Wren Kin » Texas

Wren Reunion coming up in Lampasas

Bonnie Wren — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:10:23 +0000

We got this note from Marilyn Taylor:

Please pass this on to other Kin that you may know email or addresses to. Thanks so much…lets try and get this to be a GREAT Reunion this year….We are BACK AT THE PARK!! That is something to CELEBRATE!!!!!

Have A Blessed Day
Marilyn

Alvin Lee Wren, 1929-2007

Bonnie Wren — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:00:37 +0000

Mr. Alvin Lee Wren was the son of James Milam Wren (born 1862 in Smith County, Texas), the grandson of James C. Wren (born 1832 in Tennessee), and the great grandson of William Wren (born about 1802 in Kentucky).

Alvin’s great-grandfather William Wren was brother to Nicholas Wren, the Texan war hero mentioned several times in the memoirs of Noah Smithwick, “The Evolution of a State.”

There was no braver or better man in the service than Lieutenant Nicholas Wren. I know not whence he came, nor whither he went, but had I been sent on a perilous mission, I know of no man I would have chosen before him to bear me company.

Noah Smithwick, “The Evolution of a State, or Recollections of Old Texas Days”

Nicholas and his brother William are solid brick walls in many a Wren researcher genealogy. The loss of Mr. Alvin Wren is a sad break in our tenuous link to the past.

His grandson kindly sent me a link to this obituary:

Alvin Lee Wren, 78, died peacefully Thursday, September 20, 2007, at his home.

He was born in El Dorado to Ollie Izora (Duggar) and James Milam Wren. He graduated from El Dorado High School in 1946, and belonged to the Delta Sigma fraternity. He was a businessman and entrepreneur. Among his businesses he either owned or co-owned at one time are Wren Realty, El Do Plastics, Plastic Sign Suppliers, and Signs and License Plates. Alvin loved the outdoors, especially his gardening and fishing on his beloved North Two and his nephew’s Forever Farm (which he named). He made an annual trip each year for over 50 years to Bear Creek Lake with friends and family. He was El Dorado’s Outstanding Jaycee of the Year in 1954.

While he was able, he loved traveling and taking his family and friends on vacations. Some of his favorite places to visit were relatives in South Louisiana, relatives at the Red River Ranch in Idaho, Bill Lindsey’s in Heber Springs, and casinos.

Alvin will be remembered for his excellent cooking, hosting, and distinctive laugh. He was the best cook and if you did not believe it, he would be glad to tell you. He loved telling funny stories from his life adventures.

Survivors include two daughters, Lynda Wren Cheek and April Wren; one son, David Lee Wren; one sister, Altha Dean Nash; two granddaughters, Carrie Oswalt and Mary Wade all of El Dorado; two grandsons, Odie Blackmon of Nashville, Tennessee, and Sean Wren of Knoxville, Tennessee; and eight great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, J. Milam Wren, and one sister, Edith Wren Reed.

He was especially fond of his trusted Hospice nurse, Andy Guinn, who he only knew a short time but looked forward to his visits each day.

The funeral will be at10:00am Monday in Young’s Chapel. Burial will follow at Arlington Memorial Park under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.

Visitation is Sunday from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.

Memorials may be made to Life Touch Hospice, 2301 Champagnolle Rd., El Dorado, AR 71730, Arkansas Children’s Hospital Burn Unit, P. O. Drawer 2222, Little Rock, AR 72203-9984 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Obituary: “Alvin Wren,” Youngs Funeral Home, El Dorado, Arkansas, downloaded 2 January 2008.

Bobby Joe Wren, 1929-2000

Bonnie Wren — Sun, 13 May 2007 02:13:29 +0000

Subscribers of the original Wren Kin newsletter will remember the sweet and informative columns of Mr. Bobby Joe Wren.

Bobby Joe passed away in 2000, but I wanted to post the notice of his death here for all the people who came to know him through the pages of Wren Kin.

