and Carl, all
of Midland, Texas; two daughters, Lenora Pike of Midland and Leora Spann of
Colorado City, Texas; one sister, Lela Cummins of Los Cruces, N.M.; ten
grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grand-child.September 1981
| BROTHER D. B. MATHEWS | BROTHER R. M. FOWLER | SISTER J. D. GILL |
| ELDER H. J. DONOHUE | ELDER D. LONG | SISTER F. BURLESON WALKER |
| BROTHER M. B. JONES | SISTER NITA CRAWFORD | ZELMA COTTER SMITH |
In Memory of Brother Earl Cochran
It was a great blessing to me having known Brother Cochran. He was a loving husband, father, neighbor and friend. To know Brother Cochran was to love and respect him.
Brother Cochran was always ready to help anyone in time of need. He and his good wife worked with me, or I worked with him, on a Little Primitive Baptist Church, about two years ago, at Pierson, Fl. which had been closed for the lack of leadership.
Thank God, for such wonderful people as they. Neither one being a member of the old Primitive Baptist they didn't stop with their labor they gave their money also.
Brother Cochran, was a member in every way except by baptism. He waited just a little too long for that. The Fourth Sunday in July was the day he planned to be baptized, but was taken very ill, with his heart and had to go to the hospital. They sent for me at the church. He wanted to talk with me, so I made ready to leave church and go see him, where he was in Intensive Care. They let me go in. He wanted to know about not being baptized. Would that hinder him from seeing Jesus Christ in the Glory World?
Thank God, I was made able to recite some of God's word to prove that, not by worlds of righteousness, which we have done, that we are saved, but by the mercies of God, we are saved.
He was reconciled, we had prayer. Brother Cochran looked up at me with a smile, and raised his hand and clasped mine, and said, "I will get to call you, Brother Ming, one time".
On Monday, I stayed with him and his family most of the day. I came home awhile and got a call he had passed away, and would I come back to the hospital? I went quickly.
Brother Cochran died satisfied, although he wasn't baptized it would not keep him from going to Heaven. Romans 8:34-39 verse teaches that so plain, without doubt.
Brother Cochran was born and raised in Kentucky, but came to this part of Florida several years ago.
Having known him made my life richer. All will miss him, but will cherish his sweet memory.
He leaves to mourn his passing, his good wife; three wonderful daughters, ten grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and a host of friends.
Sure we will miss him but thanks be to our God, our loss is his peace and rest, forever.
I tried by the grace of God to comfort the bereaved. And by God's grace I spoke with ease and fluent.
May the good Lord be with his family and all who now mourn.
Elder Percy Ming, Sparr, Fl.
Brother D. B. Mathews, born October 2, 1926 at Archer City, Texas passed from this life on May 16, 1981 in Amarillo, Texas at the age of 54.
Brother Mathews married Georgia Wood in 1956. They lived in the Claude, Texas community.
His occupation was farming and ranching. He was highly respected and well spoken of by his neighbors.
Brother Mathews joined the Amarillo Primitive Baptist Church July 23, 1977 and he was ordained to the office of deacon in the Amarillo Primitive Baptist Church Dec.8, 1979. He was very faithful to his church and performed his duties as a deacon very ably.
He loved his brothers and sisters in the church and was always pleasant and hospitable to them. He enjoyed the preaching of the gospel and the church fellowship. Many times in our church services you could see by his emotions how much that he treasured the good news from the preaching of the gospel. He was both a kind man and a strong man with feelings for others. We feel privileged and thankful for having known Brother Mathews and for the joy that we received from his fellowship. We miss him very much. We believe that our loss is his gain, for we believe that his spirit is in the presence of Jesus.
Brother Mathews is survived by his wife, Sister Georgia Mathews; one daughter, Joyce Priest; two grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
We, the Amarillo Primitive Baptist Church, who loved Brother Mathews extend to Sister Mathews our most sincere and heartfelt sympathy.
Written by the order of the Amarillo Primitive Baptist Church.
Elder R.A. Tindall, Moderator
Duane Hays, Clerk
We, of the New Hope Primitive Baptist Church of Tecumseh, Okla., bow in humble submission to our Blessed Lord who has called from our midst, Brother Robert M. Fowler, a beloved Brother and Deacon.
Brother Fowler was born June 30, 1897 and died on June 15, 1981 in Oklahoma City. Services were held in Tecumseh, Okla. with burial in Tribbey, Okla.
