Wise County, TX - Obits: From the Wise County Messenger - January 2003 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted by: Joan Renfrow With permission of Wise County Messenger: http://www.wcmessenger.com ******************************************************************************* USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ******************************************************************************* Many thanks to the Wise County Messenger for permission to store their online obits/death notices in the USGenWeb Archives ======================================================================= AREA DEATHS & FUNERALS January 2003 January 2, 2003 Service for Kenneth McMaster, 67, of Decatur will be at 10 a.m. today at River of Life Church with burial in Oaklawn Cemetery. MEMORIAL service for Nelson L. Miner Jr., 73, of Alvord, will be at 10 a.m. today at the DFW National Cemetery in Grand Prairie. FUNERAL for Thomas Hilton Watkins, 68, of Fort Worth will be at 2 p.m. today at Coker Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Aurora Cemetery. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pike McCasland 1942-2002 Memorial service for Pike McCasland, 60, of Midland was to be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31 at the First Baptist Church Chapel in Midland. The Rev. Bob Hopkins was to officiate. McCasland was the brother of Gail Seerey of Bridgeport, and he taught school in Paradise for five years. He died Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002, in Midland. Born Dec. 5, 1942, in Center, he attended many schools in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Illinois, and he graduated from high school in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He attended the University of Texas in Austin and graduated from the University of Texas Permian Basin. During his career he was employed by Robert H. Ray, Globe Exploration, Rogers Geophysical, United Geophysical and Seis Com Delta. Pike worked across Australia and managed crews in Chad, Kenya and Sudan. He was head of operations in Singapore covering Yemen, Sumatra, Java and New Guinea. After returning to the United States in 1986, he taught school in Presidio, Iraan and Paradise. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Mark McCasland and Bruce McCasland. He is survived by his parents, Barney Jr. and Frances McCasland of Midland; two stepsons, Calum McCasland of El Paso and Ewan McCasland of Midland; one granddaughter, Whitney McCasland of Lubbock; one sister, Gail Seerey of Bridgeport and three brothers, Barney McCasland III of Mineral Wells, Scott McCasland of Meadows Place and Ross McCasland of Lubbock. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Midland, 911 W. Texas, Midland, Texas, 79701. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 2, 2003 Jesse B. Wells 1952-2002 Memorial service for Jesse B. Wells, 50, of Bridgeport was to be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Joel Hughes was to officiate. Wells died Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, in Decatur. Born Feb. 7, 1952, in Fort Worth, he was a computer programmer. He married Lena Kimbrell Dec. 8, 1969, in Fort Worth. He is survived by his wife; his parents, Jesse B. Wells Sr. and Bernice Folsom; two sons, Jesse L. Wells and wife Lisa of Bridgeport and Michael Wells of Mt. Dora, Fla.; a sister, Rebecca Hughes and five grandchildren, Brichette, Jesse, Aden, Angel and Tyler. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 2, 2003 Georgia Gail West 1941-2002 Service for Georgia Gail West, 61, of Boyd was Saturday, Dec. 28 at Christian- Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Bob Ware officiated and burial followed in Garvin Cemetery. West died Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002, in Arlington. Born Dec. 4, 1941, in Dallas, she was a clerk for J. C. Penney. She was a member of the Garvin Methodist Church and the Boyd Eastern Star, serving as past and present matron. She married Bobby Joe West on Aug. 5, 1960, in Grand Prairie. She is survived by her husband; one daughter, Tina Dian Gaston and fiance Tony Kruse; four sons, Tandy Lynn West, Jerry Dewayne West and wife Lori, Robert Darrell West and wife Lauri and Kenneth Allen West; four sisters, Lorraine Deaner, Katheryn Brown, Pat Camp and Gwen Grindale; one brother, Dale Tomlinson and 15 grandchildren. Pallbearers were Tandy West, Jerry West, Robert West, Kenneth West, Tony Kruse and Ray Gaston. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 2, 2003 Ronald Lee Rebstock, Sr. 1938-2002 Service for Ronald Lee Rebstock Sr., 64, of Decatur was Monday, Dec. 30 at Grace Baptist Church in Decatur. Dr. Van Gardner officiated and was assisted by Billy Hughes. Burial followed in Boyd Cemetery. Rebstock died Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, in Fort Worth. Born April 11, 1938, in Baltimore, Md., he married Marcine Roberson Oct. 10, 1997, in Fort Worth. He was the former owner of McDonalds in Decatur. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Shriners and Fort Worth Scottish Rite. He is survived by his wife; one son, Ron Rebstock Jr. of Decatur; four daughters, Dawn Cagle of Alvord, Wanda and husband Larry Lewnard of Littleton, Colo., Kelli Daigneault of Lewisville and Trina Kincaid of Miami, Fla.; one brother, Charlie Rebstock and wife Sue of Cleburne; 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Ben Rebstock, Greg Arrington, Jason Hubbard, Dave Miles, Rick Mann and Larry (Trey) Lewnard. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 2, 2003 Hollis 'Bud' Scherb 1921-2002 Memorial service for Hollis "Bud" Scherb, 81, of Bridgeport will be Monday, Dec. 30, at 3:30 p.m. at Trinity Care Center in Bridgeport. Scherb died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002, in Decatur. Born Feb. 28, 1921, in Ontario, Canada, he ran a number of large food manufacturers throughout his career. He married Carmen Frandin on June 16, 1962, in Burbank, Calif. He was also a member of the American Motorcycle Association. He is survived by his wife; four sons, Scott Scherb and wife Rhonda of Decatur, John Goss and wife Carolyn of Fresno, Calif., Carl Scott and wife Debbie of Mission Viejo, Calif., and Dwight Scott and wife Denise of Santa Cruz, Calif.; two daughters, Casey Harris and husband Aaron of Battle Creek, Mich., and Janey Goss of Clovis, Calif., and 15 grandchildren, Merle, Corby, Lucas, Logan, Sarah, Allen, Dwight David, John, Jana, Scott, Thomas, Sophia, Larrisa, Shun and Tommy. Wise County Messenger, Dec. 29, 2002 Monavee Lane Gresham 1921-2002 Service for Monavee Lane Gresham, 81, of Decatur will be Sunday, Dec. 29 at 3 p.m. at the Memory Park Mausoleum Chapel in Longview. The Rev. Jim Rust will officiate. Gresham died Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, in Decatur. Born Oct. 13, 1921, in Commerce, to Ira P. Lane and Eula Randall, she married Joseph Truitt Gresham Feb. 28, 1958, in Gulf Port, Miss. She was a member of the Christian Science Church of Dallas and co-owner and operator of Wise County Abstract. She was preceded in death by her husband on Oct. 10, 1998. She is survived by two daughters, Carol Ann Cates of Decatur and Lisa Perez of Saginaw; two sons, William Lane Covert of Fort Worth and Robert L. Covert of Athens; a sister, Jessa Cook of Longview; 10 grandchildren and two great- grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, Dec. 29, 2002 Christopher Alexander Pena 2002-2002 Graveside service for Christopher Alexander Pena, the 8-month-old child of April Kelsey and Jose Pena of Boyd, was Friday, Dec. 27 at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. Pena died Monday, Dec. 23, 2002, in Denton. He was born April 18, 2002, in Denton. He is survived by his parents; one brother, Daniel Castillo of Denton and grandparents, Paul Kelsey of Henrietta, Pat Kelsey of Justin, Audrey Brandt of Justin and Corine Varnell of Colorado. Wise County Messenger, Dec. 29, 2002 Shirley West 1912-2002 A memorial service for Shirley West, 90, of Midland and a former Decatur resident, was to be Saturday, Dec. 28 at 11 a.m. at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel in Midland. The Rev. Emmett Bernard of Home Hospice of Odessa was to officiate. West died Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002, in Odessa. Born May 30, 1912, in Latham, Ill., to David and Carrie Brashear, she was a homemaker and a Methodist. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Emery Brashear and Sid Brashear. She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Bill Dolan of Midland; one son, Richard Fent of Arizona; one sister, Betty Baker of Tucson, Ariz.; one grandson, James L. Haney and four great-grandchildren, Corey Haney, Matthew Haney, Christopher Haney and Amber Haney. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Home Hospice of Odessa, 903 N. Sam Houston, Odessa, Texas, 79761. Wise County Messenger, Dec. 29, 2002 Mayme I. Capps 1910-2002 Service for Mayme I. Capps, 92, of Dallas, formerly of Decatur, was to be Saturday, Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Johnny Irish was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. Capps died Monday, Dec. 23, 2002, in Dallas. Born Aug. 12, 1910, in Texas, she was a homemaker. She was married to the late Charles Franklin Capps and was a Methodist. She is survived by two daughters, Beverly Wilgus of Baltimore, Md., and Mary Beth Mosteller of Dallas and two grandsons, Jeff and Michael Mosteller of Dallas. Pallbearers were to be Jack Wilgus, Jim, Jeffry and Michael Mosteller, B.J. Capps and James Cates. Wise County Messenger, Dec. 29, 2002 Renee McMaster Phillips 1964-2002 Service for Renee McMaster Phillips, 38, of Decatur was Thursday, Dec. 26 at River of Life Church in Decatur. The Rev. Greg Mohr officiated. Burial followed at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 1 in Wise County. Phillips died Monday, Dec. 23, 2002, in Decatur. Born Feb. 5, 1964, in Morton, she was a bookkeeper. She is survived by her husband, Larry; her father, Kenneth McMaster and mother, Jolene Smith, both of Decatur; two sons, Brandon Koehne of San Antonio and Mack Sanders of Southlake; a daughter, Baylee Murphree of Decatur and four brothers, Rick, Mickey, Steve and Donald McMaster, all of Decatur. Pallbearers were Chris, Lance and Rusty McMaster, Matt Lavender, Aaron Stanfield and Brian Keener. Wise County Messenger, Dec. 29, 2002 William Hall Davidson 1949-2002 A wake for William Hall Davidson, 53, of Paonia, Colo., was to be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, in Paonia. He was the brother of Robert Davidson of Boyd. Davidson died Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002, in Paonia. Born Feb. 11, 1949, in El Paso to Floyd Hall Davidson and Mary (Fairchild) Davidson, he graduated from El Paso High School and later attended the University of New Mexico. He married Marcella Ann Phalen Dec. 7, 1975, in Albuquerque, N.M. He was a Boy Scout leader, Moose Lodge member and a volunteer with the Merry Makers in Albuquerque. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Paonia. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mary Conklon and a grandaughter, Angelica Ror. He is survived by his wife, Ann Davidson of Paonia; two sons, Steve Crawford of Albuquerque and Scott Meader of Paonia; two daughters, Kelly Clements and husband John B. of Paonia and Penny Meader of Corpus Christi; two brothers, Ronnie Davidson of Albuquerque and Robert Davidson and wife Faye of Boyd and four grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Children's Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 5585, Denver, 80218. Wise County Messenger, Dec. 29, 2002 Virginia Carroll 1921-2002 Service for Virginia Carroll, 81, of Newark was Friday, Dec. 27 at New Hope Baptist Church. The Rev. Wesley Spry officiated and was assisted by Jim Edwards. Burial followed at New Hope Cemetery. Carroll died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002, in Decatur. Born June 22, 1921, in Blount County, Ala., she married Grady Carroll on Jan. 29, 1938, in Blount County. She was a housewife. She was preceded in death by a son, Billy Wayne Carroll. She is survived by her husband; one daughter, Martha Carroll; two grandchildren, Billy Wayne Carroll Jr. and Jackie Hogan; two great-grandchildren, Danielle Mincy and Megan Hogan; four sisters, Loretta Smith, Reba Cooper, Kizzie Holmes and Ellie Burttran; one brother, Johnny McGlaughn and one sister-in-law, Charolette Carroll. Pallbearers were Milton Johnson, Hugo Brandt, Paul Bryant, Ollie Vaden, Bill Crowson and James Burttran. Wise County Messenger, Dec. 29, 2002 Leon Read 1932-2002 Service for Leon Read, 70, of Paradise was Monday, Dec. 23 at Bible Baptist Church in Bridgeport. Dr. Bill Higgins and the Rev. Randle Rawle officiated. Burial followed at Paradise Cemetery. Read died Friday, Dec. 20, 2002, in Paradise. Born Feb. 5, 1932, in Paradise, he was a lifetime resident of Wise County. He retired from Rock Island Railroad and Mitchell Energy. He married Cora Beth McDaniel Nov. 15, 1952, in Decatur and was a member of the Bible Baptist Church in Bridgeport. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Irene (Pike) Read; brothers, J.D. and Ernest Elmer Read and a sister, Pauline Carlton. He is survived by his wife, Cora Beth; one son, Rick Read and wife Leda of Paradise; two daughters, Vickie Mitchum and husband Jerry of Bridgeport and Rhonda Read and husband Rickey of Bridgeport; five grandchildren, Bradley and Robert Mitchum, Mandy Pruett and Brian and Justin Read; two great-grandchildren, Cason and Read Mitchum; two brothers, Harold and Billie Gene Read of Paradise and Marvin Read of Bridgeport and four sisters, Lorene Read and Geneva Hudson, both of Decatur, Patsy McClure of Dallas and Peggy Calvert of Decatur. Pallbearers were Wayne Mask, Butch Baker, Bobby O'Dell, Bobby Carpenter, Vernon Marshall and Jeff Hood. Wise County Messenger, Dec. 29, 2002 Cleo Williams 1918-2002 Service for Cleo Williams, 84, of Azle, a former Boyd resident, was to be Saturday, Dec. 28 at 10:30 a.m. at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Robert Worley was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Boyd Cemetery. Williams died Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002, in Azle. Born Jan. 21, 1918, in Pittsburg, she was a retired LVN and a member of the Eagle Mountain Baptist Church, Dido Woman's Club and Fire Auxiliary. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cleo "Dink" Williams; a sister, Marie Sanders; a brother, Marlin McWilliams; a granddaughter, Naomia Harris and four infant sons. She is survived by two daughters, Bettye Rice of Saginaw and Treaon Perriett and husband James of Springtown; five grandchildren, Trina Perry, Woody Reese, Collin Perriett and Arron and Brad Perriett; two great-granddaughters; seven great-grandsons and two great-great-grandsons. Pallbearers were to be Woody Reese, Jeremy O'Neil, Matthew Perry, Brandon Reese, Wayne Sanders and Kyle Vegari. Wise County Messenger, Dec. 29, 2002 Brett Katherine Gentry 1986-2002 Service for Brett Katherine Gentry, 16, of Paradise was Tuesday, Dec. 24, at the First Baptist Church in Cottondale. Terry Terry officiated. Burial was at the Cottondale Cemetery. Gentry died Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002, in Decatur. Born April 11, 1986, in Fort Worth, she was a junior at Paradise High School. Survivors include her mother, Kathi Brittain and her husband Steve; her father Brett Gentry and his wife Tammy Jo; two sisters, Jessica Tankursley and Jamie Montgomery and her husband Chad; two brothers, Brolan Gentry and Jared Brittain; her grandparents, Doug and Patsy Gentry; three nephews, Cameron, Cade and John and one niece, Morgan. Wise County Messenger, Dec. 29, 2002 Herbert Gustave Schieme 1914-2002 Service for Herbert Gustave Schieme, 88, of Boyd was Friday, Dec. 27, at 11 a.m. at Friendship Baptist Church, followed by a 2 p.m. graveside service at Laurel Land Cemetery in Fort Worth. The Rev. Raymond Henson officiated. Schieme died Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002, in Boyd. Born Dec. 15, 1914, in Fort Worth to Walter and Maria (Piper) Schieme, he retired after 30 years as the owner and operator of Schieme Bro. Exxon Service Station in River Oaks. He married Dorothy Alexander Dec. 27, 1969, in Fort Worth. He was a member of the Friendship Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Walter Schieme and sister, Teresa Kurtnick. He is survived by his wife Dorothy Schieme of Boyd; one son, Michael Schieme and wife Daisy of Benton, La.; two daughters, Judith Allcock and husband H.C. of Fort Worth and Madelyn Hughes and husband Wayne of Fort Worth; seven grandchildren, Regina, James, Mitchell, Miranda, Christopher Tong, Christopher Kepler and Dax Kepler; 10 great-grandchildren and seven great-great- grandchildren. Pallbearers were Christopher Kepler, Dax Kepler, James Schieme, Mitchell Schieme, Michael Scotch and Christopher Tong. Wise County Messenger, Dec. 29, 2002 Fred C. Adams 1916-2003 Service for Fred C. Adams, 86, of Bridgeport will be Friday, Jan. 10 at 2 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Kenneth Wood will officiate. Burial will follow at West Bridgeport Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Hawkins Funeral Home on Thursday, Jan. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. Adams died Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003, in Decatur. Born Nov. 3, 1916, in Montague County, he was a retired self-employed auto mechanic. He served in the U.S. Army. He was a POW in Germany in World War II and served in the 501 Parachute Infantry, 101 Airborn Division. He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. and D.A.V. and a member of the Crafton Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Myrtle Adams, in June 2001. He is survived by two sons, Sam Adams of Bridgeport and C.F. Smith and wife Christina of Rosemond, Calif.; one daughter, Regenia Alexander of Bridgeport; two brothers, Bob Adams and wife Ruth Ann of Euless and Bill Adams and wife Sondra of Grapevine; a sister, Daisy Sperber; a brother-in-law, Gene Edwards and two grandchildren, Kim Alexander of Denton and Aaron Smith and wife Mecaila of Long Beach, Calif. The Wise County Veterans Group will serve as pallbearers. Graveside military honors will include a 21 gun salute and Taps will be handled by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Lone Star Chapter. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 9, 2003 Irv D. 'Jiggs' Matzinger 1922-2003 Service for Irv D. "Jiggs" Matzinger, 80, of Paradise was Monday, Jan. 6 at First Baptist Church in Bridgeport. The Rev. George Gray and Ryan Morrison officiated. Burial followed at Paradise Cemetery. Matzinger died Friday, Jan. 3, 2003, in Paradise. Born Aug. 13, 1922, in Paradise, to Irv. F. and Mary (Meadows) Matzinger, he was a salesman for Olmsted Kirk Paper Co. for 26 years. He also purchased Ideal Printers, which he operated until his retirement. He served three years in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. He married Mildred Stanfield of Bridgeport in 1942. He was also a member of the Decatur Church of Christ. He is survived by his wife; two sons, Alan Matzinger and Dan Matzinger and wife Leah Nan and three granddaughters, Melissa Ann, Savannah Leigh and Joni Mae. Pallbearers were D.W. McDonald, Charles Ferguson, Ray Cook, Sam Cook, Gib Lewis and Lee Seeton. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 9, 2003 Victor Ray Gage 1920-2003 Funeral service for Victor Ray Gage, 82, of Denton was Tuesday, Jan. 7 at First Baptist Church of Denton. The Rev. Cliff Feeler officiated. Burial was at Roselawn Memorial Park. Gage died Saturday, Jan. 4, 2003, at Denton Regional Medical Center. Born March 27, 1920, in Sycamore to James Elmer and Sophia Pauline Harder Gage, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He married Betty Lee Wilder Jan. 11, 1947, in Emporia, Kan., and was the owner and operator of a Shell service station. He is survived by his wife, Betty Gage of Denton; two daughters, Vicki Laws and Cathy Nelson, both of Denton; two brothers, Roger Gage and Bill Gage, both of Decatur and two grandchildren, Scott Nelson and Shelley Nelson, both of Lubbock. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 9, 2003 Opal Mae Byford 1922-2003 Service for Opal Mae Byford, 80, of Decatur was to be Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 2 p.m. at Bell Baptist Church. Burial was to follow at Sycamore Cemetery. Byford died Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003, in Decatur. Born Feb. 25, 1922, in Wise County, she was a homemaker and a graduate of Slidell High School. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Byford; a son, Roger Wayne Byford; a brother, Thurman Stice and two sisters, Vern and Pearl Monroe. She is survived by a daughter, Janice Ann and Al Hubenka of Paradise; a brother, Arthur Stice of Crowley; three grandchildren and three great- grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 9, 2003 Kenneth Ray Ard 1946-2003 Service for Kenneth Ray Ard, 56, of Decatur was to be Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Decatur. The Rev. Al Draper was to officiate and was to be assisted by Jerry Spurlock. Burial was to follow at Green Acres Memorial Park in Cleburne. Ard died Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003, in Houston. Born Oct. 30, 1946, in Corsicana, he was a biology teacher at Decatur ISD. He married Vicki Spurlock June 21, 1969, in Fort Worth. He was an Army veteran of the 101 Airborne Division. He graduated from Cleburne High School and received his masters from North Texas State University in Denton. He was a biology teacher and coached football at numerous high schools including Wylie High School for 20 years where he won a state championship in 1977. He retired from coaching in 2001. He was preceded in death by a sister, Jan Burnaugh and his father, Weldon Ard. He is survived by his wife; his mother, Faye Ard Willard of Fort Worth; a son, Clay Ard of Mexia; a daughter, Kenna Brandt and husband Kelly of Sherman; a brother, Lewis Ard and wife Darla of Crowley and two grandchildren, Jonathan and Jackson Brandt of Sherman. Pallbearers were to be Brad Davis, Gary Prescott, Phil Wilbanks, Robert Martinez, Raymon Montgomery, Brian Chaney, Paul Tallant and James Wright. The family requests that memorials be made to Christ Haven Children's Home, P.O. Box 467, Keller, Texas, 76248. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 9, 2003 Nelson L. Miner Jr. 1929-2002 Graveside service for Nelson L. Miner Jr., 73, of Alvord was Thursday, Jan. 2 at DFW National Cemetery in Dallas. Miner died Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, in Decatur. Born Dec. 22, 1929, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Nelson L. Miner Sr. and Genevieve Miner, he was retired from Rockwell International as director of material. He served in the U. S. Navy from 1950 until 1955. He attended Wheaton College in Illinois and the University of Iowa earning his masters degree. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Virginia M. Heaton and Enid J. Wilske. He is survived by a son, Thomas Miner and wife Ann of Decatur; three daughters, Becky Irland and husband Mark of Decatur, Mona McCullough and husband Tony of Missouri and Gina Walters and husband Kelly of Florida; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 5, 2003 William W. 'Bill' Suson 1930-2002 Service for William W. "Bill" Suson, 72, of Decatur was Monday, Dec. 30 at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. Mike Kennedy officiated. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery. Suson died Saturday, Dec. 28, 2002, in Gatesville. Born Jan. 25, 1930, in Byers, he had worked for the Rock Island Railroad for 13 years and General Motors for 20 years. He was in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in Korea. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Rhonda Chandler; three brothers, Walter, Bob and John Suson and a sister, Mary Shurbet. He is survived by one son, Dwight Suson of Gatesville; a brother, James Suson of Alvord; two sisters, Annabelle Workman of Park Springs and Ethel Ponce of Moore, Okla. and one grandchild, Lindsey Suson. Pallbearers were Ray Hudson, Dennis Hudson, Corky Roberts, Johnny Cain, Benny Roberts and Johnny Wall. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 5, 2003 Hollis 'Bud' Scherb 1921-2002 Memorial service for Hollis "Bud" Scherb, 81, of Bridgeport was Monday, Dec. 30, at Trinity Care Center in Bridgeport. Scherb died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002, in Decatur. Born Feb. 28, 1921, in Ontario, Calif., he ran a number of large food manufacturers throughout his career. He married Carmen Frandin on June 16, 1962, in Burbank, Calif. He was also a member of the American Motorcycle Association. He is survived by his wife; four sons, Scott Scherb and wife Rhonda of Decatur, John Goss and wife Carolyn of Fresno, Calif., Carl Scott and wife Debbie of Mission Viejo, Calif., and Dwight Scott and wife Denise of Santa Cruz, Calif.; two daughters, Casey Harris and husband Aaron of Battle Creek, Mich., and Janey Goss of Clovis, Calif., and 15 grandchildren, Merle, Corby, Lucas, Logan, Sarah, Allen, Dwight David, John, Jana, Scott, Thomas, Sophia, Larrisa, Shun and Tommy. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 5, 2003 Alma L. Bowman 1910-2002 Graveside service for Alma L. Bowman, 92, of Decatur was to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4 at Hillcrest Cemetery in Bowman, Ga. Bowman died Monday, Dec. 16, 2002, in Decatur. Born Nov. 11, 1910, in Georgia, she was married to the late William H. Bowman. She was a member of the Methodist Church in Hapeville, Ga., and also the Woman's Circle. She is survived by a daughter, Bonnie Coonley and husband Russ of Slidell; a grandson, Rusty Coonley and wife Denise and a great-grandson, "Bump" Coonley. