FWGS - In Memoriam

Ernest Edward Ammons passed away Saturday, March 13, 2004, in Fort Worth. Memorial service: 2 p.m. Tuesday at Ridglea United Methodist Church. Graveside service: 1 p.m. Tuesday in Greenwood Memorial Park. Visitation: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Greenwood Funeral Home.

Memorials: Contributions may be made to Ridglea United Methodist Church or the Janice C. Ammons Memorial Scholarship Fund (FWISD), c/o 1625 Old Course Dr., Plano 75093.

Ernest Edward Ammons passed away after suffering a stroke Wednesday. A resident of Fort Worth since 1954, he retired from General Dynamics in 1988 after a 34-year career as a flight control engineer.

He farmed in Palo Pinto County until his death. A native of Fisher County, he was born in 1923, one of eight children of John Wesley and Ona Ammons. In 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a B-24 pilot in Europe during World War II. He was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant in 1945.

He earned a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from Texas Tech and master's degree from Southern Methodist University.

Ernest and his wife of 57 years, Margaret Klingler Ammons, were the parents of five children and had been members of Ridglea United Methodist Church since 1954. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Janice Claire.

Survivors: Wife, Margaret; daughter, Lynn Surovik of Plano; sons, David of Chapel Hill, N.C., John of Dallas and Phillip of Benton, Ark.; their spouses, Mike, Cindy and Kay; sisters, Arlene Neeper of Snyder and Dorothy Hall of Sweetwater; and 10 grandchildren.

FORT WORTH - Marshall B. Balthrop Sr., an employee of Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. for 44 years, died Monday at a Fort Worth hospital. He was 78.

Mr. Balthrop was born in Fort Worth. He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers, Northwest Bible Church and the Genealogy Society. He was a freelance photographer and a golfer.

Survivors: Wife, Mickey Balthrop of Fort Worth; two sons, Chris Balthrop Sr. of Dallas and C. Barry Balthrop of Newport Richey, Fla.; two brothers, Jack K. Balthrop of Possum Kingdom Lake and Grady W. Balthrop of St. Louis, Mo.; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Christine Lackey Barr (1909-2004)
Fort Worth, Texas
Member from 1981 through 1996

FORT WORTH -- Christyne Lackey Barr, born in Ponder and a Fort Worth resident for 68 years, died Monday, May 31, 2004, in her 95th year.

Memorial service: Noon Thursday in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church. Burial: Private family interment in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation: 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday in The Williamsburg Room of Thompson's Harveson & Cole Funeral Home.

Memorials: Should friends desire, memorials may be given to The First United Methodist Church Foundation or The Gladney Center.

Christyne Lackey Barr was born June 15, 1909, to William Claude Lackey and Willye LeMay of Temple, where she and Willard Barr married on May 30, 1936. Soon after moving to Fort Worth, this enterprising and active couple busied themselves in the civic, business and cultural activities of the Metroplex. They and two of their sons, Allan and Kenneth, became actively involved in the family publishing and printing business. Christyne will be always remembered for her service to her church, teaching at Polytechnic United Methodist Church for more than a quarter of a century and becoming a certified laboratory teacher for the Methodist Conference. The power of the written word led her to editions and writing in local and national publications and to involvement in the community during Willard Barr's service as mayor of Fort Worth from 1965 through 1967. Her son, Kenneth, served as mayor of Fort Worth from 1996 until 2003.

She served as president of The Altrusa Club of Fort Worth, Women of Rotary, D. McRae Elementary School PTA, chairman of Senior Citizens Fair, member of the board of Fort Worth Public Library, administrative board of First United Methodist Church, Woman's Club of Fort Worth, Fort Worth Genealogical Society, and Harris Methodist Hospital volunteers.

In January of 1996, after 20 years of research, Christyne published "A Window to Yesterday," tracing their eight family lines and nearly 40 collateral lines. In the book's dedication to their grandchildren, she concluded by writing "So I will just say to Will, Nancy, Meredyth, Katherine and Allison, you have a wonderful heritage, and now it becomes yours to carry on. God bless you."

Grace was in all her steps, heaven in her eye. In every gesture dignity and love.

Survivors: Remembering her with love and respect are sons, Kenneth Barr and his wife, Karen, Allan Barr and his wife, Ann, Andrew Barr and his wife, Ann; grandchildren, Will and his wife, Meg, and their daughter, Margaret, Katherine, Nancy, Allison and Meredyth and her husband, Chris Haller.

FORT WORTH--Christyne Lackey Barr, widow of former Mayor Willard Barr and mother of Kenneth Barr, who served as mayor of Fort Worth from 1996 until last year, died Monday morning after a brief illness.

Mrs. Barr, who was 94, was born in Ponder and grew up in Temple. She studied photography with her father. In 1935, she married Willard Barr, and the couple moved to Fort Worth.

A few years later, the couple founded Barr Printing, a family-run printing business in downtown Fort Worth.

"They had a close partnership," said her son, Kenneth Barr. "Everything he did, from business to civic affairs, she was right there with him."

Throughout the years, Mrs. Barr was an important part of the family business and did a variety of things, including proofreading and managing mailing lists. She was also the layout editor and writer for a weekly publication, Labor News.

Kenneth Barr recalled his mother's involvement with civic activities, beginning with her work with the PTA when he and his two brothers were students at D. McRae Elementary School.

Mrs. Barr served on a variety of boards, including the Fort Worth Library Board, the Women's Club of Fort Worth and the administrative board of First United Methodist Church.

The Altrusa Club is an organization made up of businesswomen, Kenneth Barr said. "She was very active in that club and was chairman of the Senior Citizens Fair," he said.

He said the fair draws hundreds of senior citizens each year who sell their wares ranging from handmade quilts to woodwork. "That fair brought in between $600,000 to $800,000 and that helped so many senior citizens," Kenneth Barr said.

Linda Pavlik, a longtime member of the Altrusa Club, said Mrs. Barr was a "pillar" of the group and was one of the founders of the fair.

"It allowed any senior citizen to be involved," Pavlik said. "She [Mrs. Barr] was very respectful of community advocacy groups. She was a good listener and great partner for Willard, working right beside him."

Mrs. Barr was also a past officer of the Fort Worth Genealogical Society and had a passion for researching her family's roots.

Kenneth Barr said his mother and father criss-crossed the country, tracing the history of both of their families.

"She really enjoyed genealogical research, and she and my dad traveled all over the country doing their research," Kenneth Barr said. "They even went to Salt Lake City to study at the Mormon Genealogical Center."

In 1996, Mrs. Barr wrote and published A Window to Yesterday. The book includes the family trees of the Lackey and Barr families. It also has several stories about the family's ancestors.

Joan Gaspard became a close friend of Mrs. Barr's 15 years ago when they were taking a genealogical course.

"By accident we discovered that we both had a common grandfather seven generations back," Gaspard said. "She was a gracious woman with a wonderful sense of humor."

Gaspard said that a few years ago, Mrs. Barr had a stroke. The two friends, however, would regularly go out to lunch.

"She always wanted to eat steak," Gaspard said. "It was greasy steak, and I'd ask her, 'Do your sons know you're eating this?' She would say, 'No. And I'm not telling them.' "

In addition to genealogical research, Mrs. Barr was active in the Methodist Church and taught Sunday school for many years at Polytechnic United Methodist Church before the family joined First United Methodist Church.

In 1965, her husband, who died in 1998, was elected mayor of Fort Worth. He served through 1967. "While Dad was mayor, she went everywhere with him," Kenneth Barr recalled.

He said that when he decided to run for mayor in 1996, his mother was one of his biggest supporters.

But although she was the wife of a former mayor, Mrs. Barr didn't offer much advice to her daughter-in-law Karen when Kenneth Barr was elected mayor.

"She was not one to stick her nose in your business," Karen Barr said. "She led by example. She was an anchor to this family."

In addition to her son Kenneth and his wife, Karen, Mrs. Barr is survived by two other sons, Andrew Barr, and his wife, Ann, of Dallas, and Allan Barr, and his wife, Ann, of Fort Worth; five grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Thompson's Harveson and Cole Funeral Home, 702 Eighth Ave.

There will be a memorial service at noon, Thursday at First United Methodist Church in downtown. Burial will be private.

Memorial contributions can be made to First United Methodist Church Foundation, 800 W. Fifth St., Fort Worth, TX 76102, or to the Gladney Center, 6300 John Ryan Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76132-4122.

Willard Barr (1908-1998)
Fort Worth, Texas
FWGS member through 1996
Served as Mayor of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, 1965-1967

FORT WORTH - James Willard Barr, 90, retired chairman of the board for The Barr Company, Printers, died Sunday, March 29, 1998.

Memorial service: 1 p.m. Wednesday in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church. Private burial: for the family. Visitation: The family will receive friends at the church after the memorial service.

Memorials: Scholarship Fund at Texas Wesleyan University, the food bank at First United Methodist Church or the Edna Gladney Fund.

James Willard Barr was born Nov. 24, 1907. He was a native of Fort Worth, but spent a major part of his formative years in Dallas, where he graduated from SMU in 1930 with a bachelor of science degree in journalism. A reporter for the Temple Telegram, he later became a reporter and editor at the now-defunct Fort Worth Press before leaving to purchase the News Printing Co. in 1947, which later became The Barr Company, Printers. During World War II, he served in the Navy and upon discharge, he founded the Labor News. He was elected to the Fort Worth non-partisan City Council in 1963 and served as mayor from 1965 to 1967. One of his first acts as mayor was to see that a regional airport be established, which led to Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. Healso sparked the idea in 1964 for the Tarrant County Convention Center, Tarrant County Junior College District, Turnpike Stadium, Child Study Center and numerous city capital improvements.

Survivors: Wife of 62 years, Christyne Barr; sons, Andrew Barr and his wife, Ann, of Dallas, Kenneth Barr and his wife, Karen, of Fort Worth, and Allan Barr and his wife, Ann, of Fort Worth; grandchildren, Will Barr, Meredyth Barr, Katherine Barr, Nancy Barr and Allison Barr; and sister, Eloise Kintner of California.

FORT WORTH - Former Fort Worth Mayor Willard Barr, a civic activist, journalist and businessman, died yesterday at a hospital after suffering a stroke. He was 90.

Although Mr. Barr's most visible community service came during a brief span of four years in the 1960s - from his election to the City Council in 1963 through his single term as mayor from 1965 to 1967 - his contributions spanned decades.

For many years, his News Printing Co., which he founded in 1947, published the labor newspaper Labor News. Despite his strong connections with labor, Mr. Barr was recognized as a sincerely practical politician who could work for the common good with opponents as well as supporters.

After being elected to the nonpartisan City Council in 1963, he was chosen mayor pro tem in a tough political fight with council heavyweights. Mr. Barr was a well-known Democrat, and the mayor at the time, Bayard Friedman, was a Republican.

Friedman said that despite having different political perspectives, he recognized that Mr. Barr was always interested in what was best for the community. As a result, when he announced his retirement in 1965, Friedman endorsed Mr. Barr as mayor. Mr. Barr swept to victory as the first popularly elected mayor in 42 years.

"Willard Barr was always on the side of the angels," Friedman said. "He loved Fort Worth and was always active in matters concerning the welfare of the community. He was a first-rate citizen. " One of Mr. Barr's first acts as mayor was to ask Friedman to continue as negotiator with Dallas on creation of a regional airport, an effort that led to Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.

