Family Ties

School

Pleasant Hill school building, 1925

Pleasant Hill School District, 1939

Bennie Joe Simmons, 17

L.B. Simmons, 15

Patsy Ann Simmons, 7

Peggy Sue Simmons, 5

Anna Marie Hill Alexander

I was reminded of Aunt Ann this morning because I posted some 1948 Caddo High School news to my Caddo blog. That was the year her brother, John, was killed during a “donkey basketball” game. I have many childhood memories of Ann and we became reacquainted after she moved to the Retirement Ranch in Caddo.

 

Anna Marie Hill Alexander

Anna Marie Hill Alexander, 82, of Amarillo died Saturday, Oct. 1, 2005.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Martin Road Chapel, 15th Avenue and Martin Road, with Van Cribbs of Christian Heritage Church officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery by Martin Road Chapel Funeral Services.

Mrs. Alexander was born Aug. 11, 1923, in Carternine, Okla., to Altie Euphamia Boydstun Hill and Albert Sidney Hill. Her family moved to Caddo, Okla., in 1932. She married James Robert Alexander on May 2, 1941, in Durant, Okla. They moved to Amarillo in 1947.

Mrs. Alexander was a homemaker and taught Sunday school for Hillcrest Baptist Church Youth Group for many years. She was a member of a local Skip-Bo club and a charter member of Bykota Baptist Church, which she dearly loved. She also spent many years sewing for the public. She moved to Caddo in 1999 and became a member of First Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, John Henry Hill; her husband; and a son, Robert Howell Alexander.

Survivors include a daughter, Sharon Kay Alexander Gunnels and husband, Jerry Ray, of Coppell; a son, James Dwight Alexander and wife, Peggy, of Amarillo; three grandchildren, Parish Todd Gunnels and wife, Jan Klingenberg, of Coppell, and Amber Rachelle Alexander Miles and husband, Jason, and James Daniel Alexander, all of Amarillo; a great-granddaughter, Peyton Elise Miles; three brothers, T.A. Hill of Clinton, Okla., and Richard Hill and wife, Ruby, and Jack Hill and wife, Melba, all of Caddo; two sisters, Margaret Hill Birdsong and Mary Hill McKinney, both of Caddo; and numerous nieces and nephews as well as cherished friends, Arietta Cook and Susie Sain.

The family suggests memorials be to Caddo Education Foundation, P.O. Box 82, Caddo, OK 74729; Bykota Baptist Church, 4022 N.E. 26th Ave., Amarillo, TX 79107; Odyssey Hospice, 7201 Evans Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106; or Lance Armstrong Cancer Research Foundation, P.O. Box 130819, Houston, TX 77219-0819.

Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 2, 2005 

Dad's Graduation Profile

The Durant Weekly News

May 27, 1949

Bobby Lee Simmons is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Simmons, born January 8, 1930 at Caddo. He has spent all his school years in Caddo. He is a member of the F. F. A., Speech League, and Annual Staff. His favorite subjects are shop and agriculture. He is the only graduating senior who is married.

 

Cars

From the family records of Beatrice Simmons

In January of of1936 we paid $10 for our first car, a Model T. I sold the only rooster we had to buy gas for it. We had it about nine months and then Lee bought a Model A pickup. We kept it about a year.

In 1937 we bought a 1934 Ford Sedan. It was black. We kept it about a year.

In 1938 Lee bought a 1936 red (wine) Ford Coupe with a rumble seat. We lost it during the depression, in 1939 because there were no jobs.

Our next car was a gray 1931 Star Sedan. We bought it in 1942 and kept it for about three years.

In 1947 we bought a black 1934 Ford Sedan. We had come to California to work for the summer. We bought the car and drove it back to Oklahoma.

In 1949 we bought a 1936 Plymouth Sedan, tan. Bob, Colleen, Betty, and I moved back to California to stay. Drove the Plymouth back out to California. In the summer of 1950 we traded the Plymouth for a 1942 black Ford Sedan.

The Carlton Girls

 

The Carlton Girls

Golda, Pauline, Violet, Hazel, and Elrene were the children of J. H. Carlton, g-grandmother Edna’s brother. His sons were John C. and Willard. J.C.’s daughter and I were classmates and remain good friends.

 

Durant Weekly News/Durant Daily Democrat

 

December 5, 1929

Miss Pauline Carlton spent Thanksgiving with home folks where she has been at Caddo going to school.

