Obituaries from 1945
Waurika News-Democrat

transcribed by Anita Emberlin

Mrs. Louise Charlotte Durrett
Waurika News-Democrat
January 2, 1945

Mrs. Louise Charlotte Durrett, a resident of the south part of Jefferson County since 1889, died suddenly at the Comanche hospital Wednesday, January 3, only a few hours after she reached the hospital. Mrs. Durrett received a broken arm when she fell at her home in the Union Valley community and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Mrs. Durrett has been a member of the Baptist church for many years. Her husband preceded her in death several years. She is survived by five sons; R. W. of Salina, California, Burt of Conroe, Texas, Oscar of Houston, Texas, Henry of Waurika, and J. A. of Ryan, Route 1 with whom Mrs. Durrett made her home. She is also survived by a brother, J. W. Slife, and a sister, Miss Birtie Slife, both of Sentinel, Oklahoma.
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William C. Rucker
Waurika News-Democrat
January 2, 1945

William C. Rucker, a familiar figure about Waurika for many years, passed away quietly in his room at the Broadway hotel Friday night, December 29…. Mr. Rucker was severely injured in a fall at Shawnee several years ago and was never strong after that time.

William Charles Rucker was born in Tippole County, Mississippi January 18, 1867 and died at Waurika December 29, 1944 as he neared his 77th birthday. He came to Texas when a child and grew to manhood in that state, locating in what is now Jefferson County, Oklahoma in 1898. He was employed for several years on the Keith-Price ranch northeast of Addington.

Mr. Rucker was a registered pharmacist and operated a drug store at Rush Springs for several years and was later employed in drug stores in Minco, Shawnee, Waurika and other Oklahoma points. The family lived at Minco from 1911 to 1913 and it was here that Mrs. Rucker died.

After his injury at Shawnee, he spent most of the time in Waurika, living much of the time with his son Emmett and family. When Emmett moved to Wichita Falls, he preferred to remain in Waurika among friends. He was a friend of the late Dr. Browning and during Dr. Browning’s last years, he accompanied him on many of his drives to visit patients.

Mr. Rucker was a member of the Baptist church; funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon by Rev. McCully, pastor of the Minco Baptist church, from the Quayle Funeral Home in Minco. Interment was in the cemetery at Minco by the side of his wife and a son Clyde who died in 1930.

Four sons and two daughters survive: Charley, Birmingham, Alabama; Harry, Oklahoma City; Hall who is in the Army somewhere on the western front; Mrs. Lucille Kelley, Oklahoma City; and Mrs. Emma Gilbert, Sandusky, Ohio. All were present at the funeral except for the son in the Army and Mrs. Gilbert whose husband is in the Navy.
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John Perry Shilling, Sr.
Waurika News-Democrat
January 2, 1945

John Perry Shilling, a resident of Waurika since 1926, died at his home in the north part of town Saturday, December 30, 1944. He had been in failing health for some time, but had been able to be up and was stricken only a few hours before his death came.

Funeral services were conducted from the Morris Funeral Home in Waurika at 2:30 Monday afternoon, January 1 by Rev. G. Lyle Smith and interment was in the Waurika cemetery.

Mr. Shilling was born at Mount Pleasant, Texas January 14, 1868 and grew to manhood in and around Paris, Texas. He was a trainer of fine horses and followed the business throughout his active life in the United States, Mexico and Cuba.

He was married twice. The first marriage was to Miss Lula hardy; two children were born to this union; the wife and one preceded him in death. A daughter, Mrs. A. P. Marcus, lives at Huntington Park, California.

His second marriage was to Miss Cecil Brackeen in 1912. Five children were born to this union: Nancy Elizabeth died in 1932. He is survived by his widow and four children who include Mrs. F. E. Scott of Duncan, Mrs. J. F. McCanne of Coahoma, Texas, George Allen who has been listed as missing in action by the U. S. Navy for almost three years, and John Perry, Jr. with the U. S. Navy in the Pacific. Four grandchildren also survive: Peggy Lynn, Janice Gayle and Paul Ray Harrison and Jimmie Allen McCanne.
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E. H. Cardwell
Waurika News-Democrat
January 19, 1945

E. H. Cardwell, age 82 years, passed away at his home in Hastings after a brief illness January 10. The funeral was held Friday afternoon in the chapel of the Beeson Grantham Funeral Home in Duncan. Interment was in the Duncan cemetery.

Mr. Cardwell leaves to mourn his passing his wife and three sons, C. W. Cardwell of Shamrock, Texas; Herbert Cardwell of Palestine, Texas, and G. K. Cardwell of California who were unable to be here, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Out of town relatives attending the funeral were: Captain D. G. and Mrs. Thomsion of Waco, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. B. P. Statton of Kansas City.

Mr. Cardwell had been a resident of Duncan 22 years before moving here eight months ago.
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George W. Starke
Waurika News-Democrat
January 26, 1945

George W. Starke passed away at a Duncan hospital January 19 after an illness of 20 months. Funeral services were held at the Baptist church in Ryan January 21, conducted by Rev. Charles Berry and Rev. Callen of Duncan and were attended by a large group of out-of-town relatives and friends. Interment was in the Ryan cemetery.

Mr. Starke was born May 20, 1871 in Tennessee and moved to what is now Oklahoma when he was a boy. He was married to Miss Louise Bridges November 17, 1895 and they have lived since just south of Ryan.

They were the parents of six children, one dying in infancy. Surviving are: Richard and Reuben of Duncan, Pfc. E. B. who is overseas, Miss Dora and Miss Omia Starke of Ryan.

Mr. Starke had long been a member of the Baptist church, devout in his thinking and in walks of life and was well prepared for the change he was making.

Among the out-of-town relatives and friends in attendance at the funeral were: W. C. Bridges and son, James and W. B. Bridges of Wetumka, Mrs. Sam Hill, Mrs. Beeson Grantham, Mrs. Alice Cornelius, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Hughes, and Mr. and Mrs. Tom Kyker of Duncan.
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Monroe P. Forgy
Waurika News-Democrat
February 9, 1945

Monroe P. Forgy, another Waurika pioneer, died Saturday at his home here after a long illness. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Morris Chapel, conducted by Rev. T. A. Fowler, pastor of the Waurika Methodist Church and interment was in the Waurika cemetery.

He was born in Quality, Kentucky, July 26, 1875 and came to Waurika in 1919, living here until his death.

At an early age he entered the Spanish-American war and saw service in the Philippines Islands and Cuba. He spent 13 months in a Cuban hospital.

After returning to the United States, he was married to Mary Chatman and to them three children were born. Several years he was married to Delphia Duncan and they were the parents of a son and two daughters.

In early life he became a member of the Methodist church, living faithful to his vows, but due to ill health in later years, he was unable to be active in church work. His devotion and faithfulness, however, have left an influence on his family and friends, which will live on forever.

Mr. Forgy is survived by Mrs. Forgy, two sons Lewis of Alvin Texas and Lannie of Lawton. They also have five daughters: Mrs. Raymond Royse of Dallas, Mrs. Oma Little of Ground Chain, Illinois, Mrs. Mack Miller of Comanche, Mrs. Albert O’Dell of Oklahoma City, and Miss Remondia of the home address. There are also twenty grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his departure.
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Wesley Miller Stillwell
Waurika News-Democrat
February 9, 1945

Wesley Miller Stillwell, the son of John Wesley and Mattie Jane Stillwell, was born in Montague county, Texas, June 22, 1884 and died at the Veterans’ hospital in Sulphur, where he had been a patient for four years, on January 29, 1945.

Funeral services were conducted at the Morris Chapel in Waurika, January 31 by Rev. H. H. Bowles.

Miller Stillwell, as he was known here, was a pioneer resident. His father died before he was born, the youngest of eight children, whom his mother worked to support and care for. When he was 11 years old, the family came to Indian Territory, which grew into Oklahoma and which has been his home through the long years since. The family located near Ryan in the beginning and lived there until in 1903 when they came to Waurika.

He saw service in World War I and came home from it incapacitated for any heavy work. When he has not been in the hospital, he has spent his time the past few years with his sister, Mr. L. M. Kirk who tenderly cared for him and spent the last week of his life with him. While she was there, she saw him converted under the guidance of a Methodist minister to whom he made confession of sin and asked for a part in life eternal.

He is survived by three children: Louis Stillwell of Oklahoma City, Bertie Eugene who attends Indian school at Lawton and Frances who lives with Mrs. Kirk. All were attendance at the funeral. A brother John Stillwell of Bearstrap, Texas was present, but other members of the family including Mrs. Maggie Hill of Los Angeles, California and Jim Stillwell of Little Rock, Arkansas were unable to attend the funeral.
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Tom Dowd
Waurika News-Democrat
February 9, 1945

Mr. and Mrs. P. E. Waid were called to Saint Jo, Texas Wednesday to attend the funeral of Mrs. Waid’s brother Tom Dowd, age about 68 years. Mr. Dowd died at Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he had been making his home with a daughter Sunday morning, February 4.

Mr. Dowd was a pioneer citizen of Saint Jo and his body was brought back there for the funeral and interment. Funeral services were conducted from the Church of Christ at Saint Jo Wednesday afternoon. Mr. Dowd has two sons in the Armed Forces overseas.

Mr. Dowd was in the mercantile business in Nocona for a number of years and was well known to many citizens of this county.
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M. P. Middleton
Waurika News-Democrat
February 9, 1945

Bud Middleton spent the weekend of Sunday, February 4 at San Angelo, Texas, the old family home, attending the funeral of his father, M. P. Middleton, who passed away the preceding Friday at the San Angelo hospital.

Funeral services were held in San Angelo on Sunday afternoon and the body was taken to Jenkins Springs cemetery near Brownwood, Texas where the family burial plot is.

Mr. Middleton was 82 years and, at the time of passing and except for an illness of 19 days, had been active all through the years. He was a very prominent business and stockman in Runnels County. Aside from his son Bud and family of this county, a sister-in-law and brother-in-law Mrs. Seaman Jones and George Taher, survive.
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Mrs. Octavia Foster
Waurika News-Democrat
February 9, 1945

"Hastings News"

Grandma Foster Dies Friday

Mrs. Octavia Foster, better known as "Grandma Foster" died Friday morning at her home in Hastings of old age and complications.

Funeral services were held Sunday at 2:00 at the Church of Christ, conducted by Rev. Osterloh after which the body was laid to rest in the family plot in the Hastings cemetery.

