Wise County, TX - Obits: From the Wise County Messenger, October, 2001 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Submitted by: Lola Withrow: lolawithrow@yahoo.com 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 & FUNERALS October 4, 2001 Calvin Weaver Williamson Jr. 1933-2001 Service for Calvin Weaver Williamson Jr., 68, of Decatur was to be Wednesday, Oct. 3, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. John Featherston was to officiate, to be assisted by Marcus Brecheen. Burial was to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. Williamson died Monday, Oct. 1, 2001, in Decatur. Born Sept. 9, 1933, in Laredo, he was the owner and operator of an auto repair business. He married Cleva Lou Griffin on July 23, 1953, in McAllen. He was a member of the Central Fellowship Church of Christ in Decatur, Masonic Lodge No. 779, Toastmasters International and the Off 380 Players. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1977. He is survived by his wife, Lou Williamson of Decatur; four sons, Calvin Williamson III, Carl Williamson and Curt Williamson, all of Decatur, and Cevin Williamson of Dallas; a daughter, Cassandra William-son Byrd of Decatur; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Pallbearers were to be Celvin, Carl and Calvin Williamson III, Robby and Bob Brooks, Charles Whitaker and Curt Williamson. Wise County Messenger, October 4, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Roy Lee ‘Pee Wee’ Coble 1921-2001 Service for Roy Lee "PeeWee" Coble, 80, of Runaway Bay will be Friday, Oct. 5, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Runaway Bay. The Rev. Rudy Owen will officiate. Burial will follow in Eternal Oaks Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Todd Cupples, Dan Coble, Chad Coble, Trent Coble, Brandt Coble, Ken Peters, Cameron Bradberry and Brian Falk. Coble died on Oct. 2, 2001, in Decatur. Born on July 19, 1921, in Munday, Coble served in the United States Navy during World War II. He was a sergeant security guard for the GMC plant in Arlington. He was a member of the Runaway Bay First Baptist Church and the past president of the Runaway Bay Golf Association. He married Norma Montgomery on May 10, 1947, in Amarillo. He is survived by his wife, Norma of Runaway Bay; three sons, Rick Falk and wife Karen of Bakersfield, Lynn Roy Coble and wife Shirley of Arlington, Dennis Coble and wife Denise of Mansfield; one daughter, Leighann Cupples and husband Phil of Mansfield; one brother, Arl Coble; one sister, Jorene Keith and husband Jim; 11 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, October 4, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lottie Mae Reed Phillips 1898-2001 Service for Lottie Mae Reed Phillips, 103, of Decatur was Monday, Oct. 1, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Decatur. Tad Billmire officiated. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery. Phillips died Saturday, Sept. 29, 2001, in Decatur. Born March 22, 1898, in Chico, Phillips was a homemaker. She is survived by a son, Carroll Reed; four daughters, Geneva Boyd of Archer City, Wilma Smith of Decatur, Cleva Nell Bunnell of Mineral Wells and Virginia Renaker of Arlington; and several grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, October 4, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bobbie Jo Gibbon 1931-2001 Memorial services for Bobbie Jo Gibbon, 69, a former resident of Bridgeport, were held on Sept. 22, 2001, in Oklahoma. Gibbon died on Sept. 17 in Oklahoma. She was born in Beeville on Oct. 19, 1931, to Nathan and Essie Bryan. She is survived by three sons, J.D. Keller, Greg Keller and Kenneth Shown; two daughters, Janet Nation and Teri Gose; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, October 4, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Atrell Lula Cole 1929-2001 Service for Atrell Lula Cole, 71, of Bridgeport was Monday, Oct. 1, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Craig Cox officiated. Burial followed at Thomas Cemetery. Cole died Thursday, Sept. 27, 2001, in Decatur. Born Nov. 23, 1903, in Alba, Cole had lived in the Bridgeport area since 1953 and was a retired waitress. She married Paul W. Cole on Nov. 26, 1946, in Mineola. She was a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Cole; a sister, Mary Dell Holland; and two brothers, Walter Harvey and John Harvey, Jr. She is survived by a daughter, Cindy Crunk and husband Randy of Bridgeport; three sons, Paul Cole and wife Jeanell, William Cole and wife Cathy, David Cole and wife Diann, all of