Monday, July 30, 2007

In Loving Memory

funeral booklets from Grandma Grace's book
The Ortons would be cousins to Grandma

Frank R. Orton
1903-1980
Funeral Services
Kirby-Morris Funeral Home
El Dorado, Ks
June 20 1980 11:00 a.m.
interment Towanda Cemetery
Towanda Ks.

Bernice Delora Orton
1911-1962
Funeral Services
Potwin Christian Church
Potwin KS
July 23 1962 2:00 p.m.
Interment Towanda Cemetery

James Hobart Orton
born March 22 1916
Bunker, Missouri
passed away
August 18 1985
El Dorado, Kansas
Memorial Services
Carlson's Colonial Chapel
El Dorado, Ks.
Wednesday, August 21 1985 11:00 a.m.
Interment Blankenship Cemetery
Rosalia, Ks.

Emma P. Orton
date of birth
November 4 1881
Bethany MO
date of death
December 28 1962
El Dorado Ks.
Services
Dietz-Pittman Colonial Chapel
El Dorado,Ks
Monday December 31 1862 10:00 a.m.
interment Blankenship Cemetery
Rosalia,Ks.
Towanda, KS.

Emma Mary Maxwell Utterback

from Grandma Grace's book
funeral booklet
(typo in bold print)
Mrs. Utterback was born in Harrison County, Missouri on September 29, 1875, the daughter of James C. and Minerva Creswell Maxwell. On March 17 1901 she was married to Bart Utterback, son of John Utterback. Mrs. Utterback is survived by five children-Harmon, Vernon, Lois, Roberta, and Lorene. She also leaves five grandchildren, Victor Beal, Jr., Michael, Mark, and DeAnna Pederson, and Karen Utterbcak. She was preceded in death by two daughters who died in infancy and a daughter, Mrs. Harry Dority, who passed away in 1956. Her parents and two brothers also preceded her in death.
Service:
2:00 p.m.
April 10 1963
Memorial Chapel
Officiating Minister
Marion Rowlen
Music by:
Mrs. Robert Skinner
Songs:
Twenty-third Psalm
The Lord's Prayer
Pallbearers
Dale Brown
Vermal Brown
Leland Maxwell
James Maxwell
Harry Dority
Loren Towns

Vernon E. Utterback

obit from Grandma Grace's book
Trenton Republican Times July 18 1994
Vernon E. Utterback, 91, died July 7 at Mercy-Genesis Hospital in Davenport, Iowa.
Funeral services in celebration of his life were held July 12 at the El Bethel Assembly of God in Davenport. Burial was in Davenport Memorial Park.
Mr. Utterback was born June 13, 1903 in Harrison County, Mo. He spent his early years in Grundy County, and over the last 55 years lived in Iowa. He attended Brimson schools and was graduated from the high school. He was married to Marsha Ingraham in 1960. Mr. Utterback retired in 1972.
Survivors include sisters, Lorene Pederson of Hillsboro, Ore., Roberta Utterback of Columbus, Ohio, and Lois Beal of Greenville, Mich.; sister-in-law Gladys Utterback of Liberty; stepdaughters, Ruth Carraher and Verona Potter, and stepsons, David, Daniel, and Joseph Hodges, all of Davenport,; nieces, Karen Utterback and DeAnna Phillipe; nephews, Mark and Michael Pederson and Victor Beal; great-nices Nora, Edith, and Ingrid Pederson; great-nephews, Michael Pederson and Jay, Steven, Mark, and Adam Phillipe; several cousins and many friends.
Mr. Utterback was preceded in death by his wife, Marsha; his parents, Bart and Emma Maxwell Utterback; brother, Harmon Utterback; and sisters, Marie Utterback Dority and Colleen Utterback.
(Paid for obituary)

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Alma A. Maxwell Dies At Age 70

undated unknown newspaper clipping from Grandma Grace's book.

Mrs. Alma A. Maxwell, 70, a former resident of Route 4, died at 8:25 a.m. Sunday in the Sunnyview Nursing Home where she had been a resident since March 23 1976.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday from the Memorial Chapel of the Blackmore-Whitaker Funeral Home. The Rev. Roy Sparks of California, Mo. will officiate. Burial will be in the Springer Cemetery, northwest of Brimson.
A family visiation is scheduled from 7:30 to 9 o'clock p.m. tonight at the funeral home.
Mrs. Maxwell was born Aug 29 1907, in Harrison County, a daughter of John and Cathryn Brown Arney. On Dec. 24 1924 she was married to James Maxwell at Bethany. They lived in Harrison and Grundy counties all their married life.
Mrs. Maxwell was a member of the Mount Pleasant Number One Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, James of the home on Route 4, two sons, Clyde Maxwell of Excelsior Springs, and Jasper Maxwell of Kansas City, Mo; four sisters, Mrs. Carrie Fears of Trenton, Mrs. Ethel Hickman of Spickard, Mrs. Sarah Terhune of Kansas City, Kan., and Mrs. Ada Kinder of Ridgeway; one brother, Franklin Arney of Gilman City; three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, a twin, Mrs. Zelma McCloud; Mrs. Verna Alexander and Mrs. Ina Keuhn; and two brothers, Guy Arney and Jasper Arney.