Mr. Barr's political activism put him at the forefront of a town hall meeting in 1964 that sparked the idea for the Tarrant County Convention Center, Tarrant County Junior College District, Turnpike Stadium, Child Study Center and numerous city capital improvements.

A notable result of the town hall meeting and the ideas it generated was the selection of Fort Worth in 1965 as an All-America City, the first time for the city to receive that honor. In 1993, the city was again selected for the All-America designation.

In his private life, family and friends say, Mr. Barr was a gentleman who could nurse one cocktail at a party and never finish it, and whose strongest expletive was, "My stars! " He was a modest man who never looked for the limelight despite his many accomplishments.

"He didn't care who got the credit; he just wanted to see the results," Mayor Kenneth Barr said.

Lee Goodman Jr., a former business partner of Mr. Barr, said Mr. Barr played a vital role in pulling Fort Worth back together after the death of Amon Carter Sr., owner and publisher of the Star-Telegram.

"There was no person in the community that had the unique ability that he had in causing all factions to work together and pull together," Goodman said. "He was a businessman, he was a card-carrying union member, also. He was a unique man. Nobody could have dared to do what he did. " Jim Wright, former U.S. House speaker, described Mr. Barr as a "splendid public servant and unfailing friend whose inspiration has lighted the way for me. " "Willard was a towering example of decency and basic goodness," Wright said. "There was in him no guile, no pretense, and he never had to read an opinion poll to know what he believed. " Mr. Barr served only one two-year term before being defeated in an upset by DeWitt McKinley, but he remained active. He was on dozens of boards ranging from Casa Manana Inc. to Texas Wesleyan University.

"He didn't play golf. He didn't fish. He basically worked," Allan Barr, his youngest son, said. "When he wasn't working at the business, he worked in the community. " His sons say his lifetime as a businessman and community leader was influential in their own career choices.

"I don't think there's any doubt that my public service is based on the things I saw him do and the satisfaction I saw him get out of serving the community," Kenneth Barr said.

"He raised us [that] if we gained something from our community, we ought to in turn give something back," Allan Barr added.

In speaking of his political career, Mr. Barr told the Star-Telegram in 1991 that his ability to surround himself with skilled and honest people led to political success. "I had the ability to see people with leadership ability and to encourage them," he said.

Mr. Barr, a 1930 graduate of Southern Methodist University with a bachelor of science degree in journalism, worked as a reporter at the Temple Telegram. He later became reporter and editor at the now-defunct Fort Worth Press before leaving when he purchased the News Printing Co. Early in World War II, Mr. Barr was assistant to the chairman of the 8th Regional War Labor Board. After a stint in the Navy, Mr. Barr founded the Labor News.

Mr. Barr continued until about two years ago as chairman of the board at the family printing business he founded, renamed the Barr Co., Printers. He and his wife of 62 years, Christyne, have resided at Trinity Terrace the past several years.

Visitation will be between 6 and 8 p.m. Tuesday at Harveson & Cole Funeral Home, 702 Eighth Ave. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Mr. Barr is survived by his wife, Christyne, of Fort Worth; sons, Andrew Barr of Dallas, and Kenneth Barr and Allan Barr of Fort Worth; grandchildren, Will Barr, Meredyth Barr, Katherine Barr, Nancy Barr and Allison Barr; and sister, Eloise Kintner of California.

Family members asked that donations be made in Mr. Barr's memory to the scholarship fund at Texas Wesleyan University, the food bank at the First United Methodist Church or the Edna Gladney Fund.

Dixie Bennett graduated from Fort Worth North Side High School and attended Texas Christian University, majoring in music before transferring to Texas Wesleyan University from which she received a bachelor's degree in history. She retired in 1996 from that University after 36 years as administrative assistant to the provost. She was an extremely talented musician and for many years was a cellist in the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and the Fort Worth Opera Orchestra.

Her interests in history and genealogy led to active involvement with the Fort Worth Genealogical Society as well as state offices with the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.

Dixie was the "guiding light" in the Society's publication of the volumes of "Generations" and her enthusiasm in working to assemble these pedigree charts for publication (submitted by interested members) was an inspiration. As President of the Society, Dixie devoted much time and effort toward the betterment of the organization, and will be missed by all of us.

Betty Jean Hill Blackburn (1930 - 2010)
Fort Worth, Texas
FWGS Member since 1970

Betty Blackburn went to be with the Lord, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at the age of 80.

Funeral: 11 a.m. Saturday at Shannon Rose Hill Funeral Chapel in Fort Worth. Interment: Shannon Rose Hill Cemetery. Visitation: The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

She was born March 6, 1930, in Fort Worth. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her. She was preceded in death by two brothers.

Survivors: Her husband of 64 years, Lee Blackburn; sons, Mike and his wife, Kathie Blackburn, of Hughes Springs and Steve and his wife, Delores Blackburn, of Fort Worth; daughter, Linda Blackburn of Burleson; brother, Johnny Hill and his wife, Debbie, of Saginaw; sister, Martha Hill of Fort Worth; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

KAUFMAN - Mattie Lou Small Blain, a former Fort Worth resident, died Saturday. She was 73.

Funeral was Monday at Anderson-Clayton Funeral Home in Kaufman. Burial was in Morrow Chapel Cemetery.

Mrs. Blain was born in Kaufman and lived in Fort Worth for 38 years before moving back to Kaufman recently.

Robert R. "Buzz' Borland
1922 - 2006
Served as FWGS President, 1993-1994
Member from 1990 through 2001

Memorial service: 11 a.m. Friday at St. Philip Presbyterian Church, 745 W. Pipeline Road, Hurst. Burial: Little Lake Cemetery, Peterborourgh, Ontario, Canada.

Memorials: St. Philip Presbyterian Church or Alzheimer's Association, Box 9709, Fort Worth, Texas 76147.

Buzz was born May 16, 1922, and grew up in Canada. He attended Peterborough High School and Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. He served in World War II in Europe. He continued to served in the Canadian army, retiring in 1969 as a lieutenant colonel. In 1970, he joined the international sales staff at Bell Helicopter, retiring in 1986. In retirement, he enjoyed spending time at his cottage in Canada, traveling and genealogy.

Survivors: His wife of 59 years, Marie; son, Bob and wife, Janet; daughter, Susan Stein and husband, Rick; sister, Edna Snider; three granddaughters; and one great-granddaughter.

Evlyn Syble Broumley (1934 - 2013)
Weatherford, Texas
Member from 1969 through 2012

Evlyn Syble Wiley Broumley, 79, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. Funeral: 2 p.m. Saturday, Aledo Church of Christ. Burial: Brown Cemetery in Aledo. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Galbraith-Pickard Funeral Chapel. Evlyn was born Feb. 3, 1934, to Melvin and Syble Wiley in Fort Worth. She was raised on the Wiley Dairy in Parker County. She attended school in Aledo and Azle and graduated from Weatherford High School. She then went on and attended Business College in Fort Worth. In 1952 she married Raymond "Scotty" Broumley in Portsmouth Va., while he served in the U.S. Navy. They returned to Parker County and went into the dairy business until 1975. At that time they moved into the city of Weatherford where Evlyn began her career with the Weatherford Library. Evlyn had such a love for books and history she took that love and put it to work. She began as a volunteer, driving the bookmobile and doing whatever was needed. She went on to be a part-time library assistant whose talents and interests were diligently used to develop the historical collection from a small group of genealogy books to a fully developed and useful collection. She was a longstanding member of Parker County Genealogy Society and wrote "Kissin Kin" column for the Weatherford Democrat for over 30 years and was editor of "Trails West" genealogy magazine. Today, the name of Evlyn Broumley is synonymous with genealogical research in Weatherford. Evlyn helped people all over the United States with their genealogy searches and she will be greatly missed. Evlyn was a member of Church of Christ. Evlyn was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Hubert Wiley. Survivors: The love of her life, her husband of 60 years, Raymond "Scotty" Broumley; sons, Mark Broumley and wife, Nancy, Wesley Broumley and wife, Beverly; daughter, Karen Broumley Pacheco; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Melvin and his wife, Patsy Wiley; sister-in-law, Sue Wiley; brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Virgene Broumley; a multitude of cousins, nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

My cousin, Mildred Brown (85 yrss old), a long time FWGS member, died this Tuesday, January 15, 2013. She lived on the property in Forest Hill (Brambleton) bought over 100 Years ago by our great-grandparents, Malcolm Sears Corse & Nancy Holmes Corse.

William Reece Holden
Anchorage, Alaska

Mildred Brown age 85 died Monday morning January 14, at a local hospital. She was a career teacher of English and journalism. Miss Brown was born at 3911 Race Street in the Riverside area of Fort Worth May 9, 1927. She attended two elementary schools in that area, Oak Knoll Elementary and Riverside Elementary graduating from Amon Carter high School in 1944. After high school she completed her schooling at Texas Wesleyan University. After the university she joined the staff at the I. M. Terrill Junior High School where she enjoyed and completed her teaching career field. Highlight of her teaching was sponsorship of the school newspaper. She believed in freedom of the press, even the press of a middle school.

The completion of Highway 121 mandated the move of her home in Riverside to Forrest Hill (Brambleton) on property bought over 100 years ago by her maternal great-grandfather on his arrival in Texas after being a prisoner of war in Libbyville, MD, & Andersonville, GA, during the Civil War – he, Malcolm Sears Corse, served as a private policeman for the mayor of Fort Worth.

During her retirement years she was active in Civic affairs by serving on the Economic development committee of the city of Forrest Hill. Another hobby Miss Brown shared was reading. The local library was a favorite spot for her to research family genealogy.

Paul Campbell (1935-2005)
Fort Worth, Texas
Served as FWGS President, 1977-1980
Member since 1971

Many current Society members did not know Paul Campbell. He was justly proud of being a fifth generation Texan and after his move to Fort Worth, he was, for many years, an active member of the Tarrant County Historical Commission. He served a four-year term as President of the Society in addition to other services as a member of the Board in various offices, and was named the first Honorary Life Member of the Society. Some of us may remember that Board meetings at Paul's home were always special occasions.

For over 20 years, perhaps he considered the Genealogy/Local History Department, Fort Worth Public Library, his "second home." He took great pride, and justly so, in his ability to help thousands of researchers, both new and more experienced. The column, "Texas Kin," co-authored by Paul and Patricia Chadwell, was a weekly feature in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for many years.

In addition to his expertise in genealogy and history, Paul was a talented musician, serving as organist for several area churches.

After the large attendance at a recent Society meeting, I was reminded of another occasion shortly after the move to the new library facilities. Paul was guest speaker. The entire auditorium was filled, people sat on the steps, and folding chairs were set up in the back to accommodate the number of attendees. I felt. that it was a personal tribute to Paul in recognition of his expertise in the fields of genealogy and history.

Paul will be missed by many people in various walks of life and all of us who worked with him are indeed fortunate.

Frederick Paul Campbell, 70, retired from the Fort Worth Public Library, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2005.

Memorial service: 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 5001 Crestline Road, Fort Worth. Visitation: A reception will follow at 1905 Hillcrest Street in Fort Worth.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, send memorials to the All Saints Episcopal Church Orphanage Fund.

Frederick Paul Campbell, also known as Paul Campbell, 70, died Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2005, at a local hospital, from anaphylactic shock, having been hospitalized for severe asthma twice in the last two months.

