Cherokee County, Texas
OBITUARIES OCTOBER 2007
Freda Mae Merchant 10/25/1908 -10/3/2007
Funeral services for Freda Mae Merchant, 98, of
Maydelle, will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2007 at 2:00 P.M. in the
Autry Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Lee Welch officiating. Burial will
follow at Mt. Comfort Cemetery in Maydelle.
Mrs. Merchant was born on October 25, 1908 in Thornton, Texas. She died
on October 3, 2007 in Jacksonville.
Mrs. Merchant was a Baptist and a homemaker who loved and raised her
children during an era without modern conveniences. Her large family
enjoyed hearing many stories from by-gone days. Our beloved mother and
grandmother enjoyed a long healthy life, lived alone and was cared for
by her youngest son; Curtis, until her recent illness. She came from a
generation of survivors. She will be deeply missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents; Lilly Mae McDaniel & Fred
Foreman, husband; John Horace Merchant, sons; Fred Allen Merchant and
Don Ray Merchant; and daughters; Janet Ann Merchant and Reba Nell Glass.
Survivors include her sons & daughters-in-law; Billy & Avis Merchant,
Normangee, TX., John Thomas Merchant, Hemphill, TX., Robert & Janice
Merchant, Meridian, TX., Doug & Kate Merchant, Eddy, TX. and Curtis and
Patricia Merchant, Maydelle; daughter, Bonnie Young of Mexia; numerous
grandchildren, great-grandchildren & great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be John Seth Merchant, Paul Hunter Glass, Michael
Merchant, David McCreight, Michael McCreight, Billy John Merchant, Bobby
Gene Merchant, Kenneth Glass, Zachary Curry & Aaron Curry.
Visitation will begin on Friday, October 5, 2007 with family receiving
friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Autry Funeral Home.
Jeanette Loughmiller 3/9/1932 -10/3/2007
Funeral services for Jeanette Loughmiller, 75, of
New Summerfield will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2007 at 10:00 A.M.
in the Autry Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at McDonald
Cemetery in New Summerfield.
Mrs. Loughmiller was born on March 9, 1932 in Flat Rock, Il.. She died
on October 3, 2007 in Pearland, Texas.
Mrs. Loughmiller was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Christ
and New Summerfield Lions Club.
She was preceded in death by her husband; Leonard Loughmiller and
grandson; Robert Loughmiller.
Survivors include her sons, Lee Loughmiller, Lynn Loughmiller & Pete
Loughmiller all of New Summerfield, daughters; Cyndi Clemens of Pearland
and Kay Zellers of Richmond; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren, 4
brothers; Jack Blankenbeker, Robinson, Il., Benny Blankenbeker, Bill
Blankenbeker & Bob Blankenbeker, all of Georgia and several nieces and
nephews.
Pallbearers will be; Michael Davis, Herbert Davis, Rickey Brown, Jess
Martin, Bruce Ivy, B.J. Potts and Phillip Waldrup.
Visitation will be on Friday, October 5, 2007 with family receiving
friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Autry Funeral Home.
Grace Johnston Lowery 06/12/1912 -10/5/2007
Funeral services for Mrs. Grace Johnston Lowery,
age 95, of Jacksonville, will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, at Autry Funeral
Home, with Rev. Brad Faulk officiating. Interment will be at
Jacksonville City Cemetery.
Mrs. Lowery died Friday, October 5, 2007 in Jacksonville. She was born
June 12, 1912 in Jacksonville. Mrs. Lowery was a member of First Baptist
Church, Jacksonville, was a retired Registered Nurse with a degree in
nursing from Baylor University.
Mrs. Lowery is Preceded in death by her husband, Fred Lowery, twin
sister: Ruth Shoemaker, brothers: Carlton & Chester Johnston.
Survivors include her son; Fred Lowery, Garland; 3 grandchildren; Fred
M. Lowery, Jr., John R. Lowery, Julie Weber; 2 great grandchildren;
Elaine & Hope Lowery. Several nieces & nephews.
