Modena McCown

Clipping from the Rebekah Lodge Book Clippings .
Read Her Story Below from the Ladoinia Historical Preservation Society

Modena McCown is the oldest known person buried in The Ladonia Cemetery. She died at The Honey Grove Nursing Home , Honey Grove, TX. in 1989. Submitted by L.H.P.S.
Photo by Debby Crofford 

Modena McCown

Modena [Hensley ] McCown was born 9/22/1878 three miles south of Cooper in a community called Craig Prarie and was back then, in Hopkins County. The name has been changed to CraigTranquil and is presently located in Delta County. Her parents were John Calvin Hensley and Nancy Jane Taylor Hensley. Her father was a Civil War veteran and do doubt, some of the harsh aftermath of the war was carried with him. He served with the Sul-Ross Brigade. Her mother died when she was three years old and young Modena was quickly introduced to the hardships of life. With the help of an older sister, her father was able to keep the family of six children together. The family later moved to the Dial Community where he bought 103 acres of land and with the help of his only son and oldest daughter, he managed to clear the land and build the house they would call the family home..Years later when her fathers health became poor, they moved to Pecan Gap. The family farm was rented but ownership remained in the Hensley Family. After her father, a sister, and brother-in-law died, Modena and her brother Bill maintained a home for the nieces and nephews. After they had grown and left home, Modena married Wilson McCown at the age of 35.She and her husband bought the family home back from the Hensley heirs and she and her husband Wilson, her father-in-law,son William, and daughter Nell made their own happy memories.Modena was a Presbyterian and was active in the church all her life. Her son, a pilot, died in WW11when his plane was shot down over Germany. Her husband died in 1960 and she continued to live at home but at the age of 94, by her own choice, she moved to the Grove Manor Nursing Home in Honey Grove In 1984, Modena won the oldest person contest by The Paris News for Fannin, Delta, Lamar, and Red River Counties. Her sister Mallie also lived a long life dying at the age of 106. Modena received a birthday call from President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy and received a lot of attention due to long life.

Photo By Debby Crofford
Biography by L.H.P.S.