Billy Nichols

1938-2016

Memorial services for Billy Ray Nichols, 77, Canton, were held Jan. 16, 2016, at Hilliard Funeral Home with Bro. Marshall Wesson officiating.

Mr. Nichols died Jan. 13, 2016, in Tyler.

He was born Feb. 20, 1938, in Dalton, Okla. to the late Tom Nichols and Bessie McNeil Nichols. He worked as a truck driver and enjoyed fishing.

He was preceded in death by sisters, Wilma Foster (his twin), Paulette Barrett, Leona Hunter, Patsy Thomas and Hazel Hall.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Nichols of Canton; son, Chad Nichols of Dallas; three brothers, Lee Nichols and wife, Evelyn of Garland, Jack Nichols of Nevada and Butch Nichols of Rowlett; and two sisters, Mildred Woods of Garland and Pauline Dalton of Phoenix, Ariz.

Charles Cash

1942-2016

Memorial services for Charles Edward Cash, 73, of Edgewood, are scheduled for 2 p.m., Monday, Jan. 25, 2015, at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton, with Bro. Mark Robinson officiating.

Mr. Cash died Jan. 18, 2016, in Edgewood.

He was born on July 20, 1942, in Dayton, Ohio, to Raymond Edgar and Lavina Hohnhorst Cash.

He was a veteran of the United States Air Force. He owned and operated Sulphur Springs Hydraulics and later C & L Hydraulic and Machine Shop in Edgewood. 

He was a member of the Lake Country Antique Tractor Club and enjoyed helping the Sulphur Springs FFA with numerous projects for the kids involved. He was always found working and loved farming, John Deere tractors and RFD TV. 

He is preceded in death by his parents; and Tammy Cash.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Dale Reed of Commerce; daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Doug Williams of Commerce; son, Duane Cash of Fresno, Calif.; grandchildren, Brittany and Phillip Bishop, Kansas Tarpley, Lane Reed, Logan Reed, Kiland Cash and Kaiden Cash; great-grandchildren, Kaytlynn, Abigail, and Chandler Bishop; brother, Richard and Dixie Cash of Brookville, Ohio; sister, Carolyn Martin; life partner and her family, Linda Ranne, Melanie and Nathan Douglas, Robin and Josh Smetak, and Clay Douglas; and numerous friends and family.

Gary Yancey

1937-2016

Services for Gary Keith Yancey, 78, of the Walton Community were held Jan. 22, 2016, at the Zion Hill Assembly of God with Pastor Randy Fisher officiating under the direction of Eubank Funeral Home in Canton.  Burial will be in the Meredith Campground Cemetery.
Mr. Yancey lost his battle with cancer and met his Lord Monday, Jan.  16, 2016.  He was born Aug. 21, 1937, to Charles and Bertha Morris Yancey.

Mr. Yancey was an ordained Assembly of God minister.  He was well known as the “man on the square” around the Canton courthouse.  He witnessed to many people and told of God’s love and goodness.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Murphy Yancey; son, Charles Yancey and wife, Tammie; and five grandchildren, Jessica, Cheyler, Topanga, Christopher and Gabriel; brother, Kenneth Yancey; many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Elissa Hood; infant daughter, Kathryn Rose; brother, Kelly; and sister-in-law, Kathleen Yancey.

Jimmy Williams

1946-2016

Funeral services for Jimmy Darrell Williams, 69, of Powderly, were held Jan. 18, 2016, at Allan Fuller Funeral Home Chapel in Wills Point. 

Interment followed at White Rose Cemetery in Wills Point.

Mr. Williams died Friday, Jan. 15, 2016.

He was born Nov. 5, 1946, in Meridian.

Allan Fuller Funeral Home www.allanfullerfuneralhome.com

Mary Hendrix

1929-2015

Services for Mary Evelyne Hendrix, 86, of Canton, were held Dec. 23, 2015, at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton with Beau Cox officiating. Interment was in Haven of Memories Memorial Park.

Mrs. Hendrix was born Nov. 28, 1929, in Dallas to James and Bama May Gibbs.

She died Dec. 21, 2015, in Canton.

She was a member of First Baptist Church of Canton. She was married 57 years to her husband, Eugene Hendrix.  She cared about her family deeply, she loved to cook, bake, and take care of her home.

In addition to her home, she also had a successful career at American National Bank in Canton as a banking officer.  

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Eugene “Pete” Hendrix; and great–grandson, Jacob Wesley Norrell.

