Obituaries, R-Z
We can accept all obituaries of folks who lived in Callahan County at some point in their lives. You can either email them to me or use the submission form. Please include the name of the paper or the funeral home that carried the obituary and the date when possible. If you would like to help with transcribing the newspaper clippings, please contact me.Thanks! to Donna Davis for transcribing the clippings for us.
Bernice F. Ramsey, 1904-1930
Baird Star, 31 Jan 1930
Former Baird Boy Dies in Abilene
A son of Mr. and Mrs. M. F. Ramsey, he leaves three brothers, Tom, Jule and Carl; and four sisters, Mrs Q J Johnson, Esta Mae, Media and Juanita.
Baird Star, 31 Jan 1930
Former Baird Boy Dies in Abilene
A son of Mr. and Mrs. M. F. Ramsey, he leaves three brothers, Tom, Jule and Carl; and four sisters, Mrs Q J Johnson, Esta Mae, Media and Juanita.
William J. Ramsey, 1892-1955
Abilene Reporter-News, 29 June 1955
William J. Ramsey Rites at Clyde
He's survivived by two brothers, Carl of Midland and Tom of Putnam; four sisters, Mrs. Mamie Johnson, Mrs. Ester May Sunday, Mrs. Media I. Sunday and Mrs. Juanita Hund, all of Abilene.
Abilene Reporter-News, 29 June 1955
William J. Ramsey Rites at Clyde
He's survivived by two brothers, Carl of Midland and Tom of Putnam; four sisters, Mrs. Mamie Johnson, Mrs. Ester May Sunday, Mrs. Media I. Sunday and Mrs. Juanita Hund, all of Abilene.
Mrs. Elizabeth Renfro, 1869-1954
Marshall News Messenger, 13 July 1954
Mrs Renfro dies Monday
The daughter of Mrs. Nancy Brooks Heslip is survived by one daughter, Mrs. C. L. Roper, Marshall; one sister, Mrs. Ellie Jackson, Baird; two granddaughters, Mrs. R. R. Davis, Marshall, and Mrs. Bob Love, Athens; two great- grand children, Coy Jean Davis and Bobby Davis.
Marshall News Messenger, 13 July 1954
Mrs Renfro dies Monday
The daughter of Mrs. Nancy Brooks Heslip is survived by one daughter, Mrs. C. L. Roper, Marshall; one sister, Mrs. Ellie Jackson, Baird; two granddaughters, Mrs. R. R. Davis, Marshall, and Mrs. Bob Love, Athens; two great- grand children, Coy Jean Davis and Bobby Davis.
Miss Emily Oleta Russell, 1883-1957
Abilene Reporter-News, 31 Dec 1957
1st Abilene Girl Dies
First white girl born in Abilene, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Russell.
Survived by three sisters, Mrs. Woodward, Mrs. Lily Morton and Mrs. Anna Spitzer.
Abilene Reporter-News, 31 Dec 1957
1st Abilene Girl Dies
First white girl born in Abilene, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Russell.
Survived by three sisters, Mrs. Woodward, Mrs. Lily Morton and Mrs. Anna Spitzer.
Mrs. E. G. (Bilger) Schmidt, 1879-1955
Abilene Reporter-News, 27 Dec 1955
Clyde Rites Held for Mrs Schmidt, Pioneer of Area
Survived by five sons, Albert of Clyde, Sam of Dallas, Carl of Seagoville, Ernest of Sherman and Tom of Pasadena, California; three daughters, Mrs. Lorena Mercer of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Mrs. Ella Mae James of LaMarque and Mrs. Laura Conlee of Clyde; three brothers, Will Bilger of Abilene, Charley Bilger of Sherman and August Bilger of Crockett; three sisters, Mrs. Mary Schwarz of Sweetwater, Mrs. Caroline Miller of Dallas and Mrs Minnie Riggs of Sherman.
