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Paul was born in Guilford County North Carolina and was reared in Randleman, Randolph County, North Carolina. His mother and father were married in Randolph County North Carolina on January 1, 1910. Mother Lula died on January 14, 1924 when he was ten years old. Father, John, a cabinet maker working in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, died in 1938 when he was twenty-four years old. It is not known when or why Paul moved to Bay City.
Virginia was born March 10, 1919 and raised in Rogers, Texas. Her parents were Martin (Mart) Luther and Jewel Mattie (Robinson) Underwood who were married in Belton, Texas on January 22, 1918. Her dad worked as a garage mechanic in Rogers. They moved to Bay City in 1935 and Mart worked at the Ford garage until 1945 at which time he became part owner and manager of Bay City Gin & Milling Company. He continued to operate the gin until his retirement in 1960.
Paul and Virginia announced their engagement on November 21, 1938 after she had graduated from Bay City High School. They were quietly married on January 27, 1939 at the First Presbyterian Church in Bay City.
Paul joined the U.S. Navy from Bay City on May
11, 1942 and was Killed In Action on board the U. S. S. Achilles
(ARL-41) at San Pedro Bay Philippine Islands on November 12, 1944,
when a Japanese kamikaze plane struck the ship in the area where he
was. He was brought home and buried with his family at Randleman.
His death was the first battle casualty of
WWII for the membership of First Presbyterian Church, Bay
City. Virginia re-married in 1946 to Mr. L. R. Rigby and died at La Porte, Texas on June 1, 2003 at the age of 84.
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Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Underwood announce the marriage of their daughter, Virginia Lamb to Mr. L. R. Rigby, son of Mr. And Mrs. M. Rigby of Victoria. The wedding took place in Cuero, Saturday, Feb. 23rd.
Matagorda County Tribune, February 28, 1946
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Underwood along with his wife, son and daughter moved to Bay City from Rogers, Texas in 1935. He worked at the Ford garage up until 1945 at which time he became part owner and the operator of the Bay City Gin & Milling Co. The long-time citizen operated the gin until his retirement in 1960.
As a resident of Bay City for 38 years, Underwood was active in various city activities. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and also a member of the First Christian Church.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. this morning for Martin Underwood. He is survived by his wife Mrs. Jewel Underwood, one daughter Mrs. Virginia Rigby, one son John Louis Underwood, two brothers, George Underwood and Bill Underwood, and three grandchildren.
The Daily Tribune, Thursday August 9, 1973
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Martin Luther Underwood, 80, a resident of Bay City passed away August 8 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Houston. Survivors include: wife, Mrs. Jewel Underwood of Bay City; 1 daughter, Mrs. Virginia Rigby of LaPorte; 1 son, John Louis Underwood of Bay City; 2 brothers, George Underwood of Rogers and Bill Underwood of Los Angeles, California. Funeral services were held Thursday, August 9, at 11 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Bay City with the Rev. William Parkey officiating. Pallbearers were Bob Parker, Jr., Glenn Sedam, David Nance, J. J. Spurgeon, E. A. Critendon, Luther Bunch. Interment will be at the Reed Lake Cemetery in Rogers, Texas with the graveside Masonic service to be held at 5 p.m. August 9. Arrangements with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home
The Daily Tribune, Thursday August 9, 1973
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She was a longtime resident of Bay City, and a member of the First Christian Church of Bay City.
Underwood was preceded in death by her husband M. L. Underwood.
She is survived by her daughter Virginia Rigby; son John Louis Underwood, Sr., and his wife Lillian and grandchildren Karen Rigby, Louis Rigby and his wife Marlene and John L. Underwood, Jr.
Services were held today, Friday Jan. 10 at the Paul U. Lee Funeral Home in La Porte. Interment followed at Reeds Lake Cemetery in Rogers.
The Daily Tribune, Friday, January 10, 1997
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History and articles courtesy of Kenneth L. Thames |
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Copyright 2008 -
Present by The Underwood Family |
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| Created Jan. 23, 2008 |
Updated Jan. 23, 2008 |