Funeral services for Pete Snyder Sampson, 84, were held at 11 a.m. Monday in the Highway 70 Church of Christ, with Richard Trull, minister, officiating. Sampson died January 11, 1986 about 10 a.m. in Methodist Hospital, Lubbock, following a lengthy illness.

Born September 10, 1901 in Clairemont, he married Frances Carleton on September 10, 1923. He had lived in Dickens and Kent County most of his life and was a rancher, cowman and businessman. He was a former member of the Lions Club and Odd Fellows. He was a member of the Church of Christ.

He is survived by one son, Walker Horn, Texas City and two nieces. A brother, Dick Sampson, died in 1977 and two sisters, Mrs. Tom Cade and Mrs. Jose Sweet Martinez preceded him in death.

Burial was in Spur Memorial Cemetery with Campbell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Source: The Texas Spur, January 16, 1986.

Funeral services for Dick Green Sampson, 88, were held here Friday at 2 p.m. in the Spur Church of Christ, Vernon Williams, minister, officiated.

A life-long cowboy and rancher, Mr. Sampson died about 8 p.m. October 5 [1977]in the Crosbyton Hospital following a lengthy illness.

Born in Comanche in 1889, he came to Clairemont, in Kent County, in 1896. He served as a ranch hand for several ranches and was ranch manager for the old Paddle Ranch in Kent County for 18 years. When he was 13, he helped drive a herd of cattle from Clairemont to Estelline and took his turn riding night guard with the rest of the men. At age 14, he was breaking broncs for the 0-0 Ranch where he was an outstanding horse trainer and sold many horses to polo buyers. Mr. Sampson was an exceptional calf roper. One old timer said that he saw Mr. Sampson rope 300 head at branding time, keeping three sets of flankers busy. He only missed three loops. He won the saddle for his roping at the Stamford Cowboy Reunion when he was 55 years of age.

In 1918, he bought a ranch south of Clairemont, and in 1954, he bought a home in Spur.

He was a member of the Church of Christ.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Norma Sampson, Spur; a brother, Pete Sampson, Spur; two sisters, Mrs. Tom Cade, Clairemont and Mrs. Jose (Sweet) Martinez, North Hollywood, CA; several nephews and nieces.

Burial was in Spur Cemetery.

Source: The Texas Spur, October 13, 1977.

Elder Larkin Scott, of Bentonville, Ark., was born in Barren County, Ky., in 1818, and is a son of Samuel and Hannah (Phillips) Scott.

The father was of Scotch-Irish descent, born in North Carolina, and there resided until his marriage, when he immigrated to Kentucky, and died in Callaway County, of that State, in 1837. He was a farmer. His wife was born in East Tennessee, and died in 1842, having borne eleven children, only two of whom are living.

Larkin was the ninth in the family, and was educated in the pioneer schools of Kentucky. April 17, 1836, he was married to Miss Charlotte, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Caldwell) Kirk, who are Virginians by birth.

Mrs. Scott was born in Daviess County, Ky., in 1819, and is the mother of twelve living children: Francis M. (deceased), Margaret A. (wife of M. A. Jenkins). James F., Mary J. (wife of David Hoover), Sarah C. (wife of Frank Carter), Newton B., John W., Celia F. (wife of Larkin Wilson), David P., Martha M. (wife of William Oakley), William T. and Matilda Ellen.

Rev. Scott has sixty-seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

In 1840 he left Kentucky and moved to Dade County, Mo., but in 1856 came to Benton County, Ark., and purchased a farm of 200 acres four miles from Bentonville.

In February, 1888, he moved to Bentonville, where he expects to pass the remainder of his days.

In 1842 he became a member of the Christian Church, and in 1868 was ordained a minister of that denomination. He organized the Antioch Church, and was pastor of the same for about eighteen years. He also organized a congregation at Robinson School-house, and was pastor of that flock for eight years. He is the organizer and pastor of the Wire Spring Church, and is also pastor of the Lowell Church.

Elder Scott is the eldest minister in Benton County, where he is widely known as a true Christian gentleman and a useful and upright citizen. His wife has been a member of the Christian Church for fifty-four years. Their youngest child still resides with them. Elder Scott preached his first sermon in a small brick schoolhouse in Bentonville. The house is still standing.

SOURCE: History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford, Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas. Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889.

Christelle Slaughter Brantner, born June 6,1920, died January 8, 2001. Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother lived in the Spring Branch Community 50 years. Raised in Bremond, Texas she was a long-time businesswoman for Stanley Watkins Products.

Of the Baptist faith, along with her husband Pate (who preceded her in death in 1995), helped establish several independent Baptist churches in the Houston area. Mrs. Brantner was a long-time member of Central Baptist Church (former location at Bingle & Hammerly) having most recently attended First Baptist Church of Spring Branch.

Known as the Quilt Lady she was an expert seamstress, artist, teacher working in dolls, ceramics, and needlework. She also operated a day care center for 32 years until her retirement.

Preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, and recently her son Herman on May 19, 2000. Mrs. Brantner is survived by her daughter: Hilda Elmerette Price, HCCO Pct 4; son-in-law: James W. Price, HCSO retired; daughter-in-law; Kathy Brantner; grandsons: Michael Brantner, Payton Brantner, Kenneth Price; HCSO & wife Iris, Johnny Price: HCSO, Jon Price; great-grandchildren: Larry Sosa, Jr., Joseph Price, Jennifer Price; sisters: Valyne Freeman, Garland, TX, Sybil Morehead, Bremond, TX; numerous sister & brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Special thanks to Sue & Larry Gill; neighbors, Opal Taylor, Lila Klentz; and Era Bates for their help and support during this difficult year.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday at Waltrip Funeral Directors 1415 Campbell Road, where funeral services will be held at 10:00 am. Friday, January 12, 2001, with Rev. Bob Reese officiating. Graveside services and interment will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday at Petteway Cemetery in Robertson County, TX.

