Wise County Messenger Obituaries
2003
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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.)

Rainwater, Lynn
1917-2003
Graveside service for Lynn Rainwater, 87, of Rhome will be at noon on Monday, Sept. 1 at the DFW National Cemetery. The Rev. Gary Sessions will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd.
Rainwater died on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2003, in Rhome.
Born Feb. 10, 1917 in Vrona, Okla., to Arthur and Rosetta (Howell) Rainwater, he married Johnnie Mozelle on Jan. 6, 1944, in Bridgeport. He served in the U.S. Army and retired as a foreman with the highway department. He was a Baptist and a member of the Masonic Creek Lodge No. 226.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and three brothers.
He is survived by a son, Marshall Travis Rainwater and wife, Ruth; four grandsons, Robert Fowler, Mark Rainwater, Charles Fowler and Keith Rainwater; nine great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren and Kay Ashley and family, whom he considered family as she helped him with his health needs.

Ramsey, Charles M. (Mac)
1920-2003
Family visitation for Charles M. (Mac) Ramsey, 83, of Bridgeport was to be Saturday, Dec. 27, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport. A service is not planned.
Ramsey died Thursday, Dec. 25, 2003, in Bridgeport.
He was born Nov. 20, 1920, in Honey Grove and married Edith Ramsey on June 19, 1946. Ramsey was a U.S. Navy veteran who served in World War II. He was also a retired carpenter and a member of the American Legion.
He was preceded in death by his wife.
He is survived by his son, Joe Charles Ramsey and wife, Pam; daughter, Peggy Durban and husband, Neal; grandchildren, Amber, Ashley, Karey and Rick; six great-grandchildren and sister Doris Williams and husband, Marlow.
Published Sunday, December 28, 2003

Range, Connie
1953-2003
Service for Connie Range, 49, of Decatur will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 10, at the Williams Chapel in Garland. The Rev. Billy Harris will officiate, and burial will be at 2:30 p.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Range died Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003, in Garland.
Born March 27, 1953, Range was a member of the Sachse Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Roney Range of Decatur; three sons, Brandon Range and wife Misty of Garland and Brian Range and wife Erin of Decatur; parents, Billy Joe and Dolores Saulters of Garland; three brothers, William Saulters, Reggie Saulters and Roy Saulters, all of Garland and a grandson, Tyler Range.
Wise County Messenger, February 9, 2003

Ratliff, Raymond Willard
1928-2003
Funeral for Raymond Willard Ratliff, 75, of Runaway Bay was Friday, Aug. 22 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. Dr. Charles Holland, Wayne Ginn and Larry Byrd officiated. Burial followed at Eternal Oaks Cemetery.
Ratliff died Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2003, in Dallas.
Born Jan. 26, 1928, in Birmingham, Ala., to J.D. and Margaret Irene Lake Ratliff, he was the first mayor of Runaway Bay where he served three consecutive terms from 1979–1984. He married Jacqueline Ateola LaPant on Oct. 14, 1969.
He was preceded in death by a brother, David Ewell Ratliff.
He is survived by his wife, two sons, Larry Ratliff and David Ray Ratliff, both of Carrollton; one daughter, Betty Carol Ratliff Minderhout of Birmingham; one step-son, Barry Larkin of Keller; two sisters, Melba Ratliff Caldwell of Jasper, Ala., and Margaret Ratliff Zannis of Homewood, Ala.; one brother, Grady H. Ratliff of Hartselle, Ala.; six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Bill Ratliff, Barry Larkin, Levi Larkin, Kenneth Larkin, Steve Wilson and Frank Cardon. Honorary pallbearers were Dick Segari, Robert Mayer Jr., Jim Bowlin, Foster Hamblin, Wyatt Cox, Larry McCallum, Phil Ryan and Carroll Altizer.
The family requests that donations be made in his name to The Runaway Bay Community Church Building Fund, 20 Runaway Bay Drive, Runaway Bay, Texas 76426.
Sunday, August 24, 2003

Ray, Thurmond ‘Red’
1927-2003
Service for Thurmond “Red” Ray, 76, of Decatur was to be Wednesday, March 12, at 10 a.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. James Wood was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Ray died Monday, March 10, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born Feb. 6, 1927, in Decatur, he was the owner-operator of Ray’s Barber Shop in Decatur for 40 years. He married Emma Braxton on July 20, 1959, in Decatur. He was an Army veteran and a member of Victory Family Church in Decatur.
He was preceded in death by his wife and a brother, Alvin Ray.
He is survived by two sisters, Cleta Ray Barnes of Alvord and Dora Manire of Decatur.
Pallbearers were to be W.B. Woodruff, Martin Barrett, Alfred Berg, Bert Caraway, Jimmy Looney, Willard Howell and Delmas Looney II.
Thursday, March 13, 2003

Read, Earnest E., Jr. ‘Sonny’
1938-2003
Funeral for Earnest E. (Sonny) Read, Jr., 64, of Paradise was to be at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 29, at First Baptist Church in Paradise with burial in Paradise Cemetery. He died Friday in Fort Worth.
Read was a retired head field clerk for Natural Gas Pipeline Company where he had worked for 34 years. He was the first mayor of Paradise and a former member of the Paradise School Board. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Paradise.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, the former Gay Gentry. Gay was the longtime manager of the Messenger Hallmark Shop in Decatur until her retirement last year.
He is also survived by three sons and their wives, Dike and Linda Read of Cottondale, Body and Kim Read of Aubrey and Derek and Mischea Read of Paradise and one daughter, Kelly Read of Decatur and seven grandchildren, Cooper, Kendra, Caleb (K-Bob), Paige, Maci, Molli and Abbi Read.
He is also survived by two brothers and their wives, Gary and Ann Read of Chico and Rickey and Rhonda Read of Bridgeport.
Rev. Walt Rowell and Rev. Jack Vereen will conduct the funeral. The family will receive friends at the new Hawkins Funeral Home at 1909 9th Street in Bridgeport from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, June 28.
Pallbearers will be Michael, Brad, Justin, Reggie and Randy Read and Charles Pike. Honorary pallbearers will be Sam Cook, Ray Cook, Bill Cook, Wayne Niblett, Johnny Hudson, Benny Dickenson, Truman Read, Mike Richardson and Greg Lowery.
The family requests memorials, if desired, be sent to the Paradise Youth and Recreation Association.
Sunday, June 29, 2003

Read, Edwin Earl
1919-2003
Funeral for Edwin Earl Read, 94, of Merkel was Oct. 2, 2003, at the First United Methodist Church of Merkel. The Rev. Curtis Bentley officiated. Burial followed at Rose Hill cemetery.
Read died Sept. 30, 2003, in Merkel.
Born Feb. 18, 1909, in Paradise to Walter and Jannie Lindsey Read, he married Evelyn Phelps on June 3, 1933, in Plainview.
Read received his bachelor’s degree from North Texas State Teachers College and his master’s degree from Texas Christian University. He was track coach at Lakeview from 1931-32 and took the team to state. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II and an administrator of ground training at Greenville Air Force Base in Greenville, S. C., and separations counselor at Fort Dix, N. J.
He was principal and coached basketball at Noodle from 1937 to 1941 and was principal of Merkel High School from 1941 to 1972 where he received a 27-year teaching award.
He was grand marshal of the Merkel Christmas Parade in 1992, past president of the Jones County Teacher’s Association, past president of the Merkel Lions Club and a life member of the Anson Masonic Lodge No. 0575. He was a member of the Merkel First United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Read of Merkel; a son, John Read and wife, Franney of Abilene; a daughter, Jean Read Clair of Mesquite; a sister, Iva Ruth Rhodes of Paradise; four grandchildren, April and Michael Clair, Shawn Read and Sharon Box; five step-grandchildren, Robert Terry, Larry Standfield, Keri Massey and Samantha Pabalan and five great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Merkel Cemetery Association, 201 Edwards St., Merkel, Texas 79536.

Rebstock, Ronald Lee, Sr.
1938-2002
Service for Ronald Lee Rebstock Sr., 64, of Decatur was Monday, Dec. 30 at Grace Baptist Church in Decatur. Dr. Van Gardner officiated and was assisted by Billy Hughes. Burial followed in Boyd Cemetery.
Rebstock died Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, in Fort Worth.
Born April 11, 1938, in Baltimore, Md., he married Marcine Roberson Oct. 10, 1997, in Fort Worth. He was the former owner of McDonalds in Decatur. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Shriners and Fort Worth Scottish Rite.
He is survived by his wife; one son, Ron Rebstock Jr. of Decatur; four daughters, Dawn Cagle of Alvord, Wanda and husband Larry Lewnard of Littleton, Colo., Kelli Daigneault of Lewisville and Trina Kincaid of Miami, Fla.; one brother, Charlie Rebstock and wife Sue of Cleburne; 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Ben Rebstock, Greg Arrington, Jason Hubbard, Dave Miles, Rick Mann and Larry (Trey) Lewnard.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 2, 2003

Reconnu, F.C. ‘Curly’
1911-2003
Graveside service for F.C. “Curly” Reconnu, 91, of Decatur was to be Nov. 19, 2003, at 10 a.m. at Rose Hill Shannon Cemetery in Fort Worth. The Rev. Dr. Larry Calvin was to officiate.
Curly was born Nov. 19, 1911, in Charleroi, Pa., to Constant Joseph and Eugenie Reconnu. He died Nov. 17, 2003, in Denton.
He married Clara June Barratt Dec. 27, 1933, in Charleroi.
He was a charter member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Fort Worth. He just earned the rank of 32nd Degree Mason and received his 50 year pin. Over the years he held dual membership in the Smithfield Lodge and Boyd Masonic Lodge 479. He was also a member of the Shriners Moslah Temple.
He retired from General Dynamics as an electrician in 1975 and was a member of the International Brothers Electrical Workers.
He was preceded in death by his wife; and two brothers, John Augustin Reconnu and Clement Joseph Reconnu; two sisters, Leona Cyrille Openshaw and Isabel Soltis.
He is survived by daughters, Joyce Williams and husband, Dr. Frailin Williams, of Ft. Worth and Fern Love and husband, Dr. J. Fred Love, of Panhandle; granddaughters, Deborah Castorena and husband, Jaime, of Decatur, Dr. Donna Regehr and husband, Matthew, of Panhandel and Dr. Anna Love Ebertin and husband, George; grandsons, J. Fred Love Jr. and wife, Tina, of Amarillo and Dr. Wallace Townsend-Parchman and wife, Janis; great-grandsons, Dwayne Trussell of Alvarado, Jonathan Castorena of Decatur and Bradley Love of Amarillo; great-granddaughters, Tara Love of Amarillo, Christina Castorena of Decatur and Angela Castorena of Decatur; great-great-granddaughters, Ashli and Laci Trussell; and sister, Ruth Jean Gilmore of Florida.

Reeves, Arnold
1922-2003
Funeral for Arnold Reeves, 80, father of Dwight Reeves of Decatur, was to be at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 24, 2003, at Munday First Baptist Church with burial at Gilliland Cemetery in Gilliland.
A lifetime resident of Knox County, he was born Oct. 1, 1922, and died May 21, 2003, at Haskell Memorial Hospital.
Married to Larue Burgess June 12, 1946, in Gilliland, he was a farmer and a deacon at Munday First Baptist Church. He was a member of Knox County Masonic Lodge No. 851 and Veterans of Foreign Wars, World War II Army Signal Corps.
He is survived by his wife, LaRue Reeves of Munday; three sons, Dwight and wife Donna of Decatur, Randy of Marietta and Lyndle and wife Jeanette of Munday; one brother, S.J. Jr. and wife Myra of Knox City; three sisters, Opal Collier of Midland, LaVern and husband John A. Burnett of Chillicothe and Billie Jean and husband Frank McAuley of Knox City; grandchildren, Dana and Justin Schmitt of Grapevine, Amy Allen of Owasso, Okla., Stephen and Amanda Reeves of Decatur, Sarah and Shannon Reeves of Munday; and one great-grandchild, Dawson Allen of Owasso.
Sunday, May 25, 2003

Reid, Catie Smith
1970-2003
Service for Catie Smith Reid, 32, of Runaway Bay will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 1, at Runaway Bay Community Church. Dr. Charles Holland will officiate. Burial will follow at Eternal Oaks Cemetery in Runaway Bay.
Reid died Sunday, Feb. 23, 2003, in Runaway Bay.
Born Nov. 1, 1970, in Fort Worth, she was the secretary and co-owner of Reid Company Enterprises. She was a 1990 graduate of Bridgeport High School and was Episcopalian. She married Darrell Reid June 1, 1995, in Runaway Bay.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Terry Lee Sims.
She is survived by her husband; her mother, Marsha Bridges; her father, Kenneth Smith; grandparents, Herb and Marna Todisco; her brother, Tony Estrada; a sister, Vickie Grimes and three stepchildren, Jason, Randell and Laramie Reid.
Pallbearers will be Doug Morrow, James Eve, Shawn Webb, Carl Rangel, Mike Horne, David Walker and Brent Morrow.
Thursday, February 27, 2003

Remmele, Elbert J
1920-2003
Funeral for Elbert J. Remmele, 83, of Paradise will be Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. The Rev. Gerald Peterman will officiate. Burial will follow at Paradise Cemetery. Visitation was to be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the funeral home chapel.
Remmele died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born Nov. 18, 1920, in Buffalo, Okla., to Jacob and Fanny Ethel Bridges Remmele, he married Alice Bernice Schkade on Dec. 22, 1946. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II as a medical laboratory technician, earning recognition with an American Theater Campaign medal, an EAME Campaign medal, a good conduct medal and a World War II victory medal. A member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, he was a farmer, a rancher and a dairyman.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Jonnathan Neighbors.
He is survived by his wife; three daughters, Carolyn Neighbors and husband, Tony, Glenda Blessing and husband, Tommy, and Sharon Boyd and husband, Bill; five grandchildren, Jarrett, Cynnara, Tiffany, Derek and Katie; two great-grandchildren, Remelee and Jayden; a brother, Merlin Remmele and wife, Betty; and a sister, Volney Prophet.
Pallbearers will be Zach Gosler, Steve Schkade, Ben Schkade, Harold Remmele, Mark Moody, Thomas Remmele, Ben Remmele and Jimmy Remmele. Honorary pallbearers will be Sammie Erwin, Merlin Remmele, Harold Moody, Marvin Schkade, Delbert Prophet and Jerrell Hoover.
Memorials may be made to the Jonnathan Neighbors Memorial Scholarship Fund at Legend Bank in Decatur, 1706 Farm Road 51 South, Decatur, Texas, 76234.
Published Thursday, December 4, 2003

Renfro, Arthur Fred, Rev.
1925-2003

The Rev. Arthur Fred Renfro, 78, died Monday, April 7, 2003, in Decatur. He was a retired minister in the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church and a former minister of the First United Methodist Church in Decatur.
Memorial service was to be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, at First United Methodist Church in Decatur.
Born March 3, 1925, Renfro, was a native of Riesel, Texas and served in the United States Navy in the North Atlantic in World War II. He received bachelors and masters degrees in agriculture and school administration from Texas A&M University at Commerce.
After teaching school for nine years, he entered the Perkins School of Theology at SMU. After graduation he was ordained a deacon and elder in the United Methodist Church.
In addition to his service in Decatur, his full-time ministerial appointments were at Wesley Memorial UMC in McKinney; Lakewood UMC, Dallas; Spring Valley UMC, Dallas and First UMC in Grand Prairie where he retired in 1992 after 32 years in the ministry. He continued to serve as a retired minister at First UMC in Richardson for another 10 years.
He is survived by his wife Virginia Mason Renfro of Decatur; two sons, Fred Renfro and wife Cheryl of Decatur and Chris Renfro of Richardson; four grandchildren, Zack, Micah, Joseph and Jenna Renfro and sister Louise Loyd of Georgetown; three nephews and four nieces.

Thursday, April 10, 2003

Reynolds, Bobby Jack, Sr.
1942-2003
Funeral for Bobby Jack Reynolds Sr., 60, of Springtown was Tuesday, Sept. 16, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Ray White officiated. Burial followed at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 2.
Reynolds died Saturday, Sept. 13, 2003, in Springtown.
Born Sept. 15, 1942, in Eldorado to Sturgis and Lena Reynolds, he was a retired truck driver for Central Freight Lines. He married Viola Gaston on July 26, 1997, in Springtown and was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife; four sons, Bobby Reynolds Jr. and wife Barbara of Grand Prairie, Tony Reynolds and wife Tammy, of Sadler, Phillip Reynolds and wife, Bridget, of Arlington and James Houk Jr. and wife, Renay, of Glen Rose; five daughters, Paula Fairbrother and husband, Ken, of Springtown, Brenda Allen and husband, David, of Springtown, Billie Ann Qazi of Washington, Amy Tackett and husband, Chris, of Paradise and Tammy Schomers and husband, Michael, of Weatherford; one sister, Peggy Penn and husband, Calbert, of Sweetwater and 22 grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 102454, Atlanta, Ga. 30368-2454.

Reynolds, Larry Olin (Satan)
1952-2003
Graveside service for Larry Olin (Satan) Reynolds, 51, of Bridgeport was June 6 at Myrtle Cemetery in Ennis.
Reynolds died Wednesday June 4, 2003, in Denton.
Born March 8, 1952, in Ennis to George and Imogene (Griffith) Reynolds, Reynolds was a self-employed truck driver and a Baptist.
He is survived by his wife, Patresa Reynolds; a son, Larry Olin Reynolds, Jr.; two daughters, Stacie Reynolds, Sheryl Hicks and husband Billy; four grandchildren; his mother, Imogene Griffith; his grandmother, Florence Jones; four brothers, Jim Reynolds, George Reynolds Jr., Marvin Reynolds, and Greg Beckham; two sisters, Jena Watson and Julie Reynolds; and two stepdaughters, Melanie Speed and Chasity Speed.
Sunday, June 8, 2003

Rhine, Gary Michael
1949-2003
Graveside service for Gary Michael Rhine, 53, of Fort Worth was Tuesday, March 25, at West Bridgeport Cemetery. The Rev. Joey Vick officiated.
Rhine died Sunday, March 23, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born July 30, 1949, in Decatur, he was a retired employee of Mitchell Energy Corporation and a Baptist.
He was preceded in death by his father, Gilbert Rhine in August, 1979.
He is survived by his mother, Sue Rhine; a sister, Janice Vauek and husband Danny; two nieces, two great-nephews, and one great-niece.
Pallbearers were Danny Vanck, Clinton James Arnold, J.R. Pippins, Anthony Torres, John Paul Beeson, Willie Torres, Joshua Pippens and John Torres.
Thursday, March 27, 2003

Rhine, Grady
1906-2003
Funeral for Grady Rhine, 97, of Decatur was to be Saturday, Dec. 27, at 2 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Visitation was to be held Saturday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The Rev. Ken May was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Rhine died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2003, in Decatur.
Born July 13, 1906, in Decatur to Laddie and Eva Rhine, he was an Army veteran and a member of the First Baptist Church of Decatur. He was the owner and operator of Ann’s Flowers in Decatur. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Marsh Rhine and married Nona Esther (Young) Caraway in October 1986.
He is survived by his wife, Esther Rhine of Decatur; four daughters, Laura Montgomery of Decatur, Carol Ann Thomas of Lebanon, Okla., Gay Guinn of Graham and Mary Hand of Coppell; nine grandchildren, Cathy King, David King, Clay Montgomery, Allison Montgomery, Will Gage, Traci Bailey, Katie Hand, Kasey Hand and Matt Hand and nine great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were to be Pat Thomas, David King, M.H. Montgomery, Clay Montgomery, J.W. Guinn, Will Gage, Kelly Hand and Matt Hand.
Published Sunday, December 28, 2003

Rhine, Maggie Zoe
1908-2003
Funeral for Maggie Zoe Rhine, 94, formerly of Decatur was to be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Thomas O. Brumett was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Cottonwood Cemetery.
Rhine died Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2003, in Kaufman.
Born Dec. 8, 1908, to David and Jimmie Hillin, she married Alton Chrestman Dec. 24, 1927. He preceded her in death Oct. 22, 1945. She married Arville Rhine Feb. 8, 1952. He preceded her in death in May 1990. She retired from Lorch Manufacturing after 39 years and was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Decatur.
She is survived by two sons, Lloyd and Paul Chrestman, both of Combine; a step-son, Kenneth Rhine; three daughters, Billie Rutland of Arlington, Mary Perkins of Leonard and Lora Mae Warren of Nemo; a step-daughter, JoAnn Lovelace; a brother, Dow Hillin of Wichita Falls; two sisters, Mona Averitt and Gertrude Hardee, both of Wichita Falls; six grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were to be Curtis and Corey Rose, Chad and Brad Sutter, David Perkins and Darrel Ezel.

