LARIMORE FAMILY OBITUARIES
Herschel Larimore
T. B. Larimore
Granville L. Larimore

Contributed 13 Aug 2006
by Lee Freeman

From the Florence Times, Wednesday, October 24, 1928, pp. 1 and 6.

HERSCHEL LARIMORE BADLY INJURED IN AUTO ACCIDENT
 [I]S BATTLING FOR HIS LIFE

     [B]lood Transfusion Is Given In Effort To Save Probate Judge Nominee After Serious Crash Near Sheffield
     Critically injured and with only at best an even chance at recovery, ac[cor]ding to physicians, Herschel Larimore, aged 54, Democratic nominee [for] probate judge, is in the Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital fighting a [brave] battle for life following his injury in an automobile accident about ? [o']clock this morning as he was returning to Florence from Sheffield. [The] accident occurred at the railroad underpass on the Sheffield side of [the] river, the Chevrolet touring car Mr. Larimore was driving being [wre]cked when the auto crashed into the concrete [base] of the overhead [crossing?].
     Mr. Larimore's injuries [on?] examination at the hospital [revealed?] ? a [fractured?] skull at the [base?] of the [brain?], a fractured jaw[bone], badly [lacerated] knee, fractured right hip and several cuts and [abrasions?] about his body and face. [Acc]ording to attending physicians [this] afternoon his condition was re[gard]ed as most critical.
     Cause Unknown
[T]he exact cause of the accident [was?] not learned this afternoon, Mr. [Lar]imore's condition being such [that?] he was not allowed to discuss the crash. One version was that another larger car was reported driven at a high rate of speed through the [und]erpass at about that hour and [that?] this may have forced Mr. Lari[more's] car off the road and into [the?] concrete base. [M]r. Larimore ? , as was his custom, had driven to the [F]lorence postoffice to get his mail then had gone to Sheffield [wh]ere he had been in the habit of [buying?] cream. He was returning [from] the visit to the dairy there [wh]en the accident occurred.
     [S]hortly after the accident Percy skins, of the Florence Seed and [Feed?] company, who was driving [tow]ard Florence from his home in [Tu]scumbia, went to the rescue of [Mr.] Larimore. G. E. Pickens also [drov]e up and together they aided in [ext]ricating Mr. Larimore from the [wre]ckage of the auto. Fielder's am[bul]ance was called and conveyed [the] injured man to the hospital.
     Transfusion Made.
When examination revealed the gravity of the injuries, physicians decided on a blood transfusion operation. There were a number of Florence persons who volunteered to give blood to aid in saving Mr. Larimore's life. A. M. Brown, of Brown's barber shop, East Tennessee Street, was selected after tests and a pint of blood was given the injured man, Mr. Brown volunteering to give as much as the doctors thought necessary.
     Mr. Larimore was reported to have partially regained consciousness during this operation and to have recognized Rev. Lucien Malone, rector of Trinity Episcopal church, and other friends who were by his side.
     Judge J. L. Hughston, who had been summoned after the accident, this afternoon called Mr. Larimore's daughter, Miss Myra Larimore, at Bowling Green, Ky., where she is a teacher, telling her of her father's serious condition and asking her to return home at once.
     The accident caused widespread expressions of sorrow throughout the entire city today as news of the crash spread rapidly. When it was known that blodd was needed for a transfusion, the numberof [sic] eager volunteers, practically all of them close friends of Mr. Larimore, crowded forward to offer their help.

From the Florence Times, Thursday, October 25, 1928, pp.1 & 8.

