Wise County Messenger Obituaries
2007
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.)

Abel, Alan Wade
1962-2007
Alan Wade Abel, 45, of North Richland Hills died Saturday, Aug. 25, after an extended illness.
Born Jan. 15, 1962, to Laddy Frank and Nancy Jean (Price) Abel, he was raised in Boyd and was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys.
Abel is survived by his wife of 19 years, Sheri (Phillips) Abel; three children, Anthony Holman, Alana Abel and Shane Abel; father, Laddy, and step-mother, Ada Rose Abel; four sisters, Brenda Calicott, Cheryl Cornstubble, Annette Abel and Lesa Cantrell; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Published Thursday, August 30, 2007

Adams, Gerald Wesley
1935-2007
Funeral for Gerald Wesley Adams, 71, of Rhome was March 6 at Jones Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport. He was cremated.
Adams died Sunday, March 4, 2007, in Bridgeport.
Born March 19, 1935, he was a retired driver for Coca-Cola where he worked for 21 years. He was a member of the Million Mile Club of the National Safety Council and was a member of the Church of Christ. He was a Dallas Cowboys fan. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany.
He is survived by his wife, Wanda Adams; a son, Rod Adams; a brother, Hubert Adams of McCamey; a sister, Maxine Dollar of Brookshire; and a grandchild, Ashley Adams.
Published Thursday, March 15, 2007

Adams, Rosa Virginia
1918-2007
Funeral for Rosa Virginia Adams, 88, of Decatur will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur with Dan Adams and David Isbell officiating. Burial will be at Sweetwater Cemetery.
Adams died Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007, in Denton.
Born Sept. 25, 1918, to Wiley Caraway and Ola Bigham, she worked in retail sales. She married William Rosco “Bud” Adams on Dec. 25, 1935, in Krum. She was a member of Eagle Drive Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1989 and five sisters and six brothers.
She is survived by two sons, Bill Adams of Decatur and Jerry Adams of Killeen; two sisters, Helen Spanglo of Decatur and Ruby Starns of Fort Worth; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Published Sunday, January 21, 2007

Alexander, Ned Stephens
1909-2007

Funeral for Ned Stephens Alexander, 97, of Chico was to be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 7, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport with the Rev. Richard Thurston officiating.
Graveside service was to follow at 2 p.m. at Grapevine Cemetery in Grapevine with military honors conducted by the Fort Hood Honor Guard.
Alexander died Sunday, March 4, 2007, in Chico.
Born July 26, 1909, in Denton County to J.D. and Clementine Hurley Alexander, he worked on the farm his entire life. He was a U.S. Army veteran who served from 1942 to 1945. He was a member of the Second Advent Christian Church.
He was preceded in death by seven sisters and two brothers.
He is survived by a sister, Clemey Brewer of Chico; a brother, Milton Alexander and wife, Virginia, of Duncanville; and 17 nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were to be Tye Foster, Raymond Farrell, Jerry Huff, Franklins Johnston, Gene Morris and Clarence Wallace.
Published Thursday, March 8, 2007

Alexander, Ruby
1909-2007

Funeral for Ruby Alexander, 98, of Bridgeport, was to be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. Interment will be at Cumby Cemetery. Danny Russell and Gerald Cleveland will officiate.
Pallbearers were Dempsey Alexander, Bedford Buckner, Eddie Huckabee, Lester Page, Jimmy Wright, Larry Goswick, Jerry Thompson and Bill O’Neal.
Alexander died Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in Bridgeport.
Born Nov. 17, 1909, near Crafton to Bud and Maggie Huckabee, she started school in Park Springs and graduated in 1929. She married Roy Alexander Dec. 20, 1929, in Waurika, Okla. They moved to the Willis Alexander farm west of Park Springs in 1931, where they lived until 1945. In 1946 they bought the Willis Alexander farm southeast of Park Springs. Ruby raised chickens and tended to fruit trees and blackberries on the farm. She moved to Park Meadows Care Center, now Trinity Independent Care Center, on Oct. 1, 1997. She was a member of the Crafton Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband on July 26, 1986; three brothers, Hicks Huckabee, James Huckabee and Edd Hanes Huckabee; and four sisters, Ethel Page, Addie Ashford, Mary Bonham and Willie Wortman.
She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Published Thursday, December 6, 2007

Allcorn, Reba Estalene
1922-2007

Funeral for Reba Estalene Allcorn, 85, was Oct. 12 at Coker-Hawkins Chapel with Rev. Gerre Joiner officiating. Burial was at Aurora Cemetery.
Allcorn died Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Jan. 18, 1922, in Chico to Hiram I. Davidson and Leah Calaham, she married Orville Joe Allcorn on Jan.. 28, 1941, in Wise County. She was a homemaker.
She is survived by three sons, Jimmy Allcorn and wife, Joyce, of Weatherford, Donald Allcorn and wife, Merry, of Missouri and Ronnie Allcorn and wife, Sissy, of Rhome; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Jason Allcorn, Jeremy Allcorn, Bryce Gustafson, Kyler Allcorn, Jim Howell and L.W. “Hoss” Gilbert.
Published Sunday, October 14, 2007

Allen, Bobby E.
1932-2007

Mass of Christian burial for Bobby E. Allen, 75, of Bridgeport will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 29, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Bridgport. Father Gonzalo Morales will officiate. Rosary was to be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Hawkins Funeral Home. Burial will follow at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Allen died Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007, in Decatur.
Born April 13, 1932, in Telephone to William Jess and Willie Juanita Goar Allen, he was a retired mechanic for Mitchell Energy. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and married Ramona Kathryn Staab Jan. 14, 1960, in Kimball, Neb., and moved to the Bridgeport area in 1966. He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church and of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Helen Sanford; and two brothers, Troyce Lee Allen and Carl Ray Allen.
He is survived by his wife; a sister, Linda Kinkade and husband, David, of Bonham; a brother, Rudolph Allen and wife, Wynell, of Bonham; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Tony Sanford, Bruce Sanford, Mike Kinkade, Jeff Kinkade, Justin Sanford and Alan Sanford.
Published Thursday, November 29, 2007

Allen, Sandra Louise
1943-2007
Funeral for Sandra Louise Allen, 63, of Decatur was to be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, at Ascension and St. Mark Episcopal Church with Dewayne Adams officiating. Burial was to be in Sycamore.
Allen died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Dec. 15, 1943, in Kentucky to Charlie and Elizabeth McCall, she was an administrative clerk and a member of Ascension and St. Mark Episcopal Church.
She is survived by a sister, Genie Hopkins of Decatur; a niece, Mickayla Fredricka Hopkins of Decatur; and a nephew, Eugene and Lana Hopkins of Maryland.
Published Thursday, January 11, 2007

Allison, Dewey ‘Red’
1919-2007
Funeral for Dewey “Red” Allison, 87, of Garland and formerly of Paradise was to be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. The Rev. David Moore was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Paradise Cemetery.
Allison died Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007, in Garland.
Born July 24, 1919, in Paradise, he was a retired assistant lake superintendent and water quality inspector. He was a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Army. He was a Baptist deacon at Winters Park Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Thomas Allison; two brothers, Thurman and Gerald Allison; and a son-in-law, Tommy Morris.
He is survived by a son, Tom Allison of Sanger; two daughters, Jan Allison and husband, Sonny, of Dallas and Dianne Morris of Garland; grandchildren, Trevor, Shane, Bryan, Kiri, Zela and Amy; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert Allison; and two sisters, Thelma Ray and Dorothy Rainwater.
Pallbearers were to be Shane, Brian, Phil, David, Rodney and Rick Allison and Trevor Gentzel.
Published Thursday, February 8, 2007

Anderson, John O’Dell
1984-2007
Funeral for John O’Dell Anderson, 23, of Azle was Oct. 25 at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home, with Lowyn Hendrickson speaking. Burial was at Azleland.
Anderson died Friday, Oct. 19, 2007, in Lillian.
Born April 30, 1984, in Houston to John Moore Anderson Jr. and Susan Franklin, he was a driller for Nabors Drilling.
He is survived by his parents, John Moore Anderson Jr. and wife, Joyce, of Bedias, and Susan Franklin and husband, Virgil, of Azle; sister, Jeni Leigh Maneely of Azle; nieces, Kaelyn and Arrie Maneely; grandparents, Juanita Peterson of Riverside, John and Janean Anderson of Bedias, Mary Ann Franklin, Nancy Franklin and Alden and Shirley Cook; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Pallbearers were Greg Tatum, Jonathan Elmore, Byron Elmore, Lowyn Hendrickson, John Turner and Nick Owens.
Published Sunday, October 28, 2007

Anderson, Lloyd Michael, Jr.
2004-2007

Funeral for Lloyd Michael Anderson Jr., 2, of Boyd was to be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Keeter with the Rev. Dale Noska officiating. Burial was to be in Boyd.
Anderson died Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007, in Fort Worth.
Born Nov. 10, 2004, in Decatur, he was the son of Tiffany Anderson of Boyd and Lloyd Anderson of Rhome.
He was preceded in death by an uncle, Robert Anderson; grandfather, Bruce Hays; and a great-grandfather, Dillard Hatley.
He is survived by his parents; grandmothers, Anita Hays of Boyd and Peggy Idell of Rhome; a grandfather, Lloyd Anderson of Rhome; and numerous aunts and uncles.
Pallbearers were to be R.J. Hays, Buddy Hatley, Keith Hulsey, Jason Hays, James Levingston and Michael Harrison. Honorary pallbearers were to be David Hatley and Michael Moore.
Published Sunday, August 12, 2007

Anderson, Mary Ann
1924-2007

Funeral for Mary Ann Anderson, 83, of Alvord will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, at the First Baptist Church of Alvord. Burial will be at the Alvord Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.
Born March 16, 1924, in Alvord to Grover C. Shaunty and Clela Mae “Midge” Leslie, she was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis B. Anderson; a son, Craig Anderson; and a grandson, Chris Branch.
She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Ann Thompson of Alvord; grandsons, Curt Anderson and wife, Christi, and Chad Ward, all of Alvord; three great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Bill Devenport, Kerry Clower, Kenny Eason, Jim Anderson, Tim Shaunty, Tom Sweet and Ben Peace. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Pierce, John Eckerd, Wilbur Pound, Bill Foreman, Don Stinnett and Harvey Ward.
Published Sunday, November 18, 2007

Anderson, William Franklin
1952-2007
William Franklin Anderson, 54, of Sunset died Thursday, Sept. 6, 2007, in Azle. A private family service will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
Anderson was born Oct. 15, 1952, in Burnett, Texas, to Ervin Jasper Sr. and Willie (Ratliff) Anderson. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a truck driver.
Anderson was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy Anderson; his brother, Ervin Anderson Jr. and sisters, Rebecca Chadwick and Brenda Dingler.
He is survived by his daughter, Melanie Anderson of Azle; his sister, Lovedia Ford of Azle; and his brother, Lloyd Anderson and wife, Peggy, of Rhome.
Published Sunday, September 9, 2007

Aranda, Manuel
1965-2007

Mass of Christian burial for Manuel Aranda, 41, of Bridgeport was to be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Bridgeport with Father Sojan George officiating. Burial was to follow at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Aranda died Sunday, July 29, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Sept. 8, 1965, in Purisima, Coahuila, Mexico to Rosendo and Fabiana Montoyo Aranda, he was a construction worker and a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Bridgeport.
He is survived by his mother; his brothers and sisters, Patricia Rangel and husband, Eliseo; Miguel Aranda; Maria Guadalupe Lopez and husband, Eduardo; Fabiana Perez and husband, Nicolas; Reynaldo Aranda and wife, Margarita; Rogelio Aranda and wife, Monica; Erlinda Huerta and husband, Martin; Severo Aranda and wife, Barbara; Antonia Valdez and husband, Miguel, all of Bridgeport; and numerous God children, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were to be Rogelio Aranda, Severo Aranda, Reynaldo Aranda, Miguel Aranda, Eliseo Rangel, Eduardo Lopez, Nicolad Perez and Miguel Valdez.
Published Thursday, August 2, 2007

Armstrong, Joyce
1931-2007
Service for Joyce Armstrong, 75, of Sweetwater was March 12 at Lamar Street Baptist Church in Sweetwater. The Revs. Keith Clifton and Dale Finch officiated. Burial was in Garden of Memories Cemetery.
Armstrong died Wednesday, March 7, 2007, in Sweetwater.
Born Sept. 27, 1931, in Fisher County to Henry Lee Walker and Ruby (Love) Walker, she attended Highland High School and married William Alexander “Bill” Armstrong Jr. on Nov. 19, 1949, in Loraine.
She was a member of the Highland Heights United Methodist Church, a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and American Lung Association, a volunteer at Southeast Elementary School and a member of numerous PTO organizations.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Clovis Walker, and a sister, Jewel Jackson.
She is survived by her husband, Bill Armstrong of Sweetwater; children, Rick and Patty Davis and Gary and Zela Armstrong of Sweetwater, Terry Armstrong of Roscoe and Rick and Lynn Armstrong of Portland; three brothers, Cliff Walker and Tommy Walker of Fort Worth, and Lynn Walker of Mineral Wells; six sisters, Beth Midkiff, JoAnn Curry and Meryle Greever of Fort Worth, Wanda Brown of Chico, Ruby Nell Rogers of Paradise and Darlene Crays of Colorado City; four grandchildren, Staci Armstrong and Alex Armstrong of Sweetwater, Bo Armstrong and wife Becky of Little Rock, Ark., and Josh Strempel and fiancee Kristin Holland of Phoenix, Ariz.; and two great-grandchildren, Brandon and Clarissa Armstrong of Little Rock.
Pallbearers were Randy Hanes, Virgil Pruitt, Kerry Baker, Danny Wann, Carey Wann, Dennis Strother, Terry Henson, Darrell Nazworth, Wayne Chowning and Doug Bowyer. Honorary pallbearers are Helen Rowlett, Gene Fox, Fred Forgay, Don and Lela Hatter, Doug and Jenene Taylor, Bud and Inell Feagan, Eddie and IraLea Puckett, Tony and Jean Ham and Dr. Larry and Lita McEachern.
Memorials may be made to Roscoe Volunteer Fire Department, 806 E. 16th St., Sweetwater, Texas 79556; Highland Heights United Methodist Church, 1801 Lamar St., Sweetwater 79556; or Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital, 200 East Arizona, Sweetwater 79556.
Published Thursday, March 15, 2007

Arnold, Gerald ‘Buddy’ Cedric
1928-2007
Memorial service for Gerald ‘Buddy’ Cedric Arnold, 78, of Bowie will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 29, at the Lions Club building in Decatur.
Arnold died Thursday, June 21, 2007, in Bowie.
Born Sept. 22, 1928, in Addington, Okla., to James William and Lizetta Arnold, he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict and was a flagman on the U.S.S. Toledo. He was a member of VFW 8789. He married Coleene Burk in 1954 in Decatur and had lived in Bowie since 1987. He was a supervisor in the auto industry and worked for General Motors in Arlington for 35 years.
He is survived by his wife of Bowie; three sons, Mark Arnold of Bowie, Jamie Arnold and wife, Suzanne, of Saginaw and Randy Arnold and wife, Hollie, of North Richland Hills; a daughter, Kelli Saporito and husband, Joe, of Bowie; grandchildren, Ashleigh Arnold, Nicholas and Michael Saporito, all of Bowie, Tera Shaver of Arizona, Demi and Madison Arnold of Saginaw, Alyssa and Travis Arnold of North Richland Hills, and Kristin, Tori and Jessie Arnold of Fort Worth; seven great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Sonny Burk and wife, Ellen, of Decatur; two sisters, Vanita Taliaferro of Fort Worth and Jo Dean Payne of Stone Mountain, Ga.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Published Sunday, July 22, 2007

Ashcraft, Charlie Clyde
1917-2007
A memorial for Charlie Clyde Ashcraft, 89, of Dublin was held in Dublin and Denton. Burial was at Bolivar Cemetery in Sanger on March 20.
Ashcraft died Saturday, March 17, 2007, in Dublin.
He was born April 13, 1917, in Ponder to Charlie and Ruth Ashcraft.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Anne Brucato.
He is survived by three brothers, Leroy Ashcraft of Decatur, Alton Ashcraft of North Pole, Alaska, and Troy Ashcraft of Dublin; and six sisters, Marie James of Decatur, Melva Heath of Dallas, Jo Smith of Hurst, Thelda Flanery of Kaufman, Ann Taylor of Blossom and Jan Hilger of Denton.
Pallbearers were his nephews.
Published Thursday, March 29, 2007

Atkinson, Michael Hughes
1971-2007

Funeral for Michael Hughes Atkinson, 36, of Hudson, Fla., was Aug. 10 at St. Peter Lutheran Church with the Rev. Belvin Brummett officiating. Burial was at Sunset Cemetery.
Atkinson died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007, in Hudson.
Born Feb. 20, 1971, in Hammond, Ind., to James and Diana (Rochelle) Atkinson, he was baptized at St. Paul Lutheran Church. He attended school in Grapevine and was confirmed at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Irving.
He worked as a carpet installer, a ferrier and at the Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Florida. He married Elizabeth Sminkey, a former Bowie High School teacher, on Aug. 12, 2002, and they moved to Hudson. He enjoyed the country lifestyle, horses and the ocean breeze of the Florida beaches.
He was preceded in death by grandparents, Leo and Harriet Atkinson, Jewell Rochelle and Mary Rochelle Cook.
He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Kayleigh Atkinson of Boyd; a stepson, Joe McElroy of Gainesville; his parents; a brother, Jimmy Atkinson and wife, Molly, of Sunset; and three nieces, Amanda, Emily and Mary Atkinson, all of Sunset.
Pallbearers were Marty Hardell, Matthew Hardell, David Lassitter, Oran Bates, Gordon Ringburg and Joe McElroy.
Published Sunday, August 12, 2007

Atwood, Frances
1946-2007

Funeral for Frances Atwood, 61, of Paradise, was Tuesday, Sept. 11, at Central Fellowship Church in Decatur. The Rev. Monty Tuttle officiated. Graveside service followed at Tuscola Cemetery in Tuscola.
Atwood died Friday, Sept. 7, 2007.
Frances was born on May 13, 1946, in Abilene to Everett and Marie Grant. She was a devoted Christian, mother, wife and “Nanny.” She and her husband James Atwood have been members of Central Fellowhip Church in Decatur for nine years.
She is survived by husband of 43 years, James, of Paradise; daughter Brooke White and husband Tommy of Justin; two sons, Kevin Atwood and wife Heather of Longmont, Colo., and Mark Atwood and wife Jamie of Justin; her mother, Marie Grant-Hamon; one brother, Gary Grant; nine grandchildren, Mackenzie, Tommy, Colby, Braeden, Emily, Olivia, Will, JaCoby and Madison; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers included Erik Nelsen, Danny Sisco, Troy Timms, Lance Washburn, Ross Bennett and Steve Bennett.
Published Thursday, September 13, 2007

Austin, Laura Lea
1956-2007

Funeral for Laura Lea Austin, 50, of Azle was May 31 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. Burial was at East Bridgeport Cemetery. Neal Owens Jr. officiated.
Austin died Sunday, May 27, 2007, in Fort Worth.
Born Sept. 12, 1956, in Lubbock to Willie and Betty Jo (Peters) Cogburn, she was a self-employed homebuilder.
She was preceded in death by a brother, K.C. Cogburn, and a sister, Judy Owens.
She is survived by a daughter, Melanie Smith and husband, Joshua, of Sherman; two sons, Jay Merett and wife, Rhynda, of California and Gary Marett and wife, Ashley, of Nebraska; six grandchildren, Harlie, Peyton, Ainsley, Melody, Bryson and Dalton; her father, Willie Cogburn of Oklahoma; two brothers, Leon Cogburn of Austin and Wayne Cogburn of Slayton; and two sisters, Wilma Jo Stevens of Lubbock and Stacie Newton of Corpus Christi.
Pallbearers were Glenn Groves, Buster Perkins, Greg King, Scooter Hamilton, Joel Carter, Rollins Bilby and Kenny Thorpe.
Published Sunday, June 3, 2007

Avant, Margie Pauline
1918-2007

Funeral for Margie Pauline Avant, 89, of Decatur will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 29, at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home. The Rev. Johnny Irish will officiate. Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 1. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Avant died Oct. 25, 2007, in Groesbeck.
Born Oct. 1, 1918, in Waurika, Okla., to Jessie James and Hattie Ensey Matthews, she married Henry Lawrence Avant on April 30, 1933, in Wichita Falls. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Decatur and a quilting club.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Lawrence Avant; three brothers and a sister.
She is survived by a daughter, Gayla Sue Pittman and husband, Bobby, of Buffalo; two sons, Herman Dale Avant and wife, Deanna, of Oakdale, Calif., and Larry Avant of Decatur; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Published Sunday, October 28, 2007

Bagwell, Evelyn Jane
1936-2007

Evelyn Jane Bagwell, 70, of Paradise died Aug. 22, 2007, in Bridgeport. Funeral was to be Saturday, Aug. 25, at Victory Family Church in Decatur with burial in Sycamore Cemetery.
Bagwell was born Oct. 15, 1936, in Saltillo, to Reginald Melvin “Bud” Cole and Barbara Alice Hunt. She was a homemaker and a member of Lakeland Baptist Church in Lewisville.
Survivors include two daughters, Pan Jenkins and her husband Tim of Paradise, and Teresa Boultinghouse of Decatur; a son, Marc Bagwell and his wife Lynn of Raleigh, N.C.; 14 grandchildren, Amanda Johnson and husband Jason of Slidell, Nick Jenkins and his wife Megan of Decatur, Ashley Wiley and husband Waylon of Paradise, Melina Reeves and husband Donald of Decatur, Randall Boultinghouse, Christopher and Austin Bagwell of Raleigh, and Joshua Bagwell of Farmersville; and six great-grandchildren, Emily Jenkins, Waylon (Trey) Wiley, Samuel Wiley and Leasha, Chelisa and Kylia Reeves.
Published Sunday, August 26, 2007

Baker, Betty Ruth
1926-2007

Graveside service for Betty Ruth Baker, 80, of Bridgeport was June 8 at Longbranch Cemetery in Nocona. Jimmy Vannoy and Preston Blackstone officiated.
Baker died Sunday, June 3, 2007, in Brigeport.
Born Oct. 4, 1926, in Fort Worth to Urban and Eula (Teague) Baker, she was a retired waitress, the family caretaker and a member of the Church of Christ.
She is survived by a brother, Glen Baker of Bridgeport; an aunt, Gatha Martin of Fort Worth; an uncle, Cash Teague of Purcell, Okla.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Published Sunday, June 10, 2007

Baker, Mattie Fay
1916-2007

Funeral for Mattie Fay Baker, 90, of Rhome was to be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd with the Rev. Leroy Jackson officiating. Burial was to be at Aurora Cemetery.
Baker died Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007, in Prescott, Ariz.
Born Nov. 9, 1916, in Wise County to James and Mary Stokes, she was a retired certified nurse at Decatur Convalescent Center.
She was preceded in death by two husbands, J.W. Neel and George Baker; five brothers, James Stokes, Oscar Stokes, J.T. Stokes, Marion Stokes and Kenneth Stokes; and a sister, Margaret Walker.
She is survived by a son, George Mayfield and wife, Winogene, of Paradise; a daughter, Mary Ellen Mayfield of Prescott, Ariz.; a brother, Bill Stokes of Fredericksburg; nine grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and numerous great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were to be Jim Tom Stokes, Ricky Stokes, David Stokes, Mike Stokes and Bobby Waters. Honorary pallbearer was to be Bill Markum.
Published Sunday, August 12, 2007

