THE PARIS NEWS, Sept. 07, 2004: Lavinia Frierson, 90, a life-long resident of Chicota and resident of Sam Rayburn Memorial Veteran's Nursing Center in Bonham, died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004, at the VA Hospital in Dallas. Graveside services are set for 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, at Chicota Presbyterian Cemetery with great-nephew, Blaine Frierson, officiating. She will receive full military honors during the service. Interment is under the direction of Fry & Gibbs Funeral Home. The family receives friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the cemetery preceding the service. She was born Nov. 22, 1913, in Chicota, the daughter of William Clay Frierson and Ora McAteer Frierson. She graduated from Chicota High School where she played volleyball. She has been a life-long member of the Chicota Presbyterian Church. She served in the Women's Army Corps for 21 years as a Sergeant First Class from 1943 until 1964. She was lovingly known as ‘Auntie overseas' by her family while serving during the war in France and Germany. She began her career at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, and later served under General Patton, after his death General Keys was her commanding officer. Before returning to the United States in 1948, she served in the 3rd Army. The last 18 months before retirement were spent in Okinawa (Yukon Island) as a mess sergeant where she won several honors and her outfit was voted the best mess hall (cafeteria) on the Island. During her term in office she achieved many awards; Meritous in 7th Army; American Theater Ribbon; European, African and Middle Eastern Ribbons; WAAC Medal of Honor; Army Occupation Medal; Good Conduct Medal and Clasp; and World War II Victory Medal. After retiring from the Army, she spent several years as an aide in the Chicota Independent School district and North Lamar Independent School District, working with elementary-age school children. She enjoyed Bible study, watching baseball, volleyball and playing bingo at the nursing home. She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Lewis, Troy, Curtis, Buck and John; two sisters, Jessie Hughes and Diana Reid; and one niece Lolita Hughes Pierce. She is survived by several nieces and nephews; Jack Frierson and wife, Marlene, and Judy Frierson Weatherford and husband, Alan all of Chicota, Billy Hughes and wife, Mary, of Arkansas, Robert Hughes and wife, Evelyn, of Georgia and Carolyn Vanderburg and husband, Sidney, of Dallas; and one sister-in-law, Johnnie Frierson, of Chicota. Several great- and great-great-nieces and nephews complete her family. If desired, donations may be made to Chicota Cemetery Association, Chicota VFD, North Lamar Children's Fund or a charity of choice.
Buried next to Jessie Frierson Hughes.