Transcribed obituaries from the Shelbyville Gazette, 1931

last update 22 July 2005
Steve Carson, GSC Associates Historical Record Products

Shelbyville Gazette - Aug 27, 1931, page 5
Mrs. Sue Claxton Coop

Mrs Sue Claxton Coop, 76, died at her home near Bell Buckle Friday morning following a stroke of paralysis. Mrs. Coop had been living in that community for a number of years and was loved and respected.

Funeral services were held Saturday morning at the residence with services conducted by the Rev. Clyde Gleaves, pastor of the Christian church, of which Mrs. Coop was a member.

She is survived by her husband William Coop, and four sons and five daughters and several brothers.

Shelbyville Gazette Dec 3, 1931, page 5
W. R. Coop

William R. Coop, 84, died Saturday afternoon at his home on the Fairfield Pike, near Bell Buckle. He was a prominent and well known citizen and a successful farmer and stock raiser. Although he had been ill for several weeks, he was improving, but sustained burns when his bed caught fire, and his death is regarded as due to injuries and shock of the accident.

Mr. Coop was married to Miss Sue Claxton and they reared twelve children.

Shelbyville Gazette - Dec 3, 1931 - page 1
Mathias Hoover Claimed By Death

This Well-Known Citizen Passes Away Tuesday Afternoon at Bedford County Hospital

The funeral of Mr. Mathias Hoover, who died at the Bedford County Hospital Monday afternoon, took place Tuesday afternoon from the residence of his 
daughter, Mrs. Fred Stong, with Rev. Charles C. Thompson, pastor of the First Christian church officiating.

Mr Hoover was born at Hoover's Gap, and for a number of years was a successful farmer in Rutherford county.

He had been in poor health for some time and had undergone a very serious operations some months ago, from which he never rallied.

He was a devoted father and friend and will be greatly missed.

He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Fred Strong of this place and Mrs. Mack Gilmore, of Nashville, and three grandchildren. Interment was in Evergreen cemetery, Murfreesboro.

The following served as pall bearers: Active - H. D. Woodward, F. J. Wallheiser, A. J. Fuston, M. B. King, S.D. McGrew, Dr. W. H. Avery. Honorary - J. R. Jetton, Cloe Bond, Ernest Smith, Judge J. E. Richardson, J. T. Woodfin, C. N. Haynes, W. E. Hudson, J. M. King, W. . Gresham, W.R. Clark, L. D. Harrell, A. T. Gilley, A. L. Smith, F. L. Spain SR, B. B. Kerr, W. H. Wood.

 

Shelbyville Gazette - Dec 24, 1931, page 1
John Lokey

Funeral services were held at the Hoover funeral parlor last Friday afternoon for Mr. John Lokey. Mr. Lokey was a former resident of our town and is remembered as a splendid respected citizen. For the past few years he has made his home in Winterhaven, Fla., with his daughter, Mrs. Don Ellis and Mr. Ellis. His surviors are Mrs. Ellis and several grandchildren of Winterhaven, and several nieces and nephews of this town and county.

The remains were accompanied here by Mr. Robert Ellis, a grandson. Funeral services were conducted by Dr. W.C. Creasman, pastor of the Baptist church. Interment was in the Holland graveyard.

Shelbyville Gazette, Aug 6, 1931 - page 7
MRS BETTIE BROADWAY BOBO PARKS

Mrs. Bettie Parkes, aged 85 yers, one of the oldest persons in the county, died suddenly at her home Friday morning. She was affectionately called "Aunt Bet."

She had been twice married, her first husband was Elijah Bobo, and several years after his death, she married the late Rufus Parkes, Before her marriage she was Bettie Broadwary, a member of a prominent pioneer family.

She had been a devoted member of the Church of Christ for years, and was always present for services unless sickness prevented.

Funeral services were conducted at the Christian Chruch Saturday afternoon by Elder D.E. Mason, of Fayetteville. Burial was in the Lynchburg cemetery.

She is survived by two half sisters, Mrs. Arthur Hinkle, of Pecos, Texas, and Mrs. Ada O'Neal of Pelham. Two double cousins, Mrs. Dick Daniel of this city, and M.C. Motlow, of Chattanooga, besides a number of other relatives. --- Moore County News.

(Note: Aunt Bet's name is spelled "Parks" and "Parkes" in the same obit.)

Shelbyville Gazette - Feb 5, 1931, page 7
Death of W. T. Stephenson

William Taylor "Bill" Stephenson 59, one of the most substantial farmers of Rutherford County, died suddenly at his home near Rucker Saturday morning at 9 o'clock. A heart attack is believed responsible for his sudden passing.

Although he had been feeling badly for some time, Mr. Stephenson was able to be up at the time he was stricken. He passed away within a few minutes after he was taken ill, just as a physician arrived at his bedside.

In addition to his wife Mr. Stephenson is survived by one child, Billie; two brothers, Genie of Wartrace and Ewing of Winchester; and three sisters, Mrs. Henry Gibson of Decatur, Ala., Mrs. E. L. Eaton of Shelbyville and Miss Bernice Stephenson of Denver, Colo.

Mr. Stephenson was one of the best known men in his community. He was a member of the Baptist church and until a few years ago was interested in the cotton business.

Mr. Stephenson was born and raised near Beech Grove but had lived in the Rucker community for many years.

Funeral services were held at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon at the home, Rev. R. A. Taylor officiating.

Shelbyville Gazette, Oct 29, 1931 - page 1
Wm. L. Troxler

William Lawrence Troxler, shot himself at 5 o'clock Friday afternoon with a shotgun on his lawn in the 23rd district of Bedford County. He had been in failing health for many months and while despondent had spoken of suicide some time ago. He was a native of a prominent family.

Surviving him are his wife, Mrs. Bonnie Hitt Troxler, son, William Troxler; daughter, Miss Mildred Troxler; mother, Mrs. Ida Troxler; brother; George Troxler, and sister Mrs. Minnie Williams of Bell Buckle.

His death is greatly deplored and the suympathy of the entire community goes out to the widow and children, and other relatives.

Funeral services were conducted at the family residence Sunday afternoon by Rev. C.C. Thompson, pastor First Christian church and Dr. W.C. Doss, pastor of the M.E. Church, South. Burial was in Willow Mount cemetery in Shelbyville.

Shelbyville Gazette - March 19, 1931 - page 4
Death of Mack G. Watson

Funeral services for Mack G. Watson, 91, Civil war veteran who served in Forrest's cavalry were held Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the home of his niece, Mrs. Birdie Pearcy, in the Nashville, conducted by the Rev. A.S. Allen. Mr. Watson died Wednesday morning at the home of his niece following a heart attack.

Mr. Watson was born in Shelbyville in 1840. At the outbreak of the Civil war he and his brother joined with Nathan Bedford Forrest when he formed his famous cavalry. Mr. Watson rode as escort to General Forrest, and his brother, William Watson, who died in 1893, served as bugler for the troop.

After the war, Mr. Watson moved to Nashville. He was employed by the old Prewitt-Spurr Furniture Manufacturing company in East Nashville. He never married.

He is survived by the following nieces and nephews; Mrs. Thomas Shute, Mrs. Birdie Pearcy and H. H. Watson, all of Nashville; Mrs. W. L. Haynes and Charles and Wiley Chockley of Shelbyville, and Clarence Watson of Houston, Texas. Burial was at Mt. Olivet cemetery. (cemetery is in Nashville)