USGenWeb | OKGenWeb | County Archive | County Queries
OKCHOCTA   Choctaw County Oklahoma Genealogy
Cemeteries | Obituaries | Headstones | Marriages | Photos | Bios & Tidbits | Maps | Pioneer Papers | Guestbook | HOME

Mrs. B.F. Mann

Death of Mrs. B.F. Mann
The Soper Democrat December 23, 1920 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Mrs. Mary Alice Mann, died at the family home 5 ½ miles southwest of Soper last Monday morning. Burial was had in the Old Goodland cemetery Tuesday afternoon at 5 o’clock. Rev. Jno. Crain, of Hugo, conducting the services. Mrs. Mann was 54 years of age and had been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church for 40 years. She was truly a good neighbor, wife and mother. She was born in Blountsville, Ala., and was married to Mr. Mann about 30 years ago. She moved with her family to Lamar County, Texas, in 1891, and to what is now Choctaw County in 1898. About a year ago she became afflicted with tuberculosis, and all that medical aid and loving hands could do was done but to no avail. Besides her husband she leaves five children, three brothers and two sisters, viz: Mrs. Pearl Bradshaw, Mrs. Buelah Akins, Mrs. Ola Baker, Miss Susie and Elbert Mann, C.C. and R.E. Ketchum, of Soper, and S.S. Ketchum of Nebraska, Mrs. Bettie Patrick and Mrs. Mittie Lane, of Hugo.
    The family have many friends who extend them sympathy in their sad hours.

Florence Gaskin Dean

Death of Mrs. Chas. Dean
The Soper Democrat December 16, 1920 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Mrs. Florence Gaskin Dean, wife of Chas. Dean, died at the family home five miles north of Soper Thursday afternoon at 2:20. Burial was had in the Sugar Creek cemetery Friday afternoon at 2:30.
    Mrs. Dean was 40 [?] years old and had been a sufferer for several months with Brights’ disease. She was married to Chas. Dean at Paris 20 years ago. She came to Soper with her husband 17 years ago and has lived in and near Soper since then. She had been a consistent member of the Christian Church for a number of years, and was a good neighbor, a kind and loving wife and mother. Besides her husband she leaves a daughter, Little Miss Jewel Beatrice.
    The bereaved ones have the sympathy of the entire community in this their sad hour.

Mrs. J.M. Fails

Death of Mrs. J.M. Fails
The Soper Democrat November 4, 1920 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Mrs. J.M. Fails died at the family home at Buckhorn Saturday afternoon after a weeks’ illness of pneumonia. The body was laid to rest in the Sugar Creek cemetery Sunday afternoon at 5 o’clock.
    Mrs. Fails was 59 years of age. She was a true Christian, being a member of the Christian Church for 36 years. She was a devoted wife, a true mother and a kind neighbor. She was reared in Texas, and moved to this section about 25 years ago, and lived in the Roebuck community until last year when the family moved to Buckhorn. Besides her husband, one brother and three sisters she leaves nine children to mourn her death, viz: Mrs. E.A. Ingle, Soper; Mrs. T.N. Powers, LaLuz, N.M., J.R. Fails, Roebuck; Mrs. G.M. Bussell, Sand Bluff; Mrs. Henry Bussell, Soper; Mrs. A.B. Cowan, Hugo; Mrs. Joe Vannoy, Rovena, Tex.; Edgar and Kate Fails, Sand Bluff.
    A good woman has gone to her reward, and the entire community deeply sympathizes with the bereaved ones.

C.R. Miller

Conductor Miller Dies at Hugo
The Soper Democrat October 7, 1920 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    C.R. Miller died at his home at Hugo Sunday afternoon from an attack of bronchial pneumonia. Funeral services were held at the First Baptist Church Tuesday morning, conducted by Rev. R.C. Miller. Burial was had in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
    Mr. Miller had been a conductor at the Frisco for many years and was well known thru-out the county. He had many friends who will be grieved to learn of his death.

Earl Riggs

Earl Riggs Dead
The Soper Democrat October 7, 1920 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Wednesday evening about 6:00 o’clock Earl Riggs died at his home near Roebuck schoolhouse. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. W.F. Pipkin, pastor of the Methodist church and burial was had in the Sugar Creek cemetery this afternoon at 3 o’clock.
    Joe Earl Riggs was born at Murpheysboro, Ark., July 20, 1899, and was the youngest son of L.A. Riggs. He moved to this country about 10 years ago with his parents. About a year ago he was married to Miss Susan Roebuck, and to this union a son was born about three weeks ago.
    About a month ago the deceased was stricken with typhoid fever and was getting along very well until last Monday morning when a turn for the worse came, and continued to get worse until death relieved his suffering yesterday afternoon.
    Besides the wife and son he leaves his father, L.A. Riggs, and four brothers, viz: Richard Riggs, Nathan, Ark.; Jesse, Jim and Talmadge Riggs, of Soper, all of whom were at his bedside, Nathan arriving Tuesday afternoon.
    The death of Earl Riggs was a shock to the community, for he was liked by all who knew him. He was an upright young man and will be greatly missed by his family and large circle of friends.

