Helen Margaret Pendergraft, 93, died Dec. 5, 1996, at Pratt Regional Medical Center, in Pratt.She was born Nov. 27, 1903, on the Pyle Farm west of Wilmore, the daughter of Samuel and Christina (Booth) Wood. She attended Booth County School and graduated from Wilmore High school in 1921.
A Wilmore resident for most of her life, she was a retired postal clerk. She wrote the Wilmore News for the The Western Star for several years.
Helen was a member of the former Wilmore Baptist Church which later became the Wilmore Federated Church, where she served as a Sunday School teacher and member of the Baptist Missionary Group of Wilmore.
On Dec. 18, 1921, she married Charles Arnold Pendergraft at the Methodist parsonage in Wilmore. He died Sept. 21, 1990.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three sons, Jack, Charles Jr., and Ralph; and a sister, Eulah Trummel.
Survivors include: one son, Robert M. and wife Zell of Scottsdale, Ariz.; a brother, Richard Samuel Wood and wife June of Spring Valley, Calif.; a sister, Ruth Baker and husband Edward of Wilmore, seven nephews; two nieces; and a host of relatives and friends.
Funeral was Dec. 8, 1996, at the Wilmore Federated Church, with Rev. Barbara Palmer presiding, and Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Burial was in the Wilmore cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to Kiowa County Home Health in care of the funeral home.
Burial Information PENDERGRAFT, Helen M.: November 27, 1903 - December 5, 1996
Note: This is a dual stone for Charles and Helen with praying hands centered on it. Born Helen Margaret Wood to Samuel and Christina (Booth) Wood.
Comanche County History, p. 598
Lot #211, Powell Township Cemetery, Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas.PENDERGRAFT, Charles A. : September 19, 1898 - September 21, 1990 : Note: Charles Arnold was son of Henry Joshua and Flocie Wilkerson (Patterson) Pendergraft. Husband of Helen. Drove Wilmore's first schoolbus.
Comanche County History, p. 598
Lot #211, Powell Township Cemetery, Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas.PENDERGRAFT, Charles A. Jr. : November 12, 1922 - October 7, 1936
Note : Son of Charles and Helen Pendergraft. This is a double grave for Charles and Ralph.
Pendergraft Boys Drowned In River, The Western Star, 9 Oct 1936.
Comanche County History, p. 598
Lot #211, Powell Township Cemetery, Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas.PENDERGRAFT, Ralph Wayne : February 8, 1930 - October 7, 1936
Note: Son of Charles and Helen Pendergraft.
Pendergraft Boys Drowned In River, The Western Star, 9 Oct 1936.
Comanche County History, p. 598
Lot #211, Powell Township Cemetery, Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas.PENDERGRAFT, Jack V. : February 12, 1924 - September 28, 1928
Note: Jack Vernon Pendergraft, son of Charles and Helen Pendergraft. Died from an abscessed appendix .
Obituary: The Wilmore News, October 5, 1928.
Comanche County History, p. 598
Lot #211, Powell Township Cemetery, Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas.
Also see:
Charles Arnold Pendergraft, husband of Helen Margaret Wood.
Charles Arnold, Jr. & Ralph Wayne Pendergraft, sons of Helen Margaret (Wood) Pendergraft.
Jack Vernon Pendergraft, son of Helen Margaret (Wood) Pendergraft.
Samuel & Christina (Baird) Booth
Parents of 13 children; ancestors of many people in Comanche & Kiowa counties in Kansas; grandparents of Helen Margaret (Wood) Pendergraft.Christina Sadie (Booth) Wood Griffin, mother of Helen Margaret (Wood) Pendergraft.
The BOOTH Descendants of The Bairds of Lanarkshire in Comanche and Kiowa Counties, Kansas.
Richard Samuel Wood, brother of Helen Margaret (Wood) Pendergraft.
Ruth Mae (Wood) Baker, sister of Helen Margaret (Wood) Pendergraft.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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