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Cashius M. & Rose Anna Williams Claybourn |
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My name is Cashius M. Claybourn. I was born in
1860. My parents were of English descent from William Claybourn who
came to Jamestown, Virginia on the good ship “George” in 1621. I
married the lovely Rose Anna Caldonia Williams born in 1865. We had
eight children before 1902 when we moved to Trinity, Texas for
Rose’s health. The following year we had our ninth child. They were:
Hershel-1881, Ira Marshell-1882, Arthur Ellis-1885, Verdie
Cordelia-1887, Mary Myrtle-1890, Ernest Theodore-1893, Guy
Raymond-1897, Glenn Dale-1900, and Forrest Clyde-1903. I had 130
acres of pine timber and operated a lumber mill, and later I had a
livery business. We had the first automobile in town - a red
Pope-Hartford. Trinity was apparently not far enough south for
Rose’s health so in 1907, we moved to Palacios. I brought my
automobile on the train - it was the first one in Palacios also. I
farmed rice and did carpentry work to support my family. I later
established a taxi service and raised some cattle. I died in 1936
and Rose died in 1944. You may know my grandson, Guy Claybourn Jr.
-- Palacios Cemetery Tour |
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Cashius M. Claybourn, who passed away at this home in this city Sunday, Dec. 13, was born in Illinois on April 13, 1860. He was married to Miss Rose Anna Williams on Oct. 21, 1880, who survives him. To this union five sons and two daughters were born; namely, I. M. of Mineola, A. E., Palestine, E. G., of Parsons, Kas., Guy and Glenn, of Palacios; Mrs. J. G. Rives, Victoria and Mrs. S. A. Jones, San Antonio. Mr. Claybourn and family moved from Illinois to Trinity, Texas, in 1901, and came to Palacios in 1907. For the first few years after coming here he engaged in farming, after which he took up his trade, carpenter work, and helped to construct many of the buildings erected in the early days of our city. For the past year he had been in failing health and confined to his bed the past two months. Besides his wife and children he is survived by two sisters, and two brothers, Mrs. E. E. Norfleet, of Houston, Mrs. Arthur Botts, of Deland, Fla.; John Claybourn, Albert Lea, Minn; and C. F. Claybourn, Texaco, Ill.; twenty-nine grand children and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held from the Palacios Funeral Home Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock conducted by Rev. G. F. Gillespie, and interment made in the city cemetery under the direction of the Palacios Funeral Home.
Palacios Beacon,
December 17, 1936 |
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Marker picture courtesy of
Renee Huff |
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Rose Anna Claybourn, widow of the late C. M. Claybourn, was born in Jefferson County, Ill., Jan. 14, 1865 and died at her home in this city, Nov. 2, 1944. Mrs. Claybourn was the mother of nine children, three had preceded her in death, and her husband passed away in 1936. Those who survive are the two daughters, Mrs. J. G Rives, of Victoria and Mrs. S. A. Jones, San Antonio, and four sons, Ira Claybourn of Mineola, Texas, Ernest F. Claybourn, Parsons, Kans., Guy R. and Glenn D. Claybourn of Palacios, who were all here when she passed away. Thirty-one grand children and twenty-five great grand-children also survive. Four of the grand children are in the service now overseas. Three grandsons, Guy R. Claybourn, Jr., and Glenn Dale Claybourn, of the U. S. Army, Raymond Claybourn, of the U. S. Marines, and the granddaughter, Maurice Rives, of the WAC. Mr. and Mrs. Claybourn were among the early residents of Palacios, coming here in November 1907, and assisted in the growth of our city in the business, church and civic circles. Mrs. Claybourn was a life long member of the Methodist Church, also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. A devoted mother, and loyal friend. Funeral services were held from the Palacios Funeral Home at 5 o’clock, Nov. 2, conducted by Rev. L. M. Greenhaw and Rev. George F. Gillespie. Out-of-town relatives and friends here for the service were Mrs. H. O. Carmichael, J. G. Rives, and Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Jones, Jr., of Victoria; Mrs. Louis E. Curran, Corpus Christi; Mr. and Mrs. Coy White, Beeville; S. A. Jones, Sr., San Antonio; Mr. and Mrs. Howard Claybourn, of El Campo; Mrs. Ira Claybourn, Mineola, and Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Walker, Bay City.
