Pvt. Gerald Hunter Visits on Leave Private Gerald S. Hunter, son of Mrs. Lawrence Hunter, recently spent a weekend leave visiting family and friends. Private Hunter is in the Army Reserve and is presently stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. He is connected to the medical department and received his basic training at El Paso. Pvt. Hunter is a 1963 graduate of Celeste High School and attended SMU at Dallas. He was employed at Bell Telephone Company in Greenville before entering the US Army. (November 18, 1966, The Celeste Courier)

Mrs. B. B. Statzer Services Saturday at Greenville Mrs. B. B. Statzer, 81, whose home was on Wolfe City Drive in Greenville, died in Greenville Surgical Hospital at 8:30 PM Thursday, November 10, 1966, following a brief illness. She was the mother of Dewey Statzer of Celeste. Funeral services were held Saturday at 2:00 PM in Coker-Mathews-Peters Funeral Home in Greenville. Mr. Raymond Crouch and Mr. Foster Ramsey officiated. Burial was in the Celeste Cemetery. A former resident of Abilene, Mrs. Statzer moved to Greenville approximately twenty years ago. She was born April 26, 1885, in Virginia and was the daughter of F. M. Barker and Augusta Voigt Barker. She and Mr. Statzer were married in Virginia on May 5, 1905. Mrs. Statzer was a member of the Church of Christ. Besides her husband, she is survived by three sons, Vernon Statzer of Greenville, Sammy Statzer of McKinney, and Dewey Statzer of Celeste; one sister, Mr. F. B. Carter of Alenreed, Texas; three grandchildren (including Joyce Statzer Compton and Debbie Statzer), and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Leland Bagwell, R. H. Dickson, Arvin Ownby, Farrell Morphew, John David Boldt, and Buddy Massey. (November 18, 1966, The Celeste Courier)

Mrs. Verna Woodson Services Saturday at Bonham Chapel Funeral services for Mrs. Verna Woodson, 80, of Gober, mother of Mrs. Lexie Babers, were held in the Wise Funeral Home Chapel in Bonham at 2:00 PM Saturday. Burial was in the Gober Cemetery. Mrs. Woodson, a resident of Fannin county for many years, died in the Fairview Rest Home in Bonham at 11:30 AM Thursday, November 10, 1966. The Rev. Paul Campbell of Fort Worth conducted the services, assisted by the Rev. Bob Burgess, pastor of the Gober Baptist Church. Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, Mrs. Woodson moved from that state to Texas at the age of eight, settled in the Gober community and had resided there since. She was a member of the Gober Christian Church. Mrs. Woodson is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Tina Curtis of Gober, Mrs. D. L. Conner of Hooks, and Mrs. Lexie Babers of Celeste; two sons, Oather Woodson and Eugene Woodson, both of Gober; nine grandchildren (including Mackie Don Babers of Celeste), and thirteen great-grandchildren (including Jeffrey Babers, Kristie Babers, and Karen Babers of Celeste). Her husband, Dan Woodson, died thirteen years ago and she was also preceded in death by one child, an infant. (November 18, 1966, The Celeste Courier)

Mrs. Georgia Pennington, One of Oldest Celeste Citizens Mrs. Georgia Pennington, Celeste's oldest Negro citizen, celebrated her 89th birthday recently. Mrs. Pennington has lived in Celeste since 1902 and was a cook in the homes of several residents throughout the years. She recalls she cooked a graduation dinner for Postmaster Harbert Byers in 1915. The elderly lady served as cook for many years in the home of Dr. and Mrs. G. B. Norris. She also worked in the Stallings' home. She remarked, "I was a mother to the Stallings boys, Ross and Luster." Many more happy birthday, Georgia. (November 18, 1966, The Celeste Courier)

