Obituary of D. S. Safley - Bell County, TX

submitted by Janet Gardner 11/98
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This Bell County newspaper clipping is hand-dated September 1921.


Death of D. S. SAFLEY) - Deep sorrow swept over the city at noon Monday 
as friends learned that D.S. SAFLEY had been called away from their 
earthly comradeship. Mr. SAFLEY came to this county in 1884 and to this 
city in 1898, entering actively into its business life engaging in the 
grocery business in partnership with his brother, W.W. SAFLEY. In 1900 
he was united in marriage with Miss Eula SANDERFORD and since that time 
they have made Belton their home, taking part in its business, social 
and religious up building. After retiring from the grocery business, 
Mr. SAFLEY was elected justice of the peace of this precinct for four 
successive terms. During the past several years he has been Deputy 
County Clerk, serving efficiently as clerk of the commissioner's and 
county courts. He was a member of the Baptist church and was faithful 
to his pledge of service, being a deacon and also a teacher in Sunday 
school. He was prominent member of the Maccabees, the Woodmen and the 
Knights of Pythias.

The funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the First Baptist 
church at 4:00 P.M. conducted by Rev. J.R. NUTT of Lufkin. Offices at 
the courthouse and other business houses were closed during the hour 
of the funeral. The cortege which accompanied the remains to its last 
resting-place in North Belton cemetery was one of the largest ever seen 
in this city. The beautiful floral offerings attested the love and esteem 
in which he was held. There mourn his loss the widow; daughter, Miss Eula 
LEE; son, D.S. Jr.; two brothers, W.W. SAFLEY of this city and C.J. SAFLEY 
of Temple; other relatives and a host of friends residing over the entire 
county.




Deputy County Clerk D. S. SAFLEY is Dead (hand dated September 19, 1921) - 
D.S. SAFLEY is dead. Death came peacefully at 12:15 today following an 
illness of several weeks. However his condition was not regarded as 
serious until Saturday. He grew gradually worse though everything known 
to medical skill was done to restore him to health. D.S. SAFLEY was one 
of Bell County's most efficient popular officers. For the past three 
years he was clerk of the County Court and for four successive times he 
was elected to office of Justice of the Peace of precinct one. He resigned 
that position in the fall of 1918 and became deputy County Clerk under 
County Clerk E.I. HALL. For many years he was engaged in the grocery business 
here but was forced to retire from that profession on account of continued 
ill health. In 1915 he went to Rochester, Minn., when he was under the 
treatment of MAYO Brothers. Returning to this city, he rapidly regained 
his strength and his many friends thought he had completely recovered. 
About six weeks ago his condition gradually weakened which resulted in 
his death.

In the death of D.S. SAFLEY, Belton lost one of its best and most 
influential citizens; the First Baptist Church lost one of its most 
devoted members, his wife and children a loving and affectionate husband 
and father. The county lost one of the most capable and efficient officers. 
He was a man known throughout the county for his honesty and fair dealings 
and was a man in whom was placed the highest confidence. The deceased was 
born at McMinnville, Tenn., June 17, 1874. In 1882 he came to Belton with 
his mother and other relatives and settled near Pendleton. In 1896 he moved 
to Belton and entered the grocery business. Since a resident of this city 
he was active in the church work and interested all things that stood for 
the advancement of the town. For the past several years he was a deacon of 
the First Baptist Church. In 1900, he was married to Miss Eula SANDERFORD 
and to this union two children were born. These with the wife and two 
brothers survive in addition to other relatives. The children are D.S. 
SAFLEY, JR., Miss Eula Lee SAFLEY. The brothers are W.W. SAFLEY of this 
city and C.J. SAFLEY of Temple. The funeral services will be held Tuesday 
afternoon at 4 o'clock at the First Baptist Church of this city conducted 
by Rev. J.R. RUTT (sic NUTT) of Lufkin and Rev. B.W. VINING. Interment will 
be held in the North Belton cemetery.