Rhoads, Betty Louise
1930-2003
Service for Betty Louise Rhoads, 72, of Decatur will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Ray Cobb will officiate, assisted by Ken May, and burial will follow at Aurora Cemetery. Visitation was to be Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 7 to 8 p.m.
Rhoads died Monday, Feb. 10, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Sept. 28, 1930, in Decatur, she was a homemaker, and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Decatur.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Bob E. Rhoads.
She is survived by two sisters, Donna Jackson and Pat Rhine, both of Decatur; three nephews, Steve Rhoads, Rusty Rhine and Calvin Jackson and four nieces, Denice Anderson, Diana Valverde, Carrie Greever and Deborah Seawright.
Pallbearers will be Rusty Rhine, Calvin Jackson, Chuck Greever, Andrew Greever, Russell Seawright, Steve Rhoads, and Dennis Cobb.
Wise County Messenger, February 13, 2003

Rhoads, Elwanda
1936-2003
Graveside service for Elwanda Rhoads, 66, of Midland will be Monday, June 2, at Aurora Cemetery in Rhome at 4 p.m.
Rhoads died Thursday, May 29, 2003 in Midland.
Born December 9, 1936 in Rhome where she was raised and educated until she attended the University of Texas at Austin. She married James Rhoads in 1965 in Dallas and was a member of St. Pauls United Methodist Church of Midland.
She was preceded in death by her husband; two sisters, Mary Cone and Ruth Tollan and a brother William McCurdy.
She is survived by a son, Marlin Snyder of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; four daughters, Deanda Bollinger, Daphne Rhodes and Doreen Nguyen, all of Midland and Joni Lynn Russell of Bellefont, Pa.; a sister, Nell Hathaway of Colorado; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family requests memorials be directed to the American Cancer Society, 2304 W. Wadley, Midland, Texas 79705.
Sunday, June 1, 2003

Rhodes, Linda Gertrude Wasson
1913-2003
Service for Linda Gertrude Wasson Rhodes, 90, of Bowie was Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Potosi Baptist Church in Potosi. Dr. Ted Spears officiated. Burial followed at Potosi Cemetery.
Rhodes died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2003, in Bowie.
She was born Jan. 16, 1913, in Cherokee County, Ala., to Jesse and Linda Canant Sterling. She married Jake “J.B.” Wasson on Dec. 13, 1931. Following the death of Wasson in 1967, she married Roy Rhodes on April 6, 1973. Rhodes was a dental assistant for Dr. Holt Magee in Abilene and was a longtime resident of Abilene before moving to Bowie, where she was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bowie.
She was preceded in death by her two husbands; three sisters, Sybil Bonine, Annie Pearl Schoolcraft and Doris Williamson and one brother, Robert Sterling.
She is survived by her son, Bryan Wasson and wife, Shirley, of Bowie; stepdaughter, Rheta Autry of Amarillo; two brothers, Roy Sterling and wife, Rita, of Benbrook and Mack Sterling and wife, Jenny, of Rancho Viejo; a sister, Betty Reeves of Farmers Branch; two grandchildren, Donna Bean and husband, Willie, of Alvord and Brenda White and husband, Darwin, of Chico; five great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.
Published Sunday, December 14, 2003

Rice, Loretta Ferne
1919-2003
Funeral for Loretta Ferne Rice, 83, of Greenville, S.C., formerly of Alvord, will be Saturday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Alvord. Bill Cleveland will officiate. Burial will follow in Alvord.
Visitation will be Friday from 7 to 8 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home in Decatur.
Rice died Monday, Nov. 3, 2003, in Greenville.
Born Dec. 8, 1919 in Alvord, to William Elmer and Maggie McDowell Swaim, she married Winford Freeland Rice on May 21, 1937. She was a homemaker.
She is survived by a son, William E. “Dubby” Rice and wife, Joan; a sister, Anna Beth Nivens; two grandchildren, Michelle Short and husband, Ronald, and Nicole Carrillo and husband, Marco, and two great-grandchildren, Andrew Short and Pilar Carrillo.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Alvord, 205 Boling St., Alvord, Texas 76225.

Riley, Gladys Vernell
1912-2003
Graveside service for Gladys Vernell Riley, 84, of Alvord was Friday, June 27, at Concord Cemetery in Leon County.
Riley died Tuesday, June 24, 2003, in Haltom City.
She was born on June 25, 1912, to Edgar and Audry Turner in Concord. She was a homemaker, a member of the First Baptist Church of Saginaw, active in Methodist women and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels.
She was preceded in death by two husbands, Thomas C. Brown and Mack B. Riley.
She is survived by two sons, Tom Brown and wife Lola and Charles Brown and wife Beckey; three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Thursday, July 3, 2003

Rippetoe, Leonard Travis
1917-2003
Service for Leonard Travis Rippetoe, 86, of Decatur was to be Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. A graveside service will be Saturday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m. at Highland Memorial Park in Highland, N.C.
Rippetoe died Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, in Decatur.
He was born Aug. 17, 1917, in Weatherford to Morrison and Cora Bell Rippetoe and married Francis Hedden in 1962 in Henrietta. He was a steamfitter and a member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union Local 100, the Masonic Lodge and the National Rifle Association. He loved hunting and fishing, and he was a Baptist.
He was preceded in death by his wife and a brother, Charles.
He is survived by three sons, Robert Rippetoe and Carl Rippetoe, both of Azle and Larry Rippetoe of Rogers, Ark.; one sister, Argilete Lazenby of Kingsland; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 102454, Atlanta, Ga., 30368-2454.

Roberson, Betty Jane Sloan
1925-2003
Service for Betty Jane Sloan Roberson, 77, of Ft. Worth, a former resident of Decatur, was Saturday, March 15 at East Side Baptist Church in Ft. Worth. The Rev. Richard K. Tosh officiated. Burial followed at Preskitt Cemetery in Decatur.
Roberson died Thursday, March 13, 2003, in Ft. Worth.
Born April 12, 1925, in Decatur, she was adopted by Noel E. and Alma Reeves. She was a singer in a gospel group and a member of East Side Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lowell Edward Sloan in 1989, and two sons, Timothy N. Sloan in December, 1999,and Ronald E. Sloan in July, 2000.
She is survived by one brother, Noel E. Reeves Jr. and wife Eleonore of Prattville, Ala.; two nephews, a niece, two great-nephews and a great-niece.
Sunday, March 23, 2003

Roberts, Margaret
1927-2003
Service for Margaret Roberts, 76, of Fort Worth was Friday, July 18 at the Metroplex Baptist Church in North Richland Hills. Dr. Bob L. Eggers officiated. Burial followed at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Roberts died Wednesday, July 16, 2003, in Fort Worth.
She was born Jan. 24, 1927, in Bridgeport and married Paul Roberts on March 1, 1947. Roberts was a homemaker and a member of the Metroplex Baptist Church of North Richland Hills.
She is survived by her husband, Paul; two sons, James M. Roberts and wife, Gale, of Cleburne and Dan Roberts and wife, Gina, of Fort Worth; four grandchildren, Jennifer Roberts-Hall and Paul, James and Russell Roberts; eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Tommy Jay Roberts, Ronnie Roberts, Randy Singleton, Brent Singleton, Charles Amon and Gary Key.
Honorary pallbearer was David Amon.
Sunday, July 20, 2003

Roberts, Phillip S.
1936-2003
No service is planned for Phillip S. Roberts, 67, of Newark.
Roberts died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003, in Bridgeport.
He was born April 4, 1936, in Corpus Christi to Amos D. Roberts and Vola (McCoy) Roberts. He was retired from construction and had lived in Newark for 25 years.
He is survived by two sons, Steven Roberts and wife, Renay, and Blake Roberts and wife, Lena, and one brother, Dan Roberts.

Robinson, Buford Wayne
1960-2003
Graveside service for Buford Wayne Robinson, 43, of Newark was Thursday, Nov. 20, at 4 p.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery. The Rev. Jess Ferguson officiated.
Robinson died Monday, Nov. 17, 2003, in Decatur.
He was born June 8, 1960, in Fort Worth to Gustava and Mildred (McLemore) Robinson. He married Rachel Zuspann on Jan. 17, 1997, in Decatur. Robinson was a maintenance employee for the city of Newark.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Ervin and Buford Robinson, and sisters, Levern Cox and Vera Fuller.
He is survived by his wife; son, Bobby Wayne Robinson of Washington; daughter, Sandra Robinson of Washington; grandchildren, David and Jana; sister, Thelma Weber of Joshua; and the mother of his children, Judy Robinson of Washington.

Rogers, Billy Ray
1940-2003
Graveside service for Billy Ray Rogers, 60, of Chico was Tuesday, April 29, at Wizard Wells Cemetery. The Rev. Roger Rhodes officiated.
Born Sept. 14, 1940, in Jacksboro, the son of Claude and Betty (Counts) Rogers, he died Friday, April 25, 2003, in Dallas.
He served in the U.S. Army and was a retired steel mill worker.
He is survived by his friend, Marie Kennedy of Chico; his uncle, Slick Rogers of Wizard Wells and two cousins, Nyoka Warner of Wizard Wells and Frances Jenkins of Bridgeport.
Thursday, May 1, 2003

Rogers, Charlotte J.
1917-2003
Graveside service for Charlotte J. Rogers, 86, of Decatur will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23, at Oaklawn Cemetery. Dr. Thomas O. Brumett will officiate.
Visitation was to be Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home.
Rogers died Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2003, in Decatur.
Born July 7, 1917, in Mart to Calvin B. and Anna Mae Jones, she was the retired owner/operator of the Empire Drug Store in Decatur for many years. She was a graduate of Mart High School and Baylor University. She married Wendell J. Rogers Feb. 28, 1937, in Hillsboro. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Decatur.
She was preceded in death by her husband on June 5, 1999, and a brother, Jack Jones.
She is survived by one daughter, Merrill Dawson and husband Dennis of Arlington, and one granddaughter, Melissa Barrientes of Waco.

Rogers, Gladys Louise
1912-2003
Funeral for Gladys Louise Rogers, 90, of Decatur was to be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17, 2003, in Mount Olivet Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Worth. Graveside service was to be at 3:30 p.m. in St. Paul Cemetery, Midlothian.
Born Oct. 18, 1912 in Richardson, Rogers died May 13, 2003, in Decatur.
A homemaker, she was a longtime member of Rosemont Church of Christ, attended Central Fellowship Church in Decatur and was a member of the Foster Home Women’s Association.
She is survived by her husband of 72 years, William Marvin Rogers of Decatur; one son, W.M. Rogers Jr. of Andrews; three daughters, Barbara Harwell of Dallas, Sandra Hukill of Springtown and Rita LeMond of Decatur; 11 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
Sunday, May 18, 2003

Rohus, Linda D’Nee Gage
1957-2003
Memorial for Linda D’Nee Gage Rohus, 46, of Fort Worth was Tuesday, Oct. 7, at Lake Country Baptist Church in Fort Worth. The Rev. Jesse McElreath officiated.
Rohus died Friday, Oct. 3, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born April 28, 1957, in Fort Worth to Coke L. and Donnie Crowder Gage, she was an oil, gas and real estate investor. She was a former board member of the North Texas Chapter of Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and was also a member of the Lake Country Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Rickey Rohus of Fort Worth; a son, Tiger Ray Rohus of Fort Worth; her mother, Donnie Gage of Decatur; an identical twin sister, Marsha Gage Rodden of Fort Worth; four brothers, Steven Gage of Fort Worth, George, C.L. and Louis Gage, all of Decatur, and several nieces and nephews.
The family requests memorials be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in honor of Tiger Rohus.

Romines, Lula B.
1925-2003
Funeral for Lula B. Romines, 78, of Chico was Friday, April 25, at Pleasant View Baptist Church. The Rev. Gary Demmitt officiated. Burial was at Thomas Cemetery.
Born April 2, 1925, in Lakeview, she died Wednesday, April 23, 2003, in Bridgeport.
She was a homemaker and a member of the Pleasant View Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years Luther James Romines on March 30, 2003.
Survivors include: six sons, Glenn Romines and wife Jan of Chico, Charles Romines and wife Elaine of Chico, Tommy Romines and wife Sandra of Bridgeport, Johnny Romines and wife Shannon of Chico, Joe Romines and wife Elaine of Denton and Paul Romines and wife Cindy of Chico; four daughters, Linda Carpenter and husband Clarence of Decatur, Betty White and husband Steve of Decatur, Peggy Moore and husband Harold of Decatur and Martha Bryant and husband Johnny of Bridgeport; 25 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Arthur Sloan and George Sloan; and a sister, Bernice Roberts.
Sunday, April 27, 2003

Romines, Luther James
1927-2003

Service for Luther James Romines, 75, of Chico was Tuesday, April 1, at Pleasant View Baptist Church with the Rev. Gary Demmit officiating. Burial was at Thomas Cemetery.
Born Sept. 13, 1927, in Spanish Fort, he died Sunday, March 30, 2003, in Dallas.
A retired dairyman and heavy equipment operator for Wise County Precinct 4, he had lived in the Chico community for 21 years. He married Lula B. Sloan June 4, 1950, in Terral, Okla. He was a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lula B. Romines of Chico; seven sons, Boyce Romines, Glenn Romines and wife Jan, Charles Romines and wife Elaine, Tommy Romines and wife Sandra, Johnny Romines and wife Shannon, Joe Romines and wife Elaina and Paul Romines and wife Cindy; four daughters, Linda Carpenter and husband Clarence, Betty White and husband Steve, Peggy Moore and husband Harold and Martha Bryant and husband Johnny; 25 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Doug Romines and Jack and Joe Watson; and five sisters, Irene Thomas, Mildred Faulkner, Mary Taylor, Lillie Ransom and Sue Caraway.
Pallbearers were Clayton Green, Gary Green, Monty Fitzgerald, Grady Cowling, Harold Moore and Clarence Carpenter.

Thursday, April 3, 2003

Roper, Richard ‘Dickie’
1947-2003
Graveside service for Richard Roper, 56, a welder from Paradise, was to be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 11 at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth.
Born May 22, 1947, in Decatur, he was one of seven children born to John and Edwina Roper.
Roper died Saturday, June 7, 2003, in Fort Worth.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Jackie Cook and Patricia Roper.
He is survived by his wife, Diana Roper of Paradise; five children, Rick Roper Jr. of Paradise, Bret Roper and wife Esther of Mansfield, David Miley of Paradise, Candi Pegues and husband Brent of Decatur and Allen Weartherly of Fort Worth; brothers Bill Roper and wife Darlene of Fredericksburg, Ronnie Roper and wife Mary of Oklahoma and Jimmy Roper of Handley; a twin sister, Darlene Allen and husband Bill of Irving; and 10 grandchildren.
Thursday, June 12, 2003

Rowland, Kathryn Lee
1910-2003
Graveside service for Kathryn Lee Rowland, 93, of Boca Raton, Fla., was to be Saturday, Dec. 6, at 10 a.m. at Mount Family Cemetery in Chico. The Rev. Elaine Bussey was to officiate.
Rowland died Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003, in Boca Raton.
She was born Sept. 21, 1910, in Chico to George and Eva Sheehan Mount. Rowland was a retired Vernon ISD school teacher and a member of the Morris Memorial United Methodist Church of Chico.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Keefe Rowland, sister, Evelyn McCaleb, and nephew Ron Eakle.
She is survived by daughter Nancy Moody and husband, Preston; grandson Preston Moody II and nephew Don Eakle.
Memorials may be made to Morris Memorial United Methodist Church.
Published Sunday, December 7, 2003

Ruby, Nicole Lynn Epperhart
1973-2003
Graveside service for Nichole Lynn Epperhart Ruby, 30, of New Braunfels, formerly of Boyd, was Saturday, Oct. 11, at Comal Cemetery in New Braunfels.
Ruby died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2003, in San Antonio.
She was born Sept. 28, 1973, in Webster.
She is survived by her parents, Brenda and Rick Goebel of Boyd and Margie and Joe Epperhart of Geneva, Fla.; a brother, Seth Goebel and wife Laura of New Braunfels; a half-brother, Clayton Epperhart of Geneva; a half-sister, Holly Epperhart of Geneva; a step-brother, Jeff Goebel of Tom Ball; a step-sister, Kim Frost of Katy; her grandparents, Janet Jackson-Knight of Houston and Andrew and Dorothea Komarchak of Pearland; her soulmate, Wayne Eaton; two nephews and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Sanders, Mark Hershel
1918-2003
Graveside service for Mark Hershel Sanders, 84, of Rhome was to be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at Pleasant Grove No. 2 Cemetery. The Rev. John Elmore and Johnny Sanders were to officiate.
Sanders died Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003, in Rhome.
Born July 12, 1918, in Shamrock, Okla., to Mark and Tabitha Sanders, he served in the U. S. Army during World War II. He was a retired auto parts salesman and a member of the Pleasant Grove No. 2 Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for more than 30 years. He married Parilee Olivia Bryan Aug. 15, 1943, in Seagrave.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sharon Ann Posey; two sisters, Lavada Lawley and Lois Stephens and a brother, Garland Truitt Sanders.
He is survived by his wife Parilee Sanders of Rhome; three daughters, Sandra Kay Ward and husband Bob of Texarkana, Shirley Jean Contino and husband Charles Victor of Boyd and Shery Lyn Kahler and husband Charles of Palestine; a brother, John Thomas Sanders of Lamesa ; eight grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Sunday, March 2, 2003

Sanders, William Homer
1923-2003
Funeral for William Homer Sanders, 80, of Wichita Falls was Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Lunn’s Colonial Chapel. The Rev. Merwin Turner officiated. Entombment was in Crestview Memorial Mausoleum.
Sanders died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003, in Wichita Falls.
He was born Aug. 19, 1923, to Gladney and Vassie Strong Sanders in Alvord. He served in the Army Air Corp during World War II and retired as a technical writer for the U.S. government in 1978. He married Wilma Smith on Aug. 5, 1944, in Waurika, Okla., and was a 1947 graduate of North Texas State Teachers College. He was a lifetime member and 32nd Degree Mason of Lodge 512 in Alvord, a Shriner for 35 years and a member of the Maskat Temple in Wichita Falls, where he served as president of the Temple Guard. At the time of his death, he was the appointed Outer Guard of the Maskat Center.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Robert Sanders and wife, Judy, of Brenham and Jimy Sanders and wife, Davida, of Columbia, S.C.; two grandchildren, Brian and Brent Sanders and two great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Brian Sanders, Brent Sanders, Jack Smith, Mark Smith, Jimmy Luttrell and Jack Jones. The Maskat Temple Guard members served as honorary pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to the hospice of Wichita Falls.
Published Thursday, December 4, 2003

Schaefer, Corey Michael
1948-2003
A private family funeral for Corey Michael Schaefer, 55, of Bridgeport will be held this week.
Schaefer died Friday, Aug. 22, 2003, in Arlington.
Born March 22, 1948, in Upland, Calif., to Edward J. and Christina Schaefer, he married Peggy Jo Kelly on May 25, 1979, in Ontario, Calif. He was a self-employed pharmaceutical distributor who was an Eagle Scout. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy who served in the Vietnam War and was awarded two Purple Hearts.
He is survived by his wife; three daughters, Melissa, Kimberly and Kelly Schaefer; parents; a brother, Edward Schaefer and wife, Christine and a sister, Kathy Lessard and husband, Tom.

