OBITUARIES of HENDERSON COUNTY

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ADA (ESSARY) BARTHOLOMEW - Funeral services for Mrs. Lee Ada Essary Bartholomew, wife of F. L. Bartholomew, were held February 8, 1945, at her home in the Stray Leaf community. She was born April 23, 1878, and was 67 years old. She is survived by her husband and five children: George and Howard Bartholomew, Mrs. Jim Cody, Mrs. Wardie Douglas, and Mrs. Bob Milam. Interment was made in the Lewis Cemetery, Elder Joe Cook VanDyke officiating.
The Lexington Progress, February 23, 1945

AUDELL (JACKSON) BARTHOLOMEW - Services for Mrs. Audell Jackson Bartholomew were Thursday at Pafford Funeral Home with Dewain Wilson officiating. Burial was in Lewis Cemetery. Mrs. Bartholomew, who was 76, died Tuesday night at Lexington Hospital after a long illness. She was born in Hardeman County and was a longtime employee of Bemis Mill. She had lived in Henderson County for many years and was a member of the Church of Christ. She leaves her husband, George D. Bartholomew of Wildersville; three brothers, George Jackson of Memphis, Weldon Jackson of Jackson, and Marlin Jackson of Baycliff, Texas; and four sisters, Miss Monica Jackson, Mrs. Charlene Wade, both of Middleton, Mrs. Lola Davidson of Memphis and Mrs. Brooksie Nell Rook of Chicago.
(The Lexington Progress, February 20, 1980)

CARL EDWARD "BUDDY" BARTHOLOMEW - Services for Buddy Bartholomew were Friday, November 29 at Reed's Chapel. Burial was in Poplar Corner Cemetery. Mr. Bartholomew, age 67, died November 28 in his home. He is survived by his wife; Berthal Bartholomew of Lexington, two daughters; Rhonda Johnson of Wildersville and Joy Beth Campbell of Cedar Grove, one son; Carl Edward Bartholomew Jr. of Wildersville, one brother; Billy Joe Bartholomew of Ledbetter, KY, and five grandchildren. Reed's Chapel was in charge of the service.
(The Lexington Progress, December 4, 2002)
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DENNIS RAY BARTHOLOMEW - Services for Mr. Dennis Bartholomew were Saturday February 2, at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Pafford Funeral Home with burial in Lewis Cemetery in Wildersville. Mr. Bartholomew, who was 40, died Tuesday, January 29, 2002 at Titus Regional Hospital in Mt. Pleasant TX. He was self-employed. He leaves his mother, Camila Bartholomew of Wildersville; his father Ray Bartholomew of Wildersville; one daughter, Grace of Lexington; two sons, Jordan Ray and Terry both of Lexington; two sisters, Debbie Acevedo of Wildersville and Pam Helms of Lexington.
From Funeral Card: Howell Gossett Officiating. Musical Selections - Wind Beneath My Wings, Angels Among Us & My Hero. Casketbearers; Arthur Lee Pritchard, Randy Todd, Barry Neal Wood, Barry Neal Fesmire, Billy McCaslin & Duck Garner.
Lexington Progress 6 February 2002

FELIX LEVI BARTHOLOMEW - Services for Felix Levy Bartholomew, 82, were conducted Sunday afternoon from Strayleaf Church of Christ by Joe Cooke Van Dyke. Mr. Bartholomew, a retired farmer, died Friday at the home of his son, George D. Bartholomew near Wildersville. He was a member of the Church of Christ. He leaves another son, Howard D. Bartholomew, Wildersville, three daughters, Mrs. Ruby Douglas and Mrs. Ida Milam, both of near Lexington and Mrs. Florence Cody of Wildersville. Burial was in Lewis Cemetery with Pafford Funeral home in charge.
Lexington Progress Friday June 20, 1952