Mrs. Foster was born April 28, 1861 in Upshur County, Texas. When she was very small, her father was killed in the Civil War. Her mother passed away shortly after. She and two other children were reared by an aunt.

She was married when young to J. A. Foster. They to Oklahoma at the opening of this territory, but being reared in Texas, they were not contented to settle here, so they moved back to Texas and lived in Wise County near Chico and Alvord until 1908. They came back to Oklahoma … (article was not completely copied, complete copy can be made for a small fee from the Oklahoma Historical Society in Oklahoma City).
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Thomas N. Patterson
Waurika News-Democrat
February 23, 1945

Ryan News Items written by Mrs. Roy Miller

Thomas N. Patterson, known to his many friends and neighbors, as Tom, was born April 2, 1870 in Decalb County, Tennessee and departed this life February 15, 1945, making his stay here on earth almost 75 years.

In October 1894, Tom Patterson was united in marriage to Miss Lora Westbrook of Henrietta, Texas. To this union was born one son, Roy H. Patterson of Borger, Texas and two daughters, Mrs. Edith Levy of Norman and Mrs. Ivon Miller of Oklahoma City; also left to mourn his passing are one sister, Mrs. John Smyers of Hastings, and three grandsons: Morris B. Levy of Norman, Roy H. Patterson, jr. of Corpus Christi, Texas and James Lee Miller of Oklahoma City and a host of relatives and friends.

God saw fit to bless Mr. and Mrs. Patterson with a long, happy married life together, as they observed their golden anniversary October 19, 1944….

In the first year of his life, Tom’s parents left Tennessee and located at Collinsville, Texas, south of Whitesboro. After a year at Collinsville, the family moved to McComb, Texas and lived there for years. Tom’s parents both passed away while he was only a boy. His father was a Baptist preacher, Elder Felix Patterson.

Mr. Patterson’s first work in his adopted state was on the Sanborn Ranch. He loved cattle and the life of a rancher appealed to him. In the early 1880’s, he started a long cattle drive to Wyoming with cattle, but his sister Mrs. John Wells of Henrietta, Texas persuaded him to take a job on her ranch where he remained for some time and later worked on different ranches including Suggs brothers in both Texas and Indian Territory. After his marriage, he and his wife lived at Riverland, Texas for 6 years before locating in Ryan in 1902 where he has since lived with his family….
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Mrs. Carolina Elizabeth Phillips
Waurika News-Democrat
February 23, 1945

Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Phillips and Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Phillips were called to Fort Worth Sunday by the death of their mother, Mrs. Carolina Elizabeth Phillips, who passed away at a Fort Worth hospital after an illness of several years.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 Monday at Owens-Brumley Funeral Chapel, conducted by Rev. Joe Scheumack and interment was in the family plot at Alvord, Texas, where she lies with other members of family who preceded her in death.

Mrs. Phillips was born in Missouri 82 years ago and lived there until her marriage to Richard Phillips in 1887. In 1889, the family moved to Texas where the mother has since continued her home. Mr. Phillips passed away 32 years ago when the youngest child of the family was 14 years old and she held the children together, six boys and three girls until they were able to take care of themselves financially and to establish their own homes. For the past several years, she has lived with the children as she has been ill much of the time.

Mrs. Phillips is survived by four sons, A. B. of Fort Worth, T. W. of Bowie, and A. J. and R. A. of Waurika, also two daughters, Mrs. Jake Landreth of Greenville, Texas and Mrs. M. C. Bray of Fort Worth, 19 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
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Walter Francis Carter
Waurika News-Democrat
March 9, 1945

Walter F. Carter, pioneer citizen of Jefferson County, and for many years, engaged in the abstract business, died at the Clinic hospital in Wichita Falls Saturday morning, March 3. Mr. Carter had been in failing health for several years, but his determined spirit kept him going. He had been confined to his bed for some time and was taken to the hospital for treatment several times, the last time just one week prior to his death.

Walter Francis Carter was born at Kewanee, Illinois June 9, 1879 and died at Wichita Falls, Texas March 3, 1945. At the age of 2, he moved with his parents to Corning, Kansas, where he grew to manhood and attended school, graduating from high school, then attending business school at Kansas City, Missouri. He came to Ryan in 1906 and entered the abstract business, which he followed almost continuously until his death, moving to Waurika in 1912. He lived in Fort Worth for a time during 1919 and 1920.

Mr. Carter was married to Miss Daisy Richards of Ryan in 1908, and to this union, one son Lt. Richard Carter, who with Mrs. Carter, survives. Mr. Carter had no other surviving relatives of his own immediate family. Lt. Richard Carter is with the 9th Photo Tech. Squadron of the Army Air Corps, stationed at Will Roger Field, Oklahoma City.

Funeral services were conducted from the First Baptist Church in Waurika at 4:00 Sunday afternoon by Re. Albert McClellan, assisted by Rev. G. Lyle Smith. Interment was in the family lot in the Waurika cemetery….
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Mrs. Mamie Lewis
Waurika News-Democrat
March 9, 1945

Mrs. Mamie Lewis of 719 East C Street, Waurika, died February 28 at 11 p.m. in a Vernon, Texas hospital after a 23month illness. She was making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Cecile Cole, and family, by whom she was tenderly nursed and cared for assisted by Mrs. Lewis’s sister Mrs. Stora Way of this city. The Coles had moved to Vernon only the week previous to her death when Mrs. Lewis became much worse and entered the Vernon hospital.

Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at the Methodist Church in Waurika, conducted by Re. McGowan of Ringling, assisted by Re. T. A. Fowler, Waurika pastor… Interment was in the Ryan cemetery.

Mrs. Lewis was born at Graham, Texas January 29, 1881. On August 13, 1897, she was married to John M. Lewis who passed away in 1928. She had been a resident of Waurika since 1925….

She is survived by six children, all of whom were present for the funeral service except one, Naomi, of Waurika, were present when she passed away.

The daughters and sons are: Mrs. James H. Todd and Mrs. Cecil Cole of Vernon, Texas, Mrs. Howard Sitterly of Lawton, Naomi of Waurika, Charleton of Ardmore, and Ray of Carthage, Texas. There are also 23 grandchildren and her sister, Mrs. Way.
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J. Ed Martin
Waurika News-Democrat
March 9, 1945

Another pioneer Oklahoma took his departure form this world March 4 when J. Ed Martin passed away at the family home after being bedfast about 2 weeks.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Morris Chapel, conducted by Rev. G. Lyle Smith, pastor of the Christian Church. Interment was in the Waurika cemetery.

Mr. Martin was born in Texas November 19, 1875 and came with his parents to Indian Territory when he was 13 years old. They settled in the Terral community and he lived there until he came to Waurika about 15 years ago. Hence, he has seen all the changes this section of the county had made in more than a half century.

He was married to Corah Bentley in 1897 and to them, five daughters and three sons were born. Sons and daughters of the family are: Mrs. W. C. Pruitt of Highland, Illinois, B. L. Martin of Corpus Christi, Texas, Jack Martin of Oklahoma City, Mrs. W. I. McGaha and Mrs. Lela Irwin of Duncan, Mrs. Earl Jones of West Columbia, Texas, Mrs. Marie Caddell of McCurtain, and J. E. Martin of Dallas. There are also 20 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. They and their mother survive to mourn the loss of a dearly loved husband and father…
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Mrs. Sarah Jane McClanahan
Waurika News-Democrat
March 16, 1945

Mrs. A. W. Davis was called to Dallas Thursday of last week by the serious illness of her mother, Mrs. Sarah Jane McClanahan. Mr. Davis and daughter Miss Virginia went to Dallas on the early Rocket train Friday morning to attend the funeral which was held Friday at 12:30 at the Gospel Lighthouse church where she had attended church services so long as she was able to, having been a member of the Missionary Baptist church since childhood. She was greatly loved by her pastor and church members, which was attested to by the great gathering of people who came to bid her goodbye Friday afternoon. One Friday morning’s Dallas radio hour was dedicated to Mrs. McClanahan, which was a beautiful memorial.

She was laid to rest in the family plot in the Grand Prairie cemetery where other loved ones sleep.

Mrs. McClanahan was 86 years, 4 months and 24 days old. She was the mother of 9 children, 8 of whom survive, her husband and one daughter preceding her in death. There are also 18 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren together with a host of other relatives and friends who mourn her passing.
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Gilbert Monroe Benton
Waurika News-Democrat
March 16, 1945

G. M. Benton of Waurika joined the ever increasing group of pioneers who sleep quietly in the Waurika cemetery, hardships and unhappiness of other days forgotten.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 at the Church of Christ conducted by Elder Wood, pastor of the Nocona Church of Christ, assisted by G. Lyle Smith, pastor of the Waurika Christian church, between, whom, and Mr. Benton were the strongest ties of friendship.

Gilbert Monroe Benton, son of James L. and Sarah Ann Scott Benton, was born October 22, 1879, the third child in a family of 10 in the vicinity of Nocona, Texas. Here he grew to manhood and January 8, 1901, he was united in marriage with Miss Effie Pearl Gray, who born in old Indian Territory.

For six months, the family lived in Nocona, the only time in her life that Mrs. Benton has ever lived outside of what is now Jefferson County. They moved to Ryan and lived there for a time and then Mrs. Benton claimed her Indian rights to a homestead near Ringling. The family lived there for several years and in November 1924, moved to Waurika where they have since lived.

Mr. and Mrs. Benton’s home was blessed by five children: Ola Mae, Mrs. Ernest Forsythe of this city, Elmer and Mrs. Mary Lee Roden of Duncan, Miss Julia and Miss Billie Ruth of the home address. There are also 9 grandchildren and the following brothers and sisters: Roy Benton of Nocona, Rufe of Wellington, Texas, Ira of Crosbyton, Texas, Mrs. Alice Stout and Mrs. Maude Walker of Nocona, all of whom except Ira were present for the funeral services.

Mr. Benton had a enviable reputation in that he served his county in public office for 20 years. He began as deputy tax assessor with "Uncle Tom" Leverett, was county treasurer two terms, then served as deputy tax assessor under Ward Cashion and again under Ed Ryan which place he was holding at the time of his death.

"Kind and unassuming, faithful to every duty, the best description of him is "a very gentle gentleman." His wife has no memory of his ever speaking a cross word to her and his children were guided by kindly direction and counsel. He became a member of the Church of Christ when a young man and his life proved his faith in its teachings.

