Wise County Messenger Obituaries
2002
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The following obituaries are in alphabetical order by last name.
  (use the "searcher" on page https://www.wisecountytexas.info/ to find names, 
or Control+F to find names in the text below.)

Ramirez, Saundra Parsons
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

Randolph, Pearl M.
1921-2002
Service for Pearl M. Randolph, 80, of Rhome was Monday, March 11, at the Church of Christ in Newark. Bobby Boaldin officiated. Burial followed at Aurora Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Harry Crites, Donnie Crites, Mark Jenkins, Josh Crites, Kevin Roberson and Randy Randolph.
Randolph died Saturday, March 9, 2002, in Decatur.
She was born June 15, 1921, in Baton Rouge, La. to Joseph and Margaret Sanchez Salita. She was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Christ in Newark.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Randolph on March 21, 1999. She is survived by one son, Lee Randolph and wife Lisa; one grandson, Joshua Randolph; one granddaughter, Melanie Randolph; and three sisters, Grace Alcala, Dorothy Barber and Lena Gerald.

Rankin, Helen
1908-2002
Graveside service for Helen Rankin, 94, of Bridgeport was Friday, Nov. 22 at East Bridgeport Cemetery. Rev. Johnny Irish officiated.
Rankin died Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2002, in Bridgeport.
Born July 23, 1908, in Roby, Helen was a retired auditor for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. She was also a member of the Methodist Church.
She is survived by one son, Robert Goode and wife Sylvia; two grandchildren, Robert Goode Jr. and wife Vicki and Susan Monzingo and husband Marc; two great-grandchildren, Robert Goode III and Danny Goode and one brother, Dwight Lovett.
Wise County Messenger, Nov. 24, 2002

Rann, Cleo Reed
1911-2002
Graveside service for Cleo Reed Rann, 90, of Decatur was Sept. 20, 2002, at Oaklawn Cemetery. Rev. Jimmy Finley officiated.
Rann died Sept. 17, 2002 in Decatur.
Born Nov. 29, 1911, in Fort Worth, she married Paul B. Rann on Dec. 26, 1938 in Wise County. She received a bachelor’s degree in science and was an area teacher until retirement.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by three daughters, Paula Emmett of Granbury, Wanda Maltby of Cleburne and Linda Guinn of Burleson; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 22, 2002

Ransom, Richard Earl
1909-2002
Graveside service for Richard Earl Ransom, 93, of Rhome was to be Saturday, Sept. 21, 2002, at 3 p.m. at Aurora Cemetery in Aurora. Rev. Kenny Cates was to officiate.
Ransom died Thursday, Sept. 19, 2002, in Bridgeport.
Born May 20, 1909, in Decatur, Ransom married Iva May Drain on July 1, 1932, in Decatur. He was a truck driver for Transportation Delivery.
He was preceded in death by his wife, a daughter Tommie June Lemons and a granddaughter.
He is survived by a son, Charles R. Morris of Waxahachie; two daughters, Billie Ruth Ransom of Rhome and Gail Higgens of Combine; a brother, John A. Ransom of Decatur; six grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 22, 2002

Raper, Pattie Dean McDonough
1959-2002
Graveside service for Pattie Dean McDonough Raper, 43, of Aledo was to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Justin Cemetery in Justin with Berl Pedigo officiating.
Raper died Thursday, April 25, 2002, in a Fort Worth hospital.
She was born Feb. 18, 1959, in Justin to Raymond Patrick and Jessie Dean Kennemer McDonough. She graduated from Northwest High School and was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Fort Worth. She married Ronnie Raper Jan. 30, 1981, in Justin.
She is survived by her husband; her father, Pat McDonough of Justin; and a sister, Gayla Craig of Roanoke. She was preceded in death by her mother and a sister, Diana McDonough.
Wise County Messenger, April 28, 2002

Ratliff, Margie Marie
1928-2002
Service for Margie Marie Ratliff, 74, of Boyd will be Thursday, Jan. 17, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Boyd. Burial will follow at Boyd Cemetery.
Ratliff died Monday, Jan. 14, 2002, in Fort Worth.
Born Jan. 10, 1928, in Fort Cobb, Okla., she was a banker. She married Leonard D. Ratliff on Dec. 30, 1945, in Decatur. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Boyd. She went to work for what was then Continental State Bank in Boyd in the mid 1960s. She later worked for Boyd Bank, a branch of the First National Bank of Bridgeport. She was an active member of her church, serving on the building committee and helped for many years with the annual Lord’s Acre. She worked for many years to raise money and awareness for the American Heart Association and helped plan Wise County’s first American Heart Walk. She was a longtime supporter of the Wise County Youth Fair and represented her bank as a buyer in the annual Youth Fair auction. She was also involved in activities at Boyd schools, both with her children and grandchildren. She was instrumental in getting the Boyd Community Center constructed and helped raise funds for the All Wise Academic Team.
She is survived by her husband, Leonard of Boyd; two sons, Wayne and wife Karen Ratliff and Robert and wife Linda Ratliff, both of Boyd; a daughter, Judy Clement of Alvord; three brothers, J.C. and Billy Wayne Stone, both of Decatur and Don Stone of Rendon; three sisters, Mary Jo Lasater of Missouri, Betty Mae Sharp of Midland and Mona Jean Mitchum of Bridgeport and seven grandchildren, Kathy, Kristen, Laura, Katie, Derrick, Logan and Austin.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 17, 2002

Rattan, Thomas Oates
1928-2002
Graveside service for Thomas Oates Rattan, 73, of Decatur was Monday, Jan. 7 at Melissa Cemetery in Collin County.
Rattan died on Jan. 5, 2002 in Decatur.
Born on Jan. 21, 1928, in McKinney to T.E. and Laura Frances Rattan, he was a member of the First Christian Church. He farmed in Anna after graduating from Texas A&M University in 1948. He moved to Decatur in 1959 to work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and served one term as Wise County Commissioner. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge, a 32nd degree Shriner and a KCCH.
Rattan was preceded in death by a daughter, Victoria Sager. He is survived by his wife Karen Rattan of Decatur; a son, Andy Rattan; daughters, Mona Hurley and Rebecca Bishop; a sister, Tidge Howell and husband Bill of Cumming, Ga.; seven grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 10, 2002

Rawle, William Jehu
1918-2002
Service for William Jehu Rawle, 83, of Decatur was Friday, Aug. 9, at the First United Methodist Church in Bridgeport.
Rawle died Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Oct. 25, 1918, near Decatur to Charley and Lottie Rawle, he served in the Army-Air Force during World War II and was a retired carpenter and dairyman.
Rawle was preceded in death by his first wife, Doris and a brother, Cortez.
He is survived by his wife, Naomi; a son, Russell and wife Beth; a daughter, Kathy Rawle; a stepdaughter, Billie Schmidt and husband Johnell; a stepson, David Carlton; two grandchildren, Teresa Hartsell and husband Tom and Mike Rawle; two step-grandchildren, Rachel and Catherine Schmidt; three great grandsons, Casey Fain, Jacob Hartsell and Jeremy Rawle; three sisters, Maxine McDonald and husband Max, Bernice Hale and husband Joe and Wanda Rawle; a brother, Randle Rawle and wife Nancy; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Wise County Messenger, Aug. 11, 2002

Rawlings, U.R. ‘Red’
1920-2002
Service for Lt. Col. Udell R. “Red” Rawlings, USAF retired, 74, of Decatur was to be Saturday at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Decatur with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Dr. Rusty Hedges was to officiate at the funeral assisted by Dr. Thomas O. Brumett and Rev. Raymond Corrigan.
Rawlings died Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002, in Decatur.
Born March 7, 1920, in Floydada, he spent most of his school years in Fort Worth. He attended Decatur Baptist College and was a graduate of the University of Alabama.
Rawlings volunteered for the U. S. Army Air Corps in December 1941 and began pilot training. He graduated as a second lieutenant on Sept. 6, 1941, in Victoria. He and Bonnie Sue Cook of Decatur were married on the same day.
He served as a B-24 “Liberator” pilot in the European air offensive campaign in World War II where he flew numerous combat missions. In February 1945, while on a bombing mission in Austria, Rawlings’ aircraft received direct hits from enemy fire knocking out the hydraulic systems. He guided the aircraft to a landing without brakes or flaps, saving the lives of the crew. The incident earned him the U.S. Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross.
Rawlings was a career Air Force officer and was stationed in many countries around the world, which included serving in World War II and Vietnam.
He retired from the Air Force in July 1968 and returned to Decatur where he served as the judge of the Decatur Municipal Court, managed the Decatur School District tax office and later served as manager of the U. S. Life Title office in Decatur.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Decatur Lions Club.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Bonnie Rawlings; two daughters, Marilyn Dodson of Decatur and Suzanne Padgett of Azle; two grandchildren Dahlem Dodson and his fiancé Amy Bradley of Dallas and Lisa Dodson and her husband Douglas Diefendorf of Conroe; a sister, Mary Anna Jahns of Houston; four sisters-in-law, Martha Hickey of Crane, Norma Wiley and her husband Clint of Decatur; Joyce McNeill and her husband Jim of Richmond and Agnes Cook of Sealy; 11 nieces and five nephews.
Pallbearers were to be Mark and Bart Wiley, Gary Lindsey, Wayne Schneider, Nick Summitt, Rich Kahlich, Andy Anderson and Doug Diefendorf.
Wise County Messenger, Nov. 24, 2002

Read, Leon
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

Read, Maggie Viola
1908-2002
Service for Maggie Viola Read, 93, of Boyd was Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Steve Weeks officiated. Burial followed at Boyd Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Eddie Don Arrington, Bob Jackson, Kenneth Ray Williams, Jackie Bob Williams, Steve Garrett and Parker Garrett.
Read died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2002, in Bridgeport.
Born Nov. 1, 1908, in Grayson County, she was the valedictorian of her high school graduating class in Erick, Okla. She married Jack R. Read in 1928 in Erick. She was a 70-year resident of Boyd and had served as secretary/treasurer for 47 years at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church No. 2 where she was a member.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her daughter, Ara Fae Arrington; two sisters and three brothers.
She is survived by a son, Jackie L. Read and his wife Janice of Boyd; two daughters, Shirley Garrett and husband Clyde of Springtown and Tennee Williams and her husband George of Springtown; 10 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Wise County Messenger, Feb. 28, 2002

Read, W.D. ‘Pete’
1914-2002
Service for W.D. “Pete” Read, 88, of Paradise was to be Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 10 a.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel.
James Golaz and James Arrington were to officiate. Burial was to follow at Paradise Cemetery.
Read died Monday, Aug. 5, 2002, in Decatur.
Born June 10, 1914, in Wise County to Will and Lillie Mae Felkner Read, he married Christine Felkner on Aug. 19, 1939, in Decatur. She preceded him in death in 1993. He was retired from Acme Brick and was a member of the Family Worship Center Assembly of God.
He is survived by his wife, Carlene, his brother, George Read, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were William Golaz, Charlie Golaz, Harold Allison, Bill Simpson, Dan St. John and Sammie Erwin.
Wise County Messenger, Aug. 8, 2002

Reasoner, Leonard LeeRoy, Jr.
1942-2002
Funeral for Leonard LeeRoy Reasoner Jr., 60, of Bridgeport, a retired auto mechanic, will be Thursday, Sept. 5, at 11 a.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Bo Blakely will officiate. Burial will be at Chico Cemetery.
Reasoner died Aug. 31, 2002, in Denton.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Rachel Kay Reasoner; his father, Leonard Reasoner Sr. and his brother Tommy Glen Reasoner.
He is survived by his wife, Yvonne Kathleen Reasoner; mother, Latrell Hayes; daughters, Lisa Kuhlman, Patricia Reasoner, Valerie Reasoner and Jessie Reasoner; son, Leonard Steve Reasoner and his wife Denise; grandchildren, Kristen and Hanna Reasoner, Christopher Kuhlman, Sabrina and Rey-Ray Garza and Kaiden Passmore; and his brother, Dennis Reasoner.
Pallbearers will be Kenny Morrow, Jerry Morrow, Lance Morrow, Mike Williams, Jerry Haddox and David Reasoner. Honorary pallbearers are Gerald Roberts, Rodney Morrow and Dale Morrow.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 5, 2002

Reisch, George Edward
1957-2002
Service for George Edward Reisch, 44, of Bridgeport was Tuesday, April 16, at the East Bridgeport Cemetery with Rev. Larry McShan officiating.
Reisch died Wednesday, April 10, 2002, in a two-vehicle accident in Wise County.
He was born Sept. 23, 1957, in Blackwell, Okla. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and a Baptist.
He is survived by his parents, Warren and Luan Reisch; a son, Warren E. Reisch; a daughter, Kris Tina Reisch; and two sisters, Esther Bilby and Mary McKeever.
Pallbearers were Jeff Bilby, Nick Bilby, Kyle Bilby, Patrick McKeever, Josh Hankins and Tony McKeever.
Wise County Messenger, April 18, 2002

Rennels, Bailey
1906-2002
Memorial service for Bailey Rennels, 95, of Bryan, formerly of Centerville, was to be at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 29, at the First Baptist Church in Centerville. Graveside service was to be at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at East Bridgeport Cemetery in Bridgeport. The Rev. Larry Ashley was to officiate.
Rennels died Thursday, June 27, 2002, in Bryan.
Born Oct. 11, 1906, in Decatur to John L. and Minnie Lee Rennels, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a welfare social worker until his retirement. He was a member of Centerville Lodge #1291, A.F. & A.M. and was a Mason for more than 70 years. He was also a member of the First Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Eunice.
He is survived by a nephew, Fred Rennels and his wife JoAnne of Bryan; a great-nephew, Logan Rennels and his wife Landa of Bryan; a great-niece, Kay Jongsma and her husband Steve of Laguna Niguel, Calif.; and a step-great nephew John Powell and his wife Georgeane of Fort Worth.
Wise County Messenger, June 30, 2002

Reynolds, John N. ‘Curley’
1916-2002
Graveside service for John N. “Curley” Reynolds, 86, of Bridgeport was Tuesday, June 18, at Dawson Cemetery in Chico. Dr. Bill Higgins officiated.
The Fort Hood Honor Guard performed the flag presentation.
Reynolds died Saturday, June 15, 2002, in Bridgeport.
Born May 5, 1916, in Rosebud, he was a retired designer and builder of oilfield equipment for Wilson Oilfield Supply in Wichita Falls for 31 years. He served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church in Wichita Falls and was an instructor and Scout Master for Boy Scouts of America.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Jane; five brothers, Charlie Allen, William Edward, James Harold, Harvey Lee and Jeffrey Reynolds and three sisters, Ruth Dorene Brooks, Mary Jane Webb and Myrtal Vesterman.
He is survived by a son, Danny W. Reynolds; a brother, Alvie Reynolds; two grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Wise County Messenger, June 20, 2002

Reynolds, William M. ‘Bill’, Jr.
1942-2002
Service for William M. “Bill” Reynolds Jr., 59, of Boyd was to be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, at the First United Methodist Church in Boyd. The Revs. Steve Richardson and Larry Nicholson were to officiate. Burial was to follow at Keeter Cemetery.
Pallbearers were to be David Ruiz, Michael Rawlings, Gig Benton, Clay Benton, Tom Underwood, Danny Benton, Lamar Tilson and Mike Martin. Honorary pallbearers were to be Jay Erickson, Mike Wilson, Ron Miller, Konrad Gwaltney, Chon Guilez and Richard Guilez.
Reynolds died Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Dec. 26, 1942, in Alamogordo, N.M., he had been a Boyd resident for 25 years. He married Pattie Daehnke Reynolds on Jan. 24, 1970, in Bellwood, Ill. He worked for Allied Van Lines as safety manager. He was president of the Methodist Men’s Group and the voice of the Boyd Yellowjackets for 13 years until illness forced him to retire. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Boyd.
He was preceded in death by his uncle, Joe Gonzales.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Pattie Reynolds of Boyd; a son, Max Reynolds; two daughters, LaVonne Reynolds and Natalie Walls and husband Lee; three grandchildren, Brittany Walls, Lorin Walls and Kaitlyn Reynolds and numerous cousins.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 6, 2002

Richey, Curtis W.
1902-2002
Service for Curtis W. Richey, 99, of Crafton was Sunday, June 30 at First Baptist Church of Chico with the Revs. Joe Motsenbocker and Ken Hedstrom officiating. Burial was in the Chico Cemetery.
He died Friday, June 28, 2002, in Crafton.
Richey was born October 1, 1902, in Jack County, the son of John and Pearl (Smith) Richey. He was a retired oil field pumper and farmer and a member of the First Baptist Church in Chico. He was a lifetime resident of Wise County. He married Leota Martin on October 1, 1932, in Bridgeport. She died Jan. 27, 1998.
He was preceded in death by his wife; parents and seven brothers.
Richey is survived by three sons, Norman Richey and his wife Kay, Gary Richey and his wife Bobbye and Johnny Richey; eight grandchildren, Kelly, Sandee, Gary, Kim, Kassi, Zane, Diane and Benjamin; 10 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Ruby Collie.
Pallbearers were Thomas Dean Richey, James Richey, Kenneth Richey, Tommy Collie, Gene Lowrance, Johnny Lowrance, Bobby Richey and Donald Maddux.
Wise County Messenger, July 4, 2002

Rickman, Ceola Cauthen
1928-2002
Graveside service for Ceola Cauthen Rickman, 73, of Boyd was Monday, Feb. 11, at New Hope Cemetery. Randall Easter officiated.
Pallbearers were Weldon Cauthen, Jr., Wendell Cauthen, David Rickman, Winford Cash, Darrell Cash and Audie Westmoreland.
Rickman died Friday, Feb. 8, 2002, in Dallas.
Born July 9, 1928, in Platter, Okla., she was a retired secretary for Vaught Aircraft and a member of the First Baptist Church in Briar.
She was preceded in death by her husband James in 1994 and her sister, Marquita Wells.
She is survived by a brother, Weldon Cauthen and wife Mildred of Decatur; several nieces and nephews.
Wise County Messenger, Feb. 14, 2002

Riddle, Timothy Eugene
1957-2002
Service for Timothy Eugene Riddle, 45, of Crane was Dec. 18 at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Crane . Rev. Mike Evans officiated and burial followed in the Crane county cemetery.
Riddle was the brother-in-law of Pamela Adams of Alvord.
Riddle died Monday, Dec. 16, 2002, in Crane.
Born Oct. 8, 1957, in McCamey, he was a longtime resident of Crane. He married Jackie McCormick on Jan. 26, 1979, in Longview. He was an electrician for Apache Corp. and a member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Jackie Riddle of Crane; two daughters, Amy Griffin and husband Will of Odessa and Amber Riddle of Crane; parents, Kennith and Ann Riddle of Mineola; two brothers, Larry Riddle and wife Monica of Abilene and Kennith Wayne Riddle of Odessa; one sister, Cindy Blackburn and husband Lee of Crane and father and mother-in-law, John and Patti McCormick of Crane, and three grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Gilbert Sena, Eddie Henry, Alan Martinez, Mark Strickland, Brent McGuire and Tony Jones.
Wise County Messenger, Dec. 22, 2002

