John Capris Rollins 1869-1956

John C. Rollins, Pioneer Citizen, Businessman, Died Monday Morning
Funeral Services Held Yesterday

An overflowing crowd was present yesterday afternoon at the Waynesville Baptist Church to pay last respects to one of Pulaski County’s leading citizens. John C. Rollins, who passed away at the Waynesville General Hospital early Monday morning.

Mr. Rollins, who was nearly 87 years of age, had suffered a heart attack on Friday of last week and was taken to the hospital here.

John C. Rollins, who was a member of a Pulaski County family, was born on a farm about twelve miles west of this city, in the Bellefonte neighborhood. In 1916 Mr. Rollins moved to Waynesville and purchased the Hardware store from Mr. Christeson. He operated the store for thirty years.

Mr. Rollins, who had long been active in the Baptist Church, was a senior deacon in the church here at the time of his death. Only last week this newspaper published an article written by Mr. Rollins about the Baptist Church History in this area.

Mr. Rollins was a familiar figure in this city, and was loved and respected by all who knew him. When he and his family moved to Waynesville, they moved to the home in the northeast corner of the square and on pleasant evenings Mr. Rollins could be sitting out in his yard visiting with his many friends who stopped to chat a while with this beloved gentleman.

The Democrat joins with a host of other friends in expressing our deepest sympathy to the bereaved family.

Following is the obituary for Mr. Rollins:

John C. Rollins, son of James M. and Sarah J. Rollins was born at Bellefonte, Missouri, November 24, 1869 and passed away at the Waynesville General Hospital on September 3, 1956 at the age of 86 years, 9 months and 10 days.

On November 24,1889 he was united in marriage to William Ann Johnson and to this union seven children were born. At the age of 15 years he professed his faith in Christ and in 1916 transferred his membership to the Waynesville Baptist Church.

Mrs. Rollins passed away January 2, 1953.

He leaves to mourn his passing three daughters, Stella Pearson and Eula Burchard of Waynesville and Grace Howlett of Laquey, Missouri. Four sons, James D. of Laquey, Thomas B. of Gary, Indiana, John W. of Springfield, Missouri, and Sterling J. of Waynesville, also 22 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, September 5, 1956 at 2:00 p.m. at the Waynesville Baptist Church with the Reverend B.R. Tatum officiating.

Interment was in the Waynesville Memorial Cemetery under the direction of the Hedges Funeral Home of Waynesville.