Lillie Mae Claybon

Funeral services for Mrs. Lillie Mae Claybon, 96, of Coffee City will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at True Vine Baptist Church in Tyler under the direction of Brooks, Sterling & Garrett Funeral Home.

Mrs. Claybon died on July 31, 2014.

Lillie Mae Givens Claybon was born in Sand Flat Community in Athens, Texas, on July 7, 1918, to the late Emma Moore and Dennis Givens. Her education began at Sand Flat Community School and continued through Eureka High School and Fisher High School.

She enrolled in Texas College and received a bachelor of arts degree with a major in home economics. It was at Texas College where she met and married the late Zelma Claybon. They were married for 38 years.

She has been a member of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Athens and a member of True Vine Baptist Church in Tyler.

“Miss Lillie,” as she was called, worked for Texas College’s Food Department for 46 years. As a student, she served as a waitress in the dining hall. After graduating, she was employed in the cafeteria as assistant manager and later became manager until her retirement.

During her tenure, she prepared food for the concession stand at football games and got up as early as 2 a.m. to cook pies, cakes and other foods to sell. She did the laundry for the Tea Room, a special room where the college’s Board of Trustees met.

In her position as manager of the dining hall, she was known as “Mom Claybon” for many students.

She became a member of the High Stepping Steerette in 1937 and was crowned homecoming queen the following year. At that time, the homecoming queen was titled “Miss Texas College” and was chosen by the amount of money raised.

In 2006, she was selected homecoming queen by the Texas College National Alumni Association and served as honorary grand marshall for the annual homecoming parade. She was also inducted into the Texas College Wall of Fame. In 2004, she was selected by the Women in Tyler organization as one who made good things happen.

She was a charter member of the Tyler Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and a charter member of Gamma Epsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta on the Texas College campus. She was a member of the Lake Palestine Chamber of Commerce.

Survivors include Lorinda Joyce Houston, Bennie Charles and Johnnie Barnett and other cousins.

Melvin Brown

Funeral services for Melvin H. Brown, 78, of Chandler, were held Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014, at Frankston Assembly of God with the Rev. J. A. Griffin and the Rev. Mike Griffin officiating. Interment was at Frankston City Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home in Frankston.

Mr. Brown passed away Wednesday, July 30, 2014, in Tyler.

He was born May 24, 1936, in Booneville, AR.

Melvin was a restaurant owner. He was a member of the Frankston Assembly of God.

He was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Linnie Brown; son David Brown; sister Ruby Milford; and brother A.R. Brown.

Survivors include his wife Barbara Brown of Frankston; son Steven Brown of Chandler; brothers Billie Brown of Austin, Bennie Brown and wife Pat of Jacksonville; three step grandchildren and 10 step great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Josh Buckley, Matthew Knipper, Ronnie Brown and Jerry Brown.

Marsha Nolen

Memorial services for Marsha F. Nolen, 63, La Rue, are scheduled for 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 9, at LaRue Baptist Church, Loop 60, with Bro. Olin Boles officiating.

Mrs. Nolen passed away on July 29, 2014, in Tyler.

She was born Oct. 18, 1950, in Texas City, to the late James H. McCarty and Flora A. Strait McCarty.

She had lived in LaRue most of her life, was a homemaker and a member of LaRue Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband Everett L. Nolen, Jr. of LaRue; three children Anna Gonzales of LaRue, Christie Blocker and husband Shawn of LaRue and James Nolen and wife Debra of Washington Court House, Ohio; sister Mary Sopuch and husband Frank; six grandchildren Jorge Gonzales, Laila Nolen, Lauren Mathews, Anthony Blocker, Jeremy and Jessica Williams.

Sue Darnell

Funeral services for Sue Darnell, 76, of Frankston, were held Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014, at Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Jacksonville with Brother Don Stanaland officiating.

Interment followed at Earle’s Chapel Cemetery in Jacksonville.

Mrs. Darnell passed away Friday, Aug. 22, 2014, in Tyler.

She was born Sept. 15, 1937, in Ironton to Jewel Carl and Lois Sanders Swinney.

Sue was a member of Ironton Baptist Church.

She worked for more than 25 years for Stage Stores, Inc. and was a member of the local historical society.

Mrs. Darnell was preceded in death by her parents; husband Billy C. Darnell; grandson Terry Rollins; granddaughter April Alspach; and nephew Doyle Swinney.

She is survived by her sons David Darnell and Billy Darnell and wife Carol, all of Frankston; daughter Debra Wood and husband Pete of Berryville; 9 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; brother Carle Swinney of Ironton; sister Ernie Rogers of Arlington; 1 niece and 2 nephews.

Pallbearers were Brandon Swinney, Jerry Bradley, Jr., Hershel Bradley, Charles William Darnell, Dustin Paden Jones and Ryan Shane Nolen.

Honorary Pallbearers were Tim Swinney, Pete Wood, and David Darnell.

(Obituaries posted contain information posted by funeral homes and/or families. Families may request changes or additions, if appropriate or required.).