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Viola Fisher Franks

There is something magical about New Waverly, Texas-- a small hamlet located thirteen miles south of Huntsville, on State Highway 75 and Interstate Highway 45, in southern Walker County—insofar as it has spawned an amazing number of outstanding African American citizens, albeit the city’s population has never reached a thousand denizens.
The quaint little city, that is the birth place of great coaches, athletes (including heavyweight champion Jack Johnson, according to natives of New Waverly who claims kinship to the boxing legend), doctors, ministers, lawyers, entrepreneurs and even lawmen like the late Alvin Baker, the legendary Harris County Deputy Sheriff, was founded by the Houston and Great Northern Railroad Company as a “whistle stop.” History records reflect, however, the railroad had its problems establishing a station, insofar as the residents of what became “Old Waverly” refused to grant the railroad a right-of-way through their community. In 1870 the company laid its tracks ten miles west of Old Waverly and set aside a town site known as Waverly Station.

The new community attracted many residents of Old Waverly, and the new town's name was soon changed to New Waverly. The local economy was based on cotton, and Polish immigrants recruited from Europe between 1870 and 1902 supplied local landlords with tenants for their land. A post office opened at the community in 1873. The new town grew rapidly, and in 1884 New Waverly had a population of 150 and seven general stores, four steam sawmills, two cotton gins, two saloons, and a gristmill. The community continued to grow, adding a boardinghouse, a restaurant, another gristmill, and two doctors by 1892, and a lumber company by 1896, when New Waverly reported a population of 250.

The population, however, steadily increased and on July 12, 1903 the Fisher family added to that increase when they welcomed a very special girl child, who they named a Viola, into the world. Viola, who always close to her roots is remembered by African American News & Issues as playfully saying that New Waverly had become a big and diverse city. Viola’s tongue-in-cheek statement was in reference to thee census of 2000 that reported that there were 950 people, 378 households, and 255 families residing in the city that now has the population density of 163.7/km (423.4/mi). The racial makeup of the city is 62.21% White, 31.47% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 4.00% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races.

The per capita income for the city is $14,475. 21.9% of the population and 17.4% of families are below the poverty line. And that per capita income is why so many African Americans located to Houston, the nearest big city to seek their fame and fortune. For sure, Viola would chuckle in her people friendly manner, if one would accuse of her to have a fortune, but, in essence she was greatly blessed. And that salient fact, was immediately realized during the January 31, 2003 celebration of her long and very productive life at Pleasant Hill BC,. 1510 Pannell, with Rev. Harvey Clemons, Jr. officiating. Rev. Lloyd Crosby, Sr., Pastor of Mt. Corinth MBC, in Hempstead, Texas, was one of the many young people whose life she touched who would testify that she was, indeed, rich in the Lord.

In fact, Jackie McCellan, Joyce Adams, Eula Wilson, Richard Jackson and Shirley Baines, who had lover Viola in life, paid tribute her with song and words of tribute for there former Mission I Choir’s musician who was came to Houston as a youth with her parents. Ison and Eliza Barnaby Fisher, made sure that their gifted daughter got a very good education.Therefore Viola’s parents, thought it was in best interest to move to Conroe, a bigger city with better schools. After finishing high school in Conroe,Viola was also able to further her education at Conroe Normal Indusrial College. Later she would meet, marry and bless Ned Edgar Franks with three daughters: Rita D. Franks-Bell, Ella Lou Franks- Mahoney and Helen Maxine Franks. Sis. Frank’s husband, daughter (Helen) and her niece Ruby Philson preceded her in death.

God was always in Viola’s life, therefore she confessed a desire to follow Christ at an early age, and was baptized in Conroe, Texas at West Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. She later moved to Houston where she really began to blossom. As fate would have it, she united with Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in 1932 under the leadership of the late Rev. L. H. Simpson. Viola was a pianist, organist, and choir director for over sixty years. She was also the musician and choir director of the Mission Choir. She was a dedicated member of Mission I with Sis. Alberta Martin as President. She remained a faithful member under the leadership of Rev. Harvey Clemons Jr. until her death. Sis. Frank departed from her earthly body to be with the Lord on January 27, 2004 at 10:10 o'clock a.m.

During her homegoing services the Men of Pleasant Hill were her active pallbearers. Fredrick Bridgewater, Jr., Marion Curtis Fisher, Lynn Charles Philson, Ben Davis Jr., Rev. Isaac Mahoney and Jovie Maedgar Bridgewater, M.D. were honorary pallbearers. The "Grandmother" is survived by Fredrick H. Bridgewater Jr. and wife, Petra Wagoner Bridgewater; Jovie Maedgar Bridgewater M. D. and wife, Lora Gill Bridgewater M.D. Viola a loving and caring "Great-Grandmother", she is survived by Roderick Allen Bridgewater; Ivory Judea Bridgewater and Cimone Bridgewater. Viola also leaves to cherish her memory two sons--in-law, Harold E. Bell Sr. and Rev. Isaac Mahoney; her special sister-in-law, Roscile W. Black; god-child, Dale Staggers and husband, Rev. Robert Staggers; nephews, Marion Curtis Fisher and wife, Carolyn Fisher and Ben Davis Jr.
Her nieces, Willie Lou Anderson and husband, Jesse Anderson; Minnie Snow and husband, Rev. Jesse Snow, and Suporilee Mayes also adored her. A special salute also must go to Goldie Jones Milton, a dedicated woman of faith, who took special care of Viola; and many great-nieces, cousins, other relatives, friends and neighbor. Viola Franks known as "Motherdear" by all, reminded her children to "be kind to everyone for you never know who God has placed before you to help". The words which describe the life of Mrs. Viola Fisher Franks: If I can help somebody as I travel alone the way, then my living shall not be in vain.