Scheller, Robert
1941-2003
Service for Robert Scheller, 61, of Bridgeport was to be Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 10:30 a.m. at Bible Baptist Church in Bridgeport. Dr. Bill Higgins was to officiate. Burial was to follow at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Scheller died Monday, Feb. 10, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born Dec. 24, 1941, in Snyder, he was a floor hand for Smith Well Service and a member of the Bible Baptist Church. He married Carolyn Hight on Feb. 10, 1960, in Bowie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Amil and Vira (Rentro) Scheller; a son, Gary and a sister, Beulah Mueller.
He is survived by his wife; four sons, Bobby Scheller, Scott Scheller, Michael Scheller and wife Marianne and Terry Scheller and wife Charli; six brothers, Walter, B.F., J.D., Grover, Harold and Pat Scheller; two sisters, Joyce Martin and Kay Harrelson; a daughter-in-law, Rhonda Scheller; 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were to be Terry Scheller, Bobby Scheller, Scott Scheller, Michael Scheller, Tommie Choate and Danny Baxter.
Wise County Messenger, February 13, 2003

Scherb, Hollis ‘Bud’
1921-2002
Memorial service for Hollis “Bud” Scherb, 81, of Bridgeport was Monday, Dec. 30, at Trinity Care Center in Bridgeport.
Scherb died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Feb. 28, 1921, in Ontario, Calif., he ran a number of large food manufacturers throughout his career. He married Carmen Frandin on June 16, 1962, in Burbank, Calif. He was also a member of the American Motorcycle Association.
He is survived by his wife; four sons, Scott Scherb and wife Rhonda of Decatur, John Goss and wife Carolyn of Fresno, Calif., Carl Scott and wife Debbie of Mission Viejo, Calif., and Dwight Scott and wife Denise of Santa Cruz, Calif.; two daughters, Casey Harris and husband Aaron of Battle Creek, Mich., and Janey Goss of Clovis, Calif., and 15 grandchildren, Merle, Corby, Lucas, Logan, Sarah, Allen, Dwight David, John, Jana, Scott, Thomas, Sophia, Larrisa, Shun and Tommy.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 5, 2003

Schoenthal, Edith
1931-2003
Funeral for Edith Schoenthal, 72, of Hurst, mother of K.C. Schoenthal of Cottondale, was Thurday, July 24 at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Chapel in Bedford. The Rev. Mike Dawson officiated. Burial followed at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park.
Schoenthal died Tuesday, July 22, 2003.
Born March 4, 1931, in Waco to Millard and Tressie Bilton, she was a retired accountant who was active with the Republican party and worked on the presidential campaign of George Bush. She was a Baptist and an active grandmother.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, Anita and Nell, and a brother, Robert.
She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Frank Schoenthal of Hurst; two sons, Karl “K.C.” Schoenthal and wife, Tracie, of Cottondale and Chris Schoenthal and wife, Lynn, of Grand Prairie; four grandchildren, Eric, Ryan, Cassie and Chance; two sisters, Tressie Bilton Hornbuckle of Arkansas and Janet Mathis of Texas and a brother, Millard Bilton Jr. of Louisiana.

Thursday, July 31, 2003

Schunter, Lucille Henry
1912-2003
Funeral for Lucille Henry Schunter, 91, of Bridgeport was Monday, Sept. 8, at Ascension and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church of Wise County. Father Chris Allen officiated. Burial followed at Cottondale Cemetery.
Schunter died Sunday, Sept. 7, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born Jan. 16, 1912, in Lafarge, Wis., she was a retired insurance underwriter for Mutual of Omaha, a member of Ascension and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and the Daughters of the King Organization.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Schunter in 2001, her daughter, Patti Cook, and a grandson, Jim Bratton.
She is survived by Ray Cook; four grandchildren, Ray Cook Jr. and wife, Judy, Larry Cook and wife, Debbie, Melody Cheves and husband, Scotty Bob and Mike Bratton and wife, Jody; seven great-grandchildren and two godchildren, Jim and Peggy Jo Bratton.
Pallbearers included Ray Cook Jr., Scott Cheves, Ray Cook Sr., Larry Cook, Jim Bratton, Mike Bratton, Richard Walker and Velt Rice.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ascension and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church of Wise County.

Scroggin, Mona Loe Vaughan
1927-2003
Service for Mona Loe Vaughan Scoggin, 75, of Weatherford was Thursday, Feb. 6, at Emerald Hills Memorial Chapel. Scoggin was the cousin of Mary Jo Leake of Decatur.
Scoggin died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born June 18, 1927, to Walter and Callie Vaughan, she was a life master ACDL bridge player and an avid sports fan. She was a retired secretary.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Harry A. Scoggin; a daughter, Harriet Helm and husband Stafford; a son, Lindsey D. Scoggin and wife Shelly; a sister, Twalah Jackson and grandchildren, Charles, Chelsea, Emily and Austin.
Wise County Messenger, February 13, 2003

Scroggins, Douglas
1949-2003
Graveside service for Douglas Scroggins, 53, formerly of Wise Co., a heavy equipment operator, was April 4, at Aurora Cemetery. Steve Weeks officiated.
Born July 19, 1949, in Dallas, he died March 31, 2003, in Odessa.
Preceded in death by his parents, J. H. Scroggins and his wife Evelyn Scroggins, he is survived by an aunt, Marcella Mondrick of Rhome and a cousin, Aletha Cooper.

Sunday, April 13, 2003

Scroggins, Jerry Glenn
1943-2003
Funeral for Jerry Glenn Scroggins, 60, was Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Kenny Cates officiated the ceremony with the assistance of Rev. Kenneth Johnson. Burial followed at Hog Branch Cemetery.
Scroggins died Friday, Sept. 26, 2003, in Boyd.
Born May 12, 1943, in Boyd to Eugene and Mildred Lynch Scroggins, he married Nancy Stevenson Nov. 25, 1988, in Azle. He was a mechanic for American Airlines and owner of Scroggins Paint and Body. He organized the Boyd Moose Lodge, was a past governor, a fellowship degree, a member of Moose Lodge 1100 and a volunteer at the VFW in Azle.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Randy.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Scroggins; three sons, Russell Scroggins and wife, Judy, Rod Scroggins and wife, Bonnie, and Floyd Stanley; two brothers, Delbert Scroggins and wife, Ann, and Norman Scroggins and wife, Del Ray; a sister, Delorice Illchen and five grandchildren.

Sears, Lanora Brunson Witthaus
1925-2003
Funeral for Lenora Brunson Witthaus Sears, 78, of Rose Hill, Kan., a former resident of Wise County, was to be Saturday, June 21 at 1:30 p.m. at Mount Olivet Chapel in Fort Worth. Burial was to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Sears died Monday, June 16, 2003, in Rose Hill.
Born Feb. 28, 1925, in Council Hill, Okla., to Asa Lee and Ada Lee Brunson, she lived in Wise County from 1960 to 1985 and was the original owner of the Trail’s End Restaurant in Rhome.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Joseph Lee Witthaus, on May 27, 1996. She married S.D. Sears in 1998 and moved to Rose Hill.
She is survived by her husband, S.D. Sears; three daughters, Nancy Beck Ward and husband James and Pamela Lewis and husband David, all of Keller; and Darlene Beam of Fort Worth, two sons, Paul Perry of Haltom City and L.D. Sears of Springdale, Ark.; a brother, Leroy Brunson of Inola, Okla.; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Sunday, June 22, 2003

Self, Mary Joyce
1934-2003
Graveside service for Mary Joyce Self, 69, of Bedford was to be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14 at Greenwood Cemetery. Ben Gerald was to officiate.
Self died Monday, Aug. 11, 2003, in Bedford.
She was born April 22, 1934, in Greenwood to Charles and Laura Rhine. She married E. Dean Self on June 17, 1950. Self was a homemaker and a Baptist.
She is survived by her husband, Dean; two sons, Clay Self and wife, Kimberly, of Salado and Eric Self of Bedford; two daughters, Lori Gardner and husband, Monty, of North Richland Hills and Karen Self and Butch Peek of Decatur; brother, Derrell Rhine of Bozeman, Mont.; sister, Peggy McCain of Haltom City; and grandchildren, Shannon Ewing and husband, Steve, Craig Gardner, Kyla Self, Rachel Gardner and Keely Self.
Memorials may be made to Vitas Hospice Charitable Fund, 2501 Parkview Drive, Suite 600, Fort Worth, Texas 76102.
Thursday, August 14, 2003

Shaunfield, Paul
1956-2003
Service for Paul Shaunfield, 47, was Thursday, Feb. 20, at Hughes Southland Chapel in Grand Prairie.
Shaunfield died Sunday, Feb. 16, 2003, in Dallas.
Born Feb. 1, 1956, in Decatur, he served as an electronics warfare operational intelligence crewman in the U. S. Navy.
He is survived by his parents, Mary Barnes of Garland and Joe and Ann Shaunfield of Rosebud; three siblings, Bruce Shaunfield, Annette Saunders and Molly Setliff and three stepdaughters, Lee Ann, Michelle and Sara.
Sunday, March 2, 2003

Shaw, Tommy Dale
1938-2003
Memorial service for Tommy Dale Shaw, 64, of Rhome was to be Wednesday, April 23, at 2 p.m. at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Steve Richardson was to officiate.
Shaw died Friday, April 18, 2003, in Rhome.
Born Dec. 2, 1938, in Waco, to Euline and Mac (Reed) Shaw, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a retired construction foreman for Robert Moore Construction. He married Retta Greenfield on Oct. 13, 1960, in Dallas.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Jim Heller and a sister, Gayle Shaw.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Mark A. Shaw and wife Judy of Rhome; a daughter, Christine A. Haden and husband Steven of Kentucky; a sister, Marilyn Searcy and eight grandchildren, Chad, Cassie, Nicky, Jessica, Megan, Nathan, Sarah and Markus.
Thursday, April 24, 2003

Shelton, Willard C.
1913-2003
Funeral for Willard C. Shelton, 90, of Crafton will be Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 10:30 a.m. at the Crafton Baptist Church. The Revs. Tom Merritt and Terry D. Horton will officiate. Burial will follow at 3:30 p.m. at Pilot Knob Cemetery near Stephenville.
Shelton died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2003, in Crafton.
Born May 23, 1913, in Seldon, he married Essie Chambers on Dec. 13, 1969, in Bowie. He was a carpenter, a member of Crafton Baptist Church, an ordained deacon, lay preacher and Sunday school teacher.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Troy Roberts of Onalaska and W.C. Shelton of Fort Worth; three daughters, Patricia Weaver of Crafton, Linda Land of Stephenville and Gina Gaither of Stephenville; three sisters, Lella Houston of Stephenville, Annie Mae Griffen of New Braunfels and Loda McCoy of Fort Worth; 14 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

Shields, Carrie Lou Henderson
1905-2003
Funeral for Carrie Lou Henderson Shields, 97, of Henrietta, formerly of Greenwood, was to be Saturday, May 17, at 10 a.m. at Davis Funeral Home Chapel in Henrietta. The Rev. Louis Pearce, pastor of Byers Methodist Church, was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Riverside Cemetery in Byers.
Shields died Wednesday, May 14, 2003, in Wichita Falls.
Born July 17, 1905, in Georgia, to Charlie Roscoe and Ellas (McNeely) Henderson, she married Allard Shields in 1933. She was a member of the Oak Grove Methodist Church in Decatur. She was a former school teacher.
She was preceded in death by her husband on Oct. 11, 1992.
She is survived by one sister, Agnes Henderson Whitehead of Sweeny; five nieces, Ethel Jones, Doris Rainey, Margaret Davis, Margie McAlester and Pattie Allhouse; two nephews, Bill Henderson and Curtis Jones and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
Sunday, May 18, 2003

Shrum, Mary Ann (Keown)
1931-2003
Funeral for Mary Ann (Keown) Shrum, 72, of Greenwood was to be Saturday, Nov. 29, at 10:30 a.m. at Greenwood Baptist Church. Burial was to follow at Greenwood Cemetery.
Shrum died Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2003, in Katy.
Born Aug. 29, 1931, in Greenwood to Fuller and Bernice Keown, she was a secretary for St. Jobe Paper Company. She married Pete Shrum on April 28, 1950, in Decatur. She was a Baptist.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by three sons, Avery Shrum of Cat Spring, Travis Shrum of Houston and Greg Shrum of Greenwood; six grandchildren, Aaron, Rainey, Ashley, Kelsey, Tanner and Gage Shrum and one great-grandchild, Carrie Jackson.

Shurbet, Jimmie Ralph
1939-2003
Graveside service for Jimmie Ralph Shurbet, 63, of Decatur, a retired oilfield worker of Decatur was June 17 at Sweetwater Cemetery. Louis Horton officiated.
Born June 25, 1939, in Montague County, he died Saturday, June 14, 2003, in Decatur.
He is survived by four brothers, Phillip Caraway of Chico and Claude Caraway Jr., Wesley Caraway and Marshall Caraway, all of Decatur and a sister, Patsy Davis of Weatherford.
Pallbearers were Wendell, Michael and Rey Davis, Justen Caraway, Chance Martin and Boston Bullock.
Thursday, June 19, 2003

Simpson, Eveleen
1926-2003
Funeral for Eveleen Simpson, 76, of Bridgeport was to be Saturday, Aug. 30, at 10:30 a.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Gary Demmitt was to officiate. Burial was to follow at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Simpson died Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born Sept. 3, 1926, in Chico to Perry and Lela (Warner) Pittman, she was a homemaker. She married Billy Bob Simpson on Nov. 1, 1947, in Decatur, and she was a member of the Pleasant View Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by a son, Paul Simpson; a brother, J.C. Pittman and a sister, Darleen Simpson.
She is survived by her husband; two daughters, Kathy Duck and Cathryn Kessler and husband James; five grandchildren, Scott, Melissa, Devon, Cynthia and Cope and two great-grandchildren, Cody and Katie.
Pallbearers were to be Scott Allen, Waylon Barcley, Bryan Miles, Bill Miles, Aaron Kramer and Fred Moore.

Sirmons, Lisa Renee (Andrews)
1958-2003
Service for Lisa Renee (Andrews) Sirmons, 44, of Bridgeport was to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. The Rev. Ken May was to officiate, and burial was to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Sirmons died Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born Nov. 1, 1958, in Dallas, she was a secretary and was a member of the First United Penecostal Church in Oil City, La.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Natalie Patrice Sirmons.
She is survived by her mother and stepfather, Margaret and Jim Keen of Bridgeport; father, Durwood Andrews of Irving; one son, Donald Jaret Sirmons of Oil City; one daughter, Shannon Chambers of Oil City; two brothers, Michael Andrews of Fort Worth and Craig Keen of Bridgeport and two grandchildren, Jolee Reagan Chambers and Landon Cain Chambers of Oil City.
Pallbearers were to be Allen Farrill, Joe and Wayne Blevins, Steve Hale, Dean and David Patterson.
Wise County Messenger, February 16, 2003

Slate, Fay
1923-2003
Memorial service for Fay Slate, 80, of Decatur was to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Kenny Cates was to officiate. Burial was to follow at DFW National Cemetery.
Slate died Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2003, in Denton.
She was born March 1, 1923, in Hobart, Okla., and married Garth Slate on Dec. 31, 1946, in Jacksboro. Slate was a retired bookkeeper for Pottery Shack. She was a member of the Episcopal Church, a volunteer at the Wise County Heritage Museum, a member of the DAV Auxiliary, the Veteran’s Council and the Wives of the Lost Battalion.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Garth.
She is survived by two daughters, Deboura Halm of Las Vegas and Cynthia Johnson and husband, Roger, of Mission Viejo, Calif.; brother, Bob Cadenhead of Stephenville; four grandchildren, J.R. Johnson of California, Tammy and Christopher Vandenheuvel and Beth Looker, all of Nevada; two great-grandchildren and special loved ones, Pat and Joe Cadenhead of Ponder.
Memorials may be made to the Wise County Heritage Museum, 1602 S. Trinity St., Decatur, Texas 76234.

