Boulton v. Cochran

292 S.W.2d 511, 41 Tenn. App. 43, 1954 Tenn. App. LEXIS 172
CourtCourt of Appeals of Tennessee
DecidedAugust 23, 1954
StatusPublished
Cited by7 cases

This text of 292 S.W.2d 511 (Boulton v. Cochran) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Tennessee primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Boulton v. Cochran, 292 S.W.2d 511, 41 Tenn. App. 43, 1954 Tenn. App. LEXIS 172 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1954).

Opinion

AVERT, J.

This is a suit requiring the construction of the will of Mrs. Eula Utley Askew who died March 27, 1951, in Madison County, Tennessee, her will having [45]*45been executed December 23, 1950 and probated on the 25th day of April 195Í, and presenting only the question of whether the will contains a general residuary clause.

The nature of this will and the questions involved necessitates copying- some parts of the will into this opinion, and making explicit reference to others in the order found in the will. We therefore quote and refer to parts thereof as follows:

“I, Eula Utley Askew of Spring Creek, Madison County, Tennessee, being of sound mind and disposing memory — and in realizing life is very uncertain, and death is sure — -do make this my last will, every word and figure being in my own handwriting.
“First — my executor hereinafter named is to pay all my just debts, including funeral and burial expenses, including a vault, also a marker at foot of my grave in Hollywood Cemetery. As is my wish to be buried and laid to rest beside my deceased husband J. D. Askew in Hollywood Cemetery, Jackson, Tennessee. I have no immediate relatives living. Father and Mother, three brothers and one sister all preceded me in death. So when I pass out I ask that Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Boulton be notified at once and see after things.
“Second — My wish is that my remains be sent to Griffin Funeral Home and remain there till after time for my funeral at the Spring Creek Baptist Church. I have asked Charles Burnley to decorate my casket. Please notify him. The Boultons will select my casket.
[46]*46“Third — For love and consideration at my death I will to Robert Stout and his wife, Evelin Stout my place — both houses and real estate.”

Thereafter follows a minute description of the real estate, composed of a briclc storehouse and lot in Spring Creek, the lot containing 2 acres and 18 poles, on which is located a brick storehouse, 3 room tenant house and barn. Fifteen acre tract of land and a 30 acre tract of land referred to as being purchased from respective parties. The next paragraph devises to the Baptist Church at Spring Creek “United States Government Savings Bonds Series “Gr” which bonds were payable to testatrix but also provided for payment to her sister, Mrs. Lott, if she survived testatrix, amounting to $2,200, the sister having predeceased her. The next item is $2,000 in “money” to Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Boulton, and to Mrs. Boulton a fur coat, marbletop table, vase, several other items of chinaware and her “big diamond ring.” To Evelin Stout a piano, several items of furniture, rugs and the entire contents of a dining room and kitchen, including an electric refrigerator, stove, etc., together with the furniture in the hall, all of which testatrix says shall go with her “place.” To Mrs. Jack Phelps, silverware, certain chinaware and “gold sapphire tiffany set ring.” Mrs. W. W. Donald, a vase and chinaware. Kate Exum, card holder and plate. Mrs. N. F. Warlick, a “big pin” with earrings to match and beads. Mrs. W. R. Menzies, wicker chair and celery dish. Emma Gr. Green, cake stand. Birdie Fizzell, preserve dish. Mrs. Eugene Key, salad bowl, candy jar and Japanese jar. Mamie B. Key, a vase. Mary Mills, a silver loving cup: Mrs. J. R. Waller, gilt picture frame. Mrs. Emma Gaskin, cutglass and dish and pic[47]*47ture. Edith Jolly, blue glass dish. Mrs. Bertha Mill, silver ball earrings and pin. Mrs. McAlexander, flowered bowl. Jettye Holmes, glass dish and blue plate. Mrs. Zeppie Longmire, a bowl and pitcher. Helen Brandon, pickle dishes and quilt. Mrs. G. O. Reid, 1 quilt. Grace Holmes, 5 china plates. Annie Moore, 2 vases. Mrs. Floyd McAlexander, picture of 3 horses. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Waynick, Elaskan picture. Mrs. Ray Bernard, handpainted picture.

“Will to Jack Smith $25 in money. Will to Oscar Cochran the leather bottom rocker, also three hundred' dollars in money. Will to Larry B. Cochran $1000 in money.”

To Nettie Sue McLemore, a plate. Venice Watts, pyrex dish. Mrs. Byars, glass jewelry bowl. Jean Den-ney, plate and cutglass bowl. Bertha Rogers, pitcher, 4 plates, cutglass pickle dish, linens described, and a black coat. Fannie Seavers, candle holders.

“Will Mrs. B. 0. Johnson the little violet holder on mantle. She nursed sister so good while at hospital. Her home address is 431 South Monmouth Avenue, Monmouth, Oregon. At present has an apartment 650 Breys Avenue, Salem, Oregon.”

Ruby Christenbury, 3 handkerchiefs, Fannie Sue White, pickle dish. Mrs. Lula McLemore, brown waiter and box. Mrs. Jacobs, candy dish and table. Maude Wood, Haviland plate. Hattie Fly, glass flower basket. Eunice Fly, beads, Leona Pierce, 2 plates. Erma Row-lett, book holders.

“Should any money come in after other things taken care of give it to Oscar Cochran, also hay and [48]*48corn, if any on hand at my death. He has always been so nice and good to me, and try to help me ont every way he possibly conld all these years.”

Wilma Stewart, string of pearls. Wanda Denney, gold bracelet, gold hat pin. Yaden Donnell, a glass plate.

Each of the items are minutely described, and practically every sentence beginning a separate bequest begins with the word “will,” followed by the name of the devisee or the two words “willed to.” The last paragraph of the will is as follows:

“I hereby nominate and appoint J. W. Boulton, my executor — without bond and ask that no lawyer be employed. Twill not be necessary. I have utmost confidence in my executor. In witness whereof I have set my hand this December 23, 1950.”
“Mrs. Eula Utley Askew”

Thereafter the will has a regular attestation clause on it and is subscribed by two attesting witnesses, E. M. McLemore and Floyd McAlexander.

The executor, J. W. Boulton, qualified and is in the process of administering the estate of testatrix who had no children, no brothers, sisters, father or mother living and whose only heirs at law were certain nephews and nieces, Mrs. Cornelia Hudgins, Celia Utley, Mrs. Irene Davenport, Kattie Garrett, Hunter Utley and Sidney Utley, who claim certain United States Government Bonds amounting to $5,800 maturity value and the proceeds of an automobile, cow and twenty-five chickens sold by the executor for $930, contending that as to the bonds, automobile, cow and chickens, Mrs. Eula Utley died intestate.

[49]*49The defendant, Oscar Cochran, claims said property as one of the devisees, and particularly by virtue of what is referred to as the residuary clause, quoted above.

It should he stated here that the financial situation of the testatrix was practically the same at the time she made the will as at the time of her death.

This case was before the Chancery Court of Madison County upon the pleadings, proof by deposition, and exhibits. The exhibit to the deposition of J. W. Boulton, executor of the will, being a complete inventory of all the property of his testate as filed in the County Court of Madison County, and in which inventory the executor has very minutely and by items described such property.

On the 17th day of December 1953 the Chancellor entered his decree.

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Bluebook (online)
292 S.W.2d 511, 41 Tenn. App. 43, 1954 Tenn. App. LEXIS 172, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/boulton-v-cochran-tennctapp-1954.