Swisher County Obituaries 1954

Obituaries 1954

Adkisson, David D.	David D. Adkisson, 71 years old, Swisher County farmer for the past 35 yrs., died in Swisher County Hospital Friday afternoon. Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon at the Tulia First Baptist Church with Rev. W. Neil Record, pastor, officiating. Mr. Adkisson was born May 30, 1882 and came to Swisher County in 1919. His farm was northwest of Tulia. He was the son of the late Mr. & Mrs. J. O. Adkisson. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Wallace Funeral Home. Nephews were pallbearers. Survivors include his wife, one daughter by a previous marriage, Mrs. Tabitha Settle of Grand Junction, CO; two grandsons, one sister, Mrs. Biffie Browder of Mineral Wells; one brother, G. B. Adkisson of Abernathy; and several nieces and nephews. The Tulia Herald, 28 January 1954.
Armstrong, Pat	Mrs. Lerton Armstrong was found dead in the bathroom of her home, 645 N. El Paso, Wednesday shortly after noon. A 22 rifle lay by her side. Doctors said she had been dead about two hours. Her mother, Mrs. Rex Rodgers, discovered the body. Mrs. Armstrong was the former Pat Rodgers. The Tulia Herald, 18 March 1954.
Armstrong, Pat	Final rites for Mrs. Patricia Armstrong, 30, were held Thursday afternoon at the First Presbyterian Church. Rev. C. John Westhof officiated. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Wallace Funeral Home. Mrs. Armstrong was born here January 18, 1924. She was graduated from Tulia High School in 1941 and was married to Lerton Armstrong April 22, 1942 at Los Angeles, CA. Survivors include her husband, partner in Spiller‑Armstrong Implement Co., the son, Roger; two sisters, Priscilla Rodgers and Mrs. Jacqueline Littlejohn; the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Rex Rodgers and her paternal grandfather, S. M. Rodgers. The Tulia Herald, 25 March 1954.
Atchley, Sheridan P. (Red)	Funeral services for Sheridan P. (Red) Atchley, 60 years old, pioneer Tulia barber and farmer were conducted Wednesday afternoon at the First Methodist Church. Rev. Uel D. Crosby former pastor officiated. Mr. Atchley died suddenly Monday night at his residence, 543 East Broadway, from what appeared to be a heart attack. He was born in June 1894 at Celina, TN, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank Atchley. He came to Texas in 1915 and to Swisher County in 1920. He married the former ALPHA SHAFER who survives. On December 24, 1922 he established the Olympic Barber Shop. Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Kelly and a daughter Voncille, both of Tulia; a brother, W. H. Atchley of Celina, TN; and a sister, Mrs. Dunning, also of Celina. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery under direction of Wallace Funeral Home. The Tulia Herald, 12 August 1954.
Autry, Alvie L.	Funeral services for Mrs. Alvie L. Autry, 51, were conducted Saturday morning at the First Baptist Church. Rev. W. Neil Record, pastor and Rev. Ray Autry of Kingfisher, OK officiated. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery under direction of Wallace Funeral Home. Mrs. Autry died in Swisher County Hospital Thursday morning. She had undergone surgery several days before. A native of Brazos County, Mrs. Autry and her family came to Tulia in 1948. She and Mr. Autry owned and operated Autry Grocery at the northeast corner of the square in Tulia for the past 13 months. Mrs. Autry was an active member of the First Baptist Church and at the time of her death was serving as Superintendent of the Sunday School Primary Dept. Besides her husband, survivors include a daughter, Glendene Abernathy, a son Harold, a half sister, Mrs. Jack Manning of Bryan and a granddaughter. She was a sister of the late Clyde Carter. The Tulia Herald, 25 February 1954.
