The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary was organized in March, 1949, with their membership limited to wives of active firemen. The Ladies Auxiliary was primarily organized to support the firemen at the scene of large fires, and met once a month at the fire station to organize their activities. The ladies made sandwiches and coffee and did other things to support the fire department when they were out long hours on exceptionally large fires and supported the department in other ways.
In addition to helping the fire department, in 1951 the Ladies Auxiliary began helping people who had lost their homes due to fire or were needy by building a collection of good used clothing, furniture, and household items donated by people in the community for the purpose. This worthwhile service continued for many years, but was discontinued after some people in the community began to regularly abuse the service by taking items under false pretenses.
Mrs. Noma Bailey (Vernon Bailey), Mrs. Eula Dean Redfearn (Weldon Redfearn), Mrs. Ozella Falls (O.C. Falls), Mrs. Lenelle Hardy (Hubert Hardy), Mrs. Vida Hughes (Lloyd Hughes), Mrs. Lillie Irvin (S.W. "Pete" Irvin), Mrs. Lessie Kennedy (Pete Kennedy), Mrs. Verdice McAuley (Olin McAuley), Mrs. Verna McMinn (Otis McMinn), Mrs. Josephine Phillips (Oliver W. Phillips), Mrs. Eula Mae Plum (Vance Plum), Mrs. Lorena Sanders (C. C. Sanders), Mrs. Edith Simpson (Bob Simpson), Mrs. Mary Alice Smith (Irby Joe Smith), Mrs. Anne Steenson (Harry Steenson), Mrs. Corene Swafford (Earnest Swafford), Mrs. Josephine Taylor (Earl Taylor), and Mrs. Maurine Ward (Don B. Ward) were charter members.
The following ladies have served as President of the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary:
1949 - Mrs. Ozella Falls (Otis C. Falls)
1950 - Mrs. Edith Simpson (Bob Simpson)
1951 - Mrs. Mary Coker (Tom B. Coker)
1952 - Mrs. Lessie Kennedy (Pete Kennedy)
1953 - Mrs. Mary Jo Bright (Fred Bright)
1954 - Mrs. Mae Roper (Sam Roper)
1955 - Mrs. Lalla Jo Mars (Rex Mars)
1956 - Mrs. Dorothy Preddy (Bill Preddy)
1957 - Mrs. Rachel Pierce (Jimmy Pierce)
1958 - Mrs. Becky Nelson (Taft Nelson)
1959 - Mrs. Juanita Sustaire (Bernice C. Sustaire)
1960 - Mrs. Mary Lou Dark
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Tuesday, March 29, 1949
Firemen's Wives Meet To Organize Auxiliary
Wives of members of the Mt. Pleasant volunteer fire department met at the home of Mrs. Otis Falls Monday evening for the purpose of organizing a ladies' auxiliary of the unit.
Officers were elected as follows: Mrs. Ozella Falls, president; Mrs. Verdice McAulay, vice president; Mrs. Maurine Ward, secretary-treasurer; Mrs. Ann Steenson, social chairman, and Mrs. Edith Simpson, reporter.
Chocolate cake squares, cookies and soft drinks were served to the members above and to the following:
Mrs. Mary Alice Smith, Mrs. Norma Bailey, Mrs. Bula Mae Plum, Mrs. Lessie Kennedy, Mrs. Lorena Sanders, Mrs. Vida Hughes.
The Auxiliary will meet each month, with the next meeting April 12.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Wednesday, October 13, 1954
More Help Needed For Fire Victims in Titus County
The Firemen's Auxiliary, ladies side of the local volunteer fire department, made an urgent appeal Monday for additional donations of clothing, household articles, furniture, etc., to be used in assisting Titus County families who have lost and who may lose their possessions to fire. Any household article of value, all sizes of clothing and even food are needed.
Another home was destroyed by flames Saturday night, that of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Moss and children, two miles on the Damascus farm-to-market highway.
This family needs anything that can be given, Auxiliary members said. Garment sizes include 34 trousers, 32 trousers; size 40 dresses and dresses for age 18, 14 and 3.
Donations can be made to any members of the Auxiliary or they can be left at the local fire station.