She is survived by her daughter, Sharon and Tim Cox of Canton; sister, Birdie Smith of Canton; sister, Ernest “Tootie” Shelton of Canton; grandson, John Norrell of Canton; grandson, Beau and Andrea Cox of Canton; five great-grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth Norrell, Emilie Grace Norrell, Gabriel Timothy Cox, Ella Claire Norrell, and Isaac Emmanuel Robert Cox; and other relatives, family, and friends.

Michael Joyner

1949-2016

Former Wills Point businessman and city council member, Michael Lee Joyner, died at home unexpectedly Dec. 14, 2015, in Reno, Nev.

He owned R & M Communications in Wills Point for over 20 years. He also worked for the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s department and E.L. Marsden Wireless in Terrell before moving to Reno two years ago.

Mr. Joyner,66, was born Aug. 2, 1949, in Jacksonville and was the only child of Leroy Edgar Joyner Jr. and Edith Wright Joyner McNabb.

He grew up in Edgewood and graduated from Edgewood High School and Trinity Valley (Henderson County) Community College where he received an associate of science degree in electronics.

He was well-known for his expertise in commercial communication equipment and was a ham radio operator, an interest he continued in Reno.

He is survived by his son, Matthew Lee Joyner of Gladewater; stepsister and husband ,Carolyn and Conley Smith of Denver, Colo.; and stepbrother and wife, Jimmy and Nancy McNabb of Austin. He is also survived by several cousins, including Candace Wingo and husband, Jerry Hollister of Wills Point.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Leroy Edgar (Buck) Joyner Jr. and Edith Wright Joyner McNabb; and stepfather James Lee McNabb all of Edgewood.

Cremation services were provided by O’Brien-Rogers & Crosby Funeral Home in Reno.  Graveside services are planned for 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Edgewood. Jim Ballard, a close family friend, will officiate at the service. Friends and family are invited to attend the informal ceremony.

Ruth Oxford

1925-2016

Services for LaRuth Rucker Carter Oxford were held Jan. 16, 2016, at Hilliard Funeral Home with Dwight Lawson officiating. 

She was laid to rest at Haven of Memories Cemetery, Canton.

Mrs. Oxford was born April 7, 1925, in Grand Saline and died at the age of 90 on Jan. 13, 2016.

If desired, memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, 75701 or Children’s Emergency Family Relief Fund, c/o Fruitvale Church of Christ, 301 VZCR 1110, Fruitvale, 75127.

Stephen Howell

1944-2016

Stephen Earl Howell, 71, of Ellijay, Ga. died Jan.9, 2016.

He was born Oct. 22, 1944, to his late parents Cheyenne and Ruth Thomas Howell, in Paris.
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Stephen and Michael Howell of Ellijay, Ga. and James and Christina Howell of Calhoun Ga.; grandchildren, Campbell, Alexis, Ashlie, and Chandler; sisters and brother-in-law Jane Arend of Wills Point and Jimmie Ann and Paul Kiar of Mountain Home, Ark.; and mother of his children, Ella Denett of Chatsworth, Ga.
A Celebration of Life Gathering was held Jan. 23, 2016, at Orchard Church located at 7285 GA Highway 515 Ellijay, Ga., 30540.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Vine Youth Ministry, P.O. Box 607, Ellijay, Ga., 30540 in memory of Mr. Howell.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.loganfuneralhome.com.

Claudia Allen

1954-2016

Claudia McKenzie Allen, 61, died due to complications from multiple sclerosis Jan. 21, 2016.

Mrs. Allen was born to Paul and Modene McKenzie Sept. 3, 1954. 

She was a lifelong resident of Van and a 1973 graduate of Van High School.

She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Richard Allen of Van; a son, Steven Allen of Quinlan and a daughter, MSgt Amanda Callahan, currently stationed at Ramstein AB, Germany.  She was a proud grandmother of two, Madison Daniel and Justin Legal; and a loving sister to Glen and Mariko McKenzie of Aubrey and Paulette Kindle of Mineola.

She doted on her three nieces and two nephews, as well as their children.

To honor her wishes, no services are to be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests interested parties donate to the MS Society at www.nationalmssociety.org.   

Donald Partin

1935 –2016

Donald Wayne Partin, 80, of Ben Wheeler, was born Oct. 31, 1935, in Union Valley to the late William Claude Partin and Christine Tina McCasland Partin. 

Mr. Partin died Jan. 20, 2016, at his home.  He worked as dispatcher for Central Freight Lines and was bus driver and a member of First United Methodist Church of Chandler. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Rose Marie Ross Partin; sister, Oneta Key; and brothers, Raymond Partin and Joseph Partin. 

Survivors include his wife, Deborah June Waits Partin of Ben Wheeler; three children, Barbara Breuninger and husband, Robert of Garland, Tina Upchurch of Indiana and Jerry Partin and wife, Deborah of San Antonio; three granddaughters; one grandson; and two great-grandchildren; and special niece Raylane Partin.

