Obituaries:  Rev. T. J. Lites, Sabine Parish       L-320
Source:  Sabine Index, Many, La., Jun 9, 1939
Submitted by: Tammy Larche-Smith
              tammy@cp-tel.net


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The Sabine Index - Rev. T. J. Lites 
  
  9 Jun 1939 - Rev. Thomas Jefferson Lites passed away Tuesday 
night at 9:45 after a long illness at the age of 80 years, four 
months and 20 days. Rev. Lites has been an active religious 
worker for years, was born at Forest Park, Clayton County, 
Georgia/. January 17, 1859, spending his boyhood days on the farm 
with his parents, later living one year in Alabama and went to 
Arkansas in 1881 where he taught vocal music. In the fall of 1883 
he moved to Rockwell, Texas. He moved to Columbas, this parish, 
in 1888 continuing in his music and son teaching with great 
success. In 1894 he was ordained to the gospel ministry by 
authority of the Missionary Baptist church at Fort Jessup, having 
served as pastor of some of the best churches in Sabine parish 
and North Sabine associations. In 1909 he gave up pastoral work 
and became a missionary of the American Sunday School Union and 
was very successful as a Sunday School evangelist. 
  
  He has resided in the Mt. Zion community for years and has been 
an untiring worker for the moral and material progress of the 
country. For the last several years, while unable to continue his 
missionary work, he has each week carried a column in the Sabine 
Index advising and giving encouragement to the people and at all 
time having the interest of the citizens at heart. 
  
  Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Mattie Lites, who also is advanced 
in years, being about eight years younger than her husband, but 
is enjoying good health, also seven sons, Herbert, Leslie, Tom 
and Gilbert of Many, E. O. of Shreveport, W. J., Dallas, Texas, 
Ray, Garland, Ark., and three daughters Mrs .W. G. Dees, Many 
Mrs. W. H. McWherter of Houma, and Mrs. J. A. Brumley of Many. 
  
  Funeral services will be held at the Mt. Zion church Thursday, 
June 8th, at 3 p.m., with Rev. C. W. Williams of the Many Baptist 
church officiating, assisted by Rev. John Brown of Kansas City, 
MO., and Rev. D. T. Brown of Mansfield. 
  
  Active pallbearers will be: Rev. Lee Counts, E. M. Brumley, W. 
B. Brumley, D. J. Cardin, Sam Webb and Jessie Brumley. Honorary 
pallbearers will be members of the Mt. Zion Brotherhood, J. B. 
Brumley, Jr., R. N. Savell, H. S. Sebren, C. T. Walden and Willis 
Tabor. 
  
  Interment will be in the Mt. Zion cemetery. Funeral directed by 
the Dennis-Green funeral home.