sweet sisters.  God bless them all.  I am thankful for all my many, many dear kind friends.  I love them all.  I am thankful for our pastor’s inspiring sermons, so uplifting, so full of spiritual food.  God bless them and their families.  I am thankful for our great physician Dr. J. A. Hill, so faithful, tender, noble and true; millions of stars in his crown.  God bless him that he may never know a heartache or sorrow.  I am thankful for the nurses who are so perfectly wonderful to administer to my comfort; bless their hearts, to so help the suffering humanity.  I am thankful for my dear relatives here that have shown so much sympathy and given so much comfort.  I am thankful for big Bud and dear little Sis who have stood true blue.   God bless every one; I pray that each and every one may be reunited in the paradise of God in that mansion above.  I am thankful for all the  consecrated Christians at home, who have been an inspiration in my life, for I love my home, family, church and relatives and friends.  Pray for me as I go through the valley of the shadow of death, the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”

On other pages of a later edition of the HOUSTON COUNTY TIMES:

Out-of-Town relatives and friends here Tuesday to attend the funeral of Mrs. Della Mangum were:  Mrs. J. I. Laymance of Weatherford, Mrs. J. M. Hatler of Ft. Worth, Miss Thelma Sanders of Dallas, Mr. and Mrs. J. Festus Mangum of Hempstead, Mrs. Willie Linder, Miss Dollie Linder, Miss Dimple Mangum, Mrs. A. M. Furlow and Mrs. Minnie Reynolds of Groveton, and Mrs. W. P. Mangum of Houston.

Card of Thanks

We desire to express our deepest heartfelt appreciation to all of those dear friends and relatives of both Crockett and Houston, and doctors and nurses of Baptist sanitarium, who so lovingly, so untiringly and so faithfully ministered love and sympathy and assistance to our beloved wife, mother, daughter and sister, during her recent illness and death, and to ourselves in our heavy bereavement; also we would express appreciation for the abundant and beautiful floral offerings received from Ladies Aid of Groveton, (her former home), from Houston and Crockett.

   May God richly reward and bless you.

Geo. A. Mangum and Children,

Mrs. J. I. Laymance,

Mrs. J. M. Hatler,

Miss Thelma Sanders,

J. Festus Mangum, and Wife.

HOUSTON COUNTY COURIER, July 22, 1971  Vol.82, no 30,  p.4

Odell Lawrence

Mrs. Odell [Clapp]  Lawrence, 69, of 226 Coach Lamp Lane, Houston, passed away in a Houston hospital Saturday, July 17. 

Mrs. Lawrence was a former resident of Crockett, but had lived in the Houston area for the past 45 years.  She was affiliated with the United Pentecostal Church. 

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Waller Chapel, with the Rev. W. O. Henin officiating.  Interment was in the Hagen Cemetery.

Survivors include two sons, Joe and Herman H. Lawrence, both of Houston; two daughters, Mrs. Mary Morris and Mrs. Martha Dodgen, both of Houston; a brother, Morgan A. Hartley of Crockett; six grandchildren; and two nephews.  Waller Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.