Abilene Reporter-News, 27 Dec 1955
Clyde Rites Held for Mrs Schmidt, Pioneer of Area
Survived by five sons, Albert of Clyde, Sam of Dallas, Carl of Seagoville, Ernest of Sherman and Tom of Pasadena, California; three daughters, Mrs. Lorena Mercer of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Mrs. Ella Mae James of LaMarque and Mrs. Laura Conlee of Clyde; three brothers, Will Bilger of Abilene, Charley Bilger of Sherman and August Bilger of Crockett; three sisters, Mrs. Mary Schwarz of Sweetwater, Mrs. Caroline Miller of Dallas and Mrs Minnie Riggs of Sherman.
Homer Shanks, 1886-1954
Abilene Reporter-News, 10 April 1954
Homer Shanks, Ex-Clyde Leader, Dies at Merkel; Funeral Sunday
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher Shanks married Josie Kuykendall He is survived by his wife; two sons, Homer K. of San Antonio, and Hal C. of Butte, Montana; three daughters, twins Mrs. Rae Klepper of Midkiff, Mrs. Paul L. Clemmer of Ft. Stockton and Mrs Elvie L Clemmer of Ft Stockton; three brothers, Carl D. of Abilene, Paul of Clyde and Baird Rex of Laredo; three sisters Mrs. John W. Robbins of Clyde, Mrs. A. C. Forester of Clyde (Maggie Shanks) and Mrs. Elvin Abernathy of Albuquerque, NM.
Abilene Reporter-News, 10 April 1954
Homer Shanks, Ex-Clyde Leader, Dies at Merkel; Funeral Sunday
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher Shanks married Josie Kuykendall He is survived by his wife; two sons, Homer K. of San Antonio, and Hal C. of Butte, Montana; three daughters, twins Mrs. Rae Klepper of Midkiff, Mrs. Paul L. Clemmer of Ft. Stockton and Mrs Elvie L Clemmer of Ft Stockton; three brothers, Carl D. of Abilene, Paul of Clyde and Baird Rex of Laredo; three sisters Mrs. John W. Robbins of Clyde, Mrs. A. C. Forester of Clyde (Maggie Shanks) and Mrs. Elvin Abernathy of Albuquerque, NM.
Corinthia (Darden) Smith, 1862-1954
Abilene Reporter-News, 22 Feb 1954
Rites at Clyde for Mrs Smith
Survived by her brother, Hal C. Darden; three nephews, Paul Shanks of Clyde, Carl Shanks of Abilene and W. Homer Shanks of Merkel; two neices, Mrs. John W. Robinson and Mrs. A. C. Forester, both of Clyde.
Abilene Reporter-News, 22 Feb 1954
Rites at Clyde for Mrs Smith
Survived by her brother, Hal C. Darden; three nephews, Paul Shanks of Clyde, Carl Shanks of Abilene and W. Homer Shanks of Merkel; two neices, Mrs. John W. Robinson and Mrs. A. C. Forester, both of Clyde.
Bonnie L. Sproles, 1924-1985
Funeral service was held Friday at 2 pm at Kimbrough Funeral Home in Cisco for Bonnie Lee Sproles of Cisco, 61 year old sister of P. M. (Red) Duncan of Cottonwood.
Mrs. Sproles died at 10:25 am Wednesday, Sept 11 at Lubbock General Hospital. Officiating the final rites were Gary Adams, Church of Christ minister of Cisco. Burial was in the Cottonwood Cemetery.
Born May 28, 1924, in Weslaco, she married Gray Ray Sproles, Nov. 21, 1940 in Las Cruces, NM. She was a member of the Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband June 27, 1985.
Survivors include three daughters, Dorothy Webb of Cisco, Seba Ferguson of Slaton and Doris Pence of Mount Pleasant; two sons, Grady Sproles of Cisco and Howard Spoles of Newark; two brothers, Lon Duncan of Cisco and Red Duncan of Cottonwood; 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Funeral service was held Friday at 2 pm at Kimbrough Funeral Home in Cisco for Bonnie Lee Sproles of Cisco, 61 year old sister of P. M. (Red) Duncan of Cottonwood.
Mrs. Sproles died at 10:25 am Wednesday, Sept 11 at Lubbock General Hospital. Officiating the final rites were Gary Adams, Church of Christ minister of Cisco. Burial was in the Cottonwood Cemetery.