Bridgeport; a brother, Billie Harvey of Alba; one sister, Elsie West of Bridgeport; nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Wise County Messenger, October 4, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Johnnie Brantley Byers 1920-2001 Service for Johnnie Brantley Byers, 81, of Chico was Sunday, Sept. 30, at The Shepherd’s House in Chico. The Revs. Kern Choate and Michael Stephenson officiated. Burial followed at Chico Cemetery. Byers died Thursday, Sept. 27, 2001, in Dectaur. Born June 16, 1903, in Crafton, Byers was a lifetime resident of Chico and a retired heavy equipment operator for Lone Star and Pioneer Crushers. He married Dimple Bean on Jan. 22, 1949, in Cooksville, Tenn. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Natalie Byers; his brothers, Haskell, James and baby brother Byers; and sisters Delie Byers, Ruby Pitts and Flossy Whatley. He is survived by his wife, Dimple Byers of Chico; two sons, Larry Byers and wife Debbie of Chico and Kenny Byers and wife Tamme of Rhome; two sisters, Vivian Thomas of Chico and Madeline Davdison of Bridgeport; five grandchildren, Nathan, Dustin, Colby, Aimee and Whitney; 3 stepgrandchildren, Tommy, Leslie and John; 6 stepgreat-grandchildren, Jeff, Russell, Meagan, Tori, Tyler and Jadon; numerous nieces and nephews. Wise County Messenger, October 4, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lou Esta Hailey 1903-2001 Service for Lou Esta Hailey, 98, of Chico was to be Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 2 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Charles Wallace was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Chico Cemetery. Hailey died Monday, Oct. 1, 2001, in Bridgeport. Born March 25, 1903, in Chico, Hailey was a homemaker. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernis Hailey, her stepson Garvin Hailey and two stepgranddaughters. She is survived by two nephews, Leonard and Harold Denney; two stepsons, Donald Hailey and wife Dixie and Lucian Hailey and wife Nell; a stepdaughter, Wanda Paschall; 10 stepgrandchildren, 13 stepgreat grandchildren and one stepgreat-great-grandchild. Wise County Messenger, October 4, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robbie A. Seiler 1921-2001 Graveside service for Robbie A. Seiler, 80, of Saginaw was to be Thursday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m. at Aurora Cemetery. Seiler died Monday, Oct. 1, 2001, in Saginaw. Born Sept. 3, 1921, in Knox City, Seiler attended schools in Newark and Rhome. She was a clothing salesperson for Stripling’s Department Store and K-Mart. She and her husband were in jewelry sales for Prince Jewelers for many years. She was preceded in death by her son, Bobby Morris Seiler. She is survived by a son, Michael Seiler and his wife Karen; her grandchildren, Michael Seiler, Jr., Rusty Seiler and Shawn Seiler; great grandchildren, Dusty, Shelby, Raegan, Jordan and Austin; and three sisters, Lucille Drain, Vera Crowder and Daisy Troxell. Wise County Messenger, October 4, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- M.E. ‘Speedy’ Harrell 1931-2001 Service for Marion Eugene "Speedy" Harrell, 69, of Newark will be Thursday, Oct. 4, at 2 p.m. at Shannon North Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Joe Woodell was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Sweetwater Cemetery. Harrell died Monday, Oct. 1, 2001, in Fort Worth. Born Oct. 18, 1931, in Cocoa, Fla., Harrell was a municipal judge at Pelican Bay and a retired road construction contractor. He married Claudette Henson on Dec. 6, 1967. He was a member of the Tarrant Masonic Lodge No. 942. and Mosiah Temple Shrine. He served in the Army during the Korean conflict. He was preceded in death by his son, Scott Hall, and three brothers, Emmitt, Claude and Fred. He is survived by his wife, Claudette Harrell of Newark; seven children, Roy Harrell and his wife Denise of Cocoa, Fla., Mary Harrell and her husband Ken Ness of Divide, Colo., Linda Pederson of Lake Dallas, Susan Cook and her husband Dusty of Keller, Katy Brackeen and her husband Johnny of Newark, Julie Woddell and her husband Joe of Fort Worth and Chana Massey and her husband Curtis of Newark; his grandchildren, Roy Harrell, Jr., Jessica Harrell, Thomas Senn, Andy Jackson, Sierra Harrell, Kurtis Ness, Sheila Ness, John Lewis Harrell, Kenny Pederson, Brandon Wywias, Cody Hall Miller, Ashley Hall, Travis Scott Cook, Alison Brackeen, Shannon Brackeen, Samuel Wooddell, Micah Ethan Wooddell and Austin Massey; great-grandson, Garrett Eugene Byrd; brother, Leland "Big Speedy" Harrell of Cocoa, Fla., and numerous nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. Wise County Messenger, October 4, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Christy Crone Woodruff 1972-2001 Memorial service for Christy Crone Woodruff, 29, of Bridgeport was to be Saturday, Oct. 6, at 11 a.