Van Alstyne Leader
1947

SERVICES HELD FOR MR. A.A. ASHLEY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
Aurelious Asberry Ashley, 74, a retired farmer died in a Sherman hospital at 1 p.m. Tuesday.  He had suffered a heart attack.
Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Methodist church with the Rev. J.M. Simpson, Jr., pastor officiating with Rev. J.G. Miller and Rev. Lloyd Mottley assisting.  Burial was in the Van Alstyne Cemetery under the direction of the Fox-Fanning Funeral Home.
Mr. Ashley was born January 8, 1873, at Leslie, Arkansas.  He came to Texas 49 years ago.  He was a member of the Methodist Church.
Surviving are his wife; four daughters, Mrs. Owen Humphrey of Pueblo, Colo., Mrs. Wade Powell and Miss Mary Ashley, both of Van Alstyne and Mrs. L.L. Riffe of Anna; a brother, W.W. Ashley, Pueblo; two sisters, Mrs. W.J. Blair, Merced, Calif., and Mrs. J.C. Gibbons, Bentonville, Ark.; and two grandchildren.
Pallbearers were: John Douglas, Homer Tate, Clifford Douglas, L.C. Stuteville, W.E. Lawrence and Clarence Hill.



Van Alstyne Leader
Friday, August 30, 1963

FUNERAL RITES FOR MRS. A.A. ASHLEY SATURDAY
Funeral services for Mrs. Surena Octavia Ashley, who passed away at her home here Thursday at 4 p.m., were held Saturday afternoon at 2:30 in the First Methodist Church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Don Davis, assisted by Rev. Sahr.  Interment was in the Van Alstyne cemetery under the direction of Flesher Funeral Home.  Pallbearers were Herbert Taylor, Jess Martin, A.D. Grider, Kenneth Williams, Gene Lindsey and Virgil Skipworth.
Mrs. Ashley was born in Corinth, Mississippi, on June 12, 1874, a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. S.T. Honnoll.  At the age of five, she came to Texas with her family, who settled near Van Alstyne.  At an early age she was converted and joined the Methodist Church.  She was united in marriage with A.A. Ashley on July 9, 1899.  He preceded her in death in April 1947.  She had lived in or near Van Alstyne 83 years.
Survivors include four daughters, Mrs. Mary Ashley and Mrs. Lillie Mae Powell of Van Alstyne, Mrs. Willie B. Riffe of Anna, Mrs. Leon Humphrey of Pueblo, Colo.; two granddaughters, Mrs. Relda Beall and Miss Rejonna Riffe of Richardson; one grandson and two nieces, Mrs. Dell Bailey and Mrs. Walter Futhey of Las Cruces, N.M.
Miss Mary Ashley and her sister, Mrs. Willie Bea Riffe, have returned from their vacation.  They visited Mrs. Riffe's daughter in Sioux City, Iowa and their sister, Mrs. Humphreys in Pueblo, Colo.