Barber, Roy F.	Funeral services for Roy F. Barber were conducted in Arlington Thursday. Graveside services were conducted at Milo Cemetery, east of Tuha, Friday morning. He died in a Ft. Worth hospital following surgery. Though he had been ill, his death was unexpected. He was of a pioneer plains family. He was born 16 September, 1882 at Throckmorton. He married NELLIE MAY July 31, 1905. Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Bill Crockett, San Angelo, and twin daughters, Mrs. Charles Bishop, San Antonio; and Mrs. Cecil Buck, Lubbock. His wife preceded him in death in 1939. He has 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. In 1946 he married MRS. ANNE CRANFORD, who survives. His stepsons are Leonard Cranford, San Angelo; and Orval Cranford of Grand Prairie. There are 4 step‑grandchildren and 4 step‑great grandchildren. He is survived by four sisters, Mrs. Lee Coleman of Arlington, Mrs. Virgie Cope of Long Beach, CA; Mrs. W. M. Jackson of McAllen; and Mrs. Fannie Griffith of New York. He has two brothers living, Frank Barber of Hereford and Floyd Barber of Lockney. He was a member of the First Christian Church. From 1908‑1914 Mr. Barber was Sheriff of Castro County. At that time he was the youngest sheriff in Texas. The tulia Herald, 24 December 1954.
Bonds, Robert S.	Death early Tuesday morning in a Philadelphia, PA hospital ended a long fight for life waged courageously but patiently by Robert Sherrill Bonds of Tulia. Afflicted with coronary trouble since childhood, Bonds lived a life of anxiety characterized by frequent attacks and hospitalization. Two years ago he heard of a rare heart operation where plastic valves were inserted in the circulatory system to perform the functions of the faulty heart valves. Apparently the operation was successful and he continued to improve since the May 20 operation. He and his wife, the former WANDA WYRICK, planned to return home this weekend He appeared normal early Tuesday morning but unexpectedly went into a coma from which he did not rally. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the First Baptist Church, Tulia, of which he was an active member. Rev. W. Neil Record, pastor, assisted by Rev. C. B. Hogue, pastor of the Happy Baptist Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery under direction of Wallace Funeral Home. Bonds was born Feb. 20, 1918 at Aiken, near Plainview. He was the son of County Commissioner and Mrs. T. I. Bonds of Happy. Survivors also include two children, Sherrill Ann, 10, and Linda Nell, 3, a brother Louie Bonds of Tulia; eight uncles and three aunts. The Tulia Herald, 1 July 1954.
Borders, James A. "Jimmy"	Graveside services for James A. Borders, 43, former fountain manager at Heard and Jones, were held Monday afternoon in Amarillo. Borders, who lived in Tulia about 1938 and 1939, left Amarillo three years ago for Clinton, OK, where he died of a heart attack about midnight Friday. He is survived by his wife HELEN and a son Jomac. The Tulia Herald, 1 April 1954.
Boydstun, Mrs. Annie	Mrs. Annie Boydstun, 85 years old, died late Tuesday afternoon in Swisher County Hospital following a long illness. Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon in the First Methodist Church. Rev. Alby Cockrell, pastor, will officiate. Hour of the service is 4 p. m. Mrs. Boydstun was born March 2, 1869 near Bentonville, Ark. She moved with her parents to Texas at the age of three. She was married to E. L. BOYDSTUN December 24, 1884 at Gibtown. He died in 1943. The family moved to Tulia in 1924. Survivors include one son, Johnny Boydstun of Tulia; six daughters, Mrs. Carrie Long of North Hollywood, CA; Mrs. Paralee Daniel, Amarillo, Mrs. Velma Cavin, Phoenix, Mrs. Mabel Rose, Sayre, OK; Rhea Arnold, Kansas City, MO; Mrs. Gladys Sullivan, Amarillo; a brother, Charles Guthrie, Bloomington, CA; and two sisters, Mrs. Hattie Beasley, McLean and Mrs. Edna Scarborough, Ft. Worth. Also surviving are 35 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren, and nine great great grandchildren. The Tulia Herald, 10 June 1954.
