Annual cemetery meeting held

Keith News

The Martins Prairie Cemetery Association held its annual meeting Sunday, Sept. 1, at Martin Prairie Missionary Baptist Church. The meeting was called to order by the association president Ron Frazier.

Prayer was led by Bobby Trant. Congregational music was led by Sharon Lavender. Robin Trant Johnson and Randy Hoyett Johnson shared a special song and music.

Robin Trant Johnson then gave the history of the John and Elizabeth Jarvis Trant family. They originated from Devenshire, England. The left England in 1849 on the ship Isabella and landed in Galveston. He passed away in 1854 and his wife in 1865. Lots of their family made their marks on the community and still reside here.

The Davis family was chosen to present their family history next year. Robin gave a wonderful saga of her family and I’m sure the Davis family will do a god job as well. Make plans to attend.

A devotional was given by the churches pastor, brother Gary Roe. The names of those that passed since last year were announced including Charles Bo Beene, Donna Nobles Caughron, Audrey Beckham Jarvis, Lena Mae Jarvis, Virginia Thomas Miller, Anna Lou Thomas, Elizabeth Ann Thomas and Beverly Cobb Moore.

Floral tributes were acknowledged by Linda Raye Beene and donations to the cemetery by Darlene Lavender. There was a short business meeting and the membership voted to have more monuments cleaned and leveled. Dexter Lavender closed the meeting with a prayer and blessed the food. If you wish to donate to the working fund, please send to Martins Prairie Baptist Church Cemetery Association care of Darlene Lavender, 14389 FM 244, Iola, Texas 77861.

A tombstone was recently erected on the grave of Charles Bo Beene who passed away March 30, 2019, to mark his grave and the future resting place of his wife Betty Beene in the Martins Prairie Cemetery.

Area residents were saddened to learn of the death of Rev. Danny Davis who passed away Wednesday, Sept. 4, at his home. He was the son of Bob and Pauline Lowery Davis and was well-known in the area. He was ordained as a minister at Evergreen Free Will Baptist Church and pastored at several churches before his retirement. Currently no services are planned since he donated his body to science. Remember his wife Nancy Davis, his sons Robert and D.D. and other family members in your prayers.

The next football game will be Friday, Sept. 20. Hope that all the Iola and Keith people will be on hand to encourage them and wish them well. Their will be a fifth quarter for the kids and team following the game. Hope that everything will go well for them and hopefully the weather will be cooler.

Happy birthday this week to: Sept. 8- Bill Williamson, Larry Crenshaw; Sept. 9- Mallory Compian, Sherrie Walpole, Bill Rohagen, George Lee Harmon; Sept. 10- Connie Harmon Selman, Thomas Douglas Cook; Sept. 11- John Eugene Vaughn, Mark Thomas, Steve Chaney; Sept. 12- Molly Dirickson; Sept. 13- Joe Perry Norman, David Alton Pyle. Hope your special day was a happy one.

Happy anniversary this week to Chase and Hillary Trant Baker, married Sept. 8, 2018; John Curtis and Vada Morris Stewart, married Sept. 10, 1977. Join me in wishing them many more years of happiness together.

Leeland Sanford, his sister Deborah Jean Essman and other family attended the funeral of their brother, Reagan Sanford who passed away Sunday, Sept. 1. His memorial service was held in New Diana Wednesday, Sept. 5, where other family members are buried. Remember them in your prayers.

Megan Williams and other family members attended the funeral of her grandmother, Gwen Vaughn Reid in Hobbs, New Mexico, Wednesday, Sept. 4. Remember all of them and other family members in your prayers.

If you have any Keith news, call either my cell phone at 936-870-6094 or my house number at 936-394-8273.