Pallbearers will be; James Walston, Wes Smith, Fred M. Lowery, Jr., John
R. Lowery, John Weber, and John Cardwell.
Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral Home.
Jack Farmer 9/18/1918 -10/5/2007
Jack Benson Farmer passed away October 5, 2007 in
Jacksonville, TX.
He was born on September 28, 1918 in Clayton County, Georgia to Arthur
Calvin Farmer & Nell Huey.
Jack was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Geneva
Farmer on September 10, 2007.
He is survived by his four children; his son Charles and Gail Farmer of
Austin, TX., 3 daughters; Mary Alice and Chuck Larsen of Graham, TX.,
Peggy and John Ervin of Jacksonville, TX., and Susan and Rocky Paramore
of Bastrop, TX., 7 grandchildren; Benson Larsen of Forney, TX., Jennifer
Larsen of Rockwell, TX., Jack Grimes of Austin, TX., Leigh Christie of
Austin, TX., Wendy Clark of Alto, TX., Adam Grimes of Austin, TX., and
Benson Grimes of Jacksonville, TX., 11 great-grandchildren, a brother;
Robert and Reba Farmer of Fayetteville, Georgia, and several nieces and
nephews.
The family is planning a memorial celebration for both Jack &Geneva
Farmer at a later date at Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville, TX.
Lewis Webber Nichols 04/09/1939 -10/7/2007
Graveside services for Lewis Webber Nichols, 68, of
Jacksonville, will be held Thursday October 11, 2007 at 10:00 A.M. at
Resthaven Memorial Park in Jacksonville, with Rev. Dr. Faulk Landrum
officiating under the direction of Autry Funeral Home of Jacksonville.
Mr. Nichols died Sunday, October 7, 2007, in Jacksonville. He was born
in Houston, Tx. on April 9, 1939, to: Talley and Ruth Bowling Nichols.
Mr. Nichols was a member of First United Methodist Church, Jacksonville.
He was a member of the class of 1957 Jacksonville High School. He served
in the U.S.Marines, and served as Vice President of TallyHo Plastics of
Jacksonville.
He is survived by 2 sons: Lewis W. Nichols, Dallas, Eric & Ree Nichols,
with the U.S. Military, 2 Daughters: Amanda Nichols, Ft. Worth, Nicki
Nichols, Atlanta Ga. Mother: Ruth Nichols, Jacksonville, 3 brothers
Talley James Nichols, Jacksonville, Robert & Donna Nichols,
Jacksonville, Dwight Dee & Laura Jean Nichols, Garland. 2 sisters: Penny
& Kenneth Sanders, Tyler, Susan & Richard Gonzalez, Las Cruces, N.M. 2
Grandchildren: Rene Nichols of California, Taka Nichols, Japan.
Honorary Pallbearers are James Nichols, Robert Nichols, Dwight Nichols,
Richard Gonzalez, and George Henry Clark.
Visitation will be noon until 9:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Payton Scott Diers 08/11/1988 -10/8/2007
Funeral services for Payton Scott Diers are scheduled for Wednesday,
October 10, 2007 at 10:00 AM at Central Baptist Church in Jacksonville
with Rev. Newton Hambrick and Rev. Dennis Morgan officiating under the
direction of Autry Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Still Waters
Memorial Garden in Jacksonville.
Payton died on Monday, October 8, 2007 in Tyler. He was born on August
11, 1988 in Tyler. He was a member of Tyler Street Baptist Church in
Jacksonville.
He played baseball for Jacksonville High School wearing #8 and went on
to play for Tyler Junior College wearing #18. He was a pitcher for
Division III NJCAA 2007 TJC National Championship team. He was a 2006
graduate of Jacksonville High School. During high school he was a member
of JHS Cares, Spanish Club, Who’s Who among American High School
Students and a second team all district pitcher. He was employed by Cobb
Holman Lumber Company.