March 28, 1930

Miss Pauline Carlton of Caddo spent Saturday and Sunday with homefolks.

 

July 8, 1932

Lillie Booth is the guest of the Carlton girls of Caddo this week.

Violet, Hazel, and Elrena Carlton of Caddo attended the party at Harvey Smith’s Thursday night.

 

February 24, 1933

Matoy

Violet and Hazel Carlton of Caddo spent Saturday night with Eva Tidwell and Sunday with Mrs. J. D. Nickles.

 

April 15, 1933

Hazel Carlton Suffers Injury in Car Accident

Saturday afternoon while driving to town, the car driven by J. C. Carlton, son of J. H. Carlton, in some manner got out of his control and the car ran into the __ ditch at the side of the street in front of the residence of John Stapleton and threw Miss Hazel Carlton, sister of the driver, from the car and she sustained a painful as well as near serious injury as she fell to the ground from the car.

Miss Carlton’s right hand was torn and lacerated in such a manner that a deep gash was made in the fleshy part of the heel of her hand, which necessitated the taking of some 35 stitches to close the wound.

She was brought home from the hospital Sunday afternoon and has been recuperating this week at her home here and unless serious complications set up, her recovery will be very rapid. She also sustained several bruises in the accident, but her brother was uninjured. Caddo Herald

 

April 21, 1933

Girls’ Auxiliary

The Girls’ Auxiliary met and organized on April _, 1933 at the Baptist Church. We elected the following as officers:

President, Mildred McGraw

Vice-president, Elrena Carlton

Sec.-Treas., Jasmine Honsinger

Reporter, Mildred McCreary

Leader, Miss Irene Kennedy

There were 16 girls present at the organization.

We invite all members of the Baptist Church to come and join our organization. The ages are from 9 to 16. All others are welcome to come and visit with us.

Our next meeting will be on Monday, April 24 at the home of Mrs. R. L. Cochran at 4:30 o’clock after school.

 

April 22, 1933

BYPU

Violet Carlton was on the program

 

May 13, 1933

(very difficult to ready copy)

BYPU

Elrene Carlton- president

Hazel Carlton had a part in a play

 

May 30, 1933

Kenefick

Miss Violet Carlton of Caddo spent the week end with Misses Mary Sue and Caroline Miller.

 

July 20, 1933

Matoy

J.C. Carlton spent the weekend with Calvin and David Faulkner.

Violet and Elrena Carlton of Caddo visited girl friends here last weekend.

 

August 27, 1935

Caddo

Mr. and Mrs. P. K. Dobbins of Oklahoma City and Mrs. Roy Rogers of Garland, Texas were visiting Mr. and Mr. J. H. Carlton and family here this week. Mrs. Dobbins will be remembered as Miss Pauline Carlton. She will visit here through a part of this week.

Clara's Girls

Patsy Ann, Peggy Sue, and Irine must have paid attention when their mother was cooking, sewing, and gardening.

The Durant Weekly News

March 27, 1942

Eight members of the Pleasant Hill Home Demonstration Club met in the home of Mrs. Joe Dobbs. Mrs. Irene Hibdon was added to the roll as a new member.

Though favorite breeds of chickens were varied, Rhode Island Reds were in the majority. The members present reported having 200 baby chickens.

Gardening weather is being put to good use. All reported gardens planted and early vegetables were already up and late ones being planted as time comes for them to be planted.

April meeting will be with Mrs. Jess Seago. Women in the community not now on the roll are invited to attend meetings and work with the club. During this emergency it is most important that we keep informed on what other people in the community, state, and nation are doing and can do to help solve our problems.

 

May 7, 1943

4H Club Rally

Appropriate Dresses

Peggy Sue Simmons

Patsy Ann Simmons

 

September 15, 1944

4H Winners, Fair

Peggy Sue Simmons, Pleasant Hill

Patsy Simmons, Pleasant Hill

 

December 28, 1945

Pleasant Hill

The Pleasant Hill Home Demonstration Club met December 11 at the school house. There were ten members present. Miss Nina G. Craig and Miss Amy G. Pepperkorn were present and assisted in organizing and planning the work for 1946.

Officers elected for 194 were Mrs. R. L. Simmons, president; Mrs. Jess Seago, vice-president; Mrs. B. C. Curry, secretary.

A very nice Christmas program was enjoyed by everyone. Mrs. R. L. Simmons acted as hostess to the club. Many attractive gifts were drawn from the grab box.

