© Tammie Chada

The following obits were all published in 1937

COLVIN

Westville mourns the loss of a well known, pioneer citizen in the death of W.C. COLVIN, age 67, who died here Wednesday night at the home of his son, Dean COLVIN, after a years illness.
Mr. COLVIN spent pracically his entire life in this section and for some 13 years served as postmaster here.
The funeral was held at the Baptist church here at 2:30 Thursday afternoon and burial made in the city cemetery.
He is survived by two sons, Dean and Fay COLVIN, three brothers, other relatives and a large host of friends.

JEFFRIES

The hand of death visited our little city early Saturday morning claiming one of our prominent business men, W.M. JEFFRIES, manager of the Buffington Hotel, a pioneer, well known, beloved citizen.
Mr. JEFFRIES, age 70, passed away at 5:30 Saturday morning after a few hours illness with heart trouble.
He had been a citizen of this section for some 40 years and had been a school teacher until a few years ago when he took over the management of the Buffington Hotel.
He was one of the charter members of the local Baptist church and has always been active in church and civic activities.
The funeral was held at the Baptist church Monday afternoon and burial made in the city cemetery.
Besides his wife, survivors include four sons and five daughters: Lawton JEFFRIES, Roswell, N.M., Bonna JEFFRIES, Westwood, California, and Eldon and Owen JEFFRIES, Westville; Mrs. J.B. CORNETT and Mrs. Joe CORNETT, both of Oklahoma City, Mrs. T.B. SOUCH, El Paso, Texas, and Mrs. E.O. WALKER and Miss Melba JEFFRIES, both of Roswell.

LANGLEY

Mrs. A.J. LANGLEY, age 77, wife of a prominent farmer of the Baptist Mission section died Tuesday morning after a several weeks illness.
She is survived by her husband and several children.
The funeral was held at Baptist Mission Wednesday and the body laid to rest in the Baptist Mission cemetery.

CHATHAM

Mrs. G.Z. CHATHAM, age 83, pioneer and widely known Westville lady, died at her home here Friday morning following an illness of the past year.
Mrs. CHATHAM was a native of Louisiana and had lived in this section for over 40 years.
She was the last member of the immediate family, her husband and eight children having preceded her in death.
The funeral was held at the Methodist church Saturday afternoon and burial made in the city cemetery.

BUTTERWORTH

James L. BUTTERWORTH, age 73, prominent citizen of the Addielee community for the past several years, died at his home Tuesday after an illness of several months with heart trouble.
The funeral was held Thursday afternoon and burial made at Addielee.
He is survived by several members of the immediate family and many friends.
His many friends mourn his passing and extend sympathy to the wife and other relatives.

RAINES

Willis RAINES, age 67, prominent pioneer citizen of the Christie section, died at his home Saturday night after a several weeks illness
The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at the Christie church and burial made in the Westville cemetery.
He leaves a wife, several children and a large host of friends.

HOUCK

In the passing of Mrs. M.E. HOUCK the town has lost a much beloved sweet Christian character.
She was the happiest always while talking about her church work which she carried on as long as her health would permit.
Her life as a good Christian mother and friend, was a great inspiration to those with whom she came in contact. She was happy in being kind to the sick and depressed.
She loved the beautiful things of life. Her greatest desire was to raise beautiful flowers and thus she rested in a bank of flowers in her home before the funeral hour at 2:30 at the Baptist church May 21, 1937.
Rev. I.M. PHILLIPS who had been her pastor for a number of years officiated with Rev. MERRIMAN assisting. Music was rendered by a choir of friends of hers and the family.
Mrs. Dean SEBRING sang "No Night There" and Mr. ROBERTS and Mr. WORSHAM of Stilwell sang "Where We Never Grown Old." The flower girls were Miss Virginia HODGES, Mrs. Charlene HODGES, Miss Anawake CHASE, and Mrs. Fred CARRINGTON.
The pallbearers were, W.M. ROY, G.M. HAGAN, W.F. LANGLEY, J.H. NUNLEY, W.P. BROWN, and W.(?) JEFFRIES.
She was laid to rest in the Cincinnati cemetery.