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 5, 2003 Thomas H. Watkins 1934-2002 Service for Thomas H. Watkins, 68, of Fort Worth, was Thursday, Jan. 2 at Coker Funeral Home. Burial followed at Aurora Cemetery. Watkins died Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002, in Fort Worth. Born Nov. 21, 1934, in Lovington, N.M., he spent most of his childhood in Haltom City and graduated from Birdville High School in 1953. He graduated from North Texas State University in 1957. He had a long career as an educator, holding numerous positions as a teacher, coach and assistant principal. He taught at Alameda Junior High School in Denver, Colo., Haltom Junior High School, Richland Junior High School, Watauga Junior High School and Haltom High School. He was a football fan and enjoyed the outdoors. He attended St. Michael's Episcopal Church for more than 40 years and served as a member of the vestry numerous times and also served several terms as both a junior and senior warden. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Betsy Watkins; his mother, Imogene Watkins of Decatur; two sons, Lt. Col. Roger H. Watkins and wife Leslie of Tampa, Fla., and Walter T. Watkins of Fort Worth; two daughters, Margaret Barron and husband Anthony of Fort Worth and Teresa A. Watkins of Pagosa Springs, Colo.; a stepson, Anthony Collier of Naples, Fla., and five grandchildren, Andrew, Brian, Catherine, Thomas and Emily Watkins. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch or the American Cancer Society in his memory. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 5, 2003 Kenneth Webb McMaster 1935-2002 Service for Kenneth Webb McMaster, 67, of Decatur was Thursday, Jan. 2 at River of Life Church in Decatur. The Rev. Greg Mohr officiated. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. McMaster died Monday, Dec. 30, 2002, in Decatur. Born June 3, 1935, in Abernathy, he was the chief executive officer and owner/operator of McMaster New Holland Farm Implement Co. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Renee Phillips. He is survived by four sons, Rick, Mickey, Steve and Donald McMaster, all of Decatur; one sister, Doris Dykes of Wylie; 12 grandchildren and one great- grandchild. Pallbearers were Chris McMaster, Lance McMaster, Rusty McMaster, Matt Lavender, Jerry Owen, Mike O'Conner, Troy Manire and Larry Phillips. Honorary pallbearers were Elick Cox, Danny Key, Billy D. Carter, Don Smart, Kirby Lackey and Tony Jenkins. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 5, 2003 January 2, 2003 FUNERALS - Service for Kenneth McMaster, 67, of Decatur will be at 10 a.m. today at River of Life Church with burial in Oaklawn Cemetery. MEMORIAL service for Nelson L. Miner Jr., 73, of Alvord, will be at 10 a.m. today at the DFW National Cemetery in Grand Prairie. FUNERAL for Thomas Hilton Watkins, 68, of Fort Worth will be at 2 p.m. today at Coker Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Aurora Cemetery. January 6, 2003 FUNERALS - Service for Irv (Jiggs) Matzinger, 80, will be at 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church of Bridgeport with burial in Paradise Cemetery. FUNERAL is pending for Fred Adams, 86, of Bridgeport. Hawkins Funeral Home is handling both services. SERVICE for Opal Byford, 80, of Decatur will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Bell Baptist Church with burial in Sycamore Cemetery. FUNERAL for Kenneth Ard, 56, of Decatur is pending. Coker Funeral Home is handling the latter two services. FUNERAL for Victor Ray Gage, 82, of Denton will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Denton with burial at Roselawn Memorial Park. He was the brother of Roger and Bill Gage of Decatur. Family visitation from 6-7:30 tonight at DeBerry Funeral Directors in Denton. January 7, 2003 FUNERALS - Service for Opal Byford, 80, of Decatur will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Bell Baptist Church with burial in Sycamore Cemetery. Family visitation from 7-8:30 tonight at Coker Funeral Home. FUNERAL for Kenneth Ard, 56, of Decatur will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Decatur with burial in Cleburne. Family visitation from 6-8 tonight at Coker Funeral Home. SERVICE for Harlan Lay, 63, of Alvord will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Coker Chapel with burial in Ennis. FUNERAL for Fred C. Adams, 86, of Bridgeport will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Hawkins Funeral Chapel with burial in West Bridgeport Cemetery. Family visitation from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. January 8, 2003 FUNERALS - Service for Kenneth Ard, 56, of Decatur will be at 11 a.m. today at First Baptist Church with burial in Cleburne. SERVICE for Opal Byford, 80, of Decatur will be at 2 p.m. today at Bell Baptist Church with burial at Sycamore Cemetery. FUNERAL for Harlan Lay, 63, of Alvord will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Coker Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Ennis. FUNERAL for Ouida Christian, 79, formerly of Slidell, is pending at Coker. SERVICE for Fred C. Adams, 86, of Bridgeport will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Hawkins Funeral Chapel with burial in West Bridgeport Cemetery. Family visitation from 6-8 p.m. Thursday. FUNERAL for Ricardo Herrera, 42, of Bridgeport will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Bridgeport with burial at the Mexican Cemetery. Family visitation from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Hawkins Chapel. SERVICE for Ferrell Chapman, 81, of Bridgeport is pending at Hawkins. FUNERAL for Gordon D. Evans, 59, of Rhome is pending at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd. January 9, 2003 FUNERALS - Service for Harlan Lay, 63, of Alvord will be at 10 a.m. today at Coker Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Ennis. FUNERAL for Ouida Christian, 79, formerly of Slidell, will be at 2 p.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church in Sanger with burial in Slidell Cemetery. Coker/Sanger is handling the service. FUNERAL is pending for Frank Arce, Jr., the infant son of Frank Arce and Stacy Jensen of Rhome at Coker/Decatur. FUNERAL for Fred C. Adams, 86, of Bridgeport will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Hawkins Funeral Chapel with burial in West Bridgeport Cemetery. Family visitation from 6-7 tonight at Hawkins. SERVICE for Ricardo Herrera, 42, of Bridgeport will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church of Bridgeport. Family visitation from 6-8 Friday at Hawkins Chapel. FUNERAL for Ferrell (Pee Paw) Chapman, 81, of Paradise will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Hawkins Chapel with burial in East Bridgeport Cemetery. Family visitation from 6-8 tonight at the funeral home. SERVICE for Gordon Evans, 59, of Rhome will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Rhome Assembly of God Church with burial at Aurora Cemetery. Family visitation from 5-9 p.m. Sunday at Christian-Hawkins Chapel in Boyd. FUNERALS for Linda Smitherman, 53, of Fort Worth and Annie Adams, 64, of Boyd are pending at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home. January 10, 2003 FUNERALS - Graveside service for the infant Frank Arce Jr. is pending for Saturday at Oaklawn Cemetery. Coker Funeral Home is handling arrangements. FUNERAL for Ferrell (Pi Paw) Chapman, 81, of Paradise will be at 10:30 a.m. today at Hawkins Funeral Chapel with burial in East Bridgeport Cemetery. SERVICE for Fred C. Adams, 86, of Bridgeport will be at 2 p.m. today at Hawkins Chapel with burial in West Bridgeport Cemetery. FUNERAL for Ricardo Herrera, 42, of Bridgeport will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Bridgeport with burial at the Mexican Cemetery. Family visitation from 6-8 tonight at Hawkins. SERVICE for Oliver Patterson, Jr., 74, of Bridgeport will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Morris Memorial United Methodist Church in Chico with burial in Chico Cemetery. Family visitation from 4-6 p.m. Sunday at Hawkins. FUNERAL for Linda Smitherman, 53, of Fort Worth will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd with burial at Boyd Cemetery. Family visitation from 6-8 tonight at Christian-Hawkins. GRAVESIDE service for Annie Mae Adams, 64, of Fort Worth will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 2. Family visitation from 7-8 tonight at Christian-Hawkins in Boyd. FUNERAL for Gordon Evans, 59, of Rhome will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Rhome Assembly of God Church with burial in Aurora Cemetery. Family visitation from 5-9 p.m. Sunday at Christian-Hawkins in Boyd. Eric Jose Espinoza 1980-2003 Service for Eric Jose Espinoza, 22, of Decatur will be Thursday, Jan. 16 at 10 a.