Mrs. Marie Patterson Died in Oklahoma Graveside rites for Mrs. Marie Jeager Patterson, 87-year-old former resident of Celeste and Greenville, were Tuesday in Celeste Cemetery. The Rev. Bill Davis, pastor of the Celeste Methodist Church, officiated. Funeral services for Mrs. Patterson were held Monday at Saint Frances Catholic Church in Stillwater, Oklahoma, with Father James F. Halpine officiating. Mrs. Patterson, a native of Galveston, was the daughter of the late Garnet Jeager and Maria Jeager. She was the widow of the late James M. Patterson. Mrs. Patterson taught piano and violin in Galveston before moving to Greenville, where she taught piano, violin, and orchestra until her marriage. The Patterson moved to Celeste, where she was head of the music depart at Texas Junior College (sic). In 1911, the couple moved to Hugo, Oklahoma, where she taught piano and violin in the high school. In 1925, they opened the Patterson Furniture Company. Survivors include a son, James M. Patterson of Stillwater, Oklahoma; and two grandsons, James H. Patterson of Colorado Springs, Colorado and John M. Patterson of Fort Collins, Colorado. (November 16, 1966, The Celeste Courier)

Condition of the First National Bank of Celeste, Texas Total Assets..........................................$2,078,348.27 Total Liabilities.......................................$1,856,180.92 Total Capital Accounts............................$ 222.167.35 Declared correct by Imogene Ross, Cashier Attested to be correct by undersigned directors: Charles Dupre, Sr. S. R. Granberry Albert Granberry Published in Response to call made by Comptroller of the Currency under Section 5211, US Revised Statues. (October 7, 1966, The Celeste Courier)

>From "Our Town This Week..." Things look a little brighter this Thursday morning early--at least the sun is trying to shine. It has gotten to be the habit that a shower or more rain comes along about every three days. Last week it rained Tuesday and Friday. This week all day Tuesday. Despite the wetness, the farmers have to keep trying to get the cotton out. Most has been defoliated, and the Monday of this week, 747 bales had been "weighted over" with the Tuesday downpour soaking an awful lot of loaded trailers, 123 bales were hauled in Monday. Cotton farmer, Paul Hazal, uses every advantage! Tuesday during the soaking rain, he took his wife, Eula, shopping and she bought a pretty dress in the store where we met up. (We think that is a good way to forget the farm blues.) (By Mrs. Lois Lacy Lewis, October 7, 1966, The Celeste Courier)

>From "Our Town This Week..." Today, Wednesday AM, the weather looks a little more like "cotton picking weather," certainly the kind the farmers are looking for. Just hope that the long range forecast will not bring the threatened showers offered for this weekend. Cotton picking, when it does get started, will be a long way from the same task of long ago. Few people are involved in the machine boll pulling process that takes about two hands for three or more bales a day. Though a few farms still pull the bolls by hand, then hope to get "ginned off" after leaving the loaded trailers at the crowded gins for a day or two. Different was the days Mama remembers as a little girl in Collin County almost ninety years ago. They picked in sacks (though earlier baskets were used), then emptied the sacks of seed cotton into sacks to be loaded on the wagon for hauling to the gin. The packed sacks held almost one hundred pounds and it took fifteen or sixteen sacks to make a bale. The reason for the sack method was that the gins had no suction system so that sacks were heaved into the gin by hand, into the stands. The gin sacks were made of brown domestic made by the mother of the house. ("Brown Domestic" for the benefit of young readers! , if any, is yard wide strong cotton material then bleached out for soft sheeting or pillow slip material.) Mama's Ma would bleach the gin sacks after the season was over and make the families' underwear. Now let's not think any more that we have hard times these days. It is doubtful, though, that families at that time thought it was a hard way of life. By the way, "old fashioned brown domestic" as labeled by Mr. Love, is available at the Factory Store, a good buy at four yards for $1.00. Mama's Dad bought the material for five cents a yard--really in comparison considering all the angles, a comparable price. (September 16, 1966, The Celeste Courier)

