Stone Gardens: Fall from car in an effort to retrieve windblown hat led to the demise of Oklahoma reverend
- Dennis McCaslin
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
In a quiet but expansive stone garden in McCurtain County, a tall white pedestal tombstone stands in Battiest Cemetery, bearing the inscription, “He is not dead, but sleepeth.”
It marks the final resting place of Rev. Simon Peter “Pete” Helton, a man whose life of devotion to family and faith was cut short by a tragic accident on July 2, 1925. At just 51 years old, Helton’s story is one of family, community, and an untimely end that left a lasting mark on those who knew him.
Born on March 23, 1874, in Franklin County, Arkansas, Simon Peter Helton grew up in a world of hard work and deep-rooted values. The son of David Helton (1836–1902) and Mary Jane Cook Helton (1840–1898), Pete was raised in a family grounded in the traditions of rural America.
Little is known of his early years, but his upbringing in Arkansas likely shaped his strong sense of duty and faith, qualities that would define his life.
By the late 1890s, Pete had married Ozella Estelle Cooper (1877–1966), a partnership that would anchor his life and legacy.
Together, they built a large family, raising ten children: Darthula (1896), Venia “Lena” (1897–2001), Leonard Huston (1899), William “Bill” (1902–1977), Ellis Huston (1905), Henderson Harry (1907–1987), Ona Eliza (1909), Claud Richard “Red” (1911–2006), Owen Homer (1915–2003), and Ollie Viola (1917).
The Helton household, filled with the laughter and chaos of a growing brood, was a testament to Pete’s commitment to family.
As a reverend in Bethel, Oklahoma, Pete Helton was more than a father; he was a spiritual leader in his community. His faith led him to serve others, preaching the gospel and offering guidance to those around him. In the summer of 1925, he set out with friends for Mena to attend a revival meeting, a journey that reflected his dedication to spreading his faith.
But fate had other plans.
On July 2, 1925, as the group traveled near Mountain Fork bridge, eight miles east of Broken Bow, tragedy struck. According to the McCurtain Gazette, published on July 8, 1925, a gust of wind blew Pete’s hat off his head. In a moment of instinct, he attempted to leap from the moving car to retrieve it before the driver could stop.
The decision proved fatal. Pete fell, crushing his skull, and was rushed to Broken Bow Hospital. Despite efforts to save him, he passed away that night, leaving behind a grieving family and community.
he news of Rev. Helton’s death rippled through McCurtain County. His funeral, held on Sunday, July 5, 1925, at 11:00 a.m., drew mourners to the small town of Ida, later renamed Battiest.
There, in a cemetery established on land donated by Dan J. and Mary Ann Griffin in 1908, Pete was laid to rest and his arave, located on the north side in Row 14, became a place of reflection for those who knew him. The tall white pedestal marking his resting place stands as a quiet tribute to a life lived with purpose.
Pete’s legacy endured through his family. His wife, Ozella, outlived him by more than four decades, passing in 1966.
Their children carried forward the Helton name, with several living remarkably long lives—Venia lived to 104, Claud to 95, and Owen to 88. Their stories, and those of their descendants, remain a living connection to Pete’s memory.
Today, Battiest Cemetery, just half a mile south of Battiest School, remains a place where visitors can pay their respects.
. The inscription on his tombstone, “He is not dead, but sleepeth,” echoes the faith that guided him--a reminder that, for those who believe, death is but a pause.
Simon Peter Helton’s life was one of service, love, and an unshakable commitment to his calling. Though his death was sudden and tragic, his impact on his family and community endures, etched into the stone and stories of McCurtain County.