Smith, Christine Whitaker
1939-2003
Funeral for Christine Whitaker Smith, 81, of Whitney, formerly of Alvord, was Friday, April 18, at Northwest Church of Christ. Dr. Larry Calvin officiated. Burial followed at Greenwood Memorial Park.
Smith died Tuesday, April 15, 2003, in Temple.
Born in Alvord, she graduated from Alvord High School in 1939. She attended Draughn Business School in Fort Worth and was an accountant for McLelland Harris Door Company until her retirement. She was a member of Whitney Church of Christ and enjoyed cooking and camping. She married Weldon L. Smith March 25, 1944, in Bowie.
She was preceded in death by a son, Jerry Wayne Smith in May 1968.
She is survived by her husband; a son and daughter-in-law, Gary L. and Linda Smith of Burleson; a daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Delvin Brown of Fort Worth; a brother, Weldon L. Whitaker of Denton; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Sunday, April 20, 2003

Smith, Gary
1951-2003
Memorial service for Lt. Cmdr. Dr. Gary Smith, 51, of Runaway Bay is Sunday, Feb. 2, at Bay Chapel Church in Runaway Bay. The Rev. Palmer Bowers will officiate, and burial will be in Pella, Iowa. Visitation was to be 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
Smith died Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003, in Denton County.
Born Feb. 9, 1951, to Kyle and Elma Smith in Greenville, S.C., he had lived in Runaway Bay since 1999. He was the minister of Bay Chapel Church in Runaway Bay and an active chaplain in the Naval Reserves. He was also a member of the Texas State Teachers Association. He married Adair Roberts on Nov. 17, 1972, in Menlo, Calif.
Survivors include his wife; his parents of Goldsboro, N.C.; three children, Amy Lynn VanDer Kamp and husband Travis of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Aaron Christopher Smith and fiancee Alison of Pella, Iowa, and Abbey Elizabeth Smith of Runaway Bay; four sisters, Deborah Scaperoth and Beverly Crippen of Farragut, Tenn., Barbara Lewis of Durham, N.C., and Donna Womack of Raleigh, N.C.; and one grandson, Elijah Dean VanDer Kamp.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gary Smith Memorial Fund at Bay Chapel Church, 2337 U.S. 380 W., Bridgeport, Texas, 76426.
Wise County Messenger, February 2, 2003

Smith, Joe Bill
1931-2003
Service for Joe Bill Smith, 71, of Bridgeport was May 6 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Luther A. Hollowell officiated. Burial followed at West Bridgeport Cemetery.
Smith died Friday, May 2, 2003, in Mineral Wells.
Born August 8, 1931, in Bridgeport to Robert and Irene (Rogers) Smith, Smith was a lifetime resident of Bridgeport where he was a contractor in the construction business.
Smith was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving in the Korean Conflict and a member of the D.A.V. Chapter TX 70.
He married Ella Livsey on April 12, 1959. She preceded him in death on Dec. 10, 1998. He was also preceded in death by his parents. Smith is survived by a son, Rick L. Paschall; a daughter, Billye Jackson; a sister, Francis Jenkins; five grandchildren, Leigh Ann, Christian, Courtney, Cary and Connor; and two great-grandchildren, Gabrielle and Hunter.
Pallbearers were Larry Boulware, Paul Wayne Cole, Norris Cheves, Donald Roberts, David Hughes and Dennis Reasoner.
Thursday, May 8, 2003

Smith, Judy E.
1948-2003
Memorial service for Judy E. Smith, 55, of Decatur was Dec. 15, 2003, at Immanuel Baptist Church in Decatur. Louis Horton officiated. A private burial preceded at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Smith died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Oct. 25, 1948, in Woodriver, Ill., to Gerald and Clara Monroe, she married Ronnie Smith on July 15, 1996, in Alvord. She was a maintenance worker at Poco Graphite and a member of Immanuel Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Pecolia Monroe; grandparents, Effie and Emory Monroe, Sarah Louis and George Halliday; and mother-in-law, Vera Smith.
She is survived by her husband, Ronnie Smith, of Decatur; two daughters, Melody Foley of Newark and Katherine Wise of Decatur; three sons, Louis, Keith and Anthony Zarantonello; a sister, Rose Monroe of Florida; two brothers, Gerald Jr. and Virgil Monroe of Illinois; and father-in-law Floyd Smith.
Pallbearers were Jim Hudson, Claud Caraway, Marshal Caraway, Larry Smith, Steve Tacket and Harvey Bouldin.
Published Thursday, December 18, 2003

Smith, Martha Jeane
1916-2003
Service for Martha Jeane Smith, 86, of Decatur was to be Saturday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Alvord. Burial was to follow at Alvord Cemetery.
Smith died Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003, in Decatur.
Born July 17, 1916, in Fort Worth, she was a retired school teacher. She married Norman Guy Smith who preceded her in death. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Alvord.
She is survived by a niece, Doris Yates of Fort Worth; a great-niece, Amy Yates and a great-nephew, Robert Yates.
Wise County Messenger, January 19, 2003

Smith, Mike
1949-2003
Funeral for Mike Smith, 54, of Aurora was Tuesday at Aurora Baptist Church. The Rev. Jimmy Withers officiated. Burial followed at Aurora Cemetery.
Smith died Sunday, Dec. 21, 2003, in Rhome.
Born Aug. 31, 1949, in Bridgeport to Melvin and Myrle Smith, he was a lumber salesman and a member of the Aurora Baptist Church. He is survived by a daughter, Amy Smith; a grandson, Riley Kisiah; a
brother, Steve Smith; two nieces, Stephanie and Seleste Smith and a nephew, Stetson Smith.
Pallbearers were A.L. (Sharkey) Nelson, Gary Rasberry, Russell Hoover, Mike Wilbanks, Chad Nelson and Larry Rasberry.

Published Thursday, December 25, 2003

Smith, Novis Mary
1924-2003
A private family memorial will be held for Novis Mary Smith, 78, of Fort Worth.
Born Dec. 29, 1929, in Baxter, to Vera Debbie Cox Cantrell and W.R. Cantrell, she died Sept. 29, 2003, in Fort Worth.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Riley Smith, two daughters, a grandson and a great-granddaughter.
She is survived by three daughters, Bonnie and husband Randall Smith of Fort Worth, Sue and husband Bob Childress of Decatur, and Wanda Gill of Willis; two sons, Jack Smith of Fort Worth and James and wife Kay of Waco; three brothers, Clyde Ray Cantrell of Houston, Bobby Wayne Cantrell of Conroe and Travis Cantrell of Center; 21 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Smith, Robert Lenn
1970-2003
Mass of Christian Burial for Robert Lenn Smith, 32, of Alvord was tentatively set for Sunday, June 1 at 2:30 p.m. at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Decatur. The Father Phil Johnson was to officiate. Rosary was to be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the church with visitation to follow at Coker Funeral Home.
Smith died Friday, May 30, 2003 in Alvord.
Smith was born Oct. 29, 1970, in Bowie.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Jana Kay Smith in 1996.
He is survived by his father, Bob Smith and a sister, Tiana Renee Smith, both of Alvord.
The family requests memorials be made to the Jana Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of the Alvord branch of Legend Bank, P.O. Box 66, Alvord, Texas 76225.
Sunday, June 1, 2003

Smith, Tommy Rex
1935-2003
Memorial service for Tommy Rex Smith, 68, of Fort Worth was Monday, Sept. 8 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. Marvin Raines officiated.
Smith died Friday, Sept. 5, 2003, in Decatur.
He was born Feb. 12, 1935, in Wise County to Dud Clark and Mable (Douglas) Smith. He married Joyce Lippold on July 11, 2003, in Decatur. He was a brick mason and a member of the Liberty Church in Kennedale.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Carol, Bill and Jack Smith.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce; five step-children, Tim Curtin, Traci Harmon, Eddie Moore, Tina Snider and Joseph Hedberg; three brothers, Ray, Fred and Preston Smith; three sisters, Virginia Foreman, Patsy Griffith and Peggy King and 14 step-grandchildren.

Smitherman, Linda Marie
1949-2003
Service for Linda Marie Smitherman, 53, of Fort Worth was to be Saturday, Jan. 11 at 10:30 a.m. at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd. Dr. Frankie Rainey was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Boyd Cemetery.
Smitherman died Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003, in Dallas.
Born March 15, 1949, in Fort Worth, she was a medications nurse for Ikon Insurance Company in Las Colinas.
She is survived by her partner, Jo Gutierrez of Fort Worth; a daughter, Nancy Smitherman and Bobbie Burkett of Fort Worth; a sister, Reva Joyce Alexander of Boyd; a brother, Don D. Sinclair of Cleburne and two grandchildren, David Lytle and Chance Creek of Fort Worth.
Pallbearers were to be David Lytle, Lee Thompson, David Montgomery, Ricky Joe Montgomery, Jeff Tuller and Jason Vandever.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 12, 2003

Snider, Mildred Faye
1919-2003
Funeral for Mildred Faye Snider, 84, of Bowie was to be Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 10:30 a.m. at Bible Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerry Jones officiating. Graveside service was to follow at 1 p.m. in Sandhill Cemetery in Decatur.
She died Nov. 9, 2003, in Bowie. She was born March 27, 1919, to Grover Cleveland Bryant and Ethel Almeda Barker Cox in Sherman. She married John F. Snider June 1, 1948, in Weatherford. They both worked at General Dynamics. After retiring in 1963, she was a homemaker in Decatur for about 40 years. She taught Sunday School and was active at the First Baptist Church in Bowie.
She was preceded in death by her husband and her brother, Elza Eugene Cox.
She is survived by a son, Roger Snider and his wife, Lou, of Stigler, Okla.; daughter, Nancy Schaal and husband, John, of Bowie; brothers, Jack A.G. Cox of Sherman, Royce Eugene Cox of Gun Barrel City, Coy Dean Claiborne of Longview, and Charles Burton Cox and John Dee Cox of Coer D’Alene, Idaho; sisters, Zuela Pennington of Corpus Christi, Jo Ann Arnold of Finleyville, Pa., Martha Louise Wolf of Quincy, Wa., and Abbie Lee Strokes of Salmon, Idaho; grandchildren, Ronnie Shaw and wife, Laquita, of Lawton, Okla., Craig Shaw and wife, Mindy, of Tuscola, Chris Shaw of Denton, Jennifer Corn of Jacksboro and Christina Corn of Tulsa; and six great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were to be Craig Pennington, Craig Shaw, Chris Shaw, Ronnie Shaw, Tom Wilkes and Tommy Wilkes.

Snow, Donald (Part Time)
1955-2003
Service for Donald (Part Time) Snow, 47, of Aurora was to be Wednesday, March 19, at 2 p.m. at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Dan Hunt was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Aurora Cemetery.
Snow died Saturday, March 15, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Sept. 21, 1955, in Normangee, to Edgar and Ada (Croft) Snow, he was a truck driver.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Ricky Snow.
He is survived by a daughter, Stacy Petty and husband Micah of Rhome; three grandchildren, Caleb, Shaelie and Caitlin; a sister, Delores Shadwick and two nieces.
Pallbearers were to be Jimmy Petty, Micky Murphy, Ron Porter, Jack Kennan, Jason Kennan, Charles Petty, Buddy Woody and Sonny Easley.
Thursday, March 20, 2003

Spain, Shirley
1936-2003
Funeral service for Shirley Spain, 67, of Dawson, formerly of Decatur, was Sept. 19, 2003, at the First Baptist Church of Hubbard. The Revs. Art Clodfelter and Bob Reed officiated. Burial followed at Dawson Cemetery.
Spain died Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2003.
She was preceded in death by her father, J.B. Simmons; two brothers, Jimmie and Herbie Simmons and a son-in-law, Bubba Davis.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Warren Spain of Dawson; her mother, Bonnie Simmons of Waxahachie; two daughters, Brenda Davis of Longview and Patti Claxton and husband, Larry, of Moore, Okla.; a son, Doug Spain and wife, Jennifer, of Dawson; nine grandchildren, Brandi and Cory Mikles, Cristina Davis, Matt and Cari Claxton and Justin, Jerred, Jalyn and Jade Spain; two great-grandchildren, Bailee and Bethany Mikles; and one brother, Ronald Simmons of Kingwood.
Pallbearers were Victor Walther, Scotty Anderson, Hugh Warren, James Jackson, Cliff Spain and Jamie Stone. Honorary pallbearers were Matt Claxton, Justin Spain and Jerred Spain.

Sparks, Clara Etta
1911-2003
Funeral for Clara Etta Sparks, 92, of Bridgeport was Friday at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel. Paul and Jerrell Kuykendall officiated. Burial followed at Chico Cemetery.
Sparks died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2003, in Decatur.
Born March 19, 1911, in Wise County to W.V. and Janie Ruth Tipton Boyd, she was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church of Bridgeport.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Maxie O. Sparks; a grandson, Allen Sparks; a sister, Ivalene Kuykendall; and three brothers, Carl, A.J. and O.L. Boyd.
She is survived by two sons, Lee Roy Sparks and wife, Mary Lou, and Thurman Sparks; 17 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren and a sister; Sybil Miller.
Pallbearers were David Sparks, Robert Sparks, Trent Murphy, Ryan Murphy, Lonnie Norris and John Norris.
Published Sunday, December 28, 2003

Spencer, Florene
1920-2003
Service for Florene Spencer, 82, of Decatur was Friday, Feb. 14, at Coker Funeral Home chapel. The Rev. Jack Gatewood officiated and burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Spencer died Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Aug. 31, 1920, in Chico, she was a homemaker.
She is survived by three daughters, Adenia Spencer of De Soto and Becky Black and Judy Sampler, both of Decatur; one brother, John Hartsell of Denison; three sisters, Marie Malloy of Chico, Mele Whitaker of Denton and Inell Haley of Haltom City; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, February 16, 2003

Splawn, Benny Allen
1955-2003
Funeral for Benny Allen Splawn, 48, of Boyd was Dec. 8 at Christian-Hawkins Chapel in Boyd. The Rev. Windell Morris Splawn officiated. Burial followed at Boyd Cemetery.
Splawn died Friday, Dec. 5, 2003, in Denton.
Born Jan. 30, 1955, in Fort Worth, he served in the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam. He was a glazier in construction and a Baptist. He married Brenda Kay Gilliland in Las Vegas on Feb. 16, 1998.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Ruth.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Brandon Kyle Splawn of Boyd; father Billy Splawn and wife, Pat, of Azle; a brother, Bobby Charles Splawn and wife, Shawn, of Boyd; two sisters, Brenda Fry and husband, Jimmy, and Belenda Welch and husband, Randy, all of Boyd.
Pallbearers were Pete Adams, Billy Ray Pierce, Jerry Vess, Dennis Lindly, Jonathan Thompson, Rodney Simonsen and Rodney Simonsen.
Published Thursday, December 11, 2003

St. Clair, Mary ‘Sue’
1932-2003
Funeral for Mary “Sue” St. Clair, 70, a lifetime resident of Rhome was April 8, at Christian Hawkins Funeral Home. The Revs. Jackie Smith and Andrew Vandergriff officiated.
Born June 17, 1932, in Rhome, she died Saturday, April 5, 2003, in Rhome.
She was a retired restaurant owner and a member of Aurora Baptist Church.
She is survived by a daughter, Lin Gallman of Rhome; two sons, Raymond Beach of Ruffin, S.C. and Michael Beach of Rhome; five grandchildren, Robert and Lucas Beach, Stephanie Canada, Melanie Pawless and Dean Gardner; a great-grandson, Zachary; step-mother, Mattie Faye Baker of Rhome; step-brother, George Mayfield of Paradise; step-sister, Mary Ellen Paris of New Mexico; sister, Judy Murphy of Chicago; and a brother, Luke Neel of Fort Worth.
Pallbearers were George Mayfield, Scott Tomlinson, Gerald Wright, Michael Nail, Kevin Stone and Jim Herrmann.

Sunday, April 13, 2003

Stalkup, Fred I.
1911-2003
Graveside service for Fred I. Stalkup, 91, of Decatur, a retired building contractor, was held March 21, at Chapel Hill Memorial Park in Waco.
Born September 3, 1911, in Cleburne, he died Tuesday, March 18, 2003, in Decatur.
An Army veteran and member of River of Life Church in Decatur, he married Thelma Lee Brown May 20, 1940, in Granger.
She preceded him in death September 20, 1993. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Eddie Norris Stalkup and a sister, Virginia Mae Stalkup.
He is survived by two sons, Fred I. Stalkup Jr. of Richardson and Ronnie Stalkup of Decatur; and four grandchildren, Laura Ferguson, Jennifer Stalkup, Ethan Bridger Stalkup and Christopher Ryan Stalkup.
Sunday, March 23, 2003

Stapp, Aden Lane
2003
A graveside service for Aden Lane Stapp, 6 month old son of Frank and Robin Stapp of Decatur, was Monday, Oct. 13, at Sweetwater Cemetery. The Rev. Charles Taylor officiated.
Born April 8, 2003, Aden died Oct. 9, 2003.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Michael Christian Stapp.
He is survived by his parents; a brother, Andrew Jace Stapp; sister, Kaylea Stapp; grandparents, Bill and Renna Grundy and Hector Fernandez, all of Decatur, and Bobby and Brenda Stapp of Chico; and great-grandparents, Ausencio and Natalie Fernandez of Decatur, Nona Moody of Chico and Lucille Dunn of Tampa, Fla.

Steel, Gene Wesley
1937-2003
Memorial service for Gene Wesley Steel, 65, a refrigeration mechanic for Harvest State Foods and former Boyd resident, was to be Saturday, Sept. 20, 2003, at 10 a.m. at the Word of Life Church in Fort Worth.
Born Sept. 13, 1937 in Fort Worth to Clois Wesley and Edith Fletcher Steel, he died Sept. 2, 2003, at a Fort Worth hospice.
He was an Army veteran.
He was preceded in death by a son, Keith W. Steel.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Sue Steel of Azle; mother, Edith Steel of Millsap; children, Michael Steel and wife, Selena, of Boyd and Amy Stakley and husband, Lynn, of Missouri; brothers, Jessie Steel and wife, Joyce, Gary Steel and wife, Fran, and Jimmy Steel and wife, Sarah; sisters, Brenda Ferguson of Boyd and Dorcas Wright and husband Harold Ray; grandchildren, David, Sarah, Keith, Scarlett, Chris, Alex and Jordin; and brother and sisters-in-law, John and Pat Pool of Bridgeport and Terry and Susan Watkins.

Stephens, Cecil Edward
1918-2003
Service for Cecil Edward Stephens, 84, of Chico was March 3, at Morris Memorial United Methodist Church in Chico, with the Rev. Charles Cox officiating.
Born May 31, 1918, in Decatur to Sydney and Lola Young Stephens, he died Friday, Feb. 28, 2003, in Chico.
He married Maxine Davis on Oct. 5, 1940, in Bridgeport. He was a member of Morris Memorial United Methodist Church and retired from General Dynamics after 35 years of service.
Preceded in death by two brothers, Ray and Sydney Stephens, he is survived by his wife of 62 years, Maxine Davis Stephens; daughters, Norma Jean Miller and husband, Wayne, Gloria Evans Holmes and husband Jim and Shelia Breebon and husband, Bobby; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and brother Tom Young Stephens and wife Melba.
Thursday, March 6, 2003

Stephens, Coy Norman
1924-2003
Service for Coy Norman Stephens, 79, of Decatur will be Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Jimmy Don Taylor will officiate. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery. Visitation was to be Saturday from 7 to 8 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home.
Stephens died Friday, Dec. 5, 2003, in Decatur.
He was born Oct. 20, 1924, in Decatur to Myrtle and Coy Stephens. He married Virginia Katherine “K” Chipman on June 4, 1948, in Fort Worth. Stephens was a Navy veteran of World War II. He was owner and partner of Holmes Auto and owner and operator of Sterling Air. He was a member of the Decatur Church of Christ, the Decatur Lions Club and the National Rifle Association. He was also a Mason and had served on the Decatur School Board.
He was preceded in death by his wife, father and brother, Jackie Stephens.
He is survived by his mother; two sons, Bobby Guy Stephens and Kyle Stephens and wife, Debbie, all of Decatur; two daughters, Stephanie Capt and husband, Emmett, of Kilgore and Coy Ann Stephens of Decatur; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Dennis Hudson, Ross Mueller, James Michael Gregory, Coy Lynn Gregory, Emmett Capt IV and Kyle Stephens Jr.
Published Sunday, December 7, 2003

Stevens, Janice Wood
1941-2003
Service for Janice Wood Stevens, 62, of Wichita Falls was Oct. 31 in Wichita Falls. Burial took place at Sadler Cemetery in Sadler.
Stevens died Oct. 29, 2003, in Wichita Falls.
She was born July 15, 1941, in Sherman to Clayton and Lois Wood. She attended Decatur Baptist College and Texas Woman’s University and graduated cum laude from Midwestern State University. She married Floyd Stevens on March 8, 1969. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Wichita Falls.
She was preceded in death by her mother and a sister, Patricia McCutchen.
She is survived by her husband; a daughter Melinda Gothard and husband, Allen, of Jacksonville, Fla.; her father Clayton Wood and wife, LaVerne, of Chico; a brother Mike Wood and wife, Deeann, of Runaway Bay; a sister Peggy Hylton and husband, Floyd, of Crestview, Fla.; a brother David Wood of Austin and many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
Contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church building fund in Wichita Falls or the American Cancer Society.

