Freestone County, Texas
Obituaries



[Annie Elizabeth Seale Willard - obit submitted by Wanda Willard Smith on Dec 3, 
2006]


“Funeral Services for Mrs. F. H. Willard”
[article in Wortham Journal]

      Mrs. H. F. [i.e., Franklin Hall] Willard, one of Wortham’s pioneer 
citizens and a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church passed from her 
labors to her reward on August 21, 1937, at 6:00 o’clock p.m. in the home of 
her son, R. D. Willard, where she was ill only a short time.
      Mrs. Willard was born in Nacogdoches, Texas, December 27, 1869 
[1867], and was united in marriage to H. F. [F. H.] Willard in 1889 
[September 15, 1892]. To this union was born three sons, one of whom died 
in infancy, Bethel. She leaves her husband, H. F. [F. H.] and two sons, H. C. 
and R. D. Willard, four grandchildren and two brothers, J. S. Seale of Mexia 
and F. H. Seale of Teague, and one sister, Mrs. W. N. Odom of Wortham, 
and a host of friends and relatives who mourn her going.
      The funeral services were conducted by her pastor, Rev. J. M. 
Gardner, assisted by Reverend T. L. Crenshaw and Rev. Peyton Waddill in 
the presence of a large congregation of relatives and friends, after which her 
body was laid to rest in the Wortham Cemetery, and will have a part in the 
first resurrection, for they who live as she lived seek a home that is 
heavenly, for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also 
which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. So let these words be a 
comfort to our hearts for she was a servant of God and a loving Mother and 
companion.
      Her nephews were her pallbearers: A. D. Seale of Teague; W. W. 
Odom and I. C. Seale of Wortham; W. D. Dyess of Tyler; J. G. Sloan of 
Beaumont, and Dr. A. C. Irwin of Coolidge.
      Those attending the funeral services from out of town were: Mr. and 
Mrs. John Seale, Roland Gardner, John Lee and Oliver Lee, all of Mexia; 
Jim Willard, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Willard, Woodrow Willard, Mr. and Mrs. 
John Manahan, Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Willard, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Willard, 
Mr. and Mrs. Leon Childs, and Mr. and Mrs. I. W. Thornton all of Fairfield; 
Mr. and Mr. H. F. Seale, Mr and Mrs. A. D. Seale, Mr. and Mrs. L. M. 
Withrow and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Willard, Mr. and Mrs. Paul 
Gaunt, Mr. & Mrs. Rob Horton, Mrs. Eva Talley, and Mrs. Lula Lott, all of 
Teague; Dr. and Mrs. A. C. Irwin, Coolidge, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Keeling of 
Henderson; Mr. and Mrs. Pink French of Van; Mr. and Mrs. Alvis Murphy 
of Van; Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Brooks and Mr. and Mrs. Gussie Weaver of 
Richland; Mr. and Mrs. T. G. Keeling, W. F. Forrister [Forester], Mrs. A. G. 
Thornton all of Corsicana; Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Dyess of Tyler, and Mrs. and 
Mrs. J. G. Sloan of Beaumont.
      
      Card of Thanks
      We wish to express our deepest appreciation to our many friends who 
assisted us in any way during the recent illness and death of our Mother. 
Especially do we wish to thank Dr. [Fred] Horn for his faithful services. 
May God’s richest blessings rest on each of you.
      Mr. and Mrs. R. D. Willard, Wanda, Billy and Joan
      Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Willard and Edwin Willard.