Erath County Obituaries

John Patrick Cobb

In Memoriam 1899

“We clip the following from the Bluff Dale, Texas Banner, of recent date, at which place the deceased lived at the time of his death”

“Hon John P Cobb has gone to that Home beyond.

“On last Thursday morning, March 23d, at 6 o’clock, as the dawn was breaking and when all nature was taking up its duties for another day the above named person, 'a father of Israel,' who had lived his 'three score and ten years,' peacefully passed to his Home of rest. His life’s battle was over.

"For several years Father Cobb has been greatly afflicted. He received every attention, love, skill and money could rended (sp) to prolong his life, but to no purpose. He bore his sickness with great patience and in his painful death he saw his hopes for a happier and better day. We can only deplore his loss and extend to his bereaved wife and children our sympathy. While we realize that no words of ours can 'Soothe the dull cold ear of death' it will be some consolation to them to know that others share their sorrows.

“The deceased was born in Georgia July 2, 1827. He moved to Texas in 1891. He was the progenitor of 12 children, 44 grandchildren and three great grand-children. He was a true and generous father to all of his children. All of them have comfortable homes. The Atlanta Constitution gives creditable notice of his death from which is taken a few thoughts:

“Hon John P Cobb was for many years a resident of Ellijay and was a leading merchant of that place. He was a member of the Baptist church and a Mason. He formerly owned a fine farm of 900 acres just south of town, and once represented Gilmer county in the Georgia legislature.

“His remains were interred in the Wesley Chapel Cemetery. The large attendance at the funeral was an evidence of his many friends. The services were opened by Rev J N Chandler giving a discourse on this passage of scripture: Rev. XIV-13, 'And I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me -Write, blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth, yes, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow after them.'

"After which he was sadly borne to bural (sp) by the Masonic order and there we leave him to sleep on till the mortal shall put on immortality and the dead shall wake to sleep no more.

"We sorrow not as those who have no hope. His spirit is now singing a new song, a song that in sweetness and power, ear never heard, a song that the skill of the oldest harpers of Heaven will take a part. A song from which all the love of God's heart rings.

"Let us be that all of our hearts are now attuned for Heavenly worship, so when we are called to go we will be able to sing our Redeemer's praises. A Friend."

Submitted by Barbara Kirkland

Mrs. J. P. (Mary Louise Bradley) Cobb

From the Ellijay, Gilmer Co., Ga paper

Mrs. J P Cobb, Sr. Sleeps,

"A wire from Bluff Dale, Texas, brought the sad tidings that Mrs J P Cobb, breathed her last at 1 o'clock Monday.

"Mrs Cobb's health has been failing sometime, but only for a short time has she been considered serious. While Mrs Cobb has been living in Texas some years made regular visits back to Georgia and kept in close touch with her friends which were numbered with her acquaintances. Her christian life was beautiful and deserving, whether in joy or sorrow she never forgot that 'God is over all.' She possessed culture, refinement and unlimited sympathy for the less fortunate. Age did not rob her of that gentle sweet disposition. She leaves four sons and two daughters, Mrs M L Cox, J P Cobb, of this place, Mrs John Glenn, N L, W V, W F Cobb of Bluff Dale.

"Only those who have experienced this bereavement can offer true sympathy to this attitude we extend sympathy to the bereaved."

Death of an Aged Lady – (10-7-1912)
“Mrs Mary L Cobb departed this life at the home of her daughter, Mrs J W Glenn, last Monday afternoon at 1 o’clock, and the remains were tenderly laid to rest beside those of her husband in Wesley Chapel graveyard Tuesday afternoon. Rev. A L Greenwood conducted the services at the grave in the presence of a large number of sorrowing relatives and friends.

“Mrs Cobb was a native of North Georgia, having resided in this section for the past sixteen years. At the time of her death she was in her 82d year, and for a number of years had been a member of the Baptist church, living the life of a true Christian, and dying with a smile upon her lips, doubtless having a vision of the beautiful home prepared for her, to rest forever with her Father in Heaven. Twelve children were born to her, six of whom are living, and five of who were present when the summons came.