Baldridge, James P.
1908-2007

Funeral for James P. Baldridge, 99, of Runaway Bay, will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Runaway Bay Community Church with The Rev. Craig Wills officiating. Interment will be 2 p.m. at Valley View Cemetery in Valley View.
Baldridge died Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007, in Fort Worth.
Born Jan. 4, 1908, in St. Louis. Mo., to Paul and Grace Duke Baldridge, he attended school in Jackson, Tenn. He graduated from Purdue University and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
He worked for Humble Oil Refining Company and lived mostly in West Texas until moving to Runaway Bay. He was an avid golfer and hunter and was very active in the Methodist church.
He married Patsy Lowe in 1935 and the couple had been married 49 years when she died. He married Ida Mae Sims Larimore Oct. 12, 1988, in Newcastle.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy; his brother, John Duke Baldridge; and a nephew, William Paul Baldridge.
He is survived by his wife, Ida; nieces, Carolyn Baldridge Creech of Winston Salem, N.C., and Virginia Lowe Myers and husband, Chas, of Dallas; nephews, William Paul Baldridge of Winston Salem, N.C., and Davis Lowe of Wichita Falls; stepsons, Bob Larimore of Keller and Jim Larimore of Stephenville.
The family requests memorials be made to a charity of the giver's choice.
Published Thursday, October 11, 2007

Barnes, Charles William, Jr.
1947-2007
A private service was held for Charles William Barnes Jr., 60, of Sunset.
Barnes died on Sept. 29, 2007, in Sunset.
Born in April 21, 1947, to Charles William Barnes and Cleta Mae Ray in Decatur, he married Rebecca Sue Heimlich Oct. 17, 1973. He was a construction contractor.
Barnes was preceded in death by his son Larry S. Barnes.
He is survived by his wife; daughters, Lecia N. Vandale of Jacksonville, Ark., and Charlene Y. Barnes of Nocona; sister, Gracia Barnes Seay of Bowie; and four grandsons.
Published Sunday, October 7, 2007

Barnes, Cleta Mae
1922-2007
Funeral for Cleta Mae Barnes, 84, of Alvord was Jan. 23 at Living Word Assembly of God. Ernie Patterson, Homer Rich and Franklin Roop officiated. Burial followed at Alvord Cemetery.
Barnes died Friday, Jan. 19, 2007, in Alvord.
Born Dec. 30, 1922, in Decatur, to Broe Ray and Della Mae Claborn, she was a member of Living Word Assembly of God. She married Charles W. Barnes Sr. in Wise County in 1942.
She is survived by a daughter, Gracia Barnes Seay of Bowie; a son, Charles William Barnes Jr. of Sunset; a sister, Dora Manire of Decatur; and nine grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
Published Thursday, January 25, 2007

Barnes, David
1955-2007
Funeral for David Barnes, 51, of Chico will be at a later date.
Barnes died Tuesday, March 20, 2007, in Decatur.
Born April 9, 1955, in Fort Worth, he was a truck driver for West Fork Tank Trucks.
He is survived by his wife of four years, Marianne; a son, Dusty Hadley; three daughters, Darcie Hadley, Jennifer Barnes and Crystal Edwards; six grandchildren; and a brother, Chris Barnes.
Published Sunday, March 25, 2007

Barnett, Marion
1941-2007

Funeral for Marion Barnett, 65, of Sunset was April 30 at First Baptist Church in Alvord. The Revs. Bill Cleveland and Tim Neely officiated. Burial was at Alvord Cemetery.
Barnett died Friday, April 27, 2007, in Sunset.
Born Oct. 17, 1941, in Frederick, Okla., to Carl Vain Barnett and Vivian Simmons, he was a maintenance supervisor for Amarimak. He married Roberta M. Trosper on May 25, 1973. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Alvord.
He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Bobbi Barnett of Sunset; two sons, Carl “Bubba” Barnett and wife, Debra, of Decatur and Troy Wright of Midlothian; four daughters, Paula Randall and husband, Jeffery, of Humble, Sherry Ward of Chico, Terena Ward and husband, Danny, of Bowie, and Toni Wright and husband, Michael Barclay, of Alvord; a brother, Raymond Barnett and wife, Melba, of Sunset; a sister, Betty Weatherly and husband, Harvey, of Chico; 20 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
The family requests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, Wise County Unit, P.O. Box 428, Decatur, Texas 76234 or Main Street Hospice, 1210 business U.S. 81/287 south, Decatur, Texas 76234.
Published Thursday, May 3, 2007

Barrow, Aubree Nicole
2007

Funeral for Aubree Nicole Barrow, 7-week old infant, of Granbury was Friday, July 6, 2007, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel with burial at Paradise Cemetery with the Rev. Ken Cates officiating.
Barrow died Monday, July 2, 2007, in Granbury.
Born May 16, 2007, in Weatherford, she was the infant daughter of Sam and Ashley (Dugan) Barrow.
She is survived by her parents; two brothers, Dakota Glen Barrow and Sam Barrow Jr.; a sister, Mackenzie Kay Barrow; grandparents, Brenda Dugan of Granbury, Marianne Barrow and T.W. Barrow of Fort Worth; great-grandparents, Geraldine Read of Bridgeport, Ruth Tynes of Fort Worth, Bobbie Dugan of Cameron and Margret Hopkins of Fort Worth; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Pallbearers were Terry Wayne Barrow Jr., Jacob Brian Barrow, Jerry Glen Dugan Jr. and Alvis Leroy Hunter III.
Published Sunday, July 8, 2007

Bastow, Ruth L.
1921-2007

No funeral service has been scheduled for Ruth L. Bastow, 85, of Bridgeport.
Bastow died Wednesday, May 9, 2007, in Bridgeport.
Born Aug. 12, 1921, she moved to Rochester, N.Y., at 16 and by the age of 23 she started a 31-year career with Tobin Packing Company. In 1974 she moved to Olean, N.Y., and retired from AVX Ceramics in 1982. She enjoyed playing bingo and visiting the Atlantic City casinos. She was fond of children and animals.
She is survived by a son, Richard “Rick” Bastow of Fort Worth; three grandchildren, Richard A. Lewis of Fort Worth and John C. Williams and Joseph Sage Jr., both of Rochester; and many great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to any local children’s charity or the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals foundation.
Published Sunday, May 13, 2007

Bays, E.B.
1929-2007
Memorial service for E.B. Bays, 78, of Ponca City, Okla., will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at Ponca Townsite Company, with Mac G. Bain officiating.
Bays died Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007, in Ponca City.
Born May 24, 1929, in Chico to Elijah Bays and Edith Lough Bays, he graduated from Chico High School in 1947. He married Reatha Jane Pinard Oct. 5, 1963, in Ponca City and the couple raised three children during their 44-year marriage.
He spent 16 years as maintenance director at the Opportunity Center until his retirement Aug. 31. He was an active Jehovah’s Witness since 1952.
He was preceded in death by a son, James Rex Bays, and an infant brother, Billy Bays.
He is survived by his wife, Reatha, of Ponca City; son, Robert Bays of Ponca City; daughter, Janie Bays of Tulsa; three sisters, Peggy Adams of Justin, Cuelene Cavasos of Bowie and Helen Lee of Bridgeport; two brothers, Tommy Lee Bays of Azle and Harold Lynn Bays of Rhome; three grandsons, Ryan, Alec and Jadon of Ponca City; daughter-in-law, Evelyn Bays; and many nieces and nephews.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Opportunity Center or the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Published Thursday, October 25, 2007

Beach, Ralph Randolph, Jr.
1952-2007
Service for Ralph Randolph Beach Jr., 54, of Bowie was to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at Heritage Family Funeral Home Chapel in Bowie. The Rev. Doc Rogers was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Cowboy’s Last Ride Cemetery in Bowie.
Beach died Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2007, in Decatur.
Born July 23, 1952, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Ralph Randolph Beach Sr. and Ruth Beach, he served in the Army. He was a transmission mechanic and a member of Iron Horse Church.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia Edmonds Beach of Bowie; his mother of Houston; two sons, Ralph Randolph Beach III and wife, Nancy, and Terry Beach, all of Bowie; a daughter, Donna Adams and husband, Robert, of Decatur; three grandchildren, John Barragan, Alexandra Pine and Garrett Adams; three sisters, Loraine Beach of Spokane, Wash., Anna Knight of Round Rock, Ark., and Laura Beach of California.
Pallbearers were to be Raymond Davidson, Daniel Davidson, Ralph Beach, Terry Beach, John Barragan, Wally Knight, Scottie Peyton and Chris Massie.
Published Sunday, January 21, 2007

Bearden, Johnnie Lee
1919-2007

Funeral for Johnnie Lee Bearden, 88, of Bridgeport was to be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 20, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. Michael Bearden was to speak. Burial was to be at Paradise Cemetery. Visitation was to be from 9 a.m. Wednesday until the start of the service.
Bearden died Monday, June 18, 2007, in Bridgeport.
Born Jan. 18, 1919, in Bering to John and Willie (Gorman) Lee, she was a retired seamstress. She married Rexford D. Bearden on May 11, 1979, in Decatur. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Paradise.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Thurman and Bud Lee, and three sisters, Leata, Louretta and Pauline.
She is survived by her husband of Bridgeport; two stepsons, Michael Bearden of Bridgeport and Tim Bearden of Hardin; a sister, Jessi Lattimore of Houston; a sister-in-law, Inez Lee of Bridgeport; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Published Thursday, June 21, 2007

Bedgood, Peggy Sue
1935-2007
Peggy Sue Bedgood, 71, of Decatur died Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007, in Decatur. Graveside service was to be Saturday, Sept. 15, in Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 1 with Rev. Roland Hodge to officiate.
Bedgood was born in Sugarland, on Oct. 3, 1935, to Claude Bacon Heel and Anna Margaret Tow. She married James Earl Bedgood on June 28, 1959, in Shreveport, La. She was a travel agent.
Survivors include her husband, James Bedgood of Decatur; two sons, Ronald Bedgood of Boyd and Jimmy Bedgood and wife, Leslie, of Trophy Club; a sister, Judy Baker of Shreveport; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Published Sunday, September 16, 2007

Bell, Lucille
1912-2007
Funeral for Lucille Bell, 95, of Chico will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 24, at First Baptist Church of Chico. The Rev. Adam Hughes will officiate. Burial will follow at Chico Cemetery.
Bell died Tuesday, May 22, 2007, in Graham.
Born May 15, 1912, in Shannon, she was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church of Chico.
She was preceded in death by her husband, W.A. Bell; a granddaughter, Michelle Biggerstaff; a great-grandson, Charles Switzer; a son-in-law, Larry Biggerstaff; three sisters; and two brothers.
She is survived by a son, Bill Bell and wife, Bodil, of Sugarland; two daughters, Jo Dell Eubanks and husband, Rex, of Graham and Carolyn Biggerstaff of Chico; a brother, Jean Looney of Burkburnett; a sister, Syble Morton of Duncan, Okla.; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Published Thursday, May 24, 2007

Bell, Sue
1936-2007
Memorial for Sue Bell, 71, of Minco, Okla., was Dec. 12 at the First Baptist Church in Union City, Okla. The Rev. Eric Stock of the First Baptist Church in Union City officiated. Burial will be in the Chico Cemetery.
Bell died Monday, Dec. 10, 2007, in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Born April 18, 1936, in Oklahoma City to Austin James and Dela May (Aldridge) Huckleberry, she moved to Minco in 1972 and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Union City. She was a produce manager at Micks Grocery in Minco for several years and owned and operated Sue’s Station in Minco during the 1980s. She married Woodruff Arville Bell on Dec. 19, 1953, in Chico.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Lois Marie Daley and two brothers-in-law, Bill Breatchel and Clarence Jury.
She is survived by her husband; a son, Billy Bell and wife, Dotty, of Catoosa; a daughter, Peggy Douglas and husband, Dirk Crockett, of Yukon, Okla.; two sisters, Blanch Breatchel of Lexington, Okla., and Geneva Jury of Moore, Okla.; a brother-in-law, Elmer Daley of California; six grandchildren, Travis Bell, Jessey Petty, Casey Petty, April Conley, Melissa Hodge and Mandi Provence; and 11 great-grandchildren, Megan Bell, Sarah Bell, Grace Petty, Jack Petty, Taylor Hodge, Parker Hodge, Preston Hodge, Annabell Provence, Lani Provence, Shannon Conley and Wyatt Conley.
Published Sunday, December 16, 2007

Bellah, Dow ‘PaPa Dow’ Webster
1948-2007

Funeral for Dow “PaPa Dow” Webster Bellah, 58, of Bridgeport was to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at Bible Baptist Church in Bridgeport with Dr. Dale Webster officiating. Burial was to follow in West Bridgeport Cemetery.
Bellah died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, in Fairfield.
Born Jan. 28, 1948, in Hereford to D. Webster and Juanita (Breeze) Bellah, he was a truck driver for I.E. Miller and served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of Bible Baptist Church. He married Cheryil Lynn Hight on May 22, 1970, in Nocona.
He was preceded in death by a son, Mark Fender.
He is survived by his wife of Bridgeport; four daughters, Tammy Lancaster and husband, Wayne, Kim Odom and husband, Dan, and Penny Stapp and husband, Bobby, all of Bridgeport, and Christy McBee and husband, Michael, of Chico; 14 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a brother, Jerry Bellah of Pampa; and five sisters, Lockade Hall, Judy Stevens, Lee Bellah and Sissy Kennedy, all of Bridgeport, and DeEllen Bellah of Austin.
Pallbearers were Wayne Lancaster, Dan Odom, Bobby Stapp, Michael McBee, Tim Martin, Ryan Kennedy, Limney West and Eddie Morris. Honorary pallbearers were James Hall and Jason Parker.
Published Sunday, January 14, 2007

Bennett, Frances
1944-2007
Funeral for Frances Bennett, 62, formerly of Bridgeport, was Thursday, Sept. 27 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel with the Revs. Charles Taylor and Kenneth Jones officiating. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery.
Bennett died Monday, Sept. 24, 2007, in Azle.
She was born Oct. 11, 1944, in Bridgeport to Raygon Gentry and Dorothy Mae (Jones) Ford. She married Ed Bennett on July 10, 1987, in Fort Worth. She was a housewife.
She was preceded in death by her former husband Delbert McGaha, brother, Floyd Ford, and sister, Faye Dugan.
She is survived by her husband, Ed Bennett of Azle; brother, Tommy Ford of Azle; sisters, Elaine Hearn of Gun Barrel City, Peggy Kirkpatrick of Fort Worth, Diane Tackett of Chico and Pearl Martin of Azle; numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Darrell Ford, Ken Culver, James Bennett, Tommy Dugan, Cliff Lambert and Dean Meadows.
Published Sunday, September 30, 2007

Betterton, Cynthia Ann
1937-2007

A private memorial was held for Cynthia Ann Betterton, 69, of Arlington.
Betterton died Friday, April 27, 2007, in Fort Worth.
Born May 30, 1937, to William Muncy and Lula Mae Short, she was a homemaker and a retired bookkeeper.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Betterton, and a son, Charles Alan Short.
She is survived by her sons, Michael Short and wife, Patricia, of Chico, Wendal Short of Granbury and Luke Betterton of Wataga; and grandchildren, Amy and Stephanie Short, Michael and Michelle Short, Travis and Blake Betterton and Kelly Hamilton.
Published Thursday, May 3, 2007

Bible, Deena Rae
1964-2007

Memorial service for Deena Rae Bible, 43, of Austin will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008, at Central Fellowship Church in Decatur.
Bible died Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007, in Texas City.
Born Sept. 24, 1964, in Fort Worth to Percy and Joyce Tidwell Witty, she was a telemarketer. She was a member of Central Fellowship Church in Decatur.
She is survived by daughters, Summer Witty of Fort Worth and Candice Cagle and husband Jeremy of Bridgeport; sons, Dean Bible Jr. of Decatur and Desmon Bible and wife Ashley of Grand Prairie; two grandchildren, Julian and Aidan; parents; sisters, Lisa Williams and husband Mark of Wichita, Kan., and Sarah McMillian and husband Ricky of Azle; a brother, Roger Witty and wife Amber of Alvord; and fiancé Bruce Cornelison of Austin.
Published Sunday, December 30, 2007

Bird, Mada
1917-2007

How could you tell if you were Mada Bird’s best friend? You couldn’t. She made all her friends feel as though they were the best. They all had a special place in her heart, an enormous heart that beat inside a petite body that was always impeccably dressed, stylishly coifed and with makeup applied to pefection.
Her legion of Bridgeport friends had no trouble describing their precious friend on Friday, following her death on Thursday, but putting their thoughts into words, while fighting back tears, was another story. They mourned the woman all described as a perfect lady, a loving person who impacted every life she touched. She was the ideal friend – unselfish, fun-loving and caring. Bird died March 29.
Bird’s life was one lived without regret. Born April 19, 1917, in Decatur to William Henry and Mary Heston Walker, she married Rex Bird on Aug. 17, 1946, in Decatur. She met Bird through her childhood friend, the late Floyce Hawkins. She was dating Bert Hawkins at the time, who introduced Mada to his friend, Rex Bird.
“My dad died at age 50, 39 years ago,” recalled the Bird’s daughter, Mary Helen Findley of Bridgeport. “He owned a Humble Oil filling station and they had Gates Tires and International Harvester. Dad had a big garage and George Mitchell was one of his first clients.”
Mitchell was an early day oilman in Wise County. His Mitchell Energy Corp. was sold to Devon Energy in recent years.
Forty-three years ago this September, Mada Bird opened her business on Halsell Street in downtown Bridgeport. At first, she sold only cosmetics but then gradually added clothing. Today, Mada’s Dress Shop is known well beyond Bridgeport as the place to shop for women’s fashions.
Findley said she started working in the store when she was a high school freshman. She and her mother have worked side by side in the store ever since.
“A mother and daughter could not have been any closer,” said Findley of her relationship with her mother.
Bird’s love for her children, Mary Helen and Buddy, was legendary.
“She just adored her children,” recalled Della Mann.
Mann first met Bird when she worked for Dr. W.T. Inabnett in Decatur.
“She was such a tiny little thing. I thought she was so beautiful,” said Mann.
Mann and Mada became fast friends and in later years, Mary Helen was a bridesmaid in Mann’s daughter’s wedding.
Mann has many wonderful memories of her dear friend. Mada encouraged her to join the Civic Club in Bridgeport and they enjoyed monthly outings with club members, with the sole purpose of having a good time.
“Mada was just so funny and sweet. She was undoubtedly one of the sweetest, most caring people I have ever known,” said Mann.
Polly Huddleston and Bird were friends “forever.” Huddleston’s daughter Linda worked at Mada’s Dress Shop after high school. Huddleston shopped at Mada’s because, “Mada and Mary Helen knew exactly what I liked.”
“She was one of our dearest friends,” Huddleston recalled. “Mada was the quintessential lady.”
Sue Ray agreed wholeheartedly with Huddleston.
“Mada was a lady,” said Ray, who befriended Bird 14 years ago. They enjoyed many years of civic activities together.
When Ray became president of the Civic Club, she produced a “This Is Your Life” program about Bird, who was past president of the club. She got to know a lot about her friend while gathering information for that program.
June Taylor became friends with Bird in 1955 when Taylor and her husband Gordon moved to Bridgeport.
“We belonged to the same bridge club. After her husband died, we would pick her up to play bridge,” said Taylor. “She was just a sweetheart ... a dear friend.”
Taylor is a longtime customer of Mada’s Dress Shop, where she enjoyed shopping not only for herself but for her daughters.
One of the delights of Bird’s life was her only grandchild, Matt Dustin Findley, 29, who lives in Oklahoma.
Earlier this month, he wrote his grandmother, whom he called “Moma-Mae,” to remind her how much she was loved. He told her that he had read that “things fall apart.” Our bodies fall apart and, he said, “if we’re around long enough, our memories begin to fall apart.”
He told his grandmother that she sometimes struggles for “words and names that aren’t there anymore.” But he asked her to remember that everytime she finds herself struggling for a word to remember, “you’ve done something that many of us fail to do; you’ve lived a life without regret.”
He concluded the note by saying, “Remember this, that you are loved by your entire family and your many, many friends. We’ll never stop loving you. We’ll love you until we fall apart.”
The family’s wish for those who attend Bird’s funeral on Sunday is, “to know the joy of such a sustaining love.”
Bird’s funeral is at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Hawkins Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in East Bridgeport Cemetery, with Roger Rhodes officiating.
Visitation was to be Saturday, 4 to 6 p.m., at the funeral home.
Bird is survived by her son Buddy; her daughter Mary Helen Findley and husband, Travis; her grandson, Matt Dustin Findley; a sister, Eva Rasbury of Granbury; and several nieces and nephews.
She was a member of Cates Street Church of Christ and was a former director of the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Bridgeport Civic Club.
Pallbearers are Embry Hines, Richard Stothers, G.B. Funk, Robert Meek, Kelly Huddleston and James Wood. Honorary pallbearers are Floyd Taylor, Gordon Taylor, Dr. William E. Huddleston, Howard Meyers, Robert Moody and Joe Murphy.
Published Sunday, April 1, 2007

Bishop, Deborah Michelle
1970-2007
Funeral for Deborah Michelle Bishop, 37, of Boyd was Nov. 12 at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Chapel.
Bishop died Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007, in Azle.
Born March 2, 1970, in Kansas City, Mo., to P. Mike Mooney and Loretta A. Mooney, she married Steven R. Bishop June 28, 2003.
She is survived by her husband, Steven Bishop; father, Mike Mooney and wife, Dana, of Hurst; sisters, Rachel A. Mooney of Addison and Dawn M. Hillman and husband, Klaus, of Plano; brother, Darrin M. Mooney and wife, Aislynn, of West Palm Beach, Fla.; grandmother, Francis E. Dacy of Bucyrus, Kan.; grandfather, Ray Teubner; many aunts, uncles and other family members.
Published Thursday, November 15, 2007

Black, Joyce
1922-2007

Memorial service for Joyce Black, 84, of Decatur was Aug. 30 at the First United Methodist Church in Decatur. The Revs. Tommy Brumett and Johnny Irish officiated.
Black died Saturday, Aug. 25, 2007, in Bridgeport.
Born Nov. 9, 1922, in Melville, La., to Richard and Stella Frames Satterley, she married Lee Black on Nov. 25, 1939. She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband; and six brothers and sisters.
She is survived by a son, Buddy Black and wife, Becky, of Decatur; two granddaughters, Susan Davis of Pasadena, and Jennifer Rud and husband, Bart, of San Antonio; two great-granddaughters, Emily and Erica Rude; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Published Sunday, September 2, 2007

Blackford, Zora
1939-2007
No funeral service is planned for Zora Blackford, 68, of Fort Worth, formerly of Newark. Her body was donated to UT-Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
Blackford died July 26, 2007, in Fort Worth.
Born Jan. 14, 1939, she was a nurse.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Blackford, on Dec. 15, 1995.
She is survived by two daughters, Becky Phillips and husband, Mike, and Mary Blackford; and three grandchildrem, Donovan, SaBrae and Mia.
Published Thursday, August 16, 2007

Blaylock, Rosalie Chude
1922-2006
Funeral for Rosalie Chude Blaylock, 84, of Fredericksburg and formerly of Decatur, was Dec. 27, 2006, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Tony Vilano officiating. Burial followed at Corinth Community Cemetery in Buckholts.
Blaylock died Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, in Fredericksburg.
She was born Jan. 8, 1922, in Houston to Pete and Frances (Kiefel) Swonke.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry W. Chude.
She is survived by two sons, Charles Chude and wife, Sharon, of Houston and James W. Chude and wife, Jackie, of Fredericksburg; two daughters, Nancy Wood and husband, Cecil, of Gonzales and Susan Swonke and husband, Ron, of Houston; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three brothers, Johnny Swonke and Gene Swonke and wife, Eleanor, all of Brenham, and “Brother” Martin Swonke of Santa Fe, N.M.; and two sisters, Mary Lou Herzog of Plantersville and Suzanne Hoffart and husband, Ted, of Dobbin.
Pallbearers were Clinton and Craig Wood, Colin and Karl Chude, Russell Rohan and Robert Swonke.
Memorials may be made to St. Vincent De Paul Society, 610 W. Live Oak Road, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624.
Published Thursday, January 11, 2007

Bloomer, Cecil D.
1915-2007

No funeral services are scheduled for Cecil D. Bloomer, 92, of Chico.
Bloomer died Tuesday, April 24, 2007, in Chico.
Born April 6, 1915, in Chico to Clarence and Bessie Morris Bloomer, he was a retired aircraft electrician for General Dynamics. He was a U.S. Army veteran. He married Dorothy O’Kelley on Sept. 4, 1945, in Decatur.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy Bloomer of Chico; a son, Stan Bloomer of Chico; and a daughter, Brenda Cox and husband, Eric, of Chico.
Published Sunday, April 29, 2007