Payton is preceded in death by his grandmother, Rose Mary Diers;
great-grandfathers, Robert L. Diers, Jack Dudley, and Bill Lindsey.
Survivors include his parents, Scott & Rhonda Diers; brothers, Ryan
Taylor Diers and Ruston Luman Diers, all of Jacksonville; grandparents,
Bob & Sharon Diers of San Antonio, Beth & Billy Lomax, of Jacksonville,
Ronny & Terry Lindsey, of Jacksonville; great-grandparents, Luman & Rose
Mary Holman, of Jacksonville, Gertie Dudley, of Henderson, and Lorene
Cole, of Mixon; several aunts & uncles and great-aunts & uncles.
Pallbearers will be Scott Diers, Ryan Diers, Ruston Diers, Chase
Birdwell, Matt Wakefield, and Jamie Loftin. Honorary pallbears will be
the Tyler Junior College baseball team. The family would like to thank
the many special friends in his life for their love and friendship to
Payton over the years.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 9, 2007 with family
receiving friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the funeral home.
Jennifer "Chelle" Little 1/27/1975 -10/10/2007
Funeral services for Jennifer “Chelle” Little, age 32, of Mixon, will
be 2:00 P.M. Monday, October 15, at Autry Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev.
Benny Brooks & Rev. Rudy Bond officiating. Burial will be at Resthaven
Memorial Park.
Ms. Little died Wednesday, October 10, 2007 in Tyler. She was born
January 27, 1975 in Jacksonville. Jennifer was a Hairdresser and a
Baptist.
Survivors include her sons; Cody & Jacob Reeves of Troup, brothers; Ray
Vestal, Baytown, Roy Vestal, Livingston, sisters; Jacqueline “J.J.”
Bobbitt, Maydelle, Kimberly McAdams, Burleson, several aunts, uncles,
nieces & nephews, fiance’; C.J. Hardy, Mixon and special friend; Darrell
Duitch.
Pallbearers will be: Travis Willis, Ray Vestal, Alvin Carney, Jeremy
Singletary, Shane Bobbitt & Danny Shugart.
Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral Home.
Memorial Donations may be made to Austin Bank - Jennifer Little Fund
Sheila Powell Cobb Gray 3/19/1964 -10/13/2007
Funeral services for Sheila Cobb Powell Gray, age 43, of
Jacksonville, will be 4:00 P.M. Wednesday, October 17, at Autry Funeral
Home Chapel, with Rev. Donny Sadler officiating. Burial will be at
Jarratt Cemetery.
Sheila died Saturday, October 13, 2007 in Jacksonville.
She was born March 19, 1964 in Rusk to Glenn & Opal Foster Cobb. She
was a Phlebotomist & Computer operator for TRANSCO Corp in Houston. She
was a member of the First Baptist Church, New Summerfield.
Survivors include her son; Roger Powell, Tyler, daughter; Loni Powell,
Houston, 1 granddaughter; 1 brother; Farron Cobb, Jacksonville.
Pallbearers will be: Roger Powell, Jr., Roger Powell, Joe Tomkiewicz,
Mickey Gates, Richard Northern, Mark Smith, Don McCann & Paul Gray.
Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Jerry "Pee Wee" Morris Chancellor 06/30/1941 -10/14/2007
Services for Jerry (Pee Wee) Morris Chancellor, 66, of Jacksonville
are scheduled for 2:00 PM Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at Peoples Church
in Jacksonville with Rev. A. L. Fannette officiating under the direction
of Autry Funeral Home. Burial will be at Still Waters Memorial Garden.
Mr. Chancellor died October 14 in his home with his family by his side.
He was born June 30, 1941 in Nacogdoches, TX. He attended Jacksonville
High School and Lon Morris College. He received his Bachelors degree
from Sam Houston State University. He then went on to receive his
Masters from Stephen F. Austin State University.