Memorial service: was held at All Saint's Episcopal Church on Friday, Dec. 2, with inurnment of his cremated remains in the church columbarium.

For several years he co-authored, along with Patricia Chadwell, a column in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, entitled "Texas Kin." For four years, Paul was president of the Fort Worth Genealogical Society. During his tenure, a history of this region of Texas entitled "Old Northwest Texas" was published as a two-volume set. For 20 years, Paul served on the Tarrant County Historical Commission and was employed by the Fort Worth Public Library, working in the areas of genealogy and Southwest history.

Survivors: Paul is survived by his partner of 35 years, John S. Morgan; maternal cousin, Gerald Money, of El Paso; and by paternal cousin, Arch Campbell, of Chevy Chase, Md.

Ruth Minter Castillon, 89, a pioneering female journalist, died Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008, in Fort Worth.

Funeral: A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Meadowbrook United Methodist Church. Burial: private.

Memorials: If friends desire, memorials may be made to Meadowbrook United Methodist Church, 3900 Meadowbrook Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76103; or The Woman's Club of Fort Worth, 1316 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Worth, Texas 76104.

Ruth Minter Castillon was born in Fort Worth, March 19, 1919, to Bessie Prichard Minter and Robert Lee Minter. She graduated from Paschal High School, Class of 1936 and attended her 70th high school reunion in 2006. Ruth graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1941 with a degree in journalism. Hired by the Tyler Courier-Times, she met and married Oscar E. Castillon, also an employee of the newspaper.

At the onset of World War II, Ruth was the first woman reporter hired by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram to replace male journalists sent to cover the war. In 1996, Ruth was honored by the Association of Women Journalists as a pioneer in the field of journalism.

Ruth was an early member of the Meadowbrook United Methodist Church, an avid supporter of the Upper Room Class, a charter member of the Cardinal Garden Club, a member of the Fort Worth Petroleum Club, a longtime member of the Woman's Club of Fort Worth and a lifetime member of Zeta Tau Alpha.

Ruth loved and served her family, her friends and her church. She enjoyed traveling, especially her annual trips to Santa Fe and Pagosa Springs, gardening, genealogy, performances at Bass Hall and the Texas Rangers. She especially loved her two grandsons and her four great-granddaughters.

The family wishes to express its gratitude to Susan Harvey, RN and her team at Vitas Hospice for their kindness and care.

Survivors: Son, Tom Castillon and wife, Kim; daughter, Carolyn Sterett and husband, Broc; grandsons, Stephen and his wife, Kristen Sterett, Robert and his wife, Amanda Sterett; great-granddaughters, Kaitlyn, Kelsey, Kylie and Olivia Sterett; and a host of loving friends and family.

Shirley C. Cawyer
Stephenville, Texas
Died 2001
Member from 1970 through 2001

Grata Jeter Clark
Fort Worth, Texas
Died 16 February 2003
Member from 1977 through 2003

Jan Cowley passed away Friday, June 6, 2014. Service: 2 p.m. Friday, June 13, at Shannon Rose Hill Funeral Chapel. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. She was born Aug. 2, 1937, in Fort Worth to Raymond J. Brown and Nana Darlene Reagan. She was married 50 years to her beloved husband, Don R. Cowley. She graduated from Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Ill. She was an enthusiastic genealogist who had memberships in Six Flags DAR, U.S. Daughters of 1812, the Fort Worth Genealogical Society, SOOB, Nyanca Court #34, Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America and Ladies of El Texa Grotto. Survivors: Husband, Don; stepsons, Gilbert of California and Neil of Barcelona, Spain; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Don Roy Cowley, 83, passed away peacefully in his sleep Tuesday, July 8, 2014. Funeral: 10 a.m. Monday at Shannon Rose Hill Funeral Chapel. Interment: Shannon Rose Hill Memorial Park. Visitation: 8 to 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials: Don requested any charitable contributions go to the Scottish Rite or Shriners Hospital, fantastic organizations. Don was born in Covington on May 4, 1931. He was an entrepreneur and salesman all his life, a wonderfully entertaining and loving man. He was a lifelong Mason and was a member and past master of Handley Lodge #1140, past high priest and TIM of Handley Chapter and Council, district deputy grand master RSM, commander of Worth Commandery, 32nd degree Mason of Fort Worth Scottish Rite, Moslah Shrine, recipient of Knight York Cross of Honor, Knight Temple Priests, Grotto and many other Masonic organizations. Special thanks to Michelle and the folks at Hospice Plus for their great support in a difficult time as well as caregivers Susan and Lance, all who made a real difference in his last weeks and days. He was preceded in death by his parents and beloved wife of 50 years, Jan, who passed June 6, 2014. Survivors: Sons, Gil of San Francisco, Calif., and Neil of Barcelona, Spain; grandchildren, Andrew, Travis, Russell, Alex, Peter and Clara; and great-grandchildren, James, Caiden, Liam, Laura and Austin.

Don was a member of the Maj. K.M. Van Zandt Chapter 6, TXSSAR in Ft Worth and the E.M. Daggett Chapter 36 Sons of the Republic of Texas, Ft Worth. It does not appear that he was ever a member of FWGS.

Mayo Dancer
Fort Worth, Texas
Died 10 February 2005
Member from 1964 through 2005

Edna Perry Deckler
Charter Member
Served as first FWGS President, 1957-1961
Resigned as president in order to organize the Texas State Genealogical Society

Garld "Mickey" Dunivan Jr., 66, passed away peacefully with his family by his side Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006, at a local care center.

Funeral: 11:30 a.m. Monday in Mount Olivet Chapel. Burial: Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation: 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Mount Olivet Funeral Home.

Garld was born July 24, 1940, in Fort Worth to Garld Sr. and Daisy Dunivan. He graduated from Carter Riverside High School. Garld retired from Bell Helicopter in 2001 and enjoyed traveling, genealogy research, stock market investing and spending time with family and friends. He loved to learn new things and help others and was a volunteer computer training aide for TCC Senior Education Program. He was affiliated with FWGS, UAW Local 281 Lodge, and Masonic Lodge #1387 AFAM.

Survivors: Wife, Sue Dunivan; children, Dianne, Ermine Dana, Garld "Sonny" Dunivan and Tracey Cunningham; stepdaughters, Wendy Purdy and Candy Davis; 10 grandchildren; stepfather, James Weston; aunt, Ermine Laurence; and cousin, Jack Roach.

Colleen Morse Elliott (1927 - 2012)
Colleen appears in FWGS membership records in 1977 and 1987

Colleen Elliott passed away Sunday, May 20, 2012. Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday at Haltom City Christian Church, 4121 N. Haltom Rd. After a long and fruitful life, she slipped peacefully into the arms of her Lord and savior. She had a great love of rock hunting, books, genealogy and volunteering at the Haltom City Public Library. She was president of Friends of the Library for 29 years. Survivors: Her husband of 54 years, Oliver "Sonny" Elliott; son, Cody and wife, Stacey; daughter, Allison and husband, Bill; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Donald R. Fleming, 85, a retired engineer with Lockheed, died Monday, July 21, 2014, in Fort Worth. Funeral: Following a private family interment, a memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Arlington Heights United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, with the Rev. Mary Spradlin and the Rev. Grant Palma officiating. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Greenwood. Memorials: May be made to Arlington Heights United Methodist Church or a charity of choice . Donald Ray Fleming, the son of Hyriam and Dollie Fleming, was born March 23, 1929, in Roby. Don attended Las Cruces Union High School, graduating in 1947. He was drafted into the Army in November 1950. Following his discharge from military service, he entered New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, N.M., and received his BS degree in electrical engineering in 1957. Following college, he moved to Fort Worth, where he began his career with Convair, which later became General Dynamics and then Lockheed. On June 21, 1958, Don and Martha Jean Keller were married at Arlington Heights Methodist Church. To this union were born a daughter, Sally, and a son, Steven. Don joined Arlington Heights Methodist Church in 1965. During his career at Lockheed, Don was involved with several departments including systems integration and he retired in 1993. His hobbies throughout his life included woodworking, photography, coin collecting and genealogy. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Jimmie and Hyriam Jr.; and a sister, Bonnie. Survivors: Wife, Martha Fleming; daughter, Sally of Fort Worth; son, Steve and wife, Laura, of Fort Worth; grandchildren, Derek and Delaney Fleming; sisters, Bobbie Waters and husband, John, of El Paso and Kathy Fleming of Oklahoma City, Okla.; and several nieces and nephews.

Although a resident of Wise County, Catherine was very active in this Society during the early 1980s and served as Editor of Footprints in 1985 and part of 1986. She was faithful in attending meetings and usually could be found each Saturday morning at the library checking out the latest exchange quarterlies.

Norma Rutledge Grammar served on the Board of Directors for a number of years and for five years was Editor of the Bulletin (forerunner of Footprints) which was a monthly publication at that time. She was generous of her time and talents - always willing to help someone in their research. She assisted Miss Marion Day Mullins in copying and alphabetizing the marriage records of early Texas counties which were given to the Society in the form of microfilm - the profits to go to the Society. She published Marriage Records of the Republic of Texas which she also gave to the Society. She was an active participating member of a number of historical and genealogical societies in Texas and Tarrant County, including Mary Isham Keith Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution; the Honorable Phillip Livingston Chapter, Daughters of the American Colonists; the Frances Cooke Van Zandt Chapter, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, The Julia Jackson Chapter, Daughters of the Confederacy; Dames of the Court of Honor, Tarrant County Historical Society and the Texas State Historical Society.

Although she had no children of her own, she was the Senior President of the Captain William Scott Society, Children of the American Revolution for many years and the state President during the Centennial of Texas, endearing herself to many. She was an active member of the Scottish Clans of North Texas and she dearly loved shortbread! She will be missed by many.

Joe has served in several positions on our Board of Directors during his nineteen years as a member of the Fort Worth Genealogical Society. He first served as 1st vice president (newsletter editor) in 1991 and again in 1994. He was president in 1995, then director in 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2001. He stepped in to fill the 3rd vice president (membership) position midway into 2001 and served there through 2002. In 2004 he was our parliamentarian and was again a director at the time of his death.

From 1995 through 1997, Joe and Jerry assisted Dixie Bennett with the publication of the six volumes of Generations. It wasn't long into the project until Joe was doing the lions share of the workload in scanning the pedigree charts and other areas of production. In 1998, he scanned the pages from 41 years of Footprints (including the Bulletin, predecessor of Footprints), arranged and linked all of the images and produced the Society's first CD-ROM publication. A couple of years later, he placed all six books of Generations on a CD. Recently, he led a small group that copied and published the 1870 Tarrant County Census in paperback and on CD-ROM. Every year since the Footprints CD was created, Joe continued to scan current issues for a future second digital edition of our periodical. This was done concurrently with his other projects. Just before his death, he had just completed arranging a CD containing issues from 1998 through 2005 and offered it to the Board of Directors to consider it for publication.

While I was President in 2003 or 2004, Joe pitched an idea to the Board of Directors which led to the creation of a new Society project, the Pioneer Families of Tarrant County. Joe served as Chairman of the committee that was appointed to get the project off of the ground and sort out the details. Once the Pioneers project was launched, he served on the Review Committee that approves the applications. He was also volunteering his talents in the Lunch With Lloyd Seminar by printing name badges and other items. These are just a few of the committees that he had served on over the years.