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. Espinoza died Sunday, Jan. 12, 2003, in Orlando, Fla. Born Aug. 8, 1980, in Kingman, Kan., he was a journeyman pipefitter for Yates Construction. He attended Decatur schools and graduated from Abilene Cooper High School in 1998. He joined the Army in June 1998 and was stationed in Fort Campbell Kentucky after basic training in Fort Benning, Ga. He is survived by his mother and step-father, Anita and Sam Lee of Decatur; his father, Freddy Espinoza of Corinth; a brother, Zach Espinoza of Decatur; a step-sister, Krystle Lee of Boyd and grandparents, Jimmy and Lupe Espinoza of Colorado City and George and Ruth Bryant of Paris. Pallbearers will be Steven Oates, Cody Cornell, Matt Teichelman, Chris Oland, Stephen Topica, Aaron Hughes, Chris Mattison and Ben Williamson. Wise County Messenger, January 16, 2003 Oliver Newton 'Junior' Patterson Jr. 1928-2003 Service for Oliver Newton "Junior" Patterson Jr., 74, of Chico was Monday, Jan. 13, at Morris Memorial United Methodist Church in Chico. The Rev. Charles Cox officiated. Patterson died Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003, in Bowie. Born May 5, 1928, in Hedley, he was raised in the Clarendon area. He married Patsy Jo Pointer July 8, 1970, in Amarillo and moved to Wise County in 1979. He was a former stationary fireman for Sante Fe Railroad and was a member of the Pleasant Valley Methodist Church in Amarillo. He was the retired co-owner and operator of Pat's Trucking in Bridgeport. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Patsy Patterson of Chico; three daughters, Rebecca Elam and husband Wayne of Bridgeport, Susan Murray of Chico and Mary Washburn of Bridgeport; four sons, Oliver Newton Patterson III of Bridgeport, Kelly Choate and wife Kim of Bridgeport; Van Choate and wife Sherry of Bridgeport and William Choate and wife Bennie of Childress; a sister, Inez Hill of Amarillo; 26 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, January 16, 2003 Jackie L. Cummings 1927-2003 Service for Jackie L. Cummings, 75, of Decatur, was to be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Charles Taylor was to officiate and burial was to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery. Visitation was to be 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at Coker Funeral Home. Cummings died Monday, Jan. 13, 2003, in Bowie. Born Aug. 17, 1927, in Bowie, he was the owner and operator of a service station. He married Betty E. Johnston on June 28, 1951, in Eunice, N.M. He was a Baptist and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Suzanne, in 1969. He is survived by his wife, Betty Cummings of Decatur and one sister, Mollie Ann Freeman of Garland. Pallbearers were to be Kyle Johnston, Steve Freeman, Keith Johnston, Mike Duff, Morris Berend and Raymond McGaha. Wise County Messenger, January 16, 2003 S.L. 'Andy' Anderson 1917-2003 Service for S.L. "Andy" Anderson, 85, of Bridgeport was Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the First United Methodist Church in Bridgeport. The Rev. Johnny Irish officiated. Burial followed at East Bridgeport Cemetery. Anderson died Saturday, Jan. 11, 2003, in Bridgeport. Born March 26, 1917, in Iola, Kan., he had lived in the Bridgeport area since 1953. He was the retired owner and operator of Anderson Water Well Drilling in Bridgeport. He was a U.S. Army veteran having served in World War II, and he was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport. He married Betty Macy on July 26, 1946, in Topeka, Kan. He was preceded in death by a brother, Leon Anderson and three sisters, Rosie Kresin, Lorene Morad and Margaret Jean Anderson. He is survived by his wife; two sons, Ed Anderson of Bowie and Phil Anderson of Bridgeport; a daughter, Anita Lamonthe and husband Ron of New Bedford, Mass.; a brother, Roy S. Anderson Jr. of Allen, Okla.; a sister, Noraleen Richards of Winfield, Kan.; three grandchildren, Eddie, Becky and Jennifer and two great- grandchildren, River and Ivy. Pallbearers were Kevin Jones, Billy Fred Walker, Dr. Dan Selz, Dr. L.V. Selz, Roy Dick, Frank Trail, Bill Johnson, Bob Carpenter and L.B. McDonald. Wise County Messenger, January 16, 2003 Annie Mae Adams 1938-2003 Graveside service for Annie Mae Adams, 64, of Fort Worth was to be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 2. Chaplain Ken Cates was to officiate. Adams died Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003, in Bridgeport. Born March 12, 1938, in Sherman, she was a retired certified nurses aide and a member of the Saginaw Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kathy Smith; her brother, Leroy Adams; and two sisters, Sybil Waldrop and Myrtle Smith. She is survived by a son, Ricky Bradshaw of Fort Worth; two granddaughters, Brenda Smith of Fort Worth and Kristina Kemp and husband Randy of Boyd; one great-granddaughter, Mercedes Kemp and two sisters, Irene Lemons and Faye Francis, both of Fort Worth. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 12, 2003 Ferrell 'Pi Paw' Chapman 1921-2003 Service for Ferrell "Pi Paw" Chapman, 81, of Paradise was Friday, Jan. 10 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Ken May officiated and burial followed in East Bridgeport Cemetery. Chapman died Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003, in Dallas. Born Feb. 6, 1921, in Ashflat, Ark., he was an auto mechanic for Chapman GMC Motor Co. He served in the U.S. Army as a medical and surgical technician on the USS Mercy in the South Pacific during World War II, and he was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bridgeport, the Masonic Lodge and the D.A.V. He is survived by two sons, Ronnie Chapman and wife Debbie and Donald Chapman and wife Shrea; four grandchildren, Barry Chapman, Brandi McEntire, Kory Chapman, and Chase Chapman and wife Ashley and three great-grandchildren, Jerred, Tyler and Dayne. Pallbearers were Barry Chapman, Kory Chapman, Chase Chapman, Tommy Williams, Rusty Terrell and Andy Mattison. A final tribute with military honors was presented to Chapman by the Wise County Veterans group honor guard. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 12, 2003 Gordon Divines Evans 1943-2003 Service for Gordon Divines Evans, 59, of Rhome will be Monday, Jan. 13 at 10:30 a.m. at Rhome Assembly of God Church. The Rev. James Hurst and Mike Stephenson will officiate. Burial will follow at Aurora Cemetery. Evans died Monday, Jan. 6, 2003, in Aurora. Born Sept. 28, 1943, to Orbie Divines Evans and Mary Elizabeth McCrary Evans, he married Jeanne Idell Oct. 17, 1969, in Decatur. He was a carpenter for T.D. Industries in Irving. He was an Army veteran and a member of the Rhome Assembly of God Church. He was preceded in death by hs parents, his sister, Elizabeth Russell and an infant brother. He is survived by his wife; four sons, Dewayne Evans of Antioch, Calif., David Evans and wife Tammy of Bridgeport, Chris Evans and wife Shella of Rhome and Daniel Evans and wife Tammy of Newark; two daughters, Kim Rhine of Rhome and Lisa Hotz and husband Randy of Decatur; one brother, Robert Evans and wife Shirley of Hamilton; two sisters, Virginia Bowers and husband Johnny of Newark and Ella Roye and husband Glenn of White Settlement; 23 grandchildren; one great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be James Evans, Danny Kelley, Danny Kelley Jr., Rip Butler, Greg Roberts, Robert Miles, James Earl Idell and Clyde Idell. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 12, 2003 Frank Arce Jr. 2003 Graveside service for Frank Arce Jr., newborn son of Frank Arce and Stacy Jensen of Rhome, was to be held Saturday, Jan. 11 at 1 p.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery. He was stillborn Jan. 8, 2003, in Decatur. He was preceded in death by a brother, Gary Jensen. He is survived by his parents; two brothers, David Jensen and Jordan Martinez; a sister, Dawn Jensen; and grandparents, Mary and Gary Shafer, Patsy Houseton and Jesse Myers. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 12, 2003 Ricardo Herrera 1959-2003 Service for Ricardo Herrera, 43, of Bridgeport was to be held Saturday, Jan. 11 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Bridgeport. Dr. Van Gardner was to officiate. Burial was to follow at the Mexican Cemetery. Herrera died Monday, Jan. 6, 2003, in Fort Worth. Born March 13, 1959, in Colorado City, Ricardo was a construction worker. He married Lanie Clark Sept. 10, 1999, in Bridgeport. He is survived by his wife; his parents, Jose and Annselma Ramirez; two sons, Eric Herrera and Tim Perry; four daughters, Chrystal Herrera, Tiffany Herrera, Renne Perry and Toni Edwards and husband Tom; five brothers, Earnest Herrera, David Herrera, Julio Ortega, Anthony Herrera and Carmen Martinez; four sisters, Terry Romero, Alice Coleman, Rita Granada and Rosalee Herrera; grandmother, Raphaela Ramirez and five grandchildren, Heaven, Alic, Ethan, Tomy and A'liya. Pallbearers were to be Carmen Martinez, Maurice Orocco, Rudy Martinez, John Gosverner, Gerardo Contreras, Leslie Parrish, Tom Edwards and Billy Perry. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 12, 2003 Linda Marie Smitherman 1949-2003 Service for Linda Marie Smitherman, 53, of Fort Worth was to be Saturday, Jan. 11 at 10:30 a.m. at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd. Dr. Frankie Rainey was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Boyd Cemetery. Smitherman died Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003, in Dallas. Born March 15, 1949, in Fort Worth, she was a medications nurse for Ikon Insurance Company in Las Colinas. She is survived by her partner, Jo Gutierrez of Fort Worth; a daughter, Nancy Smitherman and Bobbie Burkett of Fort Worth; a sister, Reva Joyce Alexander of Boyd; a brother, Don D. Sinclair of Cleburne and two grandchildren, David Lytle and Chance Creek of Fort Worth. Pallbearers were to be David Lytle, Lee Thompson, David Montgomery, Ricky Joe Montgomery, Jeff Tuller and Jason Vandever. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 12, 2003 Harlan G. Lay 1939-2003 Funeral service for Harlan G. Lay, 63, of Alvord was Thursday, Jan. 9 at Coker Funeral Home in Decatur. Glen Randel officiated and was assisted by Ken Cates. Burial was at the Turner Family Cemetery in Kaufman. Lay died Monday, Jan. 6, 2003, in Alvord. Born Aug. 14, 1939, in Kaufman County, he married Anna Sanders Oct. 2, 1979, in Kaufman County. He was retired from the Merchant Marines, was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Alvord and a member of the National Rifle Association. He is survived by his wife, Anna Lay of Alvord; four sons; Albert Wise of Chico, Johnny Wise of Alvord and Jimmy and Timothy Wise of Tennessee; three step-daughters, Kathy Surtain and Anne Patterson of Tennessee and Terri Giles of Louisiana; two brothers, Terry Lay of Kemp and Royce Lay of Mabank; two sisters, Jean Hammer and Ann Thompson of Kemp and many grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, Jan. 12, 2003 January 13, 2003 FUNERALS - Service for Gordon Evans, 59, of Rhome will be at 10:30 a.m. today at Rhome Assembly of God Church with burial in Aurora Cemetery. Christian- Hawkins Funeral Home is handling arrangements. FUNERAL for O.N. (Junior) Patterson, Jr., 74 of Bridgeport will be at 2 p.m. today at Morris Memorial United Methodist Church in Chico with burial in Chico Cemetery. SERVICE for S. L. (Andy) Anderson, 85, of Bridgeport will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church in Bridgeport with burial in East Bridgeport Cemetery. Hawkins Funeral Home is handling the latter two services. FUNERAL for Eric Espinoza, 22 of Decatur is pending at Coker Funeral Home. He died in an automobile accident in Florida over the weekend. January 14, 2003 FUNERALS - Service for S. L. (Andy) Anderson, 85, of Bridgeport will be at 10 a.m. today at First United Methodist Church in Bridgeport with burial in East Bridgeport Cemetery. Hawkins Funeral Home is handling arrangements. FUNERAL for Eric Espinoza, 22, of Decatur will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Coker Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. January 15, 2003 FUNERALS - Service for Jackie Lee Cummings, 75, of Decatur - a longtime Decatur service station owner and retired member of the Decatur Volunteer Fire Department - will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Coker Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Oaklawn Cemetery. Family visitation at 7 tonight at the funeral home. FUNERAL for Eric Espinoza, 22, of Decatur, will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Coker Chapel with burial at Oaklawn. Family visitation at 7 tonight at the funeral home. January 16, 2003 FUNERALS - Service for Eric Espinoza, 22, of Decatur will be at 10 a.m. today at Coker Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Oaklawn Cemetery. SERVICE for Jackie Lee Cummings, 75, of Decatur will be at 2 p.m. today at Coker Chapel with burial in Oaklawn. FUNERALS for Robert E. Gayler, 94, of Forestburg and Jeane C. Smith, 86, of Decatur are pending at Coker. SERVICE for Viva Mae Avila, 84, of Decatur is pending at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport. January 17, 2003 FUNERALS - Service for Jeane Smith, 86, of Decatur will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Alvord with burial in Alvord Cemetery. Family visitation from 7-8 tonight at Coker Funeral Home. FUNERAL for Robert Gayler, 94, of Alvord will be at 11 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church in Forestburg with burial in Perryman Cemetery. Family visitation from 5-6 p.m. Sunday at Coker Funeral Home. SERVICE for Vernia Lou Meador, 83, of Decatur is tentatively set for Saturday morning with family visitation from 7-8 tonight at Coker. FUNERALS for Barney Holgate, 89, of Bridgeport and Eleanor May Muse of Slidell are pending at Coker. MEMORIAL service for Viva Mae Avila, 84, of Decatur will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, January 31, at the Word of Faith/Praise Center in Fort Worth. Hawkins Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Anna Lavern Schmitz Brinlee 1933-2003 Graveside service for Anna Lavern Schmitz Brinlee, 69, of Newark was Monday, Jan. 20, at the Bettis Cemetery. Brinlee died Friday, Jan. 17, 2003, in Fort Worth. Born Oct. 1, 1933, in Dallas to John Henry Schmitz and Catherine Julindus Ruwaldt, she married R. Jean "Windy" Brinlee on June 1, 1950, in Irving. She worked in homecare and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband and a son, Ricky Gene Brinlee. She is survived by a son, Timothy Brinlee of Fort Worth; three daughters, Ronda Schwartzlow and husband Richard of Azle, Sherry Gaught and husband Lewis of Fort Worth and Arlene Berry and husband James of Newark; 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, January 23, 2003 Movelda Holt Maddox 1924-2003 Graveside service for Movelda Holt Maddox, 78, of Decatur was to be Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 10 a.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. Gene Chamness was to officiate. Maddox died Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003, in Decatur. Born July 29, 1924, in Decatur to Clyde and Ethel Holt, she married Ed Maddox, D.V.M., on Aug. 3, 1952, in Decatur. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Decatur. After retirement from the Texas Highway Department, she assisted her husband with his veterinary practice. She was preceded in death by a step-son, Edward P. Maddox and a brother, Clyde Holt Jr. She is survived by her husband; a son, John E. Vanetten and wife June of College Station; a daughter-in-law, Anita Maddox of Temple; a step-daughter, Celia Ann Parsons and husband Vernon of Temple; five grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, January 23, 2003 Barney H. Holgate 1913-2003 Graveside service for Barney H. Holgate, 89, of Bridgeport was Tuesday, Jan. 21, at Terry County Memorial Cemetery in Brownfield. Holgate died Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003, in Decatur. Born Feb. 16, 1913, in Gomez, he was retired from the Civil Service. He married Salomae Steen on March 25, 1939, in Lubbock and was a member of First Christian Church. He is survived by his wife; two sons, Forrest S. Holgate of Grand Junction, Colo. and Stanley H. Holgate of Fayetteville, N.C.; one daughter, Elizabeth Young of Decatur; one sister, Kathrin Hamilton of Brownfield; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, January 23, 2003 Judy Jean Yarbrough 1944-2003 Service for Judy Jean Yarbrough, 58, of Boyd was to be Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. at Aurora Baptist Church. The Rev. Jimmy Withers was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Aurora Cemetery. Yarbrough died Sunday, Jan. 19, 2003, in Decatur. Born Dec. 29, 1944, in Iraan, she was chief clerk for the Prec. 1 justice of the peace office. She married Woodrow Wilson Yarbrough June 1, 1973, in Fort Worth. She was a member of the Aurora Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband; one daughter, Kristy Totty of Oklahoma City; one brother, Dean Garland of Evant and a grandson, Reese Logan Totty. Pallbearers were to be Steve Petty, Coy Grimes, B.J. Adams, Loyd Ellingwood, Joe Pena and Jimmy Valesquez. Honorary