Rieves, Allen Cliff
1930-2002
Service for Allen Cliff Rieves, 71, of Weatherford and a Decatur businessman, was Thursday, Feb. 28 at Aledo United Methodist Church. Bob Briles officiated. Burial followed at Bethesda Community Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Jeff Garrett, Tony Simmons, Charlie Simmons, Chris Simmons, Stephen Simmons and Langston Layne.
Rieves died Monday, Feb. 25, 2002, in Weatherford.
Born Nov. 25, 1930, in Ennis, he graduated from Milford as a valedictorian of his class. He started to work in the automobile industry for Wyndham Chevrolet in Italy. He was the manager of a Western Auto Store in Haskell for 10 years. In 1967, he moved to Dallas. He was a business manager for McDavid’s in Fort Worth for 23 years. In 1996, he and his wife Brenda bought two H & R Block Franchises, one in Decatur and one in Mineral Wells.
He was an active member of the Aledo United Methodist Church and taught Sunday school classes. He was a member of Lake Weatherford Community Association.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Nancy and brothers, Lynn and Jack Rieves.
He is survived by his wife Brenda; son, Richard Rieves of Hamburg, Germany; daughter Kathy Hoerle and husband Keith of North Richland Hills; grandson, Shawn of Spring; and granddaughters, Christina and Stacey of North Richland Hills.
Wise County Messenger, March 3, 2002

Rios, Ramiro
1958-2002
Service for Ramiro Rios, 44, of Bridgeport was to be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 10, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Bridgeport. Father John Robert Skelton was to officiate.
Rios was born May 13, 1958, in Mexico. He was a heavy equipment operator for more than 25 years with the TXI plant in Bridgeport and was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Bridgeport. He married Maria Lopez on Dec. 31, 1981, in Denton.
He was preceded in death by his father, Sabas Rios.
He is survived by his wife, Maria A. Rios; mother, Maria Rios; a daughter Erika Rios; two brothers, Romeo Rios and his wife Adelfa and Rolando Rios and his wife Leticia; a sister, Diana Guerra and her husband Jaime; and nine nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were to be Jorge Lopez, Ronnie Edwards, Martin Casillas, Junior Davidson, Miguel Varela and Rocky Loper.
Wise County Messenger, July 9, 2002

Roberts, Gerald
1939-2002
Graveside service for Gerald Roberts, 63, of Bridgeport was Monday, Oct. 14 at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Roberts died Friday, Oct. 11, 2002, in Bridgeport.
Born Jan. 15, 1939, in Decatur, he was an automotive mechanic. He was a member of the National Guard for eight years and taught handicapped Boy Scouts.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Sammy Dale Roberts.
He is survived by a daughter, Donna Michele Douglas and husband Charles of White Settlement; a brother, Donald Wade Roberts of Bridgeport; three sisters, Ollie Lucille Smith of Decatur, Laverne (Bones) Whitsitt of Bridgeport and Janice Phillips of Bridgeport and three grandchildren, Justin, Paul and Shay of White Settlement.
Pallbearers were Sam Adams, James Hale, Jerald Foreman, Jerry Haddox, Paul Alford and Justin McAtee. Honorary pallbearer was John Stephen.
Wise County Messenger, Oct. 17, 2002

Roberts, Martha O.
1937-2002
Martha O. Roberts, 64, of Poolville died Saturday, Aug. 17, 2002, in Poolville. No service is planned.
Roberts was born Oct. 18, 1937, in Koblenz, Germany. She was a retired rural mail carrier for Springtown Post Office and had lived in the Poolville community for 39 years. She married Charles G. Roberts on Nov. 18, 1964, in Mannheim, Germany.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Robin Michelle Gabriella Roberts.
She is survived by her husband, Roby Roberts of Poolville; two daughters, Johanna Long and husband Joe of Stephenville and Marieanna Fitzgerald and husband Tommy of Bridgeport; two sons, Paul Roberts and wife Tina of Georgia and Daniel Roberts and wife Cheryl of Poolville and 15 grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Aug. 22, 2002

Rodriquez, Maria Del Carmen
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

Rohus, Paul Granson
1919-2002
Service is pending for Paul Granson Rohus, 82, of Bridgeport.
Rohus died Saturday, Jan. 5, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Sept. 10, 1919, in Hedley, he had resided in the Bridgeport area the past 18 years. He was a retired auto body repairman and a U.S. Navy veteran who served in World War II. He married Derestine Hipp in 1946.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Derestine Rohus of Bridgeport; four daughters, Paula Rohus of Fort Worth, Debbie Strittmatter of Jacksboro, Judy Rohus and Joann Rohus; a sister, Kitty Chappelle of Whitney; a grandson, Derek Pryor of Antelope; a great-grandson, Bogie Pryor of Antelope and several nieces and nephews.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 10, 2002

Rose, James Clement
1920-2002
Service for James Clement Rose, 81, of Bridgeport was to be Saturday, Jan. 12, at 4:30 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Revs. Joe Motsenbocker and Bruce Anderson were to officiate. A graveside service will be held Sunday, Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. at Dilley Cemetery.
Pallbearers were to be Bill Gholson, Carlos Pitts, Marvin Parker, Ken Whitt, Bob Spence and Tommy Spencer.
Rose died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2002, in Dallas.
Born Sept. 1, 1920, in Dime Box, he was a retired U.S. Air Force major. He married Wanda Poe on Sept. 1, 1971, in Abilene. He belonged to the AARP, was a lifetime member of the American Legion and DAV. He was also a member of the Hosanna Baptist Church.
Rose was preceded in death by a son, Ted Rose.
He is survived by his wife, Wanda Rose; five sons, Tawn Allen Rose, Jim Rose, Charley Rose, Jimmy Wayne Kelso and Larry Don Kelso; two daughters, Beth Wills and Diane Rose; two brothers, Art Rose and Conrad Rose; two sisters, Evelyn Rose Carugno and Hansel Mills; 15 grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 13, 2002

Roselle, Nettie Mae
1905-2002
Nettie Mae Roselle, 96, died Sunday, Feb. 24, in Decatur. She had been a resident of Sunny Hills Nursing Center since 1990.
Longtime friend Roy Eaton spoke at her service at Coker Funeral Home in Decatur on Tuesday.
Burial was at Oaklawn Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers were employees of Sunny Hills and the Wise County Messenger.
Roselle was born March 8, 1905 at Leon, Oklahoma Territory, the daughter of William G. and Mattie Pearl Ward Price.
After graduation from Helena (Okla.) High School in 1924, she taught three years in one-room schoolhouses and attended summer college classes.
She married William Bell Roselle on June 26, 1932 at Durant, Okla. They both worked for Singer Sewing Machine Co.
After living in several midwestern cities and in Los Angeles, they settled in Fort Worth in 1941. They operated a collection agency for doctors and dentists for 30 years.
In 1972, they moved to Decatur with their son, Kenneth, when he became Messenger editor. For three years, they helped distribute the newspaper.
Her husband died Feb. 22, 1978 at age 95. Her step-daughter, Iva Jackson of Houston, died in 1958, and her step-son, Bluford Roselle of Kansas, died in 1997.
Other survivors include her daughter-in-law, Lynnda; step-grandsons and several nieces and nephews.
Contributions in her memory may be made to Wise Regional Health System or to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston TX 77030.
Although she died of congestive heart failure, she appreciated the research at M.D. Anderson, which benefitted family members.
Wise County Messenger, Feb. 28, 2002

Rosenburg, Bernice
1917-2002
Service for Bernice Rosenburg, 85, of Decatur was to be Saturday, Nov. 9 at 10:30 a.m. at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Decatur. Rev. Tim Wertz was to officiate, assisted by Don Spain and Lee Roy Jackson. Burial was to follow at Bethel Cemetery in Wise County.
Rosenburg died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002, in Decatur.
Born June 21, 1917, in the Corinth community in Wise County to B.W. Boydston and Annie Boydston Cross, she married Thomas W. Rosenburg Nov. 11, 1933, in Decatur. She was a member of Eagle Drive Baptist Church in Decatur. She and her husband were the original owners of Whispering Wheels Roller Rink in Decatur from 1959 to 1980.
She was preceded in death by her husband Thomas Rosenburg; her brother, Leonard Boydston and two sisters, Eva Cross and Anna Bess Boydston.
She is survived by two daughters, Peggy Burton of Decatur and Annette Riley and husband Charles of Decatur; two sisters, Maxie Jackson of Mesquite and Johnnie Drennan of Fort Worth; six grandchildren, Connie Brawley, Carole Sandford, Carrie Burton and Candie Burton of Decatur, Soretha Riley of Michigan and Monica Slimp of Alabama; seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Pallbearers were to be Cecil Cross, Ronny Jackson, David Meador, Terry Drennan, Virgil Lloyd Jr., James Davis, Weldon Cauthen Jr. and Wendell Cauthen.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 15, 2002

Ross, Adelle Rice
1915-2002
Service for Adelle Rice Ross, 86, of Wichita Falls and the sister of Martin Rice of Boyd, was Tuesday in Wichita Falls. The Rev. Larry Brownfield officiated. Burial was in Crestview Memorial Park.
Ross died Saturday, March 23, 2002 in Oklahoma City.
She was born Sept. 14, 1915, in the Lake Valley community near Sunset. She married Noah Brazos Ross Oct. 4, 1942, in Lawton, Okla. She was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Wichita Falls. She was preceded in death by her husband and two brothers.
She is survived by two sons, Kenneth R. Ross and wife Pam of Oklahoma City, and Robert Jerry Ross of Wichita Falls; a sister, Melissa Arby Lowe of Electra; a brother, Martin Rice and his wife Nora of Boyd; and two grandchildren, Lindsey Ross Harris and husband Ryan of Fairfax, Va., and Channing Ross of Norman, Okla.
Wise County Messenger, March 28, 2002

Royse, Afton G.
1985-2002
Service for Afton G. Royse, 17, of Paradise will be Monday, Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Decatur. Rev. George Dyer will officiate, assisted by Rev. Joe Motsenbocker. Burial will follow at Paradise Cemetery. Visitation was to be Sunday, Dec. 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home.
Royse died Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002, in Fort Worth.
Born Nov. 24, 1985, in Fort Worth, she was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church in Paradise.
She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Joyce Geneva Watkins; her mother, Kim Hughes and her brother, Shiloh Buck Hughes.
She is survived by her husband, Clint Royse of Paradise; one son, Jagr Blaze Royse of Paradise; father, Randy Hughes of Paradise and grandparents, Willie Watkins of Paradise and Anita Hughes of Justin.
Pallbearers will be her cousins Brody Gentry, Nick Ritchey, Chad Largent, Jacoby Gentry, Bubba Ritchey and Caleb Watkins.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Watkins and Hughes Family Fund, Account No. 0330115005, c/o First American Bank Bridgeport, P.O. Box 428, Bridgeport, Texas, 76426.
Wise County Messenger, Dec. 22, 2002

Rucker, Annie Irene
1912-2002
Graveside service for Annie Irene Rucker, 90, of Rhome was held Sept. 10 at Aurora Cemetery. Rev. Roy Deaver officiated.
Rucker died Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002 in Decatur.
Born April 7, 1912, in Mount Hope, Ala., to Thomas Clark and Zonnie Herd McCrary, she was a member of the Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Marshall Dee Rucker, two sisters and five brothers.
She is survived by her daughter, JoAnn Wilson and her husband Billy Wayne of Rhome and two granddaughters, Denise Lynn Wilson of Dallas and Lisa Ann Wilson of Rhome.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 12, 2002

Russell, Robert Auford, 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

Sakellaridis, Ruth Ann
1943-2002
Service for Ruth Ann Sakellaridis, 58, of Newark was to be Wednesday, April 17, at 10 a.m. at the Newark Church of Christ. Bobby Boaldin was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Aurora Cemetery.
Sakellaridis died Saturday, April 13, 2002, in Newark.
Born April 16, 1943, in Decatur, she was a homemaker. She married Alexander P. Sakellaridis in Rhome on March 25, 1961. She was a member of the Newark Church of Christ.
She is survived by her husband, Alexander P. Sakellaridis of Newark; her mother, Esther Roper of Rhome; a son, Travis Sakellaridis of Brazoria; a brother, Marshall Roper of Chico; a sister, Adeline Wayland of Georgia and one grandchild.
Pallbearers were to be Alex Sakellaridis, Travis Sakellaridis, Shannon Byrd, Leon Moss and G.L. Thomas.
Wise County Messenger, April 18, 2002

Scarborough, G.B. ‘Ben’
1925-2002
Service for G.B. “Ben” Scarborough, 77, of Houston was Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Earthman Funeral Home. Dr. Gary H. Ferbet, associate pastor at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, officiated. Burial followed at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.
Scarborough was the husband of former Runaway Bay resident Lou Scarborough.
He died Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002, in Houston.
Born March 9, 1925, in Palestine, he graduated from Rice University with a major in mechanical engineering.
He worked domestically and internationally for Gulf Oil Corporation for 37 years and retired in 1983.
He was a member of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Gazette; two brothers, Frank Jr. and Bob Scarborough; his first wife, Mary Alice Alleman and a stepson, Bill Johnston.
He is survived by his wife Lou; two daughters, Susie Scarborough and Lucy Harrington and her husband Lonnie; a son, Ben Jr. and wife Karen; a brother-in-law, A.E. Gazette; a mother-in-law, Bess Johnson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gerald and Paulann Alleman; five grandchildren, Todd and Katie Harrington and Ryan, Seth and Anna Scarborough and several nieces and nephews.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 19, 2002

Scherb, Hollis ‘Bud’
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

Schertz, Lee Omadell
1920-2002
Service for Lee Omadell Schertz, 82, of Slidell was Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the First Baptist Church in Slidell. Rev. David Bradshaw and Rev. Eric Spano officiated. Burial followed at Slidell Cemetery.
Schertz died Saturday, Dec. 7, 2002, in Lewisville.
Born April 14, 1920, in Decatur, to Rueben and Stella (Goesman) Kelley, she was a homemaker. She married Johnnie A. Schertz in Marietta, Okla., April 5, 1941. She helped her husband farm in Slidell, and she was also a member of the Slidell Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1992; a son, James Schertz, in 2000; a daughter, Kathoma Bounds, in 1997; two brothers and two sisters.
She is survived by two daughters, Ann Schertz and Ginger Boone, both of Slidell; a daughter-in-law, Mae Schertz of Slidell; a son-in-law, Ed Bounds of Denton; a sister, Stella Kelly of Rockwall; two granddaughters, D’Lynn Schertz of Rockwall and Lisa Durham of Denton; four grandsons, Danny and wife Laurie Schertz, David and wife Dawn Schertz and Bradley Boone, all of Slidell and Brandon and wife Lindsey Boone of Gainsville; one great-granddaughter, Denae Schertz of Slidell and five great-grandsons, Trey, Rance, Colby and Caleb Schertz of Slidell and Brent Boone of Gainsville.
Pallbearers were Danny Schertz, David Schertz, Trey Schertz, Rance Schertz, Bradley Boone and Brandon Boone. Honorary pallbearers were Edwin Pruett, Bert Pruett, Archie Kelly, James Sitz, Kerry Lee Schertz and Bret Turnbow.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Lupus Foundation of America Inc., P.O. Box 810310, Dallas, Texas, 75381-0310 or the charity of your choice.
Wise County Messenger, Dec. 12, 2002

Schieme, Herbert Gustave
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

Schluter, Eva Dee
1914-2002
Service for Eva Dee Moore Schluter, 87, of Justin was held Tuesday at the Justin Church of Christ with Kenton Harvey and Don Boyd officiating. Burial was in the Justin Cemetery.
Schluter died Sunday, March 31, 2002, in Decatur.
She was born April 9, 1914, in Lewisville, to Guy and Lela Moore. She married Hans Schluter Nov. 12, 1932. He died Jan. 31, 2000.
She is survived by one son, Edwin Schluter and his wife Betty of Rhome; three brothers, Herman Moore of Tucson, Ariz., Garland Moore of Denton and Homer Moore of Saginaw; a sister, Billie Fuqua of Justin; two grandsons, Dan Schluter and his wife Carol of Justin and Alan Schluter and his wife Kristy of Ponder; and two great-grandsons, Alexander Schluter of Justin and Tye Schluter of Ponder.
Wise County Messenger, April 4, 2002

Schluter, Jimmie Carol
1939-2002
Service for Jimmie Carol Schluter, 63, of Haslet, was to be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 1, at Haslet Methodist Church in Haslet with the Rev. Keith Murray officiating. Burial was to be in Fairview Cemetery.
Schluter died Tuesday, May 28, 2002, in Haslet.
She was born March 24, 1939, in McCamey. She was a homemaker, farmer and retired retail salesperson for J.C. Penney. Schluter graduated from Tarrant County Junior College with an associates degree and was married to the late Carl Edward Schluter. She was a member of the Haslet United Methodist Church and lifelong member of the Eastern Star. She was preceded in death by her stepfather, Jessie Clark.
She is survived by her mother, Bethel Mae Jones of Desdemona; four sons, David Brown of Bridgeport, Lowell Brown of Fort Worth, Dee Brown of Rhome and Ricky Jones of Rhome; two step-sons, James Schluter of Azle and Mark Schluter of Rhome; two step-daughters, Gretchen Brown and Heidi Draper of Rhome; two brothers, Jerry Roe of Brownwood and John Roe of Stephenville; a sister, Donna Ford of Euless; 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Pallbearers were to be Steve Holley, Donald Stutsmon, Mark Schluter, Mike Ford, David Ray and Lee Green.
Wise County Messenger, June 2, 2002

Scott, Chris
1980-2002
A graveside service for Chris Scott, 22, of Runaway Bay was to be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 at Eternal Oaks Cemetery in Runaway Bay. Rev. Melvin Clay was to officiate.
Scott died Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002, in Fort Worth.
He was a 1999 graduate of Slidell High School, a student at Collin County Community College and a member of Wizard Well Baptist Church.
He is survived by his parents, Richard and Robbie Lawrenz; two sisters, Kelly Scott and Christie Lawrenz; a brother, Russell Lawrenz; his grandparents, Donald and Bette McMullen and Russell and Patty Lawrenz; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, his family requests memorials be made to the 1999 Slidell Class Reunion Fund, Attn: Marsha Davidson, P.O. Box 69, Slidell, Texas, 7626.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 15, 2002

Scott, Elizabeth
1931-2002
Service for Elizabeth Scott, 71, of Decatur was Friday, Oct. 11 at the First Baptist Church of Decatur. Rev. Ken May officiated. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Scott died Monday, Oct. 7, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Feb. 7, 1931, in Amarillo, she married E.F. Scott May 16, 1948, in Decatur. She was a homemaker and a member of the American Cancer Society, First Baptist Church choir and Junior Woman’s Club. She also served as leader for the boy and girl scouts in Decatur.
She was preceded in death by a son, Patrick Scott. She is survived by her husband, E.F. Scott; a son, Mike Scott of Westcliff; a daughter, Sherrie Schroder of Wichita Falls; a brother, John Curren New Jr. of Ruidoso, N.M.; and four grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Patrick Scott Scholarship Fund at Wells Fargo Texas; MAC T 5582-011; 306 W. Main St.; Decatur, Texas, 76234.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 15, 2002

Scott, Jettie Irene
1902-2001
Service for Jettie Irene Scott, 99, of Buhler, Kan. was Monday, Dec. 31, at Central Baptist Church in Owasso, Okla. The Rev. Bob Atwood officiated. Entombment followed at Floral Haven Mausoleum in Broken Arrow, Okla. She was the mother of Ellas Jane Dizier of Decatur.
Scott died Friday, Dec. 28, 2001, in Hutchinson, Kan.
Born Sept. 28, 1902, in Uniontown, Ark. to James McClain and Rhoda Jane (Thompson) Wood, she was the first graduate at Roland High School. She continued her education at Northeastern State University at Tahlequah, Okla., where she earned her bachelor of science degree. She married Rosser A. Scott June 4, 1927, in Tahlequah. She spent most of her working life as a schoolteacher at many schools in southeastern Oklahoma, including Broken Arrow. She was a member of the Central Baptist Church in Owasso and had been involved in many activities at the Baptist Retirement Center.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rosser A. Scott in October of 1989; her son, Rosser Paul Scott in January of 1994; three brothers and four sisters.
She is survived by two daughters, Dorothy Ann Gregory of Buhler, Kan. and Ella Jane Dozier of Decatur; 14 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson and a daughter-in-law, Juanita Scott of Seminole, Okla.
Pallbearers were Jonathan Gregory, David Gregory, Dana Scott, John Bailey Scott, Sam Sasser and Steve Sasser. Honorary pallbearers were Mark Gregory, Timothy Gregory, Rossie Scott and Tom Scott.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to a charity of choice.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 10, 2002