I joined the Society only one year ahead of Joe and we have served together on the Board many times. He appeared quite in person, but he was always a workhorse behind the scenes for the Society. I didn't know much about his private life other than the fact that he liked computers, but at his funeral I learned that he was also very active with the Travis Avenue Baptist Church. He gave much of his time helping others who were less fortunate and loved working with pre-school children. It was in this church where he and Jerry met in the singles group. He left us much to remember him by. I will miss him.

Joe F. Grant, 81, a retired professional engineer, passed away Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at a local hospital.

Funeral: 3 p.m. Friday at Travis Avenue Baptist Church. Burial: Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Mount Olivet Funeral Home.

Joe was born July 21, 1924, in Plantersville, Miss., to Jacob A. and Elvira Augusta Grant. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He retired from Texas Electric Utilities. He served with faithfulness as a deacon and longtime member of Travis Avenue Baptist Church. Joe chaired and co-chaired Benevolence House Ministries and was active in teaching literacy at Travis Avenue. He was also a member of the Fort Worth Genealogical Society. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister.

Survivors: Wife of 56 years, Jerry; daughter, Marilyn Nowell and husband, Robert, of Ovilla; sons, James Grant and wife, Veronica, of Belize, Central America, Paul Grant and wife, Tina, of Houston; grandchildren, Timothy Nowell and wife, Kim, Tiffany Nowell, Demar, Jacob and Bella Grant.

Funeral: 1 p.m. Tuesday at Connell Baptist Church. Burial: Greenwood Memorial Park. Visitation: 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at Greenwood Funeral Home.

Juanita Green was born Dec. 14, 1925, in Ruston, La. She moved frequently but found home when the family settled in Fort Worth. She graduated from Paschal High School. She was a LVN most of her life. Juanita and Jess retired together in 1995 to enjoy their home and family. She was an active member of Connell Baptist Church; she always did whatever she could.

Juanita served her Lord well in life and leaves smiles and fond memories in the hearts of family and friends. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors: Son, Allen Griffith and wife, Cherie of Arlington; daughter, Gail Shelby and husband, Don of Fort Worth; sons, Jesse L. Green Jr. and wife, Melva of Crowley and Roger Green; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, JoAnn Leonel; brother, George Webb, both of Arlington; and nieces and nephews.

Duane Hayley (1939-2009)
Fort Worth, Texas
FWGS Member from 1970 through 1995

Duane Easter Hayley, 69, went to be with the Lord Friday, July 24, 2009, five days after coming home to be cared for by his family.

Funeral: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Greenwood Chapel. Interment: Greenwood Memorial Park. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Greenwood Funeral Home.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the North Fort Worth Historical Society, 131 E. Exchange, Fort Worth, Texas 76164.

A sixth-generation Texan, Duane was born Nov. 22, 1939, to W. B. and Edythe Henslee Hayley in Dallas. He grew up in Seymour, but Fort Worth became his home in the 1950s. He graduated from Technical High School in 1959.

Back in Fort Worth after serving in the U.S. Navy, Duane met his future bride, Miss Sue Ann Elmore, at his brother's wedding. They married May 24, 1963, at River Oaks Baptist Church and moved to Austin where Duane attended the University of Texas. They have been residents of River Oaks for the last 30 years and are charter members of the River Oaks Historical Society.

Sue Ann and Duane's shared love of history and genealogy led to a lifetime of travel to historic sites, museums and hidden cemeteries. Because of their special attachment to the North Side, they joined the North Fort Worth Historical Society. Duane served as the society's president for 10 years working tirelessly to preserve the heritage of the Stockyards through numerous committees and society projects. As a volunteer at the front counter of the Stockyards Museum, he enthusiastically shared his knowledge of the area with thousands of guests from around the world.

The couple joined the Citizens on Patrol program in 1999. As COPS, they cruised the streets of the Stockyards in cooperation with the Fort Worth Police Department for many years.

He was an avid golfer and a loyal Dallas Cowboys season ticket holder who was thrilled to have had the opportunity to witness Super Bowl XXX in Arizona.

In May 2006, after 30 years of dedicated service, Duane retired from Lockheed Martin as a senior reliability engineer on the F-22 program.

Duane was devoted to his family and friends. In his quiet way he was always there to support, encourage and provide for them. Beloved by his nieces and nephews, Jered and LeAnna will especially miss their "Unc."

Special thanks to the staffs of Avalon Alzheimer's Residential Home and Southern Care Hospice for their compassionate care and to Lisa Valdez and Kevin Wagner for their at-home assistance.

Survivors: Wife of 46 years, Sue Ann Hayley; sister, Wynette Dollar and husband, Jerry; brother, Tracy Hayley and wife, Colette; sister-in-law, Sarah Biles; nieces, Annette Jennings and husband, Chris, Debra Waits and husband, Tim, Holley Dean and husband, Mark, Stacey Hayley, Courtney Elliott and husband, Jonathan, Michelle Woods and husband, Rodney, and LeAnna Schooley and husband, Gabe; nephew, Blake Dollar; and great-nieces and great-nephews, Candice, Elisabeth, Hayley, Cody, Jered, Brady, Ryan and Jason.

Weldon I. Hudson (1916-2007)
Richland Hills, Texas
Served as FWGS President, 1970-1973
Member since July 1963

Weldon I. Hudson, 90, a retired U.S. Postal Service employee, passed away Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007.

Funeral: 10 a.m. Tuesday in Richland Hills Baptist Church. Burial: Lower Green's Creek Cemetery in Dublin. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Mount Olivet Funeral Home.

Weldon served in the Coast Guard from 1942-45 in the American and Asiatic theaters during World War II.

He married Lillie Baugh in 1946 and resided in Richland Hills for all of their married life.

Weldon was a deacon at Richland Hills Baptist Church for many years. He was a past president of the Fort Worth Genealogical Society, was a member of the Texas State Genealogical Society and a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

Survivors: Wife, Lillie Hudson; sister, Roena Whisenant; numerous nieces and nephews.

Turner Lee Hutson, 85, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, passed away Friday, April 7, 2006, in Fort Worth.

Graveside service: 11 a.m. Thursday in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Visitation: 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. Tuesday at Greenwood Funeral Home.

Lt. Col. Turner L. Hutson was born June 29, 1920, in Apple Springs. He was a veteran of the Korean War. He also served two tours of duty during the occupation of Japan and retired as an assistant hospital adminstrator.

Survivors: Wife, Bobbie Virginia Hutson; children, Gary Lee Hutson, Marilyn Ann Tanner and Diane Lynette Hutson; and grandchildren, Lisa and Lori Hutson, Garrett and James Tanner and Rachel Elizabeth Marley.

Leonard Leroy Ingalls (1919-2008)
Fort Worth, Texas
FWGS Member from 1967 thru 1999

Memorial service: 2 p.m. Monday in the west transept of St. Stephen Presbyterian Church. Interment: St. Stephen Presbyterian Church Columbarium.

Leonard Leroy was born Aug. 4, 1919, in Sargent, Neb., son of the late Leonard Leon and Grace Ingalls. A retired Army Corps of Engineers civil engineer, he was an avid Airstream traveler for 35 years. He was a member of St. Stephen Presbyterian Church, where he served as a deacon for many years.

For loving care we thank, Susan Wolfenberg, D'Wanda Robinson, and St. Stephen Visitation Committee.

Survivors: His wife of 65 years, Beatrice Ingalls; sons, Leonard C. Ingalls and Roger A. Ingalls; and granddaughter, Sybil Ingalls.

Dr. C. W. Irvine, prominent Mineral Wells citizen and well known Shriner, passed away suddenly September 28, 1974, after suffering a heart attack.

Since retiring from active practice in 1968, he had devoted much time to the Shrine, Shrine oriented projects, church work. school board and many other worthwhile community activities too numerous to mention here.

He was a member of the Historical Survey Committee of Palo Pinto County and the county Historical Association.. At the time of his death he was supervising the restoration of the old county jail in Palo Pinto, converting it into a museum.

He was a loyal member of the Fort Worth Genealogical Society, to which he gave many hours of his time. He will be missed.

Chester R. Johnson
Fort Worth, Texas
Died February 2001
Member from 1988 through 1999

John B. Kendrick, 87, who retired after 35 years with the Federal Aviation Administration, died Wednesday, May 25, 2005, at a Fort Worth hospital.

Funeral: 10 a.m. Friday at South Side Church of Christ. Burial: Cox Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Home in Mineral Wells.

Mr. Kendrick was born Oct. 17, 1917, in Douglas, Ariz., the son of Jesse H. and Edna L. Childs Kendrick. He moved to Mineral Wells in 1950 and was a member of South Side Church of Christ. He was past president of the Texas Lions Camp and past district governor of the Texas Lions Club, charter member of Society of Airway Pioneers, a holder of the Legion of Honor of the Order of DeMolay since 1996, charter member of the Quarter Century Wireless Association and past president of the Mineral Wells Noon Lions Club.

Survivors: Daughter and son-in-law, Jo Ann and Richard Robinson; grandson, Sgt. Brian Robinson, U.S. Army Ranger medic; granddaughter, Dr. Kelli Henderickson and husband, Heath; great-grandchildren, Tristan Robinson, Annaleise Hendrickson and Geneva Hendrickson; and several nieces and nephews.

FORT WORTH -- Frances Clements Lapp, 86, a realtor, died Monday, Dec. 13, 2004, in Fort Worth.

Funeral: 10 a.m. Thursday in the Drawing Room of Thompson's Harveson & Cole Funeral Home. Interment: 4 p.m. Thursday in Garden of Memories Memorial Park, Lufkin. Visitation: 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Frances Clements Lapp was born April 1, 1918, in Fort Worth, the daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. P.C. Clements. She spent the early part of her life in East Texas and moved to Fort Worth in 1952. She was a realtor with Robert L. Thomas Realtors, retiring after 30 years of service.

She was a member of Westcliff United Methodist Church, Fort Worth Board of Realtors, Colonial Dames of America, DAR, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Hugenot Society. An interest in genealogy prompted many years of study and publishing of journals.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Charles M. Bickford and Charles L. Lapp; and a son, Peyton Charles Bickford.

Survivors: Children, Sally Jackson and her husband, Leonard Lipsky, and Rusty Bickford and his wife, Patty; grandchildren, Tracy Jackson, Kathy Jackson, Andy Jackson and Amy Bickford; great-grandchildren, Hayden Hale and Skyler Jackson; sister, Patricia Schoen; nieces and nephews; and other extended family, including her constant companion, Tucker.

Roy Lamonte Leach (1924-2008)
Fort Worth, Texas
FWGS Member from 1985 thru 2006

Roy Lamonte Leach, 84, died Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, from complications of Alzheimer's.

Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. Interment: Oakwood Cemetery. Rosary: 7 p.m. Monday at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic where the family will receive friends beginning at 6 p.m.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the St. Peter the Apostle Youth Building Fund or the Alzheimer's Association.

Roy was born April 19, 1924, in Atlanta, Ga., the son of William J. and Ella Jane Lawson Leach. He joined the Air Force in 1942 and was a gunner in B17s and B29s in the Pacific. After the war, he became a special agent for the Office of Special Investigations until his retirement in 1963.

He was a graduate of Texas Western College (now UTEP) with a degree in accounting. He worked as an auditor for the Defense Contract Audit Agency at General Dynamics.

