Howell Bickham

Family/Spouse: Maxine Sharpton. Maxine (daughter of Ollie Jackson Sharpton and Ollie Vaudena Fitts) was born on 27 May 1919 in Texas; died on 30 Sep 2006 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas; was buried in King Cemetery, Hartburg, Newton County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Excellence in Education Award

The April 1, 2010 issue of the San Augustine Tribune reported that Mary Whittlesey had received the Buddy Low Excellence in Education Award established by Buddy Low, a Beaumont Lawyer and graduate of San Augustine High School. The award was established in honor of three San Augustine teachers who made a great impression in his life, Harlowe Johnson, Anna Kathryn Holbrook and Dorette Barr. The 2010 awards were presented to Willie Faye Garrett and Mary Whittlesey.

Mrs. Whittlesey received her Bachelor of Arts in English and Social Studies from Stephen F. Austin in 1963 and her Master of Education from the same institution in 1972. She began her teaching career at Tenaha High School in 1963, and began teaching in San Augustine in 1968 and had been employeed by the SAISD ever since, with the exception of one year at Brookeland High School (1969-1970). Through the years she has taught High School Speech, Sophomore and Senior English, World History, American History, Texas History, Junior school Language Arts and Honors English. She has also served as a UIL Coach in Writing, Impromtu Modern Oratory, Spelling and One-Act play. She was noted to have received numerous awards and recognition for her service to her school and her community, and commented that "Life is truly about living, learning and sharing with others. Education without kindness to others is not a "whole" education." (Pages 1 and 13).

Obituary

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Whittlesey of San Augustine, Texas, passed away Monday, January 6, 2020, in San Augustine at the age of 79 years, 1 month, 23 days.

Mrs. Whittlesey was born November 14, 1940, in Port Arthur, Texas, to parents Howell Bickham and Maxine Sharpton Bickham and had lived in San Augustine most of her life and was a member of First Baptist Church. Mary was a dedicated teacher with 56 years of service, the last 52 years at San Augustine Independent School District, where she was still a member of the faculty at the time of her passing. She adored her students and through these years as a teacher, she made many close ties to the student body and friends. Mrs. Whittlesey had received numerous awards and accolades during her career, including VFW Teacher of the Year and the Buddy Lowe Award.

Her survivors include her husband, Henry Whittlesey of San Augustine, Texas; daughter, Leslie Nichols and husband Terry of Nacogdoches, Texas; son, Joe Whittlesey and wife Jennifer of Center, Texas; grandchildren, Aaron Nichols and wife Megan of Nacogdoches, Texas, Carsen McFarland and husband Wil of Spring, Texas, Dylan Whittlesey of Center, Texas, Andrew Nichols of Nacogdoches, Texas, Lexie Nichols of Nacogdoches, Texas, and Mary-Grace Whittlesey of Center, Texas; a sister, Charlotte Davis and husband Mike of Hideaway, Texas; a cousin, Rebecca Cowart of Jacksonville, Florida; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Kim Whittlesey; her parents, Howell and Maxine Bickham; and brothers, Hal Bickham, Travis Bickham, and Robert Bickham.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 8, 2020, from the hours of 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wyman Roberts Memorial Chapel, located at 316 W. Columbia Street in San Augustine, Texas.

Funeral services are set for 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 9, 2020, at San Augustine High School Gym, located at 702 N. Clark Street in San Augustine, Texas, with Bro. Jim Moss officiating. Committal service and interment will follow at Liberty Hill Memorial Garden, located on Texas Hwy. 147 North.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wyman Roberts Funeral Home in San Augustine, Texas.
Copied from the Wyman Roberts Funeral Home Website

Visit www.WymanRobertsFuneralHome.com for memories and condolences.

Also published in The Sabine County Reporter, January 22, 2020, Page 5

(Research):ASSUMED to be her record on the Texas Birth Index:

Mary Elizabeth Bickham 14 Nov 1940 Female Jefferson Howell Bickham Maxine Sharpton

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obituary, copied from his FindAGrave memorial page

Robert "Bear Hunter" Bickham, 54, of Indian Springs died Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, at his residence.

Services were held Thursday, Feb. 5, at Pace Funeral Home, with the Rev. Frank Hood officiating.

Interment followed in Camp Ruby Cemetery.

Mr. Bickham was born on March 1, 1949 in Port Arthur to parents Howell and Maxine Sharpston Bickham.

He was employed as a welder and boilermaker and was a union member of Local 587. He had been a Polk County resident for 20 years, moving from Deweyville. He and his wife Louise were married on June 24, 1984 in Livingston. He enjoyed traveling with close friends, Dusty and Sandy Kirkland.

Mr. Bickham was preceded in death by a daughter, Monica Guillory, in 2003; his father and two brothers, Hal Bickham Jr. and Travis Bickham.

Survivors include his wife, Louise, of Indian Springs; mother, Maxine Bickham of Deweyville; daughters, Melissa LaFleur and husband Brent of Buna, Summer Moore and husband Logan of Deweyville and Heather Bickham of Indian Springs; sons, Johnny Haining and wife Tammy of LaBelle and Jimmy Haining and wife Jamie of Groves; sisters, Mary Whittlesey of San Augustine and Charlotte Davis of Oklahoma City, Okla. and grandchildren, Nerren Haining, Kyle Bickham, Carlajo Guillory, Alyssa Haining, Zackry LeFleur and Hunter Haining.

Polk County Enterprise.

Obituary edited.

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):Is this the granddaughter, Rachel, mentioned in the obituary of Henry Whittlesey, Sr.?