Born May 28, 1924, in Weslaco, she married Gray Ray Sproles, Nov. 21, 1940 in Las Cruces, NM. She was a member of the Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband June 27, 1985.
Survivors include three daughters, Dorothy Webb of Cisco, Seba Ferguson of Slaton and Doris Pence of Mount Pleasant; two sons, Grady Sproles of Cisco and Howard Spoles of Newark; two brothers, Lon Duncan of Cisco and Red Duncan of Cottonwood; 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
E. D. Stephens, 1858-1929
Baird Star, 29 Nov 1929
E. D. Stephens, 71, Interred at Eula
Last rites for E. D. Stephens, 71, were held at the family residence four miles west of Clyde at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon, with Dr. Millard A. Jenkins, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Abilene, and Dr. R. C. Pender, veteran Baptist minister of Abilene officiating.
Interment was in the Eula Cemetery.
Mr. Stephens died at his home Thursday. He is survived by his wife, 10 children and 18 grandchildren, all of whom attended the funeral services.
From death records: Vol 3-2, page 22
Born in Mississippi Feb. 1, 1858 and died Nov 21, 1929. His father: Matt Stephens was born in Mississippi. His mother's name: Eliott Smith also born in Mississippi. The informant was W. M. Stephens of Waco, Texas.
Baird Star, 29 Nov 1929
E. D. Stephens, 71, Interred at Eula
Last rites for E. D. Stephens, 71, were held at the family residence four miles west of Clyde at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon, with Dr. Millard A. Jenkins, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Abilene, and Dr. R. C. Pender, veteran Baptist minister of Abilene officiating.
Interment was in the Eula Cemetery.
Mr. Stephens died at his home Thursday. He is survived by his wife, 10 children and 18 grandchildren, all of whom attended the funeral services.
From death records: Vol 3-2, page 22
Born in Mississippi Feb. 1, 1858 and died Nov 21, 1929. His father: Matt Stephens was born in Mississippi. His mother's name: Eliott Smith also born in Mississippi. The informant was W. M. Stephens of Waco, Texas.
Martha Malinda (Bernard) Suggs, 1870-1959
Abilene Reporter-News, 26 Oct 1959
Funeral Set Today for Mrs F F Suggs
Martha's husband, F. F. Suggs, died 18 July 1944, She's survived by one son, C. F. Suggs, Joinerville; and four daughters, Mrs. C. H. Tarrant, Clyde, Mrs. M. M. Edwards, Clyde, Robie Suggs, Abilene, and Mrs. J. H. Werner, Abilene.
Abilene Reporter-News, 26 Oct 1959
Funeral Set Today for Mrs F F Suggs
Martha's husband, F. F. Suggs, died 18 July 1944, She's survived by one son, C. F. Suggs, Joinerville; and four daughters, Mrs. C. H. Tarrant, Clyde, Mrs. M. M. Edwards, Clyde, Robie Suggs, Abilene, and Mrs. J. H. Werner, Abilene.
Dr. Edward Black Surface, 1870-1952
Abilene Reporter-News, 28 Oct 1952
Dr Surface Dies; Burial Wednesday
[We don't have the second part of this obituary.]
Abilene Reporter-News, 28 Oct 1952
Dr Surface Dies; Burial Wednesday
[We don't have the second part of this obituary.]
Vernie Walters, 1910-1996
Brownwood Bulletin/Sunday/December 26, 1996
Services for Vernie Walters, 86, of Brownwood will be at 10a.m. Monday, Dec. 23, 1996 at Heartland Funeral Home in Early with the Rev. Bob Riley and the Rev. Alan Wallace officiating. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Monday at Oplin Cemetery with the Rev. Tim Woodcock officiating.
She died Saturday afternoon, Dec.21, 1996, at a local nursing home.
Mrs. Walters was born Aug. 28, 1910, In Cottonwood, the daughter of Robert Lee and Cora Birchfield Brown. She lived most of her life in Brownwood. In 1927 she was married to Ellis I. Walters in Baird. She was a homemaker and a member of Avenue D Baptist Church in Brownwood.