Pallbearers will be Johnny Price, Kenneth Price, Michael Brantner, Payton Brantner, Larry Gill and Corky Brantner.

"I have lost my best friend, my teacher, my mentor, my guardian angel. I have reached the top of the mountain because of this great lady's guidance. You're at rest now." We love you Mammaw!

Source: Unidentified Houston, Texas newspaper clipping, courtesy of Irene Brantner Lemley. Transcribed by Ron Brantner.

Services were held for Mrs. Alice Perkins Saturday, April 25, in the Spur Church of Christ.

Mrs. Perkins, who was born September 19, 1880, died in Belen, New Mexico, April 22 [1953]. She was born in Roberson County and moved to Kent County in 1890. She is survived by her husband, T. M. Perkins; sons, W.V. McKay, Paul McKay, Burton McKay, Horace Perkins and Hawley Perkins; ten grandchildren, three great grandchildren, four sisters, and two brothers.

Pallbearers include Billy McKay, Don and Joe McKay, Bobby Baird, Elmoe Teague, Rance Manning. Bro. Harry E. Johnson officiated. Interment was in the Red Mud Cemetery under the directions of Campbell's Funeral Chapel.

Source: Dickens County RootsWeb.

Services for Eldredge Bernard Smith, 60, Lubbock, were held May 12 [1974] in the First Baptist Church. Rev. Billy Smith and Rev. Charles Wilson, both of Lubbock, officiated.

A native of Spur, Mr. Smith had lived in Lubbock for 25 years. He died at his home May 10 [1972].

Survivors include his wife, Lorene, three daughters, Mrs. Verlin Anglin and Mrs. James Sprowles, both of Lubbock and Mrs. Leon Jones, McAllen; two sisters, Mrs. Fred Delisle, Lubbock and Mrs. Forrest Martin, Littlefield; his mother, Mrs. Jeff Smith, Spur; ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Burial was in the Spur Cemetery.

Source: The Texas Spur, May 30, 1974.

Little Ellis Smith six year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Buren Smith, of the Dry Lake Community, died Friday evening [2 Feb 1929] at the Nichols Sanitarium, following an operation performed in an endeavor to save his life, but proved too late, the appendix having burst before the operation.

The remains were interred Saturday afternoon in the Spur Cemetery.

Source: The Texas Spur, February 8, 1929.

Services are set for 11 a.m. Thursday, January 18, 1996 in the Highway 70 Church ofChrist for Mary Lee McArthur, 71, of Spur. Ernie Bishop, Panhandle, former Spur minister, will officiate.

Burial will be in Spur Memorial Cemetery under direction of Campbell Funeral Home.

Mrs. McArthur died about 5:14 p.m. January 16 at her home. Justice of the Peace Robert Waddell ruled death due to natural causes. She was born in Kent County on October 1, 1924 and had lived all of her life in Dickens and Kent Counties. She married Woodrow McArthur in Kent County on May 31, 1941.

She was a homemaker and a member of the Chuch of Christ. She was preceded in death by a brother, M.P. Smith, Jr.

Survivors include two sons, County Judge Woodie McArthur, Spur; Charles McArthur, Spur; two daughters, Karen Day of Shallowater and Christi Blackwell, Lubbock; two brothers, Clifford Smith, Lamesa and Jimmy Smith, Alamogordo, NM; two sisters, Fayteen Hitt, Waco and Joann Hite, Aurora, CO; ten grandchildren ad five great grandchildren.

Memoials may be made to the Hospice of the Plains, 7109 Olton Road, Plainview, Texas 79092.

Source: The Texas Spur, January 18, 1996.

The Texas Spur, April 30, 1981 - Funeral services for Milton P. Smith, 85, were held Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Highway 70 Church of Christ with Vernon Williams, Odessa (formerly of Spur), officiating, assisted by Randy Mashburn, local church minister.

A retired farmer, Mr. Smith died April 26 in Methodist Hospital, Lubbock. He would have been 86 years old April 28. He was a member of the Church of Christ.

Born in the Red Mud community, 12 miles from Spur in 1895, he was known by the nickname 'Clubbie' all over West Texas. He farmed for over 40 years in the Spur-Post area and served with the Spur School district for 19 years. For the past 8 years he had been fishing and gardening.

Survivors include his wife, Winnie Lee Smith, Spur; three sons, Milton P. Smith, Jr., Hurst; Clifford B. Smith, Lamesa and Jimmy E. Smith, Alamogordo, NM; three daughters, Faye Hitt, Waco; Mary Lee McArthur, Spur; JoAnn Hite, Denver; a sister, Mrs. Dick (Norma) Sampson, Spur; 17 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

Grandsons served as pallbearers.

Burial was in Spur Cemetery.

Source: The Texas Spur, April 30, 1981. From the records of Lillian Grace Nay.

Mrs. J.L. Phillips passed March 3 [1971]. She was born in Robertson County, Dec. 1884.

Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Smith moved to Comanche County in 1886 and to Kent County in 1890.

She was married to James Phillips of San Angelo in Dickens in 1910. They lived in San Angelo until they moved to Stephenville, Erath Co. They moved to Spur in 1956 where they have resided since. Her husband preceded her in death in 1957. She was a member of the Church of Christ.

She is survived by two brothers: Willis Smith, Albuquerque, NM and Milton Smith, Spur; three sisters, Mrs. Arthur Auvermann, Mrs. Dick Sampson and Mrs. Frank Goodall [??] of Spur and a host of nieces and nephews.

Interment was in the Spur Cemetery.

Source: The Texas Spur, March 11, 1971.

Funeral services for Mrs. Naomi Baird, 76, were held Monday [October 7] at 3 p.m. in the Church of Christ, Highway 70, with Vernon Williams, minister from Yukon, Oklahoma, officiating. He was assisted by Bob Wille, local minister.

