Henry: 1919-1988
Paula: 1925-2015
Married 1943
Daughters: Pam Hoffman, Laleta Shipper, Kristina McKee and Nicola Vantrease
Henry Odell Oldfield, the oldest of six children, was born in the Watkins Community of Van Zandt County, Texas. Henry was educated in the Wise community near Canton, Texas. In 1941 he enlisted in the US Coast Guard, serving five years.
Paula Evelyn Groom was the middle daughter of six children. She spent her childhood in Liberty, Tennessee, before the Groom family moved to Watertown when she was a freshman. Paula graduated from Watertown High School in 1941 at the age of 16.
In the summer of 1941 Paula moved to Canton, Texas, to live with her mother’s sister in hopes of continuing her education. It was there that Paula first met the handsome, red-headed Henry Odell Oldfield. During World War II while stationed in Memphis, Henry would hitchhike to Watertown to court Paula. After several trips across the state he proposed to her on the little bridge across from the Stephens Building on Main Street in Watertown. They were married on March 21, 1943 and made their home on Linwood Road in Watertown.
When the war ended, Henry built a house for his family on the Groom home place. He used his military money to purchase land on Poplar Hill Road that become known as the "Poor Farm".
Henry and Paula milked cows on the Groom farm for several years before buying the Borum place next door. He built a Grade A dairy parlor with a pipeline-pit style herringbone system that was top of the line. His dairy was visited by county agricultural students, numerous area dairy farmers, and neighbors. The daughters all had a hand in getting the cows to the barns, washing out the milk tank, cleaning out the barn and feeders, and also doing the painting and cleanup. Henry and Paula operated the dairy for 35 years.
Paula was the glue! She had homemade biscuits and oatmeal every morning when he returned from milking. She kept the finances in order and cooked for farm hands during tobacco cutting and silage chopping season. She stripped tobacco, ran to town for parts, and kept spirits up during all the difficult events that define life on the farm. Paula was a beautiful seamstress, making most of the girls’ clothes, keeping Henry’s jeans patched, and making "sausage sacks" for hog killing time.
She was a volunteer 4-H Leader for 20 years and was awarded the Florence Lester Memorial Leadership Award in the 1970’s. Paula transported numerous 4-H participants to County and District competitions. She served as President of the American Legion Auxiliary and was active in the TXR Grange, Home Demonstration Club and Senior Citizens Club.
Henry served on the Watertown Special School District Board and the Wilson County Board of Education, as well as being a Deacon and church treasurer for many years. Henry raised and educated four daughters on a farmer’s salary.
After the girls graduated and left home, he sold the dairy and purchased a bulldozer, starting his second career. He loved land clearing and improving the looks of his community. Stories too numerous to be included could be told about Henry redesigning brand new farm equipment and assisting neighbors with repairs.
The Oldfield family has a special connection to all the 2021 inductees. Henry chopped silage for Albert and Bertha Goodall as well as attending TXR Granges functions with them. He purchased farm equipment and parts from Donald Rowland. Roy and Diane Major considered purchasing the Oldfield dairy farm in Watertown prior to making the move to Cainsville Road. The girls consider it an honor for their parents to be included in this group of inductees.