     DEATH COMES TO LARIMORE IN HOSPITAL
Funeral Tomorrow at Poplar St. Church Of Christ
     Herschel Larimore, aged 54, life-long resident of Lauderdale County, former tax collector and Democratic nominee for probate judge, died at the Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital last night shortly after 9 o'clock from injuries sustained in the automobile accident early yesterday morning while Mr. Larimore was en route back to Florence from Sheffield. Despite the fact that Mr.Larimore had partially regained consciousness before his death, his injuries were of such a serious nature that he was not allowed to discuss the accident, but mechanics who exanmined the wrecked Chevrolet touring car after it had struck the concrete underpass between Sheffield and Florence stated to members of the family today that a locked steering apparatus was probably responsible for his crash.
Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Poplar Street Church of Christ, with Rev. B. F. Harding, of Columbia, Tenn., former Florence pastor, officiating, assissted by Rev. R. L. Motley, pastor of the First Baptist church, and Rev. F. Lucien Malone, rector of Trinity Episcopal church. Burial will be in the Florence cemetery. Morrison & Phillips are in charge of arrangements.
     Born In County
Mr. Larimore, who was born at Mars Hill and had resided all his life in Lauderdale County, is survived by his wife, one son, T. B. Larimore, of Washington, D. C., now en route to Florence: one daughter, Mrs. Myra Larimore, a teacher from Bowling Green, Ky., who reached Florence last night: a brother, A. V. Larimore, of Florence: two sisters, Mrs. J. W. George, of Florence, and Mrs. F. F. White, of Fresno, Cal., and his father T. B. Larimore, of Santa Anna, Cal. Previous to their marriage in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Mrs. Larimore was Miss Emma Hooper, of a prominent middle Tennessee family and she has many relatives in Nashvillle and surrounding communities.
     Mr. Larimore was formerly a successful farmer before his entry into public life. He was first appointed tax collector for Lauderdale county and then was elected to this same position for several terms. At the Democratic primary he was nominated for probate judge.
     City Sorrowful
The untimely death of Mr. Larimore cast a pall of sorrow over the entire city and district Thursday as he was widely known and loved, and numbered his friends by the legion. Mr. Larimore was a past president of the Florence Kiwanis club and had for years taken an active part in civic betterment.
     His death last night followed the heroic efforts to prevent a fatal termination after the auto accident. However even after a blood transfusion operation had been performed yesterday morning at the hospital, attending physicians expressed fears that his injuries were so serious that death might be expected. Following the transfusion operation, however, Mr. Larimore was reported to have shown improvement, but this soon passed and he gradually grew weaker until death came shortly after 9 o'clock last night.
The list of pallbearers had not been completed at press time today, but were to be announced later.

From the Florence Times (Lauderdale County, AL), Thursday, October 25, 1928, p. 8.

          Social Postponed
     Out of respec[t] for Herschel Larimore, the Rebekah Halloween social, which was to be held at the Knights of Pythias hall, has been indefinitely postponed, according to an announcement by those in charge of arrangements.

From the Florence Herald (Lauderdale County, AL), Friday, October 26, 1928, p. 1.