Brother Fowler had been a member if the New Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Tecumseh, since 1951 and was ordained a deacon on January 28, 1954. He was a faithful member and deacon until his sudden illness. As a Deacon, he was of great help and inspiration, especially to the younger people new in the Faith and Doctrine of the Primitive Baptists.
He leaves to mourn his passing, his devoted wife Lois, of the home, one daughter, Mrs. Paul Mitchell of Edmond, Okla., one son, Robert M. Fowler Jr., of Wichita Falls, Texas; two sisters, Mrs. Lou Stanley of Tecumseh, Okla. and Mrs. Mary Row of Pawhuska, Okla.; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews. He also leaves a great void in our little church, for he was dearly loved. We shall miss him but ever trust in the Lord to meet again some sweet day.
Resolved in regular conference, a copy of this resolution be sent to the Banner of Love and the Baptist Witness for publication, a copy be sent to the family, and a copy for church records.
Freddie Shipman, Clerk
Elder Floyd Griffin, Moderator
RESOLUTION OF RESPECT SISTER JESSIE D. GILL
On June 4, 1981, Our Saviour called home a precious and dear Sister in Christ, Sister Jessie Gill. Sister Gill joined the church September 16, 1933. A member for nearly 48 years, she was faithful and an active member until her health became bad. She was in a wheelchair for several years but when she felt like it, her daughter, Avis, brought her to church. She always had a smile on her face and never complained. Even though her eyesight was gone, she knew our voices. She was a mother of Israel to all who knew her. She will be missed by all and we pray that God will fill her loved ones hearts with Grace and Love. May His strength for ever be with them.
Sister Gill was born May 12, 1893 in Miliam County, Texas. She was 88 years old. Her husband, Brother T. J. Gill, preceded her in death September 5, 1954. He was also a Primitive Baptist member since 1933.
She is survived by five daughters, Miss Avid Gill, Mrs. S. P. Brown (Lurline), Mrs. Annie Mae Koon, Mrs. Reagan Barr (Ruby), Mrs. W. W. Johnson (Alma) all of Waco, Texas..
One son, J. A. "Bud" Gill of Waco, Texas.
One brother, John D. Donaldson.
Ten grandchildren, twenty-four great-grand~ children, and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Services were conducted at Connally-Compton Chapel in Waco on June 6, Interment in Rosemond Cemetery.
Elder Foy Evans and Elder John Casey officiating.
Written by order of the Church while in conference. One copy to be sent to The Banner of Love, one to the family, and one copy to be retained for church records. Written by request by Elder John Casey, and Sister Myrtle Cobbs.
Elder Richard Martin, Pastor
Whereas: It has pleased our Heavenly Father to call home our dearly beloved Elder Henry J. Donohue on July 18, 1981, Elder Donohue was a member and Pastor and Moderator of Harmony Primitive Baptist church of Ceres, Calif., for the past eleven years. Elder Donohue held to the faith once delivered to the Saints. He was strong in faith and practice.
Elder Donohue will be greatly missed by his family, church and friends and all that knew him. May God give them Grace to bare their grievance. Be it resolved, that we Harmony Church bow in humble submission to God's holy will and mercy. Elder Donohue's hope has become a reality. Our loss in Heaven's gain.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be placed in our church record book, a copy sent to the bereaved family and sent for publication to some of the church papers.
Done while in conference August 2, 1981. Elder Horace Harlan, Moderator T.E. Parfish, Church Clerk
Sister FIeda Burleson Walker, member of the-Waco Primitive Baptist Church, passed from this life on June 30, 1981. She was born August 10, 1889, making her stay on this earth 91 years, 10 months and 20 days. She joined the Primitive Baptist Church in July 1951. She was widowed for several years.
Sister Walker is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Clint (Dorene) Adams; one son, Mr. Warren Walker; one sister, Mrs. Rube (Myrtle) Harvey; one brother, Mr. Norris Burleson; four granddaughters, Mrs. Jim (Carol} Scarborough, Mrs. Mitchell (Mary) Jestz, Mrs. Ross (Peggy) Stoker, Mrs. Lonnie (Suzanne) Smith; 5 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
It is our prayer that our Heavenly Father will continue to bless you comfort her loved ones, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ. we are comforted in knowing that she now lives in that eternal Home above, where no sin nor sorrow can enter in. We thank our Saviour for His love, grace, and mercy; there is victory in death.
