Wise County Messenger Obituaries
2003
Last Names 
A-G

The following obituaries are in alphabetical order by last name.
  (use the "searcher" on page https://www.wisecountytexas.info/ to find names, 
or Control+F to find names in the text below.)

Adams, Annie Mae
1938-2003
Graveside service for Annie Mae Adams, 64, of Fort Worth was to be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 2. Chaplain Ken Cates was to officiate.
Adams died Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born March 12, 1938, in Sherman, she was a retired certified nurses aide and a member of the Saginaw Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kathy Smith; her brother, Leroy Adams; and two sisters, Sybil Waldrop and Myrtle Smith.
She is survived by a son, Ricky Bradshaw of Fort Worth; two granddaughters, Brenda Smith of Fort Worth and Kristina Kemp and husband Randy of Boyd; one great-granddaughter, Mercedes Kemp and two sisters, Irene Lemons and Faye Francis, both of Fort Worth.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 12, 2003

Adams, Fred C.
1916-2003
Service for Fred C. Adams, 86, of Bridgeport will be Friday, Jan. 10 at 2 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Kenneth Wood will officiate. Burial will follow at West Bridgeport Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Hawkins Funeral Home on Thursday, Jan. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Adams died Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Nov. 3, 1916, in Montague County, he was a retired self-employed auto mechanic. He served in the U.S. Army. He was a POW in Germany in World War II and served in the 501 Parachute Infantry, 101 Airborn Division. He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. and D.A.V. and a member of the Crafton Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Myrtle Adams, in June 2001.
He is survived by two sons, Sam Adams of Bridgeport and C.F. Smith and wife Christina of Rosemond, Calif.; one daughter, Regenia Alexander of Bridgeport; two brothers, Bob Adams and wife Ruth Ann of Euless and Bill Adams and wife Sondra of Grapevine; a sister, Daisy Sperber; a brother-in-law, Gene Edwards and two grandchildren, Kim Alexander of Denton and Aaron Smith and wife Mecaila of Long Beach, Calif.
The Wise County Veterans Group will serve as pallbearers. Graveside military honors will include a 21 gun salute and Taps will be handled by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Lone Star Chapter.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 9, 2003

Alexander, Margaret Mae
1913-2003
Service for Margaret Mae Alexander, 89, of Decatur will be Monday, April 14, at 10 a.m. at The Father’s House. Roy Faubion will officiate. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Visitation will be Sunday, April 13, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home.
Alexander died Thursday, April 10, 2003, in Decatur.
Born April 27, 1913, in Winterset, Iowa, she was a homemaker and member of The Father’s House Church. She married Robert Wayne Alexander on Nov. 23, 1934, in Winterset.
She is survived by her children, Jacklyn and husband Ronny Dyer and Jo Ann Swafford, all of Decatur, Richard W. and Janice Alexander of Clinton, Mo., the Rev. Ron and Carolyn Smith of Independence, Mo. and John Bruett of Winterset; six grandchildren, R.A. Dyer of Austin, Christopher Dyer of Coppell, Jamie Smith of Merriam, Kan., Russell W. Alexander of Clinton, Mo., Elizabeth Swafford of Decatur and Ronnie Smith II of Independence, Mo. and two great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Dale Barkley, Jay Conrad, Clyde Slimp, Richard Mesler and Russell Alexander. Honorary pallbearer will be Carol Giles.
Sunday, April 13, 2003

Alvey, J.W.
1929-2003
Service for J.W. Alvey, 74, of Bridgeport will be Sunday, Nov. 2, at 2 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. Family visitation was to be Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Home. The Rev. Joey Vick will officiate. Burial will follow at Roberts Branch Cemetery in Jacksboro.
Alvey died Thursday, Oct. 30, 2003, in Bridgeport.
He was born July 11, 1929, in Harrold to James William and Lula McClendon Alvey. He was a retired roughneck and a Baptist.
He is survived by two sons, Randy Alvey and wife, Debby, of Perrin and Jason Alvey of Throckmorton; two daughters, Tammy Young and husband, Delbert, of Bridgeport and Tonya Boggs and husband, Clint, of Breckenridge; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Jason Smith, Doug Smith, Robert Smith, Larry Smith, Dale Peebles, Sandy Shawn, Billy Young and Jacob Young. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeremy Young, Shane Alvey, Josh Alvey, Keith Alvey, Jeremy Crane, Jerry Shawn and Ronnie Smith.

Anderson, S.L. ‘Andy’
1917-2003
Service for S.L. “Andy” Anderson, 85, of Bridgeport was Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the First United Methodist Church in Bridgeport. The Rev. Johnny Irish officiated. Burial followed at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Anderson died Saturday, Jan. 11, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born March 26, 1917, in Iola, Kan., he had lived in the Bridgeport area since 1953. He was the retired owner and operator of Anderson Water Well Drilling in Bridgeport. He was a U.S. Army veteran having served in World War II, and he was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport. He married Betty Macy on July 26, 1946, in Topeka, Kan.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Leon Anderson and three sisters, Rosie Kresin, Lorene Morad and Margaret Jean Anderson.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Ed Anderson of Bowie and Phil Anderson of Bridgeport; a daughter, Anita Lamonthe and husband Ron of New Bedford, Mass.; a brother, Roy S. Anderson Jr. of Allen, Okla.; a sister, Noraleen Richards of Winfield, Kan.; three grandchildren, Eddie, Becky and Jennifer and two great-grandchildren, River and Ivy.
Pallbearers were Kevin Jones, Billy Fred Walker, Dr. Dan Selz, Dr. L.V. Selz, Roy Dick, Frank Trail, Bill Johnson, Bob Carpenter and L.B. McDonald.
Wise County Messenger, January 16, 2003

Andress, William Eugene
1965-2003
Service for William Eugene Andress, 37, of Lipan was Wednesday, July 23 at Aurora Baptist Church in Aurora. Doyle Slimp was to officiated and the Rev. Steve McCaslin assisted. Burial followed at Aurora Cemetery.
Andress died Saturday, July 19, 2003, in Granbury.
He was born Dec. 20, 1965, in Bridgeport to Milton and Elaine Andress. Formerly of Boyd, Andress was a self-employed carpenter, a member of the Aurora Baptist Church and a Marine Corps veteran.
He is survived by his parents, three sons, Justin Andress of Beaumont, Brenden Cabe Andress of Waco and Joshua Shade Andress of Springtown; one daughter, Jessica Andress of Beaumont and three sisters, Cindy Smith of Boyd, Kimberly Andress of Lipan and Angie Brown of Saginaw.
Pallbearers were Roger Cathey, Winston Dennis, Lyndel Hines, Jack Pach, Jack Ledford, Charles Andress and Brian Hunt. Honorary pallbearers were Mark Boyett, J.G. Cartwright and members of the 1983 Boyd High School state champion football team.
A final tribute with military honors was presented by the Wise County Veterans Group honor guard.
Sunday, July 27, 2003

Arce, Frank, Jr.
2003
Graveside service for Frank Arce Jr., newborn son of Frank Arce and Stacy Jensen of Rhome, was to be held Saturday, Jan. 11 at 1 p.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery.
He was stillborn Jan. 8, 2003, in Decatur.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Gary Jensen.
He is survived by his parents; two brothers, David Jensen and Jordan Martinez; a sister, Dawn Jensen; and grandparents, Mary and Gary Shafer, Patsy Houseton and Jesse Myers.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 12, 2003

Ard, Kenneth Ray
1946-2003
Service for Kenneth Ray Ard, 56, of Decatur was to be Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Decatur. The Rev. Al Draper was to officiate and was to be assisted by Jerry Spurlock. Burial was to follow at Green Acres Memorial Park in Cleburne.
Ard died Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003, in Houston.
Born Oct. 30, 1946, in Corsicana, he was a biology teacher at Decatur ISD. He married Vicki Spurlock June 21, 1969, in Fort Worth. He was an Army veteran of the 101 Airborne Division. He graduated from Cleburne High School and received his masters from North Texas State University in Denton. He was a biology teacher and coached football at numerous high schools including Wylie High School for 20 years where he won a state championship in 1977. He retired from coaching in 2001.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Jan Burnaugh and his father, Weldon Ard.
He is survived by his wife; his mother, Faye Ard Willard of Fort Worth; a son, Clay Ard of Mexia; a daughter, Kenna Brandt and husband Kelly of Sherman; a brother, Lewis Ard and wife Darla of Crowley and two grandchildren, Jonathan and Jackson Brandt of Sherman.
Pallbearers were to be Brad Davis, Gary Prescott, Phil Wilbanks, Robert Martinez, Raymon Montgomery, Brian Chaney, Paul Tallant and James Wright.
The family requests that memorials be made to Christ Haven Children’s Home, P.O. Box 467, Keller, Texas, 76248.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 9, 2003

Arnette, Jackie
1915-2003
Graveside service for Jackie Arnette, 88, of Decatur was to be Wednesday, June 25 at 3:30 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 1. The burial was to be officiated by Chris Allen.
Arnette died June 23, 2003, in Decatur.
Born May 2, 1915, in Lockney, she married Glen Edward Arnette on Jan. 12, 1932. She was a retired licensed vocational nurse and a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. She was an active Republican and was an aide to Congressman Joe Barton.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by a son, David A. Arnette of Dallas; a daughter, Anna Lynn Anderson of Decatur; a sister-in-law, Helen Arnette of Decatur; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Published Thursday, June 26, 2003

Arwine, Peggy Bridges
1938-2003
Service for Peggy Bridges Arwine, 65, of Azle was Saturday, Sept. 6, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. Dr. Dean Posey officiated. Burial followed at Cottondale Cemetery.
Arwine died Thursday, Sept. 4, 2003, in Azle.
She was born Feb. 21, 1938, in Cottondale to Wright and Alta (Lawrence) Bridges. Arwine was a retired employee of Lockheed-Martin and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Azle.
She is survived by a daughter, Sharon Harris and husband, Terry, of Burleson; one son, Scott Arwine and wife, Jackie, of Missouri; three grandchildren, Kyle Harris, Robert Arwine and Amanda Arwine; two step-grandchildren, Glenn and Mike Trainer; a step-great-granddaughter, Abbey Trainer; three brothers, Benny Bridges, Jimmy Dunlap and Dale Bridges; two sisters, Emilie Tackel and Pat Conn; niece, Leslie Alexander and two great nephews, Sean and Reed Alexander.
Pallbearers were Kyle Harris, Terry Harris, David Alexander, Landon Banks, Gerald Anderess and Jerry Flippen. Honorary pallbearer was Robert Arwine.

Ashworth, Carl W.
1914-2003
Memorial service for Carl W. Ashworth, 88, of Decatur was Thursday, March 6, at Ascension and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Decatur.
Ashworth died Tuesday, March 4, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Nov. 23, 1914, in Wichita Falls, to William W. Ashworth and Lou (Neal) Ashworth, he served in World War II in the Navy and Merchant Marines. He married Annie (Lorene) Ashworth Feb. 10, 1955.
He is survived by his wife; three sons, Byron C. Ashworth of Pinecliffe, Colo., Daniel W. Ashworth of Bristol and Carl W. Ashworth Jr. of Woodstock, Ga.; two foster grandchildren, Cyndi Young and Jeremy Bise, both of Paradise; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to Compass Hospice of Decatur.
Thursday, March 13, 2003

Askey, Vernon
1910-2003
Service for Vernon Askey, 92, of Decatur was Monday, Nov. 3, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Doyle Slimp officiated. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Askey died Friday, Oct. 31, 2003, in Decatur.
He was born Nov. 26, 1910, in Decatur to William Henry and Martha Elizabeth Askey and married Beatrice Lou Jobe on Jan. 6, 1933, in Decatur. He was a member of the Corinth Baptist Church and the Texas Cattle Raisers Association.
He was preceded in death by his wife, four sisters and two brothers.
He is survived by three sons, Jerry Wayne Askey of Decatur, Vernon Douglas Askey of Decatur and Gene Wendell Askey of Keller; daughter Carol Ann Banks of Fort Worth; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Pallbearers were David Banks, Daniel Duque, James Askey, Danny Guinn, Jerry Askey Jr. and Ronald Askey. Honorary pallbearers were Carl Greer, Lavoy Oates, Allan McCurdy, Elton McCurdy, Bill Askey and Bill Rippy.

Atkinson, Terry, Rev.
1923-2003
Funeral for the Rev. Loy Terrell (Terry) Atkinson, 80, of Sherman was Friday at Key Memorial Methodist Church in Sherman with burial at Atoy Cemetery near Rusk.
Atkinson served as pastor of United Methodist Churches in Bridgeport and Decatur during a 40-year career as a United Methodist minister.
Atkinson was a U. S. Marine Corps veteran who served in World War II. He was a graduate of Hendrix College and the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. During his career, he led mission trips to several foreign countries including Israel, Panama and Costa Rica. He retired from the ministry in 1987.
He is survived by his wife, Grace; two sons, Rick Atkinson and wife, Debbie, of Sherman and Randy Atkinson and wife, Karen, of Sherman; two grandchildren and a sister, Viola Conley of Benton, Ark.
The family requested memorials be made to Key Memorial United Methodist Church, 901 E. Houston St., Sherman, Texas 75090.

Avila, Viva Mae
1918-2003
Memorial service for Viva Mae Avila, 84, of Decatur will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at Word of Faith Praise Center in Fort Worth.
Avila died Jan. 15, 2003, in Decatur.
Born May 26, 1918, in New Mexico to Edgar and Alma (Boyles) Cook, she was a loving and devoted homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Santos Avila.
She is survived by a son, Glenn Waldrop and wife Barbara; three daughters, Wanda Rountree and husband Oscar, Patricia Reed and husband Jim and Teresa Ledford and husband David; two sisters, Esteline Evans and Minnie Sparks; eight grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and numerous great-great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, January 30, 2003

Baker, B.J.
1927-2003
Graveside service for B.J. Baker, 75, of Chico, was May 12 at Chico Cemetery. A memorial service followed at the Cundiff Baptist Church. The Rev. Billy Rhone officiated.
Baker died Saturday, May 10, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born Dec. 16, 1927, to Otis M. and Willie Mae Baker in Childress, he married Estelle Carpenter Feb. 6, 1948, in Tulsa, Okla. He was vice president of sales for Anchor Metals in Hurst. He also served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a seaman first class. Webb was a past master of the Hurst Masonic Lodge and a member of the Chico Masonic Lodge. He also served as past patron of the Hurst O.E.S., past president of the Hurst Lions Club, past president and district deputy of the Lions in Texas and was a member of the Cundiff Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years; daughter Donna Paul and her husband Mike of Bedford; sons Bill Baker and his wife Kim of Roanoke and Jim Bob Baker and his wife Julie of Keller; eight grandchildren, Mike Paul Jr., Darren Paul, Clint Baker, Jaclyn Baker, Troy Baker, Tracey Baker, Elizabeth Baker and Morgan Hyer; great-grandchild Chance Baker; brother, Otis M. Baker of Tulsa; sister, Sue Ann Money of Tulsa; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Thursday, May 15, 2003

Baker, Countess (O’Neal)
1924-2003
Service for Countess (O’Neal) Baker, 79, of Decatur will be Monday, Dec. 1, at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Alvord. Bill Cleveland will officiate. Burial will follow at Alvord Cemetery.
Baker died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2003, in Decatur.
She was born Aug. 5, 1924, in Alvord and married Harvey Joe Baker in May 1942 in Oklahoma. She was a long-time justice of the peace for Precinct 2 in Wise County and a Baptist.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by her son, Terry Baker and wife, Marilyn, of Decatur and one grandchild, Marcus Baker of Rhome.
Pallbearers will be Marcus Baker, Hal Buie, David Goodwin, Kenny Cates, Tom Dey Jr. and Louis Mosier.

Baker, L.E.
1922-2003
Graveside service for L.E. Baker, 81, of Chico was Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Chico Cemetery. The Revs. Ken Hedstrom and Elaine Bussey officiated.
Baker died Monday, Nov. 3, 2003, in Decatur.
He was born Oct. 1, 1922, in Newport to Louie and Susie Zuber Baker. He married Edith Estelle Stephens on Aug. 31, 1941, in Prospect. Baker was a retired switcher for Mitchell Energy and a World War II Army veteran. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Chico, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Chico Lions Club.
He was preceded in death by his son, Randall Baker; sisters, Novella Barto and Vermell Ainsworth and a brother, Louie Baker.
He is survived by his wife; sons, Dale Baker and wife, Jamie, Tom Durrett and wife, Jayney, and Stan Baker; daughter, Jane Baker Robinson and husband, Les; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Darrell Hale, Brandon Baker, Shawn Robinson, Bill Grisham, Sean Baker, Tom Durrett and Kris Jones. Honorary pallbearers were Frank Bordner and Charles Wolfe.

Barnard, L.N.
1924-20003
Graveside service for L. N. Barnard, 78, of Boyd was to be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 26 at New Hope Cemetery with Cecil Westervelt officiating.
Born October 30, 1924, in Fort Worth, the son of John Claude and Dewey (Phillips) Barnard, he died March 23, 2003, in Azle.
Barnard served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, married Jean Pickett January 17, 1942, in Weatherford and retired from Bell Helicopter after 32 years. He was a Baptist.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jean Barnard of Boyd; son, Sonny Barnard and wife Kelly of Saginaw; four daughters, Ann Mawhirter and husband Mike of Derby, Kan., Linda Wren and husband Bob of Grapevine, Patricia Barnard of Boyd and Sandra Johnson and husband John Short of Fort Worth; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and sisters Helen Westervelt and Juanita McMillen.
Thursday, March 27, 2003

Barnes, Virginia Wayne
1925-2003
Service for Viginia Wayne Barnes, 78, of Bridgeport was Feb. 28 at the First Baptist Church of Chico. The Rev. Ken Hedstrom and John Featherston officiated. Burial followed at Chico Cemetery.
Barnes died Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Jan. 7, 1925, in Chico to Curtis and Ruth (Hunter) Buckingham, Barnes was a retired school teacher, a member of the First Baptist Church of Chico, the American Association of Retired Persons and the Federation of Women’s Club.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ira Wilson Barnes and her son, Phillip Barnes.
She is survived by two sons, Chris Barnes and wife Judy of Decatur and David Barnes and special friend Marianne Emmons of Chico; a brother, Jerry Buckingham; a sister, Charlene Gnagy; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Bob Barnes, Wayne East, Bob Gnagy, Dale Kimpton, David Evans and Robert VanFleet.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund; P.O. Box 545; Chico, Texas, 76431, or a charity of your choice.
Sunday, March 2, 2003

Barnett, John L., Sr.
1919-2003
Funeral for John L. Barnett Sr., 84, of Bridgeport will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 20, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. The Chaplain Kenny Cates will officiate. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at the Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Hawkins Funeral Home.
Barnett died Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born March 23, 1919, in Paden, Okla., to Joel K. and Cora Smith Barnett, he was the owner of JLB Oilfield Sales and Services. He was a U.S. Army Veteran serving in World War II. He married Mary E. McFarlin on June 28, 1941, in Wichita Falls.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Joe and three sisters, Kathryn, Louise and Geneva.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, John L. Barnett Jr. and wife, Betty, and William M. “Bill” Barnett; two daughters, Mary Jean Howard and husband, Paul, and Cynthia Wood and husband, Walter; five grandchildren, Todd, Shelly, Shane, Romney and Alison; four great-grandchildren, William, Tristen, Mac and Katelyn and two sisters, Tess Harris and Christine Johnson.
Pallbearers will be Gordon Taylor, Barney Williamson, Doug Molloy and Bill Smith.
Memorials may be made to the Wise Area Relief Mission, P.O. Box 1084, Decatur, Texas 76234.

Barnett, Robert Lee
1925-2003
Graveside service for Robert Lee Barnett, 77, of Boyd was to be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 25. John Stewart was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Friendship Cemetery.
Barnett died Thursday, June 19, 2003, in Oklahoma City.
Born Nov. 7, 1925, in Montague County, he married Billie Ruth Jenkins on April 16, 1949, in Fort Worth. He was a World War II veteran, a retired water utilities engineer and a Baptist.
He was preceded in death by his wife.
He is survived by three sons, Michael James Barnett and Jimmy Lee Barnett, both of Boyd, and Danny Ray Barnett of Ryan, Okla.; a daughter, Becky Barnett of Ryan; a brother, Billy Barnett of Arizona; two sisters, Loretta Whisenhunt of Azle and Dorothy Faulkner of Azle; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Published Thursday, June 26, 2003

Barnett, Tom
1956-2003
Service for Tom Barnett, 46, of Boyd was Wednesday, Nov. 26, at the First Baptist Church in Boyd. Gary Beard officiated, assisted by Gerald Cleveland. Burial followed at Paradise Cemetery.
Barnett died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2003, in Boyd.
He was born Dec. 23, 1956, in Bridgeport to George Henry and Frona (Howeth) Barnett. He served in the U.S. Air Force. He was a 1995 graduate of the Tarrant County Junior College Police Academy and served as chief of the Boyd Police Department. He was also a member of the Texas Police Chief’s Association.
He was preceded in death by his father.
He is survived by two daughters, Mary Morgan and husband, Doug, and Erin Barnett; granddaughters, Krysten and Machalia Morgan; his mother, Frona; brothers, James Barnett and wife, Peggy, and Gary Barnett and wife, Dona, and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Jeff Kelley, Chad Hightower, Chad Stack, David Riggs, Cavin Riggs and Tony Rogers. Honorary pallbearers were Eric Bridges and Al Jackson.
Memorials may be made for his daughter to the Erin Barnett Trust Fund at the Boyd Bank, P.O. Box 1988, Boyd, Texas, 76023-9988, account number 316158.