Brazil, Mrs. F. M.	Funeral services for Mrs. F. M. Brazil, 56, Happy were held Thursday at the First Methodist Church at Canyon. Mrs. Brazil died Wednesday in an Amarillo hospital following a heart attack. Survivors include the husband; three sons, David who is in the Army in Korea, Marvin of Kermit and Douglas of Midland; three daughters, Mrs. A. W. Hammock of Midland, Mrs. R. R Northam of Vickstown, SD, and Miss Mary Alice Brazil of Happy; her mother, Mrs. R. L. Campbell of Canyon three brothers and one sister. The Tulia Herald, 29 April 1954.
Brooks, Jackie Lee	Funeral services for Jackie Lee Brooks, 23 day old son of Mr. and Mrs. Glean C. Brooks of 321 Northwest Third St. were conducted Friday afternoon at Wallace Funeral Chapel. Rev. W. Neil Record, pastor of the First Baptist Church, officiated. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery. The baby died late Wednesday night in Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo. He had been ill for four days. Survivors besides the parents, include the grandparents, Loren L. Brooks and Mr. and Mrs. J. Revelle, and an aunt Mrs. Van Barbour of Tulia. The Tulia Herald, 28 January 1954.
Burnett, Ezra	Funeral services for Ezra Burnett, 74, who died Friday in a Plainview hospital, were held Monday afternoon in the Kress Church of Christ, T. J. Findley, minister of the Dimmitt Church of Christ officiating, assisted by E. E. Degge. Burnett had made his home in Plainview since his retirement in 1952. He was born February 7, 1880 in Tennessee, but moved to Wise County when he was six months old. He remained there until moving to a farm near Kress in 1923. He retained his farming interest until his death. In 1900 he married MINNIE GIBSON who died in 1917. In 1922 he married MARY HUDGEONS TAYLOR who died in 1952. He is survived by three children, B. L. Burnett of Amarillo, Bruce Burnett of El Paso, and Miss Doris Burnett, Plainview. He is also survived by four stepchildren, a sister, 15 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Burial was in the Kress cemetery. The Tulia Herald, 25 March 1954.
Burton, Edward D.	Funeral of Edward D. Burton, 84, former resident near Kress, will be conducted today at Bakersfield, CA. He died Monday night at his home in Bakersfield. Born at Joplin, MO, Burton moved to what was then Indian Territory in Oklahoma. He was married in 1900 in Oklahoma to CORA LONG. Later the family moved to Texas and resided at Goldsboro until 1925 when they moved to the Taylor community east of Kress where they resided until 1935 when they moved to Bakersfield. Burton is survived by his wife, four sons, R. E. And A. J. Of Lawndale, CA; Earl, Borger; Ed, Plainview; three daughters, Mrs. A. W. Lindeman, Kress; Mrs. A. H. Lindeman of Plainview; and Mrs. A. R Yates, Weatherford. Twenty‑six grandchildren and six great grandchildren survive. All the children expect to attend the funeral. Mr. Burton's death was the first in the immediate family. The Tulia Herald, 22 April 1954.
Salasar, Erasmo	Graveside rites for Erasmo Salasar, one day old, were held Saturday at Rose Hill cemetery. He was the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Elias Salasar. Wallace Funeral Home was in charge. The Tulia Herald, 12 August 1954.
Sands, W. D.	W. D. Sands, resident of Kress for the past 28 years, died in a Lockney hospital Friday morning following an illness of two months. He was born July 4, 1876 in Champaign, Ill. He lived in Kansas for several years, later moving to Texas. He had been a faithful member of the Church of Christ since he was 14. He is survived by one brother, Harry Sands of Kress, a sister, Mrs. Katie Whitaker of Lockney, a niece, Mrs. Elmer Sandusky of Lockney. Funeral services were held at the Kress Church of Christ Saturday afternoon with burial in Kress cemetery. The Tulia Herald, 1 April 1954.