James Maxwell

unknown newspaper clippings from Grandma Grace's book
typed Gilly's name as listed in obits...

hand dated Feb 11 1980
James Maxwell
Trenton, MO.-James P. Maxwell, 75, died Monday morning at a Trenton hospital.
A resident of Trenton, he was a member of the Mount Pleasant First Baptist Church. Mr. Maxwell worked in the coal mines for several years in Melbourne, Mo., and later farmed in Grundy County.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Alma Arney Maxwell, in 1977.
Survivors include two sons, Clyde Maxwell, Excelsior Springs, Mo., and Jasper Maxwell, Kansas City, MO; two brothers, Leland Maxwell, Marshall, MO, and John Maxwell, Grove, Okla; two sisters, Mrs. Grace Brown, Trenton, and Minerva Brown, Kansas City; three grandchildren; and three great great grandchildren.
Services will be Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at the Blackmore-Whitaker funeral home in Trenton. Burial will be in the Springer Cemetery, north of Brimson MO.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 7 until 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

no date
James Maxwell Dies at 75
James Phillip Maxwell, a resident of Route 4, died at 6:20 o'clock this morning in Wright Memorial Hospital where he had been a patient one day. He was 75 years old.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1:30p.m. Thursday from the Memorial Chapel of the Blackmore-Whitaker Funeral Home. The Rev. Roy Sparks of California, Mo. will officiate. Burial will be in the Springer Cemetery, north of Brimson.
A family visitation is scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Mr. Maxwell was born in Harrison County on Nov. 8, 1904, a son of Thomas and Gillie Mae Higdon Maxwell. He was married to Miss Alma A.Arney on Dec. 24 1924 at Bethany. She died on Nov. 13 1977.
Mr. Maxwell, a lifelong resident of Harrison and Grundy counties, worked in the coal mines at Melbourne a number of years, and later farmed. He was a member of the Mt. Pleasant Number One Baptist Church.
Survivors include two sons, Clyde Maxwell of Excelsior Springs, and Jasper Maxwell of Kansas City, MO; two brother, Leland Maxwell of Marshall, and John Maxwell of Grove, Okla.; two sisters, Mrs. Grace Brown of Trenton, and Mrs. Minerva Brown of Kansas City, MO; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

undated
Rites Held For James Maxwell
Funeral services for James Phillip Maxwell were conducted at 1:30p.m. Thursday from the Memorial Chapel of the Blackmore-Whitaker Funeral Home. The Rev. Roy Sparks of California, Mo, officiated.
Mr. Maxwell, 75, a resident of Route 4, died early Monday morning in Wright Memorial Hospital.
Special music was provided by the Rev. Thomas Kelley, who sang, "In the Garden", and "I Won't Have to Cross Jordan Alone". Mrs. Carl Muff played the organ accompaniment.
Pallbearers were Howard Wynne, Clifford Oyler, Nelson Hobbs, Ward Foster, Steve Towns, and Larry Dryer.
Burial was in the Springer Chapel Cemetery, northwest of Brimson.

undated
Our feelings are deep, but few words to express our appreciation for the prayers, cards, and messages sent during the death of James P. Maxwell. Your beautiful words on sympathy cards, gifts of flowers and food and a special thanks to those who graciously assisted the family; to Dr. Cross, nurses and staff at Wright Memorial Hospital; to the Brimson-Knightstown community for the flowers, and to the Rev. Roy Sparks for a comforting message.
Sorrow is less when friends share it. May God bless you.
Jasper Maxwell & Wife,
Clyde Maxwell & Wife,
The Grandchildren,
The Great-grandchildren,
Brothers & Sisters