pallbearers were to be Ryan Totty, J.D. Garland and Huskey Morrow. Wise County Messenger, January 23, 2003 Jackie L. Cummings 1927-2003 Service for Jackie L. Cummings, 75, of Decatur was Thursday, Jan. 16, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Charles Taylor officiated and burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery. Cummings died Monday, Jan. 13, 2003, in Bowie. Born Aug. 17, 1927, in Decatur, he was the owner and operator of a service station. He married Betty E. Johnston on June 28, 1951, in Eunice, N.M. He was a Baptist and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Suzanne, in 1969. He is survived by his wife, Betty Cummings of Decatur and one sister, Mollie Ann Freeman of Garland. Pallbearers were to be Kyle Johnston, Keith Johnston, Mike Duff, Morris Berend and Raymond McGaha. Wise County Messenger, January 19, 2003 Vernia Lou Meador 1918-2003 Service for Vernia Lou Meador, 84, of Decatur was to be Saturday, Jan. 18 at 1 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. Dr. Van Gardner was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. Meador died Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003, in Gainesville. Born Dec. 30, 1918, in Decatur, she was the retired owner of M&M Food Mart in Decatur. She was married to t he late Jeff David Meador. She was a member of the Grace Baptist Church in Decatur and the Order of Eastern Star, Decatur Chapter No. 543. She is survived by a son, David Meador and wife Barbara of Arlington; two daughters, Donna Jones and husband Phil of Decatur and Debra Smith and husband Bill of Gainesville; four brothers, Billy Joe Mann of Decatur, Ernest R. Mann of Arlington, Robert J. Mann Jr. of Haltom City and Jackie E. Mann of Mineral Wells; five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were to be Masonic Lodge members Jim Sweetland, Bill Whiddon, Paul Gilbreath, David Miles, W.B. Arrington, Jimmie Gage and Johnny Wall. Wise County Messenger, January 19, 2003 Margaret Evelyn New 1918-2002 Service for Margaret Evelyn New, 84, formerly of Decatur, was Nov. 9, 2002, at Bratcher Funeral Home in Denison. Burial was at Fairview Cemetery in Denison. New died Saturday, Nov. 7, 2002, in Denison. Born Dec. 15, 1918, in Newton, Miss., She married Charles New of Decatur on Oct. 14, 1940. When he went to work for the Katy Railroad, the couple moved to Denison. She was preceded in death by her son, Paul. She is survived by two sons, Charles New Jr. and wife Paula and Jim New and four grandchildren, Andy, Nathan, Sarah and Paula McDowell. Wise County Messenger, January 19, 2003 Martha Jeane Smith 1916-2003 Service for Martha Jeane Smith, 86, of Decatur was to be Saturday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Alvord. Burial was to follow at Alvord Cemetery. Smith died Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003, in Decatur. Born July 17, 1916, in Fort Worth, she was a retired school teacher. She married Norman Guy Smith who preceded her in death. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Alvord. She is survived by a niece, Doris Yates of Fort Worth; a great-niece, Amy Yates and a great-nephew, Robert Yates. Wise County Messenger, January 19, 2003 Robert E. Gayler 1907-2003 Service for Robert E. Gayler, 95, of Alvord will be Monday, Jan. 20 at 11 a.m. at Forestburg Baptist Church. Kris Barnett will officiate. Burial will follow at Perryman Cemetery in Montague County. Visitation will be from 5 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19 at Coker Funeral Home in Decatur. Gayler died Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003, in Denton. Born Sept. 6, 1907, in Lehigh, Okla., he was a retired Union representative with Ford Motor Co. for 38 years. He married Elvena Harrison on Oct. 16, 1927, in Lawton, Okla. He was also a member of the Forestburg Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife; a son, Jerry Gayler and wife Annette of Alvord; two daughters, Bobbie Johnson and husband Bill of Nueva, Calif. and Anjie Hatfield and husband Bill of Garland; 11 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Starr Gayler, Preston Hartfield, Bradley Hartfield, Trevor Hartfield, Mickey Kelton and Brian Kelton. Wise County Messenger, January 19, 2003 January 20, 2003 FUNERALS - Service for Robert Gayler, 95, of Alvord will be at 11 a.m. today at First Baptist Church in Forestburg with burial in Perryman Cemetery. GRAVESIDE service for Barney Holgate, 89, of Bridgeport will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Terry County Cemetery in Brownfield. FUNERAL for Judy Yarbrough, 58, of Decatur will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Aurora Baptist Church with burial in Aurora Cemetery. Coker Funeral Home is handling all three services. GRAVESIDE service for Anna Lavern Schmitz Brinlee, 69, of Newark will be at 10 a.m. today at Bettis Cemetery. She was the mother of Arlene Berry of Newark. January 21, 2003 FUNERALS - Graveside service for Barney Holgate, 89, of Bridgeport will be at 1 p.m. today at Terry County Cemetery in Brownfield. FUNERAL for Judy Yarbrough, 58, of Boyd will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Aurora Baptist Church with burial in Aurora Cemetery. Family visitation from 6 to 8 tonight at Coker Funeral Home. January 22, 2003 FUNERALS - Graveside service for Movelda Holt Maddox, 78, of Decatur will be at 10 a.m. today at Oaklawn Cemetery. FUNERAL for Judy Yarbrough, 58, of Boyd will be at 2 p.m. today at Aurora Baptist Church with burial in Alvord Cemetery. Coker Funeral Home is handling arrangements. MEMORIAL service for Viva Mae Avila, 84, of Decatur will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, January 31, at the World of Faith/Praise Center in Fort Worth. Hawkins Funeral Home is handling arrangements. FUNERAL for Bruce Lynn Martin, 50, of Watauga will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel with burial at Boyd Cemetery. Family visitation from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Christian-Hawkins. January 23, 2003 FUNERAL for Bruce Lynn Martin, 50, of Watauga will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel with burial in Boyd Cemetery. Family visitation from 6-8 tonight at the funeral home in Boyd. January 24, 2003 FUNERALS - Service for Bruce Lynn Martin, 50, of Watauga will be at 2 p.m. today at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd with burial at Boyd Cemetery. FUNERAL for Florence King, 95, of Bridgeport will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Hawkins Funeral Chapel with burial at West Bridgeport Cemetery. Viva Mae Avila 1918-2003 Memorial service for Viva Mae Avila, 84, of Decatur will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at Word of Faith Praise Center in Fort Worth. Avila died Jan. 15, 2003, in Decatur. Born May 26, 1918, in New Mexico to Edgar and Alma (Boyles) Cook, she was a loving and devoted homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Santos Avila. She is survived by a son, Glenn Waldrop and wife Barbara; three daughters, Wanda Rountree and husband Oscar, Patricia Reed and husband Jim and Teresa Ledford and husband David; two sisters, Esteline Evans and Minnie Sparks; eight grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and numerous great-great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, January 30, 2003 Bobbie Ruth Southall Pitts 1928-2003 Service for Bobbie Ruth Southall Pitts, 74, of Bridgeport was Tuesday, Jan. 28, at Bible Baptist Church of Bridgeport. The Rev. Kenneth Wood officiated. Burial followed at Willow Point Cemetery near Balsora. Pitts died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003, in Denton. Born Oct. 9, 1928, in Humphrey, Okla., to Robert and Ruth (Grey) Southall, she married Carlos Pitts on June 3, 1976, in Oklahoma. She was the retired owner of Bobbie's Unique Boutique in Decatur and a member of the Lake Bridgeport Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by a sister, Dora Katherine Hudson and a brother, Glenn Southall. She is survived by her husband; seven daughters, Pam Trantham of Aurora, Paula Geiser and husband Paul of Runaway Bay, Patti Madewell and husband Tommy of Argyle, Lisa Valliant and husband Kim of Decatur, Rhonda McIlroy of Cottondale, Jayne Green and husband Larry of Boyd and Connie Wood of Paradise; a son, Joe Morgan of Roswell, N.M.; a sister, Pauline Pool; a sister-in-law, Ida Jo Southall; 18 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Butch Selby, Wiley Meador, Jim Coffman, Cody Bryant, Mark Sanders, Jim Bob Little and Bob Basham. The family requests that memorials be made to the Wise County Domestic Violence Task Force, Box 491, Bridgeport, Texas, 76426. Wise