Notes:

Obituary:

FIGHTING FIRE IS FATAL FOR AGED WOMAN

MRS. SARAH GREER, 85, LOSES HER LIFE WHEN FLAMES THREATEN HOME

Funeral Today

BODY IS SEVERELY BURNED AND CHARRED BEFORE HELP IS GIVEN

News of the tragic death of Mrs. Sarah Greer, aged 85 years who was burned to death late Tuesday afternoon at the home of her son, Avery Greer in the Peach Creek community, reached Bryan this morning. Reports of the sad accident are to the effect that Mrs. Greer, and the other members of the family, who were at home at the time, saw the high, dry grass in the pasture near the house burning, and as the fire increased and was fast getting nearer the house, went out to fight against it. While trying to put out the grass fire, Mrs. Greer's clothing caught fire, and were burned off her, her body also becoming deeply burned and charred. So seriously was the aged woman injured, that she died before a doctor could reach the home.

Deceased has been a resident of Brazos county for more than sixty years, having lived in Bryan with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Martin, before the days of the Civil War. Only two sisters and one brother of the once large family survive: Mrs. Tom Caywood, and Mrs. Jane Collard of Bryan and Monroe Martin of Batesville, Texas. Three sons also survive the aged mother: Avery Greer, with whom she made her home, George Greer, and Bud Greer, all of Brazos county.

The body was prepared for burial, and the funeral conducted under the direction of McCulloch-Dansby, funeral directors of Bryan, with interment made at the old Sims cemetery near Millican in the southern part of Brazos county. The hour of the funeral was ten o'clock Wednesday, August 16, and many old time friends and neighbors, who knew and loved the deceased were present to pay the last sad tribute of respect to her memory.

To the bereaved family, and other relatives, sincere and heartfelt sympathy is extended in this sad hour of sorrow, because of the tragic death of mother, and grandmother, whose long life has been such a benediction to them, and whose sudden death brings them such untold grief.

(Published in The Bryan Eagle on August 17, 1927)



Obituary:

AGED WOMAN DIES FIGHTING PRAIRIE FIRE

Octogenerian Aiding Grandchildren Save Son's Home Near Bryan Fatally Burned When Clothing Ignites.

Bryan, Aug. 17 - Mrs. Sarah Greer, 83, pioneer woman of the Peach Tree community in the southern end of Brazos County, was burned to death late Tuesday while fighting a grass fire which threatened the home of her son, Avery Greer, with whom she resided.

When the prairie fire approached the home, the aged woman with several of her grandchildren began fighting it with brush and dampened sacks. Mrs. Greer's clothing caught fire and before the children could get to her her entire body was enveloped. The clothing was burned away and the body charred beyond recognition. Death occurred before medical aid could be summoned.

Funeral services were held at the Sims Cemetery at 10 o'clock this morning.

Mrs. Greer is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Tom Caywood and Mrs. Will Collard of Bryan; three sons, Avery Greer, with whom she resided, and George and Bud Greer, who also live in the Peach Tree section; one brother, Monroe Martin of Batesville, Texas, and a number of grandchildren.

Mrs. Greer was born in Brazos County and had spent practically all her life in the community where she lived with her son.

(Published in The Houston Chronicle on August 17, 1927)



Death Notice:

AGED WOMAN BURNED

Mrs. Sarah Greer, 83, Meets Tragic Fate in Brazos County

BRYAN, Aug. 17. - (AP) - Mrs. Sarah Greer, 85, widow, was burned to death at her home near Millican, 16 miles southeast of here last night.

She was alone at the home occupied by herself and son, Avery Greer, when a grass fire threatened the house. In an attempt to save the home the aged woman fought the blaze until she succumbed. The body, badly burned, was discovered later.

(Published in The Waco News Tribune on August 18, 1927)

Sarah married Stephen Greer 16 Feb 1865, Peach Creek, Brazos County, Texas, USA. Stephen (son of William Crawford Greer and Jane L. Griffith) was born 1 Dec 1845, Arkansas, USA; died 30 Dec 1917, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, USA; was buried 31 Dec 1917, Peach Creek Cemetery - College Station, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet]

1. James Greer was born 16 Sep 1869, Peach Creek, Brazos County, Texas, USA; died 5 Dec 1917, Austin, Travis County, Texas, USA; was buried 7 Dec 1917, Oakwood Cemetery Annex - Austin, Texas, USA.
2. John Greer was born 5 Mar 1872, Peach Creek, Brazos County, Texas, USA; died 8 Dec 1903, Peach Creek, Brazos County, Texas, USA; was buried , Peach Creek Cemetery - College Station, Texas, USA.
3. Thomas Jefferson Greer was born 1 Feb 1875, Peach Creek, Brazos County, Texas, USA; died 12 May 1965, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, USA; was buried 14 May 1965, College Station Cemetery - College Station, Texas, USA.
4. George Washington Greer, Sr. was born 16 Aug 1877, Peach Creek, Brazos County, Texas, USA; died 28 Mar 1935, Millican, Brazos County, Texas, USA; was buried 29 Mar 1935, Wheat Cemetery - Millican, Texas, USA.
5. Avery Monroe Greer was born 23 Dec 1881, Peach Creek, Brazos County, Texas, USA; died 2 Jan 1973, Navasota, Grimes County, Texas, USA; was buried 5 Jan 1973, Peach Creek Cemetery - College Station, Texas, USA.
6. Rhoda Ann Greer was born 1 Jan 1885, Peach Creek, Brazos County, Texas, USA; died 6 Sep 1903, Millican, Brazos County, Texas, USA; was buried , Wellborn Cemetery - Wellborn, Texas, USA.

Notes:

William Monroe Martin (1822-1861) fought and died in the First Battle of Manassas, also known as the First Battle of Bull Run, during the American Civil War on July 21, 1861 in Prince William County, Virginia, USA.

William — Rhoda Ann Rippy. Rhoda was born 14 Feb 1820, Rutherford County, North Carolina, USA; died 7 May 1902, Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, USA; was buried 8 May 1902, Bryan City Cemetery - Bryan, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Obituary:

Mrs. Rhoda Ann Martin.

Mrs. Rhoda Ann Martin, age 82 years, 2 months and 23 days, died yesterday at 7:30 a.m., in this city at the home of her son-in-law Mr. T.J. Caywood. Mrs. Martin had been a resident of Bryan ever since the town was established, coming here from Millican with the advent of the railroad. She came to Texas in 1848 with her husband, Mr. W.R. Martin, who was killed at the first battle at Manassas in the civil war. She leaves two sons and four daughters, namely, Mr. Polk Martin, of Kurten, Mr. Monroe Martin, of Batesville, Davilla county, Texas, Mrs. Stephen Greer, of Peach Creek, Brazos county, Mrs. J.C. Davis, Mrs. Jane Collard and Mrs. Bettie A. Caywood, all of this city. All of her children were raised in Brazos county and all married in the county except Mr. Polk Martin. Mrs. Martin was a life long christian, and the many friends of the family will read with sorrow of her death.

The funeral will be this morning at 10 o'clock, at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Caywood. Interment will be at the city cemetery in Bryan.

(Published in The Bryan Eagle on May 8, 1902)