Barone, Hazel Underwood Schleigh
1913-2003
Funeral for Hazel Underwood Schleigh Barone, 90, of Denton was June 9, 2003, at the First Baptist Church of Denton. The Rev. Ken May officiated. Burial was at Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton.
Born March 5, 1913, in Nocona to Ziba Leonard Haralson and Laura Inez Wood Haralson, she attended public schools in Harrold and the Draughan’s Business College in Wichita Falls.
She married Edgar Underwood in Oklahoma in 1930. He preceded her in death in 1937. She married Ross Schleigh in Oklahoma in 1941. He preceded her in death in 1975. She married Reese Barone in 1982 in Oklahoma. He preceded her in death in 1986.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Denton and worked as a bookkeeper for Chester Morris Chevrolet until 1960.
She is survived by four daughters, Patsy “Pat” Mann of Decatur, Sue Maxwell of Greenwood, Mary Whisenant of Decatur and Laura “Lolly” Hensley of Ocean Springs, Miss.; a son, Dr. T. Jervis Underwood of Oak Point; brother Sharon Haralson of Amarillo; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Rusty and Tim Mann, Kevin Maxwell, Michael Underwood, Chad Hensley, Todd Holtz, Randy Wilson, Paul Corey and John O’Keefe.
Memorials may be made to Home Hospice of North Texas, 2201 South FM 51, Suite 500, Decatur, Texas 76234 or to the charity of your choice.
Thursday, June 12, 2003

Bartlett, Opal
1920-2003
Service for Opal Bartlett, 83, of Argyle will be Monday, Dec. 1, at 2 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Chris Contakos will officiate. Burial will follow at Jonestown Cemetery in Wise County. Visitation was to be Saturday, Nov. 29, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home.
Bartlett died Friday, Nov. 28, 2003, in Denton.
She was born Aug. 27, 1920, in Bristow, Okla., and married Lester Bartlett in April 1938 in Cache, Okla. She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by her daughter, Catherine Yale and husband, Richard Sr., of Alvord; four brothers, Marian Hutson of Tyler, Leonard Hutson of Panhandle, Jimmy Hutson and Donald Hutson of California; a grandson, Richard Yale Jr. and wife, Gayla, of Justin and a great-grandchild, Harrison Yale.
Published Sunday, November 30, 2003

Batterton, Chris Allen
1964-2003
Graveside service for Chris Allen Batterton, 39, of Newark was Monday, Nov. 17, at Aurora Cemetery. James Binion officiated.
Batterton died Friday, Nov. 14, 2003, in Bedford.
Born Oct. 8, 1964, in Denton to Ray and Linda Alvey Batterton, he was a sheet metal mechanic for Tri-Star Metals in Boyd. He married Sharon Burch Batterton on March 2, 1996, in Keller. He was a member of Harvest Christian Center in Keller and a member of the Newark Area Youth Association.
He is survived by his wife; his parents; five children, Clay, Colton and Amber Batterton and Casey and Lacey Burch and a sister, Shannon Batterton.
Pallbearers were Scott Miller, Richard Batterton Jr., Steven Marshall, Billy Bowen, Ricky Hardee and Jerry Crawford. Honorary pallbearers were Jimmy Hillard, Mark and Robby Batterton, Mark and Bruce Miller, Matt Riley and Scott Harrison.

Baze, Bobby Lain
1934-2003
Funeral for Bobby Lain Baze, 69, of Boyd was Friday, April 18, at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Raymond Henson officiated. Burial followed at Friendship Cemetery.
Baze died Tuesday, April 15, 2003, in Decatur.
Born April 13, 1934, in Saltillo, to Everett and Thelma Hendly Baze, he married Virginia Sue Matson on April 20, 1973, in Ardmore, Okla. He was a retired truck driver and a member of the Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Bobby Gene Baze and wife Wanda; five daughters, Sondra Yates and husband Freddy, Rita Brown and husband John, Donna Drake, Becky Baze and Joy Hervey; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one brother, Doyle Hendley; one sister, Theresa Baze and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Rusty Smith, Darrell Spikes, Leonard Olson, Kennith McCauley, Jimmy Woodin and Tim Bailey.
Sunday, April 20, 2003

Bean, William ‘Bill’ Crawford, Sr.
1924-2003
Graveside service for William “Bill” Crawford Bean Sr., 78, of Decatur will be Monday, April 21, at 11 a.m. at Cottonwood Cemetery in Bryson. The Rev. John Redfearn of Community Baptist Church will officiate.
Visitation will be Sunday, April 20, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home in Decatur.
Bean died Friday, April 18, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Aug. 2, 1924, in Aubrey, he married Mary Stewart on Dec. 23, 1963. He was retired from the paint and body industry and was an Army veteran of the Korean War.
He was preceded in death by his wife in November of 1999.
He is survived by two sons, William Bean of Alvord and James Stewart of Fort Worth; two daughters, Amy Boyd of Riverside, Calif. and Carolyn Corbin of Fort Worth; one brother, Johnny Bean of Aubrey; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Sunday, April 20, 2003

Beauchamp, Opal Merinda
1920-2003
Funeral for Opal Merinda Beauchamp, 82, retired postmaster of Newark, was March 18, at Newark Church of Christ with Gilbert King and Steve Weeks officiating. Burial was at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 1.
Born Dec. 8, 1920, to William Robert and Rosie Mae (Smith) Cagle in Newark, she died Sunday, March 16, 2003, at her home in Newark.
A member of the Newark Church of Christ, she married Jesse Carl Beauchamp Feb. 13, 1942, in Waurika, Okla. He preceded her in death July 29, 1998. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Lee Cagle and a sister, Imogene Aaron.
Survivors include three daughters, Carla Munn and her husband Gary of Boyd, Brenda Barnett and her husband Michael of Lindale and Nelda Webster and her husband John of Boyd; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and a sister, LaVerne King.
Pallbearers were Clyde Slimp, Godfrey Pegues, Harold Lynch, Lee Barnett, Brian Barnett and John Jackson. Honorary pallbearers were Ronald Smith, Dan Malone and Gene Matthews.
Thursday, March 20, 2003

Beck, Audrey Fay
1917-2003
Graveside service for Audrey Fay Beck, 86, of Bridgeport will be Monday, Sept. 15, at 2 p.m. at Thomas Cemetery. Rev. Gary Demmitt will officiate.
Beck died Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003, in Burleson.
Born June 17, 1917, in Bridgeport, she and her husband Louis owned a cafe in Mineral Wells from 1953 to 1960 and she cooked for Crazy Water Hotel for several years until her retirement in 1980. She was a member of the Pleasant View Baptist Church of Bridgeport.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1975.
She is survived by a son, Robert Charles Beck and wife, Ethelyn; a sister, Laverne Chapman and a granddaughter, Kay Lynn Beck.
Memorials may be made to The Emery L. Lilge Hospice House, 301 Medpark Circle, Burleson, Texas 76028.

Beddingfield, Sharon Kay
1946-2003
Funeral for Sharon Kay Beddingfield, 56, of Paradise, was July 22 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Joe Motsenbocker officiated. Burial followed at Paradise Cemetery.
Beddingfield died Friday, July 18, 2003, in Paradise.
Born Nov. 2, 1946, in Idabel, Okla., to Clarence and Merline Russell, she married William Ryan Beddingfield on Nov. 2, 1963, in Lubbock. She was a resident of Paradise since 1977, a childcare attendant and a Baptist.
She is survived by her parents and husband, all of Paradise; a son, Russell Ryan Beddingfield of Paradise; a daughter, Chantee Beddingfield of Dallas; two sisters, Linda Haggard of Paradise and Gail Haggard of California and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were John Haggard, Mack Haggard, Steve Shirey, Eric Shirey, Lane Lambert, Billy Ray Beddingfield and Carl Lee Russell.
Thursday, July 24, 2003

Bedford, Floy Alice
1916-2003
Service for Floy Alice Bedford, 86, of Bridgeport will be Thursday, Jan. 30, at 2 p.m. at White’s Funeral Home Chapel in Springtown. Burial will follow at Springtown Cemetery.
Visitation was to be at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29.
Bedford died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born May 13, 1916, in Erick, Okla., she was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Boyd and the Eastern Star Boyd Chapter. She was a Worthy Matron from 1972 to 1973. She was active in her church and once traveled to the Holy Land.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Jessie Bedford; a daughter, Yvonne Washburn; a son, Winfred Pynes and a stepson, Edwin Bedford.
She is survived by two sons, Herbert Bedford of Hope, Ark., and James Bedford and wife Linda of North Richland Hills; a stepdaughter, Alene Binney and husband Buster of Big Sandy; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, January 30, 2003

Beeson, George T.
1916-2003
Funeral for George T. Beeson, 87, of Paradise was Friday at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Joe Motsenbocker officiated. Burial followed at Paradise Cemetery.
Beeson died Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Nov. 19, 1916, in Paradise to Armon and Ona Beeson, he served in the U.S. Army in the 5th armored division and was retired from the Corps of Engineers. He was active in the Archeological Society, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a past president of the Wise County Historical Society.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma, in 1991.
He is survived by three cousins, Rob Crawford and wife, Linda, Roberta Campbell and husband, John, and Johnny Beeson; a sister-in-law, Nellie Warner and other relatives.
Pallbearers were Charles Rhine, Merline Remmele, Jay McSpadden, Tom Fitzgerald, Kevin Campbell and Nolan Warner.
Published Sunday, December 28, 2003

Belcher, Clay D.
1956-2003
Graveside service for Clay D. Belcher, 47, of Rhome will be Monday, Oct. 13, at 2 p.m. at the Aurora Cemetery.
Belcher died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003, in Decatur.
He was born on May 17, 1956, in Dallas to Doyle and Pat Belcher. He married Mary Gene Worton on Nov. 1, 1976, in Weatherford. He was an Air Force veteran and a truck driver.
He is survived by his wife; his parents; his sons, James McConnell and wife, Diana, of Rhome and Chris McConnell of Rhome; daughter, Melanie Belcher of Rhome; brother, Mark Belcher of Pottsboro; sister, Stacie Caldwell of Texarkana and three grandchildren.

Bennett, Nola Fay
1943-2003
Funeral for Nola Fay Bennett, 60, of Springtown was Monday, Dec. 1, in Boyd. The Rev. Charles Taylor officiated. Burial was at Winfield Cemetery in Mount Pleasant.
Born April 4, 1943, in Mount Pleasant to Thomas and Lyda Dickie Smith, she died Nov. 25, 2003, in Newport, Tenn.
She was a nail technician and a member of the Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jackie Bennett.
She is survived by her mother, Lyda Dickie Smith; two sons, Cavin Riggs and David Riggs and wife, Teresa; two daughters, Annette Meadows and husband, Terry, and Christy North and husband, Clifton; four grandchildren, Leslie, Trevor, Casey and Kyle; three brothers, Floyd, Johnny and Roy Smith and a sister, Carolyn Hill.
Pallbearers were Terry Meadows, Clifton North, Larry Holden, Jimmy Hill, Robert Burlison and Harold Woods.
Published Thursday, December 4, 2003

Berg, Robert J.
1933-2003
Service for Robert J. Berg, 70, of Decatur was Friday, Nov. 14, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Buddy Ward officiated. Burial followed at Bethel Cemetery.
Berg died Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003, in Decatur.
He was born Nov. 3, 1933, in Decatur to Harmon and Julia Berg and married Brenda Shelton on July 12, 1983. He was a freight agent for Burlington Northern, a Navy veteran and a member of Central Baptist Church in Chico.
He was preceded in death by his wife.
He is survived by three children; a step-son, Johnny Wall of Decatur; two step-daughters, Kerry Brandon and Sherry Ward of Decatur and five grandchildren.
Pallbearers were James Taylor, Paul Taylor, John Stockton, Chris Massey, Johnny Wall and John Wall.

Beverly, Billy R.
1925-2003
Service for Billy R. Beverly, 78, of Irving formerly of Boyd, was Monday, Oct. 13, at Beltline Road Church of Christ. Henry Seidmeyer officiated. Burial was at Boyd Cemetery.
Born July 19, 1925, in Mt. Vernon, Texas, he died Oct. 10, 2003, in Irving.
He was retired from the U.S. Air Force.
He is survived by his wife, Billie R. Beverly of Irving; daughters, Letitia Beverly of Dallas, Melissa Beverly-Hicks of Grand Prairie and Nikki Weise of Terrell; sister, Faye Livesay of Dallas; and grandsons Cody Weise and Billy Blackwell III.

Bieber, Kevin ‘Jack’
1966-2003
Graveside service for Kevin “Jack” Bieber, 37, of Fort Worth was Friday at Boyd Cemetery. The Rev. Gary Sessions officiated.
Bieber died Sunday, Sept. 7, 2003 in Fort Worth.
Born June 22, 1966, in Fort Worth to Willie Hubert and Marie Sallie (Thomas) Bieber, he was a truck driver, a fisherman and a woodsman.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Bieber; a son, Kevin Bieber Jr.; a daughter, Shawna Bieber; step-children, Tim and Chaz Clark; the woman who raised him, Katie Tucker; six brothers, Raymond Bieber and wife, Carolyn, Scotty Bieber, David Bieber, Vernon Crisp and wife, Carlee, Johnny Crisp and Robert Black Jr.; three sisters, Geneva Bieber, Annette Bieber and Sue Gilmore and husband, Alvin.

Bilby, Edith Gatton Alland
1916-2003
A memorial service for Edith Gatton Alland Bilby, 87, of Graham will be Saturday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Bilby died Sunday, Oct. 5, 2003, in Wichita Falls.
Born Sept. 28, 1916, in Fort Worth to Arthur and Birdie Fisher Gatton, she was a retired school teacher who taught for more than 20 years. During her teaching career, she taught six grades in a one room school in Greenwood. She received her master’s degree from North Texas State University. She ran a dairy farm following the death of her first husband while raising three sons. She also worked as a laboratory technician at the Decatur hospital. She attended the Memorial Christian Church in Graham.
She was preceded in death by two husbands, Gilbert V. Alland and Monroe Bilby; a son, Jim W. Alland; a brother, Arthur F. Gatton Jr. and one sister, Imogene Gatton.
She is survived by two sons, Bill R. Alland of Houston and Tom F. Alland of Midlothian, Va.; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Bingham, Mary E.
1936-2003
Service for Mary E. Bingham, 67, of Midland was to be Wednesday, June 18 at Ellis Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Mike Goeke was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Resthaven Memorial Park in Midland. She was the mother of Pam Murphree of Decatur.
Bingham died Saturday, June 14, 2003, in Midland.
She was born on May 12, 1936, in Lamesa and married Morris Bingham on August 27, 1963. Bingham was a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Johnny and her son Steve Bingham.
She is survived by her husband, Morris Bingham of Midland; two daughters, Pamela Murphree and her husband Jeff of Decatur and Vera Yielding and her husband George of Midland; two sons, Lonny Bingham and his wife Pam of Monahans and Donald Bingham of Odessa; two sisters, Katherine Anthony and husband Larry of Levelland and Beth Cohorn and husband Jack of Lamesa; step-mother, Beulah Johnson of Lamesa; eight grandchildren, Tamela Wester of South Padre Island, Cindy Hopkins and husband Calvin of Decatur, Brady and Clay Murphree of Decatur, Hailey and Sarah Yeilding of Midland, April Bingham of Monahans, Andy Bingham and wife Vicki of Midland, Marilyn and Josh Bingham of Monahans; three great-grandchildren, Corbin Armstrong and Samuel Hopkins of Decatur and Alex McKay Bingham of Midland; and many nieces and nephews.
Thursday, June 19, 2003

Blevins, William Carl
1922-2003
Memorial service for William Carl Blevins, 80, of Oklahoma City, Okla., will be Saturday, May 24, at 11 a.m. at the Blevins’ Cabin in Blocker’s Camp at Lake Bridgeport.
Blevins died Tuesday, May 13, 2003, in Oklahoma City.
Born Nov. 21, 1922, in Chico, to William and Vera Blevins, he was a mechanic for Bell Helicopter.
He is survived by his wife, Loris Blevins of Oklahoma City; a son, Steve Blevins of Oklahoma City; a sister, Joyce Hagar of Fort Worth and a nephew.
Thursday, May 22, 2003

Boen, Jennelle
1983-2003
Funeral for Jennelle Boen, 20, of West will be Thursday, Nov. 20, at 2 p.m. at Kotch Funeral Home in West. The Rev. Mark Griffin will officiate. The family was to receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Kotch Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Bold Springs Cemetery near West.
Boen died Monday, Nov. 17, 2003, in Waco.
She was born July 6, 1983, in Dallas and married Jody Boen Sept. 13, 2003. Boen had lived in West for 10 years and graduated from West High School in 2001.
She is survived by her husband; her mother, Cassandra Wachsmann and husband, Mitchell, of West; father, Brett W. Fuller and wife, Debbie, of Paradise; grandparents, Anna Velin of West, Bert and Nelda Velin of Mt. Pleasant and Margie and Jack Amon of Paradise; great-grandmothers Anna Marsh of West and Anna Lou Wray of Mertens; two half-sisters, Miranda Gatica of West and Chaney Fuller of Paradise; a step-sister, Krystal Wachsmann of West and a step-brother, Jason Abbott of Muenster.
Pallbearers will be Josh McAnich, Casey Wachsmann, David Maler, Jason Abbott and David Christenson.

Boney, Marie A.
1929-2003
Service for Marie A. Boney, 73, of Decatur will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 28, at the First Baptist Church in Decatur. The Rev. Ken May and Eric Spano will officiate. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Ranger.
Boney died Wednesday, June 25, 2003, in Bridgeport.
She was born on Sept. 23, 1929, in Eastland County to Annie and Ed Harper. Boney graduated from Ranger High School and the University of Texas at Arlington. She married Gene Carl Boney on June 3, 1949, in Eastland. She was a retired school teacher, newspaper writer and manager of a variety store. She was a member of the Lucy Holcombe Pickens chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the First Baptist Church in Decatur.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene.
She is survived by her son, Rex Boney and wife Karen of Decatur; two daughters, Carla Weber and husband Roger of Decatur and Ann Alton and husband Dave of Kaiserlautern, Germany; four brothers, Bob Harper and wife Verna of Pasadena, Fred Harper and wife Ruth of Clyde, Bill Harper and wife Pearl of Abilene and Tom Harper and wife Billy Lou of Waco; one sister, Barbara Thompson and husband Raymond of Watts, Okla.; three sisters-in law, Delona Bullard of Wichita Falls, Clara Boney of El Paso and Lillian Boney of Flower Mound; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were A.C. Griffin, Curtis Griffin, Frank Maxwell, Ronnie Weber, Darrel Perkins and Ronnie Coan.
Sunday, June 29, 2003

Bounds, Don Larry
1944-2003
Graveside service for Don Larry Bounds, 58, of Rhome was Friday, Sept. 12, at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. Alan Bates officiated.
Bounds died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Oct. 30, 1944, in Hattiesburg, Miss., he was a self-employed carpenter.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Janie K. Bounds, and a brother, John D. Bounds.
He is survived by two sons, Stacy M. Bounds of North Richland Hills and Jacob C. Bounds of Alvord; two daughters, Shelly M. Renaud of Decatur and Onisha Sue Bounds of Red Bluff, Calif.; two brothers, J.C. Bounds of Murchison and C.R. Bounds of Gerber, Calif.; two sisters, Rosa I. Cahoon of Red Bluff and Carolyn O. Brady of Clarksville and five grandchildren, Aaron, Ariel, Beau, Parker and Jacob.

Bowman, Alma L.
1910-2002
Graveside service for Alma L. Bowman, 92, of Decatur was to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4 at Hillcrest Cemetery in Bowman, Ga.
Bowman died Monday, Dec. 16, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Nov. 11, 1910, in Georgia, she was married to the late William H. Bowman. She was a member of the Methodist Church in Hapeville, Ga., and also the Woman’s Circle.
She is survived by a daughter, Bonnie Coonley and husband Russ of Slidell; a grandson, Rusty Coonley and wife Denise and a great-grandson, “Bump” Coonley.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 5, 2003

Boyd, Scott
1945-2003
Funeral for Scott Boyd, 57, of Decatur was to be Saturday, Nov. 29, at 2:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Decatur. Dr. Rusty Hedges and Dr. Thomas O. Brumett were to officiate. Burial was to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Boyd, executive manager of the James Wood AutoPark in Denton, died in Fort Worth Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003.
He was born Dec. 24, 1945, in Decatur.
Boyd was a graduate of Decatur High School and the University of Texas at Austin where he played varsity football under Coach Darrell Royal. After graduation he was an assistant football coach at Plainview High School and a graduate assistant at the University of Texas before serving as head coach at Crowell, Lampasas and Victoria. While at Lampasas in 1976, he coached U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Johnny (Lam) Jones.
He joined the James Wood auto dealership staff in Decatur in 1982 and was named general manager of the Denton dealership when it was purchased by Wood in 1992.
He is survived by is wife, Nancy, his son Derrick Boyd and wife, Cheri, and his daughter Crystal Klose and husband, Will; four grandchildren, Kyndal and Trey Klose and Emily and Ainsley Boyd; his mother, Ollie Maud Boyd; and a brother, Jackie Boyd, all of Decatur.
He was preceded in death by his father, J. R. Boyd, and a brother, Harold Boyd.
Pallbearers were to be James F. Wood, Roy J. Eaton, Denny C. Aldridge, Terry Wood, Carey Williams, Neal Wilson, Gary Prescott and Johnny (Lam) Jones.
Memorial donations may be made to the Decatur ISD Education Foundation at 501 E. Collins, Decatur.