Silva Hensley

Last Sad Rites Held Over Body of Soldier Boy
The Soper Democrat October 7, 1920 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Returned soldiers of Choctaw county did honor to one of their heroic dead at Boswell Monday afternoon when the funeral of Silva Hensley, whose body was brought back from France, was held at the Boswell cemetery.
    Fifty two soldiers participated in the ceremonies which were entirely military in character.
    Young Hensley, who was well known in this county, and whose conduct in France was heroic in the extreme, died of pneumonia in a hospital there. It was his parents wish that the body be returned to his native soil.
    The ex-soldiers, some of them his former army pals, were garbed in their war uniforms. A score of the veterans were Hugo boys.
    The company was formed by Bob Howe at the home of the deceased and was turned over to Morris Goldfetter. As the funeral cortege began its slow march to the cemetery, Otis Henry took charge and formed a firing squad. This squad proceeded immediately in the rear of the hearse.
    At the cemetery every detail of a military funeral was carried out, including the parting salute and the sounding of Taps at the grave.
    A splendid funeral sermon was preached by the local pastor – Hugo News.

Joe Stilwell

Death of Joe Stilwell
The Soper Democrat September 16, 1920 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Last Friday morning at 3 o’clock Joe Berry Stilwell died at his home on the G.H. Birchfield place about 4 miles southeast of Soper. Burial was had in the City Cemetery Friday afternoon at 5 o’clock, funeral services being conducted by Elder J.N. Conway, of the Christian Church.
    Joe Berry Stilwell was 46 years old and had lived in this section a number of years. He was a good man and was liked by all who knew him. He had been sick for about two months, and the cause of his death was given as malaria. Besides a wife he leaves five children to mourn his death.

G.F. Dilworth

G.F. Dilworth Accidently Kills Self
The Soper Democrat September 9, 1920 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    A distressing accident occurred in the city shortly after 9 o’clock Tuesday night by which George F. Dilworth a pioneer and much respected citizen lost his life.
    The Dilworth home is at 920 N. Tenth avenue, rather in the suburbs and of lat ‘possums have been troubling the chickens kept on the place and Mr. Dilworth had recently shot several of them.
    Tuesday night there was a disturbance in the chicken yard about 9 o’clock and taking his shotgun Mr. Dilworth went into the back yard after the marauder. A short time after he had left the house a shot was heard and members of the family went into the yard to see what the success of the shot had been. They found Mr. Dilworth lying on the ground, dead. The load of the gun having passed through the back of his head causing instant death.
    From the position of the body it appeared that he had tripped on some wire and that the gun had been discharged as he fell.
    Justice Archiball empanelled a coroner’s jury which returned a verdict in accordance with the above facts.
    Mr. Dilworth was 54 years old and had been a resident of Bryan county for the past 26 years, having been in business here and in Bennington. At the time of his death he was local manager for the Pierce Oil Company.
    A wife and four children survive him.
    He was a man who had the confidence and respect of those with whom he came in contact and his tragic death is deplored by all.
    He was a Methodist and a Mason and was laid to rest by the Masonic lodge after the funeral services at his late home had been conducted by Rev. C.B. Cross, of the First Methodist church of this city, of which Mr. Dilworth had long been a consistent member. – Durant News.
    Mr. Dilworth was the father of Mrs. I.O. Waller of this city, and her many friends here deeply sympathize with her in the loss of her dear father.

Mollie Riggs

Death of Mrs. L.A. Riggs
The Soper Democrat July 15, 1920 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    Mrs. Mollie Riggs, wife of L.A. Riggs, died at the family home two miles west of Roebuck, Monday afternoon at 5 o’clock. Funeral services were conducted at the home, Tuesday afternoon at 3 o’clock by Rev. W.F. Pipkin, pastor of the Methodist Church, followed by interment in the Sugar Creek Cemetery.
    Mrs. Mollie Marie Popan Riggs was born in Mead County, Kentucky, July 13^th, 1856, and would have been 64 years old if she had lived one more day. She was married to L.A. Riggs at Louisville, Ky., on the 2^nd day of August, 1878. To this union seven sons were born, five of them now living, viz: Talmadge, Earl, Jim, Richard and Jesse. Aaron was drowned in Sugar Creek in the spring of 1914, and Frank died the 10^th day of July, last year. Talmadge was at work in the oil fields and arrived in time for the funeral. Richard was at Nathan, Ark., and arrived too late for the funeral.
    In the fall of 1911 the family moved to near Soper from Murpheysborro, Ark., where they had resided many years.
    Mrs. Riggs had been in failing health for more than a year but her condition was not considered serious until about a week ago. Floating kidney and leakage of the heart is given as the cause of her death. She was a noble woman, a devoted wife and mother, and a true Christian. She had been a member of the Methodist church for more than 36 years, and was always active in church matters.
    The bereaved husband, sons, relatives and friends have the sincere sympathy of the entire community in this their hour of sadiness [sic].