Those present were Mrs. R. L. Simmons, Mrs. B. C. Curry, Mrs. Jess Seago, Mrs. J. Ella Dobbs, Mrs. Bill Hibdon, Mrs. Margaret Cooper, Mrs. S. H. Puffer, and Mrs. Frank Trimmer.

Mrs. Frank Trimmer, reporter (Lottie, my g-Aunt Martha Banta Trimmer’s SIL)

 

March 15, 1946

Pleasant Hill 4H Club was reorganized with 22 members and the following officers were elected: President, Patsy Ann Simmons; Vice-president, Rozell Coldiron, and  Secretary, Peggy Sue Simmons.

Project captains-

Peggy Simmons, health

Patsy Simmons, poultry

 

September 20, 1946

30 Home Demonstration Clubs participated in the Bryan County Fair

Winners-

Peggy Simmons- 4^th pajamas, 5^th pillow cases, 2^nd canning

Patsy Simmons- 3^rd dresses, 1^st scarf, 1^st canning

 

December 6, 1946

Pleasant Hill

The Pleasant Hill 4H Club reorganized for 1947 and the following officers were elected: president, Rozell Coldiron, vice-president, R. Radabough, and secretary, Julia Crawford. The local 4H leader is Mrs. Hazel Crawford. Mrs. Hazel Crawford is the one in charge of school.

Project Captains are as follows: Clothing, Patsy Simmons; Home Improvement, Peggy Simmons; Food Preparation, Nancy Hogan; and Food Preservation, Geraldine Barker.

 

September 19, 1947

4H Girls in Bryan County Fair

Patsy Simmons, Caddo- canning

Peggy Simmons, Caddo-canning

 

October 22, 1948

Pleasant Hill

The Pleasant Hill Home Demonstration Club met in the school lunch room Tuesday afternoon, October 12. Mrs. R. L. Simmons called the meeting to order after which Miss Nina Craig, home demonstration agent, took charge of the election of officers for 1949. The officers elected were president, Mrs. R. L. Simmons, vice-president, Mrs. C. R. Riley, secretary, Mrs. Jo Ellen Dobbs, and reporter, Mrs. A. D. Harkey.

New members enrolled were Mrs. M. A. George and Mrs. Mae Russell. During the social hour Mrs. Harkey was given a pink and blue shower.

Mrs. Dobbs served refreshments to the following members: Mrs. K. E.Crawford, Mrs. V. L. Leinneweber (Peggy), Mrs. M. A. George, Mrs. C. R. Riley, Mrs. Mae Russell, Mrs. Simmons, Miss Patsy Simmons, and Miss Nina Craig.

More...

The Durant Daily Democrat

April 20, 1956

Bryan County HD Club Activities

…meeting Tuesday evening was held in the home of Clara Simmons with Mrs. L. N. Craighead serving as co-hostess.

…The committee reports included 2 hats, 4 dusters, 12 dresses, and 6 other garments made in clothing. One utility cabinet, a percolator, and ten pairs of curtains were purchased in home improvement. Mrs. Simmons displayed a picture she had made and framed. Gardens were in good shape despite the drought and six pints of asparagus, six pints of poke greens, and ten pints of jelly and been canned. There had been 120 bulbs and 20 pansy plants set out and over 400 baby chickens purchased.

The Durant Daily Democrat

February 22, 1960

Caddo HD Club Has Meeting

The Caddo Home Demonstration Club met Tuesday evening at the community building. Hostesses were Mrs. Clara Simmons and Mrs. L. N. Craighead. The building was decorated with flags and was suggestive of Washington ’s Birthday. The table was covered with a white cloth and patriotic emblems. The centerpiece was red, white and blue flanked by red hatchets.

The president, Mrs. Clara Simmons, presided. The Homemakers creed was led by Mrs. Neta Gibson and the devotional from Luke was given by Mrs. Ida Sawyer.

Assisting Mrs. Zora Dake with the program were Mesdames Lula Campbell, L. M. Wood, Glenn Stafford, Cecil Womble, Nettie Sargent, and Miss Irene Davis.

Mrs. Simmons reported on the council meeting in Durant, attended by Mesdames Stella Hamilton, Ida Sawyer, and Ida Kuschke. Mrs. Simmons displayed an attractive plate covered with crushed egg shells and painted with gold paint.

