Swisher County Obituaries 1953

Obituaries 1953

Adams, Daniel Livingstone	Daniel Livingstone Adams, 82 years old, resident of Wayside the past 45 years, died unexpectedly at the family home late Sunday morning. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon in the Wayside Community Church. Rev Merle Weathers, Baptist pastor, officiated. Burial was in Wayside Cemetery. Mr. Adams was born near Cleburne September 15, 1870. He and his brother‑in‑law, J. W. McCrearey of Canyon, and their families together came to this area from Hiawatha, Kansas in 1909. Mr. Adams was a member of the Wayside Baptist Church and had been active in church and civic programs until failing health compelled him to retire some years ago. He had been engaged in farming at Wayside. Survivors in include the wife, MRS. AMANDA ADAMS; three sons, Floyd B., Robert and Rolland all of Wayside; two brothers, Alvin Adams of Hillsboro, OR, and James H. Adams of Inola, OK; 14 grandchildren and three great grandsons. The Tulia Herald, 12 February 1953.
Alexander, E. E.	E. E. Alexander, 67 years old, of Route 1, Tulia died in a Lubbock hospital Tuesday afternoon following a two week illness. Funeral services were held Wednesday in the First Methodist Church, Tuha, with Rev. J. O. Quattlebaum pastor presiding. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery. Mr. Alexander was born August 18, 1885 at Poteau, OK. He came to Swisher County in 1948 and was a retired farmer. Survivors include his widow, two sons, O. F. Tulia; and Paul of Cache, OK; two daughters, Mrs. Flora Tompkins, Madras, OR; and Mrs. Norma Lois Johnson, Eunice, NM; two sisters, Mrs. M. E. Hall, Elk City, OK; and brothers J. W. of Galveston, O. R, Eunice and D. D. and B. J. both of Frederick, OK and three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. The Tulia Herald, 1 January 1953.
Barks, Eugene Guy	Funeral services for Eugene Guy Barks, 72 years old, were held Sunday afternoon at Wallace Funeral Chapel. Rev. John Westhof, Presbyterian pastor officiated. He was assisted by Rev. John R. Sharp of Canyon. Mr. Barks was born September 24,1880 at Ladonia, Missouri. He was the son of Dr. and Mrs. Samuel Barks. He moved to Randall County, TX in 1882. He was married to MISS SADIE LEWIS at Mineral Wells on January 25, 1910. They moved to Swisher County in 1916. He was a former manager of Farmers Grain Co. And later served as school board secretary. He died Friday night at the family home following a lengthy illness. Survivors include his wife, a daughter, Miss Frances Barks of Upland, CA; a son Guy Barks of Fort Smith, AR; a sister Mrs. Ed Harrell of Canyon; and two grandchildren, Martha Ann Barks and Joel Gene Barks. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Tulia. The Tulia Herald, 14 May 1953.
Baxter, Mrs. Alice	Funeral services for Mrs. Alice Baxter, 77 years old were held Friday at the Tulia First Baptist Church. Rev. W. Neil Record pastor officiated. He was assisted by Rev. John Bowen of Springlake. Burial in Rose Hill Cemetery was directed by Wallace Funeral Home. Mrs. Baxter, long time resident of Swisher County, died Wednesday night in her home at 428 North Crosby. She had been ill for some time. She was born March 15, 1878 in Texas. She was married to T. M. BAXTER July 21, 1902 at Lampasas. The Baxters moved to Vigo Park in 1925. She was a member of the First Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, two daughters, Mrs .Lee White of Lubbock, Mrs. O. W. Weaks of Tulia; a son Charles Baxter of Plainview; three brothers, George Watson, of SanAngelo, John Watson of Lampasas; Preston Watson of Wichita Falls; five sisters, Mrs. L. E. Colley of Amarillo, Mrs. J. O. Harrison of Gustine, Mrs. Nan Price of Hamilton, Mrs. Earl Miller of Electra, Mrs. M. R Chafin of Longview; 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. The Tulia Herald, 3 December 1953.
Bichsell, J. G.	Funeral mass for Joseph George Bichsell, 65, were conducted Saturday in Holy Family Church in Nazareth. The Very Rev. Peter Morsch pastor officiated. Mr. Bichsell, a retired farmer who had lived in Castro County since 1910 died Thursday afternoon at his home in Nazareth. He was born Dec. 29, 1887 in Missouri. He is survived by his wife; one daughter, Mrs. Ethel Ruhmann, Fort Worth; four brothers, Leo, White Deer; John Amarillo, Anglebert, Pampa and Tony Bichsell, Rhineland, Texas; and two sisters, Mrs. Annie Wilde, Rhineland and Sister Claudine Bichsell, Jonesboro, AR. Burial was in Holy Family Cemetery with arrangements under the direction of Wallace Funeral Home of Tulia. The Tulia Herald, 12 November 1953.
