History of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home

[The following is from a talk given by Lyle H. Schindler to The Cass County Genealogical Society at Reeder-Davis-Schindler Funeral Home in Linden. Lyle Harley Schindler is a native of Wisconsin and co-owner of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Hughes Springs and Reeder-Davis-Schindler Funeral Home in Linden. Notes taken by Beth Geil.]

The Reeder-Davis is an old name in Cass County. James Wesley “Jim” Reeder (1879-1967), married Elizabeth “Lizzie” Webb Everett (1881-1956). She was the daughter of William C. Everett who received a Texas land patent from Gov. Runnels. This land was in southeast Morris Co. just east of Harris Chapel. The original land patent and land is still in the family.

Jim Reeder rode a train from Lassiter to Hughes Springs and went to work for the T. B. Keasler Mercantile Co. He was eighteen at the time. He swept floors and did any other job that was necessary to pursue his goal of one day owning a store of his own.

He later approached Mr. Keasler about a partnership. Mr. Keasler wasn’t interested. In 1908 Jim Reeder began work for Sam Eubanks across the street and eventually was accepted as a partner. The business, known as Eubanks & Reeder as an early Wal-Mart venture - they sold everything, including caskets.

In 1918, Jim Reeder’s brother, Leonard joined the business but died in January of 1919. E. C. Watson bought Eubank’s share and the business was then known as Reeder-Watson. It was at this time that the business conducted funerals. There was no embalming and visitations were in the home. After Mr. Reeder lost two sons to a flu epidemic, he became a minister of the Gospel and was known as Bro. Reeder.

Bro. Reeder’s daughter, Leita married Charles Davis son of Henry and Bet Mosely Davis. The business, now devoted primarily to funerals, was known as Reeder-Watson-Davis. Bro. Reeder began a $300 funeral burial policy and sold west to Leesburg and Winsboro. Pete Johnson sold the policy in Pittsburg.

After Bro. Reeder died, Charles and Leita moved into his home and the funeral business was then known as Reeder-Davis. Mrs. Davis was the first licensed female funeral director in Texas. Lyle Schindler met Betsy Davis at a National Select Morticians convention in Chicago. After the death of Betsy’s parents Charles and Leita Davis, Lyle and Betsy became the third-generation owners of the business. Betsy’s brother James Henry “Jim” Davis inherited the insurance business along with the Eubanks -Reeder Building and the funeral records from about 1912.

The Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Hughes Springs had begun to conduct both black and white funerals during Bro. Feeder’s time and that practice continues. Charles and Leita Davis had enough confidence from their community to this practice. They had established Woodlawn Cemetery adjacent to the Hughes Springs location.

In 1939, Milton Caver, Sr. opened his funeral home in Linden. The chapel was added in 1971. Later he became a partner with Hanner’s in Atlanta. Milton Caver, Jr. sold his share to Randy Manner. When the Hanner firm was divided in 1991 , Lyle and Betsy bought the Linden Home and named it Reeder-Davis-Schindler. The Naples unit was sold to Ken Alexander. This, Lyle thinks prevented a large corporation from moving into the area. He liked the working relation he had with the other funeral homes and hoped they would always remain family owned. Before the conclusion of Lyle’ s talk he told about being associated with Rose Hill Funeral Home in California and the highlight of his funeral career. At the time of the death of then Vice-President Richard Nixon’s mother, Lyle was asked to drive the limousine for the Vice-President. He then allowed to answer any questions from his audience.

Q. What was the cost of a funeral in the early days?

A. About $160.

Q. What is the usual lot size for a cemetery?

A. Most are 5 X 10. At Turkey Creek and Flat Creek, they are 4 X 10. Some use 5X12.

Q. Is there a governmental agency available to get a Civil War marker?

A. Yes, the Veterans Service Office in the Courthouse. You will need some proof, discharge papers, proof of the funeral or Civil War pension papers. For a veteran of a recent war your funeral home can help you.

Q. What information is on a death certificate?

A. Texas requires birthdate and place, education, parents, occupation, cemetery location, etc. All vary.

Q. What are the requirements to move a body?

A. You must get state permission to move from one cemetery to another. It’s not required to move from within the cemetery.

Q. When did embalming start?

A. About the time of the Civil War but did not come into common use until after 1900. Arsenic was first used which after breathing it for some time killed the embalmer. Now formaldehyde is used. Lyle had signed on to go assist in the return of bodies during the Gulf War. There were no casualties .

Q. How do you determine if a grave exists?

A. There is a man who “witches” them by taking two pieces of a coat hanger, bent, and held loosely. Does it work? The man is seeked out for this purpose. Says it will not work in sand.

Lyle concluded by thanking those who have surveyed the cemeteries and to the cemetery associations who are taking better care of the cemeteries. Most funeral homes allow the use of their records for research. His are available.