Note: Both Grandfather William & Grandmother Nancy Elizabeth are buried in Magnolia Cemetery; was a son of Thomas & Eliza Ann RATLIFF Shreve of Rockingham County, NC; settled in Alabama in the 1840s. - - G2Granddaughter L. Shreve
Funeral services for pioneer Citizen Held Sunday, Buried At Andalusia
After lingering for several weeks W.C. Shreve, 77 aged citizen and farmer of Andaluisa Rt. B, residing three miles from Andalusia, died at his home at 2 o'clock this morning with his widow and several of his children by his side. Funeral services, originally announced for this afternoon have been arranged and will be held Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock from his residence, after which burial will be made at Andalusia cemetery.
The deceased removed here a number of years ago from Butler County and has been a successful farmer of the county during this time in which he has endeared himself to a whole circle of friends who will learn of his death this morning with sincere sorrow. He was a devout member of the Primitive Baptist church.
Aside from his widow, his second wife, Mr. Shreve is survived by eleven children: Messrs Joseph Edward Shreve, James William and Reuben Shreve of Andalusia; Mrs. Anna Richards of Andalusia, Mrs. Ellen Heath of Milton, Fla., Mrs. Leonora Bell of Oakey Streak, George H. Shreve and Hilliard Shreve of Los Angeles, Cal., and Jesse, Archie, and Dan Shreve of San Diego, California.
Mr. Shreve has always been a loyal and progressive citizen, a loyal devoted husband and father, and because of big usefulness and his many contributions to his community, he will be greatly missed.
He became critically ill some weeks ago, and his life was despaired at that time, but rallying, he lingered until an early hour today.
Funeral arrangements were changed so that relatives from a distance would be able to attend.
In the death of W. C. Shreve, pioneer citizen of Andalusia, this community sustains a distinct loss. Mr. Shreve has contributed much to the material progress of this section. He was an advocate of the simple life but he was never-the-less alive to the highest interest this whole county and section for he was a firm believer and a booster for this section.
We are prone to overlook the debt of gratitude which this generation owes to the stout hearted men who a half-century ago came in this county and carved out of the pine forest the homes, the schools, the churches which laid the foundation upon which we are now building.
Mr. Shreve as one of those pioneers, has ever been held in high esteem by all who knew him. He was a member of the Primitive Baptist church and lived the exemplary life which characterizes the faithful members of this church.
As citizen, husband, father, neighbor and friend he was alike loved and honored.
Deacon
W. C. Shreve was born in Chambers County, Ala. 16 January 1847. When a young man he moved to Oakey
Streak, Butler County, Alabama. He was first married to Miss. Nancy
Elizabeth Stallings, shortly after the close of the Civil War. To this union
were born several children.
Brother Shreve's first wife having died, he was again married to Miss. Laura Jernigan, who with several children by his first wife remain to mourn their loss.
Deacon Shreve received a hope in Christ and joined the church at Consolation, September 6, 1879 and was baptized by Elder R. S. Hughes.
Brother Shreve was chosen clerk of the church June 1893, and ordained a Deacon June 2, 1894 by the following presbytery: Elder R. S. Hughes, Elder Y. E. Hughes and Elder R. Butler; and Deacons W. P. Spears and W. A. Wiggins.
Brother Shreve having moved to Andalusia, Ala. he called for and was granted a letter of dismission, August 1, 1914 and was later a member of Bethel church, from whence he moved his membership to Union church and was a charter member of said Union church, and where his membership remained until he was called to the eternal realm above on March 29, 1924.
Brother Shreve was a true Old Baptist and lived a life worthy of emulation by the rising generation.
His body was laid to rest in the cemetery at Andalusia, Ala., March 30, 1924. Funeral services were conducted by Elders A. H. Henderson and A. J. Parrish. I would say to the beloved family we have every evidence to believe that your loved one is at rest.
- -L. A. Hughes
2006-2013, Butler County ALGenWeb Coordinator