“Mrs Cobb had been for a long time a sufferer from Bright’s disease, but she bore her pain without a murmur, an has left behind her nothing but sweet remembrances. The earth is poorer and Heaven richer by the transfer of her bright spirit to the skies. A home is made sad, and many hearts are made to ache with longing for the ‘touch of the vanished hand, and the sound of the voice that is still,’ but the Healer stands ready to pour balm on their bruised hearts. He will strengthen the chain he has broken in twain and fasten it firm to the skies. Till then, rest in peace and hope.”
Card of thanks: signed by –Mr and Mrs J W Glenn, Mrs M L Cox, N L and W F Cobb, and J P and W V Cobb. She left behind four sons and two daughters: Mrs M L Cox, J P Cobb of this place (Gilmer Co., Georgia), Mrs John Glenn, N L, W V, W F Cobb of Bluff Dale.

Submitted by Barbara Kirkland

Virginia Lou Jane Huckabee Davis

Dallas Morning News – Nov 2, 1951 -
Rites Conducted in Erath County for Mrs. Davis, 95
“STEPHENVILLE, Texas, Nov 1 – Mrs Thomas C Davis, 95, a resident of Erath County for seventy-three years, was buried in the Wesley Chaple (sp) Cemetery near Bluffdale Thursday. She died at the home of a daughter, Mrs Belva Cantrell, here Wednesday.

“She had 104 living descendants.

“Services were conducted in the Missionary Baptist Church at Morgan Mill with the Rev. Jim Bays of Lingleville, and the Rev M A Pennington, the pastor, officiating.

“Mrs Davis was born in Georgia and came to Erath County in 1878 shortly after her marriage. Her husband died forty-six years ago.

“Survivors include three sons, J W Davis of Morgan Mill, Irving Davis of Addington, Okla, and George W Davis of Dallas; three daughters, Mrs Cantrell, Mrs Hama Killian of Ralls and Mrs Pattie Cowrt of Lawton, Okla,; two sisters, Mrs Una Maxwell and Mrs Effie Hungerford, both of Jonesboro, La,; three brothers, Frank Huckabee of Grapevine, Charlie Huckabee of California and Avery Huckabee of Morgan Mills (sp); thirty-three grandchildren, sixty great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.”

Note: This is Virginia Lou Jane Huckabee Davis, born 7/24/1856 died Oct 31, 1951. She was the wife of Thomas Cazine Davis - born May 27, 1852 died July 3, 1905.

Submitted by Barbara Kirkland

Jessie Mary Eades

Obituary for Jessie Mary Eades as published in the Stephenville Newspaper, Friday July 3, 1970:

Funeral services were to be conducted this afternoon at 3:30 in the Chapel of Stephenville Funeral Home for Mrs. Jessie Mary Eades, 84, who died Thursday in the Sunset Nursing Home.

Born September 28, 1885 in Hico, she lived at Rt 3 Stephenville for the past 50 years. She was a housewife and a member of the Seldon Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Oscar N. Eades; three daughters, Mrs. Glenn Kay of Stephenville, Mrs. Dewey Nix of Corpus Christi and Mrs. Kasper Stephens of Arlington; two sisters Mrs. Maude Walker of Dallas and Mrs. Dora Carter of Stephenville; 12 grandchildren; 18 great - grandchildren; and one great - great- grandchild.

Burial was to be in East Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Keith Rosenbaum officiating. Pallbearers included Rayfor Kay, Victor Kay, Harold Eades, Harlen Eades, Joe Nix, and Olin Stephens.

Submitted by Brenda Bulin Hammons

Funeral Notice of Mrs. Jessie Mary Eades

Submitted by Brenda Bulin Hammons

Oscar N. Eades

Obituary for Oscar N. Eades as it appeared in the Stephenville Newspaper

Funeral services for Oscar N. Eades, 89, of Stephenville will be held at 4:00 p. m., today in the Stephenville Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Dennis Ball will officiate. Interment will be in East Memorial Cemetery.

Mr. Eades was born August 4, 1883 in Mississippi. In 1903 he married Jessie M. Ramsay who proceeded him in death. Mr. Eades, a retired farmer, spent 71 years in Erath County of which 53 were spent in the Seldon Community. He was a member of the Seldon Baptist Church where he served as a deacon.

Survivors include three daughters: Mrs. Glenn Kay of Stephenville, Mrs. Dewey Nix of Corpus Christi and Mrs. Kasper Stephens of Arlington. Mr. Eades is also survived by one brother, J. D. Eades of Cleburne; one sister, Mrs. Mary Miller of Auburn, California; twelve grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren.

