Talmadge Early Booth

Talmadge Early Booth passed from this life into his eternal rest on Friday, January 27, 2006 at Good Shepherd Medical Center, Longview, Texas, He was born December 16, 1929 in Longview, Texas, to James Willis Booth and Gladys Laressa Adams Booth, both members of pioneer families of Gregg County. Talmadge was a 1946 graduate of Longview High School and received his BBA degree from Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University, in 1950. He established the Longview Insurance Agency, later Booth Insurance Agency, in June 1950, and received the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters CPCU designation, highest earned designation in Property and Casualty Insurance. He served in the Marine Corps. Reserve 1948-1950 and the Naval Air Corps. Reserve 1950-1954. He married Frances Jo Birdwell in 1951. They had four children: Victoria Lynn, Robert Early, Stuart Lee, and Leanne Elizabeth. Frances preceded him in death in 1981. On April 15, 1983, Talmadge married Frances Monigold Liston. He enjoyed many interests including music, dancing, photography, genealogy, coin-collecting and hybridizing day lilies. Talmadge was very active in many professional, civic, and fraternal groups. He was one of three originators of the Longview Association of Insurance Agents. He was secretary of the East Texas Insurance Association for twenty-five years and regional vice-president of the Texas Association of Insurance Agents. He was organizer and past president of the Exchange Club of Longview and a member of the Downtown Rotary Club. Talmadge served as a past board member of the Longview Chamber of Commerce. He organized the Greenwood Cemetery Association, serving 29 years as President from 1974 until January 2003 when he became a Trustee Emeritus. Talmadge had a dream of a beautiful fence around the cemetery and started a fund-raising campaign for that purpose. With the help of many others, his dream was realized with the fence dedication ceremony on April 4, 2004. Several national awards were given to Talmadge for his outstanding work; including the National Gold Medal for Excellence while chairman of the Parks and Recreation Board and the ?Gold Spade? award for organizing the Men?s Garden Club. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and formerly served on the Administrative Board and a Charter member of the Gregg County Historical Museum. He was a member of Kappa Alpha and a member of the Golden Mustang Club at SMU. He was a mason with Longview Lodge #404, member of The Sons of the Republic of Texas, the General Society of the War of 1812, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and listed in the Hereditary Register of the United States of America 1973. Upon Talmadge?s retirement in 1994, he formed the East Texas Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, tracing his ancestry back to Col. John Hamilton McNairy and General John Hamilton. He also did the genealogy work for applications of many new SAR members resulting in his receiving the Florence Kendall Award, the top national honor for recruiting. The Patriot Medal was given to him by the Texas Society of SAR by vote of fellow compatriots. The Daughters of the American Revolution awarded him their National Medal for Community Service. Survivors include his wife, Frances Liston Booth; children, Victoria Bingham of Ward, Colorado, Robert Booth and wife, Terrie of Dallas, Stuart Lee Booth and wife, Hollie of Longview, Leanne McCarty and husband, Dan of Plano, step-son, Thomas Pat Liston and wife, Karen of Austin; 10 grandchildren, Tai Bingham, Nolan Bingham, Stuart Booth, Peyton Booth, Adam Booth, Dillon Talmadge Booth, Christine McCarty, Jacob Liston, and Ian Liston. 1 great grandson, Hayden Lee Booth; Brother, Dr. James Willis Booth, Jr. and wife, Kitty; Numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Edwin and infant Horace; sister, Mary Elizabeth. Funeral services will be 10 AM Monday, January 30, 2006 at the First United Methodist Church with Dr. W. D. O?Neal and Rev. Jerry Turner officiating under direction of Rader Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be James Willis Booth, III, Morris Booth, Adam Lee Booth, Dillon Talmadge Booth, Nolan Bingham, Stuart Booth, Tom Ward, George Tijerina, and Ron Rather. Honorary Pallbearers will be James Willis Booth, Jr., James Redfearn, Jim Presley, Tom Landers, Harry Owens, Chick Bachtel, Bill Killian, Gene Birdwell, Jerrell Huffman, Ed Warner, Carroll Harris, Roy Morgan, Gilbert Moore, and Louella Scott. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, January 29, 2006 from 4 until 6 PM. Memorials may be sent to the Greenwood Cemetery Association, P. O. Box 4625, Longview, TX 75606, or First United Methodist Church.

Talmadge Early Booth

December 16, 1929 - January 27, 2006