Sister Vestula Wilson Sister Lillian Thomas Sister Dorothy Gay Sister Dalphine Stephens Sister Ruby Shive Brother Joseph Bynum Brother Hansford Counts
The First Primitive Baptist Church submits this resolution of respect in memory of Sister Vestula “Dude” Wilson, who passed from this life to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on Dec. 19, 1998, in Stephenville Texas, where she lived since 1994.
Sister Vestula was a member of the First Primitive Baptist Church of Dallas where she attended upon moving to Duncanville, Texas in 1981. Sister Vestula was born on Aug. 16, 1910, in Winnsboro, Texas, and had moved to Lubbock Texas in 1923. She married Bill Wilson in 1930 in Hobbs, N. M. and he preceded her in death in May, 1978. Sister Vestula was a homemaker.
She is survived by her son, Billy Dean Wilson, and two granddaughters, Jana Buchholz and Deana Williams, and five great grandchildren1 Garrett, Kristin, and Stephanie Buchholz, and Jayci and Bayli Williams. Funeral services were conducted by Elder George Johnson of the Lubbock Primitive Baptist Church on December 23, 1998, and burial was in the City of Lubbock Cemetery.
The members of the First Primitive Baptist Church offer their prayers, on behalf of Sister Vestula’s family and friends, who mourn her death. Moreover, we rejoice in the knowledge that her course has been run, and that she now rests in the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who has prepared that sweet home in Heaven for His children. We pray that in the days ahead she Lord will comfort all who knew and loved her.
Written in Christian Love,
Bruce Coates Church C1erk
Sister Lillian Marie Thomas was born Sept. 17, 1917 and died Nov. 2, 1998 at North Miss. Medical Center in Tupelo, Miss. She was 81 years old.
Sister Thomas was a devout homemaker and a life long member of the Primitive Baptist Church.
Funeral services were held at Waters Funeral Home in Baldwyn, Miss. Officiating was Elder Cleveland Smith and Elder Billy Walker Burial was in Prentiss Memorial Garden in Prentiss County, Miss.
Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Paul Thomas of the home; four children, one daughter, Paula Bridges of Florence, Miss; three sons, Robert Thomas of Baldwyn, Miss., Grover Thomas of ‘Houston, TX, and Jerry Thomas of Montgomery, Ala.; eight grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were deacons of Saltillo Primitive Baptist Church.
Sister Thomas was faithful and a devoted member of our church. Few people entertained more old Baptist guests and ministers in their home than did the Thomas home. We will miss this good sister. Her spirit is with God. Her body is waiting for Christ to return.
SISTER DOROTHY LEE TODD GAY
Our ‘beloved sister in Christ, Sister Dorothy. Lee Todd Gay passed from this life on Nov. 24, 1998 in Piano, Texas., after a brief illness. Sister Dorothy was born on Sept. 12, 1914 in Maypearl, Texas. She was a devoted life long member of the First Primitive Baptist Church of Dallas. She attended services regularly, and was much loved by her many friends and her family. Sister Dorothy was a beautiful person and she showed that she loved her Lord foremost in her life. She always asked about others, being genuinely interested in their welfare, and was never one to complain about her own situation.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John W. Gay. She and John operated a photography studio for many years. She is survived by two children, Linda Gay Brooks and her husband, Gary and Stephen Gay and his wife, Darby. There are three grandchildren, Nic, Lee, and Caleb. Sister Dorothy also is survived by a sister, Marilyn Coker, and several nieces and nephews.
Services were conducted by Elder Clifford Gowens, at the First Primitive Baptist Church with interment in Restland Memorial Park in Dallas, Texas.
We shall miss her good humor and her ready smile, but we know that she is with her Savior in a better place than we. Our prayers are with her family and friends in their time of sadness. We know that the Lord can comfort all in such times of personal grief.
In Christian Love, Bruce Coates, Clerk
Sister Dalphine O’Dell Stephens
We humbly bow to God’s grace to take Sister Dalphine in His sweet arms to take her to her resting place. Sister Dalphine was a faithful member of the Willow Springs Primitive Baptist Church in Comanche, Texas. She was church clerk for the last ten years. We dearly miss her presence in our little church. We ask for your prayers for Mrs. Stephens family.
Dalphine O’Dell Stephens, 69 years of age passed away at her home on November 7, 1998. She was born to Andrew Larkin and Mae Corine Perkins Elliott on April 12, 1929 in Brownwood, Texas.
Sister Stephens was a homemaker and resident of Proctor, Texas for 15 years before moving to Stephenville, TX in 1997
She is survived by three daughters, Brenda Kennedy and husband, Vernon of Stephenville, Meria Moody and husband, John of Zephyr, Texas and Tammy Yanez of Brownwood, Texas. Five sons, Jess Kennedy and wife, Mary of Comanche, Joe Kennedy and wife, Patricia of Stephenville, Dean Kennedy and wife, Alva of Early, Kirby Stephens and wife, Martha of Stephenville, Bryan Stephens ‘and wife, Elizabeth of Mission, Texas.
Four sisters, Juanita Gotcher and Barbara Blanton of Brownwood, Shirley Fletcher of Lake Brownwood and Darlene Miller of Arlington; two brothers, Kenneth Elliott of Brownwood and Andrew Elliott of Comanche, TX.
Three stepdaughters, Mary Schneider and husband, Paul, and Charlene Stephens, both of Stephenville and Paula Regions of Dublin, Texas.
