Washita County, Oklahoma

Source: Wagon Tracks of Washita County Heritage

RHODES, CARL ADRIAN

Carl Adrian Rhodes was born southwest of COWDEN August 24th, 1905. Adrian is the son of Newton D. and Geneva (CARBAUGH) Rhodes, his father, Newt, came to Oklahoma when it was just a territory. Newt and Geneva lived and reared their family in Washita county near Cowden.

Adrian was married to Eula Fletcher at Eschol Valley church near Cowden in 1927.

Eula is the daughter of William Carrol and Betty Lorene (NIX) Fletcher who came to Oklahoma from Montague county Texas. Eula was born in Washita County near Cowden, where her parents lived and raised their family.

Adrian had his first year of school at Valley View and the rest of his schooling was Cowden. Eula spent all her school years at Cowden.

We have three children, two daughters and a son, Vesta Jean, Carlton Adrian, and Barbara Carolyn.

Adrian and I lived and raised our family in Cowden community. Farming and ranching has always been the way we supported out family.

To supplement the family income and with the help of our children, we milked cows, raised hogs and chickens and raised and canned all of our food possible.

One year Adrian and I and the children gathered our cotton crop by ourselves. The children, Jean, Carlton, and Barbara, could tell a little about that. Adrian also combined feed for the neighbors in the fall to help out.

All this makes us more thankful for the better years. We are proud of our family. The Lord has been good to us.

Adrian served on the election board at Cowden for 36 years. He was a member of Farmers Co-op elevator board at Mountain View 16 years, most of the time as president.

Eula has been a Washita county extension homemakers club member for 36 years. She is a charter member of the Cowden Live and Learn club organized September 29th 1947.

She is a former member of the Cowden Rebekah lodge. She served one year as district deputy and one year as member of the state educational board.

We are now at home at 501 North Fourth Street in Mountain View and are member of the First Baptist Church there.

The Children Of Adrian and Eula Rhodes, include a son, Carlton, and two daughtersm Vesta Jean and Barbara Carolyn.

Vesta Jean` our first daughter, is Mrs. Norman E. Glasscock of Cordell. She was born near Cowden, finished high school at Cowden, and attended business college in Oklahoma City.

Her son Michael Ray Sewell was born ib 1951 and her daughter Karen Kay Sewell, was born in 1953.

Michael attened Cordell schools, and received his degree in 1974 from Southwestern State University, Weatherford. He was married in 1870 to Kay Treadaway, who also attended Cordell school and SWSU. They have a daughter Amy, born January 21 1975. Mike is presently administrator of the Medthodist Nursing home at Clinton.

Karen Kay attended school at Cordell twelve years. She was married to Tom Phillip Coburn in 1969. They have two daughters, Mechelle Lynn, and Natasha Kay. Karen and Tom make their home in Cordell and he is engaged in the trucking business.

Carlton Adrian Rhodes was born 1929. He attended school at Cowden and studied business education at Southwestern State University.

Carlton(Corky) was married in 1949 to Betty Sewell. She attended school at Cloud Chief, finishing her senior year at Cowden. They have three daughters and two sons.

Randall Keith was born in 1951, Jerelyn Carlene in 1953, Marilyn Darlene in 1954, Melissa Jane in1958, and Billy Kent in 1959.

Randy attended school at Cowden and Cordell and received a degree from Southwestern State University in 1974, with a major in accounting. He was married in 1972 to Chris Wolfenbarger who attended school at Sentinel before entering SWSU. They have a son Cory Keith, born at Cordell March 6, 1975. They are home in Cordell where Randy is tentatively employed with Sewell Brothers.

Jerelyn attended school at Cowden and Cordell and also attended SWSU. She was married in 1971 to Jimmy Froneberger. He went to school at Cordell and received a degree fromSWSU before he entered the United States Navy as a second lieutenant. They have a daughter, Heather Dionne, born Feb. 23, 1973. They arepresently making their home in Virginia Beach, Virginia

Marilyn, who also attended school at Cowden and Cordell, has continued her education at SWSU and University of Oklahoma.

Melissa Jane(Lisa) has attended school at both Cowden and Cordell and is a senior at Cordell. She is active in school band and has received several honors.

Billy Kent, also attending school school at Cowden and Cordell, is now a junior in Cordell High School.

Corkey and Betty are still making their home west of Cowden. They are engaged in the farming and ranching business and also do custom combing at home in other states.

Barbara Carolyn Rhodes was born in 1934 at our farm. She attended school at Cowden and received a degree from Southwestern State University. Later she received a Master’s degree from the University od Oklahoma.

In 1952 she was married to Carl F. Hildebrand who was teaching at Cowden High School at that time. He also has degrees from SWSU and OU.

They have two children, Carolyn Diane, and Steven Brent.

Diane attended school at Berlin and Western Heights Schools in Oklahoma City. She continued her education at SWSU and Oklahoma State University. She was married to Mike Patton August 23, 1975, in Tulsa where they make their home. Both are presently employed at the junior college there.

Steven Brent attended Western Heights and has continued his education at SWSU, Central State University, and is a senior at Oklahoma State University. He will receive his degree in accounting in 1976.

Submitted by Adrian Rhodes