Lula Jean Clayborne

1927-2016

Lula Jean Clayborne, 89, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Baylor Hospital in Fort Worth Aug. 30, 2016. 

Graveside service was held Sept. 1, 2016, at Moore Memorial Gardens.
Mrs. Clayborne was born in Wills Point on April 7, 1927.  She and her late husband, Richard Booker Clayborne, served as minister and wife for the Christian churches in Waxahachie, Borger, San Antonio, Midland, Houston and Arlington.

She always had three loves in her life, her family, her religion and tennis. In fact she played tennis up until a stroke back in 2014 sidelined her.

She was a wonderful mother to all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and will be missed by all – Rest in peace “Granny Lulu” as she was called by many!
She is survived by her three children, Richard David Clayborne (Fran), Dixie Jean Clayborne McIntyre (Ernest) and Terry Mason Clayborne (Janette); five grandchildren, Caroline Clayborne Pradier, Barbara Clayborne Baker, Heather McIntyre Wheatley, Zachery Clayborne McIntyre and Kimberly Jean Clayborne; three great grandchildren, Cass Wheatley, Caris Wheatley and Colin Wheatley; her sister Shirley Ann Johnson Flowers; and many nieces and nephews.

Otha Jackson

1934-2016

Otha Lee Jackson, 82, of Emory, died Sept. 4, 2016, at his home.

Funeral services were held Sept. 10, 2016, at Wilson-Orwosky Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. R.R. Martin and the Rev. Bobby Thomas officiating. 

Burial was at Prairie Grove Cemetery.

Mr. Jackson was born May 3, 1934, in Emory.

Christopher Neeley

1995-2016

Christopher Blake Neeley died Sept. 4, 2016. He was born Jan. 20, 1995, in Sulphur Springs, the son of Rickey Lee Neeley and Maci Marlene Thornton Chapman.

Mr. Neeley grew up in Canton and Weatherford and graduated from Aledo High School in 2013. He was passionate about music and played the guitar. He loved to read and had a love for animals. He dreamed about going back to Canton to live on the family land.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jerry Tharp and Howard and Leta Neeley and great-grandparents Norma Lee Holt and James W. Collins.

He is survived by mother, Maci Chapman and William Jimenez; dad, Perry Chapman; sisters, Stephanie Leigh Neeley, Ashley Chapman, Torri Jimenez and Trinity Jimenez; brothers, Nicholas Lane, Andrea Marie Neeley and Conner Chapman; grandparents, Brenda Tharp and Gerald and Nelda Chapman; niece, Adelaide Marie Neeley; uncle, Jason Green and numerous extended family and friends.

A memorial service was held Sept. 8 at North Side Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Parker County Animal Shelter in his name.

Frankie Hindman

1940-2016

Funeral services for Frankie Ralph Hindman, 76, of Edgewood were held  Sept. 12, 2016, at the First Baptist Church in Edgewood.  Burial followed at Small Cemetery.

Services were under direction of Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home in Edgewood.

Mr. was born Aug. 22, 1940, to the late Ira Birnam Hindman and Nancy Minniebell Farthing Hindman. Following graduation from Edgewood High School, he married Jean Audrey Pearce, the love of his life on Feb.19, 1960.  They made their home and raised their family in Edgewood.  He owned and operated Edgewood Auto Parts.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Edgewood and was a member of the Messenger Class.

He loved playing baseball during his school years, and then went on to coach little league baseball. He is an avid fan of the Texas Rangers and enjoyed watching all of their games.

He is preceded in death by his parents, as well as, wife, Jean Audrey Hindman; daughter, Kimberly Hindman; brothers, Billy Paul Hindman, B.B. Hindman and R.C. Hindman and sister, Inez Fisher.

He is survived by his daughters, Tammy Tidwell and husband, David of Edgewood and Donna Hindman of Wills Point; sister, Maybell Robertson and husband, James of Edgewood; grandchildren, Kristal Jones and husband, Colt of Edgewood, Renee Smith and husband, Troy of Edgewood, Ryan Robertson and wife Lynette of Dallas and Trey Robertson of Alma Colo.; great grandchildren, Crew, Easton and Josie Jones and Trip and Gunner Smith.

George Turner

1926-2016

Services for George “Dick” Turner were held Sept. 14, 2016, at Holly Springs Cemetery in Martins Mill. Bro. Ronnie Daniell officiated under the direction of Eubank Funeral Home. 

Interment was at Holly Springs Cemetery in Martins Mill.

Mr. Turner died peacefully at his home in Canton Sept. 10, 2016.