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Honey Maxwell

hand dated Aug 3 1977 unknown newspaper clipping from Grandma Grace's book

Grove, Okla.-Mrs. Honey T. Maxwell, 72, Grove, died at 8:30p.m. Monday at Grove General Hospital following a short illness.
She was born on Feb. 14 1905 at Mountain Grove, Mo. She married John Maxwell on March 4 1939 in Kansas City, Mo. She was a Registered Nurse and worked at the Kansas University Medical Center for many years. From 1942 to 1945 she was a nurse in the United States Air Force Hospital in Denver, Colo., and Boston, Mass. She worked as a dental technician at Kansas City, MO from 1956 until moveing to Grove in May 1965.
Mrs. Maxwell had a weekly fishing report radio program on KGLC in Miami, covering Grand Lake for many years. She formed the Cherry Red Auxiliary at Grove General Hospital and was appointed director of the program. She also worked with the Candy Stripers at the hospital. She was instrumental in bringing the bloodmobile to Grove and Delaware County.
Mrs. Maxwell was a chairman of the Grove Library Board for six years. She worked the last three years in the Grand Lake Tourist Center. She was a member of the Grand Lake Business and Professional Women's Club, serving as president in 1966 and as District No. 1 director for the Oklahoma Federation in 1968. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Grove Chamber of Commerce, Grand Lake Association, and a charter member of the Women of the Moose.
Survivors include her husband, John Maxwell, and two grandsons.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Grove Methodist Church, with the Rev. Gary Graham officiating. Burial will be in Olympus Cemetery at Grove under direction of the Worley Funeral Home.

Doris M. Maxwell Dies At Liberty

Doris M. Maxwell Dies At Liberty
undated unknown newspaper clipping from Grandma Grace's book

Mrs. Doris Maxine Maxwell, 43, of Route 3 Excelsior Springs, a native of Trenton, died Tuesday night in the Liberty Hospital.
Funeral services wre conducted at 10:30a.m. Friday at the Prichard Funeral Home at Excelsior Springs, with the Rev. Claude Gay officiating.
Mrs. Maxwell was born Jan. 29 1933 in Trenton, a daughter of Calvin and Ruth Jones Ellis. On March 2 1951 she was married to Clyde Maxwell at Lawton, Okla. She was employed as a meat wrapper at the A&P Store in Gladstone.
Survivors include her husband, Clyde, and one son, James Maxwell; both of the home; two daughters, Mrs. Ruth Mattivi of Excelsior Springs, and Miss Sharon Maxwell, also of the home; four sisters, Mrs. Jewell Hurt of Arcata, Calif., Mrs. Ruby Freeman of Augusta, Kan., Mrs. Cora Smith of Arteisa, Calif., and Mrs. Garnett Hurlburt of El Dorado, Kan., and three grandchildren.

Doris M. Maxwell Dies

Frank Maxwell

unknown newspaper clipping hand dated Oct 1 1952 in Grandma Grace's book

Frank Maxwell, 49, Dies from Crash Near Gilman City
Springer Chapel Rites Will Be Today-Lonnie Ward, 51, Seriously Hurt-Car Misses Corner and Rolls


One man was killed outright, and another one was seriously injured, at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon in an automobile accident at the route No. 146 sharp turn about 1 1/2 miles north of Gilman City.
Dead, is Frank Maxwell, 49, who owned farms near Gilman City and who owned a roofing or similar business in Kansas City, where he resided most of the time in the home of an aunt. Maxwell also was about Bethany frequently.
Lonnie Ward, 51, Gilman City painter, suffered a broken pelvis, fractured ribs, and possible internal injuries. He is a patient at the Reid hospital.
Car Goes 65 Yards
The two men were in a 1952 DeSoto coach, and were driving from Bethany to Gilman City. Ward told the state highway patrol that Maxwell was at the wheel.
The car sped straight past the corner without change of direction. It shot into an old road and stopped an estimated 65 yards from where it left the highway. Apparently it turned over several times. Both men were thrown clear. The automobile was demolished. There were no witnesses, according to the state highway patrol investigation made by Trooper Earl Gillilland of Bethany.
A person unidentified to the patrol came into Gilman City and reported to Doyle E. Williamson, mortuary owner there, that there had been "an awful wreck up on the corner." Williamson went there with an ambulance. Dr. Douglas Underwood of Gilman City said that Mr. Maxwell had died instantly.
Had No Children
Funeral services for Mr. Maxwell will be at 2:00 o'clock this Wednesday at Springer Chapel, between Mt. Moriah and Gilman City. The Rev. C.O. Wilson of Kansas City will officiate. Burial will be at the chapel cemetery.
Mr. Maxwell had been married, but had no children. He had sveral uncles and aunts.
Ward was given first aid treatment at the Dr. Underwood office before being brought to the local hospital in the Williamson ambulance.
There had been several other accidents at the same highway corner.