Submitted by Brenda Bulin Hammons

Mrs. Wilmot L. (Lucinda Cobb) Glenn

Obit from the Ellijay, Gilmer Co., Georgia – Newspaper (Oct 1947)

“Mrs Wilmot L Glenn, who died recently at the home of her daughter Mrs Fred Farmer, 2506 Prospect, Fort Worth, was with her late husband, John W Glenn, one of the pioneers of Bluff Dale. The town site, laid out by the late B B Paddock and associates of Fort Worth when the Fort Worth and Rio Grande Railroad was built, was on their land.

“Mrs Glenn was the daughter of Mr and Mrs John P Cobb of Ellijay, Georgia, and came to Texas after her marriage. The Glenns settled in Erath County in the early ‘80s and were active in civic and religious circles for more than half a century. They engaged in farming and in the mercantile business.

“Mrs Glenn was 92 years old. She is survived by six children, 10 grandchildren and 11 great grand-children. Her children are Mmes R A Coppersmith of Tacoma, Wash., L E Crowder of Los Angeles, and Mrs Farmer of Fort Worth, J E Glenn of Fort Worth, L J Glenn of Beaumont and R W Glenn of Bluff Dale.”

another - same paper:

"Mrs J W Glenn, Native of Gilmer, Passes in Texas" (Died 10 Nov1947)

"A message was received here Tuesday announcing the death of Mrs J W Glenn, who died at the home of her daughter, Mrs Ellen Farmer, in Fort Worth, Texas, Tuesday.

"Mrs Glenn, 94, was a native of Gilmer County. Her father and mother were the late Mr and Mrs J P Cobb, Sr., and was reared on what is sometimes called the Cobb farm just south of town. She was a sister of the later Mr J P Cobb, Jr., and Mrs Minnie Cox to whom she frequently visited back in Ellijay during their lifetime.

"Mrs Glenn moved West with her husband some sixty years ago and settled in Bluff Dale where they continued to make their home until after the death of her husband. In recent years she made her home with her children. Mrs Glenn came from a well-known and prominent Gilmer county family and her passing brings genuine sorrow among many friends in Ellijay where she was pleasantly remembered.

"The deceased is survived by two brothers, J V Cobb, of Athens, Texas and William Cobb of Stephenville, Texas. Three sons and three daughters also survive.

"Funeral services and burial took place in Bluff Dale."

Submitted by Barbara Kirkland

Mrs Joseph R Griggs - (Euna Knowles Griggs - Jan 16, 1898 - June 21, 1964)

Funeral services for Mrs Joseph R Griggs, of 3543 Waldorf Drive, a long time resident, will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in the Ed C Smith & Bro Funeral Chapel. Burial in Wesley Chapel Cemetery, Stephenville, Erath County.

Mrs Griggs, a native of Stigler, Okla, was the wife of the president of the Texas Foundation of Voluntarily Supported Colleges and Universities. She was a member of the Grace bible Church.

Survivors; Husband; two daughters, Mrs. John V Harris of Hurt and Miss Betty Ruth Griggs of Munich, Germany; two sons, Joe Wright Griggs of Edmond, Okla., and the Rev. John Paul Griggs of Fort Victoria, Southern Rhodesia; two sisters, Mrs M M Griggs of San Angelo and Mrs S L Wood of Stephenville; a brother, Guy Knowles of Muskogee, Okla., and seven grandchildren.

Submitted by Barbara Kirkland

Mellie Paralee Pinson Like

Mellie Paralee PINSON Like Obit
Wife of William Harve Like
(NOTE: One daughter is listed as Mrs Lester Smith - should be Mrs
Lewis (Nannie Leota) Smith.
Deceased children were: William Crockett, Elmer, Isabell Like
Cantrell and an infant)

Submitted by Barbara Kirkland

Mrs. Leone Stephens Miller, 56 of New York, passed away Friday in Presbyterian Hospital in New York.

Funeral services will be today at 2:00 p. m. in Stephenville Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Robert Baldridge officiating. Internment will be in West End Cemetery , under the direction of Stephenville Funeral Home.

She was born March 9, 1918 in Erath County. She married William Miller October 3, 1942, in Albuquerque, N. M. She was a Baptist, and a registered nurse.