Bradley, Janice Carolyn
1935-2003
Funeral for Janice Carolyn Bradley, 67, of Bridgeport will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. The Rev. Gary Sessions will officiate. Burial will follow at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Bradley died Thursday, Sept. 25, 2003, in Denton.
She was born Nov. 14, 1935, in Seminole, Okla., and married B.D. Bradley Jr. on May 6, 1956, in Bridgeport. She was a homemaker and a member of Chico Assembly of God.
She is survived by her husband; a daughter, Carolyn Elaine Arwood; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Aubry Love and James Love and two sisters, Glenda Carr and Delores Love.
Pallbearers will be Jimmie Love, Wayne Stone, Troy Bradley, Greg Bradley, David Jenkins and Nolan Bradley.
The family was to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.

Bridges, Hazel L.
1916-2003
Funeral for Hazel L. Bridges, 87, of Paradise was to be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 16 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. The Rev. Steve Richardson was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Paradise Cemetery.
Bridges died Sunday, July 13, 2003, in Paradise.
Born May 10, 1916, in Roswell, N.M., she had lived in Wise County for the past 63 years. She was a homemaker and married Stanley Bridges on June 12, 1941, in Rockwall. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport where she had previously served as youth director.
She is survived by her husband, Stanley; a daughter, Donna Lewis and husband Bill; a sister, Willetta Bumpas; a brother, Maron Ferrell; a grandson, Trent Lewis and wife, Mi; a granddaughter, Billie Lynn Peschka and husband, Pat, and two great-grandchildren, Hanul Kim Lewis and Zebediah Stanley Lewis.
Pallbearers were to be Mark Cantrell, Paul Cantrell, Tommy Blessing, Donnie Erwin, Terry Tucker, Carl Black and Lance Lewis. Honorary pallbearers were to be Sam Erwin, Wesley Cantrell and Edward Lee Black.
Memorials can be made to Home Hospice of North Texas, 2201 S. FM 51, Suite 500, Decatur, TX. 76234.
Thursday, July 17, 2003

Bridges, Marguerite
1919-2003
Funeral for Marguerite Bridges, 83, of Aubrey was Tuesday at New Life Worship Center in Aubrey followed by burial at Belew Cemetery in Aubrey. The Rev. Jim Brown officiated.
Bridges died Saturday, Aug. 2, 2003, at a Denton hospital.
Born Nov. 21, 1919, in Decatur, she was the daughter of Bob and Maggie Starnes Blythe. She married Thurman Bridges on Jan. 27, 1937, in Decatur. She was a house parent at the Denton State School and a member of New Life Worship Center in Aubrey.
She was preceded in death by her husband; one brother, R.L. Blythe; one sister, Emma; and two sons, Bobby Bridges and Ronny Bridges.
She is survived by her children Thurman Bridges, Jerry Bridges, Dennis Bridges and Jimmy Bridges, all of Aubrey, Ann Jameson of Tioga, Darlene Cravens of Sanger, Ricky Bridges of Valley View, Sherry Spraberry of Argyle, Barbara Coffey of Pilot Point; 19 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the New Life Worship Center in Aubrey.
Thursday, August 7, 2003

Bridges, Vertie Marie
1917-2003
Service for Vertie Marie Bridges, 85 of Cottondale was Tuesday, April 15, at First Baptist Church in Cottondale, with the Revs. John Hadley and Charles Pugh officiating. Burial was at Cottondale Cemetery.
Born Aug. 27, 1917, in Madison County, she died Sunday, April 13, 2003, in Cottondale.
She had lived in the Cottondale Community for 58 years, was a retired secretary from General Dynamics, a teacher’s aide and a member of the First Baptist Church of Cottondale.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Charlene Elizabeth Bridges and her husband C.A. “Gus” Bridges.
She is survived by a son, Charles Neel Bridges and wife Mary Francis of Decatur; four grandsons, Charles Neel Bridges Jr., Patrick Christopher Bridges, John Eric Bridges and Robert Clark Bridges; three great-granddaughters; seven great-grandsons; and two sisters, Ora Lee Harris of Bryan and Dorothy Imogene Davis of Fort Smith, Ark.
Pallbearers were Charles Neel Bridges Jr., Patrick Christopher Bridges, John Eric Bridges, Robert Clark Bridges, Charles Neel Bridges III, Patrick Christopher Bridges Jr. and Brian Lee Bridges. Honorary pallbearers were Bill Read, Merlin Remmele, Melvin Bridges, Don Gentry, Jimmy Gentry and Sam Erwin.
Thursday, April 24, 2003

Brinlee, Anna Lavern Schmitz
1933-2003
Graveside service for Anna Lavern Schmitz Brinlee, 69, of Newark was Monday, Jan. 20, at the Bettis Cemetery.
Brinlee died Friday, Jan. 17, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born Oct. 1, 1933, in Dallas to John Henry Schmitz and Catherine Julindus Ruwaldt, she married R. Jean “Windy” Brinlee on June 1, 1950, in Irving. She worked in homecare and was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband and a son, Ricky Gene Brinlee.
She is survived by a son, Timothy Brinlee of Fort Worth; three daughters, Ronda Schwartzlow and husband Richard of Azle, Sherry Gaught and husband Lewis of Fort Worth and Arlene Berry and husband James of Newark; 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, January 23, 2003

Brooks, Beatrice Hawkins
1915-2003
Funeral for Beatrice Hawkins Brooks, 87, of Chico was to be Saturday, June 14 at Pleasant View Baptist Church. The Rev. Gary Dimmett officiated with the assistance of the Rev. Jason Ewing. Burial was to follow at Thomas Cemetery.
Brooks died Wednesday, June 11, 2003 in Decatur.
Born Sept. 10, 1915, in the Thomas Community in Bridgeport to George Washington and Lillie Ann (Green) Hawkins, she married John Brooks on March 3, 1935, in Bridgeport. She was a lifetime resident of the Bridgeport and Chico communities, a retired farmer and rancher and a member of the First Baptist Church of Chico for over 50 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by a son, J.M. Brooks and his wife Barbara of Decatur; three grandchildren, Ray Brooks, Deneise Flavin and Julie Brooks; three great-grandchildren, Cory, Maegan and Kaetlyn and a sister-in-law Annie Lee Brooks.
Pallbearers were to be Gary Green, Grady Cowling, Lynn Gray, Harvey Weatherly, R.L. Groves and Gary Burrows. Honorary pallbearers were to be the deacons of the First Baptist Church of Chico.
Sunday, June 15, 2003

Brooks, Mary A.
1941-2003
Service for Mary A. Brooks, 62, of Chico was Sunday, March 23, 2003, at Crafton Baptist Church. The Rev. Kenneth Wood and Rev. Joe Motsenbocker officiated. Burial followed at Chico Cemetery.
Brooks died Thursday, March 20, 2003, in Chico.
Born March 19, 1941, in Mineral Wells to John Dee and Mary (Woodall) Gober, Brooks married Everett “Snuffy” Brooks on Sept. 21, 1972, in Chico and was a member of the Crafton Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Grace and Marie.
She is survived by her husband; three sons, Wesley Rice and wife Suzanne, Blane Rice and Jeff Brooks; daughter Vella Thacker and husband David; four brothers, Joe, James, W.D. and John Gober; three sisters, Louise Wilkerson, Ruth Simmons and Bessie Wright; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Oscar Parrish, J.D. Coffman, Doug Bowyer, Bob Brown, Ed Leavenworth, Jerry Selph, Benny Coulson and Paul Lopez.
Thursday, March 27, 2003

Brooks, Tallulah
1958-2003
Funeral for Tallulah Brooks, 45, of Lubbock, formerly of Bridgeport, was to be Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. at Oakwood Baptist Church in Lubbock. Burial was to follow at Peaceful Gardens Memorial Park in Woodrow.
Brooks died Sunday, Nov. 16, 2003.
Born April 17, 1958, in San Antonio to Robert and Helen Brimmer, she graduated from Bridgeport High School. She married Steve A. Brooks on Aug. 10, 1985, in Bridgeport. She worked in real estate and telemarketing and was involved in the American Legion. She was a Baptist and had lived in Lubbock since 1991.
She is survived by her husband; two daughters, Lynn Kathleen and Karrie Dawn Brooks; three brothers, Rob, Rick and John Brimmer and other relatives including Pat and Sue Winfield, Doris and Quentin Brooks, Shelly Hicks and Robin Gaishin.
Memorials may be made to Life Gift, 6001 B Spur 327, Lubbock, Texas 79424.

Brown, Robert Dean
1931-2003
Graveside service for Robert Dean Brown, 72, of Decatur, was Friday, Aug. 8 at Oaklawn Cemetery. Bill Higgins officiated.
Brown died Aug. 6, 2003, in Decatur.
Born March 1, 1931, in Big Heart, Okla., he was a carpenter and machinist. He retired after 19 years with Poco Graphite.
He was preceded in death by his son, Randall Brown and a grandson, Brent Lemond.
He is survived by his daughter, Rhonda Wilson and husband Ronald of Port Isabel and two grandsons, Ryon and Dustin Wilson of Port Isabel.
Sunday, August 10, 2003

Brown, W.A. ‘Judd’
1934-2003
Funeral for W.A. “Judd” Brown, 69, of Decatur will be Thursday, May 8, at 2 p.m. in the Coker Funeral Home Chapel. Cotton Roberts will officiate and burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Brown died Monday, May 5, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born January 1, 1934, in Paradise to Hubert and Minnie Brown, he married Doris Roberts in Marlow, Okla., in 1956. A Navy veteran, Brown retired from Dairy Queen after 30 years of service and worked for Smith Backhoe Service in Decatur.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Hubert Brown Jr., Bill Brown and Jesse Brown; and three sisters, Juanita Howell, Oleta Shannon and Lela Mae Brown.
He is survived by his wife of Decatur; one daughter, Debbie Brown of Dallas; two brothers, Johnny Brown and James Brown; five sisters, Naida Robinson, Dean Whatley, Clara Canova, Lavivian Myers and Jean Holt and two grandchildren, Cody Hancock and Colby Platner.
Pallbearers will be Kenny Lynn, Shawn Smith, Rusty North, Jason Roberst, Steven Roberts, Chad Harvey, Dale Barkley and Austin Bowles.
Thursday, May 8, 2003

Brumbalow, Freida
1932-2003
Funeral for Freida Brumbalow, 71, of Decatur will be Thursday, May 1, at 2 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Bill Smith will officiate. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Visitation was to be Wednesday, April 30, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home.
Brumbalow died Tuesday, April 29, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born Feb. 29, 1932, in Pilot Point, she was a homemaker. She married Ernest Lee Brumbalow on Sept. 16, 1950, in Fort Worth. She was a member of Hemphill Baptist Church in Fort Worth and the Decatur Garden Club.
She is survived by her husband; two daughters, Deborah Fry and Dorcas Thornton, both of Fort Worth; a sister, Rayline Perkins of De Soto and four grandchildren.
Thursday, May 1, 2003

Bruster, A.B.
1919-2003
Service for A.B. Bruster, 83, of Bridgeport was Tuesday, June 24, at the First Baptist Church in Bridgeport. The Rev. Gary Sessions officiated. Burial followed at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Bruster died Saturday, June 21, 2003, in Decatur.
He was born July 25, 1919, in Aubrey and married Vella Riddles on Feb. 16, 1940, in Madill, Okla. Bruster was a rancher and had worked for Warren Petroleum and Gulf. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, former member of the Wise County Sheriff’s Posse and was a founder of the Bridgeport Riding Club.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Oliver and Pete Bruster.
He is survived by his wife, Vella; three brothers, Dorris Bruster of Madill, Okla., Buddy Bruster of Chattanooga, Okla., and Dick Bruster of Lubbock; three daughters, Jane Kasner and husband Robert of Bridgeport, Sue Massingill and husband Cliff of Aurora and Judy Bruster and Steven Trammell of Krum; five grandchildren, Robby Kasner, Angela Kasner Picha, Melissa Massingill Buntaine, Marsha Massingill Taylor and Shaunda Taylor Keller; five great-grandchildren, Matt Kasner, Amanda Kasner, Kane Trammell, Jade Keller and Gabe Taylor and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Bill Scribner, Ben Bruster, Nick Keller, Rob Buntaine, Dwayne Taylor and Steve Trammell. Honorary pallbearers were Wayne Bradley, Price Everett, Bud Davidson, Earl German, C.I. Ford and Charles Kelley.
Published Thursday, June 26, 2003

Bryant, Otis L.
1946-2003
Memorial service for Otis L. Bryant, 56, of Boyd will be Thursday, April 24, at 10 a.m. at Flatwood Worship Center. The Rev. Doug Acklie will officiate.
Bryant died Friday, April 18, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Dec. 11, 1946, in Houston to Marvin and Vergie (Chasteen) Bryant, he was a retired truck driver.
He is survived by a daughter, Jenny Tedrow; a companion, Amy Rutledge; two grandchildren, Cody Tedrow and Kristina Bryant; three brothers, Eugene Bryant, Bobby Bryant and Jimmy Bryant and numerous nieces and nephews.
Sunday, April 20, 2003

Buchanan, Bob
1923-2003
Service for Bob Buchanan, 80, of Decatur will be Thursday, March 6, at 2 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Ryan Morrison will officiate and will be assisted by Robert Isham and Bud Hale. Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 1.
Visitation was to be Wednesday, March 5, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home.
Buchanan died Tuesday, March 4, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born Feb. 4, 1923, in Turnersville, he was a dairyman and farmer. He married Roberta Gage on Oct. 21, 1943, in Fort Worth. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and was a member of the Decatur Church of Christ.
He is survived by his wife, Roberta Buchanan of Decatur; two sons, Calvin and Clifford Buchanan of Decatur; one daughter, Marsha Purdie of Decatur and eight grandchildren.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Decatur Church of Christ Building Fund, P.O. Box 328, Decatur, Texas 76234 or Compass Hospice, 2802 FM 51 S., Building 2, Suite B, Decatur; Texas 76234.
Pallbearers will be Cliff Buchanan, Braden Buchanan, Ron Choate, B.D. Lowe, Kenneth Fowler and Luther Minor.
Thursday, March 6, 2003

Buie, Shirley J.
1936-2003
Service for Shirley J. Buie, 67, of Alvord will be Monday, March 31, at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Alvord. Bill Cleveland will officiate. Burial will follow at Alvord Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, March 30, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home in Decatur.
Buie died Thursday, March 27, 2003, in Decatur.
Born March 23, 1936, in Clovis, N.M., she was a homemaker. She married Hal G. Buie on Sept. 7, 1952, in El Paso. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Alvord.
She is survived by her husband; four sons, Donald E. Buie of Twin Falls, Idaho, Hal W. Buie of Everman, Joel D. Buie of Crowley and John L. Buie of Joshua; one daughter, Linda Jeanette Roberts of Grand Prairie; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Curtis Sims, Chet Haney, Melton Neighbors, Bart Lunsford, Fred Parker and Robert Bull Sr.
Sunday, March 30, 2003

Bull, William L.
1938-2003
Funeral for William L. Bull, 65, of Fort Worth will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31 at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd. The Rev. Bill Fonte will officiate. Burial will follow at the Boyd Cemetery. Visitation was to be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30 at the funeral home.
Bull died Thursday, Aug. 28, 2003, in Dallas.
Born Jan. 17, 1938, in Whitehall, Md., to Samuel and Marie (Fuget) Bull, he married Irene Brown on May 28, 1955, in Chesterfield, S.C. He served in the U.S. Navy and was a retired truck driver, member of the Trinity Community Church and an avid golfer.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Betty Bull.
He is survived by his wife; a son, William Michael Bull and wife, Diana; four daughters, Deborah Ann Fonte, Donna Marie Kubala, Lydia Theresa Dharani and husband, Sean, and Shelby Jean Bull; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a brother, Richard Bull, and three sisters, Barbara Blische, Mary Chavis and Jane Hughes.
Pallbearers will be Ines Barron, Bill Fonte, Bo Bull, Mike Bull, Mathew Bull and Sean Dharani.

Burch, Billy Warren, Jr.
1951-2003
Funeral for Billy Warren Burch Jr., 52, of Boyd was to be Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Boyd. The Rev. Steve Weeks was to officiate, assisted by Rev. Darrell Hatley. Burial was to follow at Aurora Cemetery.
Burch died Monday, Sept. 8, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born July 5, 1951, in Roswell, N.M., to Billy and Delores (Burns) Burch Sr., he was a heavy equipment operator and a member of the Boyd Church of Christ.
He is survived by his son, Billy Michael Burch and wife, Christi; a daughter, Rene Burch; two grandchildren, Madison and Cameron; his parents; four brothers, Troy, Leroy, Jimmy and Lesley Burch; three sisters, Sherry Underwood, Shirley Jones and Sharon Batterton and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Pallbearers were to be Sammy Williams, Britt Pack, Wayne Davis, Jason Tinney, Wesley Tinney and Brad Burns. Honorary pallbearers were to be Allen Dickey, Tommy Tinney, Bill Tinney, Cecil Tinney, Frank Tinney, Fred Tinney, Chad Tinney, Allen Tinney and Lee Tinney.

Burgmeier, Carolyn Ann ‘Penny’
1937-2003
Service for Carolyn Ann “Penny” Burgmeier, 66, of Sunset was to be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at Fry Funeral Home Chapel in Bowie. The Rev. Jerry Jones was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
Burgmeier died Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, in Wichita Falls.
Born June 10, 1937, in Miami, Fla., Burgmeier was a longtime resident of Fort Worth before moving to Sunset 22 years ago. She married Danial A. Burgmeier on Feb. 14, 1981, in Montague. She was a homemaker and a Baptist.
She is survived by her husband; daughter, Donna Kay Pytel and husband, Freddie, of Fort Worth; three sons, Gary Caudell and wife, Michaela, of Bowie, Robert Caudell of Chicago, Ill., and Jeffery Caudell and wife, Sonya, of Sunset; 11 grandchildren, Lisa Jodan, William Pytel, Eric Caudell and Stephanie Weins, all of Fort Worth; Adrian Johnson, Mariah Brooks, Caleb Brooks, Sharaia Stout, Nadia Caudell, and Geriah Caudell, all of Bowie; and Jacob Caudell of Sunset; two great-granddaughters, Victoria Weins and Sicily Weins, both of Fort Worth; five brothers, Carl Condra Jr. and wife, Marion, of Fort McCoy, Fla., David Condra and wife, Martha, of Tallahassee, Fla., John Condra and wife, Margaret, of Tucker, Ga., James Condra and wife, Bonnie, of Valley View and Thomas Condra of Paducah, Ill.; four sisters, Martha Condra and husband, Eady, of Hialeah, Fla., Linda Sachs of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Kathy Riggs of Port St. Lucie and Debra Williams of Stewart, Fla., and many nieces and nephews.

Burk, Leona Spain
1918-2003
Service for Leona Spain Burk, 84, of Decatur will be Monday, April 14, at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Decatur. The Rev. Ken May will officiate and will be assisted by Clyde Spain and Don Spain. Burial will follow at Sweetwater Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday, April 13, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home.
Burk died Thursday, April 10, 2003, in Decatur.
Born June 25, 1918, in Decatur, she married Marshall Daniel Burk on June 11, 1947, in Decatur. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church in Decatur.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by two sons, Jerry T. Burk of Lampasas and Steve Burk of Decatur; three brothers, Clyde Spain and Don Spain, both of Decatur and Warren Spain of Longview; three sisters, Emodine Boydston, Idnell Stone and Alma Maxey, all of Decatur and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Jerry Mara, Jamie Stone, Tony Redwine, Cliff Spain, Ed Spain and Sonny Burk.
Sunday, April 13, 2003

Burk, Virgie Lee
1916-2003
Graveside service for Virgie Lee Burk, 87, of Alvord was to be Wednesday, May 28, at 2 p.m. at Aurora Cemetery. The Rev. Bill Cleveland officiated.
Burk died Sunday, May 25, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born May 24, 1916, in Aurora, she married Boyd Elmer Burk on April 9, 1939, in Decatur.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by three sons, Elmer Burk of Mansfield, Kenneth Burk of Fort Worth and Donald Burk of Decatur; one daughter, Rosemary Slaton of Paradise; a sister, Pat Bennett of Fort Worth; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Thursday, May 29, 2003

Burkett, Theodore M. ‘Ted’
1906-2003
Funeral for Theodore M. Burkett, 97, formerly of Decatur, was June 10, 2003, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Oaklawn Cemetery. Ken Burnett officiated. Robert Isham assisted.
Born March 23, 1906, in Cooper, Texas, he died June 9, 2003, in Richardson.
Married to Edith Stockton July 28, 1929, in Decatur, he was a long-time member of Decatur Church of Christ. He was a former mail carrier.
He was preceded in death by four brothers, three sisters, a step-brother and a step-sister.
He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Edith Stockton Burkett of Richardson; two sons, Lester Burkett and wife Bonnie of Tyler and Bobby Burkett and wife Brenda of Lewisville; five grandchildren, Mike, David, Greg, Morgan and Holly Burkett Hopkins; seven great-grandchildren; a step brother; a step sister; two half sisters and a half brother.
Pallbearers were Billy Atkins, Ricky Christian, Lowell Burkett, Greg Burkett, Rick Burkett and Calvin Buchanan.
Thursday, June 12, 2003

Burkmier, Lyle ‘Ed’
1930-2003
Funeral for Lyle “Ed” Burkmier, 73, of Boyd was Sept. 8, 2003, at Bluebonnett Hills Memorial Chapel. The Rev. Steve Richardson officiated. Burial followed at Bluebonnett Hills Memorial Park.
Burkmier died Thursday, Sept. 4, 2003, in Boyd.
Born March 15, 1930, in Albion, Mich., to Leo and Alice Burkmier, he married Margaret Young on March 29, 1950, in Bradley, Ark. He was a tool and diemaker for more than 50 years, the founder of Edmar Inc. in Haltom City and a Methodist.
He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Karen Weser and husband, Al, of Greer, S.C., Suzie Wagner and husband, Floyd, of Boyd; a son, Wayne Burkmier of Northfork, Idaho; seven grandchildren, Brandi Ellerd, Floyd Wagner Jr., Brynn McKinney, Matt Weser, Stephanie Weser, Brooke Burkmier and Kari-Anne Wagner and four great-grandchildren.

