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When I arrived in Spur, Texas in the fall of 1923, recently graduated from the University of Texas with BA. and B.S. in H.E. degrees and a job with American Red Cross as Nutritionist (working primarily in local schools examining children and teaching them proper nutrition for better health), I was met at the depot by Carol and Adelaide Senning, sent by their mother Kate Senning who was in charge of the Dickens County Red Cross Chapter. They treated me to lunch at Spur´s pride, the Spur Inn. Kate had also arranged for me a most attractive room in the Oran McClure home. I was welcomed in the home of Dr. T.H, and Edith Blackwell when I worked in the Dickens school. They also helped with student examinations. In Spur, Dr. Malcom Brannen, dentist, examined children´s teeth, and also provided his Buick roadster for transportation.June 15, 1924, 1 married a doctor instead of becoming one, as I had planned. Our daughter Jane was born December 16, 1928, in Nichols Hospital; and son Malcom Harris Brannen, Jr., Mac (by preference), was born September 19, 1930.
HIGHLIGHTS of our years in Spur, in no particular order: Introduction to Spur´s friendly folks, a party at home of future sister-in-law Minnie and E. L. Caraway; hospitality of the Parrs at the Pitchfork Ranch, and of the Eddie Cairns at their Clairemont ranch and fishing in their big tank; trip with the Cub scouts to Thelma and Thurman Moore´s place hunting Indian relics; meeting with that great group of girls interested in organizing Scouts; Delphian Club, which initiated the Spur Library; Joi de Voi bridge club, when I became Alva Jean; learning sewing techniques from Florine Applegate Nalley; Making my children costumes for school plays and for Lois Chandler Karr´s dance revues; companionship of good neighbors "Boley" and "Willie" Williamson, and Lillian and Dr. Bob Alexander; attending the Methodist Church, only about a block away; cards with Dorabel and Weldon Grimes and Esta Mae and Byron Langley; dinners with lawyers Genevieve and Bob Connor, Marie and L.D. Ratliff, Jane and Alfred Walker, Louise and Alton Chapman and Mary and Marion; good food and fellowship of Marie and D.J. Dyess; talk sessions with Floye Rector, Florence McNeill, niece Myra Roberts, Nina Mae King; bridge with the "Lassetter girls", Ila Johnston, Ottie Albin, Ann Blumburg, and sister-in-law Beulah Wooten; shopping at Love Dry Goods, Campbell´s Furniture, Red Front Drug, B. Schwarz, Gabriel´s , Gruben´s Jewelry, Wackers; in the 40´s teaching science in Spur High School; after a brief retirement from teaching, a job as area secretary with the State Department of Public Welfare under Johnnie Weaver, supervisor of the fifteen-county area, and enjoying the coffee break when joined by Nina Grace.
Dr. Brannen died September 12, 1960. As soon as I could retire from work and dispose of our Spur home, I moved to Austin to be near son Dr. Mac Brannen and his family, where I now live at 6410 Shoal Creek Boulevard.
Source: Dickens County History...its Land and People © Dickens Historical Commission; Printer: Craftsman Inc. Lubbock, Texas 1986
Brannen, Alva Jean MORROW
Born: Oct 28, 1897, Rio Vista, Johnson Co., TX
Death: Feb 21, 1997, Kingsland, Llano Co., TX
Father: James Franklin MORROW
Mother: Lela May WESTBROOK
Occupation of Deceased: Teacher
Funeral services for Dr. Malcom H. Brannen were held Wednesday afternoon at the First Methodist Church at 4 p.m. Rev. William McReynolds officiating.He was assisted by retired Methodist minister, Rev. Cal C. Wright, former pastor here, now of Colorado City.
Dr. Brannen, a Spur dentist since 1917, died at his home Monday morning about 1:30. He had suffered a heart condition for some time. He was 69 years old.
Born in Holly, Texas, February 4, 1891, Dr. Brannen married Miss Alva Morrow in 1924.
He was a graduate of Baylor University Dental College, a member of the First Methodist Church and the Spur Rotary Club.
He was active in Dickens County political circles and served as County Democratic Chairman for over 20 years.
He was instrumental in the construction of Jones Stadium and Spur Memorial Hospital.
Last May, Dr. Brannen was presented an appreciation plaque at the Dickens Democratic Convention for his outstanding service to the county and to the party.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Alva Jean Brannen; one son, Dr. Malcom H. Brannen Jr., resident physician, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Mich.; one daughter, Mrs. Jane Morgan, Tioga, North Dakota; two sisters, Mrs. E.L. Caraway and Mrs. Beulah Wooten, both of Spur; a brother, Fletcher Brannen, Peacock and seven grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Collins Walker, Judge Alton B. Chapman, Judge L.D. Ratliff, Weldon Grimes, Frank Watson, Jim Bridge, Jack Rector and D.J. Dyess.
Burial was in Spur Cemetery, Campbell´s Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
©The Texas Spur, September 15, 1960
from the records of Lillian Grace Nay
SPUR (Special) - Services for Alva Jean Brannen, 99, of Kingsland will be at 2 p.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jim Brannen of Austin and the Rev. Larry Burton of Spur officiating.Burial will be in Spur Memorial Cemetery under direction of Campbell Funeral Home.
Brannen died Friday, Feb. 21, 1997, at Kingsland Hills Nursing Home.
She was born Oct. 28, 1897, in Rio Vista. She married Dr. Malcom Harris Brannen on June 15, 1921, in Robert Lee. He died Sept. 12, 1960. She graduated from the University of Texas with a bachelor´s degree in home economics. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas State Teachers Association and Daughters of the Republic of Texas. She helped organize the Nueces Activity Center in Austin, and she was a docent for Elizabeth Ney Museum, the French Legation at the O. Henry Home and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Museum in Austin.
She moved to Austin in 1961. She was a nutritionist for the Red Cross in Spur, and she was a teacher.
Survivors include a son, Dr. Mac Brannen of Kingsland; a daughter, Jane Dodson of Amarillo; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
©Lubbock Avalanche Journal,February 23, 1997
© Dickens County Historical Commission 1997-2022
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