Van Alstyne Leader
February 14, 1934
pg.6
YOUNG COLORED WOMAN
DIES
The friends among the
white citizens of this community of Mun
Stinnett and his wife, both well known and
worthy colored citizens, regretted sincerely
to learn of the death of their daughter,
Ellie, at Denton, on the night of February
8. She was 23 years of age at the time
of her death, which was self-inflicted.
Authentic reports are
to the effect that the young woman was
married on April 23, 1932, to James McGriff,
the marriage being kept secret. At the
time, she was teaching in the colored school
at Denton, and at the close of the term
returned to Van Alstyne and spent the
vacation period at the home of her parents,
East of Van Alstyne. She was
re-elected as a teacher for the current
term, and returned to Denton at the opening
of the school, performing her duties in the
class room until the day of her death.
Her marriage was known only to herself, her
husband and the people with whom she boarded
in Denton, Jack Lambert and wife. At
the time of her death, only Lambert and
another woman who lived with them were in
the home, Lambert's wife being absent.
The body was brought to
Van Alstyne, and funeral services were held
at the colored Methodist church
on Tuesday, February 12. The services
were largely attended. Interment was
had at the local cemetery.
Mun Stinnett and his
family are among the best of the colored
citizens of this community, and he stands
very high with all of the white people who
know him. Their many friends of both
races will sympathize most sincerely with
Stinnett, his wife and his family in their
bereavement.