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Obituary:

WILLIAM "Bill" HOUSTON McMATH, passed away April 23, 2014.

He was predeceased by his parents, Fannie Lou McMath and Henry Grady McMath, Sr. of Strong, AR, and his brother, Henry Grady "Sonny" McMath, Jr. of Bryan, TX.

Bill's music career spanned several decades beginning at an early age in Strong, AR, learning to play piano and guitar. He earned Bachelor and Master degrees in music from the University of North Texas in Denton, TX. Bill moved to Memphis in 1969, where he worked at William B. Tanner Company as a staff music writer, arranger, singer and recording session guitarist. Bill worked with several country music recording artists while living in Nashville in the mid 70's. Beginning in the early 80's, he worked as a freelance music writer and arranger, as well as teaching private music lessons and teaching Music Appreciation at Shelby State Community College in Memphis, TN. As head of the Instrumental Music Department at Presbyterian Day School since 2001, Bill was known as "Mr. Mac" to all his students and colleagues. These years at PDS were the highlight of his career. Outside of music, Bill loved to follow the St. Louis Cardinals and Memphis Redbirds baseball. Family vacation trips to Destin, FL over the past 30 years were always memorable. Bill died from complications of pneumonia in the ICU at Baptist Memorial Hospital, where he was in the care of wonderful, compassionate groups of nurses and doctors.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kathy Wilkins McMath; daughters, Rachel Easley and Cecily McMath; son, Mitchell Redd; granddaughter, Emily; grandsons, Will and Drew.

There will be a visitation from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. on Sunday April 27 in the Sanctuary of Christ United Methodist Church followed by the service from 3:30-4:30 p.m. A graveside service will follow on Monday, April 28 in Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Presbyterian Day School Music Department, The Memphis Chapter of the American Federation of Musicians or the donor's choice.

(Published in The Commercial Appeal on April 26, 2014)

William married M.A. Mitchell [Group Sheet]

1. W.M. Redd

William — K.M. Wilkins. [Group Sheet]

1. R.L. McMath
2. C.M. McMath

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STRONG, Ark. - Henry Grady McMath, Sr., 78, of Strong died Tuesday at his residence following a long illness.

Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. today in the First Baptist Church of Strong with the Revs. Sardis Bever and Jimmy Taylor officiating. Burial will be in the Strong Cemetery under the direction of Young's Funeral Home of El Dorado.

Mr. McMath is survived by two sons, Grady McMath, Jr. of Houston, Texas, William H. McMath of Memphis, Tenn.; one brother, Fred A. McMath of Monroe; two sisters, Mrs. G.F. Dugal of El Dorado, Mrs. T. B. Tillman of Lake Village; and four grandchildren.

(Published in The Shreveport Times on April 20, 1978)

Henry married Fannie Lou Houston 25 Jun 1935, El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas, USA. Fannie (daughter of William Martin Houston and Artie Eleanor Braswell) was born 27 Jul 1907, Griffin, Union County, Arkansas, USA; died 26 Jul 1972, Strong, Union County, Arkansas, USA; was buried 28 Jul 1972, Strong Cemetery - Strong, Arkansas, USA. [Group Sheet]

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Obituary:

Mrs. Fannie Lou Houston McMath, 64, of Strong died Wednesday in a local nursing home after a long illness.

She was born in Griffin, Ark., a daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. W.M. Houston.

She retired as a teacher from the Strong Public School System in 1970, and had been a resident of Strong for the past 37 years.

She was a member of the Henry G. Bunn Chapter of the UDC, of the First Baptist Church in Strong and a past president of Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority of El Dorado.

Survivors include her husband, Grady McMath of Strong; two sons, Grady Jr. of Los Angeles, Calif., and William H. of Memphis, Tenn.; one brother, Van Houston of Houston, Tex.; one sister, Miss Lillie Ruth Houston of Vienna, Va., and three grandsons.

Services are set for 3 p.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church at Strong with Rev. Sardis Bever officiating.

Burial will follow in Strong cemetery under the direction of Young's Funeral Home.

Remains will be taken to church one and one-half hours before the service.

Deacons of the First Baptist Church will serve as active pallbeareres.

(Published in the El Dorado Times on July 27, 1972)

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South Ark. Doctor Dies

El Dorado, Ark., June 1 (Special) - Dr. William M. Houston, 77, well-known South Arkansas doctor, died unexpectedly at his home here at 3 a.m. Monday following a heart attack suffered Saturday.

