Paydon Coffman

1997-2016

Memorial services for Paydon Boyd Coffman,18, of Emory, were held Wednesday, April 13, 2016. at the Rains High School football field. 

He died April 9, 2016, in a vehicle accident in rains County. 

He was born April 29, 1997, in McKinney.

Verna Wesley

1921-2016

Funeral services for Verna Mae Wesley, 94, of Terrell, formerly of Wills Point, were held April 12, 2016, at Allan Fuller Funeral Home Chapel in Wills Point with Mr. Gene Glaeser and Mr. Ken Maddox officiating. 

Interment followed at White Rose Cemetery in Wills Point.

Mrs. Wesley died early Saturday morning, April 9, 2016, in Terrell.

She was born Aug. 18, 1921, in the Alsa Community north of Wills Point, the daughter of Claude A. Heir and Mary Bell Roberts Heir. 

She was raised in Wills Point and attended the Alsa and Enterprise schools. 

On March 15, 1974, she married Charles K. “Red” Wesley in Terrell.  She moved to Terrell, where she has lived most of her life.  She was formerly employed by Kelpen’s Ice Cream in Terrell for several years and retired from Madix in Terrell.  She was a member of the Church of Christ in Terrell.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Mary Bell Heir; sister, Oleta McGehee; brother, John Heir in December 2015; and her beloved dog, Benji Wesley on Dec. 17, 2015.

She is survived by her special friend, Lynn Meador of Terrell; nephew, Claude McGehee of Terrell; two nieces, Patricia Karkoska and husband, Harold of Taylor and Linda Holle and husband, Gerald of Austin; and great-nieces and nephews

Allan Fuller Funeral Home www.allanfullerfuneralhome.com.

Willa Chumley

1936-2016

Funeral services for Willa Dean (Olson) Chumley, 79, of Wills Point, were held April 7, 2016, at Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home in Wills Point. Burial followed at Union Grove Cemetery.

Mrs. Chumley died April 3, 2016.

She was born Nov. 29, 1936, in Glen Rose.

Billy Alexander Sr.

1940-2016

Services for Billy Gene Alexander Sr., 75, of Edgewood, were held April 20, 2016, at Bartley Funeral Home, with Jason Brown officiating. Interment was in Creagleville Cemetery.

Mr. Alexander died April 16, 2016, at his home in Edgewood. 

He was born Sept. 25, 1940, in Van Zandt County.

Dwane Foster

1942-2016

Funeral services for Dwane Foster, 73, of Edgewood, were held April 20, 2016, at Allan Fuller Funeral Home Chapel in Wills Point with the Rev. Ken Byrd officiating. 

.Interment was in Ellis Chapel Cemetery north of Wills Point.

Mr. Foster died Sunday morning, April 17, 2016, in Grand Saline.

He was born Oct. 11, 1942, in Wills Point, the son of Marion Foster and Eva Mae Hall Foster.  He was raised in the Wills Point and Edgewood areas. 

On Aug. 30, 1968, he married Bonnie Jo McLeod in Wills Point.  He was formerly employed by Safeway in Garland and D&D Maintenance in Wills Point, where he was a welder.  He enjoyed fishing, being outdoors and restoring and working on cars.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Edgewood.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Marion “Speck” Foster and Eva Mae Foster; son, Stephen Dwane Foster on Nov. 14, 1998 and a brother, Albert David “Sonny” Foster, Sr.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Jo Foster of Edgewood; two sons, Shawn Foster and wife, Rebekah of Edgewood and Johnny Foster of Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter-in-law, Terrie Spangler of Chandler, Ariz.; eight grandchildren, Kyle Spangler, Chanse Foster, Nacole Beaty, Leah Foster, Kendra Foster, Shayna Foster, Sierra Foster and Haylie Foster; and four great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were David Foster, Terry Hall, Asa Shelby, Daniel Foster, Vince Higgins, Jr., Brian Kennedy, Keith Conley and Lloyd Foster.

Honorary Pallbearers were Jerrald Kennedy, Marvin Foster, Homer McLeod and Chester Paul Hall. 

Allan Fuller Funeral Home www.allanfullerfuneralhome.com.

