Miss Stokes was born in Bell County, December 3, 1859. She was the daughter of Peter and Mary Isabel Nelson Stokes who had settled in Bell County in the early days of Texas.She was a family of three children, Mary Susan Stokes, who became Mrs. Thornton, and was the only one of the children who married; David R. Stokes, familiarly known as "Uncle Dave", and Miss Petie Stokes.
The parents moved from Virginia to Bell County in the 1850's. The father passed away before Miss Petie was born. The mother and her three children moved to Jones County, Texas in the nineties. Miss Petie and her brother moved to Floyd County in 1902, and to Motley County in 1906. They spent 17 years there in the cattle business and ranching. They moved to Spur in 1924 and established a home on Hill Street where they abode for many years. Uncle Dave, passed away in January of 1936. Miss Petie and her niece Miss Maybell Thornton kept the home.
Miss Petie was confirmed in the Episcopal Church when she was about twenty years old. Moving to the West where there was no church of that denomination, she affiliated with the Methodist Church and remained a devoted member of that congregation to the last. She was liberal in her assistance to the church, took an active part in its various organizations and no one desired to the church progress more than she.
Her life was benediction to all who knew her. She had her own convictions, but was always tolerant about others. Her home was the embodiment of hospitality and no one was ever turned away. She knew the West and enjoyed the broad views of her friends.
She died August 2, 1941, she was the last survivor of the family, and with her going, the family names passes into history.
Source: History of Dickens County; Ranches and Rolling Plains, Fred Arrington, ©1971
Miss Petie Stokes Passes Away Saturday Morning
Miss Petronella Stokes, who had been in ill health for a long time, passed away at her home on East Hill Street early Saturday morning. Funeral services were held at the Methodist church at six o'clock Saturday afternoon. Rev. H. L. Thurston, the pastor, was in charge of the services. Interment followed in Spur cemetery with Campbell's Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.Active pallbearers were: John L. King, J.L. Rickels, Lawis Lee, Earl Jopling, Maurice Campbell, Dr. T. H. Blackwell, and Judge O.B. Ratliff.
Miss Stokes was born in Bell County, December 3, 1859, and was 81 years of age last December. She was a daughter of of Peter and Mary Isabel Nelson Stokes who settled in Bell County in early days of Texas.
She was of a family of three children, Miss Mary Susan Stokes, who became Mrs. Thornton and was the only of the family who married; David R. Stokes, familiarly known as "Uncle Dave", and Miss Petie Stokes. She was the last survivor of the family, and with her going the family name passes into history. The only survivors are the Thornton children as follows: Miss Maybelle Thornton, who had made her home with her uncle and aunt ever since her mother's demise; Mrs. Vick Martin, Miss Georgia Thornton and J.T. Thornton all of Stamford; Mrs. Frank Sharp of Cleburne; P.s. Thornton of Ackerly, and Aubrey Thornton of Fort Worth.
The parents moved from Virginia to Bell County in early days, and Miss Petie's father passed away before she was born. The mother and her three children moved to Jones County more than fifty years ago. Miss Petie and her brother moved to Floyd County in 1902 and to Motley County in 1906 where they spent 17 years in the cattle business and ranching.
They moved to Spur 19 years ago and established a home on Hill Street where they have made their abode and enjoyed their many friends. Uncle Dave passed away a few years ago and Miss Petie and her niece, Miss Maybelle Thornton have kept the home since then.
Miss Stokes was confirmed in the Episcopal Church when about twenty years of age. Moving to the west there was no church of that denomination here, she affiliated with the Methodist Church and remained a devoted member until the last. she was liberal in her assistance to the church, took active part in its various organizations and no one desired to see the church make progress more than she did.
Her life was a benediction to al who knew her. She had her convictions, but was always tolerant about others. Her home was the embodiment of hospitality ad no one was ever turned away. She knew the West and enjoyed the broad views her friends assumed.
©The Texas Spur, August 1941
from the records of Lillian Grace Nay
© Dickens County Historical Commission 1997-2022
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