Robertson County, Texas - Obits: W. T. Maris ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Lilly Engleman June 24, 2002 ************************************************************************ Robertson Co., Texas Genealogical Records, #0964224 W. T. Maris It is indeed with sorrow in our hearts that we chronicle the death of our good friend and neighbor who was accidentally killed when his car we hit by a large transport truck last Sunday morning, May 22, 1949, when he was returning from making delivery of a prescription. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 4 o'clock from the family residence. Rev. J. L. Wallace, pastor of the Franklin Baptist Church had charge of the religious services. Burial was in the Franklin Cemetery under the direction of the Peters Funeral Home. Mr. Maris was on his way home after making a delivery in South Franklin, he was traveling north on Owensville Stret near the library building and evidently did not see the large transport truck coming toward him as his car was struck almost in the center of the road by the truck. Mr. Maris was removed from the car by neighbors who witnessed the wreck. Shortly after he had been removed from the car it burst into flames and was badly burned before the Franklin Fire Department could arrive on the scene. He only lived a few minutes after the fatal accident. The truck was driven by C. Patterson of Bager, Mich., enroute to San Antonio with a load of new cars. Officers making the investigation ruled that it was an unavoidable accident. Papa Maris, as he was afectionately known by his many friends, was known far and wide and was among those whose friendship this writer cherished, there were none more highly cheished that that of Mr. Maris. We have know him since we moved to Franklin more than 25 years ago and there has not been a time in all these years that we have known a man more loyal of his family and to his friends, than he. The great host who attended the funeral and the beautiful floral offering was but a small token of the high esteem in which he was held. Not only was there a great throng of people there from Franklin, but a number from Hearne, Calvert, Bremond, Bryan, Waco and Austin and other sections were there to pay their last respects to this good man who was beloved by all. Mr. Maris was 81 years of age and was a devoted and faithful member of the Franklin Baptist Church and he lived his religion daily as he lived to serve his fellowman. He was converted in 1893 and served as treasurer of the Franklin Baptist Church for 47 years. Mr. Maris had been in the drug business here in Franklin since 1888. Thus he has served this community for the past 61 years. From our observance of the every day life of Mr. Maris, and from our business relations and fraternal asociations with him, we can say that no woman ever had a more devoted husband; no child a more affectionate and indulgent father; no man a truer friend; no community a more tireless worker than W. T. Maris. Mr. Maris was born and reared in Owensville and came to Franklin to make his home when he was just a young man. It was here that he met and married his devoted wife, Mrs. Addie Maris on July 2, 1890 and they reared three fine children, one of whom has passed on to the great beyond. He was princely in character; as a man and a citizen and a friend, he was ever a marked nobleman. His unpretentious life of service to God will ever be an inspiration to friends and loved ones. His faithfulness to and love for God will give his bereaved family and friends happy anticipations of a blessed reunion in that land where there is no death, pain, or sorrow. What a beautiful faith in his Heavenly Father, and how he loved his home, family, and friends Many friends gathered at the home and at the grave to pay their last respects to this good Christian man and the flora offerings were many and very beautiful attesting to the high esteem in which he was held by his many friends throughout this section of the state. Mr. Maris is survived by his devoted wife, two sons, Clarence E. Maris and W. D. Maris; two sisters, Mrs. Ada Jackson and Mrs. Eva Willis; 3 grandchildren, 2 greatgrandchildren