Card of Thanks - We wish to thank the many friends who were so thoughtful and kind to us during the illness and death of our loved one. S.G. HOUCK and children, Clara VANDERPOOL, Clyde MCGUIRE, Joe ANDREU and family.

LOFLIN

Death claimed another of or pioneer citizens in the passing of W.B. LOFLIN, age 82, who died Wednesday morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Lee STALCUP, east of town, following a stroke of paralysis suffered some two weeks ago.
Mr. LOFLIN had been a resident of this city most of the time for some thirty-five years and was one of the most widely known citizens of this section of the country.
The funeral services were held at the Methodist church Thursday afternoon at 2:30 and burial made in the city cemetery.
We will all greatly miss this good man who always had a word of cheer for everyone and his friends were numbered by his acquaintances.

WATT

Steve WATT, age 64, a well known pioneer Cherokee citizen of the Chance community died Sunday at his home following a paralytic stroke a few weeks ago.
Mr. WATT was a popular and well liked citizen of his community and with his family leaves a large host of friends to mourn his passing.
The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon and burial made in the Ketcher cemetery west of town.

DODSON

Westville mourns the death of Harry DODSON who passed away here last Friday evening after a long illness.
Mr. DODSON was born in ILLINOIS in 1859 and had spent the past 20 years in this section, having lived for several years on a farm south of town.
He is survived by 3 brothers and 4 sisters. The funeral was held at the Pentecostal church Saturday afternoon and burial made in the city cemetery.

WRIGHT

William P. WRIGHT, age 37, prominent citizen of the Baron community was killed instantly, Vernon BRADFORD, another prominent young man of Baron was seriously injured and four children of the Stilwell section were painfully injured in a collision between a car driven by WRIGHT and a truck driven by Geo. BEAN of Stilwell, on U.S. highway 62 just east of Lincoln shortly after 9 o'clock Saturday night.
WRIGHT was a well known citizen of Baron, a member of one of the very prominent families of eastern Oklahoma and his untimely death was a sad shock to all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, his mother, brothers, Jess of Baron and Tolbert of Arizona, and one sister, Mrs. L.D. JOHNSON of Tulsa.
The funeral was held at Baron Monday afternoon conducted by Rev. C.J. MERRIMAN, pastor of the local Baptist church, and burial made in the Piney cemetery.

MARRS

Our city mourns the death of one of our well known citizens in the passing of Ralph W. MARRS, age 46, who died here at his home Sunday night. Mr. MARRS had been in failing health for the past year and had recently spent several weeks in the Veterans hospital at Fayetteville and apparently was improving until a few hours before his death. Death was attributed to a heart ailment.
He was born just a few miles north of this city and had spent his entire life in this immediate section.
He spent almost two years in the U.S. Army during the war, most of which time was spent as a member of the 90th Division stationed at Camp Travis, Texas.
He is survived by his wife, five brothers and five sisters, other relatives and a large host of friends.
The funeral was held at the Pentecostal church Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Arthur SMITH, with services by the American Legion at the cemetery.
The body was laid to rest in the family plot in the Westville cemetery.

Card of Thanks - We wish to truly thank the good neighbors and friends for their help and kindness through the illness and death of our dear husband and brother.
Especially thank the American Legion boys for their service, and each one of their beautiful floral offering.
May the Lord's richest blessing rest upon each one. Mrs. Milindia MARRS, wife. Brothers and Sisters.

January 12, 1937

PARKER

We received word this week of the death of a seven year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Perry PARKER of South Gate, Calif.
The girl died January 12 in a hospital at Hollywood, Calif. of tumor on the brain.
The PARKER family formerly lived in Westville.

February 16 & 23, 1937

SMITH

All Westville mourns the sad death of Mrs. Nannie STEVENS SMITH, wife of Ben SMITH, well known lady of our city who died at her home early Tuesday morning after a brief illness with pneumonia.
The husband and son were on their way to California to seek employment and relatives were unable to locate them until after her death.
Mrs. SMITH is survived by her aged mother, husband, four sons, two sisters, other relatives and a large host of friends.
The funeral arrangements are incomplete awaiting the arrival of the husband and son.