Blackerby, Mary	Mrs. Mary Blackerby, 84, resident on a farm ten miles east of Kress the past 56 years, died Thursday night at her home. She had been ill the past several weeks. Funeral services were conducted Friday afternoon at the Kress Methodist Church, Rev. Walter Driver the Kress Methodist pastor, officiated. Mrs. Blackerby was born Nov. 13, 1868 in Arkansas. She and her husband moved to Swisher County in 1893 from Parker County. Her husband, H. H. BLACKERBY died in 1933. Survivors are two sons, Earl Blackerby, Kress, and Winfred Blackerby, Slaton. A son A. A Blackerby died of accidental gunshot wounds a few years ago. Mrs Blackerby was a member of the Kress Methodist Church. Interment was in the Kress Cemetery. The Tulia Herald, 19 November 1953.
Bomer, Wiley V.	Funeral services were held Friday at Silverton Church of Christ for Wiley V. Bomer, 57 years old. His survivors include a sister, Mrs. Bill Shives of Tulia. The Tulia Herald, 14 May 1953.
Bonds, Mrs. Jim C.	Mrs. Jim C. Bonds, 58 years old, of Happy died Friday in Swisher County Hospital following an illness of two years. Funeral services were held Saturday morning at Wallace Funeral Home chApel with Rev. A. L. Shaw, pastor of the Happy Baptist Church, officiating. He was assisted by Rev. W. Neil Record and Rev. O. John Westhof, both of Tulia. The body was taken overland to Hamilton where services were held. Burial was in the Odd Fellows Cemetery at Hamilton. Mrs. Bonds had been a resident of Swisher County for the past five years. She was born Sept. 2, 1894 at Valley Mills. She was the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. John Simpson. She was married to JIM C. BONDS on September 2,1947 at Hamilton. They moved to Happy. She is survived by her husband, three daughters, Mrs. W. R. Coston, Miss Maxine Norwood and Mrs. William Neel all of Hamilton; one stepdaughter, Mrs. James Lowe; one stepson, J. C. Bonds, Jr. both of Tulia; two sisters, Mrs. E. A. Lefevre of Carlton and Mrs. Andy Bonds of Wildorado; two brothers, Lester Simpson and Luther Simpson, both of Iredell. There are also six grandchildren surviving. The Tulia Herald, 19 February 1953.
Bowers, C. T.	C. T. Bowers, 71, brother of Mrs. Jeff Musick, died at his residence, 860 Hickory, Abilene, Tuesday. He had been in failing health for the past year. He was a retired Abilene businessman and manufacturer. He was a member of the University Baptist Church of Abilene. He is survived by his wife, a son, Lt. Col. Harold Bowers of Ft. Bragg, NC; two daughters, Mrs. Mary Jo Craig and Mrs. V. M. Curry, both of Abilene; two grandchildren; three brothers, Jim Bowers of Dallas; Ed Bowers of Abilene and Dr. Harvey Bowers of Cameron, MO; four sisters, Mrs. W. F. Perkins of Waxahachie; Mrs. Jeff Musick of Tulia; Mrs. Elmer Tinnin of Pampa and Mrs. Allie Blake; and a number of nieces and nephews. The funeral was Thursday, June 4 and burial was in Elmwood Memorial Park in Abilene. Attending the funeral from Tulia were Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Musick, Mr. Thornton Musick and Mike and Mrs. B. D. Dawson, Jr. The Tulia Herald, 11 June 1953.
Burks, Everett C.	E. C. Burks died Friday morning at his home 17 miles southwest of Happy in the Arney community. He was stricken with a heart attack. Mr. Burks, a farmer, had lived at his present home since 1909. He was a member of the First Baptist church of Happy where funeral services were held Sunday afternoon. Survivors include his widow, two sons, Marques of Mills, NM and Charles of Happy, three daughters, Mrs. Ben Fortner, Happy; Mrs. Addison Hunter, Hereford; and Mrs. Sam Goulden of Amarillo and six grandchildren. The Tulia Herald, 2 July 1953.
