Frankston Area Obituaries — 1999-Present

Here are the obituaries posted for the current month from information provided courtesy of local and area funeral homes and published on their websites or those submitted by families. If an obituary is overlooked and it is desired that it be posted, please inform us at frankstondepotlibrary@gmail.com . Families may request changes or additions, if required. If you have an obituary for a person who has connections with someone or some family in the Frankston-Poynor-LaRue or Lake Palestine area that you want posted to this month or to the archives, and is not currently posted, please let us know at frankstondepotlibrary@gmail.com . Obituaries selected or submitted should follow a format which is essentially consistent with other obituaries posted here or by funeral homes and follow standard grammatical style. Through arrangements with funeral homes and/or the families, we will publish pictures with current obituaries. We will add pictures to archived obituaries from the print version of The Citizen newspaper prior to September 2019 when available. Pictures with archived obituaries posted after that will be added in cooperation with funeral homes or on requests from families.  As was the tradition of the Citizen newspaper, obituaries are published at no charge.

(Obituaries listed chronologically by date of death or funeral service.)

Ruby Burris

Funeral services for Ruby Burris, 79, of Berryville, were held Friday, June 8, at 2 p.m. at HillTop Baptist Church under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home, Frankston.

Mrs. Burris died Monday, June 4, in a Tyler hospital.

She was born Aug. 4, 1921 in Edinburg and had lived in Berryville for 30 years.

Mrs. Burris was a homemaker, member of HillTop Baptist Church and Order of the Eastern Star, Frankston.

Survivors include her husband, L.D. Burris of Berryville; daughters, Sandra Sanborn and husband Stanley, and Gerry Schroeder; a son and daughter-in-law, Danny and Patsy Burris of Longview; granddaughters, Stephanie Witzoski and husband Steve, Debbie Meyer and husband Jack, Karen Woods and husband Zeke; grandsons, Robert Schroeder and wife Kathy, Steve Sanborn and wife Wendy, and Matt Burris; great-grandchildren, Amber Witzoski, Kara Witzoski, Sydney Meyer, Heidi Schroeder, Thomas Schroeder, Austin Woods and Ty Woods; and a sister, Ann Owens of Jacksonville.

Hazel Walker

Funeral services for Hazel Walker, 69, of Fincastle were held at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston at 1 p.m. Friday, June 1 with Rev. Benny Walker, and Rev. James Batton officiating.

Burial was in Fincastle Cemetery.

Mrs. Walker died Wednesday, May 30, in a Tyler hospital.

She was born July 18, 1931 in LaRue.

She was a lifetime resident of the area. She retired after 20 years from Kellams Coverups of Tyler.

Mrs. Walker had a B.S. degree in elementary education. She was a member of the Taylor Chapel Church.

Survivors include her husband, Square Walker of Fincastle; a son, Kelly Walker of Fincastle; daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy Hudson of Berryville and Kristy and Steve Hutchins of Fincastle; brothers, Thomas Haynes of Weatherford, James Haynes of Longview and Frank Haynes of Murchison; sisters, Frances Hall of Dallas, Alice Baggerman of Oregon, Carrie Osborne of Oklahoma, Julia Hatter of Tennessee and Jo Taylor of Forney, five grandchildren, Brett, Bill and Bradley Walker, and Kris and Steph Hutchins; three step-grandchildren and five

step-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Bobby Walker, Cary Walker, Cotton Walker, Shayne Walker, Joe Osborne and Steve Haynes.

Jewell Townsley Bickell

Graveside services for Jewell Townsley Bickell, 74, of Gun Barrel City were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 30, at Mankin Cemetery with the Rev. Don Teague officiating.

Arrangements were under the direction of Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home of Mabank.

Mrs. Bickell died Wednesday, May 27, in Athens.

She was born July 12, 1926, in Opelika.

Mrs. Bickell was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a homemaker.

Survivors include sons, Alan R. DiMaggio of California and Dennis L. Calander of Texas; daughters, Billy Ruth Dickerson of Oklahoma, Marion K. Todd, Paula J. Nijirch, and Jackie A. Hollaway, all of California, and Pat Lookabaugh of Frankston; 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Karen Denise Patterson

Funeral services for Karen Denise Patterson, 28, of Frankston, formerly of Whitehouse, were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 6, at Thompson Funeral Home chapel, Frankston.