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. Les Diviney was to officiate. Woodruff died Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2001, in Bridgeport. Born July 22, 1972, in Amarillo, she was preceded in death by her great grandmother Ruby Lee Boney. She is survived by her father, Kenneth Woodruff; her mother, Tracy Rutherford and husband Larry; and stepfather Tom Wilson; a son, Casey Crone; two daughters, Crista Crone and Brandi O’Dell; grandparents Elvin and Eunice Hutson and Ann Woodruff; a brother, Kenneth Woodruff and a sister, Misty Woodruff. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 7, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles Lee ‘Laddie’ Sloan III 1927-2001 Graveside service for Charles Lee Sloan III, 73, of San Marcos was Friday, September 21, at Sunset Cemetery. The Rev. Charles Wallace officiated. Sloan died Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2001, in San Marcos. Born Oct. 12, 1927, in Memphis, to Charles Lee and Sam (Noel) Sloan, Jr., he was a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force and worked as an industrial electrician for Poco Graphite, Inc. in Decatur for many years until his retirement in 1993. He then spent his time buying, selling and trading quarter horses and was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association. He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Cindy Jean Sloan. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Billie (Larned) Sloan; four daughters, Susan Beams, Carol Gay Garcia, Cody LeeAnn Walls and her husband Buddy and Sammie Sloan Reyes and her husband Jacob; eight grandchildren, Michael Noel Beams, Sean Beams, Gene Stone, K’lia Walls, Cynthia Walls, Marcos Walls, Marilyn Reyes and Mazzy Reyes; a sister, Patti Nivens of Estelline; mother-in-law, Pansy Larned of Childress and several nieces and nephews. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 7, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Roxie Kirkland Petty 1907-2001 Graveside service for Roxie Kirkland Petty, 94, of Boyd was Friday, Oct. 5, at Laurel Land Cemetery in Fort Worth. The Rev. Sonny Smith officiated. Petty died Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2001, in Decatur. Born May 2, 1907, in Knoxville, Tenn. Petty was a member of the First Baptist Church of Boyd. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jessie Thomas Kirkland, Sr., and two daughters, Clara Endicott and Betty Ruth Splawn. She is survived by two sons, Billy Wayne Kirkland and his wife Freda of Boyd, Jessie Thomas Kirkland and his wife Kythryn of Decatur; 14 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and 21 great-great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 7, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, October 11, 2001 Clinton Hafford Stephens 1915-2001 Memorial service for Clinton Hafford Stephens, 86, of Roswell, N.M. will be Saturday, Oct. 13 at 1 p.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery. Mark Jones will officiate. Stephens died Monday, Oct. 8, 2001, in Decatur. Born April 3, 1915, in Decatur, he worked for the University of California in New Mexico. He was preceded in death by his wife, Francis Jacobs Stephens, on Oct. 10, 1999; his parents, Odie and Bertie Stephens and two brothers, Gerald Stephens and George Stephens. She is survived by a sister, Bonnie Dorris of Richardson and eight nieces and nephews. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 11, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- James W. Reagan 1924-2001 Service for James "Jay" W. Reagan, 77, of Lawton, Okla., was Tuesday, Oct. 9 at Letitia Baptist Church near Lawton, Okla. He was the brother of Dessie M. Thompson of Alvord. The Rev. Bubba Clark officiated, assisted by the Rev. Alvin McConnell and David Mabry. Burial followed in the Letitia Cemetery. Reagan died Saturday, Oct. 6 in Lawton. Born on May 8, 1924, in Alvord to Sam and Mecia (Johnson) Reagan, Reagan served in the United States Marine Corp. from September of 1944 to August, 1946. He married Maxine C. Watts on July 12, 1947, in Chico. In April of 1948 he went to work for M and D Freight Lines as a commercial truck driver, retiring in May of 1981 from McLean Trucking Co. in Lawton. After his retirement he owned and operated Reagan’s Home Repairs for 10 years. He was a member of the Letitia Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Ricky. In addition to Thompson, he is survived by his wife, Maxine Reagan; a son, Gary Reagan and wife Karen of Lawton; a daughter, Sharon Byram and husband Charles of Belton, Mo.; two granddaughters, Kim Gerard and husband Clem of Johnson, Kan. and Stephanie Reagan of Lawton; a grandson, Chuck Byram of Lees Summit, Mo.; three great-grandchildren, Eric, Kristina and Emily Gerard, all of Johnson; and many nieces and nephews. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 11, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florence McCracken 1918-2001 Graveside service for Florence McCracken, 83, of Fort Worth will be Thursday, Oct. 11 at Cherokee Cemetery in Cherokee. Mark Jones will officiate. McCracken died Monday, Oct. 8, 2001, in North Richland Hills. Born March 21, 1918, in San Saba County, she was the daughter of Levi Lafayette Cates and Janie Lucy Massey Cates. On Feb. 10, 1955, she married Harold McCracken in Dallas where they made their home. She was preceded in death by her husband on Feb. 14, 1998. She is survived by her brother, Foy L. Cates of Comanche; two sisters, Iva Dell Hufstutler of Ingram and Annie Lee (Peggy) Henderson of Richland Hills; four nephews, three nieces, and numerous great-nieces, including Melanie Jones of Wise County, and great-nephews. The family requests that memorials be made to the American Heart Association. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 11, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary Elizabeth Evans Russell 1949-2001 Service for Mary Elizabeth Evans Russell, 52, of Newark was Monday, Oct. 8 at Newark Church of Christ. Bobby Boalin officiated. Burial followed at Aurora Cemetery. Russell died Saturday, Oct. 6, 2001, in Newark. Born Sept. 14, 1949, in Newark, Russell was a lunch room monitor at Seven Hills Elementary School. She married Billy Don Russell, Sr. on Jan. 9, 1965, in Newark. She was a member of the Newark Church of Christ. She is survived by her husband Billy Don Russell, Sr. of Newark; three sons, Billy D. Russell, Jr. of Arlington, Bryan T. Russell and Andy Lipsey, both of Fort Worth; one daughter, Carol Creamer of Fort Worth; two brothers, Robert Evans of Hamilton and Gordan Evans of Rhome; two sisters, Virginia Bowers of Newark and Ella Roye of White Settlement; five grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 11, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Roberta Rickman Stevens 1912-2001 Service for Roberta Rickman Stevens, 89, of Boyd was Tuesday, Oct. 9, at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd. Chaplain Phillip Yoder officiated. Burial followed at New Hope Cemetery in Parker County. Stevens died Saturday, Oct. 6, 2001, in Decatur. Born July 2, 1912, in Wise County, to C.W. and Rose Young Rickman, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Boyd. She was preceded in death by all of her immediate family. She is survived by three cousins, W.E. "Bill" Rickman and wife Gladys, Edith Riley and Lois Beaty and husband Ernest and numerous other family members. Pallbearers were Eddie Rickman, Audie Westmoreland, Don Beaty, Ron Miller, Jamie Badger and David Rickman Jr. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 11, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jimmy Dale Long 1949-2001 Service for Jimmy Dale "J.D." Long, 51, of Arlington was to be Wednesday, Oct. 10, at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Forest Hill. Burial was to follow in the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas. He was the father of Patricia Scott of Decatur and brother of John Long of Bridgeport. Long died in Arlington on Friday, Oct. 5, 2001. Born on Dec. 21, 1949, in New Port, Ark. he was a regional manager in the computer industry. Long served in Vietnam in 1970, receiving numerous commendations, including a bronze star with valor, two Army commendation awards and two purple hearts. He served with Co. E 7th Infantry Ranger, 9th Infantry Division. He returned to the U.S. in 1971 to Fort Lewis, Wash. where he became a drill instructor. In 1974 he was sent to Pusan, Korea where he served as an infantry training instructor. In Korea he received a third degree black belt in the art of Kimpo. He also served in Germany in 1975, retiring from the service in September 1985 after 16 years, 13 active duty and three reserve with numerous other awards. Survivors include his wife, Nagako Nicky Long of Arlington; daughters, Patricia E. Scott and her husband Keith of Decatur, Elizabeth A. Denman and her husband Casey of Watauga; parents, L.Z. and Edith Long of Beebe, Ark.; brothers, John Long of Bridgeport, Fred and Gary Long of Beebe, Tony Long of Arizona; sisters, Karen Long of Beebe, Cheryl Helmick of Little Rock, Ark.; grandchildren, Blake and Brolin Scott, Kelsey Wilson and Colton Denman. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 11, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William McHenry ‘Bill’ Lemmon 1928-2001 Service for William McHenry "Bill" Lemmon, 73, of Balsora will be Thursday, Oct. 11 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. The Rev. Robert Harvey will officiate. Burial will follow in Wilson Prairie Cemetery. Lemmon died Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2001, in Balsora. Born April 14, 1928, in Dallas, Lemmon served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a retired Polaroid Corporation Service Manager and owner of Bill’s Flying Service. He married Jean Lewis on June 13, 1953, in Dallas. He is survived by his wife, Jean Lemmon; daughter, Patricia Penner; four sons, Mike Lemmon and wife Carol, Bob Lemmon and wife Mary Anne, Jerry Lemmon and Richard Lemmon and wife Rusty; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 11, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday, October 14, 2001 Zelma Cook Rosenburg 1907-2001 Graveside service for Zelma Cook Rosenburg, 94, of Bridgeport was to be Saturday, Oct. 13, at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. Rosenburg died Friday, Oct. 12, 2001, in Bridgeport. Born March 21, 1907, in Wise County, she was a homemaker and a Baptist. She married the late Volnia Rosenburg in 1935 in Waurika, Okla. She is survived by a son, Bill Rosenburg of Bridgeport; two grandchildren, Whitney Armstrong of Bridgeport and Wade Rosenburg of Carrollton and three great-grandchildren, Barbra, Amber and Jacky. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 14, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ray Worthington 1926-2001 Funeral service for Ray Worthington, 75, of Newark was Friday, Oct. 12, at First Baptist Church of Newark. Burial followed in Laurel Land Memorial Park of Fort Worth. Worthington died on Oct. 9, 2001, in Decatur. Born on April 2, 1926, he was a retired businessman and a deacon at the First Baptist Church of Newark. He was an Eagle Scout and a former Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America. He was preceded in death by his son, Tim Worthington in 1983, and a brother, Gerald Worthington. Survivors are his wife of 53 years, Mary Jo Worthington of Newark; two daughters, Julie Self and husband Lynn of Azle and Patia Moncrief and husband Carey of Newark; four grandchildren, Jessica Ramey, Lana Worthington, Joshua Worthington and Chanior Moncrief; two sisters, Dorothy Porter and husband Lewis of Snook and Orveta Smith and husband Bill of San Diego, Calif.; eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or to the Arthritis Foundation. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 14, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lela Hix Stanley 1915-2001 Service for Lela Hix Stanley, 84, of Decatur was Friday, Oct. 12, at First Baptist Church of Decatur. Allen Bates officiated, assisted by Don Spain. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. Stanley died Thursday, Oct. 11, 2001, in Decatur. Born Oct. 18, 1915, in Wise County, she was a title clerk for James Wood Motors. She married the late Paul Stanley in 1934. She was a member of the Victory Family Church in Decatur. She was preceded in death by her husband in February of 1986 and a son, Benny Stanley. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, David and Carolyn Stanley of Boyd; a daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and James Wood of Decatur; a sister, Bonnie Jordan of Bridgeport; eight grandchildren, Janetta Wood Killen, Raymond Paul Wood, James Joshua Wood, Dana Stanley Englehart, Bryan David Stanley, Barry Wade Stanley and Russell and Sheril Tomson; and 14 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were James Ray Garrett, Terry Wood, Ronnie Eison, Johnny Evans, Gerald Lanier and Eddie Hale. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 14, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, October 18, 2001 Jesse Parish Reed 1922-2001 Service for Jesse Parish Reed, 78, of Decatur was Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 1 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Gene Chamness officiated. Burial followed in Oaklawn Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jim Self, Morris Berend, Ronnie Van Natta, Bo Bullard, Larry Self and Johnny Self. Reed died on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2001, in Decatur. Born on Oct. 26, 1922, Reed was a retired Federal Aviation Administration controller. He was a member of Oak Grove Methodist Church and served in the Army Air Corp. He is survived by his wife, Lila Fay Self Reed of Decatur; a son, Col. Mike Reed of San Antonio; two daughters, Ginger Samay of Kansas City, Mo. and Ronda Fowler of Irving; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 18, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles Moss 1934-2001 Charles Moss, 67, of Alvord died on Oct. 12, 2001, in Alvord. He was a resort owner/operator. Born on Oct. 29, 1934 in Antwerp, Belgium, he was married to Lourdes Brioso Moss on Sept. 10, 1998, in Las Vegas, Nev. No service is planned. He is survived by his wife Lourdes and three sons, Steven Miles of Seattle, Washington, Arthur Morrie of Tyler and Edward Marshall of California. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 18, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- O.V. Stephens 1920-2001 Graveside service for O.V. Stephens, 80, of Duncan, Okla. was to be held on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. at Thomas Cemetery in Wise County. Dr. David Allen was to officiate. Stephens died on Oct. 14, 2001, in Purcell, Okla. Born on October 16, 1920, in Marlow, Okla. he was a resident of Duncan for the past 51 years and was a retired LP gas engineer for Texaco. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Velma Baptist Church of Velma, Okla., where he served as a deacon. He was preceded in death by his wife Tinnie Bernice Hawkins Stephens in May 1994. He is survived by two daughters, Lillie Stephens Smith of Grand Prairie and Donna Stephens Caudill of Duncan; four grandchildren, six great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 18, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- J.O. Hopkins 1925-2001 Graveside service for J.O. Hopkins, 76, of Sanger will be Monday, Oct. 22, at Slidell Cemetery. Dr. E.L. McNeal will officiate. Hopkins died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2001, in Denton. Born Aug. 11, 1925, in Krum, he was a self-employed wood worker and a Marine Corps veteran of World War II. He is survived by his daughter, Rajena Gayle Gayford of Iola; a sister, Liela Fay Brewer of Meridian, Miss. and two grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 21, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hazel Lucille Whitney 1912-2001 Graveside service for Hazel Lucille Whitney, 89, of Tolar was Friday, Oct. 19, at Paradise Cemetery. The Rev. Joe Motsenbocker officiated. Whitney died Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2001, in Granbury. Born June 21, 1912, in Post Oak, she was a homemaker. She married the late Charlie A. Coker who preceded her in death May 28, 1985. She later married the late Raymond Whitney. She was a Baptist. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Orville and Sandra Coker of Tolar; a daughter and son-in-law, Charlene and Billie Tyson of Overland Park, Kan.; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. Pallbearers were Ronnie, Ricky and Tony Dewayne, Kent and Keith Coker and Boyce Cotton. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 21, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jewel Frances Robert Mote 1913-2001 Service for Jewel Frances Roberts Mote, 88, of Greenwood will be Sunday, Oct. 21, at 2:30 p.m. at Greenwood Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Mote died Friday, Oct. 19, 2001, in Decatur. Born July 5, 1913, in Chatfield to Nim Rod and Katie Evans Roberts, she attended school at Brumelow where she met her childhood sweetheart, Robert Mote. They were married on Dec. 6, 1931, at Spring Mound Baptist Church at Rush Creek. They lived on their farm for 60 years where they raised their family, bred Jersey cows and grew gardens. Mote raised and showed Bantams, was a 4-H Club leader for more than 30 years, was a member of the Home Extension club for more than 50 years and was poultry chairman at the Wise County Youth Fair for many years. She was inducted into the Texas Poultry Hall of Fame at Texas A&M University. She was a member of the Greenwood Baptist Church, Eastern Star and the Wise County Historical Society. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1996. She is survived by three sons, W. Robert Mote and Rodney and wife Ila, all of Greenwood and Felix Mote and wife Monica of Tulia; five grandchildren, Elaine Taylor and Robert, David, Felice and Chad Mote; great-grandchildren, Andy, Barry, Morgan and Tanner; two great-great-grandchildren, Madison and Matthew; three sisters, Clois Howard and Bobbie Ashley of Greenwood and Nemmie Garrett of Alvord; and a brother, Ray Roberts of Groveton. Memorials may be made to the Wise County Historical Society. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 21, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marjorie Loveland Church 1919-2001 A memorial service for Marjorie Loveland Church, 82, of Decatur will be held at a time and place to be determined. Church died Sunday, Oct. 14, 2001, in Decatur. Born Sept. 17, 1919, in Bangor, Mich., she was the middle of three sisters. She was a full-time homemaker and mother. She was also a long-time member of the PEO Sisterhood, Chapter DD in Aurora, Mo. and was a member of The Club at Runaway Bay where she enjoyed playing golf and bridge. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Bennett Church; two sisters, Rachael Sunday of South Haven, Mich. and Betty Wood of Victoria; a daughter, Constance Lee of Little Compton, R.I.; a son, Thomas Church and wife Carol of Nacogdoches and four grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson Alliance, 211 College Road - East, Princeton, N.J. 08540. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 21, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chaynee Malone Cooper 1997-2001 Service for Chaynee Malone Cooper, 4, of Decatur was Thursday, Oct. 18, at the First Baptist Church in Decatur. Gene Hadley officiated. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. Cooper died Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2001, in Dallas. She was born Feb. 5, 1997. She is survived by her parents, Gary and Mika Cooper of Decatur; two brothers, Gage and Nash Cooper, both of Decatur; grandparents, Mike and Pam Rhoten of Weatherford and Dr. Gary and Glenda Cooper of Granbury and great-grandparents, Hugh and Vaudine Cooper of Brock, Clinton and Johnnie Morgan of Weatherford and Herbert Jones of Granbury. Pallbearers were Doyle Gaither, Mark Sledge, Shad Rhoten and Justin Cooper. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 21, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, October 25, 2001 Paul Medlin 1910-2001 Graveside service for Paul Medlin, 91, of Runaway Bay was Tuesday, Oct. 23, at East Bridgeport Cemetery. The Rev. Alvin J. Brunn officiated. Medlin died Saturday, Oct. 20, 2001, in Houston. Born Oct. 2, 1910, in Bridgeport, he was a retired real estate appraiser for Texaco. He was preceded in death by his wife, Myrle Renshaw Medlin in 1986. He is survived by two daughters, Medlina Medlin and Paulette Miller; four grandchildren, Paul, Melinda, Michelle and Kristina and five great grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 25, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Edgar 1924-2001 Graveside service for Bill Edgar, 77, of Center was Tuesday, Oct. 23 at the Sunset Cemetery. Edgar died Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2001, in Center. Born June 16, 1924 in Park Springs, Edgar was a sales executive with Center Broadcasting and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Center. He is survived by his wife, Fleetia Edgar of Center; his sister-in-law, Olene Jackson of Center; several cousins, nephews and nieces. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 25, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary Ellen Burkett 1921-2001 Service for Mary Ellen Burkett, 80, of Boyd was Tuesday, Oct. 23 at the Second Baptist Church in Lamesa. Burkett died Saturday, Oct. 20, 2001, in Decatur. Born April 18, 1921, Burkett was a housewife. She married the late Billy Ben Burkett Jan. 18, 1952, in Roswell, N.M. She is survived by three sons, Steve F. Parker of Abilene, Bob Burkett of Boyd and Charles L. Burkett of Brownfield; two daughters, Fran Standefer and Jan Burkett, both of Boyd; a brother, Buddy Foster of Lamesa; two sisters, Abena Lee of Lubbock and Louise Hightower of Midland; 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 25, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jesse Parish Reed 1922-2001 Service for Jesse Parish Reed, 78, of Decatur was Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 1 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Gene Chamness officiated. Burial followed in Oaklawn Cemetery. Pallbearers were Johnny Hughes, Morris