Palacios Beacon, November 9, 1944 |
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Guy Raymond, Sr. & Blanche Louise Kirkwold Claybourn |
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Guy Raymond Claybourn, Sr., was born on August 20, 1897, on a farm near Kell, Illinois, to Cashius M. and Rose Anna Caldonia Williams Claybourn. The Claybourns were of English descent from William Baliborne who came to Jamestown, Virginia, on the good ship George in October, 162l. Their children were: Hershel (June 26, 1881-November, 1881); Ira Marshall (b. October 1, 1882); Arthur Ellis (February 4, 1885-January 3,1941); Verdie Cordelia (b. December 17, 1887); Mary Myrtle (b. July 27, 1890); Ernest Theodore (b. May 23, 1893); Guy Raymond (August 20, 1897-November 24, 1963); Glenn Dale, originally Glendale Divine, (b. November 24, 1900); and Forrest Clyde (June 5, 1903-December 15, 1909).
In November of 1902, the family moved to Trinity, Texas, because of Rose's health. Cashius had 130 acres of pine timber and operated a lumber mill, and later a livery business. He bought a bright red Pope-Hartford automobile and had it shipped to Trinity where it was the first auto in town. Trinity apparently was not far enough south for Rose's health, so in 1907, the Claybourns moved to Palacios, Cashius bringing along his Pope-Hartford on the train; it was the first auto in Palacios also. Cashius farmed rice and did carpentry work. Later he established a jitney (taxi) service and also raised a few head of cattle.
Guy attended school in Palacios, volunteered for military service in World War I, serving with the American Expeditionary Forces in France and Belgium in 1918 and 1919. After the war he worked as an automobile mechanic, a trade skill he had acquired while in the Motor Transport Corps.
Blanche Louise Kirkwold was born on April 29, 1898, in Starbuck, Minnesota, to Henry Oliver and Julia Heglie Kirkwold. Her antecedents were Norwegians whose lineage traced back to 1647 in Aurdal, Valdris, Norway. Blanche had four sisters: Cora, Agnes, Harriet, and Grace, and three half-sisters: Borghild, Clara, and Anna Horjem. Her father was a large-scale farmer who owned steam-powered threshing machines with which he did his own threshing as well as for neighboring farmers. In her elementary schooling, Blanche studied the Norwegian language. In her teens she attended what was known then as a girls' normal in Morris, Minnesota, where the emphasis was agriculture. With this background, Blanche speculated that properly she could be called an "Aggie."
In 1918 at the age of twenty, Blanche came by train to Blessing where her older sister Agnes was a governess for the A. B. Pierce children. When Agnes decided to return to Minnesota after being away eight years, Blanche decided to stay.
Guy and Blanche met in a drugstore in Blessing and were married on April 29, 1920, in the Methodist Parsonage in Midfield, with Ruel B. Foley and Audrey Horne "standing up" with them. After their marriage, they resided in Palacios, Port Lavaca, Bay City, San Antonio, and Waco, Texas. In 1924 Guy was employed by the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy) Railroad and was sent to Elk City, Oklahoma, as a motor car maintainer. The depression resulted in Guy's job being abolished, so Guy and Blanche and their five children moved back to Palacios in 1931, where they lived until their deaths. Most of that time they lived at 118 South Bay Boulevard in the place that was home to children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who, along with kinfolks and friends, enjoyed get-togethers and such bayside activities as boating, swimming, and fishing.
Guy operated a Magnolia service station in Palacios, followed by Texaco and Phillips 66 stations. He then became the Texaco consignee in Matagorda County west of the Colorado River. When Texaco reorganized their set-up, Guy became a realtor. He served on the school board of the Palacios school district and as a Palacios City Councilman. He was active in many organizations, including the Red Cross, Palacios Pavilion Association, and the American Legion, where he served as Service Officer for many years. Guy died on November 24, 1963, in Palacios, and was buried in the Palacios Cemetery.
