Obituary

Obituary of Hilda McElhenney Griffith
(C. Avis Catalog entry #908)

http://wcfish.tributes.com

Hilda McElhenney Griffith
September 26, 1927 - April 9, 2014
Austin, Texas

Farewell to a remarkable woman admired, loved, and respected by all who knew her.

Hilda McElhenney Griffith was born in 1927 to Dr. Thomas Jefferson and Hilda Rudd McElhenney in Alabama. The family moved to Austin just in time for Hilda to begin school at Pease Elementary in 1933. After Austin High School she attended the University of Texas as a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity, graduating with a BS degree.

In 1947, Hilda married the love of her life, Llewellyn B. Griffith Jr. In 1951 Lew was recalled into the US Air Force and they spent the next 20 years building a family and moving from coast to coast in the United States and a 3 year tour in Germany. During this time Hilda and Lew discovered a love for traveling visiting all of the European countries outside the Iron Curtain. While Lew was serving his country, our very busy Hilda was recognized as the Air Force Wife of the year by the Air Material Command, and began a 20 year active volunteer life with the American Red Cross.

Upon returning to Austin in 1966 her love of volunteering led her to 40 years with the Settlement Club serving in several positions including President. With great enthusiasm she also graciously volunteered her husband, children, and cousins for the now famous 'Settlement Club Garage Sale'. During this time she reconnected with the Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity becoming a member of the KAƟ Board of Directors for the Alpha Theta House Corporation, Alumnae District President, and a National Special Officer serving as Director of Alums, Chapters, and Clubs.

Following Lew's retirement, the happy couple began traveling again visiting Russia, Thailand, Japan, China, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Canada, Mexico, many parts of the United States. England became a favorite destination thanks to the generosity of her Theta sister Harriet who loaned Hilda her London home on 9 occasions. This incredible gift built wonderful memories with family and friends.

Hilda was preceded by her parents, Dr. & Mrs. T. J. McElhenney, and her brother Dr. Thomas R. McElhenney. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, and their children: Hildy Soper, L. Brooks Griffith and his wife Sandy; Annie Koach and her husband Bruce; and 3 grandchildren Sunni Ann Soper, Alecia Koach, and Curtis Koach.

Hilda loved her family, her friends, her community, and her country. She was a truly inspiring and very gracious lady in thought, word, and deed. She always had a smile which will be missed by the many, many people touched by her in the last 86 years.

In keeping with Hilda's spirit please convert "flowers" to donations for The Settlement Home or your favorite charity and consider volunteering an hour or two for a cause dear to your heart. She would love that!

Memorial Service:
All Saints Episcopal Church, 209 W 27th Street, Austin
Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 4:00 pm
Reception following in Gregg Hall
 

Obituary of Henry C. Cook
(C. Avis Catalog entry #869)

Arkansas Gazette
Little Rock, AR
page 13
Sunday 3/25/1945
 

Henry C. Cook

Formerly of Little Rock.
    Henry C. Cook, aged 52, of Monohans, Tex., formerly of Little Rock, died at his home Saturday.  mr. Cook, employed by the Gulf Oil Refining Company at Monohans for about 25 years, also operated a feed store there.  He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Dell Cook; two daughters, Mrs. Mae Dell Emerson and Mrs. Faye Parker of Little Rock.  Funeral services and burial will be held at El Dorado Wednesday.
 

Obituary of Nora Herring Roberson
(C. Avis Catalog entry #213)
(Document ID #481)

The Austin Statesman
Austin, Texas
Monday, October 15,1956
Page 12

Mrs. M. B. ROBERSON

  WICHITA FALLS, Oct. 14 (CTS) 
Funeral services for Mrs, Martin B. Roberson, 90, pioneer Wichita Falls resident who died Saturday, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Wichita Falls.
  Burial will be in a Wichita Falls cemetery.
Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Jake Avis and Mrs. R. H. Gracey of Austin and Miss Jennie Roberson of Wichita Falls; and two sons, Clyde Roberson of Houston and Harry Roberson of New Mexico.