She was a former resident of Stephenville before moving to New York 30 years ago.

She is survived by her husband, William of New York; brother, David Stephens of Corpus Christi; sister, Mrs. Worth Bass of Escondido, Cal., Mrs. Jane Johnson of Beaumont, Mrs. J. W. Vickers of Beaumont, Mrs. Richard Hudson of Corpus Christi, and Mrs. Cooper Carroll of Los Angeles.

Leone is buried in West End Cemetery, Stephenville, Erath County, Texas. Her tombstone reads "1918 - 1974. Beloved wife of William Miller and daughter of Dave and Myrtle Stephens".

Submitted by Barbara Kirkland

Funeral Notice of Mrs. Almeda Jane Stephens

Wife of William Stephens (10 Nov 1866 - 14 Oct 1919) & the daughter of Joseph & Mila Jane (Gideon) Logan

Submitted by Brenda Bulin Hammons

Mrs. Almeda Jane Stephens

Obituary as appeared in Stephenville paper:

Mrs. Stephens Buried Sunday

Mrs. Will Stephens well known early resident of Erath County died here from a heart attack Friday morning January 14 at 11:35 o'clock at the home of her son, Erskin Stephens on West Vanderbilt Street.

The body lay in state at the Higginbothan Funeral Home until Sunday afternoon, January 16, when funeral services were held at 3 o'clock at the Pleasant Hill Methodist Church on the Hico road, nine miles southeast of Stephenville. Rev. J. L. Collings of Abilene, minister of the Primitive Baptist Church and long time friend of the family, conducted the service at the church and last rites at the graveside in the Indian Creek Cemetery where interment was made. Several of her favorite hymns were sung by the Fincher quartette. The floral offering was beautiful.

Higginbotham Funeral Home had charge of all arrangements. Pallbearers were Frank Henson, Eugene Ogan, Judge Ernest Belcher, Fred McCleskey, D. D. Waldrop, and Joe Derrick. Flower girls were her granddaughters, Martha Stephens, Mrs. Conrad Johnson, Ruby Jo Stephens, Mrs. Leland Birdette, Ernestine Stephens, Mrs. Charles Wyatt, Fort Worth, Mrs. J. B. Godfrey, and Joy, Gay, and Jo Stephens of Arlington.

Mrs. Alemeda Jane Stephens was a native Texan, born March 7, 1869 at Brownwood in Brown county. She was the daughter of the late James Logan and Mila Jane Gideon Logan. At the age of ten she came with her family to Erath County where she had since made her home.

She was married January 31, 1889 to Will Stephens an early resident of the county, and soon after their marriage they settled on a farm on the old Glen Rose road in the Evergreen community . Her husband died there October 14, 1919. She had been in ill health for the last three years due to a heart malady, but had stayed on at her farm home until about three months ago when she came to her son's home here in order to be near her doctor.

Mrs. Stephens had been a member of the Primitive Baptist Church for fifty-two years, her membership for the greater part of that time having been with a Primitive Baptist Church near Hico.

She was the mother of ten children. One daughter , Hazel, died in 1912. Surviving are six sons, Dave Stephens, Erskin Stephens, Allen Stephens and Gale Stephens, Stephenville, Jack Stephens, Olden, Kasper Stephens, Arlington: Three daughters, Mrs. Joseph Stinnett, Mrs. W. D. Tate, Stephenville, and Mrs. Russell Lanham, Fort Worth: one half sister Mrs. Horton H. Black, Altus, Oklahoma: one half brother, Rennie Maynard, Waurika, Oklahoma.

Mrs. Stephens also is survived by twenty-nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. All of the children and a large number of the grandchildren attended her funeral, many relatives and friends of the family coming from various parts of the state including Fort Worth, Olden, and other sections for the rites.

Submitted by Brenda Bulin Hammons

Marshall Glen Stephens

15 Feb 1935 - 22 Mar 2009

Marshall Glen Stephens, 74, of Stephenville, died Sunday, March, 22, 2009 in Stephenville.

Funeral services will be held at 10 AM, Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at Stephenville Funeral Home Chapel. Internment will follow in the Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Stephenville. The family will receive friends from 6 pm to 8 pm Tuesday at Stephenville Funeral Home.

