Starkville News dated 6-11-1943

Illness is Fatal to Mrs. Fondren

Beloved Oktibbeha Matron is Buried in Spring Hill Cemetery in 
   Choctaw County

Mrs. Mary Etta Fondren, beloved Oktibbeha County matron, died
Sunday morning, May 23, in Oktibbeha Hospital after a short illness.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 24, from the Adaton
Baptist Church, conducted by the pastor and assisted by Dr. J. D. Ray,
pastor of the Starkville Baptist Church.  Burial was in Spring Hill
Cemetery in Choctaw County.

Mrs. Fondren had been married for 54 years and was widely known 
as a devoted wife and mother, loved by everyone with whom she came
in contact.  She was a member of the Baptist Church.

She was 73 years old and her entire married life had been spent in
Oktibbeha County.  Her husband is the oldest living Confederal veteran
in Oktibbeha County.

She is survived by her husband and six children, Jake S. Fondren, mrs.
Enella Keen, and Miss Vela Fondren, all of Starkville; Elmer L. Fondren,
Greenwood; M. D. Fondren, Belzoni, and Dowl Fondren of Drew; also
14 grandchildren, two great grandchildren and six step-children.

Pallbearers were O. L. Ray, W. P. Phillips, W. T. Arnold, H. C. Hull, 
H. B. Tomlinson, and J. S. Christopher.  Members of the B. T. U. Class
of the Adaton Baptist Church served as the flower committee.

Photographed at the Oktibbeha County Courthouse and submitted
by Mary Whitaker Davis
Transcribed by C. L. Herrick on June 22, 2008