Mrs Josie Quigley Maxwell

undated obit from unknown paper in Grandma Grace's book {The typo of great grandma Gilly's name was in the obit.}

Mary Josephine Quigley, daughter of Judge Franklin R. and Henrietta Springer Quigley, was born in Fox Creek township in Harrison County, MO., July 20 1868. She was one of a family of eleven children, seven of whom grew to manhood and womanhood.
She being one of the older children was of great assistance to her mother in caring for the younger members of the family and she retained that motherly interest in them to a marked degree all through her life.
Her first education was acquired in the home district school at Bolton and with this preparation she was able to pass a creditable examination for a teacher's certificate and began teaching in the country schools of the county while yet quite young.
By energy and economy she was soon able to save up enough to enable her to complete a course in the normal school at Stanberry, Mo., and a little later to complete a course in the Grand River College at Edinburg, Mo., after which she taught school for a number of years.
She was always a student and a reader and these habits, acquired while young, continued with her so long as her health would permit. When quite young she united with the Christian church at Bolton and continued in this faith through all her life.
March 26 1899, she was married to J.H. Maxwell of Fox Creek Township and soon thereafter they established their residence on the old Quigley homestead, where Josie was born and raised and where her home had been all her life, with the exception of a few years residence in Gilman City, where they moved in order to give their only child, James Franklin, better school advantages, herhome during her entire life was on this one homestead.
Josie was of a kind, a generous and a lovable disposition. She was genial, sociable and entertaining to her many friends and enjoyed their company very much. For a number of years her hearing had become so defective as to make it hard to carry on a conversation with her. This was a greater disappointment to her than any except her most intimate friends knew as by reading she kept herself well informed on all important events, continued to meet all with a cheerful smile and despite her handicap to make herself entertaining and companionable to both old and young.
She was very clever in giving readings and was often called on to give a reading or to make an address at some neighborhood function. Many young people of her acquaintance would go to her for advice or assistance as to the selections they were to give and she was never too busy with her own affairs to give them advice and assistance and often would drill them on the parts they were to take.
She was held in high regard, esteem and affection by all her relatives, friends, and neighbors. Her last illness began Nov 4 1924. She rapidly grew worse. Human skill and human aid were of no avail. After four long months of suffering she suddenly passed away on the morning of March 7 1925, aged 56 years, 7 months, and 13 days.
She is survived by her bereaved husband, one son, James Franklin, whom she loved with a true mother's affectioin; one brother, John F. Quigley, who made his home with her and her husband; four sisters, Mrs. Amanda Piclher and Mrs. Ada Brown of Knobnoster, MO; Mrs. Stella Terrill, Parkville, MO; and Mrs. Grace McAfree, Cleveland, Ohion, all of whom visited her during her last illness with the exception of Mrs. Brown, who was prevented from doing so by sickness in her own family.
Her son Frank came home from school in Kansas City as soon as he learned of his mother's illness and remained with her until a few weeks ago when she thought she was so much improved that she insisted he return to his school.
Her neighbors, friends, and relatives were very kind and considerate during her illness, visiting her much and helping in any way they could.
Espcially this is true of her two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Emma Maxwell Utterback and Mrs. Gilla Higdon Maxwell, both of whom spent much time with her.
The memory of her influence on the community will be a source of comfort to her relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at the Springer church at 2:30 o'clock the afternoon of March 4 1925, conducted by Rev. P.F. Meek, a life long friend of the family, in teh presence of an unusually large gathering of relatives and friends.
The body was tenderly laid to rest in the Springer cemetery, near kindred dust, in view of the home in which she had lived her life.
MRS. LOTTIE S. RAY

Friday, July 27, 2007

family

there are so many branches to the tree, I will post from all "my" branches here: maternal, paternal, & my husbands--which is one of the branches for my kids tree.
It can be mind boggling.
My mother was a BROWN.
my dad an AXSOM.
grandparents/great grandparents/ etc.
MAXWELL.
SHAFER.
HIGDON
BOYD
CRAIG
OSBORN/OSBORNE/OSBOURNE
SMITH
and so on and so forth...

and Grandma Grace & her sister Aunt Minerva both married BROWN men.
Kevin's paternal grandmother Marie married a DAILEY. her sister Betty married a DAILY.
Cora & Daisy BOYD were sisters that married brothers Jay & Johnnie AXSOM.