GEORGE D. BARTHOLOMEW - Services for George D. Bartholomew were Sunday at Pafford Funeral Home with Dewain Wilson officiating. Burial in Lewis Cemetery. Mr. Bartholomew, 81, died Saturday at Lexington Hospital. He was a native of Henderson County, a retired farmer and a member of the Church of Christ. He leaves a brother Howard H. of Wildersville; three sisters, Mrs. Wardie Douglas, Mrs. Bob Milam, both of Lexington and Mrs. Jim Cody of Wildersville.
Lexington Progress 4/22/81

HENRY KEITHLEY BARTHOLOMEW - Services for Henry Keithley Bartholomew were Sunday at Reed's Chapel with the Revs. Bobby Beecham, Don Jones and E. C. Ross officiating. Burial was in Poplar Corner Cemetery. Mr. Bartholomew, who was 69, died Friday afternoon at Jackson General Hospital. He was a retired carpenter and farmer. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Linnie Sue Bartholomew of Lexington; two sons, Michael Lynn Bartholomew and Kenneth Ray Bartholomew, both of Lexington; a sister, Mrs. Mitchell Tyler of Milan and three grandchildren.
(The Lexington Progress, November 29, 1991)
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HOWARD HENRY BARTHOLOMEW - Services for Henry Howard Bartholomew were Tuesday at Pafford Funeral Home with the Rev. Howell Gossett officiating. Burial was in Lewis Cemetery. Mr. Bartholomew, who was 75, died early Sunday afternoon at Jackson General Hospital after a short illness. He was a native of Henderson County, a retired farmer and a member of the Strayleaf Church of Christ. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Elene Pratt Bartholomew of Wildersville; two sons, Ray and William both of Wildersville, two daughters, Mrs. Audrey Kizer of Lexington and Mrs. Nadell Pierce of Wildersville; a sister Mrs. Florence Blankenship of Lexington; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Lexington Progress 5 November 1986

LINNIE SUE (JAMES) BARTHOLOMEW - Services for Mrs. Linnie Sue Bartholomew were Monday, March 5 at Reed's Chapel with burial in Poplar Corner Cemetery. Mrs. Bartholomew, who was 74, died Saturday, March 3 at Jackson General Hospital of heart failure. She was a homemaker and was the widow of Henry K. Bartholomew. She leaves two sons, Michael Bartholomew and Kenneth Bartholomew, both of Lexington; a brother, Willie Vaughn James of Cedar Grove and three grandchildren.
(The Lexington Progress, March 7, 2001)
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STAN D. BARTHOLOMEW - Services for Stan Bartholomew, 41, will be at 2 p.m. today at Pafford Funeral Home in Lexington. Burial will be in the Lewis Cemetery in Lexington. Mr. Bartholomew, a construction worker, died Thursday (15 March 2001) at Jackson Madison County General Hospital of heart failure. He is survived by his father and mother, Ray and Camilla Bartholomew of Wildersville; two daughters and a son, Jennifer Bartholomew, April Beecham and Shannon Melton, all of Lexington; two sisters and a brother, Debbie Acevedo and Dennis Bartholomew, both of Wildersville and Pam Helms of Lexington. He was preceded by a brother, Terry Bartholomew.
Hal Gossett Officiating. Casketbearers- Tony Blankenship, James Kizer, Steve Beal, Rob Myracle, Russell Bowman & Cory Beal. Music - Wind Beneath My Wings, Angels Among Us & Amazing Grace.
Lexington Progress 17 March 2001

