Wise County Obituaries
2003
Last Names 
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The following obituaries are in alphabetical order by last name (use the "searcher" on the Home page, or Edit/Find on this page to find other names in text):

Adams, Annie Mae
1938-2003
Graveside service for Annie Mae Adams, 64, of Fort Worth was to be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 2. Chaplain Ken Cates was to officiate.
Adams died Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born March 12, 1938, in Sherman, she was a retired certified nurses aide and a member of the Saginaw Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kathy Smith; her brother, Leroy Adams; and two sisters, Sybil Waldrop and Myrtle Smith.
She is survived by a son, Ricky Bradshaw of Fort Worth; two granddaughters, Brenda Smith of Fort Worth and Kristina Kemp and husband Randy of Boyd; one great-granddaughter, Mercedes Kemp and two sisters, Irene Lemons and Faye Francis, both of Fort Worth.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 12, 2003

Adams, Fred C.
1916-2003
Service for Fred C. Adams, 86, of Bridgeport will be Friday, Jan. 10 at 2 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Kenneth Wood will officiate. Burial will follow at West Bridgeport Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Hawkins Funeral Home on Thursday, Jan. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Adams died Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Nov. 3, 1916, in Montague County, he was a retired self-employed auto mechanic. He served in the U.S. Army. He was a POW in Germany in World War II and served in the 501 Parachute Infantry, 101 Airborn Division. He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. and D.A.V. and a member of the Crafton Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Myrtle Adams, in June 2001.
He is survived by two sons, Sam Adams of Bridgeport and C.F. Smith and wife Christina of Rosemond, Calif.; one daughter, Regenia Alexander of Bridgeport; two brothers, Bob Adams and wife Ruth Ann of Euless and Bill Adams and wife Sondra of Grapevine; a sister, Daisy Sperber; a brother-in-law, Gene Edwards and two grandchildren, Kim Alexander of Denton and Aaron Smith and wife Mecaila of Long Beach, Calif.
The Wise County Veterans Group will serve as pallbearers. Graveside military honors will include a 21 gun salute and Taps will be handled by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Lone Star Chapter.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 9, 2003

Alexander, Margaret Mae
1913-2003
Service for Margaret Mae Alexander, 89, of Decatur will be Monday, April 14, at 10 a.m. at The Father’s House. Roy Faubion will officiate. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Visitation will be Sunday, April 13, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home.
Alexander died Thursday, April 10, 2003, in Decatur.
Born April 27, 1913, in Winterset, Iowa, she was a homemaker and member of The Father’s House Church. She married Robert Wayne Alexander on Nov. 23, 1934, in Winterset.
She is survived by her children, Jacklyn and husband Ronny Dyer and Jo Ann Swafford, all of Decatur, Richard W. and Janice Alexander of Clinton, Mo., the Rev. Ron and Carolyn Smith of Independence, Mo. and John Bruett of Winterset; six grandchildren, R.A. Dyer of Austin, Christopher Dyer of Coppell, Jamie Smith of Merriam, Kan., Russell W. Alexander of Clinton, Mo., Elizabeth Swafford of Decatur and Ronnie Smith II of Independence, Mo. and two great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Dale Barkley, Jay Conrad, Clyde Slimp, Richard Mesler and Russell Alexander. Honorary pallbearer will be Carol Giles.
Sunday, April 13, 2003

Alvey, J.W.
1929-2003
Service for J.W. Alvey, 74, of Bridgeport will be Sunday, Nov. 2, at 2 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. Family visitation was to be Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Home. The Rev. Joey Vick will officiate. Burial will follow at Roberts Branch Cemetery in Jacksboro.
Alvey died Thursday, Oct. 30, 2003, in Bridgeport.
He was born July 11, 1929, in Harrold to James William and Lula McClendon Alvey. He was a retired roughneck and a Baptist.
He is survived by two sons, Randy Alvey and wife, Debby, of Perrin and Jason Alvey of Throckmorton; two daughters, Tammy Young and husband, Delbert, of Bridgeport and Tonya Boggs and husband, Clint, of Breckenridge; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Jason Smith, Doug Smith, Robert Smith, Larry Smith, Dale Peebles, Sandy Shawn, Billy Young and Jacob Young. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeremy Young, Shane Alvey, Josh Alvey, Keith Alvey, Jeremy Crane, Jerry Shawn and Ronnie Smith.

Anderson, S.L. ‘Andy’
1917-2003
Service for S.L. “Andy” Anderson, 85, of Bridgeport was Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the First United Methodist Church in Bridgeport. The Rev. Johnny Irish officiated. Burial followed at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Anderson died Saturday, Jan. 11, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born March 26, 1917, in Iola, Kan., he had lived in the Bridgeport area since 1953. He was the retired owner and operator of Anderson Water Well Drilling in Bridgeport. He was a U.S. Army veteran having served in World War II, and he was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport. He married Betty Macy on July 26, 1946, in Topeka, Kan.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Leon Anderson and three sisters, Rosie Kresin, Lorene Morad and Margaret Jean Anderson.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Ed Anderson of Bowie and Phil Anderson of Bridgeport; a daughter, Anita Lamonthe and husband Ron of New Bedford, Mass.; a brother, Roy S. Anderson Jr. of Allen, Okla.; a sister, Noraleen Richards of Winfield, Kan.; three grandchildren, Eddie, Becky and Jennifer and two great-grandchildren, River and Ivy.
Pallbearers were Kevin Jones, Billy Fred Walker, Dr. Dan Selz, Dr. L.V. Selz, Roy Dick, Frank Trail, Bill Johnson, Bob Carpenter and L.B. McDonald.
Wise County Messenger, January 16, 2003

Andress, William Eugene
1965-2003
Service for William Eugene Andress, 37, of Lipan was Wednesday, July 23 at Aurora Baptist Church in Aurora. Doyle Slimp was to officiated and the Rev. Steve McCaslin assisted. Burial followed at Aurora Cemetery.
Andress died Saturday, July 19, 2003, in Granbury.
He was born Dec. 20, 1965, in Bridgeport to Milton and Elaine Andress. Formerly of Boyd, Andress was a self-employed carpenter, a member of the Aurora Baptist Church and a Marine Corps veteran.
He is survived by his parents, three sons, Justin Andress of Beaumont, Brenden Cabe Andress of Waco and Joshua Shade Andress of Springtown; one daughter, Jessica Andress of Beaumont and three sisters, Cindy Smith of Boyd, Kimberly Andress of Lipan and Angie Brown of Saginaw.
Pallbearers were Roger Cathey, Winston Dennis, Lyndel Hines, Jack Pach, Jack Ledford, Charles Andress and Brian Hunt. Honorary pallbearers were Mark Boyett, J.G. Cartwright and members of the 1983 Boyd High School state champion football team.
A final tribute with military honors was presented by the Wise County Veterans Group honor guard.
Sunday, July 27, 2003

Arce, Frank, Jr.
2003
Graveside service for Frank Arce Jr., newborn son of Frank Arce and Stacy Jensen of Rhome, was to be held Saturday, Jan. 11 at 1 p.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery.
He was stillborn Jan. 8, 2003, in Decatur.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Gary Jensen.
He is survived by his parents; two brothers, David Jensen and Jordan Martinez; a sister, Dawn Jensen; and grandparents, Mary and Gary Shafer, Patsy Houseton and Jesse Myers.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 12, 2003

Ard, Kenneth Ray
1946-2003
Service for Kenneth Ray Ard, 56, of Decatur was to be Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Decatur. The Rev. Al Draper was to officiate and was to be assisted by Jerry Spurlock. Burial was to follow at Green Acres Memorial Park in Cleburne.
Ard died Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003, in Houston.
Born Oct. 30, 1946, in Corsicana, he was a biology teacher at Decatur ISD. He married Vicki Spurlock June 21, 1969, in Fort Worth. He was an Army veteran of the 101 Airborne Division. He graduated from Cleburne High School and received his masters from North Texas State University in Denton. He was a biology teacher and coached football at numerous high schools including Wylie High School for 20 years where he won a state championship in 1977. He retired from coaching in 2001.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Jan Burnaugh and his father, Weldon Ard.
He is survived by his wife; his mother, Faye Ard Willard of Fort Worth; a son, Clay Ard of Mexia; a daughter, Kenna Brandt and husband Kelly of Sherman; a brother, Lewis Ard and wife Darla of Crowley and two grandchildren, Jonathan and Jackson Brandt of Sherman.
Pallbearers were to be Brad Davis, Gary Prescott, Phil Wilbanks, Robert Martinez, Raymon Montgomery, Brian Chaney, Paul Tallant and James Wright.
The family requests that memorials be made to Christ Haven Children’s Home, P.O. Box 467, Keller, Texas, 76248.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 9, 2003

Arnette, Jackie
1915-2003
Graveside service for Jackie Arnette, 88, of Decatur was to be Wednesday, June 25 at 3:30 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 1. The burial was to be officiated by Chris Allen.
Arnette died June 23, 2003, in Decatur.
Born May 2, 1915, in Lockney, she married Glen Edward Arnette on Jan. 12, 1932. She was a retired licensed vocational nurse and a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. She was an active Republican and was an aide to Congressman Joe Barton.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by a son, David A. Arnette of Dallas; a daughter, Anna Lynn Anderson of Decatur; a sister-in-law, Helen Arnette of Decatur; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Published Thursday, June 26, 2003

Arwine, Peggy Bridges
1938-2003
Service for Peggy Bridges Arwine, 65, of Azle was Saturday, Sept. 6, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. Dr. Dean Posey officiated. Burial followed at Cottondale Cemetery.
Arwine died Thursday, Sept. 4, 2003, in Azle.
She was born Feb. 21, 1938, in Cottondale to Wright and Alta (Lawrence) Bridges. Arwine was a retired employee of Lockheed-Martin and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Azle.
She is survived by a daughter, Sharon Harris and husband, Terry, of Burleson; one son, Scott Arwine and wife, Jackie, of Missouri; three grandchildren, Kyle Harris, Robert Arwine and Amanda Arwine; two step-grandchildren, Glenn and Mike Trainer; a step-great-granddaughter, Abbey Trainer; three brothers, Benny Bridges, Jimmy Dunlap and Dale Bridges; two sisters, Emilie Tackel and Pat Conn; niece, Leslie Alexander and two great nephews, Sean and Reed Alexander.
Pallbearers were Kyle Harris, Terry Harris, David Alexander, Landon Banks, Gerald Anderess and Jerry Flippen. Honorary pallbearer was Robert Arwine.

Ashworth, Carl W.
1914-2003
Memorial service for Carl W. Ashworth, 88, of Decatur was Thursday, March 6, at Ascension and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Decatur.
Ashworth died Tuesday, March 4, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Nov. 23, 1914, in Wichita Falls, to William W. Ashworth and Lou (Neal) Ashworth, he served in World War II in the Navy and Merchant Marines. He married Annie (Lorene) Ashworth Feb. 10, 1955.
He is survived by his wife; three sons, Byron C. Ashworth of Pinecliffe, Colo., Daniel W. Ashworth of Bristol and Carl W. Ashworth Jr. of Woodstock, Ga.; two foster grandchildren, Cyndi Young and Jeremy Bise, both of Paradise; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to Compass Hospice of Decatur.
Thursday, March 13, 2003

Askey, Vernon
1910-2003
Service for Vernon Askey, 92, of Decatur was Monday, Nov. 3, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Doyle Slimp officiated. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Askey died Friday, Oct. 31, 2003, in Decatur.
He was born Nov. 26, 1910, in Decatur to William Henry and Martha Elizabeth Askey and married Beatrice Lou Jobe on Jan. 6, 1933, in Decatur. He was a member of the Corinth Baptist Church and the Texas Cattle Raisers Association.
He was preceded in death by his wife, four sisters and two brothers.
He is survived by three sons, Jerry Wayne Askey of Decatur, Vernon Douglas Askey of Decatur and Gene Wendell Askey of Keller; daughter Carol Ann Banks of Fort Worth; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Pallbearers were David Banks, Daniel Duque, James Askey, Danny Guinn, Jerry Askey Jr. and Ronald Askey. Honorary pallbearers were Carl Greer, Lavoy Oates, Allan McCurdy, Elton McCurdy, Bill Askey and Bill Rippy.

Atkinson, Terry, Rev.
1923-2003
Funeral for the Rev. Loy Terrell (Terry) Atkinson, 80, of Sherman was Friday at Key Memorial Methodist Church in Sherman with burial at Atoy Cemetery near Rusk.
Atkinson served as pastor of United Methodist Churches in Bridgeport and Decatur during a 40-year career as a United Methodist minister.
Atkinson was a U. S. Marine Corps veteran who served in World War II. He was a graduate of Hendrix College and the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. During his career, he led mission trips to several foreign countries including Israel, Panama and Costa Rica. He retired from the ministry in 1987.
He is survived by his wife, Grace; two sons, Rick Atkinson and wife, Debbie, of Sherman and Randy Atkinson and wife, Karen, of Sherman; two grandchildren and a sister, Viola Conley of Benton, Ark.
The family requested memorials be made to Key Memorial United Methodist Church, 901 E. Houston St., Sherman, Texas 75090.