Among the out-of-town relatives here to attend the funeral rites were Mrs. Benton’s sisters Mrs. Josh English of Ryan and Mrs. Frank Lewis of Lubbock, Texas, Mrs. Joe Bond and Mr. and Mrs. Dolan Reynolds of West Columbia, Texas.
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Private R. J. Winton
Waurika News-Democrat
March 23, 1945

A message came for the War Department Wednesday of last week to his wife, Mrs. Nellie Ruth Winton,, that her husband, R. J. Winton, was missing in action in Germany, to be followed with a second message Saturday that he had been killed February 26. He trained in a tank battalion, but was later transferred to the glider infantry. He was with the Third Army.

Pvt. Winton was a son of A. T. Winton of Waurika and was reared in the community southwest of Waurika. Prior to his induction into the Army, he was employed with Halliburton’s in Duncan. He enlisted in September 1943.

He is survived by his father, A. T. Winton of Waurika, his wife, the former Nellie Ruth King, and a six-month daughter Elizabeth Ann whom he had never seen. Other relatives are three sisters, Mrs. Alice Holt of Borger, Texas, Mrs. Elizabeth Newberry of Hastings, Mrs. Walter Kafer of Waurika, two half-brothers and one half-sister, Loyd Winton, Leland Winton and Mrs. Cleo Taylor of Borger, Texas..

On receipt of the sad news, the sisters came from Borger to be with their father, returning the first of the week accompanied by Mr. Winton, Mrs. Kafer and Mrs. R. J. Winton and baby daughter.
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Joseph Lee Wilson
Waurika News-Democrat
March 23, 1945

T. W. Wilson of this community was called to Oklahoma City Thursday by the death of his brother, Joseph Lee Wilson, 78 year old, the third brother to die out of a family of 7 sons.

Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at 2:00 at Perrine’s Funeral Home and interment was in Memorial park cemetery.

Mr. Wilson was a life-long member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge. He is survived by his widow, three daughters and two sons…
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Guy Young Henderson
Waurika News-Democrat
March 23, 1945

G. Y. Henderson, citizen of Jefferson County since 1896 and of Waurika since 1912, died at his home here shortly afternoon Saturday, March 17, after long years of illness, the last four or five of which having been of the most intense suffering.

Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon at 3:00 from the First Baptist church by Rev. Albert McClellan, assisted by Rev. G. Lyle Smith. Interment was in the Waurika cemetery.

Guy Young Henderson was born in Coosa County, Alabama, April 18, 1878. He grew to manhood in Alabama and came to what is now Oklahoma in 1896, living for a number of years on a farm, was later engaged in business at Ryan and then came to Waurika in 1912. he served the county well and faithfully for a long period of years as custodian of the courthouse.

He was first married to Miss Stella Perkins in Alabama and to this union, one son and one daughter were born, both with 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren survive. Cecil Jones, a grandson of Birmingham, Alabama, came for the funeral. Mr. Henderson married Miss Lula Pearl Bryant at Durant, Oklahoma in 1898. Mrs. Henderson survives. She was a devoted wife and constant companion during all of his years of suffering.

Mr. Henderson became a member of the Baptist church in 1900 and lived a faithful Christian life, being active until sickness made it impossible for him to attend services….
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L. A. "Duge’ Stallings
Waurika News-Democrat
March 23, 1945

Funeral services for L. A. (Duge) Stallings, pioneer cattleman of the Loco community, were conducted from the Morris Funeral Home in Waurika Saturday afternoon. Rev. G. Lyle Smith conducted the service with Earl Pruett of Oklahoma City, bringing a most beautiful tribute to the memory of his devoted friend. Mr. Pruett recounted in beautiful language many of the details of the life of this sturdy old pioneer, who contributed to the building of this section of Oklahoma. Duge Stallings was the soul of honor as all of his dealings with his fellow man will reveal. This is best portrayed in his actions in the case of a failed bank, in which he was a stockholder and officer. Duge Stallings refused to permit any depositor to lose one penny, but placed enough of his own individual funds in the bank to pay off everyone. All of his other business connections were of like nature.

L. A. Stallings was born in Montague County in1880 and was 65 years of age at the time of his death. He came to Indian Territory in1892 and was first employed by other ranchmen, but later he and his brothers began to develop their own ranch and he and the late Jep Stallings became known all over the southwest as two of the leading citizens and ranchmen of the county.

After the death of his brother Jep, he gradually retired on account of failing health and had sold most of the Stallings ranch to the H. G. Little interests.

Throughout his life, he was active in civic affairs and served for many years as a member of the school board. He took an active interest in politics and his influence in elections could always be felt when he was for a man or an issue. He was one of the organizers of the Production Credit Corporation of Oklahoma City.

Mrs. Stallings was never married. He is survived by one brother, L. Stallings, two sisters, Mrs. R. C. White and Miss Kate Stallings, and an adopted son Billie Darrow. Mr. Darrow is a nephew, the son of a deceased sister, but had been reared and cared for as his own son.

Mr. Stallings had been in failing health for several years of his life and spent the last 8 months of his life in a hospital in Macon, Missouri. The body was shipped back to Waurika for the funeral and interment was in the Loco cemetery.
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Mrs. Nancy Jane Dean Hamner
Waurika News-Democrat
March 30, 1945

Another dear old mother to Israel, Mrs. Nancy Hammer folded tired hands Saturday night and fell into that sleep from which there is no awakening here. Funeral services were held at the Christian church Sunday afternoon at 2:00 conducted by Rev. G. Lyle Smith, pastor and interment was in her beloved Texas where she was laid to rest in the family plot at Wichita Falls by the side of her husband who passed away in 1917 and other loved members of her family.

Nancy Jane Dean, the daugher of Joseph and Martha Kirkland Dean, was born at Hamilton, Texas December 28 1861. Her father fought in the Civil war and was killed when she was a year old, leaving his young wife with two young daughters to rear on a Texas farm where a log house was the dwelling place. When she was 15 years old, John Henry Hamner, a young man whose family lived in Missouri before they came to Texas in a covered wagon settled near Hamilton. The young couple fell in love and married when the bride was 16 years old. During their married life which began when the young husband was a cow puncher and a wood chopper, they lived on a half section of land out from Wichita Falls where they did wheat farming at Davidson, Waurika and for a very short time at Corpus Christi, Texas.

They were the parents of four sons and four daughters, two daughters and three sons surviving their mother’s death. They are Frank, Dave, and Andrew, all of California, none of whom could attend the funeral rites, Mrs. Addie Cunnightam and Mrs. Ona London, both of this city. Laura, Catherine and Jimmie preceded her in death. There are also 24 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

To find Mrs. Hamner alone and in a reminscent mood was a delight to anyone of a younger generation, because her mind was a rich storehouse of Biblical knowledge and early day history. She read her Bible daily and lived it every day. None of their children had ever heard one bit of slang pass her lips….

She remembered vividly her own childhood, how her widowed mother kept the two little girls and maintained her own home with a brother and uncle who was in charge of an ox freight, living with them part of the time. The young mother took her own corn to mill on a saddle mare, the children one in front, one behind her with the saddle bag of corn and they waited for it to be ground into meal. She had the first rub board in her county, whittled out of wood by her brother and women came for miles to see and borrow it; she knew how to make tallow candles and Mrs. Hamner remembered the use of flint and powder to start fires and also how neighbors came often to borrow live coals for their own fires.

The deepest memories were of Indian raids when the young widow would bolt and double bolt the doors and windows when she and the children were alone, especially on moonlit nights. One day the school was raided, the teacher killed, part of the children carried off and the rest, including little Nancy Jane Dean and her sister, scurried to the woods for safety. That night at 11:00, her mother blew the old powder horn to let the men know that the children were all safe home except one which the Indians carried off and kept. Such was the story of Mrs. Hamner’s early day life. She knew hardships, work and worry, but was able to rise above them and to think that always tomorrow would be a better day. She has left a heritage to her beloved children and grandchildren which is above money and price in the memory of her life and happy usefulness.

When her youngest daughter, Ona, married James London, Mrs. Hamner went to live with them and stayed there until three years ago when she decided to make her home with her other daughter, Mrs. Cunninham, in both homes having being a beloved and welcomed guest, passing away at the Cunningham home.

Relatives here for the funeral were Mrs. Lanham Spivey, a granddaughter, and son Jerry of Mangum, Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Sonnamaker and Mrs. and Mrs. Tom Sonnamaker of Wichita Falls. For the committal service in Wichita Falls cemetery, there were a large group of Texas relatives present.
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Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Holdaway Webb
Waurika News-Democrat
March 30, 1930

Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Webb died at the home of her granddaughter Mrs. Effie Hyde in the south part of town March 23, 1945, at the age of 70 years, 2 months and 21 days. She was born in Alabama January 4, 1875 and when a small girl moved with her parents to Texas.

She was married to Lee Holdaway in 1897 and the couple located near Comanche, then Indian Territory. They later moved to Jefferson County where they resided for 20 years. Mr. Holdaway died in 1918 and in 1923, she married Mr. Webb. They lived in Waurika for 16 years when Mr. Webb died in 1930.

She leaves to mourn her passing her son, Arthur Holdaway, 4 grandsons and 4 granddaughters and 11 great grandchildren.

She has been a life long member of the Baptist church, having become a Christian and joined the church as the age of 14. Funeral services were conducted from the First Baptist Church in Waurika Monday afternoon, March 26 at 2:30 by Rev. John Evans, pastor of the First Baptist Church at Walters. Interment was in the Waurika cemetery.
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George Ernest Phillips
Waurika News-Democrat
March 30, 1945

The following brief obituary taken from Monday’s Daily Oklahoman will interest friends of the family as the deceased was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Phillips, pioneer residents here and grew up in this community. He is a brother of Ben Phillips of Waurika’s rural community.

"Services for George Ernest Phillips, 44, who died Saturday in a local hospital, were held at 3:30 Monday in the Hunter Funeral Home, with burial in Memorial Park.

Phillips, who lived in Escondido, California, is survived by three sisters, Mrs. W. T. Kedy of Oklahoma City, Mrs. L. L. Withers of El Paso, Mrs. Will H. Schwartz of Bremerton, Washington, four brothers, Oscar and Fred of Oklahoma City, J. B. of Waurika, and Arthur of Port Arthur, Texas."

Ernest was born Oct. 1, 1900 at Terrell, Texas and was six years old when he came to Waurika where he lived until 1915. He married Miss Thelma Brock who preceded him in death. They had no children.
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Mrs. Lily Blanche Bridges McKinley (Mrs. Tom McKinley)
Waurika News-Democrat
April 6, 1945

News from Terral written by Mrs. J. H. Pealor

Relatives and friends were shocked Thursday evening of last week at the sudden passing of Mrs. Tom McKinley, who was stricken with a heart attack at the home fo her neighbor, Mrs. Vay Smart that morning at 11 from which she never rallied.