He was born July 2, 1926, in Clayton, Okla., to Elijah “Jack” Turner and Lula Mae Nash.

He grew up in Van and was a proud graduate of Van High School class of 1945.

He worked as a mechanic and a brick tender for a short time after high school before going to work for Texas Power and Light as a meter reader. He spent 32 years for TP&L, working his way up to become a service tech before retiring.

He was an avid Dallas Cowboy fan who enjoyed woodworking, carpentry, reading the Tyler News, and feeding the squirrels and birds in is yard.

One of his favorite things to do was keeping up with the family’s latest news, near and far. He was a man who never passed up a good deal on any new, used or partially destroyed tool.

He is survived by his wife, Neoma Turner of Canton; son, Steven and Lori Turner of St. Louis, Mo; daughter, Tammy Lynn and Brad Hobgood of Ft. Worth; son, Phillip Turner of Des Moines, Iowa; step daughter, Kathy Perkins; step son, Douglas Briggs; step daughter, Carol Gamboa; grandchildren, Olivia, Courtney, Austin, Katy, Lucas, Morgan, Garrett, Benjamin, Elijah, Matthew and Marisa; great grandchildren, Kaylynn, Christian, and Kynsley.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Lula Mae Turner; wife, Ira Nell Daniel Turner; daughter, Cynthia Kay Ruezga; sisters, Katy, Bobbie, Maggie, Eileen and Anna and brother, Albert.

Harold Scott

1949-2016

Harold Milton Scott went to be with the Lord on Sept. 8, 2016.  He had fought a long battle with cancer.  He was born Aug. 16, 1949 to Lester and Ruth Scott in Dallas.  He was a retired cement mason and had moved to Van Zandt County upon retirement.  He became a member of the Whitton Volunteer Fire Department, which he dearly loved. 

He is survived by his wife, Susie Scott of the Whitton Community; brother, Mike Scott and Janie, Duncanville; son, Dwayne Scott, Log Cabin; daughter, Melinda Evans and Billy of Log Cabin; stepsons, Mitch Utsey and Bailey, Santa Rosa, Calif. and Jesse Martinez and Nina, Cedar Hill; step daughter, Heather Witt, Midlothian; 17 grandchildren; three great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. His youngest son, Alan of Rio Vista, passed away three days after his death. 

He was preceded in death by his sister, Annette Youngblood and his parents.

A Memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016 at the Whitton Church of Christ on FM 1651 at 2410.

Jackie Smith

1953-2016

Jackie Lee Smith, age 63, of Emory, died Sept. 9, 2016, at his home.

Full military funeral service was held Sept. 14, 2016, at Lake Fork Baptist Church in Alba. Interment was in Lake Fork Memorial Cemetery in Alba with military detail present.

Mr. Smith was born in Greenville on June 10, 1953.

Jeffery Conn

1970-2016

Graveside services for Jeffery Michael Conn, 46, of Wills Point, were held Sept. 7, 2016, at White Rose Cemetery in Wills Point.  Services were under direction of Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home.

Mr. Conn died Sept. 3, 2016, at his home in Wills Point.

He was born June 4, 1970, in Waco, to George Olin Conn and Molly Mayfield Sanders.  He was a lifelong resident of Wills Point.  Jeff worked as a framer in the residential construction industry. 

He was an avid fisherman and loved living at the lake.  He attended the State Fair of Texas every year on the first opening day and would stay all day.  He always called it “my vacation.”

He is survived by his mother, Molly Mayfield Sanders and husband, Don of Wills Point; father, George Conn and wife, Oma of Cedar Hill; grandmother, Beatrice Conn of Wills Point; siblings, Heath Conn and wife, Debbie of Bothell, Wash., Amy Conn of Cedar Hill, Tracy Lowe and husband, Bruce of Wills Point and Norman Lyles of Cedar Hill; nephew, Eric Conn of Bothell, Wash. and girlfriend, Julie Sigmund of Edgewood and numerous other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society.

Jennifer Langford

1971-2016

Funeral services for Jennifer Lynn Langford, 44, of Wills Point, were held Sept. 9, 2016, at Allan Fuller Funeral Home Chapel in Wills Point. 

Interment followed at White Rose Cemetery in Wills Point.

She passed away Sept. 6, 2016, at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler. 

She was born Nov. 30, 1971, in Grand Saline.

Allan Fuller Funeral Home – www.allanfullerfuneralhome.com.

Lonnie Hastings

1970-2016

Lonnie Marvin Hastings, 46, of Grand Saline, passed away Sept. 11, 2016, at his residence in Grand Saline. 