W. Keith Thomas

undated obit from unknown newspaper in Grandma Grace's book

W. Keith Thomas
Keith was born February 3 1917 at the Wayne County Iowa farm home of his parents, Arthur Thomas and Marie Halfhill Thomas. He died January 5 1997 at Liberty Hospital, Liberty MO.
Keith grew up in Wayne County Iowa and throughout his life had deep affection for that area and his friends there. He attended and graduated from Sewal High School in 1935. As a young man he received Jesus Christ as his Savior at a service at Richardson Chapel and later joined the Allerton Baptist Church.
In 1937 he moved with his family to a farm near Cainsville, Missouri, and transferred his membership to First Baptist Church, Cainsville. He was employed as a meat cutter at the Supply Store. Shortly after moving to Cainsville he met Ileen Maple. They were married at the home of Brother V.F. Walker in Princeton Missouri on April 20 1941. Keith and Ileen had four children, Bill, Sandra, Alan Leon, who died in infancy, and David.
Keith was a United States Army veteran, serving in World War II in England and France with the 555th Quartermaster division from 1942 to 1945. Throughout his life he maintained close friendships with many of his army buddies.
After the war ended Keith returned to Cainsville and resumed his work at the Supply Store. In 1951 he joined into a farming partnership with Wilbur and Charles Raymond Goodrich. In 1965 he purchased his own farm which he continued to operate until his retirement. Keith loved farming-straight rows of corn and soybeans, neat stacks of hay, hogs and cattle ready for market, and newborn animals were always beautiful to him. After he could no longer farm, he was always ready to go for a ride in the country to see the crops. In addition to farming, he was a salesman for Pioneer Seeds.
A lifetime dream was fulfilled when he and Ileen visited people and places in England and France where he had served during World War II.
A close friend once described Keith as "the biggest little man he ever knew." Keith was small in stature and had a large, loving heart. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and extended family. Later in life, Keith especially enjoyed fishing trips taken with his family, because fo the close times they shared. The way he raised his children and grandchildren, worked as a farmer, and served others was a testimony to his relationship with his God.
Keith was a husband, father, grandfather, farmer, soldier, friend, and servant of others. He served willingly on many community and county boards and committees. He loved visiting with people and made friends easily. He left a rich legacy for those who knew and loved him.
Keith was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Marie Thomas; his infant son, Alan Leon, and his brother Wayne. He is survived by his devoted wife Ileen; son Bill and daughter-in-law Virginia; daughter Sandra and son-in-law Allen Putnam; son David and daughter-in-law Dianne. He leaves seven grandchildren: Dan Thomas, Chris Thomas, Amy Putnam, Ruth Putnam Whipple, Sara Thomas Smith, Elissa Thomas, and Whitney Thomas. He is also survived by his brother Dean, his sister Jeane and brother-in-law Bill Ward, and sister-in-law Dorothy Thomas. Keith will also be missed by his nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Funeral services were held January 8 1997 at First Baptist Church, Cainsville, Missouri. under the direction of Stoklasa Memorial Chapel in Cainsville with Rev. T. Harold Craig officiating, assisted by Bro. John Welch. Burial was in Oaklawn Cemetery. Pallbearers were grandsons Dan and Chris Thomas, nephews Roger and Randall Thomas, and grand sons-in-law Chad Whipple and Shannon Smith. The family suggests memorial contributions to Cainsville Oaklawn Cemetery and American Legion Post 257 at Cainsville.
OUR FATHER
"Our father was a quiet man.
Beloved by one and all.
Everyone who knew our Dad,
Fond memories can recall.
He lived a very humble life,
Content with what he had,
We never heard him once complain.
This man who was our dad."

"He farmed the land most of his life,
And planted seeds in season.
The seed he sowed the deepest,
Grows in our heart and reason,
He taught us right from infant up,
And in his gentle way.
He really drove the lesson home
By living it each day."

"He gave us many gifts in life,
That money cannot buy.
The gifts of honesty and truth,
We treasure very high.
He taught us to be thankful,
For whatever things we had.
But most of all we're thankful,
That we had him for our Dad."
Author Unknown

The family of Keith Thomas wishes to express their thanks to all of you for your many expressions of kindness shown us at the time of his passing.
Ileen Thomas
Bill and Virginia Thomas and family
Sandra and Allen Putnam and family
David and Dianne Thomas and family

