Elm Cemetery

Rains County, Cemeteries of Texas

Obits submitted by Elaine Nall Bay

July 16, 1920

Mr. J.F. Wilson Dead

Mr. J.F. Wilson was born July 20th, 1870. He was reared on the farm and in early life he professed faith in Christ and united with the Presbyterian church and lived in that church for several years, the then joined the Missionary Baptist church at Elm about fifteen years ago. He was a perfect Christian gentleman. He lived the life every day. He was twice married. He first married Mrs. Beaugh. This was a happy union. Mrs. Wilson died December 1915, leaving him alone, this union never having any children, but he reared
four orphan children. He was down in bed for seven weeks and though all was done by loved ones and friends that was possible to do to restore health, but all in vain. He departed this life July 10th A.D. 1920 and was laid to rest in the Elm cemetery the following day after the funeral services by the writer, surrounded by a host of friends and acquaintances, some of them coming some distance to be present at this good mans burial for he numbered his friends by his acquaintances. 

"Weep not for him as one who has no hope; he is not dead but sleepeth."
May Heaven's blessings be upon the heart-broken wife and stepchildren and all who mourn his going.---C.M. Martin

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August 23, 1929

Mrs. Nealie Penneybaker Dead

On August 3rd a gloom of sadness was cast over our community when the death angel visited the home of W.J. Pennebaker and claimed for its victim the wife and mother, Nealie Pearl (Fitzgerald) Pennebaker. Nealie was sick nine days and her sufferings were many, but she bore them with patience. She believed from the start that Jesus was coming after he and she was ready to meet the Lord and be free from this world of troubles. She leaves a husband, three children, five brothers, four sisters, five half-brothers, two half-sisters, a step-mother and a number of other relatives and friends to mourn her death. It was sad to give her up but our loss is her gain. Oh, weep not for Nealie, for she has gone to live with Jesus and her loved ones gone on before. Her remains were buried in Elm cemetery, the Rev. C.M. Martin conducting the services August 4th.—A friend and neighbor, Rutha Mitchell

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Rains County Leader
July 16, 1909

Old Landmark Gone

Grandpa Smith Grant Alexander, who has been sick about eighteen months, breathed his last about 4:30 o’clock last Saturday evening, and passed on to his reward beyond this vale of tears. He was possibly the oldest man in the county and was beloved by all who knew him.

He was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, May 13, 1822, and moved to Rusk county, Indiana, in 1831, where in 1840 he was married to Miss Maranda Cooper. Of that union nine children were born, three sons and six daughters. He came to Texas in 1859 with a little band of 35 in wagons, and was on the road 60 days, landing in Parker county, near Springtown. His wife died the 23rd day of December, just about thirty days after he came to Texas. He married again the 14th day of April, 1861, to Mrs. Louisa Carson. From this union one son and three daughters were born, one dying in infancy. Eleven children were raised to be grown.

Grandpa Alexander was the father of 13 children, grandfather of 65 children, great-grandfather of 67 children, and great-great-grandfather to the fifth generation.

Thus another life has been spent – another race has been run. Peace be unto his ashes and rest unto his immortal soul.
His remains were interred at the Elm graveyard Sunday evening in the presence of a large concourse of people.

Elm Letter
We also had a funeral Sunday. Grandpa Alexander of Emory was buried here Sunday evening, Rev. Garrett conducting the funeral service.

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