February
SISTER MARGARET BRUNSON SISTER LONA LUCILL LINTON SISTER NINA CHEEK JOHN W JONES
On August 14, 2002, Sister Margaret Onita Brunson of the Tucson Primitive Baptist Church of Jesus Christ passed from this mortal life at the age of 70. Sister Brunson was married to deacon, Brother Bob Brunson for 51 years. She was a charter member of the Tucson Church for 46 years, and one of the few founding members.
Sister Margaret was born July 6 to Clem and Lily Cook in Mountain Park, OK. She joined the church at Berkeley, CA in 1944, and married Brother Bob Brunson in 1951. They moved to Tucson, AZ in 1955 and helped constitute the Church in 1956. Sister Margaret will be remembered for her sweetness, caring, love and dependability. She could always be found helping others and taking of the church, which was the center of her life while here on earth.
Sister Margaret had Parkinson disease for many years, and during that time she was an excellent role model, and an inspiration for us all attending church every Sunday. She will be sorely missed us all and especially in the hearts and memories of her family.
She was preceded in death by her father, Clem Cook. Survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Brother Bob Brunson; children, Karen Johnson and husband, Bill, Mark Brunson and wife Geraldine, and Gary Brunson; four grandchildren, Travis and Danielle Johnson, Brian and Andre Newell; mother, Lily Cook; and sister Latricia Purser [Volney]. "One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple." Psalms 27:4. Although we miss her, our loss is heaven's gain.
We of the Tucson Primitive Baptist Church find comfort in our precious memories of Sister Margaret and rejoice in the promise that one day we will be reunited with Sister Margaret and He who made us all, in eternal rest.
In Christian fellowship and love,
Elder Tim Janes, Pastor
Brother Buddy Janes, Clerk
Tucson, AZ Primitive Baptist Church of Jesus Christ.
We, the Burnet Primitive Baptist Church of Burnet, Texas, bow in humble submission to the Will of our Heavenly Father in calling home Sister Lona Lucill Turnbow Linton from the walks of the life on earth.
She was born on May 31, 1912 in Hohenwald, Tenn. to Jeff and Mattie Brown Turnbow. She passed away at the age of 90 years on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 at the Bertram Nursing Home.
Graveside services and interment were held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30th, 2002 at the Roberts Cemetery at Haskell, Texas, with her former pastor, Elder Dale Turner, Jr. officiating. A Memorial service was held later for her on Sunday, Dec. 8th, 02 by Elder Billy Moseley.
Sister Lona asked to membership in the Burnet Church on Nov. 30, 1997, coming from the Church at Rule,Texas, as she had suffered a stroke and was in the nursing home in Bertram, to be near her family. She was an inspiration to all that knew her. She truly loved her God, her Church and her Brothers and Sisters in the Church.
Sister Lona became acquainted with the Primitive Baptist church as a young girl, going with her Grannies at 48 Church at Green River, Tenn. After moving to Texas, she joined the Church and followed her Lord in baptism, and was baptized in the Brazos River.
She wrote a book that was published at the age of 70 years. The book was titled, "The Great White Eagle," the spirit of the Lord. She wrote the book as a testimony to her children and grandchildren.
She will be greatly missed, but we can take comfort in knowing that she is resting in the presence of the Lord, Jesus Christ, basking in His light and the warmth of His love, where she has found perfect peace and joy.
She married Oscar Ewing Linton in Nov. 1930, who preceded her in death in 1992. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Vinetta Linton in 1934, also two sisters and one brother.
Survivors include three brothers, four sisters, a daughter, Janoma Reuffer; sons Randall, Dalton and wife, Dale; Grandchildren; John, Cindy, Glenn, Rowena, Eddie, Jeff and Manena, as well as 14 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
We, the Burnet Church pray the Lord will bless and comfort the family of our departed sister in this time of grief.
Resolved that a copy of this letter be put on our Church records; a copy given to the family, and a copy sent to the Banner of Love for publication. Prepared by the order of the church while in conference, Dec. 22nd, 2002.
I would like to close this letter by printing a scripture from her book, "The great White Eagle" Isaiah 40:31.
They that wait upon the Lord
Shall renew their strength
They shall mount up their wings as Eagles
They shall not run and not be weary
They shall walk and not faint.
Elder Billy Moseley, Pastor, Mod.
Written by Sister Jewell Faught,
Church Clerk
The great God of love and mercy called from our midst our beloved sister, Nina Cheek, on September 17, 2000 in Childress, TX
She was born on November 2, 1910 at Odell, TX. She united with the Odell Primitive Baptist Church on July 2, 1944.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Sept. 19, 2000 at the Odell Primitive Baptist Church with Elder H.O. Ballard officiating. Burial was in the Chillicothe Cemetery.
Sister Cheek was preceded in death by her husband, A.E. Cheek and a grandson, Richard Cheek. She is survived by two sons, J. R. Cheek of Chillicothe and Harold Cheek of Childress; two brothers, J. B. Barnfield and Loyd Barnfield, both of Vernon; two sisters, Hester Lee Reynolds and Adelle McLaughlin, both of Vernon; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
She loved to come to church and came as long as she was able. She came from Childress for several years. We rejoice in knowing that she will no longer suffer the pain and afflictions of the world.
Eld H. O. Ballard, Moderator
Anita Patton, Church Clerk
In loving memory of John Jones, a precious friend, Mentor and Brother in Christ, whom I loved dearly and respected highly.
