Adair County: Stillwell Democrat Journal
If a submitters name is not listed, the obits were submitted by Wanda Elliott jwdre@intellex.com

January 5, 1950

WEBER
Mr. and Mrs. Austin JOHNSON of this city received telegrams Saturday afternoon telling of the deaths of Mrs. JOHNSON's niece and nephew, Miss Betty WEBER, 30 year old, Vallejo, Calif., school teacher and her 17 year old brother, Grant WEBER of San Jose. They are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Chalres WEBER, who lived in or near Stilwell before moving six or seven years ago to California.
According to press releases, Betty shared a two-bedroom apartment with Miss Emma Doris STONE, also a teacher in the Vallejo school, the third victim. Their bodies were found about noon Monday by Mac YOUNG, brother-in-law of Betty and Grant, who told authorities that he last talked to them Wednesday evening, and investigated after they did not answer their phone Thursday evening. The bodies of the two women were in bed, and the body of the boy was on the floor beside the bed. The coroner said apparently all oxygen in the apartment had been used up, and death was due to suffocation.

DAVIS
Funeral services for Mrs. Mary DAVIS, 90 year old grandmother of Mrs. Virgil BRASHEAR and Mrs. Tom KEEN of Stilwell, who died Friday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mollie CONE of Westville, were held Sunday afternoon at Sallisaw, with Rev. James SMITH, pastor of the First Baptist church, officiating. Burial was in the Brent Cemetery near Sallisaw.
Mrs. Davis was born July 19, 1859 at Tupelo, Mississippi, and moved four years ago to Westville from Sallisaw, to make her home with her daughter.
Survivors are one son, Arthur Davis of California; two daughters, Mrs. CONE of Westville, and Mrs. Margaret WOFFORD of Sallisaw; two daughters-in-law, Mrs. Rebecca DAVIS and Mrs. Roxie DAVIS of Sallisaw; 42 grandchildren, 81 great grandchildren and 21 great great grandchildren.
Mr. and Mrs. BRASHEAR and Mr. and Mrs. KEEN and their families attended the funeral services.

ELI
Death came Friday, December 30 to Mrs. Annie ELI, 72 year old Adair County resident, at her home in the Salem community. Graveside rites were held Sundat at 2:30 p.m. at the Salem Cemetery with Rev. Joe FEATHERS, officiating. Roberts Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

ADAIR
Death came Tuesday night to William P. ADAIR, 60, of Stilwell, in Veterans hospital, Muskogee, following a two and a half years illness since suffering a stroke, and the last year has been under treatment in Veterans hospital. A veteran of World War 1, ADAIR made his home here with his sister, after ill health forced his retirement from the farm.
Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Echota church with the pastor, Rev. Johnson KEITH, officiating. Burial was in Echota CEMETERY.
Other than Mrs. WOLF, he is survived by two brothers, Louis of Stilwell, Ned of Tahlequah, and a niece Mrs. Calvin CLAW of Muskogee, with whom he visited frequently after entering the hospital.

January 12, 1950

BALDRIDGE
BALDRIDGE, 98 year old Cherokee Indian, who died last Thursday, January 5, at the family home about 12 miles south of Stilwell, was buried Saturday at Rock Point Cemetery in Cherokee county.
Funeral services were conducted at the graveside. Roberts Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

MONTGOMERY
Death came Friday, January 9 to John T. Montgomery, at his home in Stilwell, following a period of failing health due to a heart ailment. Funeral rites were held Wednesday afternoon at the Roberts Chapel, with Rev. Steve P. GASKINS, pastor of Stilwell Methodist church, officiating. Burial was in New Hope Cemetery, with members of the Masonic Lodge, Jack BONE, R.L. BAKER, Bryan FREEMAN, R.M. DOBKINS, Ross CHANEY and Johnny WALKER, acting as pall bearers.
Born February 26, 1878 in Rochester, Ind., lived in Indiana and attended Purdue University receiving his degree in 1896. Most of his life was spent in work with the U.S. Indian Agency, and he was serving as superintendent of the consolidated Indian Agency at Anadarko at the time of his retirement in 1948, following 28 years in Oklahoma.
He was married to Miss Hattie WILSON, July 3, 1935, who survives. Other survivors include his son John F. MONTGOMERY and a foster son Charles MONTGOMERY, three sisters and a host of other relatives.

