The family of Faye Thomas let her go with the angelic hosts on Friday, June 3, 2016, at her residence in Wortham, among loving family and devoted friends.
Viewing will be held Friday, June 10, from 1 to 8 p.m. at Moore's Angelic Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 11, at 11 a.m. in the Smith Chapel Primitive Baptist Church, 620 N. MLK Dr. in Wortham. The pastor, Rev. Ronald Redmond, will officiate and Rev. Curtis Jefferson Jr., pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, Weatherford, will be the eulogist. Interment will be in the Wortham Cemetery.
Faye was born July 29, 1939 in Mexia to Tellwood Bluitt and Ardie Lee Houston, who preceded her in death. She grew up in Mexia, graduated with the Dunbar High School class of 1954, was first a member of New Home Missionary Baptist Church in Mexia, and was an active member of Beluah Missionary Baptist Church, Wortham.
She and Wade Thomas Sr. were married. Faye served as president and vice president of the E.E. Wheat NAACP Chapter of Freestone County, was employed in several nursing homes in the Mexia and Wortham areas, and retired from Mexia State School. She was very active in civic and community activities and was instrumental in encouraging voter registration and participation.
Surviving her are her son, Wade Thomas Jr. and wife, Mae Ruth; daughters, Linda Sutton, Victoria Butcher, Ollie M. Gibson, Loretta Thomas, Jessie Hurst and husband, Steve, and Misty Christian; sisters, Rosie Shelton and husband, Louis, Claudine Bluitt and Gloria Johnson; 33 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren; 23 great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Moore's Angelic Funeral Home, 406 Monroe St. in Teague, is serving the Thomas Family.
Visit mooresangelicfuneralhome.com to sign the guestbook and light a candle.

Tammy Ruth Batts, 58, passed away June 11, 2016 at Hillcrest Hospital in Waco.
Graveside services are Wednesday, June 15, at 11 a.m. at Wortham Cemetery, with Mike Goodwin officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Porter Chapel Wortham.
Tammy was born March 23, 1958 in West Helena, Arkansas.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Royal and Mary Margarette Barton Batts, and brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Janice Batts.
Tammy is survived by two brothers, Don Royal Batts and wife Marilyn of Oil City, La., and David Batts and wife Judy of Tehuacana; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visit porterfuneralhometx.com to sign the guestbook.
Porter Funeral Home is in charge of services.

Eady Jorene Bigham, known to family and friends as “Jo,” returned to our heavenly father on June 10, 2016. She was born Nov. 24, 1942.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, June 14, at 10 a.m. at Porter Chapel Wortham, with Pastor Eddie Jones of First Baptist Church of Eureka officiating. Interment will follow at Wortham Cemetery.
Visitation with the family present was Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Porter Chapel Wortham.
She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Eady Spain.
Eady is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, D.T. Bigham of Wortham; daughters, Laurie Bigham of Corsicana, Stacey Ray and husband Christopher Ray of Wortham and Kelly Porter and husband Timothy of Wortham; grandchildren, Erin Ray, Rachel Ray and Kamryn Ray of Wortham, and Jason Porter, Riley Porter and Caleb Porter of Wortham; mother, Jimmie Spain of Richland; brothers, Bob Spain and wife Joy of Austin, John Spain and wife Wanda of Blooming Grove and Michael Spain and wife Tamra of Richland; sister, Lisa VanLoocke and husband Adam of Barry; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.
Serving as pallbearers are Bob Spain, John Spain, Michael Spain, Adam VanLoocke, Christopher Ray, Timothy Porter, Zach Ingle and D.J. Owens.
Visit porterfuneralhometx.com to sign the guestbook and leave a message for the family.
Porter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Anita Gaona Gomez, 63, passed away at her home in Mexia on June 12, 2016. A celebration of Anita’s life began Monday afternoon, June 13, and continue through 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 14, at Iglesia Mision Pentecostal Church. Graveside service and interment will be 4 p.m. Tuesday, in the Mexia Cemetery.
Anita was born in Ciudad Acuña, Mexico on Jan. 6, 1953, to Reyes Gaona and Ramona Pargas. She married Pedro Gomez in Mexico in 1968. She was a loving wife and mother. She was anxiously awaiting the arrival of her first grandchild and looking forward to meeting granddaughter, Jenesis Gracyanne.
Anita enjoyed spending time with her family, church family and actively participating in church activities. She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting. She was a member of Assemblies in Christ Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Anita is survived by her husband, Pedro Gomez of Mexia; son, Jaime Gomez and wife, Jovana Ryanira of Groesbeck; soon-to-be granddaughter, Jenesis Gracyanne Gomez; sister, Maria Gaona; brothers, Panfilo Gaona, Nazario Gaona and Gilberto Gaona; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Visit blair-stubbs.com to leave the family a memorial message.