Mr. Hastings was born Jan. 17, 1970, in Waxahachie to Janice Winn and Freddie Jerald Hastings Sr. His early years were spent in Wilmer Hutchins and he has lived the last 20 years in Grand Saline.

He has been the track photographer at the Super Bowl Speedway in Greenville for the last three years. He served on the Grand Saline Volunteer Fire Department and was also a member of Riverside Mission Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife of 16 years, Sherry Rosamond Hastings of Grand Saline; daughter, Taylor Elaine Hastings of Grand Saline; brother, Freddie Jerald Hastings Jr. and wife, Melanie of Grand Saline; two nephews, Justin Hastings and wife, Kerra of San Antonio and Christopher Hastings and wife, Whitley of Quitman; two great-nephews, Aiden Hastings and Jayden Hastings; in-laws, Jerry and Alice Rosamond of Grand Saline; brother-in-law, Dwight Rosamond and wife, Monica of Grand Saline and their children, Nina, Emily, Margaret, and Harold Rosamond; and Taylor’s “God Mother,” Trena Brand of Fruitvale.

The family will have a memorial service at a later date.

Margaret Crayton

1927-2016

Funeral services for Margaret Lee Pritchett Crayton, 89, of Wills Point, were held Sept. 15, 2016, at Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home in Wills Point.  Burial followed at White Rose Cemetery in Wills Point.

Mrs. Crayton died Sept. 11, 2016.

She was born Jan. 8, 1927, in Pottsboro, to Cecil Pritchett and Iva Maurine Stuart. She was raised in Dallas, where she also attended school. She married Paul Ray Crayton in Corpus Christi  on Aug. 23, 1943. They made their home in Dallas moving to Wills Point in 1982.

She was a homemaker and enjoyed singing, dancing and loved her flower garden. She was a member of Newman Park Baptist Church, where she was very involved and sang in the choir.

She is preceded in death by parents, Cecil and Maurine Pritchett; husband, Paul Ray Crayton; an infant son and a sister, Avanell Conway.

She is survived by her son, Will Crayton and wife, Kelly of Forney; daughters, Pam Comer and husband, Thomas of Terrell and Paula Yates and husband, Doug of Sunnyvale; brother, C.H. Pritchett of Combine; grandchildren, Gregory Yates, Holly Malone and husband, Brad, Paul Crayton and wife, Julie, Chad Comer and wife, Amanda, Kayce Ridd and husband, John, Kyle Crayton and wife, Jenni and Ashlee Yates; twenty great grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Veda Hayes

1956-2016

Funeral services for Veda Glen Hayes, 60, of Mesquite, formerly of Wills Point, were held Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Wills Point.  Interment followed at Greenwood Cemetery in Wills Point under the direction of Allan Fuller Funeral Home in Wills Point.

Ms. Hayes died Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, in Mesquite.

She was born Aug. 20, 1956.

Allan Fuller Funeral Home www.allanfullerfuneralhome.com.

Dorothy Barker

1929-2016

Services for Dorothy Joy Barker (Shields) 87, of Canton, were held Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, at Bartley Funeral Home.

She was born Sept. 13, 1929, in the Oakland Community in Van Zandt County. Interment will be in the Oakland Cemetery.

George Medley IV

1944-2016

George Edward Medley IV, 71, died Sept. 16, 2015, at East Texas Medical Center in Athens. 

He was born Dec, 7, 1944, in Owensboro, Ky., the fifth child of Edwin Wathen Medley and Louva Ford Medley. 

He grew up in Owensboro attending Blessed Mother and St. Stephens Catholic elementary schools and graduated from Owensboro Catholic High School in 1962.  He played football at Murray State University in Murray, Ky. and finished his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Brescia College (now University) in Owensboro while working part time at Medley Distilling Company. 

In 1966, he married his college sweetheart Sarah Elizabeth (Sally) Atkins. During the Vietnam era he was drafted into the Army and served at Fort Knox, Ky., from 1969-1971. After his service, he resumed working at Medley Distilling Company in Owensboro in the quality control lab.  He, his brothers and cousins were the seventh generation distillers of Kentucky bourbon following in the footsteps of their father, distillers of Medley Brothers and Five Brothers Kentucky Bourbon. 

During this time he volunteered coaching the 7^th and 8^th grade basketball and football teams for Blessed Mother and Immaculate Conception Catholic schools.  For approximately three years he was an insurance and estate planning agent for Northwestern Mutual.