Burial was in Frankston City Cemetery.

Mrs. Patterson died Friday, June 1, at her residence.

She was born Aug. 6, 1972, in Tyler and was a homemaker.

Survivors include her husband, Paul Patterson, Frankston; daughters, Amanda Nicole Carroll and Sarah Patterson, both of Frankston; mother, Carolyn Busby, Whitehouse; brother, Danny Busby, Tyler; sisters, Donna Reed, Dianne Swinney and Deana Barlow, all of Whitehouse; nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were John Stewart, Bob Smith, John Whitley, Marty Baker, Joe Workman and Jerry Howell.

Geneva Roberts McCaffiety

HENDERSON -Funeral services for Geneva Roberts McCaffiety, 84, of Henderson were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 5, at Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home, Henderson, with John Thompson officiating.

Burial was in Lakewood Memorial Park.

Mrs. McCaffiety died Monday, June 3, in a Tyler hospice.

She was born March 20, 1917, in Henderson County to Henry Earl Roberts and Lida Bell Watkins Roberts.

Mrs. McCaffiety attended schools at Brushy Creek and Poynor and lived in Henderson for more than 50 years. She was a retired saleswoman for Mays & Harris Department Store and member of South Main Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by parents; brothers, Vernon Roberts and Perry Roberts; sister, Jean Lehmberg; and son-in-law, James Bradshaw.

Survivors include daughters, Ann Bradshaw and Joan Rowell, both of Henderson; son, Tommy Earl McCaffiety, Longview; brother, Homer Earl Roberts, Frankston; sisters, Ima Jo Roberts, Frankston, Ruth Vinson Hutto, Henderson, and Margie Loden, Jacksonville; eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Grandsons were pallbearers.

Faye Williams

Funeral services for Faye Williams, 95, of Frankston were held at Thompson Funeral Home in Frankston at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 10, with Rev. J.A. Griffin officiating.

Burial was at Frankston City Cemetery under direction of Thompson Funeral Home, Frankston.

Mrs. Williams died Friday, June 8, in Frankston.

She was born Oct. 13, 1905 in Nacogdoches. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Frankston.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Louise and Jimmy Lade of Frankston; one sister, Leila Mae Watts of Birmingham, Ala.; two grandsons, James Lade and wife Cherylyn, Dan Lade and wife Melody.

Pallbearers were Jason Lade, Jeremy Lade, Jamey Lade, Collin Lade, Don Platt and Ronnie Clarkston.

Honorary pallbearers were friends at Frankston Health Care Center.

Mary Jean Halbert Baron

Funeral services for Mary Jean Halbert Baron, 66, of Houston were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 16, at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Houston.

A 4 p.m. service was held in Jacksonville prior to interment at Rest Haven Cemetery.

Mrs. Baron died Monday, June 11.

She was born Jan. 13, 1935 in Frankston, daughter of H.B. and Mattie Petri Halbert.

After graduating from Frankston High School, Mrs. Baron earned a bachelor of music degree from Baylor University in 1955, and a master of education degree in counseling from Georgia State University in 1974.

She performed 22 years of dedicated service at Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, located in the northwest Houston area. She retired in 1997.

Mrs. Baron served in the U.S. Army for five and a half years. At the time of her resignation from the Women's Army Corps in 1962, she had achieved the rank of captain. One assignment during her military service included duties as a commanding officer at Letterman Army General Hospital in San Francisco, CA.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Eddie Halbert of Houston and Gaylon Halbert of Jacksonville.

She is survived by her husband of almost 40 years, Donald H. Baron; sons, Richard Baron of Houston, and Robert Baron of Atlanta, GA; a daughter, Wendy Baron of Houston; sisters, Irene Tatum of Mansfield, LA, Virginia Saunders and Lynne Orr of Jacksonville; and a brother, H.B. Halbert Jr. of Sealy; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends and neighbors.

Pallbearers were Brian Bounds, Jack Lamkin II, Ronnie Munos, Beall Orr, Joel Scott, W.E. Scott, Harrell Smith and Derryl York.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN, 37214-0800.

Eva Jo Barr

LARUE - Graveside services for Eva Jo Barr, 90, of LaRue, were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 9, at Myrtle Springs Cemetery, Henderson County, under direction of Foster & Brown Funeral Home, Athens.

Mrs. Barr died Wednesday, June 6, in Chandler.