Funeral services for James Cary “Bubba” McDaniel will be held Tuesday, June 14, at 10 a.m. at Bowers Funeral Home in Teague. Brother Justin Colquette will officiate. Interment will follow the services at Woodland Cemetery near Kirvin.
Visitation was held Monday with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
McDaniel, 63, passed away Saturday, June 11, 2016, at East Texas Medical Center in Fairfield.
He was born Sept.21, 1952 in San Diego, Calif., to Vernon and Helen Norton McDaniel. He moved to Texas with his family at an early age and grew up in Freestone County, graduating from Wortham High School. After graduation, he went to work in the oil fields and had numerous drilling-related jobs for over 40 years, until his retirement in 2013. He enjoyed going fishing, especially catfishing with his family and friends.
McDaniel was preceded in death by his parents, and one daughter, Caryn McDaniel.
He is survived by his wife, Callie Carey McDaniel of Freestone; two sons, Jamie McDaniel and wife Leeann of Kirvin, and Michael McDaniel and wife Ashley of Teague; two stepsons, Andrew Powell and wife Tiffany of Teague and John Carey and wife Crystal of Houston; one step-daughter, Jennifer Cox of Fort Worth; 10 grandchildren, Christopher McDaniel, Ryan McDaniel, Lane McDaniel, Kaiden McDaniel, Keaton Powell, Kaylee Powell, Wyatt Carey, Colt Carey, Karen Cox and Leslie Cox; three brothers, Larry McDaniel and Dennis McDaniel, both of Teague, and Billy McDaniel of Streetman; one sister, Verleen Martin and husband James of Corsicana; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the charity of your choice.
Visit bowersfuneralhome.net to sign the memorial guestbook or to leave a message for the family.

On Oct. 25, 1948 in Fairfield, Texas, McDuffe and Willie B. Jones Betts became the proud parents of a wonderful little baby boy whom they names James Everett. He was the third of seven children.
James was raised in Fairfield, and attended school in Dogan and served in the Army. He accepted Christ early in life and joined Fairfield Baptist Church.
James married JoAnn Allen, who preceded him in death.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, McDuffe and Willie B. Betts, two brothers, Billy Joe Jones and Frank Betts.
On June 8, 2016 in Waco, God called him home.
Those left to remember many loving memories include his daughter, Peaches Betts Ross (James) of Palestine; son, Chad Betts of Mexia; sisters, Francis Fisher (Gregory) of Austin, Maxine Tutt (Austin) of Denton, Carolyn Washington (Andrew) of Dallas, and Liela Mims (Zachary) of Fairfield; uncle, Jim (Elanor) Jones of Albuquerque, N.M.; special friend, Jimmy Ray Daniels; three grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends
Service will be held Saturday, June 18, at 1 p.m. at Fairfield Missionary Baptist Church.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Pearly Gates Funeral Home of Mexia, Dr. Cedrick Gamble, funeral director.