A WREN HAS FLOWN HOME
Bobby Joe Wren
1929-2000

Bobby Joe Wren, 70, of El Paso died Sunday (Jan 2, 2000). Services will be private. Survivors include his wife, Ruth; his sons, Robert Allen Wren, Melvin Russell Wren, and Lee Roy Wren; his daughter, Marilyn M. Taylor; his brother Worth S. Wren; his sister, Evelyn Ashey, nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was a retired operator delivery man for Southern Pacific Pipeline and a Navy veteran. He was also on the board of directors for Parks and Recreation and lived in El Paso for 41 years. memorial contributions may be made to Parkland High School Athletics. Arrangements are by Hillcrest Funeral Home.

“The remains of Seaman Second Class Bobby J. Wren, were committed to the sea At 0850 22 April, 2000 in a ceremony onboard USS David R. Ray.

Military Headstone placed in the Wren family plot at the Hico Cemetery in Hico, Texas.

Favorite Song: Suppertime by Gov. Jimmie Davis.

Favorite Bible Verses:
John 3:16 For God so loved
The world, that He gave his
Only begotten Son, that
Whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have
everlasting life.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I
say unto you, He that
heareth my word, and believeth
on him that sent me, hath
everlasting life, and shall not
come into condemnation;
but is passed from death unto life.

Source: from a photocopied memorial sheet for Bobby Joe Wren. Original is in the possession of Ruth B. Wren.

How to save $60 on our Surname Project DNA test

Bonnie Wren — Wed, 02 May 2007 18:40:10 +0000

PLEASE NOTE: Since I wrote this post, this offer has been withdrawn due to the changes announced here.

I’ve been looking for ways to lower the cost of DNA testing for the Wren Family Association DNA Surname Project. The test we recommend costs $155, which might be too expensive for some.

The best price-reduction option so far seems to be through the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Project. In exchange for donating your DNA sample to this non-profit DNA database, Sorenson will provide you with a promo code that takes $60 off the cost of a $155 Y-chromosome DNA test at Relative Genetics (where our surname project is registered).

I’m all for saving money, so I sent away for the participation kit. Actually, I sent away for two: one for me and one for my Wren husband. Both kits arrived within two days.

Here’s what they looked like:

I ripped them open and found all this inside:

Top left is a booklet containing information about the SMGF. Top right is a piece of tape included for sealing up the box again for shipping. Bottom left is the paperwork containing instructions, the consent form and a pedigree chart. At bottom right is a plastic bag containing a plastic jar of mouthwash and a small, absorbent pad.

My husband wasn’t available to take the test, so I proceeded to experiment with me.

The instructions were straightforward: I had to wait until I hadn’t had anything to eat or drink for at least an hour before I took the test, which consists of swishing the green mouthwash in your mouth for about a minute. The instructions warn of a possible tingling sensation, but it felt just like gargling with minty fresh Scope.

When the timer went off, I spit the mouthwash back into the container, put the lid back on and tightened it. The instructions asked me to put the absorbent pad in the bag with the jar, apparently to absorb any mouthwash that might leak out of the jar.

As instructed, I pressed the bag as I zipped it shut to remove extra air. Then I turned to the provided pedigree chart.

According to Sorenson, I could fill their pedigree chart out by hand, print one out from my genealogy software, or send Sorenson a GEDCOM file. I decided to print out our pedigree chart from my genealogy software.

You can see how Sorenson uses this information here. At the time of this writing, there was just one W(R)en(n) participating in the project (soon to be two, when they get my husband’s sample).

As you can see, this Wren surname started in Virginia, migrated to Arkansas and then Texas. More detail may be seen by clicking on the pedigree button:

Hopefully this Wren will join our DNA surname project, too!

But back to my kit. After I signed the consent form I folded it and the pedigree chart into quarters and put it into the little pocket that was separate from the zipped area containing the mouthwash.