January 19, 1950

LITTLEJOHN
Funeral rites for Jeff LITTLEJOHN, 50 year old resident of North Greasy, who died suddenly Tuesday, will be held this Thursday afternoon at the Chuculate church, with burial in Chuculate Cemetery.
Jeff made his home with his father, Charlie LITTLEJOHN and aunt, Mrs. Lettie POWELL. Death was due to a brain hemorrhage, following a coughing spell.
Other survivors include his son Bobby of the home and three brothers, Joe, Felix and Wash LITTLEJOHN and two sisters, Mrs. Harrison BROWN of Santanta, Kansas, and Mrs. Gertrude REDDMAN of Oklahoma City.

STORY
(Reburial Services) Military rites for Second Lt. William Lee STORY were held Sunday, 1:30 p.m. at the Roberts Chapel with Major JONES chaplain at Camp Chaffee, Ark., officiating. Reburial was in the Highfill Cemetery, Highfill, Ark.
Lt. STORY was born January 6, 1921 at Highfaill, Ark., the son of Gertrude and Sam STORY. He moved to Stilwell with his parents in 1929 and was graduated from Stilwell high school in 1938. He was killed in action April 5, 1944, while piloting a B-24 bomber over the Ploesti oil fields in Rumania.
Survivors are his father, Sam STORY of Highfill, Ark.; his widow, Mrs. James MOORE and daughter, Sandra Lee STORY of Fort Worth, Texas, four brothers Allan of Buena Park, Calif.; Paul of Grants Pass, Ore.; Doss of Highfill, Ark., and Dale, student at Oklahoma University, Norman, and one sister Mrs. J.C. BONE of Stilwell. All attended the services.
Others here for the funeral were his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Scott STORY of El Reno; aunt, Mrs. Pearl STORY; cousins, Miss Eva STORY and Mr. and Mrs. Jack CONLEY of Muskogee; cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff ATKERSON and daughter, Joan of Idabel; James MOORE of Fort Worth, Texas; Mrs. Doss STORY, daughter Virginia, and Mrs. Sam STORY of Highfill, Ark.
Bearers were Raymond CHANDLER, L.J. KETCHER, Walter PATTON, Roy CANTRELL, Wade PETTIGREW and Orville THOMPSON. Members of the firing squad were Milo RITTER, Phillip TERRELL, Kenneth RAINS Joe CARSON. W.A. OWSLEY, Zerl RICH and Warren ROGERS. Bugler was Bill WHITE. Flower girls were Mrs. Kenneth RAINS, Miss Thelma GETTY, Mrs. Byrl CHAMBERS, Misses Bea and Maurine DODGEN and Mrs. Bruce COX.

HELTON
Services for Herbert H. HELTON, Long Beach, Calif., were held Friday afternoon, January 20 at the Roberts Chapel with Rev. Steve P. Gaskins, Methodist Pastor officiating. Burial was in New Hope Cemetery.
Mr. HELTON died January 15, at the home of his son Billy HELTON, in Long Beach, where he and his wife were visiting. The family had just gone into the living room following the noon meal, when he suddenly collapsed and died of a heart attack.
He was born December 25, 1897 in Coleman County, Texas, and was married to Miss Kate BEAN, sister of Mack and George BEAN of Stilwell, in 1919 and lived there for several years before moving back to Texas, and later to Muskogee where they lived for years before going to California to spend the winter.
He was converted to Christ in March 1946 in First Baptist church, Muskogee.
Surviving are his wife; son Billy; daughter Mrs. Keith COINER of Long Beach; three grandchildren, mother, Mrs. Birdie HELTON, Aspermont, Texas, a brother Joe HELTON of Haskell County, Texas; five sisters, Mrs. Roy KITCHEN, Levelland, Texas, Mrs. Amon IVEY, Haskell County; Mrs. Charlie PHILLIPS and Mrs. Alvia STEVENS of Fort Worth, Texas and Mrs. Marvin WOMACK of Tahlequah. All but Mrs. PHILLIPS and Mrs. STEVENS attended the funeral.

BLANCK
Charles A BLANCK, the son of Mrs. Edith B. BLANCK and the late F.A. BLANCK, was born August 26, 1896 in Stilwell, and passed from this life January 18, at Kansas City, Mo. He was the first white child born in Stilwell, I.T., now Oklahoma.
He finished high school at St. Joseph's Academy, in Muskogee, at the age of sixteen and the same year he entered Stanton Military Academy at Stanton, Va., where he won a number of honors. Charles entered the Army as a private and saw service on the Mexican border, served through World War One and was discharged with the rank of Captain. The greatest part of his adult life was spent in Santa Monica, Calif.
Charles was united in marriage with Inola HOLLAND, on October 24, 1928, and to this union two children were born, Charles A. and Paul Joseph of Santa Monica, who with his mother, Mrs. Edith B. BLANCK and sister Mrs. C.E. HOFFMAN survives.
Funeral services were held Sunday, 2:30 p.m. at the Roberts Chapel with Rev. E.R. HALL, minister of the First Christian church, officiating. Burial was in New Hope Cemetery.
Bearers were Bruce COX, Ralph LEE, Keith FREEMAN, H.C. CARSON, C.J. CARSON and Joe STARR. Flower girls were Mmes. E.J. CAMPBELL, Max O. BAKER and Joe STARR and Misses Thelma GETTY Opal LEATHERWOOD, Lucille STARR, Bea and Maurine DODGEN.