His career began at the Building and Loan Association in February of
1965 where he remained for 40 years, through three bank name changes. He
was President and CEO during the last ten years of employment. After the
sale to Franklin Bank he served as regional director of the East Texas
Division as well as Director of the Franklin Bank Board. He also held
the designation of Senior Residential Appraiser as well as holding a
Texas Real Estate Brokers License for 30 years.
Jerry was a member of People’s Church. He lived in and served the
community of Jacksonville through various organizations. He served as
past President and Director of the Jacksonville Lions Club and Director
of the Texas Savings and Community Bankers Association from 2001 – 2004.
He also served as Director of Jacksonville Industrial Foundation and
Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.
Pee Wee was an avid fisherman, hunter, golfer, and sports fan.
Survivors include his daughter, Neeley Morris Chancellor; step-children,
Casey Hart and Ryan Cook; 4 grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law
Doris & James Bacon, Deloris & David Campbell; 2 nieces; 3 nephews; as
well as a host of friends.
Pallbearers are Larry Garner, Wade Holman, Jerry Hammons, Tommy Murray,
Bill Taylor, Charles Broadway, Jack Traylor, Acie Henigan, and Bob
Brown.
Honorary pallbearers are all directors, officers, and employees of the
former Jacksonville Savings Bank.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 from 6:00 PM to
8:00 PM at Autry Funeral Home.
Lillie Mae Casper 12/21/1937 -10/16/2007
Funeral services for Lillie Mae Casper, age 69, of Jacksonville, will
be 10:00 A.M. Friday, October 19, at Autry Funeral Home Chapel, with
Bro. Jim Wilson officiating. Burial will be at Neches Cemetery.
Mrs. Casper died Tuesday, October 16, 2007 in Tyler. She was born
December 21, 1937 in Neches to George & Agnes Lovelady. Mae was a
retired Truck driver and a Jehovah’s Witness.
Mrs. Casper was preceded in death by her husband; Joe Casper, daughter;
Tammy Casper, granddaughter; Lanette Jackson & 3 brothers.
Survivors include 2 sons & daughters-in-law; Jay & Mellisa Casper,
Eustace, Joey & Bobbie Casper, Jacksonville, 4 daughters & sons-in-law;
Lynn & Johnny Davilla, Jacksonville, Vickie & Kenneth Jackson, Ponta,
Terry & Sam Green, Jacksonville and Connie Casper, Rusk, 15
grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces & nephews.
Pallbearers will be: Neal Jackson, Chuck Moody, Justin Morgan, Jason
Work, Chris Applin & Brandon Casper. Honorary Pallbearer is Clay
Casper.
Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home.
Flora Estelle Boyd 11/10/1913 -10/16/2007
Funeral services for Flora Estelle Sudbury Boyd,
age 93, of Jacksonville, will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, October 20, at
Friendship Baptist Church, Corine, with Bro. Larry Smith officiating.
Burial will be in Corine Cemetery.
Mrs. Boyd died Tuesday, October 16, 2007 in Jacksonville. She was born
November 10, 1913 in Marlin, to J.E. and Annie Collins Sudbury. She
retired from Discount City and the Central Baptist Church Nursery.
Flora was preceded in death by her husband: Charles J. Boyd, Sr., in
1980.
Survivors include her 2 sons and daughter-in-law, Charles J. Boyd, Jr.
and wife Patsy, of Jacksonville and Glenn Weldon Boyd of the Dominican
Republic, grandchildren; Blair Boyd Upchurch and husband Dana, of
Jacksonville and Eric Boyd and wife Kim of Highlands, TX.,
great-grandchildren; Pvt. Terry Upchurch, U.S. Army, Bagdad and Matt
Upchurch of Cockett, numerous nieces and nephews and special friends;
Peggy Chitwood, her Sunday School Teacher and Philip Warren her former
pastor.
Pallbearers will be: Eric Boyd, Dana Upchurch, Gerald Gray, Lewie Lake,
Johnny Chitwood and Don Walker.
Honorary Pallbearer is Jack Tarrant.
No visitation is scheduled.