Florence Warren

1926-2016

Services for Florence Lavern Warren, 89, of Canton, were held April 13, 2016, at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton.

Interment was at Moore-Head Melton Cemetery in Eustace.

Mrs. Warren was born Sept. 14, 1926, in Big Rock to Gordie and Essie Stegall Easley.

She died April 10, 2016, in Canton.

She grew up in the Big Rock Community and attended school in Eustace. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Mabank as well as the Eastern Stars.

She worked in the insurance industry for 35 years and also owned a lawn service with her sister. She enjoyed mowing, yard work and traveling. Every winter, she would travel to Florida and stay until spring.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Gordie and Essie Easley; husband, Arnold Warren; daughter, Barbara Wilkerson; sisters, Mary Ann Head, Edwina Coots and Patsy Lay.

She is survived by her daughter, Linda Roesle; daughter, Betty Nuebauer; 13 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren;  three sisters, Rosa Hamilton, Bobbette Hull and Loette and Lloyd Self; and brother, Charles and Donna Easley.

Donations may be to the American Parkinson Disease Association.

Izilda Thompson

1922-2016

Graveside services for Izilda Grace “Peg” Thompson, 94, of Edgewood, are scheduled for this summer in Nebraska. Services are under the direction of Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home.

Mrs. Thompson died on Saturday, April 9, 2016. 

She was born on March 13, 1922, in Mitchell, Neb. and she remained a life-long Husker fan. She attended the University of Arizona and the University of Nebraska, where she earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree.

She was married to Marvin D. Thompson on Feb. 5, 1945. She taught kindergarten through 12^th grade in a one room country school, while her husband served in the pacific during World War II.

She retired in 1984, from the Credit Bureau of Greater Houston, as Personnel Supervisor.

She was a part of many organizations such as Order of Eastern Star, Daughters of the American Revolution, Alpha Chi Omega, Beta Sigma Phi, and was a member of Hilltop Lakes Chapel in Hilltop.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Marvin D. Thompson; infant son; grandson, Patrick Thompson; a brother and sister.

She is survived by her son, Stuart Thompson and wife, Bernadelle of Hunt; daughter, Susan Brown and husband, James of Edgewood; grandsons, Thomas Thompson and wife, Jessica of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Fletcher Brown and wife, Chealsey of Edgewood, granddaughter, Jamie and husband, Brandon Stowe of Spring; six great grandchildren; brother, James Lee Elliott and wife, Colleen of Mitchell, Neb.

Joe Lynn Stricklin

1945-2016

Joe Lynn Stricklin, 72, of Canton went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus, April 13, 2016, at the VA Hospital in Dallas, after a battle with cancer. 

He was born on March 21, 1945, the only son of Jodie and Maude (Paris) Stricklin, of Martins Mill. 

Mr. Stricklin served his country honorably as an infantryman in Vietnam and received several medals for his service, including the Army Commendation Medal and the Purple Heart. 

After his time in the service, he worked as a manager at GNC for several years, then at a dialysis facility in Tyler and eventually left his work to take care of his widowed father until his passing. 

He was a caring man who loved to help people.  He dedicated himself to many worthy causes and charitable organizations, served on the school board at Martins Mill for several years, helped countless friends and family members in need and was an ardent supporter of the Humane Society. 

He was grateful to be at home for most of his illness due to the compassionate and sacrificial care of several family members and friends, including Brenda Jones, Doug and Sally Beicht and Frank Escobedo.  He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his first cousin Linda Green and several other cousins.

A funeral service was held at Hilliard Funeral Home, April 18. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Stricklin’s name to the Humane Society.

Lennie English

1925-2016

Services for Lennie Mae English, 91, of Edgewood were held April 19, 2016, at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton.  Interment was at Haven of Memories in Canton.

She died Saturday, April 16, 2016, in Canton.

Mrs. English was born May 1, 2016, in Tipton County, Tenn. to Frank and Bessie Beaver Ferguson.

She grew up in Tennessee and moved to Texas in the 1950s. She enjoyed working, family, farm life, taking care of her cows and southern gospel music. She was a member of Pleasant Union Baptist Church in Edgewood.

She is survived by her daughter, Sara Hutson; son, Arnold and Russie English; son, Lynn and Vern English; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, David English; one sister and two brothers.