Fount Bowman

The Soper Democrat June 3, 1920 -- transcribed by Ron Henson

    The death of Fount Bowman came as a great shock to Soper friends, numbered by all who knew him. He had been assistant cashier of the First National Bank only three months but during that time he endeared himself with all who knew him. Before coming here he was connected with the Hugo National Bank for about four years, during which time he won distinction as a banker, and his loss will be distinctly felt in social and banking circles of the county.

L.W. Thompson

Death of L.W. Thompson
The Soper Democrat May 6, 1920 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    Louis W. Thompson, aged about 40 years, died at the home of his brother, Bud Thompson, near Nelson, Tuesday night. Burial was had in the Sugar Creek cemetery today. Mr. Thompson was single and had been sick for several years. He leaves one brother, Bud Thompson, and three sisters, Mrs. R. A. Woods and Mrs. Ed Pierce, and Miss Ella Thompson, of Nelson, to mourn his death. He was a good man and bore his sufferings in silence, and all who knew him are grieved to learn of his death.

Mrs. R.B. Black

Death of Mrs. R.B. Black
The Soper Democrat May 6, 1912 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    Mrs. R.B. Black died April 24^th at the home of her daughter Mrs. A.F. Wyrick, Soper, Okla. She was 65 years old and had been sick for 2 years. She was a good Christian mother had been a member of the Methodist church for 20 years. She leaves 4 children to mourn her loss, viz: John Black, of Deademan [?], Texas, Eugene Black, of Graham, Texas, and Mrs. A.F. Wyrick and Crist Black, of Soper, Okla. The body was laid to rest at Antlers by the sie of her husband, N.H. Black.

Rev. Stephen Lee Holloway

Death Claims a Noted Baptist Divine
The Soper Democrat May 6, 1920 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    The Rev. Stephnen [sic] L. Holloway, age 59, died Friday morning about 5 o’clock at the family residence on Bissell -st [sic]. His death was a shock to the community as he had been on the streets Thursday afternoon and was apparently feeling as well as usual on retiring Thursday night, although he had previously suffered from attacks of heart trouble. He was awakened early Friday morning suffering with his heart, and called his wife to bring him medicine, but before she could prepare same or a physician could reach his bedside, he had expired.
    Stephen Lee Holloway was born July 1, 1861, in Dallas-co [sic] Ark. He was ordained to the ministry for service in the Baptist Church in 1888. He graduated from Ouachita college, Arkadelphia, Ark., in 1896, and served as State secretary in Sunday school work in Arkansas four years. He came to Hugo in 1911, as pastor of the First Baptist Church. In 1914 the Rev. Holloway was elected superintendent of missions at El Paso, Tex. He returned to Hugo in 1917 to reside permanently, devoting his time to rural pastorates.
    During his period of service connected with denominational church work, the Rev. Holloway became widely known in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas as a devoted leader and worker, and in his death the community loses a splendid citizen, and the church a worthy exponent.
    He is survived by a wife, and two sons, W.J. Holloway, County Attorney of Choctaw -co [sic], and Stephen Holloway, and a sister, Mrs. Frank Ayers, of Boonesville, Ark.
    The funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church, Sunday morning at 10:30 o’clock, conducted by the Rev. R.C. Miller. The burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. – Hugo News.

Bell Riggs

Death of Mrs. Bell Riggs
The Soper Democrat April 8, 1920 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    Mrs. Bell Riggs, age about 25 years, died at the home of her parents, Mr. And Mrs. B.F. Roebuck, last Thursday night after a short illness of flu and pneumonia. Interment was had in the Sugar Creek cemetery, Fridry [sic] afternoon, beside her husband, who died last July 10^th. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. M.A. Pillars. Besides two small children she leaves her parents, four brothers and four sisters, viz: Ed, Oliver, Oscar and Ulis Roebuck, Mrs. Tobe Fail, Mrs. Jim Riggs, Mrs. Earl Riggs and Miss Clara Roebuck.
    Mrs. Riggs was a good woman, a kind mother and true friend. She was born and raised a few miles north of Soper where she was loved by all who knew her.