On February 12^th the executive committee, Mesdames Simmons, Roy L. Cochran, and Daisy Nail met and appointed the following committees: membership, Mmes. Agnes Council, Stella Hamilton, and Versie Wheeler; program, Claud Nail and Zora Dake; 4H, Stafford and R. L. Rasberry; exhibit, Stafford, Charles C. Semple, and Simmons. Club chairmen as follows: recruitment, Neta Gibson; citizenship, Sargent; civil defense, Clarence Self; health, Clifton Dugan; housing, Sawyer; safety, A. E. McCreary. Club project chairmen as follows: clothing, Tommy Jones; food and nutrition, Womble; family life, Jack Powledge; home management, Nail; horticulture, Campbell; entomology, Craighead.

Clothing chairmen reported six dresses, two slim jims, two coats, four quilts; housing chairman reported four shades for windows, 12 curtains, one bedspread, windows painted; food chairman reported in deep freeze 175 pounds of pork, 10 hens and three rabbits; 12 pint of plum butter were made.

There were 12 members present and one guest, Miss Irene Davis.

 

More About Granny Simmons

 

The Durant Daily Democrat

September 30, 1953

(classified ad)

Leaving for California Thursday night. Can take 2 share expense passengers. Call Mrs. Clara Simmons. Phone 196, Caddo.

The Durant Daily Democrat

May 24, 1960

...At Caddo home demonstration club, in addition to the regular lesson, the club president, Mrs. Clara Simmons, had made an unusual flower container from her attic. She recovered an old rusty lunch box. She cleaned it, put on a coat of glue, a layer of oyster shells that had been broken up, and used gold spray paint on it. Put drawer pulls at each corner for the legs, filled it with moss. It was attractive. The top part of the box, which was rounded, she finished and hung it on the wall for an ivy planter. A little initiative and very little expense can go a long way in different accessories for the home.

Granny Simmons

The following are from articles about the Caddo Home Demonstration Club found in the Durant Daily Democrat.

 

September 25, 1956

…Mrs. Clara Simmons had quilted one quilt and had another ready to quilt.

 

October 22, 1956

…Mrs. Clara Simmons had quilted three quilts.

 

June 21, 1957

…Mrs. Dake conducted a guessing game and Mrs. Clara Simmons received the prize.

…Mrs. Clara Simmons had a new deep freeze and had put 21 fryers and 12 pints of green beans in it.

 

October 20, 1957

…Mrs. Simmons quilted four quilts and made four quilt tops.

…Mrs. Clara Simmons had 30 fryers and five hens in deep freeze. Also 21 quarts black-eyed peas in deep freeze.

July 26, 1959

…Mrs. Clara Simmons reported on fair exhibits, stating that some of the ladies had fruit and vegetables canned, ready for the county fair.

 

January 25, 1960

…Mrs. Clara Simmons was elected president.

 

September 18, 1960

Home Demonstration Club Winners at Fair Announced

…Pillow Cases, Mrs. Clara Simmons, Caddo

…Luncheon set, Mrs. Clara Simmons, Caddo

…Crib quilt, Mrs. Clara Simmons, Caddo

 

Me...FHA

The Durant Daily Democrat

October 7, 1966

Caddo FHA Chapter Holds Installation

The Caddo Chapter of the Future Homemakers of America held its installation service Thursday night in the high school auditorium.

The setting for the installation was decorated in red and white. White and red satin streamers accented with white doves holding red roses formed the background. The table, laid in white, held eight candles entwined with green ivy and red roses. Each candle represented a different phase in FHA. Completing the decorations were two pedestal baskets of red roses.

Music for the evening was furnished by Susanne Jones. Special numbers were presented by June Stanfield, Judy Watkins, Brenda Shields, and Regina Self.

New officers installed were Wanda Nickles, president, Mary Simmons, vice-president, Liza Killingsworth, secretary, Sandy Wright, treasurer, Marilyn Roper, parliamentarian, Pat Emerson, song leader, Carolyn Roper, pianist, Sue Hale, reporter, and Diane Wood, historian.

Club mothers were Mrs. Wright and Mrs. Phipps and sponsor Mrs. Jeanne Adkisson.

Sub-District president installation.

October 13, 1966

Caddo Girl Wins Office in FHA

Mary Simmons, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Simmons of Caddo, was elected sub-district president of the Future Homemakers of America during the meeting in Durant this week.

She will serve for the 1966-67 year. Miss Simmons is a junior at Caddo High where she is vice-president of the local FHA chapter, secretary of the Horizon club, a member of the glee club, pep club, and Honor Society.