Civil War soldier Alfred Henry Smith

The Smith family has a Civil War veteran. His name is Alfred Henry Smith. He was the father of James Elliott Smith and the grandfather of Albert and Margaret Jane Smith. Born Jan. 1840 in Saline Co, Illinois. He was the son of Giles and Lucinda Smith. His grandfather, John H. Smith came from Virginia, moved to Tennessee and then into southern Illinois in the 1820's.

Alfred Henry Smith joined the Union Illinois 131st Infantry, Co. F on Nov. 13, 1862 where he attained the rank of Corporal. The Infantry joined the Central Mississippi Campaign, where on June 9, 1863 he was captured by Confederate troops after the battle of Millikan's Bend, Louisiana. He was sent to Richmond, Virginia as a prisoner of war. On July 19, 1863 he was paroled and sent to Benton Barracks, Missouri, a Union Camp (These paroled prisoners were released by Confederate authorities on the condition they would "not bear arms against Southern forces until the expiration of parole".) In Sept. 1863, when the 131st Infantry was reorganized, he left for home.

He married Sarah Elizabeth Elliott, daughter of Joseph Elliott and Harriett Prewitt in about 1866. They had 5 children, James Elliott, Margaret, William, Joseph and Austin. He died sometime between 1900 and 1910 in Hardin Co, Ill.

In Memory of Evelyn Modean Bramlett

Evelyn Modean Bramlett, 73, of Chireno died July 20, 2007 in Nacogdoches. Born Aug. 2, 1933, in Trumann, Ark., she was the daughter of Grover C. and Margaret Jane Smith Ward. She was a beautician and was a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in the Blackjack community. Survivors include husband, Lloyd M. Bramlett of Chireno; son, Terry M. Bramlett of Livingston; daughter, Kathy Greaves of Plano; sister Virginia Qualls of Sheridan, Ark.; brother Troy Ward of Bentonville, Ark.; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Most members of her family and other relatives knew her as Modean or Dean. Friends called her Dana. Dana was a very special person. As her son-in-law, I knew her for over 30 years. From the beginning, she accepted me into the family with welcome arms. I always felt very close to her. Since my own mother passed away 28 years ago, she treated me like her son.

When I first met her, she looked so young. She could have passed for my wife, Kathy’s, older sister. It was a tradition to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas at Lloyd (Mayo) and Dana’s home. Our children grew very close to her and “grandma” knew how to spoil them.

From Houston, they retired to their farm in East Texas in 1983. They enjoyed the rural atmosphere. Growing up, she was accustomed to country life and it suited her just fine. She had a green thumb and planted roses, lilies, ivies and other plants that flourished in and around her home. She sewed and quilted beautiful items for the family. She enjoyed reading Western novels, watching movies (John Wayne was her favorite), canning jellies, jams, hot sauce and tomatoes. She loved to cook and could put any chef to shame.

Dana was very outgoing. Growing up with four older brothers taught her to be that way. She was always busy doing something. Whether she was leading Cub Scouts or watching her two grandchildren play baseball or basketball, she enjoyed her close-knit family. She kept in touch with her cousins too. She didn’t miss many of the Smith family reunions, and always enjoyed seeing her extended family and relatives. Her connection to the Smith family was through her mother, Margaret “Maggie” Smith. Her maternal grandparents were James Elliott Smith and Victoria Ferrell.

Dana’s passing leaves an empty spot in our hearts. Her spirit will live on within us as we remember her smile, her simple laugh and her giving nature. She will be greatly missed.