Warren Carson Died in Dallas Hospital Warren W. Carson, 53, of Celeste, died at 4:35 PM Tuesday, September 13, 1966, in a Dallas hospital following a short illness. Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM Thursday at Coker-Mathews-Peters Funeral Chapel in Greenville with the Rev. Bob Layman, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Celeste, officiating. Burial was in Cumby Cemetery. Mr. Carson was born June 19, 1913 in Boynton, Oklahoma, the son of Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Carson. He was reared in Oklahoma and was in the oil field supply business for a number of years before retiring in 1959 and moving to Celeste in 1965. He was married to Ouida Raper on June 1, 1946 in Cumby. A World War II veteran, Mr. Carson received the Purple Heart for his duty in the European Theater. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Survivors include his widow of Celeste; his mother, Mrs. R. A. Carson of Oklahoma City; one brother, Kenneth Carson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and one sisters, Mrs. J. W. Williams of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (September 16, 1966, The Celeste Courier)

School Enrollment Above Last Year; Five New Teachers Added to Faculty The present enrollment of the Celeste Public School is 285, according to Superintendent G. W. Tillerson. Last year the enrollment was 255. An additional teacher, Mrs. Ruby Thomas Wilburn of Commerce, has the second grade, made possible because of the increase in students. Previously for several years, the second grade was taught by the first and third grade teachers, each having the grade one-half day. The present first grade class numbers thirty-one, a decided increase of the past years. Under Title I, according to Superintendent Tillerson, the federal funds were trimmed from $25,540.00, the amount last year, to $21,712.00 this year. Teacher aides, college students, Ruth Thorp, Catherine Floyd, Georgia Steed, Pat Roach, and David Smith, are working in that capacity this session. This is two short of last year. Remedial teachers are Mrs. Joyce Ann Grubbs and Mrs. Frances Lamm. Mrs. Grubbs of Wolfe City replaced Mrs. Marie Denney, who resigned recently. There is a vacancy to be filled for a physical education teacher. Under the Title I program, the school will begin the construction of a $3,500.00 building on the campus for remedial work. At present, space is a premium for the best use of remedial classes and for the use and storage of valuable equipment purchased for the program. Under the Youth Corp program that operated last year with a total of thirty-seven workers, the allotment to date is only three. It is possible that authorization for more will come later and applicants will be given work. New teachers in the school, other than Mrs. Ruby Wilburn, second grade, are Mrs. Carolyn Musgrave, eighth grade home room, homemaking teacher and pep squad sponsor; Mrs. Carrie Howell, ninth grade home room, high school science and mathematics; Charles Stone, seventh grade, elementary principal, elementary social studies and science; and Harry Brewer, high school principal, head coach and teacher of high school social studies. Miss Mary Eastwood in music and Miss Allegra Byers in speech have private pupils in their departments and have studios for classes. These departments are active in the programs of the school. (September 16, 1966, The Celeste Courier)

Does anyone know if this Frank Horton was from Bonham whose father's name was Jim? I would dearly love to get in touch with Frank's children. Frank is my second cousin. Peggy Ann

Mrs. Lake Carter Bruce, Celeste Native, Died in California Mrs. Lake Carter Bruce of Dallas, a native of the Celeste community, died Thursday, September 8, in Los Angeles, California. Services were in Restland Memorial Chapel in Dallas, Saturday, September 10, at 4:00 PM with the Rev. Melvin R. Carter officiating. Interment was in Restland Memorial Park. Mrs. Carter was the bedside of a sick sister when taken ill. A long-time Dallas resident, Mrs. Bruce retired from the US Postal Service in 1961 after working in the Dallas Postal System for forty-three and one-half years. She was a 1909 Celeste High School graduate, a member of the First Baptist Church, and a member of the Order of Eastern Star. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Dick Sable of Dallas and Mrs. J. D. McClure of San Diego, California; sisters are Mrs. John McClalman, Le Mesa, California and Mrs. John Beaird, Los Angeles, California; brothers, James Carter of El Paso and Thomas J. Carter of Dallas. A grandson, Rick Sable, of Dallas also survives. (September 16, 1966, The Celeste Courier)