Obituary of Madge Rudd
(C. Avis Catalog entry #463)
(Document ID #486)

Austin American-Statesman
Austin, Texas
Sunday, May 3, 1992

Deaths and funerals

Madge Rudd

  Madge Rudd of Austin died Wednesday evening, April 29, 1992.
  She had lived 95 wonderful years. She had a long and distinguished career in education In Texas and South Carolina. She taught physics in Spartanburg High School for many years and among her students she proudly claimed General Westmoreland. She also taught science in Alvin, Texas, immediately after she graduated in 1918 from the College of Industrial Arts now Texas Woman's University in Denton. She held a master's degree from Wofford College in South Carolina and did graduate work at Columbia University, the University of Texas and the University of Hawaii.
  Miss Rudd was active and held office in the leading teachers' organizations including National Education Association, Classroom Teachers and the South Carolina Education Association. She was also a member of Freedom's Foundation.
  She came to Austin in 1960 to accept the position of executive secretary of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. When she retired she became business manager of The Jeffery School and held the position until the school closed In 1981.
  During her 48 years of membership in Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary society for women educators, she served as president, vice president and treasurer of her chapter; state president of South Carolina and chairman of several committees; state chairman of the Southeast Regional Conference in 1955 and Southeast Regional Director 1956-1958. At the International level she was chairman of the Constitution Committee and was a member of the International Administrative Board 1956-1958 and during her years as executive secretary. Jeannie Youngblood served as Miss Rudd's secretary and when she was leaving the position, the International Administrative Board, was meeting in Austin. She read the following statement to the Board: "Only if you had worked with Miss Rudd on a daily basis for over four years could you appreciate her as I do - not only as a boss but as a person. Her intelligence, her consistent congeniality, her patience and understanding and that zest for life that she has, has been a real inspiration to me. I have never seen anyone with so much energy and I am sure that you on the Board can or will in the coming year appreciate the eagerness and sincere desire to help in any way that she can to fulfill the purposes for which Delta Kappa Gamma was organized."
  Miss Rudd traveled extensively. In 1966 she served as co-director of Comparative Education Field Study in Australia, New Zealand, Jordan and Israel. After 1966 she went numerous times to the Soviet Union, East and West Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, Mexico, Canada,Iceland and Outer Mongolia. She particulary enjoyed the December Russian Winter Festivals and went for the last time when she was 91.
  Miss Rudd is survived by her sister, Mrs. L.V. Ragsdale of Mystic, Connecticut and her children; nieces, Mrs. L.B. Griffith, Jr. (Hilda) of Austin and Mrs. W.W. Collins (Peggy) of Fort Worth; nephew Dwight Chiles of Dallas; and a number of grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She Is also survived by her traveling companion and friend of many years, Dr. Inez Jeffery.
  She was preceded in death by two sisters, Mrs. T.J. McElhenney and Mrs. Fay Chiles; a brother, Charles Rudd; and her nephew, Dr. Thomas R. McElhenney.
  Memorial services will be held in the University Presbyterian Church, San Antonio and 22nd Streets, Saturday, May 9 at 11 o'clock a.m.
  In lieu of flowers, It was Miss Rudd's request that donations be made to the World Fellowship Fund, The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, 416 West 12th Street, Austin 78701 or to The Settlement Home, 1600 Peyton Gin Road, Austin 78758.
  The members of the Rudd family and Dr. Jeffery express particular appreciation to Mrs. Venturina Biggs for the professional and loving care given to Miss Rudd during her illness.
  Arrangements by Weed-Corley Funeral Home.  3125 N. Lamar. 452-8811.

Obituary of Mary Ayres Nave
(C. Avis Catalog entry #290)

The Age-Herald, Birmingham, AL
Tuesday, 10/31/1911
p. 10

Mrs. Mary Ayres Nave
The funeral of Mrs. Mary Ayres Nave, who died Sunday night at 11:55 o'clock, will be held from the residence of her daughter, Mrs. L. R. Chiles; 2224 Fourth avenue at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon.  Mrs. Nave was 67 years old and is survived by Mrs. Chiles, her only daughter.  Interment will be in Elmwood cemetery.
 

