July 2001
Elder John Henry Thrower Sister Elva Bleacher Sister Vesta R. Stewart Sister Lora Mae K. McPherson Elder Perry L. Ross Margret Dietkson McCoy Sister Jessie Lee Williams
Elder John Henry Thrower was born August 4, 1924 into a large Primitive Baptist family. He united with Pine Grove Primitive Baptist Church when he was 17 years of age and baptized by Elder Virgil Smith. He began preaching at the tender age of 18. He served in World War II. After his discharge he married Grace Ellison, June 15, 1946.
Moving to California, Brother John founded Glorious Kingdom Primitive Baptist Church in Dec. 1951 at Berkeley. He served as a beloved and faithful pastor until his departure, April 6, 2001. Brother John and Sister Grace had four sons. Elder John Wallace Thrower is now pastor at Glorious Kingdom and Elder Eugene Thrower pastors the Church in Stockton.
Brother John was a warm, gentle person with an infectious smile and a sense of humor that touched many lives. When people were in trouble, he helped lift their burden; when hurt, he showed compassion, and when they cried, he comforted.
I met Brother John in 1951 at Vallejo when I first heard him preach. Our lives remained forged together since then. Many times in our homes, we discussed scriptures, way into the night.
Traveling far and wide, I'm sure he was the best known Primitive Baptist of his time. We will mourn his passing.
I count it a rare privilege to have been called, "his brother."
Humbly,
Elder Bill Huckaby
The Valley Spring Primitive Baptist Church bows in humble submission to the will of our Heavenly father as we bid farewell to another of our long standing faithful sisters. Sister Elva Bleacher passed from this life on March 11, 2001.
Elva Lora Nixon Bleacher was born April 17, 1906 in Doss, Texas, to H. D. and Willie Ann Redford Nixon. The family moved to Llano County near Valley Spring when the children were small. After marrying Ernest Bleacher on December 23, 1928, they farmed and made their home on the family property near the Valley Spring Church.
Elva was a faithful member of the church. She was a tireless worker and wonderful cook who provided many meals for the family and for church members. Her nephew, Jimmy Shook, recalls those Saturday nights between Saturday and Sunday services, "Aunt Elva always had a cake in the freezer and they had television before we did." So, going to stay at the Bleachers was a treat.
When her husband died in 1956, Elva moved to the town of Llano and became a licensed vocational nurse, working in the Llano Hospital and the Care Inn Nursing Home for many years. She cared for many neighbors and friends in the community who needed special help. Elva lived her life as Jesus taught us, "to love your neighbor as yourself."
Funeral services for Sister Elva Bleacher were held March 13, with Elder Larry Hausenfluke officiating and interment at the Valley Spring Cemetery. Sister Bleacher is survived by two nieces, Jan Johnson and husband, Joe and Nelzane White of San Antonio; one nephew, Jimmy Shook and wife, Nancy of San Saba; great nieces, Paige Hunter, Mica Carpenter, Laura Shook and Gemell White; and one great-nephew Quent Johnson. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, one sister, Bernice Shook, one brother, Dalmon Nixon and one great-nephew, Steve Shook.
As ordered by conference the Valley Spring Church respectfully submits this resolution to honor the memory of Sister Elva Bleacher and will place one copy in the church records, one to the family, and one to the Banner of Love for publication.
Written by request of the church by Brother Jimmy and Sister Nancy Shook.
Elder Larry Hausenfluke, Moderator
Brother Jimmy Shook, Clerk
Once again, we here at Elk Creek Church are saddened by the passing of a beloved Sister, Vesta Stewart, on June 7, 2001. She was born to Cicero Ewing and Mittie Lou [Thompson] Morris on March 13, 1920, near Dill City, OK. Vesta was united in marriage to James T. Stewart at Sayre, OK on April 29, 1944. Four children were born to this couple, two of whom died in infancy.
Jim and Vesta lived and farmed in the Burns Flat-Dill City area all their married life, and attended church at Elk Creek Primitive Baptist Church, where they were faithful members. Vesta was a homemaker and enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening, and handiwork, especially making beautiful quilts. She was a devoted wife and mother and a good and faithful friend, sharing her home and garden with many others. After the death of her husband in 1991, she continued to live on the farm until 1998, when she moved to Yukon.
Vesta was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a daughter, Flora Louise; a son, Ernest Wayne; two sisters, Gertrude Smith and Georgia Wallace.
Survivors include; daughters; Emma Jean Newman and husband, Henry of Arapaho, OK, and Helen Faye Hendricks of Yukon, OK; six grandsons; Tom Newman of Arlington, TX, Mike Newman of Arapaho, and Brad Newman of Arlington, Jeff Grulkey and wife, Shaila of Yukon, Jason Akers and wife Wendi of Yukon, and Joey Akers of Pryor, OK and five great-granddaughters, Tana and Baylie Grulkey, Megan Akers, and Zoey and Ashton Akers; also a sister, Imogene Lasley of Edmond; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held June 12 at Elk Creek Church, with Elders Henry Newman and Norman Jones officiating. Interment followed in South Burns Cemetery near Dill City, under directions of McClure Funeral Home of Cordell, OK.
Elk Creek Church wishes to extend heartfelt sympathy to the family of Sister Stewart. She will be greatly missed but we can take comfort in the knowledge that she is resting in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Elder Henry Newman, Pastor
Wilma Gathright, Clerk
SISTER LORA MAE KOEN MCPHERSON
We, the United Primitive Baptist Church of Hamilton, TX bow in humble submission to the will of our Heavenly Father in the passing of our beloved sister, Lora Mae Koen McPherson in the Grandbury Care Center at Grandbury, Tx on October 17, 2000. She was born on January 5, 1902, and was 98 years, nine months and 15 days old at her
passing. She was the daughter of Lowrance and Emma Koak Koen of Shive, TX and the sister of Ruby and Ralph Koen of Hamilton, whom preceded her in death.