She was born Oct. 15, 1910, in Henderson Country to the late W.F. and Rose Boles Harden.

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

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Buddy Barr, three brothers and two sisters.

Survivors include daughters, Janet Bristow, New Harmony, and Mary Paroline, Flint; five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Grandsons and great-grandsons served as pallbearers.

William Clinton Smith

Graveside services for William Clinton Smith, 79, of Frankston, formerly of Alto and Wells, were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, at the Old Palestine Cemetery in Alto.

Services were under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home of Jacksonville.

Mr. Smith died Monday, June 11 in a Frankston nursing home.

He was born Feb. 14, 1922 in Wells.

He was a carpenter and a member of the Church of Christ.

Mr. Smith was preceded in death, by his wife, Vera Mae Smith in 1983 and a sister, Evelyn Bowman.

Survivors include a daughter, Betty Robertson, Lake Palestine; brothers, Ferril Smith, Alto and Carl Wilbert Smith of Wells; sisters, Beth Hicks of Wells and Donna Driggers of The Colony; three grandchildren, four great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Norma L. Pierce Cook

Graveside services for Norma L. Pierce Cook, 68, of Frankston were held in Muse Cemetery, Frankston, Monday, June 11 at 1 p.m. with Rev. Tracy Phillips officiating, under direction of Thompson Funeral Home of Jacksonville.

Mrs. Cook died Friday, June 8, in Little Rock, Ark.

She was born May 9, 1934 in Palestine. Mrs. Cook was a homemaker.

Survivors include three sons, John Wayne Cook, James Lester Cook and Emmett Lee Cook, all of Frankston; one daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Mark Cramer, of Frankston; two brothers, Arnold Pierce and Wallace Glen Pierce, both of Tyler; one sister, Mildred Ingram of Neches; 14 grandchildren, five great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Tracy Ingram, Jay Ingram, Matt Ingram, Terry Aden, John Cook and Emmett Cook.

Tracie Fletcher

Funeral services for Tracie Deann Fletcher, 26, of Elkhart were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 10, at First Baptist Church of Frankston with Revs Jeff Godwin and Bobby Williams officiating.

Burial was at Liberty Hill Cemetery in Frankston under the direction of Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home in Palestine.

Ms. Fletcher died Wednesday, June 6, in Elkhart.

She was born Oct. 4, 1974 in Palestine, daughter of Johnny and Angeliah Ross Fletcher. She was a 1993 graduate of Frankston High School where she was active in the FFA, band and basketball.

Ms. Fletcher was a member of HillTop Baptist Church in Frankston and was a housewife.

Survivors include her father, Johnny Fletcher of Palestine; her mother, Angeliah Morrow of Leagueville; a daughter, Breannah Yvonne Fletcher of Elkhart; a half brother, Mac Morrow of Athens; grandparents, Dean and Donnie Swan of Palestine; great-grandmother, Vera Ross of Palestine.

Pallbearers were Danny Fletcher, Burl Gruetzner, David Speer, Gerald Lynch, Don Sims, and E.J. Kuykendall.

Tiffany Ferguson

Funeral services for Tiffany Deann Ferguson, 9, of Elkhart were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 10, at First Baptist Church of Frankston with Revs. Jeff Godwin and Bobby Williams officiating.

Burial was at Liberty Hill Cemetery in Frankston under the direction of Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home.

Miss Ferguson died Wednesday, June 6, in a Tyler hospital.

She was born Feb. 27, 1992 in Tyler to Ethan and Tracie Fletcher Fields. She had just completed third grade at Slocum Elementary School where she participated in UIL writing and was an honor student and highest ranked student in her class. She was a Baptist.

Survivors include her father and step-mother, Ethan and Brandi Fields of Bedford; grandparents, Robert and Shelia Fields of Frankston, Angeliah Morrow of Leagueville, Johnny Fletcher of Palestine, Brad and Dee Shelley of Crowley and Tim and Debbie King of Fort Worth; three sisters, Breannah Fletcher of Elkhart, Taylor Fields and Alyssa Fields of Bedford.

Pallbearers were Bobby Fields, Adam Fields, Ryan Fields, Chad Shelley, Larry Newberry and Jeremy Newberry.

Brandi Ness

Funeral services for Brandi Leann Ness, 7, of Elkhart were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 10, at First Baptist Church of Frankston with Rev. Jeff Godwin and Bobby Williams officiating.

