J.V. ROACH

The following bio was taken from page 367 of the book entitled “Rusk County History” compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

 Transcribed by Claudia Schuster

 Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Rusk County TX Coordinator

 James V. (Vic) Roach was born in Rising Star, Texas on May 17, 1902 to William and Nora Roach.  Bessie (Staggs) Roach was born at Corsicana, Texas on November 8, 1908 to Silas and Sallie Staggs.  The Roaches were married at Corsicana, May 28, 1926 and had four children; James V. Jr., Imogene, Harold and Anna Bess.  J.V. was employed at the Collin Street Bakery, maker of the famous De Luxe Fruit Cake, for several years.

 In August, 1937, the family decided to come to the great East Texas oil field.  They settled at Laird Hill (called Pistol Hill at the time).  The muddy roads, tents and “shot-gun” shacks were quite a shock to experience but the Roaches soon found that the people were great and anxious to be friends and neighbors.  Gradually the tents disappeared and the little shacks were replaced with nice, comfortable homes.

 After a few years the Roaches were blessed with another son, Dana Earl (Buzz).  All of the children graduated from Leverett’s Chapel High School, except Buzz.  They were also members of the Laird Hill Baptist Church. 

After living at Laird Hill exactly twenty-one years, J.V. and Mrs. Roach, with Buzz moved to the great little town of Overton.  By this time all the members of the family had established their own homes. 

Many changes have taken place since 1937—all of them for the better.  The J.V. Roach family is glad indeed that it decided to adopt Rusk County as its permanent home.  There is no greater place for work and no greater place for retirement than Overton.

Submitted by J.V. Roach