My completed kit looked like this:

Note that there’s a place on the bag to write your name and indicate your gender. You might want to do that BEFORE you put the jar in the bag.

At this point I realized I needed to a little work on the box to prepare it for its return trip. Here’s the “before” picture.

I needed to cut off the cardboard along the scoring marks. It was easy enough to do without scissors.

I said goodbye to my DNA sample, tucked it into the box and sealed it up. Please note that this is all free: you don’t even have to pay postage—just drop the package in the mail.

It wasn’t until a few days later when I packed up my husband’s DNA sample that I realized I was supposed to tuck the overhanging part INSIDE the box. (Yes. Well. I’m bad at wrapping birthday presents, too.)

My package arrived safely despite my poor wrapping job because I soon received an email from Sorenson thanking me for my participation and giving me my promo code, which I’ll use to reduce the cost of my husband’s DNA test to $95. (I’ll write about that experience in another post.)

If money is not an issue or you’d rather not deal with Sorenson and mouthwash and promo codes, visit our site at Relative Genetics and sign up for the “q-tip” Y-chromosome DNA test for $155. (Details on the procedure are here.)

Wren marriages added to database

Bonnie Wren — Tue, 01 May 2007 22:54:16 +0000

The dates and counties of these marriages have been entered into the W(R)en(n) database:

Bennie WREN, Delia TUCKER (1914)

Carter WREN, Rilla SHAW (1882)

J.C. WREN, Mattie GODFREY (1878)

Sources used: Marriage Records Van Zandt County Texas 1909-1931, Compiled by Quana Barber, Ruth Johnson & Maefayr Hooton; and Van Zandt County Texas Marriage Records 1855-1884, transcribed, compiled & Edited by Exa Thomas.

Will: Thomas W. Wren, Wood County, Texas 30 Sept 1912

Bonnie Wren — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 08:01:45 +0000

Source Citation: Thomas W. Wren will (1924), Wood County Clerk, Quitman, Texas. Transcription by Bonnie Wren, from a photocopy of the original. Downloaded from WrenKin.com on [insert today’s date].

No. 1493n
Last Will and Testament
of
T. W. Wren.
Filed for Record
Feb 27 1924
J. J. McLeod, Clark County Court
Wood County, TEXAS

THE STATE OF TEXAS

COUNTY OF WOOD KNOW ALL KEN BY THESE PRESENTS: that I, T. W. Wren, of the County of Wood and the State of Texas, being in good health, and of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all wills by me at any time heretofore made.

FIRST. I direct that upon my death, that my body have a Christianlike burial.

SECOND. I direct that all my just debts shall be paid by my executor hereinafter named.

THIRD. I give to certain of my children, named as follows; George W. Wren, Mrs. Marietta Moore, N. Craig Wren, J. Ezra Wren and to my two grandchildren Lester Brown and Ana (sp?) Brown, children of my daughter Mrs. Ludie Brown, after my debts are paid, each the sum of Five Dollars.

FOURTH. All the residue of my estate, real personal and mixed, of which I shall die possessed, I hearby give, devise and bequeath to my other three children, to each share and share alike, named as follows; W.G. Wren, who resides in Wood County, Texas, Mrs. Parthenia Edwards, who resides in Van Zandt County, Texas, and Mrs. Azzaline Sanders, who resides in Van Zandt County, Texas. The real estate now owned by me and contemplated herein being my undivided one-half, my community interest, in the West one-half of the E.A. Evans Survey, but it is hereby directed that in the event of a sale, exchange or other disposition of said real estate during my life, or the acquisition by me of other or additional real estate, the whole of such property of which I may die possessed shall pass and be vested in said W.G. Wren, Parthenia Edwards and Azzaline Sanders, after the payment of my burial expenses, my debts, and the above mentioned legacies of five dollars each to my first named children, and two grandchildren.

FIFTH. I hereby constitute and appoint W.G. Wren sole executor of this my will, and direct that no bond or other security be required of him as executor.