Avila, Viva Mae
1918-2003
Memorial service for Viva Mae Avila, 84, of Decatur will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at Word of Faith Praise Center in Fort Worth.
Avila died Jan. 15, 2003, in Decatur.
Born May 26, 1918, in New Mexico to Edgar and Alma (Boyles) Cook, she was a loving and devoted homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Santos Avila.
She is survived by a son, Glenn Waldrop and wife Barbara; three daughters, Wanda Rountree and husband Oscar, Patricia Reed and husband Jim and Teresa Ledford and husband David; two sisters, Esteline Evans and Minnie Sparks; eight grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and numerous great-great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, January 30, 2003

Baker, B.J.
1927-2003
Graveside service for B.J. Baker, 75, of Chico, was May 12 at Chico Cemetery. A memorial service followed at the Cundiff Baptist Church. The Rev. Billy Rhone officiated.
Baker died Saturday, May 10, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born Dec. 16, 1927, to Otis M. and Willie Mae Baker in Childress, he married Estelle Carpenter Feb. 6, 1948, in Tulsa, Okla. He was vice president of sales for Anchor Metals in Hurst. He also served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a seaman first class. Webb was a past master of the Hurst Masonic Lodge and a member of the Chico Masonic Lodge. He also served as past patron of the Hurst O.E.S., past president of the Hurst Lions Club, past president and district deputy of the Lions in Texas and was a member of the Cundiff Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years; daughter Donna Paul and her husband Mike of Bedford; sons Bill Baker and his wife Kim of Roanoke and Jim Bob Baker and his wife Julie of Keller; eight grandchildren, Mike Paul Jr., Darren Paul, Clint Baker, Jaclyn Baker, Troy Baker, Tracey Baker, Elizabeth Baker and Morgan Hyer; great-grandchild Chance Baker; brother, Otis M. Baker of Tulsa; sister, Sue Ann Money of Tulsa; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Thursday, May 15, 2003

Baker, Countess (O’Neal)
1924-2003
Service for Countess (O’Neal) Baker, 79, of Decatur will be Monday, Dec. 1, at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Alvord. Bill Cleveland will officiate. Burial will follow at Alvord Cemetery.
Baker died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2003, in Decatur.
She was born Aug. 5, 1924, in Alvord and married Harvey Joe Baker in May 1942 in Oklahoma. She was a long-time justice of the peace for Precinct 2 in Wise County and a Baptist.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by her son, Terry Baker and wife, Marilyn, of Decatur and one grandchild, Marcus Baker of Rhome.
Pallbearers will be Marcus Baker, Hal Buie, David Goodwin, Kenny Cates, Tom Dey Jr. and Louis Mosier.

Baker, L.E.
1922-2003
Graveside service for L.E. Baker, 81, of Chico was Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Chico Cemetery. The Revs. Ken Hedstrom and Elaine Bussey officiated.
Baker died Monday, Nov. 3, 2003, in Decatur.
He was born Oct. 1, 1922, in Newport to Louie and Susie Zuber Baker. He married Edith Estelle Stephens on Aug. 31, 1941, in Prospect. Baker was a retired switcher for Mitchell Energy and a World War II Army veteran. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Chico, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Chico Lions Club.
He was preceded in death by his son, Randall Baker; sisters, Novella Barto and Vermell Ainsworth and a brother, Louie Baker.
He is survived by his wife; sons, Dale Baker and wife, Jamie, Tom Durrett and wife, Jayney, and Stan Baker; daughter, Jane Baker Robinson and husband, Les; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Darrell Hale, Brandon Baker, Shawn Robinson, Bill Grisham, Sean Baker, Tom Durrett and Kris Jones. Honorary pallbearers were Frank Bordner and Charles Wolfe.

Barnard, L.N.
1924-20003
Graveside service for L. N. Barnard, 78, of Boyd was to be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 26 at New Hope Cemetery with Cecil Westervelt officiating.
Born October 30, 1924, in Fort Worth, the son of John Claude and Dewey (Phillips) Barnard, he died March 23, 2003, in Azle.
Barnard served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, married Jean Pickett January 17, 1942, in Weatherford and retired from Bell Helicopter after 32 years. He was a Baptist.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jean Barnard of Boyd; son, Sonny Barnard and wife Kelly of Saginaw; four daughters, Ann Mawhirter and husband Mike of Derby, Kan., Linda Wren and husband Bob of Grapevine, Patricia Barnard of Boyd and Sandra Johnson and husband John Short of Fort Worth; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and sisters Helen Westervelt and Juanita McMillen.
Thursday, March 27, 2003

Barnes, Virginia Wayne
1925-2003
Service for Viginia Wayne Barnes, 78, of Bridgeport was Feb. 28 at the First Baptist Church of Chico. The Rev. Ken Hedstrom and John Featherston officiated. Burial followed at Chico Cemetery.
Barnes died Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Jan. 7, 1925, in Chico to Curtis and Ruth (Hunter) Buckingham, Barnes was a retired school teacher, a member of the First Baptist Church of Chico, the American Association of Retired Persons and the Federation of Women’s Club.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ira Wilson Barnes and her son, Phillip Barnes.
She is survived by two sons, Chris Barnes and wife Judy of Decatur and David Barnes and special friend Marianne Emmons of Chico; a brother, Jerry Buckingham; a sister, Charlene Gnagy; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Bob Barnes, Wayne East, Bob Gnagy, Dale Kimpton, David Evans and Robert VanFleet.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund; P.O. Box 545; Chico, Texas, 76431, or a charity of your choice.
Sunday, March 2, 2003

Barnett, John L., Sr.
1919-2003
Funeral for John L. Barnett Sr., 84, of Bridgeport will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 20, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. The Chaplain Kenny Cates will officiate. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at the Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Hawkins Funeral Home.
Barnett died Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born March 23, 1919, in Paden, Okla., to Joel K. and Cora Smith Barnett, he was the owner of JLB Oilfield Sales and Services. He was a U.S. Army Veteran serving in World War II. He married Mary E. McFarlin on June 28, 1941, in Wichita Falls.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Joe and three sisters, Kathryn, Louise and Geneva.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, John L. Barnett Jr. and wife, Betty, and William M. “Bill” Barnett; two daughters, Mary Jean Howard and husband, Paul, and Cynthia Wood and husband, Walter; five grandchildren, Todd, Shelly, Shane, Romney and Alison; four great-grandchildren, William, Tristen, Mac and Katelyn and two sisters, Tess Harris and Christine Johnson.
Pallbearers will be Gordon Taylor, Barney Williamson, Doug Molloy and Bill Smith.
Memorials may be made to the Wise Area Relief Mission, P.O. Box 1084, Decatur, Texas 76234.

Barnett, Robert Lee
1925-2003
Graveside service for Robert Lee Barnett, 77, of Boyd was to be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 25. John Stewart was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Friendship Cemetery.
Barnett died Thursday, June 19, 2003, in Oklahoma City.
Born Nov. 7, 1925, in Montague County, he married Billie Ruth Jenkins on April 16, 1949, in Fort Worth. He was a World War II veteran, a retired water utilities engineer and a Baptist.
He was preceded in death by his wife.
He is survived by three sons, Michael James Barnett and Jimmy Lee Barnett, both of Boyd, and Danny Ray Barnett of Ryan, Okla.; a daughter, Becky Barnett of Ryan; a brother, Billy Barnett of Arizona; two sisters, Loretta Whisenhunt of Azle and Dorothy Faulkner of Azle; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Published Thursday, June 26, 2003

Barnett, Tom
1956-2003
Service for Tom Barnett, 46, of Boyd was Wednesday, Nov. 26, at the First Baptist Church in Boyd. Gary Beard officiated, assisted by Gerald Cleveland. Burial followed at Paradise Cemetery.
Barnett died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2003, in Boyd.
He was born Dec. 23, 1956, in Bridgeport to George Henry and Frona (Howeth) Barnett. He served in the U.S. Air Force. He was a 1995 graduate of the Tarrant County Junior College Police Academy and served as chief of the Boyd Police Department. He was also a member of the Texas Police Chief’s Association.
He was preceded in death by his father.
He is survived by two daughters, Mary Morgan and husband, Doug, and Erin Barnett; granddaughters, Krysten and Machalia Morgan; his mother, Frona; brothers, James Barnett and wife, Peggy, and Gary Barnett and wife, Dona, and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Jeff Kelley, Chad Hightower, Chad Stack, David Riggs, Cavin Riggs and Tony Rogers. Honorary pallbearers were Eric Bridges and Al Jackson.
Memorials may be made for his daughter to the Erin Barnett Trust Fund at the Boyd Bank, P.O. Box 1988, Boyd, Texas, 76023-9988, account number 316158.

Barone, Hazel Underwood Schleigh
1913-2003
Funeral for Hazel Underwood Schleigh Barone, 90, of Denton was June 9, 2003, at the First Baptist Church of Denton. The Rev. Ken May officiated. Burial was at Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton.
Born March 5, 1913, in Nocona to Ziba Leonard Haralson and Laura Inez Wood Haralson, she attended public schools in Harrold and the Draughan’s Business College in Wichita Falls.
She married Edgar Underwood in Oklahoma in 1930. He preceded her in death in 1937. She married Ross Schleigh in Oklahoma in 1941. He preceded her in death in 1975. She married Reese Barone in 1982 in Oklahoma. He preceded her in death in 1986.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Denton and worked as a bookkeeper for Chester Morris Chevrolet until 1960.
She is survived by four daughters, Patsy “Pat” Mann of Decatur, Sue Maxwell of Greenwood, Mary Whisenant of Decatur and Laura “Lolly” Hensley of Ocean Springs, Miss.; a son, Dr. T. Jervis Underwood of Oak Point; brother Sharon Haralson of Amarillo; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Rusty and Tim Mann, Kevin Maxwell, Michael Underwood, Chad Hensley, Todd Holtz, Randy Wilson, Paul Corey and John O’Keefe.
Memorials may be made to Home Hospice of North Texas, 2201 South FM 51, Suite 500, Decatur, Texas 76234 or to the charity of your choice.
Thursday, June 12, 2003

Bartlett, Opal
1920-2003
Service for Opal Bartlett, 83, of Argyle will be Monday, Dec. 1, at 2 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Chris Contakos will officiate. Burial will follow at Jonestown Cemetery in Wise County. Visitation was to be Saturday, Nov. 29, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home.
Bartlett died Friday, Nov. 28, 2003, in Denton.
She was born Aug. 27, 1920, in Bristow, Okla., and married Lester Bartlett in April 1938 in Cache, Okla. She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by her daughter, Catherine Yale and husband, Richard Sr., of Alvord; four brothers, Marian Hutson of Tyler, Leonard Hutson of Panhandle, Jimmy Hutson and Donald Hutson of California; a grandson, Richard Yale Jr. and wife, Gayla, of Justin and a great-grandchild, Harrison Yale.
Published Sunday, November 30, 2003

Batterton, Chris Allen
1964-2003
Graveside service for Chris Allen Batterton, 39, of Newark was Monday, Nov. 17, at Aurora Cemetery. James Binion officiated.
Batterton died Friday, Nov. 14, 2003, in Bedford.
Born Oct. 8, 1964, in Denton to Ray and Linda Alvey Batterton, he was a sheet metal mechanic for Tri-Star Metals in Boyd. He married Sharon Burch Batterton on March 2, 1996, in Keller. He was a member of Harvest Christian Center in Keller and a member of the Newark Area Youth Association.
He is survived by his wife; his parents; five children, Clay, Colton and Amber Batterton and Casey and Lacey Burch and a sister, Shannon Batterton.
Pallbearers were Scott Miller, Richard Batterton Jr., Steven Marshall, Billy Bowen, Ricky Hardee and Jerry Crawford. Honorary pallbearers were Jimmy Hillard, Mark and Robby Batterton, Mark and Bruce Miller, Matt Riley and Scott Harrison.

