Submitted by:  Will James

The Caldwell News & The burleson County Ledger
Caldwell, Texas, November 25, 1949

Lee Broaddus, Kind, Jovial, Passes Away

Frail Little Man of Almost Eighty Years Laid To Rest In Masonic Cemetery


Henry Lee Broaddus, kind, jovial, little man who knew no other home than Caldwell where he was born and spent an entire lifetime of useful work, love and spiritual activity, has passed away. During the last five or six years Mr. Lee had suffered one hard heart attack after another and on many occasions lay in a coma for day, but somehow, miraculously, he would rally, sit up in bed with a clear mind and smilingly crack a joke with his loved ones who were near-by or to the preacher who had thought this frail man of almost eighty years was about to draw his last breath. Or he would joke with his family physician, who could not understand how he could muster the stamina to come back after he had been so close to death. But, invariably, a few weeks, sometimes even a few days later Lee Broaddus was back downtown, talking to his friends, laughing and ribbing them, not even showing signs of the severe suffering he had so recently undergone.

About two weeks ago Mr. Lee had a bad attack and was rushed to a Bryan hospital and as usual he rallied and began to improve to such an extent that he was brought back to the home where he has lived for more than fifty years, but he gradually grew weaker and weaker until the end came. He had fought a great fight, lived a long, profitable life, reared a wonderful, loving family. He had done a splendid job. Death came at 9 o’clock Saturday morning, November 19, 1949.

Funeral services were held in the First Baptist Church on Sunday at 3 p.m., with Harvey-Schiller in charge. Rev. C. M. White officiated, assisted by Reverends A. S. Broaddus, E. E. Carrington, and Dr. Gordon Watts of Bryan. The choir of the First Baptist Church sang “What a Friend we Have in Jesus”, and “Blest Be the Tie that Binds”, with Mrs. Guy Douglass at the organ. Seven grandsons of Mr. Broaddus served as pallbearers; Murray J. Broaddus, Billie Broaddus, J. C. Broaddus, Luther Broaddus, Jimmie Broaddus, Jesse and Joe Lee Turner; also Billie Gray and William Allen.

Masonic services were held at the graveside by Warren Lodge No. 56, A.F. & A.M. conducted by Reid Philip, past worshipful master.

Henry Lee Broaddus was born in Caldwell, Texas on January 30, 1870, the son of a pioneer family, the late Mr. and Mrs. Reuben G. Broaddus. He spent his entire lifetime in Caldwell. On June 27, 1894 he was married to Miss Lester Kluken, and this couple observed their Golden Wedding anniversary on June 27, 1844. For many years he was connected with the firm of Herbst & Windhausen, then with T. F. Gilley, and later with Thorton Gro. Co. He held the agency for the Central Freight Lines until his failing health compelled him to retire from active business interests.

Besides his widow, he is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Annie Lee Turner of Fort Worth, and four sons, Ingram of Brownwood, Johnnie and Murray of Caldwell, and Frank of Chicago; ten grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Nellie Broaddus Gray of this city, and a brother, J.A. Broaddus of Fresno, Calif.

Those attending the funeral of Lee Broaddus from out-of-town were Mr. and Mrs. I. L. Broaddus of Brownwood, Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie Broaddus of Shamrock, Frank Broaddus of Chicago, Mrs. Annie Lee Turner, Jesse and Joe Lee of Fort Worth, Wainwright Broaddus and Mr. and Mrs. Don Nagle of Galveston, Dr. and Mrs. Guy Knolle, W. H. Taylor, Joe Broaddus and Miss Lucille Longmire of Houston, Mrs. Fred Primn of Lubbock, Mrs. Howard Calhoun of Lometa, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wondrash of Bellville, Gersham Bedach of Calvert, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh James of Pendleton, Mrs. Logan Mewhinney of Holland, Dr. Pepick and mother of Bartlett, Mr. and Mrs. William Allen and three children of Fort Stockton, Misses Clara Bell and Phronia Carrington of Bryan, Rev E. E. Carrington and Dr. Gordon Watts of Bryan.

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