Wise County, TX - Obits: From the Wise County Messenger - May, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 Thursday, May 2, 2002 Ed S. Wrangle 1909-2002 Service for Ed S. Wrangle, 92, of Chico, were to be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 1, at the Morris Memorial United Methodist Church in Chico with the Rev. Charles Cox officiating. Burial was to be in Chico Cemetery. Wrangle died Sunday, April 28, 2002, in Tyler. He was born Sept. 14, 1909, in Bluff City, Kan. He had lived in Chico since 1942. He married Virginia Vensel May 2, 1932, in Tulsa, Okla. He began employment with Cities Service Oil and Gas when he was 17, became the plant superintendent and remained employed with the company as a consultant for several years after his retirement. He was preceded in death by his wife and a daughter, LeAnne Jadudon. He is survived by a son, Richard Wrangle and his wife Cheryl of Carlton, Wash.; a daughter, Judy Morris and her husband Don of Canton; and grandchildren, Jay Smith and his wife Lisa and Mark Morris and his wife Taryn, both of Canton; Nikki Upchurch and her husband Les of Granbury and Amber Baugh and her husband John of Jefferson; and three great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were to be Don Morris, Jay Smith, L.B. McDonald, Gene Bowyer, Arlon Morris and Les Upchurch. Honorary pallbearers were to be the Chico Methodist Men and Cities Service employees. Wise County Messenger, May 2, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jackie Dean Cathey 1963-2002 Graveside service for Jackie Dean Cathey, 39, of Durant, Okla., the son of Patricia Lee Smith Bohannan of Boyd, was Tuesday, April 30, 2002, at Boggy Depot near Tushka, Okla. The Rev. Lee Armstrong officiated. Cathey died Friday, April 26, 2002, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Born March 6, 1963, in Tishomingo, Okla., he was a laborer. He attended the Victory Life Church. He was preceded in death by his father, Gene Harlon Cathey in 1970. He is survived by his mother; two brothers, Gene Cathey Jr. and Roger Cathey and wife Robin, all of Boyd; three nieces; a nephew and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Wise County Messenger, May 2, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Linda Carol Bishop 1948-2002 Graveside service for Linda Carol Bishop, 53, of Krum, a former resident of Decatur, was Tuesday, April 30, at Sanger Cemetery. Bishop died Saturday, April 27, 2002, in Denton. Born Dec. 12, 1948, in Denton, she was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jackie Bishop and her father, Fred Denison. She is survived by her mother, Mary Bell Denison of Sanger; two sons, James Richard Bishop of Slidell and Jason Wayne Bishop of Amarillo and two grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, May 2, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Amelia ‘Miss Millie’ Nuncio 1930-2002 Funeral mass for Amelia "Miss Millie" Nuncio, 72, of Frederick, Okla., will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 2, at St. Helen’s Catholic Church in Frederick with the Rev. Carl Janocha officiating. Burial will be in the Frederick Memorial Cemetery. Nuncio died Sunday, April 28, 2002, in Altus, Okla. She was born March 10, 1930, in Bridgeport, to Lanadro and Felicita Davilla Martinez. She married Santos Nuncio on Sept. 9, 1956. While living in Bridgeport, she worked for Acme Brick. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two sisters, two brothers and one daughter. She worked as a housekeeper for several families in Frederick. She is survived by nine sons, Maurice Orozco of Fort Worth, Rudy Martinez, Gilbert Nuncio and Viviano Nuncio, all of Frederick, Donald Chapman of Decatur, Selzo Nuncio of Boyd, Anselmo Nuncio and Santos Nuncio, both of Cache, Okla., Danny Nuncio of Enid, Okla.; four daughters, Rebecca Nuncio of Altus and Angie Garcia, Christina Marshall and Amelia Nuncio, all of Frederick; four brothers, Benny Martinez of Fort Worth and Joe Martinez, Jessie Martinez and Raymond Martinez, all of Bridgeport; and seven sisters, Anselma Ramirez, Lupe Silletti, Delores Ramirez, Connie Silletti, Rosemary Osteguin, Francis Huerta and Terry Romero, all of Bridgeport; 28 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice. Wise County Messenger, May 2, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sunday, May 5, 2002 Maria Del Carmen Rodriquez 1952-2002 Service for Maria Del Carmen Rodriquez, 49, of Newark was Thursday, May 2, at St. Johns Catholic Church in Bridgeport with Deacon Art Casias officiating. Burial was in Boyd Cemetery. Rodriquez died Saturday, April 27, 2002, in Fort Worth. She was born Aug. 1, 1952, in Ignacio Ramirez, Mexico. She married Jose Rodriquez Oct. 20, 1969, in Ignacio Ramirez. She was a Catholic. She was preceded in death by her father, Santos Hernandez; a brother, Sabino Hernandez; and a sister, Martha Sequra. She is survived by her husband; her mother, Ancelma Hernandez; three sons, Jose Alfredo Rodriquez, Eulalio Rodriquez and Heracleo Rodriquez; a daughter, Lucy Carmen Muro; a brother, Vicente Hernandez; a sister, Virginia Carrillo; and a granddaughter, Joselyn Elizabeth Muro. Pallbearers were Eulalio Rodriquez, Heracleo Rodriquez, Alfredo Rodriquez, Hugo Muro, Gonzalo Muro, Vicente Hernandez and Roberto Carrillo. Jose Rodriquez was an honorary pallbearer. Wise County Messenger, May 5, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vada B. Johnson 1915-2002 Graveside service for Vada B. Johnson, 86, of Rockwall and formerly of Aurora, will be Sunday, May 5, at 3 p.m. at Aurora Cemetery. Johnson died Wednesday, May 1, 2002, in Rockwall. Born May 27, 1915, she was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tommy L. Johnson. She is survived by three sons, Jerry McGill of Dallas, Ronnie Davidson of Garland and Buddy Davidson of Berryville, Ark.; a daughter, Deeta Malett of Little Rock, Ark.; a sister, Cleo Walker of Big Spring; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, May 5, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Norma Mayfield 1934-2002 Service for Norma Mayfield, 68, of Kerrville was Thursday, May 2, at Grimes Funeral Chapels in Kerrville with the Rev. Loren Scribner of Schreiner College officiating. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery in Fredericksburg. Mayfield died Monday, April 29, 2002, in Kerrville. She was born April 22, 1934, in Fort Worth to George Ray Edwards and Lillian DeShazo Edwards. She married Norman Mayfield Jan. 11, 1952, in Boyd. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and two sisters, Marjorie Edwards and Judith Lee Hamilton. She worked as a controller in the business department of Schreiner College before retiring after 21 years. She was a Baptist and a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She is survived by two daughters, Judith Carol Johnson and her husband Larry of Kerrville and Shelly Lea Mayfield of Aubrey; a son, Paul Ray Mayfield of Austin; a sister, Paula E. Messer of Kerrville; grandchildren, Christopher Johnson, Wayne Johnson, Joshua Johnson, Michael Norman Mayfield and Jonathan Mayfield; and one great-grandchild, Cheyen Johnson. Pallbearers were Paul Mayfield, Larry Deike, Bobby Balser, Tommy Nichols, Willard Grant and Milton Lopez. Memorials may be made to Peterson Hospice, 1121 Broadway, Kerrville, Texas, 78028. Wise County Messenger, May 5, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Annie Mae Jordan Vanderveer 1915-2002 Service for Annie Mae Jordan Vanderveer, 86, of Boyd was to be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at Rosser Funeral Home in Cleburne with the Rev. Steve Dill officiating. Burial was to be in the Rio Vista Cemetery. Vanderveer died Wednesday, May 1, 2002, in Decatur. She was born Aug. 10, 1915, in Weatherford. She was a housewife and she worked on the family dairy farm. She was a Baptist. Vanderveer was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Jordan in 1946; her husband, T.V. Vanderveer in 1994; a son, Kenneth Jordan; a granddaughter, Debra Jordan; two brothers and a sister. She is survived by a son, Raymond Jordan and his wife Marilyn; two daughters, Barbara Haynie and her husband Tom, and Millie Jordan; five grandchildren, Loretta, Kayla, Ray Jr., Donna and Scott; eight great grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren. Pallbearers were to be Earnest Pardons, David Parnell, Bob Williams, Tom Jacobs, Scott Cooper and Mike Apgar. Honorary pallbearers were to be Ray Jordan Jr., Jim Hicks, Kenneth Morrow, Pedro Contresas, Glenn Jennings, Tommy Spencer and Doug Ellis. Wise County Messenger, May 5, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thursday, May 9, 2002 Saundra Parsons Ramirez 1952-2002 Service for Saundra Parsons Ramirez, 50, of Bridgeport was to be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, at the Bible Baptist Church with the Rev. Joe Tims and Dr. Bill Higgins officiating. Burial was to be in the East Bridgeport Cemetery. Ramirez died Saturday, May 4, 2002, in Bridgeport. She was born March 23, 1952, in Wise County. She was a homemaker and a member of the Bible Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Edith Parsons and Thurman and Gwen Parsons. She is survived by a daughter, Fallon Carrillo and her husband Fernando; two brothers, Michael Parsons and Butch Parsons; four sisters, Martha Mask and her husband Wayne, Joyce Kemp and her husband Jerry, Helen Fields and her husband Dewayne, and Rita Meaders; and a granddaughter, Britain Carrillo. Pallbearers were to be Todd Meaders, Mikey Parsons, Sherrod Parsons, Paul Ramirez, Julian Ramirez and Dean Bible. Wise County Messenger, May 9, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Howard William Beall 1918-2002 Service for Howard William Beall, 83, of Dallas was Monday, April 22, at the Laurel Land Funeral Home Chapel in Dallas. Burial was in Laurel Land Memorial Park. Beall died Thursday, April 18, 2002, in Dallas. He was born May 12, 1918, in Wise County and grew up in the Sweetwater community. He was a graduate of Decatur High School. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nellie Beall of Dallas; three sons, John Beall and his wife Susie, Barry Beall and his wife Debby and Denny Beall and his wife Linda; two sisters, Opal Miller of Decatur and Ina Mae Bramlett of Fort Worth; five grandchildren, Tracy Ferguson, Tim Beall, Brian Beall, Betsy Beall and Sean Beall; and one great-granddaughter, Jessica Ferguson. Wise County Messenger, May 9, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Raymond Lester Perkins 1918-2002 Graveside service for Raymond Lester Perkins, 83, of Chandler, formerly of Boyd, was Tuesday, May 7, at the Boyd Cemetery with Ralph B. Carter officiating. Perkins died Saturday, May 4, 2002, in Chandler. He was born Nov. 20, 1918, in Groton, Conn. He was a veteran of World War II and was a retired flight mechanic for Bell Helicopter. He married Hazel Marie Fletcher on April 8, 1950, in White Settlement. She died on March 14, 1991. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Grace Perkins, two brothers and a sister. He is survived by a son, Doyle Perkins and his wife Barbara of Chandler; a daughter, Lora Vincent of Chandler; a sister, Doris Lamb of Ledyard, Conn.; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, May 9, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Brandon Cox 1984-2002 Service for Brandon Cox, 18, of Palestine was Tuesday, May 7 at the First Baptist Church of Palestine with the Rev. Steve Beckworth, pastor of Iowa Park First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial was in the East Bridgeport Cemetery. He died Friday night, May 3, 2002, in Mildred. He was born March 6, 1984, in Huntsville to Kenneth G. Cox Jr. and Brenda Ray White Cox. He was a senior at Cayuga High School and was to graduate this month. He was active in athletics and was a member of the football team. He formerly attended Iowa Park High School and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Iowa Park. He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Brenda and Doug Wilkinson of Palestine; his father and stepmother, Kenneth G. and Toni Cox Jr. of Plainview; his grandparents, Mary Ann Reeves of South Port, Fla., and Elmer White and Inez White and Wilma White, all of Bridgeport and Dorothy Ann Wilkinson of San Antonio; a sister, Erica Roosa of Burkburnett; a brother, Aaron Cox of Slocum; an aunt, uncle and two cousins. Pallbearers were Nick Kennedy, Matt Ohm, Brandon Gentry, Andy Simpson, Kyle Young and Patric Kennedy. Wise County Messenger, May 9, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Effie Mae Fourd 1934-2002 Service for Effie Mae Fourd, 67, of Bridgeport was Tuesday morning, May 7, at the Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Gentry Castleman officiating. Fourd died May 5, 2002, in Bridgeport. She was born October 13, 1934, in Corsicana. She was a retired cook and a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Huey Fourd Sr. She is survived by two sons, Huey Fourd Jr. of Mansfield, La., and David Lydale Fourd of Olney; two daughters, Von-e Messenger of Lake Bridgeport and Pat Williams of Decatur; seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, May 9, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Arthur Morales 1951-2002 Service for Arthur Morales, 51, of Rockwall, brother of the Rev. Gonzalo Morales of Bridgeport, was Monday, May 6, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Rockwall with the Rev. Joseph Scantlin, the Rev. William Richard, the Rev. Morales and Deacon Art Casias officiating. Burial was in Boydstun Cemetery in Rockwall. Morales died Thursday, May 2, 2002, in a Dallas hospital. He was born Sept. 27, 1951, in Adrian, Mich. In addition to his brother, he is survived by his wife, Teri Morales; his mother, Mary Morales; a son, Daniel Morales; a daughter, Rachel Morales; five other brothers, Elio Morales, Esquiel Morales, Oscar Morales, Edward Morales and Shoan Morales; and two sisters, Amelia Martinez and Eileen Limas. Wise County Messenger, May 9, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sunday, May 12, 2002 Charles Thomas Cooper 1938-2002 Service for Charles Thomas Cooper, 64, of Bridgeport will be at 11 a.m. Monday, May 13, at the Pleasant View Baptist Church with the Rev. Gary Demmitt officiating. Burial will be in Cumby Cemetery north of Chico. Cooper died Friday, May 10, 2002, in Bridgeport. He was born Jan. 19, 1938, in Fort Worth. He was a machinist for Hydra-Rig in Fort Worth for 27 years. He lived in Fort Worth until 1993 when he moved to Bridgeport. He married Jody Whatley Dec. 31, 1956, in Fort Worth. He was a deacon at Pleasant View Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by a brother, Walter Lee Cooper. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Ricky Thomas Cooper of Bridgeport and Lesley Wayne Cooper and his wife Barbara of Keller; two daughters, Darla LaNell McCollum and her husband Ken and Lisa Rene Garcia and her husband Mickey, all of Bridgeport; three sisters, Peggy Stanton of Nipomo, Calif., and Faye Baker and Charlene Schiller, both of Rendon; two sisters-in-law, Bertie Ousley and Judy Begley; a brother-in-law, Butch Begley; and 11 grandchildren, Dax Cooper, Chaney Cooper, Gage Cooper, Clint Cooper, Lindsey Cooper, Stacie McCollum, Kenneth McCollum, Julie McCollum, Mikey Garcia, Jacob Garcia and Rylee Garcia. Wise County Messenger, May 12, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Larry Smith 1946-2002 Service for Larry Smith, 55, of Boyd, will be at a later date in Jackson, Mich. Smith died Wednesday, May 8, 2002, in Boyd. He was born Dec. 5, 1946, in Jackson. He was a carpenter and a Catholic. Smith was preceded in death by his father, Stanley Lawrence Smith and a sister, Barbara Herhei. He is survived by his mother, Dora Smith and her husband John of Jackson; three sons, Lawrence Douglas Smith and his wife Dana, Paul Stanley Smith and Jonathan Wayne Smith and his wife Bonnie, all of Alvarado; a daugther, Lori Marie Pickard of Grapevine; four grandchildren, Robbie and Brittney Pickard and Douglas and Sara Smith and a sister, Mary Jo Small of Jackson. Wise County Messenger, May 12, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thursday, May 16, 2002 Betty B. Thompson 1909-2002 Graveside service for Betty B. Thompson, 92, of Decatur will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 16, at Oaklawn Cemetery with Willie Cole officiating. Thompson died Tuesday, May 14, 2002, in Decatur. She was born Sept. 11, 1909, in Decatur. She was retired as a cook for the Sunny Hills Nursing Home. She married Ira Clifford Thompson Dec. 18, 1925, in Wise County. He and a daughter, Betty Jo Christian, preceded her in death. She is survived by two daughters, Sue Wilson of Decatur and Patsy Moody and her husband Don of Alvord; five grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, May 16, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rev. Dr. Michael L. Parsons 1933-2002 A memorial service for the Rev. Dr. Michael Leonard Parsons, 68, of Bridgeport was to be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, at the Grace First Presbyterian Church in Weatherford. Parsons died Monday, May 6, 2002, at his home. He was born Aug. 3, 1933, in Norfolk, England. A retired Presbyterian minister, he had pastored numerous Presbyterian churches including First Presbyterian Church of Bridgeport. He held bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Cambridge University and a master’s and doctor of divinity degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He held various teaching positions in England and the United States. He also was known internationally for breeding, showing and judging Labrador retrievers and had served as a judge for American Kennel Club competitions. He is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Hodes of Suffolk, England; a son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Murray L. Parsons of Vernon; a daughter, Romney P. Vinson of Los Gatos, Calif.; and four grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, May 16, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Garth Wallace Slate 1921-2002 A memorial service for Garth Wallace Slate, 81, of Decatur, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 16, at the Coker Funeral Home Chapel with Melvin Lee Clay officiating. Slate died Monday, May 13, 2002, in Decatur. A retired mail handler for the U.S. Post Office, he was a veteran of World War II. He was a member of the Lost Battalion that was held as prisoners of war for 42 months by the Japanese. He married Fay Aline Lewis on Dec. 31, 1946 in Jacksboro. He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Deboura Halm of Las Vegas, Nev., and Cynthia Johnson of Mission Viejo, Calif.; two brothers, Jack Slate of Fort Worth and Kenneth Slate of San Angelo; two sisters, Betty Little of Jacksboro and Anita Crow of Fort Worth; four grandchildren, J.R. Johnson, Tammy Van Denheuvel, Christopher Van Denheuvel and Beth Looker; and two great- grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers will be Albert Brownlee, Don Cadenhead, Drew Slate, Robert Cadenhead, Stanley Slate and Douglas Slate. The family requests that memorials be made to the Wise County Heritage Museum. Wise County Messenger, May 16, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sunday, May 19, 2002 Julia Jones 1906-2002 Service for Julia Jones, 96, of Decatur was Friday, May 17, at the Coker Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Rusty Hedges officiating. Burial was in Oaklawn Cemetery. Jones died Tuesday, May 14, 2002, in Decatur. She was born April 1, 1906, in Fuloa. She was a bookkeeper and a Baptist. She married Dorrel Pierce Jones in May, 1930. He and a daughter, Janice Wadding, preceded her in death She is survived by two sons, Dorrel Fred Jones and his wife Cuca of Decatur and John Paul Jones and his wife Kay of Fort Worth; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Stephen Jones, David Jones, B.J. Hudson, Allen Cocanougher, Craig Shaw and Gerald Lanier. Wise County Messenger, May 19, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Roy Edgington 1921-2002 Service for Roy Edgington, 80, of Chico, was held 2 p.m. Thursday, May 16, 2002, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport with the Rev. Sonny Smith, David Fischer and Joe Warren officiating. Edgington died Tuesday, May 14, 2002, in Chico. He was born Sept. 19, 1921, in Elk City, Okla. Edgington served his country in the United States Navy during World War II. He was a retired foreman for Natural Gas Pipeline after 35 years. He was a Baptist. Edgington was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty Edgington; a son, Roy Eugene Edgington; a daughter Stella McClung; a daughter-in-law, Darla Edgington; eight grandchildren, Roi, Kimberly, David, Brandy, Sheresa, Stephanie, Kayli and Ethan; two great grandchildren, Brianna and Kaitlyn; two sisters, Eileen and Ellen and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Nick Heiser, Floyd Stevens, Mike Wood, Leroy Wallis, Bradley Smith and David Wallis. Wise County Messenger, May 19, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Johnnie Brown Clower 1929-2002 Service for Johnnie Brown Clower, 73, of Alvord was held 2 p.m. Friday May 17, 2002, at the Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport with the Rev. Bob Wilson officiating. Clower died Tuesday, May 14, 2002. He was born January 2, 1929 in Decatur. Clower was a a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Alvord Masonic Lodge. Clower married Charlotte Hummel on December 31, 1954 in Winchester, Virginia. Clower was preceded in death by his parents, Brown and Edith Clower; a son, James Mayes and one brother. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Charlotte Clower; a son, Dennis Mayes and his wife Cassandra; three grandchildren, Phillip Anthony, Victor and Nicole; three great-grandchildren, Phillips Anthony, Jr., Victor and Jio Vanna and two brothers, Vernon and Garvin. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Alvord Methodist Church building fund. Wise County Messenger, May 19, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Larry Weldon Biggerstaff 1943-2002 Service for Larry Weldon Biggerstaff, 58, of Chico was held 3:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at First Baptist Church in Chico with the Rev. Joe Motsenbocker officiating. Burial was in the Chico Cemetery. Biggerstaff died Tuesday, May 14, 2002, in Decatur. He was born May 24, 1943, in Bowie. Biggerstaff, a truck driver , was a longtime resident in the Chico community. He married Carolyn Bell on August 18, 1962 in Bowie. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Chico, the Chico Masonic Lodge and enjoyed bull riding and golf. Biggerstaff was proceeded in death by his father, Wrex Biggerstaff; a daughter, Michelle and a grandson, Charles Switzer. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Biggerstaff; a son, David Biggerstaff; two daughters, Keela Biggerstaff and Marla Switzer; three grandchildren, Kaley Patterson, Mark Wayne Knox and Colton Horton; mother, Florita Biggerstaff; brother, Jerry Biggerstaff and mother-in-law, Lucille Bell. Pallbearers were Alfonso Ramirez, Rex Eubanks, Bill Bell, Mark Biggerstaff, Chad Biggerstaff and Cory Kelsey. Wise County Messenger, May 19, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AREA DEATHS & FUNERALS Thursday, May 23, 2002 Lloyd James Greer 1939-2002 Service for Lloyd James Greer, 63, of Hewitt, and former Wise County resident, was Monday, May 20 at First Baptist Church in Electra with the Rev. Jack Riley officiating. Burial was in New Electra Cemetery. Greer died May 17, 2002, in Electra. He was born March 8, 1939, in Harrold. He married his wife Sandy in Fort Worth. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He is survived by his wife, Sandy of Mulvan, Kan.; a son, Colby; two brothers, H.C. (Bud) Greer and Sam Greer; three sisters, Fern Guthrie, Evelyn Myers and La Doris Whisenant and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials can be made to Hospice of Wichita Falls, P.O. Box 4804, Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 or a charity of choice. Wise County Messenger, May 23, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Patricia R. Goolsby 1936-2002 Service for Patricia R. Goolsby, 66, of Boyd was Tuesday, May 21 at Christian- Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd with the Rev. Randall Easter officiating. Burial was in Azleland Cemetery. Goolsby died Saturday, May 18, 2002, at her home in Boyd. She was born April 17, 1936, in Chicago, Ill. She was married Sept. 2, 1952, to Bill Goolsby in Dallas. She was a retired bookkeeper for Sun and Fun Pools in Irving. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Briar and was president of South Wise County Crime Prevention Association. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Bill Goolsby of Boyd; a son, Charles R. Goolsby of Washington, D.C.; a daughter, Barbara Goolsby of Joshua; a granddaughter, Lisa Williams and her husband Terry of Weatherford; one great- granddaughter, Alexis; one sister, Kay VanDerostyne of Dallas and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Johnnie Byrd, Reggie Byrd, Mike Tabor, Tommy Cassidy, Brent Hagerud, Rodger Goolsby, Rick Range and Daniel Cassidy. Wise County Messenger, May 23, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jessie J. Deaton 1919-2002 Service for Jessie J. Deaton, 83, of Bridgeport was Sunday, May 19, at Bible Baptist Church in Bridgeport. The Revs. Bill Higgins and Randle Rawle officiated. Burial followed at East Bridgeport Cemetery. Pallbearers were Mike Deaton, Charlie Deaton, Bobby Deaton, Johnny Deaton, Jackie Gutierrez and Tony Gutierrez. Honorary pallbearers were Bobby Grimes, Bobby Carpenter, Carlos Pitts, Clarence Gamage, Wayne Mask, Butch Baker, Rupert Uptergrove, Bob Spence and Tolo Gutierrez. Deaton died Friday, May 17, 2002, in Decatur. Born April 21, 1919, in Wise County, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He married Anna McDaniel on Dec. 29, 1945, in Bridgeport. He was a retired carpenter and farmer, a member of the Bible Baptist Church in Bridgeport and a member of the Wise Survivors of Wise County. He was preceded in death by three brothers, William Lester, Hubert B. and John Calvin Deaton. He is survived by his wife, Anna Deaton of Bridgeport; two daughters, Patricia Watson and husband Gerald of Chico and Rebecca Smith and husband Jim of Jacksboro; three grandchildren, James Lynn Smith, Valeria Read and husband Rodney and Janice Aydelott and husband Ron; three great grandchildren, Jon Raylen Read, Victoria Lynn and Donavon Brice Aydelott and numerous nieces and nephews. Wise County Messenger, May 23, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dottie Hancock 1945-2002 Service for Dottie Hancock, 57, of Paradise, was Tuesday, May 21, at Victory Family Church in Decatur with the Rev. Allen Bates, Chaplain Gentry Castleman and the Rev. John Hancock officiating. Burial was in Hog Branch Cemetery. Hancock died Saturday, May 18, 2002, in Bridgeport. She was born Feb. 20, 1945, in Clarksdale, Miss. She married Carroll Hancock Oct. 14, 1967, in Jackson, Miss. She was a member of Victory Family Church. She is survived by her husband; two sons, Billy Turner and his wife Lisa of Sweeney and Stan Denney and his wife Kathy of Boyd; four daughters, Becky King and her husband Dale of Forest, Miss., Debbie Johnson of Fort Worth, Darlene Lindsey and her husband Larry of Chico and Judy Scroggins and her husband Russell of Boyd; a brother, Norman Sparks and his wife Linda of Boyd; 10 grandchildren, Renea Shepard and her husband David, Amber Galloway and her husband Rowdy, Dwayne Taylor and his wife Marsha, Sammy Taylor, Steven Denney, Greg Denney, Aubrey Turner, Stancy Denney, Keri Turner and Robert Dale King; and five great-grandchildren, Jason, Jasmine, Rebekah, Zara and Baby Taylor. Wise County Messenger, May 23, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- James