Blanche was a member of the Methodist Church, joining in April of 1938. She served as "flower lady" for many years; this meant getting out early on almost every Sunday morning to see that the Church and the altar were properly adorned with flowers. She also sang in the Church choir. She was a member of the Tres Palacios Garden Club since 1947. She was a member of the Athena Club since 1943, serving in many of the club's offices, including the presidency, several times. She was an active member of the Women's Auxiliary of the Chamber of Commerce, serving in various offices in the organization. She was a charter member of the Wagner General Pink Ladies. She served on many election boards and took the Farm Census in Matagorda County.
She was a charter member of the Matagorda County Historical Commission, a member of the Matagorda County Historical Society, and a charter member of the Palacios Area Historical Association. She was past president of the Matagorda County Federation of Women's Clubs, a member of the Matagorda County Older Adults Committee, and the Association of Retired People.
In her service in many capacities over the years to her city and to her county, she was always willing to provide that little extra to maintain enthusiasm and support where needed to "keep things going." She baked millions of cookies and thousands of cakes, fried hundreds of chickens and prepared countless servings of garlic grits for consumption at receptions, luncheons, dinners, banquets, showers, parties, and weddings. Brides opened their bridal gifts in her living room and returned in due time to open baby gifts in the same room. She almost invariably appeared when someone was sick and the family needed aid and comfort, or when there was a death and the family needed consolation. This consolation many times was in the form of providing food and staying to do the dishes. Her hot rolls were famous, having been consumed by her children and their friends, at morning coffees with her friends or kin, at open house for the "snow birds," or at family reunions. From Proverbs, chapter 31: "She works with willing hands ... brings her food from afar .. . reaches out her hands to the needy ... the teaching of kindness is on her tongue ... Her children rise up and call her blessed .. . let her works praise her... " Blanche died on August 28, 1982, at Wagner General Hospital in Palacios and is buried in the Palacios Cemetery.
Guy Sr., and Blanche's children were: Guy Raymond Claybourn, Jr., born on May 13, 1921, in Palacios; Marie Louise Claybourn Curran, born on May 5, 1923, in Palacios; Henry Marshall Claybourn, born on April 16, 1925, in Elk City, Oklahoma; Lura Nell Claybourn Anders, born on June 15, 1929, in Elk City, Oklahoma; James Kirkwold Claybourn, born on March 22, 1931, in Elk City, Oklahoma; Blanche Joann Claybourn Dyson, born on October 26,1932, in Palacios; and Jon Norfleet Claybourn, born on June 5, 1941, in El Campo.Historic Matagorda County, Volume
II, 1984, pages 87 - 89 |
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Mr. and Mrs. Guy Claybourn who celebrated their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary on last Sunday, April 29, were honored with an open house party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn D. Claybourn, at the corner of fourth and Morton streets. Friends called between the hours of 3 and 6 o’clock p. m. and more than eighty names were registered by Miss Irene Claybourn who had charge of the guest book. Green and white furnished the color scheme in decorations with baskets and bouquets of Easter lilies and Queen Ann’s lace attractively placed in the reception and dining rooms. Misses Lura Nelle and Joan Claybourn presided at the punch bowl, Mrs. E. I. Chiles and Mrs. Louis Curran had charge of the cake; Mrs. Dixie Carmichael, Mrs. Glenn Dale Claybourn, Jr., and Mrs. W. E. Sullivan assisted in serving.
Palacios Beacon, May 3, 1945 |
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Funeral services for Guy Raymond Claybourn were held at the First Methodist Church, Wednesday, November 27 at 10 a. m. with the Rev. John Berkley officiating. Interment followed in the Palacios Mausoleum. Born August 20, 1897 in Kell, Illinois, a son of C. M. and Rose Williams Claybourn, he passed away suddenly Sunday morning, November 24, at his home on South Bay Blvd. A resident of Palacios for 57 years, at the time of his death he was actively engaged in the real estate business. A city councilman for several years, and had served as president of the school board of trustees, he was District Steward and Recording Steward of the First Methodist Church and had served on the church’s Board of Stewards. He also served as chairman of several charitable drives. Survivors include his wife, Blanche of Palacios, three daughters, Mrs. Marian Curran of Houston, Mrs. Laura [Lura] Nell Raplee of Nashville, Tenn. and Mrs. Joann Dyson fo Point Comfort; four sons, Guy Jr. of Ft. Belvoir, Va., Marshall of Wichita, Kansas, James of Palacios and Jon of Bay City; 18 grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. J. G. Rives of Victoria and Mrs. Myrtle Jones of San Antonio; two brothers, Glenn of Palacios and Ira of Mineola.
