Wise County, TX - Obits: From the Wise County Messenger, September, 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 Sunday, September 2, 2001 Edward Dale Phillips 1940-2001 A memorial service for Edward Dale Phillips, 61, of Alvord was to be Saturday, Sept. 1, at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Alvord. The Rev. Don VanNoy was to officiate. Phillips died on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2001, in Alvord. Born on June 18, 1940, in Sweetwater, he was a telecommunications technician and an Air Force veteran. He married Alice Marie Fulford on Sept. 8, 1963, in Benbrook. He is survived by his wife, Alice Phillips of Alvord; one daughter, Wendy VanNoy of Alvord; two brothers, Bobby Joe Phillips of Fort Worth and Dwain Ford Phillips of Stillwater, Okla. and two grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 2, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stella Mae Smith 1921-2001 Service for Stella Mae Smith, 79, of Decatur was Friday, Aug. 31. Burial was in Oaklawn Cemetery. The Rev. Ray Tindol officiated. Pallbearers were Stephen Wren, Melton Cude, Jody Forman, Ruben Pinkerton and Joe Forman. Smith died Aug. 28, 2001, in Decatur. Born Nov. 26, 1921, in Decatur, she was a childcare provider in her home and at the First Baptist Church nursery. She was a member of First Baptist for over 70 years. Although she never married nor had children, she was a "mother" and "grandmother" to many Decatur children during her 40 years of childcare. Survivors include a sister-in-law, Zelda Smith of Decatur, and a niece, Theda "Sandy" Smith of Hemphill. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 2, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ethel Lucille McDaniel 1924-2001 Service for Ethel Lucille McDaniel, 76, of Bridgeport was held Friday, Aug. 31, at the Cates St. Church of Christ in Bridgeport. Ken Burnett and Floyd Jones officiated with burial in the Jim Ned Cemetery near Runaway Bay. Pallbearers were Clarence Wallace, Roy Boswell, Barney McCasland, Leon Moody, Clyde Warner and David Warner. McDaniel died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2001, in Fort Worth. Born Oct. 16, 1924, in Wichita Falls, she was a homemaker and caregiver of children and the elderly. She had lived in Bridgeport since 1947 and was a member of the Cates Street Church of Christ. She married Jess Edward McDaniel on July 5, 1944, in Bridgeport. They were married for 32 years until his death on July 6, 1976. She was also preceded in death by an infant sister, her parents William and Hattie Boswell and brother, J.T. Boswell. Survivors include a son, William McDaniel and his wife, Liz, of Bridgeport; a daughter, Mary Wright and her husband, James, of Chico; two sisters, Mary Bell Wallace and Nona Moody both of Chico; granddaughters, Cheryl Wilson, Loucrecia Biggerstaff, Connie Stokes and Debra Williamson; five stepgrandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 2, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, September 6, 2001 Helen Yarbor 1917-2001 Service for Helen Yarbor, 84, of Sunset will be Friday, Sept. 7, at 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Sunset. Dr. Ray Vowell will officiate. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie. Yarbor died Monday, Sept. 3, 2001, in Bowie. Born Aug. 20, 1917, in Kiowa, Okla., she was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church in Sunset. She graduated from high school in Park Springs. She married Burl Yarbor on Sept. 19, 1936, in Montague. She was preceded in death by her husband on Sept. 11, 1994. She is survived by two daughters, Pat Fletcher Garcia and her husband Tom of Sunset and Burldean Erdmann and her husband Robert of Wichita Falls; a daughter-in-law, Ann Yarbor Rapelje and her husband Bill of El Cajon, Calif.; nine grandchildren, Steve Howie of Gulf Shores, Ala., Deborah Chandler and Bryan Yarbor, both of El Cajon, Denise Dean of Longview, David Fletcher of Krum, Suzanne Hoeme of Cunningham, Kan., Mark Erdmann of Wichita Falls, Matt Erdmann of Roswell, N.M. and Renee Whaley of Fort Worth; 14 great grandchildren, Kimberly Fletcher and Katherine Fletcher, both of Krum, Krystal Hoeme and Payton Hoeme, both of Cunningham, McKenna Whaley and Morgan Whaley, both of Fort Worth, Jacob Dean and David Lane Dean, both of Longview, Christopher Howie and Andrew Howie, both of Gulf Shores and Makenna Yarbor, Brooke Yarbor, Katelyn Chandler and Ronsen Chandler, all of El Cajon; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at Fry Funeral Home in Fort Worth Thursday, Sept. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 6, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pearl Warner 1905-2001 Service for Pearl Warner, 95, of Decatur was to be Saturday, Sept. 8, at 10 a.m. at Decatur Church of Christ. Robert Isham was to officiate to be assisted by Ryan Morrison. Burial was to follow at Cresson Cemetery in Granbury. Warner died Thursday, Sept. 6, 2001, in Decatur. Born Oct. 8, 1905, in Sayre, Okla., she was a waitress and a member of the Decatur Church of Christ. She married the late Curtis L. Warner in 1926 in Clovis, N.M. She is survived by two sons, Bob Warner of Turkey and Ed Warner of Davis, Okla.; two daughters, Wanda Harp of Decatur and Mary Basgall of Topeka, Kan.; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 9, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- W. D. Rawle 1911-2001 Service for W.D. Rawle, 89, of Decatur will be Sunday, Sept. 9, at 2:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Decatur. Ray Cobb will officiate, assisted by Bill Higgins. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery. Rawle died Friday, Sept. 7, 2001, in Fort Worth. Born Sept. 17, 1911, in Chico, he was a retired dairyman and a member of the First Baptist Church in Decatur. He married the late Oma Jewel Nikirk on Dec. 20, 1931 in Bridgeport. He was preceded in death by a son, Ronny; a granddaughter, Sherrie Lea Rawle, and a sister, Hazel Cobb. He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Joy Rawle of Sadler; a daughter and son-in-law, Melba and Edwin Haney of Decatur; a daughter-in law, Billie Rawle of Decatur; a brother, Marshall Rawle of Chico; seven grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Loyd Jackson, Harold Mosley, Wayne Alexander, Jim Keen, Billy Joe Snider and George Washburn. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 9, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- James H. Owen 1922-2001 Graveside service for James H. Owen, 78, of Boyd was Wednesday, Sept. 5, at Greenwood Memorial Park in Fort Worth. Owen died Sept. 3, 2001, in Fort Worth. Born Dec. 29, 1922, in Hattiesburg, Miss., he was a veteran of World War II. He retired from Tarrant County Junior College in 1989. He is survived by his wife, Betty Belle Owen; a daughter, Cathy Constant and husband Terry of North Richland Hills; a son, Craig Owen and wife Cynthia of Boyd; two grandchildren, Michele Martin of Weatherford and John Constant of Boyd and four great-grandchildren, Michael Lee and Jennifer Matthews of Weatherford, Kyle and Keith Constant of Boyd. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 9, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, September 13, 2001 Marshall Lewis Watkins 1918-2001 Service for Marshall Lewis Watkins, 83, formerly of Decatur, was to be Wednesday, Sept. 12, at the Chandler Funeral Chapel in De Queen, Ark. Watkins died Sunday, Sept. 9, 2001, in De Queen. Born April 25, 1918, in Decatur, he was a retired journeyman painter and a veteran of World War II. He was a member of the First Baptist church and the Elks Lodge in Anchorage, Alaska. He was preceded in death by a brother, Jack Truitt Watkins; a daughter, Patricia Watkins and a granddaughter, Sharon Watkins. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ruth Kinney Watkins of De Queen; two sons, Ben Marshall Watkins and wife Linda of Midlothian and Thomas Ray Watkins of Anchorage; two daughters, Helen Glee Lane of Fort Worth and Katherine Lorraine and husband James Hansen of Anchorage; two sisters, Mary Jo Amos of Denton and Bennye Ruth Williams of Texarkana; 9 grandchildren, Glee Michelle Lane of Fort Worth, Kyle Watkins of Midlothian, Dana Mendez and husband Ken of Forney, Stephanie Rose Anderson of Anchorage, Mary Katherine and husband Kris Koepke of Texarkana, Arvin Anderson of Anchorage Shaun Arvin Russell and Samantha D. Watkins, both of De Queen, and Rodney Whisenhunt of Kirby, Ark; two great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 13, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kindall Marie Silvola 1998-2001 Service for Kindall Marie Silvola, 3, of Paradise was to be Thursday, Sept. 13, at the Coker Funeral Chapel in Decatur. Marcus Brecheen was to officiate. Silvola died Sunday, Sept. 9, 2001, in Decatur. Born Jan. 8, 1998, in Kansas City, Mo., she is survived by her mother, Lori Scott of Paradise; her father, Thomas Charles Silvola Jr., of Nevada, Mo.; three sisters, Rachill Linn Silvola of Paradise, Lauren Ashlynn and Brooke Nicole Silvola, both of Nevada; her grandparents, Diane Scott and Vernon Bray, both of Liberal, Mo. and Walter and Joy Scott of Appleton City, Mo. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 13, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joanne Bahen Baker 1930-2001 Service for Joanne Bahen Baker, 71, formerly of Decatur, was to be Wednesday, Sept. 12, at the Fourth Street Methodist Church in Aurora, Ill. The Rev. Norville Brown was to officiate. Baker died Sunday, Sept. 9, 2001, in Montgomery, Ill. Born April 27, 1930, in Dixon, Ill., she taught English at the Decatur High School from 1972 to 1987. She belonged––.0chapter of tS‡aughters of the American Revolution. She was a member of the Women’s Club in Decatur, served a term as president and was named Woman of the Year. She was preceded in death by her infant grandson, Evan Janssen and her brother-in-law, William Murray. She is survived by her children, John Baker and wife Misty of Austin, Janet Janssen of Kihei, Hawaii; her three grandchildren, Jake Janssen, Austin and Alec Baker; her sister, Barbara Murray of Montgomery, Ill.; her stepsister, Lynn Krantz and husband Art; her stepbrother, Rick Ritenour, all of Aurora, Ill.; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 13, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joe Leslie Harclerode 1936-2001 Service for Joe Leslie Harclerode, 65, formerly of Chico, was to be Wednesday, Sept. 12, at the Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. The Rev. Craig Cox was to officiate. Harclerode died Saturday, Sept. 8, 2001, in Newcastle. Born March 27, 1936, in Putnam, Okla., he was a retired truck driver. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Jesse and Shelby Keller; three sisters, Maxine Bryan, Dixie Jackson and Aileen Allen. He is survived by two sons, Louis Harclerode and wife Tangie and Joe Alan Harclerode and wife Hollie; one daughter, Missy McComack and husband Garry; three brothers, David, Warren and Jack Keller; two sisters, Norma Lou and Mary P. O’Dell and six grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 13, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bertha Lue Etter 1911-2001 Service for Bertha Lue Etter, 89, of Boyd was Tuesday, Sept. 11, at the Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd. The Rev. Doyle Slimp officiated. Burial followed at Boyd Cemetery. Etter died Sunday, Sept. 9, 2001, in Azle. Born Oct. 20, 1911, in Boyd, she married Roy Etter Aug. 8, 1931, in Decatur. She attended the Boyd Assembly of God Church. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1979; three infant children; five sisters, Alice Reed, Gladys Whitmier, Marie Oates, Leona Oates, Jewel Cook; two brothers, Jess and Carol Taylor. She is survived by three sons, Royce Etter, Donald Etter and his wife Pat, James Etter and his wife Patty, all of Boyd; one brother, Floyd Taylor and wife Dorothy; 10 grandchildren including Brent Etter; 8 great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 13, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday, September 16, 2001 Winnell Yeats Reed 1915-2001 Service for Winnell Yeats Reed, 85, of Fort Worth was to be Saturday, Sept. 15, at 10:30 a.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Rudy Owen was to officiate. Burial was to follow in the West Bridgeport Cemetery. Pallbearers were to be Bill Wood, Bill Medlin, Melvin McBride, Henry Yeats, Bob Elder and Bill Baird. Reed died on Sept. 11, 2001, in Forth Worth. Born Nov. 26, 1915, Reed was a retired employee for Alcon Lab in Fort Worth, a past Worthy Matron of Order of the Eastern Star, Tarrant County Lodge 684, and a member of the First Baptist Church in Runaway Bay. She is survived by her husband, Raymond D. Reed of Fort Worth; three sons, A.J. Yeats and wife, Donna, of Grants Pass, Oregon, Jim N. Yeats and wife, Evelyon, of Glen Rose and Dave A. Yeats and wife, Sylvia, of League City; one daughter, Barbara J. Wade of Bedford; three step-children, Dianne Wohletz of Denton, Linda Lackey of Irving and Doug Reed of El Paso; on e brother, Alvert B. Martin of Duarte, Calif; three sisters, Estelle Musick of Weatherford, Mae Belle O’Daniel of Duarte, Calif., and Betty Carlisle of Fort Worth; 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 16, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jimmie Ray Coursey 1936-2001 Service for Jimmie Ray Coursey, 65, of Bridgeport, was Thursday, Sept. 13, at the Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. The Rev. Joe Motsenbocker officiated. Burial followed at Thomas Cemetery. Coursey died Monday, Sept. 10, 2001, in Denton. Born Aug. 14, 1936, in Bridgeport, he was an electrician for Ruf-Nek Building Systems. He was a Baptist and a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He married Delois Forsyth on July 26, 1997, in Weatherford. He is survived by his wife, Delois Coursey; three sons, Lee Coursey and wife Darla, Keith Coursey and wife Roxanne, and Chris Coursey; two stepsons, Chuck Kennedy and David Kennedy and wife Julie; a daughter, Joanna Garner and husband Mike; four brothers, Joe Lee Coursey and wife Lucille, Billy Dan Coursey, Travis Coursey and wife Kay, Larry Coursey and wife Brenda; four sisters, Peggy Klasky and husband Phil, Q’Zella Lewis and husband Dave, Linda Byrd and Sherry Parker; nine grandchildren and five stepgrandchildren. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 16, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joyce Jay Johnson 1919-2001 Service for Joyce Jay Johnson, 81, of Alvord, was Thursday, Sept. 13, at the Alvord First Baptist Church. Bill Cleveland officiated. Burial followed at Laurel Land Cemetery in Fort Worth. Johnson died Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, in Fort Worth. Born Sept. 21, 1919, in Bonita, she was a manucurist and a member of the Alvord First Baptist Church. She married James Clinton Johnson on Sept. 21, 1938. She is survived by her husband, J.C. Johnson of Alvord; one son, Gary Johnson and wife Diane of North Richland Hills; two daughters, Charlotte Parkhurst and husband Mike of Weatherford and Jeannette Vollintine; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to Home Hospice of North Texas, 2201 South FM 51, Decatur, TX, 76234 or Alvord First Baptist Church, 205 Boling, Alvord, TX, 76225. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 16, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joseph Samuel Tallant 1908-2001 Graveside service for Joseph Samuel Tallant, 93, of McAllen will be held Monday, Sept. 17, at 10 a.m. at Chico Cemetery. The Rev. Joe Motsenbocker will officiate. Visitation will be held on Sunday, Sept. 16, at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport. Tallant died on Sept. 13, 2001. Born on Sept. 1, 1908, he lived in McAllen for the past 43 years and was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army. He was a retired college professor for Pan American University in Edinburgh and married Mertie M. Flowers on June 4, 1942, in San Antonio. They were married for 59 years until his death. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of McAllen and a member of the Kiawanis Club. He is survived by his wife, Mertie M. Tallant of McAllen; four nieces and two nephews. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 16, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marvin Davis 1913-2001 Service for Marvin Davis, 87, of Bridgeport, was to be Sunday, Sept. 16, at the Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. Brother Glenn Connell was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Willow Point Cemetery. Davis died Thursday, Sept. 13, 2001, in Decatur. Born Sept. 24, 1913, in Greenwood, he was a retired farmer and carpenter. He married Louise Castleberry in 1944. He served in the U.S. Army 46th Engineers in Australia and New Guinea during World War II. He is survived by his wife, Louise Davis; his son Larry Davis and wife Vonna of Bridgeport; his daughter Kathy Davis of Azle; three sisters, Cora Adams of Plainview, Flora Alexander of Lubbock, Geneva Vermillion of Fort Scott, Kan.; three grandchildren, Dorothy Davis of Arlington, Larry Davis, Jr. of Bridgeport, Marvin H. Davis of Bridgeport; two great-grandchildren, Haden and Joseph Davis of Bridgeport; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 16, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, September 20, 2001 Jack Raymond Alexander 1912-2001 Memorial service for Jack Raymond Alexander, 88, of Big Spring, father of Don Alexander of Decatur, was Monday, Sept. 17, at the First United Methodist Church in Big Spring. Alexander died Sept. 15, 2001, in Big Spring. Born on Nov. 15, 1912, in Iradell to Dr. and Mrs. R.L. Alexander, he graduated from Texas Tech University in 1937 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He was formerly employed by Cosden Petroleum Corporation, later to become American Petrofina, as a chemical engineer. For more than 25 years he directed asphalt sales for the company. He was an active member of Kiwanis International for more than 50 years, serving in various positions of leadership such as president and lieutenant governor. He was a member of the Masons and Shrine and served on the Shrine Directors Staff. He was a longtime member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board and a supporter and leader of the Boy Scouts of America serving as a Cubmaster for 10 years of the largest Cub Scout Pack in Big Spring history. He was instrumental in organizing pinewood derby races and city-wide day camps in the city park for Cub Packs throughout the Big Spring area. Later he served on the Lone Star District Staff and the Buffalo Trails Council committee. As a result of his leadership and support, he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award in 1971. He had four sons and five grandsons who earned the Eagle Scout Award. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Big Spring where he served on the Financial Committee. In addition to Don Alexander, he is survived by his wife, Fern Alexander; daughters, Beverly Logsdon of Memphis and Sherri Key of Big Spring; sons, Ray Alexander of Big Spring and Mark and Mike Alexander of Arlington; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Red Cross in memory of those who lost their lives Sept. 11, 2001, or to the First United Methodist Church. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 20, 2001 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sammy Len Williams 1955-2001 Service for Sammy Len Williams, 46, of Bridgeport will be Thursday, Sept. 20, at the East Mound Church of Christ in Bridgeport. James Vannoy will officiate. Burial will follow at Westside Cemetery. Williams died Monday, Sept. 17, 2001, in Fort Worth. Born Aug. 8, 1955, in Bridgeport, he was a heavy equipment operator for Tarrant Regional Water District. He was a U.S. Army veteran, and a member of the East Mound Church of Christ in Bridgeport. He married Sandraw Kay Chestnut on Aug. 30, 1991, in Bridgeport. He is survived by his wife, Sandraw Williams of Bridgeport; his parents Sonny and Bone Whitsitt of Bridgeport; two daughters, Christina Sparks and Angela Williams, both of Hurst; three brothers, Micheal Williams of Palo Pinto, Gary Whitsitt of Bridgeport and Billy Williams of Glendale, Ariz.; three sisters, Myrna Perkins of Paradise, Carol Wacasey and Monette Burris, both of Bridgeport; three grandchildren, Ashley Nicole Sparks, Sydnie Howard and Bailey Williams and several nieces and nephews. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 20, 2001 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William Joseph May 1958-2001 Memorial service for the Rev. Bill May, 42, of Boyd was Monday, Sept. 17, at the First United Methodist Church in Boyd. Burial was private. May died Saturday, Sept. 15, 2001, in Fort Worth. May was born and raised in the Fort Worth area and was a 1977 graduate of Richland High School. He was active in the North Richland Hills Masonic Lodge prior to moving to Wise County in 1995. He was pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Boyd since June 1999. He was a member of Red River Walk to Emmaus Community and was an Eagle Scout. He was preceded in death by his mother, Wilma May. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Michele May of Boyd; sons Randall May and Jake May of Boyd; daughters, Lindsey Boone and husband, Brandon of Gainesville, Kaitlin May and McKenzie May of Boyd; father, Bill May of North Richland Hills; brother, John May of Dallas; sisters, Chris Routt of Arlington, Debbie Cook of Tulsa, Okla., Diann Finstad of North Richland Hills, Donna Gideon of Watauga, Denise Peyton of North Richland Hills and grandson, Brent Boone of Gainesville. The family asks that memorials be made to the American Cancer Society. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 20, 2001 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul Revere Day 1922-2001 Service for Paul Revere Day, 79, of Decatur was Sunday, Sept. 16, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. The Rev. Jerry Miller officiated. Burial followed in the Pleasant Grove #1 Cemetery. Pallbearers were Henry T. Hicks, Jim Richards, Craig Shaw, Clay Wristen, Larry Avant, Wayne Long and Allen Bingham. Day died on Sept. 14, 2001, in Decatur. Born on Aug. 13, 1922, in Tupelo, Okla. he was a farmer and rancher. He married the late Margie Rohus on Feb. 7, 1948, in Midland. She preceded him in death in 1992. He was a member of the Aurora Baptist Church and a veteran of World War II serving in England, Germany and France. He is survived by his wife, Ann Norris Day; three daughters, Sharon Sipes of Decatur, Dee Yaws Day of Fort Worth and Patti Doherty of Azle; two brothers, Allen Day of Midland and Sam Day of McAllen; two sisters, Minnie Warner of Midland and Polly Day of Conroe; four grandchildren, Joe Sipes of Denison, Shelly Vinzant of Boyd and Brodie Doherty and Bobby Doherty, both of Azle. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 20, 2001 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anna Belle Voss Muncy 1912-2001 Graveside service for Anna Belle Voss Muncy, 89, of Decatur will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at Slidell Cemetery. The Rev. Charles Taylor will officiate. Visitation was to be Wednesday, Sept. 19, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be H.R. Edwin, Danny, Rene and Bert Pruett and Gene Malone. Muncy died Monday, Sept. 17, 2001, in a Denton hospital. Born March 23, 1912, she married the late Clarence E. Muncy on Aug. 23, 1943 in Bolivar. She was a homemaker and a member of the Bolivar Church of Christ. She is survived by a son, Lee Muncy and his wife Penny of Slidell; a daughter, Mary Naomi Gardner and her husband Albert of Grand Saline; five grandchildren, Corrie Muncy-Lloyd and Jimmy Muncy, both of Slidell and Brad, Marion and Melynn Gardner, all of Grand Saline and five great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 20, 2001 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ernest Eugene ‘Pat’ Read 1920-2001 Service for Ernest Eugene "Pat" Read, 81, of Paradise was Monday, Sept. 17 at the First Baptist Church in Paradise. The Revs. Jack Vereen and Walt Rowell officiated. Burial followed at Paradise Cemetery. Read died Saturday, Sept. 15, 2001, in Denton. Born July 12, 1920, in Paradise, he was a lifetime resident of Paradise and was a retired shipping supervisor for General Dynamics. He was a member of the Paradise Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife Mildred on March 27, 1993; a grandson, Vance Read; a granddaughter, Lindsey Read; two brothers and two sisters. He is survived by three sons, Sonny Read and wife Gay of Paradise, Gary Read and wife Ann of Chico and Rickey Read and wife Rhonda of Bridgeport; seven grandchildren, Kelly, Derek, Dike, Bodie, Michael, Brad and Justin Read; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Edwin Read of Merkel; a sister, Iva Rhodes of Paradise and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were grandsons Derek, Dike, Bodie, Michael, Brad and Justin Read. Memorials may be made to a charity of choice or the Paradise Methodist Church Building Fund. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 20, 2001 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eloise Bennett 1922-2001 Graveside service for Eloise Bennett was Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2001, at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. Minister Ron Salfen conducted the service. Bennett died Sunday, Sept. 16, in Dallas. Bennett was born Dec. 15, 1913, in Decatur to Bill and Octa Leonard Stone. She graduated from Decatur High School in 1931 and attended Hardin Simmons University and North Texas Teacher’s College (now the University of North Texas) on a music scholarship. Her love of music led her to teach students voice and piano in Decatur, Rhome and Fort Worth. She was chosen in 1937 as the Wise County entry to the Frontier Fiesta beauty contest that was part of the Texas Centennial. She was first runner-up and later became a dancer in Billy Rose’s Casa Mañana productions. She married Robert Leslie Bennett, a Texas A&M graduate, in 1939. They moved to their ranch outside of Rhome in 1945 and adopted their only child, Scott, in 1948. They moved to Fort Worth in 1958. She was active in the Decatur chapter of the Eastern Star and became most worthy grand matron of Texas. She was also a leader in the Texas Federation of Republican Women in the late 1960s and 1970s. Bennett had been living in the Alzheimer’s unit of Grace Presbyterian Village in Dallas for several years. She is survived by her son, Michael Scott Bennett of Dallas, and a granddaughter, Caroline Elizabeth Bennett. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 20, 2001 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday, September 23, 2001 Becky Lynn Turvaville 1962-2001 Service for Becky Lynn Turvaville, 38, of Chico, was to be held on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 10 a.