She was a devoted teacher with the Pottsville Public Schools System in Hamilton County, Texas most of her life, but later on in life she worked as a secretary for the Boy Scouts of America. She was a lifelong member of Sardis Primitive Baptist Church. She is survived by two sons, Orville McPherson of Grandbury, TX and James C. McPherson; one daughter, Wynona, who preceded her in death in 1928. She had eight grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at Riley Funeral Chapel on Oct. 20, 2000 with Elder James Robertson officiating, and burial at IOOF Cemetery in Hamilton, Texas.
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to her family and ask God's richest blessings upon them in their time of grief.
Be it resolved that a copy of this letter be sent to her family and a copy to the Banner of Love.
Read and approved by the Church while in conference on May 27, 2001.
Elder James Robertson, Moderator
Sister Geraldine Brock, Clerk
The Odessa, TX Primitive Baptist Church is saddened by the loss of our beloved pastor, Elder Perry Ross of Kermit, Texas. Brother Ross went to be with the Lord, Monday, June 18, 2001. Funeral services were held in Kermit at 10 a.m. Friday, June 22, 2001 with Elder Raymond Kirkpatrick officiating.
Brother Ross was 75 years of age and was survived by his wife, Christine Ross, eleven children, 40 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. He had been our pastor for the past two years and five months. His wife, Christine Ross, his children, as well as our entire congregation, is in need of your prayers. We are all broken hearted and will miss him very much.
Sincerely,
Sister Louise Hughes and all the members of the Odessa Primitive Baptist Church
Margret Dierkson McCoy, born in Shiner, TX, April 18, 1926, the widow of Brother Medford McCoy, who died November 27, 1996. They married Dec. 21, 1947 at Shiner and lived in Austin after marriage. After Medford received his petroleum engineering degree at UT, he worked for Continental Oil Co. They retired in Corpus Christi, TX
After Medford's death, Margret moved to Alba, TX, near Tyler, where she lived with her brother-in-law, Pete McCoy and his wife, Joyce. Recently she received 24-hour nursing care. She died there Dec. 3, 2000.
Survivors include a son, Dr. Medford T. McCoy, and his wife, Dr. Rosemary C. McCoy of Dallas and their children: Liam Margret, Joseph Medford, Catherine BarBara, and Rose Claire; a brother, Raymond Dierkson of New Braunfels, and nephews, cousins, family and friends.
Funeral services were held at United Dr. Martin Luther Church, Shiner, TX on Dec. 9, 2000 with Rev. Charles Eckert officiating.
Burial was at Shiner City Cemetery where she was laid to rest beside her husband, Medford McCoy.
She attended church with Brother and Sister Pete McCoy and they stated," she was very good about taking food to church as long as she could."
Jessie Lee Williams, 97, of Marlow, OK, died December 6th at Marlow Nursing Home. Funeral services were held Dec. 9, at Callaway-Smith-Cobb Funeral Home Chapel in Marlow, with Elder Henry Newman and Elder Dennis Kreir officiating. Interment was at Marlow Cemetery.
She was born June 3, 1903 in Wayne, Indian Territory, OK to Albert King and Arizona [Fletcher] Rogers. She married Jewell G. Williams on Dec. 18, 1923. She was a member of Pilgrim Rest Primitive Baptist Church in Duncan, OK.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jewell G. Williams on Dec. 18, 1981, and two sons, Donald and Dolphus Williams, two great-granddaughters, Tammy Sue Palmer and Julia DiCintio, three brothers and four sisters. Survivors include one daughter, Cubie Lee Sparks and her husband Tommy of Marlow, one daughter-in-law, Maureen Williams of Marlow, six grandchildren, Tom D. Sparks of Sachse, TX, Cris Sparks and his wife of Alex, OK, Tressia Staton and her husband of Arlington, TX, Brenda DiCintio of Marlow, Terry Richardson of Marlow, Melody Richardson and her husband, John of Loco, OK; 16 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren.
Sister Williams was a quiet and faithful church member. She attended as often as her health would allow. Sister William's husband, Brother Jewell was a deacon in the church and we remember many good fellowship times with both of them in church services and in singing. Sister Williams had her portion in this life and she partook of the treasures of this life. Now, she is resting in the fulfillment of the promises of our Savior, for her soul and spirit now lives with Christ, the one Who died for her and all the elect family of God.
Her strong faith was in the inspiration of scripture that assures us, "It is sown a natural body, and there is a spiritual body" [1 Cor 15:44] She did not fear her destiny, for she believed that I will behold thy face in righteousness, I shall be satisfied when I awake, with Thy likeness." {Psa. 17-15].
Sister Williams is missed in this life already, but we believe we shall see her again in Heaven some sweet day. May her family and loved ones rest in the knowledge that she is satisfied and we should be also until that day when we will also lie down in death in these bodies, but raised again to life eternal.
Written in behalf of the Duncan Primitive Baptist Church and the family and loved ones of Sister Jessie Lee Williams.
Written by Sister Faye Newman, her niece.
Elder Dennis Kreie, Moderator
Sister Rita Bostick, C. C.
One copy to The Banner of Love, one copy for our Church records, and the remaining copies to the family of Sister Williams