Mrs. Baird died in the Crosbyton Hospital October 6 [1974]. She was born in Kent County and was married to Frank Baird in Ft. Worth in 1921. They came to Dickens County from Ft. Worth in 1956. She was a member of the Church of Christ.

Survivors include one son, Bob Baird, Spur; one sister, Mrs. Dick Sampson, Spur; two brothers, Willis Smith, Albuquerque, NM; and Milton Smith, Spur; one grandchild and two great grandchildren.

Pallbearers included Guy Goen, E.S. Lee, Gifford Phillips, Keith Hancock, Thedford Fry, Doug Hinson, J.W. Hollaway and Dan Crawford.

Burial was in Red Mud Cemetery.

Source: The Texas Spur, Thursday, March 10, 1974.

Funeral services for Mrs. Norma I. Sampson, 88, were held Wednesday [April 28] at 2 p.m. in the Highway 70 Church of Christ with minister Bob Brandon officiating.

Mrs. Sampson died April 26 [1982] in the Crosbyton Hospital. She was born in a dugout in Kent County along Red Mud Creek. She married Dick Sampson in Dickens on September 18, 1916.

Mr. and Mrs. Sampson moved to Dickens County in 1951, making their home in Spur. Her husband precedes her in death. She was a member of the Church of Christ.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews.

Burial was in Spur Cemetery with Campbell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

The Texas Spur, April 29, 1982.

Notes:

Served in the military during War of 1812 in Smith Co. MS. Isham made a pension claim for the war of 1812 (Pension # 26308) in Winn Parish (LA) in 1872. He made his mark on the claim and said that he married Elizabeth Keys, that he lived in Lawrence Co. MS, that he served in Captain William Smith's Company and Col. Nixon's Regiment of MS Militia, that he was discharged at Ford's Ferry, MS. He said he was a Lieutenant in the above Regiment and that Ford's Ferry was on the Pearl River.

On March 12, 1851 in Jackson Parish, LA he gave his age as 56 and mad a bounty land claim. He said he was the identical Isham Smith who was 1st. Lt. in the Co. commanded by Captain William Smith in the Regiment of Militia commanded by Col. Nixon. He signed by making his mark.

Page 494 of Territorial Papers: a Petition dated January 19, 1814, was a Petition to Congress by Inhabitants of Marion and Lawrence Counties of MS setting out that they were first settlers of a wilderness and that the War with England and the Creek Nation had kept them "in the field" and they were therefore unable to make further payment on their lands. The Petition was signed at Camp Pearl River and begins with the signature of George H. Nixon Lt. Col. 13th Regt. The signatures also include Isham Smith.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at 3 p.m. in the Bethel Baptist Church for William P. Smith, 71, a retired farmer who died in the Methodist Hospital in Lubbock February 14. Rev. Vergil Smith officiated.

Mr. Smith had resided in Dickens County since 1919. He was a veteran of WWI and a deacon in the church.

Survivors include his wife, Spur; two sons, Ted, Spur and Rev. Billie S. Smith, Lubbock; one daughter Mrs. James Criswell, Buffalo, OK; his mother, Mrs. Susie Smith,Brownfield, one brother, John R. Seminole; two sisters Mrs. A.E. McBroom, Brownfield and Mrs. E.V. George, Brownfield; 12 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Interment was in the Spur Cemetery.

The Texas Spur, February 17, 1966.

The W.A. "Uncle Tobie" Smith Family Story (By Georgia Pace)

In the year of 1890 this man came to this country and brought his family consisting of seven children and his wife, two were born later. He brought some spotted cows and some horses. He settled on the Red Mud Creek for the reason that he could get water for his livestock, rather than to select a place for a farm. He improved the place and lived on it until his death in the year of 1925. His wife lived quite a number of years longer than he did. They were both laid to rest in the Red Mud cemetery at the original Tap, Texas community location.

The family consisted of ten children; Alice, Willie, Annie, Addie, Minnie, Calla, Norma, Milton and Naomi. The last two were born after they came to this community in 1890.

He built his house up on the hill west of the little Red Mud creek. There was a school house just south of his dwelling where his children and any other children nearby went to school. This school was known as the Turkey Holler School, or the Uncle Tobie School.

One of the early day teacher's name was Earnest Walker. He was a very well liked teacher and helped all of the children. One thing he helped them to do was to get certificates to teach school. Another thing was to make a mark on the highest tree on the creek after a big rain in 1895, to show how high the water got after the creek came down. He watched this mark for years before the creek got that high anymore. It was in the year of 1917.

The family lived in this same house for many years until he finally decided to build a new house over on the east side of the creek.

Services for Willis M. Smith, 82, of Spur, were at 2 p.m. April 4, 1989 in the First Baptist Church with church pastor Dr. Genoa Goad officiating. Burial was in Spur Memorial Cemetery under direction of Campbell Funeral Home.

A retired service station operator, Smith died April 2 about 5 a.m. in St. Mary of the Plains Hospital, Lubbock, following a sudden illness. He was born November 2, 1906 in Louisiana and had lived in Dickens County most of his life.

He married Lucille Fry on May 25, 1935 in Spur. He was a member of the Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Lucille Smith, Spur; one daughter, Myra Kay Jordan, midland; two brothers, Walter Smith, Lubbock, and Doty Smith, Euba City, CA; one sister, Eula Finchum, Spur and four grandchildren.

Source: The Texas Spur, April 6, 1989.

Obituary of My Grandfather Snow - Noel Snow

Died at his residence in this county near Embry on the sixth of June 1885 Judge John Snow age seventy-five years. The deceased came to this, then Choctaw County, in the fall of 1835, and in November 1835 was elected clerk of the Circuit Court of the county, an office which he voluntary declined a re-election, while he was elected Mayor of Greensboro, then a very important office which gave him concurrent jurisdiction with other justices of the peace all over the county.

