Wise County, TX - Obits: From the Wise County Messenger, June 2000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted by: Lola Withrow: lola_w@pacbell.net With permission of Wise County Messenger: http://www.wcmessenger.com *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter,and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** Many thanks to the Wise County Messenger for permission to store their online obits/death notices in the USGenWeb Archives ==================================================================== Area Deaths and Funerals ==================================================================== Thursday, June 1, 2000 Homer 'Jack' Nikirk Jr. 1921-2000 Service for Homer (Jack) Nikirk Jr., 78, of Alvord was Tuesday. He died May 27, 2000, in Decatur. Born July 8, 1921, in Alvord, he served as a Wise County Commissioner in Precinct 2 for 10 years. He also served as president of the Alvord School Board and was a member of the Alvord City Council. A retired grocery store owner, he was a member of the Alvord Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Rosalene; three daughters, Rosemary Watson and husband Lawrence, Joy Waller and husband John and Jackie Nikirk; six grandchildren, Diane Tilley and husband Al, Dana Hale, Brent, Jason, Kirk and wife Jennifer Waller and Leigh Ann Mutis and husband Cesar; 12 great grandchildren, Danielle, Deedra and Dylan Hale, Mitchell, Sunnie and Colton Tilley, Ansley Waller, Christopher, Nathan, Jacqueline and Brendan Waller and Cameron Mutis; one sister, Fay (Sis) Whitaker and husband James; one brother-in-law, W.D. Rawle. He was preceded in death by four sisters; Cecil Watts, Clarabel Parker, Oma Jewel Rawle and Florene Hachtel. Pallbearers were nephews Jerry Rawle, Charles Parker, Donnie Parker, Randy Parker, Danny Whitaker, Lynn Watts, Larry Hachtel, Kenny Hachtel and a friend, Mike Watts. Memorials may be made to the Pleasant Grove Cemetery in care of Ruby McClung, P.O. Box 11, Alvord, TX 76225 or to the Alvord First United Methodist Church Building Fund. ________________________________________________________________ Thursday, June 1, 2000 Harry Austin Johnson 1932-2000 Service for Harry Austin Johnson, 68, of Fort Worth, was Tuesday, May 30, at the Pleasant View Baptist Church with Fred Villa officiating. Burial followed at Thomas Cemetery in Wise County. Johnson died May 25, at his residence in Fort Worth. Born Jan. 2, 1932 in Oklahoma City, he married Dorothy Powell Johnson on April 19, 1993. He was a longtime Bridgeport resident who moved to Fort Worth 15 years ago. He was a Navy veteran of the Korean War and was an air conditioning technician. He was a member of the Midway Baptist Church of Fort Worth and an active member of the Senior Citizens of Haltom City. He is survived by his wife Dorothy Johnson of Fort Worth; three sons, Benny Johnson of Bridgeport, Don Johnson of Springtown and Robert Johnson of Paradise; four daughters, Linda Shocklear-Terry of Springtown, Debbie Dorman of Fort Worth, Carol Womack of Fort Worth and Susan Ramey of Paradise; and 23 grandchildren. Pallbearers were Steven Sosa, Darren Sosa, Warren Sosa, Bruce Brassfield, Bobby Starnes and Tracy Martin. Honorary pallbearers were Johnny Burt, Scotty Jobe and Charles Jobe. _________________________________________________________________ Thursday, June 1, 2000 Mellie Lavenia Webb 1907-2000 Service was Tuesday for Mellie Lavenia Webb, 92, of Decatur. She died May 28, 2000, in Decatur. She was born Aug. 7, 1907 in Truby. She married the late D.M. Webb Sept. 2, 1929, in Lawton, Okla. She was a retired caregiver at Decatur Convalescent Center. Survivors include one brother, Lester Thomas of Walters, Okla.; two grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Ron Hess, Carl Low, Ron Choate, Pat Collins, Ron Corbell and Coy O'Neal. ________________________________________________________________ Sunday, June 4, 2000 James Branley Harms 1952-2000 Service for James Brantley Harms, 47, of Bridgeport was Thursday, June 1, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Gary Demmitt officiated. Burial followed at East Bridgeport Cemetery. He died May 29, 2000, in Bridgeport. Born July 25, 1952, in Bridgeport, he was a resident of Bridgeport for the past 33 years. He was a truck owner/operator. He was a member of The First Christian Church of Paradise and The Los Coballeros Fraternity. He was preceded in death by his mother, Bobbie Harms and his aunt, Glenda Gentry Survivors include his parents, James Lee and Frances Harms of Boyd; one sister, Darla Daniel of Bridgeport,; a step-brother, Glenn Albritton of Paradise; and two nephews, Bryant and Jordan Daniel of Bridgeport. Pallbearers were Ernest Luxton, Mike Jones, Butch Garrett, Willie Garrett, Chris Wright, Ron King, Mark Grote, Doug Ward and Randy Kleam. __________________________________________________________________ Sunday, June 4, 2000 Dixie Renee Miller 1961-2000 Service for Dixie Renee Miller, 38, of Boyd was Friday, June 2, at the Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd. Burial followed at Boyd