A long period of declining health which grew to deep affliction in the closing weeks of his life, proved fatal for Elbert Octavius BREEDEN, 77, at 10 o’clock Friday morning, January 24, 1941. Bright’s disease and complications was the immediate cause of his death. Mr. Breeden passed peacefully away at the home here of his daughter, Mrs. Felix Connel, where he had made his home for a long while, following the death of his wife, Mrs. Myrtle Travis Breeden, who died five years ago. He had a premonition that his death would occur on the fifth anniversary of that of his wife, members of his family said, and this proved to be a fact, Mrs. Breeden having succumbed on January 24, 1936. A native of Houston county, he was the son of the late Jesse and Mrs. Sallie Breeden, but came to live in this county when a young man and first engaged in stave mill work, when dense tracts of select timber made the stave business a brisk activity in this territory covering several years. He later purchased a farm some three miles east of Charlotte and from thence forward agricultural pursuits was his occupation Mr. Breeden having met with recognized success in this field. Posessing . keen judgment and displaying unquestioned honesty and sound dealings in all transactions, alert, a hustler, and a will to accumulate and not destroy, all combined to enable him to grasp a fair and measurable degree of this world’s goods. He wasn’t rich–didn’t care to be–but, aside from a satisfactory allotment of his possessions left his children, he also left a surpassing memorial–a life filled with lofty ideals, love of home and children, friends by the hundreds, and a deep Christian experience for all to emulate. His love for the Heavenly enveloped him and he was lavish in many respects in giving a goodly portion to the Christian cause, having repaired the Big Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church some years ago from his own personal funds, the building being in bad state of preservation before his determination to meet the need was realized. He otherwise gave his means that Christian work be carried forward, especially at Big Springs, where he attended regular monthly services until his health forbade. He was a member of the Methodist Church, having affiliated with the Methodist Church at Erin when a young man and never moved his membership. However, in late years his church activity was centered in the congregation at Big Springs, where members of his wife’s family have worshipped through the years. Kind and considerate in every respect, willing and ready to aid the sick and distressed, all of these jewels were cemented to enrich him with admirers where his fine life reached. Humanity in all walks of life loved him and the memory of him will remain long in the hearts of all his acquaintances. A marble slab will memorialize his name but the memory of his elegant life is enshrined in the hearts of family and friends. Funeral services were held from the Big Springs Church at 11 o’clock Saturday morning, conducted by Rev. John W. Kelly fo the Charlotte Methodist charge, and by Rev. Fort Fowler, Methodist pastor at Joelton, Tenn. Mr. Kelly read the 90th Paslm and offerred prayer, fllowed by a spirited and worth tribute by Mr. Fowler. At the church the choir sang “The Old Rugged Cross”, “Safe in the Arms of Jesus,” “Unclouded Day” and “It is Well With My Soul,” and at the grave in the church cemetery, where burial took place, the choir sang “Nearer My God to Three”. A brief commital closed the last rites. The church was filled to overflowing by the large assemblage attending the services, and many floral creations were emblematic of the love and honor in which he was held. The pallbeareres were J. E. Mizell, John Loggins, J. A. Hickerson, W. H. Lewis, Glen Hamilton and D. B. Greer. Survivors are four sons, Wendel, Preasley, Roger and Phillip Breeden, and four daughters, Mrs. Valera Coinnel, Mrs. Ellie Hooper, Mrs. Alice Fowler and Mrs. Mildred Davis. He is additionally survived by one sister, Mrs. Alice Atchison, of Martin, Tenn.

Source:  This information was provided by a good friend of Dickson County, Sue Breeden