Billie Jean Black, 81, of Mexia, passed away June 15, 2016. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 20, at 2 p.m. at Porter Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be at Mexia Cemetery.
She was born June 24, 1934 to Roy and Willie Brice. She was the youngest of seven children and all have preceded her in death except one brother, Boots Brice, who has been blessed with a wonderful and loving wife named Gale. Those that passed before her are brothers, Jessie Rose, Calvin, Buddy and Joe Brice along with a sister named Helen.
Mom also lost her youngest daughter, Cindy Lamb, who was the very heart of this family. In Mom’s passing we know Cindy was there looking down with tears in her eyes yet smiling as she took Momma’s hand and gently helped her cross over.
Mom is survived by her husband of 63 years, William Lee “Bill” Black, and two daughters, Coiese Black Quaca and Cheryl Black Marth. She was blessed with eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
She loved her genealogy and tracing the family tree as one of her best friends, Shirley Haley, traveled the countryside from county courthouse to courthouse and cemetery to cemetery. They loved it. She was a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Jonathan Hardin chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mom also loved traveling, seeing the sites of many states and parts of Europe with her friends Wanda, Shirley and Ann. Nothing was going to stop these ladies. They really lived.
So, we say goodbye, Mom, as you travel one last time. We love you and will miss you.
Dedicated to my family from Billie Black
When tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
An angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I’d have to leave behind,
All those I dearly love.
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don’t think we’re far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I’m right here, in your heart.
Love, Momma
Serving as pallbearers will be Cody Lamb, Daniel Marth, Jonathon Marth, Joseph Marth, Vance Rose and Anthony Farris.
Visit porterfuneralhometx.com to sign the guestbook and leave a message for the family.
Porter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Betty Ruth Turner Little, 86, passed away June 18, 2016 in Corpus Christi. Graveside services will be 9 a.m., Tuesday, June 21, in the Mexia Cemetery with Rev. Marcus Sheffield officiating.
Visitation with the family was 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home.
Betty was born in Mexia on May 25, 1930, to G.W. and Mary Alexander Turner. She was the youngest of nine siblings. She devoted her life to her husband, raising their three sons and spoiling her grandchildren. Although she loved and enjoyed all her grandchildren, she had a special bond with her only granddaughter.
Betty was a wonderful cook and she enjoyed nothing more than having her family together, especially during holidays. She was also a collector of antiques.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, S. Adrian Little; and son, Rodney W. Little.
Betty is survived by her two sons, Rick Little and wife, Judy and Roy Little, all of Corpus Christi; nine grandchildren; sister, Corene Tyner; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visit blair-stubbs.com to leave the family a memorial message.

Helen Blackmon Sturges-Anderson, born July 20, 1928, died June 22, 2016 at the age of 87. She was one of 11 children (including twin sister, Hazel Mitchell), born to Elder W.R. Blackmon and his wife Phoebe in Point Enterprise.
Helen was a 46-year resident of Dallas, and married to Eli Anderson Sturges in that city in 1946. He passed in 1985.
Two children were born to that union, and both children survive her: a beloved son, David L. Sturges, and wife Kelly, of McAllen, and their daughters, Jaime Bare of San Antonio and Tori Espensen-Sturges of Minneapolis, Minn.; and a beloved daughter, Janet E. Veazey and husband Jack Veazey, of Waxahachie, and their children, Carrie Waltenbaugh of Waxahachie, and Steven Molina of Arlington, and four great-grandsons.
Helen enjoyed a long, rewarding career in office administration in Dallas, retiring from the Bank of America in 1991 to open Seven Gables, a highly successful bed and breakfast inn in Waxahachie.
She married James L. Anderson in 1994, who passed in 2016, and is survived by five step-children and seven step-grand-children.
Helen and Jim retired in 1999 to pursue their lifetime dream of traveling the western United States by RV. Her passions in life included her Yorkie, Woody, her grandchildren, cooking, Christmas and reading.
Services will be held in the chapel at Laurel Land Memorial Chapel, 6000 South R.L. Thornton Freeway in Dallas, on Tuesday, June 28, at 10 a.m., followed by a graveside service and interment. The services will be officiated by Elder Daryl Inman of Mexia.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Helen’s name to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 888-552-7177 (lls.org) or the American Porphyria Foundation, 866-273-3635 (porphyriafoundation.com).