Schuler, Edith Reed	Edith Reed Schuler, a resident of Tulia since 1948 died at her home early Wednesday morning. Funeral services will be conducted at the Wallace Funeral Chapel at 2 p.m. Thursday, the Rev. W. Neil Record of the First Baptist Church officiating. Mrs. Schuler was born Aug. 10, 1886 in Morris County, Kansas to Mr. and Mrs. P. C. Reed. She was married June 6, 1906 in Reading Kansas to A. H. SCHULER. She and her husband moved to Tulia from New Mexico six years ago. Following the funeral services in Tulia the body will be taken to Valley Falls, Kansas for funeral services there at 2 p.m. Saturday. Interment will be in Rose Hill cemetery at Valley Falls. Services there will be in the Lutheran Church to which the Schulers at one time belonged. Mrs. Schuler was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Tulia. Besides her husband, she is survived by two sons, Reed H. Schuler of Amarillo and Elbert K. Schuler of Roswell, N. M.; one daughter, Mrs. Callie Belle Holstein of Fort Bliss, Texas; two grandchildren, one brother, Floyd B. Reed of Reading, Kansas; one sister, Mrs. Henry Teubel of Tulia; and several nieces and nephews. The Tulia Herald, 20 September 1954.
Sedgwick, E. R. (Gene)	Death late Saturday night claimed one of Tulia's most prominent citizens and businessmen. E. R. (Gene) Sedgwick, 50 years old, Certified Public Accountant and owner of Sedgwick Implement Company, died in Swisher County Hospital of cancer. His health failed last April and he underwent surgery May 25. He apparently recovered completely and was active in his business interests until December. Mr. Sedgwick was born Oct. 20, 1903 in Silverton. He married MISS BIRDIE WISH of Sabinell on June 15, 1928. Before moving with his family to Tulia in 1950 he was a member of an accounting firm in San Angelo. Mr. Sedgwick was active in civic affairs, was a member of First Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the Masonic Lodge. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. C. John Westhof, pastor, officiating. He was assisted by Dr. B. O. Wood, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of San Angelo. Burial was in Rose Hill cemetery under the direction of Wallace Funeral Home. Masonic graveside rites were directed by the Tulia Masonic Lodge. Survivors besides the widow, include the parents, Dr. and Mrs. W. A. Sedgwick of Tulia; a son, Stanley of Lubbock; a daughter Carolyn of Tulia and one brother, Lt. Col. R A. Sedgwick of San Bernardino, Calif., now with the Air Force stationed in England. The Tulia Herald, 25 February 1954.
Sharp, Mrs. Carrie C.	Mrs. Carrie C. Sharp died at Pampa last week and was buried in Rose Hill cemetery at Tulia where graveside rites were held. The Tulia Herald, 14 January 1954.
Shelton, Mrs. Estelle Claire	Funeral services for Mrs. Estelle Claire Shelton, 76, Vega, were held Tuesday morning at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at Vega. Burial was in the Vega cemetery. Survivors include the husband, J. T. Shelton, one son Judge Claude Shelton of Tulia; and three daughters, Claire Shelton, Helene Little and Elaine Ledbetter. The Tulia Herald, 3 June 1954.
Shipman, T. H.	Thomas Henry Shipman, 75, of Wayside died Sunday night in a Canyon hospital. He was born Jan. 21, 1879. He was a Mason and belonged to the Fairview Baptist Church. Survivors include a son, H. H. Shipman, Happy, a daughter, Mrs. Lamoine Schrib, Wayside; a stepdaughter, Mrs. W. B. Campbell, Canyon; two brothers, Bill and Ross Shipman, Seymour; a sister, Mrs. Betsy West, Benjamin. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Wayside church with Rev. Earl Landtroop and Rev. Merle Weathers officiating. Burial was in Wayside Cemetery. The Tulia Herald, 10 June 1954.
Shuping, Dona C.	Dona C. Shuping, 36, Kress, died Saturday night in Swisher County hospital. He had been ill a short time and was admitted to the hospital Thursday. Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon at the Kress First Baptist Church. Rev. Otha Anderson, offciated. He was assisted by Rev. Glen Wilson, pastor. Burial was in Rose Hill cemetery at Tulia under the direction of Wallace Funeral Home. Mr. Shuping was born Feb. 4, 1917 in Frederick, Okla. He is survived by his wife, ELSIE; three children, La Dona, Dona Joel and Paul George; his mother, Mrs. D. M. Shuping of Tulia; four brothers, Jodie, D. L. and Bud, all of Kress, and John of Tulia; two sisters, Mrs. Bula Smith of Tulia and Mrs. C. B. Greer of Kress. The Tulia Herald, 29 January 1954.