Scott, Valerie Tate
1951-2002
A memorial service for Valerie Tate Scott, 50, of Bridgeport will be Saturday, Jan. 19, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport. The Rev. Johnny Irish will officiate.
Scott died on Jan. 9, 2002, in Bridgeport.
Born Oct. 4, 1951, in Walla Walla, Wash., she was a homemaker.
She is survived by her husband, Jimmy Scott of Bridgeport; three sons, Zachary Erwin Scott of Bridgeport, and Adam and Matthew Tate of Sumner, Wash.; daughters, April Evers and Tammy Snyder of Tacoma, Wash.; a brother, Guy Peelle of Washington; a sister, Gail Bingham of Washington and grandchildren, Eli Evers and Quinton Snyder.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 17, 2002

Scribner, Beverly Ann
1950-2002
Graveside service for Beverly Ann Scribner, 52, of Rhome was to be Wednesday, April 17, at 3 p.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Scribner died Saturday, April 13, 2002, in Rhome.
Born Jan. 2, 1950, in Arkansas, she was a homemaker. She married Lesley Scribner on June 1, 1968, in Grand Prairie.
She is survived by her husband of Rhome; two daughters, Alice Musial of Grand Prairie and Sandra Rief of Royce City; a brother, Ricky Briscoe of Fort Worth; a sister, Jackie Pickney of Horseshoe Bend and five grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, April 18, 2002

Seals, James Clifford
1978-2002
Service for James Clifford Seals, 23, of Bridgeport was Friday, March 8, at the First United Methodist Church in Bridgeport. The Rev. Johnny Irish and Dr. Michael Parsons officiated. Burial followed at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Ken Kilpatrick, Butch Laxson, Keith McComis, Mike McComis, Scott Podhaisky, Louis Zarantello, Travis Moore and Joe Thompson.
Seals died Monday, March 4, 2002, in Fort Worth.
Born Dec. 31, 1978, in Hurst, he was a 1998 Bridgeport High School graduate. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Bridgeport and was a self-employed machinist contractor.
He is survived by his mother, Margaret Splawn and husband Clifford of Bridgeport; his father, Jim Seals and wife Vicki of Runaway Bay; his brother, Jason Seals and wife April; his sister, Lisa Podhaisky and husband Scott; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Wise County Messenger, March 10, 2002

Seelye, Dustin Wayne
1996-2002
Service for Dustin Wayne Seelye, 6, of Bridgeport was to be Wednesday, July 3, at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Chico.
The Rev. Jason Ewing was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Chico Cemetery.
Pallbearers were to be Karl Beal, Richard Beal, Mike Beal, Tony Randall, Ronny Seelye and Marty Yeager.
Seelye died Sunday, June 30, 2002, in Bridgeport from a brain tumor.
Born June 30, 1996, in Arlington, his hobbies included playing Nintendo and watching Pokemon.
He is survived by his parents, Roy and Rena Seelye of Bridgeport; a brother, Cody; grandparents, Charline Hazelrigg of Fort Worth and Bob and Vernice Seelye of Chico; two great-grandmothers, Ozella Seelye of Chico and Waneeta Willison of Kempner; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Make-A Wish Foundation of North Texas or the Children’s Miracle Network.
Wise County Messenger, July 4, 2002

Shackelford, Roy H.
1927-2002
Service for Roy H. Shackelford, 75, of Decatur was to be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. Mike Riley was to officiate, and burial was to follow at Paradise Cemetery.
Shackelford died Thursday, Oct. 31, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Oct. 9, 1927, in Henrietta to Curtis and Sudie (Cullers) Shackelford, he served in the U.S. Navy. He married Doris Williams June 26, 1948, in Nocona. He retired from General Dynamics and Bell Helicopter. Shackelford was a member of the Paradise school board from 1969 to 1977 and was a Master Mason and a member of the Southside Lodge No. 1114. He was a Baptist.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Doris Shackelford of Decatur; a daughter, Sharon Sloan and husband Ron of Perrin/Whitt; two sons, Larry Shackelford of Decatur and Mary Shackelford and wife Gina of Poolville; three grandchildren, Jake Randy and Curtis; a brother, Don Shackelford and wife Gayle of Jacksboro and a sister, Joyce Ann Breeze and husband Leon of Wichita Falls.
Pallbearers were to be Larry Shackelford, Mark Shackelford, Ron Sloan, Tommy Sloan, Fritz Schanz and Mark Johnson.
A final rendition of military honors for Shackelford was provided by the Wise County Veterans Group Honor Guard.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 15, 2002

Sheffield, Lou Lenore
1913-2002
Memorial service for Lou Lenore Sheffield, 89, of San Antonio, was Tuesday, Aug. 13 at Sunset Funeral Home in San Antonio with a private burial at Sunset Memorial Park. Sheffield was the mother of William Robert Sandford Jr. of Decatur.
Sheffield died Saturday, Aug. 10, 2002, in San Antonio.
She was born May 31, 1913, in Oklahoma City. She was a longtime resident of San Antonio and was an active club woman. She was a member of the Woman’s Club of San Antonio, Pan American Round Table, San Antonio Symphony League, Zoological Society, Gardenia and Musical Club, Art League, Conservation Society, Museum Association, Opera Guild Friendship Round Table, Delphian Round Table, The “K” Supper Club, Bright Shawl, Blue Bird Auxiliary to the Southwest Methodist Hospital, Tuesday Musical Club, Agarita Garden Club, Majestic Club, St. Anthony Club and the Petroleum Club.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Roscoe and Ida McCartney and husbands, William Robert Sandford Sr., Morton K. Morris and Col. James Russell Sheffield.
Survivors include her son, William Robert Sandford Jr. and wife Sally Ann of Decatur; three step-children, James Russell Sheffield Jr. of Florida, Robert W. Sheffield of Seguin, Mary V. Meis and husband Col. Michael Meis of Honolulu; four grandchildren, Robert Blake Sandford and wife Carole, Stacey Ann Sandford, Susan Gay Parks and husband Todd and William Andrew Sandford, all of Decatur and Ryan, Sean and Brendan Meis, all of Honolulu; and 10 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, South Central Texas Chapter.
Wise County Messenger, Aug. 15, 2002

Shelnutt, C.A.
1924-2002
Service for C.A. Shelnutt, 78, of Vernon were to be held Saturday, Nov. 9 at 3 p.m. at First Assembly of God Church in Vernon. Rev. Philip Weitner was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Wilbarger Memorial Park in Vernon.
He was the father of Judy Bingham of Decatur.
Shelnutt died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002, in Vernon.
Born June 19, 1924, in Clyde to Homer Lee and Burtie Cook Shelnutt, he married Dixie Lee Manar Aug. 2, 1942, in Quanah. He later married Cynthia McDonald Dec. 20, 1997, in Vernon. He was a graduate of Denton Valley High School in Callahan County. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Vernon.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dixie Lee Manar Shelnutt on May 5, 1985.
He is survived by his wife Cynthia Shelnutt of Vernon; two daughters, Margaret Ann Cook of Little Rock, Ark., and Judy Gail Bingham of Decatur; four brothers, Winfred Shelnutt, Marvin Shelnutt and Hershel Shelnutt, all of Electra and Glyn Shelnutt of Oklahoma City; four sisters, Thelma Hatley of Vernon, Lenora Shelnutt of Wichita Falls, Vivian Henderson of Lawton, Okla., and Alpheus Boston of Electra; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 15, 2002

Sherman, J.T.
1911-2002
Graveside service for J.T. Sherman, 90, a resident of Henderson and formerly of Decatur, will be Monday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. at Bethel Cemetery in Decatur. The Rev. David Britt will officiate.
Sherman died Thursday, Feb. 21, 2002, in Henderson.
Born Nov. 16, 1917, in Stony Ridge, he was a carpenter. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Decatur.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Sherman.
He is survived by his daughter, Virginia Hearne and husband D.M. of Henderson; his brother Raymond Sherman and wife Christine of Slidell; his brother-in-law, Vernon Askey of Decatur; his sisters-in-law, Rachel Jobe of Palestine and Myrtle Sherman of Decatur; two grandsons, Ricky Hearne and wife Michelle of Palo Pinto and Rusty Hearne and wife Marla of Fort Worth; nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Wise County Messenger, Feb. 24, 2002

Shurbet, Jewell Edgar
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

Sides, John Austin
1914-2002
Service for John Austin Sides, 88, of Runaway Bay will be Sunday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Bridgeport. Rev. Charles Holland and Rev. Johnny Irish will officiate. Burial will follow at Eternal Oaks Cemetery in Runaway Bay.
Sides died Thursday, Nov. 7, 2002, in Decatur.
Born July 10, 1914, in Rockdale, he had lived in Runaway Bay since 1975. He was a retired manager for General Motors and a former city councilman and mayor protem of Runaway Bay. He was a Shriner and a 32nd degree Mason at the Hella Temple in San Angelo. He was also a member of the Runaway Bay Community Church. He married Lovdia Thompson on Aug. 24, 1936.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ralph and Jack.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Ron Sides and wife Martha of Krum and Ken Sides and wife Linda of Bridgeport; a daughter, Tanya Palmer and husband Gary of McKinney; a brother, Melvin Sides and wife June of Chico; two sisters, Earlene Higginbotham and Barbara Bynum and husband John; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Austin Sides, Ryan Sides, Brian Sides, Jackie Sides, Wil Merchant, Dale Sides and Ralph Sides.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 15, 2002

Simmons, Comilla Mearle
1923-2002
Service for Comilla Mearle Simmons, 79, of Decatur was Monday, April 15, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. Floyd Atkinson officiated. Burial was in Oaklawn Cemetery.
Simmons died Friday, April 12, 2002, in North Richland Hills.
Born Jan. 1, 1923, in Carlsbad, N.M., she was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church in Decatur.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Comilla Kelley.
She is survived by a son, Wes Simmons of Hurst; a brother, Chester Beaver of San Angelo; a sister, Wanda Puryear of Fort Worth and four grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, April 18, 2002

Simmons, Emma Jean
1907-2002
Service for Emma Jean Simmons, 95, of Rhome was Tuesday, Nov. 26 at the Aurora Baptist Church. Burial followed in Aurora Cemetery.
Simmons died Saturday, Nov. 23, 2002, in Henrietta, Okla.
Born April 23, 1907, in Wise County to Tom and Ella Brown, she was the second oldest of seven girls. She graduated from Rhome High School and from business college in Wichita Falls. On Oct. 23, 1927, she married Martin E. Simmons. She worked for The Fair and J.C. Penney. Simmons was a member of the First Baptist Church in Rhome for 50 years and the First Baptist Church in Hurst, and she was a charter member of the Wise County Art Association.
She was preceded in death by her husband and her sisters, Edna Mills, Cassy Slimp, Melvina Lewis, Mildred Powell, Tommy Lee Jennings and Alberta Ward.
Survivors include three daughters, Imogene Mecaskey and husband Charles of Bedford, Virginia Read and husband Jack of Granbury and Emily Jane Hubbell and husband Bobby of Beggs, Okla.; one son, Martin Simmons of Phoenix, Ariz; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Nov. 28, 2002

Simmons, Matthew Shawn
2002
Graveside service for Matthew Shawn Simmons, the infant child of Shawn and Melissa Simmons of Alvord, will be Monday, Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. Bill Cleveland will officiate.
Simmons died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002, in Fort Worth.
He is survived by his parents; grandparents, Donald and Terry Hill of Alvord, Jon and Marline Simmons of Fort Worth and Roy and Marlina Capps of Fort Worth; great-grandparents, Jo Dean Lippard of Fort Worth and Nelda Johnson of Sunset and a sister, Shelby Lynn Simmons of Alvord.
Wise County Messenger, Nov. 17, 2002

Skinner, Beatrice
1918-2002
Graveside service for Beatrice Skinner, 83, of Decatur, was Monday, Jan. 21 at Slidell Cemetery. Ken Burnett officiated.
Skinner died Saturday, Jan. 19, 2002, in Denton.
Born April 13, 1918, she was the business manager and owner of Skinner’s Garage in Decatur. She married Douglas Skinner on April 13, 1937, in Love County, Okla., and was a member of the Decatur Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas, and a son, David Skinner. She is survived by two sons, Dwight Skinner and wife Winn, Joey Skinner and wife Laura, all of Denton; daughter-in-law, Terry Skinner of Paradise; a daughter, Martha June Skinner of Denton; a brother, James Ray Cogburn of Whitesboro; three sisters, Pearl Fortenberry of Gainesville, Mary Jo Linker of Grapevine and Jackie Goin of Aubrey and four grandchildren, Reneay Skinner, Amanda Skinner, Allison Skinner and Grant Skinner.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Ann’s Haven Hospice in Denton.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 24, 2002

Slate, Garth Wallace
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

Sloas, Thomas Larry
1944-2002
Service for Thomas Larry Sloas, 57, of Fort Worth was Friday, Jan. 4, at Biggers Funeral Chapel in Fort Worth. Burial followed at Saginaw Cemetery.
Sloas died Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2002, in Fort Worth.
Born Aug. 20, 1944, in Winfield, Ala., he was an owner of Busby’s Nursery and loved woodworking and having barbecues with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Busby Sloas of Fort Worth; two sons, Danny Keith Sloas and his wife Christine and James Jerome Sloas and his wife Irais of Newark; three daughters, Yvonne Kegley and her husband Dan, and Tammy Lynn Connally, both of Richland Hills and Denise Sloas of Newark; two stepchildren, Cindy Jacobs of Boyd and Shelley King of Azle; his mother, Hazel Sloas of Newark; a brother, Bill Sloas of Newark; two sisters, Deborah Morton of Newark and Linda Renee Sloas of Decatur and six grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 6, 2002

Smith, C.R. ‘Buddy’
1928-2002
A funeral mass for C.R. “Buddy” Smith, 74, of Jacksboro was Tuesday, Nov. 26 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Windthorst. Burial followed at Winn Hill Cemetery in Jack County.
Smith died Friday, Nov. 22, 2002, in Jacksboro.
Born Sept. 21, 1928, in Jermyn, he graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1946. He married Carole Jeanne Smith of El Reno, Okla., Nov. 28, 1953. He was a member of the Jack County Sheriff’s Posse, life member of the NRA and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was Eucharist minister at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Jacksboro and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953.
Survivors include four daughters, Cathy Poynor and husband Richard of Jacksboro, Cyndy Schenk and husband Tim of Scotland, Charla Hoff and husband Don of Wichita Falls and Christy Kinder and husband David of Jacksboro; four sons, Charles Chuck Smith of Stephenville, Carl Smith and wife Shawnea of Jacksboro, Casey Daniel Smith of Willow Point and Craig Smith and wife Dee Dee of Jacksboro; three brothers, Robert T. Smith, John Paul Smith and David R. Smith and wife Sandra; one sister, Bernice Clay and husband Charlie of Jacksboro; 26 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Memorials can be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Jacksboro building fund or to the Jacksboro Concerned Citizens.
Wise County Messenger, Nov. 28, 2002

Smith, Carol Jeanne
1934-2002
A funeral mass for Carol Jeanne Smith, 68, of Jacksboro was held Tuesday, Nov. 26 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Windthorst. Burial followed at Winn Hill Cemetery in Jack County.
Smith died Friday, Nov. 22, 2002, in Jacksboro.
Born Aug. 15, 1934, in El Reno, Okla., she married C.R. “Buddy” Smith Nov. 28, 1953. She was a member of the St. Mary’s in Jacksboro Altar Society and Jack County Ladies’ Auxiliary Sheriff’s Posse. She was president of the Jacksboro Garden Club.
Survivors include four daughters, Cathy Poynor and husband Richard of Jacksboro, Cyndy Schenk and husband Tim of Scotland, Charla Hoff and husband Don of Wichita Falls and Christy Kinder and husband David of Jacksboro; four sons, Charles “Chuck” Smith of Stephenville, Carl Smith and wife Shawnea of Jacksboro, Casey Daniel Smith of Willow Point and Craig Smith and wife Dee Dee of Jacksboro; two sisters, Jeanette Anthony of Okla. and Jane Ann Marshall and husband Ralph of Moore, Okla.; 26 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Memorials can be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Jacksboro building fund or to the Jacksboro Concerned Citizens.
Wise County Messenger, Nov. 28, 2002

Smith, Donna Kaye
1943-2002
A private family service for Donna Kaye Smith, 59, of Bowie will be held at a later date.
Smith died Nov. 27, 2002, in Wichita Falls.
Born Jan. 31, 1943, in Arlington, she owned and operated a health food store.
She is survived by two daughters, Kelly Smith of Lubbock and Shelly Tenorio of Arlington; one brother, James Wayne Cobb and wife Brenda of Burleson and one granddaughter, Jordan Charlene Tenorio.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.
Wise County Messenger, Dec. 1, 2002

Smith, Jasper H.
1921-2002
Service for Jasper H. Smith, 81, of Bridgeport was Monday, Nov. 11 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel with a graveside service at Robert Branch Cemetery in Jacksboro. Henry Kaker and Georgia Fae Jackson officiated.
Smith died Thursday, Nov. 7, 2002, in Bridgeport.
Born Oct. 25, 1921, in Jack County, he was a retired manager for Dyna Mud Oilfield Services and lived in Bridgeport since 1964. He served in World War II and married Johnnie Briscoe Dec. 21, 1946, at Union Point Community in Jack County. Smith was a member of the VFW post #8914 in Jacksboro and the East Mound Church of Christ.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Elizabeth Owen.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Johnnie Smith of Bridgeport; two sons, Ronnie Smith and wife Lindsey of Bridgeport and Lacey Smith and wife Kay of Paradise; one daughter, Connie Shawn and husband Jerry of Bridgeport; one brother, Eugene Smith and wife Ruth of Euless; two sisters, Etta Jean Hensley and Florence Anderson, both of Jacksboro; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Pallbearers included Sandy Shawn, Dale Peebles, Jason Smith, Doug Smith, Robert Smith, Dennis Emett, Joe Bob Pierce and Jason Alvey.
Memorials may be made to the Roberts Branch Cemetery Association.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 15, 2002

Smith, Larry
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

Smith, Loyd Archie
1915-2002
Service for Loyd Archie Smith, 86, of Alvord was Friday, Jan. 4, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel.
Sam Redfern officiated, assisted by Brit Smith. Burial followed at Sycamore Cemetery in Wise County.
Pallbearers were Perman Smith, J.R. Hampton, Clarence Lantham, Ralph May, Bobby Baccus, Bobby Harris and Herbert Taylor.
Smith died Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2002, in Alvord.
Born July 21, 1915, in Denton County, he was a farmer. He married Myrl Lorene Thomas Dec. 24, 1936, in Denton. He was an Army veteran and a member of the Antioch Baptist Church in Aubrey.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, two brothers and two great-grandsons.
He is survived by his wife, Myrl, of Alvord; a son, Bill L. Smith of Decatur; a brother, R.D. Smith of Porum, Okla.; one grandson, Brit Smith of Red Oak; a granddaughter, Paula Weatherly and one great-granddaughter, Brandi Nicole Moles of Balsora.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 6, 2002