Palacios Beacon, November 28, 1963 |
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Mrs. Guy R. Claybourn, Jr. [Sr.] died Saturday evening at Wagner General Hospital at the age of 84 years. Mrs. Claybourn was born Blanche Louise Kirkwold on April 25, 1898 in Starbuck, Minnesota of parents H. O. and Julia Heglie Kirkwold. She was baptized in the Lutheran Church in Minnesota when a child. She came to Texas in 1918 to visit her sister who was living in Blessing. In 1919 she met Guy R. Claybourn, Sr. and they married April 29, 1920. To this marriage were born the following children: Guy R. Claybourn, Jr., of Palacios; Marian Louise Claybourn Curran (deceased); Henry Marshall Claybourn (deceased); Lura Nell Claybourn Anders of Palacios; James Kirkwold Claybourn of Palacios; Blanche Joann Claybourn Dyson of LaSalle, Texas; and Jon Norfleet Claybourn of Bay City. Mr. Claybourn died in November 1963. Over the years Mrs. Claybourn has been active in church and civic affairs. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and served as Flower Steward for many years. She was a member of the Matagorda County Historical Society, a board member of the Museum Association and charter member of the Palacios Area Historical Association. She was a member and past president of the Matagorda County Federation of Women’s Clubs. She was also a member of the Palacios Chamber of Commerce, Athena Club, American Legion Auxiliary, Palacios Garden Club, and Pink Ladies Hospital Auxiliary. She received many honors for her years of service, including special honor from the Matagorda County Historical Society and in 1980 was chosen Palacios Woman of the Year. Surviving are children Guy R. Claybourn, Jr., Lura Nell Anders, James K. Claybourn, Joann Dyson, and Jon N Claybourn; 18 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters Agnes Kirkwold Ranun and Grace Kirkwold Opheim of Starbuck, Minnesota and Harriet Kirkwold Nelson of Milaca, Minnesota and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held Tuesday at the First United Methodist Church in Palacios. The Reverend Barry Bauerschlag and the Reverend James R. Gwin officiated. Burial was in Palacios Cemetery. Pallbearers were grandsons. In lieu of the usual remembrances, donations may be made to the Memorial Fund of the First United Methodist Church or to the charity of donor’s choice.
Palacios Beacon, September 1, 1982 |
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Funeral services for Mrs. Marion Curran, 55, who died suddenly at her home in Houston Sunday morning, were held at 10 a. m. Tuesday, April 17 at the Niday Chapel followed by services at 3 p. m. at the First United Methodist Church in Palacios with the Rev. Carl L. W. Israel officiating. Interment was in the Palacios Cemetery. Daughter of Mrs. Blanche Claybourn of Palacios and the late Guy Claybourn, she was president of Pasadena Little Theatre, member of Greater Houston Civic Ballet and was awarded life membership at Judd M. Lewis School P. T. A. for her long service. She is survived by her husband Louis E. Curran, Sr. of Houston; sons, Major Guy K. Curran, Fort Hood, Texas, Louis E. Curran, Jr. Williamsburg, Ohio; her mother; brothers, Col. Ret. Guy R. Claybourn, Jr. and James K. Claybourn of Palacios; Jon N. Claybourn, Bay City; sisters, Mrs. Ray Anders, Palacios and Mrs. Carl Dyson, LaSalle; and two grandsons.