Sims, Harold Glenn	Funeral services for Lt. Harold Glenn Sims, 27 years old, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Sims of Happy, were held Saturday afternoon at the Happy Church of Christ. Morgan Sturgis, minister of the church, officiated, assisted by M. P. Dennis of the Tulia church. Lt. Sims was killed Tuesday afternoon in a plane crash which occurred during a routine instruction training flight. He was serving as an instructor in the 325th Fighter Interceptor Squadron and was flying a T33 jet trainer at the time. The accident occurred 40 miles north of Hamilton Air Base, Calif., where he was stationed. >Survivors include the parents, four brothers, Leo Sims of Dallas, Eugene Sims, Morris Sims, and Weldon Sims, all of Happy; one sister, Nelda Sims of Happy. Burial was in Happy cemetery. The Tulia Herald, 1 April 1954.
Sprowles, Mrs. R. H.	Funeral for Mrs. R. H. Sprowls, 83, mother of Ed Sprowls, publisher of the Western Observer at Anson, formerly of Happy and Tulia, was held last week in the First Methodist church at Haskell. She died at the home of a daughter, Mrs. T. A. Martin in Baird. Rites were conducted by the Haskell pastor, Rev. J. B. Thompson, assisted by Rev. H. A. Nichols, pastor of the First Methodist Church of Anson, Rev. James Price of Rochester and Rev. Womack of Baird. Her husband, former Haskell county tax assessor, died in 1924. One son and three daughters also preceded their mother in death. Surviving besides the son of Anson and the daughter of Baird are another son, D. M. of Phoenix, Ariz.; another daughter, Mrs. C. S. Jetton of Jud; two brothers; a sister; five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Stapp, Mrs. Elfie	Mrs. Elfie Lena Stapp, formerly of Tulia, passed away at El Cajon, California, Friday, June 18, 1954. Funeral services were held in the "Little Chapel of the Roses" on June 21, with interment at Glen Abbey Memorial Park. Mrs. Stapp had been in ill health for several months. Mrs. Stapp, the former Elfie Thomas, was born in Hamilton county, Texas in 1903 and moved to Tulia at the age of 5. She married ELBERT STAPP in 1921. The latter part of 1941 the Stapp family moved to California and for the last eight years have made their home in El Cajon. Mrs. Stapp is survived by her husband, Elbert of El Cajon; four children, Mrs. Janice Broerame of Lakeside, Calif.; Airman First Class Lloyd Stapp, Gary Air Force Base, San Marcos, Texas; Kenneth Stapp of Pacific Beach, Calif.; Mrs. Phyllis Riddering of Detroit, Michigan; her father, Mr. Leroy Lee Thomas of El Cajon; two sisters, Mrs. L. L. Chenault and Mrs. A. V. Billington, both of Escondido, Calif.; formerly of Tulia and six grandchildren. The Tulia Herald, 1 July 1954.
Stilwell, Mrs. Alice	Mrs. Alice Stilwell died Sunday night in a California rest home following a long illness. Funeral services and burial were in California. Mrs. Stilwell who lived at 123 Bowie in Tuba until recently, went to California with relatives from Riverside several weeks ago. The Tulia Herald, 9 September 1954.
Stork, John	John Clifford Stork, 28 year old father of five children was killed Saturday when the body of a dump truck he was operating fell and crushed him against the chassis of the vehicle. The accident occurred about 5 p.m. a few miles north of Nazareth. Witnesses said the body of the truck had been hoisted into the air and stuck. When Stork crawled under the body he evidently cleared the jammed mechanism and the body fell. He was rushed to a Dimmitt hospital in a private car but was pronounced dead on arrival. Mr. Stork is survived by his wife and five children; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Stork all of Nazareth and by several sisters. Mrs. Virgil Pohlmeir of Tulia is a sister. Funeral services were held in the Holy Family Catholic Church in Nazareth Tuesday morning. Father Peter Morsch, pastor, celebrated requiem mass. Interment was in Nazareth cemetery. Rosary was recited Sunday night and Monday night in the home of his parents. The Tulia Herald, 25 November 1954.