Bush, Charles W.
1929-2003
Service for Charles W. Bush, 73, of Azle was Friday, July 18 at White’s Azle Chapel in Azle. Chaplain Danny Falkner officiated. Burial followed at Greenwood Cemetery.
Bush died Tuesday, July 15, 2003, in Azle.
He was born on July 18, 1929.
Bush was a retired sporting goods sales representative. He was also a former assistant scoutmaster for Troop 32 in Fort Worth and an avid hunter and fisherman.
He is survived by one daughter, Sharron Chism and husband, David, of Azle; a son, Marty Bush and wife, Michelle, of Boyd; one sister, Helen Rose Brake of Arvada, Colo.; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Sunday, July 20, 2003

Butterfield, Nell Vashti
1909-2003
Graveside service for Nell V. Butterfield, 94, of Decatur was to be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at Bethel Cemetery. The Rev Jerry Miller was to officiate.
Butterfield died Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Feb. 26, 1909, in Chico, she was a retired homemaker who worked for many years at Rieger Dry Goods Store and at Young Citizens in Decatur. She had been a member of the First Baptist Church in Decatur since 1934 and was chaplain of The Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 543 in Decatur. She also baby sat for many families in Decatur.
She was preceded in death by two husbands, Herman Thomas and Claude Butterfield.
She is survived by three sisters, Bertha Greenhill of Mount Calm, Monnie Ward of Corsicana and Ruby Richie of Amarillo.
Sunday, August 17, 2003

Byford, Margaret I.
19223-2003
Service for Margaret I. Byford, 79, of Decatur will be Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. The Rev. Ray Cobb will officiate. Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 3. Visitation will be Monday, Feb. 17, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home.
Byford died Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Feb. 23, 1923, in Texarkana, Ark., she was a homemaker and a member of the Calvary Baptist Church. She married Loyd Byford June 2, 1967, in Decatur.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Lawrence Lewis.
She is survived by her husband; three sons, Jessie Simmons of Argyle, Johnnie Phillips of San Angelo and LeRoy DeWitt of Wichita Falls; a stepson, David Byford of Boyd; five daughters, Barbara McClung of Hurst, Ann Futch of Lake Worth, Louise Champion, Sarah Saulter and Earlene Hartranth, all of White Settlement; a stepdaughter, Diana Wright of Sampson Park; two sisters, Dortha Lavoie of California and Irene Parish of Terrell; 28 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and a number of great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Randy Hesteande, D. L. Byford Jr., Chad Byford, Andrew and Wayne Champion and Ron Cook. Honorary pallbearers will be Sam Thompson and Gregory Simmons.
Wise County Messenger, February 16, 2003

Byford, Opal Mae
1922-2003
Service for Opal Mae Byford, 80, of Decatur was to be Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 2 p.m. at Bell Baptist Church. Burial was to follow at Sycamore Cemetery.
Byford died Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Feb. 25, 1922, in Wise County, she was a homemaker and a graduate of Slidell High School.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Byford; a son, Roger Wayne Byford; a brother, Thurman Stice and two sisters, Vern and Pearl Monroe.
She is survived by a daughter, Janice Ann and Al Hubenka of Paradise; a brother, Arthur Stice of Crowley; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 9, 2003

Caldwell, Gary
1956-2003
Graveside service for Gary Caldwell, 47, of Slidell was Tuesday, July 15 at Slidell Cemetery. David Bradshaw officiated.
Caldwell died Sunday, July 13, 2003, in Decatur.
Born April 2, 1956, in Dallas, he was a computer technician working in assembly. He was a Marine Corps veteran and a member of the First Baptist Church of Slidell.
He is survived by his parents, Kenneth and Monisa Caldwell of Decatur; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Curtis and Brenda Caldwell of Hickory Creek and Casey and Marva Caldwell of Haskell; a sister, Sherri Caldwell of Gainesville and four nephews.
Thursday, July 17, 2003

Caldwell, Liz P.
1928-2003
Service for Liz P. Caldwell, 74, of Chico was to be at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 26 at the Living Word Assembly of God Church in Alvord. Glenn Randall and M.L. Milton were to officiate. Burial was to follow at Bethel Cemetery.
Caldwell died Wednesday, July 23, 2003, in Fort Worth.
She was born Aug. 7, 1928, in Alvord, graduated from Alvord High School and married Charles Caldwell on Sept. 14, 1946, in Alvord. She was a retired supervisor and caseworker for Child Protective Services, a library volunteer and a member of the Wise County Welfare Board from 1996 to 2003. She served on the Bethel Cemetery Board in 2002 and was very active in her church, the Living Word Assembly of God.
She was preceded in death by her parents, J.C. and Daisy Skaggs, her grandson, Tim Fowler, five brothers and two sisters.
She is survived by her husband, Charles; daughter Maggie Fowler and husband, Neal, of Bowie; sister, Bessie O’Leary; grandson, B.J. Fowler and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were to be Ronnie Gose and Royce, Donnie, John, Dale and Vernon Ruddick.
Sunday, July 27, 2003

Cargile, Jimmie
1940-2003
Memorial service for Jimmie Cargile, 63, of Decatur will be Saturday, June 21 at 2 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel.
Cargile died Tuesday, June 17, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born March 27, 1940 in Edcouch, she married Gary Cargile in 1964 in Hobbs, N.M.
She is survived by her husband Gary Cargile of Decatur; a son James Kelly Cargile of Killeen and two grandchildren, Nathan and Sarah.
Thursday, June 19, 2003

Carr, Almeta P.
1923-2003
Funeral for Almeta P. Carr, 79, of Decatur was Dec. 8 at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. Ryan Morrison officiated. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Carr died Friday, Dec. 5, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Dec. 18, 1923, in Slidell to Albert and Pearl Morris, she was a homemaker and a receptionist for Bridgeport Family Clinic. She was a member of the Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by three brothers, Albert Morris Jr., Sam Morris and Lowell Morris; a sister, Winnell Boner; and a son-in-law, Gene Kelly.
She is survived by two daughters, Sonia Lee and husband, Dennis of Decatur and Jayanna Kelly of San Antonio; two sisters, Arese Malcolm of Decatur and Anna Lee Wallace of Fort Worth; a brother, Olen Morris of Fort Worth; four grandchildren, Michelle Pettit and Jay Kelly of Austin and Stephanie Lee and Christopher Lee of Decatur; and three great-grandchildren, Amanda, Michaela and Jameson Pettit of Austin.
Pallbearers were Calvin Buchanan, Bruce Malcolm, Brent Wallace, Sam Holmes, J.R. Moody and Willard Howell.
Published Thursday, December 11, 2003

Caruthers, Lellan A.
1930-2003
Funeral for Lellan A. Caruthers, 72, a lifetime resident of Paradise, was to be Wednesday, April 2, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel, with the Revs. Dan Rhodes and Joe Motsenbocker officiating. Burial was to be at Paradise Cemetery.
Born Sept. 16, 1930, in Paradise to Stanley and Viola (Jeter) Caruthers, he died Monday, March 31, 2003, in Decatur.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He married Naomi Ruth Potts Nov. 18, 1950, in Paradise. He was an active member of the Moslah Temple, a 32nd Degree Mason and the former president of the Clown Unit of the Moslah Temple. He retired as the owner of Caruthers Laboratory in Fort Worth.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Naomi Caruthers; son, Stanley Caruthers and wife Shelly; four grandchildren, Mandy, Kelly, Ashley and Allison; two great-grandchildren, Colton and Clayton; and a sister, Bettie Hughes and husband Harold.
Pallbearers were to be Dowell Missiledine, Leslie Oates, David Shannon, Karl Black, Ronnie Caruthers and Robert Shannon.
Thursday, April 3, 2003

Casillas, Thomas Zachary ‘Zac’
2002-2003
Funeral for Thomas Zachary Casillas, infant son of Mellisa Casillas and Dewey Peters of Wise County was March 16, at Foursquare Church in Knox City with Freddie Villa officiating. Burial was at O’Brien Cemetery.
Born November 20, 2002, he died March 14, 2003
He is survived by his parents, Mellisa Casillas and Dewey Peters; a sister, Alyssa Casillas; grandparents, Charles and Martha Casillas and Kay Peters; and great-grandmother, Nettie Mae Watson.
Thursday, March 20, 2003

Chambers, Jacob Charles, Jr.
1948-2003
Graveside service for Jacob Charles Chambers Jr., 54, of Alvord was Friday at Pella Cemetery in Alvord. Ed Cate officiated.
Chambers died July 8, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Sept. 21, 1948, in Decatur to Jacob Charles and Jimmie Mae (Wheelis) Chambers Sr., he was a lifetime resident of Alvord. He retired as an inspector for the Texas Highway Department after 26 years of service and was a member of the Alvord Church of Christ.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Robbin Chambers.
He is survived by a son, Trey Chambers and his wife, Jenny, of Alvord; a daughter, Aliza Cortez and her husband, Daniel, of Bridgeport; three grandchildren, Camron and Casey Cortez and Treyson Chambers; and a sister, Sheila Hachtel and her husband, Neal, of Decatur.
Pallbearers were Tommy Lynch, Ryan Hachtel, John Clark, Bill Holloway, Star Gaylor and Lance Thweatt. Honorary pallbearer was Foy Byrd.
Sunday, July 13, 2003

Champion, John William, Sr.
1922-2003
Funeral for John William Champion Sr., 80, of Mexia was July 28, 2003, at the First Baptist Church in Mexia. The Rev. Marcus Sheffield officiated. Burial was in Faulkenberry Cemetery in Groesbeck.
Born Aug. 4, 1922, to Arthur Lee and Mary Simms Champion in Alvord, he died July 26 in Mexia.
Champion graduated from Texas A&M University in 1943 and served in the Army in World War II and Korea but spent most of his life in Groesbeck and Mexia. He devoted more than 30 years to the banking industry and retired as president of First National Bank of Mexia.
He was a member of the Lions Club, Groesbeck Masonic Lodge, School Board and Chamber of Commerce and helped with little league baseball. He also served on the Central Texas Economic Development Board and as deacon and Sunday school teacher at the First Baptist Churches in Mexia and Groesbeck. Other memberships included the A&M Century Club, the 10 Gallon Club of the Red Cross, the American Legion Post 288 and the DAV.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Goldie Lee Reed Champion in 1972, and by a sister, Frances Nash.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy deCordova Champion of Mexia; sons, John W. Champion Jr. and wife Rebecca, of Park City, Utah, Craig Champion Sr. and wife, Wanda, of Groesbeck and Mark Champion of Mexia; daughters, Deanna McKeever and husband, Keith, and Molly Baize and husband, Jeff, all of Crawford; step-daughter, DeLou Corbitt and husband, Donald, of Mexia and grandchildren, Craig Champion, Carmen Champion, Tara Champion, Josh McKeever, Ashley McKeever, Drew and Devin Corbitt and Paige and Perri Baize.
Pallbearers were Randall Rand, Gene Trumble, Jerry Don Chilcoat, Jesse Edwards, Holloway Martin and Dan Jennings. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Ron Stephens, Doug Ray, the Gentlemen of Mexia Supper Club, the deacons of the First Baptist Church and the Fisherman’s Sunday School Class.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Christian Life Center at 500 E. Carthage St.; Mexia, TX 76667.
Thursday, July 31, 2003

Champion, Wallis F.
1929-2003
Funeral for Wallis F. Champion, 73, of Decatur was Tuesday, March 18, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Alvord Cemetery. The Rev. Kenneth Emerson and Dr. Thomas Brumett officiated. A final tribute with military honors was presented by the Wise County Veterans Group honor guard.
He died Saturday, March 15, 2003 in Decatur.
Champion was the retired senior vice president of Texas Toro Company. He was a memer of Rotary International for 45 years and had served as president of the Alamo Heights Rotary Club in San Antonio in 1967 and 1968. Later he became a member of the Fort Worth Downtown Rotary Club where he was a Stevenson Fellow.
Champion was a veteran of the Korean War and a graduate of Texas Tech University. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Decatur.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Betty Champion; sisters, Juanita Champion Tice of Hurst and Deane Champion Rowe of Lakeway; sister-in-law, Juanita Land Champion of Irving; brother-in-law, Foy W. Byrd, Jr. of Decatur; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, John R. Champion of Irving and a niece.
Pallbearers were Willard Howell, Sam W. Renshaw Jr., James Cates, Raymond C. Nellis, Don Brown, Thomas Laird, Dr. Ed Maddox and Ed Harris.
Thursday, March 20, 2003

Chancellor, Ray
1937-2003
Service for Ray Chancellor, 65, of Alvord will be Sunday, April 13, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Alvord. Barry Jameson will officiate and will be assisted by Bob Wilson. Burial will follow at Alvord Cemetery.
Visitation was to be Saturday, April 12, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home.
Chancellor died Friday, April 11, 2003, in Alvord.
Born Nov. 16, 1937, in Alvord, he was a retired heavy equipment operator for Wise County Precinct 2. He married Mary Elizabeth Core on May 31, 1975, in Alvord. He was a Navy veteran and member of the First United Methodist Church in Alvord.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Sue Walker Chancellor; a son, Jeffery Chancellor; a brother, W.J. Stark and a grandson, Ethan Chancellor.
He is survived by his wife Beth Chancellor of Alvord; three sons, Craig Chancellor of McKinney, Scott Chancellor of Athens and Mark Chancellor of Alvord; a daughter, Patricia Chancellor of Alvord; three brothers, W.C. Stark of Granbury, Charles Chancellor of Bowie and Lonnie Chancellor of Jacksboro; three sisters, Estelle Watts, Rosemary Miller and Margaret Nell Anderson, all of Decatur and six grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be David Pate, Ken Shelton, Tom Robinson, Brad Myers, Donnie Burdine and Leonard Dunaway.
Sunday, April 13, 2003

Chapman, Ferrell ‘Pi Paw’
1921-2003
Service for Ferrell “Pi Paw” Chapman, 81, of Paradise was Friday, Jan. 10 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Ken May officiated and burial followed in East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Chapman died Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003, in Dallas.
Born Feb. 6, 1921, in Ashflat, Ark., he was an auto mechanic for Chapman GMC Motor Co. He served in the U.S. Army as a medical and surgical technician on the USS Mercy in the South Pacific during World War II, and he was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bridgeport, the Masonic Lodge and the D.A.V.
He is survived by two sons, Ronnie Chapman and wife Debbie and Donald Chapman and wife Shrea; four grandchildren, Barry Chapman, Brandi McEntire, Kory Chapman, and Chase Chapman and wife Ashley and three great-grandchildren, Jerred, Tyler and Dayne.
Pallbearers were Barry Chapman, Kory Chapman, Chase Chapman, Tommy Williams, Rusty Terrell and Andy Mattison.
A final tribute with military honors was presented to Chapman by the Wise County Veterans group honor guard.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 12, 2003

Chesnut, John Thomas ‘Tommy’
1936-2003
Service for John Thomas “Tommy” Chesnut, 66, of Garber, Okla., was to be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Garber First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Perry Williams was to officiate and burial was to follow at the Garber Cemetery.
Chesnut was the father of Beverly Ann O’Dell of Chico and Sandraw Kay Williams of Bridgeport.
He died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2003, in Garber.
Born July 17, 1936, in Alma, Okla., to Lawrence Robert Chesnut and Louie Harrington, he had been a resident of the Garber area since 1965. He married the former Glenda Haney in May 1957. On Dec. 18, 1966, he and the former Joan Lafferty were married in Perry, Okla.
Chesnut worked 14 years at Vance Air Force Base as an aircraft painter for Northrop and also had been a maintenance worker and driver for Phillips University and an oilfield pumper. He owned Skipper’s Trailer Park and was a maintenance worker and driver for Cherokee Strip Transit.
He was a perpetual member of the Masonic Lodge No. 80 and the Order of the Eastern Star, serving in various capacities within those organizations. He was a Master Mason and Past Master. He was baptized in the Baptist church at an early age and was affiliated with the Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Bettie Gene Chesnut.
He is survived by his wife, Joan; two sons, Tony Lynn Chesnut of Franklin, N.C., and John Robert Chesnut of Quanah; two daughters, Beverly Ann O’Dell and husband Rick of Chico and Sandraw Kay Williams of Bridgeport; two step-sons, John C. “JC” Haney of Marble Falls and Jack Haney Sr. of Austin; four brothers, William Robert “Bill” Chesnut of Duncan, Okla., Henry Chesnut of Foreman, Ark., Lawrence Robert “Junior” Chesnut of Cache, Okla., and Benny Chesnut of Foreman, Ark.; five sisters, Norma Ellison of Eufaula, Okla., Lola Mae Minton of Taft, Calif., Nadine Burchman of Wichita Falls, Ruth Sauerbreit of Pocatello, Idaho, and Ardena Clark of Snyder, Okla., and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Garber First United Methodist Church, Cherokee Transit, Garber EMT or Enid’s Hospice Circle of Love.
Wise County Messenger, February 16, 2003

Cheves, Carolyn Lois
1953-2003
Service for Carolyn Lois Cheves, 50, of Bridgeport will be Monday, Dec. 15, at 1 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Bridgeport. Mike Cheves will officiate. Burial will follow at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 14, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Cheves died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003, in Decatur.
She was born March 19, 1953, in Bridgeport and was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her father, Rayford (Buck) Story; a niece, Dawn LeAnn Story; grandparents, Thurman and Gwenn Parsons and Mellina Story; and an aunt, Saundra Ramirez.
She is survived by two sons, Mike Cheves and wife, Kristie, of Dallas and Mark Cheves of Houston; one daughter, Catherine Cheves of Bridgeport; three grandchildren, Shelby, Marty and Michael; mother, Joyce Kemp and husband, Jerry, of Bridgeport; three brothers, Ray Story and wife, Deborah, Buddy Story and Jerry Kemp and wife, Becky; one sister, Lisa VanHoose and husband, Bobby, of Bridgeport and many nieces and nephews.
Published Sunday, December 14, 2003

Christian, Jennifer Nicole
1975-2003
Graveside service for Jennifer Nicole Davis Christian, 28, of Boyd was Oct. 19 at Oaklawn Cemetery. The Rev. Robert Wilson officiated.
Born May 17, 1975, in Texas, she died Oct. 17, 2003 in Decatur. She was a waitress.
She is survived by her husband, Jessie Christian of Oklahoma; two sons, Jake and Joshua Christian and a daughter, Hailey Christian, all of Boyd.

Cleary, Benloyd
1938-2003
Funeral for Benloyd Cleary, 65, of Boyd was Tuesday, June 3, at White’s Funeral Home Chapel in Azle. The Rev. Bill Roe officiated. Burial followed at Azleland Cemetery.
Cleary died Friday, May 30, 2003, in Boyd.
Born March 20, 1938, he was a retired railroad engineer and raced horses.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lalene; two daughters, Pam Cleary and Karen Clark; two grandchildren, Chad and Brianna Clark; sister-in-law, Mae Dean Reed and husband Tommy; brother-in-law Benny Davenport and many other relatives.
Thursday, June 5, 2003

Clement, L.B.
1918-2003
Funeral for L.B. Clement, 85, retired farmer and stockman, formerly of Sunset was May 2, at Fry Funeral Home Chapel in Bowie. The Rev. Jamie Reed, pastor of East Side Baptist Church in Bowie officiated. Burial was at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
Born Feb. 25, 1918, in Decatur to Charlie and Myrtle Clement, he died Tuesday, April 29, 2003, at a Bowie healthcare facility.
He married the former Anna Belle Holland on June 7, 1936, in Montague.
He is survived by his wife; three sons, Raymond and his wife Deloris Clement of Bowie, Leon and his wife Sharon Clement of Victoria and Jerry and his wife Janet Clement of Bowie; seven grandchildren, Kerry and his wife Norma Clement of Gunter, Kris and her husband DeWayne Tamplen of Decatur, Kami and her husband Jackie Bowman of Bowie, Tim and his wife Anne Clement of Austin, Kyle and his wife Lori Clement of Hampton, Va., Sharesa and her husband Wesley Driskill of Gunter and Jay and his wife, Jennifer Clement of Bowie; 14 great-grandchildren; and a special nephew he helped raise, Dickie Clement of Spring.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, an infant in 1927, Selma Clement in 1975 and Winfred Clement in 1956; and a sister, Velma Rhea Wood in 2003.