Interment was at Haven of Memories in Canton.

Janice Melton

1947-2016

Janice Marie Dickerson Melton, 68, Van, died Saturday, April 16, 2016, in Tyler. 

Mrs. Melton was born July 30, 1947 in Ft. Worth.  She had been a resident of Van since 1989 and was a member of Friendly Center Baptist Church.  She worked as a Walmart Associate.

A celebration of her life was held Sunday, April 24, 2016, at her home.

She is preceded in death by a grandson, Cameron Hooks and her parents, Estes Leon Dickerson and Evelyn Mae Shaw Dickerson.

She is survived by three daughters, Lisa Marcum and husband Michael, Gina Griffith and husband, Stephen and Michelle Alonzo; son, Gary Hooks Jr. and wife, Carolina; grandchildren, Nicholle, Tasha, Brandon, Jacob, Brittney, Haili, Kailey, Caleby, Megan, Trevor and Mason; and five great-grandchildren, Andre, Adron, August, Valerie and Alianna.

Mary Jo Fatheree

1925-2016

Mary Jo Fatheree, age 90, of Emory, died Thursday morning, April 21, 2016 at Hospice of East Texas, in Tyler.  Mrs. Fatheree was born July 26, 1925 in Rusk

Morgan Mize

1997-2016

Services for Morgan Leeann Mize was held Thursday, April 28, 2016, at Hilliard Funeral Home with Bro. Wesley Ward and Bro. Vernice Stanaland officiating. 

A graveside service followed at Providence Cemetery. 

Miss Mize was born Oct. 1, 1997, in Sulphur Springs and she went to be with our God in Heaven April 24, 2016, at the young age of 18.  She loved watching Barney. 

Rett Syndrome may have won over her body, but it didn't win over her spirit.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Christopher Mize; grandfather, Ray Armstrong; and uncle, Larry Armstrong.

Survivors include her parents, Edie and Lonny Lee of Van and Jeff Mize and Francis Murillo of Tyler; sister, Sophia Mize of Tyler; step-sister, Bridget Lee of Van; stepbrother, Heath Lee of Van; grandparents, Frankie Armstrong of Grand Saline and Dale and Wilma Mize of Lindale; nephew, Gage Roussel; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Pallbearers were Steve Mize, Jimmy Armstrong, John Russell, Steven McCartney, Corey Smith and Todd Kivett.  Brandon Dodd and Bill Hullum will serve as honorary pallbearers.

If desired, memorials may be made in Morgan's honor to Rettsyndrome.org, P.O. Box 706143, Cincinnati, OH 45270-6143.

Cleborn Love

1924-2016

Services for Cleborn Odell "Peanut" Love, 91, of Grand Saline, were held Monday, May 2, 2016, at Sand Flat Baptist Church with Bro. Ed Ridge and Bro. Dennis Morris officiating.

Interment was in Sand Flat Cemetery under the direction of Bartley Funeral Home.
Mr. Love died April 28, 2016, in Tyler. He was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Wood County.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas, Gideons International or Sand Flat Baptist Church.
 

Jim Pearce

1958-2016

Services for Jim “Buck” Pearce, 57, of Grand Saline were held Sunday, May 1, 2016, at Lloyd James Funeral Home Chapel with Ron Wells officiating.  Burial was in Oakland Cemetery in Canton.

Mr. Pearce died Wednesday, April 27, 2016, at his home in Grand Saline.

He was born June 21, 1958, in Garland to Willie Ray and Norman Jean May Pearce.  He graduated from Edgewood High School, worked construction, was a ranch hand in Wyoming and worked in the oilfield workover service for 30 years. 

He was employed by Mercer Well Service and kept rigs out for BASA Resources.  He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt all over the world, having been to Zambia, Namibia and South Africa, Russia, Mexico, Aruba, Canada, Australia, Hawaii and many Alaskan fishing trips.

Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of 23 years, Ericki Pearce; his daughter, Emily Guyon; mother, Norma Jean Pearce of Canton; brother, Greg Pearce and wife, Starla of Canton; mother-in-law, Wanda Clanahan of Tyler; brother-in-law, Dwayne Clanahan of Gladewater; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and a nephew,

He was preceded in death by his father, Ray Pearce; grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Pallbearers were Gustavo Balasko, Howard Gentry, Dave “Homie” Harrison, Jr., Buck rice, Denny Sloan and Howard Langley.