Written by order of the Waco Primitive Baptist Church while in conference. One copy to be sent to the family, one to the Banner or Love and one copy to be retained for church records.
In bonds of love,
Waco Primitive Baptist Church
Elder Richard Martin, Pastor
Written by request by Sister Vets Casey and Sister Tippy Gowens.
We bow in humble submission to the wilier God in the death of Elder Dean Long. He was born July 30, 1919 to Jacob C. and Cora Simpson Long and departed this life, April 10, 1981. He had been a loyal and devoted member of Pisgah Primitive Baptist Church at Grovespring Missouri for several years and was an ordained Elder, pastoring several churches.
Elder Long will be sadly missed by Pisgah Church, his many friends and loved ones, but we realize our loss is his gain.
Survivors are one son, Terry of the U.S. Navy, two daughters, Deanna Gowin of Kansas City, Missouri, Margaret Jirschele of Eagan, Minnesota, and three grandchildren and one brother Earl of Grovespring, Missouri.
Funeral services were conducted by Elder H.H Tracy of Neosha, Missouri. Funeral services were conducted by Elder H. H. Tracy of Neosha, Missouri and his body was laid to rest by the side of his wife, Irene, in White Oak Pond Cemetery. Lebanon, Missouri.
Elder H. H. Tracey, Moderator
Neel W. Hightower, Church Clerk
RESOLUTION OF RESPECT BROTHER MORRIS B. JONES
When as our hearts are made sad, when our Heavenly Father called from our midst Brother Jones, we the members of Zions Rest Primitive Baptist Church, McAlester, Oklahoma, bow in humble submission to God' s holy will.
Brother Jones was born in McAlester, Jan. 27, 1905. He was 76 years of age. He departed this life March 8, 1981. He was married to Ida Lee Lant at Adamison, Oct. 24, 1924.
He. was survived by his wife, Ida Lee Jones of the home.
One son, Davie Jones, three daughters, Bernice Johnson, Verna. Lee Ezekiel of Adamison and Helen Ranollo of Hartshorn, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Brother Jones was a devoted Primitive Baptists member of the Zion Rest Church of McAlester, Okla., and served true and faithfully.
Be it resolved that we extend our deepest sympathy to his family.
Moderator, Elder Charles Wortman
Church Clerk, A.C. Doyle
SISTER NITA CRAWFORD
How Beautiful Heaven Must be. Sister Nits Crawford was added to the Heavenly Bouquet on Tuesday, June 2, 1981. She was born April 20, 1895 in Deport, Texas and passed from this life to a better one.
Sister Crawford, whose maiden name was Nita Carter was married to G. T. Crawford, July 13, 1913 and. they joined the Midland Primitive Baptist Church in 1958 and were baptised by Elder Spence Kirkpatrick. Brother Crawford preceded Sister Nita in death on May 31, 1966. The bouquet is just getting more beautiful as only Our Lord's Sweet Hands can form.
During Sister Crawford's life here she was a living example for all her children, grandchildren relatives, friends and kindred in Christ. She was always ready with a smile and a kind thought. She was a sweet and loving wife and mother. Her daily walk during this life was a test of her faith and evidence that God had wrought a purpose in her heart. Sister Nita was a faithful and devoted member of our church and loved by all whose lives she touched.
There will be an empty spot here at church and a sadness in our hearts --because the human in us reaches out; but the stars and Heaven glow brighter with the adding of Sister Crawford. We know she is at rest and Heaven has been made sweeten by her going home.
Funeral services were conducted at the Newnie Ellis Chapel with Elder Spence Kirkpatrick of Midland Church and Reverend E. F. Pennick of Foursquare Church, retired; officiating. She was laid to rest in the Fairview Cemetery awaiting the calling of our Lord.
Survivors include four sons;
Herman, Oscar,
and Carl, all
of Midland, Texas; two daughters, Lenora Pike of Midland and Leora Spann of
Colorado City, Texas; one sister, Lela Cummins of Los Cruces, N.M.; ten
grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grand-child.
We, the Beulah Primitive Baptist Church of Midland, Texas bow in humble submission to the will of Our Heavenly Father.
This done by order of the Church while in conference on July 11, 1981. One copy will be sent to the Banner of Love, one copy to each of the family and one copy put on the church record.