STELLA MAE (HENSLEY) BARTHOLOMEW - Services for Mrs. Stella Mae Bartholomew were Sunday, Oct. 1, at Reed's Chapel with burial in Poplar Corner Cemetery. Mrs. Bartholomew, who was 82, died Saturday, Sept. 30, at her home at Cedar Grove. She was a retired employee of Johnson Controls. She was the widow of Woodrow Wilson Bartholomew. She leaves two sons, Buddy Bartholomew of Lexington and Billy Bartholomew of Ledbetter, KY; two sisters, Mrs. Ola Bartholomew of Hohenwald and Mrs. Bobbie Hayes of Lexington; a brother, Clyde Hamilton of Jackson, six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
(The Lexington Progress, September 4, 1995)
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TERRY BARTHOLOMEW - Services for Terry Bartholomew are today Wednesday, October 12, 1994 at 1 p.m. at Pafford Funeral Home with Rev. Howell Gossett officiating. Burial will be in Lewis Cemetery. Mr. Bartholomew, 31, died Friday Oct. 7, 1994 at Methodist Hospital of Lexington. He was a licensed electrician and employed at Townsend Electric. He leaves his father and mother, Ray and Camilla Bartholomew of Wildersville; two brothers, Stan and Dennis both of Wildersville; two sisters, Debbie Acevedo of Wildersville and Pam Helms of Lexington and his grandmother, Elene Bartholomew of Wildersville.
Lexington Progress 10/12/1994

W.H. BARTHOLOMEW , generally known as "Dock" aged 70 years, died April 21, 1927, at his home in the old 14th district. Mr. Bartholomew was born in Henderson Coutny, grew up here and 40 plus years ago married Mary Powers who with five of seven children, survive; Alfred, Indianola, Mississippi, Oliver, Jackson and George, Charlie and Cora are yet at home. Two children, Alonzo died 25 years ago and Myrtle (Mrs. Jim McPeake) died a few years ago. The funeral was at Judson Church, Rev. Fleetwood Ball officiating.
Lexington Progress April 29, 1927

WOODROW WILSON BARTHOLOMEW - Services for Woodrow Wilson Bartholomew are today (Wednesday) at 11 p.m. at Reed's Chapel with the Revs. H. T. Ross, O. R. Meggs and Clayton Milam officiating. Burial will be in Poplar Corner Cemetery. Mr. Bartholomew, who was 65, died Monday at Lexington Hospital after a long illness. He was a State Highway Department employee and a member of the Pentecostal Church. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Stella Bartholomew; two sons, Carl (Buddy) Bartholomew of Lexington and Billy Bartholomew of Paduchah, KY; five brothers, Oakley Bartholomew of Hohenwald, John Bartholomew of Huntington, Farris Bartholomew, Fay Bartholomew and Paul Bartholomew, all of Clarksburg; five sisters, Mrs. Una Dabbs of Trenton, Mrs. Opal Walls of Yuma, Mrs. Irene James, Mrs. Imogene Blackwell, both of Cedar Grove and Mrs. Alma Halter of Wildersville; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
(The Lexington Progress, May 18, 1979)
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BEULAH (BRITTAIN) BEECHAM - 89, homemaker, died Wednesday at Methodist Hospital of Lexington of injuries received in an automobile accident. Services will be at noon today at Pafford Funeral Home with burial in Center Hill Cemetery. She was a member of First Pentecostal Church of Lexington. Mrs. Beecham, the widow of Walter V. Beecham, leaves a daughter, Fairene (Beecham) Sewell of Selmer; and three sisters, Lula Wallace and Mavis Wallace, both of Lextington and Ida Rogers of Henderson, TN. Beulah Brittain and Walter Beecham were married March 1, 1925, Henderson Co, TN
The Commercial Appeal Memphis 14 Aug 1998 from Mary Jo at "Find-A-Grave"

CARNES H. BEECHAM - Services for Carnes H. Beecham were Tuesday, Feb. 25, 1997 at Pafford Funeral Home with burial in Center Hill. Mr. Beecham who was 75, died Sunday, Feb. 23, 1997 at Lexington Hsp. He was a retired employee of City of Lexington Street Dept. He leaves a brother, Berlon Beecham of Lexington and a sister Etolia Pratt of Lexington.
(Lexington Progress 26 Feb 1997)
(Nov. 10, 1921-Feb. 23, 1997, military marker "CM3 US Navy World War II")