Funeral services were held at the Terral Methodist Church Friday afternoon at 3:00 by the pastor, Rev. Hunter, assisted by Rev. Simmons. Pallbearers were : D. W. Cleveland, L. G. Hightower, E. L. Rodgers, E. E. Williams, J. D. Vanderburg and Elmer Hayes. Flower girls were: Mesdames E. L. Rodgers, Ebb Hickman, I. C. McGinnis, Roy Pealor, J. D. Vanderburg, Frank Clark, Elmer Hayes, L. G. Hightower, and Moses Salmon.

Lilly Blanche Bridges was born May 2, 1890 at Blooming Grove, Texas and was married to Thomas E. McKinley at Terral Januay 23, 1908. They were the parents of seven children, two of whom preceded her in death. Surviving with Mr. McKinley, are the following sons and daughters: Roy of San Francisco, Pfc. David of Fort Sill, Mrs. Gail Phillips and Miss Dorothy Jean McKinley of Lawton, and Mrs. Everett Zachery of Henrietta, Texas. There are also a sister Mrs. H. F. Curtis of Hereford, Texas, and three brothers, Homer and Carl Bridges of Fort Worth and Clyde of Hedley, Texas.

Mrs. McKinley was converted and joined the Methodist church early in life, living consistently with her church teachings.

A good wife, mother, neighbor and friend has gone to her reward.

Out-of-town relatives and friends here to attend the funeral include: Ronnie Laning of Fresno, Calif., Mrs. S. V. Bradford, Mrs. J. M. Phillips, Mrs. L. P. Morrison and La Dean Sallee of Lawton, Mrs. Bertie Stewart, Mrs. J. C. Womble, Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Reeves, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Maddox, Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Zachary, Mr. and Mrs. Claude Azhary, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Zachary (Zachry) of Henrietta, Texas, Mrs. Leon Hudson and Mrs. Virgil Cain of Waxahachie, Texas, Cpl. Garland Cain of Tarrant Field, Texas, Mrs. Frank Langley of Wichita, Kansas, Mrs. Raymond McCurrey of Hollis, Tex., Nell Sue McKinley of Wichita Falls, Betty Lou McKinley and Mrs. Virgil Buchanaon of Oklahoma City, … (several other names were in the cut-off part of the copy, the Oklahoma Historical Society will duplicate the copies for a small fee).
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Ida Amelia Beverly Watkins Gresham 1859-1946
Mrs. H. C. Gresham
Waurika News-Democrat
August 2, 1946
Waurika, Jefferson County, Oklahoma

He bids them rest for a season,
When the pathway has grown too steep,
And folded in fair green pastures he giveth. His loved ones sleep.

With the announcement made several hours earlier that she was ready to go, Mrs. H. C. Gresham, a little gray haired Mother in Israel, folded tired hands Thursday morning of last week at her home in Waurika and quietly passed into that other land where so many loved ones were waiting her arrival.

Funeral services were held at the First Baptist Church in Cleburne, Texas Friday afternoon, conducted by the pastor, Dr. Albert Venting. And then from the church to which she had given devout service for more than a half a century, her body was taken to the family burial plot and laid to rest beside other loved ones.

Ida Amelia Beverly was born in Richland, South Carolina, Sept. 2, 1959, her parents being Rev. and Mrs. W. D. Beverly. Her father was a Baptist minister and shortly after her birth, he was called to the pastorate of the Baptist church at Union, South Carolina, where the family resided for several years. The next call was to Anderson, South Carolina, but Rev. Beverly felt that with the bitterness and turmoil prevalent in that section of the country as an aftermath of the Civil War, that it was better for his family to seek a more peaceful dwelling place. So in 1870, they moved to Marshall, Texas, and the children of the family were sent to the Masonic Institute there for schooling. It was a Marshall in a revival held by her father, assisted by the well-known Dr. I. G. Tichenor, that she was converted and joined the Baptist church at the age of 12 years. Six years later at Round Rock, Williamson County, Texas, where her father was pastor and the little daughter Ida was 18 years old, she met and married W. F. Watkins, a native Virginian. The next December he died. In 1880 she moved to Cleburne, Texas with her father’s family and here met and married on Oct. 2, 1881, the fine Christian gentleman, H. C. Grisham who with her help established a home that was known even in far places for its great Christian influence. Her father officiated at their wedding.

Their lives were blessed by the birth of four children; two daughters who died in infancy, another daughter, Bewley, who passed away in 1913, and Henry Gresham of this city.

They lived in Cleburne, he for 57 years, and she for 55 years, before selling their business interests and moving to Waurika to be near their children, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gresham and their daughter Elizabeth, now Mrs. Hubert Klopfenstein, and son William, both of Waurika. Mr. Gresham died in 1942.

From the time the Women’s Bible class was organized in the First Baptist Church at Cleburne, Mrs. Gresham was its teacher until the family moved to Waurika.

Gentle, soft-spoken, charitable "Mother" Gresham truly belonged to the great group of pioneer women whose "price is above rubies." May her rest and sleep, after months of suffering, be deep and sweet.
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Mrs. Ida White
Waurika News-Democrat
April 13, 1945

Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Allen and sister, Mrs. G. L. Wilson and her granddaughter, Wilma Lou Allen, were called to Hollis Saturday afternoon by the death of Mrs. Ida White, sister of Mrs. R. A. Allen and Mrs. G. L. Wilson. Mrs. Ida White, a former resident but for a good many years lived at Hollis.

Mrs. White had been ill since Christmas with a heart ailment but passed away after a week of serious illness. Funeral services were held at Hollis with interment in the family plot there.

Mrs. White was 60 years old; survivors include her husband A. White, two sons and two daughters and three grandchildren, two sisters and two brothers, Will and Jim Kennedy of this community and also Jim of Wichita Falls and L. D. of Amarillo.
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Elbert L. Ryan
Waurika News-Democrat
April 20, 1945

Elbert L. Ryan, known to friends as "Eb," popular county assessor of Jefferson county, passed away suddenly at the home of his sister, Mrs. W. B. Wray, at Ryan about 8:30 Monday morning. Mr. Ryan had been in poor health for some time, but was at his office in the courthouse Saturday and told friends that he was feeling much better. He had been making the trip each day from Ryan to his office with J. M. Sawyers, deputy treasurer, and when Mr. Sawyers called him Monday morning, his sister said that Mr. Ryan did not feel like making the trip. Before Mr. Sawyer reached Waurika, Eb had passed away.

Few men had as many friends as Eb Ryan and his untimely passing is universally mourned over the county….

Mr. Ryan was stricken with heart trouble several months ago and had spent some time in hospitals at Dallas and Sulphur. He came home feeling better but was never quite himself again….

Elbert L. Ryan was a native son of Jefferson County, having been born at Ryan June 29, 1889. He would have been 56 years old at his next birthday. He was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Ryan, the town of Ryan having been named for the elder Mr. Ryan. Eb grew to manhood in the Ryan community and was engaged in farming and stock raising for a number of years.

He was a veteran of WWI and served in France and Germany with the 36th division, acquitting himself as a good soldier. He was an active member of the American Legion.

Mrs. Ryan was first elected county assessor in 1936 and has been continuously re-elected by good majorities every 2 years since. He began his fifth term in this office the first of last January. G. M. Benton, head deputy in office, passed away only about a month ago.

Eb served as president of the State Association of county assessors and was active in the association throughout the time he was been county assessor.

Mr. Ryan is survived by his stepmother, Mrs. S.W. Ryan of Bethany, Oklahoma, three sisters, Mrs. S. L. Wray of Terral, Mrs. W. B. Wray and Mrs. Don Campbell of Ryan and one half-brother, Raymond Ryan of McAllen, Texas and two half-sisters Mrs. Fred Pierce of El Paso, Texas and Mrs. Paul Henderson of Oklahoma City.

Funeral services were conducted from the Baptist church in Ryan at 3:00 Tuesday afternoon by Rev. Carlos Berry of Ryan and Rev. Albert McClellan of Waurika.
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Mrs. Emma Elizabeth Day Glazner
Waurika News-Democrat
April 27, 1945

Mrs. W. P. Glazner died at the family home in Waurika early Thursday morning April 19 following a long illness. Funeral services were conducted from the First Baptist church in Waurika Sunday afternoon at 3:00 by Rev. Albert McClellan and interment was in the Waurika cemetery.

Emma Elizabeth Day was born December 24, 1877 at Madisonville, Texas, the daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. J. R. Day. She grew to womanhood in Texas and moved with her parents to Terral, then Indian Territory. She was married to W. P. Glazner, November 7, 1892 when they settled on a farm wet of Ryan where they lived until 1936 when they moved to Waurika.

Mrs. Glazner became a Christian and united with the Methodist church, later uniting with the Baptist church. She was a devoted Christian throughout her life, loyal to her family, her church, and her friends, always going about doing good.

She is survived by her husband, her stepmother, 8 children, 4 sisters, 3 brothers, 27 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. The surviving children are: Ollie Odessie Rogers of Oklahoma City, Willie Pearl Elliott of Hutchinson, Kan., Ruby Myrtle Hill of Alanreed, Kan., Mary Norman Palmer of Ryan, Jerry E. Cecil Glazner of Coolings , Calif., Robert Lester Glazner of Great Bend, Kan., Claud Harking Glazner of Waurika, William Emmett Glazner of Great Bend, Kansas.

All the children and their companions were here to attend the funeral except D. E. Elliott who is in the Armed Forces and Mrs. William Emmett Glazner.
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George Cline Cassady
Waurika News-Democrat
April 27, 1945

George Cline Cassady, pioneer of Jefferson County, was born near Fayetteville, Arkansas on May 17, 1866 and passed away in a Duncan hospital on the evening of April 17, 1945.

He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Cassady. When he was 7 years old, the family moved to Johnson County, Texas and lived there until 1896. They then spent four years in South Texas near Ganado, before moving to Oklahoma. They came to Jefferson County in 1900 and located on a farm in the Texas community where he lived for 37 years. Since that time, he has made his home in Hastings and in the Camp Hotel in Waurika.

Uncle George, as he was familiarly known to old and young, was a man of upright character and a loyal citizen. He enjoyed visiting with his friends and discussing current topics. He was one of the best informed men in Jefferson County on civic and national affairs. In his earlier years, he farmed and took pride in raising good horses.