He was also, during the time he was Circuit Clerk, Postmaster of Greensboro. These two latter offices being incompatible with that of Circuit Clerk, he was afterwards in 1851 elected to the office of Judge of Probate Court which he held four years.

After the War he served two years as a member of the board of supervisors when it was composed of such men as A. G. Young, T. N. Ross, Rev. T. W. Castle and the writer hereof. He discharged the duties of every office he ever held with ability and to the entire satisfaction of those who elected him.

Judge Snow had been married five times. His first wife he married in Alabama. He had three children by her. His second, third, fourth, and fifth wives he married in Choctaw County. His second wife was a Mrs. Leggit, a daughter of Dempy Davis. His third wife was a Miss Miller. By neither his second nor his third wife did he have any children. His fourth wife was a Miss Berryhill and a daughter of the late Samuel Berryhill by whom he had several children. His fifth wife was the daughter of the late Thomas Harvey. She still survives him. He had several children by her.

In politics the deceased was a Democrat until the celebrated contest between Foote and Davis for Governor when the main issue among them was union or secession. Being a devoted union man he voted for Foote. He was opposed to secession but when the State seceded he went out with it, being a devoted Southern man - none more so. May he rest in peace.

Thomas N. Davis

Note: The above was a typewritten copy. The author, Thomas N. Davis, is listed in the Encyclopedia of Mississippi History as one of the prominent citizens "in the early days" of Webster County, Mississippi and also was an early county representative in the legislature, as well as the board of supervisors mentioned above.

A grandchild must have added the heading and penned a note in the margin that said, "I had an outstanding paternal grandfather. He died before I was born. From a Mississippi paper, 1885."

Someone else gave the copy to Marie Hoover Brantner with this additional note, "Marie - this was your grandmother Embry's father - your great grandfather. This wife (fifth wife was circled) was your great grandmother."

[Webster County, Mississippi was formed from Choctaw County.]

Transcribed and noted by Ron Brantner.

FORT WORTH - Herbert Selden Solberg, 63, an insurance broker, died Friday, March 14, 1997, at a local nursing home.

Funeral: 10 a.m. Monday at Holy Family Catholic Church. Celebrant will be the Rev. Joseph Pemberton. Burial: Greenwood Memorial Park. Vigil: 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Celebrant will be the Rev. Joe Milligan.

Memorials: Charity of choice.

Herbert Selden Solberg was born March 13, 1934, in Mobile, Ala. A graduate of University Military School in Mobile, Ala., he received a bachelor of arts in psychology in 1956 from Southern Methodist University in Dallas and attended Accounting Finance Officer School at Sheppard Air Force Base and Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at SMU (Class 13). His graduate thesis was accepted by the American Bankers Association Library for outstanding achievement.

Mr. Solberg was a former senior vice president of West Side State Bank in Fort Worth, executive vice president of Boswell Investments founder of 5140 Corp., a convenience store chain and presently an insurance broker. He was also a founding chairman of the board for Snow Pak Ice & Leasing and founding director of Fidelity National Bank.

He was a retired Air Force lieutenant and a retired Air Force Reserve colonel. He was also past president of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and a former Major League pitcher with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1953 to 1955.

Mr. Solberg was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and a former board member of St. Theresa's Home, Catholic Charities.

Survivors: Wife, Barbara Baldwin Solberg; sons, Christopher S. Solberg of Fort Worth and John B. Solberg and his wife, Mave, of Brooklyn Heights, N.Y.; grandson, Owen Riley Solberg; and sister, Kathryn P. Johnston of Mobile, Ala.

[Funeral Home] Thompson's Harveson & Cole, 702 Eighth Ave., 336-0345.

Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram, March 16, 1997, Obituaries [Part 2 of 2], Author: Star-Telegram, Edition: FINAL AM, Section: METRO, Page: 6;7;8.

Submitted by Sally Pinkos Brantner.

Christopher Selden Solberg, 37, an entertainment promoter, died Saturday, June 20, 1998, in Arlington as a result of an automobile accident.

Funeral: 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at Greenwood Funeral Home. Burial: Greenwood Memorial Park.

Christopher Selden Solberg was born April 19, 1961, in Mobile, Ala. At the time of his death, Mr. Solberg, a self-employed promoter, was involved in entertainment ventures in the Fort Worth-Dallas area, as well as one in New Orleans. He formerly owned and operated Fort Worth establishments such as the Kress Club in downtown and Camp Bowie Country Club, one of the city's most successful and popular nightclubs.

He attended the University of Oklahoma from 1979 to 1982, where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. A 1979 graduate of Trinity Valley School, he was a standout offensive and defensive lineman on the Trojan football team, earning All-Conference honors in his senior season. He also performed in several school plays.

He was born April 19, 1961, in Mobile, Ala., to Barbara and Herbert Solberg. The family moved to Fort Worth in late 1964, when his father joined a local bank.

He was a kind and loving son, brother and uncle. He possessed a warm and generous heart and was a true friend to all. He will be deeply missed, but always remembered with joy. He was preceded in death by his father, Herbert Selden Solberg, on March 14, 1997.

Survivors: Mother, Barbara Baldwin Solberg of Fort Worth; brother, John B. Solberg and his wife, Maeve, of Brooklyn Heights, N.Y.; nephew, Owen Riley Solberg of Brooklyn Heights, N.Y.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Greenwood Funeral Home, 3100 White Settlement Road, 336-0584.

Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram, June 23, 1998, OBITUARIES, Author: Star-Telegram, Edition: FINAL AM, Section: METRO, Page: 6;7.

Submitted by Sally Pinkos Brantner.