Smith, Nettie S.
1935-2002
Funeral for Nettie S. Smith, 67 of Sanger was held Sept. 17 at Christ the Great Shepherd Church in Sanger with Rev. Dewey Lang officiating.
Most farmers and ranchers in the area knew Smith because she worked at the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service for 33 years, retiring in 1990.
Smith died Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002, in Denton.
Born July 10, 1935, to Hardy and Florene (Crabbe) Sparkman, she graduated from Denton High School and married Fred O. Smith on May 14, 1960, in Denton. She was an avid horsewoman, and she won trophy saddles and numerous other awards for her riding skills. She was a member of the Denton County Sheriff’s Posse and the American Association of Sheriffs’ Posses. She also served as one of the first sponsors for the Denton High School Rodeo Club.
She was preceded in death by a grandson, Jeremiah Levi Hilliard.
She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Fred Smith; two daughters, Vickie Smith Hilliard and husband Danny and Linda Renea Smith; two granddaughters, Shara Lynn Hilliard and Jessica Alane Hilliard, both of Sanger; and a sister-in-law, Francis Christie and husband John of Alabama.
Pallbearers were Carl Coleman, Cecil Jones, Bob Mason, Bobby Riney, Mac Wilcox and Donnie Yost. Honorary pallbearers were Gene Montgomery, Junior Oates, James Smith and Ron Brown.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 19, 2002

Smith, Robert L.
1921-2002
Graveside service for Robert L. Smith, 80, of Bridgeport was Tuesday, March 12, at Sweetwater Cemetery.
Smith died Saturday, March 9, 2002, in Bridgeport.
Born April 12, 1921, in Randlett, Okla., he was a retired grain elevator operator. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He married Wynema Faye Armstrong Aug. 3, 1946, in Henrietta.
He was preceded in death by his wife; two brothers, Harvey Smith and Bobby Smith; a sister, Minnie Mae McNabb; and a daughter, Janice Smith Roberts.
He is survived by two sons, James Smith and wife Judy of Duncanville and Ronnie Smith and wife Teri of Bridgeport; two daughters, Patty Rogers and husband Eddie of Chico and Melanie Bradish and husband Bobby of Paradise; a son-in-law, Ronnie Roberts of Fort Worth; 16 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, March 14, 2002

Smith, Sammie Lynn
1952-2002
Service for Sammie Lynn Smith, 49, of Bridgeport was to be Saturday, Feb. 2, at 10 a.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Gary Demmitt was to officiate. Pallbearers were to be Danny Stack, Raymond Cox, Bill Munn, Brett Munn, Mike Eustace and Tommie Choate. Burial was to follow in Thomas Cemetery.
Smith died Jan. 30, 2002 in Decatur.
Born June 23, 1952, Smith was a homemaker and had lived in the Bridgeport area since 1973. She married Johnny Ray Smith Aug. 3, 1973, in Seymour. Smith was a foster parent for nine years and a member of the Ladies VFW Auxiliary in Seymour, president of the resident council for Trinity Care Center in Bridgeport, a member of the Chico Eastern Star and the Pleasant View Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Johnny Ray Smith of Chico and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
Wise County Messenger, Feb. 3, 2002

Smith, Stella Viola
1910-2002
Service for Stella Viola Smith, 91, of Bridgeport, will be Monday, March 4, at 2 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. The Revs. Bill Higgins and Gary Demmitt will officiate. Burial will follow at Thomas Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Gene Hearn, Jonathan Smith, Chad Woodard, Christopher Smith, Russell Conkling and Richie Poland.
Smith died Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2002, in Fort Worth.
Born Sept. 26, 1910, in Alvarado, she married James Ernest Smith May 20, 1941 in Dallas. She was a charter member of the Thomas Home Demonstration Club and a member of the Cates Street Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Anita Ann and all of her brothers and sisters.
She is survived by her husband; her son, Rodney A. Smith and wife Suzanne of Temple; two daughters, Jean Poland of Grand Prairie and Nancy Woodard and husband Craig of Bridgeport; seven grandchildren, Beverly, Richie, Rebecca, Heather, Chad, Jonathan and Christopher; seven great grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Wise County Messenger, March 3, 2002

Smith, Thelma Connie
1915-2002
Service for Thelma Connie Smith, 86, of Alvord will be Thursday, March 7, at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Alvord. Bill Cleveland will officiate. Burial will follow at Alvord Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Ray Richey, Jeff Berry, David Smith, Jimmy Meyers, Dale Morris and Chuck Smith.
Smith died Monday, March 4, 2002, in Alvord.
Born Oct. 29, 1915, in Forestburg, she was a homemaker. She married the late Johnie E. Smith, Sr. in 1936, in Alvord. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Alvord.
She is survived by her son, Johnie E. Smith, Jr. of Alvord; three daughters, Connie Bacon of Port Isabel, Charlotte Boland of Decatur and Chanda Berry of Alvord; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, March 7, 2002

Smith, Vera Ruth
1916-2002
Service for Verna Ruth Smith, 86, of Rhome was to be Wednesday, July 17, at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel with Roy Dever officiating. Burial was to follow in the Boyd Cemetery.
She died Sunday, July 14, 2002, in Decatur.
Smith was born Feb. 17, 1916, in Murphy. She was a homemaker and married Arvel Smith on Dec. 18, 1938, in Boyd. She was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Rhome.
Smith was preceded in death by her husband in March 1983; a daughter, Sandra Harvey on April 5, 1992; a grandson, Collin Vess; three sisters, May Conyers, Bertie Reid and Bertha McCurdy and six brothers, Luther, Charles, Tommy, Wesley, Lloyd and Buster Jackson.
Smith is survived by two granddaughters, Darlyn Goelz and her husband Kevin and DeYon Vess and her husband Ronny, both of Rhome; a great granddaughter, Alex Vess; a great-grandson, Zachary Vess and three sisters, Jean Smith, Louise McAllister and Florence Webb.
Pallbearers were to be Ronnie Smith, Jackie Smith, Jimmy Reed, Billy Brown, Mike Jackson and Tony Jackson. Honorary pallbearers were to be Lawrence Taylor, E.L. Smith, Jack Hance, Zachary Vess, Don Hammond and Johnny Webb.
Wise County Messenger, July 18, 2002

Sorrell, William Robert
1926-2002
Graveside service for William Robert Sorrell, 76, of Alvord was Friday, June 7, at the Alvord Cemetery with the Rev. Tim Staub officiating.
Sorrell died Wednesday, June 5, 2002, in Decatur.
He was born Jan. 12, 1926, in Dallas. He was a retired owner and operator of Awning Construction Co. He married Lavonia Beatrice Ashworth on June 19, 1948, in Seagraves. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II from 1944 through 1946. He was honored with a World War II Victory Ribbon, American Area Ribbon and Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with one bronze star. He was a Baptist.
Sorrell was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Una Capps; a brother, Byron Sorrell and two sisters, Myrna Capps Moreno and Wynonah Capps Welty.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lavonia; a brother, James Harlan Capps of Yucatan, Mexico; two sisters, Helen Bolham of Garland and Curtiss L. Burks of Dallas and numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws.
Pallbearers were Charles Barton, Glen Barton, Earl Ashworth, J.W. Clark, Sam Hillin, Raymon Williams and Stacy Bassinger.
Wise County Messenger, June 9, 2002

Sparks, Ronald Eugene, Jr.
1980-2002
Graveside service for Ronald Eugene Sparks Jr., 22, of Rhome was Friday, Oct. 25, at Azleland Cemetery, with the Rev. Jimmy Withers officiating.
Born June 6, 1980, in Circleville, Ohio, Sparks died Monday, Oct. 21, 2002, in New Fairview.
He was a carpenter and a member of Aurora Baptist Church.
Pallbearers were David Carillo, John Lukes, Wayne Cullen, Jim Cullen, Richard Sparks, Elza Sparks, Jimmy Sparks and Jr. Nettles.
Survivors include his parents, Ronald Eugene, Sr. and Theresa Sparks; brothers, Bobby, Joey and Danny Sparks; sisters Elizabeth and Vera Sue Sparks and Debbie Carillo and husband David; grandparents, Sara Lewis, James Sparks, Sue Huffer.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 15, 2002

Speir, Sebastian
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

Spencer, T.J.
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

Stanford, Alfred Kenneth
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

Stanley, W. Jay
1916-2002
Service for W. Jay Stanley, 85, of Fort Worth was Friday, Nov. 15 at Greenwood Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Worth. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Stanley died Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002, in Fort Worth.
Born Dec. 16, 1916, in Decatur, he was retired from General Dynamics and was a member of the Castleberry Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Fay O. Stanley.
He is survived by his son, Dan Stanley and wife Carol of Burleson; grandson, Toby Stanley of Paradise; granddaughter, Paige Blood and husband Curt of Fort Worth and great-grandson, Tristan Blood of Fort Worth.
Memorials may be made to the Emery J. Lilge Hospice House, 301 Med Park Circle, Burleson, Texas, 76028.
Wise County Messenger, Nov. 17, 2002

Stark, Jack ‘Sammy’
1944-2002
Funeral for Jack “Sammy” Stark, 58, of Decatur was to be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11 at Coker Funeral Chapel. Rev. Louis Horton was to officiate and burial was to follow at Fairview Cemetery.
Stark died Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002, in Amarillo.
Born April 12, 1944 in Decatur, he was a truck driver.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Martha Ann Hall.
He is survived by four sons, Scott Stark and wife Rubie of Childress and Benny, Michael and B.J. Stark, all of Bridgeport; a daughter, Lois Wilson of Lewisville; a brother, Bobby Stark of Fort Worth; a sister, Sue Hudson of Decatur and three grandchildren.
Pallbearers were to be Carl and Harold McDaniel, Shawn and Dwayne Hudson, Richard Green and Jim Bob Stapleton. Honorary pallbearer was to be Ray Perez.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 12, 2002

Starnes, Woodrow ‘Woody’
1919-2002
Service for Woodrow “Woody” Starnes, 83, of Decatur will be Sunday, Dec. 1 at 3 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 2 at DFW National Cemetery. Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30.
Starnes died Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Feb. 6, 1919, in Decatur, to Edgar and Millie Belle Starnes, he served in the U. S. Army and was a member of the 131st Lost Battalion. He was a retired used car sales manager at James Wood Motors and served three terms as Wise County clerk. He married Butch Dickerson June 17, 1966. He was a member of Fundamental Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife; five children, Air Force Master Sergeant Michael Starnes of Minot, N.D., Beverly Ann Chamberlain-Sanford of Florida, Terry Parramore of Abilene, Jan Boyd and Susie Dickenson, both of Fort Worth; 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Pallbearers will be James Woody, James Ray Garrett, Tommy Williams, Rex Dickenson, Jed Boyd and Joe Boyd.
Wise County Messenger, Dec. 1, 2002

Stevens, Coy Wayne
1923-2002
Service for Coy Wayne Stevens, 78, of Decatur was Tuesday, April 16, with Robert Isham, Ryan Morrison and Ken Burnett officiating. Burial was in Oaklawn Cemetery.
Stevens died Sunday, April 14, 2002, in Decatur.
He was born July 19, 1923, in Decatur. He was vice president and secretary treasurer of Kelly Coppedge, Inc. He married Nellie Elizabeth Moore Oct. 13, 1960, in Tarrant County. He was preceded in death by his wife, and a brother, Floyd (Blackie) Stevens of Chico.
He is survived by a sister, Patsy Howell of Decatur.
Pallbearers were H.L. Ross, Dennis Lee, Ronnie Corbell, Roger Armstrong, Billy Wiley, Gerry Washburn and R.A. Pinkerton, Jr.
Honorary pallbearers were Wayne Pinkerton, B.D. Lowe, Don Niblett, Virgil Parson and Waymon Pannell.
Wise County Messenger, April 18, 2002

Stevens, Tunky Jason
1973-2002
Service for Tunky Jason Stevens, 28, of Choctaw, Okla., and formerly of Newark, was Wednesday, May 15 in Harrah, Okla. Burial followed at Blanchard Cemetery.
Stevens died Monday, May 13, 2002, in Woodward, Okla.
Born Sept. 7, 1973, in Bridgeport to Lester and Belinda Fair Stevens, he graduated from Northwest High School in Justin. He worked for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad as a trackman.
He was preceded in death by his grandfathers.
He is survived by his wife, Sheila Riddle Stevens of Choctaw; his parents, J.B. and Belinda Saul of Choctaw and Lester and Rama Stevens of Keller; brothers, Sgt. Jimmy Stevens and wife Cindy of Devol, Okla., Rob Stevens and wife Erma of Lubbock and Jake Saul of Choctaw; his maternal grandmother, Vera Fair of Lubbock and paternal grandmother, Marguerite Stevens of Lubbock.
Wise County Messenger, June 2, 2002

Stewart, Carla Joyce
1933-2002
Service for Carla Joyce Stewart, 68, of Bridgeport was Monday, Aug. 12, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Rudy Owen officiated. Burial followed at Paradise Cemetery.
Stewart died Friday, Aug. 9, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Sept. 18, 1933, in Decatur, she was a retired cook and nutritionist who had lived in the Bridgeport community for 58 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Runaway Bay.
She was preceded in death by her son, Craig Stewart.
She is survived by four sons, Roy Stewart and wife Louann of Runaway Bay, Gary Stewart and wife Cathy of Paradise, Terry Stewart and wife Candice of Mansfield and David Stewart and wife Elfi of Arlington; two brothers, Gary McBride of Paradise and Gordon McBride of Zavalla; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Greg Henderson, Tad Stallings, Chris Stewart, Michael Stewart, Tony Stewart, Randy Singleton, Brad Reagan, Robert Drew and David Riggs.
Wise County Messenger, Aug. 15, 2002

Stinnett, Melodye Toniett Brooks
1964-2002
Service for Melodye Toniett Brooks Stinnett, 37, of Bridgeport was to be Saturday, Jan. 12, at 2 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. Joe Richardson, Ray Cook and Melvin Castleberry were to officiate. Burial was to follow at Thomas Cemetery.
Pallbearers were to be Melvin Castleberry, Jerry York, Coy McIlroy, Michael Kinsey, Thomas Kinsey and Leif Peyton. Honorary pallbearers were to be Billy Wiley and Tommy David Brooks.
Stinnett died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2002, in Bridgeport.
Born July 25, 1964, in Bridgeport, she was a lifetime resident of Wise County and was a licensed vocational nurse at Sunny Hills Nursing Center in Decatur. She married Jimmy Stinnett on April 10, 1993, in Bridgeport. She was a member of the East Mound Church of Christ and also attended Carpenter Street Church of Christ.
She is survived by her husband, Jimmy Stinnett; a son, Joseph Edward Denney; a daughter, Amber Michele Denney; her parents, Joseph David and Carolyn Brooks; grandparents, Jena O’Dell and Annie Lee Brooks; a brother, Tommy David Brooks and his wife Michele; a sister, Carolyn Joy Brooks and several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 13, 2002

Stockton, J. C.
1927-2002
Graveside service for retired Wise County Tax Collector J. C. Stockton, 74, of Decatur was Thursday, Nov. 21 at Alvord Cemetery. Rev. Ken May, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Decatur, officiated.
Stockton died Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Dec. 30, 1927 in Alvord, he was the son of Vessie and Earnest Stockton and served in the Air Force.
Stockton was elected Wise County Tax Collector in 1984 and served in the post for 10 years before retiring because of ill health. He also served as acting postmaster in Alvord from 1957-1961.
He served as a Texas Parks and Wildlife Service game warden in Blanco county and joined the U. S. Treasury Department as a Secret Service agent in 1965 and was assigned to the Lyndon B. Johnson Protective Division.
Following the death of President Johnson, Stockton remained as Secret Service agent assigned to Lady Bird Johnson until his retirement in 1978. In 1980, Stockton and his wife Clarice returned to Wise County.
He was a past master of the Alvord Masonic Lodge and a member of the Dallas Scottish Rite. He was a former member of the Alvord Fire Department and was a World War II veteran.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and an infant granddaughter.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Clarice; two sons, John W. Stockton and his wife Kaye of Decatur and Mike Stockton of Paradise; one brother, Wayne Stockton and his wife Beth of Decatur and four grandchildren.
The family requested memorials, if desired, to the Decatur Chapter of the American Cancer Society.
Pallbearers were DeWayne McCrary, Willard Howell, Lawrence McMullen, Thomas Pitts, Sherman Hobbs and Raymond Cox.
A final tribute with military honors was presented to Stockton by the Wise County Veterans Group Honor Guard.
Wise County Messenger, Nov. 24, 2002

Stone, J.C.
1925-2002
Service for J.C. Stone, 77, of Decatur was Friday, Nov. 8 at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Decatur. Rev. Clyde Spain officiated and was assisted by Don Spain and Dr. Van Gardner. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Stone died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002, in Decatur.
Born June 18, 1925, in Leo to Virgil J. and Willie Mae Stone, he was a retired aircraft painter at Bell Helicopter and married Idnel Spain Feb. 17, 1947, in Decatur. He was a Navy veteran and a member of Masonic Lodge #447 and the Scottish Rite.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Jimmy Lee Stone and Jack Milton Stone and one sister, Margie Marie Ratliff.
He is survived by his wife, Idnel Stone of Decatur; one daughter, Janel Fuller and husband John of Decatur; one son, Jamie Stone and wife Leslie of Decatur; two brothers, Donald Ray Stone of Rendon and Billy Wayne Stone of Decatur; three sisters, Mary Jo Lasater of Missouri, Betty Mae Sharp of Midland and Mona Jean Mitchum of Bridgeport and two grandchildren, Drake and Wyatt.
Pallbearers were Ed Spain, Jackie Stone, Wayne Ratliff, Robert Ratliff, Chris Burton and John Bradshaw. Honorary pallbearers were James Cates, Jamie Badger, Jim Gage, Dennis Hudson, R.L. Groves, A.C. Archer, Charles Fowler and Guy Horner.
Memorials may be sent to Home Hospice of North Texas, 2201 South Farm Road 51, Decatur, Texas, 76234.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 15, 2002

Stone, Tommy Wayne
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

Strickland, Pearl Maxine
1930-2002
Graveside service for Pearl Maxine Strickland, 71, of Bridgeport, was Tuesday, April 16, at the West Bridgeport Cemetery with Eddy Hooker officiating.
She died April 10, 2002, in Wise County.
She was born Dec. 20, 1930, in Arkansas. A longtime resident of Bridgeport, she was a homemaker. She married J.B. Strickland on Feb. 28, 1961, in Levelland. He died in 2000. She was also preceded in death by two daughters, Susie McChesney and Betty Phillips. She was a member of the Outreach Church in Chico.
She is survived by a son, Andy Crisp; a daughter, Rita Harris; sons-in-law Tommy Phillips and Robert Scifert; a daughter-in-law, Carolyn Hardin; a brother, Ivan Reynolds; two sisters, Dora Crisp and Fannie Mae Green; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Robert (Cooney) Scifert, Albert Taylor, Niel Jackson, David Horn, Richard Sanders and Roy Harris.
Wise County Messenger, April 21, 2002

Stroud, James V.
1913-2002
Graveside service for James V. Stroud, 89, of Fort Worth was Friday, Oct. 18, at Aurora Cemetery. The Rev. Ray Henson officiated.
Stroud died Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2002, in Fort Worth.
Born April 23, 1913, in Wise County, he was a retired aircraft assembler for Lockheed. He was a Baptist.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James G. and Mary (Oates) Stroud and his wife, Myrtice Jenson Stroud.
He is survived by two sisters, Edith Brown and Naomi Ward; two nieces and four nephews.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 15, 2002

