1936 :: Death of Walton Douthit, Jr.

Walton Emory Douthit, Jr., six-year-old son of Dr. and Mrs. W.E. Douthit of Cuero, and grandson of Mr. and Mrs. B.L. Douthit of Rockdale, died at Cuero Saturday, December 26, after an illness of about ten days. Burial was made in Rockdale Sunday morning.

Walton Emory had been sick about ten days, although his illness was not thought at first to be serious. Meningitis developed, however, and death came about three days later. He was six years and eight months old.

The body was brought to Rockdale and services held from the Phillips & Luckey funeral home at 9:30 o'clock Sunday morning, conducted by the Rev. DE. Sneller, pastor of the First Methodist church of Rockdale. Interment was in the Old City Cemetery.

Surviving are his father and mother, Dr. and Mrs. W.E. Douthit, of Cuero; and one sister, Lillian. He is also survived by his grandparents in Rockdale, Mr. and Mrs. B.L. Douthit, and a grandfather in Houston, Mr. Frank Janoch. Rockdale Reporter and Messenger, December 31, 1936

1945 :: Death of Marietta Cravy

Miss Marietta Cravy, 84, died Wednesday night, Dec. 19 at the home of Cleve Tucker, and funeral services were held at Salty Thursday at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Frank Luker, pastor of the Methodist church of Rockdale, officiating. Miss Cravy was born on the San Gabriel river near the Kolb settlement about 1861, the daughter of John and Sallie Cravy, and spent her entire life in Milam county. Three brothers and one sister preceeded her in death. She joined the Methodist church in early life and was a consistent christian. Her brother, George Cravy, was a pastor of the Methodist church. About three years ago she became bed-ridden and has endured extreme pain and suffering. The only remaining near relatives are her niece, Mrs. Cleve Tucker and Grofney Cravy's two daughters, these being the only known surviving relatives. For the past 25 years she has resided at the home of Cleve Tucker and family who have devoted their time and efforts in caring for and comforting her in her declining and infirm years, that being the only home she has known for the past quarter of a century. Rockdale Reporter and Messenger, December 27, 1945

1924 :: Hunters Marooned in South Texas

Dallas Morning News. Rockdale, Texas, Dec. 25. -- Marooned for five days thirty miles from the railroad on a big ranch in Zapata County, south of Aguilares, near the border, and forced to remain in camp nearly a week before they could venture out, the party of Rockdale hunters who left here some three weeks since, returned Tuesday, thereby relieving the fears of their families and friends, who had received no word from them since leaving home. They were just getting ready to break camp when the "blue norther" hit that section last week. The party consisted of Dr. E.A. Swafford, Dr. T.D. Rountree and Lon Hudson. Dallas Morning News, December 26, 1924 

1927 :: Texas Man Dies After Accident

Dallas Morning News.  Rockdale, Tex., Dec. 27. -- E.I. Wade, postmaster at Rockdale, died about 11 o'clock last night on an operating table in a Cameron hospital following injuries sustained in the street in front of the Rockdale postoffice about 10 o'clock when struck by a hit-and-run automobile. No trace of the automobile which killed Mr. Wade had been obtained at an early hour this morning. Funeral services are being held at Rockdale this afternoon. The Amarillo Globe-Times, December 26, 1927 

1888 :: Red saddle stolen

Galveston Daily News
Galveston, Texas
25 December 1888

Sheriff's Department. Milam County. Rockdale, Tex., December 21.-- Stolen at this place last night from S.E. Luckey one bay horse pony and red leather saddle; the pony is about 4 years old, branded LUK connected over the left shoulder; saddle red leather, branded J.N. Redden, maker, Rockdale. Will give a liberal reward for horse and saddle returned to J.R. Arthur, city marshal, Rockdale, Tex., or J. Lewis, sheriff, Cameron, Tex.

1903 :: John Scott leaves town

Mr. John Scott left today for Childress, Texas, to make that place his future home. Mrs. Scott and children have been there for some time. Rockdale can ill afford to lose such citizens as Mr. Scott, and we wish for him much success in his new field. Rockdale Reporter, December 17, 1903

1899 :: Death of Baby Farmer

The baby of Mr. and Mrs. Alva Farmer died yesterday and was buried at New Salem today. Rockdale Reporter, December 13, 1899

1947 :: Death of Mary Sanders

Mary Sanders, one of Rockdale's old time colored folk, died at her home here Friday after a long illness. Funeral services were held Wednesday. Mary was a member of an early day colored family of Rockdale, the older members having come to Milam county with the family of the late Judge English of Cameron, before Rockdale was founded. Rockdale Reporter and Messenger, December 11, 1947

1966 :: Mrs. Alma Lewis Dies Friday at Local Hospital

Mrs. Alma Lewis, 81, daughter of one of the first early-day residents of Rockdale, died at 1:35 p.m. Friday in Richards Hospital. She had been in failing health the past three months and in the hospital four weeks.

Funeral services were held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Phillips & Luckey Chapel with burial in Oak Lawn Cemetery. The Rev. D.D. Simpson and the Rev. Allen Cearley, Baptist ministers of Rockdale and Milano, officiated. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Rockdale.

Born in Rockdale on Feb. 9, 1885, she was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Scott, both deceased. She was one of 12 children. Her father, a photographer, was a passenger on the first train that came to Rockdale when the railroad extended its line this far west. He was one of the first city councilmen in Rockdale.

She and Valdie Lewis were married here in 1902 and six children were born to them, an infant preceding her in death. Her husband died Oct. 3, 1947.

Survivors include a son, C.D. Lewis of Lufkin; four daughters, Mrs. E.A. Tucker of Houston, Mrs. V.B. Douglas of Los Angeles, Mrs. Alvie Blackmon of Milano, and Mrs. D.E. Taylor of Milano; two sisters, Mrs. Sue Hill of Longview and Mrs. Billie Neal of Longview; nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.

Pallbearers were Gordon Mason, Holice Mason, Arnold Mason, Wayne Tucker, Michael Johnson, and Charlie Tucker. Rockdale Reporter and Messenger, December 08, 1966

1923 :: Death of John Scott, Photographer

News was received in Rockdale yesterday of the death of John Scott in Fort Worth, and his daughter, Mrs. A.V. Lewis, of the Harmony community, left at once for that city to attend the funeral.

Decedent will be remembered by all old-time Rockdale citizens. He was a citizen here for many years, conducting a photograph studio in the rooms now used as Woodmen Hall. He closed his studio about twelve years ago and left Rockdale, since which time most of his friends had lost sight of him.

Mr. Scott was a man of rugged, honest and sincere character. He served at one time as one of the Rockdale aldermen, and is said to have made a splendid officer in that capacity. The news of his death will be received by his friends with universal regret. Rockdale Reporter, Thursday, December 6, 1923