Clifton, Frances Wynelle ‘Bridges’
1924-2003
Graveside service for Frances Wynelle “Bridges” Clifton, 78, of Dallas was Friday, June 27, at Cottondale Cemetery. George Baker officiated. A Sunday memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. at Highland Oaks Church of Christ in Dallas.
Clifton died June 23, 2003, in East Rochester, New Hampshire.
Born Oct. 24, 1924, in Boyd to Joe and Rose Hoyle Bridges, she married William Ashley Clifton on Oct. 10, 1946, in Irving. She was a member of the Highland Oaks Church of Christ.
Clifton was preceded in death by three brothers, Lowell, Allan and Big Lynn and two sisters, Benita Moll and Gracie Rowland.
She is survived by her husband; a son, Gordon Clifton; two daughters, Adrienne Faulhaber and husband Dewey and Charlotte Chunn and husband John; a brother, Joe Q. Bridges; four sisters, Mary Hughes, June Shilling, Kay Clark and Jane Burgess; five grandchildren, emily, Amy, Alyssa, Juanita and John and one great-grandchild.
Pallbearers were Lowell Hughes, Jackie Bridges, Randall Clark, Andy Stevenson, Ted Stevenson, Glenn Hughes, Raymond Clark, Leslie Hughes, Barry Bridges and Jody Bridges.
Sunday, June 29, 2003

Clifton, William W., Dr.
1919-2003
Memorial service for Dr. William W. Clifton, 84, of Lubbock, a retired veterinarian, was Friday, Feb. 21, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lubbock. Burial will be Sunday, Feb. 23, at 1 p.m. in Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Clifton died Monday, Feb. 17, 2003.
Born Jan. 22, 1919, in Claude, he was raised in Decatur where he attended Decatur Baptist College prior to serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Veterinary Medicine. He married Jamie Evelyn Eaton Aug. 15, 1950 and moved to Lubbock where he began the Clifton Animal Hospital. He was recognized by the Texas Senate for 50 years of service to his community. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner and a charter member of Hillcrest Country Club.
He is survived by two sons, William W. Clifton Jr. of Midland and John H. Clifton of Foreston and seven grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3321 33rd Street, Lubbock, Texas 79410 or to the Mildred and Shirley Garrison Center, 3710 4th Street, Lubbock, Texas 79415.
Sunday, February 23, 2003

Clithero, Richard James
1928-2003
Graveside service for Richard James Clithero, 75, of Rhome will be Monday, Dec. 8, at 10:30 a.m. at Aurora Cemetery. Steve Weeks will officiate. Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Christian Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd.
Clithero died Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2003, in Rhome.
Born April 26, 1928, in York, Neb., to Robert and Helen (Shafer) Clithero, he served in the Merchant Marines and was a retired truck driver.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Ben Clithero.
He is survived by two sons, Kevin Harris and Richard Dean; a daughter, Shannon Long; close friend, Linda Loper and four grandchildren, Tara, Shelbi, Keri and Kayci.
Pallbearers will be Thomas Tidwell, Donald Yarbrough, Dusty Black, Clinton Snyder, Kevin Harris and Jacky Long.
Published Sunday, December 7, 2003

Clowdus, Doris Lanelle
1921-2003
Memorial service for Doris Lanelle Clowdus, 81, of Runaway Bay was Tuesday, March 4, at Runaway Bay Community Church. The Rev. Palmer Bowers officiated.
Clowdus died Saturday, March 1, 2003, in Runaway Bay.
Born Sept. 30, 1921, in Wilson, Okla., she was a homemaker. She married William L. Clowdus Dec. 30, 1939, in Oklahoma City. He preceded her in death May 5, 2000. She was a member of the Runaway Bay Bridge Club, the Women’s Golf Association and the Runaway Bay Community Church.
She is survived by her daughter, Pat Brownlee and husband Don of Hallsville; a son, Mike Clowdus and wife Pat of Denver, Colo.; a sister, Louise Pipkin of Odessa; two grandchildren, Jeff Brownlee and wife Karyn of Coppell and Jenny Beaty and husband Kevin of Longview; five great-grandchilden, Aimee, Beau, Blake, Bradley and Blaire and numerous nieces and nephews.
Thursday, March 6, 2003

Coale-Blythe, Claire Lou
1951-2003
Service for Claire Lou Coale-Bythe, 51, of Houston will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 3, at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport. The Rev. Tommy Brumett will officiate. Burial will follow at East Side Cemetery.
She died Sunday, March 30, 2003.
Born Oct. 31, 1951, in Fort Worth, to the late Henry Kent Coale Jr. and Rose Marie Coale, she graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1970 and attended the University of Texas where she graduated with a degree in English literature. She married David Blythe on Dec. 31, 1987. She worked in the advertising industry for many years in the Houston area.
She is survived by her husband; a daughter, Kate Martinez of Houston; a brother, Trey Coale of Lubbock; a sister, Rose Marie Grant of Argyle and two grandchildren, Christopher and Ashley.
Thursday, April 3, 2003

Colville, Cynthia Lillard
1917-2003
Funeral for Cynthia Lillard Colville, 85, of Dallas will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 28 at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home Chapel in Dallas. The Rev. Don Scates will officiate. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Lillard died Monday, June 23, 2003 in Dallas.
Born December 25, 1917 in Decatur to James Warren and Mildred Lynch Lillard, she graduated from Highland Park High School in 1933. She attended SMU where she met and married Cecil Andrew Colville. Cynthia was active in her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and in her church, Highland Park Presbyterian.
She was preceded in death by her husband and daughter Celia Colville.
She is survived by two daughters, Mille Colville Henderson and husband Scott Allen of University Park and June Colville Hillis and husband R. Stephen Hillis of Tyler; grandchildren, Hadleigh Elizabeth Henderson of University Park, Sheri Niehus Hillis and husband Andrew David of Bryan, Hollie Hillis Ober and husband David Mark of Frisco; great-grandchildren, Hayden Garrison Hillis, Riley Stephen Hillis, Nanci Grace Hillis, Collin Scott Ober and Evan Thomas Ober; a brother, James Warren Lillard Jr. and wife Dorothy Smith; a niece and a cousin.
Memorials may be made to Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 3821 University Blvd., Dallas, Texas, 75205.
Published Thursday, June 26, 2003

Compton, Ruby
1919-2003
Graveside service for Ruby Compton, 84, of Boyd was Nov. 11 at Boyd Cemetery. The Rev. Steve Weeks officiated.
Born Sept. 12, 1919, in Wise County to Lester and Mamie (Maidwell) Rasbury, she died Nov. 9, 2003, in Decatur. She retired as a farmer and rancher’s wife and was a member of the Southwest Cattle Raisers Association.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ott Compton; her son, Junnie Willburn; and her sister, Evelyn Goodger.
She is survived by her granddaughter, Treva Hill and husband Troy; great-granddaughters, Amy Hill and Kate Hill; and a brother, T.J. Rasbury and wife, Plum.

Connell, Marianne
1946-2003
Funeral for Marianne Connell, 56, of Bridgeport was to be Saturday, May 17, at 10 a.m. in the Coker Funeral Home chapel in Decatur. Buddy Ward and Robbie Bosley were to officiate and burial was to follow at Bosley Cemetery in Lipan.
Connell died Thursday, May 15, 2003, in Denton.
Born Nov. 14, 1946, in Mineral Wells, she was employed by FEMA in the claims department.
She is survived by three sons, Terry Connell, Jamie Connell and Bobby Connell, all of Bridgeport; a daughter, Marcia Deatherage of Arlington; two brothers, John Bosley of Denton and Robbie Bosley of Bridgeport; two sisters, Barbara Lockhart of Denton and Shelia McHargue of Austin and eight grandchildren.
Pallbearers were to be Cory Bosley, Matthew Bosley, Micah Bosley, Josh White, Jeremy White and Bill Lockhart. Honorary Pallbearers were to be Jeffery White, Robert Dale Warner and Johnny Lee Bosley.
Sunday, May 18, 2003

Cook, Julia F.
1921-2003
Funeral for Julia F. Cook, 81, a Decatur homemaker, was to be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Jerry Miller officiating. Burial was to be at Paradise Cemetery.
Born March 5, 1921, in Wise County, she died Sunday, March 2, 2003, in Decatur.
She is survived by her daughter, Vicki Holmes of Decatur; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Gay Cook.
Thursday, March 6, 2003

Cooper, Gage W.
1998-2003
Funeral for Gage W. Cooper, 4, of Decatur will be Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, at the First United Methodist Church of Decatur. The Rev. Thomas O. Brumett will officiate. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery. Visitation was to be Saturday from 7 to 8 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home in Decatur.
Born Dec. 18, 1998, in Fort Worth to Gary and Mika Cooper, he died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, in Decatur.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Chaynee Cooper, and two great-grandfathers, Herbert Jones and Hugh Cooper.
He is survived by his parents; a brother, Nash Cooper of Decatur; grandparents, Mike and Pam Rhoten of Weatherford and Dr. Gary and Glenda Cooper of Granbury; and great-grandparents, Vaudine Cooper of Brock and Clinton and Johnnie Morgan of Weatherford.
Pallbearers will be Mark Sledge, Mark Cantrell, Cary Cowdrey and Wayland Long.
Published Sunday, December 14, 2003

Corbin, Ladie
1917-2003
Graveside service for Ladie Gwendolyn Almonrode Corbin, 86 of Fort Worth, formerly of Springtown, was Tuesday, March 11, at Springtown Cemetery, with the Rev. John Stout officiating.
Corbin was the mother of Donna Jean Kelley of Greenwood.
Born Feb. 27, 1917, to William Edward Almonrode and Ora Ruth Reynolds Almonrode, she married John Wesley Corbin May 23, 1936, in Marietta, Okla. He preceded her in death Dec. 3, 1983.
She attended Northside Diamond Hill School in Fort Worth. She was a sales clerk for Super X Drugstore in Hurst for 15 years and later at the Buffalo Mart in Haltom City.
She was a member of the Methodist church.
Survivors include her daughter, Donna Jean Kelley of Greenwood; brother, Robert Winston Almonrode of Stephenville; grandchildren, John Kelley of Denton, Michael Kelley of McKinney, Gale Noland of Clifton, Linda Gailbreath of Cranfills Gap, Connie Baxter of Meridian and Bubby Joe Knighten of Stephenville; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Thursday, March 13, 2003

Corrigan, W. Raymond, Rev.
1911-2003
Funeral for the Rev. W. Raymond Corrigan, 91, of Decatur was to be Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Decatur. Dr. Thomas O. Brumett was to officiate, to be assisted by the Rev. Gene Gordon. Burial was to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Corrigan died Monday, Aug. 25, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Sept. 8, 1911, in Liverpool, to Thomas and Margaret Corrigan, he married Evelyn Garrett on Nov. 25, 1937, in Shreveport, La. He received his license to preach Sept. 8, 1932. He received his bachelor of arts degree from Centenary Colege in Shreveport in June 1937. He became an ordained deacon on Nov. 19, 1939 and was ordained as an elder in the North Texas Conference on Oct. 26, 1941. He received his bachelor of divinity degree from SMU in 1944.
He served as minister at the First United Methodist Church in Decatur from June 1956 to September of 1964. After retiring in 1976, he moved back to Decatur where he served the Allison Church until 1984.
He enjoyed horse backriding and working around cattle. Following his retirement, he worked for several years on the Ferguson Ranch.
He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Margaret Bennett and husband Wade of Richardson; two grandsons, Carey Ward and wife Beth and Brian Bennett; three great-grandchildren and one sister, Bertha Hill of Fredericksburg.
Pallbearers were to be Carey Ward, Brian Bennett, Bud Forbeau, Roy Eaton, Tim Rieger and Mickey Doyle.

Cox, Clarence ‘Cecil’
1937-2003
Funeral service for Clarence Cox, 65, of Azle will be at 2 p.m., Monday, April 28, at Solid Rock Bible Church. Rev. Jimmy George will officiate. Burial will be at Azleland Cemetery.
Born Sept. 5, 1937, in Knoxville, Tenn., to Clarence and Alva (Snyder) Cox, he died April 24, 2003, at his home in Azle.
Cox was a retired forklift mechanic. He married Cynthia Hornsby July 10, 1964, in Atlanta, Ga., and had been a member of the Azle community for 31 years.
He was preceded in death by his father and his brother, Robert “Bob” Cox.
He is survived by his mother; his wife; three sons, David Stewart, Jimmy Cox and Doug Stewart; four daughters, Elaine Cox Gardner, Susan Morton, Cathy Richards and husband Kenneth and Rose Marie Benton; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his brother Alvin Cox; and five sisters, Peggy Pettiford, Mary Lou Newcomb, Anita Valentine, Faye Gibson and Linda McCoy.
Pallbearers will be Doug Stewart, Dewayne Richards, David Richards, John Kay, Joey Kay and Charlie Hatcher. Honorary pallbears will be Loyd George, Alvin Cox, Danny McKenzie, Gene Thompson and Jesse Bobo.
Sunday, April 27, 2003

Cox, Mabel
1911-2003
Funeral for Mabel Cox, 92, of Azle, formerly of Bridgeport, was to be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at Twin Oaks Assembly of God in Bridgeport with burial in East Bridgeport Cemetery. The Rev. Gary Sessions was to officiate.
Cox died Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2003, in Azle.
Born May 30, 1911, in Brady, Okla., to Miles Joseph and Lena (Gibbs) Hester, she married Leiland Travis Cox on Aug. 10, 1935, in Tucson, Ariz. She was a member of the Twin Oaks Assembly of God for more than 25 years, a legal secretary and worked in the insurance industry.
She was preceded in death by her husband and six brothers and sisters.
She is survived by a son, Leiland Travis Cox Jr. and wife, Bettye; a daughter, Margie Marie Baucum and husband, Don; five grandchildren, Bruce, Tonja, Joey, Kimberly and Lori; 13 great-grandchildren and a sister, Violet Shackelford.
Pallbearers were to be Joey Cox, Joel Nino, Bruce Baucum, Ronald Shackelford, Wallace Shackelford and Phil Shaw.

Cox, Melvin Charles
1943-2003
Memorial service for Melvin Charles Cox, 59, of Newark was to be Saturday, March 15, at 4 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Newark. Dan Hunt was to officiate.
Cox died Wednesday, March 12, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Aug. 9, 1943, in Australia, he was a retired maintenance manager for rental property and a member of the First Baptist Church of Newark.
He is survived by his mother, Ailsa Armento of Fort Worth; a son, Melvin L. Cox of Keller; a daughter, Yvonne Dalton of Gatesville; a sister and brother-in-law, Teresa and Kelly Johnson of Fort Worth and three grandchildren.
Sunday, March 16, 2003

Cox, Tony Clayton
1958-2003
Service for Tony Clayton Cox, 45, of Chico was to be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Steve Zorich and Rev. Ken Hedstrom officiating. Burial was to be at Chico Cemetery.
Born Aug. 16, 1958 in Chico, Tony was a lifetime resident. He graduated from Chico High School in 1976. He worked as a farmer, rancher and oilfield hand. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Chico.
He died Nov. 24, 2003 in Chico.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Helen Marie Freeman Cox.
He is survived by his father, Jimmy B. Cox and wife Gladys; daughters, Amber Marie Cox and Ashlie Cox Aguilar and husband Daniel; grandchildren, Journey Renee Brown and Gabriella Aguilar; and a brother, Robert Ben Cox.

Creamer, Calvin Louis
1936-2003
Graveside service for Calvin Louis Creamer, 66, of Springtown was to be Saturday, April 5, at 2 p.m. at the Annis Chapel Cemetery. Gene Creamer was to officiate.
Creamer died Thursday, April 3, 2003, in Springtown.
Born Aug. 12, 1936, in Fort Worth to the late Elzia and Hazel (Kelso) Creamer, he was a veteran of the Army National Guard. He married Alice Melear July 5, 1957, in Haslet and has lived in Springtown for nine years.
He is survived by his wife Alice Creamer of Springtown; son Tracy and wife Candy of Springtown; two daughters, Mary Carnes of Springtown and Shelley Gilliland and husband Terrell of Springtown; one brother, Gene Creamer of Cranfills Gap; two sisters, Catherine Mercer of Keeter and Joyce Ellis of Azle and seven grandchildren.
Pallbearers were to be Tracy Creamer, Terrell Gilliland, Mike Seaberry and Cory Herron.
Sunday, April 6, 2003

Creese, Dorothy Mae
1913-2003
A family memorial service for Dorothy Mae Creese, 90, of Decatur will be at a later date.
Creese died Thursday, Oct. 30, 2003, in Decatur.
She was born Jan. 19, 1913, in Verona, Pa., and married William Floyd Creese on Feb. 9, 1931, in West Virginia. She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers and one granddaughter.
She is survived by two sons, William Creese and wife, Beverly, of Alvord and Robert Creese and wife, Judy, of Springtown; five daughters, Dorothy Harris and husband, Charles, of Lakeland, Fla., Bertha Fosnaught and husband, Joseph, of Bairdford, Pa., Thelma Chestnut and husband, Lloyd, of Pittsburg, Pa., Malvene Seigworth and husband, Ken, of Knox, Pa., and Carol Giles of Alvord; 26 grandchildren; 62 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren.

Culwell, John Edgar
1945-2003
A private burial will be held for John Edgar Culwell, 58, formerly of Alvord, Boyd and Fort Worth.
Born July 11, 1945, to Leonard and Alice Culwell in Wichita Falls, he died Aug. 8, 2003, in Dallas.
Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, Luke and Paige Culwell of Iraan, and their children, Nolan, Harrison and Allison; daughter and son-in-law, Stacy and Steve Ringer of Dallas and their daughter, Kate; brothers, Earl Culwell and Tommy Culwell of Wichita Falls; and sister, Rhonda Thompson of Austin.
Memorials may be made to the building fund for the First Baptist Church, Alvord 76225.
Thursday, August 14, 2003

Cummings, Jackie L.
1927-2003
Service for Jackie L. Cummings, 75, of Decatur was Thursday, Jan. 16, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Charles Taylor officiated and burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery. Cummings died Monday, Jan. 13, 2003, in Bowie.
Born Aug. 17, 1927, in Decatur, he was the owner and operator of a service station.
He married Betty E. Johnston on June 28, 1951, in Eunice, N.M. He was a Baptist and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Suzanne, in 1969.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Cummings of Decatur and one sister, Mollie Ann Freeman of Garland.
Pallbearers were to be Kyle Johnston, Keith Johnston, Mike Duff, Morris Berend and Raymond McGaha.
Wise County Messenger, January 19, 2003

Cussins, Mary Lynn
1941-2003
Funeral for Mary Lynn Cussins, 61, was to be Tuesday, May 13, in the Waples Baptist Church in Granbury. Burial followed at the Holly Hills Memorial Park.
Cussins died Friday, May 9, 2003, in Parker County.
Born Aug. 26, 1941, in Sherwood, Tenn., to Bufford Lee and Ona Mae Garner, she married Ron Cussins on Feb. 2, 1959, in Ringo, Ga., and was a member of the Waples Baptist Church. She considered her grandchildren her hobby.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by three daughters, Beverly A. and her husband Craig Turner of Decatur, Deborah L. and her husband Kenneth Moody of Granbury and Karen L. Cussins of Granbury; son Michael E. and his wife Lucretia Cussins of Granbury; nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; five brothers, Raymond Garner of Murfreesboro, Tenn., George Garner of Tracy City, Tenn., Gene Garner of Hollywood, Fla., Harold Garner of Alto, Tenn., Kenneth Garner of Rydal, Ga.; three sisters, Dee Campbell of Montgomery, Tenn., Wanda Sanders of Salisbury, N.C., Sandra Steel of Manchester, Tenn. and a number of nieces and nephews.
Thursday, May 15, 2003

Dalby, Morris
1908-2003
Graveside service for Morris Dalby, 95, of Carrollton was Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Chico Cemetery. Steve Stratton officiated.
Dalby died Thursday, Oct. 30, 2003, in Carrollton.
He was born Jan. 28, 1908, in San Saba County to Jack and Carrie Joiner Dalby. He was a retired school teacher and a Methodist.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Henrietta Dalby.
He is survived by a son, James H. Dalby.