WILLIAMS
Graveside rites for Barbara WILLIAMS, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Perry WILLIAMS, who died at birth Wednesday, January 18th at a Prairie Grove, Ark., hospital, were held Thursday, 11:00 a.m. at the Zion Cemetery with Bro. Arthur ESSARY officiating. Roberts funeral directors were in charge of arrangements.

CORNSILK
Death came last Wednesday to Steve CORNSILK, brother of Johnson CORNSILK of Fairfield, at the Indian Sanitorium, Talihina, after an extended illness. Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at the Fairfield church. Burial was in the Fairfield Cemetery.
Mr. CORNSILK was born June 25, 1880 at Webbers Falls, and was a resident of Adair county for several years prior to his entering the hospital at Talihina.

February 2, 1950

WORLEY
Death came Monday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock to another Stilwell pioneer, Rev. J.C. WORLEY at his home in Stilwell, following a several weeks illness. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Roberts Funeral Home, with Rev. Leonard STEWART, Baptist minister, officiating, assisted by five other Baptist ministers, close friends of the deceased, W.M. ISAACS, Americus PATTERSON of Stilwell, Sam WEST, Muldrow, R.L. SPAIN, Sallisaw, and Earl ODLE of Westville. Burial was in New Hope Cemetery.
Bro. WORLEY was born in Ellijay, Ga., July 13, 1863 and was 86 years, six months and 17 days of age. He became a Christian at the age of 17, and was ordained a minister at the age of 26.
On March 11, 1882 he was united in marriage with Lucinda Emoline NELSON and to this union 10 children were born. Mrs. WORLEY preceded him in death March 3, 1943.
Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Sula MEYERS of Miami, Okla., Mrs. Eula KAYLOR of Kansas City, Mo., and Mrs. Lulu WILLIAMS of Stilwell; seven sons, Arthur WORLEY of Portales, N.M., and Amos, Charlie, Homer, Harve, Luther and Luke all of Stilwell; 39 grandchildren and 54 great grandchildren.
Bro. WORLEY came to Oklahoma 45 years ago from Georgia.
Pall bearers were Carl TERRY, Bish LITTLEJOHN, Sam ISAACS, Earl LESLIE, Joe DUDLEY and Austin FORD.

FIELDS
Death late Tuesday claimed the life of Andrew Johnson FIELDS at his home in Stilwell, following an extended illness. Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Roberts Chapel, with Bro. Arthur ESSARY and Bro. Wayne BATEMAN, officiating. Burial will be in New Hope Cemetery.
Mr. FIELDS was born in the Indian Territory, now Adair County, Oklahoma, August 3, 1865 and was 84 years, five months and 28 days of age. He was a member of the Stilwell Holiness church.
He was married to Ollie Mae CARSON in 1892 and to this union ten children were born, three of whom preceded him in death.
Surviving are his wife of the home and the following children: John and Ira FIELDS, Mrs. Opal STILLWELL and Mrs. Izola GUFFEY all of Stilwell; Ben and Clarence FIELDS of Fowler, Calif., and George of Sunnyside, Wash., all of whom will attend the funeral, and a large number of grandchildren and great grandchildren

February 9, 1950

ADAIR
Samuel Houston ADAIR, 91 year old Adair county pioneer, died of a heart attack Tuesday night about 11 o'clock at the Taylor Rest home at Baron. While in failing health and recovering from pneumonia, his death was unexpected.
Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Roberts Chapel, with burial in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Mr. ADAIR, the son of Judge John Thompson ADAIR and Penelope Mayfield ADAIR, was born in Texas, where the family fled during the Civil War, but returned to Goingsnake District, Indian Territory, now Adair County, Oklahoma, as soon as hositlities ceased, and has since made his home in what is known to be the first house built by a white family, and in which his daughter, Mrs. Ray HEMBREE and family are now living, in the Oak Grove community. Judge ADAIR, Samuel's father came to Indian Territory from Georgia in 1832 or 1833.
Other than Mrs. HEMBREE survivors are three daughters, two sons, John and Watie ADAIR of Stilwell and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

STACEY
Sam STACEY, 58, well known resident of the Welling community, and operator of the Welling store, was found shot to death early Monday, a pistol by his side. Despondent over failing health, was given as a reason for the suicide. His body was found between his home and the store.
His wife and five children survive.

