Walter Stephen Barclay and Ruby Pearl Hammonds Barclay
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In Remembrance of

Ruby and Walter Barclay
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Biography

Ruby Pearl Hammonds Barclay, born 1905, at Rising Star, Texas, came to Spur at the age of 10 years by train from Cisco with her parents, Jeff Hill Hammonds and Georgia Palma Lyles Hammonds in 1915 and settled in the Red Mud Community where he share-cropped until 1922. Here Ruby met her husband to be. Walter Stephen Barclay, born in 1900 to Walter Balsher Barclay and Alice Anna Bateman Barclay at Sulphur Springs, Texas where Walter Balsher made his living as a drover driving cattle from East Texas to the Plains. After the death of his wife, Alice Anna, in 1921, Walter Balsher moved with his five sons and daughter to Afton for a short while and moved to the Red Mud Community in 1922.

Walter and Ruby married December 2, 1922 in a one horse buggy at Red Mud where they share-cropped.

A son Stephen H.B. was born to this union November 13, 1923, at the Dry Lake Community. Three years later, a daughter Alice Palma, was born.

Walter moved his family to Spur in 1930 where he was employed as a truck driver for Texaco. Two more daughters, Rubylee Evelyn, and Wanda Gene were born. Walter worked for Texaco for 18 years.

Since times were hard, money was always scarce, and war broke out. Walter and Ruby were proud God fearing people who have always accepted what life has offered as a blessing. In 1942 they allowed their only son "B" to join the Marines. They were mighty proud to have that star hanging in their window.

Ruby went to work as a cook for Smith´s Cafe, alter working for "Pappy Bell" at Bell´s Cafe. For 20 years most of the people of Spur and other places tasted her fantastic hamburger steaks, hot rolls and wonderful cobblers.

After 18 years with Texaco, Walter changed over to Gulf. He drove a truck for Homer Boothe for 6 years. Then deciding to go into business for himself he and his son-in-law, Frank Hale, built the Barclay and Hale Gulf Station in 1951. Then years later he sold the station to Frank and Alice Hale and then he and Ruby settled into retirement, enjoying the fruits of their labor until his death December 16, 1966.

At 80 years Ruby is still going strong and still cooking (just for the family), but it is still as good as ever.

In the 44 years that Walter and Ruby were married they faced many hardships, but never lost their faith in God, they raised four children and saw 7 grandchildren born in Spur. Through their labor and love, they helped in the making of Spur.

As a footnote, Walter helped in the building of the Spur swimming pool. He was also a big fan of the Spur Bulldogs (win or lose) with a son and one grandson wearing the gold and blue uniform, and three daughters in the pep squad and two granddaughters as twirlers with the band.

All together Walter and Ruby have 17 great grandchildren scattered throughout the great United States.

.....by Jean Barclay Coker
Source: Dickens County History...its Land and People © Dickens Historical Commission; Printer: Craftsman Inc. Lubbock, Texas 1986

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BARCLAY, Ruby Pearl Hammons
Birth: Feb 28, 1905, Rising Star, Eastland Co, TX
Death: January 6, 1997, Crosbyton, Crosby Co., TX
Father: Jeff HAMMONDS
Mother: Georgia LYLES
Occupation of Deceased: Homemaker

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Obituary

Funeral services were held Sunday at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church for Walter Stephen Barclay 66, who died suddenly last Friday.

Rev. Norris Taylor officiated, assisted by Rev. John Jenkins, Lorenzo, a former pastor here.

Born in Hopkins county in 1900, Mr. Barclay was married to the former Ruby Ham 1922. He had lived in Dickens County since 1915 when he moved to McAdoo. He later moved to Spur in 1922 and had resided here since. He was a member of the First Baptist church and for the past year or two had been retired. He was a service station operator.

He is survived by his wife; three daughters, Mrs. Evelyn Clifton, Spur; Mrs. Alice Hale, Spur; and Mrs. Jean Coker, Midland; one son, Stephen Barclay, Tucson, AZ; four brothers, Guy Barclay, Lubbock; Claud Barclay, Spur; Bynum Barclay, Tempe, AZ; and Curtis Barclay, Lubbock; seven grand children.

Pallbearers included Tom Fields, Carl George, Don Weaver, Luther Spain, Floyd Graffenreid and Robert Ashley. Interment was in Spur Cemetery.

©The Texas Spur, Decmeber 22, 1966
from the records of Lillian Grace Nay

Services for Ruby Pearl Barclay, 91, were at 3 p.m. Thursday, January 9, 1997 at the First Baptist church, Spur. Officiating was Reverend Norris Taylor, Idalou, Reverend Richard Harbison, Spur and Reverend James Farmer, Jacksonville. Burial will be in the Spur Memorial cemetery under the direction of Campbell Funeral Home.

Mrs. Barclay died Monday, January 6, 1997 at the Crosbyton Hospital.

She was born February 28, 1905 in Rising Star, Texas. She had lived in Dickens County since 1915. She married Walter S. Barclay December 2, 1922 in the Red Mud community. He preceded her in death December 16, 1966. One son, Stephen Barclay, also preceded her in death, July 1, 1991. She was a homemaker and cook at Bell´s Cafe for many years. She was a Baptist.

Survivors include three daughters, Alice Hale and Evelyn Clifton, both of Spur and Jean Coker, Midland; two sisters, Winnie Bilberry, Megalia, CA; Louise Hopkins, Aurora, CO; seven grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren.

Grandsons will be pallbearers.

©The Texas Spur, Thursday, January 9, 1997

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