Stewart, Jack R., Sr.
1923-2003
Funeral service for Jack R. Stewart Sr., 79, of Newark was to be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10, 2003, at Bible Baptist Church in Justin. The Rev. Nolan Partridge officiated. Burial was to be in Blue Bonnet Hill in Colleyville.
Born Aug. 9, 1923 in Millersview, he died May 7, 2003, at Wise Regional Health System in Decatur.
He married Dorothy Lee Williams on July 3, 1945, in Baird. He had lived in Newark since 1981. He was an Army veteran, retired construction worker and a Baptist.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Raymond, Arvel and A.J. Stewart, and two sisters, Willie Lawler and Edna Tatum.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Stewart of Newark; a son, Jack Jr. and his wife Becky of San Angelo; two daughters, Sandra West and her husband Joseph of Bedford and Linda McKnight and her husband Michael of Newark; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Sunday, May 11, 2003

Stodola, Roland William
1926-2003
Memorial service for Roland William Stodola, 77, of Decatur will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28, at Calvary Baptist Church in Decatur. Tim Staub will officiate. Burial will follow at DFW National Cemetery at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 29, at the columbarium.
Stodola died Friday, Aug. 29, 2003, in Plano.
Born March 1, 1926, in McClusky, N.D., he served on active duty with the U.S. military for 26 years. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and an Army veteran of the Vietnam war.
He is survived by four sons, Gary Stodola and Roland Stodola, both of Carrollton, Dwight Stodola of Lawton, Okla., and Tim Stodola of Pilot Point; a daughter, Jackie Pisanich of Carrollton; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Stogner, Arlene
1932-2003
Funeral for Arlene Stogner, 71, of Decatur will be Friday, Nov. 14, at 2 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. The Revs. Gene Fluker and Darrell Akers will officiate.
Visitation was to be Wednesday from 2:30 to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd. Family visitation night will be Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 1.
She died Nov. 9, 2003, in Decatur. She was born April 28, 1932, in Custer, Okla., to Norman and Goldi M. (Davis) Ferrell. She married Warren Austin Stogner Dec. 22, 1956, in Temple, Okla. She was a housewife, a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and active in the Women’s Missionary Union.
She is survived by her husband; her son, Mack Stogner and wife, Paula; her daughters, Linda Stogner, Paula Carman and Sandra Byford and husband, David L.; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and her brothers, James Leroy Ferrell and W.L. Ferrell.
Pallbearers will be Leslie McBride, Corey Stogner, Richard Carman, David L. Byford Jr., Chad Byford, Matthew Ferrell and Tyler Beard.

Stokes, Martyne
1923-2003
Service for Martyne Stokes, 79, of Rhome was Wednesday, July 9 at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. The Rev. Lee Roy Jackson officiated. Burial followed at Aurora Cemetery in Aurora.
Stokes died Sunday, July 6, 2003, in Fort Worth.
She was born Nov. 26, 1923, to Fred and Ruth Mize and married J.T. Stokes March 3, 1967. She was a retired LVN from John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth and was a school nurse at Ponder. She was also a member of the Fairview Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Virginia Vaughn.
She is survived by her husband, J.T.; three sons, Don Taylor and wife, Patricia, of Boyd, Tim Taylor and wife, Judy, of Boyd and Ronnie Stokes and wife, Elizabeth, of Palestine; daughter, Karen Tedrow and husband, Arnold, of Aurora; brother, Johnny Mize and wife, Gloria, of Krum; sister, Loris Dommert of Springtown; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Rodney Tedrow, Brent Vaughn, Robert Splawn and Jack, Chad and Kris Taylor.
Honorary pallbearers were Robert Pitts, Richard Simmons, Stephen Stokes and Dale Ruble.
Sunday, July 13, 2003

Stone, Bill L.
1920-2003
Service for Bill L. Stone, 82, of Decatur was Monday, Feb. 17, at the First Baptist Church in Decatur. Dr. W. M. Lewis officiated and was assisted by Gerre Joiner, with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Stone died Saturday, Feb. 15, 2003, in Denton.
Born Oct. 8, 1920, in Petrolia to William R. and Lila Stone, he was a retired senior resident engineer at the Department of Highway and Public Transportation. He was a member of the Decatur library board since 1970 and chairman since 1975. He served on the Decatur planning and zoning commission for two terms, was on the Decatur airport advisory board and was a member of the Decatur Lions Club since 1969 and past president in 1974 and 1975.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Doyle Stone.
He is survived by his wife, Louise; a son, William A. Stone of Austin; two daughters, Kathy Weems of Austin and Janet Garbarz of Grapevine and five grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Harold Mosley, Tommy Williams, Ray Brannan, Miguel Suarez, Edwin Haney and Kenneth McKay.
A final tribute with military honors was presented to Stone by the Wise County Veterans group honor guard.
Memorials may be made to the Decatur Public Library, 1700 Farm Road 51 South, Decatur, Texas, 76234 or First Baptist Church of Decatur Building Fund, 1200 West Preskitt, Decatur, Texas, 76234.

Stone, Claude H., Jr., Rev.
1931-2003
Funeral for the Rev. Claude H. Stone, Jr, 72, of Gulfport, Miss., father of Claude H. Stone III of Newark, was Friday, May 30, at New Hope Baptist Church in Gulfport. Burial followed at Evergreen Cemetery in Gulfport.
Born April 21, 1931, in Gulfport, Stone was a long time resident of the town. He was a graduate of William Carey College and was active in the Southern Baptist ministry for 47 years. After his retirement, he put some of the experiences his family shared while living on Ship Island Lighthouse Station in print. While active in the ministry, he served as pastor of churches along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and as far away as Hobart, Ind.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Myrtis Anderson Stone and his father, Claude Stone.
He is survived by his mother, Hazel Stone of Gulfport; four sons, Claude H. Stone, III of Newark, Howard Kevin Stone of Ocean Springs, Miss., Mark Alan Stone of Baytown and Brian Dennis Stone of Jacksonville, N.C.; a daughter, Myrtis Lynnette Smith of Ocean Springs. Miss.; two brothers, Glenn A. Stone and Timothy Dale Stone, both of Gulfport; four sisters, Carolyn Donald of Fort Worth, Lana Gayle Sumerall of Palestine, Velma Dale May and Ethel Smith, both of Gulfport; 12 grandchildren, Chad Stone, Nicole Stone Trosclair, Richard Smith, Tiffany Stone Fuller, Derek Stone, Timothy Stone, Robyn Smith, Amanda Stone, Aaron Stone, Adam Stone, Jerrad Stone, Tanya Stone and four great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to The International Gideons, 2900 Lebanon Rd., Nashville, Tenn. 37214.
Sunday, June 1, 2003

Stricklin, Johnny T.
1941-2003
Funeral for Johnny T. Stricklin, 61, of Alvord was Friday, May 23, at Living Word Assembly of God in Alvord. James R. Cox officiated and was assisted by Glen Randall. Burial followed at Alexander Family Cemetery in Morton.
Stricklin died Wednesday, May 21, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Dec. 31, 1941, in Tyler, he was a self-employed welder.
He is survived by his father and mother, J.W. and Katherine Stricklin; six sons, John Richard Stricklin of San Antonio, Jeffery Stricklin of Dallas, Johnny Theron Stricklin Jr. of Lubbock and Paul Stricklin, Theron Stricklin and Bill Stricklin, all of Canada; a daughter, Lyndia Kay Alexander and husband David of Morton; two brothers, Edwin Stricklin of Springfield, Mo. and Tommy Stricklin of Alvord and four grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Jim Presley, John Plank, Doug Romines, Darwin Justice, Delmas Looney and R.B. Belvin. Honorary pallbearer was Hollis Stewart.
Sunday, May 25, 2003

Suson, William W. ‘Bill’
1930-2002
Service for William W. “Bill” Suson, 72, of Decatur was Monday, Dec. 30 at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. Mike Kennedy officiated. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Suson died Saturday, Dec. 28, 2002, in Gatesville.
Born Jan. 25, 1930, in Byers, he had worked for the Rock Island Railroad for 13 years and General Motors for 20 years. He was in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in Korea.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Rhonda Chandler; three brothers, Walter, Bob and John Suson and a sister, Mary Shurbet.
He is survived by one son, Dwight Suson of Gatesville; a brother, James Suson of Alvord; two sisters, Annabelle Workman of Park Springs and Ethel Ponce of Moore, Okla. and one grandchild, Lindsey Suson.
Pallbearers were Ray Hudson, Dennis Hudson, Corky Roberts, Johnny Cain, Benny Roberts and Johnny Wall.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 5, 2003

Swaim, Barbara Marie
1937-2003
Barbara Marie Swaim, 66, of Decatur died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2003, in Decatur. No funeral was scheduled.
Born Feb. 4, 1937, in Glendale, Calif. to John and Maxine Rodley, she married Marvin Swaim on Aug. 27, 1997, in Clarkston, Wash. She was a member of Community Church of Christ and the Wise Regional Health System Auxiliary.
She is survived by her husband; two daughters, Cheri Rosenberg of Lewiston, Idaho, and Becky Griffith of Tacoma, Wash.; a step-daughter, Pamela Bess of Arlington; a brother, Ron Rodley of Rosenburg, Ore.; four grandchildren, Megan Rosenberg and Russell Rosenberg, both of Lewiston, Idaho, and Melissa Griffith and Dani Griffith, both of Tacoma, Wash.; one step-grandchild, Liza Grove of Mansfield and one great-grandchild, Peyton Smith of Lewiston, Idaho.
Her family requests memorials be made to American Diabetes Association, 12850 Spurling Drive, Suite 100, Dallas, Texas 75230-1258.

Taylor, Sammie
1939-2003
Graveside service for Sammie Taylor, 64, of Bridgeport will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 26 at Wilson Prairie Cemetery. The Rev. Doyle Slimp will officiate.
Taylor died Sunday, June 22, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born Jan. 14, 1939, in Wise County to Leslie and Opal (Nall) Mattingley, she was a retired nurses’ aide and a lifetime resident of Wise County.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Weldon Mattingley.
She is survived by four sons, Rick Hart and wife Linda, Billy Pike, Charles Pike and wife Marianne and Larry Taylor and wife Kazu; a daughter, Tammie Cox; a brother, T.W. “Tex” Mattingley and 11 grandchildren.
Published Thursday, June 26, 2003

Taylor, Wanda Evelyn
1924-2003
Funeral for Wanda Evelyn Taylor, 78, of Amarillo will be Saturday, Aug. 16 at 10 a.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Donald Stone will officiate. Burial will follow at Willow Point Cemetery.
Taylor died Monday, Aug. 11, 2003, in Amarillo.
Born Dec. 24, 1924, in Boonsville, to Chi and Fannie (Koeninger) Franklin, she married Melvin Thomas Taylor on March 5, 1949, in Boone County, Mo. The couple moved to Amarillo in 1952 when Mr. Taylor was stationed at Amarillo Air Force Base. Taylor was a hairdresser for 22 years and a member of the Emanuel Baptist Church in Amarillo.
She was preceded in death by her husband and a brother, Pete Franklin.
She is survived by a daughter, Kathy E. Jones and husband Mark A. of Amarillo; a sister, Lucille Burns of San Antonio; a brother, Lavern “Jack” Franklin of Fort Worth and two grandsons, Brandon Jones of Amarillo and Dustin Jones and wife Carrie of Amarillo.
Pallbearers will be Carroll Franklin, Brandon Jones, Dustin Jones, Billy Stone, Bobby Wharton and Frankie Mauney.
Thursday, August 14, 2003

Teal, Charles
1939-2003
Funeral service for Charles Teal, 63, of Rhome was Tuesday, April 29, at Aurora Baptist Church. The Rev. Jimmy Withers and Rick Stokes officiated. Burial was at Aurora Cemetery.
Born Aug. 8, 1939, in Fairburn, Ga., he died Sunday, April 27, 2003, in Dallas.
He served in the U.S. Army and retired as the Boyd ISD maintenance director.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Gary Teal.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Teal; daughters Sandra Pulliam and husband Terry and Donna Fountain and husband Terry; step-daughter, Tammy Adcock and husband Brad; step-sons, Scott Nix and wife Kelly, W.C. Nix and wife Jennifer and Preston Nix and wife Mary Beth; 12 grandchildren, Melissa Pulliam, Caleb Pulliam, Caroline Pulliam, Charles Fountain, Hunter Nix, Jade Nix, Kameron Nix, Kalison Nix, Payton Nix, Preston Nix, Palmer Nix and Hannah Adcock; three sisters, Brenda Conner, Joyce White and husband Richard and Janice Campbell and husband Rodger; and brothers, Clark Teal and wife Patsy and Dill Teal and wife Betty.
Thursday, May 1, 2003

Teel, Jo Ann
1949-2003
Funeral for Jo Ann Teel, 54, of Denton will be Sunday, Aug. 17, at DeBerry Funeral Chapel in Denton. Burial is to follow at Jackson Cemetery in Krum. Visitation was to be from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16 at DeBerry Funeral Directors.
Teel died Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003, in Voorhees, New Jersey.
Born Jan. 24, 1949, in Mineral Wells to Floyd and Joe Lee Moore Kelley, she married Sam Teel on March 2, 1968, in Decatur. She graduated from Decatur High School and Kennedy-Western University in Wyoming.
She is survived by her parents, Floyd and Joe Lee Kelley of Decatur; husband Sam Teel of Denton; a son, Jim Teel of Kansas City, Mo.; two sisters, Karen Clark of Lewisville and Brenda Morrow of Krum; a brother, Ronnie Kelley of Clyde and six grandchildren.
Sunday, August 17, 2003

Thiemer, Frances Ann
1938-2003
Graveside service for Frances Ann Thiemer, 64, of Newark was to be Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 10 a.m. at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 1. The Rev. Dan Williams was to officiate.
Thiemer died Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003, in Newark.
Born Dec. 16, 1938, to Arthur and Pearl (Garrett) Evans in Newark, she married Cecil Thiemer in Kansas City, Mo. She was a housewife and a member of the Grace Baptist Church in Newark.
She was preceded in death by her father and her husband.
She is survived by her mother, Pearl Evans of Newark; a son, William Bell and wife, Tammy, of Newark; a daughter, Patty Campbell of Newark; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were to be Chris McCrory, Jimmy Campbell II, Larry Hunter and Ken Davis.
Thursday, August 21, 2003

Thomas, Gary Wayne
1954-2003
Funeral for Gary Wayne Thomas, 48, of Boyd was to be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13 at the Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd. The Rev. John Fogarty was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Keeter Cemetery.
Thomas died Saturday, Aug. 9, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Nov. 11, 1954, in Fort Worth to Bryant and Barbara (Hendren) Thomas, he married Stephanie Wright on Aug. 25, 1973, in Azle. He was an assembler for Wal-Mart and an active member of the Keeter Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Micah Thomas and Ezekiel Thomas, both of Boyd; two daughters, Autumn Thomas and Heather Thomas, both of Boyd; a sister, Paula Cox of Washington and two brothers, David Hall and Terry Thomas, both of Washington.
Pallbearers were to be Dennis McCarty, Tony Vandenbrandt, Tim Bailey, John Walton, Jim Mitchell and Grant Connally.
Honorary pallbearers were to be Walt Miller, Jake Harris, Jeff Mix, Wesley Connally, Jason Snackenberg and James Wallace.
Thursday, August 14, 2003

Thompson, Thomas Edward
1935-2003
Graveside service for Thomas Edward Thompson, 67, of Chico was to be Saturday, April 19, at 2 p.m. at Rock Church Cemetery in Blanket.
Thompson died Thursday, April 17, 2003, in Chico.
Born Oct. 17, 1935, in Blanket, he was a self-employed diesel mechanic. He married Sandra Humphries on Aug. 3, 1958, in Brown County.
He was preceded in death by his father, L.W. “Toad” Thompson.
He is survived by his wife; his mother, Tangy Thompson; three sons, Dennis Thompson, Ronnie Thompson and Robbie Thompson; two daughters, Jeannie Warner and Joy Jenkins; three grandchildren, Jessica, Damen and Christopher; three brothers, Bobby Thompson, William Thompson and Gene Thompson and two sisters, Shirley Shank and Virginia Hull.
Sunday, April 20, 2003

Thornton, Isam F.
1923-2003
Funeral for Isam F. Thornton, 79, of Decatur, will be Sunday, March 23, at 2 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel, followed by burial in Oaklawn Cemetery. Visitation was to be Saturday, March 22, 7 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Thornton died Thursday, March 20, in Decatur.
He was born May 25, 1923, in Quanah. He was a retired crane operator for Burlington Railroad. He was an Army veteran and a member of the Baptist church. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Hilary. He married Ann Gragg on Sept. 9, 2002, in Decatur.
He was also preceded in death by a son, James Thornton; a granddaughter, Christie Thornton; and a brother, Henry Thornton.
He is survived by his wife, Ann Gragg Thornton of Decatur; a son, Frank Thornton of Decatur; stepsons, Ralph Wilson of Arizona, Michael Gragg of Kaufman and Daniel Gragg of Lufkin; a stepdaughter, Brenda Harris of Abbott; three grandsons, Adam, James and Brandon Thornton; and 10 step-grandchildren.
Pallbearers are John French, John Gibbon, Milton Hibler, Dr. Thomas Long, Eddie Sampler and Evan Woodruff. Honorary pallbearers are Charles Wilhite, Martin Barrett, Elwin Scott and Carl Greer.
Sunday, March 23, 2003

Thweatt, Mack Newton
1916-2003
Funeral for Mack Newton Thweatt, 87, of Saint Jo, father of Mack “Jr.” Thweatt of Alvord, was to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at Saint Jo Church of Christ, with C.E. Cole and Chester Cullum officiating. Burial was to be at Mountain Park Cemetery in Saint Jo.
Born Feb. 6, 1916, in Kosciusko, Miss., to Mack and Myrtle Thweatt, he died April 10, 2003, at a Nocona hospital.
Preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ethel Lovett Thweatt and an infant grandson, he is survived by children, Mack “Jr” Thweatt of Alvord, and Judy Dennis and Jerry Thweatt of Saint Jo; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
He served in the Army for four years, was a farmer and rancher and worked for Pedigo Oil Company. He was also a member of the Saint Jo Church of Christ and was the second president of the Saint Jo Riding Club.