February 23, 1937

SMITH

The funeral of Mrs. Ben SMITH was held here at the Pentecostal church last Saturday afternoon conducted by Rev. Lonnie SMITH of Okmulgee.
Burial was made in the city cemetery, Many of the business houses closed for the services.

February 23, 1937

SMITH

We want to sincerely thank our good friends and neighbors for their help and kindness through the illness and death of our dear daughter, wife, mother and sister.
May the Lord's richest Blessings rest upon each one.
Mrs. Ruth JONES; Ben SMITH; the Stevens boys; Mrs. Frank MOSS; Mrs. Fletcher STEVENS.

January 15, 1937

HICKS

Death claimed one of our good honest citizens last Friday morning in the passing of Jack HICKS at his home south of town after a several months illness.
Mr. Hicks was born in 1883, was a member of the Baptist church a greater part of his life, and was a true Christian gentleman.
The funeral was held here at the Baptist church here Saturday afternoon and burial made in the Alberty Chapel cemetery.
He is survived by his wife, one daughter, other relatives and a large host of friends.

April 1937

JONES

The funeral of Tom JONES, age 80 years, well known pioneer citizen of Watts, was held at the Baptist Mission north of this city last Friday.
Mr. JONES was born in Kentucky but has spent many years of his life in this section.
He is survived by his wife, four sons, four daughters, three brothers and one sister.
Rev. C.J. MERRIMAN, local Baptist pastor, conducted the services.

April 1937

SIMPSON

Our community mourns the death of G.D. (Bob) SIMPSON, age 69, who died early Wednesday morning at his home a mile west of town after a few hours illness.
Mr. SIMPSON had been in failing health for sometime but had been improving the past week and on Tuesday afternoon came to town in his car and appeared to be very much improved, but upon his return home he became suddenly ill and death came within a few hours.
Mr. Simpson had spent practically all of his life in this and the Cincinnati sections where he was a prominent farmer and stock raiser and after moving here he continued for several years as a farmer and stock raiser.
Mr. SIMPSON is survived by hiw wife, several children, other relatives and a large host of friends.
The funeral was held Thursday afternoon at the Baptist church conducted by Rev. I.M. PHILLIPS and burial made in the city cemetery.

April 30, 1937

RUNAWAY

The funeral of Miss Willie Mae RUNAWAY, 15 years old, who died at her home in the Chance community Wednesday was held at the Green school house Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock with Rev. Mr. CHURCH officiating. Burial was in Green cemetery.
Miss RUNAWAY was the daugher of Mrs. Hazel RUNAWAY, and had been ill at the family home for several months.

May 1937

FOLTZ

J. FOLTZ, 84 years old, former business man and reisident of Poteau, Westville and Stilwell, died at the home of his son, Dr. Clarence B. FOLTZ, in Oakland, Calif., May 10th, but word of his passing was not received here until a few days ago.
He had been seriously ill at his home here, with heart trouble, and his son sent for him a few weeks ago and took him to California but according to the report, he lived but a few days after arriving there.

May 14, 1937

JORDAN

Jeff D. JORDAN, age 76, well known pioneer farmer of this section, died last Friday at his home northwest of town after a several months illness.
The funeral was held at Baptist Mission Saturday afternoon with his friend, Tom WELCH, conducting the services. Burial was made in the Baptist Mission cemetery.
Mr. JORDAN is survived by his wife, several children and a large host of friends.
The deceased had spent practically his entire life as a farmer in this immediate section.

June 1937

BUTLER

L.D. BUTLER, 42 year old farmer of the Christie community, died Tuesday night, June 8, in a Prairie Grove hospital following an appendicitis operation. He had been ill for only a few days.
He was born in Arkansas on May 8, 1895 and has lived in the Christie community for several years.
He is survived by his widow, Mrs. BUTLER; four sons, L.D. Jr., Dewey, Carroll and Kenneth; two daughters, Oleta, and Mrs. Opal MEADOWS, who lives in Marysville, California.
Funeral services were held in the Foreman cemetery west of town last Thursday.