Burns, Douglas B.	Douglas B. Burns, 71, former Tulia dry goods merchant, died Sunday at Colorado City after a long illness. He was born Sept. 30, 1881 in Canton and came with his family to Colorado City to make his home. Before his illness he divided his time between Colorado City and Tulia where he owned wheat farms. Survivors include his wife; a son, Jake McCall Burns of Portland, OR, and one grandson, Douglas Burns II. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at Colorado City. Rev. Bill Mahan, pastor of St. George's Episcopal Church in Austin and a nephew of Mr. Burns, officiated. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He married the former LOIS FRY HOGAN. Those from Tulia who attended the funeral were Mrs. Jessie Crawford, Mr. & Mrs. C. C. Deem J. E. Deen, Mr. & Mrs. J. C. Hardy, Jr., and Mrs. M. D. LaVelle. The Tulia Herald, 26 February 1953.
Cantrell, Jewel	Death early Wednesday morning ended a 3 months battle for health for Jewel Cantrell, long time Tulia resident. She was stricken with a peculiar disorder last July. There followed treatment by the best medical skill in Lubbock and Dallas during which she stubbornly refused to give up the fight although physicians held almost no hope for her recovery. After her return from Dallas she was able to come to town several times. She died at 2 a.m. Wednesday morning in a Lubbock hospital. Born in Tulia, Miss Cantrell was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Cantrell, Tulia pioneers. Mrs. Cantrell died in 1947. Since then, Jewel had made a home for her father. Only recently they completed a beautiful new home north of the old family house. Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of which she was a member, Thursday, at 3 p.m. Rev. C. John Westhof will officiate. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Wallace Funeral Home. Survivors include her father, one of Tulia's most respected citizens; and four brothers, R L. and Jack, both of Tulia; and Royal and Joe D., both of Pampa. One sister, Mrs. Hazel Asbury, died in 1936. The Tulia Herald, 22 October 1953.
Scott, William Earl	William Earl Scott, 37, farmer a few miles northeast of Kress, died Friday in a Plainview hospital following a weeks illness. The body was sent by train to McAlester, Oklahoma where funeral services were held. Mr. Scott was born March 13, 1916 at Pottsville, Ark. The family moved to Swisher county seven years ago from McAlester and had resided near Kress since that time. Survivors are his father, James W. Scott, McAlester; 10 brothers and sisters, Ebner Scott, Idalou; Mrs. O. R Beach and Mrs. Fred Clark, both of Ada, Okla.; Mrs. Reece Kearns, Euel Scott all of McAlester, R. B. Scott, Los Angeles, Calif., R. A. Scott and Everett Scott, both of Tulia and Edward Scott, Kress. The Tulia Herald, 8 October 1953.
Sharman, Jesse L.	Jesse L. Sharman, former Tulia resident died at his home in Indio, Calif. Feb. 28 of a heart attack. He is survived by his wife, a son, Bob of Indio, two sisters, Mrs. W. H . Power, Big Spring, Mrs. R E. Harter, Lafayette, Calif.; two brothers, W. P. of Dumas and John of Porterville, Calif. He was an uncle of Frank Sherman of Tulia. The Tulia Herald, 5 March 1953.
Shell, Mrs. F. G.	Mrs. F. G. Shell, 78, resident of Tulia since 1906 died early Thursday morning in the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. Harry Castle, 4312 Parker, Amarillo. Funeral services conducted Friday afternoon in the Tulia First Presbyterian Church of which she had been a member for more than 40 years. Dr. John R. Sharp of Canyon, who first became pastor of the Tulia church in 1911, officiated. He was assisted by Rev. C. John Westhof, pastor. Burial was in Rose Hill cemetery under the direction of Wallace Funeral Home. Mrs. Shell was born Sept. 3, 1875 in Georgia. She was married to F. G. Shell July 6, 1896 at Merkel. They lived at Cisco before moving to Canyon. Mr. Shell, Tulia's first Santa Fe agent, died in 1946. Their only daughter, Mrs. J. D. O'Daniel, died in 1934. Survivors include a sister, Mrs. Ben U. Bell, Fort Worth; the granddaughter, Mrs. Castle and two great grandchildren. The Tulia Herald, 24 December 1953.