Palacios Beacon, April 19, 1979 |
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Funeral services for Henry Marshall Claybourn, who died in M. D. Anderson Hospital on February 2, of the complications of leukemia, will be held in the First Methodist Church of Palacios at 3:00 p. m on Wednesday, February 4th. Marshall was a native of Palacios and the son of Guy R. Claybourn, Sr., and Blanche Claybourn. Prior to his death arrangements had been made with “Blood Services of Houston” to bring a mobile unit to Palacios to receive blood from donors for his benefit. A victim of leukemia for almost 10 years, Marshall has received countless donations of blood. It was hoped that his friends could repay some of the blood that had been given to him in the past and supply some for his future needs. Prior to his death Marshall knew of the plan and it was one of the last comforts to know that his friends felt so kindly toward him. The last words he uttered to a member of his family were: “I hope there will be enough left over to help someone else in my condition.” Members of the family have decided to go ahead with these plans as a memorial from his family and friends to Marshall. The mobile blood unit will be at the parking lot of Wagner General Hospital at 3:00 p. m. Wednesday afternoon to receive donations from friends who may have to go to work at four p. m.; and to receive donations from family and friends who will attend the funeral. Officials of the unit have stated they will remain as late as they are needed. They also state they can process three donors each 15 minutes and that a donor can go to work immediately. They request a donor not consume alcoholic beverages less than 12 hours before donation; and not consume heavy food such as eggs, butter, milk or cheese less than two hours before donation. Light food is preferable. Marshall’s family will be forever grateful to all donors. He is survived by his widow and three children. Palacios Beacon, February 5, 1970 [disinterred
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Glenn D. Claybourn, Sr., of Victoria, who served as Mayor of Palacios from 1946-1948, died at 2:40 p. m. Thursday, March 30, in a Victoria hospital following a short illness. Formerly owner of the Glendale Motel here, he was been a resident of Victoria the past several years. He was born November 24, 1900, in Texaco, Ill., a son of the late Cassius and Rose Williams Claybourn. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Victoria, Palacios Masonic Lodge 990 AF & AM, Bay City Chapter 315 R.A.M. and Bay City Council 261 R&SM. Funeral services were held at 10 a. m. Saturday from the Colonial Funeral Home Chapel in Victoria with Dr. John Donaho, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, officiating. Graveside services were held at 1 p. m. at the Palacios Cemetery with the Rev. Thomas Connolly officiating. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Clara Claybourn of Victoria; a daughter, Mrs. Glen Buffaloe of Houston; a son, Glenn Dale Claybourn, Jr. of Victoria; two sisters, Mrs. Verdie Rives of Victoria and Mrs. Myrtle Jones of San Antonio; two grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Palacios Beacon,
April 6, 1972 Clara Lay Hastings Claybourn, 87, passed away Sunday, November 26, 1989. Born April 17, 1902 in Florence, Alabama and a former resident of Palacios and Victoria, she was Past Matron of the Palacios Eastern Star and member of the Bear Creek United Methodist Church in Houston. Mrs. Claybourn was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn Dale Claybourn Sr. in 1972. She is survived by a son, Glenn Dale Claybourn Jr.; daughter Irene Buffaloe; brother, Louis Hastings; sister, Norine Kazan; grandchildren, Jan Alexander, Renie Kristynik and Denis Lunsmann; great grandchildren, Samantha, Dana, Kurt, Kyle, Cole, Leslie and Lyndsay. The family received friends Monday, Nov. 27 from 6-8 p. m. at Waltrip Funeral Home in Houston. Graveside services were held Tuesday, Nov. 28 in the Palacios Cemetery. The family requests memorials be given to Mature Americans of Bear Creek United Methodist Church, 16000 Rippling Water, Houston, TX 77084.