Jimmy E. Smith

Funeral services for Jimmy E. Smith, Ph.D, of Alamogordo, New Mexico, were held Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at the Cuba Avenue Church of Christ in Alamogordo with Al Maxey officiating, under the direction of Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held Thursday, March 18 at 4:00 P.M. in Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park in Colleyville, Texas under the direction of Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home.

Mr. Smith departed this life on Saturday, March 13, 2004 at the age of 65. He was born March 13, 1939, near Spur, Texas to Milton P. and Winnie (Burns) Smith. He graduated from Spur High School in 1955 and went on to West Texas State College where he graduated in 1958. He taught high school in Texas and taught one year at San Diego State University.

He married Mary Shaw in 1964. They have one son Ladd Mark. Ladd and his wife Jennie have three children, Cody, Kristen and Claire.

After competing his Master's Degree he became one of the first four full-time instructors at NMSU- Alamogordo in 1966.

The Smiths made their home for two years in Austin, Texas where Mr. Smith received his Ph.D in Math Education [in] 1973. The family then returned to Alamogordo. Mary passed away in 1975.

Jim met and married Reba Whitley in 1977. They have one son Darren Patrick.

During Mr. Smith's 32 years at NMSU-A, he received several teaching excellence awards, two of them being the NISOD Teaching Excellence Award given by the University of Texas at Austin, and the Donald Roush Award for Teaching Excellence given at NMSU. He was the first inductee into NMMAYTC's Hall of Fame, and he was honored by having the Math Learning Center at NMSU-A given his name.

Smith retired in 2000 and pursued his favorite hobbies, traveling and cooking.

Source: The Texas Spur, page eight, Thursday, March 18, 2004.

Transcribed by Ron Brantner.

Mrs. Genevia Dean

Genevia Slaughter Dean, age 63, of Houston died Wednesday, Nov. 29, 1989. Genevia was born Feb. 25, 1926 in Bremond, the daughter of Clara & Elmer Slaughter, moved to Houston in 1945 married the late Randle Dean in 1954.

Survivors include sisters Ualyne Freeman of Garland Christelle Brantner and husband Pate of Houston, Sybil Morehead & husband Garvis of Bremond; brother Mark & wife Phillis of Conroe; nieces, Iris Freeman & husband Cliff of Richardson, Elmerette Price & James of Humble; nephews, Herman Brantner of Houston, Charles Ray Morehead & wife Mozell of Bremond, her late sister’s boys, Bobby & wife Mary Ann, Daniel & wife Candice, Darbert & wife Helen Redmon of Katy; her late brother’s sons, Jimmy & wife Debbie, Joe & wife Ann Slaughter from Tyler.

Funeral services were at 10:00 Dec. 2, 1989 from the Howard-Glendale Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Holtzclaw officiating. Burial was in San Jacinto Memorial Park Cemetery. Nephews were pallbearers.

Source: Gerrie Jones Yates, unidentified, undated newspaper clipping. Transcribed by Sally Pinkos Brantner.

Uncle Billy Smith

W.P.T. "Uncle Billy" Smith, 91, was buried here Tuesday, Feb. 12 following funeral services in the First Baptist Church.

Rev. Billie Smith of Lubbock, nephew of the deceased, officiated, assisted by Rev. Raymond Smith and Rev. Riley Fugitt.

Uncle Billy Smith was born in Grant Parish, LA on May 10, 1865 He died in Spur on Feb. 11, 1957. He came to Texas in 1877. In 1885 he married Almeda Crumbley and they came to Dickens County in 1899, settling in the Red Mud community. His wife preceded him in death in 1937.

Early in life he was converted to the Christian religion and was a member of the Baptist Church.

Pallbearers were his grandsons and honorary pallbearers were Johnnie Sparks, Bob Hahn, Ivy McMahan, Lon Bass, Ed McArthur, Vinson Bilberry, Joe Kidd, S.B. Scott and Archer Powell.

He is survived by three sons: Jeff and Jim of Spur and Buran of Lamesa; nine grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.

Interment was in the Spur Cemetery under the direction of Campbell's Funeral Home.

He was a charter member of the Dry Lake Baptist Church.

Source: The Texas Spur, February 14, 1957. Transcribed by Becky Hodges, September 2004 for the Dickens County Texas GenWeb.

In Memory Of

E. Mark Slaughter
Born: March 16, 1922-Bremond, Texas
Passed Away: June 11, 1996-Conroe, Texas

Funeral Services
Cashner Colonial Chapel
Friday, June 14, 1996 - 10:00 A.M.

Officiating
Frank Hersom

Final Resting Place
Garden Park Cemetery

Survivors
Wife: Phyllis Slaughter of Montgomery.
Daughter and son-in-law: Susan and Edwin Lancaster of Tomball.
Sisters: Valyne Freeman of Garland, Sybil Moorhead of Bremond and Chrystel Brantner of Houston.
Grandchildren: Stephen, Sheryl and Mark.
Greatgrandchild: Alex

Pallbearers
Carl Taylor, Mark Mahaffey and Leon Apostolo.
Honorary pallbearers: Bob Shepard and Alvie Mitchell

Source: Sally Pinkos Brantner.

GP MAN DIES UNDER TRUCK

A Galena Park man, Johnny M. Slaughter, was killed early Saturday, Dec. 5, [1970] on Interstate 45 at North Belt in a one vehicle accident.

Department of Public Safety officers said Slaughter was driving a truck containing 73,000 pounds of fertilizer when the vehicle went into a skid at a detour. The wheels locked and Slaughter was thrown from the truck which fell on him, crushing him to death, officers said.

Source: Gerrie Jones Yates, Unidentified 1970 newspaper article. Transcribed by Sally Pinkos Brantner.

Slaughter Funeral in Groesbeck

Funeral services for J. Morris Slaughter of Galena Park, killed in a truck accident Dec. 5, were held on Monday, Dec. 7 in Groesbeck. Burial was in the Thornton Cemetery at Thornton.