ELGIN BEECHAM - Services for Elgin Beecham were Saturday, August 18, 2001 at Reed's Chapel with burial in Center Hill Cemetery. Mr. Beecham, 76, died Wednesday August 15, 2001 at his home. He was retired from Milan Arsenal. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Helen Brasher Beecham ofLexington; a daughter, Brenda Powers of Jackson; three sons, Ricky Beecham, Roger Beecham, both ofLexington and Randy of Reagan; two sisters, Dorothy Dyer of Lexington and Bobbie Griffin of Virginia; a brother, Earl Beecham of Horn Lake. MI, nine grandchildren.
Lexington Progress 22 Aug 2001

FRANK DEVAUGHN BEECHAM - Services for Mr. Beecham, 69, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday Jan. 7, 2009 in the chapel of Pafford Funeral Home with Bro. Bobby Beecham officiating. Burial will follow in Chapel Hill Cemetery. Mr. Beecham died Monday in Jackson. He was born January 21, 1939 in Lexington to the late Lloyd Thoams and Lalar Bell Rickett Beecham. He was a retired employee of Leroy Somer. Survivors include his two brothers, Leon (Katherine) Beecham and Allen (Shelia) Beecham, two sisters, Barbara (William) Ervin and JoReba (Alton) Maness all of Lexington, a very special friend, Vernel Johnson of Adamsville, two nieces, Regina Sego and ReneeMaynard and four nephews Jeff Beecham, Dewarne Ervin, Reagan Beecham and Slater Beecham.
Lexington Progress January 7 2009

FREDDIE W. BEECHAM - Services for Airman First Class Freddie W. Beecham, former Henderson Countian, were Sunday at Palestine Cumberland Presbyterian Church. A chaplain from Stewart Air Force Base conducted the services and a Stewart squad gave military honors at the grave. Pafford funeral Home had charge. Airman Beecham, who was 22, was killed Thursday in an auto accident near Chanute Air Force Base, Ill, where he was stationed. A companion was seriously injured. He leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Luther Beecham of Melrose Park, Ill; a brother, Larry Beecham and a sister, Miss Peggy Beecham, both of Melrose Park.
Contributed by Ginny Melton

JAMES ALLAN BEECHAM were Sunday December 14, 1997 at Pafford with burial in Brown's Pentecostal Church, Huron. Mr. Beecham who was 18, (born 19 October 1979) died Friday Dec. 12, 1997 at Lexington Hsp. of injuries received in a a car accident. He was an employee of Allen Garner Construction. He leaves his parents Gary and Betty Wood Beecham of Huron, a brother, Justin Blake Beecham of Huron; two half-sisters Paula Rena Hays of Huron and Tommie Keen of Parson.
(Lexington Progress 17 Dec 1997)

JOSEPH ALTOM BEECHAM - Services for Joseph Alton Beecham were Thursday April 23, at Union Hill Baptist Church with the Revs. John D. Small and Rufus Chandler officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery with Reeds Chapel in charge. Mr. Beecham who was 60, died Tuesday at his home at Reagan. He was a farmer and an Air Force veteran of the Korean War. He leaves his wife Betty Sheppard Beecham of Reagan; a daughter, Mrs. Patty Durbin of reagan and Tony Alton Beecham of Shelbyville; three brothers, Elgin Beecham of Reagan, Earl Beecham of Mississippi and Gerald Wayne Beecham ofHouston MO; two sisters Mrs. Dorothy Sue Dyer of Lexington and Mrs. Bobbie Jean Griffin of Virginia and four grandchildren.
(11 Sep 1931 - 21 Apr 1992) (Lexington Progress 29 Apr 1992)