Glen Beall

1924-2016

Services for Glen D. Beall, 91, of Grand Saline, were held Jan. 29, 2016, at Bartley Funeral Home with Bro. Homer Morgan officiating.

Interment followed in Grove Hill Memorial Park, Dallas.

Mr. Beall died Jan. 26, 2016, in Grand Saline. 

He was born Sept. 20, 1924, in McGirk Community in Hamilton County to Arthur Horton and Lavonia Ellen Thompson Beall. He was a Navy veteran from World War II.

He was a truck driver for Roadway Trucking for 31 ½ years and a member of the Teamsters Union Local #745 out of Dallas. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 50 years.  He lived the past 36 years in Grand Saline. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Lou Cook and Mavis Spillman; and one daughter, Glenys Kaye Beall Rodden.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Elaine K. Beall of Grand Saline; one son, Delbert Beall and wife Mary of Grand Saline; two daughters, Barbara Zink and Carmel Denton of Grand Saline; two sisters, Eva R. Hinton of Fate and Janice A. Stevenson of Caddo Mills;10 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 16 great-great-grandchildren; two nieces; two nephews; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers were Robert Beall, Zachary Beall, Delbert Beall, Steve Cooper, Coy Carpenter, and Joe Dale Nivens.

Jack Huddle

1944-2016

Memorial services for Jack Wayne Huddle, 71, Ben Wheeler, were held Jan. 30, 2016, at Colfax Baptist Church with the Rev. Mark Carter officiating.

Mr. Huddle died Jan. 25, 2016, in Tyler.

He was born Feb. 27, 1944, in Pasadena.

Jessie Boyd

1934-2016

Jessie Barnett Boyd, 81, of Emory, died Jan. 14, 2016, at his home.

A memorial service was held Jan. 22, 2016, at Wilson-Orwosky Funeral Home Chapel in Emory, Phyllis A. Young, Funeral Director officiating.

Mr. Boyd was born in Arlington, Tenn. May 4, 1934.

Marion Cates

1926-2016

Marion R. Cates died Jan. 23, 2016, surrounded by family at Mabank Nursing Home.

Mrs. Cates was born Jan. 7, 1926. 

She was a member of the Colfax Baptist Church Eastern Star-Ben Wheeler Chapter.

She spent many years nursing in Van and Grand Saline.  She taught CNA certification after retirement in Van Zandt County.

She is preceded in death by her husband, H.G. Cates; two sons, John and David; 12 siblings and; one great granddaughter, Mari Quinn.

She is survived by a son, B.E. Cheatham of Oakwood; two daughters, Alice Hays of Hawthorn, N.J. and Susie Armstrong of Colfax; eight grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; two great- great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces of nephews.

Her radiant smile, sparking blue eyes and quick wit will truly be missed by all.

Services were held at Colfax Baptist Church  Jan. 30, 2016.

Mary Early

1931-2016

Funeral services for Mary Lou Early, 84, of Royse City, were held Jan. 29, 2016, at Allan Fuller Funeral Home Chapel in Wills Point.  Interment was in Simmons Cemetery in Cash.

Ms. Early died Wednesday Jan. 27, 2016, in Royse City.

She was born Nov. 12, 1931, in Fort Worth.

Allan Fuller Funeral Home www.allanfullerfuneralhome.com

Mitchell Danforth Sr.

1961-2016

Funeral services for Mitchell Wayne Danforth Sr. 54, Van, were held Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, at Hilliard Funeral Home with Bro. Ike Roberts and Bro. Charlie Musselwhite officiating.

Mr. Danforth died Jan. 24, 2016, at his home.

He was born April 30, 1961, in Dallas. He had lived in Van about 10 years. He loved to fish and go camping.

He was preceded in death by a son, Mitchell Danforth Jr.; brother, Kenneth Julius Danforth Jr ;and father, Kenneth Danforth, Sr.

He is survived by his three children, Christina Dye and husband, Carl of Ben Wheeler, Jonathan Danforth of Mesquite and Staci Rodriguez of Abilene; mother, Yvonne Honea of Van; brother, Claude Danforth Sr. of Van; and three grandchildren, Chloe Dye, Mitchell Dye and Michael Dye. 

Richard Hanes

1948-2016

Richard Frederick Hanes, 67, of Mineola, died on Monday, Jan. 25, 2016, in Mineola.

He was born Monday, Jan. 26, 1948, in Dallas to the late Frank and Joyce Hanes.

