Obituary of Charles Sellers

Marvin Charles Sellers Marvin Charles Sellers was born on March 12, 1921 on his uncle, Luther Blair’s farm, two miles south of Alvarado, Texas. He was the third and last child born to Elisha Thomas “Pete” and Mamie Ethyle Vandenburg Sellers. His parents had moved to Alvarado to help his dad’s uncle on his farm. Charles had two older siblings Lurlyne and E. T. Jr. who were 12 and 9 respectively when he was born. He was the grandson of a Methodist minister on his mother’s side, and a Confederate Captain and Louisiana State Senator on his father’s side. Charles attended his first school in Alvarado and lived there until he was nine years old. In 1930, his family moved back to Sulphur Springs where he would remain the rest of his life. From his early years on the farm and working at the wagon yard in Sulphur Springs he developed his lifetime love of cattle, horses, and roping. He was a true cowboy. He graduated from Sulphur Springs High School in 1938, and attended East Texas Teachers College for 3 semesters. He decided to go to work and began a lifelong career in banking. He started working at City National Bank in 1940. Before his service to his country, Charles entered and won several calf roping events at area rodeos. In August 1942, he answered the call to join the war effort and enlisted in the Army Air Corp. He was first stationed in Ogden, Utah, where he attached with the finance division because of his banking background. In 1943, as a member of the 31st Headquarters Squadron, he was shipped to Watton, England, where he remained until 6 months after the close of the European Theatre, and came home in Feb, 1946. He had advanced to the rank of Staff Sergeant, and received several citations including a Marksman award. He resumed his career at the City National Bank, and met a young bookkeeper named Billiefae Vaden and this started a relationship that lasted over 65 years. They married in 1952, in Sulphur Springs and started their life together at 126 Lamar St. This union would produce two sons, Thomas Charles and John Anthony. Charles quit the City National Bank in 1956 and a couple of months later was asked to go to work at Sulphur Springs State Bank, now Alliance, this would begin a 41 year career there. He rose from teller to Senior Vice President, in charge of agricultural lending when he retired. Charles was an avid fisherman and quail hunter. He would always have cows and love to drive in the country. He was the oldest male member of the First United Methodist church at his death, being a member for over 82 years. He served on the board of trustees and was the treasurer of the church for many years. He was very active in the Rural Urban meetings, and various agricultural groups, on the Board of Trustees for the City Cemetery Society. Past Parade Marshal of the Dairy Festival Parade, and charter member of the Sheriff’s Posse. He loved wood carving and was a talented artist, having painted several painting by the time he was twelve. One of his favorite roles was being a grandfather. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years Billiefae Vaden Sellers, this last June, his parents and siblings, and was the last of 17 Sellers first cousins. He is survived by his sons and their wives, Tom and Pam Sellers and John and Kim Sellers all of Sulphur Springs. He was also survived by three grandchildren, Katy Sellers of Austin, Jacob Sellers of Abilene, and Eli Sellers of Sulphur Springs, several nieces and nephews and many friends. His services will be at 3.00 PM, October 31, at the First Methodist Church, with visitation one hour proceeding in the Fellowship hall at the church. Pallbearers are as follows: L. F. Bridges, III, Gary Tindall, Marvin Wayne Jones, Ben Anglin, Randy McDonald, Jacob Sellers, Eli Sellers, and Buck Booker. Honorary Pallbearers are E. A. Junell, Jack Gillis, Randy Hall, Norton Hinckley, Andy Rouse, Pete Rouse, Marvin Jones, Sr., Verdon Graves, Officers, Employees, and Directors of Alliance Bank. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist church at 301 Church St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482, Cal Farley’s boy’s ranch at P.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, TX 79174, or the City Cemetery Society at P.O. Box 651, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483. Arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home. www.westoaksfuneralhome.com