LELA (PETTY) BEECHAM - Services for Mrs. Lela Petty Beecham were Wednesday at Center Hill with Charles Watkins officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery with Pafford Funeral Home in charge. Mrs. Petty died Tuesday at Lexington Hospital. She was 73 and was the widow of Hobert Beecham. She leaves two sons, Howard Beecham and Curtis Beecham, both of Lexington; eight daughters, Mrs. Loraine Ervin of Luray, Mrs. Pauline Grissom, Miss Gertie Beecham, Mrs. Hazel Duck and Mrs. Catherine Williams, all of Reagan; Mrs. Irone Keen of Lexington, Mrs. Joan Hudson and Mrs. Janetta Johnson, both of Huron; four sisters, Mrs. Electa Richardson of Lexington, Mrs. Amanda Douglas of Memphis, Mrs. Esta Lee Morris and Mrs. Gladys Holmes, both of Henderson; 27 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
The Lexington Progress, May 30, 1973

LLOYD THOMAS BEECHAM , 66, (born 1916) were Friday at Center Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. N.V. Ragsdale officiating. Burial (1983) was in the church cemetery with Pafford Funeral Home in charge. Mr. Beecham, a merchant, died early Thursday morning at Lexington-Henderson County Hospital after a long illness. He was a Henderson County native and a Baptist. Surviving are three sons, Frank Devaughn, Leon and Allen, all of Lexington; two daughters Mrs. Jo Reba Maness and Mrs. Barbara Ervin, both of Lexington; four sisters, Mrs. Luda Moffitt and Mrs. Loda Hagan both of Lexington, Mrs. Ela Weatherington of Cedar Grove and Mrs. Jewell Ward of Trezevant; and four grandchildren.

LUTHER E. BEECHAM - Services for Luther Beecham were Tuesday at Palestine Cumberland Presbyterian Church with the Revs. Bobby Beecham and Jessie Douglas officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery with Reed’s Chapel in charge. Mr. Beecham, who was 68, died Monday at Ridgewood Nursing Home in Milan. He was a retired factory employee. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Rena Beecham of Huron; a son, Larry Beecham of Lexington; a daughter, Mrs. Peggy Little of Lexington; a brother, Loyd Beecham of Lexington; four sisters, Mrs. Jewell Warren of Dresden, Mrs. Ludie Moffitt of Lexington, Mrs. Lodie Hagan of Chesterfield and Mrs. Uda Fesmire of Cedar Grove.
Contributed by Ginny Melton Lexington Progress, May 18, 1977
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MARGARET ELIZABETH (BAILEY) BEECHAM was born June 24, 1860. Died April 20, 1951. She was the daughter of the late Robert T. and Mrs. Parthenia Stewart Bailey. She was the second child born in their pioneer family and was born in the home in which death occurred and had live her entire life in this home except for a short period. Four brothers have preceded her to the tomb. They are: Edgar C. Bailey, William M. Bailey, James T. Bailey and John Bailey who died in infancy. She is survived by four foster children, Miss Vina Beecham, John Beecham, and Harrison Beecham of Reagan; and Henry Beecham of Luray. Three sisters survive, they are: Mrs. Flora Little and Susan Bailey of Lexington and Mrs. Harriett Scott of Blytheville, Ark. Two brothers survive: A. Milton Bailey of Reagan and Theodore M. Bailey of Blytheville, Ark.
(The Lexington Progress, April 27, 1951)
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MARY ELAINE (WILLIAMS) BEECHAM - Services for Mrs. Mary Elaine Beecham were Tuesday at Palestine Cumberland Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Cloyce Beecham and Tillman Stewart officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery with Pafford Funeral Home in charge. Mrs. Beecham, 60, died at her home in Melrose Park, Ill. Monday morning after a short illness. She was a former resident of the county. She was employed as a factory worker in Melrose Park and was a Presbyterian. She leaves her husband, Luther Beecham; a son, Larry Beecham of Lexington; a daughter, Mrs. Redie Jones of Lexington and Mrs. Robbie Millner of Huron.
Contributed by Ginny Melton Lexington Progress June 8, 1972
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OSCAR D. BEECHAM - Services for Oscar D. Beecham were Friday afternoon at Pafford Funeral Home with the Rev. Belton Hutchetson Officiating. Burial was in Palestine Cemetery. Mr. Beecham, 84, died Thursday morning at Lexington Hospital after a long illness He leaves two sons, Luther Beecham of Chicago and Lloyd Beecham of Lexington; four daughters, Mrs. Euda Fesmire of Cedar Grove, Mrs. Loda Hagen of Chesterfield, Mrs. Luda Moffitt of Lexington and Mrs. Jewel Warren of Trezevant; Two brothers, Roy Beecham and Troy Beecham, both of Lexington.
Contributed by Ginny Melton Lexington Progress Thursday May 25, 1972
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ROY A. BEECHAM - Services for Roy A. Beecham were Wednesday at Center Hill Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Pafford was in charge. Mrs Beecham, 92, died Tuesday at Lexington Hsp. after a long illness. He was a retired farmer. He leaves three daughters, Mrs. Mildred Brittain, Mrs. Onell McBride, both of Huron and Mrs. Marie Wood of Lexington; a son, Dennis Beecham ofLexington, 11 grandchildren.
(Lexingtn Progress 7 Dec 1988)