Swindell, Jerry Russell
1934-2002
Service for Jerry Russell Swindell, 68, of Boyd was Thursday, Oct. 17 at Trinity Baptist Church in Boyd. Elders Larry Webb, Hilton Crain and George Walker officiated. Burial followed at Friendship Cemetery.
Swindell died Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Jan. 24, 1934, in Atoka, Okla., he was a Boyd resident for more than 30 years. He married Nadine Jackson on April 9, 1955, in Keeter. He was a graduate of North Texas State University in Denton. He served as a minister in several Primitive Baptist Churches in Texas and Oklahoma. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1973 after 20 years of service. He was a member of the Indian Oaks Primitive Baptist Church in Lake Worth.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Jerry L. Swindell and wife Carolyn of Paradise; three daughters, Cathy Hendricks of Hardin, Patricia Almonrode of North Richland Hills and Cynthia Foster and husband Don of Denton; his mother, Edith Swindell of Bridgeport and nine grandchildren, Kimberly, Gary, Don, Kodi, Stacy, Lacy, Christopher, Jessica, Jerrod and Jamie.
Pallbearers were Don Jackson, Max Thompson, Dale Barkley, Dale Turner, Bob Sewell and Ray Lake.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 15, 2002

Switzer, Charles Stanley
1985-2002
Service for Charles Stanley Switzer, 16, of Chico was to be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Assembly of God in Chico with the Rev. Charles Stevens officiating. Burial was to be in East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Switzer died Wednesday, April 10, 2002, in a two-vehicle accident in Wise County.
He was born Sept. 18, 1985, in Bridgeport. He was a freshman at Chico High School and a member of the Chico Assembly of God.
He is survived by his father, John Switzer; his mother, Marla Switzer; two brothers, Mark Knox and Colton Horton; grandparents, Larry and Carolyn Biggerstaff; and great-grandmothers, Lucille Bell and Florita Biggerstaff.
Wise County Messenger, April 14, 2002

Tamplen, Billie Carolyn
1929-2002
Graveside service for Billie Carolyn Tamplen, 73, of Boyd was Sept. 12 at Long Branch Cemetery. Rev. Ken Cates officiated.
Tamplen died Monday, Sept. 9, 2002, in Boyd.
Born Jan. 15, 1929, in Gainesville to William Roy and Lottie Taylor, she married Lee Tamplen Sept. 4, 1946, in Reno, Nev. She was a homemaker and a member of the Baptist church.
She was preceded in death by two daughters, Shirley Gunn and Sandra Tamplen; two sons, Michael Tamplen and Lee Tamplen III and a brother, George W. Taylor of North Richland Hills.
She is survived by her husband; three daughters, Ann Storm of Boyd, Sue Jackson of Bridgeport and Melissa Young of Rhome; 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 15, 2002

Tarlton, Clifford Allen
1920-2002
Service for Clifford Allen Tarlton, 81, of Weatherford was Thursday, July 11, at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd. Don Oliver officiated. Burial followed at Aurora Cemetery.
Tarlton died Monday, July 8, 2002, in Weatherford.
Born Sept. 30, 1920, in Mangum, Okla., he married Lois Earlene Fuller on June 21, 1960, in California. He was a veteran of World War II, served in the U.S. Navy and was a retired owner/operator of D&B Paint and Body Shop in Fort Worth.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, J.L. Jacobs and wife Kay of Weatherford and Don Jacobs and wife Bertha of El Paso; six daughters, Paula McCleskey and husband Lenard of Newark, Bernadine McCleskey and husband Cecil of Newark, Sharron Kay Hunt and husband Tommy of Arkansas, Debbie Nelson and husband Jerry of Kansas, Beth Carpenter and husband Nick of Newark and Dortha Webb of Weatherford; a sister, Louella Leamon of Azle; 24 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Lenard McCleskey Jr., Bill Myers Jr., Greg Hunt, James Jacobs Jr., Clifford Tarlton Jr., Nicholas Jess Carpenter Jr., Jason Webb and Keith McCleskey.
Wise County Messenger, July 14, 2002

Taylor, Leota Christine ‘Chris’
1917-2002
Service for Leota Christine “Chris” Taylor, 84, of Decatur was to be Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 10 a.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Taylor died Sunday, Jan. 27, 2002, in Decatur.
Born March 11, 1917, in Iowa Park, she was a homemaker. She married the late Melvin D. Taylor in 1947 in Decatur.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Bill and Bud Black and a sister, Lula Hodges.
She is survived by two sons, Delton Sewell and wife Gladys of Boyd and Cordell Sewell and wife Roberta of Nebraska; two brothers, Ray Blagg of Mesquite and Homer Blagg of Wichita Falls; two sisters, Maxine Blagg and Reba Shields of Wichita Falls; seven grandchildren, Dalton Jr. and Patricia Sewell of Boyd, Steve and Gladys Sewell of Nocona, Phillip Sewell of Springtown, Dana and John Elverum of Colorado, Darryl and Lynn Sewell of Nebraska, David and Brooke Sewell of Colorado and Dean Sewell of Nebraska; 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 31, 2002

Taylor, Leroy ‘Bob’
1927-2002
Service for Leroy “Bob” Taylor, 74, of Bridgeport was to be Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Bridgeport. The Rev. Bo Blakey was to officiate. Burial was to follow at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Pallbearers were to be Fernando Cantu, Bobby Elder, Naymon Kelly, Phil Spicer, Bud Davidson, Juan Lara, L.B. Sanders and Garry Cathey.
Taylor died Sunday, Feb. 10, 2002, in Bridgeport.
Born Aug. 28, 1927, in Bridgeport, he married Eunice Sanders Feb. 22, 1968, at the First Baptist Church in Bridgeport. He retired after 40 years of service as a signalman for Burlington Northern Railroad. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bridgeport.
He is survived by his wife, Eunice Taylor; his sister, Lorraine Berg of Fort Worth; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Wise County Messenger, Feb. 14, 2002

Taylor, Maggie Lois
1905-2002
Service for Maggie Lois Taylor, 96, of Alvord was to be Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 2 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. H.L. Garner was to officiate, to be assisted by Bill Cleveland. Burial was to follow at Sycamore Cemetery.
Pallbearers were to be Wayne Morrison, Gary Chambers, James Phillips, Danny Taylor, Billy Vernon Neal Jr. and David Ward. Honorary pallbearers were to be Ronnie Phillips, Michael Taylor, Bruce Neal and Randy Taylor.
Taylor died Sunday, Jan. 27, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Oct. 28, 1905, in Livingston, Tenn., she was a retired restaurant manager and a member of the Alvord Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by Jessie Faye Morrison and Robbie Francis Chambers.
She is survived by three sons, Charles and Herbert Taylor, both of Decatur and James Taylor of Denison; four daughters, Claudine Phillips of Killeen, Betty Knight of Tioga, Billie Jean Neal of Bells and Johnnie Ward of Grand Prairie; a brother, Earnest Conner of Crossville, Ill.; two sisters, Eula Keisling of Marianna, Ark. and Roxie Keisling of Monroe, Tenn.; 16 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 31, 2002

Taylor, Richard
1946-2002
Service for Richard Taylor, 56, of Paradise was Monday, March 18 at Baum Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Chapel. Marsha McDonald officiated. Burial was in Whitt Cemetery.
Taylor died Friday, March 15, 2002.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly Spicer of Paradise; his father, William Taylor of Paradise; one son, Boon Taylor of Whitt; two daughters, Ellen Whitt and Belinda Davis, both of Whitt; two sisters, Virginia Storm of Weatherford and Linda Motley of Bridgeport; and six grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, March 21, 2002

Taylor, Vernon B.
1929-2002
Service for Vernon B. Taylor, 72, of Aztec, N.M., will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 25, at the Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur with Tim Watson officiating. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery.
Taylor died Sunday, April 21, 2002, in Aztec.
He was born Dec. 21, 1929, in Vernon. A former resident of Decatur, he married Jo Anne Hill Aug. 7, 1948, in Decatur. He was a cross-country truck driver and a switcher for Southwest Gas Co. before retiring. He was a member of the Aztec Presbyterian Church. He was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Ray Taylor; a grandson, Dusty and a great-grandson, Zacharian.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Ted Taylor and his wife Cyndy of Conroe; a daughter, Phyllis Morris and her husband Gary of Decatur; two grandchildren, Caleb Morris and wife Rachael of Euless and Alison Taylor of Conroe; and great-grandson, Christian Morris.
Wise County Messenger, April 25, 2002

Teague, Calvin Cleo
1928-2002
Service for Calvin Cleo Teague, 74, of Burleson was Sept. 9 at Mount Olivet Chapel. Burial followed at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park in Colleyville.
Teague died Friday, Sept. 6, 2002, in Burleson.
Born March 8, 1928, in Decatur to James Monroe and Lillie Hodges Teague, he retired from the City of Fort Worth and Lydick Roofing Comany.
He was preceded in death by five sisters and two brothers.
He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Ruby Teague; two stepdaughters, Doris Bishop and husband Wade James of Rendon and Pat Humphries and husband David of Fort Worth; a sister, Rosa Lee Main of Fort Worth and several grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 12, 2002

Teddlie, Joshua Allen
1981-2002
Service for Joshua Allen Teddlie, 21, of Chico was Aug. 15 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel with Rev. Larry McShan officiating. Burial followed in West Bridgeport Cemetery.
Teddlie died Saturday, Aug. 10, 2002, in Marion, Kansas.
Born March 8, 1981, in Decatur, he was a 2000 graduate of Chico High School.
He was preceded in death by his father, Maurice Teddlie Jr.
He is survived by his parents, Lucinda and David Horne of Chico; three brothers, David Horne and wife Cissy of Killeen, Alan Horne of Chico and Michael Morrow and wife Hope of Oolitic, Ind.; two sisters, Crystal Silsley of Junction City, Kan., and Paula Teddlie of Oklahoma City; grandparents, Chloa Morrow of Bedford, Ind., Paul and Bonnie Scrutchins and Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Teddlie Sr.; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Pallbearers were Bill Reed, Randy Robinson, Rubin Brousard, John Hamner, Jeremiah Long, Wayne Cannaday, Chuck Cannaday and Robert Cannaday. Honorary pallbearers were James St. John, Robert Caraway, Larry Jennings and Gordon Henry.
Wise County Messenger, Aug. 18, 2002

Terry, Clayton R.
1971-2002
Service for Clayton R. Terry, 31, of Haslet was Friday, Aug. 2, at Mount Olivet Funeral Home. Burial followed at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Terry died Sunday, July 28, 2002, in Haslet.
Born May 26, 1971, in Fort Worth, he was a technician.
He is survived by his wife, Carla Terry; a son, Cameron Ray Terry; a daughter, Courtney McKenna Terry, all of Haslet; his father, Douglas of Haslet; his mother, Elizabeth of Tarrant County; two brothers, Odie Terry and wife Marti of North Richland Hills and Doug Terry and wife Vera of Decatur; a sister, Terri Raye of Dallas and a grandmother, Thelma Terry of Fort Worth.
Wise County Messenger, August 4, 2002

Thetford, Laura Lee
1922-2002
Service for Laura Lee Thetford, 80, of Bridgeport was Tuesday, July 2, at Cates Street Church of Christ in Bridgeport. Roger Rhodes officiated. Burial followed at Boonsville Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Buddy White, Fred Lawrence, Dusty McClung, Coby McClung, Billy Don White and Alan Bartholomae.
Thetford died Saturday, June 29, 2002, in Azle.
Born June 7, 1922, in Wise County, she was a retired secretary for Mitchell Energy and was a member of the Cates Street Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Mack Thetford in 1990; a daughter, Linda King; two sisters, Neva Nell Lawrence and Faye Shannon; and a brother, Marvin Don White.
She is survived by a son, Kye Murphree of Florida; three brothers, Elmer White, Johnny White and Carl White; three grandchildren, Melissa Bartholomae and husband Alan, Darla Whitley and husband Glenn and Kevin King; and six great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, July 4, 2002

Thomas, Luther F.
1947-2002
No services were scheduled for Luther F. Thomas, 55, of Rhome.
Thomas died Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Jan. 6, 1947, in Dallas, he was a foreman at Newcomb Spring Manufaturing Co. He married Jennie Walker Nov. 21, 1964, in Dallas and was a member of the Assembly of God Church.
He is survived by his wife, Jennie Walker of Rhome; two sons, Leon Thomas of Irving and Luther F. Thomas Jr. of Rhome; one daughter, Davina Blackburn of Arlington; two brothers, Leon W. Thomas of Missouri and Hugh M. Thomas of Palestine; one sister, Wanda Lee of Louisiana and eight grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Dec. 15, 2002

Thompson, Betty B.
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

Thompson, Marvin P. ‘Tom’
1937-2002
Graveside service for Marvin P. (Tom) Thompson, 65, of Paradise was Tuesday, Sept. 17, at Azleland Cemetery. Rev. Gary Sessions officiated.
Thompson died Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Sept. 14, 1937, in Shawnee, Okla., he was a welder and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He married Barbara James on March 21, 1981 in Fort Worth. He was a member of the VFW Post 10374 and the Beverly Hills Baptist Church in Fort Worth.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Irene (Hall) Thompson; his daughter, Twila Sharp, and a sister, Fran Thompson.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Thompson of Paradise; four sons, Tony Thompson of Fort Worth, Jeff Thompson and wife Mary of Fort Worth, Tony Gravely and wife Brooke of Paradise and Jason Walker of Paradise; a daughter, Trudy Gilbreath and husband Jerry of Paradise; seven grandchildren, Chad, Jennifer, Lexi, Denim, Ashley, Hunter and Leslie; two sisters, Korah Cross and Rose Marie Fashano and husband Mike and mother-in-law, Anna Benson.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 19, 2002

Thornton, Ruth
1918-2002
Service for Ruth Thornton, 84, of Chita, was Aug. 20, at the Waller Thornton Chapel in Groveton with the Revs. Davis Thornton and Michael Due officiating. Burial followed at Chita Cemetery.
Thornton died Saturday, Aug. 17, 2002, in Tyler.
She was the mother of Albert Thornton of Decatur.
Born May 31, 1918, in Pennington, she was a member of the Congregational Methodist Church at Sabastopol. She had written poems and short stories since she was a small child. She learned to play the piano by ear and composed songs.
She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Haron Thornton; children Davis Thornton and wife Dorothy, William Thornton, Cloyce Thornton, Thelma Hill and husband Lyn and Albert Thornton and wife Carol; a sister, Miniola Duncan; 14 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and three great great grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Dudley Thornton, Duwayne Thornton, Aaron Yolanski, Bryan Thornton, Larry Hill Sr. and Kenny Linsey.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Lakeway Baptist Church in Carlisle.
Wise County Messenger, Aug. 22, 2002

Timmons, Peggy Ann
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

Tompkins, Clarice Bilbrey
1931-2002
Service for Clarice Bilbrey Tompkins, 95, former resident of Alvord, was Friday, June 14 at the Bethel Baptist Church in Nocona. Burial will be on the Tompkins’ family ranch in Dye Mound.
Tompkins died June 10, 2002, in Petoskey, Mich.
She was born Aug. 9, 1906, to Pearl Eugene and Ella Maude Bilbrey in Alvord. She married Herman Wayne Tompkins on May 24, 1931, in Alvord. She graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene with a degree in elementary education and taught in Guthrie, Anson, Nocona and Prairie Valley for 26 years, retiring in 1972.
Tompkins was preceded in death by a son, Jerry Tompkins and her husband, Herman.
She is survived by two daughters, Dorothy Shahinian of Grover Beach, Calif. and Ima Williams of Harbor Springs Mich.; a son, Jimmy Tompkins of Anchorage, Alaska; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, June 16, 2002

Trainor, James Anthony
1955-2002
Graveside service for James Anthony “Jimbo” Trainor, 47, of Decatur was Thursday, Dec. 19 at Boyd Cemetery. Carl Gardner officiated.
Trainor died Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Feb. 23, 1955, in Redondo Beach, Calif., he was a welder and of the Catholic faith. He was a resident of Decatur for three years.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Joy Blackwell Trainor in 1981.
He is survived by his father, James H. Trainor and wife Bette Lee of Red Bluff, Calif., one sister, Joy Kathryn Trainor of San Jose, Calif., three uncles, Richard, Jerry and David Trainor and one aunt, Barbara Pearson.
Pallbearers were James McMillian, Larry Simpson, John Simpson and Steve Guczwa.
Wise County Messenger, Dec. 22, 2002

Truitt, Dorothy Margaret
1911-2002
Service for Dorothy Margaret Truitt, 90, of Alvord was Tuesday, Feb. 5, at the First United Methodist Church in Alvord. Bob Wilson officiated. Burial followed at Alvord Cemetery.
Truitt died Thursday, Jan. 31, 2002, in Irving.
Born April 13, 1911, Truitt was a homemaker.
She is survived by a brother, Charles Ernest Scriven of Palmdale, Calif.; two grandchildren, Wayne and Mary Washburn; two great-grandchildren, Lisa Duckworth and Zachery Washburn; two great-great-grandchildren, Sarah and Ashley Duckworth and one niece.
Wise County Messenger, Feb. 7, 2002

Tucker, D.E. ‘Bud’
1931-2002
Service for D.E. “Bud” Tucker, 70, of Bridgeport was Thursday, Feb. 7, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Richard Lunsford officiated. A graveside service followed at Restland Cemetery in Olney.
Pallbearers were Billy Blalock, Donnie York, Roger York, Clarence Freeby, Elmer Hicks, Wayne Andreason, Henry Garcia and Danny Stack.
Tucker died Monday, Feb. 4, 2002, in Bedford.
Born Dec. 26, 1931, in Orth, he was a longtime Bridgeport resident and was owner of Tucker Trucking. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He married Udella Scales on June 5, 1955, in Electra. He was also a member of the Southside Baptist Church in Olney.
He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence Tucker; his brother, Edward Ray Tucker and his grandson, Don Tucker.
He is survived by his wife, Udella Scales Tucker of Bridgeport; a son, Damon Ray Tucker and his wife Sharron of Bridgeport; three daughters, Debra Jones and husband Gene of Alvord, Donna Foley of Bridgeport and Darla Sheardown and husband Norman of Chico; his mother, V.D. Tucker of Olney; a brother, Bob Tucker and his wife Teresa of Brownwood; three sisters, Dorothy Swanzy of Fort Worth, Mozelle Sullivan of Wichita Falls and Peggy Anderson and husband Carl of Washington and 10 grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Feb. 10, 2002

Tumelty, Beulah Lee
1897-2002
Service for Beulah Lee Tumelty, 104, of Decatur was to be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Coker Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Gene Chamness officiating. Burial was to be in Oaklawn Cemetery.
Tumelty died March 31, 2002, in Decatur.
She was born April 18, 1897, in Decatur. She was a homemaker.
She is survived by a grandson, Tom Tumelty of Decatur.
Pallbearers were to be Johnny Hughes, Morris Berend, Alton L. Cook and Roland Walker.
Wise County Messenger, April 4, 2002

Turner, Billy Ray
1955-2002
Informal services for Billy Ray Turner, 47, of Chico were to be held Saturday, Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. at his farm home in Chico. Formal services are pending.
Turner died Dec. 1 in Chico.
Born Jan. 4, 1955, in Owensboro, Ky. he was retired from Buford Thompson Co. after 18 years of service.
He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Sharon; one son, Derrick Alexander and his wife Raquel of Cedar Hill; five daughters, Tammy Cunnyngham and husband Shawn of Arlington, Brandy Arroyo and husband Victor of Grand Prairie, Billie Rene Turner of Grand Prairie, Lana Godsey and husband Joe of Louden, Tenn. and Amanda Coon and husband Buddy of Louden, Tenn; seven grandchildren, Rachel, Rander, Delayne, Jordan, Mark, Melanie and Jackson; one brother, Paul Turner and Timmy Turner and three sisters, Trish, Tammy and Linda.
Wise County Messenger, Dec. 8, 2002