Cemetery and C.G. Skiles presided. Miller died May 31, 2000, near Rhome. Born Oct. 11, 1961, in Fort Worth, Miller married Duane Miller on July 16, 1980, in Weatherford. She was a supervisor for Westlake Phone Bank in Westlake for Wells Fargo Bank. Miller and her family had lived in Boyd for the last seven years. Survivors include her husband, Duane Miller of Boyd; two sons, Derek and David Miller of Boyd; her parents, Hanley and Ann Hunter of Euless; a grandmother, Mannie French of Rhome; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Leanne Bowden and her husband Randy of Haltom City and Jennifer Hunter of Euless; a brother, Russell Hunter of Euless; several nephews and nieces; and a host of friends. Pallbearers were Steve Sinclair, Steve Miller, Rodney French, Sonny French, Randy Bowden and Carl Edwards. __________________________________________________________________ Sunday, June 4, 2000 Ruby Aline Monk 1917-2000 Service for Ruby Aline Monk, 83, of Alvord, was to be Saturday, June 3, at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Alvord. Rev. Bill Cleveland was to officiate. Burial was to follow at the Alvord Cemetery. Monk died Wednesday, May 31, 2000, in Decatur. Born March 23, 1917, in Wise County, she was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church in Alvord. She was married to the late Elmo Monk. She is survived by one son, Ronnie and his wife Barbara Monk of Aubrey; and three grandchildren. __________________________________________________________________ Sunday, June 4, 2000 Carrell Edward Sollee 1928-2000 Service for Carrell Edward Sollee, 71, of Aurora was to be Saturday, June 3, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. John Redfearn was to officiate. Burial was to follow in Aurora Cemetery. Sollee died on May 31, 2000, in Decatur. Born December 19, 1928, in Duke, Okla., he was a retired welder for Longhorn Industries in Saginaw. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Boyd. He married the late Zelma Sue Brammer on February 12, 1957, in Weatherford. Survivors include his sons, Joel Sollee of Aurora, David Deaton of Boyd and Paul Deaton of Joshua; daughters, Mary Beth Fennewald of Decatur and Carolyn Sue Pittman of Trophy Club; one brother, Cecil Sollee of Santa Monica, Calif.; one sister, Oleta Chaffin of Phoenix, Ariz.; and five grandchildren. Pallbearers were to be Don Mallory, Gary Mosley, Steve Raines, Joe Underwood, Russ Rogers, Warren Carruthers and Bobby Miles. __________________________________________________________________ Sunday, June 4, 2000 Joe Anthony Williams 1959-2000 Graveside service for Joe Anthony Williams, 40, of Boyd was Thursday, June 1, at Greenwood Memorial Park. Williams died May 30, 2000, in Fort Worth. Born Sept. 1, 1959, in Fort Worth, he was a retired machinist for General Dynamics/Lockheed. He was a lifelong area resident and was formerly associated with Union Local #776 I.A.M. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Ruth Williams of Missouri; parents, Roy W. and Mary M. Williams of Boyd; a son, Michael Anthony Williams of Missouri; a daughter, Tiffany Marie Williams of Azle; and many aunts, uncles and extended family. __________________________________________________________________ Thursday, June 8, 2000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- James Sanford George 1942-2000 Service for James Sanford George, 57, of Decatur, was to be Sunday, June 11, at 4 p.m. at his residence. Rev. Warren Carruthers was to officiate. George died Friday, June 2, 2000, in Decatur. Born July 22, 1942, in Seymour, he was employed in roofing construction. He married Audrey Lee Chapin in 1991 in Baltimore, Maryland. He is survived by his wife, Audrey George of Decatur; his father, Dale Heard of Olney; three sons, Bobby Copeland, James Copeland and Dale George, all of Decatur; one daughter, Robin Hamilton of Decatur; three brothers; three sisters and two grandchildren. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Clifford Wayne Hale 1921-2000 Services for Clifford Wayne Hale, 78, of Granbury were Saturday, June 3, at the Wiley Funeral Home in Granbury. Burial followed in Acton Cemetery. Stan Reid, of Granbury Church of Christ officiated. Hale died Wednesday, May 31, 2000, in Granbury. Born August 29, 1921, in Decatur, he was a graduate of Hermleigh High School. He married Bobby Jean Morrow of Snyder on April 5, 1942, in Gainesville, Fla. Residents of Snyder for 51 years, the couple moved to Granbury in 1993. He was an employee and manager of Roger's Mens Wear in Snyder and was retired from Tex-Mex Meter Service in Snyder. He was active in the Lions Club, quarterback club and little league baseball and football organizations. He was a member of the Church of Christ. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was also a member of the American Legion, a lifetime member of the VFW and a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. Survivors include his wife of 58 years; his sons and daughters-in-law, Bob and Nancy Hale of Burleson and Joe and Paula Hale of Joshua; a daughter, Cindy Bray of Plano; grandchildren, Michelle Bray of San Antonio, Brent Hale of Burleson, Bryson Hale of Florida, Matt Adkins of Burleson, Kevin Hale of Dallas, Shane Hickman of Fort Worth, Cody Hickman of Fort Worth and Billy Troy of Dallas; sisters, Opal Spykes of Snyder and Pat Land of Vidor and seven great-granchildren. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Leon Hammons 1910-2000 Graveside service for Leon Hammons, 90, of Dallas was to be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas. The Rev. Jerry L. Miller, pastor of First Baptist Church in Decatur, was to officiate. Hammons died June 4, 2000, in a Dallas hospital. Born March 3, 1910, in Dallas, he was retired from the grocery business and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Decatur. He is survived by his cousin, Jim Cooper of Mesquite and by dear friend Edda Arrington of Decatur. He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude Houston and Menerva Cooper Hammons and by a sister, Dessie Mae Hammons Moore. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- William B. ‘Bill’ LaFountain 1930-2000 Service for William B. "Bill" LaFountain, 70, of Boyd was Monday, June 5, at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home. Burial followed at Annis Chapel Cemetery. The Rev. Don Smith officiated. LaFountain died May 31, 2000, in Dallas. Born April 13, 1930, in Detroit, Mich., he was a retired truck driver and employee of Wise County Precinct 3. He was a veteran of the Army Air Force in the Korean Conflict. He was a member of Annis Chapel Baptist Church and a deacon. He married Margaret Faye Campbell on Feb. 15, 1992, in Springtown. He lived in Boyd for 20 years. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Tammy Stuard and her husband Brett of Fort Worth; four sons, David LaFountain and his wife Cathy of Bridgeport, Gary LaFountain and his wife Bonnie of Fort Worth, Michael LaFountain and his wife Sherri of Villa Park, Ill. and Charles LaFountain of Dallas; four step children, Paula, Brenda, Clint and Cliff; 21 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Pallbearers were Gary LaFountain, David LaFountain, Michael LaFountain and Brett Stuard. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- James Lelon Wolfe 1959-2000 Service for James Lelon Wolfe, 41, of Bridgeport, was to be Wednesday, June 7, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Bridgeport. Dr. Bill Dye was to officiate and burial was to follow at Thomas Cemetery in Bridgeport. Wolfe died Sunday, June 4, 2000, in Fort Worth. Born Jan. 29, 1959, in Hobbs, N.M., he was a resident of Bridgeport the past 3 1/2 years. He worked as the executive vice-president of Emergency Fire Protection Systems in Fort Worth and was a member of the Texas Fire Sprinkler Association. He is survived by his wife, Carroll Renee Wolfe; parents, Lelon and Bonnie Wolfe and Jim and Eva Read; a son, James Carroll "Dude" Wolfe; a daughter, Jonna Renee Wolfe; five brothers, Waylon, Joe and Grady Wolfe and Randle and David Read; three sisters, Cynthia Carl, Cheryl Smith and Christa Walenciak; grandmother, Marie Kneeland and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were to be Charles Akerman, Scott Colburn, Bill Carmickle, Chris Piercy, Jeff Obitz, Gary Massie, John Hickman, Jim Tidwell, Herb Taylor and Danny Elliott. In lieu of flowers, a fund has been established at First State Bank in Bridgeport. __________________________________________________________________ Sunday, June 11, 2000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Martin Alan Busse 1957-2000 Service for Martin Alan Busse, 43, of Sanger was to be Saturday, June 10, at Independence Chapel in Fort Worth. Busse died June 6, 2000, in Bryan. Born May 26, 1957, in Knoxville, Tenn., he was vice-president and co-founder of BTS Custom Stone Inc. of Haltom City. He was a Lutheran and attended Immanual Lutheran Church. He was preceded in death by his mother, June Busse. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Lynn Busse of Sanger; six children, Dawn Arlene Crawford of Decatur, Misty Renee Yant and husband Luke of Decatur, Sean Alan Busse of Greenwood and Jacob Wayne Busse of Sanger; a grandson, Nolan Wyatt Crawford of Decatur; his father, Ronald Alan Busse of Roanoke; a sister, Deborah Arlene Kirby and husband Brian of Heath; brothers Troy Barker and wife Tammy of Poetry and Choya Barker of Rowlett and his grandmother, Nancy Reeder of Garland. Memorials may be made to Farmers Merchant State Bank of Krum in the name of Jacob Wayne Busse or Sean Alan Busse. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Grace Iola Cheves 1913-2000 Graveside service for Grace Iola Cheves, 87, of Bridgeport was to be Saturday, June 10, at 10 a.m. at Willow Point Cemetery in Balsora. Rev. Warren Crothers and B. D. Workman were to officiate. Cheves died Wednesday, June 7, 2000, at her home. Born April 10, 1913, in Savanna, Okla., Cheves was a homemaker and had lived in the Bridgeport area since 1954. She married Carl Vernon Cheves in 1935 in Yuma, Ariz. He preceded her in death in 1987. She was a Baptist. She is survived by one son Paul Cheves and his wife Elisabeth of Pasadena, Calif.; a sister, Nell Grubb of Phoenix, Ariz.; two grandchildren, Lisa Knight and her husband Joel of Monterey, Calif., and Christopher Cheves and his wife Karen of San Diego, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Claude E. Etheridge 1912-2000 Service for Claude E. Etheridge, 87, of Haltom City was Saturday, June 10, at Shannon North Funeral Chapel in Fort Worth. Burial was to be in the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth. Born Aug. 3, 1912, in Chico, he was retired from the Haltom City Water Department. He was a Baptist. He is survived by his wife, Alta Etheridge; a son, Ernest Etheridge and wife Barbara of Wautauga; five daughters, Claudine Mitchell and husband Bobby of Paradise, Shirley Ferguson and husband Jerald of Richland Hills, Wilma Marshall and husband Curtis of Watauga, Nelda Ring and husband Jim of Hurst, Velda Elliott and husband Jim of Watauga; a sister, Velma Shults of Wichita Falls; 21 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- James Sanford George 1942-2000 Service for James Sanford George, 57, of Decatur was to be Sunday, June 11, at 4 p.m. at his residence. Rev. Warren Carruthers was to officiate. George died Friday, June 2, 2000, in Decatur. Born July 22, 1942, in Seymour, he was employed in roofing construction. He is survived by his wife, Audrey George of Decatur; his father, Dale Heard of Olney; three sons, Bobby Copeland, James Copeland and Dale George, all of Decatur; one daughter, Robin Hamilton of Decatur; three brothers; three sisters and two grandchildren. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Idus Gregg 1908-2000 Service for Idus Gregg, 91, of Bridgeport was Friday, June 9, at Twin Oaks Assembly of God in Bridgeport. Burial followed at Willow Point Cemetery. Brother Gary Sessions officiated. Gregg died June 7, 2000, in Decatur. Born Dec. 5, 1908, in the Willow Point Community in Wise County, Gregg had lived in Bridgeport since 1950. She was a homemaker and a member of the Twin Oaks Assembly of God. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; a grandson, Don Billington and; a granddaughter, Darlene Dunn. Survivors include a son and his wife, Jean and Barbara Gregg; and three daughters, Billie Billington and her husband Wayne, Mary Shellnut and her husband Bill and Lena McWilliams; 13 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Russell Gregg, Jody Gregg, Randy Dunn, Reggie McWilliams, Greg McWilliams and Paul McWilliams. Honorary pallbearers were Jason Billington, Mark and David Helton, Kenneth Ray Dunn and Donny Bush. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Betty Jane Patterson Lyles 1922-2000 Service was Wednesday, June 7, for Betty Jane Patterson Lyles, 78, of Haltom City.She died June 5, 2000, in Bedford. She was born Jan. 18, 1922, in Decatur. She was a member of Birdville Church of Christ. She was preceeded in death by her husband of 46 years, J.P. Lyles, and a granddaughter, Jenny Dean. Survivors include a son, Don Lyles and his wife Mary of Denver, Colo.; two daughters, Sherrie Ann Dean and her husband Amos of Bay Minette, Ala., and Patsy Jane Weaver and her husband Ben of Saginaw; a brother, S.C. Patterson of Dallas; two sisters, Margaret North and Nora Blase, both of Decatur; seven grandchildren, Samantha Moore, Paul Lyles, Sharon Lyles Burleson, Garrett Dean, Nancy Dean, Laura Weaver and Sarah Weaver; and one great-granddaughter, Katlyn Dean. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Etta Mozelle Renshaw 1920-2000 Services for Etta Mozelle Renshaw, 80, of Decatur was to be Saturday, June 10, at 2 p.m. at the Coker Funeral Home Chapel. Rusty Hedges will officiate. Renshaw died June 8, 2000, in Decatur. Born June 4, 1920, in Decatur, she was a retired clerical worker for Decatur City Hall. She married Billy Bob Renshaw in 1938 in Decatur. He preceded her in death in 1975. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Decatur. She is survived by three daughters, Sandra and her husband Melvin Bert Little of Decatur, Janice and her husband Stanley Pitts of Decatur, and Kate Renshaw of Decatur; a brother, Robert Cartwright of Decatur; and a sister, Naomi Prescott of Decatur; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were to be Bill Pitts, Bert Little Jr., Tommy Neal, Frankie Claborn, Gary Prescott and Bob Cartwright. Honorary pallbearers were Sam Renshaw, Roger Gage and Brian Goodger. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- George Herbert Shepard 1913-2000 Graveside service for George Herbert Shepard, 86, of Poolville, was Friday, June 9, at the Boonsville Cemetery. Rev. Warren Crothers officiated. Shepard died Wednesday, June 7, 2000, at his home in Poolville. Born July 5, 1913, in Speedville, Tenn., he married Bertha Fay Gabriel Shepard in 1941 in Palo Pinto. She preceded him in death. He was a Baptist and a truck driver. He is survived by four sons, David Shepard of Chico, George Shepard of Mineral Wells, Edward Shepard of Boonsville and Richard Shepard of Canton; two daughters, Mary Erdhal of Spirit Lake, Idaho and Gladys Hill of Mangum, Okla.; 18 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. __________________________________________________________________ Thursday, June 15, 2000 Vera Luoise Turk 1926-2000 Service for Vera Louise Turk, 74, of Azle is Thursday, June 15, at 2 p.m. at White's Funeral Home Chapel in Azle. Burial will follow in Azleland Cemetery. Turk died June 11, 2000, in Weatherford. Born Jan. 15, 1926, in Merkel, she was a housewife. Survivors include her husband Calvin of Azle; a son, Curtis Turk of Azle; two daughters, Betty Louise of Missouri and Kay LeVere of Abilene; her mother, Annie Frizzell of Graham; a brother, Bob Frizzell of Hobbs, N.M.; a sister, Ann Rose of Graham; 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. ___________________________________________________________________ Sunday, June 18, 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------------- L.B. Hightower 1908-2000 Service for L.B. Hightower, 92, of Boyd was Thursday, June 15, at Christian Hawkins Funeral Chapel. Burial followed in Boyd Cemetery. A.J. Hightower officiated. Hightower died June 12, 2000, in Azle. Born Feb. 13, 1908, in Purley, he was a member of the Newark Church of Christ and had lived in Wise County since 1963. He was retired from Harbison & Fischer oilfield maintenance. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia "Hon" Hightower, his parents, John Robert and Stella Newson; two grandchildren, Stephen and Tammy; two brothers, Pierce and Joe Burl; and two sisters, Pauline and Durine. Survivors include two sons, Billy W. Hightower and Jerry C. Hightower and his wife Barbara; a daughter, Sarah Francis Brammer and husband Leslie; two brothers A.J. Hightower and Robert Hightower; 9 grandchildren; 16 great grandchidren; and 1 great-great-grandchild. Pallbearers were Kenneth Hightower, Randy Hightower, Darrel Hightower, Greg Hightower, Keith Hightower, Mike Davis, Derek Wallace and Bryce Reed. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Charlene Faye Spain 1924-2000 Service for Charlene Faye Spain, 75, of Decatur, was Friday, June 16, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Jerry Miller officiated. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery. Spain died Wednesday, June 14, 2000, in Decatur. Born Dec. 14, 1924, in Decatur, she was a retired loan officer and vice president of Olney Savings & Loan in Decatur. She worked for Decatur Savings & Loan for 37 years. At the time of its merger with Olney Savings in 1982, she was vice president. She had been promoted from treasurer to vice president and treasurer of Decatur Savings & Loan in 1979. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Decatur. She is survived by her niece, Terry Dobson and her husband Eddie of Grapevine and their son Aaron; a nephew, Clif and wife Dianne Mouser and their children, Lidsay, David and Cara all of Waco and a sister, Eula Mae Spain Mouser of Grapevine. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary Thelma Potter Stevens 1924-2000 Graveside service for Mary Thelma Potter Stevens, 75, of Decatur was Friday, June 16 at Fairview Cemetery. Ben Phillips officiated. Stevens died June 12, in Fort Worth. Born Aug. 16, 1924 in Decatur, she worked for LTV aircraft manufacturing. She was a member of the United Auto Workers. She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Stevens and her brother, James Lee Potter. Survivors include a son, Stanley Johnson of Sapulpa, Okla.; a daughter, Nonni Marie Johnson; two brothers, Jackie Potter and Marvin Potter, both of Decatur; two sisters, Venita Brown of Decatur and Betty Brooks of Morgan; and 14 nieces and nephews. ________________________________________________________________________ Thursday, June 22, 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Donald Lee Bentley 1946-2000 Graveside service for Donald Lee Bentley, 53, of Paradise was Monday, June 19, at Slidell Cemetery. Warren Chesser officiated. Bentley died June 16, 2000, in Decatur. Born Oct. 27, 1946, in Sherman, he was a welder for Starco Welding. Survivors include his wife, Linda; his mother, Nell Bentley of Paradise; a son, Don Bentley of Denton; two daughters, Trisha Walker of Paradise and Diann Galvan of Slidell; a sister, Peggy Austin of Glen Heights; and six grandchildren. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Justin M. Bingham 1916-2000 Graveside service for Justin M. Bingham, 83, of Austin is Thursday, June 22 at 11 a.m. at the Bridgeport Eastside Cemetery. The Rev. Joe Motsenbocker will officiate. Bingham died June 17, 2000, in Austin. Born Aug. 23, 1916, in Newcastle, he moved to Bridgeport at a young age. He was the son of Walter M. and Lydia Thomas Bingham. He was a veteran of World War II and a navigator on a B-26 bomber with the 386th Bomb Group, participating in 70 missions over Europe. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart and Air Medal. He was married to Margaret Lee Bogy for 54 years. He was a civil engineer and a retired construction administrative engineer for the Texas Highway Department. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, a sister and a granddaughter. Survivors include his wife, Margaret; children, Richard Bingham of Alpine, Melinda Burch and husband Randy of Houston and Rex Bingham of Austin; grandchildren, Becky and David Youmans, both of Austin; and a sister, Margaret Roberts of Azusa, Calif. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Charles ‘Charlie’ Alvin Blase 1914-2000 Funeral service for Charles ‘Charlie’ Alvin Blase, 86, of Decatur was to be Wednesday, June 21, at 2 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel, with burial to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery. The Rev. David Blase and the Rev. John Blase were to officiate. Blase died June 19, 2000, in Decatur. Born April 3, 1914, in Hico, he was a member and deacon of Hopewell Baptist Church in Wise County. He married Nora Lou Patterson in Denton on Oct. 1, 1939. He was preceded in death by his parents, J.W. and Ella Blase and eight brothers and sisters. Survivors include his wife; two sons and daughters-in-law, Olin and Janell Blase of Decatur and the Rev. David and Anna Blase of Nashville, Ark.; three grandsons, Curtis and wife Kim Blase of Decatur, the Rev. John and wife Meredith Blase of Arkadelphia, Ark. and Shawn and wife Tonja Blase of Texarkana; five great-grandchildren, Joshua and Kelsey Blase of Decatur, Will and Sarah Blase of Arkadelphia and Mikaela Blase of Texarkana. Pallbearers were to be Curtis Blase, John Blase, Shawn Blase, J.W. Pinkerton, John North and Mike North. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fred Allen Campsey 1900-2000 Graveside service for Fred Allen Campsey, 100, of Forestburg was Sunday, June 18, at New Harp Cemetery, near Forestburg. C.E. ‘Sonny’ Cole of Saint Jo Church of Christ officiated. Campsey died June 16, 2000, in Bowie. Born March 23, 1900, in Truscott, he had lived 70 years in Forestburg. He was a farmer and rancher. He married his wife, Thasia, on Dec. 18, 1923 in Quanah. He was preceded in death by his wife and a daughter, Norma Mann. Survivors include four sisters, Velma White and Lorene Cross, both of Decatur, Sally Leonard of Quanah and Cordia Holland of Gonzalas, Calif.; one grandson, Skip Mann of Forestburg; and two great-grandchildren. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jo Beth Hunter 1931-2000 Graveside service for Jo Beth Hunter, 69, of Chico is Friday, June 23, at 10:30 a.m. at Chico Cemetery. The Rev. Billy Joe Womack will officiate. Hunter died June 19, 2000, in Dallas. Born April 21, 1931, in Wise County, she was a lifetime resident of Wise County. She was a retired service station attendant and a member of the First Baptist Church of Chico. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother and two sisters. Survivors include a sister, Sue Manning of Chico; several nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Annie Laurie Gipple Lamance 1918-2000 Funeral for Annie Laurie Gipple Lamance, 81, of Boyd, was to be Wednesday, June 21, at 2 p.m. at Garvin Methodist Church in Boyd. Lamance died June 18, 2000, in Azle. Born Nov. 19, 1918, in Centre, Okla., she attended New Hope Baptist Church in Boyd and Walnut Creek Baptist Church in Reno. She enjoyed gardening, sewing and cooking Sunday dinner for her loved ones. She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnnie William Lamance and sons, John Henry and Joseph Lamance. Survivors include her sons, Jerrol ‘J.R.’, William ‘Bill’ and James 'Harry' Lamance, all of Boyd, David "Buck" Lamance of Wallis; daughters, Dona Tillotson of Fort Worth, Linda Spry of Azle and Mary ‘Susie’ Cordell of Boyd; thirty-four grandchildren; thirty-nine great-grandchildren; and eight great great-grandchildren ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Shane Pannell 1970-2000 Funeral service for Shane Pannell, 29, of Newark is Thursday, June 22, at Shannon North Funeral Chapel in Fort Worth. Burial will follow in Justin Cemetery. Pannell died June 19, 2000, in Fort Worth. Born Aug. 4, 1970, in Fort Worth, he was a truck driver. Survivors include his wife, Carla Pannell; a daughter, Shelby Pannell; his parents, Jackle and Rosetta Pannell; a sister, Sheila Pannell Garoutte; and two nephews, Kyle and Matthew Garoutte. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Daisy Estell Poynor 1910-2000 Funeral service for Daisy Estell Poynor, 89, of Bridgeport was Monday, June 19, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. Burial followed in East Bridgeport Cemetery. The Rev. Gary Sessions officiated. Poynor died June 16, 2000, in Bridgeport. Born Nov. 30, 1910, in Eastland County, she was a Bridgeport resident the past 34 years and a homemaker. She was a longtime member of the Cates St. Church of Christ and a member of the Twin Oaks Assembly of God in Bridgeport. She married Aubrey Poynor on June 4, 1926, in Eastland County. He preceded her in death. Survivors include her sons, Glenn Poynor and wife Fern of Runaway Bay, Max Poynor and wife Stacie of Jacksboro and Clay Poynor and wife Sandra of Bridgeport; 10 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Wesley Jim Poynor, Tres Ryan Poynor, G. Roy Poynor, T.J. Poynor, Richard Lee Poynor and Lara Poynor. Honorary pallbearers were Lana Cavassa, Lisa Chenot, Deryk Poynor and Lindsey Poynor. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Paula Jean Fitzgerald Robertson 1947-2000 Funeral service for Paula Jean Fitzgerald Robertson, 53, of Bridgeport was to be Wednesday, June 21, at 2 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. Burial was to follow in Paradise Cemetery. The Rev. James Vannoy and the Rev. Gary Sessions were to officiate. Robertson died June 18, 2000, in Bridgeport. Born May 23, 1947, in Bridgeport, she was a lifelong resident of Bridgeport. She was owner/manager of Robertson Trucking Co. She was also a member of Cates St. Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Murel Robertson. Survivors include two daughters, Missy Martinez and her husband Edward and Stacy Williams and her husband Jimmy; a brother, Tommy Fitzgerald of Rosenburg; a sister, Donna Erwin of Paradise; seven grandchildren, Nick, Candy, Masi and Kasi Martinez and Jessica, J.D. and Justin Williams; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Pallbearers were Scott Erwin, Jimmy Robertson, Bobby Erwin, Tom Wilson, Ronny Jackson and Richard Lack. Honorary pallbearers were Charlie Stinson, Freddy Edwards, Chris Martinez and Kenny Fitzgerald. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rusty Thorn 1964-2000 A memorial service for Rusty Thorn, 35, of Boyd was Saturday, June 17, at Christian-Hawkins Chapel in Boyd. Scott Moore officiated. Thorn died June 15, 2000, in Boyd. Born Nov. 17, 1964, in Seymour, he married D.J. Stacy Thorn on Aug. 17, 1985, in Dallas County. He was a carpenter with M&M Construction and a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Boyd. He was preceded in death by his father, Roy E. Thorn Sr. and a niece, Amber Michele Thorn. Survivors include his wife, D.J. Thorn; his mother, Reva Grubbs and step father, Tommy Grubbs; a son, Rusty Mark Thorn; three daughters, Brandi, Tiffany and Lindsey Thorn; three sisters, Robbie, Ranee and Reggie; two half sisters, Rhonda Leatherwood and Rhenda Regan; a half-brother, Randy Thorn; and four nephews and two nieces. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dorothy Ann Webb 1942-2000 Graveside service for Dorothy Ann Webb, 57, of Decatur was Tuesday, June 20, at Slidell Cemetery. Darrell Acker officiated. Webb died June 17, 2000, in Decatur. Born Dec. 2, 1942, in Decatur, she was a member of the Church of Christ. She married Lloyd Wayne Webb Sr. on Feb. 14, 1962, in Decatur. Survivors include her husband; her mother and father, Vernon and Geneva Freeman of Azle; two sons, William Webb of Sanger and Wayne Webb of Rhome; a daughter, Susan Webb of Cleburne; three brothers, David Freeman of Fort Worth, George Freeman of Garland, and Hal Freeman of Azle; and seven grandchildren. ________________________________________________________________________ Sunday, June 25, 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Charles H. Ford 1921-2000 Funeral service for Charles H. Ford, 78, of Bowie was June 21, at the First Baptist Church of Bowie. Burial followed at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie. Dr. Larry Cox officiated. Ford died June 19, 2000, in Bowie. Born July 4, 1921, in Bowie, he was retired owner of Russell's Department Store in Bowie. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bowie where he was a member of the Gideon Sunday School class and served several years as a trustee of the church and taught a boy's Sunday School. He coached little league baseball and was a member of the Bowie Masonic Lodge #578 AF & AM. He served in the Merchant Marines and the U.S. Coast Guard on a supply ship during WWII. After returning from service, he worked in the oil fields before becoming a long time district salesman for Lone Star Gas Co. In 1971 he became a part of the Bowie business community when he purchased Walker's Variety Store and later Russell's Department Store. He married Wilma Cook on Feb. 2, 1977, in Bowie. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Charles F. and his wife Patsy Ford of Decatur and Bobby G. and his wife Beverly Ford of Corsicana; a daughter, Phyllis and her husband Donald Maddux of Chico; two brothers, Pete Ford of Arcadia, La. and Lewis Ford of Mart; five sisters, Altonette Wood of Bowie, Elizabeth Blackborn of Vequita, N.M., Beatrice White and Faith Kirksey, both of Tulsa, Okla. and Freeda Harlow of Wichita Falls; 7 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dorothy Ann Webb 1942-2000 Graveside service for Dorothy Ann Webb, 57, of Decatur, was Tuesday, June 20, at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 1. Darrell Acker officiated. Webb died June 17, 2000, in Decatur. Born Dec. 2, 1942, in Decatur, she was a member of the Church of Christ. She married Lloyd Wayne Webb Sr. on Feb. 14, 1962, in Decatur. Survivors include her husband; her mother and father, Vernon and Geneva Freeman of Azle; two sons, William Webb of Sanger and Wayne Webb of Rhome; a daughter, Susan Webb of Cleburne; three brothers, David Freeman of Fort Worth, George Freeman of Garland, and Hal Freeman of Azle; and seven grandchildren. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, June 28, 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- June Gray Boorman Akin 1927-2000 Funeral service for June Gray Boorman Akin, 72, of Princeton was Monday, June 26, at the Princeton Church of Christ. Burial followed at the Princeton Cemetery. Akin died Friday, June 23, 2000, in Decatur. Born Nov. 20, 1927, in Princeton, she graduated from Princeton High School in 1945 and married her high school sweetheart, Willis Neal "Norris" Akin. She earned bachelor's and master's degrees in education from East Texas State University and was a teacher for 25 years. She was a teacher and coach at Rockwall High School. She and her family moved back to Princeton in 1967. She retired in 1991 after teaching for 20 years in the Princeton Independent School District. She liked genealogy, shopping, traveling and crocheting. She was a member of the Princeton Church of Christ. She had been a resident of Sunny Hills Nursing Center in Decatur since 1995. She was preceded in death by her husband and a brother, Thomas Curtis Boorman. Survivors include a son, Norris Lane Akin of Decatur; a daughter, Sarah June Akin Lawson of Hereford; a sister, Sarah Blanche Boorman Farr of Collinsville; and 4 grandchildren, Tyson, Casey, Pace and Pierce. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Norris and June Akin Scholarship Fund at: Citizens State Bank, P.O. Box 130, Princeton, Texas 75407, (972) 736-2423. This fund will benefit a graduating senior of Princeton High School. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spurgeon Edwin Lippincott 1913-2000 Graveside service for Spurgeon Edwin Lippincott, 86, of Weatherford was to be Wednesday, June 28 at 10 a.m. in the Curtis Cemetery. Lippincott died June 24, 2000, in Weatherford. Born Aug. 21, 1913, he was a longtime resident of Wise County. He had resided in Weatherford for the past 16 years. He was a retired oil field worker and rancher. He was a member of Southside Baptist Church in Weatherford. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Doris; three sisters, Ruth Latourneau of Trophy Club, Lula Ratliff of Bowie and Lottie Turpin of California; two brothers, Joe Lippincott of Denton and Wilbur Lippincott of Mesquite; and three grandsons, Chuck Peace of Bowie, Buck Peace of Miami, Fla. and Jeff Hawkins of Weatherford. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ira Jeanetta Munn 1901-2000 Funeral service for Ira Jeanetta Munn, 98, of Boyd was June 27 at Christian Hawkins Funeral Home. Burial followed at Boyd Cemetery. The Rev. Norman Abernathy officiated. Munn died June 24, 2000, in Boyd. Born Nov. 14, 1901, in Poolville, she was a Methodist. She graduated from Boyd High School and attended Decatur Baptist College and Texas Christian University. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bryan, and a son, Donald. Survivors include a niece, Gail Haynes; two great-nephews, Charles Jr. and James Haynes; a great-niece, Wendy Haynes; and 7 great-great-nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were John Avens, Tommy Bell, Britt Pack, Jerry Davis, Eddie Jones and Chris Williams. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Peggy Ann Shiflet Smith 1939-2000 Memorial service for Peggy Ann Shiflet Smith, 61, of Boyd was June 27 at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home. The Rev. Bill May officiated. Smith died June 23, 2000, in Decatur. Born Feb. 9, 1939, in Decatur, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Boyd. She was a legal secretary with Cantey and Hanger Law Firm. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roscoe and Orlanda Shiflet. Survivors include a son, Robert Smith and wife Anna; a sister, Joan Hulsey and two granddaughters, Emily and Jennifer. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul Eugene Wright 1930-2000 Funeral service for Paul Eugene Wright, 69, of Alvord was Monday, June 26, at 10 a.m. at the River of Life Church in Decatur. Burial followed at Alvord Cemetery. Greg Mohr officiated. Wright died June 22, 2000, in Forth Worth. Born Dec. 8, 1930, in Princeton, he was a remodeler. He was the mayor of Alvord from May 1991 to May 1993. He was a member of the River of Life Church, a member of the Masonic Lodge and a shriner. He married Patricia Swatzel in Madill, Okla. on Oct. 8, 1981. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Paul Wright II and wife Terri of Alvord and Doug Kinsey and wife Shabon of Alvord; a daughter, Karan Huggins and husband Wayne of Alvord; two brothers, Terry Wright of Wylie and Rupert Wright of Garland; two sisters, Faye Poovey of Fairfield and Joy Davis of Lubbock; 7 grandchildren; and 1 great-granddaughter. Memorials can be made to the One Eighty Youth Center in care of River of Life Church. -------------------------------------------------------------------------