Skipworth, Jim	Final rites for Jim Skipworth, 76 years old, pioneer Texas rancher and banker were conducted Sunday in the Dimmitt Methodist Church. Rev. Lee Stanford, pastor, was assisted by Rev. U.R. Sherrill, pastor of the Friona Methodist Church. Burial was in Kress cemetery. Mr. Skipworth died Friday afternoon in the Dimmitt hospital. He had been ill 10 days. Born at Neosho, Mo., Sept. 23, 1876, Skipworth came to Texas with his parents when he was six weeks old. The family settled in Clay County. When Skipworth was a lad of 14 the family moved to what was formerly the community of Wright in Swisher County. During his young manhood he was employed with the JA, XIT, and AJ ranches. He was married to MABLE SMITH on Dec. 25, 1901. Mr. Skipworth farmed and moved to Dimmitt in 1928. He was a member of the Kress Methodist Church. Survivors are his wife, five children, Ernest Skipworth, El Paso; Mrs. Lee Ervin, Chickasha, Okla.; Mrs. Robert Erdman, Bolden Valley, ND; Mrs. Emerson Myer, Dimmitt and Mrs. J. B. Holland, Plainview; six sisters, Mrs. J. F. Moore, Mrs. Sam Bailey and Mrs. Arch McDaniel all of Kress; Mrs. Lee Duvall, Edmonson; Mrs. Fay Kerr, Dexter, NM; and Mrs. Maude Preston, Dexter, two brothers, Crutch Skipworth, Dexter and Roy Skipworth, Ft. Sumner; 18 grandchildren and two great grandchildren and two great‑great grandchildren. The Tulia Herald, 29 January 1953.
Smith, Coleman Bonds	Coleman Bonds Smith, 70 years old, died at his home near Kress Thursday following a lengthy illness. Funeral services were held Sunday from the Tuxedo Methodist Church near Rotan with Rev. Walter Driver of Kress officiating. Burial was in Fairview cemetery at Tuxedo. Local arrangements were in charge of Wallace Funeral Home, Tulia. Mr. Smith moved to Swisher County five years ago from Rotan. A native Texan, he was born Jan. 15, 1883. His wife died in 1946. Survivors include two sons, Frank M. of Sweetwater and Baker R. of Hobbs, NM; and two daughters, Mrs. Harrell Bostick, Kress and Mrs. S. H. Neal of Sweetwater. The Tulia Herald, 22 October 1953.
Sprawls, Jessie Richard	Death claimed one of Swisher County's most prominent young farmers early Sunday morning in an Amarillo hospital. He was Jessie Richard Sprawls, 35 years old, who underwent brain surgery Friday. For several weeks he had complained of severe headaches. His condition was found to be malignant. Sprawls had been a resident of Tulia for 29 years. He was born August 21,1917 in Callahan County, the son of Mr. and Mrs. E. R Sprawles. He moved with his parents to Tulia in September 1924. a member of the 1936 graduating class of Tulia High School, he was also president of the class. He served four years in the Air Corps during World War II. Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon at the First Baptist Church with Rev. W. Neil Record, pastor, officiating. Burial was in Rose Hill cemetery under the direction of Wallace Funeral Home. Survivors include his wife, the former CATHERINE DEVIN whom he married in 1946; two children Jan Ray and Lena Kay; his parents; five sisters, Mrs. Alvis Wilkins of Tulia; Mrs. W. M. Braley of Odessa, Mrs. Travis Payne of Canyon, Mrs. Aaron Dawson of Amarillo and Mrs. Thurston Lovelace of San Antonio; three brothers, O. V. of Tulia, H. G. of Plains and E. Ray of Point Lookout, Mo. The Tulia Herald, 30 July 1953.
Sweatt, Mrs. G. W.	Funeral services for Mrs. G. W. Sweatt, 60, of Kress were conducted Tuesday afternoon at the Kress Baptist Church. Officiating were Rev. Glenn Wilson, Kress Baptist Church pastor, Rev. Ralph Reasor, pastor of the Plainview College Heights Baptist Church and Rev. C. B. Stovall, pastor of the Fritch Baptist Church. Mrs. Sweatt died Monday morning at the Plainview Hospital and Clinic Foundation. She had been ill since September. She was born May 4, 1893 in Dallas County. Nee Margaret Matilda Rogers, she was married Oct. 6, 1912 at Munday to G. W. Sweatt. Survivors include her husband, four children, Hollis Sweatt, Lubbock; R B. Sweatt, Kress; and Mrs. Wade Reddell, Sunray; and Mrs. Charles Keisling, Plainview, her mother, Mrs. U. S. Rogers of Munday; four sisters, Mrs. R. L. Burton, Haskell; Mrs. B. M. Stotghill, Mrs. Alice Ray, both of Kermitt; and Mrs. Troy Warren, Wink; two brothers, Dorris Rogers, Goree, and Joe Rogers, Fort Worth. The Tulia Herald, 9 July 1953.