Survivors: Wife of 56 years, Velma; sons, John and Michael Leach; daughter, Margaret Leach and Krista Smith and husband, Ernie; grandchildren, Jamie, Jaclyn and Justin Smith and Vanessa Leach; brother, Jack Leach and wife, Betsy; sisters, Pauline Ivie and husband, Lee, and Wilma Webb.

Andrew August "Andy" Litzler (1928 - 2013)

Andrew "Andy" August Litzler, 84, died Friday, June 7, 2013. Memorial service: 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Travis Avenue Baptist Church with a reception to follow. Interment: DFW National Cemetery. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Living Legacy at Travis Avenue Baptist Church, where he had been a member for 48 years. Andy was born Aug. 21, 1928, in Beasley. He served in the Korean War and graduated from the University of Houston. After 27 years as an engineer, he retired from General Dynamics. He was a member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas and the Fort Worth Genealogical Society. Survivors: Wife of 50 years, Wilma; children, Carolyn Allsup and husband, Tim, of Dallas, Susan Horn and husband, Steve, of Lewisville; grandchildren, Sarah and Travis Allsup and Ally and Christina Horn; and sister, Maggie Weathers.

Frances P. Malcolm, 92, transitioned this life to her heavenly home on Sunday, April 3, 2011. Service: 2 p.m. Tuesday at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Chapel. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Grapevine Public Library. Frances was born Aug. 2, 1918, in Dallas. She graduated from Tech High School in Dallas. Frances was a commercial artist and homemaker. On Aug. 17, 1946, she married the late L.L. Malcolm of Langford, Kan. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1996 and were married for 55 years before his passing in 2002. Frances was a past teacher of genealogy in senior citizen's education at Tarrant Junior College. Frances was a charter member of St. Timothy Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She was a volunteer for over 25 years at the Grapevine Public Library where the Genealogy Room is named after her. She was a member of Daughters of American Revolution Captain Molly Corbin and a member of the Magna Carta Dames. Survivors: Daughter, Martha Case; son, Charles Malcolm and wife, Nancy; five granddaughters; and five great-granddaughters.

Frances was a member of FWGS from 1970 through 1999. Most members probably first encountered Frances while she was teaching one of our annual beginners workshops. These were all day affairs at the library that would pack the auditorium. They weren't free, but the fee was so low that it barely covered the handouts. This workshop was years before Bettye Richhart began her beginners series. Frances was a very helpful person and a very good speaker. She was a real friend to FWGS.

Funeral: 11 a.m. Monday at St. Timothy Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 3001 Forest Ridge Drive, Bedford. Burial: Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park. Visitation: 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Mal was a Boy Scout leader, charter member of St. Timothy Cumberland Presbyterian Church, scoutmaster Troop 333 and first scoutmaster at St. Timothy Cumberland Presbyterian Church Troop 86. He retired from Menasco in 1982, and he retired from M&C Camera in 2001.

Survivors: Wife of 55 years, Frances Pittman Malcolm; son, Charles R. Malcolm and wife, Nancy; daughter, Martha Case and husband, Bob; granddaughters, Amanda Whitehead, Amy Van Doren, Christen Lain, Rebecca Malcolm and Diann Malcolm; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Paul E. Markgraf Jr., 77, passed away Saturday, July 23, 2005. Funeral: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Mount Olivet Chapel. Burial: Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Mount Olivet Funeral Home.

A Fort Worth native, Paul was born Jan. 18, 1928. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a 32nd-degree Mason.

Survivors: Wife of 53 years, Helen Markgraf; sons, Deryl Markgraf and wife, Gail and Bobby Markgraf and wife, Lydia; grandchildren, Joseph Don Markgraf and wife, Leslie and Jason Caughron; great-grandchildren, Zachary and Emily Markgraf; aunt, Dorothy Jackson and husband, Richard; and a host of family and friends.

Nona took her last breath the morning of January 04, 2013 at 6:14 A.M. She had been suffering for many months. In bed most of the time. The past three months she has been unable to even go to a doctor. Her body now lies in the Biggers Funeral Home and will be their until Saturday late as for as I know now. She has discussed with me for several months about being cremated and buried with her brother Guy Herod. That might not be possible, but since I spent all of WWII in uniform I will be able to enable her to be buried in the National Cemetery just east of Grand Prairie.

Your prayers are so welcomed and we appreciate all of our friends and loved ones and relatives. Thanks you all! And God Bless you each and every one.

/s/ Tom B.

We have finally got arrangements made for Nona's Memorial Service at our church. The church is Lighthouse Fellowship Methodist 7200 Robinson Road. The best way to get there is on Boat Club Road from Lake Worth. Drive north until you get to the traffic light at Robinson Road and turn left or West. The church is about 3/4 of a mile west of Boat Club Road. The service will begin at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday January 31st. Please try to make it and tell all your friends that knew Tom and Nona McDaniel. I would dearly love to see a good crowd.

Gods Richest Blessing upon each and every one of you.

Buster G. McDuff, 78, a retired electrical engineer for Bell Helicopter, died Wednesday, July 7, 2004, in Fort Worth.

Funeral: 11 a.m. Monday at Western Hills Church of Christ in Fort Worth. Don Davis will officiate. Burial: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Crosbyton Cemetery in Crosbyton under the direction of Adams Funeral Home in Crosbyton. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at White's Funeral Home, 130 Houston Ave., Weatherford. Mr. McDuff will be in state beginning 9 a.m. Monday at Western Hills Church of Christ.

Mr. McDuff passed away following cardiac arrest at 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 7, 2004. He was born in Crosby County and on Aug. 22, 1954, married Noliah Evelyn Boone in Truth or Consequences, N.M. He graduated from Texas Tech in 1951 and always remained a loyal alumnus. He was an electrical engineer at Bell Helicopter for 29 years, until he retired in 1991. He was a founding member of Western Hills Church of Christ in Fort Worth, where he served as an elder working with the missions committee and benevolence until he retired in 2002. His favorite Bible verse was James 1:27. He served as a sergeant in the Army Air Corps in the occupation of Japan during World War II.

Buster G. McDuff was a wonderful husband to Noliah, loving her unto her death, July 7, 2000, and beyond. He treasured every moment of their life together. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Aug. 22, 2004.

As a father, Buster was one-of-a-kind. He dedicated his life to raising children who would love their God, their families, their country and the Republican Party. His children are a legacy of the extraordinary life and wonderful Christian example he lived. No one could have asked for a better grandfather. He loved all his grandkids, instilling in them the pride of being a McDuff.

He was a godly and loving husband, dad and grandpa and his presence in our lives will be missed.

Survivors: Children, John McDuff and wife, Sherry McDuff of Indianapolis, Ind., Richard McDuff and wife, Merry McDuff of Escondido, Calif., Evelyn Hartz and husband, Barry Hartz of Argyle; grandchildren, Sarah McDuff, Jeff McDuff, Sierra McDuff, Caitlin McDuff, Arron Hartz, Shannon McDuff, Lauren McDuff, Amanda Hartz, Clinton McDuff, Ryan Hartz and Benjamin McDuff; brother and his wife, Dick and Nancy McDuff of Houston; sisters, Dorothy Bowers and her husband, Bob Bowers of Houston and Sybil Smith of La Grange.

The Fort Worth Genealogical Society extends belated, but sincere sympathy to the staff of the Genealogy Department, Dallas Public Library and the Dallas Genealogical Society in the loss of Patrick McKenna.

Although not a member of our Society, many of us knew Patrick well and benefited from his many contributions to Footprints over a number of years. All I ever had to do was ask! From “Charlotte and the Murder of John Couch” - a true story of early Tarrant County settlers - to detailed information on Irish research to “Don’t Forget Estate Records” - the list goes on.

Patrick was not only a talented writer and popular speaker at various genealogical meetings but also a professional researcher. My reply to anyone contemplating research at the Dallas Public Library was, “Ask for Patrick McKenna and tell him Barbara sent you.”

I will always remember this occasion. After speaking at one of our beginner’s workshops, Patrick joined several of us for lunch. As always, there was much talk and a great deal of laughter! That was just “par for the course” when Patrick was around. As we were leaving, a diner at a nearby table stopped one of our group to say that he had never witnessed anyone having such a good time. At first he thought it was rehearsed, but came to realize it was the real thing! And it certainly was!

I have always said Patrick was a fugitive from Finian’s Rainbow and I like to think he has joined his friends there. He will be greatly missed here.

Barbara C. McLane
Fort Worth, Texas
Joined in 1980
Served as FWGS President, 1984

Barbara McLane, 80, a resident of Fort Worth, died Friday, Sept. 10, 2004, at a local health care center following a long illness.

Memorial service: 10 a.m. Wednesday in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 1000 Penn St., Fort Worth 76102; or to a charity of choice.

Mrs. McLane was born in Dallas. She earned her B.A. from the University of Texas in Austin and her M.Ed. from Texas A&M University in Commerce. Barbara married the Rev. Rogers McLane in 1946 and they recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary.

From 1950 to 1955, Barbara and her husband served as missionaries to Brazil. In 1955, while on furlough, she resigned as a missionary in order to accompany her husband in serving a series of six churches across Texas where he had been called to be pastor over a lifetime of service: First Presbyterian Church of Wharton, Raymondville, Lancaster, Cuero, Mineral Wells and Polytechnic Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth.

Mrs. McLane's life had been one of service to others as a pastor's wife, missionary, mother, teacher, church worker, grandmother, community volunteer, organist and certified genealogical researcher. For 20 years, Barbara taught elementary school as a reading specialist.

Survivors: Husband, the Rev. Rogers McLane, Fort Worth; son, the Rev. Don McLane and his wife, Glenna, Mesquite; daughters, Doreen Geiger and her husband, Robert of Fort Worth and Jan Rieger and her husband, Scott of San Diego, Calif.; and grandchildren, Elizabeth Geiger, Bryan McLane, Curren McLane, Grace Rieger and Barrett Rieger.

Curren Rogers McLane, 88, passed away Thursday, June 7, 2012. Memorial service: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Trinity Terrace Chapel, 1600 Texas St. Memorials: Should friends desire, memorials may be given to the Rev. and Mrs. Rogers McLane Scholarship Fund, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 100 E. 27th St., Austin, Texas 78705-5711, austinseminary.edu, 512-404-4886. Rogers was born Oct. 10, 1923, near Kingsville. He and his twin brother were active journalists as teenagers and interviewed Helen Keller for the Corpus Christi Caller. He received a B.A. from Austin College, a master of divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and did post-graduate study through Duke Divinity School at St. George's College in Jerusalem. In 1946, Rogers married Barbara Ann Clark of Dallas. They were happily married for 58 years. He was a Presbyterian minister for 40 years, serving churches in Wharton, Raymondville, Lancaster, Cuero, Mineral Wells and Fort Worth. He served as a missionary to Brazil for five years, and as chaplain of Trinity Terrace in Fort Worth, where he later lived in his retirement years. A sixth-generation Texan, Rogers was a life member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas and founding president of the Fort Worth chapter. He was invested as a Knight in the Knights of the Order of San Jacinto by the SRT. A passionate photographer and historian, he served on the DeWitt County and Tarrant County Historical Commissions and authored four books. Rogers served 24 years in the Texas State Guard, including as chief of chaplains with the rank of colonel. He was inducted into the Texas Guard Hall of Honor at Camp Mabry, Austin, and was a Life Member of the Military Chaplains Association, USA. He served as state chaplain for the Texas Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. He was awarded the SAR Patriot Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. Survivors: Children, Doreen Geiger of Fort Worth, Don McLane of Mesquite and Jan Rieger of San Diego, Calif.; and five grandchildren.