Baze, Bobby Lain
1934-2003
Funeral for Bobby Lain Baze, 69, of Boyd was Friday, April 18, at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Raymond Henson officiated. Burial followed at Friendship Cemetery.
Baze died Tuesday, April 15, 2003, in Decatur.
Born April 13, 1934, in Saltillo, to Everett and Thelma Hendly Baze, he married Virginia Sue Matson on April 20, 1973, in Ardmore, Okla. He was a retired truck driver and a member of the Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Bobby Gene Baze and wife Wanda; five daughters, Sondra Yates and husband Freddy, Rita Brown and husband John, Donna Drake, Becky Baze and Joy Hervey; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one brother, Doyle Hendley; one sister, Theresa Baze and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Rusty Smith, Darrell Spikes, Leonard Olson, Kennith McCauley, Jimmy Woodin and Tim Bailey.
Sunday, April 20, 2003

Bean, William ‘Bill’ Crawford, Sr.
1924-2003
Graveside service for William “Bill” Crawford Bean Sr., 78, of Decatur will be Monday, April 21, at 11 a.m. at Cottonwood Cemetery in Bryson. The Rev. John Redfearn of Community Baptist Church will officiate.
Visitation will be Sunday, April 20, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home in Decatur.
Bean died Friday, April 18, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Aug. 2, 1924, in Aubrey, he married Mary Stewart on Dec. 23, 1963. He was retired from the paint and body industry and was an Army veteran of the Korean War.
He was preceded in death by his wife in November of 1999.
He is survived by two sons, William Bean of Alvord and James Stewart of Fort Worth; two daughters, Amy Boyd of Riverside, Calif. and Carolyn Corbin of Fort Worth; one brother, Johnny Bean of Aubrey; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Sunday, April 20, 2003

Beauchamp, Opal Merinda
1920-2003
Funeral for Opal Merinda Beauchamp, 82, retired postmaster of Newark, was March 18, at Newark Church of Christ with Gilbert King and Steve Weeks officiating. Burial was at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 1.
Born Dec. 8, 1920, to William Robert and Rosie Mae (Smith) Cagle in Newark, she died Sunday, March 16, 2003, at her home in Newark.
A member of the Newark Church of Christ, she married Jesse Carl Beauchamp Feb. 13, 1942, in Waurika, Okla. He preceded her in death July 29, 1998. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Lee Cagle and a sister, Imogene Aaron.
Survivors include three daughters, Carla Munn and her husband Gary of Boyd, Brenda Barnett and her husband Michael of Lindale and Nelda Webster and her husband John of Boyd; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and a sister, LaVerne King.
Pallbearers were Clyde Slimp, Godfrey Pegues, Harold Lynch, Lee Barnett, Brian Barnett and John Jackson. Honorary pallbearers were Ronald Smith, Dan Malone and Gene Matthews.
Thursday, March 20, 2003

Beck, Audrey Fay
1917-2003
Graveside service for Audrey Fay Beck, 86, of Bridgeport will be Monday, Sept. 15, at 2 p.m. at Thomas Cemetery. Rev. Gary Demmitt will officiate.
Beck died Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003, in Burleson.
Born June 17, 1917, in Bridgeport, she and her husband Louis owned a cafe in Mineral Wells from 1953 to 1960 and she cooked for Crazy Water Hotel for several years until her retirement in 1980. She was a member of the Pleasant View Baptist Church of Bridgeport.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1975.
She is survived by a son, Robert Charles Beck and wife, Ethelyn; a sister, Laverne Chapman and a granddaughter, Kay Lynn Beck.
Memorials may be made to The Emery L. Lilge Hospice House, 301 Medpark Circle, Burleson, Texas 76028.

Beddingfield, Sharon Kay
1946-2003
Funeral for Sharon Kay Beddingfield, 56, of Paradise, was July 22 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Joe Motsenbocker officiated. Burial followed at Paradise Cemetery.
Beddingfield died Friday, July 18, 2003, in Paradise.
Born Nov. 2, 1946, in Idabel, Okla., to Clarence and Merline Russell, she married William Ryan Beddingfield on Nov. 2, 1963, in Lubbock. She was a resident of Paradise since 1977, a childcare attendant and a Baptist.
She is survived by her parents and husband, all of Paradise; a son, Russell Ryan Beddingfield of Paradise; a daughter, Chantee Beddingfield of Dallas; two sisters, Linda Haggard of Paradise and Gail Haggard of California and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were John Haggard, Mack Haggard, Steve Shirey, Eric Shirey, Lane Lambert, Billy Ray Beddingfield and Carl Lee Russell.
Thursday, July 24, 2003

Bedford, Floy Alice
1916-2003
Service for Floy Alice Bedford, 86, of Bridgeport will be Thursday, Jan. 30, at 2 p.m. at White’s Funeral Home Chapel in Springtown. Burial will follow at Springtown Cemetery.
Visitation was to be at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29.
Bedford died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born May 13, 1916, in Erick, Okla., she was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Boyd and the Eastern Star Boyd Chapter. She was a Worthy Matron from 1972 to 1973. She was active in her church and once traveled to the Holy Land.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Jessie Bedford; a daughter, Yvonne Washburn; a son, Winfred Pynes and a stepson, Edwin Bedford.
She is survived by two sons, Herbert Bedford of Hope, Ark., and James Bedford and wife Linda of North Richland Hills; a stepdaughter, Alene Binney and husband Buster of Big Sandy; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, January 30, 2003

Beeson, George T.
1916-2003
Funeral for George T. Beeson, 87, of Paradise was Friday at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Joe Motsenbocker officiated. Burial followed at Paradise Cemetery.
Beeson died Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Nov. 19, 1916, in Paradise to Armon and Ona Beeson, he served in the U.S. Army in the 5th armored division and was retired from the Corps of Engineers. He was active in the Archeological Society, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a past president of the Wise County Historical Society.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma, in 1991.
He is survived by three cousins, Rob Crawford and wife, Linda, Roberta Campbell and husband, John, and Johnny Beeson; a sister-in-law, Nellie Warner and other relatives.
Pallbearers were Charles Rhine, Merline Remmele, Jay McSpadden, Tom Fitzgerald, Kevin Campbell and Nolan Warner.
Published Sunday, December 28, 2003

Belcher, Clay D.
1956-2003
Graveside service for Clay D. Belcher, 47, of Rhome will be Monday, Oct. 13, at 2 p.m. at the Aurora Cemetery.
Belcher died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003, in Decatur.
He was born on May 17, 1956, in Dallas to Doyle and Pat Belcher. He married Mary Gene Worton on Nov. 1, 1976, in Weatherford. He was an Air Force veteran and a truck driver.
He is survived by his wife; his parents; his sons, James McConnell and wife, Diana, of Rhome and Chris McConnell of Rhome; daughter, Melanie Belcher of Rhome; brother, Mark Belcher of Pottsboro; sister, Stacie Caldwell of Texarkana and three grandchildren.

Bennett, Nola Fay
1943-2003
Funeral for Nola Fay Bennett, 60, of Springtown was Monday, Dec. 1, in Boyd. The Rev. Charles Taylor officiated. Burial was at Winfield Cemetery in Mount Pleasant.
Born April 4, 1943, in Mount Pleasant to Thomas and Lyda Dickie Smith, she died Nov. 25, 2003, in Newport, Tenn.
She was a nail technician and a member of the Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jackie Bennett.
She is survived by her mother, Lyda Dickie Smith; two sons, Cavin Riggs and David Riggs and wife, Teresa; two daughters, Annette Meadows and husband, Terry, and Christy North and husband, Clifton; four grandchildren, Leslie, Trevor, Casey and Kyle; three brothers, Floyd, Johnny and Roy Smith and a sister, Carolyn Hill.
Pallbearers were Terry Meadows, Clifton North, Larry Holden, Jimmy Hill, Robert Burlison and Harold Woods.
Published Thursday, December 4, 2003

Berg, Robert J.
1933-2003
Service for Robert J. Berg, 70, of Decatur was Friday, Nov. 14, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Buddy Ward officiated. Burial followed at Bethel Cemetery.
Berg died Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003, in Decatur.
He was born Nov. 3, 1933, in Decatur to Harmon and Julia Berg and married Brenda Shelton on July 12, 1983. He was a freight agent for Burlington Northern, a Navy veteran and a member of Central Baptist Church in Chico.
He was preceded in death by his wife.
He is survived by three children; a step-son, Johnny Wall of Decatur; two step-daughters, Kerry Brandon and Sherry Ward of Decatur and five grandchildren.
Pallbearers were James Taylor, Paul Taylor, John Stockton, Chris Massey, Johnny Wall and John Wall.

Beverly, Billy R.
1925-2003
Service for Billy R. Beverly, 78, of Irving formerly of Boyd, was Monday, Oct. 13, at Beltline Road Church of Christ. Henry Seidmeyer officiated. Burial was at Boyd Cemetery.
Born July 19, 1925, in Mt. Vernon, Texas, he died Oct. 10, 2003, in Irving.
He was retired from the U.S. Air Force.
He is survived by his wife, Billie R. Beverly of Irving; daughters, Letitia Beverly of Dallas, Melissa Beverly-Hicks of Grand Prairie and Nikki Weise of Terrell; sister, Faye Livesay of Dallas; and grandsons Cody Weise and Billy Blackwell III.

Bieber, Kevin ‘Jack’
1966-2003
Graveside service for Kevin “Jack” Bieber, 37, of Fort Worth was Friday at Boyd Cemetery. The Rev. Gary Sessions officiated.
Bieber died Sunday, Sept. 7, 2003 in Fort Worth.
Born June 22, 1966, in Fort Worth to Willie Hubert and Marie Sallie (Thomas) Bieber, he was a truck driver, a fisherman and a woodsman.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Bieber; a son, Kevin Bieber Jr.; a daughter, Shawna Bieber; step-children, Tim and Chaz Clark; the woman who raised him, Katie Tucker; six brothers, Raymond Bieber and wife, Carolyn, Scotty Bieber, David Bieber, Vernon Crisp and wife, Carlee, Johnny Crisp and Robert Black Jr.; three sisters, Geneva Bieber, Annette Bieber and Sue Gilmore and husband, Alvin.

Bilby, Edith Gatton Alland
1916-2003
A memorial service for Edith Gatton Alland Bilby, 87, of Graham will be Saturday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Bilby died Sunday, Oct. 5, 2003, in Wichita Falls.
Born Sept. 28, 1916, in Fort Worth to Arthur and Birdie Fisher Gatton, she was a retired school teacher who taught for more than 20 years. During her teaching career, she taught six grades in a one room school in Greenwood. She received her master’s degree from North Texas State University. She ran a dairy farm following the death of her first husband while raising three sons. She also worked as a laboratory technician at the Decatur hospital. She attended the Memorial Christian Church in Graham.
She was preceded in death by two husbands, Gilbert V. Alland and Monroe Bilby; a son, Jim W. Alland; a brother, Arthur F. Gatton Jr. and one sister, Imogene Gatton.
She is survived by two sons, Bill R. Alland of Houston and Tom F. Alland of Midlothian, Va.; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Bingham, Mary E.
1936-2003
Service for Mary E. Bingham, 67, of Midland was to be Wednesday, June 18 at Ellis Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Mike Goeke was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Resthaven Memorial Park in Midland. She was the mother of Pam Murphree of Decatur.
Bingham died Saturday, June 14, 2003, in Midland.
She was born on May 12, 1936, in Lamesa and married Morris Bingham on August 27, 1963. Bingham was a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Johnny and her son Steve Bingham.
She is survived by her husband, Morris Bingham of Midland; two daughters, Pamela Murphree and her husband Jeff of Decatur and Vera Yielding and her husband George of Midland; two sons, Lonny Bingham and his wife Pam of Monahans and Donald Bingham of Odessa; two sisters, Katherine Anthony and husband Larry of Levelland and Beth Cohorn and husband Jack of Lamesa; step-mother, Beulah Johnson of Lamesa; eight grandchildren, Tamela Wester of South Padre Island, Cindy Hopkins and husband Calvin of Decatur, Brady and Clay Murphree of Decatur, Hailey and Sarah Yeilding of Midland, April Bingham of Monahans, Andy Bingham and wife Vicki of Midland, Marilyn and Josh Bingham of Monahans; three great-grandchildren, Corbin Armstrong and Samuel Hopkins of Decatur and Alex McKay Bingham of Midland; and many nieces and nephews.
Thursday, June 19, 2003

Blevins, William Carl
1922-2003
Memorial service for William Carl Blevins, 80, of Oklahoma City, Okla., will be Saturday, May 24, at 11 a.m. at the Blevins’ Cabin in Blocker’s Camp at Lake Bridgeport.
Blevins died Tuesday, May 13, 2003, in Oklahoma City.
Born Nov. 21, 1922, in Chico, to William and Vera Blevins, he was a mechanic for Bell Helicopter.
He is survived by his wife, Loris Blevins of Oklahoma City; a son, Steve Blevins of Oklahoma City; a sister, Joyce Hagar of Fort Worth and a nephew.
Thursday, May 22, 2003

Boen, Jennelle
1983-2003
Funeral for Jennelle Boen, 20, of West will be Thursday, Nov. 20, at 2 p.m. at Kotch Funeral Home in West. The Rev. Mark Griffin will officiate. The family was to receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Kotch Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Bold Springs Cemetery near West.
Boen died Monday, Nov. 17, 2003, in Waco.
She was born July 6, 1983, in Dallas and married Jody Boen Sept. 13, 2003. Boen had lived in West for 10 years and graduated from West High School in 2001.
She is survived by her husband; her mother, Cassandra Wachsmann and husband, Mitchell, of West; father, Brett W. Fuller and wife, Debbie, of Paradise; grandparents, Anna Velin of West, Bert and Nelda Velin of Mt. Pleasant and Margie and Jack Amon of Paradise; great-grandmothers Anna Marsh of West and Anna Lou Wray of Mertens; two half-sisters, Miranda Gatica of West and Chaney Fuller of Paradise; a step-sister, Krystal Wachsmann of West and a step-brother, Jason Abbott of Muenster.
Pallbearers will be Josh McAnich, Casey Wachsmann, David Maler, Jason Abbott and David Christenson.

