Neva Yost

by Joe Leonard

        Neva McCain Yost was born in 1905 in the home of her grandfather, J. Russell Washington, who built “Washington House” in 1867 with lumber hauled by oxen from Jefferson Texas.  The main structure, although added on at different times, remains today the home of Washington and Neva Yost family members.  The large Washington cattle ranch surrounding the home was named Sycamore Creek, just north of Dexter, Texas, which name still survives.  In 1890 Dexter had a population of 200, and was a thriving town with eight saloons, two drug stores, two merchandise houses, cotton gin, barber shop, flour mill, newspaper and jail.

        Neva’s early education, at age nine, was gained by attending North Texas Female College in Sherman, Texas.  At age thirteen she attended St. Mary’s Hall in San Antonio.  At college age she was taking business courses at the University of Colorado and the University of Washington in  Seattle.

        In 1930 Neva moved to Longview, Texas, and helped form the Newark Oil Company in association with her brother, James McCain.  It was through the oil business that she met her future husband, Kenneth B. Yost.  In 1931 they were married and then moved to Houston where they continued in the oil business.

        Neva became a member of Christ Church Cathedral and not only became an active communicant of this Episcopal church, but very active in Houston Community affairs which included the Houston Symphony Society, Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, Lakewood Yacht Club, Garden Club, Houston Country Club, and the Historical Society.

        Shortly after her husband’s death in 1968, she returned to live and operate Sycamore Creek Ranch in which she became sole owner.  She became expert in running this ranch and had the first Certified Purebred Santa Gertrudis here in Cooke County, winning numerous conservation awards for the improvement both in land and cattle.

        She was a colorful figure around the ranch sporting a wide-brimmed Spanish Gaucho hat, the same style that actress Barbara Stanwyck wore in scenes of the 1960's TV serial, “Big Valley.”  In fact, she looked so much like Barbara now that friends decided Neva could easily be her stand-in!  What a winner!

        Shortly after moving to her ranch, Neva joined St. Paul’s, and it took very little time before she was active in the church and community affairs.  She was first elected to the Vestry, and we believe she may have been the first woman to have served in that capacity.  She was also the first and founding director of the Cooke County Historical Society, and also helped pioneer efforts that led to the establishment of the Morton Museum.  She was also a leader and worker in the Republican Party, not only loving her country, but her family, her friends, her church, and her land.

        She died in 1987 and is buried in Fairview Cemetery.  Her daughter Lynda and husband, David Lindh, moved to the ranch after her death and now operate same.  Both are members of St. Paul’s.

        We welcome Neva McCain Yost to the family of “St. Paul Legends.”  Thanks to Lynda Yost Lindh for furnishing much information on the family history.

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