The loving family and devoted friends of Mildred Zackery let her go with the angelic hosts on Monday, July 4, 2016 at her Mexia LTC residence. Viewing was held Friday, July 8, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Moore’s Angelic Funeral Home and from 6 to 8 p.m. at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 405 S. Belknap St. in Mexia. The family was available at the church from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 9, at 11 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church, 203 N. Canton St. in Mexia. Interment will take place in the Cedar Hill Cemetery, U.S. 84 West in Mexia.
Zackery was born Dec. 2, 1935 in Limestone County. Her parents were Lindsey Jack Freeman and Viola Hampton Freeman Rhodes. Ezekiel Rhodes Jr. was her stepfather. Her siblings were: Evelyn Jean Freeman Baker and Lindzey Lee Freeman (Sonny).
She grew up in Limestone County and was a life member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. She graduated from Dunbar High School in Mexia with the class of 1954 and was a drum major for the Mighty Dunbar Dragon Band. She retired from the Mexia State School after 26 years of service, and also was a housekeeper in private homes, a “Soda Fountain Girl” at White & Gillespie Drug Store in Mexia and an employee of Karner-Phillips Department Store in Mexia.
She loved to dance, was always immaculately and flawlessly dressed, and was a strong, very independent single mother. Her children never wanted for anything needed. She held as many as three jobs at one time to support her family. Mildred was a very proud woman, who bought her first and only car at age 73, and she bought and paid for her home. She suffered with a little-known disease, Multisystem Atrophy, with great bravery.
She was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, Ezekiel Rhodes Jr.; brother, Lindzey Lee Freeman (Sonny) and an aunt, Sara Hampton Pigford.
She is survived by her children: Judy Freeman Chambers, and Jerry Lynn Freeman and his wife, Venus; grandchildren, Henry V. “Hank” Chambers III and wife, Asha, Jazzmine Chambers Anglin and husband, Bobby; LeKesha Matthews and husband, Chris, and Shanequa Stroughter and husband, Erick; great-grandchildren, Adrian, Damion, DeAndre, Henry IV (H.C.), Issak, Zoe’, Shakila, Tra’Nia and Cambry; sister, Evelyn Jean Freeman Baker; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Moore’s Angelic Funeral Home, 406 Monroe St. in Teague, is serving the Zackery family. Visit mooresangelicfuneralhome.com to sign the guestbook and light a candle.

Duane Scott Hinchliffe, 55, passed away Saturday, July 2, 2016 in Baytown.
Services were held at Second Baptist church, Baytown, on July 7 with Rev. Mark Stafford officiating. Pallbearers were longtime friends, Kevin Acker, Joey Contreres, David Edwards, Barfield Nettles, David Speer and stepson, David Alphin. Burial followed at Cedarcrest Cemetery in Baytown.
Duane was an organ donor. He was a member of Second Baptist Church, their praise and worship team and the rhythm guitarist in the church band.
Duane was born in Port Arthur on Jan. 25, 1961, to Donnie M. and Carolyn Stewart Hinchliffe.
Survivors include his children, Kristyn Hinchliffe of Houston, and Dylan and Dalton Hinchliffe of Baytown; parents, Donnie M. And Carolyn Hinchliffe of Mexia; brother, Donnie L. Hinchliffe of Baytown; sister-in-law, Jenny Hinchliffe of Pasadena; sister, Angee Hinchliffe Andrus and husband, Glen, of Huntsville; nieces, Crystal McMillan and husband, Jim, of Manvel, April Hinchliffe, of New York City, Heather Hinchliffe of Pasadena, Lauren Andrus Lynch and husband, Devon, of Humble, and Sydney Andrus of College Station; nephew, Luke Andrus of Edmond, Okla.; aunts, Sylvia Stewart Morgan and husband, James, of Livingston, and Patsy Hinchliffe Wofford of Mexia; many loving cousins, Kathy Morgan Boyer, Keith Craig and David Morgan and their families, Ronnie Wofford and Debbie Wofford Grimes; and stepchildren, David Alphin, Fulton Miller, Ashley George and Paige Peacock.

