Preece Family Tree

Former Mayoress of Lichfield

DEATH OF MRS. E. DEACON

A former Mayoress of Lichfield, Mrs. Evelyn Deacon, Oakleigh, St. Chad's Road, Lichfield, wife of the late Ald. J. R. Deacon and the second daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Knight, Newbold, Leicestershire, died on Wednesday. She was 77.

Mrs. Deacon came to Lichfield upon her marriage in 1903 and soon made many friends. She was the Sheriff's Lady in 1915-16-17 and Mayoress in 1920-21. She had been a generous benefactor to St. Chad's Church and some years ago presented a screen erected under the belfry arch at the West end of the church in memory of her husband.

Mrs. Deacon was an active worker on behalf of the old Victoria Hospital in Sandford Street. In business spheres she was a founder director of J. R. Deacon Ltd., Deacon and Boardman, of Walsall, and other subsidiary companies.

The funeral will take place at St. Chad's Church tomorrow (Saturday) at 1 p.m.

FORMER CITY MAYORESS

Funeral of Mrs. E. Deacon

THE funeral service for Mrs. Evelyn Deacon, Oakleigh, St. Chad's Road, Lichfield, a former Mayoress of Lichfield and wife of the late Ald. J. R. Deacon, took place at St. Chad's Church, Lichfield, on Saturday.

Those present included many employees of J. R. Deacon Ltd. and the firm's subsidiary companies.

The fully choral service was conducted by the rector (the Rev. J. D. Duder) assisted by the vicar of St. Mary's (Preb. H. S. Cresswell). Mr. R. Earl was at the organ. The Psalm "I will lift my eyes unto the hills" and the hymns "Now the labourer's task is o'er" and "Abide with me" were sung.

The bearers, employees of J. R. Deacon Ltd., were Messrs. T. Wakelin, G. Barnes, J. Myring, G. Hurd, W. Barker, and L. Robinson.

The family mourners were Cllr. and Mrs. A. W. Handford (son-in-law and daughter), Mr. T. J. R. Deacon (grandson), Mr. G. A. Deacon (grandson), Mr. Joseph Knight (brother), Miss Renee Parker (niece, also representing Mrs. Parker, sister), Mr. Gordon Parker (nephew), Mr. Eric Startin (nephew), Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Knight, Mr. Arthur Deacon (brother-in-law) and Mrs. Deacon (Banbury), Mrs. Edith Deacon (sister-in-law), Mr. Wilfred Knight (nephew), Mr. Arthur Knight (nephew), Mr. G. W. Deacon (nephew) and Mrs. Deacon, Mr. A. Deacon and Mr. J. Deacon (nephews, Kington), Mr. D. Bridgeman, Mrs. J. Sinclair (niece), Mrs. Charlotte Snead, Mr. James Tonks, Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Boardman, and the Misses Austin.

Those present in the church included the Mayor (Ald. A. L. Garratt), Ald. F. Garratt, Ald. C. H. Craddock and Ald. W. F. L. Salloway, Cllr. F. W. C. Long and Mrs. Long, Cllr. C. W. Bridgeman, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Boardman, Mr. R. H Rigby (representing D. French and Co. Ltd.), Mr. H. W. Hobbiss, Mr. W. Tipper, Mr. and Mrs. T. O. Moseley, Mr. D. Ivison, Mr. N. D. Birch, Mr. J. S. Brown, Mr. S. J. Handford, Miss B. J Handford, Nurse Taylor, Messrs. J. D. Roberts and J. Bosworth (representing Kenningts Ltd.), Mr. J. F. Woodcock (Lichfield branck of J. R. Deacon Ltd.), Mr. E. Woolley, Mr. G. H. Burkes (Birmingham branch) and Mr. J. C. Ballinger.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. F. M. and J. Wait.