RUTH ETHEL (McCORMICK) BEECHAM - 71, retired employee of Johnson Controls, died of respiratory failure Sunday at her home. Services will be at 1 p.m. today at Reed's Chapel with burial in Center Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Beecham, the wife of Belon Beecham, also leaves two sons, Danny Beecham and Denny Beecham, both of Lexington; two sisters, Maudie McCormick Newman and Flaudie McCormick Ross, both of Reagan; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was the daughter of Herman Chester McCormick and Bessie Elizabeth (Veteto) McCormick. Ruth and Berlon Beecham were married May 6, 1950.
The Commercial Appeal Memphis TN - from Mary Jo at "Find-A-Grave"

VINA (RICHARDSON) BEECHAM Services for Mrs. Vina Beecham were Friday at Center Hill Baptist church with the Rev. Harold Hopper and Tillman Stewart officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery with Reed's Chapel in charge. Mrs. Beecham, who was 88, died Wednesday at Lexington Hospital after a long illness. She was a lifelong resident of Henderson County and a Baptist She leaves two sons, Luther Beecham of Huron and Lloyd Beecham of Lexington; four daughters, Mrs. Euda Fesmire of Cedar Grove, Mrs. Luda Moffitt of Lexington Mrs. Loda Hagan of Chesterfield and Mrs. Jewell Warren of Trezevant and a sister, Mrs. Nettie Wallace of Lexington.
Contributed by Ginny Melton Lexington progress Feb 26, 1975

WILMA IMOGENE BEECHAM aged one year, five months, and three days, infant daughter of Luther and Mrs. Vina Beecham, of the Palestine vicinity, died last Sunday in a Jackson hospital and the body brought back for burial at Palestine Monday. We have no additional facts except that Wright & Timberlake had charge of the funeral.
Contributed by Ginny Melton Lexington Progress Friday, May 24, 1935
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KEVIN GENE BEELART - Graveside services for Kevin Gene Beelart were Monday at Sardis Cemetery, Pafford funeral in charge. Burial followed in Sardis Cem. Mr. Beelart, 43, died April 26, 2008 at his residence. Survivors include his m other, Wanda Beelart, Reagan; two brothers, Frederick, McHenry IL and Gayland of Sycamore IL; three sisters, Katherine Beelart of Milwaukee WI and Patricia Wonzny, Crystal Lake IL and Louann Ward of Lexington.
Lexington Progress April 30, 2008

IRENE (EPPERSON) TUBBS BLAYDES - Graveside services for Irene Epperson Blaydes, 83, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2004 at Memphis Memory Garden. Mrs. Blaydes died Monday, May 3, 2004 at Henderson County Community Hospital. She is survived by her sister, Nola Beal of Wildersville. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bowman Blaydes; her parents, H.A. and Nora Epperson; sisters, Lettie and Lorene Epperson and brothers, James and Herbert Epperson.
Source: Jerry McDaniel The Watchers