Boney, Marie A.
1929-2003
Service for Marie A. Boney, 73, of Decatur will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 28, at the First Baptist Church in Decatur. The Rev. Ken May and Eric Spano will officiate. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Ranger.
Boney died Wednesday, June 25, 2003, in Bridgeport.
She was born on Sept. 23, 1929, in Eastland County to Annie and Ed Harper. Boney graduated from Ranger High School and the University of Texas at Arlington. She married Gene Carl Boney on June 3, 1949, in Eastland. She was a retired school teacher, newspaper writer and manager of a variety store. She was a member of the Lucy Holcombe Pickens chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the First Baptist Church in Decatur.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene.
She is survived by her son, Rex Boney and wife Karen of Decatur; two daughters, Carla Weber and husband Roger of Decatur and Ann Alton and husband Dave of Kaiserlautern, Germany; four brothers, Bob Harper and wife Verna of Pasadena, Fred Harper and wife Ruth of Clyde, Bill Harper and wife Pearl of Abilene and Tom Harper and wife Billy Lou of Waco; one sister, Barbara Thompson and husband Raymond of Watts, Okla.; three sisters-in law, Delona Bullard of Wichita Falls, Clara Boney of El Paso and Lillian Boney of Flower Mound; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were A.C. Griffin, Curtis Griffin, Frank Maxwell, Ronnie Weber, Darrel Perkins and Ronnie Coan.
Sunday, June 29, 2003

Bounds, Don Larry
1944-2003
Graveside service for Don Larry Bounds, 58, of Rhome was Friday, Sept. 12, at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur. Alan Bates officiated.
Bounds died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Oct. 30, 1944, in Hattiesburg, Miss., he was a self-employed carpenter.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Janie K. Bounds, and a brother, John D. Bounds.
He is survived by two sons, Stacy M. Bounds of North Richland Hills and Jacob C. Bounds of Alvord; two daughters, Shelly M. Renaud of Decatur and Onisha Sue Bounds of Red Bluff, Calif.; two brothers, J.C. Bounds of Murchison and C.R. Bounds of Gerber, Calif.; two sisters, Rosa I. Cahoon of Red Bluff and Carolyn O. Brady of Clarksville and five grandchildren, Aaron, Ariel, Beau, Parker and Jacob.

Bowman, Alma L.
1910-2002
Graveside service for Alma L. Bowman, 92, of Decatur was to be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4 at Hillcrest Cemetery in Bowman, Ga.
Bowman died Monday, Dec. 16, 2002, in Decatur.
Born Nov. 11, 1910, in Georgia, she was married to the late William H. Bowman. She was a member of the Methodist Church in Hapeville, Ga., and also the Woman’s Circle.
She is survived by a daughter, Bonnie Coonley and husband Russ of Slidell; a grandson, Rusty Coonley and wife Denise and a great-grandson, “Bump” Coonley.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 5, 2003

Boyd, Scott
1945-2003
Funeral for Scott Boyd, 57, of Decatur was to be Saturday, Nov. 29, at 2:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Decatur. Dr. Rusty Hedges and Dr. Thomas O. Brumett were to officiate. Burial was to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Boyd, executive manager of the James Wood AutoPark in Denton, died in Fort Worth Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003.
He was born Dec. 24, 1945, in Decatur.
Boyd was a graduate of Decatur High School and the University of Texas at Austin where he played varsity football under Coach Darrell Royal. After graduation he was an assistant football coach at Plainview High School and a graduate assistant at the University of Texas before serving as head coach at Crowell, Lampasas and Victoria. While at Lampasas in 1976, he coached U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Johnny (Lam) Jones.
He joined the James Wood auto dealership staff in Decatur in 1982 and was named general manager of the Denton dealership when it was purchased by Wood in 1992.
He is survived by is wife, Nancy, his son Derrick Boyd and wife, Cheri, and his daughter Crystal Klose and husband, Will; four grandchildren, Kyndal and Trey Klose and Emily and Ainsley Boyd; his mother, Ollie Maud Boyd; and a brother, Jackie Boyd, all of Decatur.
He was preceded in death by his father, J. R. Boyd, and a brother, Harold Boyd.
Pallbearers were to be James F. Wood, Roy J. Eaton, Denny C. Aldridge, Terry Wood, Carey Williams, Neal Wilson, Gary Prescott and Johnny (Lam) Jones.
Memorial donations may be made to the Decatur ISD Education Foundation at 501 E. Collins, Decatur.

Bradley, Janice Carolyn
1935-2003
Funeral for Janice Carolyn Bradley, 67, of Bridgeport will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. The Rev. Gary Sessions will officiate. Burial will follow at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Bradley died Thursday, Sept. 25, 2003, in Denton.
She was born Nov. 14, 1935, in Seminole, Okla., and married B.D. Bradley Jr. on May 6, 1956, in Bridgeport. She was a homemaker and a member of Chico Assembly of God.
She is survived by her husband; a daughter, Carolyn Elaine Arwood; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Aubry Love and James Love and two sisters, Glenda Carr and Delores Love.
Pallbearers will be Jimmie Love, Wayne Stone, Troy Bradley, Greg Bradley, David Jenkins and Nolan Bradley.
The family was to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.

Bridges, Hazel L.
1916-2003
Funeral for Hazel L. Bridges, 87, of Paradise was to be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 16 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Bridgeport. The Rev. Steve Richardson was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Paradise Cemetery.
Bridges died Sunday, July 13, 2003, in Paradise.
Born May 10, 1916, in Roswell, N.M., she had lived in Wise County for the past 63 years. She was a homemaker and married Stanley Bridges on June 12, 1941, in Rockwall. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport where she had previously served as youth director.
She is survived by her husband, Stanley; a daughter, Donna Lewis and husband Bill; a sister, Willetta Bumpas; a brother, Maron Ferrell; a grandson, Trent Lewis and wife, Mi; a granddaughter, Billie Lynn Peschka and husband, Pat, and two great-grandchildren, Hanul Kim Lewis and Zebediah Stanley Lewis.
Pallbearers were to be Mark Cantrell, Paul Cantrell, Tommy Blessing, Donnie Erwin, Terry Tucker, Carl Black and Lance Lewis. Honorary pallbearers were to be Sam Erwin, Wesley Cantrell and Edward Lee Black.
Memorials can be made to Home Hospice of North Texas, 2201 S. FM 51, Suite 500, Decatur, TX. 76234.
Thursday, July 17, 2003

Bridges, Marguerite
1919-2003
Funeral for Marguerite Bridges, 83, of Aubrey was Tuesday at New Life Worship Center in Aubrey followed by burial at Belew Cemetery in Aubrey. The Rev. Jim Brown officiated.
Bridges died Saturday, Aug. 2, 2003, at a Denton hospital.
Born Nov. 21, 1919, in Decatur, she was the daughter of Bob and Maggie Starnes Blythe. She married Thurman Bridges on Jan. 27, 1937, in Decatur. She was a house parent at the Denton State School and a member of New Life Worship Center in Aubrey.
She was preceded in death by her husband; one brother, R.L. Blythe; one sister, Emma; and two sons, Bobby Bridges and Ronny Bridges.
She is survived by her children Thurman Bridges, Jerry Bridges, Dennis Bridges and Jimmy Bridges, all of Aubrey, Ann Jameson of Tioga, Darlene Cravens of Sanger, Ricky Bridges of Valley View, Sherry Spraberry of Argyle, Barbara Coffey of Pilot Point; 19 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the New Life Worship Center in Aubrey.
Thursday, August 7, 2003

Bridges, Vertie Marie
1917-2003
Service for Vertie Marie Bridges, 85 of Cottondale was Tuesday, April 15, at First Baptist Church in Cottondale, with the Revs. John Hadley and Charles Pugh officiating. Burial was at Cottondale Cemetery.
Born Aug. 27, 1917, in Madison County, she died Sunday, April 13, 2003, in Cottondale.
She had lived in the Cottondale Community for 58 years, was a retired secretary from General Dynamics, a teacher’s aide and a member of the First Baptist Church of Cottondale.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Charlene Elizabeth Bridges and her husband C.A. “Gus” Bridges.
She is survived by a son, Charles Neel Bridges and wife Mary Francis of Decatur; four grandsons, Charles Neel Bridges Jr., Patrick Christopher Bridges, John Eric Bridges and Robert Clark Bridges; three great-granddaughters; seven great-grandsons; and two sisters, Ora Lee Harris of Bryan and Dorothy Imogene Davis of Fort Smith, Ark.
Pallbearers were Charles Neel Bridges Jr., Patrick Christopher Bridges, John Eric Bridges, Robert Clark Bridges, Charles Neel Bridges III, Patrick Christopher Bridges Jr. and Brian Lee Bridges. Honorary pallbearers were Bill Read, Merlin Remmele, Melvin Bridges, Don Gentry, Jimmy Gentry and Sam Erwin.
Thursday, April 24, 2003

Brinlee, Anna Lavern Schmitz
1933-2003
Graveside service for Anna Lavern Schmitz Brinlee, 69, of Newark was Monday, Jan. 20, at the Bettis Cemetery.
Brinlee died Friday, Jan. 17, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born Oct. 1, 1933, in Dallas to John Henry Schmitz and Catherine Julindus Ruwaldt, she married R. Jean “Windy” Brinlee on June 1, 1950, in Irving. She worked in homecare and was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband and a son, Ricky Gene Brinlee.
She is survived by a son, Timothy Brinlee of Fort Worth; three daughters, Ronda Schwartzlow and husband Richard of Azle, Sherry Gaught and husband Lewis of Fort Worth and Arlene Berry and husband James of Newark; 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, January 23, 2003

Brooks, Beatrice Hawkins
1915-2003
Funeral for Beatrice Hawkins Brooks, 87, of Chico was to be Saturday, June 14 at Pleasant View Baptist Church. The Rev. Gary Dimmett officiated with the assistance of the Rev. Jason Ewing. Burial was to follow at Thomas Cemetery.
Brooks died Wednesday, June 11, 2003 in Decatur.
Born Sept. 10, 1915, in the Thomas Community in Bridgeport to George Washington and Lillie Ann (Green) Hawkins, she married John Brooks on March 3, 1935, in Bridgeport. She was a lifetime resident of the Bridgeport and Chico communities, a retired farmer and rancher and a member of the First Baptist Church of Chico for over 50 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by a son, J.M. Brooks and his wife Barbara of Decatur; three grandchildren, Ray Brooks, Deneise Flavin and Julie Brooks; three great-grandchildren, Cory, Maegan and Kaetlyn and a sister-in-law Annie Lee Brooks.
Pallbearers were to be Gary Green, Grady Cowling, Lynn Gray, Harvey Weatherly, R.L. Groves and Gary Burrows. Honorary pallbearers were to be the deacons of the First Baptist Church of Chico.
Sunday, June 15, 2003

Brooks, Mary A.
1941-2003
Service for Mary A. Brooks, 62, of Chico was Sunday, March 23, 2003, at Crafton Baptist Church. The Rev. Kenneth Wood and Rev. Joe Motsenbocker officiated. Burial followed at Chico Cemetery.
Brooks died Thursday, March 20, 2003, in Chico.
Born March 19, 1941, in Mineral Wells to John Dee and Mary (Woodall) Gober, Brooks married Everett “Snuffy” Brooks on Sept. 21, 1972, in Chico and was a member of the Crafton Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Grace and Marie.
She is survived by her husband; three sons, Wesley Rice and wife Suzanne, Blane Rice and Jeff Brooks; daughter Vella Thacker and husband David; four brothers, Joe, James, W.D. and John Gober; three sisters, Louise Wilkerson, Ruth Simmons and Bessie Wright; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Oscar Parrish, J.D. Coffman, Doug Bowyer, Bob Brown, Ed Leavenworth, Jerry Selph, Benny Coulson and Paul Lopez.
Thursday, March 27, 2003

Brooks, Tallulah
1958-2003
Funeral for Tallulah Brooks, 45, of Lubbock, formerly of Bridgeport, was to be Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. at Oakwood Baptist Church in Lubbock. Burial was to follow at Peaceful Gardens Memorial Park in Woodrow.
Brooks died Sunday, Nov. 16, 2003.
Born April 17, 1958, in San Antonio to Robert and Helen Brimmer, she graduated from Bridgeport High School. She married Steve A. Brooks on Aug. 10, 1985, in Bridgeport. She worked in real estate and telemarketing and was involved in the American Legion. She was a Baptist and had lived in Lubbock since 1991.
She is survived by her husband; two daughters, Lynn Kathleen and Karrie Dawn Brooks; three brothers, Rob, Rick and John Brimmer and other relatives including Pat and Sue Winfield, Doris and Quentin Brooks, Shelly Hicks and Robin Gaishin.
Memorials may be made to Life Gift, 6001 B Spur 327, Lubbock, Texas 79424.