Blount, Tracy Dalynne
1972-2007
Funeral for Tracy Dalynne Blount, 34, of Lincoln, Ark., will be at 1 p.m. Monday, March 19, at Picayune Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Danny Johnson officiating. Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. at the funeral home.
Blount died Sunday, March 11, 2007, in Crawford County, Ark.
Born Aug. 15, 1972, she was a Baptist and a homemaker.
She is survived by her father, Warren Blount of Runaway Bay; her mother, Sheryl Davenport of Picayune, Miss.; a son, Dillon Ince of Bridgeport; a daughter, Kristin Blount of Picayune; a brother, James Gregory Blount of Cleburne; three half-sisters, Ralonda Patterson of Decatur, Melissa Outz of Minden, La., and Trina Blount of Bowie; and a step-sister, Carrie Breeze of Bridgeport.
Published Sunday, March 18, 2007

Bohn, Jerry R.
1941-2007

Funeral for Jerry R. Bohn, 65, of Fort Worth was to be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Jerry Miller was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Bohn died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007, in Fort Worth.
Born Aug. 27, 1941, in Dallas to Wesley Frank and Addie Mae McCullough Bohn, he was a State Farm agent in Decatur. He married Jeanie Pendleton in Fort Worth on Oct. 7, 1995. He was in the U.S. Navy and was president of Phi Delta Theta fraternity at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches.
He is survived by his wife of Fort Worth; three sons, J.R. Bohn Jr. of Graham, Cary Frank Bohn of North Richland Hills and Steven Eugene Sweatt of Arlington; a daughter, Cheri’ Lou Bohn-Beazley of Elkins, Ark.; his mother, Addie Blackwell and husband, Sam, of Decatur; and 14 grandchildren.
Pallbearers were to be Ron Cagle, Richard Willcox, Paul Poston, Jack Delpapa, Eric Vincent and Bill James.
Memorials may be made to Community Hospice of Texas, 6100 Western Place, Suite 500, Fort Worth, Texas 76107 or to the Wise Area Relief Mission, 300 N. Trinity St., Decatur, Texas 76234.
Published Thursday, February 22, 2007

Boner, Edith Mae
1922-2007

Funeral for Edith Mae Boner, 85, of Decatur, was to be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17 at First United Methodist Church in Alvord with the Revs. Carroll Caddell and Homer Rich officiating. Burial was to be at Alvord Cemetery.
Boner died Oct. 13, 2007, in Decatur. Born April 8, 1922, near Sobol, Okla., to Noah Ellis and Julia Wages Rowe, she married Hubert Lee Boner Nov. 18, 1935, in Alvord.
She was a homemaker and an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Alvord, where she sang and played for the church services. She worked with Meals-on-Wheels and also sang weekly at the county convalescent homes. Edith continued her work with the church and the senior citizens until her illness.
She is survived by her son, Hubert Ellis Boner and wife, Lois, of Bowie; daughter, Mary Lee Creighton of Mineral Wells; five grandchildren, Lt. Col. Robert Clayton Evans and wife, Capt. Rachel Evans, Maj. Lee H. Evans and wife, Melissa, Kristi Elaine Hankins and her husband, Steve, Kenny Ellis Boner and wife, Lana, and Mary Michelle Evans Wagoner and husband, Robby; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Louise Carlton of Charlotte, N.C.; and two brothers, Norman Rowe and wife, Dorothy, of Bowie, and Jessie Wade Rowe and wife, Barbara, of Decatur.
Pallbearers were to be Robert C. Evans, Lee H. Evans, Kenny Boner, Robby Wagoner, Steven Hankins and Landon Hankins.
Published Thursday, October 18, 2007

Bothwell, Hayden Kane
2007
Graveside service for Hayden Kane Bothwell, infant son of Thomas and Danielle Bothwell of Newark, was Oct. 2 in Boyd Cemetery.
Born May 7, 2007, in Decatur, he died Friday, Sept. 28, 2007.
He is survived by his parents; two brothers, Jacob Little and Brennon Bothwell; grandparents, Freddie and Kim Ballard of Newark, Sherry and Brett Tye of Granbury and Mickey Little of Dallas; great-grandparents, Johnny and Gayle Roland of Bedford, Bill and Connie McPherson of Haltom City, Danny and Debbie Stanley of Dallas and Dorothy and Jerry Gressett of Ferris; great-great-grandparents, Leroy and Lucille Ballard of Fort Worth and Bill and Jeanie Roland of Mineola; and aunts, uncles and numerous other relatives.
Published Thursday, October 4, 2007

Bourland, Sarah Veda Earnest
1915-2007

Funeral for Sarah Veda Earnest Bourland, 91, of Arlington was to be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, at Arlington Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth.
Bourland died Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, in Arlington.
Born May 10, 1915, in Paluxy to Mac and Lorena Earnest, she and her family moved to Floyd, N.M., when she was 2. She married William Gordon Bourland on May 10, 1947. Prior to her marriage, she worked for a New Mexico county extension service. She enjoyed sewing, reading, crocheting, Bible study, playing and singing Christian music and visiting friends and family. She was a member of Pantego Bible Church.
She was preceded in death by her sisters, Nora Pearl Earnest, Ruby Stigall and Maxena Daniels; and her husband, Gordon Bourland Sr.
She is survived by her sons, Earnest Bourland and Gordon Bourland and wife, Carol, all of Arlington; daughters, Kathleen Toole and husband, Willard, of Campbell and Sarah Knapp of Fort Worth; grandsons, Michael and Brian Toole and David and Jonathan Bourland; great-grandchildren, Samantha Bourland, Caillin and Cody Toole, and Morgan Rayshell; a brother, Jim Earnest; and sisters, Zelna Walker and Opal Stigall.
Memorials may be made to Kid’s Camp Scholarships, Pantego Bible Church, 8001 Anderson Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas, 76120.
Published Thursday, January 18, 2007

Bowling, Gilbert
1936-2007
Gilbert Daniel Bowling Sr., also known as “Danny” and “Doc,” 71, of Muenster died Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007, at his home with his family by his side.
Funeral services were scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, in Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Chapel with Rev. Nathan Tucker officiating. Interment followed at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park.
Bowling was a resident of Haltom City for many years and was an ironworker in construction. He was born May 18, 1936, in Muenster.
He was proceeded in death by his brother, Ronald Bowling, and two sisters, Della Collum and Billie Cole.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Cecilia Bowling; daughters, Vickie Collum and husband, Don, and Susan Hayes, all of Arlington; son, Gilbert Daniel Bowling Jr. and wife, Darla, of North Richland Hills; sisters, Earleen Collum and husband, Robert, of Arlington and Shirley Kendrick and husband, Stanley, of West Virginia; brother, Gerald Bowling and wife, Carolyn, of Hurst; 10 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
Nephews served as pallbearers.
Published Sunday, September 30, 2007

Bradley, Floyd Troy
1929-2007

Funeral for Floyd Troy Bradley, 77, of Bridgeport was May 14 at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport with the Revs. Troy Bradley and Gary Sessions officiating. Burial was at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Bradley died Friday, May 11, 2007, in Denton.
Born Dec. 10, 1929, in Denton County to Bonie and Minta Bradley, he was a retired stockman for the materials department at General Motors in Arlington. He married Ruth Bryant on March 18, 1950, in Bridgeport. He served as a corporal in the U.S. Army and was a member of the Twin Oaks Assembly of God Church in Bridgeport where he served as a deacon.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Lowell and James Henry Bradley.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ruth Bradley of Bridgeport; a daughter, Melanie Bradley of Bridgeport; three sons, Louis Ray Bradley and wife, Teresa, of Mountain Grove, Mo., Troy Bradley and wife, Darlene, of Bedford, and Greg Bradley and wife, Laura, of Pilot Point; eight grandchildren, Justin Bradley and wife, Candace, Angie Bradley, Amy Culver and husband, Brian, Monica Boren and husband, Michael, Cameron Bradley, Paige Bradley, Taylor Bradley and Brianna Bradley; a great-granddaughter, Raimee Boren; three brothers, B.D. Bradley, Jr., Wayne Bradley and Doyle Bradley; and a sister, Audene Wilson.
Pallbearers were Justin Bradley, Brian Culver, Cameron Bradley, Michael Boren, Kevin Jones and Dewayne Sessions.
Published Thursday, May 17, 2007

Bradshaw, Jay Hugh ‘Jack’
1920-2007

Jay Hugh “Jack” Bradshaw, 87, of Bridgeport died Aug. 21, 2007, in Denton. Funeral was Aug. 24 with burial in West Bridgeport Cemetery.
Bradshaw was a retired truck driver. He was born Aug. 13, 1920, in Kingston, Ark., to Joseph Burton and Minnie Wright Bradshaw. He married Mary Marie Wright on Aug. 8, 1942, in Kingston.
He was preceded in death by his wife in 1988, two sons, William Calvin Bradshaw and James Harold Davis, seven brothers and two sisters.
He is survived by his sister, Kate Perkins, of San Diego, Calif., and a nephew, Leo Davis, and his wife, Donna, of Justin.
Published Sunday, August 26, 2007

Brandt, William Frederick
1921-2007

Service for William Frederick Brandt, 85, of Rhome was to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. His remains will be cremated.
Brandt died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007, in Rhome.
Born Oct. 29, 1921, in Cleveland, Ohio, to William Brandt Sr. and Teresa Newman, he was a member of the Army Air Corps during World War II. He enjoyed working on cars and taking care of his yard. He was a longtime resident of Odessa who also spent 10 years in McCamey and nine years in Crane.
He married Toylena Bullard on Aug. 3, 1945. He was preceded in death by his wife on Sept. 3, 2006, and by a son, Charles Brandt.
He is survived by his two sons, Roger Brandt and wife, Frances, of Rhome and William Lee Brandt and wife, Kay, of Noel, Mo.; a daughter, Shirley Holt and husband, Rex, of Clovis, N.M.; 10 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Published Sunday, February 4, 2007

Branscum, Beulah
1939-2007

Graveside service for Beulah Branscum, 68, of Chico was June 21 at Thomas Cemetery. The Rev. Gentry Castleman officiated.
Branscum died Saturday, June 16, 2007, in Decatur.
Born June 3, 1939, in Apache, Okla., to Ervin H. and Lilly Copeland Smith, she owned and operated Branscum Insurance Agency with her husband. She lived in Wise County for 41 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert Branscum; a son, Robin Quincy Branscum; a stepson Mike Bailey; a stepdaughter, Pamela Jane Bailey; and a sister Opal Robinson.
She is survived by two sons, Richard Branscum and wife, Cindy, of Bridgeport and Kelly Branscum of Decatur; two daughters, Sharon Walker and husband, Ned, of Denton, and Vicki Brewer of Virginia; mother, Annie Pearl Burnett; six brothers and sisters; 16 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Jamie Branscum, Ricky Branscum, Kurt Bailey, Robin Starnes, Scott Starnes, Jesse Branscum, Kyle Brewer and Tim McIlveene.
Published Sunday, June 24, 2007

Braun, Evelyn Maire
1932-2007

Graveside service for Evelyn Marie Braun, 75, of Newark will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29, at Dido Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at Shannon Rufe Snow Funeral Chapel in Fort Worth.
Braun died Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007, in Newark.
Born April 29, 1932, in Coffeeville to Rusevelt Harper and Mae Singleton, she was a lifetime memeber of the ladies auxilary of the VFW Post No. 5617, the first woman firefighter in Newark and a fisherman.
She was preceded in death by a son, Tommy Sullivan; a daughter, Patricia Braun; a brother, Sonny Harper; and three sisters, Margaret, Mary Lou and Tott.
She is survived by her husband, Charles Braun; seven sons, Forrest Sullivan and wife, Geraldine, James Sullivan, Ted Sullivan, Terry Sullivan, Charles J. Braun, Charles A. Braun and wife, Angela, and Patrick Braun and wife, Terry; three daughters, Linda Obergon and husband, Daniel, Debra Grahagen and husband, Mike, and Tammie Braun-York; 26 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Published Sunday, October 28, 2007

Breeland, Patricia
1941-2007
Funeral for Patricia Breeland, 66, of Decatur was to be at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at Coker Funeral Home in Decatur. Kenny Cates and Mark Denard were to officiate.
Breeland died Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Jan. 9, 1941, in Decatur to Sam Lynch and Georgie Morrow, she was a bookkeeper. She married Demon Breeland on Feb. 4, 1984, in Decatur.
She is survived by her husband, Jay D.D. Breeland, of Decatur; daughters, Lauri and Cody Swinford and Lisa Heiens and husband, James, all of Decatur; a son, Randy Griffeth of Decatur; a brother, Sam Lynch of Conroe; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Published Sunday, January 21, 2007

Breeze, Preston
1934-2007
Funeral for Preston Breeze, 72, of Bridgeport was July 3 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel with Sonny Cole officiating. Burial was at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Breeze died Saturday, June 30, 2007, in Dallas.
Born Aug. 31, 1934, in Nocona to Jack and Nell Walls Breeze, he was the owner and vice president of HRB Operating Co. He married Claranell Dennis on June 30, 1951, in Saint Jo. He was a member of the Roughneck Club.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Otis A.E. “Fats,” Everett Breeze and J.R. Benson and sisters, Lola Hill and Juanita Bellah.
He is survived by his wife of Bridgeport; two sons, Ronnie Breeze and wife, Glenda, of Bridgeport and Billy Jack Breeze and wife, Lisa, of Runaway Bay; two daughters, Jean Blount and husband, Warren, and Delores Breeze, all of Bridgeport; 10 granddaughters; 21 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Lela Jones, Ruby Vandervener and Delores Curnutte; and a brother, Corky Breeze.
Pallbearers were Chris Parker, Eric Broberg, Marten Herrera, Justin Starnes, Devin Johnson and Brant Hawkins. Honorary pallbearers were Warren Blount and Greg Blount.
Published Thursday, July 5, 2007

Bridges, Charles Neel, Sr.
1936-2007

Graveside service for Charles Neel Bridges Sr., 71, of Cottondale was to be 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, at Cottondale Cemetery with the Rev. Lucia McKee Kremzar officiating.
Bridges died Monday, Oct. 15, 2007, in Decatur. Born May, 5, 1936, to Charles A. and Gertrude Neel Bridges, he was a retired reserve police officer for the city of Richland Hills and a retired inventory clerk for Bell Helicopter. He was a member of the Springtown Masonic Lodge and the First Presbyterian Church in Bridgeport.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Charlene Bridges; stepmother, Marie Bridges; and nephew, Mike Braswell.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary Francis; sons, Charles Neel Bridges Jr. of Fort Worth, Patrick Christopher Bridges Sr. and wife, Kari, of North Richland Hills, John Eric Bridges and fiancee, Melinda, of Weatherford and Robert Clark “Bob” Bridges of Fort Worth; grandchildren, Trey, Zachary, Christopher, Brian, Aaron, Ashley, MacKenzie, Tyler and Cody; and a great-grandchild, Aidan.
Pallbearers were Chris Bridges, Brian Bridges, Aaron Bridges, Brian Braswell, Danny Frank and Chad Hightower.
Published Thursday, October 18, 2007

Brookshire, David W.
1935-2007

Funeral for David W. Brookshire, 71, of Decatur was to be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd. Michael Brookshire was to officiate. Burial was to be at Dido Cemetery.
Brookshire died Sunday, April 8, 2007, in Decatur.
Born April 27, 1935, in Fort Worth to Edward and Syble Brookshire, he retired after 44 years from the Tarrant Regional Water District. He married Ann Wooten on Dec. 20, 1952, in Fort Worth.
He was preceded in death by his wife in 2005.
He is survived by a daughter, Deborah Ann Chapman and husband, Ron, of Decatur; two sons, Ricky Wayne Brookshire and wife, Sherry, of Burleson and Dan Brookshire of Weatherford; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a brother, Larry Brookshire and wife, Delma of Bridgeport; and a sister-in-law, Nancy Wooten-Bailey of Weatherford.
Pallbearers were to be Chris Alland, Scott Brookshire, Burl Cash, Dale White, Zachary Brookshire, Tommy Gordineer and Jon Brookshire.
Published Thursday, April 12, 2007

Brookshire, Larry E.
1937-2007

Funeral for Larry E. Brookshire, 70, of Bridgeport was to be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, at Greenwood Chapel. Burial was to follow at Greenwood Memorial Park.
Brookshire died Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007, in Bridgeport.
Born June 16, 1937, in Fort Worth to Edd and Syble Brookshire, he married Delma Worthington in Fort Worth. He was a former Northside businessman who started many businesses. He retired in 1995.
He is survived by his wife, Delma Brookshire; two sons, Michael and wife, Lori, and Scott and wife, Jimmie; a daughter, Susan Powell and husband, Ivory; four grandchildren, Zachary, Jonathan, Stephanie and Taylor; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Published Thursday, August 23, 2007

Brown, Ida
1915-2007

Graveside service for Ida Brown, 91, of Paradise was Tuesday, Jan. 16, at Paradise Cemetery. Pastor Yvonne Clark officiated.
Brown died Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007, in Fort Worth.
Born Jan. 14, 1915, in Dike, she was a retired seamstress for Haggar. She was a member of the Thee Know Him Church. She married John Brown on Sept. 15, 1967, in Fort Worth.
She was preceded in death by her son, Don Lyles, and 14 siblings.
She is survived by her husband of 39 years, John Brown, of Paradise; a son, Kenneth Fred Ray, of Cleburne; a daughter, Freda Adams, of Burleson; and five grandchildren.
Published Thursday, January 18, 2007

Brown, Robert
1923-2007

Funeral for Robert Brown, 84, of Newark was May 11 at the Newark Church of Christ. Burial was at Pope Cemetery. Mike Boaldin officiated.
Brown died Tuesday, May 8, 2007, in Newark.
Born Feb. 19, 1923, in Rhome to Grover and Antoinett (Pope) Brown, he was a retired assembler and electrician who worked for General Dynamics for 43 years. He married Dora Green on May 27, 1950, in Newark. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.
He was preceded in death by five brothers.
He is survived by his wife, Dora Brown of Newark; a daughter, Cheryl Burns and husband, Mike, of Stephenville; a son, Greg Brown and wife, Ladonna, of Newark; four grandchildren, Tessa Snodgrass, Kristi Blackmon, Shaessa Burns Evans and Jeremy Brown; and nine great-grandchildren, Gage and Jaden Blackmon, Sierra, Colton and Scarlett Snodgrass, Ashton and Rylynn Morrow, and Kylan and Jay Gooding.
Pallbearers were Wayne Haney, Jim Bob Haney, Kevin Rasbury, Matt Rasbury, Andy Stevenson and David Hachtel.
Published Sunday, May 13, 2007

Browning, Charlotte Ann
1956-2007
There is no funeral scheduled for Charlotte Ann Browning, 51, of Springtown.
Browning died Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Feb. 22, 1956, in Lubbock, she was a ranch hand.
She is survived by two sons, John Rowen of Austin and Roy Rowen and wife, Shona, of Wichita Falls; a brother, Roy Lynn Browning; a sister, Crystal Browning; and five grandchildren, Racie, Ryan, Faith, Carly and Paige.
Published Thursday, November 8, 2007

Bruce, Beth
1978-2007

Funeral for Beth Bruce, 29, of Chico was Nov. 12 at First Baptist Church in Decatur. The Rev. Jeff Little, Rev. Ken May and Larry McShan officiated. Burial followed at Jim Ned Cemetery in Runaway Bay.
Bruce died Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007, in Fort Worth.
Born April 24, 1978, in Bridgeport, she worked in the day care center at First Baptist Church in Decatur. She graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1997 and married Jason Bruce April 24, 2004, in Decatur. She was active in Milestone Church in Keller and led Bible study groups.
She is survived by her children, Rebecca, Bryan and Athena Marsh of Chico; mother, Donna Archer and husband, C.D., of Bridgeport; father, Ronald Lambert and wife, Lissa, of Decatur; three sisters, Lorie Smith, Cindy Teague and husband, Trent, and Stephanie Archer, all of Bridgeport; brothers, Rodney Lambert and wife, Sara, of Keller and David Smith and wife, Charity, of Decatur; a grandmother, Hazel Maddux of Bridgeport; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Pallbearers were Steve Lambert, Bryan Lambert, Brittian Robbins, Lonnie Norris, John Maddux and Billy Fitzgerald. Honorary pallbearer was William Poland.
The family requests memorials be made to a fund set up for the family at First State banks in Chico, Bridgeport, Paradise or Runaway Bay.
Published Thursday, November 15, 2007

Bruce, Jason
1977-2007

Funeral for Jason Bruce, 30, of Chico was Nov. 12 at First Baptist Church in Decatur. The Rev. Jeff Little, Rev. Ken May and Larry McShan officiated. Burial followed at Jim Ned Cemetery in Runaway Bay.
Bruce died Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007, in Fort Worth.
Born Feb. 10, 1977, in Olney, he worked for TXI as a loader operator. He was a 1995 graduate of Chico High School and married his wife, Beth, on April 24, 2004. He was active in Milestone Church in Keller and led Bible study groups.
He is survived by his children, Rebecca and Bryan Marsh, both of Chico; mother, Carla Deering and husband, Clyde, of Chico; father, Jerry Bruce and wife, Dee, of Seymour; three sisters, Pam Norman and husband, Shane, of Krum, Katrina Williams of Chico and Patricia James and husband, Chris, of Seymour; two brothers, Jeffrey Bruce and Rodney James and wife, Stephanie, all of Seymour; grandparents, Mary Price Deering of Chico and Gladys Bruce of Seymour; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Pallbearers were John Gibson, Gary Deering, Jeremy Phillips, Jeff Wright, Larry McShan and William Renner.
The family requests memorials be made to a fund set up for the family at First State banks in Chico, Bridgeport, Paradise or Runaway Bay.
Published Thursday, November 15, 2007

Brummell, Gene
1917-2007

The inscription on a plaque given Gene Brummell by the Decatur City Council in 1981 summed up his devotion to Decatur. The plaque cited Brummell for his support of “every worthwhile event that has occurred within the last 40 years in Decatur.”
Fred Eugene (Pappy) Brummell, 90, died at his home in Decatur March 27. His funeral was Friday at the First United Methodist Church where he served as church treasurer for 20 years. Burial was at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Joe Forman, Decatur’s mayor at the time, had declared December 11, 1981, as “Gene Brummell Day” to commemorate Brummell’s retirement after 40 years at the First National Bank of Decatur.
“He has enriched the lives of all who have known him,” Forman said of his longtime friend.
Brummell, known as “Mr. First National” to many, joined the bank at age 19, earning $60 per month. He retired as executive vice president of the bank, then the largest financial institution in the county. After his retirement, he was named to the bank’s board of directors.
“I never had any desire to be president of this bank or any (other) bank,” Brummell said in a 1981 interview before his retirement. “I enjoyed waiting on people, but I never did enjoy loaning money.”
Brummell was born in Pittsburg, in East Texas, Oct. 20, 1916. When he finished high school there, he went to a business school in Fort Worth.
The legendary Paul Waggoner was president of the Decatur bank when Brummell arrived as a young bookkeeper on July 1, 1936.
Brummell joined the U. S. Navy in April 1943 and during World War II served on the USS Hammondsport, a cargo ship in the Pacific Ocean. He later served with the 49th Armored Division of the Texas National Guard. The Wise County Veterans Group conducted military burial ceremonies at the cemetery and presented Rowena Brummell with the American flag that draped his casket.
Before leaving for the war, Brummell married Rowena Moore in Decatur on March 16, 1940. Two weeks before his death, he and his wife observed their 67th wedding anniversary.
Brummell’s contributions to Decatur and Wise County didn’t end on the steps of the First National Bank. He was instrumental in reorganizing the Decatur Volunteer Fire Department after World War II and was a member of the department for more than 20 years, serving as chief for five years and later as fire marshal.
On his retirement, his fellow firefighters presented him a plaque noting his “outstanding service, leadership and devotion” to the fire service. A Decatur Fire Department engine joined Decatur police in escorting the funeral procession to Oaklawn Cemetery Friday.
In his retirement interview, Brummell said that his favorite outside activity was Christmas Cheer, now known as the Spirit of Christmas.
“I like it so well because it helps children,” he said.
But his list of “favorite outside activities” was long and varied. The Decatur City Council resolution honored him for not only his contributions to the fire department and Christmas Cheer but to the Wise County Sheriff’s Posse, as founder of the Decatur Rotary Club, Decatur Chamber of Commerce where he served as president, Decatur Jaycees, the Wise County Reunion Committee and the Easter Seal Society. He was honored by the Decatur school district in 1969 for his work with the vocational office education program.
He was named Decatur’s citizen of the year in 1979 by the Chamber of Commerce for his many years of service to the community.
In addition to his wife, Brummell is survived by a son, James M. Brummell of Springtown, daughters Nancy Brummell Boyd and Jan Brummell, both of Decatur, grandchildren Derrick Boyd, Crystal Boyd Klose, Nancy Cates Dillard and Caley Satterfield; and great-grandchildren Kyndal and Trey Klose, Emily and Ainsley Boyd and Melany Dillard.
The Rev. Dr. Thomas O. Brumett and Rev. Johnny Irish conducted the funeral.
Pallbearers were Derrick Boyd, Will Klose, Billy Satterfield, Sgt. Brian Dillard, Gary Prescott, Bobby Wilson, Tommy Cunnius and Roy J. Eaton. Honorary pallbearers were Loyd Jackson, Jimmy Cunnius, George Cunnius, Bill Wylie, W. B. Woodruff, Jr., Sam W. Renshaw, Jr., Tom Gettys and J. E. Carson.
Published Sunday, April 1, 2007