County Messenger, January 30, 2003 Floy Alice Bedford 1916-2003 Service for Floy Alice Bedford, 86, of Bridgeport will be Thursday, Jan. 30, at 2 p.m. at White's Funeral Home Chapel in Springtown. Burial will follow at Springtown Cemetery. Visitation was to be at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29. Bedford died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, in Bridgeport. Born May 13, 1916, in Erick, Okla., she was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Boyd and the Eastern Star Boyd Chapter. She was a Worthy Matron from 1972 to 1973. She was active in her church and once traveled to the Holy Land. She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Jessie Bedford; a daughter, Yvonne Washburn; a son, Winfred Pynes and a stepson, Edwin Bedford. She is survived by two sons, Herbert Bedford of Hope, Ark., and James Bedford and wife Linda of North Richland Hills; a stepdaughter, Alene Binney and husband Buster of Big Sandy; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, January 30, 2003 Emma Mae Moncrief 1908-2003 Graveside service for Emma Mae Moncrief, 94, of Justin was to be Saturday, Jan. 25, at 11 a.m. at the Justin Cemetery. Moncrief died Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003, in Fort Worth. Born May 30, 1908, in Dallas ,to Matt and Bertie Thomas Dardeman, she was the valedictorian in 1925 at Ponder High School. She married Floyd Burch Moncrief on July 15, 1926, in Rhome. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Justin and a homemaker. Moncrief was a member of the National Poetry Society and won several honors in a national writing competition, including publication. She was preceded in death by her husband on April 17, 1993. She is survived by two daughters, Mickey Logan and Jherrie Logan, both of Justin; three sons, Leland Moncrief, Bobby Moncrief and Kelly Moncrief all of Justin; 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and four great-great- grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Justin Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 811, Justin, Texas, 76247. Wise County Messenger, January 26, 2003 Florence King 1907-2003 Service for Florence King, 95, of Bridgeport was to be Saturday, Jan. 25 at 3 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Joe Motsenbocker was to officiate. Burial was to follow at West Bridgeport Cemetery. King died Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003, in Decatur. Born Nov. 12, 1907, in St. Paul, Minn., she was a retired hairdresser and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport. She married Walter King on Sept. 16, 1947, who preceded her in death in 1998. She was also preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters. She is survived by two daughters, Alice Clark of Mesquite and Diane Storlien of Minnesota; four grandchildren, Deborah, Gayle, Tommy and Tim and six great- grandchildren. Pallbearers were to be Juston Goodman and Toby Storlien. Wise County Messenger, January 26, 2003 Margaret Evelyn New 1918-2003 Service for Margaret Evelyn New, 84, formerly of Decatur, was Nov. 9, 2002, at Bratcher Funeral Home in Denison. Burial was at Fairview Cemetery in Denison. New died Saturday, Nov. 7, 2002, in Denison. Born Dec. 15, 1918, in Newton, Miss., She married Charles New of Decatur on Oct. 14, 1940. When he went to work for the Katy Railroad, the couple moved to Denison. She was preceded in death by her son, Paul. She is survived by two sons, Charles New Jr. and wife Paula and Jim New and four grandchildren, Andy, Nathan, Sarah and Paula McDowell. Wise County Messenger, January 19, 2003 Bruce Lynn Martin 1952-2003 Service for Bruce Lynn Martin, 50, of Watauga, formerly of Briar, was Friday, Jan. 24 at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Larry Hood officiated. Burial followed at Boyd Cemetery. Martin died Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003, in Watauga. Born Dec. 26, 1952, in Harlingen, he married Verena Hood Martin on Sept. 27, 1980, in Smithfield. He was a truck driver. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas William Martin. He is survived by his wife; his mother, Alpha Martin; one son, Berry Martin; one daughter, Lexa Martin; two brothers, Gene Martin and Eddie Martin and two sisters, Vikki Woodruff and Cathie Perkins. Pallbearers were David Martin, Kevin Martin, Thomas Martin, Phillip Johnson, Ray Woodruff and Tommy Woodruff. Honorary pallbearer was David Welch. Wise County Messenger, January 26, 2003 Anna Lavern Schmitz Brinlee 1933-2003 Graveside service for Anna Lavern Schmitz Brinlee, 69, of Newark was Monday, Jan. 20, at the Bettis Cemetery. Brinlee died Friday, Jan. 17, 2003, in Fort Worth. Born Oct. 1, 1933, in Dallas to John Henry Schmitz and Catherine Julindus Ruwaldt, she married R. Jean "Windy" Brinlee on June 1, 1950, in Irving. She worked in homecare and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband and a son, Ricky Gene Brinlee. She is survived by a son, Timothy Brinlee of Fort Worth; three daughters, Ronda Schwartzlow and husband Richard of Azle, Sherry Gaught and husband Lewis of Fort Worth and Arlene Berry and husband James of Newark; 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, January 23, 2003 Movelda Holt Maddox 1924-2003 Graveside service for Movelda Holt Maddox, 78, of Decatur was to be Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 10 a.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. Gene Chamness was to officiate. Maddox died Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003, in Decatur. Born July 29, 1924, in Decatur to Clyde and Ethel Holt, she married Ed Maddox, D.V.M., on Aug. 3, 1952, in Decatur. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Decatur. After retirement from the Texas Highway Department, she assisted her husband with his veterinary practice. She was preceded in death by a step-son, Edward P. Maddox and a brother, Clyde Holt Jr. She is survived by her husband; a son, John E. Vanetten and wife June of College Station; a daughter-in-law, Anita Maddox of Temple; a step-daughter, Celia Ann Parsons and husband Vernon of Temple; five grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, January 23, 2003 Barney H. Holgate 1913-2003 Graveside service for Barney H. Holgate, 89, of Bridgeport was Tuesday, Jan. 21, at Terry County Memorial Cemetery in Brownfield. Holgate died Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003, in Decatur. Born Feb. 16, 1913, in Gomez, he was retired from the Civil Service. He married Salomae Steen on March 25, 1939, in Lubbock and was a member of First Christian Church. He is survived by his wife; two sons, Forrest S. Holgate of Grand Junction, Colo. and Stanley H. Holgate of Fayetteville, N.C.; one daughter, Elizabeth Young of Decatur; one sister, Kathrin Hamilton of Brownfield; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Wise County Messenger, January 23, 2003 Judy Jean Yarbrough 1944-2003 Service for Judy Jean Yarbrough, 58, of Boyd was to be Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. at Aurora Baptist Church. The Rev. Jimmy Withers was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Aurora Cemetery. Yarbrough died Sunday, Jan. 19, 2003, in Decatur. Born Dec. 29, 1944, in Iraan, she was chief clerk for the Prec. 1 justice of the peace office. She married Woodrow Wilson Yarbrough June 1, 1973, in Fort Worth. She was a member of the Aurora Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband; one daughter, Kristy Totty of Oklahoma City; one brother, Dean Garland of Evant and a grandson, Reese Logan Totty. Pallbearers were to be Steve Petty, Coy Grimes, B.J. Adams, Loyd Ellingwood, Joe Pena and Jimmy Valesquez. Honorary pallbearers were to be Ryan Totty, J.D. Garland and Huskey Morrow. Wise County Messenger, January 23, 2003 January 27, 2003 FUNERALS - Service for Billie Pitts will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. Family visitation from 6 to 8 tonight at the funeral home. January 28, 2003 FUNERALS - Service for Bobbie Pitts will be at 2 p.m. today at Bible Baptist Church in Bridgeport with burial at Willow Point Cemetery. Hawkins Funeral Home is handling arrangements. SERVICE for Ray Stevenson, 87, formerly of Decatur and the brother of Betty Rhine of Decatur, will be Wednesday at the First Baptist Church in Irving at 2 p.m. January 30, 2003 FUNERALS - Service is pending at Coker Funeral Home for Mary Lois Watson, 76, of Decatur. January 31, 2003 GRAVESIDE service for Mary Loyce Lynn Watson, 76, of Decatur will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Pleasant Grove No. 1 Cemetery. Visitation will be tonight from 7 to 8 at Coker Funeral Home in Decatur.