She is survived by 25 grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Sister Stephens was, preceded in death by’ her husband, Charles Stephens on October 28, 1997 and one daughter, Lanie Mae Kennedy.
Written out of respect for the family of Sister Delphine Stephens
Sister Brenda Kennedy, Clerk
SISTER RUBY [DOLL] SHIVE
Ruby [Doll] Shive passed away, December 30, 1998 at her home in Fort Worth, Texas. She was born in Ada, Oklahoma, April 19, 1915. She was 83 years old.
She married Jessie Martin Shive in 1930, who preceded her in death in January 1990.
Doll joined the Primitive Baptist Church around 1940 and was baptized by Elder Ethridge Norman. Martin and Doll moved their membership to Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church in Fort Worth, May 6, 1962 where they remained as cherished members. She will be greatly missed.
Those left to mourn her passing knew her to a loving and caring wife, mother and faithful friend. Among these are two sons and their wives, Jerry and Dawn Shive of Weatherford, Texas, Robby and Tracy Shive of Fort Worth, Texas; grandson, Trevor Shive, granddaughters, Dana Fariey, Tahra White, Laura Putnam, Kristi Shive; nine great grandchildren and many friends.
We, of Mt. Zion do humbly submit to the will of our Father, with renewed hope that we by God’s grace will be permitted to join her in that heavenly home some day.
Written at the request of Mt. Zion Church by Ivanell McBryde.
BROTHER JOSEPH ANDREW BYNUM
Joseph Andrew Bynum, aged 87 passed away Wednesday, January 6th in Chula Vista, California. Joseph was born to Butler Manoah Bynum and Cynthia Dempsey Bynum on July 23, 1911 in the rural community of Liberty, Ala. and was the eldest of eight children. He grew up on a farm and attended grade school in the country. He completed his high school education in Waco, Texas.
Brother Bynum was a long time Primitive Baptist Church member. He joined the church at age l9 and was a member untill his death. He served the Little Bethany Primitive Baptist Church in San Diego as deacon from 1950 until just a few years ago. Many of his close friendships were with fellow church members.
On January 2, 1923 Joseph married Irene Paul. They lived in Waco, Texas until 1938 and then drove cross country to California, first living in Los Angeles and then in San Diego. Joe and Irene lived in National City from 1944 to 1972 at Which time they moved to Chula Vista. Joe worked at several vocations through out his life including the Sweetwater School District where he retired in 1978.
Joseph is survived by his wife Irene Paul Bynum; two daughters Rose Marie Russo, and Patricia Faye Watkins, two siblings, Martha Sealund and. Robert Bynum, and three grandchildren, Denise Marie Nicholas, Brian Russo, and Cheyne Watkins. A fourth grandchild, Joseph Keith Russo is deceased. Also surviving are seven great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Brother Bynum will be missed by his friends and family, but we know he is in good care with our Lord and Savior in Heaven.
Elder Sam Bryan
G. E. Ramsey, Clerk
BROTHER HANSFORD LEMUEL COUNTS
We, the Primitive Baptist Church of Elk Creek, OK bow in humble submission to our Heavenly Fathers Holy will in the calling home of one of our precious members, Brother Hansford Lemuel Counts. He will be greatly missed.
Hansford Lemuel Counts was born Sept. 18, 1903 at Washita County, OK to Sidney and Ida [Peters] Counts and passed from this life, Saturday, December 16, 1998 at the age of 95. He was raised In the Canute area and started a career in service stations in Sayre, Thomas and Cordell.
He was married to Alma Hoffman in 1934. They returned to the Counts family farm in the mid 1940’s, were he helped his family in the farming industry. They moved to Elk City, OK in 1957, were he started the Counts Oil Co., which is still in operation. He retired in the late 1960’s, but continued in the company with his son. Brother Hansford also wrote Farmers Union Insurance. He served on many boards including the Farmers Gin and Co-op, The Foundation Board and the Hospital Board, where he was still an honorary member; and the Elk City Council for eight years.
Brother Hansford joined the Elk Creek Primitive Baptist Church in August 1942, When the church was still meeting in the Waco Star schoolhouse. He has faithfully served this church as deacon since December of 1944.
Brother Hansford was preceded in death by his parents; nine brothers and sisters, and several nieces and nephews.
Survivors include his wife, Sister Alma Counts of the Elk City home; two children, Larry Counts and his wife, Billie, and Joyce Owen, all of Elk City. One sister, Ruby Prince of Siloam Springs, Ark.; four grandchildren, Becky Herren of Allison, Texas, Lisa Gilliland and her husband, Teddy of Elk City; Debbie Owen of Dallas and Bo Counts of Freeport, TX, and six great-grandchildren; Jamey and Jaicee Herren of Allison, Texas; Melissa Jobe Allison, and Conley Gilliland of Elk City.
Funeral services were held at Elk Creek Primitive Baptist Church, Tuesday, December 29, 1998 at 10:00 a.m.; Elder Henry Newman, Elder Norman Jones and Elder Glenn Rooker officiating. Burial was at Fairlawn Cemetery, Elk City, Oklahoma.
Brother Hansford attended church regularly. He loved to sing praises to his Lord and he1oved to talk about his Lord. He loved his family wand his church. He was to have said, he never met a man that he did not like. He will be missed by all that knew him and loved him.
The Elk Creek Primitive Baptist Church wishes to express its deepest sympathy to the loved ones of Brother Hansford. We pray that they will find comfort in knowing that he is in a better place and is at rest and singing praise to his Lord.
Lee Griffee, Church Clerk
Henry Newman, Moderator