My great-great grandmother, Rhoda Pricilla Whitworth was born in Cape Girardeau Missouri in February of 1850 to Fields and Susan (Patrick) Whitworth. She married Thomas Anderson Alexander in 1868, in Butler Co., Missouri. She gave birth to nine children, but only four lived to be adults. She lived in Caddo for over 30 years, and operated a boarding house and restaurant.
She died tragically in a fire on March 13, 1931. Her death certificate is signed by Dr. Roy Cochran. This is her obituary from the Caddo Herald March 20,1931.
Burns are Fatal to Caddo Woman
Last Friday morning at eight o'clock at her home here, Mrs. T.A. Alexander received burns in some way that proved fatal, dying twelve hours later.
How the clothing of the woman became ignited is not known as she was alone in her home at the time and no one heard her cries of pain, but her son happened to go into the house at the time and found her trying to protect her face with her arms from the rages of fire. All that loving hands could do to ease the pains was done but she succumbed at eight o'clock from the burns.
The funeral was held Saturday afternoon at the church conducted by Rev. George E. Tyson, with burial in the Caddo cemetery.
Mrs. Alexander was a life long member of the Methodist church and was a constant attendant of its services as long as her health permitted and in her death the church has lost a staunch friend of sterling character.
She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Mollie Cooper of Oklahoma City and one son, Tom Alexander of Caddo.
The hearts of all go out to the bereaved ones of this good wife and mother. *My thanks to Shirley Green for allowing me to use her photo of Rhoda. Shown with her are her grandchildren, Virgie, Alcie, and Lucy.
Mary would this be Chloe's great-grandmother too? Still enjoy reading your stories. Keep up the good work. Still miss seeing you and your husband but glad you are going and happy where you are.
Posted by: Houstine | January 27, 2007 at 04:42 PM