February 23, 1950

CASTEEL
John Rufus CASTEEL, well known former Stilwell jeweler, died late Sunday in the Eastern Oklahoma State hospital, Talihina where he had been undergoing treatment for more than a year. Funeral rites, with the Stilwell Masonic Lodge participating, were held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Roberts Chapel, with Rev. W.M. ISAACS, pastor of the Chalk Bluff Baptist church, officiating, assisted by Henry WALL. Burial was in the Chalk Bluff Cemetery.
Mr. CASTEEL was born November 3, 1908, at Delaney, Ark., and was 41 years, three months and 12 days of age. He came to Oklahoma with his parents, when he was eight years of age, and had lived in the Chalk Bluff community for the past 25 years.
On July 17, 1927 he was married to Miss Etta SMITH at Stilwell and to this union six children were born. He was converted and became a member of the Missionary Baptist church at the age of 14 years. Later he was ordained a Deacon and lived a devoted Christian life. His devout faith in God during his long illness was an inspiration to all who know him. He was a member of the Stilwell Masonic Lodge, and served as Chaplaain before he became ill. He was interested in Gospel singing and did much to promote interest in Hymn singing among the young people of his community. He also served on the committee of Tri-State Singing convention.
Surviving are his wife, Etta, two sons, Ivan and Ronnie of the home; four daughters, Mrs. Elaine RALEIGH, Mrs. Joan KESTER, both of Stilwell, and Johnnie Ruth and Linda Sue of the home; two grandchildren; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S.L. CASTEEL of Stilwell; three brothers, Ralph, Owensboro, KY., and Ermon and Herman of Stilwell; and three sisters, Mrs. Lily GORDON of Washington, D.C.; Mrs. Essie NIESWANDER of Tulsa and Mrs. Ethel BARKER of Stilwell.

CHRISTIE
Funeral services for Turner CHRISTIE, 86 year old grandfather of Mrs. Oda WORLEY of Stilwell, who died suddenly last Wednesday at his home at Wauhillau, were held Friday afternoon at Freewater church with Bro. Leonard STEWART, Baptist minister, officiating assisted by Bros. Alex SMITH, Jack WOLF and Andrew TUNE. Burial was in the family cemetery near the home, with Roberts Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Mr. CHRISTIE was born January 11, 1864 in Indian Territory, now Adair county and spent his entire life here. He was widely known as a chairmaker. He joined the Cherokee Masonic Lodge in 1885, and was a member of the Night Hawk Kee-Tah-Wah society.
Survivors are eight children, Mrs. Anna SHUMAKE, Trent, Ore., Mrs. Clara ALLEN of Calif., Watt of Stilwell, James and Johnny of Calif., Harold of Richmond, Wash., and Wallace and Sam of the home; 16 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Bearers were Tom OWENS, Sam CRAIG, Kay STEWART, C.W. DEWEESE, Jess KELLEY and J.L. WORLEY.

SIXKILLER
J.B. SIXKILLER, 75 year old native Adair countian, and father of Cicero SIXKILLER, Democrat Journal employee, died suddenly of a heart attack Sunday evening, soon after eating supper at his home in the Whitmire community. Funeral services were held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Roberts Chapel, with Bro. Henry WALL, pastor of the First Baptist church, Stilwell, officiating, and Rev. Isaac PRITCHETT conducting a service in the Cherokee language at the graveside at Chuculate Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife, Nannie of the home, and six children, Cicero SIXKILLER, Mrs. Gaynie CHAIR, both of Stilwell; Mrs. Beulah ADAMS, Shawnee; Andy SIXKILLER, Tulsa, Mrs. Lydia ROELODGE, Stilwell, and Mrs. Mary SCRAPER; 19 grandchildren and three great grandchildren; two brothers and two sisters.
Bearers were C.D. STEPHENSON, Olen STEPHENSON, Clarence and Lester STEVENS, George WALKINGSTICK and Henry GRIGSBY.

