January 5, 2026 – Sulphur Springs, TX – Last year the community celebrated a magnificent milestone which was the 75th anniversary of the local hospital. Before 1949 there were several small hospitals owned by various doctors in the community. At some point, the need for one hospital to serve the community was realized with the establishment of the hospital on Davis Street.
There are many great stories available online that show what a true community effort it was to construct and outfit the first hospital in 1949. Social clubs, civic clubs, etc. sponsored rooms and donated to purchase the furnishings.
In 1968, the hospital moved to the current location with a brand-new building. Two local citizens that helped to spearhead the move were Johnnie and Jim Masters. Johnnie was the original Pink Lady, for whom the hospital’s gift shop, the Johnnie Masters Memorial Gift Shop, is named. She had really hoped there could be a gift shop on the hospital grounds. Her granddaughter, Leslie Masters Grant, said Johnnie had said that “if folks could just buy a get-well card or get a little snack, she (Johnnie) would be happy.”
Jim, who started Jim Masters Western Store and later Cannon Craft, saw the need for the new hospital. He served as the President of the Hopkins County Hospital District which had been established in 1963 to help build a new structure north of town.
A public subscription campaign was established in May, 1968 to raise the final $100,000 needed to complete the funding of the new building. Businesses, medical personnel, local churches, clubs, and citizens were asked to donate. Lone Star Gas provided the first donation of $6,000.
Later in the year, the Hospital District added the funding option to furnish patient rooms in the hospital. A private room could be furnished for a donation of $650 and a double room for $1,000. Local citizens helped to pay for the structure and the furniture.
The Masters put their time, effort, and donations into making the new hospital a reality. It is said that Jim even challenged fellow citizens to donate to the fundraising campaign, and he offered to match every dollar raised. Based on a photo from the May 27, 1968 Daily News- Telegram, Jim not only gave funding, but was also willing to donate blood to offset the local deficit of blood.
It has taken an entire community many decades to create the excellent healthcare system we have in Hopkins County. The Masters are two people who gave tirelessly to build what we have available today. From the emergency services available through the Hopkins County Hospital District/EMS, the quality healthcare offered by CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, to the free programs and educational offerings provided by the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation, we have many resources here that are not available in larger counties. We owe a debt to all those, past and present, who have worked to keep healthcare a priority in Hopkins County!
Help carry on the tradition by attending or donating to the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s 20th Gala which will donate $250,000 to the local hospital to purchase medical equipment for the new surgical wing expansion. Go to Gala2026.GiveSmart.com for more information.
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To attend the 20th Gala to be held on January 24, go to Gala2026.GiveSmart.com.
Photo provided courtesy of Lesley Masters Grant.
Shown here at the 2006 Winter Fantasy Gala are Micky and husband Bill Barnett.
Tickets, sponsorships, and donation opportunities are available at Gala2026.GiveSmart.com.
Johnnie and Jim’s granddaughter, Lesley Masters Grant, is donating the use of columns through her company Simply Eventful to the January 24 Gala to keep the tradition of support going.
Bill Barnett, Micky Masters Barnett, and Chad Young are photographed at the 2007 Gala.
To join in the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the Gala, get your tickets at Gala2026.GiveSmart.com.