       DEATH SUMMONS HERSCHEL LARIMORE AFTER AUTOMOBILE CRASH

     Herschel Larimore, 54, democrat [sic] nominee for Probate Judge, life-long resident of Lauderdale and one among the most widely known citizens of the county, died shortly after 9 o'clock Wednesday night at the Eliza Coffee Memorial hospital from fatal injuries, sustained in an automobile crash early Wednesday morning on the Jackson Highway between Sheffield and Florence at the underpass on the south side of the river.
     Shortly after the accident Percy Hoskins and G. E. Pickens, both of whom were enroute to Florence, and others passing by extricated Mr. Larimore from the wreckage. Fielder's ambulance rushed him to the hospital here.
     Examination by a number of physicians disclosed his condition to be very serous. Every effort was made to save his life. Friends offered blood for transfusions. One was given him in an effort to overcome the loss of blood and a recent transfusion to which he submitted for the benefit of a sick friend. His injuries consisted of a fractured skull, fractured jaw bone, badly lacerated knee and fractured hip, also severe cuts and abrasions about his face and body.
     As was his custom he arose early Wednesday morning, and after getting his mail went to Sheffield to buy cream, which was a practice of his. On his return home the accident occured. The exact cause of the accident is not known, however it is thought that the steering gear of his car locked, causing his machine to dash into the concrete base of the underpass. The car was almost totally demolished, the motor being pushed up under the front seat and the steering wheel through the top.
     Before his entry into a public career Mr. Larimore was a successful farmer. After being appointed tax collector of this county he was elected to that office for a number of terms before being nominated for the office of probate judge. He was a past president of the Florence Kiwanis Club. He never let an opportunity pass to aid in any worthy civic undertaking that came his way. He was held in the highest esteem by a legion of friends who mourn his untimely passing and express deep sympathy to those surviving.
     Funeral services will be held this afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Poplar street [sic] Church of Christ with Rev. B. F. Harding, of Columbia, Tenn., former pastor here, officiating, assisted by Dr. R. L. Motely of the First Baptist Church and Rev. Lucien E. Malone, rector of the Trinity Episcopal Church. Morrison and Phillips will be in charge.
     Mr. Larimore, who was born at Mars Hill, is survived by his wife, one son T. B. Larimore, of Washington, D. C., who arrived here last night; one daughter, Miss Myra Larimore, teacher at Bowling Green, Ky., who arrived here Wednesday night; one brother, A. V. Larimore, of Florence; two sisters, Mrs. J. W. George, of Florence, and Mrs. F. E. [sic] White, Fresno, Calif., and his father, T. B. Larimore, of Santa Anna, Calif.
     Active pall bearers are: John L. Hughston, Bradford Ragsdale, C. W. Young, H. P. Lucas, E. C. Till, W. R. Chisholm, A. M. Brown, R. C. Redd, E. G. Prosser and G. S. Taylor.
     Honorary pall bearers are: J. R. Patterson, Rogersville, Ala.; W. A. Pettus, Arkdell, Ala.; J. H. Belew, Lexington, Ala.; J. H. Chapman, Montgomery, Ala.; C. B. Smith, Montgomery, Ala.; Ernest Allen, Nashville, Tenn.; E. A. Henry, Birmingham, Ala.; N. C. Elting, Turner Rice, H. J. Willingham, Judge J. J. Mitchell, Charles H. Price, R. T. Simpson, Judge C. P. Almon, W. B. Brown, F. A. Nolen, O. C. Hackworth, Wm. Milliken, L. R. Timberlake, T. M. Rogers, R. W. Drane, Tom N. Smith, W. F. McFarland, Robert M. Martin, Albert Moore, all of Florence.

From the Sheffield Standard (Colbert County, AL), Friday, October 26, 1928, p. 1.

                 HERSCHEL LARIMORE DIES FROM INJURIES
          BLOOD TRANSFUSION MADE IN EFFORT TO SAVE LIFE.

     Herschel Larimore of Florence died Wednesday night about 9:00 o'clock, from injuries received in a motor accident Wednesday morning after every effort to save his life.
     There were a number of Florence persons who volunteered to give blood to aid in saving Mr. Larimore's life. A. M. Brown, of Brown's barber shop, East Tennessee street, was selected after tests a[nd] [a] pint of blood was given the injured man, Mr. [Brown] volunteering to give as much [as] the doctors thought necessary.
     Mr. Larimore was reported to have partially regained consciousness during the operation and to have recognized Rev. Lucien Malone, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, and other friends who were by his side.
     Judge J. L. Hughston, who had been summoned after the accident, called Mr. Larimore's daughter, Miss Myra Larimore, at Bowling Green, Ky., where she is a teacher, telling her of her father's serious condition and asking her to return home at once.
     This was one of the most tragic occurrences ever in this district, happening Wednesday morning about 7 o'clock when the Chevrolet touring car driven by Mr. Larimore, of Florence, crashed into the concrete base of the railroad underpass on Jackson Highway, on the Sheffield side.
     According to information received, Mr. Larimore had risen early, as was his custom, had driven to the Florence post office to get his mail and then had come to Sheffield where he had been in the habit of buying cream. He was returning to Florence when the accident occurred.
     Percy Hoskins and G. E. Pickens arrived shortly after the accident and aided in extricating Mr. Larimore from the wreckage.
     An ambulance was called and the injured man rushed to the Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital, where a blood transfusion was made.
     Mr. Larimore's injuries, as examination at the hospital showed, consisted of a fractured skull at the base of the brain, a fractured jaw bone, fractured right hip and severe cuts and bruises about his body and face.
     The accident caused widespread expressions of sorrow throughout the entire city as news of the crash spread rapidly. When it was known that blood was needed for a transfusion, the number of eager volunteers, practically all of them close friends of Mr. Larimore, crowded forward to offer their help.
     Mr. Larimore is survived by his wife, one son, Herschel Larimore, Jr., of Washington, D. C., and a daughter, Miss Myra Larimore of Bowling Green, Ky.
     Funeral services will be held this (Friday) afternoon at the Christian Church [sic], Florence, with interment in the Florence Cemetery.