Fro many years Mr. Cassady had suffered from asthma… he was visiting a nephew, Olin Cassady at the time he took seriously ill on April 14 …

He leaves to mourn his passing a brother William Henry Cassady of the Texas community, a sister Mrs. Elizabeth Ray of Hastings and a host of relatives and friends. After funeral services were conducted in the Methodist church in Hastings Wednesday of last week by Rev. T. A. Fowler of Waurika, he was laid to rest in the Hastings cemetery.
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George W. Edwards
Waurika News-Democrat
May 11, 1945

Funeral services were held from the First Baptist Church May 3 at 3:00 and were conducted by Rev. Albert McClellan, pastor, assisted by Rev. T. A. Fowler, pastor fo the Methodist church. Interment was in the family plot at the Waurika cemetery where the body was borne to ret by Joe Lokey, Pascal Allen, Albert Davis, Grover Warren, W. R. Berry and Charles Thompson, honorary bearers were F. J. Cancross, W. L. Thompson, J. N. Locke, Bill Warren, J.W. McKnight, Dan Sturgeon, Hugh L. Ray, J. A. Davis and R. L. Thompson, all men with whom he had been associated through the years and who were close to his heart.

George W. Edwards, oldest son of Edwin Z. and Roxy Edwards was bon near Meridian, Mississippi July 1, 1861 and was the last living member of his family. When he was 16 years old, the family went by wagon and oxen team to Bell County, Texas, a long and arduous trip, and there took over pioneering and its hardships.

On Ausust 12, 1880, he was married to Miss Belle Hastings at Holland, Texas, and to them were born eight children, five of whom survive: Mrs. Charles W. Jones of Zephyr, Texas, Furman of Waurika, Clem of Blanket, Texas, Homer, Temple and Glenn of Duncan. Two sons, Walter and Elijah are dead, their mother also passing away in 1900.

On January 19, 1904, he was married to Mrs. Annie Countiss Canode in Bell County, Texas. Children born to them were: Noble who died in infancy, Alta, Mrs. Max Thomas, who died here 7 years ago, and Ruth, Mrs. Harold Nichols of Tulsa. Two stepchildren, Mrs. H. C. Willis of Fort Worth and Franklin Canode of Rome, Miss., were also part of this home, neither of them remembering any father except "Dad" Edwards. In tribute to his memory Saturday, both said that he never had spoken an unkind word to either. Every one of the children with the exception of Clem, who was here during his father’s illness, was here for the funeral. Mrs. Nichols leaving a 3 week old son to be with her father in his last illness and Mrs. Willis, whose husband is in a hospital at Temple, Texas. There is also a great group of grandchildren and great grandchildren surviving.

Mr. Edwards was converted and joined the Baptist church when 21 years old and during his years in Texas was very active in church work and also in the Masonic lodge.

In the fall of 1906, the family came to Jefferson County and settled on a farm west of Sugden. In 1942, unable longer to cope with farm tasks, he and his wife moved to Waurika where they have since made their home. The greatest loneliness in the family over "Dad’s" passing is that of his wife, the two having grow old together, steadfast in love and understanding…..
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Clay McGaha
Waurika News-Democrat
May 11, 1945

Word was received here Tuesday of the death of Clay McGaha, a former resident here who passed away at a tubercular hospital at Odessa, Texas, after an illness of several years.

The body was brought back home accompanied by his sister, Mrs. Ethel Deason of Odessa for interment and is expected to arrive here Thursday night. The date fo9r the funeral had not been set at the time of going to press. A more extended obituary will be carried next week.
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Louis S. Hutchinson
Waurika News-Democrat
May 11, 1945

Louis S. Hutchinson, the son of Jim and Laura Hutchinson, was born at Durant, Oklahoma, then Indian Territory, May 11, 1876 and would have been 69 years old on his next birthday. He was at one time a deputy U. S. marshal in Indian Territory.

"Hutch," as he was familiarly called by friends, was a good citizen. He had been a resident of this section for many years and was known as an industrious and prosperous farmer.

He was married to Miss Lillie Lee Hodges December 5, 1901. She passed away last October. Ten children were born to their union. One died in infancy and the others, together with 8 grandchildren, survive. The surviving children are: Jim of Dumas, Texas, A. J. with the U. S. navy, Lewis of Oklahoma City, John of Waurika, Clark of Borger, Texas, Mrs. A. R. Curtis of Oklahoma City, Mrs. George Gentry of Waurika, Jack with the U. S. Navy stationed at Corpus Christi, and Miss Mary Frances of the home.

All of the children except for the two in the Navy were present at the funeral.

Funeral services were conducted from the First Baptist Church of Waurika, at 3:00 Tuesday, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Albert McClellan. Interment was in the Waurika cemetery.
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Pvt. Charles I. Green
Waurika News-Democrat
May 25, 1945

Mrs. Dovie Patterson received a letter from Chaplain U.S. Arthur R. Osborne with the 19th Mountain Division giving details of the death of her brother, Pvt. Charles L. Green. Pvt. Green is survived by Mrs. Patterson and two other sisters, Miss Mary Green and Mrs. Sallie Lemons and two brothers, Nolan Green of this city, and Pfc. Herbert Green who is in Germany.

Charlie was killed April 22, 1945 in north Italy while in action against the enemy. He was given a Christian burial with full military honors and laid to rest in an American cemetery in northern Italy.
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Fred Ross McConnell
Waurika News-Democrat
May 25, 1945

Fred R. McConnell, pioneer of Jefferson County, died at his home in Minco May 1. he was one of Jefferson County’s most popular and useful citizens, a man who always stood for right. He had lived at Minco for a number of years. The following obituary is taken from The Minco Misntrel:

Fred Ross McConnell, son of James Amos and Mary Frances McConnell, was born April 5, 1879 in Springfield, Missouri and departed this life May 1, 1945, at his home in Minco.

In 1891, the family moved to Wichita Falls, Texas where a home was established. His father, James Amos, passed away and the family then came to Ryan, Oklahoma in 1901 where Fred settled on a farm. It was at this place that he was united in marriage to Mamie Edith Levertt, October 30, 1908.

To this union seven children were born, two boys and five girls: Winfred Ross McConnell who resides on the farm near Minco, Mary Ennard Eger, wife of Lt. Co. Charles Eger, Fannie Loriane Johson of Oklahoma city, Pauline Ruth Allen, wife of William Allen of Bartlesville, Freddie Lee Herndon, wife of James Herndon in the U. S. Navy, Hazel Edith McConnell, Yeoman of the U. S. Waves, James Thomas McConnell, chief petty officer of the U. S. Merchant Marines. James was the only child not present at the funeral as his ship is at sea. Mr. McConnell had 1 granddaughter and 6 grandsons. He is survived by two brothers and one sister.

In 1918, the family moved northwest of Minco where they resided until 1929, when they moved to their residence in Minco.

Mr. McConnell united with the Minco Baptist church in 1920, shortly after moving to the vicinity…. He was a Mason….
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Claud Gaines
Waurika News-Democrat
May 25, 195

Claud Gaines of Comanche, engineer for the Magnolia Petroleum Company at Addington pump station for the past 20 years, died at the Lindley hospital in Duncan May 19.

Funeral services were held at the Comanche Church of Christ Monday, May 21, followed by a military funeral at the Comanche cemetery by soldiers from Fort Sill.

Claud Gaines was 47 years old, volunteered for army service in 1942, was honorably discharged six months later on account of age and disability. He contracted pneumonia while in the armed service station in the north to which his recent illness and death are attributed.

Claud leaves one daughter and a sister, Mrs. John Kinder of Comanche, and two half-brothers William Andrews of Comanche and George W. Andrews of Waurika.
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Mrs. Rinda Elizabeth Sanford Harvill
Waurika News-Democrat
May 25, 1945

Another of Jefferson County’s real pioneers, Mrs. Rinda Harvill, folded tired hands Saturday morning, May 2, and quietly went to joining the increasing throng who no longer answer roll call here.

Funeral services ere held at the Baptist church in Addington Monday afternoon at 2:30, conducted by Rev. S. E. Dickey and interment was beside her husband who died in 1918 and other loved family members in the Addington cemetery.

Rinda Elizabeth Sanford was born near Monroe, Louisiana, April 11, 1865. Later the family moved to Texas and there she grew to womanhood. When she was 15 years old, she met and married Augustus Lofate Harvill and in 1895 they moved to the Addington community where she has since resided. She passed away at the Waurika hospital after being a patient for several weeks.

Mr. and Mrs. Harvill were the parents of nine children, seven sons and two daughters, Mrs. J. T. Bailey of Tucumcari, N. M. who was unable to attend the funeral, and Mrs. B. L. Snyder of Oklahoma City. The surviving sons are: Newt of the home, Jesse of Hastings, Frank of Comanche, the others Louis, John, and Ems preceded her in death.
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Mrs. Callie Sugg Brown
Waurika News-Democrat
June 1, 1945

Mrs. Cassie Brown of Ryan, one of the county’s best loved women, died at a Duncan hospital Monday night after an illness of several weeks. Funeral services were conducted from the Tabernacle in Ryan Wednesday afternoon by Rev. Norman, a former pastor or the Nazarene church at Ryan. Interment was in the Ryan cemetery.

Among the colorful characters produced by the early days in Indian Territory, noen was more picturesque that Mrs. Cassie Sugg Brown, noted church worker and friend of those in need in and around Ryan. Mrs. Brown was truly a woman who experienced the hardships of pioneer days in Indian Territory during the time when the cattle ranches were being established.

Mrs. Cassie Sugg Brown was born near Cotton Plant, Monroe County, Ark., Feb. 24, 1866. At an early age, she with her parents, moved to Russellville in Pope County, Ark. She was the oldest of six children, three died in infancy or their first or second year. Her father, John W. Sugg, was a Mississippian by birth, a teacher in Arkansas, and a pioneer rancher in Jefferson County. His ranch house was located about one mile south of the present site of Waurika. Her mother’s maiden name was Narciss Nolen. She was a native of Tennessee. Mrs. Brown’s parents, known as Uncle Johnnie and Aunt Sis, were tow of the most congenial and hospitable persons ever to live in southern Oklahoma.

Mrs. Brown grew to womanhood near Russellville, Ark., which is about 75 miles east of Fort Smith. It was here that she attended a subscription school and received her meager schooling. On January 1, 1881, before she had reached her 15th birthday, she was married to George Brown, son of Sing Brown, a well to do farmer and ranchman who owned considerable property in that locality.