SIXTH. it is my will that no other action shall be had in the county court in the administration of my estate than to provee and record this will and to return an inventory and appraisement of my estate and list of claims.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this the 30th day of September, A.D. 1912, in the presence of E.A. Tharp and M. H. Landers who attest the same at my request.

T.W. Wren

The above instrument was now here subscribed by T.W. Wren the testator, in our presence, and we, at his request and in his presence sign our names hereto as attesting witnesses, this 30th day of September, A.D. 1912.

E.A. Thorp
M. H. Landers

Worth Sylvester Wren, Sr., 1923 – 2007

Bonnie Wren — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 00:31:43 +0000

In the July 1991 issue of the original Wren Kin Newsletter, Bobby Joe Wren’s column “Rememberin’” discussed his brother, Worth Sylvester Wren, Sr.

We regret to inform you this gentleman has passed away.

February 13, 2007

Mr. Wren

Funeral services for Worth S. Wren Sr., 83, of Lampasas were Feb. 11, 2007, at Briggs-Gamel-Wilcox Funeral Home Chapel in Lampasas with his son, Carl Wren, officiating. Burial was at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lampasas.

Mr. Wren died Feb. 7 from complications of cancer.

He was born April 25, 1923, in Somervell County, between Glen Rose and Granbury, to Olar W. and Flora Elizabeth Wren Sr.

Mr. Wren grew up in Hamilton County and attended school in Hico, where he graduated from high school in 1942.

He joined the U.S. Army in January 1943 and was assigned to the 483rd Anti-Aircraft Battalion. As a non-commissioned officer, Mr. Wren served as a half-track commander and gunner. Among several assignments, his unit was deployed to provide anti-aircraft cover for units of Gen. George Patton’s Third Army during the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. Wren fought in several campaigns, including five major battles across France, Belgium, Austria and Germany.

In December 1945, Mr. Wren was honorably discharged at Camp Fannin and traveled to Lampasas to visit relatives.

On Dec. 15, 1945, he met Johnnie Mae Lunsford, and they were married on Dec. 22, 1945.

Mr. Wren began his career with AT&SF Railway Co. in 1948. He started as a Lampasas section gang trackman and worked his way into management while using his G.I. Bill education benefits to study basic railroad engineering, accounting and other job-related courses at night.
He retired from Santa Fe in 1982, after serving as the roadmaster responsible for track maintenance from San Angelo to Presidio.

Mr. and Mrs. Wren called Lampasas home from 1945-69, despite the family often traveling with him on his foreman job assignments across Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri in 1950-54.

In 1969, the couple moved to San Angelo when Mr. Wren was promoted to roadmaster.

In 1992, the Wrens returned to Lampasas to be nearer many of their relatives.

Mr. Wren was a member of First Baptist Church of Lampasas and Hillcrest Baptist Church in San Angelo.

He enjoyed golf, fishing, gardening and hunting, and was an ardent fan of the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Longhorns.

He is survived by his wife, Johnnie Mae Wren; by sons Worth Wren Jr. and wife, Nelda, of Fort Worth, James Wren of San Angelo, and Carl Wren and wife, Katherine, of Manchaca; a daughter, Ann Harmon, and husband, Bruce, of Kempner; nine grandchildren, Clinton Wren and Johnnie Jacqueline Wren of Fort Worth, James Wren Jr., Michael Wren, Christopher Wren and Jennifer White, all of Rowlett, Kaulean Harmon of Arlington; and Claire Wren and Kara Wren of Manchaca; and one great-grandson, Bryce White, of Rowlett.

The family requested memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association or to the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements by Briggs-Gamel-Wilcox Funeral Directors of Lampasas.

The Lampasas Dispatch Record, P.O. Box 631, Lampasas, Tx 76550-2940, 512/556-6262, 512/556-3278 (fax).

If you have obituaries or other records you would like to share with other Wren/Wrenn/Ren/Renn descendants, please contact me.