Davidson, Sandra Jean
1946-2003
Service for Sandra Jean Davidson, 56, of Paradise was Tuesday, July 8 at the Grace Outreach Church in Chico. The Revs. Bill Wallis and Eddie Hooker officiated. Burial followed at Paradise Cemetery.
Davidson died Saturday, July 5, 2003, in Kerrville.
She was born Nov. 10, 1946, in Tell City, Ind., and married Billy M. Davidson on March 27, 1978, in Gainesville.
She was preceded in death by her father, Gene Simpson.
She is survived by her husband, Billy; two sons, Donnie Munns and wife, Kimberly, and Mike Munns; four step-children, Tony Davidson and wife, Annette, Sharon Whitaker and husband, Larry, Terry Davidson and wife, Joanna, and Stacey Davidson and husband, Ronnie Sandlin; her mother, Mary Harrison and husband Don; her stepmother, Margaret Simpson; her brother, Mike Simpson; two sisters, Carol Ann Simpson and Linda Applegate and 15 grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Bobby Tucknief, Tyler Wallace, Ralla Hankins, Daniel Hankins, Curtis Creswell, Billy Maffia, Monty Hambrick and Cody Hambrick.
Thursday, July 10, 2003

Davis, Billie Jeanne Hartness
1919-2003
Memorial service for Billie Jeanne Hartness Davis, 83, of Canyon was Friday, March 7, at First Presbyterian Church of Canyon. Burial was private. The Rev. Don McDonald officiated. She was the mother of Patti Hamilton of Justin.
Davis died Wednesday, March 5, 2003, in Amarillo.
Born August 28, 1919, in Perrin, she married Walter Ragland Davis in Rosemont Christian Church in Dallas on her birthday, August 28, 1940. While raising her children, she played piano and organ for her church and worked with her husband in restaurants they owned and managed. After her children left home, she worked for the Texas Employment Commission in Dallas. She moved to Canyon in 2001 where she was a member of First Presbyterian Church.
She is survived by a sister, Ruda Johnson of Canyon; son, Walt Davis and wife Isabel of Canyon; daughter, Patti Hamilton and husband Cla of Justin; four grandchildren, John Davis and wife Tracy of Dallas, Lee Davis and wife Melissa of McKinney, Kathy Hamilton Lee and husband Ron of Hurst and Benjamin Hamilton of Denton; and three great-grandchildren, James and Madeline Lee of Hurst and Quin Davis of McKinney.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Billie Jeanne Hartness Davis Music Scholarship at West Texas A&M University.
Thursday, March 13, 2003

Davis, Frankie Delores Cox
1924-2003
Funeral for Frankie Delores Cox Davis, 79, of Bridgeport, was to be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. The Rev. Johnny Irish was to officiate. Burial was to follow at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Davis died Thursday, Oct. 23, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born Oct. 9, 1924, in Red Springs to Floyd and Gladys Slayton Cox, she married Garland Davis on Feb. 2, 1942, in Frederick, Okla. She was a housewife, a member of the First Baptist Church and past president of the Bridgeport Women’s Club.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years; two sons, Floyd Allen Davis and wife, Jackie, and “Rick” Charles Garland Davis and wife, Patty; four grandchildren, Duania, Saundra, Rhonda and Shon and three great-grandchildren.

DeLuna, Leticia
1973-2003
Mass of Christian Burial for Leticia DeLuna, 29, of Decatur, was Aug. 19 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Bridgeport. Father Gil Pansza and Deacon Hector Salva officiated. Burial followed at Boonsville Cemetery.
DeLuna died Friday, Aug. 15, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born Sept. 12, 1973, in Allende Coah, Mexico, to Juan and Teresa (Hernandez) Rangel, she married Jaime DeLuna on Aug. 31, 1996, in Fort Worth. She was a 1991 graduate of North Side High School in Fort Worth and a 1992 graduate of Vogue Beauty School. She was a part-time hairstylist, a housewife, a mother and a Catholic.
She is survived by her husband; one son, Marcus DeLuna; her father; four sisters, Santa Ortiz, Maria Martinez, Estela Vidales and Guadalupe Gonzales; six brothers, Juan, Delores, Ramon, Luis, Francisco and Mario Rangel and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Pallbearers were Miguel Vidales, Gilberto Gonzalez, Juan Antonio Martinez, Raymundo DeLuna, Daniel Cortez and Bob Ortiz. Honorary pallbearers were Luis Rangel, Ramon Rangel, Juan Rangel and Dolores (Lolo) Rangel.
Thursday, August 21, 2003

Dethloff, Betty Jean
1926-2003
Funeral for Betty Jean (Miss Jean) Dethloff, 76, of Boyd was to be Wednesday, June 11, at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Boyd. The Rev. Sonny Smith was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Boyd Cemetery.
Dethloff died Sunday, June 8, 2003, in Decatur.
She was born on Nov. 10, 1926, in Syracuse, Kan., and married J.R. Dethloff. She was a homemaker and an active member of the First Baptist Church of Boyd where she was the leader of the Girls Auxiliary.
She was preceded in death by her husband, J.R.; parents, Clarence and Vida (O’Bleness) Eberhart and her sister JoAnn (Sis) Gammage.
She is survived by Pat and Cindy Melvin and Joey and Joanna Dennis, all of Fort Worth and the J.C. Wallain family.
Pallbearers were to be Ronnie White, Mark Gillespie, Shane Melvin, Bill Smith, Johny Pack and Lonnie Galloway. Honorary Pallbearers were to be Forrest White, Joey Dennis, Dave Clark and Mike Zorris.
Thursday, June 12, 2003

Dickenson, James Lafayette
1918-2003
Service for James Lafayette Dickenson, 84, of Bridgeport was Wednesday, June 4 at the Twin Oaks Assembly of God Church in Bridgeport. The Rev. M.L. Milton officiated. Burial followed at West Bridgeport Cemetery.
Dickenson died Saturday, May 31, 2003, in Edgewood.
He was born on Sept. 20, 1918, in Bridgeport and married Margaret Lemme on May 1, 1943. Dickenson was a retired aircraft assemblyman and farmer. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in World War II. He was also a commander of the Royal Rangers for more than 40 years and a member of the Twin Oaks Assembly of God Church in Bridgeport.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, son Donald Dickenson, great-grandson Patrick Dickenson, two brothers and two sisters.
He is survived by two sons, Jimmy Dickenson and wife Sharon of Bridgeport and Fred Dickenson and wife Rhonda of Bridgeport; three daughters, Pearl Richardson and husband Thomas Lee of Edgewood, Donna Moore and husband Roland of Saginaw and Judy Stokes and husband Michael of Garrison; 22 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Jim Dickenson, Donnie Moore, Steven Stokes, Kevin Dickenson, Thomas Lee Richardson and Robert Richardson. Honorary pallbearers were James Richardson, Clayton Richardson, Randy Richardson and Bryan Stokes.
Thursday, June 5, 2003

Dickey, Emmit Wayne, Sr.
1930-2003
Service for Emmit Wayne Dickey Sr., 73, of Azle was to be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, at Ash Creek Baptist Church with burial at 1:30 p.m. in Bethel Cemetery in Decatur.
Born in Wise County, Dickey had lived in Azle for 35 years. He was a welder and had worked for Gorbett Brothers Tank.
At the time of his death, Dickey was employed by David Melville Excavation and was a member of Ash Creek Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Sue Howard Dickey of Azle; four children and their spouses, Becky and Keith of Springtown, “Bubba” and Pam of Springtown, David and Misty of Poolville and Shane Dickey of Azle; mother Lillie Mae “Doodle” Dickey of Rhome; brothers and sisters, Marie Moore, Tony and Raymond Dickey of Rhome, Jim Dickey of San Angelo, Jackie Malone of Roanoke, Allen Dickey of Boyd and Bertha Gilbert of Crowley; 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, February 13, 2003

Dickson, Lester C.
1921-2003
Service for Lester C. Dickson, 82, of Chico was Tuesday, Feb. 18, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Ken Hedstrom officiated. Burial followed at Chico Cemetery.
Dickson died Friday, Feb. 14, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Feb. 7, 1921, in Plainview to Alvin and Beulah Dickson, he was a retired Baptist minister and civil service worker. He was a veteran of the U. S. Air Force. He married Anita Haney on July 5, 1988, in Alvord. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Chico.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Dickson and a grandson, Stanley Poynor.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Lester Dickson Jr. and wife Grace and Wayne Ray Dickson and wife Nyla Jo; two daughters, Linda Ann Largent and Debra Dawn Layton; a brother, Alvin Dickson; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Pallbearers were Tim Gilbert, Rocky Garcia, Carmen Martinez and Lester Dickson Jr.

Dillard, Clara Verne
1924-2003
Graveside service for Clara Verne Dillard, 78, of Bridgeport was to be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, at Eakin Cemetery in Ponder. Chaplain Luke Oyler was to officiate.
Dillard died Sunday, June 22, 2003, in Decatur.
Born June 24, 1924, in Crawford to George and Rosa (Jones) Mahan, she was a retired hairdresser for McClain’s. She married T.G. Dillard on March 19, 1938, in Rockwall. She was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Bridgeport.
She was preceded in death by her husband, T.G. Dillard.
She is survived by a son, John Clay Dillard and wife Cathy; a grandson, Jason Dillard and wife Michelle; two great-grandsons, Jace and Jett Dillard; a sister, Jean Nowlin and a brother, Johnny Knight.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Home Hospice of North Texas, 2201 S. FM 51 Suite 500, Decatur, Texas 76234.
Published Thursday, June 26, 2003

Dodd, Gordon ‘Corky’
1948-2003
Funeral for Gordon “Corky” Dodd, 55, of Decatur was to be Wednesday, May 21, at 11 a.m. at Rhoton Funeral Home Chapel in Carrollton.
Dodd died Saturday, May 17, 2003, near Justin.
Born March 18, 1948, in Pampa, he was an avid single engine pilot. He was an active volunteer for Carter Blood Center and was involved with the Boy Scouts of America for many years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Decatur.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Judith Dodd; a son, Bradley Dodd; a daughter and son-in-law, Lynde and Paul Williams; his mother, Irene Dodd; two brothers, Keith Dodd and Richard Fishburn and two sisters, Sandra Hackney and Katy Martin.
Thursday, May 22, 2003

Drain, Ernest Monroe
1944-2003
Service for Ernest Monroe Drain, 58, of Atoka, Okla., was to be Wednesday, Feb. 5, at Brown’s Funeral Chapel in Atoka. The Rev. Bob Graham was to officiate, assisted by the Rev. Rex Williams. Burial was to be at 3 p.m. in Aurora Cemetery in Wise County. Drain was a former resident of Rhome.
He died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003, in Atoka.
Born Feb. 4, 1944, in Newark to Archie Lee and Johnnie Leonard (McCrary) Drain, he was a retired welder. He worked for General Dynamics for a short time, and he raised cattle and was a ranch hand. He attended school in Newark and at Northwest High School.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Thomas and Archie Drain and a sister, Lucille Cooksey.
He is survived by his wife, Linda of Atoka; three sons, James Drain and wife Carmen of Fort Worth, Tim Drain and wife Eraina of Hiram, Ga., and Eric Drain of Hoopeston, Ill.; one daughter, Rebecca Ybanez and husband Tony of Roanoke; two sisters, Carrie Huschke and husband Leon of Aubrey and Mary Smith and husband Curtis of Saginaw; mother-in-law, Blanche Atchley of Pittsburg; five grandchildren, Joshua Drain of Hiram, Ga., April and Anthony Ybanez of Roanoke, Joe Villagrana of Fort Worth and Maria Palomares and husband Henry of El Paso and one great-grandson, Joe Anthony Villagrana of Fort Worth.
Pallbearers were to be Tim Drain, Joshua Drain, Joe Villagrana, James Drain, Dean Cooksey, Charles Cooksey, Kelly Smith and Kevin Smith.
Honorary pallbearers were to be Ralph Meadows, Ernest Eldridge, Paul Howard, Jody Sherrill and Bruce Rains.
Wise County Messenger, February 6, 2003

Drake, Bill Ed
1939-2003
Funeral for Bill Ed Drake, 64, of Alvord was May 27 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Decatur. The Rev. Ron Bird officiated. Graveside service was May 28 at Restlawn Memorial Park in Hereford. The Rev. John Wagoner officiated.
Drake died Saturday, May 24 in Fort Worth.
Born Jan. 14, 1939, in Hereford, he married Ann Wagoner Drake on Nov. 30, 1962, in Hereford. He was a retired job training instructor with Texas A&M extension services and a deacon and member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his mother Mildred Drake; a brother, John Bob Drake and a daughter, Laurie Lea Drake.
He is survived by his wife Ann Drake of Alvord; father, Herman Drake of Hereford; two sons, Sam Drake of Rio Rancho, N.M. and Charles Drake of Alvord; a brother, Lee Drake of Hereford and seven grandchildren.
Thursday, May 29, 2003

Drake, Mary
1928-2003
Graveside service for Mary Drake, 75, of Rhome was Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Aurora Cemetery. The Rev. Windell Splawn officiated.
Drake died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003, in Dallas.
She was born Oct. 6, 1928, in Dallas and married Warren Drake on April 12, 1955. She lived in Rhome for 25 years and worked at the post office there. She was also a retired surgical supply clerk for Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth and a Methodist.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by her daughters, Barbara Carr of Arlington and Ramah Burns-Godfrey and husband, Louis, of Rhome; sons, Leonard Rose of Lousiana; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and two sisters, Patsy and Sally.
Published Thursday, December 18, 2003

Drinkard, Preston Edmond
1921-2003
Funeral for Preston Edmond Drinkard, 81, of Boyd was May 19 at Christian Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Mike Drinkard officiated. Burial was at Boyd Cemetery.
Born Nov. 16, 1921, to Jeremiah and Ada (Lee) Drinkard in Brown County, he died Friday, May 16, 2003, in Decatur.
Drinkard retired after 22 years as a watch maker/repairman and served in the U. S. Army Air Force During World War II. He was a member of the Baptist Church, Boyd Senior Citizens and D.A.V. Chapter 70 in Decatur.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Belva; a son, Jerry and a brother, Von Dell.
He is survived by his wife, Roberta Hudson Drinkard; son, Dennis Drinkard and wife Sandee of Fort Worth; daughter, Bonnie Riley and husband Ronnie of Boyd; grandchildren, James Riley, David Drinkard and Kevin Drinkard; great-grandchildren, Christian and Bailey Riley; and brothers, Herman Drinkard of Brownwood, Jerry Drinkard of Early and Wendell Drinkard of Arlington.
Pallbearers were James Riley, David and Kevin Drinkard, Rick Donato, William Zimmer, and Max and Craig Lindsey.
Thursday, May 22, 2003

Dumke, Diana Lea
1948-2003
Memorial service for Diana Lea Dumke, 54, of Rhome will be Monday, Feb. 17, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Newark. Dan Hunt will officiate.
Dumke died Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2003, in Rhome.
Born Dec. 16, 1948, in Webb, Iowa, she married Ross Dumke Dec. 28, 1971, in Pierre, S.D. They have lived in Rhome for the last 25 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Newark and a teacher at Northwest ISD. She and her husband were members of the Wise County Foster Parents Association, the Texas Dairy Goat Producers Association and the American Dairy Goat Association.
She was preceded in death by her father, Lyle Fitsimmons and a sister, Linda Fitsimmons.
She is survived by her husband; her mother, Lorraine Fitsimmons of Euless; two daughters, Tammy Lee and husband David of Rhome and Kathryn Lawler and husband Lester of Fort Worth; a brother, Gary Fitsimmons of Eastland; a sister, Nancy Zahn of Euless and numerous foster children and grandchildren.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the All Saint’s Health Foundation for the Benefit of the Lymphedema Center, 1400 8th Ave., Fort Worth, Texas, 76104 or the First Baptist Church in Newark Building Fund, P.O. Box 266, Newark, Texas, 76071.
Wise County Messenger, February 16, 2003

Dunn, Dorothy Chiles
1916-2003
Graveside service for Dorothy Chiles Dunn, 87, of Weatherford was Tuesday at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
She died Saturday, August 2, 2003, in Weatherford.
Born April 14, 1916, in Fort Worth, she was a retired secretary for Northwest ISD.
She is survived by her daughter, Dorothy J. Mendolia of Weatherford; a sister, Cara Lou Hunt of Fort Worth; grandchildren, Angie Atkins and husband Rick of Aledo, Mike Mendolia and Tim Mendolia and wife Kim of Fort Worth; great-grandchildren, Zachary Adkins, Lynzie Adkins, Dillon Atkins, Anthony Mendolia, Ami Atkins, Ryan Atkins and A.J. Mendolia; and great-great-grandchild, Kalynn Chandler.
Thursday, August 7, 2003

Dunn, Louise Cox
1923-2003
Funeral service for Louise Cox Dunn, 80, of Bridgeport was held Oct. 10, 2003, at the First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport where she was a member. The Rev. Johnny Irish officiated. Graveside service was at Hico Cemetery in Hico.
Born May 31, 1923, in Iredell, Texas, to John Wesley and Emma (Korut) Prater, she died Oct. 7, 2003, in Bridgeport.
She was preceded in death by five brothers and both of her husbands, J.D. Cox in 1966 and Robert Dunn in 1999.
She is survived by her daughter, Laura Dixon and husband, Doyle, of Aledo; her sister, Ellen Sonntag of Meridian and a granddaughter, Monica Cookston and husband, Doug, of Fort Worth.

Durban, Howard J.
1913-2003
Funeral service for Howard J. Durban, 89 of Bridgeport was to be held in Hilliard, Ohio. His family will receive visitors at Hawkins Funeral Home Wednesday, May 7 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Durban died Tuesday, May 6, 2003 in Bridgeport.
Born June 14, 1913, in Hilliard, Ohio, he married Rose Eberhard on Aug. 1, 1937, in Franklin County, Ohio. He was a retired station manager for Standard Oil Co., a farmer and a member of the Lutheran Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife.
He is survived by two sons, Neal Durban and wife Peggy of Decatur and Ned Durban of Columbus, Ohio; five grandchildren, Rick Durban of Bridgeport, Nealy Kinnison of Wellston, Ohio, Hayley Durban of Columbus, Ohio, Tovah Durban of Fort Worth and Savannah Durban of Ohio, and six great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society.
Thursday, May 8, 2003

Dustman, Blake Anthony
2003
Graveside service for Blake Anthony Dustman, the newborn son of Audra Slack of Rhome, was to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Aurora Cemetery. The Rev. Jimmy Withers was to officiate.
He died May 13, 2003, in Irving.
He is survived by his mother; grandparents Kathy and Rick Fields of Arlington and Danny and Pam Dustman of Athens.
Sunday, May 18, 2003

Dyess, Carroll Dean
1945-2003
Funeral for Carroll Dean Dyess, 62, of Casper, Wyo. and formerly of Wise County, was Tuesday, Sept. 23, at Coker Funeral Home chapel. H.O. Abbott officiated. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Dyess died Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2003, in Casper.
Born March 30, 1941, in Gatesville, he married Shirley Kohutek in November 1962 in Big Spring. He was a retired inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration.
He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Teresa Koontz and husband, Trey, of North Richland Hills and Kathy Lish and husband, Jody, of Springtown; two step-sisters, Katholene Pierce of Tyler and Jeanette Hawkins of Glen Rose and four grandchildren, Haley, Payton, Hunter and Morgan.
Pallbearers were Gene Bryant, Herb Long, K.B. Glenn, Richard Kohutek, Tim Hicks and Shane Harden.
A final tribute with military honors was presented by the Wise County Veterans Group honor guard.

Eisenhower, Stacey Gynne Meeks
1964-2003
Funeral for Stacey Gynne Meeks Eisenhower, 38, of Alvarado was to be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 13 at Laurel Land Memorial Chapel in Dallas. The Rev. Louis Meeks was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Edgewood Cemetery in Lancaster.
She is the daughter of Beverly Sims of Chico.
Meeks died Friday, Aug. 8, 2003, in Fort Worth. Born Dec. 21, 1964, in Dallas, she graduated from DeSoto High School in 1983 and Dallas Baptist University in 2000 with a masters of business administration. She was employed for a number of years by Vought Aircraft Company and Lockheed Martin in Grand Prairie and was most recently employed by Cargill Marketing Inc.
She is survived by her husband of 14 years, Bobby Eisenhower, and daughter Krystie Eisenhower of Alvarado; her mother, Beverly Sims and step-father Butch of Chico; father, Bill Meeks of DeSoto; sister, Sandra Peek of Annona; two brothers, Richard Meeks and wife, Sandra, of Ladonia and Joe Pickens “Slim” of Fort Worth; David and Jackie Eisenhower and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family requests memorials be made to the Chico Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund, Chico, Texas, 76431.
Thursday, August 14, 2003

Eison, Mary Evelyn Laminack
1936-2003
Service for Mary Evelyn Laminack Eison, 66, of Runaway Bay was Tuesday, April 8, at the First Baptist Church of Bridgeport. Dr. Charles Holland officiated. Burial followed at Eternal Oaks Cemetery in Runaway Bay.
Eison died Saturday, April 5, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born May 27, 1936, in Gorman, she had lived in the Runaway Bay community for 34 years. She was the retired vice president of Taylor Exploration and a former municipal judge for Runaway Bay. She married Jack Eison on March 12, 1955, in Gorman. She was a member of the Runaway Bay Community Church where she was active in the choir. She was also a member of the Bridgeport Civic Club, Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce and Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She was a former member of the Eternal Oaks Cemetery Board and former regional director of the Desk and Derrick Club.
She is survived by her husband; a daughter, Lori Eison Dodd and husband Robbie of Gorman; a son, Ronnie Eison and wife Ann of Decatur; eight grandchildren; a sister, Glenda Burger of Eastland; two brothers, Don Laminack of Gorman and Vance Laminack of Keller and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Richard Hartman, Ronnie Powell, Bill Henze, Rollins Bilby, Gordon Taylor and Leon Farmer. Honorary pallbearers were Charles Todd, Vernon Slocomb, Jim Morgan, James Henry, Clay Dent, Barbara Blake, Tom Shotwell and Walt Warner.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to The Eternal Oaks Cemetery, 101 Runaway Bay Drive, Runaway Bay, Texas, 76426.
Thursday, April 10, 2003

Enis, Sibyl
1916-2003
Memorial service for Sibyl Enis, 87, of Greenwood will be Monday, Oct. 6, 2003, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be Oct. 5 at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m.
Born May 21, 1916, in Justin to Walter and Myra Jeane Wallace, she died Oct. 2, 2003, in Decatur.
She married Pete Enis on Nov. 22, 1935, in Argyle. He preceded her in death in March 1970. Their son, Joel died in June 1951.
Sibyl is survived by a son, Grady “Bud” Enis and his wife, Joyce, of Decatur; a daughter, Dianne Barron, and her husband, Bobby, of Keller; a sister, Ann Blackburn of Fort Worth; five grandchildren, Greg and Curtis Enis, Erin Lee, Rickey Barron and Nicole Eminger and 10 great-grandchildren.