In walking down memory lane, I recall knowing John, Linnie and their family most of my life. At our church on Violet Road, John and Linnie sat on the second row back and I sat right behind John-been doing this for 35 years. John would walk up to shake hands with the preacher first and I would follow-been doing that for 35 years, too. His seat is empty now, but I can still feel him there and I always hesitate a bit now before I go up. Bet he's smiling each Sunday and thinking, "You'd better stay in your place girl, until I shake hands!"
John and I just loved each other-always did. We would fuss at each other from time to time. As Brother Mike Montgomery said, "Boy, the things I could tell about John and Vernie!" How true! I would like one color, he would like another, or I just never seemed to be fast enough cleaning the church, changing the lights, getting the supplies, etc. So, I just made him go with me sometimes. Always, always, we laughed and ended up wanting and doing the very same thing.
He loved me in spite of myself. In fact his children tell me that he probably loved me as much as he did them. Believe me, I tell you this, because I returned that love tenfold and if you wanted to get on the bad side of me, you just say something about John. You know it is mighty hard not to love someone who has cared for you, visited you in your home, in the hospital and gone to so many church meetings together, and to top it all of, he and Linnie loved our three children. Five days before he died, he gave me money to give to our granddaughter who was graduating from High School in the Valley.
John was a deacon, our only one for the last few years. He served as treasurer for many years and I helped him, but he kept a close rein on the check book. When he turned the books over to me full time, he still wanted to see where every dime went. I smile from time to time now-am I doing a good enough job John? When I got the call that he had died, I kind of died too. My faith seemed to falter. I called Brother Mike at work. I told him, "I cannot do this alone, I just cannot! I need John to guide me, to help me keep my feet on the ground." I was lost. Brother Mike told me, "Vernie, I don't know how, I don't understand, but hold fast and
God will give you the extra strength you will need." Brother
Bill Walden told me the same thing. He and Sister Frances spoke loving words to me and prayed with me. God bless them, they each loved John, too and go way back. They loved him as a man and also as a respected deacon and church member. Both preachers came right down to help out and our present pastor, Elder Chris Blevins was here to be with the family and to help any way he could. I realize now, that God's unconditional love for us will keep our little church going. Right now, we do not have a deacon, but my sweet husband helps me do the real hard work and the ladies that are members have been wonderful. Each has dug a little deeper and we are keeping the bills paid and can give Brother Chris a bit. God is good.
We ask each of you to pray. for us and our little church. John loved this church and took such pride that we somehow always could make our payments, etc. He served us well. Please pray for Sister Linnie. Not only did she lose her husband, but two weeks later, lost their only daughter. We grieve along with her and the boys, their wives and grandchildren. As I sat in the funeral home with the boys, helping make the funeral arrangements for John and knowing there would surely be another funeral for Brenda soon. I wondered how each of them could and would be able to get through this. I am convinced the Lord was right there to hold their hands.
John Jones was 86 years old. He passed away Friday, May 24, 2002. He was born May 12, 1916 in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He joined the Corpus Christi Primitive Baptist Church around 1955 and was baptized by Elder Jasper Chambers. His wife and daughter were baptized the same day. My dad and mother, Pete and Ethel Baethge and myself were already members here. So, you
see, we go back many years. John and Linnie were married in June 1939. They had five sons and one daughter. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Linnie Jones, Brenda, his precious daughter [who died two weeks after John], his sons: Kenneth and wife, Gatha, Bill and wife, Anita, Sammy and wife, Jo Gayle, Ray and Jim, one brother, George Jones of McMahan, TX; twelve grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
John was a charter member of the Annaville Fire Department, was a member of the Advisory Board of Calallen I.S.D., and a member of the Ironworkers Local Union in Corpus Christi. John was well known here in Corpus Christi and was well respected. He loved all sports and especially Calallen Football and Baseball and attended all the games he could to the very last couple of years..
Funeral services were held at Sawyer-George Funeral Home and interment was at Robstown Memorial Park.
Officiating at the service were Brother Bill Walden and Brother Mike Montgomery, with Brother Chris Blevins doing the graveside services. Brother Bill told many stories about John, some so sweet and some the whole congregation laughed. Brother Mike did the same thing, each bringing out our faith, but telling about the man, John Jones, the deacon, John Jones, and the impact of what his life meant to them.
Brother Bill cried as he told that one of the greatest gifts he had ever received and his greatest privilege was when he got to wash John's feet. Brother Mike expressed the same thing and completely broke down several times. God opened their mouths and all the right words came out. Both remarked how John was so instrumental in helping them when they first started out in the ministry. They treasured John's counsel. Brother Chris, I'm told, was so sweet at the grave site. I was not there. I was in the church kitchen doing lunch for the family and friends.
I want to say, that John Kenneth, John's son, is a deacon in the Calallen Baptist Church. Out of their love for him and respect for John, the lady that's in charge of the food committee called me and said she knew we were few in number and wanted to help us out. They cooked all the vegetables and desserts for the meal and came and helped serve.
My sweet daughter-in-law and Marty Helms did all the picking up of the meat, etc. and worked so hard. Everything just fell in place. The pastor of Calallen Baptist church came and wanted to meet "the"..."our" preachers. I brought them over and they had a sweet fellowship and he was very complimentary to each preacher and said, "Everything you each preached was the truth. He was openly touched and said, "What a wonderful tribute!" We thank their church for so lovingly helping.
The Jones family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude and love to all their relatives friends and church members for all your support during their recent loss. Your presence, prayers, hugs and kind words and other expressions of love during this difficult time will never be forgotten. Each of us will miss John in our own way. His life has left a void, but his life was full. He was tired these last few years, finding it hard to breathe. Now he is free!
We wish that a copy be spread on our church books, a copy sent to the family, and a copy sent to the Banner of Love for publication.
Written by request of the church and Jones Family.
Vernie Baethge Miller