USGenWeb TXGenWeb
The TXGenWeb Project


Minerva Fowler Obituary


SERVICES WEDNESDAY FOR PIONEER MOTHER, MRS. J.H. FOWLER

Editors, columnists and would-be editors frequently find themselves in the unenviable position of having something to say that is beyond the power of mere words to express. This is our plight this Wednesday morning as the dull grey of the east gives way to bright dawn.

Yesterday, a very wonderful person drifted into the sleep that knows no earthly awakening. Mrs. J.H. Fowler, pioneer mother, passed away about 11:30 a.m. in a hospital at Spur.

All that loving hearts and hands could do had been done. She was at rest.

There aren’t enough adjectives in all languages combined to adequately describe the wonderful person she was. She was the personification of gentleness, sweetness, patience and love. Her love reached out and encompassed all about her and as love unfailingly begets love, she was most dearly beloved. Her frail frame concealed super-human endurance and strength that was always evident in times of stress and anxiety. Her patrician beauty, like a fragile and delicate flower, was indeed an outward expression of her inward self. As the wife of a pioneer West Texas physician, she withstood the hardships and dangers of frontier life, reared her family and kept her home with a spirit that was indomitable, with a heart that knew no fear, and love that knew no bounds. Her life was a blessing to all who were fortunate enough to have known her.

Mrs. Minerva Loving Fowler was born June 26, 1862 at Milltown, KY. She died Sept. 25, 1951 at 11 a.m. at Spur, at the age of 89.

In her early years, she came to Texas with her parents. She was married to Dr. John Holland Fowler, Jan. 23, 1890, in Rockwall County, Texas. Dr. And Mrs. Fowler came to Kent county in 1898. Dr.Fowler was the first doctor to come to Kent County and make it his permanent home. They came to Jayton in 1907. Dr. Fowler died in 1946. [March 5]

Mrs. Fowler, with Dr. Fowler, were charter members of the Jayton Presbyterian church and was a teacher in the Sunday school of that church for many years. Mrs. Fowler is survived by one brother, J.M. Loving, of Royce City, Texas; three daughter, Mrs. Ciegle Hays of Houston, Mrs. Wilbur K. Joiner and Mrs. Dallas Kenady of Jayton; two sons, Thomas and John Jr., of Jayton; eleven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. All of surviving children and the following grandchildren were present for the funeral services. Tom Bill Fowler, of Earth, Texas; Jack Fowler Hays of Houston; Mrs. Jim Montgomery, Patricia, Nancy, John [Jon] and Don Fowler, all of Jayton. Mrs. Jack Fowler Hays and baby and Mrs. Tom Bill Fowler and son Mike, of Earth were also present.

Funeral services were held at the First Baptist Church in Jayton at 3 p.m., Wednesday, September 26. Rev. T.R. Elder, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Spur, conducted the services. He was assisted by Rev. Lee Vaughn, pastor of the First Baptist church, Jayton and Rev. J.E. Peters, pastor of the First Methodist church, Jayton.

Interment was in the Jayton Cemetery with Chandler Funeral Home of Spur in charge.

Special music for the funeral service was rendered by the quartet composed of Mac and Jono Jones, L.E. Browning and Flint George, and a solo by Bob Hamilton. Mrs. Beryle Murdoch was the pianist.

Active pallbearers were Bill Jones. Glen Spradling, Gordon Hamilton, Euel D. Harrison, Harold Kenady and Eldon Wade.

Honorary pallbearers included Glenn Hancock. O.C. Lowrance, Barney Gardner, Paul Lane, Thomas P.Johnston, M.V. Jay, J.M. Johnston, Sr., J.M. Johnston, Jr., Bill Cathey, Claud Kelley, M.D. Fuller, John Jones, and G.H. Brown.

Among those from out of town present for the services were Mr. And Mrs. Joe Jay of Abilene, Mr. And Mrs. Howard Johnston, Mr. And Mrs. O.W. Coates, and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pugh, all of Lubbock, Mr. And Mrs. Sam Cobb of Stamford. Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Wall of Knox City, Mr. And Mrs. J.D. Norris of Slaton, Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Suits of Post; Mrs. Luther Stark. Mrs. John Adams, Mrs. Loyd Womach, Mrs. Van North, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Johnston, Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Swearingen, Miss Melva Jo Swearingen and Kenneth Swearingen, Mrs. T.R. Elder and Miss Margaret Elder, of Spur. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Kenady of Aspermont, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Sampson, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Sampson, Mr. and Mrs. W.T. Cathey, Mrs. Bert Wallace and Mr. and Mrs. Euel D. Harrison, of Clairemont.

submitted by Holli Boone Kees


Back to Obituaries
Back to Rockwall County Main Page