Freestone County, Texas
Reflections


Freestone Past/Present
J. R. (Sonny) Sessions

                 Freestone Co. and the Texas Penitentiary
                  “Warden Brenda Pursell Chaney “
  Over its many years the Texas Prison System has used many names, today called 
Texas Dept. Criminal Justice (TDCJ). Today it one of the largest in our nation and 
probably the largest single employer in the State.
  Freestone Co. with its location close to Huntsville has been involved with the 
institution since it’s beginning.  John L. Wortham, grandson of L.R. Wortham for 
whom Wortham is named was its “Financial Officer” appointed by the Governor in 
the early l900’s this probably like the Executive Director today. Many Wardens, 
Assistant Wardens, Officers and other employee’s have come from this area. Mr. 
Wayne Scott of Teague recently retired as Executive Director after a very 
successful and efficient career. I have been proud to call many of its people 
friends.
  Senior Warden II Brenda Pursell Chaney a l980 graduate of Wortham High 
School and l984 graduate of Sam Houston State University, the daughter of my 
Wortham friends Nancy and James Pursell. With a degree in Science of 
Criminology and Corrections she began her career with TDCJ in l987 as a 
Classification Clerk and then Correctional Counselor at the Wynne Unit, she 
advanced to Caseload Manager and Chief of Classifications at the Hobby Unit.
  Earning the position of Assistant Warden at the Beto Unit in Anderson Co. in 
Nov. l993. After only five years she advanced to Senior Warden I at the Rudd Unit 
in Brownfield. She served in this capacity at the Stephenson Unit in Cuero. Since 
September 2002 she has held the position of Senior Warden II overseeing three 
Units- Jester I, Jester III, and Carol Vance Units in the Richmond area.
  Married 24 years her husband Jeff Chaney a Captain of Correctional 
Officers. She is the mother of two sons and grandmother of two. She has a full 
schedule to say the least. While Assistant Warden in Anderson Co. we had lots of 
business together, most of our prisoner to TDCJ were brought here and always 
found efficient and accommodating.  While here there was a convict escape and 
extensive and extended search in Freestone Co. that went of for many that led to 
his capture. During this Warden Chaney spent many days and hours involved in 
this along with the male employees. 
  I am proud to have known and been involved with Senior Warden II Chaney and 
think she should be congratulated for her many accomplishments. Warden Chaney 
one of if not the highest female executives with TDCJ today.
                             *****
    Annual Memorial Services for Woodland Cemetery near Kirvin will be Sunday 
June 5th. 2005.  Program starting 10am with business, Memorial and presentation 
on Rev. R.L. Ryburn. Following this the usual fine picnic dinner and visiting will 
be held in the pavilion. You might want to bring a lawn chair.
                            *****
    The Freestone Co. Historical Comm. in June will meet in Wortham at the 
Community Center on June 7th. Paul Conn will be giving rides around town 
beginning about 6pm. A Historical Tour of Wortham is being planned, all invited.
                                 *******
                     Grandpa’s Report
     Living History Program at Limestone Co. Confederate Reunion Grounds. Katy, 
Daniel and Anna attended in Ante Bellum period dress, Daniel a Confederate Re-
enactor participated in a mock battle. Also a Ball was held at the old Gazebo with 
the Virginia reel and other dances done.
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