The grim reaper called in our midst Friday evening, June 28 and carried away one of our good men from his home three miles north of Spur, Eli Spraberry.Mr. Spraberry was born in Mississippi, August 22, 1861 and with his parents moved to Callahan county in Texas in 1867, leaving there in 1872 they settled in Jones county where he met and married Miss Mary Elliott on January 6, 1879. They secured the first marriage license ever issued at Anson.
To this union 8 children were born of which five were boys and three girls. Four boys and one girl are living.
He with his family moved to Haskell County in 1905 where they resided until 1971 when they moved to Dickens County where he was living at the time of his demise.
Mr. Spraberry was converted in Jones county and united with the Baptist Church, and lived a devoted Christian life afterward. At the time of his death his membership was at Soldier Mound Church.
Some 10 or 15 minutes before his passing away he was offering up a prayer for his boys. His words were "Mother, tell the boys to meet me in heaven. I'm going."
He became sick with the flu in February from which a lung trial set in and a dropsicle disease which caused his death.
Rev. F.G. Rodgers conducted the funeral at 4 p.m. June 29. The body was prepared for burial at the Campbell undertaking parlor.
Mr. Spraberry is survived by his wife, Mrs. M.B.B. Spraberry, W.D. Spraberry, Mrs. T.O. Bingham, A.M. Spraberry, Tom Spraberry of Spur, 28 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren. All were present to pay their respects except four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Mr. Spraberry was loved by all who knew him. He lived a life for his boys to follow. We all feel a vacancy in our hearts and we will miss him.
Written by Ruby Spraberry
©The Texas Spur, July 5, 1929
from the records of Lillian Grace Nay
© Dickens County Historical Commission 1997-2022
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