Freestone County, Texas
Funeral Homes



In late 1925, Ham Brothers Funeral Home was established in Teague when a 
partnership was formed between E.B. (Ernest) Ham, J. Bob Ham, and their brother-
in-law, C.J. (Charlie) Cobb. The business operated as a partnership until after 
the depression in the early 1930's when Ernest Ham took over the business. The 
funeral home was located at 503 Main Street, which is now the Masonic Lodge. 

The funeral home was sold to J.I. Riddle of Mexia in 1944, but bought back by 
Ernst Ham in 1946. 

In 1940, R.M. (Dick) Lawrence began working for Mr. Ham. On January 1, 1955, Mr. 
Ham sold the funeral home to Mr. Lawrence and C.W. Ford. Together they operated 
the business for a couple of years until Mr. Ford sold his share to Mr. 
Lawrence. Ham Brothers Funeral Home then was renamed to Lawrence Funeral Home. 

In 1969, the business moved to it's present location at 506 Cedar Street.

Some of the employees at the funeral home until that time were Dee Jackson, 
Eugene Nobles, Par Hill, LaVerne Talley, Maude Partin, Joe Eddie Gilliam, 
Eugene Gauntt, Leslie Welch, Verdis Goolsby, Hubert Gregg, Barney Seeley, 
Randal Beasely, Joe Rhea, Randy Posey, Bill David Bowers, Jimmy Massey, S.J. 
Flandry, Glenn Ray Barger, Joe Hartley, Eva Harris, Char Mabry, Kris Ivy, Judy 
Posey, Kim Posey, Elaine Childs, Jim Lawrence, Paul Kimball, Frank Copeland, 
Jack Comer, LeRoy Chavers, Gordon Chavers, and Bobby Kennedy. 

On January 1, 1983, the business was sold to Wade P. Ricks and the name was 
changed to Lawrence-Ricks Funeral Home. Mr. Ricks also added another location 
in 1991 in Jewett and changed the business' name to Ricks Funeral Home. Mr. 
Ricks sold the funeral home to E.C.I., a funeral service corporation based in 
Lufkin, in 1992. Some of the employees from this era included, Estoleen Ricks, 
Richard Ricks, William P. Ricks, Frances Ricks Wilson, Faye Nell Sims, Lloyd 
Robinson, Dan Bloxom, Nadine Rife, Sam Judd, Will Roy Demus, Arlene Beaver, and 
W.C. Barger. 

Brian D. Bowers was named manager of the business in January 1999 and purchased 
the funeral homes in 2001. The business changed to it's present name of Ricks-
Bowers Funeral Home.