Bryson, William J. ‘Bill’
1932-2007
Funeral for William J. “Bill” Bryson, 74, of Rhome will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 5, at Mount Olivet Chapel with burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Bryson died Sunday, July 1, 2007, in Rhome.
Born Nov. 3, 1932, in Aubrey to Jack and Rosabel Bryson, he was a cattleman and a rancher. He was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, Texas Cattle Raisers Association and Haslet Baptist Church. He married Jean Thomason in Fort Worth in October 1953. He worked for the Fort Worth Stockyards and later trained horses for the Benny Binion family. He served in the U.S. Army and worked for the Department of Agriculture as a livestock inspector until his retirement in 1992.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Butch Bryson and wife, Rebecca, of Granbury and Brad Bryson and wife, Julie, of Rhome; grandchildren, Bailey Anne Bryson and Brittany Nicole Bryson, both of Rhome and William Tabor Bryson of Granbury; a brother, Ben Bryson of Denton; a sister, Beverly Walker and husband, Fred, of Amarillo; a nephew, Brent Gaither of Austin; and a niece, Christy Gaither of Amarillo.
Pallbearers will be Antonio Garcia, Wilson Pipkin, Don Parker, Larry Brumbaugh, Jerry Wilson, Larry Prather, Johnie Daniel and John Zormier. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Thornton, Randy Parker, Mike Tabor, Burt Shield, Rooster Tawater, Mark Baker, Pete Wilshire, Weldon Burgoon, Pat Goodger, Wendell Hill, Chris Neely, Clyde McDaniel and Nick Theodore.
The family requests memorials be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1701 N. Beauregard, Alexandria, Va., 22311 or a charity of choice.
Published Thursday, July 5, 2007

Bunch, Jo Dell
1938-2007
Funeral for Jo Dell Bunch, 69, of Boyd was Monday, Oct. 22 at Mount Olivet Chapel. Interment was in Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Bunch died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007.
Born Jan. 1, 1938, in Granbury to Josie and Delma Walter Trotter, she was a member of the Friendship Free Will Baptist church for 45 years, serving in all the offices.
She was preceded in death by four brothers, one sister and one son-in-law, Tim Stults.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Billy J. Bunch; children, Gayla Stults, Pam Allison and husband, Ronny, of Boyd, Gary Bunch and wife, Kim, of Cleburne and Joe Bunch and wife, Judy, of Grandview; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and brothers, J.D. Trotter of Springtown and Roy Trotter of Azle.
Published Thursday, October 25, 2007

Burdine, Otis F.
1924-2007

Funeral for Otis F. Burdine, 82, of Alvord was Tuesday, Jan. 9, at the First Baptist Church of Alvord with the Rev. Bill Cleveland officiating. Burial followed at Sunset Cemetery.
Burdine died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Nov. 1, 1924, in Magnolia, Ark., to Ben and Irene (Kemp) Burdine, he worked for City Services as an area fieldman for 38 years until his retirement. He married Fern Runer on July 6, 1987, in Montague. He enjoyed raising cattle and hunting with his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two sons, Jimmy and Norman Burdine; his previous wife, Ora Burdine; a brother, Roy Burdine; a nephew, Alan Butler; and a daughter-in-law, Jeannie Burdine.
He is survived by his wife, Fern Burdine of Sunset; children, Donnie Burdine, Larry Burdine, Diane Blake and husband, Josh, and Winston Burdine, all of Alvord; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a brother, Earl Burdine of Magnolia, Ark.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Alvord or to the American Heart Association.
Published Thursday, January 11, 2007

Burger, Brenda
1951-2007
Graveside service for Brenda Burger, 56, of Gainesville was Sept. 19 at Fairview Cemetery. The Rev. Dave Drennen officiated.
Burger died Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Feb. 12, 1951, in Kentucky to Erman and Betty (Williams) Burger, she was a member of the First Baptist Church and its choir.
She is survived by her mother, Betty Chambers of Indianapolis, Ind.; a son, Jeremy Conner and wife, Amanda, of Decatur; one granddaughter, Paige Conner of Decatur; and two grandsons, Tristen Conner and Zac Conner, both of Decatur.
Published Sunday, September 23, 2007

Butler, Earnestine ‘Tena’ Lee
1934-2007
Memorial service for Earnestine “Tena” Lee Butler, 73, of Aledo was Thursday, July 19, at White’s Azle Chapel.
Butler died Monday, July 9, 2007, in Aledo.
She was born March 10, 1934, in Waka to Grover and Nora Butler.
She was preceded in death by three sisters and a brother.
She is survived by a sister, Betty May Butler Shoemaker; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to a charity of choice.
Published Sunday, July 22, 2007

Butler, Morris W.
1951-2007
Memorial service for Morris W. Butler, 56, of Decatur will be held at a later date.
Butler died Dec. 10, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Oct. 13, 1951, to Harold Glenn Butler and Yvonne Belle Boyd in Iowa City, Iowa, he was an electrician.
He is survived by a son, Jeremy Christopher Butler of Nebraska; three brothers, James Butler of Georgia, Joe Butler of Mineral Wells and Melvin Boyd of Oklahoma; and two sisters, Rita Pierson of Minnesota and Rose Woll of Ohio.
Published Thursday, December 13, 2007

Caffey, Will
1975-2007

Funeral for Will Caffey, 32, of Azle was Nov. 14 at First Baptist Church in Boyd. Burial followed at Boyd Cemetery. Rev. Kevin Caffey officiated and Billy Caffey gave the eulogy.
Caffey died Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007, in Azle.
Born April 7, 1975, in Fort Worth to Clyde William Caffey and Rogena (Wright) Duncan, he married Christal Lynn Edwards Aug. 10, 2002, in Reno and was a sales manager of S.K. Plumbing.
He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Paytyn Lynn and Paylaigh Nicole Caffey of Azle; father, Bill Caffey and his wife, Cari, of Springtown; mother, Rogena Duncan and her husband, Jeff, of Boyd; two brothers, Jason Caffey and wife, Christal, of Rhome and Kevin Caffey and wife, Stacey, of Decatur; a sister, Valerie Maxwell and husband, Joe, of Decatur; and grandparents, Bobby and Joann Caffey of Boyd and Henry and Francis Wright of North Richland Hills.
Published Sunday, November 18, 2007

Cagle, Beverly Ann
1939-2007
Funeral for Beverly Ann Cagle, 67, of Hope, Ark., will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 22, at Guernsey Baptist Church in Guernsey, Ark. The Revs. Al Kerst and Travis Payne will officiate.
Cagle died Thursday, April 19, 2007, in Hope.
Born Aug. 12, 1939, in Shreveport, La., to George and Syble Camp Leone, she was a retired license practical nurse. She was also a member of Guernsey Baptist Church and a pastor’s wife.
She is a survived by her husband, the Rev. Gene Cagle; two sons, Douglas Cagle of Ashdown, Ark., and David Cagle of Texarkana, Ark.; two daughters, Debbie Burns of Texarkana and Donna Karr of Hope; a brother, Donnie Leone of Shreveport; four sisters, Teresa Williams and husband, Robert, and Carolyn Pinnick and husband, Laddie, all of Shreveport, Barbara Lafitte and husband, Bill, of Keithville, La., and Nancy Sherrill and husband, Wayne, of Ponca City, Okla.; nine grandchildren, Christine Cagle of Brownsville, Ken., Jason Gammons of Bowling Green, Ken., Jeremy Cagle, Joshua Cagle, Tabitha Bertka, and Tiffany Romine, all of Decatur, Jesse Scott Burns of Texarkana, Nathan Scott holmes of Hope and Shandi Desiree Holmes of Oklahoma City, Okla.; six great-grandchildren, Kailey, Bill, Jordan, Chase, Phoebe and Aiden; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Published Sunday, April 22, 2007

Cagle, Ella Mae
1924-2007

Funeral for Ella Mae Cagle, 82, of Decatur was to be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, at Central Fellowship Church in Decatur with Monty Tuttle officiating. Burial was to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Cagle died Sunday, April 1, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Oct. 31, 1924, in Decatur to Burtrand D. and Ella Ford Smith, she was a retired chemical dependency counselor in Wise County. She was a member of Central Fellowship Church.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Douglas C. Jordan and Carden C. Cagle; sons, Carden Robert “Bob,” James Columbus and Burtrand Joseph Cagle; and a brother, B.D. Smith.
She is survived by her children, Douglas Carl Jordan Jr. and wife, Judy, of Mansfield, Mark Alan Jordan and wife, Susan, of Decatur, Susan Ruth Ligon and husband, John, of Mesquite, Bobbi Lee Foster of Decatur and Juanita Ann Farr of Stephenville; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Wilma LaVerne Kennedy of Rotan.
Pallbearers were to be Matt Jordan, Mike Jordan, Richard Foster, Mikel Grant, Nathan Ligon, George Smith, Bryan Smith, Raymond Foster III, Norvelle Kennedy, Jim Moody and Jason Emery.
Memorials may be made to the Wise County Historical Museum.
Published Thursday, April 5, 2007

Caraway, Cody M.
1918-2007
Funeral for Cody M. Caraway, 88, of Decatur will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 7, at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Chapel.
Caraway died Friday, June 29, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Aug. 26, 1918, in Wise County to Jesse and Mary Jane Caraway, he grew up in the Allison Community of Wise County near Decatur. He served during World War II as a Seabee in the U.S. Navy and received commendations for his service in constructing air fields and bases in the Pacific Theater.
Following the war, he returned to Texas and married Joy Mecaskey on Aug. 29, 1949. He was a wheat farmer in South Dakota and worked as a tile setter during his months off from farming.
Following retirement, he enjoyed collecting and trading quality hunting rifles, including pre-1964 Winchester rifles. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman.
He is survived by his wife, Joy; a daughter, Angela Smith and husband, Brock; grandsons, Cody Mac Smith and Russell Smith; and several nieces and nephews.
Published Thursday, July 5, 2007

Caraway, Joy Elizabeth
1931-2007

Funeral for Joy Elizabeth Caraway, 76, of Decatur was Saturday, Dec. 22, at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Tommy Brumett and Rev. Johnny Irish officiating.
Caraway died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007, in Decatur.
Born in January of 1931 in San Jon, N.M., to Barney and Mary Alma Gose Mecaskey, she was a retired homemaker and business woman. She was a descendent of the Gose family who settled in Wise County in the 1850s. She graduated from Decatur High School in 1947 and attended Decatur Baptist College for two years. She married Cody M. Caraway in 1949. She had a talent for singing and sang at weddings and funerals. She worked for various attorneys and title companies in Wise County and was considered an expert abstractor in the land title business. She was a member of O.E.S. for more than 50 years and a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Decatur.
She was preceded in death by her husband in June of 2007, and a sister, Mary Pine.
She is survived by a daughter, Angela Smith and husband Brock of Decatur; grandsons, Cody Mac Smith of Decatur and Russell Smith of Lubbock; brothers, Raymond Mecaskey of Panhandle and Art Mecaskey of Garland.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church Kitchen Fund or Meals on Wheels of Decatur.
Published Thursday, December 27, 2007

Carlson, Kevin Bingham
1951-2007
Funeral for Kevin Bingham Carlson, 56, of Dallas was to be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 14 at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. The Rev. Johnny Irish and Jim Jeffries were to officiate. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Carlson died Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007, in Richardson.
Born April 8, 1951, in Evanston, Ill., to Robert K. “Bob” and Marjorie “Midge” Carlson, he was a longtime UPS store manager at the Preston-Forest Center in Dallas. He graduated from Sanger High School in 1969 and was a graduate of the University of North Texas.
He is survived by a daughter, Jennifer Carlson of Dallas; a sister, Kim Drasher and husband, Glenn, of Plymouth, Minn.; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family requests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society.
Published Thursday, November 15, 2007

Carpenter, Linda
1940-2007

Graveside service for Linda Carpenter, 67, of Bridgeport will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. A celebration of life memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Bridgeport.
Carpenter died Monday, Nov. 5, 2007, in Decatur.
Born March 5, 1940, in Groesbeck to Dick and Annie Long, she married Bob Carpenter March 5, 1965. She graduated from Groesbeck High School in 1958 and from Baylor University in 1961. She moved to Bridgeport in 1977. She enjoyed gardening and sewing. She was a member of the Bridgeport Garden Club and a lifetime member of District II Garden Club.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Joe and Gene Long.
She is survived by her husband; three children, Dr. Brian Carpenter and wife, Mollie, Becca Hurd and husband, Mike, and Penny Hillje and husband, Charles; seven grandchildren, Reagan and Connor Hurd, Darby, Donie and Tilly Hillje and Cole and Carson Carpenter; two sisters, Mary Lou Vestal and Sue Waller of Groesbeck; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Published Thursday, November 8, 2007

Carson, Ray, Jr.
1920-2007
Graveside service for Ray Carson Jr., 87, of Greenwood will be at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at the Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at DeBerry Funeral Directors, 2025 W. University Drive, Denton.
Carson died Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, in Denton.
Born Aug. 21, 1920, in Archer County to Ray and Minnie Krebs Carson, he was a retired rancher. He was a graduate of Texas A&M University and the University of Texas School of Law. He was a captain in the United States Air Force and served during World War II. He married Ruby Lucille Jolly May 17, 1947. He was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ.
He is survived by his daughter, Cecile Carson, of Greenwood; sisters, Leoda Lowder of Houston and Frances Atkins of Wichita Falls; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Published Thursday, October 11, 2007

Carter, Linda J.
1946-2007

Funeral for Linda J. Carter, 60, of Chico was to be at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 26, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel with Rev. Eddie “Bo” Johnson officiating. Burial was to follow at Chico Cemetery.
Carter died Wednesday, May 23, 2007, in Chico.
Born June 21, 1946, in Wichita Falls to William Allen Parker Sr. and Alice Imogene (McClennan) Parker, she was a homemaker. She married Robert L. Carter on June 1, 1964, in Wichita Falls.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Weldon Kelsey.
She is survived by her husband, Bob Carter of Chico; a daughter, Evette Sampson and husband, Gary, of Chico; a son, Allen Carter and wife, Lorie, of Chico; four grandchildren, Blake, Skylar, Carra and Torrie; a sister, Renee Berg of Chico; a brother, Bill Parker of Chico; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Wally Collins, Richard Monk, Charlie Gamble, Bridger Peck, Jack Keller, Derek Berg, Kelsey Berg and Clay Martin.
Published Sunday, May 27, 2007

Caruthers, Foy
1928-2007

Funeral for Foy Caruthers, 79, of Springtown was Dec. 4 at First Baptist Church in Springtown. Dr. Hal Kinkeade officiated. Burial followed at Thomas Cemetery in Wise County.
Caruthers died Friday, Nov. 30, 2007, in Fort Worth.
Born June 11, 1928, in San Antonio to Foy and Francis Morris Caruthers, he owned Texas Manufacturing and Fabrication and served in the National Guard. He married Ernestine Swain July 7, 1950, in Fort Worth and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Springtown.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Brian Caruthers and wife, Carolann, of Granbury and Craig Caruthers and wife, Sharon, of Keller; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a brother, John Caruthers of Waco; a sister, Bettye Bewley of Kilgore; and numerous other extended family.
Pallbearers were Lambert Geerlings, James Davenport, Ed Millsap, Don Springfield, D.M. Cox and Boyd Phillips.
Published Thursday, December 6, 2007

Casillas, Martin
1926-2007

Mass of Christian burial for Martin Casillas, 81, of Bridgeport will be at 2 p.m. Monday, March 19, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Bridgeport. Father Gonzalo Morales will officiate. Burial will follow at Mexican Cemetery. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Sunday at Hawkins Funeral Home.
Casillas died Friday, March 16, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Jan. 30, 1926, in Bridgeport to Charlie and Josephine Burrola Casillas, he married Ruth Valasquez Jan. 6, 1941. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and a member of St. John’s Catholic Church.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Juanita Sales, and a son, David Casillas.
He is survived by his wife of Bridgeport; two sons, Martin Casillas Jr. and wife, Mary Helen, of Bridgeport and Charley Casillas and wife, Cecilia, of Fort Worth; five daughters, Mary Martinez and husband Jesse and Josephine Morales and husband Joe, all of Fort Worth, Ida Gonzales and husband Santos of Alvarado, Pauline Ramos and husband Robert of Arlington and Helen Casillas of Bridgeport; two sisters, Mary Sue Garza of Paradise and Emily Davilla of Bridgeport; 18 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Pallbearers will be Marty Casillas, Jesse Casillas, Robert Gonzales, Joseph Morales, Charley Casillas Jr. and Rich Alcaraz Jr.
Published Sunday, March 18, 2007

Cates, James G., Jr.
1949-2007

A private service is planned for James G. Cates Jr., 58, of Atlanta, Ga., formerly of Decatur.
Cates died Thursday, Sept. 13, in Atlanta.
He was born May 6, 1949, in Decatur to James Gordon Cates and Gladys Neel Taylor. He attended Decatur schools through sixth grade, then moved to Fort Worth where he graduated from Paschal High School. Upon graduation he moved to Chicago and graduated from the University of Illinois.
He was a pharmacist.
Cates was preceded in death by his mother.
He is survived by his parents James Gordon Cates and Laura Cates; stepbrother, Joe Greene of Tulsa, Okla.; aunt, Julia Murphy of Michigan; and cousins.
Published Sunday, September 30, 2007

Cazzell, Viola Fern
1937-2007

Graveside service for Viola Fern Cazzell, 69, of Blue Mound was June 14 at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Decatur.
Cazzell died June 9, 2007, in Blue Mound.
Born Aug. 8, 1937, in Decatur, to J.G. and Coy Pearl New, she was a military wife who lived in many states and spent a year in Guam. She helped take care of her son, Johnny, who is a quadripalegic, when he moved in with her 10 years ago. She was a member of the Northside Lodge and loved dances, Vegas night, piano bar night and bingo. Cazzell enjoyed collecting dolls and old coins and was a Dallas Cowboys fan.
She was preceded in death by a son, Ronnie Cazzell; a sister, Peggy Mabry; and a brother, Loyal New.
She is survived by two sons, Jimmy Cazzell and wife, Rose Reneé, of Mississippi and Johnny Cazzell of Blue Mound; four sisters, Lena New of Blue Mound, Marion Eason and husband, Roland, and Betty Eason and husband, Bill, all of Azle and Hazel Sherman of Saginaw; a brother, Bobbie New of Azle; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild, all of Gautier, Miss.
Published Thursday, July 19, 2007

Cearley, Timothy Wayne
1954-2007
Graveside service for Timothy Wayne Cearley, 52, of Amarillo will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007, at Chico Cemetery.
Cearley died Friday, Nov. 9, 2007, in Amarillo.
Born Nov. 23, 1954, in Fort Worth, he was preceded in death by a son, Eric Cearley.
He is survived by two daughters, Misty Burrows and husband, Pat, and Stacy Beaver and husband, Brad, all of the Fort Worth area; mother, Lavelle Massie of Chico; four brothers, Kenneth Cearley of Lufkin, Mike Cearley of Troop, Steve Cearley of Palastine and Gary Massie of Chico; and a sister, Kim McElroy of Bridgeport; four grandsons; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Published Thursday, November 15, 2007

Chaffin, Rusty
1929-2007
Memorial for Rusty Chaffin, 77, of Poolville was Feb. 5 at Flatwood Baptist Church. The Rev. Doug Acklie officiated.
Chaffin died Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007, in Poolville.
Born Sept. 10, 1929, in Iredell to Walter A. and Mattie Marsh Chaffin, he was a carpenter. He married Lucille Headley Aug. 10, 1970, in Corpus Christi. He was a U.S. Army veteran.
He was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Alexis Mills.
He is survived by his wife, Lucille Chaffin, of Poolville; sons, Vernon Chaffin Jr. and wife, Carline, Billy Ray Chaffin and wife, Marie, and Roger Allen and wife, Lena, all of Corpus Christi, Douglas Mills and wife, Marie, of Bridgeport, Benny Lee of Oregon, Fredrick Valdez and wife, Marsha, and Anthony Valdez, all of Fort Worth; daughters, Vivian Sanchez and husband, Danny, of Albuquerque, N.M., Sheree Lynn Halbardier and Debra Joyce Segura, both of San Antonio; JoAnn Sigler of Poolville and Regina Thompson and husband, Ricky, of Cleburne; 34 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Alene Goodman of San Antonio and Ada Gleeson of Oklahoma City, Okla.
Published Sunday, February 11, 2007

Chapman, Dylan Dakota Joseph
1997-2007
Funeral is pending for Dylan Dakota Jospeh Chapman, 10, of Broken Arrow, Okla., and formerly of Wise County.
Chapman died Thursday, April 5, 2007, in Tulsa, Okla.
Born March 23, 1997, he died after a three-year illness. He was a student in Broken Arrow and loved baseball, painting, drawing, riding in his wheelchair, going to the zoo and animals.
He is survived by his parents, Robert W. Chapman and Trina Jo Dale Langley Chapman; two brothers, Christian Brashear and Xander Petty; grandparents, Richard and Margaret Puckett of Alvarado, Robert and Nancy Chapman of Bridgeport and Hiram Langley of Tulsa; a great-grandfather, Richard Puckett of Chico; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Published Thursday, April 19, 2007

Chavez, Juana Maria
1924-2007
Mass of Christian burial for Juana Maria Chavez, 82, of Decatur was June 25, 2007, at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Decatur with the Father Sojan Jorge officiating. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Chavez died Friday, June 22, 2007, in Decatur.
Born June 24, 1924, in Palmas Altas, Jerez Zacatecas, Mexico, to Nasario and Florencia Rodriguez, she was married to Francisco Chavez.
She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, Pedro Chavez; and a grandson, Pedro Chavez Jr.
Survivors include her children, Juana Fernandez and husband, Aurelio, of Decatur, Marcelino Chavez and wife, Maria, of Pharr, Juan Chavez and wife, Lorena, of Decatur, Gabriela Hernandez and husband, Ignacio, of Decatur, Victor Chavez and wife, Silvia, of Decatur and Alberto Chavez and wife, Armandina, of Decatur; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Published Sunday, July 1, 2007

