This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Hairston, Dodd, Walden, Cave, Orr, Marsh, Regenbrecht Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/hkB.2ACE/5394 Message Board Post: Rockdale Reporter & Messenger, Thur., 27 Nov 1941 “Mrs. J. J. Hairston Dies Here Saturday” Funeral services for Mrs. J. J. Hairston, who died Saturday morning, were held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock from the Phillips & Luckey chapel with Rev. H. E. Crone of the Christian church officiating. Burial was made in the family plot at Oak Lawn cemetery. Mrs. Hairston, as Martha Louise Dodd, was born in Mississippi on October 20, 1855. She had spent almost her entire life in Milam county and had often recalled early day events of this section where her family, when she was a young girl, made overland trips to Bryan, then a leading trade center, to purchase household supplies and merchandise. That was before Rockdale was founded or there was a railroad in this section. She had resided continuously in Rockdale since 1900. Her husband, popularly known as “Uncle Jim” died some ten years ago. Some three years ago, due to a fall, Mrs. Hairston received a hip injury that led to her invalidism. Prior to that time she had carried on an active and most useful life. She bore her affliction without complaint, continued to have a deep interest in humanity, and remained kind, gentle and loving simplicity. She enjoyed the affection and esteem of all who knew her. Relatively speaking, “Service” was the watchword of this good woman. She was known far and wide for her kindly deeds and for administering to the sick. Regardless of the situation she was ever ready to serve when needed and gave of her talent to the fullest. Mrs. Hairston was a member of the Christian church and until recent years kept in active touch with that organization. Lingering permanently with the tender memories of her will be linked indelibly the many kind services she rendered while on this earth. Embankments of beautiful flowers about the casket, that later formed a blanket over the grave, paid silent tribute to the life departed. Left to survive are three daughters, Mrs. R. L. Orr, Mrs. B. Regenbrecht of Rockdale, Mrs. Sue Marsh of Ft. Worth; a son John Hairston of Milano; and a stepson, R. A. Hairston of Rockdale. There are a number of grandchildren also surviving, among them being the following three whom she reared. Kenton K. Hairston of Houston, Wayne Hairston of Conroe and Mrs. James Lanning of Rockdale. The active casket attendants were Ed Simms, C. R. Isaacs, Ed Prewitt, J. T. Hale, S. C. Christian, Clyde Franklin. Honorary pallbearers were E. A. Camp, T. B. Ryan, J. W. Garner, W. B. Smith, A. A. Offield, Dr. T. S. Barkley, Dr. H. T. Coulter, Dr. I. P. Sessions.