Daniel Carter 1914-2002 Service for James Daniel Carter, 88, of Houston will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 25, at Ascension and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Bridgeport with the Rev. William Winston officiating. Visitation will be May 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport. Carter died Friday, May 17, 2002, in Houston. He was born on Sept. 13, 1914, and grew up near Boonsville. Carter graduated from Texas A&M University in 1938. He was a Captain in the U.S. Army during World War II. He worked for many years in management with Leonard’s Department Store and Wolfe Nursery in Fort Worth and Arlington. Carter returned to his Boonsville farm when he retired more than 20 year ago. He was devoted to the land and received recognition for his work as a soil conservationist. He and Edith L. Carter were married for 42 years. Carter is survived by a daughter, Frances Kay Johnson of Houston; two granddaughters, Kelly Anne Plumley of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Jacquelyn Johnson of Houston; a sister, Mary Ann Ebert of Denton; one nephew and three nieces. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to the James D. Carter ‘38 Scholarship Fund, Agricultural Program Development Office, 2142 Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-2142. Checks may be payable to the Agricultural Program Development Office with a notation James D. Carter ’38 Scholarship Program. Wise County Messenger, May 23, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marjorie Beaver Dunn 1915-2002 Graveside services for Marjorie Beaver Dunn, 86, of Azle was at 11 a.m. Monday, May 20, at Nelson Cemetery in Parker County with Wayne Carr officiating. Dunn died May 18, 2002 in Grandbury. She was born Aug. 24, 1915 in Reno. She was a housewife. Dunn was the daughter of L.J. and Nancy Beaver. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Briar. She is survived by a son, James Leon; a daughter, Ann McDonald and her husband PeeWee; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a niece, Nancy Gregg and a nephew, David Rainey. Wise County Messenger, May 23, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Peggy Ann Timmons 1932-2002 Service for Peggy Ann Timmons, 69, of Saginaw, was Tuesday, May 21, at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd with the Rev. Dale Ruble officiating. Burial was in Aurora Cemetery. Timmons died Friday, May 17, 2002, in Newark. She was born Aug. 4, 1932, in Lenoir, N.C., to Roland Burl and Mollie Mae Simmons. She was a housewife and a Baptist. Timmons was preceded in death by her husband, L.J. "Tim" Timmons in l981; her parents; two brothers, Coit Eugene Simmons and William Simmons and two sisters, Lucille Bolick and Shirley Pigg. She is survived by three daughters, Sharron McMinn and her husband Ronald of Saginaw, Sheila Timmons of Newark and Tammy Barnes and her husband Ronald of Paradise; two grandchildren, Nicole Sugg and her husband Kristopher and Daniel McMinn; two great-grandchildren, McKenzie and Raven; 12 stepgrandchildren; 18 step-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Arlon Simmons of Statesville, N.C. and Claude Simmons of Newton, N.C. and numerous other adopted children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Daniel McMinn, Scott McMinn, Ronnie Shettesworth, Roy McMinn, Bruce Peek and Jody Alexander. Honorary pallbearer was Kristopher Sugg. Wise County Messenger, May 23, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Samuel Hueston Jones 1911-2002 Samuel Hueston Jones, 91, of Decatur died May 20, 2002, in Bridgeport. A private family service will be held at a later date. Jones was born Feb. 26, 1911, in Section, Ala. He was a retired construction worker. He was married to Bess Wilson in Marietta, Okla. She preceded him in death in 1989. Jones was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the military police. He is survived by a son, Tom Jones of Springtown; a daughter, Jane Carroll of Decatur; three grandchildren, Thom Locke and his wife Debra, Monica Jones and Sam Jones; and two great-grandchildren, Zackery and Noah Locke. Wise County Messenger, May 23, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Willie Mae Dickson 1912-2002 Service for Willie Mae Dickson, 89, of Denton, formerly of Jacksboro, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 23, at the First United Methodist Church in Jacksboro with the Rev. Eric Rothe officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Jacksboro. She was the sister of Nell Perkins of Decatur. Dickson died May 20, 2002, in Denton. Born Aug. 8, 1912, in Decatur, to Roland and Ollie Ellis Young Phillips, she was a retired secretary. She married Charley Douglas Dickson June 11, 1932. He preceded her in death in 1995. In addition to Perkins, she is survived by two sons, Ken Dickson and his wife Jan of Aubrey and Jerry Dickson and his wife Stephanie of Whitesboro; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The family requests that memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church of Jacksboro or to Concerned Citizens, Jacksboro. Wise County Messenger, May 23, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alfred Kenneth Stanford 1923-2002 Service for Alfred Kenneth Stanford, 79, of Bridgeport was Monday, May 20 at the Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Joe Motsenbocker officiating. Burial was in East Bridgeport Cemetery. Stanford died Saturday, May 18, 2002, in Bridgeport. He was born April 9, 1923, in Tishomingo, Okla. He married Lorene Billington Dec. 26, 1994, in Fort Worth. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was a Mason. He was retired from the Rock Island Railroad and also had been a rural mail carrier in Bridgeport. He is survived by his wife; a son, Billy Don Stanford and his wife JoAnn; two stepsons, Geary McDonald and Ronnie McDonald and his wife Joyce; a stepdaughter, Rhonda Wilson and her husband Don; three sisters; 18 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Scott Stanford, Steve Stanford, Billy Fred Walker, Billy Don Workman, Don Wilson, Billy Davis and Billy Munn. Wise County Messenger, May 23, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AREA DEATHS & FUNERALS Sunday, May 26, 2002 Julia Jones 1906-2002 Service for Julia Jones, 96, of Decatur was Friday, May 17, at the Coker Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Rusty Hedges officiating. Burial was in Oaklawn Cemetery. Jones died Tuesday, May 14, 2002, in Decatur. She was born April 1, 1906, in Fuloa. She was a bookkeeper and a Baptist. She married Dorrel Pierce Jones in May 1930. He and a daughter, Janice Wadding, preceded her in death. She is survived by two sons, Dorrel Fred Jones and wife Cuca of Decatur and John Paul Jones and wife Kay of Fort Worth; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Stephen Jones, David Jones, B.J. Hudson, Allen Cocanougher, Craig Shaw and Gerald Lanier. Wise County Messenger, May 26, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tommy Wayne Stone 1933-2002 Service for Tommy Wayne Stone, 68, of Newark was held Thursday, May 23 at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd with Pastor Dan Hunt officiating. Burial was in Dido Cemetery. Stone died Monday, May 20, 2002, in Fort Worth. He was born Dec. 16, 1933, in Fort Worth. Stone married JoAnn Woods on Oct. 31, 1951, in Shamrock. He was a specialist in finish blade work. He was a member of Newark Baptist Church. Stone died after a courageous battle with cancer. Stone was preceded in death by his father, Gloy Stone. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, JoAnn Stone; his mother, Leona Stone; two sons, Mike Stone and his wife Linda and Gayland Stone and his wife Carla; two daughters, Tanya Howard and her husband James and Cathy Spurgeon and her husband Greg; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three brothers, Ray Stone, Robert Stone and David Stone and one sister, JoAnn Davis. Pallbearers were Mike Stone, Gayland Stone, James Howard, Greg Spurgeon, Roger Smith and Tom Smith. Wise County Messenger, May 26, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Auford Russell Sr. 1925-2002 Graveside service for Robert Auford Russell Sr., 77, of Boyd was Friday, May 24, at Boyd Cemetery with the Rev. Steve Weeks officiating. Russell died Tuesday, May 21, 2002, in Fort Worth. He was born Feb. 7, 1925, in Bosque County, and he attended Iredell schools and graduated from Iredell High School. He married Louise Hyles on Aug. 9, 1947, in Hico. He was in the U.S. Navy Seabees during World War II, and he retired as a parts fabricator for Bell Helicopter after 32 years. He was a Baptist. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Robert and Lottie (Griffitts) Russell. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Louise Russell; two sons, Robert Russell Jr. and wife Judy of Boyd and Ronnie Russell of Kilgore; a daughter, Cindy Clark and husband David of Boyd; a sister, Wilma DeShazo of Arlington, Tenn.; seven grandchildren, Forrest White, Nicole Howard, Hillarie Russell, Megan Russell, Rosline Russell, and Robbie Russell and four great grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, May 26, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Minnie Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Green 1925-2002 Graveside service for Minnie Elizabeth "Liz" Green, 77, of Ruidoso, N.M., was Saturday, May 18, at East Bridgeport Cemetery. The Rev. Joe Motsenbocker officiated. Green died Wednesday, May 15, 2002, in Roswell, N.M. Born Jan. 18, 1925, in Wise County, she had lived in Ruidoso since 1984. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clinton D. Green in 1992. She is survived by a son, Clint Green of Ruidoso and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Wise County Messenger, May 26, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jewell Edgar Shurbet 1947-2002 Graveside service for Jewell Edgar Shurbet, 54, of Bridgeport was Friday, May 24 at Sunset Cemetery with the Rev. Joe Motsenbocker officiating. Shurbet died Wednesday, May 22, 2002, in Bridgeport. He was born June 26, 1947, in Bowie. He served in the U.S. Navy during Vietnam. He was a truck driver and a Baptist. He was preceded in death by his father, O.B. Shurbet. Survivors include his mother, Geneva Mayo and her husband, Robert; three sons, Charles Shurbet and wife Dena, James O.B. Shurbet, and Chris Matheson; a daughter, Misty Miller and husband Mike; three sisters, Minnie Jennings and husband Larry, Nona Leek and husband Allen, and Elaine Sipes and husband Sonny; and eight grandchildren. Pallbearers were Buddy Callaway, Curtis Plumley, Gary Pryor, Steven Shurbet, Don Stokes and Red Christerson. Wise County Messenger, May 26, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AREA DEATHS & FUNERALS Thursday, May 30, 2002 Millie Mae Farrington Phillips 1903-2002 Service for Mille Mae Farrington Phillips, 98, of Decatur, will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur with the Rev. Charles Taylor officiating. Burial will be in Hopewell Cemetery. Phillips died Monday, May 27, 2002, in Decatur. She was born Oct. 6, 1903, in Hopewell. She was a