In 1978, he came to Texas to work for Delta Drilling Company in Tyler. He retired from the oil and gas industry after 28 years in December 2005.

He enjoyed all sports, especially football, reading, traveling and was a great animal lover. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin Wathen Medley and Louva Ford Medley; sister, Margaret Montgomery Medley Stanley; and brothers, Joseph Ford Medley, James Bernard Medley II and Byron Edwin Medley Sr. 

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sally Medley of Canton; son, Edwin Wathen Medley and wife Penny of Arkadelphia, Ark.; daughter, Julia Medley Haskins and husband Jasen of Wylie; daughter, Katherine Medley Sixbey of El Dorado, Ark.; seven grandchildren, Sidney Brook Medley and Collin Joseph Medley, Christopher Liam Haskins and Katherine Anne Haskins, Sarah Olivia Sixbey, John Thomas Sixbey and George Patrick Sixbey; and one sister, Cora Ellen Medley McKinley of Elizabethtown, Ky. 

He was a founding member of St. Therese Catholic Church in Canton; a member and past president of the Holy Name Society, an active participate in Catholic Charities, a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, and a Friend of the Van Zandt  County Library.

Interment will be in Haven of  Memories.  Pallbearers were Manuel Chabarria, David Perez, Duane Musgrave, Pete Cantu, Mike Martin, and Jasen Haskins.  Honorary pallbearers are his four grandsons. 

 In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations to an Animal Humane Society.               

Janice Payne

1932-2016

Memorial services for Janice Virginia Payne, 84, of Tyler, were held on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016, at Meadow Lakes in Tyler with the Rev. Bob Green officiating, under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home.            

 Mrs. Payne passed away Sunday, Sept. 11,2016, in Tyler.

 She was born Jan. 12, 1932, in Dallas to Clifford and Rena Tull.

 She spent her early years in Edgewood then attended Arlington Junior College, Texas State Women’s  College and Long Beach City College, majoring in art and merchandising.

After college she started modeling at Neiman-Marcus Department store in Dallas and from there went to New York City, modeling for various dress houses on 7^th Avenue which she said “was an experience she will never forget.”  She became so valuable that she was sent out to 23 states with one manufactures’ line and only returned to New York four times a year to pick up the new designs.

Her desire for travel increased and she took a job with Braniff Airlines as a hostess.  She was with them for two years and after a South American vacation of six weeks she decided to come back to the United States and settle down.  She married Jesse “Jess” Payne on Nov. 25, 1959, and they were married for 44 years, until his death.

She and Jess earned their real estate licenses in Nevada where they worked until 1970.  They then moved to Fallbrook, Calif., and bought an avocado grove and opened a real estate office.  Working in the avocado grove was a family affair for Jess, Jan and Jason and their five dogs and 11 cats.  After Jess died, she moved to Tyler to take care of her mother, finding time to do volunteer work and play bridge, making many new “bridge” friends.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Jesse “Jess” Payne.

She is survived by her loving family including her son, Jason Payne of Vista, Calif.,; daughter, Carol Johnson of Fredericksburg; and cousins in Van Zandt County.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Hospice of East Texas Foundation 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701.

Jimmy Ross Brown

1945-2016

Jimmy Ross Brown was born Dec. 1, 1945, to Harry Leo Brown and Myrble May Kinsworthy.  He died Sept. 10, 2016, at his home in Wills Point.

He is survived by his mother, Myrble Brown; wife, Norma of Wills Point; children, Robin, James and Anthony; grandchildren, Ashley, Keland, Kirstie, Wade, Shelbi, C.J., Jason, Allison and Isaiah; great-grandchildren, Cheyene, Khyland, Cassidy, Lillian Marie, Brayden and Kaison; siblilngs, Jesse and Fay Brown of Hinesville, Ga., Jan Vinzandt of Wills Point, Jeanie and Jim Secor of Ruidoso, N.M. and John and Charlene Brown of Breckenridge.

A celebration of life will be held in October.

Joy Biggs

1927-2016

Services for Joy Biggs, 89, of Ben Wheeler were held Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016, at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton with Bro. Jerry Truett, Bro. Carolton Young, and Bro. Billy Parks officiating.

Graveside services were held at Haven of Memories Memorial Park in Canton.

Mrs. Biggs died Sept. 2, 2016, in North Richland Hills.

She was born on July 14, 1927, in Wheeler to Andy and Oda Wilson Wood.

She was an active member and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church in Ben Wheeler as well as the Van Zandt County Choir. She was also an active contributor of the Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial. She was the original Uber for her family and significant others.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, J.D. Biggs; one brother; and four sisters.