Walters, Kenneth P.	Funeral services for Kenneth P. Walters, 36, Pampa teacher, were held Friday at Pampa. Rev. H. Clyde Smith, pastor of the San Jacinto Methodist Church, Amarillo, and Granville Tyler, minister of the Pampa Church of Christ, officiated. Walters, a Pampa resident for eight years died late Wednesday as a result of burns. Born in Edler, Colorado, he was graduated from Happy High School and received his B.A. and M.A. Walters is survived by his wife, Essie Mae; his parents, Mrs. Rae M. Walters, Canyon and Percy L. Walters, Amarillo; a sister, Mrs. Charles Kieser, Menlo Park, California; two brothers, Gene Walters, Mexia and Richard Walters, Canyon; three grandparents, Mrs. Ella Walters, Happy, Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Beasley, Denver. The Tulia Herald, 1 July 1954.
Wheeler, Edgar E.	Final rites for Edgar E. Wheeler, 77 years old, retired stockman and farmer and a longtime resident of Tulia and Swisher County, were held Friday afternoon in the Tulia First Methodist Church. Officiating minister was Rev. J. Lloyd Mayhew of the Slaton First Methodist Church. He was assisted by Rev. Alby J. Cockrell, Tulia Methodist pastor, and Rev. C. John Westhof, pastor of the Tulia Presbyterian Church. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Wallace Funeral Home. Mr. Wheeler had been in failing health for some time but he died suddenly Wednesday afternoon shortly after he was admitted to Swisher County Hospital. He was born 9 February 1876 in Walker County, Georgia. He came to Teas in 1888 with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Wheeler. He married Miss Clara Louise Cozzens at Markel and came to Swisher County in 1916. He was an active member of the Methodist Church. Survivors include his widow; two sons, R. B. and M. C., both of Tulia; a daughter, Mrs. Avory Adams of Kress; two brothers, R. O. of Tulia and W. B. of Bovina; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. The Tulia Herald, 14 January 1954.
White, Roy Lynn	Funeral services for Roy Lynn White, stillborn son of Rev. and Mrs. L. E. White of Plainview, were held Monday in Wallace Funeral Chapel. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery. Rev. White is pastor of the Westside Baptist Church at Plainview. Rev. W. Neil Record, pastor of the Tulia Baptist Church, conducted the service. The Tulia Herald, 22 July 1954.
Whitehurst, Mrs. Mary Ella	Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Ella Whitehurst, 81, were held Saturday afternoon at the First Baptist Church with Rev. W. Neil Record, pastor, officiating. Mrs. Whitehurst died Friday in her home, 621 East Broadway. She had been ill for several months. Born in Wood County, she was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jack Harris. She moved to Swisher County in 1923 and has lived here since. Survivors include five daughters, Mrs. Birtie Bridge, San Antonio; Mrs. Earl Malone, Mrs. George Tucker, Mrs. K. Ramsey and Mrs. J. C. Sharp, all of Tulia; one son, Temple Whitehurst, Los Angeles, California; one brother, A. J. Harris of Tulia; eighteen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Wallace Funeral Home. The Tulia Herald, 27 May 1954.
Whitman, Lloyd	Funeral services for Lloyd Whitman, 44 years old, pilot and crop duster who had lived 4 miles southwest of Happy most of his life were held Wednesday afternoon at a Canyon funeral chapel. Whitman was the victim of a mid‑air plane crash near Irving Sunday. Whitman was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. S. T. Whitman, pioneer ranchers at Happy. He was one of the first persons in the Happy area to become interested in flying. Officiating at the funeral were Rev. C. E. Hogue, Pastor of the Happy Baptist Church, assisted by Rev. Woodrow Williams, pastor of the Happy Methodist Church. Burial was in Dreamland cemetery at Canyon where his parents and an infant child are buried. Survivors include a brother, Otis Whitman of Happy. The victim is a cousin of Glenn Whitman and Mrs. Earl B. Cosby of Tulia. The Tulia Herald, 8 April 1954.