D.C. (Jack) Melear
Died 23 June 1997
Joined in 1975
Served as FWGS Director, 1978, 1982 & 1983

Mary Kay Melear
Died 6 June 1994
Joined in 1975
Served as FWGS Director, 1979; 3rd Vice President, 1980 & 1981

Abby Duggan Moran was a former Head of the Southwest and Genealogy Department, Fort Worth Public Library, and a well-known genealogist died November 23, 1974.

We think it only fair to say that Abby Moran's contribution to genealogy in this part of the world has been equaled by few and exceeded by none. In making this statement, we think of Abby primarily as a teacher. While her contribution to the development of the genealogical collection at the Fort Worth Public Library, the impeccable research she did on her families and for others, and her activities in the development of area genealogical societies were worthy accomplishments, she will live on in the memories of thousands of people she introduced to genealogy. This we think is most important.

She taught formally structured classes, she taught in her contacts with the public as a librarian, and after retirement, in her informal encounters with anyone interested in the subject.

She was indefatigable in the pursuit of excellence in any field in which she became interested, notably so in genealogy, librarianship and archives. She was one of the moving spirits in the development of organizations for the promotion of these areas.

FWGS lost another long-time member, Effie Morris, who regularly attended our meetings in the 1960s and 1970s. She died Sept. 3. 1991, at the age of 92, having devoted her life to the teaching profession.

This writer first knew Effie as a member of Mary Isham Keith Chapter, DAR, then later as a member of FWGS. We were interested in the lines of Bennett, Stiles, Langston and Springfield. She put me in touch with her relative, Joyce Ellis, who at that time was State Regent of the south Carolina DAR. For several years we had a "Bennett Round Robin" circulating among a group of twenty persons, all over the country, trying to sort out the numerous Bennett families of the South.

Effie was born at Reno, in northeast Parker County, daughter of James Marion and Amanda (DeMoville) Springfield. She received her B. A. and M. A. Degrees from North Texas State Teachers College, Denton, Texas. Her teaching career spanned fifty-three years, of which forty-five were at Lake Worth, Tarrant County where she was principal from 1928-1940 and fourth grade teacher until her retirement in 1972. The new Effie L. Morris Elementary School was named for her in 1989. In 1986 she funded the Effie L. Morris Scholarship to be awarded annually. She was a charter member of Epsilon Alpha Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma.

In 1938 Effie married Sterling W. Morris, who died in 1985. In 1990 she moved to the Azle Manor Nursing Home. She and her husband are buried in the Jaybird Cemetery, Parker County.

To quote one of her many students, "Miss Effie was a legend in her own time...she had a way of making time stand still." She will be missed. She was my friend.

Knowla Stewart Morrow (1928 - 2013)

Knowla Stewart Morrow, 85, passed from this life Monday, March 18, 2013. Service: 2 p.m. Saturday in Stag Creek Cemetery in Comanche. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Greenwood Funeral Home. Knowla was born Feb. 22, 1928, in Junction to Knowles and Anna Lee Stewart. Knowla married Forrest Bryan Morrow on Sept. 2, 1950. She was a member of the Church of Christ for over 70 years. She graduated from North Texas State University and taught school for several years. Knowla enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid birdwatcher. She volunteered at the Fort Worth Nature Center for many years, leading tours for students. She also loved to read and make quilts. She was a wonderful mother and will be greatly missed. Knowla was preceded in death by her husband, Forrest Bryan Morrow; and a son, John D. Morrow. Survivors: Son, David B. Morrow and wife, Kay; granddaughter, Elasha Simonton and husband, Tommy; great-grandsons, Quentin Simonton and Bowen Simonton; daughter-in-law, Lynn Morrow Koenen; and many cousins.

Joe Moseley
Dallas, Texas
Died 23 November 2003
Member from 1972 through 2003

Louise Armstrong Moxley
Fort Worth, Texas
Born June 16, 1918 - Died June 8, 2008
Joined in 1967

Helen (Mrs. John W.) Ocheltree
Denton, Texas
Died June 21, 2000
Member from 1971 through 2000

Stan Orrick
Fort Worth, Texas
Died 21 October 2004
Member from 1971 through 2002

Funeral: 11:30 a.m. Thursday in Greenwood Chapel. Burial: Greenwood Memorial Park.

Mrs. Orrick was born in Monticello, Ark. She was the widow of Stanford Orrick and had resided in Fort Worth for many years. She graduated from SMU with a bachelor's degree in journalism. She was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and was an active member in the Art Department of the Fort Worth Women's Club. She was also a member of DAR and the author of a book, "Reaching Back," tracing her family history.

Survivors: Nieces, Ann Hall and husband, Allan, and Barbara Kirkpatrick and husband, Wayne, and their families; and a host of other family members.

Service: There will be no service. Pete will be cremated, then buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Syracuse, N.Y.

Pete was born May 18, 1948, in Utica, N.Y., son of Spencer M. and Kathryn Porter Pierce. Spencer died Feb.11, 1979, in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Kate died April 25, 1991, in Grand Prairie. Pete graduated in 1965 from Arlington High School and in 1970 from East Texas State University. He earned a master's degree in 1971 from Syracuse University. He moved to Arlington in 1956, to Ormond-by-the-sea, Fla., in 1971 and back to Arlington in 1979. He lived 44 years in Arlington, retiring in 2001.

Pete enjoyed genealogy, reading, music, maps, computers, traveling and bicycling. A member of the Arlington Genealogical Society, he also had a been a member of the Fort Worth Genealogical Society and six societies in New York. He helped others online with their genealogical research around Syracuse.

He was preceded in death by his half brother, Spencer "Hapie" Pierce Jr., in 1999.

Survivors: His brother and sister-in-law, Porter and Pat Pierce of Arlington; sister, Pat Nevils of Houston; nieces and nephews, Anna Lewandowski and Keith Nevils of Houston, Porter Pierce Jr. of Portia, Thompson and Phayla Allen of Vidor, Cheryl Renna of Austin, Spencer "Pete" Pierce III of New Delhi, India.

Donald George Pray (1928-2001)
Fort Worth, Texas
Member from 1977 through 2004

Donald George Pray, 83, died Sunday, July 31, 2011. Service: 10 a.m. Friday at Southcliff Baptist Church. Interment: Cope Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Thompson's Harveson & Cole. Memorials: Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn St., Dallas, Texas 75219. Donald George Pray was born Jan. 19, 1928, in Troy, N.Y., to George Emerson and Jansje Cornelia Ouwejan Pray. He married Betty Ann Williams on Oct. 1, 1950. Donald received his bachelor's degree in physics at Texas Christian University in 1955 and his master's degree in mechanical engineering from Southern Methodist University in 1979. He had a long and successful career as an engineer. His work history included, General Dynamics, LTV Astronautics, Chrysler Corp., Bell Helicopter Textron, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Northrop Grumman in Dallas, and Donald G. Pray, Consultants. He also contributed articles to professional journals. Donald also served as chairman of the board of trustees for the Cope Cemetery Association in Johnson County and on the board of directors of the Masqueraders Drum and Bugle Corps in New Orleans. He was a scoutmaster, cubmaster, explorer advisor and district committee chairman for the Longhorn Council, Boy Scouts of America, the trustee for the Lothrop Family Foundation; and an aviation cadet in the U.S. Air Force after World War II. He also received the Grand Champion Mardi Gras award in 1966. He was also a member of SAR, NRA, ASME, Perrin Air Force Base Pilots' Association, Acoustical Society of America, International Pray Family Association, Fort Worth Genealogical Society, Train Collectors Association, Society of Mayflower Descendants of Texas, chairman, Dallas colony scholarship committee, genealogy society education committee, Shriners, Scottish Rite, Masons, Legion of Honor, Pi Mu Episilon and Sigma Pi Sigma. His achievements included analytical engineering contributions to numerous aircraft and spacecraft programs including B-36, B-58, NX-2, Robot, Dynasoar, Scout, Apollo, F/FB-111, F-16, V-22 Osprey, C-17 and the E-3 AWACS. He was deeply loved by his own children and was a beloved surrogate father to many children of their friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Betty Williams Pray; a son, Jonathan Cornelius Pray; infant daughter, Patricia Ann Pray; and a grandson, Stephen Pray. Survivors: Children, Dr. Jennifer Hall and her husband, Dr. Gail Hall, Judy Hendrix and Jeffrey Pray and his wife, Lori; grandchildren, Angela Garn and her husband, Will, Michael Pray, Samantha Pray, Brett Pray, Jennifer Werbicki and her husband, John, Jeremiah Pray, Joshua Pray, Johnny Pray and Christopher Pray; great-granddaughter, Abigail Garn; and brother, Ralph Pray and his wife, Bev.

Bettye Lou Anderson Richhart
(1933-2009)
Honorary Life Member of FWGS
Member since 1976

Bettye Lou Anderson Richhart, 76, left us to enter into Christ's presence Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009.

Visitation: The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Lucas Funeral Home, 1321 Precinct Line Road in Hurst. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst. Private family committal: Oakwood Cemetery in Fort Worth.

Memorials: The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Mission Fund at Bear Creek Bible Church, Box 236, Keller, Texas 76244.

Bettye Lou Anderson was born in Abilene on Jan. 26, 1933, to Clifford and Gertrude Anderson. Bettye loved her childhood years, and tales from those days were told in great detail as often as she had an audience. The family relocated to Fort Worth in 1942. Bettye soon met Jim, her childhood sweetheart, and they married in June 1953. They loved to travel, and while their adventures took them to most of the 50 states and over 25 foreign countries, Bettye's favorite place was home, where she enjoyed caring for her family, her friends and her church.

A graduate of Paschal High School and Texas Wesleyan University, she received her degree in elementary education in 1953. Her lifelong love of teaching children, which began as a high school student serving with Child Evangelism Fellowship, also included a 30-year career in the public schools and many years teaching Sunday school.

Her love of family ignited a passion for genealogy. She wrote and published a carefully researched book of Jim's Swiss ancestry and continued with researching her own Scandinavian roots. She also wrote and published a beginner's guide to genealogy and taught classes for the Fort Worth Genealogical Society and Tarrant County College. She was a member of DAR and the National Genealogical Society, and was honored with a lifetime membership in the Fort Worth Genealogical Society.

She was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother, always concerned for the welfare of her family. Although she will be greatly missed, we are comforted with the confidence that she is now with Christ and we will be reunited with her again for eternity.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Geraldine Cook; and her brother-in-law, Karl Richhart.

Survivors: Her husband of 55 years, James K. "Jim" Richhart; sons, Mike and Cliff; granddaughter, Darby; sister-in-law, Judy Richhart; nephews, Bryan and Barry Richhart and Charles Cook and his wife, Terri; niece, Cindy Skorupski, her husband, Mike, and their children; numerous cousins; and a multitude of friends.

Bettye L. Richhart has been a member of the Fort Worth Genealogical Society since 1976. After many years of service to the Society, she has been honored with an Honorary Life Membership in the Society.

Bettye has served on the Board of Directors filling many positions over the years: 1st Vice President, Newsletter editor, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Director and Librarian. She has also been a contributor to Footprints and worked on numerous committees. In recent years, Bettye has always participated and served in our Annual Seminars and workshops.