Robert Granberry Died Sunday in a Bonham Hospital Robert E. Granberry, 52, of Celeste, died in a Bonham hospital at 2:30 PM Sunday, September 18 (sic), 1966, following an extended illness. Funeral services were held Monday at 3:00 PM in the First Baptist Church of Celeste. Officiating was Rev. Bob Layman. Burial was in Celeste Cemetery under direction of Coker-Mathews-Peters Funeral Home of Greenville. Mr. Granberry was born March 4, 1914, in Celeste, the son of S. R. Granberry and Estelle Titus Granberry, both of whom survive. He lived in Celeste all his life and was a member of the First Baptist Church here. Mr. Granberry was employed at The First National Bank in Celeste and was also in the insurance business before his health forced him to retire. Survivors include his parents of Celeste; three brothers, T. C. Granberry and Clifford Granberry, both of Dallas, and Albert Granberry, Celeste; three sisters, Miss Ruth Granberry and Mrs. Calvin Lowell, both of Dallas, and Mrs. Nobel Gholston of Carthage; and a number of nieces and nephews and other relatives. Pallbearers were Millard Titus, Carl Lacy, Joe Gaulden, Jacque Bickham, T. R. Harrison, and Charles A. Dupre, Sr. (September 16, 1966, The Celeste Courier)

B. W. Raper's Mother Died at Leonard, Services Monday Mrs. Annie Belle Raper, 81, longtime resident of Leonard, died at 5:30 PM Saturday, October 29, 1965, at Gilbert Nursing Home in Leonard. Mrs. Raper was born May 14, 1885 in Lee County, Mississippi. Her parents were Samuel Young and Zabra Young. She married John W. Raper on August 12, 1905 in Mississippi. She was a member of the First Methodist Church in Leonard. Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. J. C. Greenwood of Leonard, Mrs. C. Deets and Mrs. Lois Smith, both of San Diego, California; three sons, Otis Raper of Sherman, B. W. Raper of Celeste, and Herbert Raper of Lodi, California; eighteen grandchildren, (including Sylvia Raper Jones), and twenty-seven great-grandchildren. Services were held at 2:00 PM Monday in the First Methodist Church in Leonard with Rev. James A. Denton officiating, assisted by Rev. Leroy Martin. Burial was in Mount Carmel Cemetery in Wolfe City under direction of Wilson Funeral Home of Leonard. Mrs. Raper's grandsons and J. B. Yoast served as pallbearers. (November 4, 1966, The Celeste Courier)

R. W. Farmer Home Entertains Friends Mrs. R. W. Farmer of Kingston was hostess at a morning coffee recently, entertaining at her Kingston home. Twenty-two guests were invited to the affair. The coffee table decoration included an arrangement of white chrysanthemums and fern. Those enjoying the hospitality of the home were Mmes. J. H. Kirkpatrick. J. R. Shields, Claude Gresham, W. A. Owens, Troy Books, Frank Horton, Wayne Steed, William S. Ross, C. A. Ross, Bill Reisor, Marion Morgan, Bo Lipsey, Nannie Newman, Hubert Lewis, Leon Norris, J. E. Norris, Clarence Slayden, D. M. Sumrow, Troy Meeks, Glenn Caraway, Carey Wicker, and Lewis Winans. (August 27, 1965, The Celeste Courier)