Slaughter was driving a truck carrying 73,000 pounds of fertilizer on interstate 45 when the vehicle skidded on a detour at the intercontinental Airport exit. He was thrown out and the truck turned over on him, officer said.

He was a driver for the American Plant Food Co. which is located on Mayo Shell Road.

Slaughter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Slaughter, was born in Bremond on Oct. 25, 1927. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict where he saw action for many months with the US Marine Corps.

He was member of the Baptist Church and as a young man, was ordained to the ministry.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Carolyn Slaughter and twin sons, Jim and Joe Slaughter, 14, of Galena Park; five sisters, Mrs. Roy Freeman of Galena Park, Mrs. Genevia Dean of Northshore, Mrs. Christelle Brantner and Mrs. Doris Redmon of Spring Branch, and Mrs., Syble Morehead of Bremond; and a brother, Mark Slaughter of Conroe.

Source: Gerrie Jones Yates, unidentified 1970 newspaper clipping. Transcribed by Sally Pinkos Brantner.

Rosa Smith

Funeral services were held in the First Baptist Church for Mrs. Rosa M. Smith, 55. She died Tuesday [26 Mar 1963] in Lubbock where she was employed as a seamstress.

Rev. Chester Sassman officiated assisted by Rev. Donnie Miller, Victory Baptist Church, Lubbock.

She came to Dickens county in 1915 and had been a resident of Lubbock since February of this year. She was a member of the Baptist Church.

She is survived by two sons, Herman E., Ft. Worth and Robert R., Post; three daughters, Mrs. Jack N. Hogan, Ft. Wroth, Mrs. Jim James, Odessa; Mrs. Weldon Grant, Ft. Wroth; four brothers, J. C. Skelton, Snyder; Raymond of Alpine; and Dell Skelton of Midland, Ralph, Midland; three sisters, Mrs. Alton Towery, Odessa; Mrs. Marvin Estes, Odessa; Mrs. Ike Bailey, Albany; seven grandchildren and two stepgrandchildren.

Interment was in Spur Cemetery.

Source: The Texas Spur, March 28, 1963. From the records of Lillian Grace Nay.

(Eula Smith Hairgrove Finchum)

Eula H. Finchum

Personal:
Born: Jan 18, 1910 Enterprise, LA
Died: May 23, 1995, Lubbock, TX
Father: Willis Isaac Smith
Mother: Delma Alma Pool
Occupation of Deceased: Homemaker

Obituary:

Mrs. Eula Hairgrove Finchum, 85, of Spur, died May 23, 1995 in Highland Hospital, Lubbock.

Services were held Saturday, May 27, 1995 in Bethel Baptist Church, Spur, with Rev. Carl Coffey officiating.

Burial was in Spur Memorial Cemetery under direction of Campbell Funeral Home.

She was born in Enterprise, [Catahoula Parish] LA on January 18, 1910 and had lived in Spur all of her life. She married Estle Eugene Hairgrove in Spur on January 26, 1934. He died June 7, 1965. She then married Ray Finchum in Spur on January 18, 1968. He died on November 15, 1975.

Mrs. Finchum was a homemaker and a member of the Bethel Baptist Church.

Survivors include three sons, Wilburn Hairgrove, San Luis Obispo, CA; Lorell Hairgrove, San Bernadino, CA and Glenn Hairgrove, Keller; two brothers, Walter Smith, Lubbock and Doty Smith, CA; ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

One step-son Claude Hairgrove, Lubbock, also survives. A son, Doyle Hairgrove, preceded her in death on March 25, 1995.

Source: The Texas Spur, June 1, 1995. From the records of Lillian Grace Nay.

Services Conducted for Floyd D. Smith

Services were conducted Sunday, January 25, for Floyd Decator Smith at the First Baptist Church. Rev. T.B. Allen officiated assisted b Rev. Victor Crabtree.

Smith was born June 8, 1914, and died January 23 after suffering a heart attack. He was married to Margaret O. Smith. He was living at Muleshoe.

Survivors include his wife, two sons, Boyd Ray and Dan; one daughter, Rhea Jo; three sisters, Miss Leona Mae Smith, Mrs. Myrtle Kearney, Mrs. Eula Hairgrove all of Spur; six brothers, Curt and Doty of Marysville, California, Irvin, Willis and Jim of Spur, Walter of Lubbock.

Pallbearers were Loyd Hindman, Joe Kidd, Floyd Green, Arner Watson, Buddy Wright, Mac Steele.

Interment was in the Spur Cemetery under the directions of Campbell´s Funeral Chapel.

Source: The Texas Spur, Thursday, January 29, 1953. Transcribed by Becky Hodges.

Jim Smith

Funeral services were held Tuesday [4 Sep 1962] for James Herman (Jim) Smith, 63, in the First Baptist Church, Spur. Rev. Chester Sassman officiated, assisted by Rev. E.E. Zeollers of Fort Worth.

Mr. Smith died at Fort Worth on Monday [3 Sep 1962]. Born [1899] in Enterprise, [Catahoula Parish] LA., he first came to Dickens County 38 years ago. He married the former Rosa Skelton on August 11, 1923. He had resided in Spur since 1924. He was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife: three daughters, Mrs. Jack Hogan, Fort Worth; Mrs. Jimmy James, Brownfield; and Mrs. Weldon Grant, Fort Worth; two sons, Herman Smith, Fort Worth and Robert Smith, Post; four brothers, Irvin J. Smith and Willis Smith, both of Spur; Doty Smith, California; three sisters, Mrs. Charles Kearney, Spur; Mrs. Estel Hairgrove, Spur and Mrs. James A. Nipp, Lubbock; 5 grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Olan Daughtry, H.A. Marcy, Jr., Leonard Wilson, C.D. Foreman, Chester McAlpin, Alvis Bilberry, and C.A. McNeece.