Bettye has always strived to be the best genealogist she can be. She even took a professional course for genealogists to become certified. She availed herself of much training and went to many workshops over the years.

She has successfully taught the Beginners Genealogy Classes for many years for FWGS. She even lobbied the board to keep a Beginners Class on the schedule after it was dropped for a time. Her professional experience as an elementary school teacher in the Fort Worth Public Schools, before her retirement, helped her feel the need to impart her knowledge to incoming genealogists.

When members of the Society volunteered at the Fort Worth Public Library in the Genealogy Department, Bettye was there with many other members helping the patrons search for their ancestors and teach new genealogists the proper methods.

Bettye, almost single-handedly, has brought many new members to FWGS over the years, through her dedication to meeting and helping others with their genealogy. She enthusiastically promotes the society and its workshops and publications at her Beginners Classes.

Bettye has worked tirelessly on her family's genealogy even making many overseas research trips to follow her roots. She has published a book on her husband's Richhart family: Richhart, Ritchart, Ritschard: a Swiss-German Family from 1500 until 1993.

Lillian Lesbia Word Roberts, a native of Clovis, N.M., and a resident of Fort Worth for most of her life, died Sunday, March 25, 2007.

Funeral: 2 p.m. Thursday at Thompson's Harveson and Cole Funeral Home. Burial: A private interment service will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park. Pallbearers: Dee J. Kelly, Quentin McGown IV, Dr. David Fucshuber, Scott Barker, Patrick H. Bopp, Gavin Garrett, James Bordelon, M.D., Stuart Tung and Alan R. Hecko. Honorary pallbearers: Members of the Paschal High School Class of '36 and '38. Visitation: Mrs. Roberts will lie in state at the funeral home after noon on Wednesday.

Lesbia has been recognized during her lifetime of almost 95 years as a "teacher, executive secretary, executive assistant, oil and gas accountant, title analyst, genealogist, historical researcher and a some-sort of artist." However, when answering an inquiry for her acceptance in The First Families of North Carolina, she answered, "Here it is! I will not give you my age to be published. You can read it on my tombstone later! Jack of all trades and master of none might be the apt title for my life."

Active in an exceptional list of organizations, she was especially noted for her writings of the preservation of Texas history, the Tarrant County Horse Foundation, The North Side Historical Society, TCU, TWU, local, statewide and national organizations of patriots and geneological societies.

Lesbia will be fondly remembered by Broadway Baptist Church for her years of active membership and teaching in their Sunday school classes and by the Fort Worth Woman's Club for serving as their business manager and president of several groups. She enjoyed memberships in local social clubs, where she served as officer and board member, and will be remembered as the recipient of the 1994 Service Award of TCU, and the Texas Historical Preservation Award in 1995. A lifelong prolific writer, she co-authored "The Oil Legends of Texas" which won the 1965 Graphs Award for fine books. Some $75,000 from the profits of the book were given to Cook Children's Medical Center to benefit abused children.

Survivors: Lesbia is held in happy memories by her husband of 48 years, William Edward Roberts Jr., about whom she delighted in saying "We met in a bar at the Fairmount Hotel in San Fransisco"; by his son-in-law, David Morrow Webb, M.D., and his sons, Scott and Nathan; numerous cousins; and extended family members and friends everywhere.

Our Society has lost another old time member, Elva Hoffard Robinson, a little lady with a big heart. She had been a member since the 1960s, had served on our Board of Directors and volunteered her services on numerous occasions, typing, helping with mailing, with workshops, et cetera.

Elva was born in Dallas County but grew up in Fort Worth. She was a secretary and also helped her husband, the late Steede Robinson, with his tax business. She was a proud member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.

Elva died November 30, 1993, at age seventy-nine. Burial was in the Barbee Cemetery, near Dublin, Erath County, near her mother and husband. We shall miss THIS LITTLE LADY WITH A BIG HEART.

Hazel Evalyn Kingsley Rucidlo, better known as "Sally," was born June 20, 1921, at Greenwood, Wise County, Texas, was one of seven children of Joseph Clinton Kingsley and Mattie Evalena McCarty. She graduated from Slidell High School, from Decatur Baptist College and from North Texas State University at Denton. Her master's degree was granted by Texas Wesleyan College in Fort Worth.

After teaching for a while at Diamond Hill Elementary School in Fort Worth, in 1955, Sally went to Japan where she was a teacher for the U.S. Air Force for a year. She continued her teaching abroad with two years in England, and approximately ten years in Saudi Arabia for Aramco.

At the end of her tour of duty as a third grade teacher in Dhahan, Saudi Arabia, on January 16, 1969, Sally was married to Bernard J. Rucidlo. He was also an employee of Aramco, at Manama, Bahrain Island. Following a tour that included Pakistan, India, Malaysia and Australia, the Rucidlo's returned to Fort Worth. Their home in Haltom City was designed to accommodate their collections of furniture and art objects acquired during their travels.

In 1970 Sally suffered a heart attack, and as therapy to alleviate her enforced inactivity, she began to compile a history of her family. Despite her constant battle against her failing health, and until her death on March 6, 1979, she accumulated a vast amount of material. She completed a typescript on twenty of her families, compiled a book of 327 family group sheets, and assembled over 160 supporting documents.

Through the generosity of her husband, these typescripts, family group sheets, and documents were made available to the Fort Worth Genealogical Society for microfilming. The originals, along with her correspondence and other data, have been placed in the library of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. There are three rolls of microfilm, and a copy of each has been placed in the Fort Worth Public Library. [At one time, this microfilm could be purchased from the Society.]

Nancy Louise Timmons Samuels, 83, a homemaker, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2007, at a local hospital.

Funeral: 10 a.m. Monday in the Chapel of Chimes in Laurel Land Memorial Park. Burial: 2 p.m. Monday in Eastland Cemetery, Eastland. Visitation: 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Nancy Samuels was a lifetime member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also a very active member of the Fort Worth Genealogical Society.

Survivors: Husband of 63 years, Neal Samuels; sons, Carl and Kirk Samuels and their wives, Terry and Dianna; grandsons, Mike and Scott Samuels and Scott's wife, Molli; great-grandson, Blake; and brother, Thorpe Timmons.

Nan joined the Society in 1959. She co-authored "Old Northwest Texas" volumes 1A and 1B, and served on the Footprints staff as query editor. She was also research chairman for many years and it seemed there was no question that she couldn't find an answer. FWGS honored her with Life Membership in 2003 for her years of work, loyalty and dedication.

W. A. Satterwhite was born Sept. 23, 1907 in Keller Texas, son of William A. Satterwhite, Sr. and Emma Georgena Hodge. He married Gladys Maude Piper in 1931 and to that union were born two daughters - Gladys Elizabeth and Carolyn.

He once said (as we all do) that he "started this genealogy thing too late in life." I believe his interest really began to grow after he lost both his wife and mother in 1977. I first heard his name while researching in Kaufman County. He was the one "to talk to" about Gray's Prairie Cemetery and when I called him, I learned that was certainly a true statement.

W. A. was an active member of FWGS for nearly ten years, serving on the Board of Directors as Corresponding Secretary, 2nd Vice President and President. He also played a very active role in helping with the mailing of Footprints. Although unable to attend meetings during his last several years, he still kept up with Society activities and continued his own research on a limited scale.

W. A. and I shared a common ancestor - a great-great-grandfather in Kentucky. It was not a very close relationship since he descended from a son of the first marriage and I from a daughter of the second marriage,, but it was always good to compare notes as we searched for more information on the early generations of this family.

Mr. Satterwhite will be missed by all of us who had the opportunity to know him and work with him in the Society.

Betty June Bradford Shelvey, 80, a lifelong resident of Fort Worth, died Monday, Oct. 10, 2005, with her family at her side.

Funeral: 11 a.m. Thursday at Hemphill Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Robyn Byrd Michalove will officiate. Burial: Greenwood Memorial Park. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Thompson's Harveson & Cole Funeral Home.

Memorials: Mrs. Shelvey's family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, friends may honor Betty June's memory by making a contribution to the Humane Society of North Texas, 1840 E. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth, Texas 76103, or a charity of choice.

Betty June was born June 26, 1925. She graduated from Paschal High School in 1942 and Texas Christian University with a Spanish major and music minor in 1946. That same year, she married Stephen "Steve" Shelvey, the love of her life with whom she recently celebrated 59 years of marriage. During their years together, they reared three children and shared many wonderful trips to the beaches of South Texas.

She will be remembered by friends and family as a loving wife, mother and friend, a gifted pianist, lover of animals, den mother and community volunteer who tirelessly devoted her time to preserving the integrity of Fort Worth neighborhoods.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Berta Vinson Bradford, and her oldest daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Shelvey Huebner.

Survivors: Her husband, Stephen F. Shelvey Jr.; daughter, Stephanie Anne Shelvey Juddo and her husband, Edward, of Albuquerque, N.M.; son, Stephen F. Shelvey III of Irving; grandson, Paul Shelvey Huebner of New Orleans, La.; granddaughters, Anna Marie Huebner of Alexandria, La., and Rohana Juddo of Albuquerque, N.M.; and son-in-law, Lee Huebner of Alexandria, La.

Gladys Zachary Skinner, 81, a retired social worker, passed away Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004, at a Fort Worth hospital. Funeral: 10 a.m. Wednesday at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Chapel. Burial: Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home.

Memorials: Donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Association in Gladys' name.

Gladys was a member of First United Methodist Church in Hurst. She retired from the city of Grapevine in 1988, where she worked as the senior citizens director.

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Milton O. Skinner, Feb. 5, 2002.

Survivors: Sons, Robert Skinner and wife, Sherry, David Skinner and wife, Gina; grandchildren, Randal Williams, Joe Skinner, Amy Skinner, Michelle Skinner, Michael Skinner; great-grandchildren, Jolee Skinner and Austin Tyler Rippy; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

Doris Ray Taylor
Died 12 February 2007
Birmingham, Alabama
FWGS Member since 2001
Charter Member of Pioneer Families of Tarrant County

Herbert R. Timberlake (1927 - 2009)
Fort Worth, Texas
Member from 1996 through 2004

Herbert R. Timberlake, 81, passed away Monday, June 1, 2009, from acute leukemia.

Funeral: 3 p.m. Friday in Laurel Land Memorial Chapel in Fort Worth. Interment: Laurel Land Memorial Park of Fort Worth. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Laurel Land Funeral Home in Fort Worth.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, 8111 LBJ Freeway, Suite #425, Dallas, Texas 75251.

He was a member of Eastern Hills United Methodist Church, Southside Masonic Lodge #1114, Sunrise Daylight Lodge #1433, Hemphill Heights Chapter and Council and Polytechnic Eastern Star. He was a charter member of 40 years with the SCTE Society of Cable Engineers.

Survivors: His wife of almost 58 years, Betty Timberlake; sons, David Timberlake and wife, Jennie, and Robert Timberlake and wife, JoAnn; grandchildren, Laura English and Daniel Timberlake; and sisters, Ruby Good, Lucille Holloway and Matilda Lane.

Benefactor known for parties
MARY D FLEMING WALSH 1913-2005
By Mary Rogers - Star-Telegram Staff Writer

FORT WORTH - Mary D Fleming Walsh, one of Tarrant County's most generous benefactors, died at noon Tuesday at her home after a long illness. She was 91.