Utley, Jack L.
1919-2002
Service for Jack L. Utley, 83, of Gainesville will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the First Baptist Church of Gainesville with the Rev. J.L. Williams and Bob Kiner officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery.
Utley died Thursday, April 25, 2002, at his home.
He was born Jan. 5, 1919, in Escota to Luther Henry and Nannie Gertrude Franklin Utley. He married Shirley Ines Roberts June 18, 1954, in Carlsbad, N.M. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Gainesville and was a 32nd degree Mason. He was in the U.S. Air Force in World War II and was district superintendent for Burk Royalty Company before retiring.
He is survived by his wife; three daugthers, Sharon McDonald of Gainesville, Vicki Madders and her husband Jim of Sherman and Fredese Whitsett and her husband Stan of Seattle, Wa.; a sister, Bertha Anderson of Plainview; four grandchildren, Tracye McDonald of Keller, Kristye McDonald of Denton, Gina Madders of Sherman and Jeff Whitsett of Houston; and a great granddaughter, Logan Lee Madders of Sherman.
Pallbearers will be Matt Buckaloo, Lacy Wheeler, Bill Holderman, Dave Bishop, Neil Tibbets and Johnny Scott. Honorary pallbearers will be Burk Royalty employees and members of his Sunday School class at First Baptist Church of Gainesville.
The family requests that memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, Cooke County Unit, P.O. Box 1217, Gainesville, Texas, 76241, or to Alzheimer’s Disease National Headquarters, Attn. Renee Bitory, 919 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 100, Chicago, Ill., 60611. Write “for research” on check.
Wise County Messenger, April 28, 2002

Valdez, Petra Fraga
1911-2002
Rosary for Petra Fraga Valdez of Rhome, 91, was Sunday, Aug. 4 at the Coker Funeral Home Chapel. A mass of Christian burial followed in Zaragoza, Coahuilla, Mexico at the Panteon Municipal Cemetery.
Valdez died Friday, Aug. 2, 2002, in Rhome.
Born February 22, 1911, in Mexico. She married Jose Inez Valdez in Zaragoza, Coahuila, Mexico in 1931.
She was preceded in death by her husband on July 26, 1998.
She is survived by four sons, Severiano Valdez of Rhome, Domingo Valdez and Jose L. Valdez Jr. of Dallas and Juan A. Valdez of Grand Prairie; eight daughters, Francisca Cardenas and Guadalupe Lopez of Mexico, Carmela Rodriguez of Rhome, Petra Ayala of Gainesville, Emilia Hernandez of Alvarado, Teresa Flores of Grand Prairie, Maira de Jesus Rivas of Decatur and Maira de La Luiz Martinez of San Angelo; six sisters, Maria Jesus Fraga de Zunica, Leonor Fraga Galindo, Cruz Fraga Aleman, Simon Fraga Martinez, Blaza Fraga Aleman, all of Mexico and Antonia Fraga de Morado of Dallas; 59 grandchildren; 84 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Aug. 8, 2002

Van Meter, Daisy Alene
1909-2002
Service for Daisy Alene Van Meter, 93, of Rhome was Tuesday, Nov. 12 at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. Dr. Thomas Urrey officiated. Burial followed at Aurora Cemetery in Aurora.
Van Meter died Sunday, Nov. 10, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Oct. 15, 1909, in Cason, she was a retired teacher for Northwest High School. She married Harold Van Meter July 18, 1930, in Rhome. She was the founder and past president of the Rhome Library and a member of the First Baptist Church in Rhome.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; one brother, Claude Russell and one sister, Nell Criswell.
She is survived by one son, Mike Van Meter and wife Rose of Rhome; three grandchildren, Ashley Van Meter of Humble, Vanessa Kiser of Nashville, Tenn., and Lori Van Meter of College Station and three great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Bobby Downe, Mays Fuqua, Tony Dickey, Dan Maeyers, Joe Wilson and Edwin Schluter.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 15, 2002

Van Over, Pansy Nell
1915-2002
Service for Pansy Nell Van Over, 87, of Bridgeport was Friday, Nov. 8 at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd. The family officiated, and burial followed at D-FW National Cemetery in Dallas.
Van Over died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002, in Bridgeport.
Born Sept. 10, 1915, in Cape Fair, Mo., she married Leonard H. Van Over April 26, 1938, in Marion, Kan.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Leonard Van Over; three sons, Gene Van Over and wife Cindy of Lafaette, La., Perry Van Over and wife Lynn of Fair Fax Station, Va., and James Van Over and wife Diane of Decatur; one brother, Oral Dean Berry; three sisters, Merle Iugram, Norma Temple and Loern Glosser; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Gene Van Over, Perry Van Over, James Van Over and James Elnitsky.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 15, 2002

Van Schuyver, Danny G.
1946-2002
Service for Danny G. Van Schuyver, 56, of Boyd was to be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11 at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was to follow at Boyd Cemetery.
Van Schuyver died Monday, Dec. 9, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Nov. 25, 1946, in Oklahoma City, he was an electrical contractor. He married Linda Sue Green in 1967 in Oklahoma City and served in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of Kenneth Copeland Ministries at Eagle Mountain International Church.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Van Schuyver of Boyd; two daughters, Tina Rene Harris of Paradise and Trena Kay Wicker of Boyd; one sister, Debbie Moralez of Oklahoma City and four grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Dec. 12, 2002

Vanderveer, Annie Mae Jordan
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

Vandeventer, Mary Ann
1946-2002
Memorial service for Mary Ann Vandeventer, 56, of Denton will be Tuesday, July 2, at 10 a.m. at Mountain Valley Funeral Home Chapel in Burleson.
Vandeventer died Sunday, June 23, 2002, in Decatur.
Born March 20, 1946, in Fort Worth to Bobby Lee and Mary Helen Duncan Boyd, she was a nurses aid and enjoyed painting.
She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Margie Marcoux, in September, 2001.
She is survived by her husband, Donald; two sons, Jimmie Schumacher of Fort Worth and Johnny Schumacher and wife Kay of Burleson; a daughter, Jolene Vandeventer and husband Mike of Denton; a brother, David Boyd of Crowley; parents, Mary Helen and Bob Boyd of Decatur; a grandfather, Mervin Marcoux of Burleson and eight grandchildren, Ashley, C.J., Jonathan, Michael, Amanda and Christopher Schumacher and Tyler and Christian Vandeventer.
Wise County Messenger, June 27, 2002

Vang, Nhia Yia
1963-2002
Services for Nhia Yia Vang, 38, of Rhome, were Thursday and Friday and Saturday with the Rev. Pang C. Heu officiating. Burial was to be in the Aurora Cemetery.
Vang died Monday, April 8, 2002, in Newark.
He was born June 7, 1963, in Mavuas, Laos. He was a scope technician for Precision Endoscopy of America in Irving. He was minister of music and education for the Hmong Alliance Fellowship Church in North Richland Hills.
He is survived by his wife, Mang Vang of Rhome; his parents, Blia and Ly Vang of Rhome; one son, Simon Vang, of Rhome; five daughters, Rebecca Vang, Betty Vang, Susie Vang, Mickie Vang and Vickie Vang, all of Rhome; four brothers, Wang Vang of Rhome and Seng Vang, Na Vang and Ula Vang, all of Denver, Colo.; and a sister, Zoua Vang of Rhome.
Pallbearers were to be Wang Vang, Seng Vang, Na Vang, Ula Vang, Zoua Vang and Rebecca Vang.
Wise County Messenger, April 14, 2002

VanHoose, Joe Marvin
1922-2002
Service for Joe Marvin VanHoose, 80, of Chico was Monday, Oct. 21, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Kern Choate officiated. Burial followed at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
VanHoose died Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002, in Dallas.
Born May 5, 1922, in Bridgeport, he was a lifetime resident of Chico and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in World War II. He was also a retired 50-year employee of Trinity Crushed Stone. He married Mary Alice White on Jan. 15, 1941, in Bridgeport. He was a member of the Chico Assembly of God.
He was preceded in death by his wife in 1996; a son, Marvin Lee VanHoose and a grandson, Jimmie VanHoose II.
He is survived by two sons, Jimmie Ray VanHoose and wife Nora of Chico and Robert Lee VanHoose and wife Kathy of Chico; a brother, George Albert VanHoose of Floydada; a sister, Martha Ozelle Enzie of Bowie; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Charles Caldwell, Charlie Grill, Danny Sanders, Bobby VanHoose, Jerry VanHoose, Travis VanHoose and Tommy VanHoose.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 15, 2002

Veal, Houston Lee Louis
1918-2002
Services for Houston Lee Louis Veal, 84, of Fort Worth, was Thursday, June 6, at the Greenwood Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Worth.
Veal died Monday, June 3, 2002, in Fort Worth.
He was born March 2, 1918, in Bridgeport. He was valedictorian and class president of the 1938 senior class of Bridgeport High School. He was a three-year letterman in football. At the age of 13, to help his family during the Great Depression, Veal worked in the two coal mines in Bridgeport on Saturdays and Sundays. It is believed that he had been one of the last surviving coal miners who worked in the coal mines that used mules underground. Veal retired in 1980 from General Dynamics where he worked as a tool planner and was vice chairman of the F.I.T.U. Union. He was a member of the Assembly of God Church.
Veal was preceded in death by a son, Louis Monte Veal.
He is survived by two daughters, Helen Lynch and her husband Danny of Fort Worth and Jenny Martin of Nashville,Tenn.; a son, Lee Veal and his wife Carol of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico; six grandchildren, Bryan and Brea Lynch, Michael and Blake Malley, Michael Veal and Lisa Lines and two great grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, June 9, 2002

Veazey, Frances
1932-2002
Graveside service for Frances Jannette Holloway Veazey, 69, of Southlake, mother of Rhad Brady of Paradise, will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery on Mountain Creek Parkway in Dallas.
Veazey died Sunday, March 10, 2002, at her home.
She was born April 14, 1932, in Spur, Texas to William Abb and Bera Mae Holloway. After graduating from Spur High School, she attended Hardin Simmons College in Abilene where she met and married Perkins Veazey in 1950. She later earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education from Texas Tech University. She had taught elementary school for more than 20 years in Lubbock, San Antonio and Irving before retiring.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Doyle Holloway, Calvin B. Holloway, Harvey Bryant Holloway and Glenn Dwayne Holloway.
She is survived by her husband; two sons, Randolph Bryant and his wife Debra of Waco; Rhad Brady and his wife Kathryn of Paradise; one daughter, D. LaRue Corbin and her husband Arnold of Southlake; a brother, Max Holloway of Alvord; four sisters, Mozelle Thomas and Lois Lusko, both of Abilene, Jean Jones of Littleton, Colo., and Jane Colburn of Quitman; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the International Myeloma Foundation, 12650 Riverside Drive, Ste. 206, North Hollywood, Calif. 91607 or to another charity.
Wise County Messenger, March 14, 2002

Venable, Bonnie Geneva
1922-2002
Service for Bonnie Geneva Venable, 79, of Holdenville, Okla., was Saturday, June 1, 2002, at the First Assembly of God in Holdenville with the Rev. Dale Jennings officiating. Burial was in the Holdenville Cemetery.
Venable died Sunday, May 26, 2002, in Clute.
She was born Oct. 22, 1922, in Celt, Mo. She was married to Robert H. Venable for 61 years before his death in 2000.
Venable was preceded in death by her husband; her parents, Wiley and Judy Pearl Webster; three brothers, Willard Webster, Warren Webster and Wart Webster and a sister Alta Whaley.
She is survived by a son, Jerry Venable of Van Alstyne; two daughters, Bobbie Harrison of Alvord and Wilma Glover of Clute; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Chris Lumpkin, Chad Lumpkin, Mike Munoz, Butch Bridges, Mark Venable and Gene Harris.
Wise County Messenger, June 9, 2002

Vidal, Emilie
1950-2002
Service for Emilie Vidal, 51, of Bridgeport was Thursday, July 25, at the First Baptist Church of Bridgeport. Rev. Fred Villa officiated and burial followed at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Vidal died Tuesday, July 23, 2002, in Decatur.
She was born Oct. 28, 1950, in Knox City and was a member of the Harvest Time Family Center of Bridgeport.
She was preceded in death by her father, Guadalupe Salazar; a sister, Gloria Martinez; a brother-in-law, Freddie Martinez and a granddaughter, Kelsey.
She is survived by her husband, Vernon Vidal; her mother, Mary Garces and husband Sonny; four sons, Robert Vidal and wife Kristina, Joshua Vidal and fiancee Tanya, Richard Vidal and wife Mindy and Christopher Vidal; two daughters, Jennifer Johnson and husband Ben and Felicia Davidson and husband James; 14 grandchildren; four brothers, Wally, Tommy and Johnny Salazar and Cliff Garces and two sisters, Sally Moncibaiz and Julia Torres.
Pallbearers were Wally Salazar, Tommy Salazar, Cliff Garces, Edward Martinez, Gilbert Moncibaiz, Marcus Torres and Johnny Salazar.
Wise County Messenger, July 28, 2002

Wadsworth, Eldene Clayton
1924-2002
Service for Eldene Clayton Wadsworth, 78, of Bridgeport was to be Saturday, Nov. 9 at 10:30 a.m. at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport. Rev. Johnny Irish was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Willow Point Cemetery.
Wadsworth died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002, in Bridgeport.
Born May 2, 1924, in Arlington, she was a retired bookkeeper and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Bridgeport. She married J.B. Wadsworth June 22, 1946, in Dallas.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, J.B. Wadsworth and her sister, Jeanette Denton.
She is survived by one daughter, Debbie Pyron and husband Steve of Bridgeport; three sisters, Jackie Johnson and husband Marshall, Pat Franklin and Jo Fancher; one brother, Floyd Lee Clayton; two granddaughters, Shonna Samuel and Kelli Alvarez and husband Salvador; and three great-grandchildren, Mikhalia Hockenhull, D’Antae Bible and Ramiro Alvarez.
Pallbearers were to be Randy Fancher, Tommy (Johnny) Denton, Loyd Wadsworth, Tommy Denton, Jim Stegall, Bobby Wharton, Joe Wadsworth and Jimmy Wadsworth.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 15, 2002

Waldrip, Sybil Inez
1927-2002
Service for Sybil Inez Waldrip, 74, of Boyd was Tuesday at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Lyle Asbill officiated. Burial followed at Boyd Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Brian Smith, Danny Benton, Raymond Benton, Robert Thompson, Shawn Waldrip and Dee Jay Waldrip.
Waldrip died Saturday, March 23, 2002, in Sulphur, La.
Born April 8, 1927, in Durant, Okla., she married Raymond Waldrip on May 22, 1948, in Alvord. She was a Baptist.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Martha (Tackett) Adams; a son, Charles Waldrip; a brother, Leroy Adams and her sister, Myrtle Smith.
She is survived by her husband, Raymond Waldrip; two sons, J.T. Thompson and wife Joyce and Raymond Waldrip and wife Anita; two daughters, Shirley Smith and husband Jon and Helen LeDoux and husband Danny; three sisters, Faye Frances, Irene Lemmons and Ann Adams; 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, March 28, 2002

Walker, Fredrick Lee “Fred”
1946-2002
Service for Fredrick Lee “Fred” Walker, 56, of Fort Worth, a former resident of Wise County, was Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Mount Olivet Chapel. Burial followed at Aurora Cemetery.
Walker died Nov. 16, 2002, in Fort Worth.
Born Aug. 25, 1946, in Decatur, he graduated from Northwest High School in 1964 and attended the University of Houston on a football scholarship. He joined the Marine Corps and served in Vietnam. Walker married Linda Kay Duncan Dec. 5, 1970. He was employed with General Motors Assembly Plant in Arlington for 18 years and was a former member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 146 of Fort Worth.
He is survived by his parents, Clarence “Rip” and Virginia Walker of Rhome; wife, Linda Kay Duncan Walker; brother, Ed Walker of Fort Worth; five sons, Brett Lee Walker of Grand Prairie, Brad W. Walker and wife Tangie of Garland, D. Wayde Duncan and wife Nicole of Fort Worth, Bryan K. Duncan and wife Cecilia of Saginaw and Troy D. Masters of Joshua; one daughter, Debra L. Blanchard of Fort Worth and James R. Blanchard of Cleburne; 11 grandchildren, Jason R. Blanchard of Weatherford, Darryl W. Duncan of Fort Worth, Travis S. Duncan of Fort Worth, Austin L. Walker of Benbrook, Reed W. Walker of Garland, Tanner K. Walker of Garland, Brittney L. Bryd of Cleburne, Whitney N. Duncan and Courtney D. Duncan of Saginaw, Amanda R. Duncan of Fort Worth and Tayla L. Walker of Garland; one great-granddaughter, Haley N. Byrd of Cleburne.
Pallbearers were Doug East, Phillip Admire, Monty Anderson, Tony Dickey, Donovan Hughes and Larry Rockwell.
Wise County Messenger, Nov. 21, 2002

Walker, Hazel Dell
1912-2002
Graveside service for Hazel Dell Walker, 90, of Granbury was to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 at West Bridgeport Cemetery. Britt Doty was to officiate.
Walker died Thursday, Aug. 22, 2002, in Granbury. Born Dec. 16, 1912, in Milam County, she was retired from the Denton State School and was a member of the Carpenter St. Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee Walker on July 31, 1957; her sons, Lee and Darrell Walker; four brothers and two sisters.
She is survived by two sisters, Vera Moxen and Sadie Bingham; grandchildren, Bart Walker, Cindy Hill and husband Randy, Gus Walker and wife Jerri and Casey Lowther and husband Ian; seven great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were to be Bill Ed Hardwell, Bill Slaughter, Lee Slonaker, Danny Baxter, Ian Lowther and Randy Hill.
Wise County Messenger, Aug. 25, 2002

Ward, James Dwayne
1964-2002
Service for James Dwayne Ward, 38, of Decatur, was held Thursday, April 18, at the Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur with Lee Roy Jackson and Louis Horton officiating. Burial was in Sweetwater Cemetery with Justice of the Peace Mark Autry officiating at graveside.
Ward died April 16, 2002, in Decatur.
He was born Jan. 13, 1964, in Denton. He married Patricia Ann Cross Nov. 5, 1983, in Decatur. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church. He was a road construction worker for Wise County Pct. 1.
He is survived by his wife; his parents, James and Darlene Ward of Chico; two daughters, Lindsey Ward and Marsha Ward, both of Decatur; and two sisters, Becky Hepworth of Celina and Janet Robinson of Chico.
Pallbearers were Shade Slimp, David Slimp, Bobby Cross, Melvin Robinson, James Robinson and Dave Riddles.
Wise County Messenger, April 21, 2002