From the Florence Times-News (Lauderdale County, AL), Monday, March 18, 1929, p. 1.

               DEATH CALLS DR. LARIMORE
          Was Former Mars Hill Minister - Educator
     Dr. T. B. Larimore, aged 85, former well known Christian minister and a resident of Mars Hill, father of A. Virgil Larimore and Mrs. J. W. George, of Florence, died this morning at Santa Anna, Cal., according to a brief received today by Mr. Larimore, which gave no details beyond the mere fact that the end came suddenly but peacefully.
     Dr. Larimore, who was born and reared in East Tennessee came to this section just after the Civil war [sic] and established a theological school at Mars Hill in 1869 [sic], where he educated many preachers in the Christian church. Dr. Larimore continued this school until 1885 [sic] when he went into evangelistic work, being well known throughout the south [sic] and east [sic] for his evangelistic labors. He gave up the general evangelistic labor in 1923 to accept the pastorate of a church in Washington, D. C. He held this pastorate until the fall of 1926 when he went to Berkeley, Cal., to accept the pastorate of a church there.
     Last fall, in December, he fell and fractured his hip but had apparently been recovering from this injury, leaving the hospital at Santa Anna last Feb. 3, and letters received since that time indicating that he was slowly regaining his health.
     In addition to his son and daughter in Florence, Dr. Larimore is survived by his wife and another daughter, Mrs. F. F. White, of Fresno, Cal. Arrangements for the funeral have not yet been completed. Another son, the late Herschel Larimore, also resided in Florence.
[Note by transcriber: Larimore arrived in Florence in 1869 and opened Mars Hill in 1871, closing it in order to preach full-time in 1887.]

From the Tuscumbia Times (Colbert County, AL), Tuesday, March 19, 1929.

               DEATH OF DR. T. B. LARIMORE.
     Dr. T. B. Larimore, age 85, former well known minister and resident of Mars Hill, father of A. Virgil Larimore and Mrs. J. W. George of Florence, died Monday morning at Santa Anna, California, according to a brief message received by relatives.
     In addition to the son and daughter in Florence, Dr. Larimore is survived by his wife, and another daughter, Mrs. F. G. [sic] White, of Fresno, Cal., [and] another son, the late Herschel Larimore.

From the Florence Herald (Lauderdale County, AL), Friday, March 22, 1929, p. 4.

               REV. LARIMORE GOES TO REWARD
     Funeral services for Dr. T. B. Larimore, aged 85, former resident of Mars Hill and well known Christian minister, who died Monday morning at Santa Anna, Cal., were held Wednesday in Santa Anna, Cal.
     Dr. Larimore was born and reared in East Tennessee. Just after the Civil war [sic] he came to this section and established a theological school in 1869 [sic]. This school was continued until 1885 [sic] when Dr. Larimore went into evangelistic work, being well known throughout the south [sic] and east [sic] for his evangelistic labors. He accepted the pastorate of a church in Washington, D. C., in 1923, which pastorate he held until 1926 when he went Berkeley, Cal., to accept the pastorate of a church there.
     Dr. Larimore is survived by his wife and two daughters, Mrs. J. W. George, of Florence and Mrs. F. F. White, of Fresno, Cal., and one son A. Virgil Larimore, of Florence.
[ Note by transcriber: Larimore arrived in Florence in 1869 and opened Mars Hill in 1871, closing it in order to preach full-time in 1887.]

From the Florence Times, December 31, 1925, p. 3.

FORMER RESIDENT OF FLORENCE DIES

     A telegram was received in Florence last Wednesday night announcing the death of Granville L. Larimore, age 54, former resident of this city, at Tampa, Florida, at 5:30 o'clock on that date.
     Mr. Larimore was the oldest brother of Herschel and Virgil Larimore of this city. He was born at Mars Hill. He left Florence in 1895 to enter the practice of law at Tampa. He was married and had two children.
     Funeral services were held yesterday and he was buried at Tampa.