Brown, Robert Dean
1931-2003
Graveside service for Robert Dean Brown, 72, of Decatur, was Friday, Aug. 8 at Oaklawn Cemetery. Bill Higgins officiated.
Brown died Aug. 6, 2003, in Decatur.
Born March 1, 1931, in Big Heart, Okla., he was a carpenter and machinist. He retired after 19 years with Poco Graphite.
He was preceded in death by his son, Randall Brown and a grandson, Brent Lemond.
He is survived by his daughter, Rhonda Wilson and husband Ronald of Port Isabel and two grandsons, Ryon and Dustin Wilson of Port Isabel.
Sunday, August 10, 2003

Brown, W.A. ‘Judd’
1934-2003
Funeral for W.A. “Judd” Brown, 69, of Decatur will be Thursday, May 8, at 2 p.m. in the Coker Funeral Home Chapel. Cotton Roberts will officiate and burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Brown died Monday, May 5, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born January 1, 1934, in Paradise to Hubert and Minnie Brown, he married Doris Roberts in Marlow, Okla., in 1956. A Navy veteran, Brown retired from Dairy Queen after 30 years of service and worked for Smith Backhoe Service in Decatur.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Hubert Brown Jr., Bill Brown and Jesse Brown; and three sisters, Juanita Howell, Oleta Shannon and Lela Mae Brown.
He is survived by his wife of Decatur; one daughter, Debbie Brown of Dallas; two brothers, Johnny Brown and James Brown; five sisters, Naida Robinson, Dean Whatley, Clara Canova, Lavivian Myers and Jean Holt and two grandchildren, Cody Hancock and Colby Platner.
Pallbearers will be Kenny Lynn, Shawn Smith, Rusty North, Jason Roberst, Steven Roberts, Chad Harvey, Dale Barkley and Austin Bowles.
Thursday, May 8, 2003

Brumbalow, Freida
1932-2003
Funeral for Freida Brumbalow, 71, of Decatur will be Thursday, May 1, at 2 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Bill Smith will officiate. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Visitation was to be Wednesday, April 30, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home.
Brumbalow died Tuesday, April 29, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born Feb. 29, 1932, in Pilot Point, she was a homemaker. She married Ernest Lee Brumbalow on Sept. 16, 1950, in Fort Worth. She was a member of Hemphill Baptist Church in Fort Worth and the Decatur Garden Club.
She is survived by her husband; two daughters, Deborah Fry and Dorcas Thornton, both of Fort Worth; a sister, Rayline Perkins of De Soto and four grandchildren.
Thursday, May 1, 2003

Bruster, A.B.
1919-2003
Service for A.B. Bruster, 83, of Bridgeport was Tuesday, June 24, at the First Baptist Church in Bridgeport. The Rev. Gary Sessions officiated. Burial followed at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Bruster died Saturday, June 21, 2003, in Decatur.
He was born July 25, 1919, in Aubrey and married Vella Riddles on Feb. 16, 1940, in Madill, Okla. Bruster was a rancher and had worked for Warren Petroleum and Gulf. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, former member of the Wise County Sheriff’s Posse and was a founder of the Bridgeport Riding Club.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Oliver and Pete Bruster.
He is survived by his wife, Vella; three brothers, Dorris Bruster of Madill, Okla., Buddy Bruster of Chattanooga, Okla., and Dick Bruster of Lubbock; three daughters, Jane Kasner and husband Robert of Bridgeport, Sue Massingill and husband Cliff of Aurora and Judy Bruster and Steven Trammell of Krum; five grandchildren, Robby Kasner, Angela Kasner Picha, Melissa Massingill Buntaine, Marsha Massingill Taylor and Shaunda Taylor Keller; five great-grandchildren, Matt Kasner, Amanda Kasner, Kane Trammell, Jade Keller and Gabe Taylor and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Bill Scribner, Ben Bruster, Nick Keller, Rob Buntaine, Dwayne Taylor and Steve Trammell. Honorary pallbearers were Wayne Bradley, Price Everett, Bud Davidson, Earl German, C.I. Ford and Charles Kelley.
Published Thursday, June 26, 2003

Bryant, Otis L.
1946-2003
Memorial service for Otis L. Bryant, 56, of Boyd will be Thursday, April 24, at 10 a.m. at Flatwood Worship Center. The Rev. Doug Acklie will officiate.
Bryant died Friday, April 18, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Dec. 11, 1946, in Houston to Marvin and Vergie (Chasteen) Bryant, he was a retired truck driver.
He is survived by a daughter, Jenny Tedrow; a companion, Amy Rutledge; two grandchildren, Cody Tedrow and Kristina Bryant; three brothers, Eugene Bryant, Bobby Bryant and Jimmy Bryant and numerous nieces and nephews.
Sunday, April 20, 2003

Buchanan, Bob
1923-2003
Service for Bob Buchanan, 80, of Decatur will be Thursday, March 6, at 2 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. Ryan Morrison will officiate and will be assisted by Robert Isham and Bud Hale. Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 1.
Visitation was to be Wednesday, March 5, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home.
Buchanan died Tuesday, March 4, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born Feb. 4, 1923, in Turnersville, he was a dairyman and farmer. He married Roberta Gage on Oct. 21, 1943, in Fort Worth. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and was a member of the Decatur Church of Christ.
He is survived by his wife, Roberta Buchanan of Decatur; two sons, Calvin and Clifford Buchanan of Decatur; one daughter, Marsha Purdie of Decatur and eight grandchildren.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Decatur Church of Christ Building Fund, P.O. Box 328, Decatur, Texas 76234 or Compass Hospice, 2802 FM 51 S., Building 2, Suite B, Decatur; Texas 76234.
Pallbearers will be Cliff Buchanan, Braden Buchanan, Ron Choate, B.D. Lowe, Kenneth Fowler and Luther Minor.
Thursday, March 6, 2003

Buie, Shirley J.
1936-2003
Service for Shirley J. Buie, 67, of Alvord will be Monday, March 31, at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Alvord. Bill Cleveland will officiate. Burial will follow at Alvord Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, March 30, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home in Decatur.
Buie died Thursday, March 27, 2003, in Decatur.
Born March 23, 1936, in Clovis, N.M., she was a homemaker. She married Hal G. Buie on Sept. 7, 1952, in El Paso. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Alvord.
She is survived by her husband; four sons, Donald E. Buie of Twin Falls, Idaho, Hal W. Buie of Everman, Joel D. Buie of Crowley and John L. Buie of Joshua; one daughter, Linda Jeanette Roberts of Grand Prairie; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Curtis Sims, Chet Haney, Melton Neighbors, Bart Lunsford, Fred Parker and Robert Bull Sr.
Sunday, March 30, 2003

Bull, William L.
1938-2003
Funeral for William L. Bull, 65, of Fort Worth will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31 at Christian-Hawkins Funeral Chapel in Boyd. The Rev. Bill Fonte will officiate. Burial will follow at the Boyd Cemetery. Visitation was to be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30 at the funeral home.
Bull died Thursday, Aug. 28, 2003, in Dallas.
Born Jan. 17, 1938, in Whitehall, Md., to Samuel and Marie (Fuget) Bull, he married Irene Brown on May 28, 1955, in Chesterfield, S.C. He served in the U.S. Navy and was a retired truck driver, member of the Trinity Community Church and an avid golfer.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Betty Bull.
He is survived by his wife; a son, William Michael Bull and wife, Diana; four daughters, Deborah Ann Fonte, Donna Marie Kubala, Lydia Theresa Dharani and husband, Sean, and Shelby Jean Bull; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a brother, Richard Bull, and three sisters, Barbara Blische, Mary Chavis and Jane Hughes.
Pallbearers will be Ines Barron, Bill Fonte, Bo Bull, Mike Bull, Mathew Bull and Sean Dharani.

Burch, Billy Warren, Jr.
1951-2003
Funeral for Billy Warren Burch Jr., 52, of Boyd was to be Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Boyd. The Rev. Steve Weeks was to officiate, assisted by Rev. Darrell Hatley. Burial was to follow at Aurora Cemetery.
Burch died Monday, Sept. 8, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born July 5, 1951, in Roswell, N.M., to Billy and Delores (Burns) Burch Sr., he was a heavy equipment operator and a member of the Boyd Church of Christ.
He is survived by his son, Billy Michael Burch and wife, Christi; a daughter, Rene Burch; two grandchildren, Madison and Cameron; his parents; four brothers, Troy, Leroy, Jimmy and Lesley Burch; three sisters, Sherry Underwood, Shirley Jones and Sharon Batterton and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Pallbearers were to be Sammy Williams, Britt Pack, Wayne Davis, Jason Tinney, Wesley Tinney and Brad Burns. Honorary pallbearers were to be Allen Dickey, Tommy Tinney, Bill Tinney, Cecil Tinney, Frank Tinney, Fred Tinney, Chad Tinney, Allen Tinney and Lee Tinney.

Burgmeier, Carolyn Ann ‘Penny’
1937-2003
Service for Carolyn Ann “Penny” Burgmeier, 66, of Sunset was to be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at Fry Funeral Home Chapel in Bowie. The Rev. Jerry Jones was to officiate. Burial was to follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
Burgmeier died Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, in Wichita Falls.
Born June 10, 1937, in Miami, Fla., Burgmeier was a longtime resident of Fort Worth before moving to Sunset 22 years ago. She married Danial A. Burgmeier on Feb. 14, 1981, in Montague. She was a homemaker and a Baptist.
She is survived by her husband; daughter, Donna Kay Pytel and husband, Freddie, of Fort Worth; three sons, Gary Caudell and wife, Michaela, of Bowie, Robert Caudell of Chicago, Ill., and Jeffery Caudell and wife, Sonya, of Sunset; 11 grandchildren, Lisa Jodan, William Pytel, Eric Caudell and Stephanie Weins, all of Fort Worth; Adrian Johnson, Mariah Brooks, Caleb Brooks, Sharaia Stout, Nadia Caudell, and Geriah Caudell, all of Bowie; and Jacob Caudell of Sunset; two great-granddaughters, Victoria Weins and Sicily Weins, both of Fort Worth; five brothers, Carl Condra Jr. and wife, Marion, of Fort McCoy, Fla., David Condra and wife, Martha, of Tallahassee, Fla., John Condra and wife, Margaret, of Tucker, Ga., James Condra and wife, Bonnie, of Valley View and Thomas Condra of Paducah, Ill.; four sisters, Martha Condra and husband, Eady, of Hialeah, Fla., Linda Sachs of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Kathy Riggs of Port St. Lucie and Debra Williams of Stewart, Fla., and many nieces and nephews.