Sunday, April 13, 2003

Tisdale, Audra D.
1922-2003
Graveside service for Audra D. Tisdale, 80, of Decatur was Friday, Feb. 28, at Rose Cemetery in Hedley. Bryan Noles officiated.
Tisdale died Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2003, in Decatur.
Born May 28, 1922, in Atoka, Okla., she was a housewife. She married Edgel O. Tisdale on Dec. 27, 1941 in Atoka.
She is survived by her husband; two daughters, Pat and husband Don Doak of Cleburne and Barbara and husband Gary Bible of Decatur; a sister, Nola Moore of Austin and three grandchildren, Paul and wife Stephanie Bible of Denton and Julie Bible and Jeff Bible, both of Decatur.
Sunday, March 2, 2003

Tisdale, Edgel Otis
1918-2003
Graveside service for Edgel Otis Tisdale, 85, of Bridgeport will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 10 at Rose Cemetery in Hedley. Bryan Noles will officiate.
Tisdale died Monday, July 7, 2003, in Decatur.
He was born May 7, 1918, in Atoka, Okla., and married Audra Dee Yendell on Dec. 27, 1941. He was a rancher and farmer and a member of the Eagle Drive Baptist Church in Decatur.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Audra.
He is survived by two daughters, Pat Doak and husband Don, of Cleburne and Barbara Bible and husband Gary of Decatur; one brother, Joe Tisdale Jr. of Oklahoma; one sister, Christine Bourland of Oklahoma and three grandchildren, Jeff and Julie Bible and Paul Bible and wife Stephanie, all of Decatur.
Thursday, July 10, 2003

Todisco, Marna Bridgens
1929-2003
Service for Marna Bridgens Todisco, 73, of Runaway Bay was to be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 1, at Runaway Bay Community Church. Dr. Charles Holland was to officiate, and burial was to follow at Eternal Oaks Cemetery.
Todisco died Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born Aug. 24, 1929, in Galva, Kan., to Dale and Beda Wingrove, Todisco was a homemaker, member of the Eastern Star and Runaway Bay Community Church. She married Herb Todisco June 24, 1989, in Las Vegas.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Gilbert Bridgens; two grandchildren, Terry Lee Sims and Catie Marie Reid and a great-grandchild, Corey Grimes.
She is survived by her husband, Herb Todisco; two daughters, Marsha Bridgens and Delinda Bridgens; one son, Douglas Bridgens and wife Beth; four stepchildren, Melvin Todisco, Karen Todisco, Paula Todisco and Chuck Todisco and wife Lu; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Sunday, March 2, 2003

Torres, David Raul
2003
Graveside service for David Raul Torres, the infant son of Rafael and Eva Torres of Newark, was Friday, Feb. 28, at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Father Gil Pansza officiated.
Torres was born Monday, Feb. 24, 2003, and died the following day in Decatur.
He is survived by his grandparents, Ernesto and Eva Angelina of Newark, Maria Gonzales and Javier Torres, both of Mexico and a great-grandmother, Maria De Jesus of Mexico.
Sunday, March 2, 2003

Tran, Duc ‘Jason’
1979-2003
Funeral for Duc “Jason” Tran, 23, of Arlington will be Friday, May 16, at 11:30 a.m. at Moore Funeral Home Chapel in Arlington.
Tran died Wednesday, May 7, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born July 19, 1979, in Vietnam, he worked as a nail technician for Elite Nails in Decatur.
Tran was preceded in death by his father, Diep Tran.
He is survived by his mother, Liem Hong; four brothers, Mike Tran, Tan Tran, Man Tran and Minu Tran; two sisters, Thuy Tran and Viy Tran, all of Arlington; three nephews; two nieces and many other extended family members.
Thursday, May 15, 2003

Truitt, Sue L.
1924-2003
Funeral for Sue L. Truitt, 79, formerly of Rhome, was Dec. 3, 2003, at the First United Methodist Church of Hurst. Burial followed at Bluebonnett Hills Memorial Park in Colleyville.
Truitt died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003, in Bedford.
Born Oct. 2, 1924, in Franklin, N.C., to Jacob Conway Ledbetter and Genevieve Phillips Bartlett, she was a wife and mother whose hobbies included needlepoint, cross-stitching, jigsaw puzzles, reading and playing the piano. She was married to J.D. Truitt for more than 60 years.
She is survived by her husband of Hurst; two sons, Jimmy Truitt and wife, Linda, of Fort Collins, Colo., and Joey Truitt and wife, Rhoda, of Trophy Club; three daughters, Judy Dulkowski and husband, Henry, of Cadiz, Ohio, Janet Eldridge and husband, Kevin, of Fort Worth and Jenny Arenz and husband, John, of Weatherford; two brothers, Jake Ledbetter and wife, Ann, of Austin and David Ledbetter and wife, Felice, of Delray Beach, Fla.; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Published Sunday, December 14, 2003

Tucker, Charles Henry
1928-2003
Service for Charles Henry Tucker, 74, of Gainesville was to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at Temple Baptist Church. Burial was to be in Reed Cemetery.
Tucker died Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2003, in Denton.
Born Dec. 6, 1928, in Myra to Carl “Bud” and Audry Tucker, he married LaBecah Watson on April 3, 1954, in Gainesville. He was a Baptist, served in the U. S. Air Force and worked as an oil field driller and construction crane operator.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Jesse Ray Tucker and James Tucker and a granddaughter, Courtney Stewart.
He is survived by his wife, LaBecah Tucker of Gainesville; a son, Robert Stewart of Austin; a daughter, Rita Stewart of Springtown; grandchildren, Bill and Cristal Medlock of Myra, Shelli and Robert Bengfort of Lindsay, LaBecah Buris of Gainesville, Chris and Tonya Hess of Muenster, Sherry Stewart of Austin and Michelle and David Salinas of Austin; brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Patty Tucker of Gainesville; sister and brother-in-law, Lucille and Ed Edmonds of Amherst; sister-in-law, Zanna Hawas of Kentucky and brother-in-law, Earl Watson of Kentucky.
Pallbearers were to be Quintin Hess, Chris Hess, David Tucker, Steve Hennigan, Jay Bezner and David Bengfort. Honorary pallbearers were to be Jerry Hess and Pat Eberhart.
Sunday, March 2, 2003

Turpin, Clifford ‘Buck’
1921-2003
Graveside service for Clifford “Buck” Turpin, 81, of Paradise was Sept. 16, 2003, at Paradise Cemetery. Kary McNeill from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Decatur Ward) officiated.
Turpin was born Dec. 8, 1921, in Milford, to Rouligh and Ida Bell Turpin. He died Sept. 13, 2003 in Decatur.
At the age of 16 he left home to seek his fortune, and among many adventures became a professional boxer, having trained with Jake “Raging Bull” Lamotta. He served in the Army during World War II. He married Ruth Francis on Nov. 5, 1944. He guided hunters in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado for many years and was an accomplished horseman. He retired as a contractor.
Buck was preceded in death by two brothers, Richard L. Turpin and Roy Gene Turpin.
He is survived by his wife; daughters Linda Turpin and Sharon Tipton and her husband, Bob; sons, Dan Turpin and Cliff Turpin and his wife, Jo Ann; a brother, Roland Turpin; a twin-sister, Sydney “Sis” Tollerson; grandchildren Wayne and Bryan Tipton, Mirenda Lowery, Katie and Chase Turpin; and great-grandchildren, Zachary Tipton, Angie Tipton, Alex Tipton, Christina Tipton, Dimitri Tipton and Madison Lowery.

Upton, Barbara Jean Rodgers
1935-2003
Service for Barbara Jean Rodgers Upton, 67, of Hurst was Saturday, Feb. 1, at the First Baptist Church of Hurst. Burial was in Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park.
Upton attended the Boyd First United Methodist Church.
She died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, in Bedford.
Born March 5, 1935, in Dallas to Cecil and Ruby Rodgers, she married Berlie Upton on June 10, 1955. She was involved in activities with her children and her husband, who was an air traffic controller.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by a daughter, Jana Upton Burnett and husband Jeff of Bedford; a son, Craig Upton and wife Margie of Manila, Philippines and grandchildren, Holly Upton of Houston, Brooke Burnett Cramer and husband Mike of Bedford and Blake Burnett of Bedford.
Wise County Messenger, February 9, 2003

Vandiver, Virginia F.
1919-2003
Graveside service for Virginia F. Vandiver, 83, of Decatur was Friday, Oct. 24, at Oaklawn Cemetery. The Rev. Charles Taylor officiated.
Vandiver died Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Dec. 19, 1919, in Decatur to Shelby and Virginia Fowler, she married John Thurman Vandiver on July 31, 1937, in Waurika, Okla.
She was preceded in death by her husband May 21, 1999.
She is survived by a son, Jimmy Stuart Vandiver of Decatur; two sisters, Catherine Richter of Decatur and Mary Ruth Olson of McAllen; a granddaughter, Melissa D. Hailey and husband, Brian, and their children, Amanda, Blake, Brandon and Alexis Hailey, all of Phoenix, Ariz.

VanOver, Leonard Harding
1917-2003
Graveside service for Leonard Harding VanOver, 85, was Monday, March 17, at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. His family officiated the service with burial following.
He died March 14 at a Bridgeport nursing home.
Born Dec. 29, 1917, in Kansas City , Mo. to Perry and Adda Littrel VanOver, he was a retired U.S. Air Force veteran. He married Pansy Berry on April 26, 1938. She preceded him in death on Nov. 6, 2002.
He is survived by three sons, Gene VanOver and wife Cindy of Lafayette, La., Perry VanOver and wife Lynn of Fairfax Station, Va. and James VanOver and wife Diane of Decatur; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Gene VanOver, Perry VanOver, James VanOver and James Elnitsky.
Thursday, March 20, 2003

Vaughn, Millie L.
1906-2003
Graveside service for Millie L. Vaughn, 97, of Decatur was Monday, July 14 at the Nelta Cemetery in Hopkins County.
Vaughn died Saturday, July 12, 2003, in Decatur.
She was born March 26, 1906, in Delta County to Robert Russell and Ella (Cunningham) Foster. Vaughn married Maurice Vaughn in August 1928. She was a member of the Klondike Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Maurice, her brother, Clifton Foster, and two sisters, Bertha Wright and Clara Slough.
She is survived by her daughter, Marilynn Collins and husband, Pat, of Decatur; son, Ralph Vaughn and wife, Lorna Ruth, of Corsicana; sister, Melba Jones of Cooper; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two step great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Thursday, July 17, 2003

Vidal, Vernon
1931-2003
Service for Vernon Vidal, 71, of Bridgeport was to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at the First Baptist Church of Bridgeport. The Rev. Fred Villa was to officiate and burial was to follow in East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Vidal died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born July 4, 1931, in Bridgeport to Manuel and Consepcion (Perez) Vidal, he retired from Hanson as a crusher operator after 37 years of service. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and he married Emilia Salazar on Jan. 26, 1976, in Bridgeport.
He was preceded in death by his wife on July 23, 2002. He was also preceded in death by four brothers, three sisters and a granddaughter, Kelsey Vidal.
He is survived by 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 and 15 grandchildren.
Pallbearers were to be Joe Vidal, Marcus Vidal Jr., Edward Martinez, Lupe Salazar, Martin Casillas Jr. and Harvey Weatherly.
Wise County Messenger, February 9, 2003

Vinson, Virgle Gene ‘Poppa’
1937-2003
Funeral for Virgle Gene “Poppa” Vinson, 65, of Kemp was Sept. 18, 2003, at Anderson Clayton Brothers Funeral Home in Kemp. The Rev. Jim Renfro officiated. Burial followed at Kemp Cemetery.
Vinson died Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2003, in Dallas.
Born Dec. 7, 1937, in Anson to Virgle and Bessie Vinson of Abilene, he married Barbara Sue Landreth on Sept. 1, 1957, in Abilene. He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church, a Kemp businessman, a former city council member and a supporter of youth organizations. He was a retired printer who worked for newspapers such as the Abilene Reporter News, Galveston County Daily News, Fort Worth Star Telegram, the Dallas Time Herald and the Dallas Morning News. He retired from Bowne of Dallas in 1985.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years; two daughters, Gena Vinson of Kemp and Tammy Rainey and husband, Jimmy, of Dallas; three granddaughters, Dana Jones and husband, Fred, of Bridgeport, Dona Hardin and husband, Josh, of Decatur and Tana Craft of McKinney; two great-grandchildren, Brody and Brac Jones; a grandson, J.J. Melton and two sisters, Lenora Davis of Abilene and Lois Harrison and husband, Alan, of Fort Worth.
Pallbearers were Jimmy Philpot, James Betts, Clyde Morton, Billy Ray, R.L. Stuard and Dale Holdman.

Waggoner, Vernon W.
1923-2003
Service for Vernon W. Waggoner, 79, of Decatur was to be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, at Briar Church of Christ. Tom Wacaster and Ted Horn were to officiate and burial was to follow at 2 p.m. at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth.
Waggoner died Sunday, Feb. 16, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Aug. 8, 1923, in Era, he was retired from General Dynamics and was the former owner of Waggoner Waste Oil Company in Wise County. He was a former member of Granbury Sam’s Travel Club, a member of the Wise County Antique Auto Club and Briar Church of Christ. He served in the U. S. Army during World War II. He married Alice Haney on May 23, 1992, in Lake Worth.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Kathryn, six brothers and two sisters.
He is survived by his wife Alice Waggoner of Decatur; a daughter, Shirley Timmons and husband David of Houston; two grandchildren, Vernon Strickland and wife Kathy of Fort Worth and Ronda Baker and husband Kerek of Roanoke; two great-grandchildren, Nathan and Grace Strickland; two stepchildren, Lexie Turner and husband Hugh of Georgia and Layton Brown and wife Guineth of Fort Worth; five stepgrandchildren, Duston, Cody, Skip and Thomas Turner and wife Jennifer and Becky Rogers and husband Chris; two step great-grandchildren, Alyssa and Eathan and four sisters, Joyce Martin of Ada, Okla., Billie Morrow of Longview, Roxie Schoppaul of San Angelo and Reba Beall of Boyd.
Thursday, February 20, 2003

Wainscott, Felton E.
1922-2003
A private family funeral for Felton E. Wainscott, 81, of Bridgeport will be held at a later date.
Wainscott died Saturday, Sept. 20, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born July 4, 1922, in Yorktown, he was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in World War II.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Polly Ann Wainscott.
He is survived by a son, Bill Wainscott; a daughter, Judy Ann Wainscott; two brothers, Carlton and Kenneth Wainscott; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Wallace, Jesse James ‘Jess’, Sr.
1908-2003
Service for Jesse James “Jess” Wallace Sr., 94, of Midland was Friday, Feb. 21, at Pipkin Funeral Home Chapel in Midland. The Rev. Johnny Thomason officiated, assisted by Jeff Wilson. Burial followed at Resthaven Memorial Park.
Wallace was the father of Jesse James Wallace Jr. of Boyd.
Wallace died Monday, Feb. 18, 2003, in Midland.
Born July 16, 1908, in Leadman, Okla., to Jesse David and Lilly Etta Clement Wallace, he moved to Midland in 1932 and worked with the Work Progress Administration. He also drove a truck for Rocky Ford Moving Vans. He married the late Sula Fay Stanley Aug. 11, 1934, and worked for Stanley Farm. In 1945, the two opened Wallace Grocery. He enjoyed gardening, boat riding, dancing at the senior citizen dances and his church.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Leroy, Doyle and Melvin; two sisters, Anola and Eva Mae; his wife and two infant sons, Richard Wallace and Waldo Wallace.
He is survived by three sons, David Stanley Wallace and wife Mary Dell of Odessa, Jesse James Wallace Jr. and wife Joann of Boyd and Bobby Dale Wallace and wife Barbara of Midland; a daughter, Brenda Sue Coffmann and husband Leonard of Midland; a brother, Cloyd Wallace of Midland; a sister, Margaret Parnell of Midland; 11 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
Sunday, February 23, 2003

Wallum, Jackie Sublett
1930-2003
Funeral for Jackie Sublett Wallum, 73, of Wise County was to be Wednesday, Sept. 24, at Grace Lutheran Church in Fort Worth. Burial was to follow at Emerald Hills Memorial Park.
Wallum died Monday, Sept. 22, 2003, in Saginaw.
Born Sept. 10, 1930, in Hood County to Cliff and Firl Sublett, she graduated from Trimble Tech High School in 1947. She retired as a bookkeeper from FFP Operations in 1992 after 17 years of service. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Odell Wallum; three sons, Douglas Wayne Wallum and wife, Debbie, of Justin, Gary Don Wallum and wife, Renee, of Saginaw and Clifford Dale Wallum and wife, LaVon, of Saginaw; eight grandchildren, Adriane D’Lynn Beck and husband, Stephen, Christa D’Anne Spearman and husband, Aaron, Shannon Michelle Wallum, Jason Gary Wallum and wife, Terri, Andrea Renee Huggins and husband, Brock, Janda Nikole Wallum, Randi LaVon Wallum and Skylar Elise Wallum and a brother, Jerry Sublett and wife, Teddy, of Greensboro, N.C.