Berend, Ronnie Van Natta, Bo Bullard, Larry Self and Johnny Self. Reed died on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2001, in Decatur. Born on Oct. 26, 1922, Reed was a retired Federal Aviation Administration controller. He was a member of Oak Grove Methodist Church and served in the Army Air Corp. He is survived by his wife, Lila Fay Self Reed of Decatur; a son, Col. Mike Reed of San Antonio; two daughters, Ginger Samay of Kansas City, Mo. and Ronda Fowler of Irving; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 25, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billy Wayne ‘Killer’ Kirkland 1931-2001 Graveside service for Billy Wayne "Killer" Kirkland, 70, of Boyd was Tuesday, Oct. 23 at Boyd Cemetery. Dr. Nancy Cearley officiated. Kirkland died Friday, Oct. 19, 2001, in Decatur. Born March 1, 1931, in Archer City, he married Freda Tillotson on Oct. 28, 1948, in Weatherford. He was a truck driver and a member of the Gospel Outreach Center in Azle and the Boyd Moose Lodge. He had lived in Boyd for 14 years. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Splown and Clara Endicott and his mother and father. He is survived by his wife, Freda Kirkland of Boyd; three sons, Danny Kirkland and wife Paulette, David Kirkland and friend Patricia and Darly Kirkland, all of Boyd; three daughters, Donna Stephenson and husband Lanny of Gig Harbor, Wash., Diana Wilkinson of Boyd and Debby McDonald and husband Scott of Springtown; a brother, Tommy Kirkland and wife Kay of Decatur; 15 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 25, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- James Allan Watts 1960-2001 Service for James Allan Watts, 41, of Bowie, will be announced at a later date. Watts died Friday, Oct. 26, 2001, in Decatur. Born Aug. 24, 1960, in Arlington, Watts was a rig operator for Energy Services. He married Saundra Swanger Watts on May 15, 1984, in Bowie. He is survived by his wife, Saundra Watts of Bowie; his mother, Leona Noll of New Mexico; his son Kyle Watts of Bowie; three daughters, Amanda, Ashley and Shelby Watts, all of Bowie; his brother, John Watts of New Mexico and his sister, Edna Montoya of New Mexico. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 28, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Ernest ‘Bud’ Sanders Jr. 1915-2001 Service for Robert Ernest "Bud" Sanders, Jr., 85, of Alvord was Thursday, Oct. 25 at the Alvord Church of Christ. Ed Cate officiated. Sanders died Monday, Oct. 22, 2001, in Decatur. Born Dec. 10, 1915 in Round Rock, Sanders married Brownie Mae Pridgen Sept. 11, 1937 in Brownsville. He was a member of the Church of Christ in Alvord. He is survived by his wife, Brownie Sanders of Alvord; his son Robert Sanders of Alvord; two daughters, Dorothy Kuykendall of Alvord anfd Laura Lou Bailey of Gun Barrel City; 12 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 2 great great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 28, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wynonah Marie Welty 1935-2001 Service for Wynonah Marie Welty, 66, a native of Alvord and North Richland Hills resident, was to be Saturday, Oct. 27 at 1 p.m. at the Irwindell United Methodist Church in Dallas. Welty died Sunday, Oct. 21, 2001, in North Richland Hills. Born Aug. 28, 1935, in Alvord, Welty was a property manager. She is survived by her daughter Easter Welty of North Richland Hills; two sons, Bill Sorrels of Alvord and Harlan Capps of Campeche, Mexico; two sisters, Helen Bulhan and Laverne Burks, both of Garland. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 28, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Flossie May Bays 1912-2001 Service for Flossie May Bays, 89, of Fort Worth was to be Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Jason Ewing was to officiate. Bays died Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2001, in Fort Worth. Born May 8, 1912, in Wise County, Bays was a retired cook at the Cleburne Road Dairy Queen in Fort Worth and a member of the Fort Worth Baptist Temple. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest D. Bays, one sister and two brothers. She is survived by a son, L.D. Bays and wife Ola Mae of Fort Worth; three daughters, Jean E. Norris and husband Tommy of Fort Worth, Winifred Jones and husband Kenneth and Judy Jured and husband Joe, all of Angleton; one brother, Noble Burrows of Natural Dam, Ark.; 11 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. Wise County Messenger, Oct. 28, 2001 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------