Burk, Leona Spain
1918-2003
Service for Leona Spain Burk, 84, of Decatur will be Monday, April 14, at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Decatur. The Rev. Ken May will officiate and will be assisted by Clyde Spain and Don Spain. Burial will follow at Sweetwater Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday, April 13, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home.
Burk died Thursday, April 10, 2003, in Decatur.
Born June 25, 1918, in Decatur, she married Marshall Daniel Burk on June 11, 1947, in Decatur. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church in Decatur.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by two sons, Jerry T. Burk of Lampasas and Steve Burk of Decatur; three brothers, Clyde Spain and Don Spain, both of Decatur and Warren Spain of Longview; three sisters, Emodine Boydston, Idnell Stone and Alma Maxey, all of Decatur and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Jerry Mara, Jamie Stone, Tony Redwine, Cliff Spain, Ed Spain and Sonny Burk.
Sunday, April 13, 2003

Burk, Virgie Lee
1916-2003
Graveside service for Virgie Lee Burk, 87, of Alvord was to be Wednesday, May 28, at 2 p.m. at Aurora Cemetery. The Rev. Bill Cleveland officiated.
Burk died Sunday, May 25, 2003, in Bridgeport.
Born May 24, 1916, in Aurora, she married Boyd Elmer Burk on April 9, 1939, in Decatur.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
She is survived by three sons, Elmer Burk of Mansfield, Kenneth Burk of Fort Worth and Donald Burk of Decatur; one daughter, Rosemary Slaton of Paradise; a sister, Pat Bennett of Fort Worth; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Thursday, May 29, 2003

Burkett, Theodore M. ‘Ted’
1906-2003
Funeral for Theodore M. Burkett, 97, formerly of Decatur, was June 10, 2003, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Oaklawn Cemetery. Ken Burnett officiated. Robert Isham assisted.
Born March 23, 1906, in Cooper, Texas, he died June 9, 2003, in Richardson.
Married to Edith Stockton July 28, 1929, in Decatur, he was a long-time member of Decatur Church of Christ. He was a former mail carrier.
He was preceded in death by four brothers, three sisters, a step-brother and a step-sister.
He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Edith Stockton Burkett of Richardson; two sons, Lester Burkett and wife Bonnie of Tyler and Bobby Burkett and wife Brenda of Lewisville; five grandchildren, Mike, David, Greg, Morgan and Holly Burkett Hopkins; seven great-grandchildren; a step brother; a step sister; two half sisters and a half brother.
Pallbearers were Billy Atkins, Ricky Christian, Lowell Burkett, Greg Burkett, Rick Burkett and Calvin Buchanan.
Thursday, June 12, 2003

Burkmier, Lyle ‘Ed’
1930-2003
Funeral for Lyle “Ed” Burkmier, 73, of Boyd was Sept. 8, 2003, at Bluebonnett Hills Memorial Chapel. The Rev. Steve Richardson officiated. Burial followed at Bluebonnett Hills Memorial Park.
Burkmier died Thursday, Sept. 4, 2003, in Boyd.
Born March 15, 1930, in Albion, Mich., to Leo and Alice Burkmier, he married Margaret Young on March 29, 1950, in Bradley, Ark. He was a tool and diemaker for more than 50 years, the founder of Edmar Inc. in Haltom City and a Methodist.
He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Karen Weser and husband, Al, of Greer, S.C., Suzie Wagner and husband, Floyd, of Boyd; a son, Wayne Burkmier of Northfork, Idaho; seven grandchildren, Brandi Ellerd, Floyd Wagner Jr., Brynn McKinney, Matt Weser, Stephanie Weser, Brooke Burkmier and Kari-Anne Wagner and four great-grandchildren.

Bush, Charles W.
1929-2003
Service for Charles W. Bush, 73, of Azle was Friday, July 18 at White’s Azle Chapel in Azle. Chaplain Danny Falkner officiated. Burial followed at Greenwood Cemetery.
Bush died Tuesday, July 15, 2003, in Azle.
He was born on July 18, 1929.
Bush was a retired sporting goods sales representative. He was also a former assistant scoutmaster for Troop 32 in Fort Worth and an avid hunter and fisherman.
He is survived by one daughter, Sharron Chism and husband, David, of Azle; a son, Marty Bush and wife, Michelle, of Boyd; one sister, Helen Rose Brake of Arvada, Colo.; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Sunday, July 20, 2003

Butterfield, Nell Vashti
1909-2003
Graveside service for Nell V. Butterfield, 94, of Decatur was to be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at Bethel Cemetery. The Rev Jerry Miller was to officiate.
Butterfield died Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Feb. 26, 1909, in Chico, she was a retired homemaker who worked for many years at Rieger Dry Goods Store and at Young Citizens in Decatur. She had been a member of the First Baptist Church in Decatur since 1934 and was chaplain of The Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 543 in Decatur. She also baby sat for many families in Decatur.
She was preceded in death by two husbands, Herman Thomas and Claude Butterfield.
She is survived by three sisters, Bertha Greenhill of Mount Calm, Monnie Ward of Corsicana and Ruby Richie of Amarillo.
Sunday, August 17, 2003

Byford, Margaret I.
19223-2003
Service for Margaret I. Byford, 79, of Decatur will be Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel in Decatur. The Rev. Ray Cobb will officiate. Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 3. Visitation will be Monday, Feb. 17, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home.
Byford died Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Feb. 23, 1923, in Texarkana, Ark., she was a homemaker and a member of the Calvary Baptist Church. She married Loyd Byford June 2, 1967, in Decatur.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Lawrence Lewis.
She is survived by her husband; three sons, Jessie Simmons of Argyle, Johnnie Phillips of San Angelo and LeRoy DeWitt of Wichita Falls; a stepson, David Byford of Boyd; five daughters, Barbara McClung of Hurst, Ann Futch of Lake Worth, Louise Champion, Sarah Saulter and Earlene Hartranth, all of White Settlement; a stepdaughter, Diana Wright of Sampson Park; two sisters, Dortha Lavoie of California and Irene Parish of Terrell; 28 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and a number of great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Randy Hesteande, D. L. Byford Jr., Chad Byford, Andrew and Wayne Champion and Ron Cook. Honorary pallbearers will be Sam Thompson and Gregory Simmons.
Wise County Messenger, February 16, 2003

Byford, Opal Mae
1922-2003
Service for Opal Mae Byford, 80, of Decatur was to be Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 2 p.m. at Bell Baptist Church. Burial was to follow at Sycamore Cemetery.
Byford died Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Feb. 25, 1922, in Wise County, she was a homemaker and a graduate of Slidell High School.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Byford; a son, Roger Wayne Byford; a brother, Thurman Stice and two sisters, Vern and Pearl Monroe.
She is survived by a daughter, Janice Ann and Al Hubenka of Paradise; a brother, Arthur Stice of Crowley; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 9, 2003

Caldwell, Gary
1956-2003
Graveside service for Gary Caldwell, 47, of Slidell was Tuesday, July 15 at Slidell Cemetery. David Bradshaw officiated.
Caldwell died Sunday, July 13, 2003, in Decatur.
Born April 2, 1956, in Dallas, he was a computer technician working in assembly. He was a Marine Corps veteran and a member of the First Baptist Church of Slidell.
He is survived by his parents, Kenneth and Monisa Caldwell of Decatur; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Curtis and Brenda Caldwell of Hickory Creek and Casey and Marva Caldwell of Haskell; a sister, Sherri Caldwell of Gainesville and four nephews.
Thursday, July 17, 2003

Caldwell, Liz P.
1928-2003
Service for Liz P. Caldwell, 74, of Chico was to be at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 26 at the Living Word Assembly of God Church in Alvord. Glenn Randall and M.L. Milton were to officiate. Burial was to follow at Bethel Cemetery.
Caldwell died Wednesday, July 23, 2003, in Fort Worth.
She was born Aug. 7, 1928, in Alvord, graduated from Alvord High School and married Charles Caldwell on Sept. 14, 1946, in Alvord. She was a retired supervisor and caseworker for Child Protective Services, a library volunteer and a member of the Wise County Welfare Board from 1996 to 2003. She served on the Bethel Cemetery Board in 2002 and was very active in her church, the Living Word Assembly of God.
She was preceded in death by her parents, J.C. and Daisy Skaggs, her grandson, Tim Fowler, five brothers and two sisters.
She is survived by her husband, Charles; daughter Maggie Fowler and husband, Neal, of Bowie; sister, Bessie O’Leary; grandson, B.J. Fowler and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were to be Ronnie Gose and Royce, Donnie, John, Dale and Vernon Ruddick.
Sunday, July 27, 2003

Cargile, Jimmie
1940-2003
Memorial service for Jimmie Cargile, 63, of Decatur will be Saturday, June 21 at 2 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home Chapel.
Cargile died Tuesday, June 17, 2003, in Fort Worth.
Born March 27, 1940 in Edcouch, she married Gary Cargile in 1964 in Hobbs, N.M.
She is survived by her husband Gary Cargile of Decatur; a son James Kelly Cargile of Killeen and two grandchildren, Nathan and Sarah.
Thursday, June 19, 2003

Carr, Almeta P.
1923-2003
Funeral for Almeta P. Carr, 79, of Decatur was Dec. 8 at Coker Funeral Home Chapel. Ryan Morrison officiated. Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Carr died Friday, Dec. 5, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Dec. 18, 1923, in Slidell to Albert and Pearl Morris, she was a homemaker and a receptionist for Bridgeport Family Clinic. She was a member of the Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by three brothers, Albert Morris Jr., Sam Morris and Lowell Morris; a sister, Winnell Boner; and a son-in-law, Gene Kelly.
She is survived by two daughters, Sonia Lee and husband, Dennis of Decatur and Jayanna Kelly of San Antonio; two sisters, Arese Malcolm of Decatur and Anna Lee Wallace of Fort Worth; a brother, Olen Morris of Fort Worth; four grandchildren, Michelle Pettit and Jay Kelly of Austin and Stephanie Lee and Christopher Lee of Decatur; and three great-grandchildren, Amanda, Michaela and Jameson Pettit of Austin.
Pallbearers were Calvin Buchanan, Bruce Malcolm, Brent Wallace, Sam Holmes, J.R. Moody and Willard Howell.
Published Thursday, December 11, 2003

Caruthers, Lellan A.
1930-2003
Funeral for Lellan A. Caruthers, 72, a lifetime resident of Paradise, was to be Wednesday, April 2, at Hawkins Funeral Chapel, with the Revs. Dan Rhodes and Joe Motsenbocker officiating. Burial was to be at Paradise Cemetery.
Born Sept. 16, 1930, in Paradise to Stanley and Viola (Jeter) Caruthers, he died Monday, March 31, 2003, in Decatur.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He married Naomi Ruth Potts Nov. 18, 1950, in Paradise. He was an active member of the Moslah Temple, a 32nd Degree Mason and the former president of the Clown Unit of the Moslah Temple. He retired as the owner of Caruthers Laboratory in Fort Worth.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Naomi Caruthers; son, Stanley Caruthers and wife Shelly; four grandchildren, Mandy, Kelly, Ashley and Allison; two great-grandchildren, Colton and Clayton; and a sister, Bettie Hughes and husband Harold.
Pallbearers were to be Dowell Missiledine, Leslie Oates, David Shannon, Karl Black, Ronnie Caruthers and Robert Shannon.
Thursday, April 3, 2003

Casillas, Thomas Zachary ‘Zac’
2002-2003
Funeral for Thomas Zachary Casillas, infant son of Mellisa Casillas and Dewey Peters of Wise County was March 16, at Foursquare Church in Knox City with Freddie Villa officiating. Burial was at O’Brien Cemetery.
Born November 20, 2002, he died March 14, 2003
He is survived by his parents, Mellisa Casillas and Dewey Peters; a sister, Alyssa Casillas; grandparents, Charles and Martha Casillas and Kay Peters; and great-grandmother, Nettie Mae Watson.
Thursday, March 20, 2003

Chambers, Jacob Charles, Jr.
1948-2003
Graveside service for Jacob Charles Chambers Jr., 54, of Alvord was Friday at Pella Cemetery in Alvord. Ed Cate officiated.
Chambers died July 8, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Sept. 21, 1948, in Decatur to Jacob Charles and Jimmie Mae (Wheelis) Chambers Sr., he was a lifetime resident of Alvord. He retired as an inspector for the Texas Highway Department after 26 years of service and was a member of the Alvord Church of Christ.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Robbin Chambers.
He is survived by a son, Trey Chambers and his wife, Jenny, of Alvord; a daughter, Aliza Cortez and her husband, Daniel, of Bridgeport; three grandchildren, Camron and Casey Cortez and Treyson Chambers; and a sister, Sheila Hachtel and her husband, Neal, of Decatur.
Pallbearers were Tommy Lynch, Ryan Hachtel, John Clark, Bill Holloway, Star Gaylor and Lance Thweatt. Honorary pallbearer was Foy Byrd.
Sunday, July 13, 2003