member of the Hopewell Baptist Church. Phillips is survived by a son, Edward Phillips and his wife Ruby of Decatur and a granddaughter, Cathy Phillips of Decatur. Pallbearers will be Kerry Clower, James Hodges, Ronnie Hodges, Leslie Hale, Wayne McConnell and Ralph Workman Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Leroy Hale and Kenneth Claborn. Wise County Messenger, May 30, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert L. Hachtel 1912-2002 Service for Robert L. Hachtel, 89, of Alvord, was held Monday, May 27 at the First Baptist Church of Sunset with Dr. Ray Vowell officiating. Burial was in Ball Knob Cemetery. Hachtel died Saturday, May 25, 2002, in Decatur. He was born Nov. 2, 1912, in Bowie. He was married to the late Mary Kathleen Cason on May 31, 1940. Hachtel served in World War II with the 818th Division of the Army Air Corp. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Sunset. He is survived by two sons, Robert L. Hachtel Jr. of Alvord and Neal Eugene Hachtel of Decatur; a daughter, Kay Brashear of Dallas; a brother, Roland H. Hachtel of Seattle, Wash.; two sisters, Cora Earp and Mora Barton, both of Fort Worth; five grandchildren, Ryan Hachtel, Jimmie Morales, Jammie Parker, Laura Brashear and Helena Brashear; and two great-grandchildren, Hayden and Sidney Parker. Pallbearers were Jeff Jackson, Charlie Thomason, Charlie Jones, Biff Huddleston, Louie Lowrance, Kenneth Howerton, D.J. Rater, Jack Garrison, Frank Odom and Jim Metcalf. Wise County Messenger, May 30, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Auford Russell Sr. 1925-2002 Graveside service for Robert Auford Russell Sr., 77, of Boyd was Friday, May 24, at Boyd Cemetery with the Rev. Steve Weeks officiating. Russell died Tuesday, May 21, 2002, in Fort Worth. He was born Feb. 7, 1925, in Bosque County, and he attended Iredell schools and graduated from Iredell High School. He married Louise Hyles on Aug. 9, 1947, in Hico. He was in the U.S. Navy Seabees during World War II, and he retired as a parts fabricator for Bell Helicopter after 32 years. He was a Baptist. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Robert and Lottie (Griffitts) Russell. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Louise Russell; two sons, Robert Russell Jr. and wife Judy of Boyd and Ronnie Russell of Kilgore; a daughter, Cindy Clark and husband David of Boyd; a sister, Wilma DeShazo of Arlington, Tenn.; seven grandchildren, Forrest White, Nicole Howard, Hillarie Russell, Megan Russell, Rosline Russell and Robbie Russell; and four great grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, May 30, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- T.J. Spencer 1917-2002 Service for T.J. Spencer, 84, of Bridgeport was held Tuesday, May 28, at Joplin Baptist Church with the Revs. Melvin Clay and Loury Drew Nero officiating. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery in Joplin. Spencer died Saturday, May 25, 2002, in Decatur. He was born July 13, 1917, in Joplin to Thomas and Nellie Eldridge Spencer. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and served in Colorado and New Mexico in 1937, 1938 and 1940. He entered the armed services on Nov. 25, 1940, and was a member of Battery F of the 131st Field Artillery. The Lost Battalion was taken prisoner by the Japanese Army on Java, March 8, 1942, and was liberated by the U.S. Army on Sept. 6, 1945. Spencer returned to civilian life and married Inal Orene Clay on Feb. 8, 1946. He drove a truck for Stevens trucking for a few years and as an oilfield roughneck for Continental Oil Co. He also worked at the Joplin pump station for Lone Star Gas from 1957 to Feb. 27, 1973. He lived in Joplin until 1983 when he and Inal moved to Lake Bridgeport. He was a member and past Master of the Joplin Masonic Lodge #939, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Lost Battalion Association, Purple Heart Association, Stroke Victims Association, Joplin Baptist Church and AARP. He was the last survivor of the eight Joplin boys that were members of the Lost Battalion. Spencer was preceded in death by two brothers, Dawson and Donnie Spencer. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Inal Spencer of Bridgeport; two sons, Tom Spencer and his wife Nancy of Vernon and Andy Spencer and his wife Evelyn of Hillsboro; a daughter, Nelda Cox and her husband Jim of Corinth; a brother, Howard Spencer of Jacksboro; two sisters, Zora Tucker of Mineral Wells and Stella Thornton of Joplin; six grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Bob Marlett, Pharis Anderson, Clark Welch, Jim Henderson, Dan Thornton and Jerry Adams. Wise County Messenger, May 30, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sebastian Speir 2000-2002 Service for Sebastian Speir, 21 months, of Richland Hills, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 29 at Brown Trail Gospel Assembly in Hurst with the Revs. George Bragg, Doug Taylor and Garland Haley officiating. Burial will be in Bluebonnet Hills Cemetery in Colleyville. Speir was born Aug. 17, 2000, in Richland Hills. She is survived by her parents, Yancey and Christe Speir of Hurst; a sister, Tory Speir of Hurst; grandparents, Shirley and Donald Cabler of Memphis, Greg and Shelia Pierce of Hurst and Phillip and Diane Speir of Fort Worth; and great-grandparents, Albert and Dorothy Harris, Bill and Sammie Evans, Linnie Speir, Lee and Athel Pierce, Helen Cabler and Ola Mae Barrick. Pallbearers will be Tim Warner, Brian Evans, John Cornelsen Jr. and Bobby Madera. Wise County Messenger, May 30, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------