Survivors include three sons, Donnie Walters of Longview, James Walters and Charles Walters both of Brownwood; three daughters, Lucille Cumba and Wanda Netherton both of Brownwood, and Bonnie Roberts of Abilene; 38 grand children; 72 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, one daughter, five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, three brothers and three sisters.
Brownwood Bulletin/Sunday/December 26, 1996
Services for Vernie Walters, 86, of Brownwood will be at 10a.m. Monday, Dec. 23, 1996 at Heartland Funeral Home in Early with the Rev. Bob Riley and the Rev. Alan Wallace officiating. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Monday at Oplin Cemetery with the Rev. Tim Woodcock officiating.
She died Saturday afternoon, Dec.21, 1996, at a local nursing home.
Mrs. Walters was born Aug. 28, 1910, In Cottonwood, the daughter of Robert Lee and Cora Birchfield Brown. She lived most of her life in Brownwood. In 1927 she was married to Ellis I. Walters in Baird. She was a homemaker and a member of Avenue D Baptist Church in Brownwood.
Survivors include three sons, Donnie Walters of Longview, James Walters and Charles Walters both of Brownwood; three daughters, Lucille Cumba and Wanda Netherton both of Brownwood, and Bonnie Roberts of Abilene; 38 grand children; 72 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, one daughter, five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, three brothers and three sisters.
Mrs. S. C. Walker, ?-1917
Sweetwater Daily Reporter, 11 January 1917
Falls Victim of Pneumonia
This morning at 1 o'clock Mrs. S. C. Walker, age 28, died at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. McGee at Moodyville, after an illness of ten days with pneumonia.
Mr. and Mrs. Walker lived in Clyde and were here on a visit to her parents when she was taken sick.
The remains will be taken to Clyde on the early morning train, where interment will take place.
Sweetwater Daily Reporter, 11 January 1917
Falls Victim of Pneumonia
This morning at 1 o'clock Mrs. S. C. Walker, age 28, died at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. McGee at Moodyville, after an illness of ten days with pneumonia.
Mr. and Mrs. Walker lived in Clyde and were here on a visit to her parents when she was taken sick.
The remains will be taken to Clyde on the early morning train, where interment will take place.
John Wallan, 1833-1903
The Morning Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, 29 June 1903
submitted by Jim Dezotell
Oregon Pioneer Dies in Texas
Baird, Tex., June 28 - John Wallan died here June 19, aged 70 years. He was an old pioneer of Oregon, having gone there in the early '50s, and served under Captain Bailey in the Rogue River Indian War.
He married Eliza Shadden, of McMinnville, Yamhill County.
The Morning Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, 29 June 1903
submitted by Jim Dezotell
Oregon Pioneer Dies in Texas
Baird, Tex., June 28 - John Wallan died here June 19, aged 70 years. He was an old pioneer of Oregon, having gone there in the early '50s, and served under Captain Bailey in the Rogue River Indian War.
He married Eliza Shadden, of McMinnville, Yamhill County.
Stean Woodard, 1935-2012
Chapel of Hope Funeral Home, Hobbs, New Mexico
submitted by Erny Long
Funeral services for Stean Woodard will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 2, 2012, at Chapel of Hope officiated by Pastor Shawn Drake.
Interment will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery after services. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 1, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Thursday, 8 a.m. - service time at Chapel of Hope which is in charge of arrangements.
Stean died January 29, 2012, in Hobbs. He was born May 16, 1935, in Baird, Texas, to Thurman and Veda Woodard. Stean worked at Bull Rogers, Inc. for over forty years. He enjoyed horseback riding and fishing at Logan, NM.
Chapel of Hope Funeral Home, Hobbs, New Mexico
submitted by Erny Long
Funeral services for Stean Woodard will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 2, 2012, at Chapel of Hope officiated by Pastor Shawn Drake.
Interment will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery after services. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 1, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Thursday, 8 a.m. - service time at Chapel of Hope which is in charge of arrangements.
Stean died January 29, 2012, in Hobbs. He was born May 16, 1935, in Baird, Texas, to Thurman and Veda Woodard. Stean worked at Bull Rogers, Inc. for over forty years. He enjoyed horseback riding and fishing at Logan, NM.