Cheves, Allene Garrett ‘Suzy’
1935-2007

Graveside service for Allene Garrett “Suzy” Cheves, 72, of Bridgeport was to be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, at West Bridgeport Cemetery.
Cheves died Monday, Nov. 26, 2007, at her home.
Born April 10, 1935, in Bridgeport to L.W. “Red” and Nannie “Granny Gert” Morton Garrett, she married her high school sweetheart, Sam Cheves, Dec. 13, 1954, in Bridgeport. She was a member of the Cates Street Church of Christ, the Bridgeport Country Club Ladies Golf Association, Daughters of Masons and was a 1953 graduate of Bridgeport High School.
She was preceded in death by six brothers, Tommy, Jimmy, Paul, Billy Jack, Clarence and Carlton Garrett.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, J.V. “Sam” Cheves of Bridgeport; sons, Mike Cheves of Grand Prairie, Scott Cheves and wife, Melody, of Bridgeport; honorary son, Kevin Ailara of Grand Prairie; two granddaughters, Lauren and Kelsey Cheves; two sisters, Lavina Coleman of Bridgeport and Peggy Shepherd and husband, Billy Joe, of Boonsville; numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Published Thursday, November 29, 2007

Choate, Daisy Orene
1917-2007

A private graveside service for Daisy Orene Choate, 89, of Bridgeport will be held at Greenwood Memorial Park.
Choate died Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2007, in Bridgeport.
Born July 8, 1917, she was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Bill Choate, in 1998.
She is survived by two daughters, Cathey Carter and husband, David, of Tyler and Dana Read and husband, Marvin, of Bridgeport; a grandson, Jason Carter and wife, Elena, of Penn Hills, Pa.; a great-grandson, Noah Carter, of Penn Hills; two granddaughters, Lisa Raven of Bridgeport and Sheri Cox of Cookeville, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of North Texas, 1840 E. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth, Texas 76103.
Published Sunday, January 28, 2007

Claborn, Bonnie Lee
1913-2007
Graveside service for Bonnie Lee Claborn, 94, of Alvord will be Sunday, March 18, at Hopewell Cemetery with the Rev. Dan Sparkman officiating.
Claborn died Thursday, March 15, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Jan. 5, 1913, in Alvord to Charles E. and Mary McDonald King, she was a homemaker. She married Izo Claborn on April 28, 1946, in Alvord.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by three nephews, Roy King and C.B. King Jr., both of Alvord, and Kenneth Claborn and wife Merle of Decatur; and two nieces, Jenny Brown of Plano and Janet Johnson of Moore, Okla.
Published Sunday, March 18, 2007

Claborn, Jettie Mae
1914-2007

Funeral for Jettie Mae Claborn, 92, was to be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007, at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Alvord. The Revs. Ron Bird, Kevin Moore and Jim Baird were to officiate. Burial was to follow in Hopewell Cemetery in Alvord.
Claborn died Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007, in Bridgeport.
Born Oct. 2, 1914, in Alvord, she married Ezra Claborn on May 20, 1930, in Warika, Okla. She was a homemaker and a member of the Mount Zion Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband and two infant sons.
She is survived by her nephew, Ray Shipley, and wife, Tonnie; their three children, Jodie, Rachel and Sam Shipley of Alvord.
Published Sunday, September 9, 2007

Clark, Claude E. ‘Sonny’
1929-2007
Funeral for Claude E. “Sonny” Clark, 78, of Runaway Bay will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 15, at Jones Family Funeral Home. David Burrows will officiate. Burial will follow at Eternal Oaks Cemetery.
Clark died Monday, March 12, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Feb. 16, 1929, in Dallas, he was an oilfield salesman for Smith Tool Company. He was a 1947 graduate of Wichita Falls High School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Wichita Falls.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Dorothy Clark; two daughters, Kimberly Self of Bridgeport and Karen Clark of Wichita Falls; a son, Craig Clark of Tennessee; grandchildren, Dustin Self and wife, Joni, Matthew Self and wife, Amy, and Craig II, Cassandra and Casey Clark, all of Tennessee; and a great-grandchild, Truett Wayne Self.
Pallbearers will be John and James Brogan and Dustin and Matthew Self.
Published Thursday, March 15, 2007

Clark, Samuel Ladd
1947-2007

Funeral for Samuel Ladd Clark, 60, of Boyd, was held Sept. 18 at Greenwood Cemetery in Fort Worth. Burial followed at Greenwood Cemetery.
Clark died Friday, Sept. 14, in Fort Worth.
He was born on May 22, 1947, in Fort Worth to Floyd and Mamie Clark. He was a leather artist and saddlemaker. He owned a shop in Boyd where he crafted custom-made saddles and other leather items. He competed in the rodeo circuit when he was younger. He also enjoyed painting.
He is survived by brothers Ron Clark of Denver, Colo., and Dick Hall and two nephews and a niece.
Published Thursday, September 20, 2007

Clements, Carl Don
1945-2007
Funeral for Carl Don Clements, 61, of Denton was to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 7, 2007, at the Church of Latter-day Saints in Denton with Bishop Mike Gwillians officiating with burial at Fairview Cemetery in Wise County.
Clements died Wednesday, July 4, 2007, in Denton.
Born Oct. 10, 1945, in Fort Worth to Monty Preston and Vivian Louella (Kirkland) Clements, he was a self-employed contractor and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He married Bonnie Cate Aug. 28, 1976, in Denton.
He is survived by his wife; his father, Monty Preston Clements of Euless; sisters, Carrie Birchett of Gilbert, Ariz., Elaine Nave of Phoenix, Ariz., and Monette Benson of Arlington; brothers, Kirk Clements of Chico, Calif., Wesley Clements of Lubbock and Russell Clements of Denton.
Published Sunday, July 8, 2007

Clifton, Louise
1946-2006

Memorial for Louise Clifton, 60, of Chico was to be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport with the Rev. Ken Cates officiating. Burial was to follow at Chico Cemetery.
Clifton died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006, in Decatur.
Born Feb. 23, 1946, in Ryan, Okla., she was a homemaker and a Baptist. She married John R. “Catfish John” Clifton on June 5, 1977, in Graham.
She was preceded in death by her husband on Nov. 15, 2006, and by her parents, George T. and Della Phillips Riddle.
She is survived by a daughter, Janet Gregg of Fort Worth; a son, Donald Clifton and wife, Barbara, of Chico; three brothers, Troy Riddle and wife, Brenda, of Breckenridge, Jerry Riddle of Jacksboro and Carl Riddle and wife, Sherry, of Jacksboro; a sister, Gladys Lowther and husband, Russell, of Jacksboro; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Published Sunday, January 7, 2007

Cobb, John R.
1933-2007

No funeral services are scheduled for John R. Cobb Sr., 74, of Decatur.
Cobb died Wednesday, April 11, 2007, in Fort Worth.
Born Jan. 13, 1933, in Oneonta, N.Y., he was the property office manager of Storage Center. He married Emma Lunette Weaver on Dec. 10, 1965, in Wichita Falls. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was of Mohawk Indian heritage. He was a member of Oak Grove United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Emma Cobb of Lake Worth; two sons, Lee Cobb and wife, Pamela, of Azle, and John Raymond Cobb Jr. and wife, Brenda, of Aledo; a sister, Mary MacDonald and husband, David, of Lakeland, Fla.; and four grandchildren.
Published Thursday, April 19, 2007

Cogdell, Dorothy
1914-2007

A private funeral was held in Restland Cemetery in Fort Worth for Dorothy Cogdell, 93, of Decatur.
Cogdell died Monday, Sept. 10, 2007, in Decatur.
Cogdell was born on Feb. 21, 1914, in Bennengton, Kan., to Walter Alvah Foster and Rosemary Ann Blaha. She was a retired office manager for a real estate office.
Survivors include daughters Mary Charlotte and her husband Allen M. of Livingston, Renata Dempsey and her husband Larry W. of Decatur; sisters Arlene Buanata of Decatur and Leveta Harris of Boerne; brother-in-law Fredrick Fischer of LaMarque; six grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchidlren.
Published Thursday, September 13, 2007

Collins, Wanda LaVerne
1936-2007

Service for Wanda LaVerne Collins, 71, of Decatur was Dec. 20 at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel.
Collins died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Nov. 5, 1936, in Bynum to Simmon W. and Eddie Lou Taylor, she was a retired merchandising buyer. She married Brad Collins Oct. 11, 1968, in Midlothian.
She was preceded in death by four brothers and a grandson, Rickey Stapp.
She is survived by three daughters, Debbie Cohn and husband, Bill, of Burleson, Alta Moreland and husband, Lonnie, of Nacogdoches, and Connie Smith and husband, Gary, of Newark; sons, Raymond Collins and wife, Fran, of Decatur, and Mike Davis and wife, Penny, of Joshua; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Frances Holt of Whitney and Elizabeth Bell of Alvarado.
Published Thursday, December 27, 2007

Cooper, Casely Faith
2007
Funeral for Casely Faith Cooper, a 26 day-old infant, of Decatur was Wednesday, May 23, at 2 p.m. at Victory Family Church with the Revs. Allen Bates and Ty Bean officiating. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Cooper died Sunday, May 20, 2007, in Fort Worth.
Born April 24, 2007, she was the infant daughter of Clint Cooper and Amber Rodie of Decatur.
She is survived by her parents; grandparents, Roy Cooper of Decatur, Sam and Lisa Seed of Hobbs, N.M., Cindy Hopkins of Bakersfield, Calif., and Don and Tracy Rodie of Shallowater; and great-grandparents, Tuffy and Betty Cooper of Monument, N.M., and Bob and Sue Wallace of Lovington, N.M.
Published Sunday, May 27, 2007

Cowling, Jane Elizabeth
1922-2007

Funeral for Jane Elizabeth Cowling, 84, of Bridgeport was to be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the First United Methodist Church in Bridgeport.
Cowling died Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007.
Born Sept. 17, 1922, in Richardson to Grady and Ophie Smith, she married Edgar W. (Ed) Cowling Sr. on Sept. 25, 1948, in Richardson and moved to Bridgeport. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Bridgeport where she played the piano for many years. She enjoyed playing bridge and traveling and was a seamstress and a quilt maker.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by her children, Harriet and David Garrison and Grady and Gail Cowling, all of Bridgeport, Ed and Diane Cowling of Arlington, and Phyllis Cowling of Wichita Falls; a brother, Charles Smith of Richardson; grandchildren, Wendy (Garrison) Hudson and husband, Jay, Brad Garrison, Corey, Will, Megan, Lauren and Kristen Cowling; and a great-granddaughter, Makenna Hudson.
Pallbearers were to be Curtis Anderson, Corey and Will Cowling, Brad Garrison, Jay Hudson, Chuck Smith and Paul Wood.
Published Sunday, January 14, 2007

Cox, Nanci Janet Darlene
1962-2007

Funeral for Nanci Janet Darlene Cox, 45, of Chico, was to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at Living Waters Fellowship Church in Chico, with burial in East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Cox died Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, in Fort Worth.
She was born April 26, 1962, in Denver, Colo., to Laverne and Carolyn Bellamy Gleason. She married Robert Lyn Cox Oct. 15, 2005, in Chico. She was a member and Christian education director of Living Waters Fellowship Church.
She is survived by her husband of Chico; mother, Carolyn Myers and husband Jack of Joplin, Mo.; son, David Brown of Chico; daughter, Lisa Allen and husband Christopher of Joplin; stepsons, Bobby and Bryan Cox of Fort Worth; brother, Robert Brown of East Stroudsburg, Pa.; sister, Diana McLallen of Joplin; aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Published Sunday, September 30, 2007

Crall, J.R.
1984-2007
Funeral for J.R. Crall, 23, of Joshua was Oct. 4 at Bible Baptist Church in Bridgeport. The Revs. Bill Higgins and Dale Webster officiated. Burial was at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Crall died Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007, in Joshua.
Born June 13, 1984, in Denton, he was a derrick hand for Felderhoff.
He is survived by his wife, Amy Taylor Crall of Joshua; sons, James and Landen; father, Mike Crall and wife, Debbie, of Rhome; mother, Jewell Coe and husband, Jeff, of Norman, Okla.; four brothers, Marcus Norris and wife, Ashley, of Waxahachie, Michael Crall and wife, Stephani, and their daughter, Kinsey, of Denton, Jeff Thomas and wife, Candice, of Granbury and John Jimenez of Texarkana; sister, Alynna Jimenez of Rhome; and grandparents, Sammie Eubanks of Bridgeport and Dot Clayton of Burns, Tenn.
Pallbearers were Cory Phillips, Chris Crutchfield, Bill Dean, Dwayne Henderson, Josh Faubion, Junior Patino and Ty Hartsell.
Published Thursday, October 11, 2007

Cromer, H. Lloyd
1926-2007
Graveside service for Homer Lloyd Cromer, 80, of Saginaw, is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Greenwood Memorial Park in Fort Worth. Visitation is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Greenwood Funeral Home.
Cromer died on Sunday, July 22, 2007, in Newark.
He was born on Sept. 30, 1926, in Stoutland, Mo., to James Roy Sr. and Rosy Jennings Cromer. He retired from United Heat Treating of Fort Worth after 38 years of service as a quality control inspector.
Cromer was proceeded in death by his son, Homer L. Cromer Jr.; wife, Clara Weaver Cromer; and brother Lilburn Cromer.
He is survived by his wife, Juanita Cromer of Saginaw; son, Keith Cromer and wife, Wendy; and their children, Steve Cromer, Chris Cromer and wife, Amy; great-granddaughter, Carissa Cromer, all of Newark; stepdaughter, Trena Chaffin and husband, Bud, of Lake Worth; their children, Darin Chaffin and Lisa Faulkner; great-grandchildren, Allison Faulkner, Austin Chaffin and Hillary Chaffin; brothers, Jay Cromer and wife, Gail, of Owasso, Okla., and Roy Cromer of Tulsa, Okla.; sister, Jenith Schweitzer of Tulsa; and many nieces and newphews.
Published Thursday, July 26, 2007

Crosen, Bertha
1935-2007

Graveside service for Bertha McCasland Crosen, 71, of Burleson will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 13, at West Bridgeport Cemetery. John Scott will officiate.
Crosen died Tuesday, June 5, 2007, in Burleson.
Born Aug. 18, 1935, in Bridgeport to Ancil H. and Ophelia McDaniel McCasland, she was a retired nurse. She attended school in Bridgeport and earned a nursing degree in Fort Worth at Harris Hospital. She worked as a nurse for 40 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin; two brothers; and a sister.
She is survived by two sisters, Wanda Forns of Burleson and Barbara McCormick of Harpers Ferry, Iowa; and two brothers, Herman McCasland of Mart and Barney J. McCasland of Crowley.
Published Sunday, June 10, 2007

Cross, Jimmy
1953-2007

Funeral for Jimmy “Jim” Cross, 54, of Alvord was to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24 at Pleasant View Baptist Church with the Rev. Gary Demmitt officiating.
Cross died Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007, in Dallas.
Born Oct. 16, 1952, in Lawton, Okla., he served in the U.S. Marines and was a member of the American Legion. He married Marilyn O’Dell Aug. 6, 1974, in Bridgeport.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, of Alvord; daughters, Sherry Peters and husband, Eric, of Alvord and Norma Gayle Cross of Heidelberg, Germany; son, Gary Cross of Austin; grandchildren, Christian and Michaela Cross Peters; sister, Barbara Crouse and husband, James, of Grapevine; and brother, James Cross of Colorado.
Pallbearers were to be Juan Mercer, Shane Smith, Jeff Keller, Dave Gunnell, David O’Dell and Xavier O’Dell.
Published Sunday, November 25, 2007

Cruz, Lola Fay
1912-2007

Graveside service for Lola Fay Cruz, 95, of Boyd was July 10 at Boyd Cemetery with the Rev. James Arrington officiating.
Cruz died Saturday, July 7, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Jan. 11, 1912, in Boyd to Hance and Dora Anderson Splawn, she was a homemaker. She was a lifetime resident of Boyd.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Grover C. Cruz; a son, Arlon Don Cruz; a grandson, Bobby Brent Cruz; two sisters, Velma Gargis and Nancy Crabb; and four brothers, Grover, Elmer “Banny,” Ben and Goshi “Goat” Splawn.
She is survived by a son, Bobby Jack Cruz and wife, Sue, of Boyd; two granddaughters, Julie Fay Cruz of Dallas and Deann Filip of Austin; three great-grandchildren, Ashley and Joni Rose Filip and Julian Cruz; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Published Thursday, July 12, 2007

Cummings, Ida ‘Dee’
1939-2007

Graveside service for Ida “Dee” Cummings, 68, of Waxahachie was Nov. 2, 2007, at Greenwood Cemetery. The Rev. Gerre Joiner officiated.
Cummings died Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007, in Waxahachie.
Born May 25, 1939, in Tabor City, N.C., to William J. Mason and Nell Jacobs, she was a machinist and a member of the Greenwood Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister.
She is survived by two daughters, Katrina Spicer and husband, Wayne, of Waxahachie and Paula Morrow and husband, Gary, of Bedford; two sons, David Rhea and wife, Nikki, of Missouri and Kenneth Lee of Fort Worth; a brother, Dale Mason and wife, Sandra, of Saginaw; a sister, Elaine Tedder of North Carolina; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Published Sunday, November 4, 2007

Cunningham, Mark
1982-2007
Funeral for Mark Cunningham, 24, of Lewisville was July 6 at Lakeland Baptist Church with the Revs. Ben Smith and Donny Forsom officiating. Burial was at Bethel Cemetery in Decatur.
Cunningham died Tuesday, July 3, 2007, in Houston.
Born Dec. 29, 1982, in Lewisville to Paul and Debra Lynn Kelly Cunningham, he graduated from Lewisville High School in 2001 and was a member of Lakeland Baptist Church in Lewisville.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Jason and Jeremy Cunningham.
He is survived by his parents, Wise County Fire Marshal Paul Cunningham and Debra Cunningham of Saint Jo; two brothers, Ricky Cunningham of Lewisville and Scott Cunningham and wife, Amanda of Flower Mound; grandparents, Jack and Bobbie Tiller of Lewisville and Howard and Peggy Kelly of Denton; nephews, Colten Cunningham of Lewisville and Ethan and Connor Cunningham of Hurst; nieces, Chaela Cunningham of Lewisville and Jacqueline Cunningham of Flower Mound; and numerous aunts and uncles.
Pallbearers were Randy Cunningham, Luke Ridinger, Cody Blackall, Cole Ellis, Thomas Vick, Tyler Thomas and Robert Ingram.
Published Sunday, July 8, 2007

Cunnius, Maxine L.
1915-2007

Funeral for Maxine L. Cunnius. 91, of Decatur was Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007, at Cornerstone Baptist Church with the Rev. Raymond Johns officiating. Burial was at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Cunnius died Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Oct. 11, 1915, in Wise County to Charles B. and Lizzie Boyd Longmire, she was a homemaker. She married George Lee Cunnius May 22, 1933, in Marietta, Okla.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Chock Longmire.
She is survived by her husband; a daughter, Beth Rawle and husband, Russell; two sons, Tommy Cunnius and wife, Kathy, and Jimmy Cunnius and wife, Lynn, all of Decatur; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorials may be made to the Cornerstone Baptist Church Mission Fund in Decatur.
Pallbearers were Ryan Cunnius, Ed Cunnius, Mike Rawle, Brandon Kelton, John Schnase and Brent Kelton. Honorary pallbearers were Guy Horner Jr., David Maxey, Gary Willis, Calvin Buchanan, B.J. Yerby, Casey Fain, Jeremy Rawle and Tom Woodward.
Published Thursday, August 16, 2007

Curry, Wanda Faye
1933-2007

Graveside service for Wanda Faye Curry, 73, of Bridgeport was to be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, at Thomas Cemetery with the Rev. Jerry Stout officiating.
Curry died Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007, in Bridgeport.
Born Jan. 30, 1933, in Decatur to Aubrey and Cora Myers Shelton, she was the owner of Metro Lighting in Hurst.
She is survived by a daughter, Janice Young and husband, Bud, of Keller; a son, Jimmy Curry Jr. of Keller; a granddaughter, Kimberly Brooks Young; and two sisters, Barbara Dunn and husband, Tommy, and Linda Morris.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Published Thursday, January 18, 2007

Davidson, Donald Worth
1916-2007

Graveside service for Donald Worth Davidson, 91, of Roanoke was May 21 at 10 a.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Davidson died Friday, May 18, 2007, in Grapevine.
Born April 18, 1916, in Bridgeport to Patton Earl and Ella Cecil Davidson, he was a longtime employee of the Vernon Daily Record. He was a 32-degree Mason and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Roanoke.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Workman Davidson.
He is survived by a son, Donald Worth Davidson, Jr. of Roanoke; a daughter, Alice Ellen Schur of Roanoke; two grandchildren, Deena Everest and Brad Schur; four great-grandchildren, Mallory Schur, Donna Everest, Ted Everest and Sara Everest; one great-great grandson, Memphis Everest; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Published Thursday, May 24, 2007

Davidson, Evelyn
1925-2007

Funeral for Evelyn Davidson, 81, of Bridgeport was March 13 at Pleasant View Baptist Church in Bridgeport. The Rev. Gary Demmitt officiated. Burial followed at Tucker Cemetery in Chico.
Davidson died Saturday, March 10, 2007, in Bridgeport.
Born Dec. 16, 1925, in Gilliland to Charlie and Ida Young Tucker, she was a homemaker. She was a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, W.H. “Buddy” Davidson; two brothers, Everett and Bob Tucker; four sisters, Nell and Bessie Glidewell, Sarah New and Zona Wallace; and three grandchildren, Melanie and Jeffrey Davidson and Chance Wood.
She is survived by three daughters, Glenda Freeman of Sunset, Jane Wood and husband, Kenneth, of Crafton and Joyce Wood and husband, Roger, of Bowie; three sons, Welton Davidson Jr. and Royce Davidson, both of Bridgeport, and Wayne Davidson and wife, Judy, of Chico; a brother, Jake Tucker and wife, Marie, of Kerns; 16 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were David, Leslie, James, Darrell and Justin Davidson and Tim Gortney. Honorary pallbearers were Eddie Freeman, Dustin Wood and Derek Davidson.
Published Thursday, March 15, 2007

Davidson, L.A., Jr.
1931-2007

No service is scheduled for L. A. Davidson Jr., 76, of Decatur.
Davidson died Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007, in Decatur.
Born in Overton on Feb. 11, 1931, to L. A. Davidson and Betty Mae Layer, he was a retired truck driver and mechanic.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Betty Bray Davidson; a granddaughter, Kimberley Apodaca; and a brother.
He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Peggy L. Davidson of Decatur; a daughter, Geraldine Shadburn and husband, Robert, of Forestburg; two sons, Donald Wayne Davidson of Springtown and Jerry Wayne Davidson and wife, Barbara, of Troup; and two daughters, Carolyn Riggs of Bridgeport and Tammy Haggard and husband, Raymond, of Glenview.
Published Sunday, December 2, 2007

Davidson, Lois Mae
1939-2007
Funeral for Lois Mae Davidson, 67, of Alvord was to be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at Central Baptist in Chico with Jerry Stout officiating. Burial was to be in Alvord.
Davidson died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Dec. 31, 1939, in Kearney, Neb., to Lawrence Vincent Johnson and Mamie Lou Anson, she was the owner of Davidson Maid Service. She married Melton Lee Davidson on Dec. 11, 1981, in Decatur.
She is survived by her husband of Alvord; a daughter, Faith Ward of Decatur; two sons, Eddie Nielsen of Chico and Scott Nielsen of Paradise; three sisters, Mary Wilson of Kearney, Neb., Alice Nielsen of Litchfield, Neb., and JoAnn Hansen of Nebraska; two brothers, Larry Johnson of Bridgeport and Dewayne Seachord of Beatrice, Neb.; and two grandchildren, Kenneth and Heather Ward of Decatur.
Published Sunday, January 7, 2007