Joanna Bondurant

obits from Grandma Grace's book
Joanna was Grandma Grace's cousin

Bethany Republican-Clipper April 10 1996
Joanna Bondurant, 71, Cainsville, died April 6 1996 at Liberty Hospital.
Mrs. Bondurant was born in Akron, MO, and was a lifetime resident of Cainsville. She worked for First National Bank of Cainsville for 41 years and also taught school. She married Kenneth Bondurant in 1946, and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Cainsville, P.E.O. Bx of Cainsville and was a former member of the 20th Century Club, Cainsville.
Survivors include her husband Kenneth of the home; 1 brother, Stanley Maple, Fairfield, Ia; 3 sisters, Elaine Graham, Ileen Thomas, and Kathleen Clegg, all of Cainsville and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held April 9 1996 at the First Baptist Church of Cainsville, under the direction of the Stoklasa Memorial Chapel. Burial was in the Zoar Cemetery, Cainsville.

undated obit from unknown newspaper
Joanna Maple Bondurant
Joanna Maple Bondurant was born June 20 1924 in the Akron community norhtwest of Cainsville, MO, and passed away April 6 1996 at Liberty Hospital. She was the youngest of five children born to Harley and Cora Stanley Maple.
She married Kenneth Bondurant OCtober 15 1946 in Troy, KS. They moved into their home in Cainsville and lived there throughout their marriage.
Joanna taught at the Lynn County School after graduating from Cainsville High School. She was hired at $75.00 per month but if she would go to Maryville College for 10 weeks of summer school, which she did and got very homesick, the district could get state support and pay her $90.00 a month. She taught there for two years.
In March 1945, Kenneth Weary of First National Bank, Cainsville, asked her to be an employee of the bank. Joanna worked there from April 1 1945 until July 1 1986.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Cainsville, PEO Chapter BX and former member of the New Century Club. Joanna had many interests, one of which was her love for travel, traveling both at home and abroad after her retirement. She never tired of seeing the countryside and thoroughly enjoyed riding the side roads of North Missouri.
After her 70th birthday party, she went home and resumed work on a quilt she had pieced during World War II. She went on to quilt several more and was active as long as her health permitted in quilting with the Methodist Church quilting group. Joanna also crocheted and did other hand work.
She is survived by her husband Kenneth of the home, a brother Stanley Maple, Fairfield, IA; three sisters, Elaine Graham, Ileen Thomas, and Kathleen Clegg, all of Cainsville; one brother-in-law, Keith Thomas, several nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Joanna never met a "stranger". She loved people and if any friend or family member needed help, all they had to do was call Kenneth and Joanna and they were there. She will always be remembered for her love of life, her love of family and friends and bringing happiness and cheer to those she was with.
Services were held at 1:00 p.m. April 9 1996 at the First Baptist Church in Cainsville. Burial was in the Zoar Cemetery.
THANK YOU
Thanks to all our friends and relatives who helped us in any way through this time of sorrow. She was a very special person.
Kenneth Bondurant
Stanley Maple and Family
Elaine Graham and Family
Keith and Ileen Thomas and Family
Kathleen Clegg and Family

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Robert McCullough

he married Grandpa Vermal's twin sister VermaDean. undated obits from unknown paper (probably Trenton paper) in book Grandma Grace made.

Deaths
Robert McCullough
Robert Warren McCullough, 71, a resident of 1502 Nichols St., Trenton, died Tuesday afternoon, June 27, 1989, at the Ellis Fischel State Cancer Hospital in Columbia.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday in the Memorial Chapel of the Blackmore-Whitaker Funeral home. Dr. Clyde Elder, pastor of the First Baptist Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Gardens of Trenton.
There is no family visitation scheduled at the funeral home.
Mr. McCullough was born June 9 1918 in Trenton, MO, the son of Warren and Valcy McCulary McCullough. He was married to Verma D.Brown on Nov 14 1937 in Gallatin, MO. She died in July 1982.
Mr. McCullough served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. He worked for Swift & Company in Trenton, and later worked for the City of Trenton for 23 years. He was a member of the American Legion, the VFW and the Elks Lodge.
Survivors include his two sons, Bobby McCullough of Holly Ridge, NC, and Billy McCullough of La Habra, CA; two sisters, Goldie Morris of St Joseph, and Leona McCullough of Hollywood, FL; 12 grandchildren; and several great grandchildren.
Besides his parents and wife, Mr. McCullough was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister.

