George Robert Turney
Born March 10, 1879
Died 1957
Buried Low Gap Cemetery

Hattie Turney
Age 77 yrs.
Died 1965
Maplewood Cemetery, Boone County

John Samuel Spencer

Transcribed by Jeanne Spencer Salyers
PIONEER CITIZEN GOES TO REWARD
by J. T. Richmond
(published on Saturday, Sept. 16, 1933 in Jasper, Arkansas newspaper)

The sage of Mount Sherman is dead. Uncle John Samuel Spencer, 89 year old postmaster at Plumlee died Saturday, September 10, (1933) and was buried in Mt. Sherman Monday, beside his wife, with most of the mountain in attendance. By request of Uncle John, the Rev. George Turney of Everton, officiated since he had also preached the funeral sermon of Uncle John's wife about five years before. Mrs. Mollie Barr, a granddaughter, also Brother Barr and Brother Hugh Raney, helped lead the singing of a few sacred hymns dear to the departed one and his loved ones. Beautiful flowers and an ideal September day in the Ozarks helped make Uncle John's final farewell gathering a time of inspiration and happiness for all. Inspiration because of the fine life that had been lived among us, and happiness because Uncle Johns's earthly troubles are over and he has gone to a greater service in realms beyond the limits of time.

John Samuel Spencer was born in Jamestown, Kentucky, November 17, 1843, in the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Spencer and lived in that state eighteen years getting all the schooling possible in those pioneer days. Then he lived five years in Indiana where he married Elizabeth Jennings April 21, 1864. He lived fifteen years in Missouri and over a half century in Arkansas on Mt. Sherman Newton County. Here he was a leader laboring industriously for the good of the mountain and his fellow men. Farming and cabinet work were his favorite occupations and as a farmer he homesteaded one eighty in Missouri and one in Arkansas and lived for awhile on what is known as the old Goodall place on Mt. Sherman in Raney Cove, best reached today via of Twilight trail. As a cabinet maker, he leaves numerous chairs, bedsteads, spinning wheels, and the like tucked away in Ozark homes as witnesses of his skill in the days when he was strong and active. In fact, the bed upon which he took his last long sleep is a sample of his careful handiwork.

Uncle John used to hunt lots, when young, he said. In those days there was a great plenty of deer and wild turkeys everywhere on Mt. Sherman and of course a great many squirrels and other small game. Even while sick Uncle John said laughingly, 'I'll probably be tearing out down Twilight trail to Harve Raney cove when I feel better, if they ever get deer started there again.' He was referring to a movement on Mt. Sherman to restock the mountain coves with deer and wild turkeys as in the days when he was an active young nimrod.

As postmaster at Plumlee, six miles west of Jasper, for the past fifteen years, Uncle John has been likened to that other famous postmaster, Uncle Ike, (Levi Morrill) former postmaster at the Cross (illegible)......Shepherd of the Hills Country' near Marvel Cave. Like Uncle Ike, Uncle John executed the government's business 'as one having authority,' and insisted that the books must balance to a penny every day. 'Keeping the books straight is the most interesting thing about my postoffice work,' he used to say. And the Post Office Inspector said Uncle John was keeping the office better than most of the yound P.M.'s. "I like my work and think my patrons are fine people," Uncle John sometimes declared with a satisfied smile. Of course his daughter, Aunt Sadie Braudrick, beloved by all Mt. Sherman because of her kindness and sympathy, has been the faithful assistant and the real postmaster when her aged father was too ill to serve. And another assistant worthy of the name is Mrs. Dollie Hoyer. Like Uncle Ike, Postmaster Spencer also lived near a famous Ozark Mountain cave, Diamond Cave, only about four miles away, via Boulder and Panther creeks.

When asked about his nationality, Uncle John used to say, English and American! The American part of him is thought to contain a goodly strain of original American Indian blood, but he would not talk about that, though his descendents are very proud, and rightly so, of any Indian blood which may flow through their veins. When able to leave the house, Uncle John was a faithful worker in Sunday school and church, his personal choice being the Christian church. He summed up his thoughts about God in the statement that God is all wise and powerful. He did not belong to any lodges but took a good citizen's part in politics, only missing one vote, due to sickness, in half a century. Politically, he was a Democrat, but he was ever an American citizen first, and if the Democratic party did wrong, he disapproved. Speaking of American politics today, Uncle John said sadly, 'I think politics are getting terrible corrupt! And the world getting worse because there's so much meaness going on.' But he was hopeful about the younger generation, saying they are worse in some ways, but better in others, as compared with old times.

Uncle John's hobby was reading the newspapers, and he would often comment while reading. 'I don't know what caused this depression,' he said one day, 'but it might be for the best. Anyway I think it will soon be over.' And now and then, when able, he read a good book. Outside the Bible, perhaps the last book he read with keen enjoyment was Charles J. Finger's 'Ozark Fantasia', a book presented to Wilderness library by a friend. Uncle John always took a great and helpful interest in Wilderness library and its efforts to help folks, and always had a good word for those in charge, for he believed that the more good books we have on the mountain today the more good citizens we'll have the great Tomorrow. It always pleased him to see and know how eagerly the boys and girls read the new books as fast as they come to the library....(illegible)....Wilderness library caused the Mt. Sherman mail to be heavier, Postmaster Spencer never complained but said he was glad to do his bit for the good cause. 'I have a treasured volumn or two,' he confided 'which I want to place in Wilderness Library some time to do good after I'm gone.'