Champion, John William, Sr.
1922-2003
Funeral for John William Champion Sr., 80, of Mexia was July 28, 2003, at the First Baptist Church in Mexia. The Rev. Marcus Sheffield officiated. Burial was in Faulkenberry Cemetery in Groesbeck.
Born Aug. 4, 1922, to Arthur Lee and Mary Simms Champion in Alvord, he died July 26 in Mexia.
Champion graduated from Texas A&M University in 1943 and served in the Army in World War II and Korea but spent most of his life in Groesbeck and Mexia. He devoted more than 30 years to the banking industry and retired as president of First National Bank of Mexia.
He was a member of the Lions Club, Groesbeck Masonic Lodge, School Board and Chamber of Commerce and helped with little league baseball. He also served on the Central Texas Economic Development Board and as deacon and Sunday school teacher at the First Baptist Churches in Mexia and Groesbeck. Other memberships included the A&M Century Club, the 10 Gallon Club of the Red Cross, the American Legion Post 288 and the DAV.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Goldie Lee Reed Champion in 1972, and by a sister, Frances Nash.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy deCordova Champion of Mexia; sons, John W. Champion Jr. and wife Rebecca, of Park City, Utah, Craig Champion Sr. and wife, Wanda, of Groesbeck and Mark Champion of Mexia; daughters, Deanna McKeever and husband, Keith, and Molly Baize and husband, Jeff, all of Crawford; step-daughter, DeLou Corbitt and husband, Donald, of Mexia and grandchildren, Craig Champion, Carmen Champion, Tara Champion, Josh McKeever, Ashley McKeever, Drew and Devin Corbitt and Paige and Perri Baize.
Pallbearers were Randall Rand, Gene Trumble, Jerry Don Chilcoat, Jesse Edwards, Holloway Martin and Dan Jennings. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Ron Stephens, Doug Ray, the Gentlemen of Mexia Supper Club, the deacons of the First Baptist Church and the Fisherman’s Sunday School Class.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Christian Life Center at 500 E. Carthage St.; Mexia, TX 76667.
Thursday, July 31, 2003

Champion, Wallis F.
1929-2003
Funeral for Wallis F. Champion, 73, of Decatur was Tuesday, March 18, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Alvord Cemetery. The Rev. Kenneth Emerson and Dr. Thomas Brumett officiated. A final tribute with military honors was presented by the Wise County Veterans Group honor guard.
He died Saturday, March 15, 2003 in Decatur.
Champion was the retired senior vice president of Texas Toro Company. He was a memer of Rotary International for 45 years and had served as president of the Alamo Heights Rotary Club in San Antonio in 1967 and 1968. Later he became a member of the Fort Worth Downtown Rotary Club where he was a Stevenson Fellow.
Champion was a veteran of the Korean War and a graduate of Texas Tech University. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Decatur.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Betty Champion; sisters, Juanita Champion Tice of Hurst and Deane Champion Rowe of Lakeway; sister-in-law, Juanita Land Champion of Irving; brother-in-law, Foy W. Byrd, Jr. of Decatur; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, John R. Champion of Irving and a niece.
Pallbearers were Willard Howell, Sam W. Renshaw Jr., James Cates, Raymond C. Nellis, Don Brown, Thomas Laird, Dr. Ed Maddox and Ed Harris.
Thursday, March 20, 2003

Chancellor, Ray
1937-2003
Service for Ray Chancellor, 65, of Alvord will be Sunday, April 13, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Alvord. Barry Jameson will officiate and will be assisted by Bob Wilson. Burial will follow at Alvord Cemetery.
Visitation was to be Saturday, April 12, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home.
Chancellor died Friday, April 11, 2003, in Alvord.
Born Nov. 16, 1937, in Alvord, he was a retired heavy equipment operator for Wise County Precinct 2. He married Mary Elizabeth Core on May 31, 1975, in Alvord. He was a Navy veteran and member of the First United Methodist Church in Alvord.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Sue Walker Chancellor; a son, Jeffery Chancellor; a brother, W.J. Stark and a grandson, Ethan Chancellor.
He is survived by his wife Beth Chancellor of Alvord; three sons, Craig Chancellor of McKinney, Scott Chancellor of Athens and Mark Chancellor of Alvord; a daughter, Patricia Chancellor of Alvord; three brothers, W.C. Stark of Granbury, Charles Chancellor of Bowie and Lonnie Chancellor of Jacksboro; three sisters, Estelle Watts, Rosemary Miller and Margaret Nell Anderson, all of Decatur and six grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be David Pate, Ken Shelton, Tom Robinson, Brad Myers, Donnie Burdine and Leonard Dunaway.
Sunday, April 13, 2003

Chapman, Ferrell ‘Pi Paw’
1921-2003
Service for Ferrell “Pi Paw” Chapman, 81, of Paradise was Friday, Jan. 10 at Hawkins Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Ken May officiated and burial followed in East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Chapman died Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003, in Dallas.
Born Feb. 6, 1921, in Ashflat, Ark., he was an auto mechanic for Chapman GMC Motor Co. He served in the U.S. Army as a medical and surgical technician on the USS Mercy in the South Pacific during World War II, and he was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bridgeport, the Masonic Lodge and the D.A.V.
He is survived by two sons, Ronnie Chapman and wife Debbie and Donald Chapman and wife Shrea; four grandchildren, Barry Chapman, Brandi McEntire, Kory Chapman, and Chase Chapman and wife Ashley and three great-grandchildren, Jerred, Tyler and Dayne.
Pallbearers were Barry Chapman, Kory Chapman, Chase Chapman, Tommy Williams, Rusty Terrell and Andy Mattison.
A final tribute with military honors was presented to Chapman by the Wise County Veterans group honor guard.
Wise County Messenger, Jan. 12, 2003

Chesnut, John Thomas ‘Tommy’
1936-2003
Service for John Thomas “Tommy” Chesnut, 66, of Garber, Okla., was to be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Garber First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Perry Williams was to officiate and burial was to follow at the Garber Cemetery.
Chesnut was the father of Beverly Ann O’Dell of Chico and Sandraw Kay Williams of Bridgeport.
He died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2003, in Garber.
Born July 17, 1936, in Alma, Okla., to Lawrence Robert Chesnut and Louie Harrington, he had been a resident of the Garber area since 1965. He married the former Glenda Haney in May 1957. On Dec. 18, 1966, he and the former Joan Lafferty were married in Perry, Okla.
Chesnut worked 14 years at Vance Air Force Base as an aircraft painter for Northrop and also had been a maintenance worker and driver for Phillips University and an oilfield pumper. He owned Skipper’s Trailer Park and was a maintenance worker and driver for Cherokee Strip Transit.
He was a perpetual member of the Masonic Lodge No. 80 and the Order of the Eastern Star, serving in various capacities within those organizations. He was a Master Mason and Past Master. He was baptized in the Baptist church at an early age and was affiliated with the Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Bettie Gene Chesnut.
He is survived by his wife, Joan; two sons, Tony Lynn Chesnut of Franklin, N.C., and John Robert Chesnut of Quanah; two daughters, Beverly Ann O’Dell and husband Rick of Chico and Sandraw Kay Williams of Bridgeport; two step-sons, John C. “JC” Haney of Marble Falls and Jack Haney Sr. of Austin; four brothers, William Robert “Bill” Chesnut of Duncan, Okla., Henry Chesnut of Foreman, Ark., Lawrence Robert “Junior” Chesnut of Cache, Okla., and Benny Chesnut of Foreman, Ark.; five sisters, Norma Ellison of Eufaula, Okla., Lola Mae Minton of Taft, Calif., Nadine Burchman of Wichita Falls, Ruth Sauerbreit of Pocatello, Idaho, and Ardena Clark of Snyder, Okla., and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Garber First United Methodist Church, Cherokee Transit, Garber EMT or Enid’s Hospice Circle of Love.
Wise County Messenger, February 16, 2003

Cheves, Carolyn Lois
1953-2003
Service for Carolyn Lois Cheves, 50, of Bridgeport will be Monday, Dec. 15, at 1 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Bridgeport. Mike Cheves will officiate. Burial will follow at East Bridgeport Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 14, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Cheves died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003, in Decatur.
She was born March 19, 1953, in Bridgeport and was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her father, Rayford (Buck) Story; a niece, Dawn LeAnn Story; grandparents, Thurman and Gwenn Parsons and Mellina Story; and an aunt, Saundra Ramirez.
She is survived by two sons, Mike Cheves and wife, Kristie, of Dallas and Mark Cheves of Houston; one daughter, Catherine Cheves of Bridgeport; three grandchildren, Shelby, Marty and Michael; mother, Joyce Kemp and husband, Jerry, of Bridgeport; three brothers, Ray Story and wife, Deborah, Buddy Story and Jerry Kemp and wife, Becky; one sister, Lisa VanHoose and husband, Bobby, of Bridgeport and many nieces and nephews.
Published Sunday, December 14, 2003

Christian, Jennifer Nicole
1975-2003
Graveside service for Jennifer Nicole Davis Christian, 28, of Boyd was Oct. 19 at Oaklawn Cemetery. The Rev. Robert Wilson officiated.
Born May 17, 1975, in Texas, she died Oct. 17, 2003 in Decatur. She was a waitress.
She is survived by her husband, Jessie Christian of Oklahoma; two sons, Jake and Joshua Christian and a daughter, Hailey Christian, all of Boyd.

Cleary, Benloyd
1938-2003
Funeral for Benloyd Cleary, 65, of Boyd was Tuesday, June 3, at White’s Funeral Home Chapel in Azle. The Rev. Bill Roe officiated. Burial followed at Azleland Cemetery.
Cleary died Friday, May 30, 2003, in Boyd.
Born March 20, 1938, he was a retired railroad engineer and raced horses.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lalene; two daughters, Pam Cleary and Karen Clark; two grandchildren, Chad and Brianna Clark; sister-in-law, Mae Dean Reed and husband Tommy; brother-in-law Benny Davenport and many other relatives.
Thursday, June 5, 2003

Clement, L.B.
1918-2003
Funeral for L.B. Clement, 85, retired farmer and stockman, formerly of Sunset was May 2, at Fry Funeral Home Chapel in Bowie. The Rev. Jamie Reed, pastor of East Side Baptist Church in Bowie officiated. Burial was at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.
Born Feb. 25, 1918, in Decatur to Charlie and Myrtle Clement, he died Tuesday, April 29, 2003, at a Bowie healthcare facility.
He married the former Anna Belle Holland on June 7, 1936, in Montague.
He is survived by his wife; three sons, Raymond and his wife Deloris Clement of Bowie, Leon and his wife Sharon Clement of Victoria and Jerry and his wife Janet Clement of Bowie; seven grandchildren, Kerry and his wife Norma Clement of Gunter, Kris and her husband DeWayne Tamplen of Decatur, Kami and her husband Jackie Bowman of Bowie, Tim and his wife Anne Clement of Austin, Kyle and his wife Lori Clement of Hampton, Va., Sharesa and her husband Wesley Driskill of Gunter and Jay and his wife, Jennifer Clement of Bowie; 14 great-grandchildren; and a special nephew he helped raise, Dickie Clement of Spring.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, an infant in 1927, Selma Clement in 1975 and Winfred Clement in 1956; and a sister, Velma Rhea Wood in 2003.

Clifton, Frances Wynelle ‘Bridges’
1924-2003
Graveside service for Frances Wynelle “Bridges” Clifton, 78, of Dallas was Friday, June 27, at Cottondale Cemetery. George Baker officiated. A Sunday memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. at Highland Oaks Church of Christ in Dallas.
Clifton died June 23, 2003, in East Rochester, New Hampshire.
Born Oct. 24, 1924, in Boyd to Joe and Rose Hoyle Bridges, she married William Ashley Clifton on Oct. 10, 1946, in Irving. She was a member of the Highland Oaks Church of Christ.
Clifton was preceded in death by three brothers, Lowell, Allan and Big Lynn and two sisters, Benita Moll and Gracie Rowland.
She is survived by her husband; a son, Gordon Clifton; two daughters, Adrienne Faulhaber and husband Dewey and Charlotte Chunn and husband John; a brother, Joe Q. Bridges; four sisters, Mary Hughes, June Shilling, Kay Clark and Jane Burgess; five grandchildren, emily, Amy, Alyssa, Juanita and John and one great-grandchild.
Pallbearers were Lowell Hughes, Jackie Bridges, Randall Clark, Andy Stevenson, Ted Stevenson, Glenn Hughes, Raymond Clark, Leslie Hughes, Barry Bridges and Jody Bridges.
Sunday, June 29, 2003

Clifton, William W., Dr.
1919-2003
Memorial service for Dr. William W. Clifton, 84, of Lubbock, a retired veterinarian, was Friday, Feb. 21, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lubbock. Burial will be Sunday, Feb. 23, at 1 p.m. in Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Clifton died Monday, Feb. 17, 2003.
Born Jan. 22, 1919, in Claude, he was raised in Decatur where he attended Decatur Baptist College prior to serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Veterinary Medicine. He married Jamie Evelyn Eaton Aug. 15, 1950 and moved to Lubbock where he began the Clifton Animal Hospital. He was recognized by the Texas Senate for 50 years of service to his community. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner and a charter member of Hillcrest Country Club.
He is survived by two sons, William W. Clifton Jr. of Midland and John H. Clifton of Foreston and seven grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3321 33rd Street, Lubbock, Texas 79410 or to the Mildred and Shirley Garrison Center, 3710 4th Street, Lubbock, Texas 79415.
Sunday, February 23, 2003