Williams, Frederick Earl	Frederick Earl Williams, 70, lifelong resident of Abilene died recently in an Abilene hospital. He had been in ill health for about a year. He was a retired salesman for Sledge Manufacturing Company. He was a member of the Baptist Church and Knights of Pythias. He was the oldest of the third generation of a pioneer family of Abilene. His parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Allen Williams, were one of the first couples to marry there. His grandfather, the late Judge F. J. Murray with his family moved to Abilene from Bowling Green, Ky. He donated the site for and built the first courthouse there. Mr. Williams was born in Abilene, attended school there and donated land for a cemetery, school and church. He married SALLIE B. ALLEN in 1907. Survivors are his wife, one son, Max; one daughter, Mrs. John Hickersmith, both of Abilene; three brothers, Roger of Weatherford, Ross of Houston, Glenn of Dallas, three sisters, Mrs. Ross Wingo of Tulia, Mrs. Maurice Holland of Yoakum and Mrs. Myrtle Crouch of Abilene. Funeral services were conducted at the Baptist church with Dr. Frank Royal pastor officiating. He was assisted by a former pastor, Rev. W. C. Ashford. Burial was in Elwood Memorial Park. The Tulia Herald, 11 November 1954.
Williams, Newt	Newt Williams, 57, farm worker on the Johnny Byrd farm northeast of Happy was killed Friday afternoon when he fell and was covered by slipping wheat in a country elevator on the Byrd farm. The accident occurred about 5:30 p.m. His efforts to extricate himself caused him to sink deeper in the wheat. Williams was a brother of Mrs. Byrd. Burial was in Amarillo cemetery. The Tulia Herald, 2 September 1954.
Wilson, Mrs. David M.	Mrs. David M. Wilson, 84 years old, Fort Worth, resident for 30 years, died Sunday afternoon following a lengthy illness. She was a native of Tennessee and a member of the Presbyterian Church. Her husband was a lumberman and banker in Bridgeport for 20 years before moving to Fort Worth. Survivors include one son, J. M. Wilson of Floydada, a daughter, Mrs. T. M. Nichols of Tulia, six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols were at her bedside at the time of her death. The Tulia Herald, 29 July 1954.
Wood, Allen Dale	Allen Dale Wood, stillborn son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack E. Wood of Tulia, was buried Monday afternoon in Rose Hill cemetery following services at Wallace Funeral Chapel. G. M. Covington, Church of Christ minister from Kress conducted the rites. The Tulia Herald, 22 July 1954.
Wrenn, Hall J.	Final rites for Hall Jennings Wren, 56 years old, prominent Happy farmer, were held Monday afternoon at the First Baptist Church of Happy where he had been a member for most of his life. Wrenn, who had lived in and near Happy for 39 years, died suddenly Saturday afternoon at his home three miles south of Happy following a heart attack. He had been trimming trees and died before a doctor arrived. He was born Feb. 7, 1898 the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wrenn. The father served s Swisher County Commissioner, Precinct 1, for many years. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Velma Wrenn; a son Charles; two sisters, Mrs. Henry Jordan, Las Vegas, NM, and Miss Nadeen Wrenn of Ada; and a niece, Mrs. Jack Todd, Happy. His only daughter died about two years ago. At the time of her death she was a student at Wayland College where she was preparing for service as a missionary. Wrenn was a director of Swisher County Electric Coop and held member ship in the Masonic Lodge at Happy. Rev. C. B. Hogue, pastor of the Happy Baptist church, officiated. He was assisted by Rev. A. L. Shaw of Plainview, former pastor of the church. Burial was in the Happy cemetery. The tulia Herald, 8 April 1954.

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