SON OF R. W. BLEVINS - On Wednesday morning of last week, Mr. R. W. Blevins, living in the sixth civil district of this county was doing some hauling with a pair of mules and wagon, and his little son aged about four years accompanied him. The little fellow was seated in the body of the wagon, when Mr. Blevins left the team a moment, the mules took fright and ran away, throwing the little boy out and killing him instantly.
The Lexington Reporter, June 11, 1875

JOHN GRADEN BOLEN - Dies in New Orleans: Graden Bolen, member of widely-known famiy of Carroll and Henderson Counties, died Sunday at his home in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he had been in the mercantile business for about two years. Mr. Bolen was born in Wildersville and was a son of Esq. W.R. Bolen. When Mr. Bolen left this section to go New Orleans, he was conducting a small business in Huntingdon. He previously had lived in New Orleans, returning to this county about fifteen years ago. He was a member of the Baptist Church and Rev. T.M. Boyd of Memphis conducted the funeral services in Wildersville Baptist Church. In addtion to his father, he is survived by four brothers, Ben Bolen of Huntingdon, George E. Bolen of Lexington, Ethan Bolen of Wildersville and Gene Bolen of Columbia, South Carolina. His sisters are Mrs. Walter Rush, Mrs. Hester Pratt and Miss Ethel Bolen of Wildersville.
Contributed by Jerry McDaniel

PRIESTLY HOLLAND BOLEN - Funeral services for Priestly Holland Bolen,age 80 of Wildersville will be Saturday, April 14, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. at Reeds Chapel with burial to follow in the Jones Cemetery. Mr. Bolen, a farmer died Thursday at his home in Wildersville. He served in the United States Navy during WWII from 1946-1950. He was born on Oct. 2,1926 to Addie and Cora Woods Bolen. He is survived by his wife who he married Nov. 1,1952 Madelyn Bolen; a son, Kenneth Holland (Sharon) Bolen of Huntingdon; a daughter, Rita Carol (Billy) Walker of Wildersville; 5 grandchildren, Jessica, Rebecca, and Mark Bolen of Huntingdon, Jeremy Walker of Dallas,Texas and Alison Walker of Wildersville; 2 sisters, Jean Peterson of Yuma, and Bonnie Jowers of Lexington. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Rumley Bolen and a sister Vilda Bolen. Visitation with the Bolen family will be Friday, 1:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. and Saturday 9:00 A.M. until time of service.
Contributed by Jerry McDaniel

VILDA BOLEN / BILLY FAYE McDANIEL / LARRY TODD
- A sorrowing crowd estimated conservatively at 1500 overflowed Beaver School auditorium Friday afternoon for the triple funeral of three Wildersville young people who died in a tragic auto crash Wednesday night (09 January 1952). The Rev. W.A. Moody, the Rev. Edwin E. Deusner and Bro. Joe Cooke Van Dyke conducted services for Miss Velda Bolen, 21; Billy Faye McDaniel 18, and Larry Todd, 18. Burial was in Jones Cemetery with Pafford Funeral Home in charge. Miss Bolen leaves her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ad Bolen; two sisters, Mrs. Ivy Jeane Peterson and Bonnie Ruth Bolen; two brothers, Leonard Romley and Priest Holland, all of Wildersville. The McDaniel youth leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl McDaniel; three brothers, James Ray, Tampa FL; Bobby Joe and Jerry, Wildersville; four sisters, Mrs. Clara Adcock, Nashville; Mrs. Audry Hale, Yuma; Jean and Joyce Ann, Wildersville. Young Todd is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cova Todd and a brother, Warren G. of Jackson. Meanwhile another death Saturday morning brought to four the number of victims of the tragedy. John Lloyd Ross, 57, died at Jackson General Hospital of injuries received in the wreck. Mr. Ross was a state wiring inspector and lived in Greenfield. Services were conducted there Sunday afternoon.

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