Herbert "Balky Jack" Prince

"Balky Jack" Herbert Prince Sr. was born on January 26, 1915 to Vern and Georgia Prince. This wonderful family unit was forever changed because of the sudden deaths of Herbert’s parents and his brother due to the influenza epidemic that struck during 1918-1919. As a result, his grandparents Duncan and Izora Swindall, his Aunt Hattie Swindall-Williams, his Uncles Clayton Prince, and Zeno Colbert, raised him. During his formative years, he attended several elementary schools including a parochial school in Kansas. Herbert accepted Christ at an early age uniting with Salem Baptist Church in Hennepin, Oklahoma where he remained a faithful, lifelong member. He served as a devoted deacon for 45 years until his health failed. Tirelessly, he went about doing the Lord's work in his church and throughout the community. This dedicated servant of the Lord willingly helped everyone he encountered. Herbert united in Holy Matrimony with Dortha Lee Alexander on January 26, 1933. To this union eight children were born. Herbert and Dortha were married for 67 years until Dortha was called to glory on March 7, 2000. Balky-Jack began working at an early age. He worked for a barbershop owned by a Jewish man shining shoes and cleaning up. He was employed by the W.P.A. as a general laborer, the Wynnewood School District as a bus driver, and he also work for the Garvin County Highway Department of Elmore City until retiring on January 31, 1980. While working for others during the day, many of his evenings and nights were spent working on his farm. In 2001, he was awarded the “Blacks in Agriculture” Award and The Governor’s Commendation by the State of Oklahoma. Herbert was called from labor to reward on October 16, 2008. He leaves to cherish his memory, his four daughters, Carletta Pickens, Clister Mae (Edward, Sr.) Irby, Georgiaette Spivey, and Dorthea Forshee, one adopted daughter, Latesha Prince, all of whom reside in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; two sons, Herbert Prince, Jr., of Elmore City, Oklahoma and Donald Prince of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; 23 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, and his good buddy Larry Smith better known as “Pocket”. His loving wife Dortha Prince, one son Vernon Prince, one daughter, Barbara Jean Stevenson, son-in-law, Bennie Stevenson, Sr., granddaughter, Carolyn Giggers-Watson, granddaughter Latasha Prince and two great grandchildren, and son-in-law Iasiah Pickens Sr., preceded him in death. Funeral services for Herbert Prince, Sr. are scheduled for Thursday, Ocober 23, 2008 at the First Baptist Church in Elmore City, Oklahoma at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Edward Tyson Jennings officiating. Interment will be in Five Mile Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Wooster Funeral Home.

Herbert "Balky Jack" Prince

January 26, 1915 - October 16, 2008