The veteran doctor had practiced medicine in Ouachita and Union counties for 52 years and had lived at El Dorado for the past 25 years. He was educated at Memphis Medical school, Memphis, Tenn., and had taken post graduate work at other schools. He was born at Sarepta, La., Feb. 17, 1876, the son of Mr. and Mrs. L.L. Houston. He was a member of the First Baptist church.

Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Artie Braswell Houston of El Dorado; three daughters, Mrs. Grady McMath and Mrs. J.T. Brown, both of Strong, and Miss Lillie Ruth Houston of St. Louis, Mo.; two sons, W.A. Houston of Little Rock and Van Houston of Canton Island, South Pacific; four brothers, I.N. Houston, V.E. Houston and L.L. Houston, all of Shreveport, and Lex Houston of Sarepta; three sisters, Mrs. G.E. Hodges of Shreveport and Mrs. Porter Cochran and Mrs. Ban Pugh, both of Sarepta, and five grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at Hall mortuary at 3 p.m. Tuesday by the Rev. Sam C. Reeves, pastor of the First Baptist church. Burial will be in Arlington cemetery by Hall mortuary.

(Published in The Shreveport Times on June 2, 1953)

William married Artie Eleanor Braswell 9 Dec 1902, Marysville, Union County, Arkansas, USA. Artie was born 21 Dec 1882, Madison County, Arkansas, USA; died 1 Nov 1970, El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas, USA; was buried , Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery - El Dorado, Arkansas, USA. [Group Sheet]

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Lazarus L. Houston, 84-year old pioneer resident of this section and the head of a large and prominent North Louisiana family, died at his home near Sarepta, La. Mr. Houston was born near Cuthbert, Randolph County, Ga. The son of Samuel T. and Esther Martin Houston. He was the sixth of a family of 13 children. When a boy he moved with his parents to Webster Parish, La., where they settled on a homestead tract near Sarepta. There his mother gave the name Sarepta to the town that sprang up near their home. Mr. Lazarus L. (Lat) remained until his death on the Houston homestead where he and his wife reared a large family. He was married March 16, 1871, to Fannie Viola Campbell. His wife and ten children survive him. He was a devout member of the Baptist Church."

Children: G. O. Houston, Lonnie, I. N., Vester, Mrs. Egan Hodges, of Shreveport, La.; Mrs. Ban Pugh and Lee, of Sarepta; Mrs.. Porter Cochran, of Springhill; Dr. W. M. Houston, of Eldorado, Arkansas; Mrs. John F. Adkins of Cotton Valley. There are also 41 grandchildren and 8 great grand-children. Others who survive him are a brother, Dennitt M. Houston, of Shreveport, and a sister.

(Source: Sarepta LA., dated March 5, 1931)

Lazarus married Frances Viola Campbell 16 Mar 1871, Webster Parish, Louisiana, USA. Frances (daughter of John Burchfield Campbell, Sr. and Ruth Elizabeth Cavett) was born 1 Sep 1854, Rocky Mount, Bossier Parish, Louisiana, USA; died 31 Jul 1931, Sarepta, Webster Parish, Louisiana, USA; was buried 1 Aug 1931, Old Sarepta Cemetery - Sarepta, Louisiana, USA. [Group Sheet]

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Obituary:

PIONEER WOMAN DIES AT SAREPTA

Mother of Local Resident Dies After Illness of One Month.

Funeral services for Mrs. Fannie Campbell Houston, 76, widow of the late L.L. Houston, were held Saturday afternoon at Sarepta, Webster parish. Mrs. Houston, who is the mother of G.O. Houston, assistant superintendent of Caddo parish schools, died Friday afternoon at her home near Sarepta. Mrs. Houston was the mother of 16 children, 10 of who survive her.

Mrs. Houston's husband died four months ago. Mr. and Mrs. Houston were pioneer residents of Webster parish. Mrs. Houston became ill a month ago and her death was expected.

Mrs. Houston was Miss Fannie Viola Campbell. She was born at Rocky Mount, Bossier parish, Sept. 1, 1854. She was married March 16, 1871.

Survivors are the following sons and daughters: Dr. W.M. Houston, El Dorado, Ark.; I.N., L., G.O. and V.E. Houston, all of Shreveport; Lee L. Houston, Sarepta; Mrs. J.F. Adkins, Cotton Valley, La.; Mrs. G.E. Hodges, Shreveport; Mrs. Porter Cochran, Sarepta; Mrs. S.B. Pugh, Sarepta. A brother, the Rev. T.M. Campbell, of Shongaloo, 43 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Joel McCann at the Sarepta Baptist church where Mrs. Houston was a member.