Memorials may be made to Friendship Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Texas
Geraldine Sauerhage 10/14/1935 -10/24/2007
Geraldine Sauerhage, loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend,
died Wednesday, October 24, 2007.
Geraldine Standerfer was born October 14, 1935, at Good Samaritan
Hospital in East St. Louis, Il. She graduated from East St. Louis High
School in 1953 and was a member of the National Honor Society.
On June 9, 1956, Gerry married Floyd Sauerhage in East St. Louis, which
began their 52 years of marriage. They had three sons, Dennis, Mike and
John, also born at Good Samaritan Hospital.
Geraldine was a wonderful mother and homemaker and was very proud of her
service to the community. She worked with Meals-on-Wheels in Arlington,
Texas for over ten years.
Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents; Chalon and Mary, her
brothers; John and Chester, and sister; Mary Jean.
Gerry is survived by her husband; Floyd of Berryville, Texas, sons;
Dennis and wife Marie of Rising Sun, Indiana, Mike and wife Vicki of Ft.
Worth, John and wife Lisa of Arlington, six grandchildren; Nathan,
Caitlin, Maggie, Shannon, Erin and Bridgett and two nieces; Donna and
Debbie.
Pallbearers will be her three sons; Dennis, Mike and John Sauerhage,
Paul Cary, Mark Cancemi and Nathan Sauerhage.
Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, October 29, at 10:30 AM at
the United Methodist Church of Frankston. Interment will be Monday,
October 29 at 2:30 PM at the Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery, Lane B,
please arrive no later than 2:15 PM for the committal service.
The family will receive visitors on Sunday, October 28, from 6 to 8 PM
at the funeral home in Frankston.
Clifford "Chip" Roper 10/22/1978 -10/26/2007
Memorial services for Clifford “Chip” Roper, 29 of
Jacksonville, are scheduled for 6:00 p. m. Tuesday, October 30, at the
Autry Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Steve Edwards officiating.
Visitation with the family will follow the services, Tuesday night.
Mr. Roper died on Friday, October 26, 2007 from injuries sustained in a
motorcycle accident. He was born October 22, 1978 in Tyler, Texas. He
was a member of Central Baptist Church in Jacksonville.
Survivors include his parents Kathi and Ray Ploof of New Summerfield,
Grandparents Charles and Nancy Roper, Jacksonville, Great Grandmother
Dorothy Jackson, Jacksonville, Aunts and Uncles, Charlotte and Mark
Ford, Jacksonville and Chuck and Mary Roper of Jacksonville, cousins,
Denise and David Ford, Christian and Hannah Roper.
Billy Frank Corley 9/5/1942 -10/26/2007
Funeral services for Billy Frank Corley, 65, of
Jacksonville, TX are scheduled for Tuesday, October 30, 2007, at 2:00
P.M. at Autry Funeral Home Chapel, Jacksonville, TX . Burial will be in
the Bullard Memorial Cemetery, Bullard, TX.
Mr. Corley died Friday, October 26, 2007 in Rogers, TX.
He was born September 5, 1942 in Durant, OK. He was an inspector for
Tyler Pipe for over 20 years and was a Baptist.
Mr. Corley was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Milady Corley,
a son, Brandon Corley, brother; Sonny Corley and sisters; Dorothy
Hawthorne, Opal Lamar, and Mittie Lee.
Survivors include son, Billy Wayne Corley and wife, Theresa of Mineola,
TX, daughter and husband, Sandy and Mark Hill of Jacksonville, TX,
brothers, Jack Corley of Tyler, TX, Woody Corley of Lindale, TX, Tom
Corley of Flint, TX, sisters, Melba Foreman, Temple, TX, Betty Tibbitts,
Nolanville, TX, Margaret Fetterman, Little River, TX, June Stickney,
Washington and Yvonne Coston, Hamilton, TX.
Six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Several Nieces and
Nephews.
Pallbearers: James Holder, Tim Hill, Bill Hill, Bobby Harr, Daniel Bales
and Mike Thomas, honorary pallbearers: Uncle Johnny Culpepper, J. R.