July 1937

MORRIS

Mrs. Fannie MORRIS, age 69, well known pioneer lady of the Ballard community, passed away Tuesday after a long illness.
The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon at Baptist Mission.
Mrs. MORRIS was one of the pioneer ladies of the north end of the county and besides the family leaves a large host of frineds to mourn her passing.

August 2, 1937

SEAY

This section lost a good citizen in the death of J.A. SEAY who died Monday in a hospital at Prairie Grove following a stroke of paralysis suffered several weeks ago.
Mrs. SEAY, 66 years of age, was born in the Dutch Mills, Ark., section and has spent his entire life in this country.
He is survived by his wife, two sons and two sisters.
The funeral was held at Lincoln Tuesday afternoon and burial made at the Bethesda cemetery near the farm where he was born.
We all mourn the loss of a good man, a good citizen and a good friend, in his death.

Sept. 1937

MERRIDITH

We are told that Sam MERRIDITH, formerly of the Chance section, was killed last week in an automobile wreck near Westwood, Calif.

October 1937

RECTOR

Earl RECTOR, age 35, son of Mrs. E.C. RECTOR of this city, died Thursday at Sacramento, Calif., after a brief illness with pneumonia.
The body arrived here Wednesday morning and funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at the Pentecostal church conducted by Rev. SMITH of Muskogee.
Burial was made in the city cemetery.
The young man had spent most of his life in this section and had been in California some two years.
He is survived by his mother, three sisters, six brothers and a large host of friends.

October 10, 1937

ELLYSON

Mrs. Essie ELLYSON, age 42, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E.P. CATES of near Addielee, died at her home Sunday after a long illness.
She is survived by her parents, three sisters, husband and six children.
Mrs. ELLYSON had lived in this section her entire life time.

October 19, 1937

ALBERTY

A message received here Monday by Les ALBERTY told of the death of his father E.M. ALBERTY, age 83, who had passed away after a brief illness at the home of his son, Dr. Watie ALBERTY, at San Diego, California.
The body will arrive here Friday morning accompanied by Mrs. W.H. ALBERTY and the latest plans are for the funeral services to be held at the Baptist church Sunday afternoon at 2:30 and burial made in the Alberty Chapel cemetery.
Mr. ALBERTY who had spent his entire lifetime in this section , member of the sections most prominent Cherokee family, held many important offices in the territory days and after statehood up until a few years ago was engaged in the lumber business in this city. Since retiring from this business he has spent his time in California with his sons, W.H. and Dr. Watie ALBERTY.
Very few men of this part of the state could claim such a wide acquaintance and more friends than could this good man.

Card of Thanks - We wish to sincerely thank the many friends for the many acts of kindness shown us during our sadness. Mrs. Lula CONNOR, Mr. and Mrs. Lee ALBERTY, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. ALBERTY, Dr. and Mrs. Watie ALBERTY.

Oct 30, 1937

HICKMAN

Marion HICKMAN died Saturday at the home of his son, Joe HICKMAN, south of town after a long illness, at the age of 77.
The funeral was held Sunday and burial made at Siloam Springs.
Three sons, Joe, Frank and edgar, and two daughters, Mrs. Clarence LANCASTER and Mrs. Carl WARREN, and 24 grandchildren survive.

Card of Thanks - We wish to sincerely thank the many friends for the many acts of kindness shown in the death of our father. Joe HICKMAN, Frank HICKMAN and Edgar HICKMAN.

November 1937

FLUCARD

Our community mourns the passing of a good citizen in the death of A.L. FLUCARD, age 71, who passed away Sunday morning at his home southwest of town after a several months illness.
Mr. FLUCARD had been a resident of this section for the past 21 years. He was born in South Bend, Indiana.
He is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters, other relatives and a large host of friends.
The funeral was held Monday afternoon at the Pentecostal church, and burial made in the city cemetery.

Card of Thanks - We wish to sincerely thank our many friends for the kindness shown us in the sad death of our husband and father. May God bless you all. Mrs. Ella FLUCARD, Jessie and Junior; Howard FLUCARD, Oran FLUCARD, Mary CONWELL.