The Homecoming The Homecoming is still in the minds of the committees and work is getting shaped up. By next week a list of people assisting in the various groups will be printed. And, a funny note: Not everything will be and look as it did years ago when some of the visitors return. Lou V. Kelly, getting her class notified to "let's meet that the Homecoming," heard from all three other members. It was the class of 1909 when four girls were the class. They were Lou V. Mitchell, Ellen McGuire, Lake Carter, and Ovie Norman. All have returned often to Celeste, but Ovie, now Mrs. Percy Wilson of Bochita, Oklahoma, left town may years ago and has not kept up with development, including the loss of some businesses. But she notified Lou V., (Mrs. P. M. Kelly), that she would be in Celeste Saturday morning of the Homecoming and to "meet her at the drugstore." It is nice to reminiscence about the good times; the kids had meetings at the drugstore. (But maybe there were no cafe or gym or ball park or such). Anyway, I well remember my first strawberry soda--all foamy and deep. It was bought for me by Uncle Mallory Mason as I drove him here from Lane in the buggy for him to catch a train to Rockwell, or maybe Garland. The drugstore sure looked swanky. (! August 27, 1965, The Celeste Courier)

Mrs. Willis Dies, Lifelong Resident of Hunt County Mrs. Della Jane Willis, 72, a resident of Celeste, died Thursday morning, August 12, 1965, in a Greenville hospital. She was born January 5, 1893, in Hunt County, and had lived in the county all her life. She was the daughter of Joe Carter and Myrtle Bridge Carter. She married Claud C. Willis on December 17, 1911. He survives. Mrs. Willis was a member of the Methodist Church. Services were held at 4:30 PM, Friday, at the Sorrells and Sons Funeral Chapel in Greenville with burial in the Tidwell Cemetery. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Willis is survived by one son, Spencer Willis of Dallas; three daughters, Mrs. Art Smith of Chicago, Mrs. Lester Cody of Brawley, California, and Mrs. Leon Myers of Lander, Wyoming; four brothers, Wilburn Carter, Earl Carter, and Melvin Carter, all of Greenville, and Eugene Carter of Dallas; one sister, Mrs. Tessie Ross of Denison; nine grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. (August 20, 1965, The Celeste Courier)

Lane Residents Want Water Line for Community Thirty-four homeowners of the Lane community met Thursday evening, August __, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Braddy to make preliminary plans for securing a water line to serve the area. James Sewell, Farm Home Administration Supervisor of Greenville spoke with the group explaining the routine procedure. Ralph Braddy was elected chairman of the Lane group with Marion Pierce and Carl Lacy vice-chairmen. Mrs. Earnest Berry and R. W. Clinton were elected to contact home owners in the Lane community to secure the necessary number of contracts and collect deposits*. Mrs. T. B. Weatherley, Jr., is recording secretary of the Lane group. Another meeting of the Lane residents is schedule for 8:00 PM, August 20 (tonight) at the Ralph Braddy home. (August 20, 1965, The Celeste Courier) *Theda Compton Lacy remembers the deposits to be $5.00. Prices for water meter/deposits today are what?

Frank Milton Brings First Celeste Bale Frank Milton of Celeste brought in the area's first bale of cotton Friday. This was the fifth year in succession that Milton came in with the first bale. The cotton was ginned at the Coop Gin in Celeste and weighed in at 490 pounds. Celeste merchants awarded Milton substantial premiums for the cotton production on the M. P. Lawler farm one mile north of Celeste. Contributing to the premium for Mr. Milton are: First National Bank, $15.00 Johnnie Lyon, 2.00 Don Cawthon, 1.00 Celeste Insurance Agency, 7.50 Jasmine Harless, 2.00 Lenna's Beauty Shop, 1.00 Stewart's Mobile Station, 1.00 Bickham's Grocery, 7.50 Compton's Grocery, 2.00 Oral Smith, 1.00 Southside Texaco, 2.00 Henslee Hardware, 3.00 Cleatis Hudson, 1.00 Gray's Cafe, 1.00 Bill Mulkey, 1.00 O. K. Automatic, 2.50 Celeste Coop Gin, 15.00 Opal Mae Stapleton, 5.00 Love Manufacturing, Dress Length Choice (August 20, 1965, The Celeste Courier)

Was their ever a Cora Maberry in Hunt County? I think she married a O.H.McLain and had a son in 1919 by the name of L.R.McLain?