Written in Love by, Brother Buddy Boen, Brother Leon Handley, Elder J.E. Barrington
It is with a sad heart that I attempt to write this, as on June 9, 1981, my oldest daughter Zelma Colter Smith went to sleep, never to awake on this earth again. She was born May 13, 1924 to Robert J. and Rheba Colter. I can not put my finger on the date when her illness started but from appearance she developed Multiple Sclerosis in her late twenties. M.S. is a disease of the central nerve in the spine, for which there is no known cause or cure. It usually hits young adults with no respect for any nationality or sex, and is a crippler and weakens the system to the extent that usually anything like a severe cold or so on - can mean death.
Zelma was a very intelligent, active girl until that awful disease struck her, nothing was too hard for her to try to help around home, especially she loved to help her daddy. She worked after school and on Saturdays in a dry goods store to help pay her way in college. Then worked for years in the R.E.A., then the A.S.C.S. offices in Portales, N.M. till for health reasons she had to retire. When her condition was diagnosed as M.S. we had never heard of the disease. She went to live with her youngest sister and brother-in-law, Veta Cloe and Ernest London where she resided for six months in Clovis, N.M. Then we took her to our home which was 50 miles west of Portales until she began begging to go back to her own home in Portales. She missed her friends and being near a doctor. After talking to two R.N's I was advised to take her home as there was nothing that could be done but keep her happy. She lived alone for about two years, hiring most of her work done, saying "I will be the first to lick M.S.". She became so weak and sick we took her to the hospital for 19 days after, which she was taken to a nursing home in Clovis, N.M. where she remained till her daddy passed away 10 years ago. In the meantime before he died Veta Cloe and family moved to Hobbs, N.M. where they still live.
We moved Zelma to the Good Samaritan Nursing Center in Lovington, N.M. to be near Veta Cloe, as she had chosen her to have power of attorney since my health was very poor at the time her daddy died. I soon bought a little home here in Hobbs, to be near both of the girls. My health got much better after I had surgery and I went to see Zelma very often. Veta Cloe did too but her duties with her family kept her from going as often as I did. Her sister, Laveema Parks who lives in Truth or Consequences, N.M. came as often as she could but taught school there and could not come as often as we did. Her brother, Freedus Celter and family who live in Colorado came as often as they could. Our family has always been a close family and we loved little Zelma very much. As her body grew weaker, so did her mind. At first I did not feel I could stand the thoughts of her being retarded, but I soon felt it was God's way of relieving her of remembering the sad part of her life. She loved her daddy dearly and one day asked if her daddy was still in the mortuary. That was 2 or 3 years after he died. I told her no, that Daddy was in Heaven. She looked so pitiful and said, "I wish we could go there." I told her that we would some time.
Not long after we took her to the nursing home in Clovis, she took Parkinson disease and shook so terribly hard it was so bad with M.S.
She lived in the nursing home there in Lovington for 10 years. No one could have taken better care of her than they did. She soon learned to love the entire faculty and they loved her. She never complained and smiled when asked how she was, would always say "Fine."
Often she would say, "Don't you think so too". About three years ago she became bedfast and was unable to chew solid food. They ran all of her food through a blender and fed her as they would have an infant and for a long time put her in a wheel chair and took her in the dining room to eat her meals, but as she grew weaker they fed her in bed.
Last October she became very ill with double pneumonia and kidney infection. It is a miracle how she lived with all four diseases. Her doctor gave her up and called Veta Cloe and me out in the hall and asked us if we wanted them to put her in a respirator explaining what we could expect. She could live much longer but would never be able to do one thing for herself. We both told him we did not want her put in a respirator as we felt she had endured enough.
We both asked God to take her before she suffered any longer. I, and I suppose she, did too, failed to say, 'Thy will be done'. She got over the pneumonia and the doctor told us she still had some kidney infection but would be as well off in the nursing home.
We felt she would be better off as they took a personal interest in her and some of the nurses came several times to see her in the hospital. They said she was family to them. Just before Christmas she became very ill, seemed to have had a stroke. She could not swallow anything but liquids which they fed her with a dropper. She choked and strangled so easily till about six weeks before she died, they fed her with a spoon but were very careful not to choke her, but she was never able to turn herself or move a leg or an arm after the stroke and they were so drawn and sort of tangled and they could never straighten them. It hurt her so badly when they moved her but they had to often to keep her circulation up and keep her from getting bed sores. They handled her so carefully.