Honorary pallbearers wee Dee Headley, Robert Eaton, Chris Gaby, R.T. Foster, Terry Harrison, Steven Melton, Mike Foster and Larry Kolton.

In lieu of flowers, donations made be made to your charity of choice in honor of Jim Pearce.

Joe Cook

1936-2016

Funeral services for Joe Donald Cook, 80, of Gun Barrel City, formerly of Wills Point, were held Monday, May 2, 2016, at Allan Fuller Funeral Home Chapel in Wills Point. 

Interment followed at White Rose Cemetery in Wills Point.

Mr. Cook died Friday, April 29, 2016, in Gun Barrel City.

He was born Jan. 10, 1936, in Wills Point.

Allan Fuller Funeral Home www.allanfullerfuneralhome.com.

Kerry Dan Bourne

1956-2016

Kerry Bourne died Friday, April 29, 2016, at his home in Lonoke, Ark. at the age of 59.  He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 35 years, Judy Lynn Bourne.  

They were high school sweethearts at Canton High School in Canton, and married soon after.  They moved to Louisiana and eventually Arkansas, where they lived together and raised their children Shelby and Schafer.  

Mr. Bourne was born July 7, 1956, in San Benito to “T.A.” and Amelia Bourne.  He followed in his father’s footsteps, working for Amoco for 16 years.  He then became a successful business owner and entrepreneur and eventually retired in Lonoke, Ark., where Mrs. Bourne worked as a school guidance counselor. 

He was the proud and loving father of Shelby and Schafer, encouraging them in all of their goals and dreams. He was a dog lover and he and his wife rescued many dogs throughout their life together. 

He enjoyed traveling and especially loved barbequing and cooking with and for his family.  He was an avid collector of antique cameras and loved vintage cars. 

He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Thomas Allen Bourne and Mary Amelia Land Bourne of Canton; father and mother-in-law, Robert and Maxine Mewbourne of Martins Mill, and his wife Judy of Lonoke, Ark.  

He is survived by his daughter, Shelby Bourne, 29, of Fayetteville, Ark. and son, Schafer Bourne, 24, of Los Angeles, Calif.  He is also survived by his brother, Allen Bourne of Marshall; brother, Michael Bourne and his wife Jodi, Wimberley; sisters, Sandra Bourne Ford, Bryan and Sherry Bourne of Canton; a sister-in-law, Merribeth Norman and her husband, Jerry of Canton; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. 

He was a devoted husband and father, beloved brother and good friend to many.  He always had a smile on his face and enjoyed making others smile as well. 

He was laid to rest next to Mrs. Bourne in a small gathering of family and friends at Holly Springs Cemetery in Martins Mill, Saturday, May 7. 

Donations in his memory can be made to the Friends of the Lonoke Animal Shelter, 107 W. 2^nd Street, Lonoke Ark. 72086, 501-676-2422.  

Sara Howell

1928-2016

Funeral services for Sara Annette Howell, 88, of Wills Point, were held Thursday, May 5, 2016, at Calvary Baptist Church in Wills Point with Dr. Gene Lindsey officiating.  Interment followed at White Rose Cemetery in Wills Point under the direction of Allan Fuller Funeral Home in Wills Point.

Ms. Howell died Sunday night, May 1, 2016, in Canton. 

She was born Jan. 23, 1928, in the Center Community north of Wills Point at the family farm with the late Dr. H.T. Fry in attendance.  She was the first born child to Robert Wade Howell and Carrie Banks Norwood Howell. 

She graduated from Wills Point High School in 1944 and attended Rutherford Business School in Dallas.  Her first job was in the Post Exchange Office.  In 1946, she began working for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in the Dallas accounting office.  Later, she was transferred to Wills Point to open a business office. 

Wills Point had grown and the operators were no longer able to collect bills and take service orders.  With the growth after Lake Tawakoni was completed, Wills Point records and she were moved to Terrell. 