He was a member of Lake Country Bible Church in Mineola. He was a devout Christian, loving father and grandfather, devoted husband, teacher, mentor and friend to many.  

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Laura Hanes of Mineola; son, Matthew Hanes and wife Michelle of Conroe; daughter, Laura Werchan of Plano; brother, Franklin Patrick Hanes and wife Ellen of Garland; four grandchildren, Christopher Hanes, Stephen Hanes, Samantha Hanes, Ivan Werchan; and niece, Josey Hanes. \

Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016, and were officiated by the Rev. Craig Lacy. Interment followed at New Hope Cemetery in Mineola.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship in c/o Lake Country Bible Church or to the American Cancer Society.

Freda Evans

1932-2016

Services for Freda McMichael Evans, 83, of Canton, were held Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016, at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton with Bro. Don Cannon officiating.

Mrs. Evans died Jan. 28, 2016, in Tyler.

She was born Feb. 2, 1932, in Kiowa Co, Okla. to Fred and Letha Vandegrift McMichael.

She was Christian by faith. She worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Medicare.

She also worked in real estate for many years. She owned American Handicrafts for a number of years as well.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband of 57 years, Donald Norman Evans; and four sisters.

She is survived by her son, Michael Evans; daughter, Janis Evans Solomon and Ira; grandsons, Steven Semsey and Donald Semsey; granddaughters, Alisha Evans and Stephanie Evans; two great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Anita Evans; and sister-in-law, Helen and Lorene Evans. 

Irby Barber

1929-2016

Services for Irby Lee “Dado” Barber, 86, of Edgewood were held Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton with Bro. Frank Gillespie and Dr. Don Walker officiating.

Graveside services were held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Edgewood.

Mr. Barber died Jan. 29, 2016, in Edgewood.

He was born May 22, 1929, in Star to Beryl Clifford and Vera Thompson Barber.

He pastored Valley View Baptist Church in Mesquite for 55 plus years and also pastored Highland Church in Edgewood for a period of time. He served the Lord faithfully and was married 67 years to his loving wife, Bennie.

He liked to farm, ride his tractor and travel.

He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; and a sister.

He is survived by his wife, Bennie Merle Barber; son, Ronald and Becky Barber; daughter, Dianna Barber; grandchildren, Amanda Gail and Johnny Mikulak, Matt Lewis, Andrew Lewis, Michelle and David Loughmiller, Kimberly Noble, Dena Meek, Jenny and Laraugh Gallagher, and Mandy McCrary; great-grandchildren, Cory Nickels, Justin Ryan Suggs, Tristin Scott Harris, Madison Lewis, Carter Edward Mikulak, Colby Meek, Trae Smith, Alexis McCrary, Dillion McCrary, Autumn McCrary, Luke Gallagher, Hannah Pancau, Madison Willbanks, Gracee Loughmiller, Maiya Orozco, Layla Orozco, Kylie Noble, and Haley Noble; and great-great- grandchild, Daniel Smith.

Pallbearers were Justin Suggs, Matt Lewis, Andrew Lewis, Dillion McCrary, Tristin Harris, and Johnny Mikulak.

Honorary pallbearer was Carter Mikulak. 

James Grisham

1935-2016

Services for James Ray Grisham were held Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016, at Eubank Cedar Creek Memorial Chapel in Mabank with Mike Nelson officiating.

Interment followed the service at Oaklawn Cemetery in Mabank.

Mr. Grisham was born Oct. 12, 1935, in Van Zandt County to parents Ernest Grisham and Maggie Childs and died Jan. 27, 2016, at the age of 80.

He was a family man and a successful rancher. He was the previous owner of Van Zandt County Livestock in Wills Point. He was married to the love of his life, June, for 57 years. He attended Rope, Catch and Ride Cowboy Church in Mabank. He was a very loving and caring man who will be missed tremendously by all those who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Dorothy Allen and Gracie King and brothers, Billy Grisham and Earnest Junior Grisham.

He is survived by his loving wife, June Grisham of Mabank; daughter, Karen Willard and husband Dennis of Brownsboro; son, Kelly Grisham and wife Karen of Mabank; grandson, Kyle Grisham and wife Macy of Mabank; grandson, Brad Willard and wife Ashton of Tyler; granddaughter, Kandice Sides and husband J.R. of Canton; grandson, Brandon Willard and wife Krystle of Lindale and granddaughter, Britney Willard of Tyler; 11 great-grandchildren; other loving family members and many friends.

In lieu of flowers you may make a donation in honor of James to Rope, Catch and Ride For Christ Church; 570 CR 2807, Mabank75147, 903-887-6081 or to the charity of your choice.

A personal tribute may be made online at www.eubankcedarcreek.com