Palacios Beacon, November 29, 1989 |
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Lura Nell Anders, 78, of Palacios died July 4, 2007. She was born June 15, 1929 in Elk City, Oklahoma to the late Guy R. Claybourn, Sr. and Blanche L. Kirkwald Claybourn. She was a member of the United Methodist Church; member of Athena Club; and an avid birdwatcher. Survivors include daughter Rebecca P. L. Raplee of Macomb, IL; sons Robert C. Raplee and Rich C. Raplee both of Nashville, TN, Randall C. Raplee of Lavergne, TN & Ryan G. Raplee of Macomb, IL; sister Joann Dyson of LaSalle, TX; brothers Guy Claybourn, Jr. & wife Colleen of Palacios, James K. Claybourn & wife Dorothy of Powers, OR, Jon Claybourn & wife Kaye of Bay City; grandchildren Hanna G. Raplee Adkison & Abigail R. Raplee-Adkison and a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Ray Anders, sister Marian Claybourn Curran and brother Marshall Claybourn. Graveside services will be 10:00 AM Monday, July 9, 2007 at the Palacios Cemetery with Colleen Claybourn officiating. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.taylorbros.net. Arrangements with Palacios Funeral Home in Palacios. 361-972-2012.
Taylor Bros. Funeral
Home web site |
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Guy Raymond, Jr. and Colleen Talmadge Claybourn |
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Guy Raymond Claybourn, Jr., was born on May 13, 1921, in Palacios, Texas, the first of seven children born to Blanche Kirkwold and Guy R. Claybourn. After working in Bay City, Port Lavaca, San Antonio, and Waco, Texas, Guy, Sr., was employed by the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad in 1924 in Elk City, Oklahoma, and Guy, Jr., started school there. In March, 1931, the family moved back to Palacios where Guy, Jr., entered the fifth grade at the "Red Brick School." He was graduated from Palacios High School in 1938, and took post-graduate courses there in 1939. In 1940, he worked as a carpenter's helper during the building of an enlarged Camp Hulen. In December, 1940, Guy, Jr., went to California and got a job building Lockheed YP-38s in a former winery on the outskirts of Burbank. He rode a bicycle instead of buying a car so he could have money to spend on flying lessons.
Upon returning from his solo cross-country flight on December 7, 1941, Guy, Jr., was greeted with the news that Pearl Harbor had been attacked. Despite a draft exempt job, the desire to continue to fly prompted him to enlist in a program aimed at producing liaison pilots for the United States Army ground forces. After completing civilian pilot training in Oklahoma, Guy, Jr., began active duty military basic and flight training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in January, 1943. After completing this training, Guy, Jr., was promoted to Staff Sergeant and joined the 935th Field Artillery Battalion on maneuvers in Tennessee and Georgia before departing New York City on August 20, 1943, in a Naval convoy bound for Oran, Algeria.
Guy, Jr. 's , first combat mission was made on November 11, 1943, just south of Monte Cassino in Italy. The 935th Field Artillery Battalion remained in action in Italy with the 5th United States Army until September, 1944, when it was re-deployed to France with the 7th United States Army. On June 23, 1944, Guy received a battlefield promotion to Second Lieutenant.
The 935th saw combat in eastern France and southern Germany and Guy, Jr., flew 252 combat missions, earning the Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters. He remained in Germany after VE day, serving with the 15th United States Army which was studying "lessons learned" during the war. Guy, Jr., was released from active duty in March, 1946, and entered the University of Houston that fall, majoring in Fine Art, and received a bachelor's degree in June, 1951. On February 1, 1951, he married Lucille Elaine Tolleson. In July, 1951, due to the Korean "police action" he was recalled to active duty and served for fourteen months in Korea. In 1953 he was assigned to Continental Army Command at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, and in 1956 was assigned to the Flight Detachment at Headquarters, United States Army Europe (USAREUR). One highlight of this three year tour was a trans-Atlantic ferry flight in a Beechcraft L-23 from Virginia to Heidelberg via Torbay, Newfoundland, Lajes in the Azores, and Madrid, Spain.
While in Germany the Claybourns adopted two children, Clayton Alan and Carolyn Guilaine. The family went to the Army Air Defense Command installations at Kansas City, Missouri, and Oklahoma City, before being sent to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where Guy, Jr., now a Major, was with the Pentagon Flight Detachment.