In June1982, the Terrell office closed and she retired after 35 years and eight months of service.  After retirement, she worked part-time for 12 years at the Wills Point Chamber of Commerce.  Sara was an investor at Allan Fuller Funeral Home and she started helping in the office when it opened in 1996.  She enjoyed coming to work in the afternoons, doing whatever she could to help out.  She still played an important role at the funeral home up until the last few months, when she was no longer able to come.  She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and a Charter member of Calvary Baptist Church.   

She is preceded in death by her parents, Wade and Carrie Howell; grandparents, H. Blount and Lela B. Howell and J. Allie and Sarah Kay Norwood; brother and sister-in-law, Robert Norwood “Buddy” and Patricia “Pat” Howell; brother-in-law, D.L. Fuller; nephew, Bobby Gene Howell; niece, Sara Ann Fuller and her niece’s husband, Bryan Henson.

She is survived by her sister, Allye Frances Fuller of Wills Point; two nephews, Allan Fuller and wife, Darlane of Wills Point and Selby Fuller of Wills Point; two nieces, Marilyn Henson of Commerce and Mary Garner and husband, Bill of Austin; five great-nephews, Shane Fuller and wife, Rachel of Wills Point, Bryan Henson and wife, Leigh-Ann of Waco, Wade Henson and wife, Megan of Austin, Cody Garner of Austin and Rusty Knouss of Austin; three great-nieces, Tami Adams and husband, Josh of Wills Point, Holly Nutt and husband, Chris of Campbell and Camille Fuller of Houston; great-great-nephew, Cade Adams, of Wills Point; great-great nieces, Kilynn Fuller, of Wills Point, Landri Fuller of Wills Point, Stella Nutt of Campbell, Breelyn Adams, of Wills Point and Heidi Henson of Waco; special friend and caretaker, Dorthy Dillard of Wills Point and other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers were Shane Fuller, Bryan Henson, Wade Henson, Chris Nutt, Josh Adams and Cade Adams.

Honorary pallbearers were deacons at Calvary Baptist Church

Allan Fuller Funeral Home www.allanfullerfuneralhome.com.

Wilma Rash

1927-2016

Services for Wilma Rash, 88, of Grand Saline, were held Sunday, May 1, 2016, at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Mark Pedersen officiating.

Interment was in Haven of Memories, Canton.

Mrs. Rash died April 28, 2016, in Quitman.  She was born Aug. 29, 1927, in Colfax.

Memorials may be made to FUMC of Grand Saline.

Jerrel Saunders

1932-2016

Memorial services for Jerrel Dean Neal Saunders, 84, of Grand Saline, were held May 7, 2016, at Bartley Funeral Home, with Bro. Jimmy Dickinson II officiating.

Mrs. Saunders died April 28, 2016, in Tyler.  She was born Jan. 2, 1932, in Grand Saline to Sidney Johnson and Zora Hudgins Neal. 

She worked as a waitress and lived all of her life in Grand Saline.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Pree Saunders; daughter, Laquita Brewer; brother, Kenneth Neal; three sisters, Lorena Marshall, Vertie Stone, and Willie Mae Woods; and granddaughter, Kelley Harris.

Survivors include special niece, Kathy Marshall Boltin and husband, Darrell of Terrell; grandson, Ray Harris; nieces, Glenda Joslin of Mesquite, Jo Lynch and husband, William of Mesquite, Debbie Gilchrist and husband, Billy of Ben Wheeler, Sherry Aulie of Grand Saline, Mary Thacker of New Orleans, La., and Vickie Franklin and husband, Steve of Sanford, N.C.; nephews, Bobby Woods and wife, Charlene of Adkins, Jackie Woods of Lockhart, and Elmer Woods of Ben Wheeler; cousin, Bernice Marrett of Grand Saline; sister-in-law, Dessie Neal of Ben Wheeler; and special friend, Carmel Denton of Grand Saline.

Memorials can be made to Azalea Trails Activity Department.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time.

Audie Mae Shiflet

1918-2016

Audie Mae Shiflet, age 97, of Emory, died Mother’s Day Sunday, May 8, 2016 at Sulphur Springs Health and Rehabilitation Center. 

She was born Oct. 25, 1918, in Hogansville, near Emory.