Marguerite S Crain

Marguerite Starr Cates Crain, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 11, 2011 in Midland. She was just 13 days shy of her 90th birthday, being on April 24, 2011, which is Easter Sunday. A sixth generation Texan, Marguerite Crain was born in 1921 in Vernon, Texas, daughter of Samuel Clifton Starr and Zelma Beatrice Simmonds, members of pioneer Wilbarger County families. She was educated in Vernon schools and at Oklahoma State University.

In 1942 she married Howard Glenwood Cates, a journalist and graduate of Texas Christian University. They made their home in Vernon where he was on the editorial staff of the Vernon Daily Record. In 1952 they moved to Midland where he served the Reporter-Telegram in the same capacity. He died of WWII injuries in 1960.

In 1962 she married Dr. Solon P. Crain, an orthodontist who was a graduate of Baylor of Dentistry and Northwestern University specializing in Orthodontics who died in 1981.

Marguerite was a member of First United Methodist Church, where she served as a teacher, member of the Administrative Board, as well as the Board of Trustees. Her other community service included serving as a Member of the Friends of the Haley Memorial Library Board as well as fifteen years on the Advisory Board of the American Airpower Heritage Museum. For ten years Marguerite was associated the American Red Cross, first as a member of the disaster staff, then as manager of the Midland Chapter.

Her great interest was in the history of our country. However, the devotion to her ancestors prompted her to write the following books:

1.) They Followed the Sun, (co-author) 1971, dealing with migration from Virginia to Texas through Georgia.

2.) Ten Sons of Oliver, 1972, an account of migration from Virginia

to Texas through Tennessee.

3.) Two Glass Buttons, 1982, a story of family participation in Texas’

War for Independence.

4.) The First Colony of Texas, Austin’s Old Three Hundred, 1991, co- editor

She also edited Heraldry Coat of Arms, published by National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century.

She has been awarded the Winnie Howell Davis award for preservation of southern history by the Order of Stars and Bars. The United Daughters of the Confederacy awarded her the Jefferson Davis Award for her effort to preserve history of the south.

The following quotation, “It is indeed a desirable thing to be well descended, but the glory belongs to our ancestors” Plutarch, A.D. 46-120, inspired her to honor her ancestors by establishing her eligibility in the following hereditary societies.

* Daughters of the Republic of Texas

* Daughters of American Colonists – State Chairman

* Descendants of Austin’s Old Three Hundred

Chaplain General San Jacinto Descendants

* United Daughters of the Confederacy - Organizing President of Seven

Brothers Theus Chapter, which honored her seven great-uncles who

served in the Confederate States Army

* Descendants of Washington’s Army at Valley Forge

* The Jamestowne Society

* Dames of the Court of Honor

* Order of Charlemange in the United States of America

* Magna Carta Dames

* Most Noble Order of the Garter

* Order of Three Crusades

* Colonial Order of the Crown

* Colonial Dames of America

She was a charter member of Dr. John Woodson Chapter, Colonial Dames Seventeenth Century in Midland. She served as President of the Texas Society before being elected President General of the National Society Colonial Dames 1999-2001.

Marguerite had no children, but she held closely in her heart the nephews and nieces of the Cates and Crain families and the cousins in her family.

She is survived by her stepdaughter, Valois Crain Holder, her step granddaughter, Maxelle Singletary and husband Terry, their two sons, Braxton and Cade Singletary of Lake Jackson, Texas; her stepson, Pete Crain and his wife Carol of Midland, and their daughter Julie Crain Miller and her husband John, and their children: Wilson, Kaki, and Mary Crow Miller; also her nephew, Tyler Starr and wife Leah of Sherman, Texas; her sister-in-law, Ruth Starr, her daughter Charlotte and husband Larry Currie of Sulphur, LA; Mike Hamilton, his brother Keith Hamilton and wife Connie; and niece, Jo-Ann Green of California. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, each holding a special place in her heart.

Memorial gifts may be given to the Methodist Church, Midland, Texas, Nita Stewart Haley Library, Midland, Texas, The American Airpower Heritage Museum, Midland, Texas or the charity of one’s choice.

Visitation will be held at Ellis Funeral Home on Friday, April 15, 2011 from 6:11 – 8:11 p.m. Interment at Resthaven Memorial Park at 2:11 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2011. Memorial service will follow at 3:11 p.m., First United Methodist Church Glass Chapel, Midland, Texas.