Davis, Herbert Paul
1941-2007
Memorial service for Herbert Paul Davis, 66, of Chico will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23, at Morris Memorial United Methodist Church in Chico.
Born April 29, 1941, in Oklahoma City to James and Lola Davis, he graduated from Slidell High School in 1959 and Sam Houston State University in 1963 with a bachelor of science degree in vocational agriculture. He married Carolyn Gardovsky on Aug. 24, 1963.
Davis taught at West Oso, Corpus Christi and in Callisburg. He left the classroom to pursue dairy farming in 1967. He moved to Chico in 1971 and established JO-L Farms. He was an active member of the Holstien Freisian Association of Texas and served as president in 1979. He also served on the Chico school board for 12 years and was president for two years. He was a strong supporter of 4-H and FFA youth of Wise County and was a member of DFA.
He is survived by his wife; children, Karen Jo Davis, Larry Davis, Stacey Morales and husband, Rick, Joe Davis and Karen High; three brothers, Jerry Davis and wife, Linda, Bill Davis and wife, Tanya, and James Davis and wife, Kaye; three grandchildren, Rush Porter, Lance Davis and Lauren Morales; as well as and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family request memorials be made to First State Bank of Chico for an agriculture scholarship.
Published Thursday, November 22, 2007

Davis, Johnnie Leon
1940-2007

Funeral for Johnnie Leon Davis, 67, formerly of Decatur was Nov. 7 at the Comanche Funeral Home. Burial was at Fairlawn Cemetery.
Davis, of Comanche, Okla., died Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007, in Chico.
Born March 19, 1940, to Leon M. Davis and Minnie Bea Brines Souza, he married Barbara Jean Gilland July 8, 1969. He served in the U.S. Army.
He married Doris Davidson Jan. 27, 1996.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; his father, Leon; his stepfather, Henry Souza.
He is survived by his wife, Doris Davis of Comanche; his mother, Minnie Bea Souza of Comanche; his sons, Leon Davis of Hinton, Okla., Eugene Davis of Comanche, Tommy Davis of Chico and Craig Peck and his wife, Pam, of Duncan, Okla.; his daughters, Sandra Klindera and husband, Lester, of Chico and Lacy Pollard of Alvord; brothers, Dewayne Souza and wife, Stephanie, of Comanche; 14 grandchildren, Dustin, Justin, Mark, Natasha, Rachel, Frank and Barbara Davis, Justin Klindera, Jenny Chambers, Jeremy and Amy Aveline, Colton, Courtney and Caitlin Oldham; four great-grandchildren, Treyson, Keylan and Connor Chambers and Alyssa Klindera.
Pallbearers were his eldest grandsons, Trey Chambers, Dustin Davis, Justin Klindera, Jeremy Aveline, Justin Davis and Colton Oldham. Honorary pallbearers were his youngest grandsons, Frank Davis and Treyson, Keylan and Connor Chambers.
Published Sunday, November 11, 2007

Davis, Mary Jo
1924-2007

Funeral for Mary Jo Davis, 83, of Boyd was Dec. 11 at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Craig Erb officiated. Burial followed at Aurora Cemetery.
Davis died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, in Boyd.
Born April 15, 1924, in Comanche, Okla., she married Albert Price Davis Nov. 3, 1943, in Walters, Okla.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Price Davis; a son, Charles Dale Davis; two brothers and one sister.
She is survived by three sons, Albert Wayne Davis and wife, Denise, Richard Don Davis and wife, Joyce, of Boyd and Tony Leo Davis and wife, Carolyn, of Briar; a daughter, Sharon Jolene Davis and husband, Willie Williams, of Azle; a brother, Paul Riddles of Tishimingo, Okla.; two sisters, Virginia Taliaferro of Tishimingo and Wanda Sue Shirtz of Saginaw; 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Mike Davis, John Neckar, Brady Davis, Bill Childress, Mike Walton, Tad Davis, Wayne Willingham and Ricky Taliaferro.
Published Thursday, December 13, 2007

Davis, Peter John
1964-2007

Graveside service for Peter John Davis, 43, of Decatur was Sept. 7 at DFW National Cemetery.
Davis died Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007, in Decatur.
Born June 8, 1964, in Pomeroy, Wash., to Glenn Davis and Elnora Mae Fugate, he was a retired jet mechanic for the Navy. He married Bertha Santos on June 15, 1985, in Guam. He retired from the Navy in October 1996 as an aviation machinist’s mate second class and was an active member of the veteran’s association.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Peter John Davis Jr.; mother and father; a brother, William Davis; a sister, Mary Tennant; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Published Sunday, September 9, 2007

Davis, Robert Scott
1961-2007
Funeral services for Robert Scott Davis, 45, of Bridgeport were held in Kendalla. Burial was at Edge Cemetery.
Davis died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006, in Bridgeport.
Born Feb. 8, 1961, in Waco, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and NASCAR. He had been a truck driver since he was 17 years old and began working for Coffman Tank after moving to Bridgeport in 2005.
He was preceded in death by his father, John R. Davis, and a sister, Diana.
He is survived by his mother, Fayann Shedd; a step-mother, Melissa Davis; a brother, Larry Davis and wife, Lajuana, of Nebraska; sisters, Shelley Kimpton and husband, Dale, of Bridgeport, Crystal and Candice Davis of Temple and Rhonda Hellner and husband, Carl, of Nebraska; and a fianceé, Robin.
Published Sunday, January 28, 2007

Davis, Sandra Gail Gee
1945-2007

Funeral for Sandra Gail Gee Davis, 62, of Weatherford, formerly of Chico, was to be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. The Rev. Adam Hughes was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Chico Cemetery.
Davis died Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007, in Weatherford.
Born March 1, 1945, in Wichita Falls to Occle L. and Lenora Jackson, she was a homemaker. She married Keith Alan Davis on Dec. 20, 1964, in Lubbock. The couple owned Momma’s Cafe in Chico.
She was preceded in death by a son, Kerry Lee Davis, her parents, a sister, Sharon Skidmore, and a brother, Jerry Gee.
She is survived by her husband, Keith Alan Davis, of Weatherford; three sons, David Paul Davis of Chico, Kent Alan Davis of Weatherford and Karl D. Davis and fiancee, Heather, of Boyd; five grandchildren, Andrew, Ryan, Connor, Clinton and Christine; four sisters, Helen Isabel, Sylvia Meador, JoAnn Tucker and Pamela Cole; and a brother, Leon Gee.
Published Thursday, February 15, 2007

Dawson, John ‘J.S.’
1933-2007
Service for John “J.S.” Dawson, 73, of Decatur was Feb. 13 at Immanuel Baptist Church. The Rev. Louis Horton officiated. Burial was in Sweetwater Cemetery.
Dawson died Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Dec. 7, 1933, in Decatur to Cecil and Sally (Rosenburg) Dawson, he was a tug boat captain. He married Bernice Wallace in 1965 in Georgia. She preceded him in death. He also was preceded in death by two brothers.
He is survived by a son, John Dawson of Goosecreek, S.C., and a grandchild.
Published Sunday, February 18, 2007

Deaton, DeLaine Branch
1932-2007

Memorial services for DeLaine Branch Deaton, 75, will be held at a later date at The Rose Park Retirement Center in Abilene.
Deaton died Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007, in Houston.
Deaton was born July 25, 1932.
She is survived by her daughters, Suzanne Cox of Onalaska and Linda Kay Deaton of Brisbane, Calif.; her granddaughters, Nancy Ndebele and Christina Rieper, both of Omaha, Neb.; and her great-grandchildren, Katerine Barnett, Michael Barnett, Summer Nelson, Justin Nelson and Zachary Rieper, all of Omaha.
Published Sunday, October 21, 2007

DeBow, Abigail Julia
2007
Funeral for Abigail Julia DeBow, 2 months old, was 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of memories in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Burial was in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Abigail died Monday, Nov. 26, 2007, at University of Iowa Hopitals and Clinics.
She was born Sept. 8, 2007, to Joseph A. DeBow and Ann-Jalene Mast of Marion, Iowa.
She is survived by her parents; grandparents, Jeanette Walker, Bruce DeBow, Tommie Boleyn, all of Marion, and Jalene Boleyn of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; great-grandparents, John and Sally Seeks of Marion and Chris and Mary Mast of Hazelton, Iowa; several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Joseph DeBow served as pallbearer for the funeral service.
Published Sunday, December 2, 2007

Decker, Mahlona Patricia
1953-2007
Memorial service for Mahlona Patricia Decker, 54, of Rhome was Friday, July 20, at Chisholm Trail Baptist Church in Rhome. Ron Graham officiated.
Decker died Tuesday, July 17, 2007, in Rhome.
Born July 2, 1953, in Groton, Conn. to Mahlon Patria and Mary Se-Jan Gill, she married Matt Decker Feb. 14, 1988, in Las Vegas, Nev.
She is survived by her husband; daughter, Marni Bentley of Bedford, N.H., Cari Humphries and Mary Beth Lane, both of Roanoke, Va., and Megan Decker of Rhome; sons, Mason Decker of Rhome and Nathan Hemphill of Florida; brothers, Buddy Gill of California and David Gill of Visalia, Calif.; a sister, Shawna Kinsman; and a grandson, Will Lane.
Published Sunday, July 22, 2007

Deering, Perry
1964-2007

Funeral for Perry Deering, 43, of Chico was Nov. 6 in Bridgeport. The Rev. Luke Oyler officiated. Burial followed at Jim Ned Cemetery.
Deering died Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007, in Chico.
Born March 21, 1964, in Bridgeport to Clyde and Mary Maddux Deering, he was a truck driver.
He is survived by a son, Matthew Deering of Bridgeport; his mother, Mary Price, four brothers, Clyde Deering and John Deering, both of Chico, and Gary Deering and Robert Deering, both of Bridgeport; four sisters, Elaine Vislosky and Elizabeth Long, both of Chico, Stella Davidson of Springtown and Sherrie Skelton of Bridgeport; two stepbrothers, Danny Price of Chico and George Price of Wyoming; a stepsister, Annette Price of Carrollton; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Blake Long, Tim McIlveene, Larry Kittrel, Jason Bruce, Jimmy Vislosky and Daniel Davidson. Honorary pallbearers were Justin Skelton, David Deering and Ricky Walton.
Published Sunday, November 11, 2007

Dement, Carl
1936-2007

Graveside service for Carl Dean Dement, 70, of Bridgeport was Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007, at East Bridgeport Cemetery with Marc Moore officiating and a flag presentation by the Wise County Veterans Group.
Dement died Friday, Aug. 10, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Oct. 12, 1936, in Sacred Heart, Okla. to Jack and Ethyl Delonais Dement, he was a retired contract pumper. He married Betty Sue Ray June 28, 1968, in Perrin. He had lived in the Bridgeport Community since 1974. He was a U.S. Army veteran, a citizen of Potawatomi Nation and a Catholic.
He was preceded in death by a son, Carl Dement Jr.; a granddaughter, Tasha Smith; and a brother, Jackie Dale Dement.
He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Sheila Adams and husband, John, of Oklahoma City; sons, Jerry Dement of Oklahoma City and Rick and Terry Smith, both of Bridgeport; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three sisters, Fay Orr, Deloris Waggoner and husband, Ed, and Patricia Cooper, all of Oklahoma City; and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were David Bush, Ronald Barnes, Shaun Pollock, Christopher Adams, Billy Richey and Joe Spark.
Published Thursday, August 16, 2007

Dennis, Virginia Nell
1931-2007

Funeral for Virginia Nell Dennis, 76, of Bridgeport, was Sept. 7 in Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jack McAsey officiating.
Dennis died Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007, in Decatur.
Born July 26, 1931, in Park Springs, to Dewey J. and Viola Moore Forsythe, she married Clinton Dennis Nov. 29, 1975, in Bridgeport, Texas. She was a homemaker and a member of the Cates Street Baptist Church.
Dennis was preceded in death by her first husband, Jim Hughes.
She is survived by her husband; two sons, Celtyn Hughes and wife, Elizabeth, of Mansfield and Michael Hughes and wife, Dianne, of Whitesboro; four stepchildren, Alexander Dennis and wife, Kathy, of Bridgeport, Mary Carter and husband, Tim, of Weatherford, Penny Andrews and husband, Jackie, of Bridgeport and Lee Dennis of Bridgeport; grandchildren, Jennifer Cass of Burleson, Nichole Hartnett of Arlington, Misty Roberts of Collinsville and Micha Hughes of Denton; seven great-grandchildren; numerous step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marie Love and Delois Coursey, both of Bridgeport; numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.
Pallbearers were Chuck Kennedy, James Cass, Jason Hartnett, Chet Roberts, Billy Young and Bill Smith.
Published Sunday, September 9, 2007

Deussen, Mary Joyce
1929-2007
Funeral for Mary Joyce Deussen, 77, of Decatur was to be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, at the First Baptist Church of Ponder. Kim Broadstreet was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.
Deussen died Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007.
Born Feb. 12, 1929, to W. Cecil and Lil Leland Gunter Knight, she worked in retail. She married Billy Joe Deussen on Oct. 4, 1986, in Denton.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 2000.
She is survived by two daughters, Suzanna G. Bowers of Decatur and Sherry A. Alred of Carrollton; a son, Mackey Alred of Fort Sumner, N.M.; three brothers, Gunter Knight of Denton, Shug Knight of Nocona and Bob Knight of Lubbock; and four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Published Thursday, February 15, 2007

Dipprey, Billie Jo
1916-2007
Private committal for Billie Jo Dipprey, 91, of Rhome was at Deep Creek Cemetery in Wise County.
Dipprey died Wednesday, May 30, 2007, in Lake Worth.
Born Jan. 17, 1916, in Wise County, she worked in food service at Bell Helicopter.
She is survived by a brother, Thomas Gordon Robertson of White Settlement; nieces and nephews, Ruby Dixson and Allie Mae Robertson of Rhome, Billy Robertson of Cleburne, Linda K. Robertson of Denton; sister-in-law, Ruby Robertson of Rhome; great-niece and nephew, Barbara and Leonard Dixson of Rhome.
Published Thursday, June 7, 2007

Dorsey, Dottie Louise
1919-2007

Funeral for Dottie Louise Dorsey, 88, of Decatur was March 16 at Coker-Hawkins Chapel with the Rev. James Earp officiating. Burial was at Sweetwater Cemetery.
Dorsey died Tuesday, March 13, 2007, in Denton.
Born Jan. 25, 1919, in Decatur to Marvin H. and Elba Moore Kellam, she was a retired licensed vocational nurse. She lived in the house she was born in until November of 2006 when she moved to Denton. She was a Baptist.
She is survived by two sons, Gaylon Dorsey of Decatur and Danny Dorsey and wife Anita of Aubrey; a daughter, Myrna Clark and husband Larry of Denton; two cousins she raised as children, Jo Ann Lovelace and Kenneth Rhine; a brother, M.H. Kellam and wife Dorthea of Washington; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Published Thursday, March 22, 2007

Dunn, Meggin Kate
2007
Funeral for Meggin Kate Dunn, an infant, was to be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, at Griffin-Hillcrest Funeral Home in Ardmore, Okla. with burial at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Ardmore.
Dunn died Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007, in Des Moines.
Born Dec. 22, 2007, she was the infant daughter of Steven Wayne and Kristen Elaine Littlejohn Dunn of Fort Dodge, Iowa.
She was preceded in death by grandfather, James Donald Littlejohn.
She is survived by her parents; a brother, Matthew Evan Dunn; grandparents, James and Ellen Dunn of Copperas Cove, Diane Dunn of Pearce, Ariz., and Kenneth and Linda Robbins of Rhome; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
The family requests memorials can be made to Diana’s Angels Project, 415 4th St. SW, Waverly, IA 50677.
Published Sunday, December 30, 2007

Earnest, Opal
1913-2007

Service for Opal Earnest, 94, of Boyd will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 26, at the First Baptist Church in Boyd. The Revs. Bill Wilson and Steve Ewton will officiate. Burial will be in Boyd Cemetery.
Earnest died Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007, in Boyd.
Born Jan. 11, 1913, in Clifton, Tenn., she was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church in Boyd.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, J.B. Earnest; a daughter, Evoil Lipford; a son, James Earnest; three brothers, Willie, George and Otis; and two sisters, Elizabeth and Mabel.
She is survived by a daughter, Jeanie Wilson and husband, Bill, of Springtown; two sons, Tommy Earnest and wife, LaNell, of Boyd and Mel Earnest and wife, Karen, of Arlington; nine grandchildren, Robin, Lark, Wren, Kelly, Treva, Dori, Matthew, Tiffany and Will; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Will Padgett, Michael Hulsey, Kim Evetts, John Little, Matthew Earnest, Kirk Blume, Chase Blume and Troy Hill.
Published Sunday, February 25, 2007

Eckard, Leota Denney Hudson
1922-2007

Funeral for Leota Denney Hudson Eckard, 84, of Chico was to be at 10 a.m. April 4 at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport. The Rev. Craig Erb officiated. Burial followed at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 3 in Chico.
Eckard died Saturday, March 31, 2007, in Fort Worth.
Born July 19, 1922, in Chico ot Walter D. and Pearl Hefner Denney, she married John J. Eckard Dec. 14, 1984, in Arlington. She was a member of The Eastern Star and the Presbyterian Church.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, John Henry Hudson, in 1981.
She is survived by her husband; two daughters, Hope Harris and husband, Ken, of Haltom City and Janet Kuypers of Key West, Fla.; three sons, Mark Hudson and wife, Ann, of Huntsville, Ala., Jeffery Eckard of Orlando, Fla., and John R. Eckard of South Carolina; grandchildren, Heather, Matthew, Amanda, Wade, Kevin, Chynna, Rachel, Jimmy, Elizabeth, Susan, Kelly, Gregory and Drake; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Published Thursday, April 5, 2007

Eichthaler, Shane
1992-2007

Memorial service for Shane Eichthaler, 15, of Decatur will be held at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3 at the Decatur High School Theater.
Eichthaler died Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007, near Decatur.
Born Jan. 7, 1992, in Fort Worth, Texas, to Steven Eichthaler and Candace Marie Richardson-Clark, Eichthaler was vice president of Decatur High School Student Council. He played trumpet in the band, sang tenor in choir, was a member of Spanish Club, the PanAmerican Student Forum and was a member of the Flamenco dance team. He was active in theater and the Red Steagall Cowboy Association, in which he won the cowboy poetry competition twice.
Eichthaler was also a volunteer with the Trinity Habitat Humanity and helped with the carriage and wagon business operated by his family.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Candace Richardson-Clark.
He is survived by his father, Steven W. Eichthaler of Decatur; his brother, Steven James Eichthaler of Decatur; grandparents, Gayle Eichthaler of Durango, Colo., and Richard and Cynthia Eichthaler of Durango; great-grandmother, Alberta Dobbins; uncles and aunts, Scott Eichthaler of Durango, Deb and Roger Herrera of Marvel, Colo., Troy Eichthaler of Denver; and other aunts, uncles and cousins.
Published Sunday, December 2, 2007

Ellis, Beulah Brunet ‘Nettie’
1924-2007

Graveside service for Beulah Brunet “Nettie” Ellis, 83, of Alvord was to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 14, at Chico Cemetery. The Rev. Tom Merritt was to officiate.
Ellis died Thursday, April 12, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Feb. 27, 1924, in Haskell, to John Philip and Martha Beulah Aaron, she married James Elvin Ellis on Jan. 13, 1942. She was a retired clerk for Montgomery Ward and a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Chico.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James; her sister, Ina Mae Ellis; and her brother, John Albert Aaron.
She is survived by two sons, Cecil Ellis and wife, Sue, of Cleburne and James Ellis and wife, Janet, of Crosby; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Juanita Irene Story and Lillie Belle Long; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.
Published Sunday, April 15, 2007

Englund, Wilma Jane
1930-2007

Graveside service for Wilma Jane Englund, 77, of Boyd was to be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 23, in Azleland. The Rev. Gary Sessions was to officiate.
Englund died Monday, June 18, 2007, in Boyd.
Born Feb. 8, 1930, in Hoffinsville, Ky., to Robert and Aretta (Dunning) Fox, she was the retired owner of June’s Place Restaurant.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Englund, and by a sister, Betty Lou Clark.
She is survived by a sister, Geneva Adams of Madisonville, Ky.; a niece, Linda Johnson; and a nephew, Robert Pleasant.
Published Sunday, June 24, 2007

Epps, Dalton Wayne
1953-2007
Funeral for Dalton Wayne Epps, 54, of Jacksboro will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Jacksboro. Larry Shields will officiate. Burial will follow at Graves Cemetery.
Epps died Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007, in Jacksboro.
Born Jan. 30, 1953, in Jacksboro to Sherwood and Vernie Mae Epps, he was a member of Live Oak Baptist Church.
He is survived by his mother Vernie Mae Pruitt; three sisters, Carolyn King of Aubrey, Brenda Mobley of Spicewood and Neva Ellison of Jacksboro; and two brothers, Toby Epps of Chico and Danny Epps of Streetman.
Published Sunday, October 28, 2007

Ervin, Anthony Blake
1957-2007

Funeral for Anthony Blake Ervin, 50, of Tyler was Sunday, Aug. 5, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Craig Erb officiating. Burial was at Vashti Cemetery in Clay County.
Ervin died Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007, in Tyler.
Born May 1, 1957, in Clarksville to Leonard and Margaret Munkhouse Ervin, he worked for Freightliner in Fort Worth for 25 years before moving to Tyler to be a parts manager for Barlow World.
He is survived by his daughter, Tiffany Cordova and husband, Jerry, of Sayer, Okla.; stepdaughter, Crystal Henderson and husband, Daniel, of Mangum, Okla.; stepsons, Richard O’Dell and wife, Shorrie, of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Jason O’Dell of Haltom City; grandchildren, Nataleigh, Essrah, Amber, Melissa, Brittany, Johnathany and Caylynne; his mother, Margaret Ervin; a brother, Marcus Ervin and wife, Paula; sister, Laura Garvin; former wife, April McNorton; nephew, Jason Ervin; and niece, Tiffany Garvin.
Pallbearers were Marcus Ervin, Jerry Cordova, Jason Ervin, Richard O’Dell, Jason O’Dell and Dustin Barnett.
Published Thursday, August 9, 2007

Erwin, Freddie Wayne
1939-2007
No service is scheduled for Freddie Wayne Erwin, 67, of Seminole.
Erwin died Wednesday, May 16, 2007, in Decatur.
Born July 12, 1939, in Odessa to Edward Browder and Beulah Irene Erwin, he was a refinery builder in construction.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Erwin; a brother, Pete Erwin, and a sister, Mary Ellen Bobo.
He is survived by his sons, Ronnie Erwin and wife, Jana, of Decatur and Joe Erwin and wife, Charlotte, of Mineral Wells; a daughter, Dana Williams and husband, Mark, of Burleson; a sister, Charlotte Wright and husband, Jimmy; eight grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Published Sunday, May 20, 2007

Estill, John Staples, Jr.
1919-2007
Graveside service for John Staples Estill Jr., 88, of Fort Worth was to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at Aurora Cemetery.
Estill died Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007, in Fort Worth.
Born Jan. 20, 1919, in Grapevine to John S. and Ada Chambers Estill, he was a retired attorney. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and earned a law degree from Southern Methodist University.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Rebekah Estill George.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years and Texas Christian University sweetheart, Dorothy; two sons, John Staples Estill III and wife, Elizabeth, of Tulsa, Okla., and James Calloway Estill and wife, Sharon, of Argyle; a daughter, Sally Estill Muhlbach and husband, Donald, of Lufkin; grandchildren, Tiffany Riccono, Emily Garrett, Kimberly Ducic, Donald Muhlbach, Molly Muhlbach and Beau Mulhbach; and great-grandchildren, Brittany Garrett, Chase McKay, Connor McKay, Sophia Riccono, Madalaina Riccono, Aleksa Ducic, Luka Ducic, Nikola Ducic and Nadia Ducic.
Published Sunday, October 28, 2007

Etter, Todd Alan
1972-2007

Funeral for Todd Alan Etter, 35, of Azle will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at The Church in Azle. Burial will follow at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery
Etter died Monday, Oct. 1, 2007, in Azle.
Born June 6, 1972, in Arlington to Donald and Patricia Etter, he enjoyed golf, fishing and the Longhorns. He married his wife, Courtney, on April 29, 2005 in Lake Worth. He was a member of The Church in Azle. He served in the U.S. Army from 1998 to 2000.
He is survived by his wife; daughters, Bryanna Etter of Cleburne and Austin Etter of Azle; brothers, Darin Etter and wife, Diana, Daryl Etter and wife, Josie, all of Boyd; a grandmother, Evalyn Huston and husband, Bobby, of Burleson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Published Thursday, October 4, 2007