She is survived by her daughters; Judy and Danny McMillan of Bullard; Diane and Dan Langham of North Richland Hills; and Millie and Charlie Langham of Boyd; seven grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and sister, Darlene and Lester Shue of Cleburne. 

In lieu of flowers please make contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

May McBride

 1926-2016

Graveside services for May Deen McBride, 90, of Wylie, formerly of Wills Point, were held Monday, Sept. 19, 2016, at White Rose Cemetery in Wills Point with Pastor David Cartwright officiating. 

Services were under the direction of Allan Fuller Funeral Home in Wills Point.

She passed away Friday morning, Sept. 16, 2016, in Wylie.

She was born March 25, 1926, in Wills Point, the daughter of Everett Herman Harris and Fronie May Rinks Harris.  She was raised in Wills Point in 1943, she graduated from Wills Point High School. 

In January 1944, she married Wayne McBride.  She was formerly employed by Sears and Roebuck Company in Dallas for several years.  She was of the Methodist faith.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Fronie Harris; husband, Wayne McBride; daughter, Judy Coffey; two sisters, Corinne Denn and Syble Spencer and a son-in-law, William Coffey.

Survivors include two sons, Skip McBridand wife, Louise of Mt. Pleasant, Mike McBride and wife, Debbie, of Garland and Dennis McBride and wife, Candace; nine grandchildren, Jennifer Stevens, Christie McBride, Scott Coffey and wife Nancy, Susan Coffey, Candace Chavez and husband Abel, Toy Baxter, Amanda Baxter, and Chelsea Baxter; 15 great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren. Pallbearers were Mike McBride, Skip McBride, Dennis McBride, Scott Coffey, Randy Denn and Richard Cole.

Johnny Davis

1946-2016

Services for Mr. Johnny Paul Davis, 70, of Grand Saline, were held Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, at Bartley Funeral Home with Bro. Eddie Paul Stanley officiating.

Military honors and graveside services followed at Woodside Cemetery.

Mr. Davis passed away Sept. 23, 2016, at his home.  He was born Sept.11, 1946, in Grand Saline to Coy and Josephine Sloan Davis. 

He served in the US Army in Vietnam. He spent most all of his life in Grand Saline where he worked in construction as a carpenter, was a member of Grand Saline Masonic Lodge 1269 and VFW 6635. 

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Jeana Davis of Grand Saline; two sons, Brandon Davis and wife Stephanie and Hadrian Davis, all of Grand Saline; three daughters, Lana Maxfield and husband Micah, Rachel Davis and Presley Davis, all of Grand Saline; brother, Jackie Davis and wife Theresa of Grand Saline; four sisters, Betty Adams and husband Russell of Grand Saline, Judy Adams and husband Phil of Grand Saline, Kay Mason and husband Mike of College Station and Brenda Thompson and husband Bob of Grand Saline; 10 grandchildren, Colby Davis, Brooke and Clay Hamessley, Layla and Justin Walker, Landon Davis, Ally and Emmitt Kindle, Lane Davis, Jacob Stallcup, Livia Green, Lilia Green and Camden Davis; two great-grandchildren, Colt and Kori Kindle; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers were Shannon Hardt, Joey Davis, Rodney Davis, Casey Davis, Jason Adams and Chad Green.

Honorary pallbearers were Brent Hutto, Shane LeVasseur, Sean LaVasseur, Chad LaVasseur and Lance Kruse.

Christy Ray

1974-2016

Services for Christy Deann Ray, 41, of Martins Mill, were held on Thursday, Sept. 22, at the Eubank Funeral Chapel.  Interment will be in Haven of Memories Memorial Park. 

Ms. Ray passed away Saturday, Sept. 17, in Tyler.  She was born Oct. 24, 1974, in Dallas to Robert Earl and Gayle Sue Hargrove Carpenter. 

Christy was a Baptist by faith.  She graduated North Mesquite High School in 1993.  She had lived in Martins Mill for the past 20 years.  Christy loved volunteering at the Martins Mill School, listening to music and shopping.  She was always interested in the medical field.

Ms. Ray is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Gayle Carpenter, and her daughter, Katherine Marie Ray.

Christy is survived by her son, Johnathan Ray; daughter, Ashley Gayle Rowe, both of Martins Mill; uncle, Allen Hargrove of Farmers Branch; and the father of her children, John Ray of Terrell. 

Pallbearers will be Johnathan Ray, John Ray, Allen Hargrove, Tim Ray, Danny Ray and Michael Rowe.