Watkins, Thomas H.
1934-2002
Service for Thomas H. Watkins, 68, of Fort Worth, was Thursday, Jan. 2 at Coker Funeral Home. Burial followed at Aurora Cemetery.
Watkins died Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002, in Fort Worth.
Born Nov. 21, 1934, in Lovington, N.M., he spent most of his childhood in Haltom City and graduated from Birdville High School in 1953. He graduated from North Texas State University in 1957. He had a long career as an educator, holding numerous positions as a teacher, coach and assistant principal. He taught at Alameda Junior High School in Denver, Colo., Haltom Junior High School, Richland Junior High School, Watauga Junior High School and Haltom High School. He was a football fan and enjoyed the outdoors. He attended St. Michael’s Episcopal Church for more than 40 years and served as a member of the vestry numerous times and also served several terms as both a junior and senior warden.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Betsy Watkins; his mother, Imogene Watkins of Decatur; two sons, Lt. Col. Roger H. Watkins and wife Leslie of Tampa, Fla., and Walter T. Watkins of Fort Worth; two daughters, Margaret Barron and husband Anthony of Fort Worth and Teresa A. Watkins of Pagosa Springs, Colo.; a stepson, Anthony Collier of Naples, Fla., and five grandchildren, Andrew, Brian, Catherine, Thomas and Emily Watkins.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch or the American Cancer Society in his memory.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 5, 2003

Watson, Charles Robert, Sr.
1922-2003
Graveside service for Charles Robert Watson Sr., 80, of Decatur was April 10 at Sweetwater Cemetery in Wise County. Kenny Cates officiated.
Born Nov. 13, 1922, in Colorado City, Texas, he died Sunday, April 6, 2003 in Decatur.
He married Betty Ruth Fennel July 19, 1944, in Jacksonville, N.C. He was a World War II veteran, a retired switch foreman for Santa Fe Railroad and a member of Corinth Baptist Church in Wise County.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Hazel Gray and Florence Hutchenson.
He is survived by his wife, Betty of Decatur; two sons, Charles R. Watson Jr. of Austin and Jacky Watson of North Carolina; three daughters, Judy Watson of Denton, Peggy Owens of Decatur and Terre Eubanks of Seymour; a brother, Bill Harless of Amarillo; a sister, Francis Cowart of Royse City; 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Jacky, Bob, Judy and Terre Watson; Louie Eubanks; and David and Peggy Owens.
Sunday, April 13, 2003

Watson, Mary Loyce Lynn
1926-2003
Graveside service for Mary Loyce Lynn Watson, 76, of Decatur was to be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at Pleasant Grove No. 1. Wilton Watson was to officiate.
Watson died Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Sept. 3, 1926, in San Antonio, she was a housewife. She married Ammie Roy Watson Dec. 24, 1941, in San Saba.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by two sons, Alton Watson and wife Sue of Regency and Kenneth Watson and wife Cherry of Sunset; a daughter, Louise Goode and husband Don of Decatur; a brother, Bill Hotz of Decatur; a sister, Bernice Pierce of Clifton; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, February 2, 2003

Weatherford, William ‘Bill’ Lee
1936-2003
Service for William “Bill” Lee Weatherford, 67, of Alvord was to be Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Alvord. Bill Cleveland was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Alvord Cemetery.
Weatherford died Sunday, Dec. 7, 2003, in Denton.
He was born Aug. 11, 1936, in Dallas to Ross Holmes and Willie Gertrude (Smith) Weatherford. He was a graduate of Sunset High School in Dallas and attended Arlington State College. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve for eight years. On May 15, 1965, he married Bonnie Lynn Chambers in Dallas. Weatherford was retired from Hurst Euless Bedford Independent School District.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Todd and Jim Weatherford of Euless; one daughter, Lori Weatherford Glanzer and husband, Kevin, of Dallas and four grandchildren.
Pallbearers were to be Donnie Van Noy, Terry Brown, Bart Lunsford, Larry Wilson, Rodney Harris, Mike McManus, David Goodwin, Calvin Baker, Melton Neighbors and Fred Parker.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church building fund, P.O. Box 25, Alvord, Texas, 76225.
Published Thursday, December 11, 2003

Weathers, Mitzie D.
1934-2003
Graveside service for Mitzie D. Weathers, 68, of Decatur will be Thursday, March 6, at 10 a.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery. John Redfearn will officiate.
Weathers died Tuesday, March 4, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Aug. 20, 1934, in Pilot Point, she was a retired nurse at Sunny Hills Nursing Home. She married James Edward Weathers Sr. on June 4, 1955, in Quanah. He preceded her in death. Weathers attended Quanah High School and graduated from Denton Vocational School of Nursing in 1977.
She is survived by a son, Jim Weathers of Forestburg; a daughter, Cindy Poore and husband Terry of Decatur and four grandchildren.
Thursday, March 6, 2003

Webb, William ‘Buddy’
1946-2003
Funeral for William “Buddy” Webb, 56, of Paradise was to be Wednesday, May 14, at 2 p.m. at Roselawn Funeral Home Chapel in Seagoville. Burial was to follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.
Webb died Sunday, May 11, 2003, in Paradise.
Born June 26, 1946, in Mount Calm Webb is survived by his wife Wilma Webb of Paradise; daughters Theresa Jane Kruse and her husband Frank of Keller and Shelia Webb and Juan Soto of Omaha, Neb. and two grandchildren, Nikki Jane Kruse and Cheyenne Jane Kruse, both of Keller.
Thursday, May 15, 2003

Wells, Jesse B.
1952-2002
Memorial service for Jesse B. Wells, 50, of Bridgeport was to be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Joel Hughes was to officiate.
Wells died Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Feb. 7, 1952, in Fort Worth, he was a computer programmer. He married Lena Kimbrell Dec. 8, 1969, in Fort Worth.
He is survived by his wife; his parents, Jesse B. Wells Sr. and Bernice Folsom; two sons, Jesse L. Wells and wife Lisa of Bridgeport and Michael Wells of Mt. Dora, Fla.; a sister, Rebecca Hughes and five grandchildren, Brichette, Jesse, Aden, Angel and Tyler.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 2, 2003

West, Georgia Gail
1941-2002
Service for Georgia Gail West, 61, of Boyd was Saturday, Dec. 28 at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Bob Ware officiated and burial followed in Garvin Cemetery.
West died Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002, in Arlington.
Born Dec. 4, 1941, in Dallas, she was a clerk for J. C. Penney. She was a member of the Garvin Methodist Church and the Boyd Eastern Star, serving as past and present matron. She married Bobby Joe West on Aug. 5, 1960, in Grand Prairie.
She is survived by her husband; one daughter, Tina Dian Gaston and fiance Tony Kruse; four sons, Tandy Lynn West, Jerry Dewayne West and wife Lori, Robert Darrell West and wife Lauri and Kenneth Allen West; four sisters, Lorraine Deaner, Katheryn Brown, Pat Camp and Gwen Grindale; one brother, Dale Tomlinson and 15 grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Tandy West, Jerry West, Robert West, Kenneth West, Tony Kruse and Ray Gaston.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 2, 2003

Wheiles, Pearl Mae
1927-2003
Funeral for Pearl Mae Wheiles, 75, of Bridgeport will be Thursday, May 15, at 3:30 p.m. in Mount Olivet Chapel in Fort Worth. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Wheiles died Monday, May 12, 2003, in Decatur.
Born June 26, 1927, in Peoria, Ill., she worked as a clerk for Nu-Way in Richland Hills and for Allsups, retiring in 2000. She was active with H.O.R.S.E.S in Texas.
She is preceded in death by her daughter, Tanya Simmons, and a brother, Lloyd Sherwood.
She is survived by two daughters, Jennifer Covington and Antoinette Dunlap; three sons, Robert Cole, Don Nuckols and Daniel C. Carriker; eight grandchildren Jason, Candice, Randee, Josh, Rhonda, Robert, Tony and Greg; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mildred Garrett and Betty Cockreham and a brother, Larkin Sherwood.
Memorials may be sent in her honor to H.O.R.S.E.S in Texas, P.O. Box 565, Bridgeport, Texas 76426.
Thursday, May 15, 2003

White, Bobbie Lou Mae
1982-2003
Service for Bobbie Lou Mae White, 21, of Runaway Bay will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, at the First United Methodist Church in Bridgeport. The Rev. Johnny Irish will officiate. Burial will be at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Born Jan. 19, 1982, in Tulsa, Okla., to Berry White III and Linda White, she died Oct. 8, 2003, in Arlington.
She graduated from Bridgeport High School in 2000 and studied dance and piano. She won awards in many pageants, including the title of Miss Teen Wise County in 1999. She was a cheerleader in high school and made the finals for Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders two consecutive years while attending Weatherford College.
White is survived by her parents, Berry and Linda of Runaway Bay; a brother, Berry White IV; her sister, Jennifer Griffith; and grandparents, Helen White and Robert and Mary Wickham.
Visitation was to be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.

White, Susie
1913-2003
Graveside service for Susie White, 90, of Decatur was to be Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 10 a.m. at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 1. Doyle Slimp was to officiate.
White died Sunday, Aug. 17, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Aug. 7, 1913, in Decatur to John and Ina North, she was a seamstress. She retired after 20 years with Lorch Westway. She married Bernie O. White on Oct. 28, 1933, in Rhome. He preceded her in death on Oct. 15, 1996.
She is survived by a son, John E. White and wife, Carol, of Decatur; a daughter, Ina Askey and husband, Jerry, of Decatur; a sister, Edna Sydow of Azle; two sisters-in-law, Vivian North of Decatur and Billie Sue Shipley of Bridgeport; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Pallbearers were to be Michael White, Jimmy White, Scott White, Tony White, Jerry Askey Jr., Cody J. White, Colton White, Tyler White and Jeremy White.
Thursday, August 21, 2003

Whitehead, Irene Salmon
1908-2003
Service for Irene Salmon Whitehead, 94, of Decatur will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 2, at Bell Baptist Church with Burial at Bolivar Cemetery in Bolivar. Visitation was to be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at Coker Funeral Home.
Whitehead died Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Nov. 19, 1908, in Bolivar, she married the late Joseph Lamar Whitehead Sr. on Aug. 5, 1930, in Marietta, Okla. She was a member of the Bell Baptist Church in Decatur.
She is survived by her son Joe Whitehead of Decatur; a daughter, Frances Long of Colleyville; two sisters, Nellie Meadows of Temple and Jeannie Krokulski of Fort Worth; two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Sunday, March 2, 2003

Whitten, Richard Chapman, Jr.
1941-2003
Funeral for Richard Chapman Whitten Jr, 62, of Justin was Oct. 17 at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. Nolan Partridge officiated. Burial was at New Harp Cemetery in Montague County.
Born July 24, 1941, in Fort Worth, he died Oct. 14, 2003, in Denton.
He married Myra Jean Freeman on Feb. 14, 1983, in Fort Worth.
He was a member of the Bible Baptist Church in Justin.
He is survived by his wife, Myra; sons, Richard Whitten III and wife Lisa of Azle and Cameron Whitten of Justin; daughters, Candi Richardson of Azle, Nelda Aleman of Hearne, Shelby Whitten of Justin and Cindy Bumpus and husband Joe of Odessa; sister, Sharon Tittle and husband Lonnie of Azle; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Lonnie Tittle Jr., Charles Tittle, Cody Lakey, Steven Kelley, Richard Whitten IV and Jason Wright.

Wilborn, W.T.
1918-2003
Service for W.T. Wilborn, 85, of Pampa will be Monday, Dec. 1, at 9:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Pampa.

Wiley, Billy Cleavern
1943-2003
Funeral for Billy Cleavern Wiley, 59, of Mineral Wells was to be Saturday, July 19, at 10 a.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. Don Smith was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Crafton Cemetery.
Wiley died Tuesday, July 15, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born Sept. 16, 1943, in Decatur, he married Carol Dollar on May 24, 1993, in Springtown. He was a heavy equipment operator for the city of Mineral Wells and a member of the Crafton Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Billy O. “Bubba” Wiley of Chico; four daughters, Lisa, Shanobe, Jeanie and Jo Vee; two brothers, O.B. Wiley of Chico and L.E. Jones of Bowie; a sister, Jo Ann Manning of Chico; 15 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were to be Leon Moody, Tracy Fryer, Rick Robbins, Truman Amburn, Audie Morris and Kenny Coulson.
Sunday, July 20, 2003

Wilkinson, Rick L.
1919-2003
Service for Rick L. Wilkinson, 84, of Burleson was to be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at Bay Chapel, in Runaway Bay with the Revs. Palmer Bowers and John Williams officiating. Burial was to be at Eternal Oaks in Runaway Bay
He was born Nov. 15, 1919, in Los Angeles, Calif., to L.E. and Carrie (Mower) Wilkinson. He died Nov. 17, 2003 in Burleson.
A retired insurance agent, he owned Bridgeport Insurance Agency for 30 years. He was also retired from the U.S. Air Force and served in World War II and Korea.
Wilkinson was a member of the Bay Chapel.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Joy, in 1998. He married Jean Moench Wilkinson on April 9, 2000, in Burleson.
He is survived by his wife; his son, Rick Wilkinson Jr. and wife, Patty, of Rockledge, Fla.; his daughter, Leilani Tejeda and husband, David, of Dallas; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were to be Burel Kirkland, Rusty Tanner, Joe Newton, Jim Sappington and Ward Hogue.

Williams, Alfred Leo
1935-2003
Graveside service for Alfred Leo Williams, 67, of Bridgeport, was May 27 at Paradise Cemetery. The Rev. Joe Motsenbocker officiated.
Williams died Saturday, May 24, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born Oct. 17, 1935 in Parker County to Jessie and Ima Rose (Gilley) Williams, he was a retired heavy equipment operator for Lone Star Gas and a member of the AARP. He enjoyed fishing and hunting.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Arthur Williams.
He is survived by a son, Rodney Williams and his wife Tami; a brother Grady Williams; five sisters, Voncel Cash, Mary Ruth Cash, Vada Mae Skiles, Dean Bouchillon and Trula Verner; a step-daughter Denise Rawleigh and a grandson Jessie Leo Williams.
Thursday, May 29, 2003

Williams, Annie Louise
1924-2003
Graveside service for Annie Louise Williams, 78, of Decatur was Tuesday, April 15, at Grandview Cemetery in Grandview.
Williams died Saturday, April 12, 2003, in Decatur.
Born July 20, 1924, in Temple, she retired after 40 years at Texas Power and Light. After her retirement, she traveled extensively throughout all 50 states and Canada.
She is survived by four cousins, Elaine G. Boyer of Decatur, John E. Gregg of Durango, Colo., Mary E. Gregg of Denton and Glenda Mosely of Temple and several other relatives.
Thursday, April 17, 2003

Williams, Bill
1935-2003
Service for Bill Williams, 68, of Paradise will be Thursday, May 8, at 10:30 a.m. in the Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Dan Chaney will officiate. Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery.
Williams died Monday, May 5, 2003 in Fort Worth.
Born March 20, 1935 in Tyler, Williams was a Mason and retired as a U.S. Navy petty officer, serving eight tours in Vietnam. He married Rose Earlene Hall on July 7, 1952, in Rockwall, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his father, William W. Williams, and his brother, Charles Williams.
She is survived by his wife of 50 years, Earlene Williams of Bridgeport; mother Thelma Owens; two sons, Darren Williams and his wife Tina of Bridgeport and Steven Williams and his wife Gail of Spring and three grandchildren, Jennifer, Parker and Carly.
Thursday, May 8, 2003

Williams, Flora Elizabeth
1913-2003
Funeral for Flora Elizabeth Williams, 89, of Greenwood was May 25 at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Charles Taylor officiated. Burial followed at Greenwood Cemetery.
Williams died Friday, May 23, 2003 in Waco.
Born Aug. 10, 1913, in Rosston to Theodore and Willie Lee Meyer, she married Elmer E. “Chief” Williams May 24, 1943 in Love County, Okla. She was a retired hairdresser, member of the Eastern Star and a member of Greenwood Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
She is survived by a son Bobby C. Williams of Greenwood; a daughter, Sandra Kay McCormick of Waco; four grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Chace Williams, Devin Wilson, Dustin Wilson, Steve Young, Tim Williams and Gary Chapman.
Thursday, May 29, 2003

Willis, Ruby Marie
1916-2003
Funeral for Ruby Marie Willis, 87, of Hurst will be Monday, Nov. 24, at 9:30 a.m. at Mount Olivet Chapel in Fort Worth. Graveside service will follow at 1 p.m. at Little Elm Cemetery in Denton County. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Mount Olivet Funeral Home.
Willis died Friday, Nov. 21, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born Feb. 17, 1916, in Denton County, she was a retired school cafeteria worker.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sisters.
She is survived by a daughter, Judy M. Willis of Waco; four sons, Gary D. Willis of Decatur, David J. Willis of Austin, Freddy N. Willis of Plainview and Carroll G. Willis of Hurst; six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Memorials may be made to organizations of the donor’s choice or All Saints Hospice.

Wilson, Cathafay Harrison
1915-2003
Funeral for Cathafay Harrison Wilson, 88, of Fort Worth will be Sunday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m. at West Worth Church of Christ in White Settlement. Bob Mullins will officiate. Burial will follow at Boyd Cemetery.
Visitation was to be Saturday, Dec. 13, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Boyd.
Wilson died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, in Dallas.
Born March 13, 1915, in Crawford to Clarence and Floy (Shearin) Harrison, she was a nurse for Dr. David Bryant and Dr. Harold Shillings in Bridgeport and retired from the pediatrics unit of the Fort Worth Osteopathic Hospital. She was a graduate of Boyd High School.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Wilson, and her brother, C.J. Harrison.
She is survived by a son, Jimmy Wilson and wife, Shirley; two daughters, LaRee Wilson Franke and Dianne Wilson Nadolsky and husband, Nicholas; four grandchildren, Julie, Delian, Eric and Robbie, five great-grandchildren, Ashley, Jony Rose, Jullian, Kamron and Kiley and nephew, Tony Harrison.
Pallbearers will be Sam Connally, Jimmy L. Wilson, Ronnie White, Tony Harrison, C.L. Wilson Jr. and Garry Munn.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Published Sunday, December 14, 2003

Wilson, Elsie
1908-2003
Graveside service for Elsie Wilson, 95, of Springtown was to be Saturday, March 15, at 11 a.m. at Boyd Cemetery.
Wilson died Wednesday, March 12, 2003, in Azle.
Born March 12, 1908, in Boyd, she was a member of the Fundamental Baptist Church in Springtown.
She was preceded in death by her son, Charles Edwin Wilson in 1940, and her husband, Calvin Wilson in 2000.
She is survived by two sons, C.L. Wilson of Decatur and Bill A. Wilson of Springtown; a daughter, LaVonda McPherson of Saint Jo; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Sunday, March 16, 2003

Wilson, J.E. ‘Dick’
1921-2003
Funeral for J.E. “Dick” Wilson, 82, of Cottondale was to be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. The Revs. T.B. Reid and Steven Bernard were to officiate. Burial was to follow at Boyd Cemetery.
Wilson died Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2003, in Denton.
Born July 10, 1921, in Cottondale to Dan and Lula Belle (Wright) Wilson, he married Thelma Read on Aug. 15, 1986, in Bridgeport. He served in the U.S. Navy and retired as a farmer and the maintenance supervisor of Trinity Portland Cement Plant. He was a member of the Boyd Assembly of God.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Viola Smith Wilson; a daughter, Lou Ellen Wilson; a grandson, Connor Grantham; a sister, Ruby Joe Wilson; three brothers, Tom, Robert and Bill Wilson and a step-daughter, Linda Cannon.
He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Rose Grantham and husband, Travis; five sons, Bill Wilson and wife, Liz, Richard Wilson, David Wilson and wife, Cynthia, Don Wilson and wife, Phyllis, and Ronnie Wilson and wife, Anita; a sister, Katy Brown; two step-children, Kay Vaughan and Danny Joe Peel; 14 grandchildren; 12 step-grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren and nine step-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were to be Marvin Livengood, Jesse Riggs, Jimmy Wilson, Jim Follett, Thomas Wilson, Lewis Wood, Coy Cleveland and Alton Self.