Evans, Alma Walter
1920-2007

Private burial will be held for Alma Walter Evans, 87, of Lake Bridgeport at Greenwood Cemetery.
Evans died Friday, Nov. 9, 2007, at home.
Born Jan. 3, 1920, in Greeley, Kan., she married Verl D. Evans Aug. 24, 1940. They moved from San Diego to Fort Worth in 1942 where they lived until 1999. The couple lived in the Bridgeport area until Verl died in 2000. She most recently lived in Denton and Lake Bridgeport.
She enjoyed stichery, bowling and was an avid baseball fan. She collected photographs.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Verl and two brothers, Vernon Walter and Johnny Walter.
She is survived by her sister, Murriel Wilson of Garnett, Kan.; daughters, Joann Perry and husband, Bill, of Woodstock, Ga., Pat Slayton and husband, Monty, of Lake Bridgeport and Claudia Rouse and life partner, Paula Sandoval, of Albuquerque, N.M.; grandchildren, Richard Perry and wife, Allyson, of Sanger, Kathy Volkman and husband, John, of Covington, Wendy Anderson and husband, Blain, of Rio Rancho, N.M., Matthew Griffin and wife, Hannah, of Aurora, Colo., Krista Jarrell and husband, Mac, of Fort Worth, Lauren Rouse of Albuquerque and Hillary Slayton Grooms and husband, Tyler, of Fort Worth; 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.
The family requests memorials be made to Wise Hope Shelter, P.O. Box 569, Decatur, TX 76234 or to the charity of choice.
Published Thursday, November 15, 2007

Evans, Minnie Jo
1917-2007
Graveside service for Minnie Jo Evans, 90, of Cleburne was to be Saturday, May 19, at 10:30 a.m. at Longbranch Cemetery. The Rev. Charles Payne was to officiate.
Evans died Wednesday, May 16, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Jan. 9, 1917, in Eastland to Walter and Fay Earp Morgan, she was a bank teller at Carswell Air Force Base and was also in the Officer’s Club. She married Cecil Ray Evans on June 17, 1944, in Fort Worth. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Cleburne and the Order of Eastern Star.
She is survived by two daughters, Cathi Neal of Decatur and Lanell Adams and husband, Tommy, of Hillsboro; a daughter-in-law, Patricia Milford of Salado; and grandchildren, Vicki, Brenda, Jayna, LouAnn, Gaye, Stephanie, Jeri, Wesley, Dan, Cary, Georganna, Terri, John, Clint, Mistie, Jonathan and Leah.
Published Sunday, May 20, 2007

Fagan, Robert
1954-2007

Funeral for Robert “Snowman” Fagan, 53, of Bridgeport will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 17 at Jones Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport. Burial will be in the East Bridgeport Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Fagan died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007, in Bridgeport.
Born Aug. 22, 1954, in Paris to Wayne and Paula Fagan, he married Gayla Godwin July 20, 1980, in Hugo, Okla. He was a truck driver and a Bridgeport resident since 1982.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Pauline Yarbrough.
He is survived by his wife, Gayla Fagan; sons, Brandon Godwin and wife, Jessica, Bradley Fagan and wife, Sharlyn, and Bryan Fagan and wife, Jennifer; sisters, Martha Lane and husband, Butch, and Beth Teet and husband, Scott; grandchildren, Karlee, Aja, Emma, India, Ivy, Trevor, Ian, Corbin, Riley, Jacob, Maddy, Anthony and Ami; numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Jay Evans, Gary Jackson, James Wills, James Davis, Bobby Stover and William Stover. Honorary pallbearers will be James Godwin and Terry Fagan.
Published Sunday, December 16, 2007

Fergerson, Trula J. ‘Trudy’
1926-2007

Funeral for Trula J. “Trudy” Fergerson, 80, of Fort Worth will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport. The Rev. Whitney Bevill will officiate. Burial will follow at East Bridgeport Cemetery. Visitation was to be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Thompson’s Harveson and Cole Funeral Home in Fort Worth.
Fergerson died Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007, in Fort Worth.
Born Aug. 16, 1926, in Bridgeport to Frank and Jessie Phillips House, she was chief bookkeeper and secretary at Wedgewood Middle School in Fort Worth for 20 years. She was a member of the Retired Teachers Association and a Methodist. She married Ralph M. Fergerson Sr. in November of 1946 in Weatherford. They had lived in Fort Worth since 1948.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, Vista Decker and Mary Elizabeth Wang, and two brothers, Cabin and Drew House.
She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Ralph Fergerson of Fort Worth; a daughter, Judy Fergerson Bevill and husband, Jon, of Saginaw; a son, Ralph Fergerson Jr. and wife, Linda, of Azle; four grandchildren, David and Cara Fergerson and Julie and Jonathan Bevill; and a great-grandson, Curt Fallis Jr.
Published Thursday, February 1, 2007

Ferguson, Ellen Elaine
1942-2007

Memorial for Ellen Elaine Ferguson, 64, of Decatur will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 26, at Chapel Creek Fellowship, located at 501 Academy Blvd. in Fort Worth.
Ferguson died Saturday, April 21, 2007.
Born Dec. 17, 1942, she was the manager of Eagle Ridge Apartments in Decatur for 7 years.
She is survived by her mother, Wilma Schaub; a sister, Kay Reed; a brother, Mel Ferguson; children, Micki and Rex Carney, Tommy Degn, Dan Degn, Jeff and Stephanie Degn, and Tamara (Tami) and Mark Franklin, and Robert Michel; eight grandchildren, Mitch Carney, Shanna Berry, Ray Carney, Courtney McGee, Carrie Strawser, Nicholas Degn, Valerie Degn and Ryan Franklin; and four great-grandchildren, Rachel, Brayden, Madison and Sophia.
Published Thursday, April 26, 2007

Fernandez, Maria Del Carmen Avina de
1952-2007

Funeral for Maria Del Carmen Avina de Fernandez, 54, of Decatur was Feb. 26 at Assumption Catholic Church in Decatur. Sojan George officiated. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Fernandez died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007, in San Bernadino, Calif.
Born May 4, 1952, to Jesus and Maria Avina, she was a homemaker.
She is survived by her parents of Mexico; six sons, Sabino Fernandez of Paradise and Sexto, Amador, Rosendo, Francisco and Eduardo Fernandez, all of Decatur; a daughter, Maria Del Carmen Fernandez of Victorville, Calif.; 12 grandchildren; four sisters, Juana Santana of Victorville, Belen Avina of Downey, Calif., Felicitas Carrillo of Phoenix, Ariz., and Rosa and Gloria Avina, both of Paramount, Calif.; and brothers, David Avina of Canoga Park, Calif., Jesus Avina of Decatur, Martin Avina of Phoenix, Honrio Avina of Paramount, and Hector and Gilberto Avina, both of Mexico.
Pallbearers were Sabino, Eduardo, Amador, Francisco, Rosendo and Jesus Fernandez.
Published Thursday, March 8, 2007

Fine, Wanda Fern
1932-2007

Funeral for Wanda Fern Fine, 75, of Decatur will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, at Coker-Hawkins Chapel. Gerre Joiner will officiate. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Fine died Monday, Nov. 19, 2007, in Decatur.
Born March 22, 1932, in Come to M. T. Travis and Lou Denna Holmes, she married Clifford F. Fine on Dec. 24, 1948, in Amarillo and was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by a son, Calvin D. Fine.
She is survived by her husband; a son, Thomas Earl Fine and wife, Debra, of Decatur; six grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; a sister, Betty Beesley; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Published Thursday, November 22, 2007

Flanagan, Rudolph Warren
1948-2007
Funeral for Rudolph Warren Flanagan, 58, of Rhome will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Decatur. Burial will follow at Flanagan Hill Cemetery in West Virginia.
Flanagan died Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007, in Grapevine.
Born May 3, 1948, in Elkins, W.V., to Rudolph Ruleman and Mary Virginia Flanagan, he worked for U.S. Airways and was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He was preceded in death by a brother, James Hillary Flanagan.
He is survived by his wife, Cheryl; two sons, James Warren Flanagan and Jared Keenan Flanagan; four daughters, Beth Lyn Moore and husband, Stacy Walker, Erin Flanagan Woods and husband, J. Ryan, Kari Maureen Flanagan and Lauren Gabrielle Flanagan; his mother; five brothers, Jerry Brant Flanagan, James Hillary Flanagan, Gary Lynn Flanagan, Brian Keith Flanagan and Leslie Howard Flanagan; and nine grandchildren, Shelby Delayne Moore, Jacob Riley Moore, Kristen Paige Woods, Brooklyn Ryleigh Woods, Aubrin Elle Woods, Reagan Reese Woods, William James Flanagan, Isaac Hill Flanagan and Kamryn Leigh Flanagan.
Published Sunday, February 18, 2007

Flanigan, Frank Dee, Jr.
1969-2007

Graveside service for Frank Dee Flanigan Jr., 38, of Alvord was March 30 at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park in Fort Worth. Dr. Keith Hamilton officiated.
Flanigan died Monday, March 26, 2007.
Born March 5, 1969, in Fort Worth to Frank D. Sr. and Dorothy Flanigan, he worked for Burlington Northern-Santa Fe for 15 years. He was an engineer.
He was preceded in death by his mother.
He is survived by his father; a sister, Dee Ann Flanigan Worrell; a nephew, Taylor Wayne Worrell; two aunts, Patty Jean Carter Hamilton and her husband, Keith, and Mary Joyce Kiker and her husband, Joe; and three cousins, Mark and Matthew Hamilton and Trent Lane Kiker.
Published Sunday, April 1, 2007

Fleming, Glen
1919-2007

Funeral for Glen Fleming, 87, of Bridgeport will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, 2007, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. Burial will follow at East Bridgeport Cemetery. Roger Rhodes will officiate. Visitation will be Monday, April 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Fleming died Tuesday, April 24, 2007, in Decatur.
Born July 9, 1919, in Baby Head to Lloyd R. and Emma Beasley Fleming, he was a retired switcher for El Paso Natural Gas. He married Lorell Burleson on Sept. 27, 1947, in Tucson, Ariz. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, a bluegrass musician, a ranch hand for Barnes Ranch in San Saba and a member of the Cates Street Church of Christ in Bridgeport. He enjoyed woodworking.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Lloyd Raymond and Gordon Dale Fleming.
He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Melissa Osborne and husband, Gary, of Runaway Bay; grandchildren, Shelena Kay Morrow and husband, Tim, of Bridgeport, Angela McNally and husband, Chris, of North Carolina, Nathan Osborne and wife, Chrissie, of Phoenix, Ariz., and Danyell Miller and husband, Lyle of Denton; great-grandchildren, Amanda, Ethan, Terrance, Christian, Ted, Harold Lee, Tyler, Kyndra, Jacob, Lorlei and Emerald; and three sisters, LaDell Kenny of San Saba, Jerie Warner of Grand Prairie and Raymona Gutierez and husband, Jim, of California.
Pallbearers will be Kenny Osbourn, Raydow Keeney, Dwayne Burleson, Randy Burleson, Jeff Burleson and Todd Burleson. Honorary pallbearers will be Ken Lindsey and Lance Lindsey.
Published Sunday, April 29, 2007

Flores, Jorge Lerma
1990-2007

Private family service for Jorge Lerma Flores, 17, of Alvord was Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007, at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Chapel with Father Sojan George of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary officiating.
Flores died Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007, in Bridgeport.
Born April 20, 1990, in San Martin Sombrerete, Zacatecas, Mexico, to Joel Lerma and Rosa Flores, he was a landscaper.
He is survived by his parents; a sister, Gabriela Flores; a brother, Jose Flores, all of San Martin Sombrerete; and numerous aunts, uncles and grandparents.
Published Sunday, August 19, 2007

Follett, James Cleary, Jr.
1926-2007

Funeral for James Cleary Follett Jr., 80, of Paradise was to be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 21, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel with Diane Oswald officiating.
Follett died Wednesday, July 18, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Oct. 29, 1926, in Buffalo, N.Y., to James C. and Beulah Adams Follett, he was a retired quality assurance supervisor for Bell Helicopter. He married Nancy Ann Pixley Oct. 23, 1949, in Franklinville, N.Y. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, a 32nd degree mason with Lodge 123 in Dundee, N.Y., a member of the Corning Consistory in Corning, N.Y., a past patron of the Order of the Eastern Star and a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Franklinville.
He is survived by his wife; sons, James C. Follett III and wife, Kathey, of Sherman, John Michael Follett and wife, Mary, of North Richland Hills; daughter, Sue Caldwell and husband, Mark, of Euless; grandchildren, Jennifer, Sam, Steven, Gary, Travis and Shelby; sisters, Joan Long, Patricia Thompson and husband, Glen; and several nieces and nephews.
Honorary pallbearers were to be Jim Follett, John Follett, Mark Caldwell, Sam Follett, Steven Follett, Gary Follett and Travis Caldwell.
Memorials may be made to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 199300, Dallas, Texas, 75219-9300.
Published Sunday, July 22, 2007

Ford, Marvin Lucian
1948-2007

Funeral for Marvin Lucian Ford, 58, of Decatur will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. James Arrington will officiate. Burial will follow at Hopewell Cemetery. Family visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Ford died Tuesday, July 31, 2007, in Denton.
Born Sept. 7, 1948, in Decatur, to Marvin Wallace and Velmam Ham Ford. He married Paula Lee Ford Nov. 21, 1967, in Porterville, Calif.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Joe and Danny Ford.
He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Shelly Lee and husband, Mark, of Decatur; two sons, Sean Ford and wife, Trina, and Steven Ford and wife, Jennifer, all of Decatur; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Tommy and Jimmy Ford; three sisters, Wanda Trice, Paula Gillis and Katie Lovejoy; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Stoney Scott, Brandon Ford, Eric Brady, Mark Lee, Barry Lee and Willy Lovejoy.
Published Thursday, August 2, 2007

Forrester, Bryan
1961-2007
Bryan Forrester, 46, of Bridgeport died Aug. 20, 2007, in Decatur.
A memorial service was to be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, at Jones Family Funeral Home Chapel in Bridgeport. Buddy Ward was to officiate.
Forrester was born on May 5, 1961, in Decatur. He was self-employed.
He was preceded in death by mother, Mary Jo.
He is survived by his wife Polly; daughters Quoell Forrester and Shella Miller; parents Glen Forrester and wife, Linda, of Wichita Falls; brother Stephen Ray Forrester; sister Glenda Jo Lawrence; and grandchildren Dakota and Charlie Miller.
Published Thursday, August 23, 2007

Forrester, Esther
1913-007
Graveside service for Esther Forrester, 93, of Wheeler was July 3 at the Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Pampa. Shawn Johnson of the Church of Christ in Wheeler officiated.
Forrester died Sunday, July 1, 2007, in Wheeler.
Born Aug. 26, 1913, in Comanche, Okla., to E.A.J. and Bessie Duvall, she was a Baptist. She married O.L. Forrester Oct. 10, 1931, in Comanche.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by three sons, Glen and wife, Linda, of Wichita Falls, Ed and wife, Patricia, of Wheeler and Gerald and wife, Harriett, of Plano; a brother, Odes Duvall and wife, Mary, of Duncan, Okla.; two sisters, Marie Burton of Duncan and Frankie Selvidge of Friona; seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
The family requests memorials be made to the giver’s favorite charity.
Published Thursday, July 5, 2007

Forson, Jerry Lee
1938-2007
Funeral for Jerry Lee Forson, 68, of Poolville was Wednesday, Jan. 10, at the Archer City Cemetery.
Forson died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007, in Dallas.
Born Sept. 18, 1938, in Holliday to Connie Lee and Etta Williams Forson, he was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. After his tour of duty, he became a truck driver and operated cranes. He was a member of the Operating Engineers Union in California. He moved to Poolville in 1991 and retired from truck driving in 1996. He married Judith A. Smith on Feb. 15, 1991, in Atwater, Calif.
He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Joni Pyle and husband, Mark, of Corinth and Janetta Fisher of Denton; two sisters, Gayle Meeks and husband, Steve, of Bakersville, Calif., and Glenda Forson of Helena, Mont.; a brother, Richard Forson and wife, Kathy, of Fort Worth; six grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
Published Sunday, January 14, 2007

Fortenberry, Henry
1915-2007
Funeral for Henry Fortenberry, 92, of Slidell was Nov. 16 at the First United Methodist Church in Rosston with the Rev. David Dunson officiating. Burial was at Rosston Cemetery.
Fortenberry died Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007, in Slidell.
Born Aug. 26, 1915, near Slidell to William and Fern (Harper) Fortenberry, he graduated from Slidell High School in 1933. He attended Cooke County Junior College followed by two years at Texas A&M University before leaving to serve in World War II. He was a member of Air Service Squadron 339 for the U.S. Army, serving four years in North Africa, Italy and England, receiving four bronze stars. He was also part of the European Rodeo Circuit for the Red Cross and USO.
He received his bachelor of science and master’s degree in education from North Texas State College in Denton.
He married Frances Robinson in 1947 and the couple had two daughters. He married Catherine Witherspoon Suddath in 1972.
Fortenberry’s careers included a farmer and rancher, government surveyor, school teacher and administrator with Amarillo ISD for 21 years, funeral director at Carroll Funeral Home in Gainesville, Christian Funeral Home in Decatur and Davis Funeral Home in Henrietta and he was serving as corporate president for the family-run business at the time of his death.
He served on the board of directors for Texoma Area Paratransit System from 1995 until his death. He received the 50-year award from the Texas Funeral Directors Association and the Family Land Heritage Certificate of Honor for Cross Trails Ranch founded in 1858.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine; brothers, Orin and James; and sister, Katherine.
He is survived by his daughters, Beth Tannenbaum and husband, Stephen, of Tarzana, Calif., and Claire O’Berry of Slidell; four grandchildren, Piper Riley of Santa Monica, Calif., Heather Riley of Culver City, Calif., Jacob Le Grant of West Lake Village, Calif., and Sydney Tannenbaum of Tarzana; two great-grandchildren, Riley and Zoe Newkirk, both of Santa Monica; two sisters, Ann Hancock of Slidell and Helen Holden of Encinitas, Calif.; seven nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Henrietta Senior Citizen’s Center or to the Decatur Lions Club, P.O. Box 920, Decatur, TX 76234.
Published Sunday, November 18, 2007

Foster, Louvernia
1908-2007
Funeral for Louvernia Foster, 99, of Richardson was to be at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 14, at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Chapel. Burial was to follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 1. Visitation was to be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
Foster died Monday, April 9, 2007, in Rowlett.
Born Feb. 18, 1908, in Brandy, she was a homemaker. She married William Virgil Foster in October 1952 in Brady. She was a member of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church No. 1.
She was preceded in death by several brothers and sisters.
She is survived by two sons, Connie Travis Foster and wife, Laverne, of Richardson and Deryl V. Foster of Dallas; four grandsons, Travis A. Foster, William Eric Foster, Mark L. Foster and Jeff Foster; and seven great-grandchildren.
Published Sunday, April 15, 2007

Foster, Mary Beatrice
1910-2007
Funeral for Mary Beatrice Foster, 97, of Decatur was Dec. 17 at the Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery. Gerre Joiner officiated.
Foster died Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007, in Decatur.
Born March 29, 1910, in Stoney to Robert Ince and Ethel Hudson Ince, she married Buddie Davis Foster July 31, 1931, in Denton and was a retired owner of childcare facility.
She is survived by a son, Glen D. Foster and wife, Wanda, of Decatur; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, John Dean Ince of Decatur; a sister, Ruby Powers of Saginaw; and several nieces and nephews.
Published Thursday, December 20, 2007

Fowler, Flossie A.
1909-2007

Funeral for Flossie A. Fowler, 97, of Boyd was Feb. 22 at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd. Mel Hutzler officiated. Burial followed at Boyd Cemetery.
Fowler died Monday, Feb. 19, 2007, in Boyd.
Born Sept. 5, 1909, in Montague County, she was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Christ of Boyd.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Thomas Fowler; two sons, Billy and James Fowler; a grandson, Mike Fowler; and 15 brothers and sisters.
She is survived by a son, Bobby Don Fowler and wife, Thelma, of Boyd; a daughter, Mildred Louise Smith of Haltom City; four grandchildren, Jerry Wilson, James Fowler, Elizabeth Jennings and Cindy Tackett; 12 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Charlie Roberts, Corbett Jennings, Jeff Tackett, James Fowler, Sammy Vincent and Audie Phillips. Honorary pallbearers were Jerry Wilson, Pat Goodger, Mitchell Woods and Glenn Jennings.
Published Sunday, February 25, 2007

Foxworth, David Michael
1963-2007
Memorial for David Michael Foxworth, 43, of Fort Worth, formerly of Newark, will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, at Fellowship of the Parks Church in Keller with the Rev. Doug Walker officiating.
Foxworth died Friday, Jan. 26, 2007, in Fort Worth.
Born March 18, 1963, in Washington, D.C., to L.A. “Bud” Foxworth and Janet Maib Foxworth, he was a traffic signal technician with Republic ITS. His family moved to Fort Worth in the late 1960s, then to Newark in 1977. He graduated from Northwest High School in 1981, where he participated in the high school band.
He is survived by two daughters; his companion, Dorothy Johnston and her children, Tommy Pollard, Damon Johnston and Desiree Johnston, all of Fort Worth; brothers, Peter Foxworth and wife, Angie, and Scott Foxworth and companion, Karen Stephens, all of Saginaw; and a sister, Jennifer Foxworth and husband, Matthew Hungerford, of Gilroy, Calif.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 2630 West Freeway, Suite 250, Fort Worth, Texas 76102.
Published Sunday, February 11, 2007

Frame, Mervin D.
1943-2007

Mervin D. Frame, 64, of Boyd died Monday, Sept. 3, 2007, at his home.
Funeral was 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, 2007, at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home, with Rev. Tom Heagh officiating. Interment was at Pleasant Grove No. 2 Cemetery.
Frame was born to Allen and Rosalene Talley Jenkins July 25, 1943, in Eudora, Ark. He married Martha Jean Hardage on Sept. 20, 1963, in Fort Worth.
He was a mechanic for Affiliated Auto Salvage and loved fishing, hunting and camping.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Dayton Frame.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Martha Frame of Boyd; son, Dwayne Frame and wife, Linda, of Boyd; daughters, Rebecca Eanes and husband, George, of Azle and Dianne Williams and husband, Chat, of Springtown; 15 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brothers, Allen Jenkins, Louis Jenkins and wife, Linda, and Kenneth Jenkins, all of Boyd; and sisters, Anita Williams, Cynthia Jenkins and Patricia Hale, all of Boyd.
Pallbearers were Danny Rogers, Timothy Rogers, Jonathan Rogers, Michael Mason, Travis Jenkins and Christopher Jenkins. Honorary pallbearers were Terry Smith, Brian Meason and Rusty Meason.
Published Sunday, September 9, 2007

Franks, Betty Jo
1932-2007
Funeral for Betty Jo Franks, 75, of Fort Worth and a former Rhome resident, was May 8 at Greenwood Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Worth with burial in Greenwood Memorial Park. She died Friday, May 4, in Fort Worth.
Franks was the daughter of the late Rev. Roy Montgomery, pastor of the Rhome United Methodist Church for 40 years. She remained a member of the Rhome church.
Franks was born March 22, 1932, in Gainesville and worked for many years in the oil and gas industry in Fort Worth and Houston.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen Franks.
Survivors include a daughter, Valli Franks; son, Monte Franks and wife, Brenda; grandchildren, Brittany Bodley, Matt Bodley and wife, Bethany, Jered and Alysa Franks; great-grandson, Easton Bodley; sister, Peggy Harrison and husband, Ed; and brother Ron Montgomery and wife, Sharon.
Published Thursday, May 10, 2007