Ward, James W.
1951-2002
Service for James W. Ward, 50, of Paradise was Tuesday, March 12, at First Baptist Church in Paradise. The Revs. Joe Motsenbocker and George Dryer officiated. Burial followed at Bethel Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Ricky Potter, Randy Potter, Donnie Potter, Tom Hall, Jeff Ward and Bryant Dunn.
Ward died Sunday, March 10, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Sept. 9, 1951, in Bridgeport, he graduated from Paradise High School in 1970. He married Wanda Patchin in 1972 and joined the U.S. Air Force the same year. He was in the K-9 Unit and while stationed at Carswell Air Force Base he was sent to Korea and Thailand on two different tours of service. He retired as a tech sergeant with 20 years of service in 1992. He drove cross country transport trucks from 1994 until he went to work for QOS Trucking in Chico in 2000. He was a member of the Paradise First Baptist Church and the Wise County Veterans Group.
He is survived by his wife, Wanda Ward of Oklahoma City, Okla.; his parents, Floyd and Ruby Fuqua of Paradise and Paul Ward of Douglasville, Ga.; two sons, Timmy Patchin of Fort Worth and Jeff Ward and wife Toni of Paradise; two brothers, Kenneth Fuqua and wife Cristy and Frank Fuqua, all of Paradise; a sister, Mary Prince of Oklahoma; three grandchildren and several uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Wise County Messenger, March 14, 2002

Ward, Reedy
1923-2002
Graveside service for Reedy Ward, 78, of Aurora was to be Saturday, Sept. 21, 2002 at Aurora Cemetery in Aurora. Rev. H.A. Geedo was to officiate.
Ward died Sept. 19, 2002 in Aurora.
Born Nov. 25, 1923, in Rhome, he was a steamfitter for a welding company and a Baptist.
He is survived by three sons, Reedy Ward Jr. of Euless, Larry Ward of Rhome and Sammy Ward of Wyoming; two daughters Kathy Blaylock of Haslet and Mary Simmons of Azle; two sisters, Virgie Burke of Alvord and Pat Bennett of Fort Worth; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 22, 2002

Warner, Arnold Wayne
1930-2002
Service for Arnold Wayne Warner, 71, of Longview and a former resident of Bridgeport, was Tuesday, April 16, at Hallsville Church of Christ. Kenneth Burnett and Joe Chase officiated. Burial followed at Jim Nedd Cemetery.
Warner died Saturday, April 13, 2002, in Longview.
He was born Sept. 6, 1930, in Chico. On Oct. 14, 1950, he married Fannie Sizemore of Paradise. After attending school in Bridgeport, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1948 and was discharged in 1950. In the late 1950s, Warner began working for Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America in Bridgeport. He moved to the Longview area in 1974.
Warner was a member of the Church of Christ and was a deacon for many years in Bridgeport. He was a member of the Hallsville Lions Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Erwin Warner and Alziabee McDaniel Warner, and two brothers, Gilbert E. Warner and Morris Warner.
He is survived by his wife Fannie; four children, Melissa Scott, Carol Alford, Larry Warner and Vada Shelton; eight grandchildren, Daniel, Cliff and Nathan Scott, Fiona and Joram Alford, Blake Warner and Kelsie and Samuel Shelton and six brothers and sisters, Vadis Simmons, Mary McClary, Clyde Warner, David Warner, Norman Warner and Jimmy Warner.
Pallbearers were James Lovelace, Willie Bullock, Gary Dorsey, Tommy Stowe, Bo Benson and Charles Townsend.
Memorials may be made to the Hallsville Church of Christ.
Wise County Messenger, April 18, 2002

Waters, Jimmie Ray
1940-2002
Service for Jimmie Ray Waters, 62, of Ajijic, Mexico, was to be Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 11 a.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. Rev. Johnny Irish was to officiate, and burial was to follow at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Waters died Monday, Oct. 28, 2002, in Glen Rose.
Born Sept. 8, 1940, in Rayville, he retired as a drilling foreman for Amoco after 25 years of service. He was a member of the American Petroleum Institute and served in the U.S. Army. He married Bonnie McDaniel on Dec. 9, 1963, in California.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Blan and Ethel Cox Waters; a brother, Dickie Waters and a sister, Nona Mae Knibbie.
He is survived by his wife; five sons, Jimmie Waters and wife Kimberly of Cleburne, Timmie Lee Waters and wife Sally of California, Timmy Dean Waters and wife Karen of Coahoma, Michael Waters and wife Kim of Marshall Islands and Monte Waters and wife Annie of Guam; three sisters, Wanda Sipes, Billie Stokes and Ann Pierce; 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were to be Jimmie Waters, Timmie Lee Waters, Timmy Dean Waters, Michael Waters, Monte Waters and Cory Waters.
Wise County Messenger, Oct. 10, 2002

Watkins, Joyce
1931-2002
Service for Joyce Watkins, 71, of Paradise will be Monday, Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Decatur. George Dyer will officiate, assisted by Joe Motsenbocker. Burial will follow at Paradise Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home.
Watkins died Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002, in Paradise.
Born Dec. 12, 1931, in Clarksville, she was a homemaker. She married Willie Watkins July 9, 1951, in Bridgeport. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Paradise.
She was preceded in death by grandsons Cody Gentry and Shiloh Hughes; her granddaughter, Afton Hughes Royse; two brothers, Shelby and Travis Pittman and her daughter, Kim Hughes.
She is survived by her husband; one son, Johnny Watkins of Paradise; three daughters, Carolyn Largent, Binky Gentry and Shirley Ritchey, all of Paradise; two brothers, Clyde Pittman of Abernathy and Charlie Pittman of Dallas; three sisters, Dot Hilliard of Denison, Faye Williams of Abernathy and Ima Lee Edwards of Arlington; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons Brody and Jacoby Gentry, Nick and Bubba Ritchey, Chad Largent and Caleb Watkins.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Watkins and Hughes Family Fund, c/o First American Bank in Bridgeport, Account No. 0330115005, P.O. Box 428, Bridgeport, Texas, 76426.
Wise County Messenger, Dec. 22, 2002

Watkins, Roy Lee, Sr.
1919-2002
Service for Roy Lee Watkins, Sr., 83, of Bridgeport was Monday, Feb. 4, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. David Isbell officiated. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery. Pallbearers were Billy Garner, Roy Boswell, B.D. Workman, Miles Pearce, Harold Moreland and Willie Watkins.
Watkins died Friday, Feb. 1, 2002, in Bridgeport.
Born Jan. 11, 1919, Watkins was a retired self-employed contract welder. He was a U.S. Navy veteran from World War II. He married Fay Elkins Dec. 12, 1937, in Oklahoma. He was a member of the Bridgeport Masonic Lodge.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Jack and Hubert Watkins.
He is survived by his wife, Fay Watkins; three sons, Roy Watkins, Jr. and wife Linda of Decatur, Robert Watkins and wife Judy of Bridgeport, Eddy Watkins and wife Cynthia of Colfax, Calif.; a daughter, Delaine Watkins of Springtown; 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Wise County Messenger, Feb. 7, 2002

Watson, Gene
1931-2002
Memorial service for Gene Watson, 71, of Newark was Wednesday, Oct. 23, at Grace Baptist Church in Newark.
Watson died Sunday, Oct. 20, 2002.
Born Jan. 10, 1931, in Pawnee, Okla., he graduated from Skeedee High School in 1949. He was a truck driver and retired in 1990. He married Jean Mitchell on Feb. 19, 1972. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Royal and Christine Watson and a grandson, Jonathan Caine Parnell.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Watson of Newark; three sons, Eugene Parnell of Blanchard, Okla., Michael Parnell of Broken Bow, Okla. and Jerry Parnell of Fort Worth; three daughters, Judy Evans of Rhome, Stacy Miller of Grand Prairie and Christine Thurman of New Orleans, La.; three brothers, Johnny Watson of Shawnee, Okla., Charles Watson of Pawnee and Bennie Watson of Perry, Okla.; four sisters, Velma Watson of Perry, Thelma Rodgers of Pawnee, Orbie Watson of Perry and Estelle Grimes of Morristown, Pa.; 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 15, 2002

Watson, Temple Houston
1922-2002
Graveside service for Temple Houston Watson, 80, of Bridgeport was Sunday, Dec. 8 at Mountain Park Cemetery in Saint Jo.
Watson died Saturday, Dec. 7, 2002, in Bridgeport.
Born May 1, 1922, in Healdton, Okla., to Robert E. and Jennie Kerbo Watson, he was a carpenter. He married the late Hazel Maxine Woods Jan. 31, 1942, in Wichita Falls. He served in the Army during World War II and was a member of the American Legion Hardy Post #9 and D.A.V. He was a Baptist.
He is survived by two daughters, Kay Fisher of Cameron and Judy Ball of Bridgeport; one sister, Georgia Harris of Bowie, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Dec. 12, 2002

Watson, Velma Lee
1923-2002
Graveside service for Velma Lee Watson, 79, of Decatur is Tuesday, Aug. 20 at Mt.Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth. Jacke Gatewood will officiate.
Watson died Aug. 15, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Jan. 6, 1923, in Cleburne, she was a homemaker who married Wiley Thomas Watson Aug. 13, 1946, in Weatherford. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Decatur.
She is survived by her husband; two sons, Bobby Watson of Georgia and Bruce Watson of Fort Worth; a daughter, Tommie Lee Combs of Haslet; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Aug. 18, 2002

Welch, Albert Bergen
1928-2002
Graveside service for Albert Bergen Welch, 74, of Dallas was Monday, June 24, at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Welch died Saturday, June 22, 2002.
Born Feb. 15, 1928, in Paris, Ill., to Dr. Albert Summerfield and Margaret Laughlin Welch, he attended the University of Iowa and Kansas University where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He graduated from the school of engineering at Southern Methodist University and was a member of Blue Key. He was retired from Lockheed Martin.
He was a member of Floyd’s Faithful Sunday School Class at the Park Cities Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria Busey; a daughter, Diane and son-in-law D. Harold Byrd III; a son, Charlie and daughter-in-law Carolyn Dunlavy of Houston and two grandchildren, David Harold Byrd IV and Tiffany Diane Byrd.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sons of the American Revolution, c/o Mr. Earl Thomas Smith, 5515 Falls Road, Dallas, 75220.
Wise County Messenger, June 27, 2002

West, Jimmy Wayne
1983-2002
Service for Jimmy Wayne West, 18, of Bridgeport was Aug. 14 at Balsora Baptist Church with Rev. Glenn Campbell and Rev. Dan Green officiating. Burial followed in West Bridgeport Cemetery.
West died Saturday, Aug. 10, 2002, in Marion, Kansas.
Born Nov. 13, 1983, he was a senior at Bridgeport High School and a member of Balsora Baptist Church.
He is survived by his mother, Sheila Lee; his father, Kenneth West; a brother, Kenny West; two sisters, Hannah West and Taylor Icenogle; grandparents, Harold and Linda Ferguson, Jimmy Lee and J.W. West; great-grandparents, Mary Spangler and Johnny Ferguson; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Pallbearers were Bobby Shawn, Dale Morgan Jr., Johnny Hughes, Raymond Smith, Earl Parsons and Johnny Leon Morgan. Honorary pallbearers were Daniel Roberts, Doug Shawn, Lonnie Murray and Richard Williams.
Wise County Messenger, Aug. 18, 2002

West, Letha Jean
1927-2002
Service for Letha Jean West, 74, of Decatur was Tuesday, Feb. 5, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Lee Roy Jackson officiated. Bill Jackson assisted. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery. Pallbear-ers were Bobby Garcia Sr., Bobby Garcia Jr., Charles Riley, Wayne McGar, Sonny Cross and Walt Amonett.
West died Friday, Feb. 1, 2002, in Decatur.
Born March 12, 1927, in Ponca City, Okla. She married Voda West July 20, 1946, in Winfield, Kan. He preceded her in death. She was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church in Decatur.
She is survived by her sons, Gary West of Wichita Falls and Chick West of Parkton, Md.; daughters, Frieda Sue Kinney of Hagerstown, Md. and Margaret Garcia of Wichita Falls and 5 grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Feb. 7, 2002

West, Shirley
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

Wester, Clara
1920-2002
Service for Clara Wester, 81, of Chico was to be Wednesday, April 17, at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Chico. The Revs. Gerald Cox and Joe Motsenbocker were to officiate. Burial was to be in Chico Cemetery.
Wester died Sunday, April 14, 2002, in Decatur.
Born May 20, 1920, in Chico, she was a retired nurse at the Bowie Clinic and was a lifetime resident of Chico. She married Bruce Wester on March 20, 1937, in Chico. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Chico, the 42 Club, the Quilting Club and was a volunteer at nursing homes in Bridgeport.
She is survived by her husband, Bruce Wester of Chico; a son, Roland Wester and wife Bobbie of Hobbs, N.M.; a daughter, Peggy Smith and husband Jimmie of Azle; a sister, Effie Lyon; seven grandchildren, Jolynda, Jim, Byron, Leisa, Kathy, Debbie and Sheri and 12 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were to be Butch Coble, Harold Denney, Leonard Denney, Royce McClung, James William Redwine and Welton Redwine.
Wise County Messenger, April 18, 2002

Weston, Daisy Lee
1918-2002
Service for Daisy Lee Weston, 83, of Boyd was to be Saturday, Feb. 2, at 11:30 a.m. at the Mount Olivet Chapel in Fort Worth. Burial was to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Weston died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Feb. 16, 1918, in Ferris, she was a resident of Boyd since 1958. She retired from Swift and Company after 30 years of service.
She is survived by her husband, James C. Weston of Boyd; a brother, Dub Tawater and wife Elsie of Canton; a son, Garld “Mickey” Dunivan of Arlington; grandchildren, Dianne Dunivan, Dana Dunivan, Garld “Sonny” Dunivan, Jr. all of Fort Worth and three great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Feb. 3, 2002

Wharton, Blanche Lucille
1913-2002
Service for Blanche Lucille Wharton, 88, of Bridgeport is Sunday, Jan. 20 at 2 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Bridgeport.
Pallbearers are Bryan Wayne, Bryan Blackwell, Steve Cooke, Curt Williamson, Ronnie Pewitt and Jerry Stinnett.
Wharton died Friday, Jan. 18, 2002, in Decatur.
Born July 21, 1913, in Crafton, Wharton was a homemaker and lived in the Bridgeport community since 1947. She married Howard Wharton Dec. 30, 1931, in Hollis, Okla. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Wharton in March 2000.
She is survived by her daughters, Suzanne Whitson of Lake Worth and Linda Jones and husband Greg of Bridgeport; her grandchildren, Connie Stokes, Tammy Pewitt and husband Ronnie, Debra Williamson and husband Curt, Doug Jones and fiancee Candice; great-grandchildren, Josh, Bryan and Lauren; her sisters, Betty Williams of Fort Worth and Helen Stalling of Azle and several nieces and nephews.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 24, 2002

Whitaker, James R.
1929-2002
Service for James R. Whitaker, 73, of Decatur was Monday, Nov. 11 at the First Baptist Church in Decatur. Robert Isham officiated, assisted by Ryan Morrison and Bud Hale. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Whitaker died Saturday, Nov. 9, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Sept. 2, 1929, in Chico, he was a machinist for General Dynamics who retired in 1991 after 42 years. He was born to Hazel B. and Arthur J. Whitaker. He became a Christian at age 14 at the Chico Church of Christ. He moved to Alvord in 1941 and graduated from Alvord High School in 1948. He married Audrey Faye Nikirk Sept. 2, 1950, in Texarkana, Ark. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1956 and served as an elder at Decatur Church of Christ for 24 years.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Danny Whitaker and wife Carmen of Denton; two daughters, Barbara Thompson and husband Phil of Edmond, Okla., and Phyllis DeLuca and husband Beau of North Richland Hills; one sister, June Moreau of Bellevue and five grandchildren, Bryan James Goodger, Nicole Marie DeLuca, Danny Tyler Whitaker, Brooke Ingram Thompson and Alan Altom.
Pallbearers were Larry Hachtel, Kenny Hachtel, Lynn Watts, Charles Parker, Donnie Parker and Randy Parker. Honorary pallbearers were Bus Boner, Jim Walker, Pat Collins, Tom Thompson, John Scott and Ronnie Hess.
Memorials may be made to Compass Hospice, 2802 Farm Road 51 South, Bldg. 2, Suite B, Decatur, Texas, 76234 or the Decatur Church of Christ Building Fund, P.O. Box 328, Decatur, Texas, 76234.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 15, 2002

White, Mary Lois
1928-2002
Service for Mary Lois White, 74, of Bridgeport was Tuesday, Oct. 15, at First Baptist Church in Bridgeport. The Rev. Bo Blakey officiated, assisted by Rev. Robert White. Burial followed at Chico Cemetery.
White died Saturday, Oct. 12, 2002, in Bridgeport.
Born Aug. 23, 1928, in Chico, she was a retired registered nurse at Mid-Cities O.B.–Gyn Association. She married Willis White on Nov. 25, 1987, in Keller. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post No. 655 and the First Baptist Church of Bridgeport.
She is survived by her husband; three sons, Jerry Morrow and wife Becky of Bridgeport, Dale Morrow of Fort Worth and Kenny Morrow and wife Donna of Paradise; two step-sons, David White and wife Jan and the Rev. Robert White and wife Pam; two step-daughters, Lee Ann Lee and husband Roy and Susan Moore and husband Gary; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Brian Morrow, Doug Morrow, Brent Morrow, Lance Morrow, Brandon Morrow and Rodney Morrow. Honorary pallbearers were Julie Orr and Brianna Morrow.
Wise County Messenger, Oct. 17, 2002

Whitehead, Dan, Dr.
1914-2002
Service for Dr. Dan Whitehead, 87, of Bridgeport was to be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. Burial was to follow at Chico Cemetery. The Rev. Bo Blakey was to officiate.
Whitehead died Saturday, Nov. 30, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Dec. 15, 1914, in Blanket he was a retired physician, surgeon and rancher who had lived in Bridgeport since 1952. He married Sherry Elizabeth Brown on Sept. 6, 1944, in San Antonio. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bridgeport and the American Osteopathic Association.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sherry Whitehead of Bridgeport; one son, Doug Whitehead of Chico; two daughters, Dana Ruth Rigg of Philadelphia, Pa. and Sherry Lynn Dale of Chico; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and one sister, Peggy Callahan of Flower Mound.
Pallbearers were to be Steve Stanford, Scott Stanford, Jeremy Polk, Jay Evans and Steve Sparks.
Wise County Messenger, Dec. 5, 2002

Whiteis, Lester Martin
1934-2002
Service for Lester Martin Whiteis, 68, of Decatur will be Thursday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Chapel in Colleyville. Burial will follow at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park.
Whiteis died Monday, Nov. 4, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Sept. 28, 1934, in Chicago, Ill., he served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1974 and was employed at Bell Helicopter from 1974 to 1989. He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church of Boyd.
He is survived by his wife, Mollie Whiteis; two daughters, Arlene Marie and husband Col. Robert J. Mattes of Florida and Shirley and husband Charles Cataldo of Southlake; two daughters-in-law, Michele Whiteis of Weatherford and Helen and Michael Morris and son Hayden of Azle; grandchildren, Christopher, Jennifer and Michael; a stepmother, Marie Kaiser; two brothers, Larry Whiteis and John Adams and wife Kathy; four sisters, Lucille Anderson and husband Don of Bend, Ore., Claudia Smith and husband Hawley of Lakewood, Calif., Yvonne Cariveau and husband Gordon of Minnesota and Sharon McPhee and husband Neil of Massachussets and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice or to the First United Methodist Church of Boyd.
Wise County Messenger, Oct. 17, 2002