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Marvin Miller was to officiate. Pallbearers were to be Brannon Gilliam, Brian Holland, Jason Holland, Michael Turvaville and Robert Raymon. Burial was to follow in the Alvord Cemetery. Turvaville died on Sept. 19, 2001, in Decatur. Born on Nov. 30, 1962, she was a homemaker and a graduate of Trinity High School in Euless. She married Paul Turvaville on June 15, 1991, in Bowie. She was preceded in death by a brother, William Charles Herring. She is survived by her husband Paul Turvaville; father and mother, Charles and Ann Herring of Alvord, three daughters, Paula Renee Turvaville and Chrystal Dawn Turvaville, both of Chico and Cheryl Allmond of Fort Worth; one son, Jacob David Turvaville of Chico; one sister Marian Lee Gilliam and husband Kevin of Bowie and two grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 23, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sammy Len Williams 1955-2001 Service for Sammy Len Williams, 46, of Bridgeport was Thursday, Sept. 20, at the East Mound Church of Christ in Bridgeport. James Vannoy officiated. Burial followed at Westside Cemetery. Williams died Monday, Sept. 17, 2001, in Fort Worth. Born Aug. 8, 1955, in Bridgeport, he was a heavy equipment operator for Tarrant Regional Water District. He was a U.S. Army veteran, and a member of the East Mound Church of Christ in Bridgeport. He married Sandraw Kay Chestnut on Aug. 30, 1991, in Bridgeport. He is survived by his wife, Sandraw Williams of Bridgeport; his parents Sonny and Bone Whitsitt of Bridgeport; two daughters, Christina Sparks and Angela Williams, both of Hurst; three brothers, Micheal Williams of Palo Pinto, Gary Whitsitt of Bridgeport and Billy Williams of Glendale, Ariz.; three sisters, Myrna Perkins of Paradise, Carol Wacasey and Monette Burris, both of Bridgeport; three grandchildren, Ashley Nicole Sparks, Sydnie Howard and Bailey Williams and several nieces and nephews. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 23, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Geneva Newsom Stevens 1914-2001 Service for Geneva Newsom Stevens, 87, of Azle, mother of Charlie Stevens of Decatur, was Friday, Sept. 21, at Ash Creek Baptist Church in Azle. Burial followed at Ash Creek Cemetery. Stevens died Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2001, in Azle. Born Feb. 22, 1914, in Parker County, she was a retired sales clerk. She married Clarence Austin Stevens Oct. 11, 1945, in Fort Worth. She was preceded in death by her husband; one brother, Edsel Newsom; a sister, Corine Silger and an infant grandson, Todd Steven Tatum. She is survived by three children, Charles and Katie Stevens of Decatur, Dwight and Bridgett Stevens and Darlene and Jerry Tatum, all of Azle; one grandson, Curtis Stevens of Azle; six granddaughters, Kimberly Gestring and husband Nathan, Stephanie Wasek and husband Terry, Serena Burson and husband Shawn and Tara Tatum, all of Azle, Kristi Stevens of Nacogdoches and Courtney Stevens of Decatur; one great-granddaughter, Emily Gestring of Azle; one brother, Wilburn Newsom of Fort Worth and a host of relatives and friends. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 23, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anna Belle Voss Muncy 1912-2001 Graveside service for Anna Belle Voss Muncy, 89, of Slidell was Thursday, Sept. 20, at Slidell Cemetery. The Rev. Charles Taylor officiated. Pallbearers were H.R. Edwin, Danny, Rene and Burt Pruett and Gene Malone. Muncy died on Sept. 17, 2001, in a Denton hospital. Born March 23, 1912, she married the late Clarence E. Muncy on Aug. 23, 1943 in Bolivar. She was a homemaker and a member of the Bolivar Church of Christ. She is survived by a son, Lee Muncy and his wife Penny of Slidell; a daughter, Mary Naomi Gardner and her husband Albert of Grand Saline; five grandchildren, Corrie Muncy-Lloyd and Jimmy Muncy, both of Slidell, Brad, Marion and Melynn Gardner, all of Grand Saline and five great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 23, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, September 26, 2001 Evelyn Marguerite Workman Davidson 1914-2001 Service for Evelyn Marguerite Workman David-son, 87, of Roanoke was Saturday, Sept. 22, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Rusty Hedges officiated and burial was in Oaklawn Cemetery. Davidson died Sept. 20, 2001, at a Keller nursing home. Born March 14, 1914, Davidson was a retired school teacher who taught for 37 years. She married Donald Worth Davidson on Aug. 31, 1941, in Decatur. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Roanoke. She is survived by her husband, Donald Davidson of Roanoke; a son, Don Davidson of Huntsville; a daughter, Alice Davidson Schur of Roanoke and two grandchildren, Deena Everest of Buffalo, N.Y. and Bradley Schur of Fort Worth. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 27, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Santos Hernandez 1931-2001 Service for Santos Hernandez, 69, of Bridgeport was Monday, Sept. 24, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Bridgeport. The Rev. Gonzolo Morales officiated. Burial followed in Boyd Cemetery. Hernandez died Friday, Sept. 21, 2001, in Fort Worth. Born Oct. 23, 1931, in Durango, Mexico, Hernandez was a retired dairyman. He married Ancelma Hernandez on Feb. 15, 1951, in Mexico. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Martha Segura and a son, Sabino Hernandez. He is survived by his wife, Ancelma Hernandez; a son, Vicente Hernandez and wife Evangelina; two daughters, Carmen Rodriguez and husband Jose, Virginia Carrillo and husband Roberto; one sister, Maria Ayala; 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 27, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lawrence Tomas Hesteande 1932-2001 Service for Lawrence Tomas Hesteande, 69, of Slidell was Monday, Sept. 24, at Slidell Baptist Church. The Revs. David Bradshaw and Eric Spano officiated. Burial followed at Slidell Cemetery. Hesteande died Saturday, Sept. 22, 2001, in Slidell. Born June 4, 1932, in Slidell, Hesteande retired as a machinist from Tetra Pac of Denton. He was a member of the Slidell Baptist Church. He married Barbara Anderson on Aug. 11, 1973, in Denton. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Hesteande and two sisters, Mildred Iona Boyd and Opal Bell Hesteande. He is survived by six daughters, Amy Ree Adams and Jill Ann Richards of Slidell, Cathy Lynn Sides of Chico, Ruth Elice Swanson of Whitesboro, Penny Jo Shurbet and Brenda Faye Shurbet of Bowie; two sons, John Douglas Hesteande of Slidell and Russell Dean Hesteande of Lake Worth; two sisters, Viola Loyd Blackburn and Ruby Jewel Baker of Denton; one brother, Edward Ray Hesteande of Jacksboro; 21 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 27, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday, September 30, 2001 Jennee Warren Wright Lawhorn 1910-2001 Graveside service for Jennee Warren Wright Lawhorn, 91, of Denton will be Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 1 p.m. at International Order Of Foresters Cemetery. Rev. Marilyn Dickson will officiate. Lawhorn died Thursday, Sept. 27, 2001, in Denton. Born Jan. 10, 1910, in Decatur to James Logan Wright and Alice Lucille Clements Wright, she graduated from North Texas State Teacher College, now the University of North Texas. She married O.T. Lawhorn on Aug. 23, 1930, in Ardmore, Okla. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Denton and was a school teacher in Houston for many years. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Republic of Texas and American Contract Bridge League. She was preceded in death by her husband, O.T. Lawhorn, on Dec. 5, 2000. She is survived by two sons, William S. Lawhorn of Dallas and Thomas W. Lawhorn of Colorado Springs, Colo.; eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 30, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Homer Wilson Sanford 1923-2001 Graveside service for Homer Wilson Sanford, 77, of Tioga, father of Mike Sanford of Decatur, was Friday, Sept. 28, at Oakwood Cemetery in Whitesboro. Charles Hyde officiated. Sanford died Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2001, in Denton. Born Nov. 9, 1923, in Van Alstyne, he married Maurice Hall on Sept. 13, 1978. He was self employed until he retired. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and was a member of the Whitesboro Masonic Lodge. He is survived by his wife, Maurice Sanford of Tioga; two sons, Mike Sanford of Decatur and Carroll Sanford of Denton; two daughters, Pam Arnold and Carolyn Ganzer, both of Denton; a sister, Mary Ann Ayrock of Fort Worth; 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were David Sanford, Travis Sanford, Toby Sanford, Steve Arnold, Kevin Sanford, Ellis Stofle, David Saye and Bob Hart. Honorary pallbearers were Glenn Chapman and Kevin Johnson. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 30, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ethel Florence Church 1920-2001 Service for Ethel Florence Church, 81, of Haslet was Friday, Sept. 28, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. Carroll Smith officiated. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. Church died Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2001, in Fort Worth. Born Feb. 11, 1920, in Franklin County, she operated dry cleaners. She was married to the late Claude Lumpkins and the late Amos Church. She was a Baptist. She is survived by three grandsons, Tony Lumpkins of Haslet, Tim Lumpkins of Azle and Pat Lumpkins of Gainesville; a sister, Ruby Rogers of Kentucky and six great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, Sept. 30, 2001 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------