Ervi, Johnnie Ruth
1932-2003
Funeral for Johnnie Ruth Ervi, 70, of Buchanan Dam, formerly of Wise County, was Friday, June 20, at Coker Funeral Home in Decatur. Burial followed at Greenwood Cemetery. The Rev. Richard Ayers and the Rev. William Fondren officiated.
Ervi died Monday, June 16, 2003, at her home in Buchanan Dam.
Born Dec. 14, 1932, in Decatur to John L. and Ruth Hudson, she retired from sales to be a wife, homemaker and Sunday school teacher at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. She returned to retail sales later in life for the Gus Mayer company.
She was preceded in death by her father.
She is survived by her husband, Donald L. Ervi; a daughter, Donna Ervi Marksberry and husband Donald of Carrollton; two sons, John Steven Ervi and wife Dannea of Midway and Mark L. Ervi and wife Rebecca of Buchanan Dam; her mother, Ruth Hudson Thormahlen of Decatur; a brother, Billy George Hudson and wife Linda of Electra; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one niece and five nephews.
Sunday, June 22, 2003

Espinosa, Manuel Mendoza
1981-2003
Service for Manuel Mendoza, 21, of Decatur will be in Mexico at the Panteon Nuestra Senora Guadalupe in San Miguel de Allende, Jto., Mexico.
Espinosa died Friday, May 9, 2003, in Boyd.
Born June 10, 1981, in San Miguel de Allende, Jto., Mexico, he was a lineman for electrical construction.
He is survived by four brothers, Angel of Decatur, Juan of Mexico, Marcelo of Azle and Feliciano of Valley View and six sisters, Maricela of Decatur and Carmela, Sylvia, Isabel, Belen and Sesilia, all of Mexico.
Thursday, May 15, 2003

Espinoza, Domitilo
1923-2003
Service for Domitilo Espinoza, 80, of Diaz Ordaz, Mexico, was Saturday, Oct. 4, at El Porvenir Cemetery in Mexico. He was the father of Anna Amador of Decatur.
Espinoza died Friday, Oct. 3, 2003, in Diaz Ordaz.
He was born Aug. 22, 1923, in Mexico. He married Rosa Espinoza on Aug. 20, 1948. He was a self-employed farmer.
He is survived by his wife, Rosa; three sons, Dionicio, Ubaldo and Mario; four daughters, Anna Amador of Decatur, Fidelfa, Rosa and Guadalupe; three brothers, Roberto Merced and Adolfo; four sisters, Olivia, Clementina, Fidela and Eva; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Espinoza, Eric Jose
1980-2003
Service for Eric Jose Espinoza, 22, of Decatur will be Thursday, Jan. 16 at 10 a.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Espinoza died Sunday, Jan. 12, 2003, in Orlando, Fla.
Born Aug. 8, 1980, in Kingman, Kan., he was a journeyman pipefitter for Yates Construction. He attended Decatur schools and graduated from Abilene Cooper High School in 1998. He joined the Army in June 1998 and was stationed in Fort Campbell Kentucky after basic training in Fort Benning, Ga.
He is survived by his mother and step-father, Anita and Sam Lee of Decatur; his father, Freddy Espinoza of Corinth; a brother, Zach Espinoza of Decatur; a step-sister, Krystle Lee of Boyd and grandparents, Jimmy and Lupe Espinoza of Colorado City and George and Ruth Bryant of Paris.
Pallbearers will be Steven Oates, Cody Cornell, Matt Teichelman, Chris Oland, Stephen Topica, Aaron Hughes, Chris Mattison and Ben Williamson.
Wise County Messenger, January 16, 2003

Evans, Gordon Divines
1943-2003
Service for Gordon Divines Evans, 59, of Rhome will be Monday, Jan. 13 at 10:30 a.m. at Rhome Assembly of God Church. The Rev. James Hurst and Mike Stephenson will officiate. Burial will follow at Aurora Cemetery.
Evans died Monday, Jan. 6, 2003, in Aurora.
Born Sept. 28, 1943, to Orbie Divines Evans and Mary Elizabeth McCrary Evans, he married Jeanne Idell Oct. 17, 1969, in Decatur. He was a carpenter for T.D. Industries in Irving. He was an Army veteran and a member of the Rhome Assembly of God Church.
He was preceded in death by hs parents, his sister, Elizabeth Russell and an infant brother.
He is survived by his wife; four sons, Dewayne Evans of Antioch, Calif., David Evans and wife Tammy of Bridgeport, Chris Evans and wife Shella of Rhome and Daniel Evans and wife Tammy of Newark; two daughters, Kim Rhine of Rhome and Lisa Hotz and husband Randy of Decatur; one brother, Robert Evans and wife Shirley of Hamilton; two sisters, Virginia Bowers and husband Johnny of Newark and Ella Roye and husband Glenn of White Settlement; 23 grandchildren; one great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be James Evans, Danny Kelley, Danny Kelley Jr., Rip Butler, Greg Roberts, Robert Miles, James Earl Idell and Clyde Idell.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 12, 2003

Ewing, Molly G.
1928-2003
Funeral for Molly G. Ewing, 74, of Lawton, Okla. was June 13, 2003, at the Becker Memorial Chapel in Lawton, Okla. The Rev. Larry Kowalski, of St. Gregory the Great Church in Enid, Okla. officiated. Burial was to be Saturday, June 14, 2003, in the Chico Cemetery with the Rev. Gilbert Pansza of St. John’s Catholic Church officiating.
Born Sept. 22, 2003 in Duncan, Okla., the only daughter of Lana Hanna and Henry Carey Gulledge, she died June 9, 2003 at her home.
She graduated San Marcos High School in 1946 then attended SMU. She married Amos D. Ewing July 3, 1948. She traveled the world with her parents, then as a military wife and mother of eight children. She was an American Contract Bridge League Life Master, Lawton Bridge Club director, bowler and member and past president of the Lawton Country Club Ladies’ Golf Association and Women’s Oklahoma Golf Association.
She was preceded in death by her brother Joe.
Survivors include her husband; two sons, Amos and Jefferson and his wife Donna; six daughters, Emily, Johanna, Katie, Martha, Jane and her husband Steve Ensley and Amy and her husband Steve Holmstrom; and seven grandchildren, Hanna Davis, Daniel Ewing, Carey, Mitchell and Marshall Ensley and Scott and Todd Holmstrom.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Lawton Area, Inc. PO Box 2074 Lawton, Okla. 73502.
Sunday, June 15, 2003

Faires, Rebecca Lynn
1985-2003
Funeral for Rebecca Lynn Faires, 18, of Decatur will be Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Decatur. Dr. Thomas O. Brumett will officiate. Visitation will be Monday, Dec. 22, at 6 p.m. at the family residence, 322 Wildwood Drive in Decatur.
Faires died Thursday, Dec. 18, 2003, in Kilgore.
Born March 16, 1985, at March Air Force Base in Riverside, Calif., to Dan and Georgia Faires, she was a student at the University of North Texas. She was a 2001 graduate of Decatur High School and a National Honor Society Distinguished graduate. She was a member of Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, a recipient of the Gold Award of Girl Scouts, an avid rock climber and a member of the Emmaus Community and Wesley Foundation at UNT.
She is survived by her parents; two brothers, Jacob Daniel and Vincent Michael Faires, both of Decatur; grandparents, Archie B. and Doris Faires of Decatur, M. Susan Hughes of Maryland and William H. Hughes of California and a great-grandmother, Asha McMillan of North Carolina.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Rebecca Faires Scholarship Fund, in care of the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 302, Decatur, Texas 76234.
Published Sunday, December 21, 2003

Farmer, Jettie Faye Seachrist
1917-2003
Graveside service for Jettie Faye Seachrist Farmer, 86, of Paradise will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 25 at Liberty Cemetery in Morgan Mills. Rick Hull will officiate.
Farmer died Thursday, Aug. 21, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born July 22, 1917, in Erath County to Jesse and Estella (Irwin) Seachrist, she was a retired waitress and a Baptist.
She was preceded in death by two sons, David Adams and Jack Farmer; a grandson, Bradley Wayne Hull; a sister, Nona Rivers Ford and a brother, Estes Wagner Seachrist.
She is survived by a daughter, Jane Hull and husband, Buddy, of Paradise; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Johnny Adams, Jimmy Adams, Mike Adams, David Hull, Rick Hull and Jeff Seachrist.
Sunday, August 24, 2003

Farrell, Hope Marie
1998-2003
Service for Hope Marie Farrell, 5, of Alvord was to be Saturday, March 22, at 2 p.m. at Central Fellowship Church in Decatur. The Rev. Larry Calvin was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Alvord Cemetery.
Farrell died Thursday, March 13, 2003, near Rhome.
She was born Jan. 22, 1998, in Fort Worth.
She is survived by her parents, Rory and Christine Farrell of Alvord; a brother, Hayden Farrell of Alvord; grandparents, William and Sharon Cothron of Alvord, Bill and Gloria Caroselli of Colleyville and Mike and Hellen Farrell of Brooklyn, N.Y.; great-grandparents, Tom and Dot Roberts of Fort Worth, Ruth Menten of Jacksonville, Fla. and William and Grace Cothron of St. Augustine, Fla. and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Pallbearers were to be Mike Farrell, Paul Patton, Chris Carolselli, Joshua Hamilton, Darren Hamilton and Arlie Austin.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Hope Farrell fund at Legend Bank, P.O. Box 66, Alvord, Texas, 76225.
Sunday, March 23, 2003

Faulkner, Ruth T.
1915-2003
Funeral for Ruth T. Faulkner, 88, of Bridgeport will be Tuesday, May 27 at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Decatur. The Rev. Jack Gatewood will officiate. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Cemetery. Family will receive visitors Monday, May 26 at Coker Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m.
Faulkner died Thursday, May 22, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born May 2, 1915, in Meridian, Miss., to John Howard and Roxie (Cheatham) Kirk, she married Bernard T. (B.T.) Faulkner on Dec. 25 1933. She worked for seven years for the Hospital of America in Jedda, Saudi Arabia and most recently was a member of the First Baptist Church of Decatur where she sang in the choir.
She was preceded in death by her husband and her son Michael Faulkner.
She is survived by two sons, Kirk Faulkner and wife, Dolores of Plano and Ben Faulkner and wife Dona of Fort Worth; two daughters, Pamela Roy and husband Tracy of Albuquerque, N.M. and Phyllis Boyer and husband Chris of Tucson, Ariz.; two brothers, James Kirk and wife Faye of Vista, Calif. and David Kirk of Peoria, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Home Hospice of North Texas, 2201 South Farm Road 51, Suite 500, Decatur, TX 76234; the Alzheimer’s Association of North Central Texas, 1400 West 5th Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102; or charity of choice.
Sunday, May 25, 2003

Fekete, Zsigmond ‘Ziggy’
1937-2003
A memorial service for Zsigmond (Ziggy) Fekete, 66, of Boyd was to be held at V.F.W. Post 2137 located at 11875 Farm Road 730 in Azle at noon on Saturday, Nov. 22.
Fekete died Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003, in Decatur.
He was born Oct. 29, 1937, in Debrecen, Hungary. Fekete married Eileen Stevenson on Feb. 17, 1981, in Fort Worth. He was an Army veteran, a retired electronics technician and a member of VFW Post 2137.
He is survived by his wife, a daughter, Julianna Alexis Fekete and grandchild Corgan Lucas.

Fennell, John, Jr.
1924-2003
Funeral for John Fennell Jr., 79, of Alvord was Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. The Rev. Charles Taylor officiated. Burial was at Sweetwater Cemetery in Wise County.
Born Feb. 7, 1924, in Wise County to John H. and Minnie Fennell, he died Nov. 28, 2003, in Alvord.
He married Callie Walker in 1958 in Decatur. He was a farmer.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, four sisters and three grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife; sons Benny John Fennell and wife Tammy, Carl Fennell and wife Brenda, Joe Fennell and John Henry Fennell, all of Decatur; daughters, Linda Hill and husband, Walter, of Trenton, Kay Pryor and husband, Tyler, of Sulpher, Okla., and Karen Bennett and Robin Fennell, both of Decatur; a brother, David Fennell, and a sister, Noma Cross, both of Decatur; 23 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Bill Fennell, Johnny Hale, Dan Wright, Mike Bartosiak, Glenn Cage and Stephen Whatley, alternate R.D. Throckmorton and honorary pallbearer Elton McCurdy.
Memorials may be made to Compass Hospice, 2802 FM 51 South, Decatur, Texas 76234.
Published Thursday, December 4, 2003

Ferguson, Blanche Scott
1904-2003
Service for Blanche Scott Ferguson, 98, of Decatur was Thursday, April 3, at the First United Methodist Church of Decatur. The Rev. Thomas O. Brumett officiated. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Ferguson died Tuesday, April 1, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Aug. 8, 1904, in Rhome, Ferguson was a member of First United Methodist Church in Decatur.
She married Herbert N. Ferguson Nov. 15, 1929, in Decatur. He preceded her in death in 1966. Also preceding her in death were her brothers O.V. Scott and Paul B. Scott; sisters Ruth Scott Finlayson and Naomi Scott Harding.
She is survived by daughter Ann Ferguson Williams and husband Harry of Slidell; sister, Madge Terrell of Decatur; two grandchildren, Mack Williams and wife Joye of Sanger and Herb Williams and wife Susan of Slidell and 5 great-grandchildren, Jake, Bert and Amanda Williams, Lara Williams and Chris Wesley.
Pallbearers were Jake Williams, Bert Williams, Scott Deakins, Scott Kittrell, John Scott, Bill Finlayson, Jim Estill, Mack Williams and Herb Williams.
Sunday, April 6, 2003

Fielder, Glenn Franklin
1916-2003
Funeral for Glenn Franklin Fielder, 86, of Decatur was Aug. 19 at the Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park in Fort Worth.
Fielder died Friday, Aug. 15, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Oct. 18, 1916, in Abilene to John and Jennie Fielder, he married Laura LaVonne Lawrence Dec. 20, 1940, in Spencer, Ind. He was a retired dairy owner, farmer and carpenter. He was in the U.S. Army’s 7th Calvary at Fort Bliss from 1936 to 1939. He later joined the 21st regiment of the U.S. Navy during World War II. Glenn was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church. He was a Sunday school superintendent and taught Sunday school in churches in Southlake, Missouri and Slocum. Glenn worked for J.B. Daniels Cabinet Shop in Grapevine for 27 years.
He was preceded in death by his son, Michael Fielder; two sisters and one brother.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Laura LaVonne Fielder; a son, John Curtis Fielder of Bedias; two daughters, Inez Huckabee and husband, Danny, of Colleyville and Marion Compton and husband, Eugene, of Southlake; daughter-in-law, Kay Fielder of Irving; five grandsons; two granddaughters and six great-granddaughters.
Thursday, August 21, 2003

Fields, Rosalee (Roda)
1907-2003
Funeral for Rosalee (Roda) Fields, 95, of Chico was Monday, Oct. 27, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Lyndall Womack officiated. Burial followed at Chico Cemetery.
Fields died Friday, Oct. 24, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born Dec. 17, 1907, in Jack County, she married Jerry Fields on Aug. 17, 1934, in Lawton, Okla. She was a homemaker and a member of the Smithfield Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1992, a sister, Jettie Sanders, and three brothers, Ode, Bud and Cotton Sparks.
She is survived by a daughter, Ray Ellen Phillips; two grandchildren, Cindy Bell and Richard Kittrell; five grandchildren, Christopher and Ryan Anne Bell, Catherine and Nicole Poslusny and Anne Marie Kittrell and three sisters, Opal Conner, Lotella Deaton and Billie Jo Holloway.
Pallbearers were J.C. Harston, Marvin Read, Eddie Hollowell, Thurman Sparks, David Sparks and Danny Ray Sanders. Honorary pallbearers were Gary Hollowell, Bobby Deaton, Johnny Wayne Deaton, Ronnie Sparks and Leroy Sparks.

Flinn, Thomas J., Jr.
19112-2003
Funeral for Thomas J. Flinn Jr., 90, of Decatur was Monday, Dec. 15, at the First Baptist Church of Bellevue. Robert Slayton officiated. Burial followed at Bellevue Cemetery.
Flinn died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, in Sheveport, La.
Born Dec. 25, 1912, in Bellevue to Thomas and Clara Finn, he married Ardena Malone in 1941. He attended Bellevue schools and Texas A&M University and was a field service manager for the Veterans Administration.
He was preceded in death by his wife in 1999 and a son-in-law, Philip Goode II.
He is survived by two daughters, Alice Brannon and husband, Wayne, of Decatur and Janice Goode of Shreveport; four grandchildren, Amy Anderson, Andrea Gross, Kathryn Goode and James Philip Goode III; and three great-grandchildren, Ethan, Josiah and Susannah Anderson.
Published Thursday, December 18, 2003

Forman, Anna LaVerne
1925-2003
Memorial service for Anna LaVerne Forman, 78, of Decatur was Sunday, Aug. 31, 2003, at the First Baptist Church of Decatur. The Revs. Jack Gatewood, Ken May and James Rutledge officiated. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Forman died Friday, Aug. 29, 2003, in Dallas.
Born June 12, 1925, in Decatur to A.D. “Pete” and Mary Etta O’Neal, she retired from the Wise County Clerk’s Office in 1990 after 45 years of service. She began her career for the county in 1946 in the county clerk’s office until 1969 when she was elected county clerk. She held that office until she retired. She was also a member of the First Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Jerry O’Neal.
She is survived by her husband, Joe Forman, of Decatur; a daughter, LaDonna Wren and husband, Stephen, of Decatur; a son Jody Forman and wife, Rhonda, of Corinth; five grandchildren, Jason Wren and wife, Jennifer, Landon Wren, Courtney Wren, Matthew Forman and wife, Becky, and Jeremy Foreman and a great-grandson, Samuel Monroe Wren.
The family requests memorials be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 1200 Preskitt Road, Decatur, Texas 76234.

Forsythe, Lois ‘Mammy’
1921-2003
A private family service will be held at a later date for Lois Forsythe, 82, of Lake Bridgeport.
Born to James and Tolly (Stephenson) Suratt on May 10, 1921, in Fort Worth, she died May 11, 2003, at her home.
She retired as a sales clerk for Striplings.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil, on Feb. 18, 2000, and a son, Milton.
She is survived by her daughter, Christine Puckett and husband Shannon; her son, Don Forsythe and wife Karen; seven grandchildren, Susie, Shirley, Connie, Brandi, Jennifer, Lindsey and Cameron; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Weldon Suratt; sisters, Frances Albritton and Mary Davidson and daughter-in-law, Marty Forsythe.
Thursday, May 15, 2003

Foster, Alma Jeanette McDaniel
1943-2003
Memorial service for Alma Jeanette McDaniel Foster, 60, of Decatur will be Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 1 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Jay Bruner will officiate.
Foster died Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2003, in Decatur.
Born March 20, 1943, in Decatur to J.E. and Emma Lou McDaniel, she was a real estate appraiser. She enjoyed needlework, sewing and loved antiques. She lived many years in the Fort Worth area and, after becoming ill in 2002, moved back to Decatur to be near family.
She is survived by a son, Wayne Morris and his wife Holly of The Colony; one daughter, Jeanette Edwards and her husband Ronnie of Dennis; a brother, Larry Wayne McDaniel and his wife Sue of Round Rock; five grandchildren, Brendon, Allie and Tanner Morris and Angel and Blake Goddard and three nephews, Wayne, Scot and Robert McDaniel.