Robert McCullough
Funeral services for Robert Warren McCullough were held at 1 p.m. Friday in the Memorial Chapel of the Blackmore-Whitaker Funeral Home. Dr. Clyde Elder, pastor of the First Baptist Church, officiated.
Mr. McCullough, 71, of 1502 Nichols St., Trenton, died Tuesday, June 27 1989 at the Ellis Fischel State Cancer Hospital in Columbia.
Mrs. Carl Muff played the organ accompaniment for David Vanderpool, who sang, "Lily of the Valley," and "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?"
Pallbearers, all members of Joseph L. Norton Post No. 919, Veterans of Foreign Wars, were Frank Clodfelter, Max Garrison, Steve Horner, Tom Phillips, Charley Cole, and Lowell Dabler.
Military graveside rites were held at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Trenton by members of Joseph L. Norton Post No. 919, VFW, with Merril Cahill, as commander; Leo Whitaker, chaplain; Bob Scott; officer of the day; Bill Willams and Howard Hobbs, color guard; John Hawkins and Tony Ralston, color bearers; and C.J. Baker, Burl Shelton, Dallas Cox, and Wayne Griffin, firing squad.

John J. Smith

he was our Grandpa Vermal younger half-brother. these obits & a funeral pamphlet are in the book Grandma Grace made & Aunt Chardy entrusted to me. Newspaper clippings are from unknown newspaper, undated. I have tried to type exactly as written...typos in the clippings I have put in bold type

Deaths
John J. Smith
John J. Smith, a 77-year-old resident of Apple Valley, CA, passed away June 15 2001. Mr. Smith was a former Trenton resident.
A memorial service will be conducted at 2p.m. on Thursday, June 21, 2001 at the First Assembly of God in Victorville, CA. A graveside service will be held at a later date at Resthaven Memorial Gardens of Chillicothe.
Mr. Smith was born in Lamoni, IA on Dec 28, 1923. He was a career Army man. He served during World War II in Africa and the invasions of Italy, France, and Germany. He remained in Germany with the peace time occupation forces for a number of years. He served in the Army's Rifle Team of Marksmen, based at Fort George Meade, MD, until disability forced him to retire from active duty in 1961. He had resided in Apple Valley for 25 years. He enjoyed bowling in Apple Valley and Victorville leagues until the advance of cancer caused him to cease participation.
Mr. Smith is survived by his wife of 47 years, Lela Walker, Maberry Smith; three sons and their families, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Maberry of Albuquerque, NM, Mr and Mrs Frank Maberry, Mr and Mrs Wilbur Maberry of Apple Valley; 10 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
Mr. Smith was preceded in death by two sisters, Edith Corbin and Verma-dean McCullough and one brother, Vermil Brown, all former Trenton residents, and antoher brother, William Smith.

John J. Smith
A graveside for former Trenton resident John J. Smith will be held at 11a.m. on Wednesday, July 18 2001 at the Resthaven Memorial Garden in Chillicothe.
Mr. Smith passed away Friday, June 15, 2001 near his home in Apple Valley, CA.
Mr. Smith is survived by his wife of 47 years, Lela Walker Maberry Smith; three sons, Wilbur, Frank and Larry Maberry and their families of Apple Valley and Albuquerque, NM, sisters-in-laws, Clarice Haley, Lois Vickers, and Peggy Jewel of Chillicothe, and Grace Brown of Trenton.

In Memory of John Junior Smith
Grandpa
Born December 28 1923 Lamoni, IA
Left This Life June 15 2001 Victorville, CA
Memorial Service June 21 2001 First Assembly of God Victorville, CA
Graveside Service July 2001 Resthaven Memorial Gardens Chillicothe MO
(Date & Time To Be Announced)
{at the bottom of this is a note in Grandma Grace's handwriting:
Lelah Smith died July 3, 2005

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

hens & chicks

as long as I can remember, there has been a huge tub of hens & chicks by Grandma Grace's door, & some in the ground by it. Always. I brought some home Saturday, & planted them in the tub at the end of my front porch. They are doing good. (finally, a plant I can't seem to kill!) I can look at them as I come & go & think about Grandma.
She used to have really pretty flowers along the side of the house between the cellar doors & front porch, too.

Monday, July 23, 2007

visiting grandma

left work early for dentist appt, then made my first visit to Sunnyview Nursing Home to see Grandma. I knew she was at Station 3, Room 306, but couldn't figure out what door to go in, I blundered around & asked for directions several times, finally found her room, but no Grandma. A nice nurse told me she was in the beauty shop & took me there. Grandma was getting a perm. She recognized me & asked about the kids. She is having a lot of trouble hearing, but we kind of had a conversation. She is shaky but walking with walker. It must've been a good day. And it was nice to see her. I have put it off because I guess I was scared about what condition she'd be in. She seems fine. The nursing home is clean & shiny & odor free. It seems like a good place. I know she'd rather be home....