Marshall was born February 15, 1935 in Stephenville, Texas to the late E. R. and Leota (Hanna) Stephens. He married Glenda Byrd, August 15, 1988 in Stephenville. Marshall was an Electrician and worked at Wright's Ice for 35 years. He was also a retired volunteer fireman. Marshall served in the US Army and was a lifelong resident of Stephenville.

He is survived by his wife Glenda; daughters and sons - in - law, Dereece and Kenneth Howell of Stephenville and Denean and Benny Rice of Brooksmith, Texas; son and daughter - in - law Harold Ray and Joleta Stephens of Katy, Texas; mother of his children, Mary Nell Strebeck, step - daughter Dianne Thompson of Stephenville; brother and sister - in - law W. B. and Billie Stephens of Midland; sister Peggy Thompson of Granbury; six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Submitted by Brenda Bulin Hammons

Funeral Notice of Olive (Wilkins) Stephens

Olive was the wife of Jackson Van Buron Stephens (1840 - 1916). She was the mother of 11 children William (1866 - 1919), Melvina (1868 - 1945), Mary Jane (1870 - 1870), Martha (1871 - 1954), Zoe (1873 - 1918), Lucy (1875 -1952), George (1877 - 1970), Lillie (1879 - 1961), Benjamin (1881 - 1962), Alice Lonora (1884 - 1975), Thomas (1886 - 1954).

She was the daughter of George Washington Wilkins (1824 - 1874) and Melivna (Jackson) Wilkins (1831 - 1909).

Submitted by Brenda Bulin Hammons

Obituary of Sid V. Stephens

Stephenville - Sid V. Stephens, a registered Hereford cattle rancher, died Wednesday, January 28, 2004 at his home in Stephenville.

Funeral: At Mr. Stephens request no services will be held.

Memorials: May be made to Stephenville Area Aggie Moms Scholarship Fund For Stephenville Area Youth, in care of Alysa Smith, 2222 Timberbrook Dr., Stephenville, Texas 76401; or CCS Hospice, 118 East Live Oak, Dublin, Texas 76446.

He was born in Selden, the son of Gail W. Stephens and M. E. Ivy Johnson. He married Ruth Ann Neblett of Stephenville in Fort Worth November 12, 1955.

Mr. Stephens attended public school at Seldon and Stephenville High School. He joined the U. S. Army during the Korean War, serving as a staff sergeant in Panama. Upon his discharge he completed his education, earning an associate's degree in agriculture from Tarleton State University and a bachelor of science degree in animal science from Texas A & M University.

For 25 years, Mr. Stephens managed Neblett Hereford Ranch for Charles and Ruth Neblett, eventually becoming a Hereford breeder himself. He was well known in the cattle industry as a cattle breeder and judge. He was a member of the Texas and American Hereford Association. He supported numerous programs related to the industry, chartering the Stephenville Young Farmers and becoming its first president. He also severed many years as president of the Erath County Livestock Association. He was particularly interested in helping youngsters who were raising animals for livestock show competition.

In other community activities, Mr. Stephens was active in the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) and the Chamber of Commerce and was the Stephenville Little League baseball commissioner for many years. He severed as a deacon in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

In 1984 Mr, Stephens purchased Stephens Fuel Company, a family owned business managed by his son, Jowell Stephens. In 2001, the company built Stephens Country Corner in Hico, constructed by his son, Steve Stephens, and managed by his daughter, Leah Miller.

Mr. Stephens was a avid hunter and fisherman. He taught his children and his grandchildren the skills needed to be good sportsmen and protectors of the environment. He belonged to the Buck Hunting Club, where he made many close friends.

A brother, Charles Stephens, preceded him in death.

Survivors: Wife of 48 years, Ruth Ann Stephens; sons, Sid V. "Steve" Stephens Jr. of Hico, and Jowell C. Stephens of Stephenville; and daughter Leah D. Miller and husband, Raymond of Stephenville; grandchildren, Bradley Stephens and wife Brady, Amber Stephens, Van Collins, Matthew Collins, Faith Stephens and Adam Stephens all of Stephenville; brother, Willie Gail Stephens and wife Loretta of Stephenville and Vance Stephens and wife Frankie of Gatesville ; and many nieces and nephew.

Baum - Carlock - Bumgardner, Mineral Wells.

Submitted by Brenda Bulin Hammons

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