Foster, Alvin
1943-2003
Graveside service for Alvin Foster, 60, of Canyon was Aug. 14 at Dreamland Cemetery in Canyon. The Rev. Glen Stocker officiated.
Foster died Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003, in Amarillo.
Born June 28, 1943, in Canyon, he was a past member of the Radio Emergency Associated Communication Teams.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Durena Mattlock and a sister, Barbara Watson.
He is survived by his fiancee, Kelly Hudson of Canyon; mother, Annie Gipson of Canyon; father and stepmother Buddy and Sharon Foster of Canyon; three daughters, Tonya Foster of Decatur, Alva Lee Upchurch and Cindy Faulk, both of Andrews; two sons, Alvin Lee Foster, Jr. and Sammie Lee Foster, both of Andrews; a sister, Linda Foster of Amarillo; a brother, Larry Foster of Canyon and 10 grandchildren.
The family requests that memorials be made to Dreamland Cemetery, P.O. Box 38, Canyon, Texas 79015.
Sunday, August 17, 2003

Fraga, Celia
1971-2003
Funeral for Celia Fraga, 32, of Bridgeport was Monday at St. John’s Catholic Church in Bridgeport. Father Gilbert A. Pansza officiated. Burial followed at Cemeterio Mexicano in Bridgeport.
Fraga died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born Oct. 5, 1971, in Zaragoza, Mexico, to Alberto and Juanita Fraga, she married Efren Monge on April 17, 1999, in Bridgeport. She was a homemaker and Catholic.
She is survived by her husband; a daughter, Crystal DeSantiago; a son, Luis Eduardo DeSantiago; parents, of Bridgeport; grandmother, Adelina M. Fraga of San Antonio; five sisters, Maria Adelita Mendoza of Carrizo Springs, Yesenia Davila of Decatur, Marta Alicia Rangel, Leticia Fraga and Aracely Fraga, all of Bridgeport; four brothers, Porfirio Fraga of Prosper, Juan Jose Fraga of Van Alstyne, and Jesus Fraga and Saul Fraga, both of Bridgeport.
Pallbearers were Efren Monge, Alberto Fraga, Porfirio Fraga, Juan Jose Fraga, Jesus Fraga and Saul Fraga.
Published Thursday, December 18, 2003

Frazee, Juanita Mae Blodgett Knott
1922-2003
Memorial service for Juanita Mae Blodgett Knott Frazee, 81, of St. Jo was Tuesday, July 8 at the First Christian Church of the Disciples in Baton Rouge, La. The Rev. Bill Mackie officiated. Burial followed at Evergreen Memorial Park in Denham Springs, La. She was the mother of Carol Dowdy of Decatur.
Frazee died Friday, July 4, 2003, in Baton Rouge.
Frazee was a member of the First Christian Church of the Disciples of Baton Rouge and a member of AARP Widowed Persons Services.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, John J. Knott and her second husband, Stanton Frazee.
She is survived by three daughters, Carol Dowdy and husband, Keith, of Decatur, Susan Odell and husband, Gary, of Watson, La., and Marianne Frazee Snipes and husband, Les, of Baton Rouge; one brother, J.D. Blodgett and wife, Jenny, of Duncan, Okla.; five grandchildren, Mike Cox and wife, Anna, of Decatur, Katie Koger and husband, Nathan, of Rhome, Zack Snipes of Baton Rouge, Jon Odell and Jason Odell and wife Christi, all of Watson; six great-grandchildren, Trein Christian Cox of Decatur, Kaitlynne Koger of Rhome, Samantha Odell, Jon Tyler Odell and Elizabeth Odell, all of Metairie, and Blair McKenzie Odell of Watson.
Thursday, July 10, 2003

Frost, Hoberta Katherine Shelby
1901-2003
Funeral for Hoberta Katherine Shelby Frost, 101, of Bridgeport was Tuesday, May 27 at the First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport. Burial followed at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Frost died Friday, May 23, 2003, in Burnet.
Born Sept. 11, 1901, in Hobart, Oklahoma to James and Tina Shelby, she married Earl E. “Jack” Frost on Dec. 20, 1923 in Oklahoma. She was a longtime resident of Bridgeport, a homemaker and active in civic organizations. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she was director of the youth choir for some time. She served as Worthy Matron of Eastern Star and as Deputy Grand Matron of Eastern Star for the state of Texas in 1934. She was named “Lady of the Year” in Bridgeport in 1988.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1979.
She is survived by a daughter, Jackie McClung and her husband Bill; four grandchildren, Debbie McClung, Judy Tepper and her husband John, Mike McClung and his wife Kim, Michelle Fairleigh and her husband Thom; eight great-grandchildren, Mike, Trey, Jennifer, Melanie, Amy, Kristina, Shelby and Dean; and a sister, Valeta Jamison.
Thursday, May 29, 2003

Fugate, Paul Reuel
1920-2003
Funeral for Paul Reuel Fugate, 83, of Houston was Sunday, Dec. 7, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Houston. Burial followed at Woodlawn Garden of Memories.
Fugate died Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003, in Houston.
Born Sept. 28, 1920, near Decatur, he was a Pearl Harbor survivor who spent several days rescuing victims of the Japanese bombing from wrecked ships. In his civilian life, he worked in sales positions, mostly in the automotive business.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Esther Fugate; three daughters, Dorothy Wright, Mary Jane Jones and Brenda Jones; two sons, John and Robert Fugate; a sister, Margaret Norton; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Published Sunday, December 14, 2003

Gage, Victor Ray
1920-2003
Funeral service for Victor Ray Gage, 82, of Denton was Tuesday, Jan. 7 at First Baptist Church of Denton. The Rev. Cliff Feeler officiated. Burial was at Roselawn Memorial Park.
Gage died Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003, at Denton Regional Medical Center.
Born March 27, 1920, in Sycamore to James Elmer and Sophia Pauline Harder Gage, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He married Betty Lee Wilder Jan. 11, 1947, in Emporia, Kan., and was the owner and operator of a Shell service station.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Gage of Denton; two daughters, Vicki Laws and Cathy Nelson, both of Denton; two brothers, Roger Gage and Bill Gage, both of Decatur and two grandchildren, Scott Nelson and Shelley Nelson, both of Lubbock.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 9, 2003

Gardner, Leon Winston
1941-2003
Funeral for Leon Winston Gardner, 62, of Decatur will be Friday, Dec. 5, at 3 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church in Decatur. The Rev. C.D. Lockhart will officiate and will be assisted by Rev. B.J. Thomas. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery. A wake will be held Thursday, Dec. 4, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home in Decatur.
Gardner died Monday, Dec. 1, 2003, in Decatur.
Born April 14, 1941, in Decatur to Oscar and Thressa Gardner, he was a retired assembler for Tetra-Pak in Denton. He was a 1960 graduate of Fred Moore High School in Denton.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Oscar Gardner Jr., and a sister, Elizabeth Sperland.
He is survived by two sons, Leon Gardner Jr. and Robert Paul Gardner, both of Amarillo; three daughters, Mary Ann Gardner and Erma Sue Evins, both of Amarillo and Lytricia Gardner of St. Petersburg, Fla.; one brother, Charles Thomas Gardner of Albany, Ga.; two sisters, Laura Frances Walker of Decatur and Johnnie Marie McGruder of Kansas City, Mo., and five grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Leon Gardner Jr., Robert Paul Gardner, Eric Ross, Jonathan Ross, Brian Sperland and Adrian Sperland. Honorary pallbearer will be Joe Lynn Driver.
Published Thursday, December 4, 2003

Gardner, Rayford Paul
1925-2003
Funeral for Rayford Paul Gardner, 78, of Bridgeport will be Sunday, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. Craig Rowland will officiate. Burial will follow at Gibtown Cemetery. Visitation was to be Saturday, Oct. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Home.
Gardner died Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003, in Decatur.
Born March 29, 1925, in Swenson, to Paul and Nancy Hahn Gardner, he was a retired barber who had lived in the Lake Bridgeport community the past 20 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving in World War II, a Purple Heart recipient, a member of the Masonic Lodge, former Lake Bridgeport City Council member, a member of the Lake Bridgeport Baptist Church and former school board member of Perrin ISD. He married Millie Schlaepfer on May 25, 1946, in Aspermont.
He is preceded in death by two brothers, Henry and Jim Gardner and a sister, Chris Criswell.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Ray Paul Gardner Jr. and wife Linda and Joe Henry Gardner and wife Ann; a daughter, Sally Jones and husband James; a sister, Doris Collom; 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be David Pewitt, Pat Counts, Sylvester Vanderlee, Brian Holley, Brad Holley and James Ward.

Garrett, Darrell
1941-2003
Graveside service for Darrell Garrett, 61, of Forestburg was June 10, 2003 at the Montague Cemetery in Montague. Tommy Day officiated.
Garrett died Sunday, June 8, 2003, in Forestburg.
He was born on Aug. 30, 1941, in Stanton and married Glenda Childress on Aug. 20, 1971, in Midland. Garrett was a self-employed drywall finisher.
He is survived by his wife, Glenda; two sons, Jason Garrett of Nocona and Ronnie Garrett of Fort Worth; three daughters, Donna Aud of Forestburg, Stephanie Vann of Montague and Tessa McNeil of White Settlement; one brother, Larry Garrett of Palo Pinto; two sisters, Jeannie Pinkerton of Stanton and Shirley Parnell of Big Springs; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Thursday, June 12, 2003

Gayler, Robert E.
1907-2003
Service for Robert E. Gayler, 95, of Alvord will be Monday, Jan. 20 at 11 a.m. at Forestburg Baptist Church. Kris Barnett will officiate. Burial will follow at Perryman Cemetery in Montague County.
Visitation will be from 5 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19 at Coker Funeral Home in Decatur.
Gayler died Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003, in Denton.
Born Sept. 6, 1907, in Lehigh, Okla., he was a retired Union representative with Ford Motor Co. for 38 years. He married Elvena Harrison on Oct. 16, 1927, in Lawton, Okla. He was also a member of the Forestburg Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Jerry Gayler and wife Annette of Alvord; two daughters, Bobbie Johnson and husband Bill of Nueva, Calif. and Anjie Hatfield and husband Bill of Garland; 11 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Starr Gayler, Preston Hartfield, Bradley Hartfield, Trevor Hartfield, Mickey Kelton and Brian Kelton.
Wise County Messenger, January 19, 2003

George, Gladys Faye Lynch
1916-2003
Service for Gladys Faye Lynch George, 86, of Alvord was June 5 at the Alvord Church of Christ. Roy Deavers and Ed Cate officiated. Burial followed at Alvord Cemetery.
George died Tuesday, June 3, 2003, in Decatur.
George was born Oct. 7, 1916, in Decatur to Robert S. and George Nell Lynch. She graduated from Alvord High School in 1935 and married Cecil George on July 4, 1937. George received her B.S. degree in 1939 and her M.S. degree in 1946 from what is now the University of North Texas in Denton. She was an honor student and a member of Delta Psi Kappa, an honor sorority.
George worked at the Naval Air Station in Norfolk, Va., during World War II for two and a half years. When the war was over, she began teaching school again in the Texas Panhandle and retired after 40 years as a school teacher.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil George; her daughter, Judith Ann Wright; four brothers, Glen, Billy, Jack and Bob; a sister, Esther Minter and a son-in-law, Luther Wright.
She is survived by her sister, Lois Touchstone; three grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Billy Lynch, Robert Burrow, Tommy Lynch, Kelly Lynch, Gordy Lynch and Max Holloway.
Sunday, June 8, 2003

Geron, Joseph ‘Joey’ Wayne
1969-2003
Memorial service for Joseph “Joey” Wayne Geron, 34, of Decatur will be 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 11 at River of Life Church in Decatur. The Rev. Greg Mohr will officiate.
Geron died Thursday, Aug. 7, 2003, in Wise County.
He was born June 17, 1969, in Fort Worth to George and Diana Geron. He married Angie Brooks on Aug. 10, 2002, in Decatur. He was a self-employed plumber and a member of the River of Life Church in Decatur.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Nell Geron.
He is survived by his wife, Angie; sons, Christopher Jordan Geron and Joseph Wayne Geron Jr.; step-sons, Gary Lynn Coleman III and Wesley Andrew Coleman; step-daughter, Lorna McHone and husband, Sean; parents, George and Diana Geron; brother, Timothy Geron, and grandparents, Charles E. Geron Sr. and wife, Edna Dorothy Claunch.
Sunday, August 10, 2003

Gibson, Bessie
1908-2003
Funeral for Bessie Gibson, 95, of Bridgeport was Friday, Nov. 7, at the First United Methodist Church of Decatur. Dr. Thomas O. Brumett officiated. Burial followed at Thomas Cemetery.
Gibson died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born May 25, 1908, in Thorpe to John and Nettie (McDaniel) Humphrey, she married John W. Gibson on Sept. 19, 1936, in Austin. She was a retired school teacher and employee of Safeco Insurance Company. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Decatur and a member of the Thomas Home Demonstration Club.
She was preceded in death by her husband on May 11, 1991, her daughter, Billie Marie Jones, and a brother, Dan Humphrey.
She is survived by two granddaughters, Jan Ogden and husband, Jay, of Lindale and Beverly Young and husband, Terry, of Bridgeport; six great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren and a brother, Jack Humphrey.
Pallbearers were Ray Brannan, Lynn Young, Wayne Stone, Robert Ogden, Gary Green and Grady Cowling.

Girard, James Randy ‘Ason’
1971-2003
Memorial service for James Randy “Ason” Girard, 32, of Bowie was Monday, March 24, at Fry Funeral Home Chapel in Bowie. Danny Laws officiated.
Girard died March 20, 2003, in New Boston, and was the stepson of Carl Finney who formerly worked at Karl Klement Chrysler in Decatur.
Born Jan. 5, 1971, in Hileah, Fla., Girard was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and the American Poets Society. He was an author and inventor, artist, musician and gourmet cook. He married Jaqueline Nicole Bonneau Feb. 28, 2003, in Dallas.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Adolfo Arellano, Celia Arellano, Stella Girard and Rene J. Girard.
He is survived by his father Jim Girard and wife Beverly of Hillsboro; mother Sally Finney and husband Carl of Bowie; two brothers, Darryl Dwayne Girard of Trophy Club and Rene Evan Girard of Bowie; step-grandparents, P.N. and Pearline Finney; and numerous step-brothers, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Gooch, James M.
1930-2003
A memorial service for James M. Gooch, 72, of Decatur will be held at a later date. Gooch desired to be cremated.
He died Thursday, June 12, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Oct. 15, 1930, in Dallas, he married Florence Wright on December 27, 1966, in Dallas. He was a graduate of Mineral Wells High School and Texas Christian University. He was a retired director of product assurance for Bell Helicopter and a Mason.
He is survived by his wife Florence Gooch of Decatur; two sons, Robert James Mock of Mesquite and James Martin Gooch of Wales, U.K.; four daughters, Kathryn Bentley of Decatur, Deborah K. Gooch of Arizona, Sheri Kruse of Colorado and Karen Fiscus of Keller; 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Sunday, June 15, 2003

Greanead, Juanita
1926-2003
Funeral for Juanita Greanead, 77, of Forestburg was Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2003, at the First Baptist Church in Forestburg. The Rev. Gary Sessions officiated. Burial was at Freeman Cemetery in New Harp.
Greanead died Friday, Nov. 28, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born July 29, 1926, in Marlow, Okla., to A.V. and Lee Etta Freeman, she married R.C. Greanead in Gainesville. She was a homemaker and a member of the Mount Zion Church in Cleburne.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by two sons, Ran Greanead of Bridgeport and Gary Greanead of Burleson; daughter, Barbara Payne of Mineral Springs, Ark.; sister, Cornelia Holzbog of Denison; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Jerry Gayler, Richard Holley, Gordy Lynch, Charles Hudspeth, Tommy Griffin, Troy Griffin and Bill Hatfield.
Published Thursday, December 4, 2003

Green, Cecil E.
1919-2003
A local service for Cecil E. Green, 84, a retired Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, of Round Top was Oct. 21 at Pleasant View Baptist Church. Rev. Gary Demmitt and Rev. Joe Motsenbocker officiated. Burial was at Thomas Cemetery in Bridgeport.
He was born Feb. 22, 1919, in Bridgeport to Marion Robert and Fannie (Jenkins) Green. He married La June Lee on July 10, 1942, in Hidalgo County. He was an elder at Round Top Christian Church. He died Oct. 17, 2003, at his residence in Round Top.
He was preceded in death by his wife, a grandchild, two sisters and three brothers.
He is survived by a son, Edward Lee Green of Bridgeport; two daughters, Betty L. Ello of Walhalla, Texas, and Sherry L. Peck of Round Top; six grandchildren, 8 great-grandchilren; two great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert L. Green and a sister, Lorene Senters, both of Bridgeport.
Memorials are suggested to the Round Top Christian Fellowship Church, Brazos Valley Hospice or a military or veterans organization.

Green, M. W. ‘Shorty’
1916-2003
Service for M. W. “Shorty” Green, 86, of Bridgeport was Friday, Feb. 14, at Pleasant View Baptist Church. The Rev. Gary Dimmitt officiated and was assisted by the Rev. O. R. Looper.
Green died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born Oct. 19, 1916, in Bridgeport to Robert and Fannie (Jenkins) Green, he was a lifetime resident of the community. He married Lorene Cunnius on Nov. 22, 1938, in Bridgeport. He was a retired farmer, member of the Pleasant View Baptist Church and a deacon for more than 50 years. He had been an antique dealer since 1957.
He was preceded in death by two brothers and a sister.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lorene Cunnius Green; one son, R. W. Green; one daughter, Joy Palmer and husband George; one sister, Lorene Senters; two brothers, Robert “Bo” Green and Cecil Green; five granddaughters and seven great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Cameron Riggs, John Riggs, Ryan Riggs, Jaton Williams, Jesse Williams, Brighton Grisel and Rageley Grisel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Green to Pleasant View Baptist Church, building fund, 886 County Road 1326, Bridgeport, Texas, 76426 or Compass Hospice, 2802 FM 51 South, Building 2-Suite B, Decatur, Texas, 76234.
Wise County Messenger, February 16, 2003

Gregg, Helen Bailey
1931-2003
Service for Helen Bailey Gregg, 71, of Runaway Bay will be Sunday, March 23, at 2 p.m. in the Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Gregg died Monday, March 17, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born Aug. 24, 1931, in Bridgeport, Gregg was married to Jack D. Gregg of Bridgeport on July 2, 1948. She lived in Dallas for more than 50 years, returning recently to live in Runaway Bay.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Jack D. Gregg of Runaway Bay; two sons, Grady Gregg and wife Suzie of Aledo and Jeff Gregg of Nashville, Tenn.; brother, Cecil Bailey of Mesquite; sister, Erma Jean Ehle of Modesto, Calif.; five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Rob Ehle, David Barr, Tom Stuart, Michael Thomas, Trent Thomas and Joe Burnett.
Sunday, March 23, 2003

Grissom, Kenneth James ‘Jelly’
1921-2003
Graveside service for Kenneth James “Jelly” Grissom, 81, of Fort Worth was Tuesday, June 17 at Alvord Cemetery.
Grissom died Saturday, June 14, 2003, in Fort Worth.
He was born July 15, 1921, in Alvord. Grissom was a Mason, a member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union and a World War II veteran.
He is survived by his sister, Neva Nell Harris of Dallas, two nephews, two nieces and several cousins.
Thursday, June 19, 2003

Grubbs, Tommy Chester, Jr.
1944-2003
A private family service will be held for Tommy Chester Grubbs Jr., 58, of Rhome.
Grubbs died Wednesday, April 16, 2003, in Rhome.
Born Sept. 13, 1944, in Geneva, Neb., to Tommy Sr. and Leota (Templin) Grubbs, he was a self-employed plumber. He married Reva Cassle on Nov. 2, 1990, in Dallas County.
He is survived by his wife; his mother, Leota Grubbs; a son, Tommy Wayne Grubbs; a daughter, Christi Hendrixson; three step-daughters, Robbie Hummer, Ranee Schwandt and Reggie Van Orsow; three brothers; four sisters; 13 grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Sunday, April 20, 2003

Grubbs, William T. ‘Bill’
1925-2003
Graveside service for William T. “Bill” Grubbs, 78, of Decatur will be Monday, May 19, at 10 a.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery. Dr. Thomas O. Brumett will officiate.
Grubbs died Friday, May 16, 2003, in Decatur.
Born March 9, 1925, in Oklahoma City, Okla., to Ben F. and Christine Grubbs, he was a retired paper carrier for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He graduated from Decatur Baptist College and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Decatur.
Sunday, May 18, 2003

Guess, Lance
1970-2003
Memorial service for Lance Guess, 32 of Grapevine was Monday, April 14, at Richland Hills Church of Christ.
Born May 31, 1970, he died Thursday, April 10, 2003.
He is survived by his wife, Michele Guess; daughter, Aundrea Guess; step-daughters, Cortney King and Melissa King, all of Grapevine; mother Ann Hall and husband Perry of Decatur; father, Gayle Guess; sister Lisa Guess of Decatur; brother Glenn Guess and wife Michelle of Decatur; and brother Grant Guess.
Thursday, April 17, 2003

Gunter, Tommie Lee
1935-2003
Service for Tommie Lee Gunter, 68, of Jacksboro was to be Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church in Jacksboro. Buddy Ward and Bill Cleveland were to officiate. Burial was to follow at Lost Creek Cemetery in Jack County.
Gunter died Monday, Dec. 15, 2003, in Jacksboro.
Born March 17, 1935, in Brad to Winifred and Leo Mitchell Couger, she was a homemaker and a member of Grace Baptist Church in Jacksboro.
She was preceded in death by stepson Blaine Gunter and two husbands, T. Meredith Couger and Benjamin Gunter.
She is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth Johnson of Forestburg and Cass Greanead-Nichols of Fairfield; a son, Jay Houston of Alvord; stepsons, Todd Gunter of Schuylerville, N.Y., and Brandon Gunter of Jacksboro; mother-in-law, Alene Gunter; two brothers, Guy Couger of Breckenridge and Mack Couger of Gordon; 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were to be Garret Johnson, Lance Johnson, Buddy Couger, Greg Couger, Brian Couger and Bo Couger.
Published Thursday, December 18, 2003