Brother Gene Hopkins Sister Barbara Hudspeth Ina Mae Patchell Ida L. Stuckey Sister Florence Hardy Sister Nellie Reese
This past October 28, 1998 the members of Grace Church and friends of Brother Gene Hopkins were saddened by his death after a declining struggle with diabetes and congestive heart failure. We are thankful that until recently our brother was blessed to lead an active and full life in spite of suffering several occasional setbacks related to his health problems. Brother Gene much enjoyed traveling and activities of living, and though occasionally he may have over extended his abilities of late, he was thankful to be able to do and see as much as he did.
Brother Gene loved life and though it dealt him some hardship physically, he endured with no evident resentment. He looked forward to hunting each year and loved his "cars and trucks," he in part was still a "boy with his toys," with which many of us might identify. But, most of all, and increasingly in these past many years, it was clear to those around him that he loved his Lord and Saviour and desired to share that love with his brothers and sisters. He had been a true servant in the Spirit and soldier for the Cause of Christ.
Brother Gene died after several days in the hospital due to congestive heart failure. His funeral conducted by Elder Bill Moseley and Elder Mark Rowell, was held at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, and his body was interred at Shiloh Cemetery near Hempstead, Texas. Brother Gene was the son of Sister Allyne and Brother Martin [Poppy] Hopkins.
Brother Gene joined Grace Primitive Baptist Church while at the West Texas Association in 1990. Brother Gene is survived by his wife, Sister Wanda Hopkins, two sons, Steve and Mike; one step-daughter, Sister Laura Moseley; two sisters, Sister Pam Cody and Sister Marby Howard and five grandchildren.
Brother Gene loved the song, "How Sweet to Die" and now we are strengthened by it. The third verse reads, "I'll praise my Saviour while I've breath, I'll praise Him after death; I'll praise His matchless name on high, Then, [and because of Him], O, how sweet to die."
In Love on behalf of Grace Primitive Baptist Church
Elder Bill Moseley, Pastor
Brother James Rutledge, Clerk
With saddened hearts, we at Grace Primitive Baptist Church received news that Sister Barbara Hudspeth had passed away this past July 7, 1998. She was a dear sister with an endearing personality, and an enduring spirit. She suffered all the years we knew her with chronic respiratory problems and only occasionally was able to attend services.
We are thankful for the fellowship we had with her, but humbly, we are most thankful to God for His ever present Spirit, that can provide comfort and sustenance to all, and knows their every need. We rest in that same love in which we know Sister Barbara found rest.
In Love on behalf of Grace Primitive Baptist Church,
Elder Bill Moseley, Pastor
Brother James Rutledge, Clerk
Sister Ina Mae Patchell was born on December 29, 1914 to Watley Columbus and Lenora Norman in Wingate, Texas. Sister Patchell joined the Wellington, TX Primitive Baptist Church in 1933 and transferred her membership to the Little Hope Primitive Baptist Church, Madera, CA, where she was a member when she was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on December 10, 1998.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George Wayne Patchell, Sr. in 1979, and one son, Dee Wayne Patchell in 1958. Funeral services were at Jay Chapel, Madera, CA on Jan. 5, 1999. Elder D.A. Layne, pastor of Little Hope Church in Madera and her grandson-in-law, Bob Wade, Scottsdale Bible Church, Scottsdale, AZ conducted services.
We, the Lone Star Primitive Baptist Church of Wellington, Texas, are saddened by the loss of a dear sister and a very faithful member. On March 2, 1999 the great God of love and mercy called from our midst, Sister Ida Stuckey.
Sister Stuckey, known as "Aunt Ida" to almost all of the Wellington Church and many of the local people, had lived in the Wellington Care Center the last three years of her life.
She came to Collinsworth County with her parents in 1921. She had been a member of the Primitive Baptist Church for about 80 years. She was a very faithful member of the church that she loved and she was not happy at all if she had to miss a church service.
Because of Alzheimer's disease and 95 years of living in this old world she was not able to attend church services much the last three years.
Aunt Ida was born Jan. 29, 1904 at Terral [I. T.] Okla. She married Aubrey Stuckey of Wellington, Sept. 21, 1940. She was never blessed with any children, she helped raise her three youngest siblings after the death of her father and step-mother.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James E. Langley and Sallie Jane [Sanders] Langley, four sisters and three brothers. She is survived by one sister, Lois Barnhart of Garland, Texas, and one brother, William H. [Bill] Langley of Derby, Kansas, and 32 nieces and nephews, and a large number in the following generations.
This very large and closely knit family meet every year the second weekend in August, at the Langley Reunion Grounds, nine miles west of Wellington for three or four days of visiting and sharing their love, one to another. Aunt Ida was there a little while last year [1998]. She will be missed there and at our church and also in the Wellington community.
She was a person that loved life and she wanted to live, but the infirmities of a long life wore her body down until it was time for the change that will come to us all. We are thankful that the God of mercy saw fit to call her home to be where she is now at peace and rest at last.
Written by the request of the church.
Elder T.J. Pittman, Moderator
Loyd Langley, Clerk
Pilgrim's Rest Primitive Baptist Church, Duncan, Okla, is saddened by the recent death of Sister Florence Hardy, but we are reconciled to it, knowing that she has gone home to be with the Lord, and with the saints of all ages, including those of her loved ones who have preceded her in death.
After a long and painful struggle, Sister Florence was taken from this life, March 21, 1999. We feel that she is in a better place, resting in the arms of Jesus. She was laid to rest after funeral services and a message of comfort by her pastor, Elder Dennis Kreie.
Sister Florence was born Feb. 28, 1902 in Lockhart, Texas. She was the youngest of eleven children, born to Laura and Elijah Young. The family moved to Oklahoma by covered wagon when Florence was only four years old. She grew up in Pollard, OK, where she met Charles R. Hardy. The couple was married on July 24, 1920 in Pollard, OK. In the fall of 1927 they moved to the Jefferson County area. They owned and operated a service station and a grocery store in the "Red Store Community," west of Waurike. The couple moved to Comanche, OK in 1978.
She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and her husband, who died June 25, 1989. Survivors include, three daughters; Pauline Brokaw of San Bernardine, CA, Varnell Hunt, and her husband, Paul of Comanche, OK, Theda Soldani of Tulsa, OK, eleven grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Our prayers and love are extended to the family of Sister Hardy. Our God is ever faithful to His application of comfort and grace. We will miss her, but rejoice in knowing that she will no longer suffer the afflictions of this world.
Written by order of the Church while in conference, March 27, 1999.
Elder Dennie Kreie, Moderator
Sister Rita Bostick, Church Clerk
Sister Nellie Reese was born March 14, 1908 in Erath County. She died December 21, 1998.
Sister Reese married Robert E. Reese, Sr., Dec. 29, 1930. He passed away October 18, 1988.
She was a member of Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church of Crosbyton, Texas.
Survivors include two sons, Robert, Jr. of Robert Lee, TX, and Phil of Ralls, TX; four daughters, Thelma Mallow of Buffalo Springs Lake, TX, Roberta Harrell of Lubbock, Betty Schumacher of Wilcox, AZ, Sue Crone of Ralls; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Burial was in Ralls Cemetery.
Elder Mike Rodgers, Pastor
Joe Taylor, Church Clerk