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Jennie's Scrapbook

when Jennie Brown Neill went into the nursing home,my grandparents "took care of everything." Grandma kept all the old family pictures, etc. Jennie was the last of her family, her parents, brothers, & husband had all died. Jennie's parents took my Grandpa Vermal in & raised him after his parents divorced when he was five years old.
Jennie has left us now. And while cleaning out Grandma's house, everything had to go. No one seemed to want the treasure trove of pictures Grandma was keeping for Jennie. So, mom gave them to me. I took an old (still brand new) scrapbook from Grandma's sale, used some of the scrapbook stuff Lisa gave me, & put together a book.
There are pictures of Frank, Mae, Albert, Jennie, & Bill Brown, Vermal Brown, his sister Edith Brown Chambers & her husband Ode, of his twin sister VermaDean & her husband Harold McCullough (I sure hope I have this right, I am doing it from memory & the old gray headed mare ain't what she used to be!), Cecil & Bill Lewis, who are Edith's sons? Janet Brown Axsom as a young girl, Charlene Brown Smith as a baby, my great grandparents Lewis Brown & Maggie Mae Smith Brown Smith Webber, her last husband Isaac Webber, her youngest daughter Wyvonne Smith, Esta who married Bill Brown, grandpa's baby brother Orval Brown who his mom had to give to another family to raise & they moved out of the area...
the ones I don't know: "Aunt Estel ...Estel Markhum...Louise...Lucille Harrison...Acaleene Welsh...Ella Woodall...Mary Bull...Margret Ashbrook...Margie Titsworth...Margaret Johnson...Alice's daughter Donna....
I have been told that not only did Frank & Mae Brown help raise my grandpa Vermal, they also raised his mom Maggie for a time, she was apparently an orphan. Grandpa's father was much older than her, he became her guardian, they married while she was very young & she had 5 children in a short amount of time. Again, I'm trusting this to my memory. Reader Beware.

the final garage sale

The Final Garage Sale
July 21 2007

My grandfather Vermal Brown died in 1997. My grandmother Grace Brown went into the hospital in April 2007, then into the nursing home, & she won't be coming home. When I was a girl, we looked forward to the end-of-summer garage sale Grandma threw every year. We lugged stuff there, priced, hung up, arranged. Our moms ran the garage sale with Grandma, us cousins all played. Someone always went to Kentucky Fried Chicken & brought back lunch. It was a working family reunion of sorts. Yesterday I had to work, my cousin Robin & her kids, my sister Lisa & her kids, Aunt Chardy, my mom, (maybe others?) ran Day 1 of the 2 Day garage sale. It was in Grandma's house, & everything had to go. Mom had been urging me to tell her what I wanted from the house. I lugged home bowling balls & bowling trophies & all the pics of my kids I ever gave to Grandma & Grandpa & the Great Grandparent mugs I had made for them for Xmas. But it all hit home today when I walked into their house & the plates were gone from the wall, everything had a price tag. It's not like my brother John didn't warn me....I lugged out furniture, accepted money, thanked people for coming. Mom, Aunt Chardy, Lisa & Max & Logan worked also. Doris Chambers, the first ex-wife of Cecil ( I think?) came to shop. I ended up bringing home more things I thought I couldn't live without....I brought home hens &chicks & transplanted...antiques...their desk for Katie's office... I posed Katie by Evie Maxwell's wheelchair. I took pics of the 3 kids by the lamppost & on front porch. Katie found 2 slugs & an african beetle in the cellar. We'll probably never go inside the house again...no more family dinners, or grandma's hot rolls & chocolate meringue pie. I looked up at the windows over the cellar & thought about how Grandpa would lay there in his hospital bed, looking to see who was out there. I grew up there. I have gotten too involved with my own life & dont' visit Grandma anymore. She always made time for me. Not everything sold, the daughters will have to deal with getting rid of the leftovers. And having the house assessed & listed & sold. They raised their girls in that house, &saw their grandkids running every holiday in that house. They even got to see great grandbabies in that house. I hope another family finds years of happiness there. Grandma & Grandpa worked so hard to pay for the house, & took care of it. They were very proud of it. In the history Grandma wrote for me, she listed every improvement they had made---carpet, additions. I miss my Grandma. After all the houses she's helped clean out after deaths, did she ever imagine her kids going through her things? Where they'd end up? What little momentoes would bring a smile to her family's faces? When people enquired about Grandma, mom would tell them that she made it 90 years on her own, & that is something to be proud of. She's right. It sure is. And I didn't cry until I started writing this. I felt close to it a few times at Grandma's. I know it is selfish to want her to live forever & just hang out at her house waiting for me to possibly show up out of the blue. Most days I don't feel old enough to have a Grandma in the nursing home. But I am.