Burial was in Liberty Hill Cemetery in Frankston under the direction of Herrington/Land of Memory Funeral Home in Palestine.

Miss Ness died Wednesday afternoon, June 6, in Elkhart.

She was born Nov. 25, 1993 in Tyler, daughter of James David and Tracie Fletcher Ness.

Miss Ness had just completed the first grade at Slocum Elementary and was an honor roll student. She was a Baptist.

Survivors included her father and step-mother, David and Bridgitte Ness of Poynor; grandparents, Bob Pickle of Poynor, Phyllis and Alan Crawford of Bellville, Angeliah Morrow of Leagueville and Johnny Fletcher of Palestine; a sister, Breannah Fletcher of Elkhart; a half-sister, Heather Ness of Poynor; a step-sister, Chelsea Saxon of Poynor; and a step brother, Christopher Saxon of Poynor.

Pallbearers were John Derrick Ness, Jeff Hembree, and Paul Singleton.

Eugene 'Gene' Willis Bryant

Memorial services for Eugene "Gene" Willis Bryant, 75, a Poynor area resident, were held Saturday, June 16 at 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Frankston.

Mr. Bryant died Wednesday, June 13 in Frankston.

He was born Oct. 14, 1925 in Norcatur, Kan. He served in the Signal Corps, Third Army Division, during World War II. He was a graduate of the Dallas School of Photography, Southwestern Photo Arts Institute in Dallas and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Penn. He was a self-employed photographer in Dallas for more than 30 years. Additionally Mr. Bryant taught a night class in commercial art at Crozier Tech High School in Dallas.

In Dallas, Mr. Bryant was a member and deacon of Stevens Park Christian Church where he served as Laity Youth Director, taught Sunday School, was a member of the choir and a camp counselor. He was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 760, past president of the Oak Cliff Exchange Club, a former member of the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Dallas Professional Photographers Assn., Adamson High School Dad's Club and a counselor with the Boy Scouts.

Mr. Bryant and his wife, Dot, moved from the Dallas area to a house in the woods near Poynor in 1979. Having married in 1947, the Bryants celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1997.

Since moving to East Texas, Mr. Bryant had been an active member of the United Methodist Church of Frankston. He supported the acolyte, youth and other activities of the church and was rewarded by the pleasure received from helping.

For years, Mr. Bryant was the official photographer for the church's Lord's Acre. He created collages of the photographs taken and attached his own creative captions to the pictures, amazing his friends with his ability to come up with just the right amusing words.

Also at the Lord's Acre, Mr. Bryant was the engineer of Bryant's Express, a series of several connected "box cars" he had built to take children for rides around the neighborhood.

Mr. Bryant played harmonica for the Holy City Strummers in Palestine and Parksonians of East Texas (P.E.T.), a patient-family support group for Parkinson's disease. He delivered Meals on Wheels in the Frankston area, was a life member of the Frankston V.F.W. Post 5073 and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans.

He was preceded in death by his parents, the Rev. Dennis W. and Myrtle E. Bryant; a half brother, Ted Scroggins; and a sister, Helen Bryant Holder.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Jean Bryant; sons, Dr. Ronald A. Bryant of Seattle, Wash. and Ray Howard Bryant of Keller; a daughter, Robyn Jana McDowell of Poynor; a sister, Lucille Bryant Darrow of Elm Grove, La.; seven grandchildren, one great granddaughter and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial gifts may be given to The United Methodist Church of Frankston, P.O. Box 355, Frankston, TX 75763.

J.W. Brownlow

ATHENS - Funeral services for former Henderson County Sheriff J.W. Brownlow, 77, of Athens were held Wednesday, June 20 at 10 a.m. at Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Howard Thompson and Rusty Goodwin officiating.

Burial followed at Oaklawn Memorial Park under the direction of Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home of Athens.

Mr. Brownlow died June 18, 2001 in Tyler.

He was born May 20, 1924, in Athens to E.F. and Ann Lou Francis Brownlow.

Mr. Brownlow served in Henderson County law enforcement for 30 years. He was elected constable in 1949, served as deputy sheriff 1950-1954 and was elected sheriff in 1954. He served as sheriff for 26 years, longer than anyone else in the Henderson County office. He was a charter and life member of Henderson County Peace Officers Assn., a member of Baxter Baptist Church and served in the U.S. Army in 1943.