Her parents with her two brothers, Tillman and William, moved to Jefferson County in 1881. Soon afer her marriage to Mr. Brown, they located about 1 mile south of Waurika, just across the creek on what is known today as the old Matthews place. In 1882, Aunt Cassie and her husband came to visit her parents. On this trip Aunt Cassie related that she remembered camping near the present site of Healdton and ear the camp site, they had to push oil off the water in order to get drinking water, which place later destined to become one of the best oil fields in the U. S. In 1883, she and her husband moved about ½ mile east of the old Johnnie Sugg place. They constructed a foot log across Beaver Creek so they could go from her home to the home of her parents. They lived here for the next 5 years, moving in 1888 to the log cabin at the Kelly farm ½ mile south of Waurika and where the log cabin stands today. Mrs. Grown with her daughters, Kelly B. and Belle, moved to Ryan in 1897. In 1898, her mother died at the old ranch home south of Waurika and her father moved to Ryan and lived with Mrs. Brown.

In 1903 Mrs. Brown accepted a job as a matron in the Greenville Peniel College at Greenville, Texas. Her reason for accepting this job was to be with her daughter Belle who was attending school there. In 1905 Belle died and Mrs. Brown resigned her job in 1906, coming back to Ryan. Her daughter Kelley B. had married Walter Major, leaving Mrs. Brown with no one depending on her for support. She immediately became interested in Home Missions and applied herself to the study of books and since then she had devoted her time to the work of her church. Mrs. Brown stated that she wore out two buggies driving her old horse Old Vic more than 10,000 miles. She drove Old Vic until about 1919 when she bought a car, since that time she has worn out 3 cars…

In speaking of her early days in the Indian Territory, Mrs. Brown said that for six months, she and her mother never saw a white woman, in fact there was not another white woman in a radius of many miles. At this time, there were several ranches close by such as the Addington, Bill Washington, S.W.Ryan and others, but there were no white women.

A number of years ago, Mrs. Brown inherited some money from the estate of the late J. D. Sugg of San Angelo, Texas who died at Chickasha. She built a Community Tabernacle in Ryan which is 72 feet by 59 feet, using part of the inherited money….
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Mrs. Mary Ann Hallman
Waurika News-Democrat
June 15, 1945

Mrs. Mary Ann Hallman, wife of James Hallman, was born in Williamson County, Texas, November 23, 1877 and died at the Waurika hospital June 5, 1945.

Funeral services were held Sunday morning June 10 at the Morris Chapel at 10:30 conducted by Rev. Solomon of the Wichita Falls. Interment was in the Waurika cemetery.

Mrs. Hallman is survived by her husband, two sons and a daughter, the latter three living in California; the funeral was postponed, hoping they could attend.
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Mrs. Mary Belle Hazzard Ackerman
Waurika News-Democrat
June 15, 1945

Mrs. D. E. Ackerman, who had been ill for several years, but had been a patient at the Waurika hospital a few weeks, died Thursday evening, June 7. Funeral services were held Saturday morning at 7:00 at St. Thomas Church in Waurika, conducted by Father Hayes, after which the body was taken by car to Wichita, Kansas. Committal services were held at Calvary cemetery where the family plot is and she was laid to rest beside her husband who died March 12, 1934 and her daughter Else who died 1931.

Mary Belle Hazzard was born April 3, 1869 in Allen County, Kansas. Here she grew up and was married March 1, 1892 to Dan Ackerman, vows being read in Woodson County where there was a church and a priest of their faith.

Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman lived in Allen County until 1901 when the Kiowa-Comanche country was opened to settlement and they decided on doing some pioneering of their own. They drew the claim four miles southwest of Waurika where they resided until a few years ago before his death when they were no longer able physically to cope with farm problems and they moved to Waurika.

Mr. Ackerman was very active in affairs of the Kiowa-Comanche country, belonging to the U. S. Court Commissioner and was U. S. Indian Agent…

After the loss of their only child Elsie, she still was courageous in carrying on for herself and her husband…

Meeting the need of a family of her own in great measure were Mr. and Mrs. Ed Trout who looked after her in the years they lived in her house, also after she moved to herself and in her last illness, they have filled the place of an own family…

Mrs. Ackerman is survived by 3 nieces and 2 nephews: Mr. and Mrs. Don Peterson of Garden City, Kansas who stayed the two weeks preceding Mrs. Ackerman’s passing, Mrs. Alice Dunn of Wichita, Kan., Mrs. J. A. Tiberti of Los Vegas, Nev., Russell Rohback of Wichita, Kan., and Clifford Cummings of Tulsa, also Mrs. Antone Menz of Delaware, a sister-in-law.

Mrs. Cummings of Tulsa spent some time here during the illness of Mrs. Ackerman.
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Eva Jane Bailey Sims
Waurika News-Democrat
June 15, 1945

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 at the Methodist church conducted by Rev. G. Lyle Smith, pastor of the Waurika Christian church, assisted by Rev. T. A. Fowler, pastor of the Methodist church. Interment was in the Waurika cemetery where she sleeps quietly by "Daddy" who passed away February 12, 1943, and from whom since she had never known separation since their marriage.

Eva Jane Bailey was born March 1, 1856 at Fort Smith, Ark. The family moved to Austin and spent several years and thence to Dallas where she grew to womanhood and was united in marriage with L. R. Sims when she was 17 years old.

Leaving Dallas, they went to Grayson County, Texas and 56 years ago, moved to Indian Territory, settling at Overbrook near Ardmore. From there they lived in various places including Paoli, Kansas, Purcell, and in 1909 came to Waurika where they have since resided.

Mother and Daddy Sims were the parents of 11 children, one little boys dying as an infant. Surviving are: Henry, Otway and Tom, Mrs. Lura Clurz, Mrs. Maude Miller of Waurika, Mrs. Charlotte Mullins of Houston, Mrs. Amanda Barnett of Olney, Texas, Mrs. C. P. Brown of Chickasha, and Mrs. Mallie Glasgow of Hot Springs, Ark…

A sister, Mrs. A. B. DeSelms of Edmond was here and another sister, Mrs. Mallie James of Holman, Texas 82 years old, was unable to attend.

Mrs. Sims was converted to the Presbyterian church when she was 12 years old….
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James London
Waurika News-Democrat
June 15, 1945

Complete obit can be copied by the Oklahoma Historical Society for a small fee.

James Allen London, son of the T. W. and Ella London, was born at Fleetwood January 12, 1906, the youngest of six children: Linwood of Merced, Calif., W. C. of Waurika, Mrs. Vera Wentling of Oakland and Molin of Fresno, Calif,…
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Oleeta Marie Huckaby Holdaway Evans
Waurika News-Democrat
June 15, 1945

(Complete obit can be copied by the Oklahoma Historical Society for a small fee.)

Oleeta Marie Huckaby, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. G. Huckaby of Wilson, was born in Carter County March 23, 1910. She lived several years in Waurika and Temple before moving to Lawton where the family was living. She was known as Mrs. Allen Holdaway before becoming Mrs R. E. Evans; her husband and daughter Billie Jean along with her parents are her immediate survivors.
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Mary Frances Newborn
Waurika News-Democrat
June 22, 1945

Mary Frances Newborn passed away Wednesday June 6 at the home of her niece Mrs. Toll Smith of Ryan with whom she had made her home the past 10 years.

Aunt Mary, as she was known to her loved ones and friends, had been sick a long time, but never complained….

Mary Frances Newborn was born at Dublin, Texas June 3, 1876 and was 69 years old when she died. She was the daughter of W. H. and Elizabeth Newborn, deceased.

Surviving are one brother J. H. Newborn of Pocasset, a niece Mrs. Toll Smith, … a great niece, Colleen Smith, a nephew, Toll Smith, jr., of Los Angeles…

Burial was in the Ryan cemetery by the side of her brothers Jake and Joe and her mother who preceded her in death… Out of town relatives included Mr. and Mrs. Earl Whisenhunt and Mrs. and Mrs. Jimmie Whisenhunt of Holliday, Texas.
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Mrs. Mary Alice Jarrett
Waurika News-Democrat
July 20, 1945

(Complete copy can be obtained from the Oklahoma Historical Archives for a small fee.)

Mrs. J. W. Jarrett, for many years a resident of the Hastings community, but of recent years, a resident of Duncan, died at a Duncan hospital Thursday July 12. Funeral services were conducted from the First Baptist church in Duncan and burial was in the Duncan cemetery.

Mary Alice Jarrett was born in Paris, Texas January 20, 1877 and moved to what is southern Oklahoma in 1888. She was married to J. W. Jarrett October 5, 1893 at Davis, Oklahoma and the family located at Hastings and then moved to Duncan in 1942. Mr. Jarrett passed away March 39, 1944. Mrs. Jarrett became a member of a Baptist church at the age of 14 and lived a devoted a Christian life.

She is survived by 11 children, 32 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. The surviving children are: Mrs. Elmer Cochran, Mrs. Vernon Ridinghafer, Dee Jarrett, Mrs. Carlton Dunn and Mrs. R. W. Dunford, all of Duncan; W. H. Jarrett of Dinuba, Calif., Mrs. Wesley Hauck of Seminole, C. E. Jarrett of Redlands, Calif., J. R. Jarrett of Borger, Tex., Mrs. J. T. Dunford of Odessa, Mrs. Roy Knight of Temple, Okla. Two sisters and one brother also survive: Mrs. J.W. Hauck of Seminole, Mrs. Asa Hauck of Calif., and S. P. Johnson of Seminole.
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Nathaniel Mears Fowler
Waurika News-Democrat
July 20, 1945

Nathaniel Mears Fowler, pioneer settler of this section, passed away at the family home east of Waurika July 13, 1945… Funeral services were conducted from the First Baptist Church in Waurika Saturday afternoon July 14 by Rev. Albert McClellan and interment was in the Waurika cemetery.

Mr. Fowler was born in Montgomery County, Arkansas, April 15, 1873, the youngest son of Nathaniel and Margaret Fowler. He came with his parents to Millerton, Indian Territory in 1870 and grew to manhood in that locality. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Wells in March, 1897 and to this union, eight children were born, one daughter preceding him in death.

The family moved to Stuart, I. T. in 1903 and then in 1915, they located near Claypool. They located on the farm 4 miles east of Waurika in 1923 and this was the family home at the time of Mr. Fowler’s death. …

He is survived by his widow, four sons and three daughters, A. L. Fowler of Ringling, Jesse Fowler of Waurika, Charles M. Fowler stationed at Enid Army Air Field, Donald E. Fowler stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, Miss Florence of Norman, Okla., Mrs. Ida Lyons of Ringling, Mrs. Maudie Lyons of Firebaugh, Calif. There are also 15 grandchildren and one great granddaughter….