She always loved to sing and as. long as she could she would sing little songs with me. "I'll Fly Away", was her favorite songs till she got so weak it was too long for her to hold out to sing it. The last song she sang was "Jesus' Loves Me". After we had finished she sang the chorus alone. Often she was unable to say the words plainly but carried the tune.
During her last illness I went to see her almost daily. I would go to church on Sunday morning and usually went to see her in the afternoon. The home was or is only 20 minutes from my home.
When the 5th Sunday meeting in May came. Portales Church hosted it. I hated to leave her but felt I should go knowing everything was being done that could be done. I went by to see her, on my way to the 5th Sunday meeting in Portales. I had prepared to go if she were holding her own. When I told her I was going to Portales, she primped her face as if she were going to cry. I asked her if it were o.k. if I went and she said, "Yes". I went on with a heavy heart shedding many tears as I went. When I got there I felt better knowing she was in God's care and was being well taken care of.
I don't think I ever attended a sweeter meeting. I spent both nights in the lovely home of Brother and Sister Alney Baldock where I was treated so sweetly. I visited Sister Oby Newman a short visit. Sister Newman has been in very poor health for a long time. As I came out of Portales I visited a few minutes with a friend where she and her husband had just come home from where he had had a pace maker implanted to regular his heart beats.
I drove toward home feeling so elated over the meeting. I stopped to see Zelma and she seemed better. Veta Cloe and I went back to see her Monday. She seemed better and even tried to joke a little. I had an appointment to have surgery on my left eye at Odessa, Texas, to enter the hospital next day, Tuesday p.m. and had the surgery Wed. a.m. Leveema came in Monday after we left Zelma and we told Zelma she was coming and that we were going to run around a few days but did not tell her I was to have surgery. That was the last time I saw her alive.
Lavelma came by and saw her after we left. She had come to be with me and Veto Cloe while I had surgery and help take care of Zelma. They removed my outer lens and a cataract and implanted an artificial lens. We were only gone till Friday. We did not try to go back to see her, as my eye looked rather bad and did not want her to see it.
We all three planned to go see her Monday, but got a call that she was worse, just before noon.
Veta Cloe said she would go on and call us when she got there and wanted Laveem to stay with me.
In the mean time her doctor had been in and gave her a shot to ease the pain and she was resting better. Veta Cloe called us and said she knew her and seemed to be resting.
About 4 p.m. she came back, I felt that Zelma had revived considerably and she had returned to be with Laveema or the Zelma was gone.
I asked, "How did you leave sister, honey?" She said, "It is all over mother", and came to the chair where I was sitting and took my hand and knelt before me and said, "She isn't a cripple anymore. She is in Heaven where Daddy is. She Can sing and nm and clap her hands, she isn't sick now." I raised my hands and said, 'O Praise God, her suffering is over."
The girls called their brother who lives in Colorado. He and his wife and little daughter drove in that night. He took it so hard.
They had a very impressive memorial service in the chapel after her little body was taken to the mortuary.
Her funeral was held in the Primitive Baptist Church here in Hobbs, with Elder Kenneth Martin conducting it. He spoke the words of comfort for us. Since the chaplain of the nursing home had known Zelma so well, Veta Cloe asked him to take part and he made a nice talk, telling of how she suffered and smiled all the time. The singing was so pretty, led by our pastor, Elder Jerry Christian and some of the church members helping. They sang "I'll Fly Away" (her favorite song) and Amazing Grace and Where The Roses Never Fade.
Then we had graveside services at Dora, N.M. where her Daddy is buried. A large crowd of old friends from Portales and Ft. Sumner had gathered. Elder Martin spoke comforting words f. here and Elder Christian prayed a sweet prayer. Again the 'singing', was so beautiful. They sang Precious Memories and Sweetly Resting. I miss her but don't wish her back to suffer as she had done so many years. My tears are not for her but I guess self pity.
I went to church yesterday and O, how Brother Christian was blessed. Not once did he mention what other people did or believe. Just preached Bible. I do not think it is necessary to tell of others wrongs in the stand, there is enough material in the Bible to preach about without telling of others faults.
I know I have made this too lengthy and hope you can pardon me for it. I hope and pray a cause and cure can be learned before too many other young people have to go through so much.
I pray God to bless all those who are afflicted. I want to thank Him for taking care of me all these 83 years. Yes, I've had heartaches, but He was always there to help me through.
Love to all of His loved ones,
Just Rheba Colter