ADAIR
Samuel Houston ADAIR was born March 1, 1859 and passed away February 7, 1950 at the Taylor Rest Home, at the age of 90 years, 11 months and seven days. He was born in Houston, Texas, where the family fled during the hostilities of the Civil War, and lived there for four years, when the family returned to their old home place at Oak Grove in Adair county. Here he made his home and spent the greater part of his life. His youngest daughter, Mrs. Ray HEMBREE, still lives in the house where she was born, and he made his home with her until early last summer when he went to the Rest Home.
On December 23, 1881 he was married to Sarah Stapler ROSS, and to this union eight children were born, six of whom survives - Mrs. Jess SCOTT, Eunice, N.M.; Mrs. Ira HICKMAN, Ponca City; Mrs. M.B. MARTIN, Tulsa, and Mrs. HEMBREE of the home, and two sons, John T. ADAIR, patient in Veterans hospital, Amarillo, Texas, and Watie M. ADAIR of Stilwell; 16 grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and one great grandchild. Mrs. ADAIR and two children preceded him in death.
Funeral services were held February 12 at the Roberts Chapel, with Bro. Ross O'NEAL officiating, and Judge Joe M. LYNCH giving a wonderful eulogy of his life long friend. Burial was in the Oak Grove Cemetery.
Bearers were Al CROZIER, Joe STARR, Bailey JORDAN, Claude BIGBY, Lem CHAMBERS and Zeke ADAIR. Flower girls were Miss Juanita JORDAN, Miss Leta Mae JORDAN, Miss Jessie HATLEY, Mrs. B.J. BIGBY and Mrs. Dave O'NEAL.

April 27, 1950

ROBERTS
Death came Monday afternoon to Miss Sarah Ellenor ROBERTS, known as Miss Ella, most beloved pioneer Stilwell woman, at her home in Stilwell following a long illness. Funeral rites were held Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 at the Roberts Chapel, with her pastor, Rev. Henry WALL of the First Baptist church, officiating. Burial was in the New Hope Cemetery under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home.
Born on a farm near Fayetteville, Ark., on June 17, 1874, she moved to Indian Territory in 1902 and lived at Baron for two years, before moving to Stilwell, where she has since resided. She was converted at an early age and baptized into the fellowship of the Center Point Baptist church at Wyman, Ark., where two uncles were active deacons. She was an active member of the First Baptist church, Stilwell, until the time of her death.
Miss Ella began teaching school at the age of 17 and taught continuously for 45 years, retiring in 1938. Her first 11 years of teaching was in Washington County, Ark., schools. Of her 35 years of teaching in Adair county, 19 was spent in schools at Peavine, Union Hill, Proctor, Oak Grove and Baron, while the last 16 years was as primary teacher in the Stilwell city schools. She was an honorary member of the Stilwell Alumni association.
Survivors include two brothers, J.F. ROBERTS, with whom she made her home, and Green ROBERTS of Westville; two sisters, Mrs. Gussie GOSS, Stilwell, and Miss Irene ROBERTS, Chandler, and nine nieces and nephews.
Bearers were Jim BLAKEMORE, H.C. CARSON, C.K. WELLS, A.B. CULBERTSON, C.L. "Wren" FLETCHER and George STARR. Flower bearers were Mrs. Ray BLAKEMORE, Mrs. Joe STARR, Mrs. O.C. CROZIER, Mrs. Lillie WORSHAM, Mrs. F.M. SCANTLIN, Mrs. Normal SAVAGE, Mrs. A.B. CULBERTSON and Mrs. Perry ETHERIDGE.

July 13, 1950

PATTERSON

John T. PATTERSON was born in Filmore County, Ga., December 2, 1872, and departed this life July 5, 1950 at the age of 78 years, 7 months and three days of age. He came to Oklahoma at the age of 25 years and was united in marriage to Lillian TUCKER in 1898 and to this union eight children were born, four of whom preceded him in death.
Surviving are his wife, Lillian of the home, and four daughters, Mrs. Marion VICK, Mrs. Nolan WEST, Mrs. Murray STRAUSS and Mrs. Verble MILL all of Stilwell; 8 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, two brothers and two sisters of Fort Worth, Texas. He professed Christ at the age of 17 and united with the Baptist church, and lived a devoted Christian life.
While living on his farm in the Horn community, Mr. PATTERSON served one term or more as county commissioner. He was a member of Flint Lodge, A.F. & A.M. After ill health forced his retirement he and Mrs. PATTERSON moved to Stilwell to live.
Funeral services were held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Roberts Chapel with Rev. W.M. ISAACS, Baptist pastor, officiating. Burial was in New Hope Cemetery, with the Masons conducting graveside rites.

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