Fry, George
1985-2006

Funeral for George Wesley Fry III, 21, of Bridgeport and formerly of Jacksboro, was to be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, at Joplin Baptist Church with Dr. Loury Nero officiating. Burial was to follow at Bullard Cemetery in Reno.
Fry died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006, in Texas.
Born May 7, 1985, in Fort Worth to George Wesley and Alicia (Sanchez) Fry Jr., he was a construction worker and a member of Joplin Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Laura Lee Ross; and grandparents, L.R. and Iris Belle Sanchez and Jack and Cathrine Fry.
He is survived by his parents of Bridgeport; two sisters, Amie Marie Williams and husband, Ronald, of Fort Worth and Ginger Naron and husband, Robert, of Azle; and a brother, Cody Fry of Brownwood.
Published Sunday, January 7, 2007

Gamble, Reba Raven Holland
1919-2007
Service for Reba Raven Holland Gamble, 88, of Bridgeport, was Sept. 24 at Jones Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport. Stan Giesler officiated. Burial followed at Eastside Cemetery in Bridgeport.
Gamble died Friday, Sept. 21, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Aug. 16, 1919, in Bridgeport, she was a housewife and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Bridgeport Historical Society. She was known as “Nanny” to everyone, especially community youth.
She was preceded in death by two husbands, S.G. Holland and John Lewis Gamble; and three sisters.
She is survived by her son, Charles Clifton Gamble and wife, Wanda, of Bowie; daughters, Betty Holland Roundtree Jennings of Bridgeport; grandchildren, Alan Roundtree, Steve Roundtree, Tracie Jennings Dielmann, James Clifton Gamble, Lewis Martin Gamble and Steve Martin; 18 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Roland Royce Raven and wife, Peggy, of Lake Bridgeport.
Pallbearers were James Gamble, Lewis Gamble, Steve Martin, Alan Roundtree and Jason Roberts.
Published Thursday, September 27, 2007

Garrett, Andrew Carl
2007
Funeral for Andrew Carl Garrett, 3-month old infant, of Decatur was Thursday, June 28, 2007, at First United Methodist Church in Decatur with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Dr. Thomas Brumett officiated.
Garrett died Monday, June 25, 2007, in Fort Worth.
Born April 2, 2007, in Decatur, he was the infant son of Michael and Kim Garrett of Decatur.
He is survived by his parents; grandparents, Janice Garrett of Rockwall and Don and Brenda Brister of Springtown; and great-grandmother Jannie Brister of Springtown.
Pallbearers were James Garrett, Tim Brister, Tony Haufler and Doug Brister.
Published Sunday, July 1, 2007

Garrett, Johnny Clarence
1937-2007

Graveside service for Johnny Clarence Garrett, 70, of Lake Bridgeport was June 15 at West Bridgeport Cemetery. The Rev. Mike Miller officiated.
Garrett died Wednesday, June 13, 2007, in Denton.
Born Jan. 28, 1937, in Bridgeport to Luther and Nannie (Morton) Garrett, he retired from the U.S. Navy after serving 30 years, including on the USS Woodrow Wilson. He married Wanda Gayle Donly Jan. 29, 1960, in Bridgeport. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by five brothers, Tommy, Jimmy, Paul, Billy Jack and Carlton.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Kelly Garrett and wife, D’Anna, of Lake Bridgeport; two daughters, Kim Holt and husband, Glenn, of Lake Bridgeport and Karen St. John and husband, Teddy, of Sunset; seven grandchildren, Nicole, Jason, Richard, Danny, Kirsten, Aaron and Colton; three sisters, Peggy Shepard, Susie Cheves and Lavina Coleman; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Published Sunday, June 17, 2007

Garrison, Barbara
1929-2007

Funeral for Barbara Garrison, 77, of Decatur was June 12 at the First Baptist Church of Decatur with the Rev. Ken May officiating.
Garrison died Friday, June 8, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Nov. 19, 1929, in Decatur to Richard and Bessie Harris Stem, she was a member of the First Baptist Church in Decatur and a hospital volunteer.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Billy Garrison of Decatur; a son, Richard Garrison and wife, Delonna, of Decatur; two granddaughters, Curren Wicker and husband, Brandt, and Ryan Brown and husband, Ashley, all of Decatur; and four great-grandchildren, Cami, Carson, Caylen and Kynlie.
Published Thursday, June 14, 2007

Gasper, Robert (Bob)
1942-2007

Mass for Robert (Bob) Gasper, 64, of Bridgeport will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 22, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Bridgeport. A celebration of life gathering was to be held Wednesday, March 21, at the family home.
Gasper died Sunday, March 18, 2007.
Born Nov. 9, 1942, in Barron, Wis., to Frank and Alvina Gasper, he married his wife, Vicky, on Nov. 16, 1963. He enjoyed driving big-rig trucks across the United States, reading, hunting and woodworking. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and St. John’s Catholic Church.
He is survived by his wife, Vicky; four children, Frank of San Bernardino, Calif., David (Dave) of San Antonio, Valeria of Fort Worth and Nicholas (Nick) of North Plumas Lake, Calif.; grandchildren, Wesley and Tyler of San Bernardino, Robert and Casey of Las Vegas, Nev., Chloe of San Antonio, and Paige of North Plumas Lake; and two brothers, Steven (Steve) of San Antonio and Thomas (Tom) of Henderson, Nev.
Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3301 West Freeway, Fort Worth, Texas 76017.
Published Thursday, March 22, 2007

Gasperson, Jim
1940-2007

Funeral for Jim Gasperson, 67, of Decatur will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 28, at the Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery with Lee Bramlett officiating.
Gasperson died Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2007, in Fort Worth.
Born Sept. 1, 1940, in Decatur to Earl and Myrtle Gasperson, he was a farmer/rancher. He married Olivia Holmes in May of 1959 in Decatur.
He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Melinda Ann Gasperson; three brothers, Bill Gasperson, Bob Gasperson and wife, Rachel, and Sonnie Gasperson and wife, Beatrice; three nieces, Raquel Gasperson, Joanna Gasperson and Alison Podzemny; six nephews, Sam Holmes, Chris Holmes, Jason Holmes, Willie Gasperson, Brian Gasperson, Wade Gasperson and Dr. Jeff Harrison.
Pallbearers are Sam Holmes, Chris Holmes, Jason Holmes, Willlie Gasperson, Brian Gasperson, Wade Gasperson, Brian Podzemny and Casey Best.
Published Sunday, December 30, 2007

Gayan, Donna Jean
1938-2007

Graveside service for Donna Jean Gayan, 68, of Paradise was to be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7, at Cottondale Cemetery.
Gayan died Thursday, April 5, 2007, in Denton.
Born Nov. 6, 1938, in Fort Worth to Grover and Mary Rogers, she was a homemaker. She married Robert Gayan on Aug. 5, 1955. She retired from Victory Equipment in Denton.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Doris, and a son, Robert Dale.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Robert Gayan of Paradise; a daughter, Dianna Banda and husband, Paul, of Denton; a son, Michael Gayan of Paradise; two brothers, Donald Rogers of Cottondale and Jerry Rogers of Springtown; a sister, Janice Davis of Keller; seven grandchildren, Melanie, Mindy, Misty, Marcy, Steven, Stacie and Nicole; and numerous great-grandchildren.
Published Sunday, April 8, 2007

Geeslin, Beatrice Mary
1927-2007

Graveside service for Beatrice Mary Geeslin, 79, of Chico will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 3, at Chico Cemetery with the Rev. Chad Geeslin officiating.
Geeslin died Friday, June 1, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Sept. 30, 1927, in Beaumont, she was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church of Chico. She married Bill Geeslin on Jan. 8, 1992, in Azle.
She is survived by her husband of Chico; two stepsons, Ron Geeslin and wife, Donna, of Chico and Richard Geeslin and wife, Nancy, of Bowie; a stepdaughter, Brenda Geeslin of Chico; and six grandchildren. e
Published Sunday, June 3, 2007

George, Bill, III
1944-2007
No service is planned for Bill George III, 62, of Boyd.
George died Wednesday, June 20, 2007, in Weatherford.
Born Sept. 7, 1944, in West Point, N.Y., he was a security professional. He served in the Army as a criminal investigations special agent and was a member of the Retired Officers Association and VFW.
He is survived by his wife, Cynthia M. George of Boyd; a daughter, Katie George of Boyd; a brother, Garry George of California; a sister, Tae Markgraf of Azle; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Published Sunday, June 24, 2007

Gettys, Charles Thomas
1921-2007

Decatur business and civic leader, Charles Thomas Gettys, 86, died Wednesday in a Carrollton hospital following a lengthy illness.
Funeral was to be Saturday at First Baptist Church in Decatur with burial in Oaklawn Cemetery. Dr. Ken May, pastor of the church, and Dr. Thomas O. Brumett, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, were to handle the service. Gettys had been a member of the First Baptist Church since 1937.
Gettys was one of Decatur's best known civic leaders, having served as dean, business manager, registrar and teacher at Decatur Baptist College. He was the retired owner of Allied Insurance Agency, a member of the original board of directors of Decatur Community Hospital (now Wise Regional Health System), a member of the original Decatur Planning and Zoning Commission, a director of the former First National Bank of Decatur and a past president of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce and the Decatur Lions Club, where he was honored as a 60-year member this year.
While volunteering as Wise County's Civil Defense Director in the 1960s, he was instrumental in setting up a two-way radio system for volunteer fire departments in the county. Later he helped acquire emergency communications equipment for the sheriff's department, ambulance services, hospitals and schools.
Gettys was a graduate of Decatur Baptist College (now Dallas Baptist University) and North Texas Teachers College (now the University of North Texas.)
While at Decatur Baptist College, Gettys worked for the school to become accredited. In 1959, on completion of a project headed by him, the Southern Association of Colleges admitted DBC as a fully accredited school.
In 1962, when it became apparent the Decatur school would be moved to Dallas, Gettys purchased a partnership interest in Allied Agency. He later compiled an extensive history of Decatur Baptist College.
He was a veteran of World War II and served as director of a microbiology laboratory in a United States Army hospital at Camp Polk, La. He later authored a book on Camp Livington's Prisoner of War Interment Camp.
At Camp Livingston, it was difficult for doctors to acquire sufficient supplies of penicillin to treat wounded soldiers and prisoners. After consulting with a pharmaceutical laboratory in New York, Gettys assembled the needed equipment for his laboratory to produce penicillin until the national production of the antibiotic was able to provide for the hospital's needs.
He was an active member of the Wise County Veterans Group.
Gettys was born August 6, 1921, in Fort Worth to Cicero Thomas Gettys and Albert VanNess Walker Gettys. He married Janice Mann on June 14, 1947.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Janice Gettys; son Ronald Thomas Gettys; two daughters, Charlotte Meador and husband Franklin, Leisa Waylett and husband, Manshadow; sisters, Margaret Ann Cude and husband Mel, Mary Louise Woodruff and husband W. B., all of Decatur; six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandsons, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were to be Chance Overton, Martin Woodruff, Tim Woodruff, Melton Cude, Franklin Meador and Raymond C. Nellis.
Honorary pallbearers were Sam W. Renshaw Jr., Rex Gage, Dr. W. M. Lewis, Mason Woodruff, Murray Cude and Manshadow Waylett.
The family requested memorials, if desired, to the Wise Regional Health System Foundation, 2000 S. FM 51, Decatur, TX 76234.
Published Sunday, September 23, 2007

Gilbert, Virgina ‘Jenny’
1933-2007
Funeral for Virginia “Jenny” Gilbert, 73, of Hurst and formerly of Boyd, was Tuesday, Jan. 16, at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd with the Rev. Lonnie Mitchell officiating. Burial followed at Boyd Cemetery.
Gilbert died Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007, in Fort Worth.
Born May 1, 1933, in Boyd, she was a retired retail sales clerk and was a member of the Mid-Cities Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her father, Dewey A. Wilson, and a sister, Ina Joan Wilson.
She is survived by her mother, Lena M. Wilson, of Fort Worth; a brother, Roy A. Wilson and wife, Connie, of Rio Vista; and three sisters, Freda Bennett and husband, Wayne, of Boyd, Kathy Darden of Fort Worth and Diane Wheeler of Hurst.
Published Thursday, January 18, 2007

Gnagy, Charlene
1931-2007

Funeral for Charlene Gnagy, 75, of Midland was to be Saturday, July 7, 2007, at First Baptist Church of Midland with burial at Resthaven Memorial Park with Dr. Gary Dyer and the Rev. Bob Hopkins officiating.
Gnagy died Tuesday, July 3, 2007.
Born Nov. 26, 1931, in Chico to Curtis and Ruth Buckingham, she was a retired schoolteacher. After graduating as valedictorian of her class at Chico High School, she attended Dallas Baptist College and North Texas State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She taught in Midland for 34 years and was a member of Kappa Kappa Iota and Delta Kappa Gamma. She married Larry Gnagy on Aug. 29, 1953.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Virginia Barnes.
She is survived by a daughter, Lynn James and husband, Darryl, of Midland; a son, Bob Gnagy and wife, Tracy, of Sugar Land; four grandchildren, Becky and Tim James and Michael and Alayna Gnagy; a step-granddaughter, Tiffany Marker; and three step-great-granchildren, Eddie, Tommy and Ross.
Memorials may be directed to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 2104 W. Louisiana, Midland, Texas 79701 or to Centers for Children and Families, 1004 N. Big Spring, Suite 325, Midland, Texas 79701.
Published Sunday, July 8, 2007

Goldston, Jerry Mac
1941-2007
Graveside service for Jerry Mac Goldston, 65, of Azle will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 28, at Azleland Perpetual Care Cemetery in Azle.
Goldston died Tuesday, June 26, 2007, in Decatur.
He was born Nov. 3, 1941, in McLean.
He is survived by four brothers, Fred Goldston of Lubbock, Jim Goldston of Memphis, Richard Goldston of Pinellas Park, Fla., and J.H. Goldston of Hurst; and a sister, Sharon Goldston Wilson of Dalhart.
Published Thursday, June 28, 2007

Goode, Robert L. ‘Bob’
1927-2007

Funeral for Robert L. “Bob” Goode, 80, of Bridgeport was to be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 13, at the First United Methodist Church in Bridgeport with the Revs. Mike Miller and Johnny Irish officiating. Burial was to follow at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Goode died Saturday, June 9, 2007, in Fort Worth.
Born June 5, 1927, in Roby to Jennings and Helen Goode, he was the former owner of Dyna Mud Corporation and Dynamic Drilling. He married Sylvia Killingsworth on April 8, 1950, in Houston.
While playing football at Texas A&M University, he set several Southwest Conference rushing records and played in two college All-Star East-West Bowl games. From 1949 to 1955, as a first round draft pick, he played running back for the Washington Redskins NFL football team, as well as playing in two Pro Bowl games.
As a 32nd-degree Mason, he was a member of the Bridgeport Masonic Lodge. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Korea. He was a member of the Roughneck Club and the First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport.
He is survived by his wife, Sylvia; a son, Robert L. Goode Jr. and wife, Vicki; a daughter, Susie Monzingo and husband, Marc, all of Fort Worth; two grandsons, Bobby and Danny Goode; and an aunt, Merle Lovett of Rotan.
Honorary pallbearers were to be W.E. Smith, M.L. Manoushagian, R.N. Walker, Carlos Mann, G.E. Taylor, H.F. Meyeres and Rollins Bilby.
Published Thursday, June 14, 2007

Goode, Wil Riley
1990-2007
Funeral for Wil Riley Goode, 16, of Decatur was July 3 at Slidell Baptist Church. Kevin Moore, Steve Montalvo and Tracey Epstein officiated. Burial followed at Sycamore Cemetery.
Goode died Friday, June 29, 2007, in Denton.
Born July 7, 1990, in Decatur to Tom and Conda Garrett-Goode, he was a student at Slidell High School where he was active in Future Farmers of America. He was also a member of the Wise County 4-H Horse Judging Team and the Sycamore Baptist Church Youth Group. He would have been a senior next year at Slidell.
He is survived by his parents of Decatur; two sisters, Jamie and Jessy Goode of Decatur; his grandparents, Johnny and Clara Garrett of Decatur and Barbara Goode of Bridgeport; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Pallbearers were Brady Lock, Jeremy Dietz, Mark Hammonds, Jamie Stone, Cliff Swofford and Christopher Petty.
Published Thursday, July 5, 2007

Gorham, Jack M.
1939-2006

Funeral for Jack M. Gorham, 67, of Fort Worth will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, at Mount Olivet Chapel. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation was to be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Mount Olivet Funeral Home.
Gorham died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006, in Fort Worth.
Born Sept. 12, 1939, in Decatur to Joshua and Edna Lee Gorham, he was a retired custodian.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Eddie R. Booles.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Mary Gorham; two daughters, Kathy Gorham and Charlene Jackson; six sons, Keith, Patrick, John Paul and Edward Guerra Gorham, and Anthony and Mark Edward Ruiz; 19 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Published Sunday, January 7, 2007

Green, Geneva Owen
1923-2007

Geneva Owen Green, 84, of North Richland Hills died Aug. 23, 2007. Her funeral was to be Saturday, Aug. 25, at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Decatur with burial in Alvord Cemetery.
Green was born July 28, 1923, in Alvord to Ted and Effie Yale Owen. She was a lifetime member of the Jonestown Baptist Church. She married G. W. Green on April 16, 1943.
She was a school teacher with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She received awards honoring her as one of the outstanding elementary teachers of America, the New Mexico governor’s award for outstanding excellence in education and community service and certificates of merit from the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo school district.
She was preceded in death by her husband, who died in 2002, and her sister, Merl Long.
She is survived by her daughter, Jeanne Green of Bedford and numerous nieces and nephews.
Published Sunday, August 26, 2007

Green, Nellie Jo
1927-2007
Graveside service for Nellie Jo Green, 80, of Bridgeport was Nov. 20 at Thomas Cemetery in Bridgeport.
Green died Nov. 17, 2007, in Decatur.
Born Oct. 10, 1927, to Monroe and Annie Green in Bridgeport, she was a longtime member of the Church of Christ in Fort Worth.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Sam Green; and three sisters, Catherine Cook, Annie Pearl Lusk and Maxine Ordway.
She is survived by three sisters, Evelyn Johnson of Bridgeport, Maggie Cook of Ennis and Geraldine Whitley of San Antonio; a brother, J.M. Green of Bridgeport; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Published Thursday, November 22, 2007

Greenlee, Shirley
1934-2007

Funeral for Shirley Greenlee, 72, of Decatur will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 8, at Arnold Funeral Home in Canton, Ohio. The Rev. Bruce Morrison will officiate. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Canton.
Greenlee died Thursday, May 3, 2007, in Decatur.
She was born Nov. 26, 1934, in Canton to John D. Greenlee and Harriet Rush.
She is survived by a sister, Susan Huitt and husband, Mack, of Decatur; two nieces, Lori Sherwood of Decatur and Lisa Sudberry and husband, Doug, of Southlake; and an aunt, JoAnn Neumann and husband, Dick, of Canton.
Published Sunday, May 6, 2007

Greenwood, Homer Alston
1919-2007
Funeral for Homer Alston Greenwood, 88, of Palestine was Friday, Nov. 30 in Palestine with burial at Palestine City Cemetery.
Greenwood died Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007, in Tyler.
Born July 16, 1919, in Forestburg to Burley Gano and Rhoda Skinner Greenwood, he was a heavy equipment operator and worked for Wise County. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of the Church of Christ.
Greenwood was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Gillam Greenwood in 1990; a son, Guy Alston Greenwood; a sister, Mertle Poteet; brothers, Robert Greenwood, Guy Greenwood and Lawrence Greenwood; and a nephew, Mark Poteet.
He is survived by his daughters, Linda Roberts and husband, Bill, of Eureka Springs, Ark., Sharon Gibbs and husband, Randel, of Garland and Sarah Squyers of Palestine; sons, Jesse Bowles Jr. and wife, April, of Jacksonville, Fla., Homer Andrew Greenwood and wife, Rosanne, of Mesquite, William Alton Greenwood of Palestine and Michael Allan Greenwood and wife, Tracy, of Frankston; nieces, Olita Lanier of Forestburg and Anita Hancock of Alvord; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Published Sunday, December 2, 2007

Griffin, Frank Aaron
1929-2007

Memorial for Frank Aaron Griffin, 77, of Park Springs was to be Saturday, Jan. 27, at 1 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport with the Rev. Craig Erb officiating. Burial was to be at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
Griffin died Monday, Jan. 22, 2007, in Bridgeport.
Born Nov. 20, 1929, in Portales, N.M., to Charles Byrd and Lillie Pence Griffin, he was raised near Frazier, N.M. He served in the U.S. Army and his family lived in Germany, Kentucky and New Mexico before moving to Texas in 1976. He taught horsemanship and gave lessons to the Boy Scouts of America at Sid Richardson Scout Ranch for 20 years. He distributed Bibles for the Gideons for three years and was a member of Victory Baptist Church in Park Springs.
He was preceded in death by two brothers and eight sisters.
He is survived by two daughters, Elaine Rodgers and husband, Gary, of Cedar Hill and Joann Ballew and husband, Tom, of Plano; a son, Roger Griffin; eight grandchildren, Tammy, Melanie, Stacy, Shane, Kevin, Mandy, Candy and Nicky; 18 great-grandchildren; a sister, Jewel George; and a brother, Boyd Griffin.
Published Sunday, January 28, 2007

Griffin, May
1917-2007

Graveside service for May Griffin, 90, of Bridgeport will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at West Bridgeport Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
Griffin died Friday, Aug. 31, 2007, in Decatur.
Born May 23, 1917, in Lamesa, to William B. and Nancy Griffeth Holliday, she was a homemaker. She married John B. Griffin Nov. 24, 1934, in Roswell, N.M. They were married 69 years until his death in January 2004.
She was also preceded in death by a son, Harvey Byrd Griffin; a granddaughter, Kathy Deann Bennett; a great-granddaughter, Lauren Elizabeth Giles; and three sisters and five brothers.
She is survived by two daughters, Ruby Lee Ashcraft and husband, John, of Las Vegas, Nev., and Marie Harriss of Amargosa Valley, Nev.; a son, Ben Griffin Sr. and wife, Clodine, of Paradise; 36 grandchildren; 65 great-grandchildren; 63 great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Benny Holliday of Baltimore, Md., and Harvey Holliday of Houston; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Tom Bennett, Marty Woods, Steve Reynolds, Johnny Griffin, Joey Hobbs Jr., Bill Harriss, Lonny Norris and Ben Griffin Jr.
Published Thursday, September 6, 2007

Grill, Johnny
1931-2007

Funeral for Johnny Grill, 75, of Amarillo and formerly of Bridgeport was to be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
Grill died Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007.
Born Feb. 20, 1931, in Bridgeport, he graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1948 and served in the U.S. Army Seventh Infantry Division during the Korean War. He married Jerry Lynn Hill on Aug. 26, 1955, in Bridgpeort. He worked at Southwestern Public Service Company from 1957-1991. He enjoyed marathon running and carried the Olympic Torch in 1984. He helped establish the Lone Star Running Club and a was regular at the YMCA where he served on the downtown board of directors. He was an avid golfer.
He is survived by his wife, Jerry Lynn; children, Jay Bee Grill of Rio Rancho, N.M., and Jane Lou Lerides of Albuquerque, N.M; three grandchildren; and a sister, Betty Tom Carlton of Bridgeport.
Memorials may be made in his name to a charity of choice.
Published Thursday, January 18, 2007

Guinn, Connie Jean
1944-2007
Funeral for Connie Jean Guinn, 62, of Justin was April 27 at Bible Baptist Church of Justin. The Rev. Brian May officiated. Burial followed at Justin Cemetery.
Guinn died Monday, April 23, 2007, in Justin.
Born Dec. 2, 1944, in Decatur to Edward Clayton Berg and Dorothy Evelyn Wright, she was a homemaker. She married Bobby Guinn on April 28, 1962, in Denton. She lived in Justin for more than 30 years.
She is survived by her husband of Justin; a son, Bryan Guinn and wife, Christy, of Justin; a daughter, Stacie Bramow and husband, Dennis, of Justin; a brother, Benny Fennell of Chico; and five grandchildren, Travis, Jason Tyler, Katie, Madelyn and Nickolas.
Published Sunday, April 29, 2007