Williams, Cleo
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

Williams, Devin Royce
1966-2002
Service for Devin Royce Williams, 35, of Gainesville will be Friday, June 28, at 10 a.m. at Clement-Keel Funeral Home in Gainesville. Burial will follow at McCurley Cemetery in Lewisville.
Williams is the son of Royce O. and Wanda C. Williams of Paradise.
He died Sunday, June 23, 2002, in Gainesville.
Born July 6, 1966, in Denton County, he was employed at Andrew Corp. in Denton where he was a department coordinator.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Shanna Rene Williams and grandparents Herman W. and Mary L. Williams.
He is survived by his wife, Cheryl; his parents; three daughters, Kimberlin Carrie of Irving and Ashley Michelle and Leticia, both of Gainesville; a brother, Lance O. Williams of Denton; a sister, Kimberly Dawn Perryman of Paradise; three uncles; two aunts and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Friends and co-workers will serve as pallbearers.
Wise County Messenger, June 27, 2002

Williams, James Price
1952-2002
Graveside service for James Price Williams, 50, of Benbrook, was 2 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at the Cottonwood Cemetery with Dan Green officiating.
Williams died Thursday, April 18, 2002, in Fort Worth.
He was born March 31, 1952, in Cisco. He married Marilyn Jan Gregg May 23, 1970, in Juarez, Mexico. He was a member of the Alvord Community Church.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Michael Williams of Benbrook; two daughters, Christi Williams of Fort Worth and Vickie Williams of Benbrook; two brothers, Larry Williams and Robert Williams, both of Breckenridge; three sisters, Debra Wooldridge of North Carolina, Shelia Williams of Breckenridge and Melissa Hancock of Tom Ball; and three grandchildren, Kala Hutto of Alvord and Whitney Williams and Jesse Guerrero III of Fort Worth.
Pallbearers were James Klein, Rikch Epley, Thomas Williams, Doug Molden, Michael Rico and Jonathan Williams.
Wise County Messenger, April 25, 2002

Williamson, Ruth Marie
1923-2002
Service for Ruth Marie Williamson, 79, of Denton was Aug. 12 at Singing Oaks Church of Christ. Brady Bryce and Robert Heibler officiated. Burial followed at Roselawn Memorial Park.
Williamson died Thursday, Aug. 8, 2002, in Denton.
Williamson was born Jan. 21, 1923, to Ludy Ruben and Lela Belle Boyd Gage in Sycamore. She graduated from Slidell High School and attended the University of North Texas. She married Merrill Delwin Williamson in Amarillo on April 3, 1944. She was a member of the Glory of Zion Church and the Denton County Emergency Foster Care.
She is survived by her husband of Argyle; five sons, Byron Williamson of Nashville, Tenn., Greg Williamson of Springfield, Mo., Tim Williamson and David Williamson of Denton and Scott Williamson of Seymour; one sister, Kiamota Sloan of Lake Kiowa; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Wise County Messenger, Aug. 15, 2002

Wilson, Charles H., Sr.
1927-2002
Service for Charles H. Wilson Sr., 74, of Boyd was Friday, July 5, at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd. Ken Burnett and the Rev. John Elmore officiated. Burial followed at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 2 near Boyd.
Wilson died Tuesday, July 2, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Sept. 15, 1927, in Amory, Miss., he married Judy Elizabeth Grindle Wilson on April 23, 1959, in Fort Worth. He was a pipeline welder and worked for Lone Star Gas for 47 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran and served in World War II.
He was preceded in death by five brothers, Tilmon, Jack, Gordon, Red and Junior Wilson and two sisters, Ivy and Marie.
He is survived by his wife; 10 sons, Charles Kenneth Wilson and wife Peggy of Greenville, Miss., Eugene Wilson of Savannah, Ga., Jerry Wayne Wilson and wife Donna of Paducah, Ky., Johnny Benjamin Wilson and wife Patty of Greenville, David Rickey Wilson and wife Chi of Virginia, Arnold Dale Wilson and wife Joyce of Azle, Darryl Glenn Wilson and wife Loretta of Paradise, Charles Harmon Wilson Jr. and wife Wendy of Azle, Wesley Hardin Wilson and wife Cynthia of Fort Worth and Leslie Harlon Wilson and wife Robin of Weatherford; eight daughters, Vicki Rayburn and husband Eddie of Springtown, Margaret Geanette Crawford of Greenville, Miss., Pamela Sue Miller of Boyd, Andela Ilene Mullins and husband Larry of St. James, N.Y., Rose Marie Hodges and husband Keith of Forest, Judy Melissa Crawford and husband Robbie of Wells, Charlene Slocum and husband Mark of Katy and Sue Ann Moorehouse and husband Sam of Lufkin; a brother, Leicil Wilson of Grand Prairie; two sisters, Ruby Ambrosia of Aurora and Polly Buford of Greenville, Miss.; 84 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces nephews and cousins.
Pallbearers were Sam Morehouse, Robbie Crawford, James Miller, Henry Miller, Eddie Rayburn Sr. and Dandy Wilson.
Wise County Messenger, July 7, 2002

Wilson, Elise Marie
1907-2002
Service for Elsie Marie Wilson, 95, of Greenwood was to be Saturday, Nov. 9 at Coker Funeral Home Chapel at 2 p.m. in Decatur. Rev. Paul Williams was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Sycamore Cemetery in Wise County.
Wilson died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002, in Longview.
Born April 12, 1907, in Missouri, she was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by one son, Darrell Wilson.
She is survived by two sons, Rodney and Gaylen Wilson of Greenwood; two daughters, Joyce Marie Forgason of Hungerford and Trudy Williams of Longview; one sister, Myrtle Stephens of Decatur; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 15, 2002

Wilson, Vernon Wendell
1960-2002
Graveside service for Vernon Wendell Wilson, 41, of Chico will be Thursday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m. at Sycamore Cemetery.
Wilson died Saturday, Feb. 16, 2002, in Dallas.
Born May 23, 1960, in Fort Worth, he was a plumber.
He is survived by his father, Bill Wilson of Briar and his mother, Pearl Whatley of Decatur and two brothers, Wesley Wilson of Denver, Colo. and Ronnie Wilson of Gainesville.
Wise County Messenger, Feb. 21, 2002

Winans, John Wesley
1923-2002
Memorial service for John Wesley Winans, 78, of Tyler was Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Lloyd James Funeral Chapel in Tyler. The Rev. Matthew McKellar officiated.
Winans died Thursday, Feb. 21, 2002, in Tyler.
Born April 27, 1923, in San Antonio, he was a retired truck driver. He was a World War II veteran, serving in India, a charter member of DAV in Bridgeport and a life member of VFW.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arville and Addie Parker Winans; a brother, Donald Winans and a sister, Ola Mae Waltman.
He is survived by a son, Daniel Ray Winans of Paradise; a daughter, Ruth Ann Taylor of Paradise; a brother, Arville Winans of Lindale; two sisters, Jane Taylor of Douglasville, Ga. and Maria Beall of Fort Worth; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
The family requests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 130577, Tyler, TX 75713.
Wise County Messenger, Feb. 28, 2002

Winder, Mary D.
1911-2002
Service for Mary D. Winder, 91, of Decatur was Thursday, Oct. 3, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. The Rev. Steve Hudson officiated and was assisted by Sam Rector. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Winder died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Aug. 11, 1911, in Archer County, she was a homemaker. She married Reuben Winder on Aug. 8, 1931, in Waurika, Okla. She was a member of Bell Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband and her son, George L. Winder.
She is survived by two sons, Robert A. Winder of Wichita Falls and James B. Winder of Spring; four daughters, Barbara Williams of Decatur, Patricia Kee Schuman of Whitney, Norma S. Clark of Mt. Pleasant and Karen Ress of Phoenix, Ariz.; 16 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to Home Hospice of North Texas at 2201 Farm Road 51 South, Decatur, Texas, 76234.
Wise County Messenger, Oct. 6, 2002

Wingate, L. D.
1929-2002
Service for L. D. Wingate, 73, of Azle was Tuesday, Nov. 26 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church No. 2. Winston Dennis officiated and burial followed in Azleland Cemetery.
Wingate died Sunday, Nov. 24, 2002, in Azle.
Born March 8, 1929, in Earlton, Kan., to Marion and Ada Wingate, he retired from the Texas Army National Guard, Civil Service and the Wingate Feed Store. He was a member of the Sycamore Baptist Church. He married Elizabeth Hoppie on March 8, 1950, in Denton.
He was preceded in death by one son, Milton Dean Wingate.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Elizabeth Wingate of Azle; two daughters, Gladys Kay Harris and husband Eldridge of Fort Worth and Joyce Diane Wilson and husband Arnold of Azle; one brother, Vernon Wingate; two sisters, Violet Hugo and Laura Wingate; six grandchildren, Jennifer, Rusti, Jessica, Julia, Seth and Rowdy and two great-grandchildren, Jordan and Payton.
Pallbearers were Larry Wells, Charles Newberry, Jimmy Varner, Chuck Wilson, Mark Jenkins and Wesley Wilson.
Wise County Messenger, Nov. 28, 2002

Womack, Dorothy Lucille
1918-2002
Service for Dorothy Lucille Womack, 83, of Boonsville was Friday, July 26, at Balsora Baptist Church. Glen Connell officiated, assisted by Billy Womack. Burial followed at Boonsville Cemetery.
Womack died Wednesday, July 26, 2002, in Boonsville.
She was born Nov. 27, 1918, in Lubbock and was a homemaker. She married Thurman Womack on April 4, 1935, in Fort Worth. She was a member of the Balsora Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her son, James Gary Womack; a grandson, Gary Wayne Womack; her parents; two brothers, Bill and Tommy Thorton and two sisters, Marie Smith and Edna Earl Wiliams.
She is survived by her husband, Thurman Womack of Boonsville; a son, Sam Womack and wife Kelly of Boonsville; a daughter-in-law, Peggy Womack Shepherd of Boonsville; a granddaughter, Kelli Ross and husband Terry of Runaway Bay; a grandson, Sean Womack and wife Christa of Boonsville; a step-grandchild, Taylor Province of Boonsville; three great-grandchildren, Amanda Ross and Samantha and Skylor Womack and one great-great grandson, Hunter Ross.
Pallbearers were Melvin Smith, Bryan Archer, Wesley Cooper, Dwayne Garrett, Bobby Deaton, Perry Flowers and Darrell Hampton.
Wise County Messenger, July 28, 2002

Womack, Fayteen Fleta
1914-2002
Funeral for Fayteen Fleta Womack, 88, of Weatherford was Tuesday, Sept. 17 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel with Rev. Billy Womack officiating. Burial followed at Boonsville Cemetery.
Born Jan. 2, 1914, in Boonsville, she died Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002, in Weatherford.
She was a homemaker and member of the First Baptist Church of Boonsville.
She is survived by her brother, Eugene Womack and wife Janice; two sisters-in-law, Doris Womack and Fae Womack; five nieces, Linda Corley, Beverly Green, Juliann Kane, Margaret Brown and Carolyn Womack; and seven nephews, James, Glen, Lynn, Calvin, Jimmy, Ron and Maxey Womack.
Her nephews were pallbearers.
Wise County Messenger, Sept. 19, 2002

Wood, Gerald Lyle
1932-2002
Funeral for Gerald Lyle Wood, 69, of Springtown was Saturday, June 29, at White’s Funeral Home in Springtown. Burial was in Springtown Cemetery.
He was the father of Penny Wheelis of Alvord and Hollie McCabe of Runaway Bay.
Wood died Wednesday, June 26, 2002, in Springtown.
Born Nov. 4, 1932, in Altus, Okla., he was a former Airman 3rd class in the U.S. Air Force who served during the Korean War.
He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Clayton; mother, Anna Bula Wood; and infant brother, Lawrence Dale Wood.
He is survived by his wife, Naomi Ruth; three sons, Gerald L. Wood Jr. and his wife Carla, Allen Wood and his wife Diana and Clayton Wood ; two daughters, Hollie McCabe and her husband William and Penny Wheelis and her husband Gaylynn; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Clois Wood and Arlis Wood and his wife Suzie; and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Don Yocum, Gene Lowry, William McCabe, Gaylynn Wheelis, Wyatt Matlock and Greg Modesette. Honorary pallbearers were Bronze O’Neal and Wesley Stein.
Wise County Messenger, July 4, 2002

Wood, Hazel M.
1917-2002
Graveside service for Hazel M. Wood, 85, of Fort Worth, mother of Linda Cook of Paradise, was to be Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Cottondale Cemetery.
She died Monday, Sept. 30, 2002, in a Fort Worth hospital.
She was born Sept. 1, 1917, in Fort Worth. She was a graduate of Polytechnic High School.
She is survived by a son, Bill Beaupre and wife Norwina of Fort Worth; daughters, Linda Cook and husband Sam of Paradise and Pat Leeper of Fort Worth; brother, Ray Hooton of Fort Worth; five grandchildren, Melinda Watson, Cheryl Vinson, Sam Cook Jr., Pam Pena and Mike Leeper; 12 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to The Arthritis Foundation, 3001 West 5th, Fort Worth, Texas 76107.
Wise County Messenger, October 3, 2002

Woodruff, Janice Loree
1928-2002
Service for Janice Loree Woodruff, 74, of Azle was Tuesday, Nov. 19 at Briar Baptist Church. Rev. Tony Edwards officiated. Burial followed at Azleland Cemetery.
Woodruff died Friday, Nov. 15, 2002, in Fort Worth.
Born March 7, 1928, in Somerset to Alonzo and Melissa Newman, she married David Woodruff on May 17, 1947, in Terrell Wells. She was a member of Briar Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by three sisters.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, D.M. Woodruff; four sons, Roy Woodruff and wife Karen of Bowie, David Woodruff and wife Pat of Azle, Darrell Woodruff of Fort Worth and Brant Woodruff and wife Shari of Azle; one brother, Gary Burnett; three sisters, Bobbie Homesley, Faye Shockley and B.J. Green; 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Nov. 24, 2002

Woods, Frances Ann
1956-2002
Graveside service for Frances Ann Woods, 46, of Chico will be Friday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. at Caddo Peak Cemetery in Joshua. Bill Higgins will officiate. Family visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Coker Funeral Home.
Woods died Monday, Dec. 2, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Aug. 21, 1956, in Watertown, N.Y., she was a homemaker. She married Mark Woods Oct. 17, 1975, in Fort Worth.
She is survived by her husband; her father, Loren Gault Sr. of New York; her mother, Katherine Chitwood of Joshua; a son, James Edward Woods of Chico; a daughter, Katherine L. Martin and husband Bryan of Alvord; a brother, Jimmy Gault and wife Norma of Hillsboro; four sisters, Rosie Jaquess and husband Bob, Beverly Shirley and husband Larry, Mary Lou Chitwood and husband Randy, all of Joshua and Gloria Westbrook and husband Jesse of Alvord; and three grandchildren, Christian Blake Martin, Dakota Woods and Makayla Paige Martin.
Wise County Messenger, Dec. 5, 2002

Wrangle, Ed S.
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

Wright, Linda Rhoten
1948-2002
Service for Linda Rhoten Wright, 53, of Fort Worth, mother of Kerri Hulsey of Bridgeport, will be Thursday, Jan. 24, at 2 p.m. at White’s Funeral Home Chapel in Springtown.
Wright died Monday, Jan. 21, 2002, in Fort Worth.
Born Dec. 9, 1948, in Albuquerque, N.M., she was a pharmacist’s clerk and a resident of Springtown most of her life.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Nina Rhoten and a sister, Jimmie Blackiston.
She is survived by her husband, Clayton Wright of Fort Worth; two daughters, Kerri Hulsey of Bridgeport and Kristi Wright of Fort Worth; two sisters, Carolyn Tate of Paradise and Sandra Santos of McAllen; three grandchildren, Taylor, Jordyn and Jake Hulsey and numerous nieces and nephews.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 24, 2002

Yeats, Irene
1914-2002
Service for Irene Yeats, 88, of Duncanville was Tuesday, June 4, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport with the Rev. Greg Smith officiating. Burial was in the West Bridgeport Cemetery.
Yeats died Saturday, June 1, 2002, in Duncanville.
She was born May 27, 1914, in Poolville. She was retired from Lilly’s Dept. Store in Denison. Yeats was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Denison. She married Homer Carl Yeats on May 5, 1934. He preceded her in death.
She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Arnold Wayne Gaston; a brother, J.D. Coffman and two sisters, Marie McCulley and Inez Jennings.
She is survived by a daughter, Joyce Anderson and husband Carrol of Cedar Hill; two sons, Carl Yeats and wife Pat of Coppell and James Don Yeats and wife Vickie of Floyd Knobs, Ind.; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Jewel Cox of Channelview and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Larry Gaston, Steve Anderson, Patrick Yeats, Rhett Yeats, Don Alan Yeats, Eric Drain, Josh Drain and Clint Thorn.
Wise County Messenger, June 6, 2002

York, Donald Leo
1944-2002
Service for Donald Leo York, 58, of Bridgeport was to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at Pleasant View Baptist Church. Burial was to follow at Thomas Cemetery. Rev. Gary Demmitt was to officiate.
York died Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Feb. 8, 1944, in Olney, he was the owner and operator of York Trucking. He married Carol Bromling Aug. 20, 1963, in New Castle and had lived in the Bridgeport community since 1967.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Carol York of Bridgeport; one son, Steve York and wife Missy of Bridgeport; two daughters, Lisa Kaker and husband John of Bridgeport and Kim Spurgeon and husband Charley of Bridgeport; his grandmother, Cora Zurface of Sabina, Ohio; one brother, Roger York and wife Sarah of Bridgeport and nine grandchildren, Caleb, Hannah, Hunter, Alli, Tanner, Kyle, Hayley, Blake and Bailey.
Pallbearers were to be Rocky Loper, Ed Fancher, Damon Tucker, Eddie Joe Hughes, Curt Anderson, Lance Morrow, Harvey Weatherly, A. D. Franks, Glenn Allen York and Dale Marsh.
Honorary pallbearers were to be Chito Torres and Bill Futch.
Wise County Messenger, Dec. 1, 2002

Young, Robert Willard, Jr.
1927-2002
A memorial service for Robert Williard Young Jr., 74, of Sunset was Friday at the First Baptist Church of Alvord. Bill Cleveland officiated.
Young died Tuesday, March 19, 2002, in Denton.
He was born Sept. 25, 1927, in Start, La. He was a retired Army veteran and a retired Wise County sheriff’s deputy. He was a member of the First Baptist Church. He married Debra Colleen Scott on March 26, 1981, in Lake Worth.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Robert Young III of Fort Worth and Kelley Young of Watauga; a stepson, Jimmy Huxford of Indiana; and three stepdaughters, Rena Alexander of Sunset, Veda Vester of Indiana and Gerilyn Neal of Fort Worth; a brother, Don Young of Richardson; a sister, Billie Rene West of Kaufman; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Wise County Messenger, March 24, 2002

Zarantonello, Judy
1946-2002
Service for Judy Taylor Zarantonello, 55, of Runaway Bay was Friday, July 12, at the Runaway Bay Community Church. Rev. Palmer Bowers officiated. Burial followed at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Zarantonello died Tuesday, July 9, 2002, in Bridgeport.
Born Sept. 24, 1946, in Comanche, she was a member of the Wise Regional Health Auxiliary, Eastern Star, Runaway Bay Community Church and was a Rainbow Girl.
She is survived by her husband, Louis Zarantonello; her parents, Gordon and Rene Seals; a son, Robert Taylor of Pampa; a daughter, Valerie O’Brien and husband David of Pampa; a brother, Jim Seals and wife Vicki; three grandchildren, Sierra, Kaitlyn and Davey; four step-grandchildren, Louis Christian Zarantonello, Keith Dewayne Zarantonello, Anthony Monroe Zarantonello and Rebecca Jean Zarantonello; seven step-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Charles Rouse, Vicki Seals, Terry Guann, Presley McQuigg, Ben Snodgrass and Mark Rouse.
Wise County Messenger, July 14, 2002