Cecil McDonald Jr. passed away on July 8, 2016, at the age of 88, following a lengthy illness of reoccurring strokes.
Funeral services were held Monday, July 11, at Blair-Stubbs Chapel, with the Rev. Tracy Sims officiating. Interment was in the Shiloh Cemetery, with Holloway Martin, Bill Hughes, Elmer Beene, Terry Lynn McDonald, Rick Sadler and Billie Gene “Scooter” McDonald serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were James Shivers, Grady Masters and Arlie Vickery.
Visitation with the family was Sunday at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home.
Cecil was born on Oct. 27, 1927, in Tehuacana Valley, to Cecil McDonald Sr. and Susie Black McDonald. He was a lifelong resident of the Shiloh, Mexia and Groesbeck areas, having moved away to Sweeney for only a brief period of time. Cecil was the oldest son in the family. He attended school in Shiloh but had to quit at an early age to help his mother take over the farm after his dad broke his back.
Cecil met Wanda Lee Kennedy in 1947 at Fort Parker, and they married on Nov. 8, 1947, in Shiloh. This was the beginning of a long, loving marriage of devotion. They were true sweethearts for over 68 years, sticking to the words recited during their wedding vows.
Cecil was a hardworking and responsible man. He started his adult working career in the oil field in Sweeney shortly after his marriage to Wanda. Yearning for home, they returned to Shiloh and purchased a farm. He ran a successful farming business, raising corn, cotton, cattle and hogs. During this time, they were blessed with the birth of their only child, Bobby Dean, in 1952.
Around 1960, Cecil moved his family to Mexia and purchased a laundromat. For the next 17 years, they owned multiple laundries and bought and sold land and cattle. He worked long, hard hours on a daily basis but always managed to make it a family affair – working together and laughing together. He was a prankster, and even though he was always busy, he managed to visit with his customers and entertain the kids. He truly formed a relationship with his customers. He was an honest man and treated everyone fairly. He lived by the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” His word was as good as gold…if Cecil McDonald told you he would do something, it would be done.
Cecil loved the farm. He loved to drive his tractor and spent many hours on it. Cecil always stocked his tanks with catfish and bass. Although he didn’t like to fish, he enjoyed watching his family catch them.
Cecil was a member of the Woodmen of the World, served on the Shiloh School Board and served as a board member for the Shiloh Water Supply. Cecil truly loved the Lord; he was a member of the Central Baptist Church of Thornton. He was respected by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Billie Gene McDonald Sr.; and sister, Lizzie Mae Campbell.
He is survived by his loving, devoted wife, Wanda Lee; son, Bobby McDonald and wife Becky; two grandchildren, Jeffrey McDonald, and Ginger McDonald Funk and husband Brad; four great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Kimbrey, Emery and Ellis; sister, Patsy Lock, of Beaumont; and a number of nieces and nephews.
A special thank-you is given to three wonderful caregivers, Debra Brown, Sharlene Brown and Marlene Morrison, of Providence Hospice and Windsor Healthcare. With the help of these people and the diligence of his wife, Wanda Lee, his life was made more comfortable during his lengthy illness.
Memorials may be made to the Central Baptist Church in Thornton, Providence Hospice or Shiloh Cemetery Association.
Visit blair-stubbs.com to leave the family a memorial message.

Lahoma Tyner Patton, 85, formerly of Teague, passed away July 9, 2016, in Katy. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, July 16, at Blair-Stubbs Chapel. Interment will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery.
Visitation with the family will be 5-7 p.m. Friday at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home.
Lahoma was born in Teague on Nov. 18, 1930, to J. V. and Mable Adkins Tyner. She graduated from Teague High School, Class of 1948. Lahoma married Leland Patton on July 1, 1949, and they were blessed with one daughter, Melba. They lived in Cotton Gin for a number of years before moving to Teague to be closer to the schools.
Lahoma was always very active in all of Melba’s school activities and especially enjoyed going on her field trips. After Melba went off to college, Lahoma went to work for Teague ISD in the high school cafeteria where she retired, after many years of service. She loved children; therefore, this was an ideal job for her. She just enjoyed helping the kids and just being around them every day. Lahoma was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and mentor to many children.
Growing up on a farm, Lahoma enjoyed the outdoors, working the land and cows. In her spare time, she liked to read, travel and both country and square dancing.
Teague had been her home until just over two years ago, when she moved to Katy to be closer to her daughter and her family. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Teague, prior to her move. Lahoma’s love for the Lord was exemplified in the way she lived her life.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Leland; and sister Mable Ray Wilford.
Lahoma is survived by her daughter, Melba Westbrook; son-in-law Michael Westbrook; grandson Joseph Westbrook, all of Katy; sister Johnnie Mae Henderson; and nieces Joy Barnett and Sue Wallin, of Burnet.
Visit blair-stubbs.com to leave the family a memorial message.