He was preceded in death by grandsons, Ronald Chad Brownlow in 1990 and Brady Dale Brownlow in 1998.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Laura Joe Ramsey Brownlow of Athens; sons and daughters-in-law, Sheriff Ronny and Theresa Brownlow of Chandler and Brady and Cindy Brownlow of Montalba; daughter and son-in-law, Louquita Ann and Bob Warren of Athens; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many other relatives.

Pallbearers were H.B. "Slick" Alfred, Chief Davis Harris, Kenneth Carter, Mike Warren, Terry Mobley, Steve Westbrook, Jerry West and Jerry Smiley.

Honorary pallbearers were Mack Wallace, Charlie Fields Jr., employees of the Henderson County Sheriff's office and members of the Henderson County Peace Officers Assn.

Memorials may be made to Baxter Baptist Church.

Mildred P. Brightwell

Funeral services for Mildred P. Brightwell, 78, of Palestine were held at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 16, at Bailey & Foster Chapel with Dr. Jeff Cover officiating.

Burial was in Roselawn Park under the direction of Bailey & Foster, Palestine.

Mrs. Brightwell died Wednesday night, June 13, in a Tyler hospital.

She was born Dec. 14, 1922 in Pittsburg to the late Oma I. and Bertha Maud Alison Phillips.

Mrs. Brightwell was self employed as owner/operator of the Dairy Queen in Palestine.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Palestine.

Mrs. Brightwell was on the Board of Directors and Treasurer of the Meals on Wheels, and she was active in the exercise classes at the First Christian Church.

Mrs. Brightwell was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Estelle Kennedy; and three brothers, James Elbert Phillips, Charles Leonard Phillips and David Armand Phillips.

Survivors include her husband James Arthur (Art) Brightwell of Palestine; a daughter, Debbie Bolton of Palestine; three sons, James A. Brightwell II of Spring, David E. Brightwell of Frankston, and Gerald W. Brightwell of Palestine; and six grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Raben J. Bolton Jr., Adam Bolton, David Brightwell, Tim Brightwell, Wayne Thomas and J.R. Parker.

Honorary pallbearers were Cynthia Brightwell, Rebecca Thomas and Betsy Bolton.

Philip Mattern

PALESTINE - Funeral services for Philip Mattern, 73, of Palestine, were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 20, at Bailey & Foster Funeral Home chapel in Palestine, with the Rev. David Johnson officiating.

Burial was in Liberty Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Mattern died Sunday, June 17, in a Tyler hospital.

He was born July 8, 1927, in Plantersville to the late Jack and Barbara Mock Mattern. Mr. Mattern was a member of Christ Community Church and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3807.

He retired from the Houston Chronicle with 17 years of service, worked 17 years for Carnation Milk Co. and was co-owner of Mattern Tire. He served in the Army Signal Corps during World War II.

Survivors include his wife, Katie Mattern, Palestine; sons, David Mattern, Donald Mattern, Allen Mattern, Glen Mattern and Philip Mattern, all of Palestine; step-daughters, Brenda Gross, Tennessee Colony, Linda Richardson, Frankston, and Jeannie Litchfield, Palestine; sisters, Mary Madeline Mentlewski, Houston, and Barbara Ann Besert of Pinehurst; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Marvin P. Morton Jr., Carroll Mewbourn, Donny Shugart, Floyd Allen Dunlap, Tryon Cobble, Michael Morton and Michael Kimbrough.

Honorary pallbearers were his sons.

Alice Ward

ATHENS - Funeral services for Alice Marguerite Heckart Ward, 71, of Athens, were held at 3 p.m. Thursday, June 21, at Lake Athens Baptist Church with the Rev. John Green officiating.

Burial was in Davis Cemetery under the direction of Foster and Brown Funeral Home.

Mrs. Ward was born Aug. 23, 1929, in Independence, Mo. to the late Revel and Marguerite White Heckart. She moved to the Baxter area in 1974. She and her husband owned and operated the Baxter Grocery Store and managed Oakwood Development at Lake Athens. She was a homemaker.

Mrs. Ward was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Ward; brothers, Howard Heckart and Bob Heckart; sister, Mary Jo Heckart; granddaughters, Shannon Mills and LeAnne Richardson; and grandson, Michael Richardson.