Wilson, Sue
1933-2003
Graveside service for Sue Wilson, 69, of Decatur, retired bookkeeper for James Wood was to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at Oaklawn Cemetery. The Rev. Gene Chamness officiated.
Born Sept. 3, 1933, in Decatur to Ira Clifford and Betty B. Thompson, she died Thursday, May 8, 2003, in Denton.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Betty Jo Christian.
She is survived by three daughters, Gaye Cole of Alvord, Joye Malone of Greenwood and Lynn Shively of Decatur; her sister, Patsy Moody of Alvord; and six grandchildren.
Sunday, May 11, 2003

Winters, Edward Lanier ‘Pete’
1938-2003
Funeral for Edward Lanier “Pete” Winters, 64, of Lake Bridgeport was Sunday, April 13, at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Johnny Irish officiated. Burial followed at Eternal Oaks Cemetery in Runaway Bay.
Winters died Friday, April 11, 2003, in Lake Bridgeport.
Born July 25, 1938, in Austin, he had lived in the Lake Bridgeport community the past 18 years. He was the owner of Winters Enterprises in Rhome, manufacturers of cultured marble. He married Tressa Kaker on Oct. 21, 1992, in Boyd.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Rick Winters of Winterset, Iowa; two daughters, Debra McDonald of Winterset and Darla Goins of Washington; a stepson, Rob Shannon of Bridgeport; a nephew; three sisters, Doris, Shirley and Sandy and a stepfather, Niel Nielson.
Pallbearers were John Fostel, Dennis Reasoner, Doug Huckabee, Tommy Marshall, Jerry White, Ron Becker, Rusty Smith and David Russell.
Thursday, April 17, 2003

Witt, Jewell R.
1908-2003
Graveside service for Jewell R. Witt, 95, of Decatur was Monday, Nov. 17, 2003, at Oaklawn Cemetery. The Rev. Thomas O. Brumett officiated.
Witt died Sunday, Nov. 16, 2003, in Decatur.
Born July 2, 1908, in Decatur, she was a graduate of Baylor University. She studied in Guadalajara, Mexico, and taught Spanish in high school in Plainview. She earned her master’s degree from Texas Tech University and taught at the University of Mexico.
She married Cecil Witt and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Plainview. She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by a brother, Joe Lee Fox and wife, Tommie, of Decatur; a sister-in-law, Margaret Fox of Decatur; nieces, Shirley Fox Watson, Judy Fox Suarez and Peggy Fox Lewis, all of Decatur, Elizana Rasco McFarland of Blanco and Neva Fox Rudy of Duncanville; and nephews, Marcus Rasco Irving and Albert Fox of Owensboro, Ky.
Honorary pallbearers were Miguel Suarez, Jerry Watson, Marcus Rasco, Barry Watson, Byron Watson, Jeff Tindall, Henry Rudy and Rance Rudy.

Wolff, Paul John, Jr.
1929-2003
Funeral for Paul John “Johnny” Wolff Jr., 73, lifetime resident of Bridgeport was March 21 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bridgeport. The Rev. Gerald Peterman officiated. Graveside service followed at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery.
Born October 24, 1929, to Paul and Alley Wolff of Bridgeport, he died Wednesday, March 19, 2003, in Dallas.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Bridgeport and worked for the U.S. Department of Forestry in Oregon and on drilling rigs in Wise County. He earned a Purple Heart in the Korean War and was an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Sons of the Confederate Veterans and Wise County Veterans. He was also a member of the Korean Veterans Association, Disabled American Veterans and American Legion.
He was preceded in death by his father, “Pal” Wolff; brother, Jimmy Wolff; and daughter, Susan Cienega.
He is survived by daughters, Cathy Dennis and husband, Red of Bridgeport, Elaine Smith and husband, Duane of Garland and Renate Avila of Hermiston, Ore.; a son, Wayne Wolff and wife, Judy of Three Oaks, Mich.; 13 grandchildren, Jay Dennis, Charity Young, Jonathan Dennis, Kertina Rutledge, Leah and Keven Smith, Andrea and Antonia Cienega, Juan Avila, Fred, Annie and Billy Hiniker and “Pal” Wolff; and five great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were J.E. Haynes, W.B. Woodruff, Ray Florence, Billy Garner, Gordon Taylor and R.C. Nellis.
Sunday, March 23, 2003

Wood, Donald Merle
1948-2003
Funeral for Donald Merle Wood, 55, of Bridgeport was to be Saturday, Sept. 27, at 10:30 a.m. at Hawkins Funeral Home. The Rev. Johnny Irish was to officiate. Burial was to follow at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Wood died Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2003, in New Haven, Ind.
Born Sept. 10, 1948, in Riverside, Calif., he was the president of KADEX Corp. in Fort Wayne, Ind., and had lived in the Bridgeport community since 1980. He was a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam, a member of the Veterans of Foreign War and a Methodist. He married Christine Waninger on Dec. 18, 1971, in Bernstein, Austria.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Winston Wood and wife, Tria of LaPorte; his parents, L.H. and Doris Wood of Balsora; three brothers, Lewie Wood Jr. of Dennis, Kobie Wood of Stephenville and Bob Wood of Balsora; a sister, Melba Weatherly of Ennis; a mother-in-law, Kornelia Waninger of Bernsein, Austria; a brother-in-law, Egon Waninger and wife, Veronika; a sister-in-law, Dagmar Fruewirth and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were to be Winston Wood, T.J. Weatherly, Brady Weatherly, Shayde Wood, Zane Richey, Brad Caldwell and Derek Worlow.

Wooten, Roma Erlene Crow
1916-2003
Graveside service for Roma Erlene Crow Wooten, 86, of Decatur was to be Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas.
Born Nov. 12, 1916, in Drasco, near Abilene, to Jesse Hawkins Crow and Flora Delma James Crow Vestal, she died Oct. 20, 2003, in Decatur.
She was a retired dental assistant for the Dallas Public Health department and an avid ballroom dancer.
She lived in Dallas from the early 1930s until moving to Decatur in 1999 to celebrate the birth of her only grandchild.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Decatur.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanifer Pershing Wooten; one sister, Edith (Coty) Evans; and one brother, James Eaton Crow.
She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Eddy and Darla Reid Wooten and one grandchild, Grace Camryn Wooten.

Worthington, Delano Easlin
1936-2003
Graveside service for Delano Easlin Worthington, 66, of Bridgeport, was Tuesday, July 15 at Wizard Wells Cemetery. The Rev. Doyle Slimp officiated.
Worthington died Sunday, July 13, 2003, in Wichita Falls.
He was born Oct. 14, 1936, in Wizard Wells.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara Ann and one son, Doug Worthington.
He is survived by his wife, Maurice Worthington of Bridgeport; three sons, Doyle, Dewey and Yank Worthington, all of Wizard Wells; two daughters, Deleise Bruce and husband Brian of Lamesa and Darla Fletcher and husband Stacy of Lamesa; two sisters, Mary Lou Pinion and Martha Sue Greg; many stepchildren and grandchildren.
Thursday, July 17, 2003

Wright, David Harold
1962-2003
Service for David Harold Wright, 40, of Gilmer will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 10 at Little Mound Baptist Church. The Rev. J.L. Cross will officiate. Burial will follow at Little Mound Cemetery in Upshur County.
Wright died Monday, July 7, 2003, in Gilmer.
He was born Aug. 23, 1962, in Decatur and married Denise Warren April 15, 1983. Wright was a bricklayer.
He is survived by his wife, Denise; his daughter, Cassy Wright of Gilmer; four brothers, Marvin Wright of Kyle, Jimmy, Jerry and Kirby Wright, all of Gilmer; one sister, Teresa Richie of Kilgore and his parents, Corky and Ann Wright of Gladewater.
Thursday, July 10, 2003

Wright, Jolynne
1971-2003
Funeral for Jolynne Wright, 32, of Boyd was Monday, Aug. 25 at the First United Methodist Church of Boyd. The Revs. Steve Richardson and Mark Autry officiated. Burial followed at Boyd Cemetery.
Wright died Friday, Aug. 22, 2003, in Fort Worth.
She was born Jan. 16, 1971, in Kansas City, Mo., and married True Wright Aug. 28, 1993, in Bedford. Wright was a real estate agent.
She is survived by her husband, True, of Boyd; parents, Gary and Brenda Morgan of Boyd; brother, Robert Topping and wife, Linda, of Fort Worth; other family members, Kim and Lee Walinski of Austin, Bryan and Colleen Wright of Bedford, Carri Darnell of Grapevine, Bonnie Wright of De Soto, Adele “Nana” Osgood of De Soto, O.D. Craft of Mississippi and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Rich Rodriguez, Greg Corbin, Dewayne Walton, Jimmy Depew, Lee Walinski and Charley Noel.

Wright, Lillian Christeen Joy
1930-2003
Funeral for Lillian Christeen Joy Wright, 72, of Bridgeport, was Dec. 9 at White’s Funeral Home Chapel in Springtown. Burial followed at Emerald Hills Cemetery in Kennedale.
Wright died Friday, Dec. 5, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born Dec. 25, 1930, in Wink, she was preceded in death by her husband, Cornelius Barckley Wright, in 1980.
She is survived by a daughter, Vickie J. Smith of Decatur; a son, Walter A. Stephenson and wife, Keitha, of Paradise; four grandchildren, Gerald Wright and wife, Sherry, of Decatur, Walter Stephenson Jr. and wife, Nancy, of Newark, William Peterson and wife, Glennell, of Newark and Roy Davenport and wife, Christina, of Mason; and 13 great-grandchildren, Tyler, Autumn, Alexis, Raimonia, Cody, Jonathan, Amy, Megan, China, Joseph, Carlos, Brittany and Ty.
Published Thursday, December 11, 2003

Wright, Tommy M.
1931-2003
Service for Tommy M. Wright, 71, of Bridgeport will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur.
The Rev. Joe Motsenbocker will officiate, and burial will follow in East Bridgeport Cemetery. Visitation was to be from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at the funeral home.
Wright died Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003, in Dallas.
Born April 4, 1931, in Bridgeport, he was a retired farmer and rancher. He married Laverne Erwin in Decatur.
He was preceded in death by his wife.
He is survived by a son, Randall Wright of Bridgeport; a daughter, Eleshia Smith of Saginaw; a brother, Jimmy Wright of Bridgeport; four sisters, Geneieve Matthews of Weatherford, Evalee Cook of Fort Worth, Gene Preston of Alabama and Charniece Jasper of Jacksonville and one grandchild.

Wright, Virginia Kay
1954-2003
Graveside service for Virginia Kay Wright, 49, of Newark was Friday, Dec. 19, at Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Jack County.
Wright died Monday, Dec. 15, 2003, in Newark.
She was born April 17, 1954, in Fort Worth to Thomas and Francis (Massengale) York. Wright was a cook.
She is survived by two sons, both of Newark, Ronnie Wright and fiance, Dawn, and Bennie Wright and fiance, Melissa; sister, Debra Jackson and husband, Jordan, of Texarkana, Ark.; two brothers, Tommy York and wife, Mary, of Blue Mound and Allen York and wife, Cindy, of Newark; two grandsons, Tyler and Dakota; and four nieces.
Published Sunday, December 21, 2003

Yale, Bud
1944-2003
Funeral for Bud Yale, 58, of Haslet was to be Saturday, Aug. 16, at 3 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. Jeff Copenhaver and Ron Conatser were to officiate. Burial was to follow at Jonestown Cemetery in Alvord.
Yale died Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born Dec. 6, 1944, in Arlington, he was a professional rodeo cowboy and quality control supervisor for Virbac Corp. He was a lifetime member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association, a long-time arena director and a horse show superintendent for the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy, of Haslet; a grandson, Kirby Yale of Haslet; a daughter, Seiley Sisk of Fort Worth; a son, Justin Lisby of Haslet; two grandsons, Christian and Truett Lisby of Alabama; two brothers, Larry Yale of Houston and Richard Michael Yale of Alvord; one niece and three nephews.
Pallbearers were to be John Chambers, Bill Yale, C.K. Reid, Justin Lisby, Terry Keck and David Johnson.
Memorials may be made to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, 101 Pro Rodeo Drive, Colorado Springs, Colo. 80919.
Sunday, August 17, 2003

Yarbrough, Judy Jean
1944-2003
Service for Judy Jean Yarbrough, 58, of Boyd was to be Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. at Aurora Baptist Church. The Rev. Jimmy Withers was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Aurora Cemetery.
Yarbrough died Sunday, Jan. 19, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Dec. 29, 1944, in Iraan, she was chief clerk for the Prec. 1 justice of the peace office. She married Woodrow Wilson Yarbrough June 1, 1973, in Fort Worth. She was a member of the Aurora Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband; one daughter, Kristy Totty of Oklahoma City; one brother, Dean Garland of Evant and a grandson, Reese Logan Totty.
Pallbearers were to be Steve Petty, Coy Grimes, B.J. Adams, Loyd Ellingwood, Joe Pena and Jimmy Valesquez. Honorary pallbearers were to be Ryan Totty, J.D. Garland and Huskey Morrow.
Wise County Messenger, January 23, 2003

Yeats, James Henry ‘Uncle Jake’
1915-2003
Service for James Henry “Uncle Jake” Yeats, 88, of Kenansville, N.C., formerly of Bridgeport, was Thursday, Aug. 28 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. The Rev. Ken Whitt officiated. Burial followed at West Bridgeport Cemetery.
Yeats died Sunday, Aug. 24, 2003, in Kenansville.
He was born June 25, 1915, in Moody, Texas, and married Gloria Cecil on Nov. 16, 1982, in Kenansville. Yeats and his wife ran hotels and restaurants in North Carolina.
He was preceded in death by five brothers and five sisters.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria; daughter, Linda Ward of Mesquite; son, Paul Yeats of Cottage Grove, Ore.; two step-children, Brenda Diaz of Ellicott City, Md., and Stephen Treson of Tinton Falls, N.J.; five grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Henry Yeats, Conard Yeats, Bob Elder, Steve Ward, Carl Yeats, Dave Yeats and Bill Medlin.

Yerger, Walter Carroll
1946-2003
Funeral for Walter Carroll Verger, 56, director of the Weatherford College Police Academy in Decatur was Friday, March 14 at Coker Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dewayne Bidwell officiating. Burial was at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Born Sept. 11, 1946, in Norristown, Pa., he died Monday, March 10, 2003, in Denton.
He is survived by Evelyn Marie Davis of Decatur, whom he married May 21, 1992, in Randall County; a son, Walter Craig Yerger of Amarillo; four daughters, Michelle St. Clair of Decatur, Elizabeth Ryan of Friona, Lisa Opdyke of Plano and Karen Wade of Amarillo; a brother, David Gene Yerger of Amarillo; two aunts and six grandchildren.
Thursday, March 20, 2003

York, Steve
1962-2003
Graveside service for Steve York, 41, of Chico was Saturday, Dec. 6, at Sweetwater Cemetery. The Revs. Donald McMaster and Ken Hedstrom officiated.
York died Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003, in Chico.
He was born April 29, 1962, in Decatur to Roscoe and Evelyn York. He was a lifetime resident of Wise County, an oilfield roughneck and a Baptist.
He was preceded in death by his father, sister Kathleen, grandparents, Tibbie and Pearl Hudson and Harley and Zennie York.
He is survived by his mother, Evelyn Hudson Dawson and husband, Calvin; five brothers, Guenn Peyton, Danny York, Larry York, Rodney York and wife, Wendy, and Elvin York and wife, Jan; two sisters, Brenda Heppe and husband, Clarence, and Debbie York and husband, Jim Cole; many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Jackie Teague, Mathew Stack, Kevin Rivers, Floyd Crisp and Clint Davis.
Published Sunday, December 14, 2003

Young, Babe Fern Albritton
1908-2003
Graveside service for Babe Fern Albritton Young, 95, of McKinney, was Wednesday, Sept. 17, at Ridgeview Memorial Park.
Young died Monday, Sept. 15, 2003, in McKinney.
Born May 1, 1908, in Paradise to Acil and Ida Ferguson Albritton, she married Clarence Jason “C.J.” Young on Jan. 1, 1930. She moved to McKinney in 1932, was a member of the First Baptist Church of McKinney and an Eastern Star grand worthy matron.
She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, Joe Bob Young, and a sister, Lottie Albritton Burrus.
She is survived by a niece, Bobbie Ruth Burrus Shannon of Decatur; stepson, C.J. “Brig” Young Jr. of Irving; two stepdaughters, Eva Lee Craik of Abilene and Eloise Grab of North Carolina; two granddaughters, Beth Owens and husband, Mike, of Denison and Betsy Shanks and husband, Jack, of Allen; nine step-grandchildren, Sandy Hodson of Missouri, Susan Hayes of Mesquite, John Young of Springtown, David Craik of Atlanta, Ga., Robert Craik of Monroe, Conn., Gary Craik of Houston, Phillip Craik of Abilene, Gail Kremer of Fairfield, Iowa, and Tessie Barry of Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; daughter-in-law Joy Young of McKinney; 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Young, Duane
1940-2003
Graveside service for Duane Young, 63, of Boyd was Saturday, June 21 at Springtown Cemetery.
Young died Thursday, June 19, 2003, in Decatur.
He was born on April 16, 1940, in Fort Worth. Young spent many years living in California training his beloved thoroughbred race horses and as a truck driver.
He was preceded in death by his father, Quitman Young, and step-father, Tommy Deen.
He is survived by his mother, Doris Deen of California; son, Steve Young and wife Judy of Fort Worth; daughters, Tracie Garces and husband J.R. of Paradise, Elizabeth Emde and husband Mark of Colorado, Frances Cook, Tammy Ruple and Teresa and son Rickey of Illinois; brother, Doug Young of California; sisters, Sherrian Morris and Carolyn Shaw of California and 14 grandchildren.
Sunday, June 22, 2003

Zorns, Theodore Harold ‘Ted’
1913-2003
Funeral for Theodore Harold “Ted” Zorns, 90, of Boyd will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at the Church of Christ in Boyd. Steve Weeks will officiate. Burial will follow at Boyd Cemetery.
Zorns died Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born Aug. 16, 1913, in Boyd, he married Esma Ramsey on Oct. 19, 1932, in Marietta, Okla. He was a retired carpenter and farmer who was an active member and deacon of the Church of Christ in Boyd.
He was preceded in death by his wife; three sisters, Ida Abel, Jennie Ratliff and Ethel Harrell and three brothers, Alvah, Walter and Geroge Zorns.
He is survived by a son, Harold Mike Zorns and wife, Debbie of Boyd; a daughter, Teddie Goodner of Grand Junction, Colo.; four grandchildren, Leslie Arroyo and husband, Mike, Gwynn Goodner, Robert Zorns and Rebecca Zorns; three great-grandchildren, Jodi Arroyo, Stephen Arroyo and Aubrey Cates; Margaret York and husband, James, and Dorothy Zorns White.
Pallbearers will be Jim York, Joe Dean, Tim White, Clyde Slimp, Bill Kidd and George Mayfield.