Wayne Earl Decker, of Groesbeck, passed away on July 6, 2016. Graveside services were held for Wayne on July 13, at Faulkenberry Cemetery in Groesbeck.
Wayne was the fourth of five children. He was born on Oct. 20, 1957, to Alice and Fred Decker Jr., in Phoenix, Ariz.
He graduated from Carl Hayden High School, in Phoenix. He also attended Texas State Technical College in Waco.
Wayne was a member of Lone Star Baptist Church.
He worked for 15 years at Wal-Mart and Groesbeck I.S.D. He loved fishing and hunting.
When Wayne married, he became a husband, father, and grandfather, all in on day.
He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Minister Veria M. Cleveland Wilson Decker; three children, Alvin Cleveland, Woodrow Wilson, Jr. and Shannon Wilson; two brothers, Tommy Decker (Angie), of Mexia, and Fred Decker III, of Groesbeck; two sisters, Bonnel Noel (Robert), of Groesbeck, and Barbara Bennet (Jimmy); sister-in-law Julia Cleveland, of Groesbeck; brother-in-law Jerry Cleveland, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Services and arrangements were entrusted to Pearly Gates Funeral Home of Mexia, Dr. Cedrick Gamble, president.

Funeral services were held for Lunnell Johnson on July 9, at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Waco. Ms. Johnson passed away on July 1, 2016.
Lunnell Johnson was born in Cameron, on May 9, 1920, to the late Helen Cortez and Melvin Rogers.
She lived in Mt. Calm as a child and later moved to New York, where she worked in a factory; she was also a caregiver.
She married J.D. Johnson. They had no children.
Lunnell was an aunt who loved her family and would help feed everyone. She moved to Waco in 1976, to be in her mother’s home, which she loved. She had many family relatives whom she loved and who preceded her in death.
She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted nephew, Lorenzo Tucker, and wife Kim, of Houston; aunt Louise Cortez, of Houston; and niece Micki Sykes (Bobby).
She had many godchildren and cousins in Fort Worth, and many other family and friends.
Services were entrusted to Pearly Gates Funeral Home of Mexia, Dr. Cedrick Gamble, president.

Funeral services for Maycelle Coleman, of Mexia, are pending. Ms. Coleman passed away on July 12, 2016. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Pearly Gates Funeral Home, Dr. Cedrick Gamble, president.

The family and friends of Gerilynn Norrid, a Groesbeck resident, let her go with the Angelic Hosts on Wednesday, July 6,  at Groesbeck LTC.  Graveside services were held Monday, July 11, at Waco Memorial Park, 6623 S. I-35, in Waco. 

Chaplain Karen Hulsey from the Mexia State Supported Living Center officiated.  Gerilynn was born in Corpus Christi on Sept. 19, 1947, to Leon Dawson Norrid and Alma Grace Manger Norrid. 

Those who will cherish her memory are her friends and the staff of Mexia State School Supported Living Center and Daybreak Community Services. 

Moore’s Angelic Funeral Home, 406 Monroe Street, in Teague, is providing the final care for Gerilynn Norrid.  Visit mooresangelicfuneralhome.com to sign the guestbook and light a candle.

