This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Hairston, Dodd, Walden, Cave, Orr, Marsh, Regenbrecht, Watson Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/hkB.2ACE/5398 Message Board Post: The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger Thursday, July 15, 1948 "Dick Hairston Claimed by Death Friday, July 9" R.A. (Dick) Hairston, 75, died Friday, July 9, in a Cameron hospital after a long illness. Funeral services were conducted at 2:30 p.m. Saturday from the Phillips and Luckey chapel in Rockdale, with burial in the Oak Lawn Cemetery. Rev. Frank Tulloch, pastor First Baptist Church, officiated. Dick Hairston was born in the San Grove community in the southern part of Milam County April 9, 1872, the son of Jim Hairston, who was a prominent farmer and stockman of that community for a number of years. Dick lived there through the early years of his life, later married Miss Rebecca Watson, of the same community, on January 18, 1894. He moved to Rockdale about 25 years ago where he resided until his death. Mr. Hairston was a widely known citizen of Milam county and much loved. He spent fourteen years serving the people of Precinct 3 as a county commissioner. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Rebecca Hairston; one son, Harvey Hairston, of Dallas; and one daughter, Mrs. Elva Grabener, of Cameron; two sisters, Mrs. Sue Marsh, of Ft. Worth, and Mrs. Alma Regenbrecht, of Rockdale; one brother, John Hairston, of Milano. There are four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. H.E. Graham, long-time friend of Mr. Hairston’s of Cameron, said of him: “I doubt if any man was ever more thoroughly liked by all who in any way came in contact with his life. Young and old, high and low alike regarded this plain practiced man as a friend. We who knew him best feel we have lost some of the sunshine from our lives in his passing.”