Mr. Smith had been employed at Spur laundry for some time.

Interment was in Spur Cemetery.

Source: The Texas Spur September 9, 1962. Transcribed by Becky Hodges, September 2004.

Walter Smith

Funeral services for Walter L. Smith, 91, of Lubbock were at 1 p.m. in the New Testament Baptist Church on Tuesday, February 6 with Pastor Richard Craven officiating. Burial followed at 3 p.m. in Spur Memorial Cemetery under direction of Rix Funeral Directors.

Mr. Smith died February 5 at Highland Medical Center.

He was born February 2, 1905 in Catahoula Paris, Louisiana. He married Avis Robinson in Spur on August 27, 1930 and she died in 1994. He moved to Lubbock in 1943 and was employed by Farmers Co-Op Compress as a foreman until he retired in 1970. He was a member of the New Testament Baptist Church.

Mr. Smith was preceded in death by a son, Charlie, in 1951.

Survivors include a daughter, Ludene Miller of Wolfforth; two grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; one brother, Doty Smith of Universal City, California.

Source: The Texas Spur, February 16, 1996. From the records of Lillian Grace Nay.

Sunday Services Are Held for J. Z. Smith

John Zachery Smith was claimed by death Saturday, January 23, [1954] at his home following a regular meeting Tuesday. Services were conducted Sunday, January 24, at the Bethel Baptist church in Spur. Rev. Luther Bilvery officiated.

Smith was born June 21, 1873 at San Saba, Texas. He had lived in Dickens County 60 years and was a retired rancher. In 1896 he was married to Hattie McKay, who preceded him in death in 1939 [17 Sep 1938]. He had been a member of the Baptist Church for 60 years.

Pallbearers were Horace Wood, Gordon Cravey, Earnest Kearney, Glenn Smith, Abb Smith and Henry Slack.

Survivors are two sons, Marvin of Rotan and Tom of Big Springs; two daughters, Mrs. Dick King of Big Springs and Mrs. H.I. Summer of Lubbock; one brother, one sister and 26 grandchildren.

Interment was in the Red Mud Cemetery under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home.

Source: The Texas Spur, January 28, 1954. Transcribed June 19, 2005 by Becky Hodges of Dickens County Historical Commission.

Mary Wesley Brantner

Mary Wesley Brantner, 89, of Reagan died Friday, December 12, 1997, after a brief illness. Graveside services were held at 2pm Sunday, December 14 at the Waite Cemetery in Reagan [Falls County, Texas]. Dr. Richard Jenkins of the First Methodist Church of Marlin officiated.

Mrs. Brantner was born February 29, 1908, in Reagan to E. Wesley Shaunfield and Tem Duke Shaunfield. She graduated from Reagan High School in 1926 and from college at S. W. C (now TWU) at Denton. On June 3, 1934 she married Seth Ward Brantner. They resided in Bremond and the Wootan Wells community until moving to Reagan in 1984. He preceded her in death on February 24, 1988.

Mrs. Brantner taught grade school for 31 years and also worked at the cotton gin in Bremond. She retired from teaching at the Bremond ISD. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Walter Lynn Shaunfield and Jack Shaunfield, and one nephew, E.W. Shaunfield.

Survivors include her three nephews, Jackie Shaunfield and Tim Shaunfield, both of Reagan, and Joe D. Shaunfield of Rosebud; several great-nieces and great-nephews, including Clint and Eric Shaunfield of Reagan; and many dear friends.

Pallbearers were Richard Bielamowicz, Jimmy Chmiel, Benny Shaunfield, Miles Shaunfield, Ronny Erwin and Johany Erwin.

Memorials may be made to the Waite Cemetery or Covington Cemetery, Box 96, Reagan, Texas 76680.

Source: Unidentified news clipping, provided by Gerrie Jones Yates. Transcribed by Ron Brantner.

E. E. Slaughter Dies

It is indeed with sorrow in our hearts that we chronicle the death of our good friend and neighbor, E. E. Slaughter, of Petteway [Robertson County, Texas], who died at a Marlin hospital last Thursday afternoon [March 6, 1947] at 2:45 following an operation the week before. Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock at Petteway Baptist Church with Rev. Briggs of Thornton conducting the religious services. Interment was under the direction of Joe Rumple Funeral Home of Bremond.

Mr. Slaughter was 63 years of age at the time of his death and was a life long member of the Baptist Church at Petteway. He was indeed a good man, a friend to all who knew him. He is survived by his widow [Clara Jenkins Slaughter] and by two sons, Mark Slaughter of Houston and Morris Slaughter of Petteway and by five daughters, Mrs. Balyne Baswell, Houston; Mrs. Crystal Brantner, Houston; Mrs. Dorris Redman, Houston; Miss Geneva Slaughter, Houston and Miss Syble Slaughter of Petteway.

A large crowd of sorrowing relatives and friends attended the funeral and the floral offerings were many and profuse, attesting to the high esteem in which he was held by his many friends throughout this section of the state.

The Texan joins in with the many other friends of the family in extending sympathy to the bereaved family in this sad hour.

Source: Unidentified 1947 "Texan" news clipping, provided by Gerrie Jones Yates. Transcribed by Ron Brantner.

Mrs. Mary Louisa Elizabeth Smith

DeQuincy, La. -- Mrs. Mary Louisa Elizabeth Smith was born April 22, 1839, and died Dec. 13, 1924, age 85 years, 7 months and 20 days. She was born again 65 years ago, uniting with the Missionary Baptist church of which she was a faithful member until she fell asleep.

She was married to Martin Smith Oct. 24, 1855, having walked the path of wedlock with him 69 years. He survives her at the age of 90. She lived to see 124 of her descendants, being the mother of 13 children, grandmother of 33, great-grandmother of 79, and great-great-grandmother of 8.