Hill, Terry Mosley and Billy Fetterman.
The family will receive visitors on Monday, October 29, from 6 to 8 PM.
Imogene Dansby 12/19/1922 -10/27/2007
Graveside services for Imogene Dansby, 84, of Frankston are scheduled
for10:00 AM Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at Frankston City Cemetery with
Revs. Mark Norman and Harry Noble officiating under the direction of
Autry Funeral Home in Frankston. Burial will be at Frankston City
Cemetery.
Mrs. Dansby died October 27 in Tyler.
She was born December 19, 1922 in Hanna, OK. She was a homemaker and
was a former Sunday School Teacher at Poynor Baptist Church.
Survivors include Sons and Daughters-in-law Richard “Dickey” and Geneze
Dansby, Jim “Bo” and Becky Dansby both of Tyler, a daughter-in-law
Yvonne Dansby of Chandler, a brother James Compton of Carlsbad, and two
Sisters Irene Haggerton and Jo Ann Bald- ridge all of Carlsbad, New
Mexico.
Ten Grandchildren: Leah Burke, Lisa Williams, Jennifer Clark, Josh
Dansby, Jon Dansby, Amy Alants, Noah Dansby, Ira Dansby, Lindsey
Klinger, and Brittany Barron.
Seven Greatgrandchildren: Justin Dominy, Zack Donimy, Ty Williams,
Mackenzie Clark, Tate Clark, Campbell Clark, and Bailey Barron.
Pallbearers will be Grandsons and Great Grandsons.
Visitation will be held on Monday, October 29, 2007 from 6:00 PM to 8:00
PM at Autry Funeral Home in Frankston .
Memorial Donations may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University
Blvd., Tyler, TX 75703
Ruth Gunter Jenkins 2/26/1922 -10/29/2007
Ruth Stevens Gunter Jenkins, loving wife, mother,
grandmother and friend, died Monday, October 29, 2007.
Services are scheduled for Thursday, November 1 at 2:00 PM in the Chapel
at Autry Funeral Home, Jacksonville with Brother Randall Birdsong
officiating. Burial will be at Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Longview
following the service.
Ruth Smith was born February 26, 1922, in Turney to the late George
David and Mary Alice Caveness Smith. Ruth was a School Teacher for over
30 years in Turney, Gaston & Pine Tree Elementary Schools. She was a
member of the Jacksonville Garden Club, Cherokee County Retired Teachers
Association, Wednesday Study Club & Ponta First Baptist Church, Clerk.
Ruth was a wonderful mother, teacher and homemaker and was very proud of
her service to the community.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents: Dave & Alice Smith, brother:
David O’Brien Smith, 1st husband; Harvey L. Stevens, Jr., 2nd husband:
Edwin D. Gunter, 3rd husband; Carl Jenkins and step-granddaughters: Jana
Herrera & Sarah Solis.
Ruth is survived by: Sons & Daughters-in-law: Thomas Kim & Kay Stevens,
Jacksonville, Mark & Sharon Stevens, Flint, sister: Oleta Smith Gray,
Bonner Place, granddaughters: Stephanie & Kenny Sessions, Jacksonville,
Jennifer Stevens, Kimberly Stevens, Seabrook, grandsons: Toby Kyle
Stevens and Michael Stevens, Jacksonville, great-grandchildren: Jordan &
Sean Anderson, Conner Sessions & Keira Stevens. Step-daughters: Sarah
Jenkins Edwards, Hughes Springs, and Carla Jenkins Zuecher,
Daingerfield.
Pallbearers will be: Russell Smith, Bobby Dee Caveness, Louis Caveness,
Willie D. Wilkinson, Bill Beranek, Larry Stegall & Jimmy Caveness.
Honorary Pallbearers will be: Luman Holman, Tom Dean Stevens, R.L.
McDonald, A.C. Jenkins, C.L. Newburn & Paul Haws.
The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, October 31, from 5 to 7
PM at the funeral home.