Relatives from a distance attending the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. David E. Fowler and daughter Mrs. Opal Harkey and Oscar Harkey of Millerton, Okla., and Charlie Fowler and family of Vernon, Texas.
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Mrs. Sallie Ann Atkins Ring
Waurika News-Democrat
July 27, 1945

… Mrs. Sallie Ann Ring died July 17, 1945 at the age of 84 years. She was born in Texas November 16, 1861. She was converted and became a member of the Baptist church early in life…

She was married to Jesse Riley Atkins April 29, 1979 and he passed away December 30, 1929. To their union, eight children were born, four of whom preceded their parents in death, Frank, Lizzie, Willie and Alfred. Surviving children are two sons, Joe of Hollis and Jep of Duncan, two daughters, Mrs. S. M. Bumgarner of Davis and Mrs. A. J. Owens of Waurika. There are also 23 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren. Eight of her grandsons are in the Armed Forces…

Mr. and Mrs. Atkins settled at Addington 49 years ago and reared their family there. They lived in tents before there were any houses in Addington…

After the death of Mr. Atkins, she went to Hollis to live with her son Joe, and to help care for his small son. Here she met and married J.A. Ring, who lived only a few years. Mrs. Ring then returned to Addington where she lived until 1939 when she moved to Waurika to be near her daughter, Mrs. A. J. Owens.

Funeral services were conducted from the Baptist Church in Addington at 4:00 Wednesday, July 18 by the pastor Rev. Bill Crews. Interment was in the Addington cemetery.

Flower girls for the funeral were six of her granddaughters. Pallbearers were Jim Keith, Dick White, Charley Headrick, H.Standeven, August Borhn and Mr. Leavelle.
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William Ernest Edgar
Waurika News-Democrat
July 27, 1945

William Ernest Edgar, known among friends as Bart Edgar, died at the home of his brother Haskell Edgar at Addington July 6, 1945 after a lingering illness, following a stroke of paralysis, suffered almost a year before his death…. He was born September 18, 1895 and was 49 years old… He had lived in the Addington community since he was 4 years old.

Survivors include: brothers Clude and Haskell of Addington and sister Mrs. E.W. Thompson of Gladewater, Texas. ….
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Mrs. Livina Verina Huff Lankford
Waurika News-Democrat
August 3, 1945

Grandmother Lankford, one of Waurika’s oldest citizens, there being only one older individual in the city, died at her home in the south part of town Saturday, July 28, after a long illness. She had been confined to her home 12 to 1 5 years, able to be up and about the place most of the time. She was taken seriously ill only about two days before her death.

Funeral services were conducted from the First Baptist church Sunday afternoon at 2:30 by Rev. Albert McClellan and interment was in the family plot in the Waurika cemetery.

Mrs. Lankford was one of that school of old fashioned sturdy women of the south, strong in her convictions and ever ready to express them. She was a leader in her community and many were the neighbors, who looked to her for advice. Even in political matters, the politician sought the support of Mrs. Lankford as the most influential persons in her community.

She professed Christianity in early life and became a member of the Baptist church……

Her husband, the late W.A. Lankford, who died here about 20 years ago, was a follower of the Gray in the Civil War and his widow ever remained loyal to the cause of the South.

Livina Verina Huff was born at Dangerfield, Texas August 7, 1856. She was married to W.A. Lankford January 7, 1875 and to this union 11 children were born. Six survive and were all here to attend the funeral: Mrs. L. L. Clark, Tom and W. A., jr. of Waurika, H. H. of Enid, Mrs. E.G. Reed of Bonita, Okla., Bruce of McAlester. Mrs. Kissie Franzone, another daughter who lived in Waurika for a number of years, died about 2 years ago at Pittsburg, California. A granddaughter, Mrs. Kate Dutree of Pittsburg, Calif., was on her way to visit her grandmother at the time of her death, but did not arrive here until Wednesday of this week. Other surviving relatives include 21 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 11 great great grandchildren.

After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Lankford, they moved to Decatur, Texas, then to Montague, Texas, and to Fleetwood in what is now Jefferson County, Oklahoma in 1907. They came to Waurika in 1909.
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Mrs. J.D. Trent
Waurika News-Democrat
August 3, 1945

Mrs. J. D. Trent of Ryan died Monday night at a hospital in Comanche following a brief illness. Funeral services were to be conducted from the Baptist church at Ryan Thursday afternoon at 4:40 by Rev. Carlos Berry and Rev. K. F. Keller. Mrs. Trent was an active member of the Baptist church.

She was a pioneer resident of Ryan and is survived by her husband, two sons, T. J. of Ryan and D. R. of Dallas and one daughter who lives in Chicago.
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Colbert Peacock
Waurika News-Democrat
August 17, 1945

Ryan News Items by Mrs. Roy Miller

Colbert Peacock passed away at the Ryan hospital August 9 after a lingering illness.

He was married in 1929 to Mrs. Evelyn Muccully. To this union, one daughter was born, Bonnie Jo. They raised one adopted son, George Newsome, who has been stationed with the 15th Air Corps in Italy. He arrived just 2 days before his father’s death.

Besides the widow and two children, four brothers, four sisters and a number of other relatives survive. Relatives from a distance here to attend the funeral were: Darnell Peacock, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Ogle, and Dave Cathy from Sunset, Mrs. Leona Wade from California, Mr. and Mrs. Coy Beard from Ringling, Mrs. J. P. Maxwell of Alvord, Texas, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Brown and Sgt. James P. Hailey of Waco, Mrs. A.H. Sowers and Pat, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Broils and Preacher Peacock of Oklahoma City.
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Mrs. Samantha Sanders
Waurika News-Democrat
August 17, 1945

Ryan News Items by Mrs. Roy Miller

Mrs. Samantha Sanders departed this life last Friday, August 10. She was the widow of the late Charles Sanders.

Mrs. Sanders had gone to the home of brother, George Cathey, at Reserve, N. M. about six weeks ago in the hope that the change in climate would help her. Had she lived until August 13, she would have been 59 years old. She was a member of the Nazarene
church and lived true to her profession. Several brothers and sisters survive.
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Robert W. Montgomery
Waurika News-Democrat
August 24, 1947

News from Ryan by Mrs. J. B. Pealor

Robert W. Montgomery was born May 25, 1891 at Jolly, Texas and passed away August 15, 1945 at the Ryan hospital at the age of 54 years.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church at Terral Saturday afternoon 2:00 by Rev. G. O. Hunter. Interment was at Prospect, Texas where he spent his boyhood and school days. He later was employed by the S. P. railroad for several years. He was a veteran of WWI, spending 18 months in France…

(Complete obit can be copied for a small fee by the Oklahoma Historical Society.)
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Jefferson Davis Green
Waurika News-Democrat
August 31, 1945

Jefferson Davis Green, who made his home with his son Leo Green in Addington died at the Waurika hospital August 27 at the advanced age of 81 years. He was born at McDaniels, Kentucky November 28, 1862.

He ws married to Willie Elvaree Keith September 7, 1890 and to this union, 3 children were born, all of whom survive, Leo of Addington, Mrs. B. H. Leighly of Enid and Willie Edward of unknown address. His wife died, leaving him with three small children and he was married the second time to Miss Kate Glascock of McDaniels, Kentucky who also preceded him in death. His last marriage was to Miss Lydia A. Anderson who also preceded him in death. He leaves 11 grandchildren, four of his grandsons being in the armed forces and one granddaughter, Elvaree Fay Green, a graduate nurse living in Alameda, California.

Mr. Green’s first home was established at Caneyville, Kentucky where he operated a mercantile business. He later moved to the farm and after the death of second wife, he moved to Comanche County, Oklahoma in what is now Cotton County. He moved to Enid in 1937 to be near his daughter. In 1944, he went to Oklahoma City to live with a niece, Mrs. Mattie Cregger, and in the same year, came to the home of his son Lee at Addington.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 at the Methodist church at Randlett, Oklahoma. Interment was in the Randlett cemetery.
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William R. Rich
Waurika News-Democrat
August 31, 1945

William R. Rich was born October 28, 1880 at Decatur, Texas, the son of C. C. and Martha J. Richs. He passed away August 24, 1945 at home in Waurika at the age of 64 years, 9 months and 26 days.

He married Katie A. Foster in March 1904 at Decatur and to this union ten children were born: C. W. Rich of Redoak, Iowa, R. V. Rich of unknown address, Lois Rich who died in infancy, Mrs. Mary Patterson of Oklahoma City, J. C. Rich of Jewett, Texas, Mrs. Vernon Phillips of Oklahoma City, MRs. Margaret Allred of Waurika, Helen Rich of Oklahoma City, Virgie Rich of the home, Pvt. Nolan Rich stationed at Sheppard Field, Wichita Falls, Texas.

Mr. Rich began farming near Decatur, Texas and lived there until 1934 when he and his family moved to the ranch near Waurika where they still live.

The widow, nine children and 15 grandchildren survive with the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Effie Swager of Bellevue, Tex., Mrs. Ollie McEntire of Fort Worth, MRs. Eliza Stroud of Gainesville, Mrs. Maud Meyers, Miss Ethel Rich, Robert H. Rich and Byrd Rich of Decatur, Texas.
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Mrs. Effie C. Tripp
Waurika News-Democrat
September 14, 1945

MRs. H. L. Tripp of the Grady community passed Sunday, September 2, at the home of her son Narvel after an illness, due to a heart ailment, of more than a year. Funeral services were held the following day at the Grady church conducted by the pastor of the Ringling Baptist church with interment in the Grady cemetery.

Effie Craze was born August 29, 1885 in DeKalb County, Alabama. Her family came to Spanish Fort, Texas when she was a child, and here she grew to womanhood and was united in marriage with H. L. Tripp October 8, 1905. She and Mr. Tripp made their home at Spanish Fort until 1908 when they came to Oklahoma and settled near Grady where they have since lived.

They were the parents of six children, all of whom with the father survive. They are: Roy, Narvel, and Mrs. Bertha Prescott in the Grady community, Mrs. Mildred Doyle in Oklahoma City, Pfc Calvin in the Philippines and Pvt. Calvin Tripp in Germany.