Most of Uncle John's friends of other days are dead, but of those living he has often mentioned Jackson Kilgore, Uncle Carroll Henderson and Dave Greer. 'And how's Uncle Dan Phillips?' he often asked as he thought of the well-know Jasper patriarch of nearly his own age. As for Uncle Carroll, he was very low at the time of Uncle John's departure and it may not be long until he follows his friend down the 'long, long trail.' Last year, at 88, Uncle John said he'd like to make the hundred mark. But old age complications weakened him gradually as loved ones watched at his bedside for three weeks and finally Uncle John passed easily int a deep sleep to wake up in eternity with the God whom he had served for over half a century among the elderly friends whom he had served for over half a century. Among the elderly friends who paid respects were Judge Moore who has lived here 72 years and Col. A.D. Akin, a more resent arrival.

A man like Uncle John Spencer who always labors for the good of his neighbors naturally speaks well of these neighbors always. Uncle John's final verdict about his people is 'Mt. Sherman folks are the best people I have ever lived among. They are just naturally good people.' He believed with all deep students of human nature that people who speak well of their community are usually the ones who are building up that community, and those who knock their community are nearly always the ones who are tearing it down. This, he knew, is true on Mt. Sherman in particular.

Uncle John had three brothers and four sisters, all dead now. James died on Mt. Sherman and Lynn and Thomas were killed on a railroad. The sisters were Sarah, Jane, Nancy and Caroline. His children are: Sadie Braudrick and Lila Brown of Plumlee, Newt Spencer of Haskell, Oklahoma, Vernie Martin of London and Allie Brown and Frankie Goodall, both deceased. This beloved patriot of five generations also had thirty-two grandchildren, thirty five great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, John Phillips Reeves, and was related to many on Mt. Sherman, besides.

Who the next postmaster will be at Plumlee, is unknown at present but it is understood there are several worthy applicants. It is important that, whoever gets the place, the postoffice will continue to be centrally located. One thing certain---with the change of postmasters, the name of this postoffice should be changed from Plumlee to Mt. Sherman, which it should have been called in the first place, according to the general opinion on the mountain. This community is popularly known as Mt. Sherman, because it is located on Sherman mountain. One of Uncle John's sincere .......(illegible)......Mt. Sherman post office as soon as possible. It is likely that the wishes of the departed will be respected.
Family Contacts: John P. Sartin Jeanne Spencer Salyers

Oza Faye Jones, 94, of Haskell, Oklahoma, died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005 at Haskell Care Center. She was born May 27, 1910 at Mt. Judea, to Robert Levi and Peggy Lou (Ricketts) Criner. She worked as a cook for Casey's Cafe in Boynton, Okla., for 23 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband,; a son, Donald Wayne; four brothers and four sisters. Survivors include two sons Ronnie Jones of Wilburton, Okla. and Darrell Jones of Harrison; a daughter, Janice Beck of Haskell, Okla; 13 grandchildren and a great-great grandchild.

Funeral was 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, at the Church of Christ with Del Cox officiating. Burial was in the Haskell Cemetery under the direction of Dowdy Funeral Home.

After a long and very blessed life of 102 years, Granny Fields went home to be with her Lord and family gone on before her on April 20, 2005 at Hilltop Nursing Home.

Granny was born Audrey Belle Raynor on February 9, 1903, to Henry Jordan 'Doc' and Emily Jane Pittman Raynor in Batavia where she remained a lifetime resident.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, April 25 at the Batavia First Assembly of God with Brother Tollie Sutterfield and Brother Kevin Merrill officiating. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 24 at Christeson Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be grandsons and honorary pallbearers will be all grandchildren; Dr. Tom Leslie and staff at Eagle Heights Clinic; and the staff of Hilltop Nursing Home.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Batavia First Assembly of God Church, 7883 Highway 392, Harrison, or the Alpena Cemetery, P. O. Box 67, Alpena. (Granny was the oldest member of the Batavia First Assembly of God Church) Interment will be at the Alpena Cemetery.

Granny's life was a gift to all who knew her. She was raised on hard work and never quit until the work was done. She remained in her family home until shortly before her 100th birthday tending her garden and piecing quilts. She was a walking history book. Living through 18 presidents; six wars; kerosene lamps to electricity; slate boards for homework to computers; and horse and buggy to men on the moon. The quilts she loved to piece will keep her family's hearts warm and full of memories in years to come. She enjoyed Monday Night Gospel Singing at Ridgeway. She was a member of the Capps Community Club and the Batavia Friendship Club.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clyde A. Fields; a sister, Bertie M. Hewitt; a daughter-in-law, Emma Fields; and a son-in-law, Alvin I. Maynard.

She is survived by five children, Ralph Fields of Batavia, Stella Maynard of California, Maxine and J. T. Flippo of Capps, Omel and Pat Fields of Alpena and Leonard and Charlotte Fields of Texas; seventeen grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 19 great-great-grandchildren; and a whole host of friends and family who will miss her.
We love you Granny!{hdt}
Wedding picture appears in Boone County, Arkansas Scrapbook

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