Walbert, Albert	Albert Walberg, 82 years old, retired farmer and longtime resident of Happy, died early Friday morning at Neblett Hospital at Canyon. Mr. Walbert was born 14 December 1870 at Martell, Wisconsin. He was married to Miss Minnie Olena Larson on 23 July 1893 at Edmonds County, South Dakota. The family came to Texas in 1911, settling first at Pampa and later coming to Happy in 1919. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at the Happy Methodist Church. Burial was in Happy Cemetery under the direction of Wallace Funeral Home of Tulia. Officiating minister was Rev. Cecil Ottinger, pastor, assisted by Rev. Elmer Crabtree, former pastor. Survivors include his wife; four sons, Lewis, Elmer and Warren all of Happy, and Melvin of Portales, New Mexico; three brothers, Denny of Chelsea, S. D. and Julius of Groton, South Dakota, and Norman of Pampa; three sisters, Mrs. Amelia Thompson of Baldwin, Wisconsin; Mrs. Annie Olton of Minnesota and Mrs. Gene Anderson of Glacher, North Dakota; five grandchildren; one granddaughter. The Tulia Herald, 19 March 1953.
Ward, Mrs. J. E.	Funeral services for Mrs. J. E. (Heck) Ward were held Wednesday afternoon at the Central Church of Christ with W. P. Dennis officiating. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Wallace Funeral Home. Billie Bernice Wood was born 24 September 1909 in Quail. She attended Wellington High School and West Texas State College. She met J. E. Ward while he was teaching at Canadian and she was teaching at Mobeetie. They were married 28 April 1934. They moved to Tulia in 1944. She had been in ill health for about two years. She was taken to Swisher County Hospital Saturday night where she died Tuesday afternoon. Survivors besides her husband include one son, thirteen-year old James Christopher; a daughter, Amanda Kay, six years old; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. K. A. Wood of Lubbock; three brothers, Elwood Wood of Wellington, A. R. Wood of Columbus and S. R. Wood of Austin; four sisters, Mrs. Blanche Hutton, Mrs. R. E. Hankins and Mrs. A. C. White, all of Lubbock, and Mrs. D. R. Doshier of Childress. She was a member of the Church of Christ and Eastern Star. Before her illness, she belonged to several social and study clubs. The Tulia Herald, 4 June 1953.
Wilhelm, Mrs. S. J.	Mrs. S. J. Wilhelm, 83 years old, of the Nazareth community, died at her home in that community Tuesday afternoon. Funeral services will be in Nazareth at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, with Father Peter Morsch officiating. Mrs. Wilhelm was born July 15, 1870 in St. Lucas, Iowa. She moved to Castro county in February 1910. She is survived by eight sons, Edward, Albert, Henry and Clarence, all of Nazareth; Charles, Venita, Okla; Frank and Ray of Hereford; three daughters, Mrs. Henry Schumacker and Mrs. J. E. Warren both of Nazareth; Mrs. J. P. Maenner, Eau Claire, Wise.; 45 grandchildren and 39 great grandchildren. The Tulia Herald, 22 October 1953.
Young, E. E.	Funeral services for E. E. Young, 67, of Marble Falls, until 1948 a blacksmith at Kress for a quarter of a century, were conducted at the Kress Church of Christ Friday afternoon. A C. McElroy, Kress Church of God minister officiated. Young, in poor health since 1948 when he moved from Kress to Marble Falls, died Tuesday at his home. Young was married in 1912 in Lockney to MISS MAE McCUNE who is among the survivors. He was a member of the Kress Church of Christ. Among other survivors are nine children: Mrs. Weldon Webb, Kress; Mrs. Bill Anderson, Marble Falls; Mrs. Paul Cornett, Canyon; Mrs. Howard Love, Tulia; Mrs. Chester Smith, Houston; Lee Young, Kress; Floyd Young, in Ohio; Eddie Young, Fort Worth; Young's mother and three sisters survive. Interment was in Kress cemetery. The Tulia Herald, 1953.

Special thanks to Zoe Smith for her many contributions and to Elaine Stone for her many submissions. Ladies, without you, this page would be blank.

Swisher County Obituary Index