Extracted from The Caldwell Watchman-Progress (Columbia, LA)
Thursday, March 29, 1951

Clarks Woman Dies Of Burns When House Coat Catches On Fire

Clothing Catches Fire While Bathing Baby

A 24-year old housewife lost her life at Clarks Saturday night due to burns received when her house coat caught on fire while she was bathing her baby near a heater in their home.

Mrs. Opal Coody Estess died within 18 hours from the time of the accident.

She received the burns while her husband was in the bathroom drawing bath water. It was reported that he failed to hear his wife's screams until the flames had engulfed her.

Funeral services were held on Union Church in ward 9 with the Rev. Paul Jones, former pastor of the Clarks Baptist church, in charge.

Surviving are her husband, John; one daughter, Carolyn; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Coody of Clarks; one sister, Mrs. E. B. Rogers of near Columbia; seven brothers: Willie Coody of California; J. L. Coody of Washington; Thomas Coody of Michigan; and Charlie, Fred, Benny and Larry, all residents of near Grayson.

Interment was made in Old Union cemetery under the direction of the Riser Funeral Home of Columbia.

Pallbearers were Orville Harris, Vernon Land, E. M. Steely, S. T. Johnson, E. B. Rogers and William Oxner.