Mrs. Tripp was converted when a young woman and joined the Primitive Baptist church. She was faithful to its teachings throughout her life and reared her family in that faith. A devoted wife and mother, an affectionate neighbor and friend, has gone to her reward.
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W. A. Leary
Waurika News-Democrat
September 21, 1945

W. A. Leary of Centerview, Missouri who had spent several winters her with his daughter Mrs. J. I. Hollingsworth and the late Dr. Hollingsworth, passed away Saturday afternoon Sept. 8 at the home of another daughter Mrs. Marie Adair of Centerview…. He was 71 years old….

Mr. Leary is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Adair and Mrs. Hollingsworth, now of Muskogee, also a foster son James Ray McMurphy stationed Hawthorne, Nevada. There is a granddaughter Bobbie Inez Adair and three brothers, Harry, Porter and Charles Leary…
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Dolph Wright
Waurika News-Democrat
September 21, 1945

… D. D. "Dolph" Wright passed away Sept. 7 at Sulphur, Oklahoma… Mr. Wright had been in bad health for some time… he entered the Veterans hospital in Sulphur…

Mr. Wright was born Dec. 5, 1897 in Grayson County, Texas and moved with his parents to Indian Territory shen a child. He spent the greater part of his early life in Waurika with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. B. Wright, his sister Mabel and two brothers, Spencer and Ernest. From here he was called to service in the WWI.

He was united in marriage to Miss Lessie Fore 24 years ago and to this union six children were born: Ohara, Francis, Billie, Betty, Bobby and Jerry. With 3 brothers, Ferris, Spencer, Ernest of California and 3 sisters, Mrs. T. N. Jenkins of Breckenridge, Tex., Mrs. Mable Culberson of Waurika and Mrs. Bettie Seiker of Comanche…

Mr. Wright had been employed by the Dixon-Lawson Oil Company for the past 12 years.

The body was taken from Sulphur to the Richeson Funeral Home in Wilson, Okla… laid to rest in the Waurika cemetery.
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Mr. and Mrs. Ed Maxville
Waurika News-Democrat
September 28, 1945

Ed Maxville and wife, one of Waurika’s most substantial and highly respected Negro couples, were found dead in the yard at their home about 6:00 Tuesday morning, the result of having come in contact with a clothes line, heavily charged from a sagging high voltage power line, which had fallen across it some time during the heavy windstorm early Monday night.
….
The bodies were taken to a Duncan funeral home. Funeral services will be held at the A. M. E. Church perhaps sometime Sunday, the time being delayed for the arrival of relatives from a distance.

Mr. and Mrs. Maxville are survived by four children: Mrs. Gladys Pauline Watson of Wichita Falls, Hugh Leland 13, Mercedes Lorine 10 and Patsy Ann 6 of the home.

The Maxvilles were leaders among their people, active members of the A. M. E. church and influential in all community affairs. They were highly respected by the best people of the community, always dependable. The colored folk have lost one of their very best families.
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Mrs. Florence Alice Calishaw Caroland
Waurika News-Democrat
September 28, 1945

Preceded in death just nine days by her oldest son, H. P. "Price" Caroland, Mrs. C. A. Caroland died September 16 at the family home southwest of Waurika.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon, September 18, at the Waurika Presbyterian church conducted by Rev. T. A. Fowler, assisted by Rev. G. Lyle Smith. Interment was in the family plot at the Waurika cemetery.

Florence Alice Calishaw was born August 3, 1863, at Woodlawn, Tennessee where she grew up and was married October 2, 1881 to Charles Augustus Caroland who preceded her in death in October 20, 1932. They were the parent of four daughters and eight sons, Price being the first child to break the family circle by death.

The family lived at Woodlawn for several years when the west began calling them, particularly Oklahoma and they arrived in Jefferson County March 22, 1906, settling on the old Caroland place which has been the family home through the years. After the other members of the family had left, Elliott (Pete) the youngest son stayed on with his mother maintaining a home for the others to return to. No son of hers could have been more greatly devoted to his mother and Peter and none gave her greater care and consideration.

Mrs. Caroland has been ill a great deal for the past several months and last Christmas, a daughter, Mrs. W. J. Morris of Enid, came to assist Pete in caring for her. She too was devoted to her mother and gave her every affectionate care possible.

All the sons and daughters of the family had been here for the funeral of their brother, Price, except for a sister and brother, Mrs. H. R. Gilloghly of Ponca City and Virgil of Portland, Oregon. Two sons, E.A. Caroland of Clarksville, Tenn. and Alden of Woodlawn, Tenn., could not make a return trip for their mother’s funeral and Virgil could not come. In attendance for the last rites were: Mrs. Morris, Mrs. D. C. Norris of Wichita Falls, Mrs. Clyde Shelby and Mrs. Gilloghly of Ponca City, Leslie of Clovis, N. M., Horace of Hobart, Charles of Waurika, and Pete of the home.

Twenty-four grandchildren survive, 11 grandsons in the service, and 21 great grandchildren.

Gentle, kind, unassuming, her world centered in her home and children. Mrs. Caroland, a true personification of the pioneer mother, has left a great vacancy here in the hearts of those she loved.
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Maggie V. Crampton
Waurika News-Democrat
September 28, 1945

The county lost another of its best citizens and pioneer settlers in the death of Maggie V. Crampton, the wife of the late O. B. Crampton. She passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Myrtle Ahlschlager of Oklahoma City, following a heart attack Wednesday, September 12, 1945.

Besides Mrs. Ahlschlager, she is survived by another daughter, Mrs. Bula McKay of Gibson, Iowa and one son, Cornelius Milton Crampton of San Jose, California, four grandchildren, Mrs. Irene Denney and Mrs. Margaret Hutchins of Oskaloosa, Iowa, Harold Oscar Ahschlager in the Navy, and Mrs. Margaret Gray of Gulfport, Miss., seven great grandchildren and two sisters.

Mrs. Crampton was born in Missouri December 5, 1868, her parents being Cornelius Milton and Katherine Crawford. While yet a small girl, she moved to Walker, Missouri. She was married to Oscar B. Crampton January 2, 1889.

The Crampton family came to Oklahoma in the early days and settled on a farm 3 ½ miles northwest of Hastings, which remains the family home.

Mrs Crampton was united with the Presbyterian Church early in life and was a devoted member active in the church at Hastings, during its existence there.

Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon September 16 at the Methodist church in Hastings and interment was in the family plot in the Hastings cemetery.

The many neighbors and friends in attendance and the lovely floral offerings bespoke the high esteem in which she was held by those who knew her best.
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John W. Foster
Waurika News-Democrat
September 28, 1945

John W. Foster, 74, of Lawton, retired machinists and well-known over Comanche County, died Friday in an Oklahoma City hospital after a 6-month illness.

Services were held at 2:00 Monday afternoon in the Ritter Funeral Home at Lawton, conducted by Rev. A. M. Wallock, Congressional minister. Burial was in the family plot at the Addington cemetery.

Mr. Foster was born near Durham, Arkansas May 16, 1871 and was married to Miss Georgia Ann Masters. They came to Lawton in 1920 and resided there until recently when they moved to a farm 10 miles southwest of that city.

Mr. Foster is survived by Mrs. Foster, two daughters, Mrs. Otis Waldron of Lawton and Mrs. Maxie Varone of Duncan, and one son, Loy of the home address, a grandson and a great grandson.
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Samuel Bert Gay
Waurika News-Democrat
October 12, 1945

After months of patiently enduring suffering, the sands of life for Bert Gay ebbed slowly out the night of October 5, 1945 at the family home on East G Street in Waurika. Death was due to a malignancy for which he was treated for weeks at the Wichita Falls Clinic Hospital to no avail.

Funeral services were held the afternoon of Tuesday October 9 at the Waurika Christian Church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. G. Lyle Smith. Interment was in the family plot at the Waurika cemetery.

Samuel Bert Gay was born February 21, 1881 in Manola County, Texas, where he grew to manhood. Her he was also married December 24, 1906 to Miss Bonnie Phillips. They moved to Jefferson County the next fall and located on a farm east of Waurika. Here they made their home until 1937 when they moved to Waurika as he was then in bad health….

Mr. Gay is survived by Mrs. Gay, three sons and fives daughters, 17 grandchildren…. Two sons, Lankford and John Derr, preceded him in death…

The sons are: Henry of Corcaran, Calif., Grover M. M. with the Seabees, Edward stationed at Norman. Henry was unable to attend his father’s funeral… The daughters are: Mrs. Laura McBee of Bakersfield, Calif. (unable to attend the funeral), Mrs. Osuette Welch of Waurika, Mrs. Nannie Belle Beilue of Santa Rita, N. M., Mrs. Itaska Wirt of Hastings, and Mrs. Inez Dugan of Weatherford, Texas….
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John Charles Ball
Waurika News-Democrat
October 12, 1945

Friends in Jefferson County will regret to hear of the death of John Charles Ball, an early resident in this section of Indian Territory.

He was born March 20, 1865 in Madison, West Virginia, later moving with his family to Erath County, Texas. In 1885, he moved to the Indian Territory where he met and married Miss Nettie Rider. They were the parents of a daughter Mrs. Alice Ussery, who now lives in Sherman, Texas. His wife passed away and in 1915, he married Miss Elosia E. Welch and to them two daughters were born, Mrs. Ora Mae Tate and Mrs. Dorothy L. Owings of Oklahoma City….

He is survived by Mrs. Ball, his three daughters, two grandsons, a sister, Mrs. W. O. Moon of Wichita, Kansas, and a host of relatives and friends.
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Mrs. Laura Alice Anderson Largent
Waurika News-Democrat
October 19, 1945

Mrs. E. T. Largent, mother of P. C. Largent of this city, died very suddenly at her home in Chico, Texas, on October 19 at the age of 74 years and six months….

Interment was at the Chico cemetery where she sleeps beside her beloved husband who preceded her in death 23 years and whom she married at the age of 15 years, after they had been grade school sweethearts. A son, V. S. Largent, also sleeps there, the only child of 12 to have "gone on before."

Laura Alice Anderson was born in San Antonio, Texas March 1, 1871 and was married to E. T. Largent in 1886.

Surviving sons and daughters, all of whom were present except Charles of California when Mother Largent was laid to rest are: Mrs. Proctor Woods, Mrs. Sanders Sharp, Mrs. Claude Cox, John and Burgess Largent of Chico, Mrs. Corlie Allman of Oklahoma City, Mrs. Arthur Brandt of Fort Worth, Bert and Charles of San Diego, Calif, P. C. Largent, and 23 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Nine of her grandsons and the husbands of four granddaughters have served in the World War II. …
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