Survivors include sons, Steven Ward, Cross Roads, David Ward, LaRue, Aubary Ward and Gene Ward, both of Athens, daughters, Louise Richardson and Christina Miller, both of LaRue; sisters, Ruth Jones, Liberty, Mo., Doris Ruhnke, Fairbury, Nev., Nancy Smith, Independence, Mo., Patricia Apaestequi, Independence, Mo.; 12 grandchildren; nieces and nephews and one great-nephew.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Mark Richardson, Bradley Ward, Kevin Ward, Brent Miller, Jason Miller, Dusty Ward.

Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Fowler, Josh Disotell, Jaime Fernandez, R.B. Richardson, Floyd Miller, Johnny Green, Donny Green, Dr. Doug Curran, Rubin Yarbrough, and Darrell Miller.

Memorials may be made to Homeplace Hospice 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, 75701.

Christopher James Wortham

Funeral services for Christopher James Wortham, 29, of Elkhart, were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 19, at Herrington/Land of Memory Chapel with the Revs. Dub Davis and Kevin Guthrie officiating.

Burial was at Liberty Hill Cemetery in Frankston.

Mr. Wortham died Saturday, June 16, in a Tyler hospital.

He was born Sept. 7, 1971, in Palestine to Jimmy Frank and Beth Ann Shipley Wortham.

Mr. Wortham was a graduate of Elkhart High School. He was a manager in retail sales. He was a Christian.

Mr. Wortham was preceded in death by his fiancé, Tracie Fletcher; and stepdaughters, Tiffany Ferguson and Brandi Ness.

He is survived by his father, Jimmy Wortham of Elkhart; his mother, Beth Wortham of Houston; stepdaughter, Brennah Fletcher of Elkhart; brothers, Tim Wortham of Palestine and Bo Wortham of Elkhart; and grandparents, Al and Betty Shipley of New Hampshire and Frank Hall and Loraine Wortham of Elkhart.

Pallbearers were Tim Wortham, Bo Wortham, Johnny Fletcher, Jon Staines, Mickey Wortham and Bob Wortham.

Memorials may be made to the Sharon Shrine Hospital Fund, 10027 Texas 31 East, Tyler, Texas, 75705.

R. H. (Babe) Goldman

Funeral services for Raymond H. (Babe) Goldman, 86, were held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 18, at First United Methodist Church in Duncanville with Dr. Clayton Oliphant and Rev. Gene Welborn officiating.

Burial was at Little Bethel Cemetery under direction of Jaynes Memorial Chapel, Duncanville.

Mr. Goldman died Friday, June 15.

He was born June 2, 1915 in Florence Hill to Thomas and Alta Lou (Robbins) Goldman. Mr. Goldman had retired from Ford Motor Co. in 1962 after 35 years of service. A lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church, he served the Duncanville Volunteer Fire Department for many years as a volunteer firefighter, and had been the Fire Chief for the Duncanville VFD.

A football player on the first Duncanville football team, he was an avid fan and follower of Duncanville Pantherette basketball, as well as an accomplished woodworker.

Mr. Goldman was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Mary Evelyn (Tookie) Goldman on Jan. 17, 1999.

He is survived by his daughters and sons-in law, Glenda and Charles Douglas of Brady, Ann Wynell and James Beddingfield of Frankston, Gayle and Rodney Whiddon of Duncanville; seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Weldon (Can) Goldman.

Clifford Pate

LARUE - Funeral services for Clifford Pate, 81, of LaRue, were held at 10:30 Wednesday, June 27, at Foster & Brown Funeral Home chapel, Athens, with the Revs. Edwin McDaniels and Matthew Thomas officiating. Burial was in Carroll Springs Cemetery.

Mr. Pate died Monday, June 25, in Tyler.

He was born Aug. 30, 1919, in Henderson County to the late Columbus and Winnie Colley Pate. Mr. Pate served in the armed forces during World War II, participating in the D-Day invasion of France and received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Pharris Pate; a son, Kenny Pate; and a sister, Ruth Hammon.

Survivors include a daughter, Dot Landis of Athens; son, Nick Fields, Oregon, Ronny Pate, Midland, Keith Pate, LaRue, and Homer Pate, Athens; sisters, Mamie Kale, Palestine, Delia Thompson, Baton Rouge, La., and Ida Hickman, Athens; nine grandchildren; and a number of great-grandchildren.

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