Obituary
Mary Ophelia Morgan Holdridge
June 1953 De Leon, Texas
The funeral services for Mary Morgan Holdridge, wife of H.B. Holdridge, were conducted at the First Methodist Church of De Leon, Tuesday, June 3, 1953 at 4 o'clock. The Reverend J.W. Sharbutt, pastor of the First Methodist Church, was in charge, with Rev. E.E. Pendergrass, pastor of the Assembly of God Church, and Rev. J.D. Smoot, Methodist minister from Comanche, assisting. The obituary was read by Rev. James R. Holdridge, grandson of the deceased, pastor of the Breckenridge Methodist circuit.
A tribute was given by Rev. H. Paul Holdridge, a son, District Superintendent of the New Mexico District Council of the Assemblies of God, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The tribute appears elsewhere in this issue of the Free Press.
Six grandsons and grandsons-in-law served as pallbearers--James R. Holdridge, Gerald Holdridge, Joe Wayne Holdridge, Gene Holdridge, Derroll Hafford and Wayne Warrick.
Granddaughters served as flower girls, and were assisted by other relatives and friends, as there were 102 separate floral offerings. Granddaughters who served as flower girls were: Mrs. Derroll Hafford, Mrs. John Wayne Warrick, Mrs. James R. Holdridge, Ermilee Holdridge, Nina Beth Holdridge, Anneta Coley, and Elaine Holdridge. The funeral was under the direction of Higginbotham's with Mr. and Mrs. Porter Franks of Comanche, and R.B. Lane of Gorman working with Deloyne Singleton with the local establishment.
Mary Morgan Holdridge entered this life at Langston, Alabama, Oct. 14, 1875, the third child of Mr. and Mrs. J.H.[J.B.] Morgan. By the graciousness of the Lord she lived to rear nine children, and at the time of her decease was 77 years, seven months, and 18 days of age. She passed away quietly at her home here in De Leon at 6:30 o'clock, Tuesday, June 2, 1953. Though she had not been completely well and strong for several years, her health was reasonably good at the time of her passing.
Being reared and schooled in Langston, Alabama, she was married to Horace Benton Holdridge April 19, 1894. Three children were born to this union in Alabama, one of whom, Annie, died at age three and was laid to rest in Alabama.
She moved with her husband and two children, Melvin and Caver to Titus County, Texas in 1900. There another girl, Eva, was born. In 1902 she with her family moved to Comanche County Texas where she lived until the time of her decease.
She has been a devoted Christian since early childhood, when after her conversion she joined the Methodis Church. And although she later became a member of the Assembly of God Church with her husband her church affiliation did not interfere with her faith in God.She remained true to God and to her consecration all of her life. She dies as she lived, victorious in faith.
Her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. [J.B.] Morgan and her two brothers, Tom and Wallace Morgan and one sister, Mrs. W.H. Holdridge, all preceded her in death.
She is survived by her husband, Horace Benton Holdridge of De Leon; one daughter, Mrs. W.M. Coley, Sr. of De Leon; eight sons, Melvin of Abilene, Texas; Caver of Cross Plains, Texas; Paul of Albuquerque, N.M; Coy of Dallas, Texas; Marvin, Lee, W.C. and Fred all of De Leon. Fourteen grandchildren, Mrs. Derroll Hafford of Waco, Texas; Mrs. John Wayne Warrick, Plainview, Texas; James R. Holdridge of Breckenridge, Texas; Gerald Holdridge, Joe Wayne Holdridge, Nina Beth Holdridge, Ermalee Holdridge, Anneta Coley, John Benton Holdridge, Don Holdridge all of De Leon; Gene Holdridge and Elaine Holdridge of Albuquerque. N.M.; Bennie Holdridge of Dallas, Texas, and Charles Mac Holdridge with the U.S. Army stationed at Lawton, Oklahoma. Three great-grandchildren, Tommy Hafford and Diane Hafford of Waco, Texas and Randy Warrick of Plainview, Texas. A host of nephews, nieces, relatives and friends who knew her as "Aunt Mary".
She was laid to rest in De Leon Cemetery.
Every member of the immediate family was present for the funeral services excepting Charles Mac Holdridge, a grandson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Holdridge of Cross Plains, Texas, who is serving his country with the United States Army and is stationed in Lawton, Okla.
Out of town relatives attending the funeral were: C.A. and Willie Mae Holdridge of Houston, Texas; Mrs. Harry Hampton of Houston, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Drumgoole and two daughters, Odessa and Mrs. Mrs. Bill Schriber of Cuero, Texas; Mrs. B.V. Robison and Leta Marie of Dallas, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. Coy Holdridge and Bennie of Dallas;
Rev. and Mrs. Shelby Salyer of Channelview, Texas; Mrs. L.B. Champion of Alexander City, Alabama; Mr. and Mrs. Derroll Hafford Tommie and Diane of Waco, Texas; Mr. Mark Sheffield of Okra, Texas; Arthur Potter of San Antonio, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. Tom J. Henry, Rebecca Lou and Coley of San Saba, Texas;
Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Coley, Jr. of Fort Worth, Texas; Mrs. Bayley S. Hyden, Joe, Elizabeth and Mike of Dallas, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. T.E. Morgan and son of Houston, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Holdridge and son of Arlington, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Holdridge and children of Fort Worth, Texas; Charles Holdridge of Fort Worth, Texas;
Mr. and Mrs. Victor Murdock and children of Abilene, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Bilbrey and children of Weatherford, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. M.W. Holdridge of Abilene, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Holdridge of Cross Plains, Texas; Mrs. Z.W. McClennan of Cross Plains; Rev. and Mrs. Paul Holdridge, Gene and Elaine of Albuquerque, N.M.; Mr. and Mrs. Coy Holdridge and Bennie of Dallas, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. John Warrick and Randy of Plainview, Texas; Rev. and Mrs. James R. Holdridge of Breckenridge, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. O.L. Donaldson of Fort Worth, Texas, and Miss Margaret Holdridge of Weatherford, Texas.