Debora Kay “Debbe” (Coleman) Hall, of Groesbeck, went to be with her Lord and Savior, on Thursday, July 14, 2016, passing away at Providence Hospice Place in Waco, at age 55.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 16 in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel.
The Reverend Michael Nemec of Christ Lutheran Church of Hillsboro and the Reverend Dr. Ray Ballmann of Word of Truth Lutheran Church of Glen Rose will officiate, and Rebecca Fisher is the pianist. Burial will follow in Faulkenberry Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Leslie Keys, Jack Mauldin, Buster Horn, Judge Daniel Burkeen, Tom Fisher, and David Mason. The Home-School children of Tri-County Christian Home Educators will be honorary pallbearers.
Debbe was born Nov. 3, 1960 in Mexia to Jerry Coleman and Vernell Sue Lenamond Coleman Lown.
She grew up in Groesbeck and Thornton, graduating from Groesbeck High School in the Class of 1979, where she had participated in the GHS Band.
Debbe lived with her father and step-mother, Jerry and Linda Coleman, during her junior year of high school and attended school in Joshua. There she met Joel Dan Hall, a senior in Joshua High. They remained sweethearts after she moved back to Groesbeck for her senior year.
The following year, Debbe and Joel were united in marriage, on May 10, 1980, at the home of Joel’s parents in Joshua.
Debbe and Joel lived in Joshua a couple of years, moved to Stephenville while he was in college, and lived in College Station while he earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
After many more moves during Joel’s career as a DVM, they made their move to rural Groesbeck/Thornton in May 1998.
Debbe probably never had a wasted minute in her life, with six children. She home-schooled all six children, with all doing really well in their achievements, and her fifth child graduating this May. With the other children in their home-school co-op,
Debbe had frequent interaction with other children, many of whom called her Momma Hall. She treated them like her own children, because she truly cared. She was very active in all co-op activities, including stage productions, where there were many trips to Mexia and Fairfield, and lots of work in making costumes and operating lighting.
Debbe also found time to volunteer with the Friends of the Maffett Memorial Library and the Friends of the Confederate Reunion Grounds. She was active in the 4-H ‘Limestone Leaders,’ with her children participating in archery, air-rifle shooting, photography, showing horses, and foods. Debbe was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Mexia, and devoted time serving as the secretary of the Church council.
Debbe loved gardening and enjoyed canning with some of her friends. Her work ethic might have come from helping her step-father, Barnett Lown, while she was growing up, with fencing and cattle work, but mainly she had an intense desire to do her best for her family. She was a loving wife and mother. Debbe was a joyful person, and would tell you her joy was from knowing Christ.
Debbe was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Bob Lee Hall; father, Jerry Coleman; and her step-father, Barnett Lown.
She is survived by her husband, Joel Dan Hall of Groesbeck; son and daughter-in-law, Micah and Courtney Hall of Lafayette, La.; son and daughter-in-law, Caleb and Destiny Hall of Granbury and grandson, Liam Hall; son and daughter-in-law, Nathan and Nina Hall of Mexia; son, Isaac Hall of Groesbeck; daughter, Hannah Hall of Groesbeck; and daughter, Sarah Hall of Groesbeck. She also leaves behind her mother, Sue Lown of Groesbeck; sister, Lea Farmer of Teague and her three children and their families: Dusty and Jennifer Newsom of Teague and their children, Eathan Goff, Terry Reel, Braydon Newsom, Ty Newsom, and Gage Newsom; Jessica and Timothy Hall of Teague, and their children, Madison Barnett, Si Howle, Hunter Hall, and Avrie Hall; and Haley Newsom of Teague and her children, Mahala Newsom and Eli Newsom. Additionally, her sister and brother-in-law, Lori and Shonn Rather of Thornton and their children Kendall King and Reagan Rather; her brother, Eric Coleman of Waco, and step-mother, Linda Colemen of McGregor; mother-in-law, Mrs. Bob Lee Hall of Joshua; and aunts, uncles, cousins, and other extended family.
Visit www.groesbeckfuneralhome.com to leave messages of condolence on the guestbook.

The world lost a loving, witty man on Friday night. He was beloved by people everywhere he lived, and was especially admired by younger people he mentored through the years. He was a loving, fun husband and father and gave us such a wonderful life. His two year fight against cancer was valiant and he beat the odds in living much longer than expected. We will miss him greatly.

James E. (Buck) Cannon was born in Thornton (population 432) to James Barnett Cannon and Virginia Ann Buck Cannon. The family moved to Mexia in 1940 for Buck’s 1st grade school year. He was a Boy Scout, quarterback on the Mexia Blackcats football team and president of his senior class of Mexia High School. He enrolled at Tarleton State College in 1951 and became battalion commander of the corp of cadets and commander of the Wainwright Rifles, a crack drill team that won many awards.

In 1953 he entered the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. where he was president of the freshman class and quarterback of the freshman football team. After a cruise on the “Eagle”, a three masted sailing ship to Santander, Spain, Amsterdam and Copenhagen, with a 26 day return to New London, he knew he did not like the ocean. He resigned from the academy in January, 1955 and entered Texas Technological College.  

His entry into the energy business started there with a part time job for an independent oil and gas company, working in the offices during the academic year and in the fields in the summers. At Tech he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.  