Clithero, Richard James
1928-2003
Graveside service for Richard James Clithero, 75, of Rhome will be Monday, Dec. 8, at 10:30 a.m. at Aurora Cemetery. Steve Weeks will officiate. Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Christian Hawkins Funeral Home in Boyd.
Clithero died Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2003, in Rhome.
Born April 26, 1928, in York, Neb., to Robert and Helen (Shafer) Clithero, he served in the Merchant Marines and was a retired truck driver.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Ben Clithero.
He is survived by two sons, Kevin Harris and Richard Dean; a daughter, Shannon Long; close friend, Linda Loper and four grandchildren, Tara, Shelbi, Keri and Kayci.
Pallbearers will be Thomas Tidwell, Donald Yarbrough, Dusty Black, Clinton Snyder, Kevin Harris and Jacky Long.
Published Sunday, December 7, 2003

Clowdus, Doris Lanelle
1921-2003
Memorial service for Doris Lanelle Clowdus, 81, of Runaway Bay was Tuesday, March 4, at Runaway Bay Community Church. The Rev. Palmer Bowers officiated.
Clowdus died Saturday, March 1, 2003, in Runaway Bay.
Born Sept. 30, 1921, in Wilson, Okla., she was a homemaker. She married William L. Clowdus Dec. 30, 1939, in Oklahoma City. He preceded her in death May 5, 2000. She was a member of the Runaway Bay Bridge Club, the Women’s Golf Association and the Runaway Bay Community Church.
She is survived by her daughter, Pat Brownlee and husband Don of Hallsville; a son, Mike Clowdus and wife Pat of Denver, Colo.; a sister, Louise Pipkin of Odessa; two grandchildren, Jeff Brownlee and wife Karyn of Coppell and Jenny Beaty and husband Kevin of Longview; five great-grandchilden, Aimee, Beau, Blake, Bradley and Blaire and numerous nieces and nephews.
Thursday, March 6, 2003

Coale-Blythe, Claire Lou
1951-2003
Service for Claire Lou Coale-Bythe, 51, of Houston will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 3, at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport. The Rev. Tommy Brumett will officiate. Burial will follow at East Side Cemetery.
She died Sunday, March 30, 2003.
Born Oct. 31, 1951, in Fort Worth, to the late Henry Kent Coale Jr. and Rose Marie Coale, she graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1970 and attended the University of Texas where she graduated with a degree in English literature. She married David Blythe on Dec. 31, 1987. She worked in the advertising industry for many years in the Houston area.
She is survived by her husband; a daughter, Kate Martinez of Houston; a brother, Trey Coale of Lubbock; a sister, Rose Marie Grant of Argyle and two grandchildren, Christopher and Ashley.
Thursday, April 3, 2003

Colville, Cynthia Lillard
1917-2003
Funeral for Cynthia Lillard Colville, 85, of Dallas will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 28 at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home Chapel in Dallas. The Rev. Don Scates will officiate. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Lillard died Monday, June 23, 2003 in Dallas.
Born December 25, 1917 in Decatur to James Warren and Mildred Lynch Lillard, she graduated from Highland Park High School in 1933. She attended SMU where she met and married Cecil Andrew Colville. Cynthia was active in her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and in her church, Highland Park Presbyterian.
She was preceded in death by her husband and daughter Celia Colville.
She is survived by two daughters, Mille Colville Henderson and husband Scott Allen of University Park and June Colville Hillis and husband R. Stephen Hillis of Tyler; grandchildren, Hadleigh Elizabeth Henderson of University Park, Sheri Niehus Hillis and husband Andrew David of Bryan, Hollie Hillis Ober and husband David Mark of Frisco; great-grandchildren, Hayden Garrison Hillis, Riley Stephen Hillis, Nanci Grace Hillis, Collin Scott Ober and Evan Thomas Ober; a brother, James Warren Lillard Jr. and wife Dorothy Smith; a niece and a cousin.
Memorials may be made to Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 3821 University Blvd., Dallas, Texas, 75205.
Published Thursday, June 26, 2003

Compton, Ruby
1919-2003
Graveside service for Ruby Compton, 84, of Boyd was Nov. 11 at Boyd Cemetery. The Rev. Steve Weeks officiated.
Born Sept. 12, 1919, in Wise County to Lester and Mamie (Maidwell) Rasbury, she died Nov. 9, 2003, in Decatur. She retired as a farmer and rancher’s wife and was a member of the Southwest Cattle Raisers Association.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ott Compton; her son, Junnie Willburn; and her sister, Evelyn Goodger.
She is survived by her granddaughter, Treva Hill and husband Troy; great-granddaughters, Amy Hill and Kate Hill; and a brother, T.J. Rasbury and wife, Plum.

Connell, Marianne
1946-2003
Funeral for Marianne Connell, 56, of Bridgeport was to be Saturday, May 17, at 10 a.m. in the Coker Funeral Home chapel in Decatur. Buddy Ward and Robbie Bosley were to officiate and burial was to follow at Bosley Cemetery in Lipan.
Connell died Thursday, May 15, 2003, in Denton.
Born Nov. 14, 1946, in Mineral Wells, she was employed by FEMA in the claims department.
She is survived by three sons, Terry Connell, Jamie Connell and Bobby Connell, all of Bridgeport; a daughter, Marcia Deatherage of Arlington; two brothers, John Bosley of Denton and Robbie Bosley of Bridgeport; two sisters, Barbara Lockhart of Denton and Shelia McHargue of Austin and eight grandchildren.
Pallbearers were to be Cory Bosley, Matthew Bosley, Micah Bosley, Josh White, Jeremy White and Bill Lockhart. Honorary Pallbearers were to be Jeffery White, Robert Dale Warner and Johnny Lee Bosley.
Sunday, May 18, 2003

Cook, Julia F.
1921-2003
Funeral for Julia F. Cook, 81, a Decatur homemaker, was to be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, at Coker Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Jerry Miller officiating. Burial was to be at Paradise Cemetery.
Born March 5, 1921, in Wise County, she died Sunday, March 2, 2003, in Decatur.
She is survived by her daughter, Vicki Holmes of Decatur; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Gay Cook.
Thursday, March 6, 2003

Cooper, Gage W.
1998-2003
Funeral for Gage W. Cooper, 4, of Decatur will be Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, at the First United Methodist Church of Decatur. The Rev. Thomas O. Brumett will officiate. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery. Visitation was to be Saturday from 7 to 8 p.m. at Coker Funeral Home in Decatur.
Born Dec. 18, 1998, in Fort Worth to Gary and Mika Cooper, he died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, in Decatur.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Chaynee Cooper, and two great-grandfathers, Herbert Jones and Hugh Cooper.
He is survived by his parents; a brother, Nash Cooper of Decatur; grandparents, Mike and Pam Rhoten of Weatherford and Dr. Gary and Glenda Cooper of Granbury; and great-grandparents, Vaudine Cooper of Brock and Clinton and Johnnie Morgan of Weatherford.
Pallbearers will be Mark Sledge, Mark Cantrell, Cary Cowdrey and Wayland Long.
Published Sunday, December 14, 2003

Corbin, Ladie
1917-2003
Graveside service for Ladie Gwendolyn Almonrode Corbin, 86 of Fort Worth, formerly of Springtown, was Tuesday, March 11, at Springtown Cemetery, with the Rev. John Stout officiating.
Corbin was the mother of Donna Jean Kelley of Greenwood.
Born Feb. 27, 1917, to William Edward Almonrode and Ora Ruth Reynolds Almonrode, she married John Wesley Corbin May 23, 1936, in Marietta, Okla. He preceded her in death Dec. 3, 1983.
She attended Northside Diamond Hill School in Fort Worth. She was a sales clerk for Super X Drugstore in Hurst for 15 years and later at the Buffalo Mart in Haltom City.
She was a member of the Methodist church.
Survivors include her daughter, Donna Jean Kelley of Greenwood; brother, Robert Winston Almonrode of Stephenville; grandchildren, John Kelley of Denton, Michael Kelley of McKinney, Gale Noland of Clifton, Linda Gailbreath of Cranfills Gap, Connie Baxter of Meridian and Bubby Joe Knighten of Stephenville; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Thursday, March 13, 2003

Corrigan, W. Raymond, Rev.
1911-2003
Funeral for the Rev. W. Raymond Corrigan, 91, of Decatur was to be Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Decatur. Dr. Thomas O. Brumett was to officiate, to be assisted by the Rev. Gene Gordon. Burial was to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur.
Corrigan died Monday, Aug. 25, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Sept. 8, 1911, in Liverpool, to Thomas and Margaret Corrigan, he married Evelyn Garrett on Nov. 25, 1937, in Shreveport, La. He received his license to preach Sept. 8, 1932. He received his bachelor of arts degree from Centenary Colege in Shreveport in June 1937. He became an ordained deacon on Nov. 19, 1939 and was ordained as an elder in the North Texas Conference on Oct. 26, 1941. He received his bachelor of divinity degree from SMU in 1944.
He served as minister at the First United Methodist Church in Decatur from June 1956 to September of 1964. After retiring in 1976, he moved back to Decatur where he served the Allison Church until 1984.
He enjoyed horse backriding and working around cattle. Following his retirement, he worked for several years on the Ferguson Ranch.
He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Margaret Bennett and husband Wade of Richardson; two grandsons, Carey Ward and wife Beth and Brian Bennett; three great-grandchildren and one sister, Bertha Hill of Fredericksburg.
Pallbearers were to be Carey Ward, Brian Bennett, Bud Forbeau, Roy Eaton, Tim Rieger and Mickey Doyle.

Cox, Clarence ‘Cecil’
1937-2003
Funeral service for Clarence Cox, 65, of Azle will be at 2 p.m., Monday, April 28, at Solid Rock Bible Church. Rev. Jimmy George will officiate. Burial will be at Azleland Cemetery.
Born Sept. 5, 1937, in Knoxville, Tenn., to Clarence and Alva (Snyder) Cox, he died April 24, 2003, at his home in Azle.
Cox was a retired forklift mechanic. He married Cynthia Hornsby July 10, 1964, in Atlanta, Ga., and had been a member of the Azle community for 31 years.
He was preceded in death by his father and his brother, Robert “Bob” Cox.
He is survived by his mother; his wife; three sons, David Stewart, Jimmy Cox and Doug Stewart; four daughters, Elaine Cox Gardner, Susan Morton, Cathy Richards and husband Kenneth and Rose Marie Benton; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his brother Alvin Cox; and five sisters, Peggy Pettiford, Mary Lou Newcomb, Anita Valentine, Faye Gibson and Linda McCoy.
Pallbearers will be Doug Stewart, Dewayne Richards, David Richards, John Kay, Joey Kay and Charlie Hatcher. Honorary pallbears will be Loyd George, Alvin Cox, Danny McKenzie, Gene Thompson and Jesse Bobo.
Sunday, April 27, 2003

Cox, Mabel
1911-2003
Funeral for Mabel Cox, 92, of Azle, formerly of Bridgeport, was to be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at Twin Oaks Assembly of God in Bridgeport with burial in East Bridgeport Cemetery. The Rev. Gary Sessions was to officiate.
Cox died Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2003, in Azle.
Born May 30, 1911, in Brady, Okla., to Miles Joseph and Lena (Gibbs) Hester, she married Leiland Travis Cox on Aug. 10, 1935, in Tucson, Ariz. She was a member of the Twin Oaks Assembly of God for more than 25 years, a legal secretary and worked in the insurance industry.
She was preceded in death by her husband and six brothers and sisters.
She is survived by a son, Leiland Travis Cox Jr. and wife, Bettye; a daughter, Margie Marie Baucum and husband, Don; five grandchildren, Bruce, Tonja, Joey, Kimberly and Lori; 13 great-grandchildren and a sister, Violet Shackelford.
Pallbearers were to be Joey Cox, Joel Nino, Bruce Baucum, Ronald Shackelford, Wallace Shackelford and Phil Shaw.

Cox, Melvin Charles
1943-2003
Memorial service for Melvin Charles Cox, 59, of Newark was to be Saturday, March 15, at 4 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Newark. Dan Hunt was to officiate.
Cox died Wednesday, March 12, 2003, in Decatur.
Born Aug. 9, 1943, in Australia, he was a retired maintenance manager for rental property and a member of the First Baptist Church of Newark.
He is survived by his mother, Ailsa Armento of Fort Worth; a son, Melvin L. Cox of Keller; a daughter, Yvonne Dalton of Gatesville; a sister and brother-in-law, Teresa and Kelly Johnson of Fort Worth and three grandchildren.<