Obituary of Hilda Rudd McElhenney
(C. Avis Catalog entry #282)
(Document ID #512)

Austin American-Statesman
5-4-1977
p. B2, F14

MRS. THOMAS J.(HILDA) MCELHENNEY

Mrs. Thomas J."Hilda" McElhenney, 76, of 3103 Westlake Drive, died Tuesday. She had been a resident of Austin since 1933 and was active in church and civic affairs. She was a member of the University Presbyterian Church. For 2 1/2 years she served as president of the Junior League of Austin. She also served as president of the Travis County Medical Society Auxiliary. She was a member of the Settlement Club, the Thankful Hubbard Chapter of the D.A.R., and was a member of the first Symphony Board and the Austin Heritage Society.
  Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Llewellyn B. (Hilda) Griffith, Austin; son, Dr. Thomas R. McElhenney, Austin; sisters, Mrs. C.D. (Fay) Chiles and Miss Madge Rudd, both of Austin, and Mrs. L.V. (Mildred) Ragsdale of Fall River, Mass.; 8 Grandchildren; 1 Great Grandchild; and a number of nieces and nephews.
  Memorial services will be held at 4:00 P.M. Thursday at the University Presbyterian Church with Rev. Roland Perdue officiating.
  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Settlement Club. Home or a favorite charity.

Account of crash killing Charles M. Rudd
(C. Avis Catalog entry #275)
(Document ID #475)

San Francisco Examiner
Thursday
11-13-1919
p. 1

Army Aviator Dies in Crash

Stockton, Nov. 12 - Lieut. Charles N. Rudd of Mather Field was killed and Antonio Salcido, also of Mather Field, was fatally injured when the de Haviland plane in which they were riding crashed into a tree about four miles north of Linden at 7:30 o'clock tonight.
  The aviators left San Fransisco this afternoon at 4 o'clock and were supposed to have lost their way in the dark, as they passed over Stockton at 6 o'clock.
 

  Obituary of L. Clyde Roberson

(C. Avis Catalog entry #215)
(Document ID #483)

The Clay County Leader

Page 5
    HENRIETTA
    TEXAS 76365

Thursday, May 4, 1972

Former Henrietta Resident Passes

  L. Clyde Roberson of Pleasant Hill, La., a former resident of Clay County and a cousin to Raymond Thompson of the Willow Springs Community and Miss Thelma Thompson of the Riverland Community, passed away Tuesday, April 11.
  Services were held at 2 pm Thursday in Pleasant Hill.
  A native of Henrietta, Mr. Roberson had resided in Wichita Falls prior to moving to Louisiana. He was employed as an auditor for an insurance firm.
  Survivors, in addition to the Clay County residents, include a sister. Miss Jennie Roberson, 3012 Speedway, Wichita; his wife, Mrs. Pauline Roberson; a son, L Clyde Roberson Jr. of Houston; and two sisters, Mrs. Jake Avis and Mrs. R. H. Gracey, both of Austin.

Obituary of Charles M. Rudd
(C. Avis Catalog entry #171)
(Document ID #480)

Temple Telegram
11-14-1919
p. ?

Lieut. Charles Rudd Dead.

  Like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky came the message yesterday at noon, telling of the tragic death of Charles Rudd, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Rudd, 316 South First street.  In attempting to make a landing, near Stockton, in a cross country flight from San Fransisco to San Diego, Cal., at 7:30 in the evening before darkness interfered.  The plan was entangled in a tree and the daring young aviator, whom all Temple knew and loved, was crushed to death.  He was born and reared and was graduated from high school in this city and spent his vacations here during his college days, and when the country went to war, like his sires since the days of the revolution, he flew to her aid and chose as his work, the air service.  It chills our hearts as we think of one so young, and active, and vigorous, and full of the promise of a splendid useful manhood to be taken suddenly, without warning, but, God knows best, and to his mother who loved him so dearly, to his father and sisters and other relatives, the sympathy of the citizens of Temple is extended in this sad hour of the passing of another of her heroic sons.

Obituary of James Rudd
(C. Avis Catalog entry #169)
(Document ID #492)

Funeral Services For the Late Jas. Rudd to Be Today

  Funeral services will be conducted for the late James Rudd at 5 o’clock this afternoon from the family residence 916 South First Street, Rev. I. E. Selfridge, pastor of the First Presbyterian church officiating.  Miss Madge Rudd is enroute here from Greensboro, N. C. accompanied by her brother-in-law Dr. C. D. Chiles of Birmingham who was to have joined her at Montgomery, Ala., both being due to arrive on the Santa Fe train from the south at 3:00 p. m. today.  Lowry Rudd, a son who resides at Chattanooga, Tenn., was expected to arrive during last night.
  Pall bearers will be J. J. Booker, F. F. Downs, G. E. McCelvey, D. A. Black, T. J. Darling, T. M. Gerald.