He and Kay Robinson, of Plainview were married Sept. 7, 1957, and he graduated from Tech in May 1958 with a bachelor degree in Industrial Management and minor in mathematics and industrial engineering.

He was the first gas supply trainee for Oklahoma Natural Gas, headquartered in Tulsa, Okla. He became assistant superintendent of gas supply there, but left for Colorado Interstate Gas Company in Colorado Springs, Colo. In 1965, he became Director of Marketing, with sales of one billion cubic feet of gas per day to distribution customers, industrial users, and other interstate pipelines.

During the period of time 1972-1994, he was a corporate vice-president for three significant gas companies, covering marketing of natural gas (500 million cubic feet per day), gas liquids(25,000 barrels per day) and crude oil (18,000 barrels per day) in several southwestern states. In 1994 Buck became chairman of the board of Hadson Corporation, selling the company to Louisville Gas and Electric of Louisville, KY.  From 1995 to 2000 he was an energy consultant for Benchmark Oil and Gas of Denver, Colo. and Highland Energy of Dallas.  

Over the years Buck has been active in many industry committees regarding future gas requirements and natural gas deliverability in the United States.

In the year 2000 Buck and Kay moved to Burnsville, N.C. to be near family in Raleigh, and then to Asheville in 2005. He was active in an Episcopal Church in every city where they were living, finishing at Trinity Episcopal, Asheville, serving as chalice bearer, vestry member, senior warden and stewardship chair.

He was a passionate fly fisherman and spent many summers at the family cabin on the Taylor River near Almont, Colo. pursuing the wily brown trout. He also became an avid golfer later in life, enjoying both the challenge of the sport and the good-natured needling that inevitably arises in a spirited foursome. He was known to enjoy a daily glass or two of Scotch, often to celebrate that day’s big fish or clutch putt.

Buck was preceded in death by his parents, younger brother Carl Allen and daughter Ann Elizabeth Cannon Smith. Survivors include his wife Kay of 58 years, brother Joe and wife Debbie of Mexia, son Jim and wife Molly of Raleigh, N.C., grandchildren Drew of Boston, Mass., Maria of  UNC Law School, and Chris of University of Tennessee, niece JoAl Sheridan and Dirk Sheridan and nephew Thure and wife Shannon, all of Austin.

Service will be held at 11 a.m., July 20 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church Street, Asheville, N.C. 28801.  Interment and reception will follow in Tuton Parish Hall.

Memorials should be made to the Lake Logan Foundation, 25 Wormy Chestnut Lane, Canton, N.C. 28716, or to the Ann Cannon Smith endowment for music at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family and a memorial guest register is available online at www.grocefuneralhome.com.

Kevin Ray Lee, 53, of Wortham, was called home unexpectedly by the Lord July 14, 2016 at his home in Wortham. Funeral services for Mr. Lee were held Sunday, July 17 at Porter Funeral Home Chapel in Mexia. Burial followed in the St. Elmo Cemetery in Freestone County where his maternal grandparents are buried as well as a long line of other ancestors.

Kevin was born July 23, 1962, at Carswell Air Force Base Hospital, in Ft. Worth to Fred and Mary Alice Lee. He grew up in Mesquite and completed his education there. He lived in the Dallas area for many years but for several years had resided in the Streetman, Mexia and Wortham area.  He leaves behind many friends and loved ones who will remember him.

He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Lee; paternal grandparents, Wretha Bounds and Luster Lee of Wortham and maternal grandparents, Leonard and Inez Lee of Streetman.  He is survived by his mother, Mary Alice Lee of Wortham;  sisters, Karen Hogan of Ft. Worth and Kimberly Hook of Wortham; nephews, Kameron Hogan, Kaleb Hook and Konnor Hook; nieces, Kamille Diane Hook and Alexandra Valenzuela; aunt, Glinda Hold of Wortham and uncle, Don Lee of Teague.

Pallbearers were Kameron Hogan, Kyle Hold, Kaleb Hook, David Hale, Kevin Bailey, Justin Hale, Bill Harrison and Charles Sikes.

Visit porter funeralhometx.com to sign the guestbook and leave a message for the family.

Porter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.