Obituary

Emaline Wilson-Howard
Born: 1827 - Died: 1935

Inscription on Headstone: "Mother of Robert Coats & Steve Wilson"
"Woman Died at 108"
Mrs. Emaline Moore Howard, Bethel resident would have been 109 on
August 12, died at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday at the home of her son, S.A.
Wilson, at Bethel after a weeks illness. One of the oldest residents
of the state, she outlived five husbands and died a widow. Funeral
services were planned for 5 p.m. Tuesday at Bethel with Rev. Corban
of Corsicana officiating. She is survived by one son and eleven
grandchildren. Mrs. Howard was born in Georgia, daughter of Alfred
Moor and wife, on August 12, 1826. At the age of seven she came to
Texas with her mother settling in the Nacogdoches area. She was the
youngest of six children. At the age of seventeen, she married a man
name Coats, who later served in the War Between the States. During
that war he braved capture as a deserter to visit his family but
returned to complete his service once he was assured of the safety
of his family. After the war he died of exposure following a long
forced ride in zero weather. In turn, his widow was married to Messrs.
Wilson; Branson (M); Spivey and Howard, all of whom died. She resided
at Terrell, Canton, and Coryell County and came to Bethel about 19
years ago. Mrs. Howard found solace in a pipe and drank black coffee
three times a day. She attributed her longevity to hardships and
regular habits. She believed in the Benjamin Franklin adage of 'Early
to bed, and early to rise'. At the age of 105 years, Mrs. Howard cast
her first vote. She had sturdy ideas of conduct, religion and politics
and refused to believe that the present generation was 'going to the
dogs'. Mrs. Howard's last husband, Sam Howard, died about twenty-five
years ago. Steve Wilson, her only surviving child is 61 years of age.
Funeral arrangements by South-Hassell.