Charles Henry and Annie Lillian ‘Daisy’ Hefner

CHARLES HENRY HEFNER took as his wife one of his former students, Annie Lillian Traylor, who was better known by her nickname “Daisy”. The couple got married on December 29, 1901 in the home of her parents at County Line, Texas. (The County Line was “between Cass and Morris Counties). Following the wedding ceremony an “In Fair Dinner” was held honoring the Couple.

Charles Hefner, born June 9, 1872 in Cass County, Texas, was the son of John Minett Hefner and Glazia Allen Floyd Hefner. His great grandfather, Alfred Hefner, was a resident of TX as early as 1836. Annie Lillian Traylor, born December 15, 1882 in Georgia, was the daughter of George Washington Traylor and Mary Elizabeth “Mollie” Brooks. Both Charles and Daisy taught school before they married. During summer months, They made their first home at Hughes Springs where both their children were born: Byron Hefner, born February 21, 1905 and Johnnie Marie, born April 6, 1909.

About 1913 Charles was elected to serve as District Clerk for Cass Co., so the family moved to Linden and made their home there for four years.

In 1917 they moved to Atlanta, Texas where he became an insurance broker for Southwestern Life Insurance Co. He was successful in the business and in the mid 1920’s made the $100,000 Club which won for him an expense paid trip to Colorado Springs, Colorado where he and his wife stayed in the very beautiful and elegant Edgewater Beach Hotel.

Charles Hefner was a deacon of the First Baptist Church and served in Churches at Hughes Springs, Linden, and Atlanta. He and his wife were both members of the choir. He was also a 42nd degree Mason.

Daisy Hefner, who loved people, worked with young people and adults in the Baptist Church. She organized, and was leader of the first Girl’s Auxiliary at First Baptist Church, Atlanta. Charter members included Aline Clements, Evelyn Parker Dickinson and Ann Ellington and her daughter Marie.

She was a leader of Youth Camps held at Mount Blessings and various lake sites. Not only did she serve as president of the local W M U but was a board member of the Marshall District W M U. She also served as an officer of the Enon Association of Baptist Churches.

She was a thrifty person and skillful as a seamstress. And she was very adept at other handwork, including crochet. Along with the many other things she made 11 crocheted bedspreads... 9 double bed size and two king size.

She was a member of the Atlanta Garden Club ... would help community organizations, hard pressed for funds, raised money by producing a “home town” play.

Son Byron married (1) Helen Marcell Johnson of Atlanta in 1925. They were the parents of one son, Joe Denson Hefner. Byron’s second wife was Dale Russel of Hope Ark. He adopted her three-year-old daughter, Arthadale, and the couple later had a son, Byron Denson, Junior called “Denny”.

Daughter, Johnny Marie, married Hershel Nathan Banner November 2?, 1930. They were parents of three chil- dren: Suzanne Marie, Hershel Randall, and Jan Carolyn.

Charles Henry Hefner died October 17, 19^1. His wife, Annie Lillian “Daisy” Hefner followed him in death October, 1967. Both are buried in Pine Crest Cemetery, Atlanta, Texas. Submitted by Mrs. Marie Hanner BYRON DENSON HEFNER was the son of Charles Henry and Annie Lillian “Daisy” Hefner of Cass County. He was born February 21, 1905 at Hughes Springs, where he lived until his family moved to Linden when his father was elected to serve as District Clerk of Cass County.

In 1917 the Hefner family moved to Atlanta after Byron’s father completed his term of Public Office. His father then became an insurance Broker for the Southwestern Life Insurance Co.

His first marriage was to Helen Marcele Johnson of Atlanta. They were married in 1925 and were the parents of one son, Joe Denson Hefner, born September 20, 1930. He was divorced and married Dale Russell in 19^1. He adopted her three-year-old daughter, Arthadale, and later they were the parents of a daughter, Byron Denson, Junior who was called “Denny”. She was born December 30, 19W in Hope Arkansas.

During the last 26 years of his life, he made his home at Hope, where he was engaged in the wholesale and retail sale of automobiles in Texarkana and Monroe, Louisiana. He died January 1966 and was “buried in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Hope, Arkansas. Submitted by Mrs. Marie Banner JOE DENSON HEFNER was born in Atlanta, Texas, the son of Byron Denson Hefner and his wife the former Helen Marcele Johnson. He was born September 20, 1930.

He married Miley Ceoile Cariker in Weatherford, Texas April 30, 1954. She was born December 2, 1935 in Beaumont, Texas.

They are parents of three children: Jerri Lynn born May 21, 1955 in Fort Worth; Julie Cecile born November 25, 1957 in Corsicana and Debra Jo born January 18, 196! in Dallas.

Joe Denson divorced and married Julie Gregory October 25, 1980. No children.

Joe and his family now make their home in Dallas where he is a successful businessman. He followed his grandfather in the field of insurance and five years after he entered the business he was nominated to the Insurance Hall of Fame by M.O.N.Y.

He has also been chosen for listing in WHO’S WHO IN THE SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST and WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS AND FINANCE and for listing in THE DIRECTORY OF INTERNATIONAL BIOGRAPHY.

Joe Hefner, who graduated from Atlanta High School in 1949 is now owner of J.D. Hefner and Associated; -Insurance Brokers and Underwriters... and is a partner in Schooler and Hefner Employee Benefit Consultants; A partner in Wiedemann, Johnson, Schooler and Hefner and Executive Compensation Consultants.

He was also chosen as an outstanding young man. Submitted by Mrs. Marie Hanner