"Often, "informants" on death certificates are not well-informed!"
i can definitely understand that. and considering the fact that the informant is talking about a loved one who *just* passed away, it's entirely possible that some pieces get mixed up during the immediate grief process. on Annie Mae's certificate, her father gave her birthday as 4-10-1928, but the TX Birth Index listing i have for her shows a birthdate of 1-21-1928. it looks like Nelson got Annie's BD mixed up with another daughter, Fannie Bell Brown (4-10-1926). considering that he just lost his wife, daughter & mother, the error is totally understandable.

thanks for your county clerk suggestion (and for all of your fantastic help!). i've sent another note to the Tyler Public Library to see if they have access to a listing of marriages for my Grandma Fannie. if they can't get it, i'll definitely give the county clerk a call.