From her life came forth teachers, preachers, preachers' wives, Sunday school superintendants, Sunday school teachers, song leaders and music teachers.

She was laid to rest on the afternoon of Dec. 14, in Pine Grove cemetery, Ruby, La., her pastor, Rev. W. J. Tedler, officiating, not to be awakened from her last long sleep until Jesus comes.

"We sorrow not as those who have no hope."

[By] Her grandchildren, Rev. J. H. Smith and Mrs. A. M. Corley.

Source: Inidentified, undated news clipping image in "Two of the Smith Boys," by Irene Blanton Smith, 1983. Transcribed by Ron Brantner.

Note: Louisa's mother was Mary Ann Corley, wife of Harbin Smith, son of William Isham Smith. Louisa's husband, Martin, was the son of Willis Smith, another instance of the Isham and Willis Smith clans intermarrying. Louisa was also known as "Louisa Jane" and that appears on hers and Martin's double headstone.

Mrs. Dorothea Brown, age 81, of Dallas, died at 4:30 pm, Friday, October 6 [2000] in the Town Hall Estates of Arlington.

She was born April 4, 1919, in Hammond, Texas, the daughter of John Harvey Easley and Ila Grace Petteway Smith, and married Raymon Lee Brown, December 24, 1942 in Waco. Her husband preceded her in death February 12, 1991.

Mrs. Brown was a member of the Hampton Place Baptist Church of Dallas and a homemaker.

Survivors include her daughter, Marilyn McGlothlin and her husband Bob of Mansfield; son, Raymon L. Brown, Jr. and wife Margaret of Norman, Oklahoma; brother, Doug smith of San Antonio and sister, Linda Tucker of San Antonio; eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Source: The Bremond Press (undated). Transcribed by Gerrie Jones Yates.

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Plano, Texas - Beloved mother, Billie Delbert Brantner, 70, passed from this life Wednesday, October 4, 2007, at Presbyterian Hospital in Plano, Texas, with her two daughters by her side after suffering a massive stroke.

Graveside services will be held Sunday, October 7, 2007, 2 p.m. at Oakwood Cemetery in Cisco, Texas, with nephew Jimmy Harris of Boyd, Texas officiating.

Billie was born May 26, 1937, in Cisco, Eastland County, Texas, to Ira Delbert and Lela Louiese Foster Smith. She graduated from Cisco High School. Billie married Charles Ronald "Ron" Brantner October 3, 1958 in Lubbock, Texas, and they later dissolved their marriage in 1997.

Billie was a loving mother and grandmother. Her greatest joy in life was her family and she was proud to be a Homemaker.

She is survived by her three children: Clarence Ray Brantner of Woodbury, Tennessee; Ronda Renee Tracey of Glendale, Arizona; and Debra Ruth and husband, Michael Coburn of Plano, Texas. Billie is also survived by many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Also surviving are her sisters, Wanda Elizabeth and husband, Clarence Stovall of Waco, Texas; and Lilly Remona Alberton of Grand Falls, Michigan.

In addition to her parents, Billie was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas Dorwin Smith and sisters, Connie Faye Wormlight and Alma Ruth Geeslin.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to The American Heart Association (1-800-242-8721) or the charity of choice.

Source: Abilene Reporter Online News, October 6, 2007 (by her daughter, Debra Ruth Brantner Coburn).

My Online Tribute To Billie

On October 7, 2007 my children and I laid to rest their mother, and my wife of 39 years (1958-1997).

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die ... a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance ..." Ecc. 3:1-4

We have enjoyed the times of laughter, when our hearts would dance. Now it is time to weep, and remember what was, rather than what might have been.     Ron Brantner

Dora Freeman

A memorial service for Dora Valyne Freeman, age 93, of Dallas was held at 11 am on Thursday, January 10, 2008, at the First Baptist Church in Bremond. Graveside services were held at 4 pm in San Jacinto Municipal Park in Houston. Following the service, the family received visitors at the home of Elmerette and Jim Price of Humble, Texas.

There was a gathering of family and friends to celebrate her life with a viewing on Tuesday, January 8, 2008, from 5 to 7 pm and a funeral the next day Wednesday, January 9, at 11 am at Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Dallas.

Mrs. Freeman passed away on January 6. She was born into a large family of eight brothers and sisters on Jan. 22, 1915 in Bremond where she lived to her young adult years. Her parents were Elmer and Clara Slaughter.

She retired from the Galena Park School System in 1980 just prior to the death of her husband of 35 years, Roy S. Freeman. Following her dream trip to Israel and the Greek Islands in 1981 she moved to Garland to be close to her daughter and family.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Iris and Cliff Frieman [sic] of Richardson and Zachary Frieman [sic] and wife, Adel, of Rowlett; a sister Syble Morehead of Bremond; a number of nieces and nephews and numerous other relatives.

Source: The Bremond Press, January 11, 2008 via Gerrie Jones Yates. Transcribed by Ron Brantner.

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Program furnished by Gerrie Jones Yates.

Funeral Notice:

Mrs. Doris Redmon, 50 of 1906 Wycliff, passed away Monday, May 27, 1974.

Member of the Brittmore Baptist Church.

Survivors: husband, Herbert T. Redmon, sons, Bobby G., Daniel L. and Dorbert T. Redmon; sisters, Mrs. Christelle Brantner, Mrs. Genevia Dean all of Houston, Mrs. Valyne Freeman, Glena Park, Mrs. Sybil Morehead of Bremond,Texas, brother Mark Slaughter, Conroe.

Services 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Waltrip Chapel with the Rev. Lowell Thompson officiating.Interment Woodlawn Garden of Memories.

Pallbearers, Don Francis, Pete Reese, Billy Letien, Herman Brantner, Jim and Joe Slaughter.

Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Road, 465-2525

Source: Houston Chronicle, transcribed by Gerrie Jones Yates.