A sociable woman with a distinctive silver-bell voice that sounded remarkably young, Mrs. Walsh had a keen sense of humor and was an active participant in Fort Worth's benefit circle.

Even in a wheelchair, she attended charity events surrounded by an entourage of friends who often accompanied her in a chauffeur-driven car. In her later years, the car was replaced by a van.

She called her wheelchair "Royce" and said it "lived" in her home's front hall with "Rolls," the wheelchair used by her husband, oilman F. Howard Walsh, who died in 1998.

Over the years, the Walshes gave away millions of dollars to hospitals, churches, the arts and schools, but she once said the word "philanthropists" didn't apply to them.

A fine arts center and an athletic complex at Texas Christian University bear their name. They gave land that completed Loop 820 around the city and donated the land for Tarrant County College's Northwest Campus. The library there is named for them, as is a building at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and one at Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts charter school on South Hulen Street.

The Walshes enjoyed drama, and when the old Worth Theater was destroyed in 1972, they saved the theater's Wurlitzer organ and gave it to Casa Mañana.

They supported Stage West, the Fort Worth Dallas Ballet, the Arts Council, Happy Hill Farm and Cook Children's Medical Center -- but that doesn't begin to catalog their gifts or their wide range of interests.

Without the Walshes' patronage, there surely would be no Texas Boys Choir, no Dorothy Shaw Bell Choir -- and certainly no annual production of The Littlest Wiseman, a Christmas play that was their unique gift to the community. The Walshes paid for the production and invited people to attend at no charge.

Until four years ago, The Littlest Wiseman, which began in 1961, was also the highlight of a four-day gathering of the Walshes' friends. They called the gathering the "winter pilgrimage."

Typically, more than 80 "pilgrims" came each season to Fort Worth, where they were treated not only to hotel accommodations by their hosts but also to themed parties, each with an invitation and a party favor selected by Mrs. Walsh.

Even when her husband became too ill to attend the festivities, Mrs. Walsh sprinkled glitter in her hair, put on her best party dress and entertained her guests. During the 1995 winter pilgrimage, she hosted a square dance.

The travelers stopped coming about four years ago when Mrs. Walsh's health became more fragile, but Malcolm Louden, president of the Walsh Cos. and a longtime friend of the family's, says the Christmas play will continue.

"Mr. and Mrs. Walsh's desire was for The Littlest Wiseman to continue, and we will see that their wishes are fulfilled," he said.

The Walshes also paid all travel expenses annually for 32 members of the Dorothy Shaw Bell Choir to visit places such as Brazil, England, Germany, Austria and Italy. The Walshes traveled with the choir and insisted that the young men wear ties and the young women wear dresses.

Longtime friend Bill Garber, retired director of the Scott Theatre, often chaperoned the choir and said the trips were great fun.

"My friends said, 'Why would you get on a bus with a bunch of teen-aged bell ringers and go to Florida?' Well, the next year, we went to Brazil and the next to Italy, and my friends wanted to hide in my luggage."

The bell choir practiced in the Walsh home, even during Mrs. Walsh's long, final illness.

"We thought about moving them somewhere else, but she seemed to enjoy hearing the bells," Louden said.

The Walshes were also generous with each other. They wed on March 13, 1937, and for more than 50 years, they exchanged small gifts on the 13th of every month.

Mary D Fleming was born Oct. 29, 1913, in Whitewright, the fourth and only surviving child of Anna Maud and William Fleming, an oilman who named his first well the Mary D 1 in honor of his spunky daughter.

William Fleming became a devout churchman and was a president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. He was an active member of Broadway Baptist Church and donated the money for the church's Fleming Chapel, gave land at Eagle Mountain Lake for a church camp and paid for a pipe organ and large stained-glass window in the sanctuary.

His daughter joined the church in 1931 when she was 18, and it was there that she met Howard Walsh.

He was a Southwest Conference tennis champion. He was also determined to earn a college degree, and each day he walked to TCU from the family's south-side home near Our Lady of Victory.

During the Depression, he worked for 16.5 cents an hour at the Armour meat-packing plant, but his skill with numbers and his work ethic earned him a chance to go into the oil business, first as an accountant working for others, including his father-in-law, then for himself.

The Walsh fortune began with the Fleming holdings, but Howard Walsh expanded and increased the businesses.

Through the years, the Walshes continued Fleming's lavish contributions to Broadway Baptist Church. Among the visible gifts are three stained-glass windows in the sanctuary that depict the teachings of Jesus.

Mrs. Walsh "was a model for a faithful steward of wealth," the late Gene Thompson, a longtime minister at Broadway, once said.

For years, the Walshes were Sunday morning fixtures, always taking their place in the very back row on the north side of the sanctuary, he said.

Mrs. Walsh once told a reporter that it was during the Great Depression that she realized that her family enjoyed a privileged financial position.

When her father gave her a Cadillac, Mrs. Walsh used it to taxi friends to and from jobs. When she wed Howard Walsh, her father gave them a two-story brick home near TCU as a wedding present. She would die in the house.

The house sprouted rooms as each of the Walshes' five children was born. They added a party room large enough to accommodate the weekly square dances they hosted for decades each Monday evening. By 1995, Mrs. Walsh was always in a wheelchair, but she attended the square dances anyway.

And every month, except December, they hosted birthday parties for their friends who arrived with canvas "loot bags" to carry away all the presents.

But Mrs. Walsh always expected guests to lend a hand when they went to dinner or when they spent a few days at the Walsh's Colorado house or at the North Star Ranch west of Fort Worth. Because she believed that people were put at ease if they had work to do, she assigned chores. She asked some to vacuum, others to set the table or pour tea.

In 1995 with the "pilgrims" crowded into the house at the North Star Ranch, she asked friend Bob Howell of Ohio to lead the singing.

As they did each year, the group sang old standards such as Rock My Soul, rounds of Frere Jacques, the Noble Duke of York and This Little Light of Mine. Then Mrs. Walsh asked for one of her favorites: Cor meum dabo.

All the friends sang the Latin words that mean "Oh, how poor am I! I have not a thing! I give you my heart."

Survivors include sons Richard F. Walsh, F. Howard Walsh Jr. and William Lloyd Walsh; daughters D'Ann Walsh Bonnell and Maudi Walsh Roe; 15 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday at Broadway Baptist Church, 305 W. Broadway. Entombment will be in Greenwood Mausoleum.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be sent to the Walsh Scholars program at Texas Christian University, Cook Children's Medical Center, Broadway Baptist Church or a charity of choice.

Florine Waters
1918-2010
North Richland Hill, Texas
FWGS Member since 1970
Florine was inducted as Honorary Life Member in November 2005

Graveside service: 10 a.m. Saturday in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Mount Olivet Funeral Home.

Florine was born Dec. 7, 1918, in Parker County. She was a lifetime member of Fort Worth Genealogical Society. Florine enjoyed traveling.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Carl A. Waters; four brothers; and two sisters.

Survivors: Daughters, Carline Thomas and Carolyn Waters; grandchildren, Larry and Carrie Thomas; brother, Bill Wright; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Maurice Wendt, 82, passed away at home in Fort Worth on Sunday morning, Aug. 31, 2008.

Service: 12:30 p.m. Thursday in Laurel Land Memorial Chapel of Fort Worth. Interment: Laurel Land Memorial Park. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Laurel Land Funeral Home.

Memorials: The family requests that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association in hopes that a cure can be found. Maurice had diabetes for 45 years and never complained.

He was born in San Diego, Texas, in 1926. He attended Alice High School in Alice. After serving proudly in the United States Army in World War II, he attended Texas Tech University. He graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He joined Texas Electric Service Co. as a student engineer and worked up the ranks until he retired in 1982. Maurice and his wife, Mildred, traveled extensively after they both retired in 1982.

Survivors: Maurice is survived by his wife, Mildred after 60 happy years of marriage; daughters, Ann Clarke and husband, Robert, of Valencia, Calif., and Julie Sliter and husband, Alvin, of Arlington; sons, Gilbert Wendt and wife, Kathy, of Dayton, Ohio, and Steven Dale Wendt of Alvarado; sister, Cara "Cookie" Standard of Bandera; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He also was loved by many nieces and nephews.

Geraldine Cannon West (Mrs Robert)
1918 - 1984
Served as FWGS President, 1981-1982

Memorial service: 1:30 p.m. Monday at Meadowbrook United Methodist Church. Interment: private. Visitation: 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Mount Olivet Funeral Home.

Memorials: Meadowbrook United Methodist Church, 3900 Meadowbrook Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76103, in lieu of flowers.

Mr. Williams was born Feb. 11, 1915, in Glencoe, Okla., the eldest son of Frank Lee Williams and Ana McGuire Williams. He married Jean Emma Batchelor on Sept. 18, 1941, in Washington, D.C. She preceded him in death in 2001 after 60 years of marriage.

Mr. Williams was a retired regional commissioner, FSS, General Services Administration and a former board director of the Fort Worth Federal Credit Union. He was a veteran of World War II, received five Bronze Stars for invasions in Sicily, Italy and southern France, and was honorably discharged as a captain in the United States Army.

Mr. Williams was an avid genealogist for more than 40 years and loved to write prose and poetry. He was a published author of 14 books reflecting his interests in genealogy, poetry and world government.

Mr. Williams was a member of Glen Garden Golf and Country Club for over 50 years, serving several times on its board. For more than 60 years, he was an active member of Meadowbrook United Methodist Church and its Upper Room Sunday School Class.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Lakewood Village Health Care Center for all the services and wonderful health care provided to Mr. Williams.

Survivors: Son, Dan Batchelor Williams and Carol of Kennett Square, Pa.; grandchildren, Gregory Lane Williams (Andrea) of Newport Beach, Calif., Deron Badgley Williams (Diana) of Wilmington, Del., Jennifer Rozanne Williams White and Cory, and Brian Christopher Williams of Arlington; great-grandchildren, Caleb Ethan White and Ardyn Laine White of Arlington, Eliza Jean Williams and Everett Wolcott Williams of Newport Beach, Calif., Kiley Morgan Williams and Tanner Miles Williams of Wilmington, Del., Walter Mason Brey of Arlington; sisters, Bonnell Williams Thompson and LeAnna Lou Williams Bryson; brother, Edwin Wayne "E.W." Williams, all of Newkirk, Okla.; Sammie Rhae Batchelor Locke, a niece who was raised by Mr. Williams and his late wife from the time she was a young girl until she married; and many other nieces and nephews.

The Fort Worth Genealogical Society sustained a great loss in the death of our Editor, Betty Coburn Winchester. Betty had been very active in the Society, serving several terms on the Board of Directors. She was one of those who helped the Society grow to its present status. Prior to becoming Editor of Footprints in 1969, Betty had served the Society as workshop speaker and co-worker on the Census Project. [later known as the Old Northwest Texas Project]. She had done more census copying than any other member working on that project and had completed all of the Tarrant County censuses as well as various tax lists. She was an authority on Tarrant County history, having done vast research from primary source records.

Betty grew up in Tarrant County, attending Amon Carter High School, North Texas State University and Texas Christian University. She was often asked to speak to various groups on history and genealogy and at the school of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, she instructed a group of eighth graders in history, genealogy and library usage.

Betty is survived by her husband, John D. Winchester, six children, her parents and a sister. To them we extend our deepest sympathy, and, at the same time, our grateful appreciation for her work in our Society. Betty has, indeed, left her "footprints on the sands of time".