In July, 1965, Guy was sent to Saigon, Vietnam, to serve with the 3rd Radio Research Unit as executive officer and operations officer in a flying capacity. He returned to Fort Wolters, Texas, in July, 1966, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in March, 1968. During his military career he flew 8234 hours and was the 60th Master Army Aviator. He received the Bronze Star, Air Medal with fifteen Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal and Good Conduct Medal as an enlisted man, as well as eleven service stars-five in World War II, three each in Korea and Vietnam. Upon retirement he moved back to Palacios. His marriage to Lucille ended in divorce.
Colleen Sharon Talmadge was born on October 11, 1934, in Gary, Indiana, to Leonora May Hill and Paul Preston Talmadge. She started first grade in Hobart, Indiana, moved to San Antonio for the second half of the grade, and then moved to Palacios, where her father was in Civil Service at Camp Hulen. She started second grade in Linnie Wolf School with Thelma Batchelder as her teacher. She joined the First PresbyterianChurch and in her teens served as substitute pianist and organist for the church. She was president of her junior class, band manager, and editor of the "Ebb Tide" in Palacios High School. She was graduated as Salutatorian in 1952.
On March 27, 1952, Colleen married James Leo Penland, born in September 17, 1932, in Collegeport. James was in the United States Air Force, and they lived in Savannah, Georgia, and Shreveport, Louisiana, before serving for two years at West Drayton base of the Royal Air Force at Ickenham near London England. While in the United Kingdom, Colleen traveled to Scotland and the Netherlands, and became interested in British history.
After returning to the United States, the Penlands lived in Edna for two years where Colleen worked for attorney and State Representative W. T. McNeil. In 1957, the Penlands moved back to Palacios and built a home on Bayshore Drive. Colleen worked one year for the Matagorda County Farm Bureau and then, in early 1960, went to work for attorney Eli Mayfield. James was a policeman for the City of Palacios.
Four children were born to James and Colleen: Sharon Melita, Sarah Leonora, Rhoda Allene, and Altha Aaron II (b. March 28, 1969). Little Aaron, called "Buster" after his "Grandpa" Penland, had Down's Syndrome and died of pneumonia and heart problems on December 21, 1969. He was buried at Hawley Cemetery beside his Talmadge grandparents. The marriage of James , and Colleen ended in divorce in January, 1971.
Beginning in 1970, Colleen worked half-time for Mayfield and Bowers, Attorneys, and half-time for Farmers Canal Company, until 1974, when she began full time at Farmers Canal Company. She served as treasurer of the Women of the Church and as church organist.
On November 19, 1972, Guy Claybourn, Jr., and Colleen Talmadge Penland were married. They were active in several community fund raising projects; enjoyed travel, bird watching, train watching and photography. Colleen served as elder, clerk of session, trustee, and part-time organist at the First Presbyterian Church, and was president of the Presbyterian Development Corporation of South Texas, Inc. Writing was her hobby, following in the tradition of her parents, and she was involved in writing a history of the Presbyterian Church in Palacios. Guy's hobby was railroads. In 1983, Guy and Colleen were charter members and organizers of the Palacios Area Historical Association, where Colleen served as president and Guy as secretary. Colleen was Executive Director of the Trull Foundation in 1984 , and had served as a trustee since 1967.
Clayton Claybourn married Holly Harrison and they had two children, Nellie Cass and Garrett Harrison, and resided in Palacios. Carolyn Claybourn married Paul Harrison Goforth and had two children, Jereme Douglas and Lindsay Guilaine, and resided in Palacios. Sharon Penland was in the United States Air Force. Sarah Penland married Michael Edward Binder and had two children, Michael Edward, Jr., and Andrew Elias. Rhonda Penland was graduated from Palacios High School in 1985, and will attend Wharton County Junior College. She was serving as Choir Director of the First Presbyterian Church in Palacios in 1985.
Historic Matagorda County, Volume II, 1984, pages 89 - 91
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A Memorial Service for Guy Raymond Claybourn,
Jr., 89, of Palacios, Tx., will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28,
2010 at the First Presbyterian Church in Palacios with Revs. Andy
and Janell Blair officiating. Graveside service will follow at
Hawley Cemetery near Blessing.
The Palacios Beacon, Wednesday, September
1, 2010 |